Zweipunktediskrimination bei Phantomschmerzen

There is evidence that phantom pain is associated with a disrupted organization of the sensory cortex and that this organization can be normalized by training with two-point discrimination (TPD). In this case study a reduction in all three phantom modalities (i.e. phantom pain, phantom feeling and painful phantom sensation) and a reduction in pain level from m=?4.13/10 visual analogue scale (VAS) to m=?0.67/10 (VAS) could be observed in a patient with an upper limb amputation during a test period of 28 days with TPD. The quality of life and performance increased significantly. This can be a promising indication for a better social and work reintegration.     

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer in families referred for fumarate hydratase germline mutation analysis

Smit DL, Mensenkamp AR, Badeloe S, Breuning MH, Simon MEH, van Spaendonck KY, Aalfs CM, Post JG, Shanley S, Krapels IPC, Hoefsloot LH, van Moorselaar RJA, Starink TM, Bayley J‐P, Frank J, van Steensel MAM, Menko FH. Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer in families referred for fumarate hydratase germline mutation analysis. Heterozygous fumarate hydratase (FH) germline mutations cause hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC), an autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by multiple cutaneous piloleiomyomas, uterine leiomyomas and papillary type 2 renal cancer. The main objective of our study was to evaluate clinical and genetic data from families suspected of HLRCC on a nationwide level. All families referred for FH mutation analysis in the Netherlands were assessed. We performed FH sequence analysis and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification. Families with similar FH mutations were examined for haplotype sharing. In 14 out of 33 families, we identified 11 different pathogenic FH germline mutations, including 4 novel mutations and 1 whole‐gene deletion. Clinical data were available for 35 FH mutation carriers. Cutaneous leiomyomas were present in all FH mutation carriers older than 40 years of age. Eleven out of 21 female FH mutation carriers underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic uterine leiomyomas at an average of 35 years. Two FH mutation carriers had papillary type 2 renal cancer and Wilms' tumour, respectively. We evaluated the relevance of our findings for clinical practice and have proposed clinical diagnostic criteria, indications for FH mutation analysis and recommendations for management.     

On the Rate of Interaction of Sodium Borohydride with Platinum (IV) Chloride Complexes in Alkaline Media

In this work, sodium borohydride was used as a strong reductant of traces of platinum complex ions. The investigations of the kinetics of redox reaction between platinum(IV) chloride complex ions and sodium borohydride were carried out. For the first time, the kinetic experiments were carried out in a basic medium (pH~13), which prevents NaBH₄ from decomposition and suppresses the release of hydrogen to the environment. The rate constants of Pt(IV) reduction to Pt(II) ions under different temperatures and concentrations of chloride ions conditions were determined. In alkaline solution (pH~13), the values of enthalpy and entropy of activation are 29.6 kJ/mol and –131 J/mol K. It was also found that oxygen dissolved in the solution strongly affects kinetics of the reduction process. Using collected results, the reduction mechanism was suggested. For the first time, the appearance of diborane as an intermediate product during Pt(IV) ions reduction was suggested. Moreover, the influence of oxygen present in the reacting solution on the rate of reduction reaction was also shown.     

Tooth root dentin mineralization defects in a mouse model of hypophosphatasia

Tissue‐nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is expressed in mineralizing tissues and functions to reduce pyrophosphate (PP_i), a potent inhibitor of mineralization. Loss of TNAP function causes hypophosphatasia (HPP), a heritable disorder marked by increased PP_i, resulting in rickets and osteomalacia. Tooth root cementum defects are well described in both HPP patients and in Alpl^?/? mice, a model for infantile HPP. In Alpl^?/? mice, dentin mineralization is specifically delayed in the root; however, reports from human HPP patients are variable and inconsistent regarding dentin defects. In the current study, we aimed to define the molecular basis for changes in dentinogenesis observed in Alpl^?/? mice. TNAP was found to be highly expressed by mature odontoblasts, and Alpl^?/? molar and incisor roots featured defective dentin mineralization, ranging from a mild delay to severely disturbed root dentinogenesis. Lack of mantle dentin mineralization was associated with disordered and dysmorphic odontoblasts having disrupted expression of marker genes osteocalcin and dentin sialophosphoprotein. The formation of, initiation of mineralization within, and rupture of matrix vesicles in Alpl^?/? dentin matrix was not affected. Osteopontin (OPN), an inhibitor of mineralization that contributes to the skeletal pathology in Alpl^?/? mice, was present in the generally unmineralized Alpl^?/? mantle dentin at ruptured mineralizing matrix vesicles, as detected by immunohistochemistry and by immunogold labeling. However, ablating the OPN‐encoding Spp1 gene in Alpl^?/? mice was insufficient to rescue the dentin mineralization defect. Administration of bioengineered mineral‐targeting human TNAP (ENB‐0040) to Alpl^?/? mice corrected defective dentin mineralization in the molar roots. These studies reveal that TNAP participates in root dentin formation and confirm that reduction of PP_i during dentinogenesis is necessary for odontoblast differentiation, dentin matrix secretion, and mineralization. Furthermore, these results elucidate developmental mechanisms underlying dentin pathology in HPP patients, and begin to explain the reported variability in the dentin/pulp complex pathology in these patients. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research     

