活化蛋白C对重症急性胰腺炎大鼠丝裂原活化蛋白激酶信号通路的影响

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）信号通路对重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）继发严重并发症起早期关键介导作用，相应抑制剂可改善SAP的病情。活化蛋白C（APC）具有改善SAP病情的作用，其具体机制尚未阐明。目的：观察APC对SAP大鼠MAPK信号通路中主要激酶的影响以及后续炎症介质的变化，为临床用药提供理论依据。方法：Sprague．DawleY大鼠诱导SAP模型后即刻静脉注射APC10μg/kg或50μg/kg。以基因芯片检测胰腺组织MAPK信号通路相关基因。以实时定量聚合酶链反应（real-timePCR）和蛋白质印迹法检测胰腺组织该通路中p38MAPK、c-Jun氨基端激酶/应激活化蛋白激酶（JNK/SAPK）、细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK）1/2mRNA、蛋白和磷酸化蛋白水平的表达，同时检测肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）-α和白细胞介素（IL）-1β蛋白的表达。结果：与APC治疗组和正常对照组相比，SAP组胰腺组织p38MAPK和JNK2mRNA呈高表达。与SAP组相比，50Ixg/kgAPC治疗组p38MAPK、JNK/SAPK蛋白/磷酸化蛋白表达水平显著降低，ERK1/2蛋白/磷酸化蛋白表达水平显著升高，TNF-α和蛋白表达水平显著降低（P均〈0．05）。APC治疗组p38MAPK、磷酸化ERK1/2和TNF-α蛋白表达水平呈剂量依赖性（P均〈0．05）。结论：APC可抑制SAP大鼠胰腺组织MAPK信号通路内p38MAPK和JNK/SAPK的表达和活化，进而抑制TNF-α和IL-1β的释放，同时上调ERK1/2的表达和活化．从而减轻胰腺组织损伤。     

宫颈鳞癌组织中MMP-2、MMP-9的表达变化及意义

目的观察宫颈鳞癌组织中基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-2、MMP-9的表达变化,并探讨其临床意义。方法采用免疫组化SP法检测46例宫颈鳞癌（A组）、34例宫颈原位癌（B组）和20例正常宫颈上皮（c组）组织中的MMP-2和MMP-9。结果A、B、C组MMP-2蛋白阳性率分别为78．3％（36／46）、50．0％（17／34）、25．0％（5／20）,A组与B、C组比较,P均〈0．01;B、C组间比较,P〉0．05。A、B、C组MMP-9蛋白阳性率分别为71．7％（33／46）、70．6％（24／34）、25％（5／20）,A、B组与C组比较,P均〈0．01;A、B组间比较,P〉0．05。MMP-2、MMP-9蛋白表达与宫颈鳞癌淋巴结转移有关（P均〈0．05）。MMP-2和MMP-9在宫颈鳞癌中的表达呈正相关（L=0．372,P〈0．05）。结论宫颈鳞癌组织中MMP-2-和MMP-9高表达,MMP-2、MMP-9与宫颈癌的发生发展有关。     

MMP-9及TIMP-1在支气管哮喘发病中作用及雷公藤多甙干预研究

目的观察支气管哮喘（简称哮喘）大鼠肺组织中细胞外基质（ECM）代谢相关因子基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）及其抑制剂组织金属蛋白酶抑制剂1（TIMP-1）的表达,研究雷公藤多甙在哮喘肺组织ECM重塑中可能的作用及其机制。方法建立大鼠哮喘模型,采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应技术（RT-PCR）测定肺组织中MMP-9、TIMP-1mRNA的表达。结果哮喘组MMP-9、TIMP-1在肺组织中的蛋白表达明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）,应用药物雷公藤多甙干预后,MMP-9、TIMP-1蛋白表达明显低于哮喘组（P〈0．05）。哮喘组MMP-9、TIMP-1在肺组织的mRNA表达也高于对照组（P〈0．01）,应用雷公藤多甙药物干预后,MMP-9、TIMP．1在肺组织的mRNA表达明显低于哮喘组（P〈0．01）。哮喘组肺组织中MMP-9／TIMP-1〉1,明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）,应用药物雷公藤多甙干预后,MMP-9／TIMP．1〈1,明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）和哮喘组（P〈0．01）。结论雷公藤多甙可能下调MMP-9的表达,调节MMP-9／TIMP-1的平衡,干预细胞外基质重塑。     

