Phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase regulates synapse specificity of hippocampal long-term depression

To investigate the role of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3 kinase) in hippocampal synaptic plasticity, we used whole-cell patch clamp recordings from rat CA1 neurons to determine the effects of PI3 kinase inhibitors on long-term depression (LTD). PI3 kinase blockade caused a loss of synapse specificity of LTD that was dependent on the co-activation of NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), and involved release of Ca(2+) from intracellular stores. These findings suggest that the synapse specificity of hippocampal LTD may not be an intrinsic property of this form of homosynaptic plasticity, but rather that it can be regulated by PI3 kinase.     

Prevalence of osteoporosis and incidence of hip fracture in women - secular trends over 30 years

Background  

The number of hip fractures during recent decades has been reported to be increasing, partly because of an increasing proportion of elderly women in the society. However, whether changes in hip fracture annual incidence in women are attributable to secular changes in the prevalence of osteoporosis is unclear.     

Anthropometric and Dietary Evaluations in a Sample of “Healthy” Mexican Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to describe anthropometric, metabolic, and nutritional characteristics in healthy elderly adults in a primary health care setting. It was conducted through a cross-sectional study of 80 subjects 60 years of age and older. After confirming healthy status, clinical, biochemical, dietetic, and anthropometric evaluations were performed. The findings indicated 22% had anemia, 22% had impaired glucose tolerance, 46% had hypertriglyceridemia, and 51% had hypercholesterolemia. More than 50% had obesity, and almost 80% had a high risk waist circumference measure. Mean energy intake was normal; however, more than 50% of participants did not have adequate intakes of potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, and vitamins B₁₂ and A. Inadequate food intakes were common. Specific examples are that 16% of the subjects ate no meat/egg, 31% ate no dairy products, 56% ate no legumes, 22% ate no fruits, and 41% ate no vegetables. Additionally, 31% consumed soft drinks. Therefore, we can conclude that elderly people otherwise considered as “healthy” nonetheless had a high proportion of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Inadequate dietary patterns were also observed and corresponded with poor micronutrient intake.     

2型糖尿病患者强化降糖治疗的效果和预测指标

为观察2型糖尿病患者强化降糖治疗的预测指标,强化降糖对糖化血红蛋白（HbA1c）、体重、焦虑／抑郁症状、健康状况的影响,以及强化降糖使HbA1c得到改善的患者的特点,研究者收集来自TRIAD（Translating Research into Action for Diabetes）的数据并分析,对起初采用饮食、运动、口服降糖药治疗、HbA1c〉7．2％、持续治疗或强化治疗（开始或增加口服降糖药种类或开始胰岛素治疗）超过18个月的患者进行检查。     

葛根素对小鼠实验性微循环障碍的改善作用

本文报告了葛根素对肾上腺素(Adr)引起的小鼠肠系膜微循环障碍的影响,并与罂粟碱作比较。结果表明,预先局部滴注0.5%葛根素能够拮抗Adr所致微动脉收缩、流速减慢和流量减少;而局部先滴注Adr造成微循环障碍后,再局部滴注1%葛根素,获得与上类似结果。给小鼠ⅳ葛根素(52 mg/kg)后再局部滴注Adr,可减轻Adr引起的微动脉收缩、流速减慢和流量减少,其作用优于罂粟碱。因此葛根素可改善实验性微循环障碍。     

Fluconazole compared with endoscopy for human immunodeficiency virus- infected patients with esophageal symptoms

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The best initial treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with esophageal symptoms is unknown. The outcome, including safety and cost-effectiveness, of fluconazole compared with endoscopy as a treatment strategy for HIV-infected patients with new-onset esophageal symptoms was evaluated. METHODS: During a 53-month period, 134 HIV-infected patients with esophageal symptoms were randomized prospectively to groups receiving either standard doses of fluconazole or endoscopy. RESULTS: Among the 68 patients in the fluconazole group, a complete symptomatic response was observed in 56 patients (82%), usually within 1 week. The most common endoscopic findings in the 66 patients in the endoscopy group included Candida esophagitis alone in 42 patients (64%) and ulcerative esophagitis in 10 patients (15%). Patients responding to empirical antifungal therapy or who had Candida esophagitis alone at endoscopy were less like to have severe symptoms (P = 0.027) or odynophagia as the only symptom (P < 0.001) but more frequently had odynophagia and dysphagia (P = 0.007) and thrush (P = 0.002). Empirical fluconazole was cost-effective, saving $738.16 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Empirical oral antifungal therapy with fluconazole is highly efficacious, safe, and cost-effective for HIV-infected patients with new-onset esophageal symptoms. (Gastroenterology 1996 Jun;110(6):1803-9)     

Hemoglobin Nigeria (alpha-81 Ser replaced by Cys):a new variant associated with alpha-thalassemia

Hematologic evaluation of a Nigerian obstetrical patient disclosed the presence of sickle-cell trait as well as evidence of a hemoglobin alpha- chain abnormality. Hemoglobins containing the variant alpha-chain were isolated by DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, and analysis of the purified alpha-chain demonstrated a ser replaced by cys substitution at alpha-81. The abnormal alpha-chain represented approximately 45% of the total, and hemoglobins containing this alpha-chain appeared to have normal stability and functional properties. In addition to the abnormal hemoglobins that were identified in this patient, she also was found to have persistent microcytosis in the absence of iron deficiency, and the percentage of HbS in her erythrocytes was less than that usually present in individuals with sickle cell trait. These findings, together with a reduced alpha/beta globin synthesis ratio from her peripheral blood reticulocytes, indicated that the presence of alpha-thalassemia trait. Hematologic findings from members of the patients's family suggest that an alpha-thalassemia gene may be linked to that of the structurally abnormal alpha-chain.     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路与大肠癌的始发和防治策略

大肠癌的发生是一个多因素、多阶段、多基因改变渐进性累积的复杂过程．Wnt/β-catenin 信号通路中关键成分的异常改变,导致该通路的高度激活,在细胞水平上表现为过度增殖．在组织水平上表现为肠黏膜上皮转变为腺瘤性息肉．这是大肠癌形成的重要起始环节之一．对Wmt/β-catenin通路中关键成分异常改变的检测是实现大肠癌早期诊断的基础．在治疗干预方面,一些非甾体抗炎药、COX-2抑制剂、酪氨酸激酶抑制剂和血管生成抑制剂等能抑制Wnt/β-catenin通路过度激活,而有望在大肠癌的治疗中发挥作用;而以该通路中关键成分为靶点设计的生物制剂、小分子化合物,已显示出良好的体外抗癌作用．