Increase of prolactin mRNA in the rat hypothalamus after intracerebroventricular injection of VIP or PACAP

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), the structurally homologous pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) and the pituitary hormone, prolactin (PRL) enhance rapid eye movement sleep (REMS). VIP and PACAP are both inducers of PRL gene expression and release in the pituitary gland. Little is known about PRL regulation in the brain although it is hypothesized that the REMS-promoting activity of i.c.v. administered VIP may be mediated via the activation of cerebral PRL. To test whether VIP or PACAP in fact increase intracerebral mRNA, the peptides (VIP: 30 or 300 pmol; PACAP: 220 pmol) were injected i.c.v. into rats at dark onset. 1 h later, cDNA was synthesized from purified hypothalamic mRNA. Standardized amounts were analysed for PRL using the polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blotting and hybridization. Compared with β-actin mRNA levels, both VIP and PACAP increased PRL mRNA levels in a dose-dependent fashion though VIP was more effective on a molar basis. The previously reported alternatively spliced PRL mRNA (lacking exon 4) was not detected. The data support the hypothesis that the REMS-promoting activity of central VIP and PACAP might be mediated by cerebral PRL.     

A VIP antagonist distinguishes VIP receptors on spinal cord cells and lymphocytes

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide which also interacts with cells of the immune system. The paucity of specific VIP receptor antagonists has hampered studies of possible receptor heterogeneity and of VIP function. To aid in achieving these goals, a new VIP antagonist, a hybrid between neurotensin and VIP, has been synthesized. This peptide interacted with VIP receptors on spinal cord cells with an affinity 10-fold greater than VIP itself. In contrast, 1000-fold higher concentrations of the antagonist were required to displace labeled VIP from its receptor on lymphoid cells as compared to VIP itself, suggesting VIP receptor heterogeneity between immune and spinal cord cells.     

Clinical status and parasitic infection in a Wichi Aboriginal community in Salta,Argentina

In a study, carried out in 2000, of the clinical and parasitological status of a Wichi Aboriginal community living in the suburbs of Tartagal, northern Salta, Argentina, 154 individuals were screened for parasitic infections. Ninety-five faecal samples were also obtained from the same population. Ninety-three percent of the subjects were positive for 1 or more of the parasites investigated by direct test and 70.5% of them had parasitic superinfection. The most frequent helminths were Strongyloides stercoralis (50.5%) and hookworm (47.4%). We found low reinfection rates and a long reinfection period after treatment and provision of safe water and sanitation. Serum reactivity of these patients was analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescent assay and 22.1% of them had anti-Toxocara antibodies, 16.2% were positive for a complex antigen of Leishmania braziliensis, 29.9% were positive for a complex Trypanosoma cruzi antigen, and 17.5% were positive for a specific Trypanosoma cruzi antigen, Ag1 63136/cruzipain.     

Evaluation of computerized analysis of the propagation of human duodenojejunal contractions

Abstract Detection of peristalsis in the human small intestine has been limited in the past by both the available measurement techniques and the complexity of this activity. Recent developments in ambulant recording have provided a means of monitoring the occurrence of intestinal contractions at multiple sites in the small bowel, but the problem of complexity remains. Using digital data recorded from an intra-luminal strain-gauge transducer in the proximal gut, an algorithm was implemented to identify and classify contractile events within the small bowel. By modelling propagated activity the effect of varying transducer spacing and the number of transducers used was assessed. The question of variability of apparent velocity of peristaltic contractions was examined using successive cross-correlation calculations to extract underlying phase differences between samples of 512 minutes of manometric recording over 150 mm of human small bowel. The effective velocity was found to have a median value of 14 mm sec^-1 and an inter quartile range of 12–18 mm see^-1). It is proposed that, in dynamically tracking variations in phase difference between adjacent recording sites, cross-correlation techniques should be used to control the parameters used for the recognition of propagated contractile events and thereby improve the specificity of this process.     

Clinico-pathological aspects of a residual natal tooth: a case report

A Japanese girl was referred to Osaka University Dental Hospital for examination of a tooth-like structure that had erupted following spontaneous exfoliation of a natal tooth in the lower left primary central incisor region. The structure had erupted at 6 months of age, and radiographic and clinical examination showed composition of pulp and dentin, but no enamel. On histological examination, the majority of the dentin area had a tubular dentin-like appearance, while the outer area of the root appeared to be composed of an osteodentin-like substance. Most of the dentin was covered by cementum. These findings suggest that the structure had originated from a developing remnant of the extracted natal tooth, which must have remained in the gingival tissues. We termed this calcified structure a residual natal tooth.     

Expression of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA in breast tissue

Summary Expression of IGF-I and IGF-II was studied in human breast cancer tissues by in situ hybridization. IGF-I mRNA was detected only in stromal cells adjacent to normal breast epithelial cells. Stromal cells associated with the tumor cells did not contain IGF-I, nor did malignant or benign breast epithelial cells. In contrast, IGF-II mRNA was found in both the malignant epithelial cells and their adjacent stromal cells. These data imply that stromal cells associated with breast epithelium may switch expression from IGF-I to IGF-II during breast cancer evolution. This appearance of IGF-II expression may identify cancer-associated stromal cells that have a fetal phenotype.     