甲基莲心碱对豚鼠心房生理特性及异丙肾上腺素和Ca~(2+)量—效反应的影响

甲基莲心碱1～100μmol/L浓度依赖性地抑制豚鼠左心房收缩性,延长功能性不应期,降低兴奋性;30μmol/L甲基莲心碱能明显提高肾上腺素诱发左心房自律性的阈浓度。对异丙肾上腺素量—效反应的影响,不同于β-受体阻滞剂普萘洛尔,表现为非竞争性拮抗作用,对Ca~(2+)量—效反应的影响,与抗钙剂维拉帕米类似,呈竞争性和非竞争性双重拮抗作用。     

中青年糖尿病患者胰岛素治疗存在的问题及护理干预

糖尿病易导致严重的急慢性并发症,已成为影响人们生活质量的一种常见疾病。胰岛素作为降糖激素,在控制糖尿病的发生、发展中有不可取代的作用。本文对中青年糖尿病患者在接受胰岛素治疗方面存在的问题及护理干预进行归纳。     

Fat emulsion composition alters intake and the effects of baclofen

Thickened oil-in-water emulsions are useful model foods in rat studies due to their high acceptance and similarity to foods consumed by humans. Previous work from this laboratory used oil-in-water emulsions thickened with a biopolymer blend containing starch. Intake and effects of baclofen, a GABA-B agonist that decreases fat intake and drug self-administration, were reported, but the contribution of starch was not assessed. In the present study, intake and effects of baclofen were assessed in rats using emulsions prepared with two fat types (32% vegetable shortening, 32% corn oil) and thickened with three biopolymer blends. One biopolymer blend contained starch and the other two did not. Daily 1-h intake of the vegetable shortening emulsion containing starch was significantly greater than the other emulsions. When starch was added to the emulsions originally containing no starch, intake significantly increased. Baclofen generally reduced intake of all emulsions regardless of starch content and stimulated intake of chow. However, effects were more often significant for vegetable shortening emulsions. This report: (1) demonstrates that products used to prepare thickened oil-in-water emulsions have significant effects on rat ingestive behavior, and (2) confirms the ability of baclofen to reduce consumption of fatty foods, while simultaneously stimulating intake of chow.     

Access conditions affect binge-type shortening consumption in rats

When non-food-deprived rats are given intermittent access to certain substances, consumption of those substances is greater than when more frequent access is provided. The present study examined the effects of three different shortening access conditions on subsequent shortening intake in rats. Each of the three different shortening conditions lasted five weeks and was followed by a five-week period in which shortening access was limited by time (1 h of availability) on either an Intermittent (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) or Daily schedule of access. In Part 1, limiting the quantity of shortening provided during the 1-h period of availability attenuated subsequent 1-h shortening intake in the Intermittent access group, but had no statistically significant effect in the Daily access group. In Part 2, unrestricted availability of shortening (24 h/day-7 days/week) attenuated subsequent 1-h shortening intake in all groups. In Part 3, shortening non-availability for five weeks enhanced subsequent 1-h shortening intake in all groups. It was also shown that rats under an Intermittent, but not a Daily, schedule of access consumed as much shortening during a 1-h period of availability, as was consumed in 24 h when shortening availability was unrestricted. These results demonstrate that while intermittent access is necessary and sufficient to stimulate binge-type eating in rats, the behavioral history can modulate binge size.