EXPERIMENTAL BASIS FOR REALISTIC LARGE-SCALE COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THE ENTERIC NERVOUS SYSTEM

1. The enteric nervous system is perhaps the most accessible part of the mammalian nervous system in which it is feasible to attempt large scale computer simulation that is based closely on experimentally determined data. Here we summarize the data obtained for simulation of motility reflexes in the guineapig small intestine. 2. The chemistry, morphology and connectivity of each type of neuron involved in intrinsic reflexes have been investigated and most classes of neurons are physiologically well characterized. This includes primary sensory neurons, ascending and descending interneurons and motor neurons to circular and longitudinal muscle. 3. The responses of primary sensory neurons and the physiology of synaptic transmission from sensory neurons to interneurons and motor neurons, from interneurons to interneurons and from interneurons to motor neurons have been recorded during reflexes and in some cases the pharmacology of transmission has also been investigated. 4. Computer simulation, in which the activities of up to 30000 neurons are modelled, produces patterns of activity that closely mimic those recorded in physiological experiments.     

Cytokines in Sjögren's syndrome

Cytokines play a central role in the regulation of immunity and are often found to be deregulated in autoimmune diseases. Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and loss of secretory function of the salivary and lachrymal glands. This review highlights the current knowledge of the expression and the function of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines both locally and systemically in Sjögren's syndrome patients. In the salivary glands, saliva and serum of these patients, many pro-inflammatory cytokines are upregulated. Concomitantly, most anti-inflammatory cytokines are not detectable or are expressed at low levels. Besides a role in inflammation, cytokines are also thought to be involved in salivary gland dysfunction by directly interfering with the epithelial cells in the glands. Future research on the role of novel cytokines in Sjögren's syndrome in combination with a better understanding of the effect of cytokines on exocrine dysfunction will aide the identification of the best therapeutic targets for Sjögren's syndrome.     

UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL MUCOSA IN CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE – AN ENDOSCOPIC AND HISTOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Over a three year period, 98 patients of moderate to severe chronic renal failure (S creatinine > 5 mg/dl) admitted in our centre were evaluated for upper GI lesions. All patients underwent upper GI endoscopy. In 68% upper GI mucosa was affected. Various lesions encountered were gastritis (25.5%), duodenitis (10.2%), gastroduodenitis (21.4%), telengiectasia (5.1%), and peptic ulcer in 6.1%. In 74 patients three biopsies, one each from antrum, fundus and duodenum were taken. 45.9% of these had chronic gastritis and 14.8% chronic duodenitis. Prevalence of H pylori on histology was 17.56%. 20 patients (9.6%) developed upper GI bleed during hospitalisation. In 17 (85%) patients, where endoscopy could be done, gastritis/duodenitis/oesophagitis were the common underlying lesions.KEY WORDS: Endoscopy, GI mucosa, GI bleed, H pylori.     

急性肺损伤大鼠肺组织白细胞介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α表达及黄芪的干预效应

目的:观察黄芪注射液对急性肺损伤时肺组织白细胞介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α表达的影响,分析黄芪在急性肺损伤中的治疗机制。方法:实验于2005-11/2006-04在南华大学动物实验中心完成。清洁级健康SD雄性大鼠24只,以随机数字表法分3组,即对照组、模型组和黄芪组,各8只。对照组从尾静脉注入1mL生理盐水;模型组和黄芪组以内毒素5mg/kg溶解于1mL生理盐水,从尾静脉注入,制造急性肺损伤模型;45min后,黄芪组予黄芪注射液(每支10mL含20g生药,成都地奥九泓制药厂)0.5g/kg,加生理盐水稀释成1mL,并从尾静脉注入。免疫组化法检测各组肺组织白细胞介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α的表达情况。并做肺组织大体观察和200倍光镜下观察,以胞浆出现棕黄色颗粒为阳性表达。结果:实验大鼠24只全部进入结果分析。①模型组大鼠右下肺湿质量、干质量及湿/干比值较对照组显著增加(P<0.01);黄芪组大鼠右下肺湿质量、干质量及湿/干比值较模型组明显降低(P<0.01),但仍明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。②对照组肺组织大体观察可见,表面光滑,呈淡粉红色无充血水肿及梗死灶;模型组肺组织呈现暗红色,肺包膜下明显充血水肿,广泛出血点;黄芪组大体观察同模型组。镜下观察可见,对照组肺组织结构清晰,无充血渗出,未见明显炎性细胞浸润;模型组可见肺微血管充血、出血、微血栓形成,肺间质和肺泡内有水肿液和炎症细胞浸润,部分可见灶状肺不张;黄芪组病理学改变可见肺微血管充血、出血、微血栓形成及炎症细胞浸润,但比模型组稍轻。③模型组和黄芪组白细胞介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α的表达水平均高于对照组(P<0.01),但黄芪组白细胞介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α的表达水平低于模型组(P<0.01)。④白细胞介素1β和肿瘤坏死因子α主要表达于肺组织的单核巨噬细胞胞浆中,呈棕黄色颗粒;模型组的表达最多,黄芪组的表达次之,对照组几乎不表达。结论:黄芪可能通过抑制白细胞介素1β、肿瘤坏死因子α等前炎性因子的表达来促进急性肺损伤的修复。