Gln与rhGh对肝硬化病人肠黏膜屏障的影响

目的观察Gln与rhGh各单独应用及联合应用对肝硬化病人小肠黏膜屏障形态学和功能学的影响。方法20个肝硬化病人随机分成四组,给予等氮等热量营养支持7d,Gln+rhGh组口服Gln[0.3g/(Kg·d)]和皮下注射rhGh(10U/d);Gln组口服Gln;rhGh组应用皮下注射rhGh;CONT对照组应用相应安慰剂。观察治疗前后患者小肠黏膜通透性和十二指肠黏膜绒毛高度和隐窝深度的变化,分别比较。结果Gln+rhGh组治疗后小肠黏膜通透性有显著性的降低(P<0.05),且显著低于其他三组(P<0.05);十二指肠黏膜绒毛高度和隐窝深度有显著性的增高(P<0.05),且显著高于其他三组(P<0.05)。结论Gln与rhGh联合应用能减低肠道黏膜的通透性和维持其形态学的完整。     

反义骨调素寡核苷酸对肾小管上皮细胞骨调素mRNA表达及其胶原凝胶黏附能力的影响

【目的】观察反义骨调素(OPN)寡核苷酸(AS-ODN)对大鼠肾小管上皮细胞(NRK52E)骨调素mRNA表达及黏附能力的影响;比较AS-ODN的游离形式和经阳离子脂质体(DOTAP)包裹形式的反义抑制效果。【方法】用荧光显微镜观察荧光素标记的AS-ODN在细胞中的分布;将寡核苷酸处理NRK52E细胞48h,用TRIzol试剂提取细胞总RNA;用RNA斑点杂交和RT-PCR检测OPNmRNA的表达;将ODN/DOTAP复合物处理的细胞置于胶原凝胶表面,计算细胞的黏附率。【结果】AS-ODN能转移进入胞核中;AS-ODN处理的细胞OPNmRNA表达水平均较低(P<0.05),而顺义或错义寡核苷酸处理的细胞OPNmRNA水平较高,即使30μmol/L浓度也无抑制作用;游离AS-ODN最低抑制浓度为3.75μmol/L,而AS-ODN浓度为0.5μmol/L的AS-ODN/DOTAP复合物具有良好抑制作用;AS-ODN处理的细胞黏附率降低,而顺义或错义寡核苷酸处理的细胞黏附能力较强。【结论】反义骨调素寡核苷酸能特异地抑制大鼠肾小管上皮细胞OPNmRNA表达和黏附胶原凝胶能力;阳离子脂质体能促进AS-ODN的反义抑制作用。     

术后镇痛泵加新斯的明对胃肠功能影响

目的探讨术后硬膜外持续镇痛泵中加入新斯的明对剖宫产术后胃肠功能的影响。方法选择行剖宫产产妇240例,根据麻醉医师分组的不同将产妇分为两组,观察组126例,术后持续镇痛泵中加入麻醉药和新斯的明1.0mg;对照组114例,镇痛泵中仅有麻醉药,两组麻醉药配伍相同。观察两组产妇术后麻醉镇痛效果、肛门排气时间及腹泻、腹胀、大便失禁、恶心、呕吐等并发症发生情况。结果观察组肛门排气时间为(26.92±10.98)h,对照组为(33.78±12.61)h,两组比较差别有高度显著性(P<0.01);镇痛效果:观察组优为93.55%,对照组优为93.75%,两组比较差别无显著性(P>0.05);观察组恶心、干呕发生率为6.35%,明显低于对照组的19.3%(P<0.05),无一例发生呕吐,对照组有两例发生呕吐,三例发生腹胀;两组均无腹泻及大便失禁发生。结论术后硬膜外持续镇痛泵中加入新斯的明能促进胃肠功能,减少胃肠道并发症,有望为术后胃肠道并发症的防治提供一条新途径。     

小肠粘膜下层的制备及细胞相容性的实验研究

目的了解猪小肠粘膜下层(SIS)的细胞相容性,探讨用SIS为生长载体复合骨髓基质干细胞(BMSCs)构筑组织工程骨的可能性。方法用物理和化学方法处理猪小肠粘膜下层,将兔骨髓基质干细胞与SIS进行体外复合培养,分别进行组织学、相差显微镜和扫描电镜观察。结果经物理和化学处理的SIS纯度高,孔隙多,胶原纤维未受损;BMSCs在SIS材料上生长、粘附、增殖,并能长入材料的孔隙内,分泌大量的细胞外基质成分。结论SIS的细胞相容性良好,不影响BMSCs的形态,对细胞生长和功能表达无抑制作用,可以用作骨组织工程的支架材料。