Immunochemical markers for the frog olfactory neuroepithelium

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were generated that react with the major cell types in the olfactory neuroepithelium of the frog, Rana catesbeiana. This pseudostratified epithelium consists of apical supporting cells, a middle layer of olfactory receptor neurons and a heterogeneous population of basal cells consisting of basal cells proper and globose basal cells. Both olfactory receptor neurons and globose basal cells were labelled by mAb 13-OE, which recognized the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM. The identity of these NCAM positive cells was established by analysing regenerating olfactory epithelium and by a double-antibody labelling immunofluorescence technique. The olfactory nerve was lesioned, which induced the death of olfactory receptor neurons and the subsequent proliferation of basal cells. When the regenerating olfactory epithelium was analysed prior to the reconstitution of mature olfactory neurons, mAb 13-OE reacted specifically with globose basal cells and not the basal cells proper. Simultaneous labelling of normal olfactory epithelium with mAb 13-OE and polyclonal anti-keratin antibodies, the latter of which labels supporting cells and basal cells proper, revealed no double-labelled cells. These results further confirmed that NCAM was expressed by both globose basal cells and receptor neurons but not by other cell types within the epithelium. Additional cell types in the olfactory epithelium reacted with other new mAbs: 4-OE, 5-OE, 7-OE and 9-OE. Supporting cells were stained by mAb 4-OE. Olfactory receptor neurons and the entire population of basal cells were immunoreactive with mAb 7-OE. The cilia and knobs of receptor neurons were strongly immunoreactive with mAb 5-OE whereas mAb 9-OE selectively stained olfactory knobs and not the cilia on these chemosensory cells. These studies are a first step towards experimental approaches designed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the unique proliferative properties of the olfactory neuroepithelium in frog.     

钩藤碱对血小板聚集和血栓形成的影响

钩藤碱(Rhy)明显抑制AA,胶原及ADP诱导的大鼠血小板聚集。Rhy不影响血小利用外源性AA合成TXA_2,但抑制胶原诱导的TXA_2生成;在抗血小板聚集有效剂量时,对PGI_2的生成无影响。Rhy有显著降低血栓形成诱导剂ADP及胶原加肾上腺素静脉注射所致小鼠死亡率。     

激光小角光散射仪测定右旋糖酐分子量

激光小角光散射仪(LALLS)由于采用了激光光源,具有光强度高、单色性强、准直性好等特点,可以在微量样品池及很低浓度的溶液中进行小角度(3°～7°)散射光强的测量,溶质的瑞利系数与其分子量有如下关系:     

Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence among blood product recipients in San Francisco before transfusion

To determine the incidence of transfusion-associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after routine screening of donated blood, a pilot study estimated the pretransfusion prevalence of HIV infection among blood product recipients in San Francisco. Among the 911 nonduplicate pretransfusion specimens from recipients without a clinical history of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC), the overall prevalence of antibody to HIV was 2.9 percent (5.2% among males and 0.6% among females; p = 0.00002). If recipients in specifically defined or possible high-risk groups (n = 348) were excluded, a seropositivity rate of 1.8 percent (10/563) was detected, with all the positives occurring in men (10/242, 4.1%) and none in women (0/321, 0%). This demonstrated prevalence of HIV infection among blood product recipients in San Francisco before transfusion was substantially higher than the known 0.02 to 0.04 percent prevalence in the donor population. Therefore, the population of women without known risk for AIDS is the best in which to assess the risk of HIV infection in patients who are currently receiving seronegative blood transfusions.     

Haemodynamic Studies During the Management of Severe Tetanus

Detailed invasive haemodynamic studies were performed in 27of 32 patients with severe tetanus. Nineteen had severe uncomplicatedtetanus and eight had associated major complications, chieflyinfection and pulmonary complications. The results were comparedwith those obtained from 15 healthy male volunteers who servedas controls. There were two deaths in 32 patients (mortality6.25 per cent). Severe tetanus without major complications wascharacterized by a high output hyperkinetic circulatory statewith tachycardia (heart rate 131 (19.2) beats/minute), increasedstroke volume index (43.1 (10.7) ml/m²), increased cardiac index(5.48 (0.94)1/min/m²) and a normal left ventricular stroke workindex (60.5 (15.9) g/m/m²). Volume loading demonstrated a significanthaemodynamic response and increased vascular capacitance. Evenso the maximum percent rise from baseline values of these indicesafter volume load was significantly higher in controls (p <0.001). Autonomic cardiovascular disturbances affected bothsympathetic and parasympathetic activity. Hypertension and tachycardiaalternating with hypotension and bradycardia were related tosudden fluctuations in systemic vascular resistance. Our studiessuggested some degree of myocardial dysfunction in patientswith severe uncomplicated tetanus. The haemodynamics of severetetanus were masked and altered by complicating infection, pneumonia,and atelectasis.     

Unknown poisoning amongst serving personnel

Background: Poisoning is recognized as an important health problem in many countries of the world. There is incomplete information on poisoning accidents, which is a major problem in developing countries.     

Effect of menstrual cycle phase on dopamine D2 receptor availability in female cynomolgus monkeys

Sex differences have been reported in a variety of affective and neurodegenerative disorders that involve dysfunctional dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. In addition, there is evidence for differences in sensitivity to the abuse-related effects of psychostimulants across the menstrual cycle which may result from effects of ovarian hormones on DA function. The goal of the present study was to extend previous work examining menstrual cycle-related changes in DA D2 receptor availability in humans to drug-naive female cynomolgus monkeys (n=7) using the selective D2-like receptor ligand [(18)F]fluoroclebopride (FCP) and a high-resolution microPET P4 scanner. Menstrual cycle phase was characterized by daily vaginal swabs and measurements of serum progesterone levels. PET studies were conducted once during the luteal phase and once during the follicular phase. Regions of interest in the caudate nucleus, putamen, and cerebellum were defined on coregistered MRIs. Distribution volumes were calculated for FCP in each structure and the distribution volume ratio (DVR) for both brain regions relative to the cerebellum was used as a measure of D2 receptor availability. FCP DVRs were significantly higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase in both the caudate nucleus (11.7% difference, p=0.02) and putamen (11.6% difference, p=0.03). These findings extend earlier work in humans and suggest that changes in DA receptor availability may be involved in the variation in symptoms of various neuropsychiatric disorders across the menstrual cycle, including differences in sensitivity to the abuse-related effects of stimulants.