糖尿病大鼠局灶脑缺血/再灌注损伤与脑组织TGF-β1mRNA表达

目的:观察糖尿病和对照组鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤与转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁) mRNA表达的异质性。方法:采用逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)检测大鼠中脑动脉阻塞(MCAO)后脑内TGF-β₁ mRNA表达水平,并且应用组织病理进行损伤程度评定。 结果:糖尿病组大鼠脑缺血及缺血/再灌损伤程度明显重于"相应对照组"。糖尿病及对照组大鼠在MCAO 2 h时TGF-β₁ mRNA表达量明显增高,后者增高比前者更为明显。再灌24 h后TGF-β₁ mRNA表达量下降,但仍高于假手术组。结论:糖尿病加重缺血/再灌性脑损伤|MCAO后TGF-β₁ mRNA表达增高可能是机体一种抗损伤反应,糖尿病组抗损伤反应下降。     

内源性一氧化碳对低氧大鼠肺动脉转化生长因子-β3和Ⅰ型胶原表达的影响

目的:探讨内源性一氧化碳(CO)对低氧大鼠肺动脉胶原代谢的作用及其机制。方法:采用常压低氧大鼠肺动脉高压模型,观察血红素氧合酶(HO)抑制剂锌原卟啉-Ⅸ(ZnPP-Ⅸ)对肺动脉平均压(PAMP)和肺组织匀浆碳氧血红蛋白(HbCO)含量的影响,并用免疫组织化学和核酸原位杂交法分别观察ZnPP-Ⅸ对肺动脉转化生长因子-β₃(TGF-β₃)、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的表达和肺动脉TGF-β₃mRNA、Ⅰ型前胶原mRNA和金属蛋白酶组织抑制因子(TIMP-1)mRNA表达的影响。结果:ZnPP-Ⅸ使低氧大鼠PAMP明显升高,肺组织匀浆CO含量明显降低;ZnPP-Ⅸ能促进TGF-β₃蛋白表达和TGF-β₃mRNA表达,显著促进低氧大鼠肺动脉Ⅰ型胶原蛋白表达和Ⅰ型前胶原mRNA表达,上调TIMP-1mRNA的表达。结论:内源性CO可能通过抑制TGF-β₃mRNA和TGF-β₃蛋白表达而抑制胶原蛋白的合成,促进胶原的降解,从而对低氧大鼠肺动脉胶原代谢发挥重要的调节作用。     

肾上腺髓质素在糖尿病肾病中的变化及作用

目的: 探讨肾上腺髓质素(AM)在糖尿病肾病中的变化及作用。方法: 通过体外人肾小球系膜细胞培养实验,观察高糖条件对系膜细胞AM mRNA、转化生长因子-β₁(TGF-β₁)mRNA表达、分泌及细胞外基质(层粘连蛋白和Ⅳ型胶原)含量的影响及肾上腺髓质素干预对高糖不良作用的影响。结果: 在高糖条件下培养的人肾小球系膜细胞AMmRNA、TGF-β₁mRNA表达和AM、TGF-β₁分泌较低糖对照组分别增加1.01倍、0.59倍和3.49倍、1.61倍;细胞外基质蛋白LN和Ⅳ型胶原含量分别升高0.95倍和1.13倍。用不同浓度AM(10^-7、10^-8和10^-9 mol/L)干预后,TGF-β₁mRNA表达分别下降50%、28%和16.2%,TGF-β₁含量分别下降39%、26%和11%;LN含量分别下降53%、45%和18%,Ⅳ型胶原含量分别下降29%、26%和20%。结论: 葡萄糖水平升高是AM表达分泌的剌激因子之一。AM的肾脏保护作用可能与抑制TGF-β₁的表达与分泌,进而减少基质蛋白和胶原的过度积聚相关。     

