Functional recognition of the neuronal tyrosine hydroxylase cAMP regulatory element in different cell types.

Transient transfection of pLB2CAT constructs bearing short synthetic oligonucleotides derived either from the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter or other sources was used to examine functional cAMP regulatory element (CRE) activity in a variety of cell lines. The region containing only the putative TH CRE was found to be as or more effective in conferring cAMP responsiveness onto pLB2CAT (which employs the TK promoter) than the immediate 272 bp region of the TH promoter. Increases in CAT activity of 10- to 20-fold were observed in JEG-3 cells with a single insert of the TH CRE region (-31 to -54) in pLB2CAT, and the presence of a second insert generated only a modest further increase. This construct also responded to cAMP in 4 other cell lines tested but the degree of increase was less dramatic. Inserts containing the consensus 8 bp CRE motif embedded in other natural or artificial contexts served generally as weak functional CREs in all cell lines tested. In vitro analysis revealed that a specific protein-DNA complex apparently containing a single protein with a MW of 45-50 kDa was formed equally well with JEG-3 cell nuclear extract and CRE-bearing-TH and other fragments which produced dramatically different cAMP effects in vivo. These results suggest specificity in the effects of cAMP on different CREs which are dictated by contextual differences.     

Cytologic criteria for the formation of a risk group in Barrett esophagus]

Oncologic screenings of the populations in the areas with increased incidence of esophageal cancer have revealed Barrett's ulcer in 1 percent of the examinees. Endoscopic and cytologic characteristics of this condition are presented. Precancer changes--severe dysplasia--are most frequent in male Kazakhs (14.1 percent) aged 50 to 59 (14.7 percent). Subjects with Barrett's ulcer developing severe dysplasia, as evidenced by cytograms, should be included in the group of subjects at risk for carcinoma of the lower third of the esophagus and cardia.     

妊娠与柯兴氏综合征--附1例病案分析

目的 :提高妊娠合并柯兴氏综合征的诊治水平。方法 :结合国内外文献 16例 ,分析讨论妊娠与柯兴氏综合征的相互影响所导致的各种临床结局。结果 :肾上腺皮质腺瘤位于妊娠合并柯兴氏综合征的病因首位 ,而高肾上腺皮质激素刺激征和特征性腹部、大腿宽大紫纹 ,结合B超、CT可以诊断妊娠合并柯兴氏综合征 ;严重的并发症威胁母婴安全 ,积极进行手术治疗和并发症的处理可以降低母婴死亡率、延长孕周。结论 :妊娠合并柯兴氏综合征是极度的高危妊娠 ,妊娠期的早期诊断、早期治疗能改善妊娠质量。     

CD44 ligation induces apoptosis via caspase- and serine protease-dependent pathways in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

We have recently reported that ligation of the CD44 cell surface antigen with A3D8 monoclonal antibody (mAb) triggers incomplete differentiation and apoptosis of the acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)-derived NB4 cells. The present study characterizes the mechanisms underlying the apoptotic effect of A3D8 in NB4 cells. We show that A3D8 induces activation of both initiator caspase-8 and -9 and effector caspase-3 and -7 but only inhibition of caspase-3/7 and caspase-8 reduces A3D8-induced apoptosis. Moreover, A3D8 induces mitochondrial alterations (decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential DeltaPsi m and cytochrome c release), which are reduced by caspase-8 inhibitor, suggesting that caspase-8 is primarily involved in A3D8-induced apoptosis of NB4 cells. However, the apoptotic process is independent of TNF-family death receptor signalling. Interestingly, the general serine protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl)-benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF) decreases A3D8-induced apoptosis and when combined with general caspase inhibitor displays an additive effect resulting in complete prevention of apoptosis. These results suggest that both caspase-dependent and serine protease-dependent pathways contribute to A3D8-induced apoptosis. Finally, A3D8 induces apoptosis in all-trans-retinoic acid-resistant NB4-derived cells and in APL primary blasts, characterizing the A3D8 anti-CD44 mAb as a novel class of apoptosis-inducing agent in APL.     

A structurally oriented approach to the repair of cicatricial entropion

A modified technique for the repair of moderate to severe cicatricial entropion has been developed. This method is unique, as it involves the creation of a bipedicled tarsoconjunctival advancement flap. The technique avoids the causes of surgical failure seen with standard tarsal fracturing procedures.     

Smoking and stroke.

The purpose of this review is to evaluate literature published since 1978 on the association between smoking and stroke. Two cohort studies found a dose-response relationship between the amount of cigarettes smoked per day and the relative risk of stroke. Also, two of the cohort studies found that when smoking ceased, the risk of stroke lessened (p less than 0.001). Nine case-control studies found a significant association between smoking and stroke for men and women. The biological association between smoking and stroke is plausible and several epidemiologic studies are supportive of this thesis. Additional, well-designed epidemiologic studies with a sufficient sample size to detect reasonably small odds ratios or relative risks (thus providing adequate statistical power) are warranted.     

Articular ossification after malignant neurolepsis. A case of schizophrenia treated with phenothiazines

Following administration of phenothiazines for schizophrenia, a 25-year-old patient developed a malignant neuroleptic syndrome followed by bilateral periarticular ossification of the knees, with severely limited motion. Two years later, the patient regained useful motion after bilateral excision of the ossified tissue and intensive physiotherapy. No recurrence of ossification was observed 3 years after operation, and the patient has maintained almost normal motion.     

大学生网络成瘾量表的初步编制

目的编制可供评估网络成瘾倾向的自评量表。方法采用自编《大学生网络成瘾量表》为研究工具对197名在校大学生为被试进行测试。结果①初步编制的《大学生网络成瘾量表》共46条目,包括2个分量表:网络成瘾倾向和网络成瘾类型分量表,其中网络成瘾倾向分量表分为成瘾症状成分(即成瘾症状、消极影响2个维度)和认知、情感体验成分(即内心体验、自我认知2个维度);网络成瘾类型分为网络关系成瘾、网络娱乐成瘾、信息搜集成瘾和网络性成瘾4个维度;②本量表具有较好的信度:成瘾倾向分量表及各维度的同质性信度为0·80~0·95,网络成瘾类型分量表为0·78,符合测量学标准;网络成瘾倾向分量表及各维度的重测信度除消极影响为0·67外,其他为0·75~0·88,网络成瘾类型分量表为0·74,也都基本达到心理测量学标准;③本量表成瘾倾向分量表的成瘾标志和消极影响维度与陈淑惠《中文网络成瘾量表》各个因子以及总分的相关(0·78~0·83)均显示有统计学意义,说明其具有良好的结构效度。结论该量表评价内容范围较宽、提供信息量较大,题目量适中,并且其信、效度较好,为后续研究打下了良好基础。