The characterization of human amnion epithelial and mesenchymal cells: the cellular expression, activity and glucocorticoid regulation of prostaglandin output

The amnion, a single layer of epithelial cells (EC) overlying layers of mesenchymal cells (MC) has been identified as a source of intrauterine prostaglandins (PG). The objectives of the present study were: (1) to establish a technique for the isolation and culture of pure amnion EC and MC preparations, (2) to characterize the cellular expression of PGHS-II and PGHS activity within these separated amnion cells and (3) to characterize the pattern of glucocorticoid stimulation of these separated amnion cells. Term gestation human amnion was collected after elective caesarean section or vaginal delivery. A trypsin digestion was used to isolate EC and a mechanical digestion and collagenase dispersion was used to isolate MC. Following 48 or 96 h in culture, cells were incubated for 24 h in the presence or absence of 1 microm arachidonic acid and treated with cortisol (F: 10-1000 nm) or 1 microm dexamethasone (DEX). Cell types were identified by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Immunoreactive PGHS-II (ir-PGHS-II) and glucocorticoid receptor (ir-GR) were localized by IHC. PGHS activity was measured as PGE(2)output determined by radioimmunoassay. Mean PGE(2)production by MC at 72 h was 22-fold greater (P<0.05) and at 120 h was 32-fold greater (P<0.03) than PGE(2)output by EC. Administration of arachidonic acid stimulated a 5.0-fold increase in PGE(2)output (P<0.0002) by EC after 72 h and a 3.6-fold increase (P<0.05) after 120 h but did not alter MC PGE(2)output. Despite exogenous substrate, EC PGE(2)output remained significantly less than PGE(2)output by MC. There was no difference in PG production by EC and MC with the onset of labour. Ir-GR expression was found in both EC and MC. F and/or DEX with and without arachidonic acid (AA) stimulated PGE(2)output by EC. Only DEX and not F increased PGE(2)output by MC. These data suggest that relatively pure EC and MC preparations can be established from amnion. PG output and its regulation appears to differ within these two amnion cell types, dependent upon (1) substrate availability and (2) the regulation of PGHS activity.     

Excel97在药物分析中的应用

目的：在药物分析中,电子表格软件ＭｉｃｒｏｓｏｆｔＥｘｃｅ１９７ｆｏｒ Ｗｉｎｄｏｗｓ。方法：利用Ｅｘｃｅｌ的数据处理功能,进行药物的图表绘制、数据计算和统计处理,回归分析,特别是计算分析,并可建立分析数据库。结果和结论：Ｅｘｃｅｌ操作简单,功能强大,数据分析工作直观。     

辛伐他汀(舒降之)治疗原发性高胆固醇血症的临床比较研究

目的：比较国产辛伐他汀与进口辛伐他汀治疗原发性高胆固醇血症的疗效及安全性。方法：采用开放区组随机对照、多中心的临床设计。１５０例高胆 固醇血症病人分为验证组（５０例）、对照组（４８例）和开放组（５２例）,剂量均为每晚顿服１０ｍｇ,服药８周。结果：验证组与对照组服药前后比较,血清总胆 固醇（ＴＣ）分别降低２６．３６％和２８．３％,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（ＬＤＬ－Ｃ）分别降低３３．１７％和３５．５１％;验     

Diet and cancer prevention: the fiber first diet

Diet can play a major role in cancer prevention. The international differences in cancer incidence are largely accounted for by lifestyle practices that include nutrition, exercise, and alcohol and tobacco use. About 50% of cancer incidence and 35% of cancer mortality in the U.S., represented by cancers of the breast, prostate, pancreas, ovary, endometrium, and colon, are associated with Western dietary habits. Cancer of the stomach, currently a major disease in the Far East, relates to distinct, specific nutritional elements such as excessive salt intake. For these cancers, information is available on possible initiating genotoxic factors, promoting elements, and prophylactic agents. In general, the typical diet in the United States contains low levels of the potent carcinogenic agents, heterocyclic amines, formed during the cooking of meats. It provides only about half the potent appropriate fiber intake and is high in calories. About twice as many calories as would be desirable come from fat, certain kinds of which enhance the development of cancers. Other foods with functional properties, such as soy products and tea, can be beneficial. To achieve reduction in risk of certain cancers, diet must be optimized, primarily to reduce caloric intake and the fat component. The latter should be 20% or less of total caloric intake and fiber should be increased to 25- 35 g per day for adults. One approach to achieving these goals is the Fiber First Diet, a diet designed around adequate fiber intake from grains, especially cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits, which thereby reduces both calorie and fat intake. Such dietary improvements will not only reduce cancer and other chronic disease risks, but will contribute to a healthy life to an advanced age. A corollary benefit is a lower cost of medical care.      

