“Classical” neuroendocrine peptide hormones produced by cells of the immune system

Cells of the immune system are shown to produce peptide hormones whose production was once thought to be restricted to neuroendocrine tissue. Interestingly, in some cases, very specific stimuli elicit the production of one species of neuropeptide hormone. In other instances, it appears that some peptide hormones are constitutively produced. In either situation, the various immunocyte-derived hormones have biological activity in endocrinological assays. In the present report, a review of the various neuroendocrine hormones produced by cells of the immune system is discussed.     

Subunit structure of the variable V-1 antigen of Mycoplasma pulmonis.

It was previously shown that multiple structural variants of the V-1 antigen (variable antigen 1) of Mycoplasma pulmonis could be found within a single strain. This antigen is unusual in that it produces a ladder pattern after sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The present study showed that some variants of V-1 could be extracted into the aqueous phase of a phenol-H2O system. Analysis with anti-V-1 monoclonal antibodies showed that the phenol-H2O-extracted V-1 had a regular spacing of 3.1 kilodaltons (kDa) between bands and trypsinization of this extracted V-1 resulted in the gradual symmetrical collapse (2.9-kDa increments) of the ladder into a single band, suggesting the presence of multiple identical subunits within the V-1 structure. The upper band from the phenol-H2O-extracted V-1 was isolated and analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis immunoblotting, resulting in the regeneration of the original ladder pattern with 3.1-kDa spacing between bands. When V-1 was boiled for increasing times in the presence of SDS, the staining intensity of the upper band decreased with the concurrent appearance of additional lower-molecular-weight bands. Finally, by using whole cells, it was found that the lower-molecular-weight species of the ladder pattern selectively partitioned into the hydrophobic phase of a Triton X-114 phase partitioning system, and the higher-molecular-weight bands were found in the aqueous phase. These data indicate that the V-1 bands are composed of subunits which may aggregate via hydrophobic interactions and that these aggregates at least partially dissociate when exposed to harsh denaturing conditions, resulting in the characteristic ladder pattern of V-1.     

A cross-specialty survey to assess the application of risk stratified surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer in the UK

Introduction

This study describes variability of treatment for differentiated thyroid cancer among thyroid surgeons, in the context of changing patterns of thyroid surgery in the UK.

Methods

Hospital Episodes Statistics on thyroid operations between 1997 and 2012 were obtained for England. A survey comprising six scenarios of varying ‘risk’ was developed. Patient/tumour information was provided, with five risk stratified or non-risk stratified treatment options. The survey was distributed to UK surgical associations. Respondent demographics were categorised and responses analysed by assigned risk stratified preference.

Results

From 1997 to 2012, the Hospital Episode Statistics data indicated there was a 55% increase in the annual number of thyroidectomies with a fivefold increase in otolaryngology procedures and a tripling of cancer operations. Of the surgical association members surveyed, 264 respondents reported a thyroid surgery practice. Management varied across and within the six scenarios, and was not related consistently to the level of risk. Associations were demonstrated between overall risk stratified preference and higher volume practice (>25 thyroidectomies per year) (p=0.011), fewer years of consultant practice (p=0.017) and multidisciplinary team participation (p=0.037). Logistic regression revealed fewer years of consultant practice (odds ratio [OR]: 0.96/year in practice, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.922–0.997, p=0.036) and caseload of >25/year (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.044–3.522, p=0.036) as independent predictors of risk stratified preference.

Conclusions

There is a substantial contribution to thyroid surgery in the UK by otolaryngology surgeons. Adjusting management according to established case-based risk stratification is not widely applied. Higher caseload was associated with a preference for management tailored to individual risk.     

外科手术中产生的烟气:仅仅是大量的热空气吗?

外科医生和手术室人员经常接触手术设备产生的烟气,病人也会暴露于烟气中,特别是腹腔镜手术中产生的烟气滞留于腹腔内这一密闭空间并被吸收.这些烟气是一种与香烟烟气相似的毒性物质,然而对这种毒性物质的影响还未引起足够重视.应该采取必要措施尽可能减少手术中烟气的不良影响.     

The effect of counseling on willingness to use a hypothetical medication and perceptions of medication safety

Background

Poor medication adherence is an ongoing issue, and contributes to increased hospitalizations and healthcare costs. Although most adverse effects are rare, the perceived risk of adverse effects may contribute to low adherence rates.

Intra-aortic balloon pumping in infants and children

From November 1981 to November 1982, intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) was used after surgery in eight patients who were from 6 weeks to 6 years old and who weighed from 4.2 to 16.2 kg. In seven patients, specially constructed intra-aortic balloons with 2.5 and 5.0 ml volumes mounted on No. 5F catheters were used. In the largest and oldest patient, a two-chamber 10 ml balloon was used. The pumping module used was the Datascope System 82. Effective diastolic augmentation of arterial pressure was accomplished in seven of the eight patients and suprasystolic diastolic augmentation was accomplished in four. The two youngest and smallest patients are the only long-term survivors. There were two short-term survivors who died 5 and 10 days after successful IABP. In only one patient was there no appreciable effect of IABP. Miniaturization of the equipment has permitted IABP to be used effectively in pediatric patients.     

大鼠舌咽和迷走神经感觉神经节内P2X2、P2X3受体与calretinin和IB4结合位点的共存

应用免疫组织化学荧光三标方法结合激光共聚焦显微镜技术研究了大鼠舌咽和神经迷走神经感觉神经节内ATP受体P2X2、P2X3与calretinin、植物凝集素(IB4)结合位点的共存。结果显示:舌咽和迷走神经感觉神经节内可见大量P2X2、P2X3阳性的神经元胞体和纤维,P2X2受体阳性细胞多为大、中、小型神经元,P2X3阳性细胞多为中、小型神经元;可见较多的P2X2/IB4及P2X3/IB4双标神经元。有(91.1±4.7)%(结状神经节)、(78.8±2.4)%(岩神经节)、(76.8±2.7)%(颈静脉神经节)为P2X2阳性细胞;(77.0±3.2)%(结状神经节)、(91.2±3.9)%(岩神经节)、(78.4±3.6)%(颈静脉神经节)的P2X3阳性细胞结合IB4;有8.9±1.6%(结状神经节)、7.7±1.4%(岩神经节)、9.1±1.1%(颈静脉神经节)的P2X2阳性细胞呈calretinin阳性;三神经节内均观察到少量P2X2/calretinin/IB4三标细胞。P2X3/calretinin双标或P2X3/calretinin/IB4三标神经元数量较少。这些结果提示,舌咽和迷走神经感觉神经节内ATP受体P2X2、P2X3与IB4结合位点存在广泛的共存,部分P2X2受体与calretinin存在着共存。