隐身南新仓的低调奢华

置身RAIN CLUB的超凡境地中，美食、美酒和美妙的音乐是智灵的洗净，像干燥的北京城迎来第一场春天的“润”——稍显奢华。[编者按]     

Academic Degrees and Clinical Practice Characteristics: The University of Washington Physician Assistant Program: 1969-2000

CONTEXT: The physician assistant profession has been moving toward requiring master's degrees for new practitioners, but some argue this could change the face of the discipline. PURPOSE: To see if there is an association between physician assistants' academic degrees and practice in primary care, in rural areas, and with the medically underserved. METHODS: Surveys were sent to 880 graduates of the first 32 University of Washington physician assistant classes through 2000. Respondents noted their academic degree at program entry and the highest degree attained at any time up to the time of survey. Relationships between practice characteristics and academic degree levels were tested by unadjusted odds ratios and logistic regression after controlling for year of graduation and sex. RESULTS: Of the 478 respondents, 54% worked in primary care, about 30% practiced in nonmetropolitan communities, and 42% reported providing care for the medically underserved. Respondents with no degree (33% of total at entry, 24% at survey) were significantly more likely than degree holders to work in primary care and nonmetropolitan areas. Respondents with no degree at program entry were significantly more likely, and those with no degree at the time of the survey were marginally more likely, to self-report work with the medically underserved. CONCLUSION: Respondents with no academic degree are significantly more likely to demonstrate a commitment to primary, rural, and underserved health care. These findings may inform the national debate about the impact of required advanced degrees on the practice patterns of nonphysician providers.     

Genetic linkage analysis of pulmonary fibrotic response to silica in mice.

Inter-individual variations in the development of silicosis, even within the same environments, have been reported, which suggest the contribution of genetic factors in silicosis aetiology. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there is any significant genetic influence on the development of silicosis. Furthermore, which genetic loci are responsible for the pulmonary response to silica exposure? Eight strains of inbred mice were used to examine the genetic influence on the lung fibrotic response to silica exposure. After intercross-breeding between the most susceptible and most resistant strains, a genome-wide linkage analysis of quantitative trait loci (QTL) was performed. Hydroxyproline was applied as an index, and genotypes of 167 marker genes were analysed by fragment analysis using a capillary-type sequencer. There was significant inter-strain difference in the mean concentration of hydroxyproline contents among the eight strains of mice. Breeding studies were conducted between the most susceptible, C57BL/6J, and the most resistant strain, CBA/J. A genome-wide linkage analysis of silica-exposed intercrossed cohorts identified significant QTL on chromosome 4 and suggestive QTL on chromosomes 3 and 18. The present study demonstrates that genetic factors may play a significant role in fibrotic-lung responses to silica; one significant and two suggestive quantitative trait loci were identified.     

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Animal Experiments Suggest a New Pharmacological Treatment for Alcohol Abuse in Humans

The prevalence of heavy alcohol consumption is a major problem of increasing proportions throughout the world. Although alcohol sensitizing drugs and more recently serotonin uptake inhibitors are drug interventions with some following, their long term beneficial consequences have yet to be demonstrated. In recent years, we have demonstrated that manipulating activity in the renin-angiotensin system will dramatically alter voluntary alcohol consumption in rats. Based on these findings, the present study evaluated the ability of a class of drugs known as the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to reduce voluntary alcohol drinking in laboratory animals. These drugs prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. They have been licensed for use in Europe and North America and are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Our experiments showed that both captopril (Capoten, Squibb) and enalapril (Vasotec, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) can reduce alcohol drinking in both normotensive and hypertensive animals regardless of whether the pattern of intake is in a bout or of a less exaggerated nature. Furthermore, this change in alcohol intake can occur without concomitant changes in blood pressure, plasma renin activity, overall fluid balance, or the distribution and metabolism of alcohol. Taken together these findings suggest that the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors should be evaluated in a clinical setting for they may prove to be a useful new treatment or treatment adjunct for alcohol abuse in humans.