Asymmetric and Axisymmetric Constant Curvature Liquid-Gas Interfaces in Pulmonary Airways

Airway closure and gas trapping can occur during lung deflation and inflation when fluid menisci form across the lumina of respiratory passageways. Previous analyses of the behavior of liquid in airways have assumed that the airway is completely wetted or that the contact angle of the liquid-gas interface with the airway wall is 0, and thus that the airway fluid forms an axisymmetric surface. However, some investigators have suggested that liquid in the airways is discontinuous and that contact angles can be as high as 67. In this study we consider the characteristics of constant curvature surfaces that could form a stable liquid-gas interface in a cylindrical airway. Our analysis suggests that, for small liquid volumes, asymmetric droplets are more likely to form than axisymmetric toroids. In addition, if the fluid contact angle is greater than 13, asymmetric droplets can sustain larger liquid volumes than axisymmetric toroids before collapsing to form menisci. These results suggest that (1) fluid formations other than axisymmetric toroids could occur in the airways; and (2) the analysis of the behavior of fluids and the development of liquid menisci within the lungs should include the potential role of asymmetric droplets.     

Airway responses to antigen challenge in allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma

The density dependence of the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve, functional residual capacity (FRC), and specific airway conductance (SGaw) were determined before and during bronchial provocation with ragweed extract in 27 subjects with ragweed hypersensitivity and a history of either bronchial asthma (16 subjects) or allergic rhinitis (11 subjects). Mean baseline SGaw was significantly lower while mean volume of isoflow (Visov) and FrC were significantly higher in subjects with bronchial asthma. During antigen challenge, 10 of 16 subjects with bronchial asthma (63%) and five of 11 subjects with allergic rhinitis (45%) showed a greater than 35% decrease in SGaw ("reactors"): mean relative decreases in SGaw from baseline were 46% and 53%, respectively. The remaining subjects showed a less than 35% decrease in SGaw ("nonreactors") with mean relative decreases of 9% (allergic asthma) and 6% (allergic rhinitis). Mean Visov increased in all subjects with bronchial asthma and in eight of 11 subjects with allergic rhinitis. A significant increase in FRC (6%) was seen only in the "reactors" with bronchial asthma. Following antigen challenge, the beta adrenergic agonist, isoetharine, increased SGaw and decreased Visov. We conclude that in asymptomatic subjects with ragweed hypersensitivity, (1) central and peripheral airway function is more abnormal in subjects with bronchial asthma than in subjects with allergic rhinitis, (2) subjects of both groups show quantitatively and qualitatively comparable airway responses during antigen challenge with a decrease in SGaw or an increase in Visov, possibly representing increase in central and/or peripheral airflow resistance, respectively, (3) Visov may be a more sensitive indicator of airway response to antigen challenge than SGaw, and (4) the bronchodilator effects of a beta adrenergic agonist on antigen-induced bronchospasm are similar in both groups.     

Pathomorphological characteristics of cardiac remodeling after myocardial infarction

Dilatational, hypertrophic, aneurysmal, and endocardial variants of remodeling were revealed in the postinfarction heart. The most prevalent dilatational remodeling is characterized by uniform or nonuniform elongation of ventricular cavities and increase in ventricular volume. Characteristic features of the hypertrophic type are hypertrophied interventricular septa and left ventricular wall and reduced or unchanged left ventricular volume. Pronounced changes in the configuration of the left ventricle due to the formation of single or multiple aneurysms were typical of aneurysmal remodeling. Endocardial remodeling was characterized by cicatricial changes and smoothed relief of the parietal endocardium. These variants and forms of remodeling determine disturbances in intracardial hemodynamic and thanatogenesis in the postinfarction period.     

