哮喘嗜酸性粒细胞凋亡与抗凋亡

哮喘的气道炎症以嗜酸性粒细胞（ＥＯＳ）持续聚集为特征，当ＥＯＳ被激活后，可诱发哮喘时组织的损害。ＥＯＳ性炎症的消退与临床哮喘的改善有关，但气道ＥＯＳ清除的机制仍不清楚。细胞凋亡———一种程序化细胞死亡（ＰＣＤ）的形式，在促进炎细胞清除和炎症的消退方面...     

基于Ras/Raf-1/ERK信号转导通路调控VEGF的表达探讨活血解毒方对糖尿病大鼠视网膜的影响

目的：观察活血解毒方对糖尿病大鼠视网膜血管形态的影响并探讨其可能的作用机制。方法：一次性腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(Streptozotocin,STZ,65 mg/kg)诱导糖尿病大鼠模型,造模后随机分为模型组和活血解毒方组。另设正常对照组。药物干预12周后,应用视网膜消化铺片法观察视网膜血管形态;应用Western blot法检测视网膜VEGF蛋白的表达,应用Real-Time PCR法检测视网膜VEGF、Ras、Raf-1与ERK mRNA的表达。结果：模型组视网膜毛细血管面积密度及内皮细胞/周细胞比例与较正常组升高(P<0.001),VEGF蛋白及VEGF、Ras、ERKmRNA表达升高(P<0.05),Raf-1mRNA表达升高(P>0.05)。与模型组比较,活血解毒方组视网膜毛细血管面积密度和内皮细胞/周细胞比例降低(P<0.01和P<0.001),VEGF蛋白与VEGF、Ras、Raf-1、ERK mRNA表达下降(P<0.05)。结论：活血解毒方能明显抑制视网膜毛细血管和内皮细胞的增生,其机制可能是通过干预Ras/Raf-1/ERK信号转导通路,下调VEGF在视网膜中的表达,抑制血管新生,从而改善DR。     

HPLC法同时测定苁蓉总苷胶囊中松果菊苷、毛蕊花糖苷、异毛蕊花糖苷的含量

目的：建立同时测定苁蓉总苷胶囊中松果菊苷、毛蕊花糖苷、异毛蕊花糖苷三种成分含量的HPLC法。方法：Waters C18色谱柱（4.6 mm×150 mm,5 μm）,流动相：甲醇-0.1%甲酸溶液梯度洗脱;流速：1.0 mL·min-1;检测波长：330 nm;柱温30 ℃。结果：松果菊苷、毛蕊花糖苷、异毛蕊花糖苷分别在27.792-277.92 μg·mL-1 （r=0.999 6,n=6）,2.418 4-24.184 μg·mL-1 （r=0.999 6,n=6）,5.106-51.06 μg·mL-1 （r=0.999 8,n=6）范围内呈良好的线性关系,加样回收率均符合含量测定要求。结论：该方法简便、准确,可以用于苁蓉总苷胶囊中松果菊苷、毛蕊花糖苷、异毛蕊花糖苷三个成分的含量测定。     

HPLC同时测定栀子药材中两类活性成分

目的：本文建立了同时测定栀子药材中有机酸类（新绿原酸、绿原酸、隐绿原酸等）、环烯醚萜苷类（京尼平苷酸、去乙酰车叶草酸甲酯、京尼平龙胆双糖苷、栀子苷等）2类有效成分的高效液相色谱含量测定方法,用于栀子药材的质量控制。方法：采用Kromasil C₁₈（250 × 4.6 mm,5 μm）;流动相：乙腈（A）-0.1%磷酸溶液（B）,梯度洗脱,0-10 min,5% → 10%（A）;10-20 min,10% → 18%（A）;20-30 min,18% →20%（A）;流速1 mL·min^-1,进样量10 μL,柱温35℃,检测波长为324 nm 和238 nm。结果：20 min 内绿原酸、绿原酸、隐绿原酸、京尼平苷酸、去乙酰车叶草酸甲酯、京尼平龙胆双糖苷、栀子苷等被测组分均出峰且均达到基线分离;在一定浓度范围内具有良好的线性关系,新绿原酸：Y=24.62X-0.462（r=0.999 9）;绿原酸：Y=27.76X-3.045（r=0.999 9）;隐绿原酸：Y=24.07X-0.569（r=0.999 8）;京尼平苷酸：Y=12.95X-1.088（r=1.000 0）;去乙酰车叶草酸甲酯：Y=14.57X-0.693（r=0.999 8）;京尼平龙胆双糖苷：Y=7.261X-0.117（r=0.999 9）;栀子苷：Y=13.60X-13.59（r=0.999 9）,平均回收率均在95%-105%。结论：该检测方法快速、准确、灵敏,可为栀子药材多成分质量控制提供了一定的参考。     

