蒙药如达溃疡散对大鼠乙酸性胃溃疡及其血清促胃液素的影响

目的:探讨如达溃疡散对大鼠乙酸性胃溃疡的作用及对其血清促胃液素(gastrin)含量的影响.方法:采用乙酸法复制胃溃疡模型,将大鼠随机分为对照组、如达溃疡散组、雷尼替丁组,观察如达溃疡散对大鼠胃溃疡的作用,并检测其对大鼠血清中促胃液素含量的影响.结果:与对照组相比,如达溃疡散能明显抑制溃疡的发生,抑制血清促胃液素含量.结论:如达溃疡散具有抗胃溃疡的作用,其作用机理可能是通过抑制促胃液素释放,进一步减少胃酸分泌来实现的.     

Residual embryos in failed embryo transfer

One hundred thirteen embryo transfers (ETs) were performed in an in vitro fertilization and ET program of which residual or extruded embryos were found in 17 transfers (15%). Residual or extruded embryos are those embryos found outside the uterine cavity, either at the cervical os, on the vaginal speculum, or remaining in the catheter after an ET. Patients were divided into two groups according to the method of inspection for residual embryos. In group I, microscopic visualization of the transfer catheter alone revealed that 9 of the 67 transfers (13.4%) had 17 residual embryos either at the catheter tip or adherent to mucus on the side of the catheter. In group II inspection of the catheter and cervical wash revealed that 8 of 46 ETs (17.4%) had 15 residual embryos that failed to be transferred during the initial attempt. Six of these 15 (40%) were found in the cervical wash medium. Thus, failure of the proper placement of embryos at the time of transfer may occur frequently. Evaluation of only the transfer catheter may result in a significant underestimation of the problem.     

Comparison of in vitro fertilization results in women with one or two ovaries

A study compared the in vitro fertilization results in women with one or two ovaries. Eighteen percent (23/125) of in vitro fertilization/embryo transfer cycles were in patients with one ovary. One-ovary patients averaged 4.2 follicles (greater than or equal to 10 mm) as compared to 7.9 in two-ovary patients, and significantly fewer ova were recovered from one-ovary patients (4.0 vs. 5.3). The total follicular volume was significantly less in one-ovary patients as compared to two-ovary patients, and the serum estradiol per follicle was less in one-ovary patients. However, the volume of the dominant follicle, the maximum serum estradiol levels, the number of ampules of Pergonal given and the ovum fertilization rate were not significantly different in one- and two-ovary patients. The mean number of embryos transferred was 3.9 +/- 1.9 in one-ovary patients and 4.5 +/- 1.8 in two-ovary patients (NS). Two pregnancies occurred in one-ovary patients (8.3% per laparoscopy) and 13 in two-ovary patients (12.9% per laparoscopy). The two one-ovary patients who achieved pregnancy behaved more like two-ovary patients in terms of peak serum estradiol levels and number of ova recovered.     

Using deeply trapped intermediates to map the cytochrome c folding landscape

Replacement of iron with cobalt(III) selectively introduces a deep trap in the folding-energy landscape of the heme protein cytochrome c. Remarkably, neither the protein structure nor the folding thermodynamics is perturbed by this metal-ion substitution, as shown by data from spectroscopic and x-ray diffraction experiments. Through kinetics measurements, we have found parallel folding pathways involving several different misligated Co(III) species, and, as these folding intermediates persist for several hours under certain conditions, we have been able to elucidate fully their spectroscopic properties. The results, along with an analysis of the fluorescence energy-transfer kinetics during refolding, show that rapidly equilibrating populations of compact and extended polypeptide conformations are present until all molecules have reached the native structure. These measurements provide direct evidence that collapsed denatured structures are not substantially more stable than extended conformations of cytochrome c.     

Practice MRI: Reducing the need for sedation and general anaesthesia in children undergoing MRI

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a practice magnetic resonance unit, in preparing children to undergo magnetic resonance procedures without general anaesthesia (GA) or sedation. The records of children who attended the practice MRI between February 2002 and April 2004 were retrospectively reviewed. Each record was assessed as to whether the child had passed or failed the practice MRI intervention. Those children who were considered to have passed and were proceeded to a clinical non‐GA MRI had the report of the clinical scan reviewed. If the scan had been reported as non‐diagnostic because of movement artefact it was classified as a failed scan, otherwise it was considered a pass. One hundred and thirty‐four children undertook a practice MRI (age range 4.1–16.1 years, median age 7.7 years, 47% boys) and 120/134 (90%) passed the practice session. In all, 117/120 (98%) subsequently had a clinical non‐GA MRI and 110/117 (94%) passed (median age 7.8 years, 47% boys). Preparation is a safe and effective method to reduce the need for sedation and GA in children undergoing a clinical MRI scan. It provides a positive medical experience for children, parents and staff, and results in cost savings for the hospital.     

Whole body protein metabolism in children with cancer

Whole body protein synthesis and catabolism were measured using the [ring-2H5]phenylalanine and [1-13C]leucine primed constant infusion technique in 32 paediatric patients with cancer at different stages of treatment. Rates of synthesis (S) and catabolism (C) derived from the [ring-2H5]phenylalanine and [1-13C]leucine models were 4.7 (SD 1.3) (S) and 6.0 (1.5) (C) g/d/kg, and 5.5 (0.8) (S) and 6.8 (1.2) (C) g/d/kg, respectively. These results show that these two tracer techniques give similar results in this study population. Comparison of these values with results previously reported for groups of control children using the [ring-2H5]phenylalanine model (S = 3.69 and 3.93; C = 4.09 and 4.28 g/d/kg) and the [1-13C]leucine model (S = 4.32; C = 4.85 g/d/kg) show that rates of synthesis and catabolism were higher in cancer patients than in controls. Thus whole body protein turnover is increased in children under treatment for cancer. Other indices of metabolism such as plasma amino acids and intermediary metabolites were also measured and showed that, although subjects were in isotopic steady state, there were significant metabolic changes during the course of the primed constant infusions used to measure protein turnover.