淫羊藿苷改善糖尿病大鼠睾丸病变及其对转化生长因子β1 和Ⅳ型胶原蛋白酶表达的影响

目的: 研究淫羊藿苷对糖尿病大鼠睾丸病变的改善,并初步讨论其可能的作用机制。方法: 采用链脲佐菌素(40 mg·kg^-1)尾静脉注射建立糖尿病大鼠模型。实验分为3组:正常组、模型组和淫羊藿苷组。淫羊藿苷组给予淫羊藿苷溶液80 mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃。12周末处死各组大鼠,测血清葡萄糖和睾酮含量,睾丸组织中特异性酶琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、γ-谷氨酰转肽酶(γ-GT)及乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活性; HE染色,置光镜下观察睾丸组织病理变化;免疫组化法测定转化生长因子β₁ (TGF-β₁)和Ⅳ型胶原蛋白酶的表达。结果: 与正常对照组比较,模型组血清葡萄糖水平上升和睾酮水平下降;睾丸组织特异性酶活性降低;病理学检测可见生精上皮层变薄,各级生精细胞减少;TGF-β₁和Ⅳ型胶原蛋白酶表达增加。淫羊藿苷组明显改善上述指标(P<0.01)。结论: 淫羊藿苷对糖尿病所致的睾丸损伤有明显的保护作用,其机制可能与促进睾酮释放、抑制睾丸Ⅳ型胶原蛋白酶及TGF-β₁表达有关。     

糖尿病大鼠肾小球蛋白激酶Cα表达与肾病发病关系的研究

目的:观察四氧嘧啶诱发的糖尿病大鼠肾小球中蛋白激酶Cα(PKCα)、转化生长因子-β₁(TGF-β₁)和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)表达的动态变化, 探讨3者之间相互关系以及与肾损害之间的关系。方法:将大鼠随机分为正常对照组(A组), 糖尿病1周组(B组), 糖尿病1月组(C组)和糖尿病2月组(D组)。用免疫组化和Western印迹法检查PKCα, TGF-β₁和α-SMA在肾小球的表达情况。光镜观察肾组织的形态改变, 生化法测定大鼠血糖, 血脂, 血尿肌酐以及尿蛋白。结果:糖尿病各组肾小球PKCα和TGF-β₁的表达多于正常组(P<0.05), 糖尿病各组PKCα, TGF-β₁和α-SMA3者间呈正相关, 并且与肾脏病变程度呈正相关。结论:糖尿病早期肾组织PKCα表达持续增加, 可使肾小球滤过率和滤过膜通透性增加, 参与了肾病早期蛋白尿的发生机制, 使TGF-β₁增多并诱导α-SMA的表达, 标志着肾脏固有细胞激活及表型转变和肾脏组织学改变。     

糖尿病大鼠肾小管TGF-β1和MAPK1/3表达的动态观察

目的:动态观察糖尿病大鼠肾小管转化生长因子-β₁(TGF-β₁)、丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK_1/3)和纤维连接蛋白(FN)的变化,探讨其在肾小管间质病变发生发展中的作用。方法:将大鼠分为正常对照组;糖尿病1周、2周、4周和8周组。用链脲菌素复制糖尿病模型;免疫组化法检测肾小管间质TGF-β₁、MAPK_1/3和FN的表达;Western blot检测TGF-β₁蛋白质;HE和PAS染色,光镜观察动物肾组织形态;生化法测定血糖、血肌酐及尿蛋白。结果: 正常肾小管可见少量MAPK_1/3表达,而未见TGF-β₁表达。糖尿病1周可见肾小管上皮细胞表达TGF-β₁,并且随着病程发展而增加。MAPK_1/3和FN从糖尿病两周开始表达亦呈持续增加,并且与TGF-β₁及肾重/体重比呈正相关。糖尿病1周时MAPK_1/3与TGF-β₁无显著相关,但与FN呈正相关。 结论:大鼠糖尿病状态诱导肾小管表达TGF-β₁并激活MAPK_1/3,MAPK_1/3介导高糖和TGF-β₁的信号而促进FN的生成和沉积,在糖尿病肾脏肥大和纤维化中可能起重要作用。     

血管紧张素-(1-7)对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的大鼠肾间质成纤维细胞活化的影响

