Point mutation in the parkin gene on patients with Parkinson’s disease

Summary To investigate the distribution of possible novel mutations from parkin gene in variant subset of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in China and explore whether parkin gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, 70 patients were divided into early-onset group and late-onset group; 70 healthy subjects were included as controls. Genomic DNA from 70 normal controls and from those of PD patients were extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes by using standard procedures. Mutations of parkin gene (exon 1–12) in all the subjects were screened by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and further sequencing was performed in the samples with abnormal SSCP results, in order to confirm the mutation and its location. A new missense mutation Gly284Arg in a patient and 3 abnormal bands in SSCP electrophoresis from samples of another 3 patients were found. All the DNA variants were sourced from the samples of the patients with early-onset PD. It was concluded that Parkin point mutation also partially contributes to the development of early-onset Parkinson’s disease in Chinese. WANG Tao, male, born in 1961, Associate Professor This work was supported by grants from the key program of the special scientific project of Scientific & Technologic Agency of Hubei Province (Serial No. 2001AA308B01) and the Hygienic Research Project of Hygienic Agency of Hubei province (Serial No. WJ 01529).     

Changes in marital and sexual functioning in long-term survivors and their spouses: Testicular cancer versus hodgkin's disease

This study compares the effects of the cancer experience on various aspects of marital and sexual functioning (e.g., communication, emotional support, body image, sexual satisfaction and frequency) for two groups of long-term cancer survivors (testicular cancer and Hodgkin's disease) and their spouses. Comparisons between the two patient groups showed significantly more survivors of Hodgkin's disease than testicular cancer reporting the emergence of special issues and changes in the marital relationship. No differences emerged between the spouse groups on sexual functioning variables; however, spouses of survivors of Hodgkin's disease were more likely than spouses of survivors of testicular cancer to report the development of special issues and communication difficulties. A substantial proportion of both survivor groups disclosed negative changes in body image and sexual frequency. Majorities of both survivors and spouses acknowledged that the illness had drawn them closer together. When representative marital/sexual functioning variables were used to predict Family Environment Scale (FES) scores for survivors and for spouses, changes in the spouse's importance, influence of the illness on the relationship, and changes in sexual frequency emerged as significant predictors. The clinical significance of long-term changes in marital and sexual functioning for the couple and the need for therapeutic interventions are discussed.     

痛力克对癌症疼痛镇痛效果的临床观察

应用印度ＬＵＰＩＮ公司提供的痛力克（酮酷酸氨丁三醇 ）对中重度癌症疼痛３０例进行镇痛效果的临床观察，有效率９３％，平均显效时间９ｍｉｎ，均数缓解时间５．１ｈ，并用哌替啶做了同期交叉自身镇痛对比研究，结果表明：两药的镇痛效果相似（Ｐ＞０．０５），但痛力克的不良反应发生率明显低于哌替啶。     

磁共振尿路成像对泌尿系疾病的诊断价值

目的评价磁共振尿路成像(Magneticresonanceurography,MRU)对泌尿系疾病的诊断价值。方法对36例泌尿系疾病患者进行MRU检查,并结合临床手术、病理资料和其他影像学资料进行回顾性分析。结果36例患者中,均有MRU阳性结果,3例肾盂、肾盏癌,4例前列腺癌,8例前列腺增生症,2例输尿管癌定性、定位明确;9例肾盂、输尿管移行段梗阻定位明确,定性有帮助;10例输尿管下段梗阻中6例诊断明确,4例未能确诊。结论MRU在泌尿系疾病的诊断中,对肿瘤的定位、定性参考价值较高,对尿路梗阻定位诊断有价值,对定性诊断帮助有其局限性。     