芝麻素对高脂、高糖饲养大鼠血脂血糖及血管重构的影响

目的：探讨芝麻素对高脂、高糖饲养大鼠血脂血糖及血管重构的影响。方法：大鼠高脂高糖饮食24周，于第9周开始连续口服芝麻素(120、60、30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1)16周。测血糖、血脂、血压、血清与血管总抗氧化能力和过氧化氢含量。主动脉HE染色和Masson染色分别观察主动脉组织学和胶原纤维变化。肠系膜动脉HE染色，病理图像分析系统测定血管中膜厚度(media thickness，M)、血管内径(luminal radius，L)和中膜厚度与内径比值（M/L）。免疫组化法观察主动脉诱导型一氧化氮合酶蛋白表达。结果：与模型组相比，芝麻素高中剂量组血糖、血脂和血压明显下降（P<0.01）；总抗氧化能力显著提高，过氧化氢含量明显降低（P<0.01或P<0.05）；主动脉iNOS蛋白表达和胶原纤维沉积明显减少；血管内膜和平滑肌细胞增殖减轻；系膜动脉血管M与M/L明显减少，L明显增加(P<0.01)。结论：芝麻素能纠正高脂、高糖诱导大鼠糖脂代谢异常,并抑制血压升高、改善血管重构。     

Expression profiles of the duplicated matrix metalloproteinase-9 genes suggest their different roles in apoptosis of larval intestinal epithelial cells during Xenopus laevis metamorphosis.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a pivotal role in development and/or pathogenesis through degrading extracellular matrix (ECM) components. We have previously shown that Xenopus MMP-9 gene is duplicated. To assess possible roles of MMP-9 and MMP-9TH in X. laevis intestinal remodeling, we here analyzed their expression profiles by in situ hybridization and show that their expression is transiently up-regulated during thyroid hormone-dependent metamorphosis. Of interest, MMP-9TH mRNA is strictly localized in the connective tissue and most highly expressed just beneath the larval epithelium that begins to undergo apoptosis. On the other hand, cells expressing MMP-9 mRNA become first detectable in the connective tissue and then, after the start of epithelial apoptosis, also in the larval epithelium. These results strongly suggest that MMP-9TH is responsible in the larval epithelial apoptosis through degrading ECM components in the basal lamina, whereas MMP-9 is involved in the removal of dying epithelial cells during amphibian intestinal remodeling.     

家兔实验性动脉粥样硬化血管重塑的形态定量分析

目的 :探讨AS血管重塑的几何形态变化规律。方法 :将 40只新西兰雄性家兔随机等分为正常对照组 (C组 )和动脉粥样硬化模型组 (AS组 ) ,分别于实验的第 4、8、12周末取各组家兔的胸主动脉进行定性观察及定量分析。结果 :随时间延长 ,AS组斑块面积逐渐增大 ,斑块检出率逐渐增加。管腔面积在早期斑块形成时并无改变 ,晚期则明显缩小。斑块面积及管腔面积均分别与内弹性膜包围面积 (IELA)、外弹性膜包围面积 (EELA)呈正相关关系 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,IELA和EELA间也呈显著正相关关系 (P <0 .0 1) ,但斑块面积与管腔面积间并无直线相关关系 (P >0 .0 5 )。结论 :家兔AS病变随时间延长逐渐加重 ,且在斑块形成时伴内弹性膜和外弹性膜的同时扩张 ,管腔狭窄与否主要与IELA和EELA相关。IELA和EELA可作为判断管腔狭窄及评价血管重塑的指标。     

苯丙氨酸缓解高血压大鼠血管重塑

目的：应用激光共聚焦显微镜观察高血压时血管重塑，以及苯丙氨酸治疗后对血管重塑的影响。方法： 以Wistar-Kyoto 大鼠 (WKY)和自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)为研究对象，采用固定压力灌注和荧光染色激光共聚焦显微镜观察分析肠系膜小动脉的管腔、厚度和血管平滑肌的排列方向。结果： SHR较WKY 管腔缩小，管壁增厚，同时血管平滑肌排列方向紊乱。应用苯丙氨酸治疗后，管腔扩大，管壁变薄，血管平滑肌排列方向改善。结论： 高血压大鼠肠系膜小动脉存在血管重塑现象，苯丙氨酸可以改善血管重塑。     

