Dopamine receptors: molecular structure and function

Two distinct categories of dopamine receptors, termed D1 and D2, have been identified on the basis of pharmacological and biochemical criteria. Some of the progress made in our understanding of the subunit structure, function and signal transduction properties of these important membrane proteins are reviewed.     

包膜活性炭吸附血液灌流清除人血浆中毒鼠强的实验

目的:观察包膜活性炭对血浆中毒鼠强的清除率及吸附规律。方法:实验于2004-05/2006-04在军事医学科学院毒物药物研究所国家重点实验室完成。采用包膜活性炭灌流器对毒鼠强血浆样进行血液灌流吸附,在灌流的1,2,3h分别取样,经乙酸乙酯萃取后,用气相色谱氮磷检测器法(GC/NPD)测定其含量并计算清除率。结果:活性炭对毒鼠强的吸附作用在血液灌流1h最高,灌流2h后毒鼠强质量浓度无明显变化。400,200μg/L毒鼠强血液灌流1h清除率分别为(57.83±1.85)%,(48.18±1.81)%。结论:用包膜活性炭吸附剂进行血浆的灌流吸附,能清除大部分毒物,迅速降低血浆中毒鼠强的质量浓度。     

The impact of poverty on educational outcomes for children

Over the past decade, the unfortunate reality is that the income gap has widened between Canadian families. Educational outcomes are one of the key areas influenced by family incomes. Children from low-income families often start school already behind their peers who come from more affluent families, as shown in measures of school readiness. The incidence, depth, duration and timing of poverty all influence a child’s educational attainment, along with community characteristics and social networks. However, both Canadian and international interventions have shown that the effects of poverty can be reduced using sustainable interventions. Paediatricians and family doctors have many opportunities to influence readiness for school and educational success in primary care settings.     

Evaluation of the In Vivo Activity of Different Concentrations of Clerodendrum Umbellatum Poir Against Schistosoma Mansoni Infection in Mice

Clerodendrum umbellatum Poir (Verbenaceae) is traditionally used in Cameroon for the treatment of many diseases including intestinal helminthiasis. This study was undertaken to assess the in vivo antischistosomal activity of its leaves aqueous extract on a Schistosoma mansoni mice model and to determine the most effective dose of this extract. Mice showing a patent infection of S. mansoni were daily treated with C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract at the doses of 40, 80 or 160 mg/kg body weight for 14 days. Seven days after administration of the extract, schistosomicidal activity was evaluated on the liver and spleen weights, faecal eggs releasing, liver egg count and worm burden. Treatment using C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract resulted in an important reduction in faecal egg output by 75.49 % and 85.14 % for 80 mg/kg and 160 mg/kg of the extract respectively. These reduction rates did not differ significantly from the 100 % obtained in the group of infected mice treated with 100 mg/kg of praziquantel. C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract was lethal to S. mansoni worm. A 100 % reduction rate was recorded in the group of infected mice treated with 160 mg/kg of the extract, as well as in praziquantel-treated mice. An amelioration of the hepatosplenomegaly was noticed in both the extract-treated mice and the praziquantel-treated mice. From these results, we can conclude that C. umbellatum leaves aqueous extract demonstrated schistosomicidal properties in S. mansoni model at doses of at least 80 mg/kg body weight.     

Practical and technical considerations in establishing an intraoperative radiation therapy program in the community practice

The Radiation Oncology Center in Sacramento, California, has developed a procedure for establishing an intraoperative radiation therapy facility in a community practice. The logistics pertaining to personnel, equipment, physical measurements, and quality assurance are presented. Particular emphasis is given to the most effective means of acquiring the large quantity of data needed to ensure a program of acceptable quality.