Pyruvate improves cardiac electromechanical and metabolic recovery from cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation

Severe depletion of myocardial energy and antioxidant resources during cardiac arrest culminates in electromechanical dysfunction following recovery of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). A metabolic fuel and natural antioxidant, pyruvate augments myocardial energy and antioxidant redox states in parallel with its enhancement of contractile performance of stunned and oxidant-challenged hearts. This study tested whether pyruvate improves post-arrest cardiac function and metabolism. Beagles were subjected to 5 min cardiac arrest and 5 min open-chest cardiac compression (OCCC: 80 compressions min(-1); aortic pressure 60-70 mmHg), then epicardial dc countershocks (5-10 J) were applied to restore sinus rhythm. Pyruvate was infused i.v. throughout OCCC and the first 25 min ROSC to a steady-state arterial concentration of 3.6+/-0.2 mM. Control experiments received NaCl infusions. Phosphocreatine phosphorylation potential (approximately PCr) and glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH/GSSG), measured in snap-frozen left ventricle, indexed energy and antioxidant redox states, respectively. In control experiments, left ventricular pressure development, dP/dt and carotid flow initially recovered upon defibrillation, but then fell 40-50% by 3 h ROSC. ST segment displacement in lead II ECG persisted throughout ROSC. Approximately PCr collapsed and GSH/GSSG fell 61% during arrest. Both variables recovered partially during OCCC and completely during ROSC. Pyruvate temporarily increased approximately PCr and GSH/GSSG during OCCC and the first 25 min ROSC and enhanced pressure development, dP/dt and carotid flow at 15-25 min ROSC. Contractile function stabilized and ECG normalized at 2-3 h ROSC, despite post-infusion pyruvate clearance and waning of its metabolic benefits. In conclusion, intravenous pyruvate therapy increases energy reserves and antioxidant defenses of resuscitated myocardium. These temporary metabolic improvements support post-arrest recovery of cardiac electromechanical performance.     

Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis

Increased activity of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) can be used as an early indicator of damage to the tubular epithelium. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune rheumatic disease. Nephritis is known as the most serious complication of SLE and the strongest predictor of poor outcome. In this study urinary NAG excretion was investigated in 24 SLE patients with normal renal function (serum creatinine < or =1.2 mg/dL) and the results were compared with those from 26 untreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 27 healthy controls. The SLE patients were divided into two groups according to their urinary total protein levels: group A consisted of 16 patients with < or =3.5 g/day proteinuria, and group B consisted of eight patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria (>3.5 g/day). Serum and urinary creatinine, total urinary protein levels, and urinary NAG excretion were measured in patients with SLE and RA. In addition, serum C3 and C4 levels were determined in the SLE patients. Renal biopsies were performed in all of the SLE patients. Glomerular lesions were classified according to WHO criteria for lupus nephritis (LN) I-V. The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) was used to assess disease activity. Urinary NAG excretion was significantly higher in the SLE groups than in the healthy controls (P<0.001). In urinary NAG excretion there was also significant difference between SLE groups and RA patients (P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in NAG excretion between the RA and control groups (P=0.062). Urinary NAG excretion was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group B compared to group A. There were no differences in SLEDAI scores, ages, and serum creatinine levels between study groups (P=0.601, P=0.285, P=0.669, respectively). Elevated SLEDAI values and hypocomplementemia were detected more often in younger patients (P<0.010, r=-0.529 and P<0.010, r=-0.569, respectively). There was a strong positive correlation between proteinuria and urinary NAG activity (P<0.001, r=0.759). These results suggest that the determination of urinary NAG activity may be a useful supplement to the routine biochemical analysis performed on the urine in cases of SLE.     

Effect of Intravenous Administration of Liposomal Prostaglandin E1 on Microcirculation in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Intervention

Background:

Several studies have demonstrated that primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can result in reperfusion injury. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of liposomal prostaglandin E1 (Lipo-PGE1, Alprostadil, Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) for enhancing microcirculation in reperfusion injury. In addition, this study determined the optimal administration method for acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients undergoing primary PCI.

Methods:

Totally, 68 patients with STEMI were randomly assigned to two groups: intravenous administration of Lipo-PGE1 (Group A), and no Lipo-PGE1 administration (Group B). The corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (cTFC) and myocardial blush grade (MBG) were calculated. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were also measured.

