Synthetic/secreting and apoptotic phenotypes in renal biopsy tissues from hypertensive nephrosclerosis patients.

The major glomerular abnormalities in hypertensive nephrosclerosis are described as glomerular obsolescence (GO), glomerulosclerosis (GS), and glomerular collapse (GC). However, glomerular cellular changes caused by hypertensive insults have not been well analyzed. Using an immunoenzyme method, we examined eleven biopsy samples from patients with hypertensive nephrosclerosis for two synthetic and secreting phenotypes, a-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen type III (Col. III), and two apoptotic phenotypes, pro-apoptotic molecule Bax and anti-apoptotic molecule BcI-2. Together with the glomerular and vascular changes and interstitial fibrosis (IF) area, the results were scored quantitatively and semi-quantitatively and compared to the clinical findings, which included systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum creatinine levels (sCr) and creatinine clearance (Ccr), using univariate and multivariate analyses. As a result, GS was frequently observed in the mild-to-moderate hypertensive group (140 < or = SBP<180 mmHg), whereas GC was positively correlated with SBP. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation of GS with mesangial alpha-SMA and Col. III, suggesting that GS was the reflection of these synthetic and secreting phenotypic changes in mesangial cells. Endothelial Bax was positively correlated with Ccr (p<0.01); in contrast, podocytic Bax was positively correlated with sCr (p<0.05) and showed a tendency to correlate with MAP (p=0.054). In conclusion, these findings support the view that mesangial synthetic and secreting phenotypic changes may be a reflection of cellular activation caused by mild-to-moderate hypertension and that apoptotic phenotypic expression in podocytes, rather than endothelial cells, may be related to the development of a severe form of hypertensive nephrosclerosis.     

Angiopoietin1/Tie2 and VEGF/Flk1 induced by MSC treatment amplifies angiogenesis and vascular stabilization after stroke.

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and promote angiogenesis after stroke. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and its receptor Tie2 mediate vascular integrity and angiogenesis as does VEGF and its receptors. In this study, we tested whether MSC treatment of stroke increases Ang1/Tie2 expression, and whether Ang1/Tie2 with VEGF/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) (Flk1), in combination, induced by MSCs enhances angiogenesis and vascular integrity. Male Wistar rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and treated with or without MSCs. Marrow stromal cell treatment significantly decreased blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and increased Ang1, Tie2, and occludin (a tight junction protein) expression in the ischemic border compared with MCAo control. To further test the mechanisms of MSC-induced angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, cocultures of MSCs with mouse brain endothelial cells (MBECs) or astrocytes were performed. Supernatant derived from MSCs cocultured with MBECs significantly increased MBEC expression of Ang1/Tie2 and Flk1 compared with MBEC alone. Marrow stromal cells cocultured with astrocytes also significantly increased astrocyte VEGF and Ang1/Tie2 expression compared with astrocyte culture alone. Conditioned media from MSCs alone, and media from cocultures of MSCs with astrocytes or MBECs, all significantly increased capillary tube-like formation of MBEC compared with control Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium media. Inhibition of Flk1 and/or Ang1 significantly decreased MSC-induced MBEC tube formation. Knockdown of Tie2 expression in MBECs significantly inhibited MSC-induced tube formation. Our data indicate MSC treatment of stroke promotes angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, which is at least partially mediated by VEGF/Flk1 and Ang1/Tie2.     

The upregulation of glial glutamate transporter-1 participates in the induction of brain ischemic tolerance in rats.

Glial glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) plays an essential role in removing glutamate from the extracellular space and maintaining the glutamate below neurotoxic level in the brain. To explore whether GLT-1 plays a role in the acquisition of brain ischemic tolerance (BIT) induced by cerebral ischemic preconditioning (CIP), the present study was undertaken to observe in vivo changes in the expression of GLT-1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the CA1 hippocampus during the induction of BIT, and the effect of dihydrokainate (DHK), an inhibitor of GLT-1, on the acquisition of BIT in rats. Immunohistochemistry for GFAP showed that the processes of astrocytes were prolonged after a CIP 2 days before the lethal ischemic insult, which could protect pyramidal neurons in the CA1 hippocampus against delayed neuronal death induced normally by lethal ischemic insult. The prolonged processes extended into the area between the pyramidal neurons and tightly surrounded them. These changes made the pyramidal layer look like a 'shape grid'. Simultaneously, the prolonged and extended processes showed a great deal of GLT-1. Western blotting analysis showed significant upregulation of GLT-1 expression after the CIP, especially when it was administered 2 days before the subsequent lethal ischemic insult. Neuropathological evaluation by thionin staining showed that DHK dose-dependently blocked the protective role of CIP against delayed neuronal death induced normally by lethal brain ischemia. It might be concluded that the surrounding of pyramidal neurons by astrocytes and upregulation of GLT-1 induced by CIP played an important role in the acquisition of the BIT induced by CIP.     