络风宁1号方对心肌梗死大鼠血栓调节蛋白-活化蛋白C-内皮细胞蛋白C受体系统的调节作用

目的探讨络风宁1号方对心肌梗死大鼠血栓调节素-活化蛋白C-内皮细胞蛋白C受体系统的调节作用。方法将SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(7只)、模型组(8只)、络风宁1号方组(7只)、联合用药组(8只)、卡托普利组(8只),心肌梗死造模后络风宁1号组及联合用药组予含生药量4.81 g/(kg·d)的络风宁1号方汤剂,卡托普利组及联合用药组予卡托普利片7.5 mg/(kg·d),假手术组及模型组予相同体积蒸馏水,2/d,连续4周。4周后测定各组大鼠心肌梗死边缘组织血栓调节蛋白(TM)、活化蛋白C(APC)、内皮细胞蛋白C受体(EPCR)基因及蛋白的表达。结果模型组大鼠EPCR.TM的mRNA、sEPCR、sTM含量较假手.术组明显升高(P0.05),EPCR、TM的蛋白表达及APC含量较假手术组下降(P0.05);络风宁1号组、联合用药组EPCR、TM的mRNA以及含量较模型组降低,差异有统计计学意义(P0.05),EPCR蛋白表达较模型组增加,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);络风宁1号组、联合用药组血清APC含量较模型组增加(P0.05)。结论络风宁1号方能够减轻膜结合型EPCR、TM的损伤,抑制了TM、EPCR的mRNA代偿性增加,使sEPCR.sTM含量下降,APC含量增加。     

普伐他汀对急性冠状动脉综合征患者血浆sCD40L及MMP-9影响的观察

选择急性冠状动脉综合征（ACS）患者35例（ACS组），稳定型心绞痛（SAP）患者31例（SAP组），正常健康体检者28例（／E常对照组），前两组口服普伐他汀20mg／d，连用8周。采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）测定三组治疗前后血浆可溶性白细胞分化抗原40配体（sCD40L）及基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）浓度。结果治疗前ACS组血浆sCD40L及MMP-9显著高于SAP组及正常对照组（P〈0．05），SAP组MMP-9显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．05），SAP组sCD40L与正常对照组之间无差异（P〉0．05），普伐他汀治疗8周后ACS组血浆sCD40L及MMP-9水平显著下降（P〈0．05，P〈0．01），SAP组MMP-9显著下降（P〈0．05），sCD40L无明显改变（P〉0．05）。认为sCD40L及MMP-9升高可能与ACS发病机制密切相关，sCD40L及MMP-9可作为ACS诊断及病情判断的重要指标；普伐他汀能降低ACS患者sCD40L及MMP-9水平。     

抗氧化剂对大鼠重症急性胰腺炎胰腺腺泡细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨四氢化吡咯二硫代氨基甲酸酯（PDTC）对重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）胰腺腺泡细胞凋亡的影响。方法SD大鼠72只，随机分为：假手术组（sham operation，SO）、SAP组和PDTC组。SAP模型采用5％牛磺胆酸钠1ml/kg胰胆管逆行穿刺注射建立，PDTC组在造模前1h给予腹腔注射PDTC（1130mg/kg），术后分4个时段（1、3、6、12h）分批进行腹主动脉采血后处死，取胰腺组织作病理切片与液氮冻存。胰腺腺泡细胞的凋亡检测应用TUNEL法、电镜以及免疫组化法检测胰腺组织Caspase-3的表达；核因子（NF）-κB活化的检测应用免疫组化法。同时观察各组血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶水平及胰腺组织病理学评分。结果SAP组各时间点血清淀粉酶及脂肪酶水平及胰腺组织病理组织学评分较SO组显著增高（P〈0．05）。PDTC治疗组血清淀粉酶、脂肪酶水平较SAP组明显降低；胰腺组织病理组织学评分明显改善。PDTC治疗后3、6、12h胰腺组织Caspase-3的表达显著高于SAP组（P〈0．01），而在1h无统计学差异；各时间点胰腺腺泡细胞凋广指数显著高于SAP组（P〈0．01）；NF—κB的活化显著低于SAP组（P〈0．01）。结论SAP时，PDTC可能通过抑制NF—κB的活化，从而抑制NF—κB介导胰腺细胞的抗凋亡效应，减少胰腺腺泡细胞坏死。     

