A double-blind study on the effect of discontinuation of gold therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Summary To assess the benefit of further gold treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had already received more than 6 g of this metal, 24 such patients were included in a double-blind trial. Besides this gold group comprising 11 patients who received gold (Auromyose^®) in the same dosage schedule as before the study, the trial included a placebo group comprising 13 patients who received gold in a suspension diluted 1/100. In either group clinical, laboratory, and radiological data did not differ after 6 and 24 months in relation to the results at entry except for the serum gold concentrations, which were lower in the placebo group. We conclude that discontinuation of the treatment in RA patients who have received more than 6 g gold is not harmful to the patients for at least two years after withdrawal.     

Estimation of Blood Alcohol Concentrations in Young Male Drinkers

This research examined individual differences in the ability to self-monitor the effects of alcohol. Thirty-nine male subjects consumed 0.75 ml/kg alcohol and estimated their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at peak BAC and on the ascending and descending limbs of the blood alcohol curve. Family history of alcohol dependence did not affect the accuracy of estimation of BACs. Subjects who reported lower levels of subjective intoxication underestimated their BACs more than did subjects who reported higher levels of subjective intoxication. Subjects with less behavioral impairment underestimated their BACs more than subjects with greater behavioral impairment on the ascending limb of the blood alcohol curve. Accuracy was better on the ascending limb compared with peak BAC and the descending limb, and accuracy became worse over time on the descending limb. It appears that cues to the effects of alcohol rapidly become unavailable on the descending limb, which may contribute to decisions concerning further alcohol consumption and driving after drinking.     

适当低浓度对比剂在冠状动脉CTA成像中的应用价值

目的 探讨适当低浓度对比剂在冠状动脉CTA成像中的应用价值.方法 对136例拟行冠状动脉CTA检查的患者行前瞻性研究,按所用对比剂浓度不同分为三组,所用对比剂浓度分别为320 mgI/ml、350 mgI/ml、370 mgI/ml,将扫描所得原始数据进行后处理重组,然后对重组后的冠状动脉图像质量进行主观评价,并对主动脉起始部及同层面降部的CT值进行测量,对其结果分别进行统计学分析.结果 三组冠状动脉图像质量的主观评价差异无统计学意义(x2 =0.785,P=0.675).采用前瞻性心电门控扫描的三组患者主动脉起始部CT值的分析结果为:F值=0.992、P值=0.376;主动脉降部CT值的分析结果为:F值=1.527、P值=0.224,采用回顾性心电门控扫描的三组患者主动脉起始部CT值的分析结果为:F值=1.206、P值=0.307;主动脉降部CT值的分析结果为:F值=1.703、P值=0.191,各组CT值的差异无统计学意义.结论 适当低浓度对比剂(320 mgI/ml)能够满足冠状动脉CTA的诊断要求,在行冠状动脉CTA检查时推荐使用.     

Effects of connective tissue growth factor on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts(HPLFs).DesignHPLFs were cultured and identified. Then, different concentrations of CTGF (1, 5, 10, 50, 100 ng/ml) were added to the HPLF culture. Next, CCK-8 assays, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays, hydroxyproline determination, alizarin red staining methods, Transwell chambers and real-time PCR methods were applied to observe the effects of CTGF on the proliferation, ALP activity, synthesis of collagen, formation of mineralized nodules and migration. We also studied expression of ALP, fiber link protein (FN), integrin-binding sialoprotein (IBSP), osteocalcin (OC), and integrin beta 1 (ITGB1) mRNA by HPLFs. Statistical significance was assumed if P < 0.05 or P < 0.01.ResultsThe addition of CTGF (1, 5, 10 ng/ml) remarkably promoted the proliferation and collagen synthesis of HPLFs compared with controls. CTGF (1, 5, 10, 50 ng/ml) improved ALP activity of HPLFs, and at all concentrations, CTGF (1, 5, 10, 50, 100 ng/ml) improved the expression of ALP, FN, IBSP and ITGB1 mRNA. In addition, CTGF (1, 5, 10, 50, 100 ng/ml) promoted the migration of HPLFs, which was dose-dependent, with maximal promotion in the 10 ng/ml group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).ConclusionsThus, in a certain range of concentrations, CTGF can promote the biological effects, including proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis of HPLFs, to promote the differentiation of HPLFs in the process of osteogenesis.     

