Human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta gene sequences in women with disorders of HCG production

Women with recurrent abortion, primary unexplained infertility, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) manifest disordered human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) secretion. Mutations in the HCG beta/luteinizing hormone (LH) beta gene complex could cause aberrant HCG production in these disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HCG beta gene deletions occur in women with recurrent abortion or primary unexplained infertility, and whether HCG beta gene duplications are present in women with GTN. DNA was extracted from 10 patients with unexplained recurrent abortion, 10 patients with unexplained primary infertility, 12 patients with GTN, three partners of women with GTN, and 30 controls. Southern blots were constructed and hybridized with DNA probes for HCG beta-5 and the LH beta gene. No gene deletions were identified in patients with recurrent abortion or primary unexplained infertility. Likewise, no gene duplications were identified in women with GTN. A previously described Mbol restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was identified in both patients and controls. A new Pstl RFLP was also characterized, but was present in patients and controls. Deletion/duplication mutations in the HCG beta/LH beta gene complex do not appear to be common causes of aberrant HCG production in humans with these disorders.      

The molecular mechanisms of oocyte maturation and early embryonic development are unveiling new insights into reproductive medicine

The purpose of the present review is to outline the current understanding on the molecular mechanisms governing various stages of oocyte maturation, transition from maternal to embryonic control and the initial steps of pre-embryo development. The cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of the oocyte during pre-ovulatory development can be viewed as separate entities. Cytoplasmic maturation and the acquisition of stores of RNA and protein dominates oocyte development between the premordial and pre-ovulatory stages of development. Initiation of nuclear maturation is marked by the breakdown of the nuclear envelope, or germinal vesicle and is triggered by the midcycle luteinizing hormone peak. In vitro, this is associated with a decrease in the intracellular concentrations of cAMP. This and several subsequent steps of meiosis are controlled by the M-phase promoting factor (MPF). While the constituents of MPF, p34cdc2 kinase and B-type cyclin, are also present in mitotically dividing cells, in meiotically dividing oocytes the regulation of MPF activity differs. An oocyte- specific protein kinase, c-mos, plays an important role in up- regulating the activity of MPF at various stages of final oocyte maturation. Several lines of evidence suggest that the proper function of the c-mos-MPF system is associated with important features of the last stages of oocyte maturation such as the resumption of meiotic maturation, inhibition of DNA replication between meiosis I and II, and the maintenance of the oocyte at metaphase II arrest until it is fertilized. Eventually the destruction of c-mos and active MPF following fertilization allows the initiation of mitotic cell division in the pre-embryo. The very first cell divisions of the human pre- embryo are still under the control of maternally inherited mRNA and protein. Several lines of evidence suggest that in humans, zygotic gene expression is initiated between the 4- and 8-cell stages, after which the pre-embryo begins to utilize its own genes. Some of the first genes to be expressed in the human pre-embryo encode proteins that are associated with cell division, extracellular growth modulatory signals as well as factors associated with implantation. We acknowledge that most of the data presented comes from species other than human, therefore at present the full biological role of the proposed regulatory pathways and control mechanisms for human biology remains speculative.      

超声血管造影在肝癌介入治疗前后的应用价值

目的探讨超声血管造影对原发性肝癌（ＨＣＣ）在经皮肤动脉栓塞术（ＴＡＥ）治疗前后的应用价值。方法采用超声造影剂Ｌｅｖｏｖｉｓｔ经肘静脉注入的方法,检查１２例ＨＣＣ患者在ＴＡＥ治疗前后血供的变化情况。要用彩色多普勒血流显像（ＣＤＦＩ）的半定量测量方法,判定栓塞前后肿瘤血供的丰富程度,并与Ｘ线数字减影血管造影（ＤＳＡ）进行对比分析。结果超声血管造影与ＤＳＡ在探查肝癌ＴＡＥ治疗前后肿瘤血供方面无差异（Ｐ〉     