罗格列酮对大鼠重症急性胰腺炎NF-κB和ICAM-1的作用

目的探讨大鼠重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）时罗格列酮对核因子-κB（NF-κB）和细胞间黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）的作用。方法急性胰腺炎模型组（SAP组）逆行胆胰管注射牛磺胆酸钠建立大鼠SAP模型;假手术组（SO组）逆行胆胰管注射等量生理盐水;罗格列酮组（R组）于造模前30min给予罗格列酮。检测血清淀粉酶（AMY）的变化,取胰头部胰腺组织行病理学检查;免疫组化检测胰腺组织NF-κB和ICAM-1的表达情况。结果SAP组各时间点AMY、胰腺组织病理评分及NF-κB和ICAM-1的表达较SO组增高（P〈0．01）;R组各时间点上述指标较SAP组均下降,但仍高于SO组（P〈0．01）;NF-κB和ICAM-1两者在SAP组和R组具有相关性（P〈0．01）。结论罗格列酮能减轻大鼠SAP胰腺病理损伤,其机制可能与通过抑制NF-κB的活性、降低ICAM-1的表达有关。     

灵芝多糖对糖尿病大鼠肾组织MMP-2和TIMP-2表达的影响

目的观察基质金属蛋白酶-2（MMP-2）、基质金属蛋白酶抑制因子-2（TIMP-2）在糖尿病大鼠肾组织中的表达及灵芝多糖干预后的影响。方法腹腔注射链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导制备糖尿病大鼠模型，分组给予不同剂量灵芝多糖（GLP，100、200、400mg／kg）进行治疗性灌胃。8w后，免疫组化和RT-PCR方法雄测各组大鼠肾皮质MMP-2、TIMP-2的表达。结果糖尿病组大鼠肾小球MMP-2的表达较正常对照组明显减少，TIMP-2明显升高（P〈0．01）；灵芝多糖各组较糖尿病组MMP-2表达升高（P〈0．01），TIMP-2表达减少（P〈0．01）。结论灵芝多糖通过调节MMP-2／TIMP-2的平衡，减少细胞外基质积聚，对糖尿病大鼠肾脏起保护作用。     

EGR-1在重症急性胰腺炎中的作用

目的探讨EGR-1在重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）的作用。方法雄性SD大鼠60只，随机分为假手术组、SAP模型组，每组30只。SAP模型组大鼠胰胆管内加压注射5％牛磺酸钠（1ml／kg），30s内注完。假手术组大鼠仅翻动胰腺数次后关腹。两组于术后6、12、24h三个时间点分别处死大鼠检测血清淀粉酶（AMY）、肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、白介素-6（IL-6）、白介素-10（IL-10）水平。取病变较为一致的胰头部位行HE染色及免疫组化染色，观察大鼠胰腺组织病理学变化及EGR-1蛋白表达情况。结果假手术组胰腺组织未见明显异常，模型组胰腺组织大片坏死，血管破裂出血，炎性细胞浸润。各时间点模型组大鼠血清AMY、TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10明显高于假手术组（P〈0．01，P〈0．05）。模型组EGR-1蛋白阳性率明显高于假手术组（P〈0．01）。结论EGR-1通过介导炎性因子的释放参与SAP的发生发展。     

基质金属蛋白酶在心房颤动犬心房结构重构中的作用

目的 探讨基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）和组织型基质金属蛋白酶抑制因子-1（TIMP-1）在快速起搏心房颤动（房颤）动物模型心房结构重构中的作用和Ca^2＋超载对MMP-9激活的影响。方法 14只犬随机分为房颤组（n=8）和对照组（n=6），右心房快速起搏（350～450次／min）8周建立房颤动物模型。取左心房组织，采用半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和免疫组织化学法检测MMP-9和TIMP-1 mRNA和蛋白质表达，采用Masson染色测定心房肌组织胶原含量，采用超声心动图测量左心房内径，同时还测定心房肌组织Ca^2＋浓度。结果 与对照组比较，房颤组心房肌胶原含量、Ca^2＋浓度和左心房内径增加（P〈0．05）；房颤组左心房心肌组织MMP-9 mRNA表达升高45％（P〈0．01），蛋白质水平表达增加19．5％（P〈0．001）；TIMP-1 mRNA表达增加46．67％（P〈0．01），TIMP-1蛋白质水平表达下调8．33％（P〈0．01）；MMP-9 mRNA表达与左心房内径、Ca^2＋浓度和心肌胶原含量正相关（P〈0．05）；TIMP-1 mRNA表达与左心房内径、心肌胶原含量和MMP-9 mRNA表达正相关（P〈0．05）。结论 MMP-9／TIMP-1平衡失调可能是慢性房颤心房肌细胞外基质重构和心房扩大的重要分子机制，细胞内Ca^2＋超载可能是MMPs的重要激活途径。     

