The assembly of the factor X-activating complex on activated human platelets

Summary.  Platelet membranes provide procoagulant surfaces for the assembly and expression of the factor X-activating complex and promote the proteolytic activation and assembly of the prothrombinase complex resulting in normal hemostasis. Recent studies from our laboratory and others indicate that platelets possess specific, high-affinity, saturable, receptors for factors XI, XIa, IX, IXa, X, VIII, VIIIa, V, Va and Xa, prothrombin, and thrombin. Studies described in this review support the hypothesis that the factor X-activating complex on the platelet surface consists of three receptors (for the enzyme, factor IXa; the substrate, factor X; and the cofactor, factor VIIIa), the colocalization of which results in a 24 million-fold acceleration of the rate of factor X activation. Whether the procoagulant surface of platelets is defined exclusively by procoagulant phospholipids, or whether specific protein receptors exist for the coagulant factors and proteases, is currently unresolved. The interaction between coagulation proteins and platelets is critical to the maintenance of normal hemostasis and is pathogenetically important in human disease.     

Activities of flavonoids for the cleavage of DNA in the presence of Cu(II): correlation with generation of active oxygen species.

The activities of several flavonoids and the related nonflavonoid compound epicatechin were compared with respect to Cu(II)-induced strand scission of DNA by using two different assays. The same series of compounds was used to study the stoichiometry of Cu(II) reduction in the absence of DNA. The compounds were compared for their ability to generate superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and the Cu(II)-dependent production of hydroxyl radicals. Flavonoids were examined to assess the production of a charge-transfer complex with Cu and the rate of decay of the complexes were compared. All the compounds tested had some ability to cause DNA strand scission in the presence of Cu(II), with myricetin being the most active and galangin the least active. The ability to cause such scission correlated with the rate of decay of the charge-transfer complex, the ability to generate active oxygen species and with the stoichiometry of Cu(II) binding. Analysis of the data in the light of the structural differences between the flavonoids led to a discussion of alternative Cu(II)-sequestering mechanisms.     

Osteoclastogenesis in the nonadherent cell population of human bone marrow is inhibited by rhBMP-2 alone or together with rhVEGF.

During bone development and repair, angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and bone remodeling are closely associated processes that share some common mediators. In the present study nonadherent human bone marrow mononuclear cells under the induction of sRANKL and M-CSF, differentiated into osteoclasts with TRAP-positive staining, VNR expression, and Ca-P resorptive activity. The effects of various combinations of rhBMP-2 (0, 3, 30, and 300 ng/mL) and rhVEGF (0 and 25 ng/mL) on osteoclastogenesis potentials were examined in this experimental system. The percentages of TRAP-positive multiple nucleated cells represent osteoclast differentiation potential, and the percentages of resorptive areas in the Ca-P coated plates resemble osteoclast resorption capability. The presence of rhBMP-2 at 30 and 300 ng/mL showed inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation and their resorptive capability in the human osteoclast culture system. rhVEGF (25 ng/mL) enhanced the resorptive function of osteoclast whenever it was used alone or combined with 3 ng/mL rhBMP-2. However, rhVEGF-induced resorptive function was inhibited by 30 ng/mL and 300 ng/mL rhBMP-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Statistical analysis demonstrated that an interactive effect exists between rhBMP-2 and rhVEGF on human osteoclastogenesis. These findings suggested that an interactive regulation may exist between BMPs and VEGF signaling pathways during osteoclastogenesis; exact mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.     

A practical profile of integrated safety assessment of near-surface disposal of radwaste at PINSTECH.

Near-surface or shallow land disposal of radioactive waste has been the primary practice at the Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (PINSTECH). The adopted choice of this mode of disposal has been based on a study of the site and the quality and quantity of waste generated at the 5 MW reactor with HEU fuel. Specific measures regarding the radiation safety of the workers and environmental protection have been adopted. The waste disposal operations are conducted to meet local regulatory requirements, IAEA recommendations and internationally endorsed principles such as ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable - economic, social and other relevant factors being considered). The data obtained through the years of operational and management experience have manifested the robustness of the disposal system and reliability of the disposal criterion, and have also served to further refine the latter. Consequently, confidence in the current shallow-land-burial practices has increased. Radiological safety of these practices has been assessed by addressing different aspects of the safety and disposal system. These parameters, as indices of a non-exclusive and operational safety model, are presented.     

