The Anti-Leu4 (CD3) Monoclonal Antibody Reacts with Proximal Tubular Cells of the Human Kidney

A recent observation that certain kidney tubular cells, especially those in the normal kidney, were positively stained with the anti-Leu4 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) led us to investigate systematically the reactivity of three different anti-CD3 MoAb with a panel of normal human kidneys. Using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining techniques, the anti-Leu4 MoAb was found to react with proximal tubular cells in all eight examined kidneys, while no tubular-cell reactivity was observed with the OKT3 or DAKO-T3 MoAb. In each kidney, however, all three antibodies reacted with a similar number of occasionally encountered T cells. The G11 MoAb, which has been reported to react with a calcium receptor-associated molecule, and the anti-Leu4 MoAb showed almost identical patterns of tubular-cell reactivity. The observed co-distribution of Leu4-expressing structures with a putative Ca2+ sensor in the kidney and the fact that binding of anti-Leu4 to T cells induces Ca2+-mediated signal transduction, warrant further studies on a potential role of Leu4-expressing structures in Ca2+ regulation of proximal tubular cells.     

The effect of a new toothpaste containing potassium nitrate and triclosan on gingival health, plaque formation and dentine hypersensitivity

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a new toothpaste containing an antiplaque and antiinflammatory agent (0.3% triclosan), a desensitizing agent (5% potassium nitrate) and an anticaries agent (0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP)) on gingival health, plaque formation and dentine hypersensitivity in a 12-week home study. The efficacy of the test toothpaste was compared with that of a control toothpaste containing 5% potassium nitrate and 0.76% SMFP and a benchmark product containing only 0.76% SMFP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and two healthy volunteers, who had a minimum of 20 natural permanent teeth with no probing depth >4 mm and at least one sensitive tooth, participated in this study. Following enrollment, the subjects received a dental prophylaxis and instruction in brushing technique. After a 4-week pre-experimental phase, baseline gingival bleeding index (GBI), plaque index (PI) and visual analogue scales (VASs) indicating dentine hypersensitivity levels responding to tactile and air stimuli were assessed. The subjects were then randomly given one of the three toothpastes; test, control, or benchmark toothpaste, and a soft-filamented toothbrush for home use. The GBI, PI and VASs were re-examined at weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS: Overall, the GBI scores were significantly reduced compared with baseline in all groups (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in GBI score among the three comparison groups. The PI score decreased in the test group and benchmark group from baseline to the end of study, whereas there was no significant change in the control group. Post hoc comparison indicated that the PI score was not statistically different between the three groups. There was a significant difference between the three treatment groups for sensitivity. For both the tactile and air stimuli, the reductions in VAS sensitivity scores for the test group and the control group were significantly greater compared with the benchmark group. Although the sensitivity score for air stimulus decreased more rapidly from baseline to week 4 in the test group, there was no overall difference between the test group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the new toothpaste was effective in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. More studies are needed to further determine the potential interaction between triclosan and potassium nitrate in dentifrices.     

来曲唑显著改善了一名生长激素缺乏的青春期男童的生长状况

为改善身材矮小青少年的生长状况采用芳香酶抑制剂来抑制雌激素生成的临床经验有限,本文记录了对这样1例患者联合应用生长激素和来曲唑治疗。来曲唑为第三代芳香酶抑制剂,该病例表明短期效果良好。来曲唑显著改善了一名生长激素缺乏的青春期男童的生长状况@Shah B. @Prasad K     

美洛昔康血药浓度的测定及其人体药代动力学

目的建立血浆中美洛昔康的测定方法,并研究美洛昔康在中国人体内的药代动力学.方法采用HPLC方法测定18名健康志愿者口服美洛昔康片剂后的血药浓度.色谱柱为C18柱,150mm×4.6mm,5μm,流动相为20mmol·L-1磷酸盐缓冲液-乙腈40∶60,流速为1.50ml·min-1,检测波长UV225nm.结果测定方法在0.10～5.00mg·L-1范围内具良好的线性关系,回收率为90.00～105.00%,日内、日间RSD小于15%,最低检测浓度为0.05mg·L-1.药代动力学参数tmax为4.33±1.28h;Cmax为1.53±0.27mg·L-1;t1/2为21.22±6.25h;AUC0-∞为55.33±16.84h·mg·     

11β—HSD控制糖皮质激素对睾酮合成抑制的研究—11β—HSD活性、皮质酮浓度及睾酮水平之间关系

本研究的目的是通过评价大鼠Leydig细胞中11β－羟类固醇脱氢酶（11β－HSD）活性水平及糖皮质激素浓度对睾酮合成的影响来证实：Leydig细胞中11β-HSD通过控制细胞内皮质酮（大鼠体内的糖皮质激素）的浓度决定着其对睾酮合成抑制程度。结果表明,切除肾上腺的大鼠其Leydig细胞中11β－HSD活性明降低,血清睾酮水平及Leydig细胞合成睾酮能力显著升高。经补充皮质酮后,原已降低的11β－HSD活性和皮质酮水平得到了恢复,二者恢复趋势呈正相关,提示,11β－HSD活性的恢复（上升）是皮质酮代谢的需要,升高的睾酮浓度逐渐回复至正常水平。补充高浓度的糖皮质激素超过了11β－HSD发挥作用的阈值,导致该酶对皮质酮浓度的控制作用被破坏,Leydig细胞合成睾酮能力显著下降。本研究进一步阐明了Leydig细胞中11β－HSD调节睾酮合成的功能和机制。     