目的: 观察血管紧张素-(1-7) 对血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)诱导的大鼠肾间质成纤维细胞活化及细胞外基质分泌的影响并初步探讨其机制。方法: 体外培养正常大鼠肾间质成纤维细胞(NRK-49F), 分为对照组和Ang-(1-7)组、AngⅡ组和Ang-(1-7)+AngⅡ组, 培养72 h后, 细胞免疫化学染色法检测细胞活化标志物α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、转化生长因子β₁(TGF-β₁)和胰岛素样生长因子I(IGF-I)表达; 酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)检测上清液中TGF-β₁、IGF-I及细胞外基质成分Ⅰ型胶原(ColⅠ)的含量。结果: 对照组仅有基础水平的α-SMA表达, 几无Col I、TGF-β₁和IGF-I表达, Ang-(1-7)组与之类似; AngⅡ组细胞α-SMA及ColⅠ、TGF-β₁、IGF-I表达较对照组显著增加(P<0.05); AngⅡ+Ang-(1-7)组与AngⅡ组比较, 细胞α-SMA及Col I、TGF-β₁、IGF-I表达明显减少(P<0.05)。结论: Ang-(1-7)可抑制AngⅡ诱导的肾间质成纤维细胞活化, 减少细胞外基质成分ColⅠ的合成, 其机制可能是通过下调致纤维化细胞因子TGF-β₁和IGF-I的表达。     

糖尿病大鼠心肌肌浆网钙调蛋白基因表达的改变

目的:探讨糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞肌浆网钙调蛋白基因表达的改变。方法: 雄性SD大鼠经尾静脉注射四氧嘧啶(40 mg/kg)复制糖尿病大鼠模型,对照组注射生理盐水,分别于4,6周处死,取心室肌组织,应用逆转录-聚合酶反应技术以肌动蛋白为内参照,测定肌浆网钙调蛋白钙泵(SERCA )、磷酸受纳蛋白(phospholamban)、ryanodine受体2型(RyR₂)、1,4,5三磷酸肌醇受体2型(IP₃R₂)mRNA的变化。结果: 4,6周后糖尿病组大鼠的体重和心脏重量均低于正常对照组,但心脏/体重比显著大于正常对照组。4周糖尿病组大鼠心肌肌浆网SERCA 、磷酸受纳蛋白、RyR₂、IP₃R₂ mRNA的表达与对照组相比无显著差异;6周的糖尿病组大鼠心肌肌浆网Ca²⁺-ATP酶 的 mRNA表达无明显变化,但磷酸受纳蛋白的mRNA表达显著高于而RyR₂、IP₃R₂的mRNA表达显著低于对照组。结论: 糖尿病大鼠心肌细胞的肌浆网磷酸受纳蛋白的mRNA表达增加,RyR₂、IP₃R₂的mRNA表达下降。     

依那普利对大鼠早期肾间质纤维化的影响

目的：观察依那普利对早期肾间质纤维化形成大鼠的疗效,并探讨其作用机制。方法：将60只雄性SD 大鼠随机分为假手术组、单侧输尿管梗阻模型组和依那普利治疗组（每组20只）,治疗组于手术后第4天开始以依那普利灌胃,术后第14天取各组大鼠肾组织分别行HE染色和Masson染色,免疫组织化学检测Ⅰ型胶原、III型胶原在肾组织的蛋白表达。应用Real-time PCR方法检测肾组织中Ⅰ型胶原、III型胶原、血小板源生长因子(platelet drived growth factor,PDGF)-B、转化生长因子（transforming growth factor,TGF）-β1、结缔组织生长因子（cennective tissue growth factor,CTGF）mRNA的水平。应用Western免疫印迹方法检测PDGF-B蛋白的表达。结果：依那普利治疗组大鼠肾脏的肾间质损伤指数、肾间质胶原评分、Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原,以及细胞因子PDGF-B,TGF-β1,CTGF的表达均比模型组明显下降（均P<0.05）。结论：依那普利可通过下调细胞因子PDGF-B,TGF-β1,CTGF的表达而起到治疗单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾间质纤维化的作用。     