Control of intraabdominal hemorrhage and shock: a comparison of fluid resuscitation, MAST, and balloon occlusion

Our study examined the efficacy of four treatment modalities in controlling hemorrhage and achieving hemodynamic stabilization in hemorrhagic shock: intravenous fluid replacement (IV); military antishock trousers used concomitantly with fluids (MAST); balloon occlusion at the level of the diaphragm with concomitant fluid replacement (balloon); and a combination of MAST inflation, balloon occlusion, and fluid resuscitation (MAST and balloon). Twenty-eight mongrel dogs were anesthetized, and the spleen was exposed and completely crushed. The abdomen was closed, and treatment was initiated and continued for four hours or until the dog died. For all conditions the hematocrit dropped during the course of the experiment; balloon occlusion was effective at slowing this drop (P less than .0001), but MAST had no statistically significant effect. Animals with balloons bled more slowly into the abdominal cavity than did animals in the other two groups (P less than .0001). MAST also were effective at slowing the bleeding (P less than .05). Of the balloon and the MAST and balloon dogs, all except one survived the entire four hours; this difference between balloon and nonballoon dogs is significant (P = .002). MAST did not have a statistically significant effect on survival. Perfusion pressure (PP) declined during the course of the experiment, and the balloon was effective at slowing this decline (P less than .0001); none of the other comparisons was statistically significant.     

陕西省新型结核病防治管理模式实施前后能力建设与诊治效果分析

目的 分析陕西省新型结核病防治管理模式实施前后结核病防治能力建设及诊治效果,为进一步完善我省结核病防控政策和措施提供参考。方法 本研究采用描述性研究,对全省10个地级市、108个县(区)结核病防治能力建设情况,以及患者发现、治疗管理等指标变化情况进行对比分析。能力建设情况以2014年和2017年数据作对比,分别来源于《陕西省“十二五”结核病防治规划》评估和2017年全省结核病防治工作联合大检查。患者发现、治疗管理指标来源于《结核病信息管理系统》,以实施前3年(2012—2014年)与实施后3年(2015—2017年)的数据作对比。运用SPSS 19.0处理数据,率和构成比的比较采用χ ²检验,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。 结果 2014年和2017年全省设有结核病定点医院的数量分别为20家和107家,2017年较2014年增加了87家。2014年全省共有结核病防治人员923名,其中疾病预防控制中心(CDC)656名,定点医院267名。2017年全省共有结核病防治人员1200名,其中CDC 403名,定点医院797名;与2014年相比,CDC人员减少了38.57%,定点医院人员增加了198.50%。2014年全省有3个地级市开展了分子生物学耐药检测,5.56%(6/108)的县(区)开展了分子生物学检测,12.04%(13/108)的县(区)开展了痰培养。2017年全省有8个地级市开展了分子生物学耐药检测,49.07%(53/108)的县(区)开展了分子生物学检测,55.56%(60/108)的县(区)开展了痰培养。新型防治模式实施前3年全省初诊查痰率为98.50%(329981/335014),发现肺结核患者63892例(其中结核性胸膜炎患者4089例),发现病原学阳性患者14087例,病原学阳性率为23.56%(14087/59803)。实施后3年全省初诊查痰率为95.00%(312503/328948),发现肺结核患者61583例(其中结核性胸膜炎5295例),病原学阳性患者10588例,病原学阳性率为18.81%(10588/56288)。新型防治模式实施前后初诊查痰率降低(χ ²=6484.178,P=0.000),病原学阳性率降低(χ ²=390.104,P=0.000)。实施前3年因症就诊发现肺结核患者占29.43%(18805/63892),转诊发现患者占43.90%(28047/63892)。实施后3年因症就诊发现肺结核患者占25.38%(15628/61583),转诊发现患者占57.79%(35586/61583)。转型后因症就诊发现患者的构成比下降(χ ²=259.002,P=0.000),转诊发现患者的构成比上升(χ ²=2419.762,P=0.000)。新模式实施前后3年非结核病防治机构报告患者总体到位率分别为93.18%(62177/66726)和89.96%(61323/68169),实施后总体到位率下降(χ ²=453.550,P=0.000)。新模式实施前后患者治疗成功率分别为95.04%(60464/63619)和94.97%(57872/60939),实施前后比较差异无统计学意义(χ ²=0.356,P=0.551)。 结论 我省新型结核病防治管理模式推进顺利,防治能力加强,但部分患者诊治及管理指标有所下滑,实施质量仍需提升。     

