Isolation and characterization of 8 polymorphic microsatellite markers from the Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi)

The Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) is a small reptile endemic to western North America that is classified as endangered in Canada. Here, we describe the development of 8 microsatellite markers for P. hernandesi. Observed allelic diversity varied from 2 to 11 while observed heterozygosity and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.370–0.852 to 0.486–0.856, respectively. These markers will facilitate studies that address conservation of the species, such as levels of genetic diversity and population structure.     

Implications of High-Dosage Bisphosphonate Treatment on Bone Tissue in the Jaw and Knee Joint

Bisphosphonates are bone antiresorptive agents traditionally used on a relatively large scale for treatment of bone metabolic diseases and on a smaller scale for bone metastasis treatment. A study on the effects of bisphosphonate treatment on healthy instead of diseased animals will give more insight into the basic mechanisms of bisphosphonates and their effects on different bone sites. We aimed to assess the effect of BP on the mouse knee and jaw joint. Three-month old female C57BL/6 mice were used (twenty-four and eighteen control and experimental group, respectively). At baseline and after treatment with zoledronic acid (ZA) for one, three or six months, we combined bone assessment via µCT and additional histology. Our results showed that, in the knee joint, ZA treatment increased TMD, bone volume, trabecular thickness but did not influence cortical thickness. In both control and ZA group, a higher trabecular TMD compared to cortical TMD was seen. Unseen in the knee joint, ZA treatment in the jaw joint resulted in bone-site specific changes in mineralization; a significant time-dependent higher TMD was evident in the subchondral bone compared to the most distal region of the condyle. MicroCT images revealed the presence of mineral in this region and histology showed that this region did not contain mature bone tissue but cartilage-like tissue. Our data indicate the possibility of site-specific negative side effects, i.e., disturbing normal mandibular development under the influence of bisphosphonate therapy.     

Supratentorial Intraparenchymal Haemorrhages during Spine Surgery

Intracranial haemorrhages are rare but potentially life-threatening complications of spine surgery. Most reported cases involved subdural or cerebellar haemorrhages; supratentorial parenchymal bleeding is very uncommon. We report a 28-year-old woman who underwent resection of a thoracic Ewing''s sarcoma, and developed fatal haemorrhages around her cerebral metastases during surgery. The clinical presentations, possible pathogenesis and potential preventive measures are discussed. Patients with disseminated metastases within the neural axis are at risks of intracranial complications during spine surgery. The presence of intracranial mass lesions should be considered as a relative contraindication to intradural spine surgery.     

新型长循环紫杉醇脂质体的制备及其细胞毒性

目的:制备一种新型的长循环紫杉醇脂质体,评价其质量,并考察对胃癌细胞(BGC823)的抑制作用。方法:实验于2006-05/11在凯里学院化学系实验室和黔东南州疾病预防控制中心理化科检验室进行。①包封率测定:采用超声薄膜法制备紫杉醇脂质体,用RP-HPLC测定紫杉醇脂质体的药物包封率。②稳定性测定:将紫杉醇脂质体分散在pH为6.5的磷酸缓冲液里,存放在4℃冰箱中30d,观察其包裹量的变化。③对胃癌细胞(BGC823)的抑制作用:MTT法考察在5,10,15,20mg/L4个不同药物浓度下,紫杉醇脂质体对处在对数生长期的BGC823细胞增殖的影响,并用紫杉醇游离药物作为对照。结果:①经RP-HPLC检测,这种长循环紫杉醇脂质体的药物包封率高达97.6%。②紫杉醇脂质体存放在4℃冰箱中,在长达1个月时间内不见絮凝状沉淀,在保存3,8,15,22,30d后,药物在脂质体颗粒中的包裹量分别为97.3%,96.2%,95.6%,94.9%和94.2%,在30d时间里紫杉醇脂质体在缓冲液中的药物泄漏仅有6%。③体外细胞毒性实验表明,5,10,15,20mg/L的紫杉醇注射液对BGC823细胞的抑制率分别为35.24%,48.37%,57.49%,74.84%,而相同药物浓度下的紫杉醇脂质体对BGC823细胞的抑制率为33.46%,44.15%,51.94%,68.64%。结论:①实验置备的紫杉醇脂质体实现了药物的高包封率,而且非常稳定。②紫杉醇药物浓度相同条件下,紫杉醇脂质体对BGC823细胞的抑制率低于游离的紫杉醇药物,说明脂质体对紫杉醇起到了一个很好的缓释作用。     

Mouse B7-H3 induces antitumor immunity

Members of the B7 family costimulate the proliferation of lymphocytes during the initiation and maintenance of antigen-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. While B7-1 and -2 are restricted to lymphoid tissues, and activate na?ve T cells, recently identified members including B7-H2 and -H3 are widely expressed on nonlymphoid tissues, and regulate effector lymphocytes in the periphery. B7-H3 has properties that suggested it may display antitumor activity, including the ability to stimulate Th1 and cytotoxic T-cell responses. Here, we test this notion by determining whether intratumoral injection of an expression plasmid encoding a newly described mouse homologue of B7-H3 is able to eradicate EL-4 lymphomas. Intratumoral injection of a mouse B7-H3 pcDNA3 expression plasmid led to complete regression of 50% tumors, or otherwise significantly slowed tumor growth. Mice whose tumors completely regressed resisted a challenge with parental tumor cells, indicating systemic immunity had been generated. B7-H3-mediated antitumor immunity was mediated by CD8(+) T and NK cells, with no apparent contribution from CD4(+) T cells. In summary, the results indicate that B7-H3 interactions may play a role in regulating cell-mediated immune responses against cancer, and that B7-H3 is a potential therapeutic tool.     

Searching health information via the web: Hong Kong chinese older adults' experience

OBJECTIVE AND SAMPLE: This paper reports on the learning experience of 88 Chinese older adults who attended a health Web-navigating workshop. DESIGN: Through a 3-hr training workshop, participants were guided to browse through seven health Web sites that provide authoritative health information by the Hong Kong government, academic institutions, or professional bodies. METHODS: Upon completion of the workshop, an evaluation was made of the participants' confidence in navigating health Web sites by themselves at home and in utilizing the health information sources. RESULTS: The findings indicated that participants' confidence in seeking health information via the Internet was not associated with their age, educational level, or experience of using computers before the workshop but was significantly associated with their satisfaction with the workshop (p<.05). Significant change of source of health information was noted at follow-up, suggesting that the workshop was successful. CONCLUSIONS: Implications of the results for running health Web-navigating programs among Chinese older adults are discussed.