无抽搐电痉挛治疗精神分裂症的疗效观察分析

目的观察无抽搐电痉挛（Modified Electrocnvulsive therapy，MECT）治疗精神分裂症的疗效及给予次数的关系。方法将60例诊断为精神分裂症的住院患者按治疗次数随机分为两组，进行MECT的临床资料总结分析。结果治疗次数≥6次组，显效率为83．3％，次数〈6次组显效率为76．7％，两者显效率无显著性差异（P〉0．05），每组治疗前后BPRS评分有显著差异，但两组间比较无显著差异（P〉0．05），未发现严重不良反应。结论MECF安全性高，有一定疗效，与治疗次数关系不大。     

刺五加对~(60)Co-γ射线照射后小鼠胸腺效应的实验研究

采用180只成年小白鼠(雌雄各半),其中168只经一次总剂量为4Gy的~(60)Co—γ射线照射,造成造血放射损伤,再从其中随机选出56只膜腔注射刺五加注射液作为实验用药组,其余小白鼠随机分为盐水对照组(56只),空白对照组(56只)及正常对照组(12只)。实验结果显示。实验用药组的胸腺细胞超微结构的恢复比同期对照组快,胸腺组织DNA含量比同期对照组高。因此,我们认为刺五加可促进辐射损伤后小白鼠胸腺细胞结构的恢复。     

二尖瓣置换合并射频迷宫术的体外循环管理

目的探讨二尖瓣置换合并射频迷宫术的体外循环 (CPB)方法。方法 :76例风湿性心脏二尖瓣病变合并房颤患者实施瓣膜置换时 ,采用心内直视射频消融迷宫术对其合并的心房纤颤予以治疗。先期的 13例 (A组 )患者在CPB转流阻闭升主动脉后进行射频消融术和二尖瓣置换 ;后期 6 3例 (B组 )采用阻断上下腔静脉后先射频消融右心房 ,再行二尖瓣置换和左房射频消融。结果 :A组 13例患者CPB转流 (10 4± 2 5 )min ,主动脉阻断 (6 1± 11)min。B组 6 3例患者CPB转流 (81± 19)min ,主动脉阻断 (47± 11)min ;应用冷晶体心肌保护患者开放升主动脉后心脏自动复跳率 5 5 .9% ,应用冷血心肌保护患者心脏自动复跳率 71.4 %。术后恢复窦性心律 6 4例 ,占 84 .2 %。结论 :在二尖瓣置换合并射频迷宫术的体外循环中阻闭升主动脉前先射频消融左房可以明显缩短体外循环时间和主动脉阻断时间 ;应用冷血心肌保护液可以加强心肌保护效果且射频消融迷宫术治疗顽固性房颤效果明显     

肋骨骨折与肺挫伤

本文总结48例肋骨骨折合并肺挫伤。其中43例为多根多处肋骨骨折伴肺挫伤．5例为单处骨折伴肺挫伤。临床资料表明多根多处肋骨骨折（连枷胸）的伤员之呼吸窘迫症状并不经常和肋骨骨折数目成正比。连枷胸所见的呼吸窘迫，低氧血症及肺内分流增加。主要是肺挫伤导致的肺实质性损害引起，而非胸壁反常运动造成。早期充分的止痛是有效的治疗方法。     

Craniosynostosis,ectopia lentis,and congenital heart defects: Further delineation of an autosomal dominant syndrome with incomplete penetrance

The association of craniosynostosis with ectopia lentis is extremely rare. This was recently reported in monozygotic twin sisters, supporting a genetic etiology for this syndromic association. We report on female first cousins once removed who were born with unilateral coronal synostosis. One cousin also had peripheral pulmonic branch stenosis at birth and was later found to have ectopia lentis and severe myopia. The other cousin had an atrial septal defect, mitral valve prolapse, and only mild myopia. Their intelligence is normal. The inheritance is likely autosomal dominant with variable expression and incomplete penetrance and further defines this syndrome to include congenital heart defects. These findings will have important implications for genetic counseling. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.