不同缺氧时间对小鼠即时热板法痛阈和甩尾潜伏期的影响

目的:观察不同缺氧时间对小鼠即时痛阈的影响.方法:受试小鼠80只随机分为缺氧2、4、6、8min组,每组20只(其中10只接受热板法实验,另外10只接受甩尾法实验),观察不同缺氧时间对小鼠即时热板法痛阈(pain threshold in hot-plate test,HPPT)和甩尾潜伏期(the tail-flick la-tency,TFL)的影响.结果:热板法实验提示:与各组基础HPPT相比,缺氧2min组和缺氧4min组小鼠的即时HPPT均降低(P<0.05);缺氧6min组和缺氧8min组小鼠的即时HPPT均增加(P<0.05).甩尾法实验提示:与各组基础TFL相比,缺氧2min组小鼠的即时TFL差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);缺氧4min组小鼠的即时TFL缩短(P<0.05);缺氧6min组和缺氧8min组小鼠的即时TFL均明显延长(P<0.01).结论:随着缺氧时间的增加,小鼠缺氧后的即时痛阈呈现先降低后增加的变化.     

The long-term results of fistulising trabeculotomy in chronic open-angle glaucoma

Background : Fistulising trabeculotomy has been used for nearly 20 years to combine the minimally invasive surgery of trabeculotomy with production of a subconjunctival fistula.
Methods : The canal of Schlemm was unroofed 2mm on one side of a 3mm half-thickness scleral flap. A trabeculotomy probe was passed about 30° along the canal on the opposite side and rotated into the anterior chamber.
Results : Of 99 eyes of 74 patients, 35 eyes of 25 patients were available for follow-up at 10 or more years. The mean IOP was 14 ± 4 mmHg (range 7 to 23 mmHg) from a preoperative IOP of 29 ± 8 mmHg (17 to 60 mmHg). Results in 44 similar patients undergoing trabeculectomy and 44 undergoing fistulising trabeculotomy were very similar at five-year follow-up.
Conclusion : Fistulising trabeculotomy was effective for lowering intraocular pressure with a low complication rate and a large area of subconjunctival fistulisation.     

Osteolysis in cat-scratch fever

The osteolysis associated with cat-scratch fever resembles more ominous conditions. The combination of osteolysis and unilateral regional adenopathy in a child or adolescent should suggest cat-scratch disease.     

WONCA Online电子病例介绍——盲肠扭转

病例简介：患者，女，46岁。右上腹持续性疼痛，且向右侧腹、腰部放射。伴恶心，呕吐2次。疼痛发生后自觉肠蠕动减弱，无排便。发病以来无发热、末战。既往史：高血压，高胆固醇血症，胆囊疾病。2周前行胆囊切除术，术后无并发症发生，饮食正常。个人史：无吸烟及饮酒史。体格检查：意识清晰，查体合作。生命体征正常，心率84次／min，心律匀齐，血压124／76mmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa），心肺功能正常。肠呜音减弱，右上腹压痛，无肌紧张及反跳痛，腹部未触及包块。     

组织切片对细胞核DNA含量检测的影响

目的探讨组织切片对图像分析仪测量细胞核DNA含量的影响。方法选取10只成年健康雄性小鼠,制备肝细胞涂片和肝组织切片,肝组织切片分成两部分,分别用于Feulgen染色和石蜡包埋,包埋后的组织采用垂直切片,图像分析仪测量切片实际厚度,依据切片机标识厚度和测量厚度分别分组,TIGER细胞图像分析仪分别测量肝细胞涂片和组织切片内肝细胞核的积分光密度(IOD)。结果肝细胞涂片内各DNA含量倍体肝细胞核IOD间的比值接近2和4,IOD之变异系数(CV值)<3.5,肝组织切片IOD间比值明显偏离2和4,IOD之CV值均>6;切片机标识厚度为4、6、8和10μm组织切片平均测量厚度分别为6.75、7.18、6.96和7.59μm,测量厚度最大值为9.25μm,最小值为4.62μm;依据切片机标识厚度分组中不同切片厚度相同DNA含量倍体肝细胞核的IOD值差异均无统计学意义;依据测量厚度重新分组后5、6微米组与7、8、9微米组IOD值间的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论组织切片的实际厚度与切片机标识厚度间存在明显差异,本实验方法可较准确地判断组织切片厚度;厚组织切片测量结果优于薄组织切片,但与细胞涂片相比,厚组织切片仍难...