Plasma cortisol in the chronic rhesus monkey preparation (Macaca mulatta).

The short- and long-term effects of surgical procedures and chair restraint on total plasma cortisol were assessed in the chronic rhesus monkey preparation. Three nonpregnant and six pregnant animals were sampled daily, morning and evening. Fetal plasma specimens were obtained simultaneously from the pregnant animals. In the nonpregnant rhesus monkey, a circadian rhythm is present the day following venous catheterization and chair restraint, with individual values similar to those in trained, unanesthetized animals. In the pregnant animals, a postoperative rise in cortisol is followed by a gradual decline to a plateau and a return of circadian rhythm. No consistent daily fluctuations are seen in fetal cortisol, and although correlated with maternal cortisol, the exact relationship is uncertain. The data indicate that operation, as expected, is stressful but acclimation to the chair occurs.     

Clinical comparison between glucose and sucrose additions to a basic electrolyte mixture in the outpatient management of acute gastroenteritis in children.

In a double-blind trial in 94 children attending outpatients the value of glucose or a sucrose addition to a basic electrolyte mixture for the management of acute gastroenteritis was compared. Of the children treated with added sucrose 10% failed to respond compared with 27% of those treated with added glucose. This difference was significant (P=0-05), but the time to recovery in those in the two groups who responded to treatment was not significantly different. Thus, despite theoretical advantages, there was no practical advantage in using glucose rather than sucrose. A 5% sucrose electrolyte solution with its relatively low osmolality, ready availability, and ease of preparation is recommended as the treatment of choice in the outpatient management of acute gastroenteritis in infancy.     

Steroids modulate corticotropin-releasing hormone production in human fetal membranes and placenta

The levels of immunoreactive CRH are elevated in both maternal and fetal plasma in late gestation and labor, but fall precipitously after parturition. The major source of this peptide is thought to be the placenta. We determined if the placenta and also the amnion, chorion, and decidua produce CRH, whether this material has biological activity, and whether CRH output is modulated by glucocorticoids and progesterone. In an in vitro monolayer culture system CRH was produced by the fetal membranes and decidua. Media immunoreactive CRH concentrations averaged 625 +/- 45 (SE) pg/10(5) cells in amnion, 701 +/- 56 pg/10(5) cells in chorion, and 580 +/- 60 pg/10(5) cells in decidual tissue obtained at cesarean section. This output was similar to that by the placenta (906 +/- 121 pg/10(5) cells). These values increased in tissue obtained after spontaneous labor. A single peak of CRH immunoreactivity eluting at the same position as synthetic human CRH, and possessing biological activity, was found in all tissues. There was a dose-dependent increase in CRH output by all tissue types when cells were maintained in the presence of increasing concentrations of cortisol and dexamethasone. In contrast, increasing concentrations of progesterone decreased CRH output by all tissue types. We conclude that immuno- and biologically active CRH is produced not only in the human placenta, but also in the fetal membranes. CRH output by the placenta/fetal membranes is moderated by steroids, and changes with labor. These findings raise the possibility of a regulatory system similar to that of the hypothalamic pituitary axis, but residing within the placenta and fetal membranes.     

Percutaneous removal of residual intrahepatic stones

In the Orient there is a high frequency of residual intrahepatic stones after biliary tract surgery. Percutaneous removal of residual intrahepatic stones was attempted in a group of 74 patients. Stones were exclusively intrahepatic in 57 patients, whereas 17 patients also had stones in the common bile duct. Biliary strictures were present in 60 cases (81%). A combination of techniques was used, including preshaped angulated catheters, irrigation-suction, balloon dilation of strictures, and crushing of large stones. In 36 cases all stones were removed and in 14 cases most stones were removed, for a success rate of 67.6%. Biliary stricture was the factor most often responsible for failure.