气道粘液、粘蛋白及其分泌调节

Mucus secreted mainly by epithelial goblet cells and submucosal glands coveting the respi-ratory tract plays an important role in the protection from external aggressions, such as solid particles,pathogens and chemical agents by mucocilialy clearance, The viscoelastic properties of mucus are mainly deter-mined by the presence of extensively - glycosylated high molecular weight mucins. A lot of factors influence the expression and secretion of mucins in airway, lead to mucus overproduction, which is a distinguishing feature of chronic obstructive pulmonaly disease (COPD) and causes disruption of the mucocilialy clearance function,resulting in airway block, chronic infection and death.     

Skeletal alterations in hypophysectomized rats: I. A histomorphometric study on tibial cancellous bone

Background: Hypophysectomy (HX) results in a cessation of bone growth and a decrease in bone metabolism. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of HX on the static and dynamic histomorphometry of cancellous bone in the secondary spongiosa of the proximal tibial metaphysis in rats. Methods: Female rats, at 2 or 3 months of age, were HX and sacrificed at 0, 5 days, 2 and 5 weeks after the surgery. Age-matched intact rats served as controls. Cancellous bone histomorphometry was performed on doublefluorescent labeled, 30-um-thick sections of the proximal tibia. Tartrateresistant acid phosphatase histomorphometry was performed at 5 days on HX and control rats to evaluate the resorption in the metaphyseal bone. Results: Although the intact rats gained in body weight, tibial length, tibial weight, and density after 5 weeks, these changes did not occur following HX. As compared to the basal group, HX resulted in a decrease in the density and dry weight of the metaphysis. The histomorphometric data showed that the cancellous bone volume and trabecular number of the secondary spongiosa were decreased and the separation was increased in the HX rats. The dynamic results showed that HX significantly decreased longitudinal growth rate and tissue-based bone formation and resorption. However, the bone surface-based eroded surface, labeled surface, the mineral apposition rate, and the bone formation rate did not differ between the intact and the HX rats at either the 2 or 5 weeks study. Five days after HX, the bone surface and tissue-based osteoclast surfaces were significantly lower in the HX than in the intact rats. Conclusions: Pituitary hormone deficiency results in cancellous bone loss. The bone loss is due primarily to the suppression of longitudinal growth-dependent bone gain and the inhibition of tissue-based bone turnover with a lower bone formation relative to bone resorption. The surfacebased bone turnover is not affected. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

强力霉素影响基质金属蛋白酶活性和血管重构的实验研究

目的：观察强力霉素对损伤动脉组织中基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）活性的抑制作用，并探讨强力霉素对血管平滑肌细胞增殖、动脉内膜增生、管腔重构的影响。方法:球囊导管扩张动脉的方法建立大鼠颈总动脉损伤模型。治疗组用强力霉素30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1干预。明胶酶谱法测定损伤动脉组织中MMPs的活性。用HE染色、VVG染色、免疫组化标记α-actin和增殖细胞核抗原的方法观察损伤动脉内膜厚度、管腔重构及平滑肌细胞增殖的情况。结果:①强力霉素治疗组MMP-9活性在术后24 h、3 d分别比对照组低26.3％、34.5％（P<0.01）；MMP-2活性在术后7 d比对照组低40.0％（P<0.01）。②强力霉素治疗使术后7 d内膜平滑肌细胞增殖率（43.23％±1.06％）显著低于对照组（62.76％±1.02％）（P<0.01）；使术后14 d、28 d新生内膜厚度比对照组分别少32.0％、38.8％（P<0.01），而管腔面积比对照组多58.0％、90.4％（P<0.01） 。结论：强力霉素可以显著降低血管损伤后MMPs活性，抑制内膜平滑肌细胞的增殖、新生内膜增生以及管腔重构，提示它可能具有防治PTCA术后再狭窄的作用。