Comparison of pediatric and adult antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infections

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea(AAD) and Clostridum difficile infections(CDI) have been well studied for adult cases, but not as well in the pediatric population. Whether the disease process or response to treatments differs between pediatric and adult patients is an important clinical concern when following global guidelines based largely on adult patients. A systematic review of the literature using databases Pub Med(June 3, 1978-2015) was conducted to compare AAD and CDI in pediatric and adult populations and determine significant differences and similarities that might impact clinical decisions. In general, pediatric AAD and CDI have a more rapid onset of symptoms, a shorter duration of disease and fewer CDI complications(required surgeries and extended hospitalizations) than in adults. Children experience more community-associated CDI and are associated with smaller outbreaks than adult cases of CDI. The ribotype NAP1/027/BI is more common in adults than children. Children and adults share some similar risk factors, but adults have more complex risk factor profiles associated with more co-morbidities, types of disruptive factors and a wider range of exposures to C. difficile in the healthcare environment. The treatment of pediatric and adult AAD is similar(discontinuing or switching the inciting antibiotic), but other treatment strategies for AAD have not been established. Pediatric CDI responds better to metronidazole, while adult CDI responds better to vancomycin. Recurrent CDI is not commonly reported for children. Prevention for both pediatric and adult AAD and CDI relies upon integrated infection control programs, antibiotic stewardship and may include the use of adjunctive probiotics. Clinical presentation of pediatric AAD and CDI are different than adult AAD and CDI symptoms. These differences should be taken into account when rating severity of disease and prescribing antibiotics.     

Role of microRNA in regulation of myeloma-related angiogenesis and survival

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease caused by clonal proliferation of plasma cells that result in monoclonal gammopathy and severe end organ damage. Despite the uniform clinical signs, the disease is very diverse in terms of the nature and sequence of the underlying molecular events. Multiple cellular processes are involved in helping the malignant cells to remain viable and maintain proliferative properties in the hypoxic microenvironment of the bone marrow. Specifically, the process of angiogenesis, triggered by the interactions between the malignant MM cells and the stroma cells around them, was found to be critical for MM progression. In this review we highlight the current understanding about the epigenetic regulation of the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells and its dependency on angiogenesis in the bone marrow that is carried out by different microRNAs.     

Efficacy and safety of donepezil,galantamine, and rivastigmine for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pharmacologic treatments for Alzheimer’s disease include the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine. We reviewed their evidence by searching MEDLINE^®, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts from 1980 through 2007 (July) for placebo-controlled and comparative trials assessing cognition, function, behavior, global change, and safety. Thirty-three articles on 26 studies were included in the review. Meta-analyses of placebo-controlled data support the drugs’ modest overall benefits for stabilizing or slowing decline in cognition, function, behavior, and clinical global change. Three open-label trials and one double-blind randomized trial directly compared donepezil with galantamine and rivastigmine. Results are conflicting; two studies suggest no differences in efficacy between compared drugs, while one study found donepezil to be more efficacious than galantamine, and one study found rivastigmine to be more efficacious than donepezil. Adjusted indirect comparison of placebo-controlled data did not find statistically significant differences among drugs with regard to cognition, but found the relative risk of global response to be better with donepezil and rivastigmine compared with galantamine (relative risk = 1.63 and 1.42, respectively). Indirect comparisons also favored donepezil over galantamine with regard to behavior. Across trials, the incidence of adverse events was generally lowest for donepezil and highest for rivastigmine.     

Comparison of intravenous and oral routes of theophylline loading in acute asthma

In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 19 patients with an acute exacerbation of asthma were given a loading dose of aminophylline by the IV (n = 10) or oral route (n = 9) of administration following treatment with epinephrine. Plasma concentrations of theophylline were measured prior to giving the loading dose, and one, two, three, and 24 to 48 hours later. Therapeutic effectiveness was evaluated by analyzing spirometric measurements prior to giving the loading dose, and one, three, and 24 to 48 hours later. Side effects also were recorded. In the IV group, the mean peak plasma theophylline concentration was 15.1 micrograms/mL one hour after loading, and in the oral group the mean peak serum theophylline concentration was 14.2 micrograms/mL three hours after loading. There was no correlation between theophylline concentrations and normalized change in spirometric values. There was no significant difference in spirometric values between the IV and oral groups. Nausea was slightly more common in the IV group. We conclude that there is no therapeutic advantage to giving a loading dose of aminophylline by the IV route rather than orally in patients with mild-to-moderate exacerbation of asthma initially treated with epinephrine.     

Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Challenges and Uncertainties

Over the past two decades, several advances have been made in the management of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from both evaluative and therapeutic perspectives. This review discusses the medical advancements that have recently been made as the standard of care for managing patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn''s Disease (CD) and to identify the challenges associated with implementing their use in clinical practice. A comprehensive literature search of the major databases (PubMed and Embase) was conducted for all recent scientific papers (1990–2013) giving the recent updates on the management of IBD and the data were extracted. The reported advancements in managing IBD range from diagnostic and evaluative tools, such as genetic tests, biochemical surrogate markers of activity, endoscopic techniques, and radiological modalities, to therapeutic advances, which encompass medical, endoscopic, and surgical interventions. There are limited studies addressing the cost-effectiveness and the impact that these advances have had on medical practice. The majority of the advances developed for managing IBD, while considered instrumental by some IBD experts in improving patient care, have questionable applications due to constraints of cost, lack of availability, and most importantly, insufficient evidence that supports their role in improving important long-term health-related outcomes.     

A comparison of stapled and handsewn anastomoses in patients undergoing resection for Dukes' B and C colorectal cancer

This study was to assess the effect of stapled colorectal anastomoses on local recurrence, disease-free survival, and survival following curative resection for Dukes' B and C adenocarcinoma. Data were derived from two randomized prospective trials of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project designed to evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant therapy in colorectal cancer. Of 1111 patients with colonic anastomoses, 255 were stapled mechanically. There were no significant differences in disease-free survival, survival, or local tumor recurrence among patients subjected to stapled or handsewn anastomoses. Of the 181 patients undergoing anterior resection for rectal cancer, 82 anastomoses were fashioned with staples. No significant disadvantage in disease-free survival, survival, or local recurrence could be attributed to use of the mechanical stapling devices. Twelve percent of patients undergoing stapled rectal anastomoses developed a local recurrence as a first sign of treatment failure compared with 19 percent for the handsewn group. No significant differences in the length of distal margins were detectable. The average time on study was 41 months. The use of stapled anastomoses for carcinoma of the colon or rectum is not associated with an adverse effect on long-term outcome. Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, May 5 to 10, 1985. Supported by USPHS NIH-U10-34212 and an American Cancer Society Grant RC-13.     

Physiological and pathological role of local and immigrating colonic stem cells

The latest avenue of research is revealing the existence of and role for the colonic stem cells in the physiological renewal of the mucosa and in pathological circumstances where they have both positive and negative effects. In the case of human colon, different levels of stem cell compartments exist. First, the crypt epithelial stem cells, which have a role in the normal crypt epithelial cell dynamics and in colorectal carcinogenesis. Close to the crypts, the second layer of stem cells can be found; the local subepithelial stem cell niche, including the pericryptic subepithelial myofibroblasts that regulate the epithelial cell differentiation and have a crucial role in cancer progression and chronic inflammation-related fibrosis. The third level of stem cell compartment is the immigrating bone-marrow-derived stem cells, which have an important role in wound healing after severe mucosal inflammation, but are also involved in cancer invasion. This paper focuses on stem cell biology in the context of physiological and pathological processes in the human colon.     

Antiviral Activity of 4'-thioIDU and Thymidine Analogs against Orthopoxviruses

The search for effective therapies for orthopoxvirus infections has identified diverse classes of molecules with antiviral activity. Pyrimidine analogs, such as 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (idoxuridine, IDU) were among the first compounds identified with antiviral activity against a number of orthopoxviruses and have been reported to be active both in vitro and in animal models of infection. More recently, additional analogs have been reported to have improved antiviral activity against orthopoxviruses including several derivatives of deoxyuridine with large substituents in the 5 position, as well as analogs with modifications in the deoxyribose moiety including (north)-methanocarbathymidine, and 5-iodo-4'-thio-2'-deoxyuridine (4'-thioIDU). The latter molecule has proven to have good antiviral activity against the orthopoxviruses both in vitro and in vivo and has the potential to be an effective therapy in humans.