Results:

There was no significant difference in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. The cTFC parameter in Group A was significantly lower than Group B (18.06 ± 2.06 vs. 25.31 ± 2.59, P < 0.01). The ratio of final MBG grade-3 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in Group A (87.9%) relative to Group B (65.7%). There was no significant difference between the two groups in final TIMI-3 flow and no-reflow. Patients were followed up for 6 months, and the occurrence of MACE in Group A was significantly lower than that in Group B (6.1% vs. 25.9% respectively, P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Myocardial microcirculation of reperfusion injury in patients with STEMI, after primary PCI, can be improved by administering Lipo-PGE1.     

Immunohistochemistry of p53 and Ki-67 and p53 mutation analysis in renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma

Backgound: Renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma (EAML) is a rare variant of AML (angiomyolipoma) and is often associated with aggressive behaviors. The pathogenesis of EAML has been poorly understood. We analyzed the expression of p53 and Ki-67 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and investigated p53 mutation analysis in 11 cases of EAML in comparison to classical AML. Methods: P53 and Ki-67 expression status were determined by IHC staining. P53 mutation analysis was performed using bi-directional sequencing. Results: Renal EAML tumors were significantly associated with more severe to moderate nuclear atypia (100% vs. 36.4%, P = 0.004) and mitotic activity (90.9% vs. 27.3%, P = 0.008) compared with AML tumors. Out of 11 cases of EAML, 8 were positive for p53. There was only 1 case with positive p53 expression in AML cases and expression of p53 protein showed significant difference between EAML and AML tumors (72.7% vs. 9.1%, P = 0.008). In addition, there were 7 AML and 6 EAML cases harbored P72R mutation (SNP) in exon 4 of p53. Compared with AML cases, 2 out of 11 cases of EMAL showed more than 10% positivity for ki-67. The finding of stronger p53 expression in renal EAML might have contributed to their malignant behavior. However, the abnormal p53 expression cannot be entirely explained by p53 mutations in the exons examined. Conclusions: Thus, the combination of immunohistochemical assessment of tumor antigens might improve our ability to predict the malignant outcome in EAML.     

Converting diameter measurements of Pinus radiata taken at different breast heights

Two compatible conversion factors for converting diameter measurements taken at different breast heights were derived for Pinus radiata using taper data from more than 3000 trees. The two breast heights used for conversion were 1.3 and 1.4 m above ground, as defined in Australia and New Zealand, two major radiata-growing countries in the world. The conversion factors were estimated through three alternative statistical methods including simple least squares regression, seemingly unrelated regression and errors-in-variables models. The three sets of estimates were almost identical and had similar conversion accuracy, although the second method was slightly better. The conversion factors were more accurate than overbark taper equations used for the same purpose. The factor was 0.9916 for converting diameter measured at 1.3 to that at 1.4 m above ground, and the inverse of this value, 1.0084, was for the vice versa. When calculating tree and stand volume and biomass using equations with diameter at a different breast height as a predictor to that of the input data, the bias, either over or under estimation, could be between 1.67% and 2.00% without conversion. These conversion factors will facilitate the sharing of data among radiata growing countries with different definitions of breast height, but more importantly it will help correct the bias in stand volume and biomass estimation caused by the seemingly negligible difference in breast height when software for forest resource management and decision support developed in one country is applied in another. Such bias when accumulated over a large management area may not be financially insignificant for an astute forest management agency.     

3.0T MR IDEAL序列成像应用于腰骶神经根受压的初步临床研究

目的探讨IDEAL技术在腰椎间盘突出症中显示腰骶神经受压的临床应用价值。方法将明显腰腿痛并腰椎间盘突出的患者40例作为观察组,正常志愿者10例作为对照组,行腰骶神经根IDEAL序列冠状位薄层扫描和常规扫描,所有图像均经最大信号强度投影(MIP)和曲面重建(CPR)后处理,观察腰骶神经根的受压特点及其与突出椎间盘与邻近组织的关系。结果观察组40例中有92组腰椎间盘不同程度的疝出,而由此引起的神经根受压共81组,其中神经根侧隐窝段受压的概率显著大于椎管内段,但是任何部位的神经根受压好发生于同侧还是双侧受压并没有统计学意义(P=0.338)。另有4组神经根受压由增厚的黄韧带或骨质增生引起;有6组由神经根鞘囊肿引起。受压神经根的影像学表现为:(1)神经根局部缺损样压迹;(2)走行的改变;(3)形态的改变,包括局部肿胀,甚至截断样改变;(4)与邻近组织局部粘连,边界不清,边缘模糊;(5)局部脑脊髓间隙变窄或消失。结论 IDEAL序列能直观显示腰骶神经根与邻近结构的关系及受压特点,能够对神经根受压作出准确的定位和受压程度评估,对判断腰骶神经受压、损伤等具有一定的临床诊断价值,也能为临床早期选择正确的治疗方案及疗效观察提供可靠的参考依据。