An analysis of astrocytic cell lines with different abilities to promote axon growth

The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) lacks the capacity to support axonal regeneration. There is increasing evidence to suggest that astrocytes, the major glial population in the CNS, may possess both axon-growth promoting and axon-growth inhibitory properties and the latter may contribute to the poor regenerative capacity of the CNS. In order to examine the molecular differences between axon-growth permissive and axon-growth inhibitory astrocytes, a panel of astrocyte cell lines exhibiting a range of axon-growth promoting properties was generated and analysed. No clear correlation was found between the axon-growth promoting properties of these astrocyte cell lines with: (i) the expression of known neurite-outgrowth promoting molecules such as laminin, fibronectin andN-cadherin; (ii) the expression of known inhibitory molecules such tenascin and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan; (iii) plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity; and (iv) growth cone collapsing activity. EM studies on aggregates formed from astrocyte cell lines, however, revealed the presence of an abundance of extracellular matrix material associated with the more inhibitory astrocyte cell lines. When matrix deposited by astrocyte cell lines was assessed for axon-growth promoting activity, matrix from permissive lines was found to be a good substrate, whereas matrix from the inhibitory astrocyte lines was a poor substrate for neuritic growth. Our findings, taken together, suggest that the functional differences between the permissive and the inhibitory astrocyte cell lines reside largely with the ECM.     

Electrophysiologic evaluation of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. A single fiber and quantitative EMG study

A 16-year-old boy, the only affected member of the family, noticed early onset contracture of the elbows, and developed slowly progressive humeroperoneal weakness and atrophy, and bilateral equinus. The severe restriction of the forward flexion of the neck and thoracolumbar spine, resembled a rigid spine syndrome. An electrocardiogram showed atrioventricular conduction abnormalities. Muscle biopsy was consistent with mild myopathy. The overall conventional findings of a detailed electromyographic study in the limbs and erector trunci muscles, as well as the results of conduction velocity, automatic analysis of the voluntary pattern and single fiber electromyography studies were consistent with myopathy, although some atypical findings were found. The controversy about neurogenic and myopathic features in Emery-Dreifuss disease is discussed. The unspecific value of the flexion limitation of the spine, and the uncertain nosological position of the rigid spine syndrome are also commented.     

血浆三种维生素检测对急性胰腺炎的临床价值

目的　探讨急性胰腺炎与血浆维生素C、维生素E和 β 胡萝卜素的关系。 方法　采用分光光度比色分析法检测 6 8例急性胰腺炎和 4 0例健康献血员血浆三种维生素含量。结果　急性胰腺炎组维生素C、维生素E、β 胡萝卜素含量较对照组显著降低 (P <0 .0 1) ,且随着禁食时间的延长呈逐渐降低趋势。 结论　急性胰腺炎时患者体内的氧化和抗氧化系统平衡失调 ,补充抗氧化维生素有助于病情的恢复。     

解析南非医疗『公私合营』机制

南非在建立和发展公平、高效、高质量的医疗保障体系的过程中,为公立医疗机构和私立医疗机构之间开展建设性的合作提供了相当大的空间。当决定是否应该在医疗体系中追求新的公私互动或公私合营机制之前,有必要对现有这种机制的功过是非、全民医疗体系的目标和已经取得的成绩进行认真评估。     

Tobacco smoking: a major risk factor for loss of teeth in three 70-year-old cohorts

Oral health was examined in a random sample of 1377 people in three 70-year-old cohorts studied within 5-yr intervals. During the studied period 1971-1983 the prevalence of toothlessness decreased from 52 to 34%. Toothlessness in men was more common in smokers, 48%, and ex-smokers, 32%, than in non-smokers, 20%. Eichner's index was used as a measurement of dental invalidity. This index showed a worse dental state among smokers and ex-smokers compared to non-smokers. Multivariate analyses indicated that tobacco smoking was a major independent risk factor for tooth loss in elderly men.