伊贝沙坦对链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病大鼠肾脏肥大的影响

目的:探讨新型血管紧张素II受体拮抗剂伊贝沙坦(Irb)对链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的糖尿病大鼠肾脏肥大的影响。方法:SD大鼠随机分为3组:正常对照组(N组,n=7),糖尿病肾病组(DN组,n=6)和伊贝沙坦治疗组(DNI组,n=7)。大鼠单侧肾切除后,腹腔注射STZ诱导糖尿病模型。于第4、8、12周分别测血糖(BG)、体重(BW)、尿白蛋白排泄(Ualb)、24h尿蛋白(24hUpro)定量,12周实验结束时测肌酐清除率(Ccr)、肾重(KW)、肾脏肥大指数(KW/BW)、肾组织总蛋白含量(RTP)、肾小球面积(A_G)和体积(V_G)、肾小球毛细血管基底膜(GBM)厚度等改变。结果:DN组和DNI组间BG差异无显著(P>0.05)。Irb可明显降低糖尿病大鼠Ualb、24hUpro排泄,抑制Ccr的增高(P＜0.01);Irb可显著抑制糖尿病大鼠KW、KW/BW、RTP、A_G、V_G的增加(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)和GBM的增厚(均为P＜0.01)。结论:糖尿病大鼠早期应用Irb可减轻尿蛋白排泄,并通过抑制肾脏肥大和GBM增厚而发挥肾保护作用。     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

'Very sore nights and days': the child's experience of illness in early modern England, c.1580-1720

Sick children were ubiquitous in early modern England, and yet they have received very little attention from historians. Taking the elusive perspective of the child, this article explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of illness in England between approximately 1580 and 1720. What was it like being ill and suffering pain? How did the young respond emotionally to the anticipation of death? It is argued that children’s experiences were characterised by profound ambivalence: illness could be terrifying and distressing, but also a source of emotional and spiritual fulfilment and joy. This interpretation challenges the common assumption amongst medical historians that the experiences of early modern patients were utterly miserable. It also sheds light on children’s emotional feelings for their parents, a subject often overlooked in the historiography of childhood. The primary sources used in this article include diaries, autobiographies, letters, the biographies of pious children, printed possession cases, doctors’ casebooks, and theological treatises concerning the afterlife.     

Guidelines for the Validation and Use of Immunoassays for Determination of Introduced Proteins in Biotechnology Enhanced Crops and Derived Food Ingredients

Recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology have created a need for analytical techniques to determine introduced proteins in crops enhanced through modern biotechnology techniques. These proteins are expressed in plant tissues and may be present in food ingredients. Immunoassays are ideally suited for protein detection and may be used as both quantitative and threshold methods. Microplate ELISA and lateral flow devices are two of the most commonly used immunoassay formats for agricultural biotechnology applications. This paper provides general background information and a discussion of criteria for the validation and application of immunochemical methods to the analysis of proteins introduced into plants and food ingredients using biotechnology methods. It is the result of a collaborative effort of members of the Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium. This collaborative effort represents the combined expertise of several organizations to reach consensus on establishing guidelines for the validation and use of immunoassays. Further, the paper offers developers and users a consistent approach to adopting the technology as well as aid in producing accurate and meaningful results.     

Ultracryotomy: development and application (with examples from the yeast cytology) (author's transl)

The preparation steps usually necessary for obtaining ultrathin frozen sections of biological material (chemical prefixation, enclosing, cryoprotective treatment, freezing, sectioning, and post-staining the sections for transmission electron microscopy) are submitted to a critical analysis. The application of cryo-ultramicrotomy, in particularly for cytochemical purposes, is reviewed. Fundamental considerations of chemical prefixation and poststaining are supported by examples from yeast cytology. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cryo-ultramicrotomy (electron optical resolution of ultrastructural details) is demonstrated on yeast cells and protoplasts.     

HLA in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.     

The case for allele‐specific recognition by the TCR

There is a sharp difference in how one views TCR structure–function–behaviour dependent on whether its recognition of major histocompatibility complex‐encoded restriction elements (R) is germline selected or somatically generated. The generally accepted or Standard model is built on the assumption that recognition of R is by the V regions of the αβ TCR, which is not driven by allele specificity, whereas the competing model posits that recognition of R is allele‐specific. The establishing of allele‐specific recognition of R by the TCR would rule out the Standard model and clear the road to a consideration of a competing construct, the Tritope model. Here, the case for allele‐specific recognition (germline selected) is detailed making it obvious that the Standard model is untenable.