Foley尿管气囊压迫治疗骶前静脉丛大出血的评价(附6例报告)

目的:评价直肠癌根治术中用Foley尿管气囊压迫治疗骶前静脉丛大出血(MPVP)的临床价值。方法:分析1995~2005年用Foley尿管气囊压迫治疗骶前静脉丛大出血6例的临床资料。结果:6例骶前大出血中全部用Foley尿管气囊压迫控制出血,术中出血量为800~1700mL,Foley尿管于术后4d拔除3例,5d1例,6d2例,均无再出血,会阴切口均一期愈合。结论:Foley尿管气囊压迫治疗骶前静脉丛大出血是一种简单安全有效的治疗方法。     

The impact of obesity on female reproductive function

Obesity may be described as the new worldwide epidemic, and its serious impact on morbidity and mortality are well known. As more and more women become obese, the reproductive problems associated with obesity present an ever-growing challenge to physicians involved in their fertility care. The spectrum of reproductive problems associated with obesity encompasses a wide range of disorders including infertility problems, miscarriage and pregnancy complications. In this review, we aim to discuss the impact of obesity on the various aspects of female reproductive function with focus on the clinical aspects of fertility problems in obese women. We finally comment on the available therapeutic options available to this group of women.     

中南地区正常人血清α_1─抗胰蛋白酶检测结果分析

通过对中南地区１５７７例正常人的血清α_１－抗胰蛋白酶（α_１－ＡＴ）水平的测定，结果２０～４０岁组正常值为１３６．９ｍｇ％，４１～６０岁组正常值为１２９．３ｍｇ％，男女性别间的α_１－ＡＴ水平差异无显著意义。而两个年龄组间差异有显著意义。并对测定结果作了分型。     

颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态的显微外科治疗

目的 探讨显微外科治疗颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态的疗效.方法 回顾分析2006年7月至2008年7月实施的21例显微外科治疗颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态,根据不同病例采用相应的选择性周围神经部分切断术,包括:胫神经、肌皮神经、正中神经、尺神经和腰骶段脊神经后根,共计50个肢体.结果 术后随访2～24个月,全部患者术后立即感相应肢体痉挛状态缓解,随访期间缓解率为98%(49/50).随访期间运动功能改善率为86%(18/21),生活质量提高率为95%(20/21).术后发生肢体麻木、疼痛等感觉异常26个(52%),肌力下降18个(36%),随访期间均见好转.术后痉挛状态复发1个(2%).结论 选择性周围神经部分切断术是治疗颅脑外伤后肢体痉挛状态安全有效的方法.选择适应证及手术时机和术后坚持康复训练是保证疗效的关键.     

Protein ubiquitination in postsynaptic densities after transient cerebral ischemia.

The mechanisms underlying neurologic deficits and delayed neuronal death after ischemia are not fully understood. In the present study, we report that transient cerebral ischemia induces accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins (ubi-proteins) in postsynaptic densities (PSDs). By immunoelectron microscopy, we demonstrated that ubi-proteins were highly accumulated in PSD structures after ischemia. On Western blots, ubi-proteins were markedly increased in purified PSDs at 30 minutes of reperfusion, and the increase persisted until cell death in the CA1 region after ischemia. In the resistant DG area, however, the changes were transient and significantly less pronounced. Deposition of ubi-proteins in PSDs after ischemia correlates well with PSD structural damage in the CA1 region as viewed by electron microscopy. These results suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome system fails to repair and remove damaged proteins in PSDs. The changes may demolish synaptic neurotransmission, contribute to neurologic deficits, and eventually lead to delayed neuronal death after transient cerebral ischemia.     

Reduced expression of CD69 and adhesion molecules of T lymphocytes in asthmatic children receiving immunotherapy

T lymphocytes play a fundamental role in the initiation and regulation of chronic inflammatory responses in patients with asthma. CD69 is an early marker of T‐cell activation. The levels of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1, CD54) and L ‐selectin have been reported to increase in patients with allergic diseases and asthma. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the expression of CD69, CD54, and L ‐selectin by T lymphocytes of children with asthma, before and after immunotherapy. Eighteen children newly diagnosed with asthma, 11 good and nine poor responders to immunotherapy, and 16 normal subjects, were enrolled in this study. The percentages of CD69⁺, CD54⁺, and CD62L⁺ cells in T lymphocytes were measured by using flow cytometry. The levels of CD69, CD54, and CD62L in serum and culture supernatants were determined by using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of CD69 and CD54 on CD3⁺ T lymphocytes was significantly higher in children with asthma than in control patients. All the patient groups expressed (spontaneously and following stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate and ionomycin together with mite‐extract proteins) greater amounts of CD69 and CD54 than did control subjects. With long‐term immunotherapy, the percentages of CD69⁺ and CD54⁺ T lymphocytes were significantly lower in patients with a good response to immunotherapy. Our results also showed significantly lower serum L ‐selectin levels following immunotherapy. In conclusion, successful immunotherapy resulted in decreased expression and production of CD69 and CD54. These results may explain, in part, the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy.