Stress management at the ER: regulators of ER stress-induced apoptosis

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an elaborate cellular organelle essential for cell function and survival. Conditions that interfere with ER function lead to the accumulation and aggregation of unfolded proteins which are detected by ER transmembrane receptors that initiate the unfolded protein response (UPR) to restore normal ER function. If the ER stress is prolonged, or the adaptive response fails, apoptotic cell death ensues. Many studies have focused on how this failure initiates apoptosis, particularly because ER stress-induced apoptosis is implicated in the pathophysiology of several neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. In this review we aim to shed light on the proteins that are not core components of the UPR signaling pathway but which can influence the course of the ER stress response by regulating the switch from the adaptive phase to apoptosis.     

Morphologic response of endometrium to a progesterone receptor antagonist, RU486, in monkeys

Fifteen castrate cynomolgus monkeys were assigned to one of two groups. All monkeys received estradiol (E2) capsules to mimic follicular phase E2 levels for development of a proliferative endometrium. In study I, three monkeys received RU486 on day 13 for 3 days; two others were given vehicle. On day 16, endometrium was removed. In study II, the remaining ten monkeys received progesterone capsules, beginning on day 12, to form a secretory endometrium. On day 29, six monkeys were given RU486 and four acted as controls. Endometrium was removed after 6, 18, and 32 hours. All tissue samples were prepared for light-microscopic evaluation. The results indicated that exogenous E2 alone stimulated intracellular stromal development; RU486 had weak progestational effect on proliferative endometrium, as evidenced by increase in the area occupied by glands; and RU486 had strong antiprogestational activity on secretory endometrium, illustrated by regression in the upper endometrial zones within 32 hours after a single injection of RU486.     

COMPLIANCE AND DRUG THERAPY IN FASTING MOSLEM PATIENTS

The effects of fasting on the drug regimens of 81 Asian Moslem patients during the religious month of Ramadan have been examined. Twenty-two male and 15 female patients were found to change their drug dosage pattern while fasting: 35 missed doses; 8 took their tablets at different times and 4 patients took all their medication as one single daily dose after breaking fast in the evening. The consequences of these changes are discussed and ways in which the problems which arise may be overcome are examined.     

阿斯匹林与烟酸联合应用时血药浓度测定

阿斯匹林与烟酸给家兔同时ⅳ后,采用新建立的溶剂萃取,分光光度法和Carlson法分别测定两药血浆浓度。结果用微机分析拟合曲线,符合二室开放模型。两药联合应用后,烟酸T_1/2β(2.3374 h)和AUC(361.63μg·h/ml)较单用炳酸时T_1/2β(0.9846h)和AUC(157.71μg·h/ml),差异非常显著(P<0.01)。其它参数在两种情况下均无显著差别。