CO-LOCALIZATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHESIZING ENZYMES IN THE HUMAN URETHRAL SPHINCTER

PURPOSE: Ineffective relaxation of the urethral sphincter during micturition can result in obstructive voiding symptoms. Several studies suggest carbon monoxide (CO) acts alongside nitric oxide (NO) as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and may regulate NO production. We have investigated the distribution of the constitutive CO producing enzyme, heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2) and the NO producing enzyme, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), in the human urethra. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Transverse cryostat sections (12 microns.) were cut from three male membranous and six female urethrae. Double immunofluorescence was carried out for co-localization of HO-2 with nNOS using standard methodology. RESULTS: Nerve trunks showing both HO-2 and nNOS immunoreactivities were identified in the urethrae in both sexes. In the female urethrae, of 152 ganglionic cell bodies expressing HO-2 or nNOS immunoreactivity, 74.3% exhibited both HO-2 and nNOS immunoreactivities, 25% exhibited only HO-2 immunoreactivity and 0.7% exhibited only nNOS immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: Immunoreactivity for HO-2 has been demonstrated in neuronal structures innervating the male and female urethral sphincters. The dual expression of HO-2 with nNOS immunoreactivity in cell bodies and nerves suggests that there is an interaction between the CO and NO generating systems. Abnormality in these systems may play a role in urethral dysfunction.     

Problem-based learning at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine: self-assessment of performance in postdoctoral training

Problem-based learning (PBL) was implemented into the dental curriculum at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) in 1994 with an expectation that this pedagogy would enhance students' critical thinking and communication skills as well as general professional competencies. Previous studies have described several aspects of the outcome of PBL curricula at the predoctoral level. However, there is no information available on the perceptions and performance of PBL graduates during their postdoctoral training in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of PBL methodology on the performance of HSDM graduates during their postdoctoral training in comparison with their non-HSDM (traditional) co-residents. Surveys containing traditional knowledge-based criteria, preclinical and clinical criteria, and PBL criteria were sent to HSDM graduates from the classes of 2002 through 2004 who were in postgraduate training programs. The HSDM and traditional graduates were asked to evaluate and compare their performance in selected areas with those of their co-residents from either a PBL curriculum or a traditional curriculum. The directors of each program were also asked to assess HSDM graduates relative to other graduates in the program based on the same aspects. Overall, HSDM graduates rated themselves more highly than non-HSDM graduates on all competencies. No significant difference between HSDM and non-HSDM responses was found in general dental knowledge, specialty specific knowledge, preclinical skills, clinical skills, communication with staff, and patient education, whereas significant differences (p<0.05) were found for communication with patients, critical thinking, independent learning, performance in small group settings, self-assessment, and teamwork. The data obtained from the program directors revealed corresponding results. The HSDM graduates' capacity for independent learning was rated as "excellent" by 65.31 percent of the directors and 80.95 percent of the HSDM graduates themselves. These findings suggest that the performance of HSDM graduates during their postdoctoral training met expectations and were similar to non-HSDM graduates for traditional residency program competencies. However, the PBL training appears to provide HSDM graduates with enhanced abilities in independent learning, communication, and cooperation skills.     

Cyclophosphamide in the male rat: cerebral biochemical changes in progeny

Adult male Wistar rats were treated with cyclophosphamide either alone or with both cyclophosphamide and vinblastine. They were then mated with virgin non-treated females. Examination of their offspring showed an increased post-natal mortality rate; and diminished learning capacity and spontaneous activity in the adults. These disorders were also found in the second generation, resulting from mating between animals of the first generation. Biochemical analyses of the brains of the offspring of treated males in the first and second generations showed a diminished activity of hippocampal choline acetyl-transferase. Moreover, the second generation showed a diminution of fronto-parietal cortex norepinephrine. These biochemical results may correspond to the observed behavioral deficits. Furthermore, by studying experimental mutation, they add to our knowledge of the consequences of certain cytostatic treatments.     

Quality Assessment of Systematic Reviews on Periodontal Regeneration in Humans

Background: Systematic reviews represent the highest form of evidence in the current hierarchy of evidence‐based dentistry. Critical analysis of published systematic reviews may help to analyze their strengths and weaknesses and to identify areas that need future improvement. The aim of this overview is to determine and compare the quality of systematic reviews published in the field of periodontal regeneration using established checklists, such as the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) guidelines. Methods: A systematic search was conducted to retrieve reviews on periodontal regeneration in humans. A total of 14 systematic reviews were selected using a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers appraised the quality of the selected reviews using AMSTAR guidelines. Each article was given an AMSTAR total score, based on the number of AMSTAR criteria that were fulfilled. The quality of included reviews was further assessed using a checklist proposed in 2003. Results: Only one of the selected systematic reviews satisfied all the AMSTAR guidelines, whereas two reviews satisfied just two of the 11 items. This study shows that published systematic reviews on periodontal regeneration exhibit significant structural and methodologic variability. Quality assessment using the additional checklist further confirmed the variability in the way systematic reviews were conducted and/or reported. Conclusion: Consideration of guidelines for quality assessment, such as AMSTAR, when designing and conducting systematic reviews may increase the validity and clinical applicability of future reviews.