LHRH-A对孕中期大鼠抗妊娠作用的研究

本文观察了[D-Ala⁶,Pro⁹-Ethylamide¹⁰]-LHRH(LHRH-A)对孕中期大鼠的抗妊娠作用。结果显示:在孕9～11d sc 200μg/d LHRH-A,血浆孕酮水平自第二次给药后明显下降(P<0.05),给药大鼠均流产终止妊娠;LHRH-A的抗妊娠作用可被醋酸甲地孕酮所拮抗;LHRH-A对体外培养的假孕大鼠和孕d 9大鼠黄体细胞分泌孕酮有明显的直接抑制作用。     

GGA1 acts as a spatial switch altering amyloid precursor protein trafficking and processing

The beta-amyloid (Abeta) precursor protein (APP) is cleaved sequentially by beta-site of APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE) and gamma-secretase to release the Abeta peptides that accumulate in plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). GGA1, a member of the Golgi-localized gamma-ear-containing ARF-binding (GGA) protein family, interacts with BACE and influences its subcellular distribution. We now report that overexpression of GGA1 in cells increased the APP C-terminal fragment resulting from beta-cleavage but surprisingly reduced Abeta. GGA1 confined APP to the Golgi, in which fluorescence resonance energy transfer analyses suggest that the proteins come into close proximity. GGA1 blunted only APP but not notch intracellular domain release. These results suggest that GGA1 prevented APP beta-cleavage products from becoming substrates for gamma-secretase. Direct binding of GGA1 to BACE was not required for these effects, but the integrity of the GAT (GGA1 and TOM) domain of GGA1 was. GGA1 may act as a specific spatial switch influencing APP trafficking and processing, so that APP-GGA1 interactions may have pathophysiological relevance in AD.     

Evaluation and audit in a paediatric disability service

Parental and professional responses to questionnaires evaluating a paediatric disability service are reported and the viability of auditing structural, process, and outcome aspects of clinical practice are discussed. Expectations of waiting time to first appointment (met for only 52% of consumers) illustrate structural issues. Process issues are reflected in consumer reactions to outreach work (for example, 94% of parents and 84% of professionals found this supportive). Outcome measures such as consumer satisfaction with the service (76% of consumers reported being 'very satisfied' and 20% 'fairly satisfied') suggest that service aims are being met. Good concurrence of service aims with consumer needs is indicated by parental reasons for referral (for example, 75% for diagnostic help, 73% for a better understanding of the disorder, 88% for practical help), referrers' reasons (for example, 55% for a second diagnostic opinion, 45% due to lack of local expertise), and reports from most other professionals involved with the case that a similar service was not provided locally.     

总粉尘浓度转换为呼吸性粉尘浓度的两种方法学研究

目的探讨流行病学研究中历史性总粉尘浓度转换成呼吸性粉尘浓度的理论方法。方法采用两种方法：一种通过体积直接计算;另一种用ＨａｔｃｈＣｈｏａｔｅ方程计算,推导出计数百分比和计量百分比的转换关系。结果得到总粉尘浓度与呼吸性粉尘浓度的理论转换系数,其中,用ＨａｔｃｈＣｈｏａｔｅ方程计算结果偏低。结论体积直接计算法更适用。     

Behaviour and physiological responses during prone and supine sleep in early infancy

AIMS: To study the effect of prone and supine sleep on infant behaviour, peripheral skin temperature, and cardiorespiratory parameters to aid understanding of why prone sleeping is associated with an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome. METHODS: Of 33 enrolled infants, 32 were studied at 2.5 and 28 at 5 months of age. A computer aided multichannel system was used for polysomnographic recordings. Behaviour was charted separately. RESULTS: Prone REM (active) sleep was associated with lower frequencies of short arousals, body movements and sighs, and a shorter duration of apnoeas than supine REM sleep at both ages. At 2.5 months there were less frequent episodes of periodic breathing during prone sleep in non-REM (quiet) and REM sleep. Heart rate and peripheral skin temperature were higher in the prone position during both sleep states at both ages. CONCLUSIONS: The observation of decreased variation in behaviour and respiratory pattern, increased heart rate, and increased peripheral skin temperature during prone compared with supine sleep may indicate that young infants are less able to maintain adequate respiratory and metabolic homoeostasis during prone sleep.     

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for adults with severe aphasia: where we stand and how we can go further

Purpose: To review literature specific to the use of AAC with adults who have severe aphasia. Method: The authors reviewed studies involving AAC interventions for adults with severe aphasia. Results: Published data support the use of aided and unaided AAC with adults with severe aphasia in controlled treatment contexts. Reported gains in communication typically have not generalized to everyday settings. Conclusions: The application of AAC with persons with severe aphasia must address factors potentially limiting treatment success outside of training environments.     

The use of dynamic models to study the role of calcium in the oxytocin-induced contractions of the uterus.

The question as to whether calcium can be considered to be a mediator of oxytocin-induced myometrial contraction has been investigated. Assuming that the contraction is linearly proportional to the myoplasmic calcium concentration, several possible molecular mechanisms leading to its increase (calcium release from the cell membrane, acceleration of calcium transport from extracellular space by a 'gate' mechanism, release from intracellular organelles, blockade of calcium pumps) were modelled on an analog computer. The oxytocin intervention in the calcium distribution was mimicked by a discontinuous change of the appropriate rate constants. The computed transient simulating the myoplasmic calcium concentration was then compared with an experimental time profile of uterine tension. The result of screening the models shows that oxytocin must act predominantly via release of calcium bound to the cell membrane. A quantitative comparison, however, requires that the kinetics of oxytocin distribution in myometrium also be considered in the model. The problem treated in this paper demonstrates the possibilities and limitations of a screening procedure based upon direct comparison of time profiles of experimental processes with several computed model alternatives.     

Experimental intrahepatic portacaval anastomosis: use of expandable Gianturco stents

Original Gianturco expandable stents and their modifications were used to create an experimental intrahepatic portacaval anastomosis (EIPCA) in 30 young domestic swine without portal hypertension. The study focused on the design of a suitable stent, the technique of its application, and the evaluation of short-term patency of the EIPCA. A stent with a 2.5-cm-long body and wire skirts on both ends was most suitable for EIPCA creation. Well-positioned stents shunted most of the portal blood in the inferior vena cava circulation and remained patent for 4-6 weeks. Ingrowth of liver parenchyma and abundant proliferation of the intima and connective tissue inside the stent lumen in these rapidly growing animals gradually decreased EIPCA patency, and thrombus formation with diminished blood flow closed them completely.