In vivo time-course changes in ethanol levels sampled with subcutaneous microdialysis

Background: The objective of this study was to determine time‐course changes in in vivo ethanol (EtOH) concentrations using a novel subcutaneous (s.c.) microdialysis sampling technique. The hypothesis to be tested was that EtOH concentrations in the s.c. fluid would reflect blood EtOH concentrations. If this is the case, then s.c. microdialysis could allow a more detailed analysis of changes in in vivo levels of EtOH under different drinking paradigms. Methods: Adult male and female Wistar rats and male alcohol‐preferring (P) rats were used in this study. A loop‐style microdialysis probe was designed for s.c. applications. After initial in vitro characterization, probes were implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. Animals were allowed to recover 4 to 24 hours prior to microdialysis collection (2.0 μl/min flow rate with isotonic saline). In vivo microdialysis experiments were then conducted to determine (i) the extraction fraction (or clearance) using EtOH no‐net‐flux (NNF) coupled with the alcohol clamp method, (ii) the dose–response and time‐course effects after systemic EtOH administration and to compare with blood EtOH levels, and (iii) the time‐course changes in EtOH levels during and after an EtOH drinking episode. Results: In vivo probe recovery (extraction fraction) obtained using the alcohol clamp method was 69 ± 3%, and was comparable to the in vitro recovery of 73 ± 2%. For the EtOH dose–response experiment, rats injected i.p. with 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 g/kg EtOH showed a clear dose–response effect in the s.c. dialysate samples. Peak concentrations (70, 123, and 203 mg%, respectively) were reached by 15 minutes after injection. In an experiment comparing levels of EtOH in s.c. dialysis and arterial blood samples in rats administered 1.0 g/kg EtOH, similar time‐course changes in in vivo EtOH concentrations were observed with both i.g. and i.p. EtOH administration. In P rats drinking 15% EtOH during a 1‐hour scheduled access period, EtOH levels in s.c. microdialysates rose rapidly over the session and peaked at approximately 50 mg% at 60 to 80 minutes. Conclusions: Overall, these experiments indicate that s.c. EtOH and blood EtOH concentrations follow a similar time course. Moreover, s.c. microdialysis can be useful as an experimental approach for determining detailed time‐course changes in in vivo EtOH concentrations associated with alcohol drinking episodes.     

Electrogénèse cardiaque du rat surrénalectomisé, interprétation en fonction des variations de gradients ioniques et de perméabilités membranaires

Summary The adrenalectomy induces a 15–20 mV decrease in cardiac resting membrane potential; acute disturbances of ventricular action potential recorded with ultramicroelectrode technique are also observed.These electrical changes can be reported to variations of ionic concentrations in adrenalectomized rats. The calculated values of equilibrium potentials for K⁺, Na⁺ and Cl^– could explain the decline in resting potential, but some experiments show that modifications of the membrane permeabilities could be also involved in the depolarizing processes.The disturbances of action potential result from the low resting potential.This fundamental study might contribute to a better interpretation of heart failure in adrenal insufficiency.

Je remercie vivement M. le Professeur Gargouïl de ses conseils éclairés qui ont permis de mener à bien ce travail.     

细胞外钙对HepG2细胞内钙浓度的影响

目的 研究不同浓度细胞外钙对HepG2细胞内钙的影响并初步阐明细胞内钙变化的机制.方法 给予不同浓度钙培养液作用24 h后,用Fluo-3/AM染色剂对HepG2细胞进行染色,应用流式细胞仪检测其细胞内钙浓度的变化;利用阻断剂对钙通道进行阻断,寻找细胞内钙变化的原因;应用siRNA干扰对找寻到的钙通道进行沉默,进一步确认引起钙变化的钙通道.结果 细胞内钙浓度随细胞外钙浓度的升高而升高,当细胞外钙浓度为2.75 mmol/L时,细胞内钙钙荧光强度值达到最大为(123.25±12.95);钙池操纵的钙通道(SOC)阻断剂-La3+可显著抑制外钙引起的内钙升高(P＜0.01);应用siRNA沉默TRPC1通道后可显著抑制外钙引起的内钙变化.结论 随细胞外钙浓度升高,肝细胞内钙浓度显著增高;TRPC1参与的钙池操纵的钙通道可能是引起细胞内钙离子升高的主要通道.     

两种浓度结核菌素试验结果相关性研究

目的探讨两种浓度结核菌素试验结果的相关性,以最大限度减少疫苗接种量。方法应用卡介菌纯蛋白衍生物(BCG-PPD)试验液度为5IU/0.1ml与稀释液(用生理盐水稀释,浓度为2.5IU/0.1ml,对79例住院患者进行左右两侧前臂曲侧皮内注射,分别于72h观察结果。结果两种浓度结核菌素试验72h硬结直径非常接近:相关分析r=0.978,P=0.000;两种浓度阴性、阳性结果完全一致,相关性卡方检验:χ2=0.000,P=1.000;两种浓度结果分级,一致性检验,KaPPa=0.925,差异无显著意义。结论稀释组的阳性程度随试验组阳性程度的增加而增加,两组试验结果基本一致。     

Clozapine cases with fatal,toxic or therapeutic concentrations

Summary The neuroleptic drug clozapine is used in the treatment of schizophrenia and is characterized by not having the extrapyrimidal side-effects usually shown by neuroleptics. Unfortunately clozapine has other side-effects, which limit its use. This study presents methods for the analysis of clozapine and desmethylclozapine in whole blood and tissue. Case histories and pathology findings are described for 3 autopsy cases with fatal concentrations of clozapine, 5 with toxic concentrations and 2 with therapeutic concentrations together with the concentrations found in a living person.