Effect of cisapride on functional dyspepsia in patients with and without histological gastritis: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial

In the present double-blind placebo-controlled study the effect of cisapride on functional dyspepsia was evaluated in patients with and without histological gastritis. Patients with functional dyspepsia and whose symptoms persisted after a 2 week run-in period with antacid treatment were randomized to receive cisapride (10 mg) or matching placebo three times daily for 4 weeks. Symptoms of epigastric pain, bloating, nausea, belching, early satiety and heartburn were graded on a four-point scale based on patients’ feedback and diary card recording. A global response was also formulated by the investigators. One hundred and four patients entered the study and 76 completed the trial, comprising 36 patients with histological gastritis and 40 patients without gastritis. Symptom scores in both gastritis and non-gastritis groups were significantly improved by both cisapride and placebo; however, the improvement was not statistically different between the two treatment groups. Cisapride produced a good or better global response in 58% of subjects with histological gastritis and in 53% of subjects without gastritis compared with 47% and 52%, respectively, of patients on placebo; this difference was not statistically significant. Gastric histology did not influence the effect of cisapride on the symptoms of functional dyspepsia.     

Association of hemoglobin H disease with Hb J-Iran (beta 77 His---- Asp): impact on subunit assembly

A young Iranian female was found to be heterozygous for hemoglobin (Hb) J-Iran (beta 77 His----Asp) in combination with Hb H disease. The proportion of Hb J in the patient's hemolysate was surprisingly high: 65% Hb J, 30% Hb A. Thus, the interaction of a negatively charged beta subunit variant of Hb with alpha-thalassemia leads to a marked increase in the relative amount of the variant Hb within red cells. This observation provides further support for an electrostatic model of Hb subunit assembly.     

Neutralization of heparin activity by neutrophil lactoferrin

Lactoferrin is a prominent component of neutrophil secondary granules, and its blood concentration is increased in certain inflammatory diseases. In contrast to the well-described biochemical characterization of lactoferrin as an iron-binding protein, its physiologic role in the regulation of inflammation and other host defense mechanisms is unclear. In this report, we provide evidence that lactoferrin has a potent heparin-neutralizing activity during thrombin inhibition by the serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) antithrombin and heparin co-factor II. Activated neutrophil supernatant, which contains lactoferrin and other heparin-binding proteins, could neutralize the heparin-dependent antithrombin-thrombin inhibition reaction. The addition of lactoferrin to plasma corrected the heparin- induced prolongation of blood plasma coagulation as measured by the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Treatment of whole blood with specific inflammatory mediators, fMLP, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) increased the concentration of both plasma lactoferrin and platelet factor 4 while inhibiting the blood anticoagulant activity of heparin as measured by the aPTT. These results suggest that the prothrombotic sequelae of some inflammatory processes may be partly due to various agonists that release neutrophil lactoferrin, which can then neutralize glycosaminoglycan-dependent serpin-thrombin inhibition reactions.     

Acute reversible inactivation of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis induces antidepressant-like effect in the rat forced swimming test

Background  

The bed nucleus of stria terminalis (BNST) is a limbic forebrain structure involved in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation and stress adaptation. Inappropriate adaptation to stress is thought to compromise the organism's coping mechanisms, which have been implicated in the neurobiology of depression. However, the studies aimed at investigating BNST involvement in depression pathophysiology have yielded contradictory results. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of temporary acute inactivation of synaptic transmission in the BNST by local microinjection of cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) in rats subjected to the forced swimming test (FST).     

血清HBV-DNA水平的变化与慢性乙型活动性肝炎的关系

目的:研究慢性肝炎患者HBV-DNA水平与病情变化的关系. 方法:采用荧光标记定量PCR的方法,测定慢性乙型肝炎急性发作患者(HBeAg阳性45例,抗HBe阳性30例)其活动期和恢复期的血清HBV-DNA含量. 结果:HBeAg阳性组血清HBV-DNA含量(Logarrithm copy/mL)在活动期显著高于恢复期[(10.2±1.6) vs (5.3±2.1), P<0.05],抗-HBe阳性组血清HBV-DNA含量(Logarrithm copy/mL)在活动期显著高于恢复期[(7.6±1.3) vs (4.0±2.0), P<0.05]. 另外,活动期血清HBV-DNA含量(Logarrithm copy/mL)在HBeAg阳性组显著高于抗HBe阳性组[(10.2±1.6) vs (7.6±1.3), P<0.05]. 血清HBV-DNA水平与丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT)、门冬氨酸转氨酶(AST)及总胆红素(T-BLLI)之间无相关性. 结论:HBV-DNA复制水平与慢性乙型病毒性肝炎的活动密切相关.     

胎-母输血综合征对围产儿的影响--附2例报告

胎－母输血综合征对围产儿的影响——附２例报告丁新黄醒华胎－母输血综合征，即胎儿血液由胎盘的绒毛间隙进入母体血循环，引起胎儿不同程度的失血及母体溶血性输血反应的一组症候群。大量胎－母输血可导致胎儿贫血、休克、死胎、死产；新生儿贫血、休克、死亡。我院在近...