Ultrastructural studies of hepatocyte cytoskeleton in experimental cholestasis by quick-freezing and deep-etching method

The ultrastructural association between the cytoskeleton and other organelles was studied by the quick-freezing and deep-etching method in rats treated with alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), or phalloidin, and in rats with obstructive jaundice. Cytoplasmic filaments were classified by measuring their diameters, and actin filaments were identified by specific decoration with myosin subfragment 1 (S1). S1-positive actin filaments and S1-negative intermediate filaments (12-14 nm in diameter) were observed to form a three-dimensional network around bile canaliculi, and were more numerous than in controls, not only in phalloidin-treated rats and rats with obstructive jaundice, but also in ANIT-administered rats. In all cholestatic rats, vesicular structures were also more numerous than in controls in the pericanalicular regions, and were closely associated with the microfilaments and the intermediate filaments. Filaments of a new type were localized between the lamellae of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and between the lamellae of Golgi sacs and vesicles. Other thin filaments were also observed within the network of actin filaments. These filaments were 4-6 nm in diameter on replica membranes and were never decorated with S1. They were also directly connected with the canalicular membranes. Cytoskeletal components associated with membrane-bound organelles, including these new filaments, were suggested to be involved in the localization and migration of organelles.     

Two Cases of Bladder Carcinoma with Similar Initial Features That Exhibited Completely Different Clinical Courses

Two cases of bladder carcinoma are described. The patients wereof similar age, were both smokers and were treated for the sameperiod, but exhibited completely different later clinical courses.Initially, both had a single, papillary, pedunculate tumor,identified as a transitional cell carcinoma, grade 2. pTa. Onepatient, six years later, had multiple papillary tumors coveringalmost all the mucosal surface and underwent simple cystectomy.Histologically the tumors were identified as transitional cellcarcinomas, grade 2, pT1. The other patient, nine years later,had a single nodular invasive tumor with a concomitant, verytiny papillary tumor and underwent radical cystectomy. Histologicallythe tumor was transitional cell carcinoma, grade 2>3, pT4.Many of the questions raised by these cases are unanswered,but comparison of such cases should provide sonic cities tothe natural history of bladder carcinoma.     

Low-dose Pulse Methotrexate Inhibits Articular Destruction of Adjuvant Arthritis in Rats

The purpose of this study was to determine whether low-dose methotrexate pulse therapy, which had recently become important in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, was effective for controlling the progression of articular destruction in rats with adjuvant arthritis. Intraperitoneal methotrexate at a dose of 0.05 or 0.1 mg kg^?1 twice weekly inhibited inflammation in rats with adjuvant arthritis, as shown by reduction of the hind-paw volume. Methotrexate also inhibited articular destruction, as shown by X-ray findings. Although the mechanisms by which low-dose pulse methotrexate acts on rat adjuvant arthritis are still unclear, our results imply that it might effectively slow the progression of articular destruction in rheumatoid arthritis in man. In addition, assessment of articular destruction in this animal model might be useful when evaluating new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.     

Decrease in reactivity of basophils by immunotherapy with housedust extract

Changes of basophil reactivity to housedust extract and anti-IgE during immunotherapy was examined in thirteen patients with bronchial asthma sensitive to housedust. (i) A significant decrease in the morphological reactivity of basophils to housedust extract was observed 6 months after the beginning of immunotherapy with the antigen, and a significant decrease after 12 and 18 months’ therapy, accompanied with the decrease of histamine release from the cells. The percent reactive basophils to the antigen decreased from 59.2 ± 2.9% before the therapy to 40.0 ± 1.8% after 18 months’immunotherapy. (ii) A decrease in the morphological reactivity of basophils to anti-IgE was also shown during immunotherapy. The basophil reactivity to anti-IgE decreased significantly at the late stage (18 months) of immunotherapy. (iii) A significant reduction of specific IgE antibody to housedust was observed 12 and 18 months after the beginning of immunotherapy. It was suggested from these results that immunotherapy causes some changes on the surface of basophils and decreased reactivity of the cells, and that a decrease of reactive basophils to anti-IgE in the process of immunotherapy might be due to a decrease in number of IgE receptors essentially or functionally.     

不同养生功法对2型糖尿病患者MMPI的影响

目的 观察不同养生功法对2型糖尿病的辅助治疗作用以及心理影响.方法 将108例2型糖尿病患者随机分为动功组、动静组、静功组和对照组4组,动功采用八段锦,静功采用放松功.动功组在常规治疗基础上练习1 h八段锦:动静组在常规治疗基础上前半小时练习八段锦,后半小时练习放松功;静功组在常规治疗基础上练习1 h放松功;对照组按常规治疗,不加干预.所有入组患者在练功前、练功2个月、练功4个月测量明尼苏达多项人格测验量表(MMPI),得到完整病例94例,动功组24例、动静组25例、静功组22例和对照组23例.结果 前3组练功两个月时,与对照组差别不明显,练功4个月时,静功组MMPI中的社会内向因子显著优于对照组(P=0.029);动静组MMPI中的精神病态、精神衰弱、精神分裂因子明显改善(分别为P=0.010、P=0.020、P=0.017);静功组MMPI中的癔病、精神病态、偏执因子显著改善(P=0.026、P=0.033、P=0.035).结论 动功、动静结合、静功,功法不同,效果有一定差异.静功和动静功结合训练可能对部分人格倾向具有一定改善作用.     

Long-Term Clinical Follow-up after Sirolimus-Eluting Stent versus Bare Metal Stent Implantation in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background and Objective: Drug-eluting stents have been shown to reduce the incidence of restenosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR) compared with bare metal stents (BMSs); however, the long-term efficacy of sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has not been well established. We have investigated the long-term clinical outcome of SES in patients with ACS.
Methods: Consecutive 245 patients with ACS treated by primary stenting within 24 hours after onset were enrolled. There were 128 patients treated with SES and 117 patients were treated with BMS. We evaluated the incidence of major cardiac events (MACE; total death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, TVR) at 3 years, comparing with 8-month clinical outcome.
Results: Eight-month clinical follow-up shows a significantly lower incidence of TVR in the SES group, 3.1% in the SES group versus 9.4% in the BMS group (P = 0.04). At 3-year clinical follow-up, there was no significant difference in the rate of TVR between the two groups, 8.4% versus 12.4% (P = 0.37). Cumulative incidence of total MACE was 9.2% in the SES group compared with 15.9% in the BMS group (P = 0.18). Only one case of stent thrombosis was observed in the SES (late thrombosis), while two cases of stent thrombosis occurred in the BMS group (late and very late thrombosis; P = 0.55).
Conclusion: SES implantation in patients with ACS is associated with favorable long-term clinical outcome with no excess of late stent thrombosis. Further long-term clinical follow-up will be warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of SES.