Influence of mild hypothermia on vascular endothelial growth factor and infarct volume in brain tissues after cerebral ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that mild hypothermia has obvious protective effect on both whole and local cerebral ischemia. However, the definite mechanism is still unclear for the brain protection of mild hypothermia on cerebral edema, inhibiting inflammatory reaction, stabilizing blood brain barrier, etc. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of mild hypothermia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and the infarct volume after cerebral ischemia in rats, and analyze the brain protective mechanism of mild hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized grouping and controlled animal trial. SETTING: Department of Neurology, People's Hospital of Yunyang Medical College. MATERIALS: Twenty adult male SD rats of clean degree, weighing (250±30) g, were provided by the animal experimental center, School of Medicine, Wuhan University. The kits for SP immunohistochemistry were purchased from Beijing Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology Co., Ltd. METHODS: The experiments were carried out in the laboratory of Department of Neurology, Renmen Hospital of Wuhan University from May to July 2005. ① The 20 rats were divided randomly into normal temperature group (n =10) and mild hypothermia group (n =10). Models of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion were established with modified nylon suture embolization. The rats were assessed with the Longa standards: 0 point for without nerve dysfunction; 1 for mild neurological deficit (fore claws could no extend completely); 2 for moderate neurological deficit (circling towards the affected side); 3 for severe neurological deficit (tilting towards the affected side); 4 for coma and unconscious; 1-3 points represented that models were successfully established. The rats of the normal temperature group were fed at room temperature, and those in the mild hypothermia group were induced by hypothermia from 2 hours postoperatively, and the rectal temperature was kept at 34-35 ℃ for 72 hours. ② Measurement of infarct volume: All the rats were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection overdose sodium pentobarbital 7 days postoperatively, and then the heads were cut down to harvest brain. The brain tissues were placed into -20 ℃ refrigerator for 20 minutes, coronal sections of 2 mm were prepared. The infarct sites were not stained, whereas normal brain tissues were stained as red. The infarct volumes were calculated by using MPLAS-500 multimedia color pathological image&&word analytical system. ③ Counting positive cells of vascular endothelial growth factor protein: The brains were harvested by cutting heads, then coronal sections of 2 mm were prepared. Routine dehydration, hyalinization, wax immersion and embedding were performed, then the detected with SP immunohistochemistry, the kits were purchased from Beijing Zhongshan Golden Bridge Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The cells whose cytoplasm was yellow-brown were positive ones, a single sample as a unit, peri-ischemic site and ischemic core were selected, and the corresponding sites in controlateral hemisphere were taken as controls. Five visual fields were selected from each site to be observed under microscope, the cells were counted, and the average number of positive cells was calculated in each group. The numbers of positive cells were determined with the image analytical apparatus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of the positive cells of vascular endothelial growth factor protein; Infarct volume of rat brain tissue. RESULTS: All the 20 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① Number of positive cells of vascular endothelial growth factor protein in brain tissue: It was obviously lower in the mild hypothermia group than in the normal temperature group [(24.02±5.05), (36.07±2.69) cells/high power visual field, P < 0.01]. ② Comparison of infarct volume of brain tissue: After MCAO, it was obviously smaller in the mild hypothermia group than in the normal temperature group [(153.25±23.14), (253.45±36.21) mm3, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Mild hypothermia can inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and decrease the volume of cerebral infarction. The inhibition of mild hypothermia on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor may be one of the brain protective mechanisms.     

胰腺实性-假乳头状瘤影像与病理诊断分析

目的 探讨胰腺实性-假乳头状瘤的影像及病理学的诊断要点。资料与方法 回顾分析11例经手术切除、病理学和免疫组织化学证实的胰腺实性一假乳头状瘤患者的临床资料，以比较其影像和病理学特点。结果 (1)本病多发于30岁以下女性，临床主要表现为腹痛。(2)CT、MRI表现为肿瘤内有实性和囊性结构，可分为3型；特征性表现为“浮云征”。(3)肿瘤大部分位于胰腺，多有完整包膜，不伴有胆总管扩张。(4)病理学特点为肿瘤实性部分由实性区、假乳头区及两者过渡区以不同比例混合而成。囊性区由坏死、液化、陈旧性出血组成。(5)肿瘤的囊实性结构是形成“浮云征”的病理基础。结论 胰腺实性-假乳头状瘤有相对特征性的影像和病理学表现，术后预后较好。     

不同婴儿食品铝含量的测定

本文应用原子吸收光谱法测定母乳、牛奶、奶粉及不同喂养方式婴儿血清中锌、铜、铁及铝含量。母乳中锌、铜、铁含量均较牛奶丰富，铝含量低于牛奶；奶粉中锌、铜、铁含量高于牛奶，与母乳无显著差异，铝含量高于牛奶。母乳、牛奶及奶粉喂养的贫血患儿血清铝含量无显著差异，均明显低于铝中毒的血清铝水平。     

Additive effects of earthworm extract with HpD-laser on the enhancement of reactive oxygen production and the inhibition of[~3H]—thymidine.uptake in mouse ascitic tumor cells

The effects of combined use of earthworm extract(912)and HpD-laser on the produc-tion of reactive oxygen and the biosynthesis of DNA in S_(180) tumor cells were studied throughchemiluminescence measurement and[~3H]-TdR incorporation assay.The results showed that as com-pared with the control,the intensity of chemiluminescence emitted by tumor cells treatedsimultaneously with 912 and HpD-laser was enhanced more than ten-folds,while that treated with912 or HpD-laser alone was increased only 2～4 folds.The[~3H]-TdR incorporation into tumorcells of the former group was inhibited upto 74.1%,and that of the latter groups decreased onlyby 42.2% and 40.0%,respectively.In accordance with these biochemical changes,the ultrastructuraldamage of tumor cells of the former,combinedly treated group appeared to be the most serious.This suggests an additive effect of 912 with HpD-laser on tumor cells.In addition,if free radicalscavengers,such as catalase and superoxide dismutase,were added to the reaction systembefore chemiluminescence assay,the luminescent enhancement effect mentioned above was dramaticallyalleviated,implying the presence of O_2~ and H_2O_2 in the system.Therefore,as to the toxic effecton tumor cells,912 and HpD-laser are not only additive in efficiency,but also similar in theunderlying mechanism of action.     

川芎嗪和维拉帕米对缺血性急性肾衰初期保护效应的实验研究

１８只犬切除右肾，钳夹左肾动脉６０分的肾缺血模型，再灌注５小时。将动物随机分成对照组、川芎嗪组及维拉帕米组。观察尿量、菊糖清除率、利钠指数、平均动脉压及心率；再灌注５小时取肾组织作形态学检查。结果显示川芎嗪对肾功能及形态有保护作用，维拉帕米则无此作用，提示在手术中有肾缺血时以川芎嗪作为肾保护药物优于维拉帕米。