Plasmid DNA encoding transforming growth factor-beta1 suppresses chronic disease in a streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis model.

Transforming growth factor beta is a potent immunomodulator with both pro- and antiinflammatory activities. Based on its immunosuppressive actions, exogenous TGF-beta has been shown to inhibit autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. To further explore the potential therapeutic role of TGF-beta, we administered a plasmid DNA encoding human TGF-beta1 intramuscularly to rats with streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis. A single dose of 300 microg plasmid DNA encoding TGF-beta1, but not vector DNA, administered at the peak of the acute phase profoundly suppressed the subsequent evolution of chronic erosive disease typified by disabling joint swelling and deformity (articular index = 8.17+/-0. 17 vs. 1.25+/-0.76, n = 6, day 26, P < 0.01). Moreover, delivery of the TGF-beta1 DNA even as the chronic phase commenced virtually eliminated subsequent inflammation and arthritis. Both radiologic and histopathologic as well as molecular evidence supported the marked inhibitory effect of TGF-beta1 DNA on synovial pathology, with decreases in the inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation, cartilage and bone destruction, and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines that characterize this model. Increases in TGF-beta1 protein were detected in the circulation of TGF-beta1 DNA-treated animals, consistent with the observed therapeutic effects being TGF-beta1 dependent. These observations provide the first evidence that gene transfer of plasmid DNA encoding TGF-beta1 provides a mechanism to deliver this potent cytokine that effectively suppresses ongoing inflammatory pathology in arthritis.     

大脑后动脉交通前段及其内穿支研究

本文介绍Willis动脉环后半环大脑后动脉及其内穿支的显微解剖,大脑后动脉交通前段内穿支是脑深部的重要供血血管之一,100％的病例双侧具有该血管。     

甲状腺机能亢进危象：附14例临床分析

本文报道14例甲亢危象,其发病率为4.5％,其发病与感染、劳累、情绪激动及同位素治疗有关。指出同位素治疗甲亢初期应服用抗甲状腺药物,讨论了淡漠型危象的有关问题。     

PGA指数和透明质酸在诊断慢性乙肝肝纤维化中的价值

目的：寻找一种简便实用的诊断慢性乙型肝炎纤维化的方法。方法：以78例经肝穿刺病理证实的慢性乙型肝炎为对象，测定并比较了由PT、GGT、ApoA1组成的PGA指数和HA、LN、PⅢP、C－IV与肝内纤维化程度(S)和炎症活动度（G）的关系。结果：（1）LN、PⅢP、C－IV在轻度慢性乙肝时无明显升高，在中度慢性乙肝时明显高于正常，但与轻度慢性乙肝无差异，而PGA指数和HA不仅在轻度慢性乙肝时显著升高，而且在轻中度间差异明显.因重度慢性乙肝和活动性肝硬化时，五项指标均显著增高。（2）在G2－4期，HA、LN、PⅢP、C－IV均明显高升，但在G1期，只有PGA指数高于正常，且各期间差异显著。（3）在S1－2期，只有PGA指数、HA、C－IV明显上升，但C－IV的上升幅度远低于PGA指数和HA。（4）加以PGA＞4．5或HA＞200μg／L作为判断临界值，则两者判断肝纤维化的敏感性均＞94％，精确性＞91％，特异性＞86％，如两者结合，则分别达到98．3％、95．2％和96．4％。结论：PGA指数和HA均是反映慢性乙型肝炎患者肝内纤维化程度的良好指标，两者联合检测则可达到最大的价值效益比。     

异丙酚静脉全麻复合硬膜外腔阻滞麻醉期间CO2气腹对血流动力学和氧耗的影响

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation on the hemodynamics, oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) during intravenous anesthesia with propofol in combination with epidural block. METHODS: Intratracheal intubation was performed after rapid induction of anesthesia and mechanical ventilation was given. Maintenance of anesthesia was achieved using continuous intravenous propofol infusion (2 mg/kg/h) ?N2O inhalation and intermittent epidural administration. Indices of hemodynamics and respiratory function were collected 5 min before induction, 1 min before CO2 insufflation, and 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 min after the start of insufflation and 5 min after the termination of insufflation. RESULTS: The mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), end-tidal PCO2 (P(ET)CO2), VO2 and VCO2 1 min before insufflation were markedly reduced(P<0.01), compared with those recorded before induction. MAP and HR did not undergo any conspicuous changes during CO2 insufflation and 5 min after insufflation termination. Compared with that 1 min before insufflation, PETCO2 was significantly increased 20 min after the start of insufflation (P<0.01), and subsequently carried on the increase though of a lesser scale. VO2 and VCO2 gradually rose after the start of insufflation, and VO2 presented a significantly elevation (P<0.01) 10 min after the insufflation while VCO2 did not show this marked increase(P<0.05) till 20 min after the insufflation in comparison with the levels before insufflation. Subsequently, VO2 continued to rise and VCO2 also retained the increase but of smaller magnitude. CONCLUSION: Intravenous propofol anesthesia combined with epidural block assisted by well-managed excessive ventilation before insufflation can alleviate the adverse effects of CO2 insufflation on respiratory and circulatory systems.     

Klinische Erfahrungen mit der Knorpel-Knochen-Transplantation

The treatment of deep cartilage defects in load-bearing joints is a problem that still has no satisfactory solution. Full-thickness defects of the articular cartilage rarely heal spontaneously, usually leaving damage that can lead to early arthrosis. Techniques currently available for the treatment of chondral defects include abrasion, drilling, micro-fracturing, transplantation of tissue autografts and allografts, and cell transplantation. Osteochondral autograft transplantation is currently the only surgical cartilage repair technique known to lead to the formation of genuine hyaline articular cartilage and its retention at least in the medium term. The Draenert method, in which a water-cooled diamond bone-cutting system is used, is an effective procedure for resurfacing the joints affected by localised cartilaginous defects, even when there is also severe bone loss. Donor-side morbidity can be kept to a minimum by filling the defect caused by harvesting with a press-fit cylinder of cancellous bone covered with periosteum for protection.