Effect of betulinic acid administration on TLR-9/NF-κB /IL-18 levels in experimental liver injury

Background/aim Acetaminophen (APAP), used in the composition of thousands of preparations, is the most commonly used analgesic and antipyretic drug. The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of the betulinic acid (BA) treatment through an APAP-induced hepatotoxicity rat model, using inflammatory, biochemical, and histopathological parameters. Materials and methodsThe study consisted of four groups: control group, APAP group, BA group, and APAP+BA group. Experimental studies continued for fifteen days. Serum samples were analysed for glucose, total cholesterol (TChol), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate amino transferase (AST), malondialdehyde (MDA), toll-like receptor-9 (TLR-9), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and interleukin-18 (IL-18).ResultsTLR9, IL-18, NF-κB, and MDA levels increased significantly in liver injury groups. These increases considerably decreased by the BA treatment. All groups showed immunopositivity for 8-hydroxy-2’–deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and interleukin (IL-1β) in the hepatocytes, inflammatory cells, and epithelial cells of bile ducts. Conclusion BA can be used as an effective agent in the prevention and treatment of acute liver diseases due to its inhibitory properties in multiple pathways and its potent antioxidant effects.     

精神卫生防治机构医务人员工作现状及满意度调查分析

目的了解精神卫生防治机构医务人员的工作现状、满意度水平以及对精神卫生防治工作的建议,分析影响满意度的主要因素,为针对性的制定相关政策和采取相应措施提供科学依据。方法1成立调研组：2抽取两所县级精神卫生机构的医务人员代表召开座谈会;3发放无记名调查问卷,使用SPSSI1．5统计软件进行数据处理。结果调查结果显示：医务人员对工作现状满意程度不高,特别是在工作压力、社会地位、工作待遇、工作环境等方面满意度较低,且满意度与学历、职称、岗位及工龄有关,其差异有统计学意义。结论应根据医务人员对工作的满意度情况,分别采取针对性的管理措施及激励机制,提高他们的工作积极性,从而提高医疗服务质量,促进精神卫生事业的健康发展。     

Measurement of renin in segmental renal veins of hypertensives

In 27 of 270 patients studies for possible renovascular hypertension, a lesion affecting a segmental renal artery was seen on angiography. In 22 patients who had sufficient data, the significance of measuring segmental-renal-vein renin in the diagnosis and treatment of segmental disease was evaluated. In 11 (50%), the renin values of segmental vessels supported the clinical diagnosis. In four (36%) of these 11, a high-renin-release area would not have been identified without the stress of upright posture. Successful treatment of hypertension was achieved in six of nine patients who had a revascularization procedure or resection of the segmental vessels. Samples from involved and uninvolved segments of the kidney as well as from the contralateral renal vein and inferior vena cava, together with the stimuli of sodium and volume depletion augmented by upright posture, enabled confirmation of the angiographic diagnosis of segmental-renovascular hypertension.     

Mutational screening of ACVR1 gene in Brazilian fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva patients

Carvalho DR, Navarro MMM, Martins BJAF, Coelho KEFA, Mello WD, Takata RI, Speck‐Martins CE. Mutational screening of ACVR1 gene in Brazilian fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva patients. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a severe genetic disorder reported worldwide. A specific heterozygous mutation (c.617G> A; p.R206H) in the activin A type I receptor gene (ACVR1) is regarded as the genetic cause of FOP in all classically affected individuals worldwide. However, a few patients with FOP variants harbor distinct mutations in ACVR1. We screened a group of FOP Brazilian population for mutations in ACVR1. Of 16 patients with a classic FOP phenotype (10 males and 6 females, age range of 3–42 years), all had the classic mutation (p.R206H). One 21‐year‐old woman with a variant FOP phenotype had the previously reported c.983G> A mutation (p.G328E). Our study contributes to the understanding of the predominant FOP phenotype and genotype and suggests that variant FOP phenotypes are associated with specific mutations in ACVR1 gene.     

Exome sequencing: expanding the genetic testing toolbox

Exome sequencing identifies the cause of a Mendelian disorder Ng et al. (2009) Nature Genetics 41(1):30–36     

Deep white matter infarction: correlation of MR imaging and histopathologic findings

Focal and confluent areas of periventricular hyperintensity have been reported on magnetic resonance (MR) images in 30% of patients over 60 years of age. In order to better understand the pathologic basis of these lesions, the authors studied 14 formalin-fixed brains with MR imaging. Multiple focal areas of hyperintensity were identified in the periventricular white matter in three of the 14 brains studied (21%). Subsequent gross and microscopic pathologic examination of both hyperintense and normal-intensity areas was performed on 87 tissue sections. The larger lesions were characterized centrally by necrosis, axonal loss, and demyelination and therefore represent true infarcts. Reactive astrocytes oriented along the degenerated axons were identified at distances of up to several centimeters from the central infarct. This is called isomorphic gliosis and is associated with increased intensity on T2-weighted images that increases the apparent size of the central lesion.     

烧伤创面渗液预处理的单核-巨噬细胞对表皮细胞增殖率的影响

目的观察深Ⅱ度烧伤创面巨噬细胞对表皮细胞增殖的作用。方法用创面渗液刺激分离自血液的单核－巨噬细胞,取其培养上清液刺激表皮细胞,ＭＴＴ法检测表皮细胞的增殖率。用等比例稀释的渗液作对照。结果其培养液均能促进表皮细胞增殖,但晚期创面渗液的作用强度较低。结论用烧伤创面渗液激活的单核－巨噬细胞可作为创面巨噬细胞的替代品;创面巨噬细胞对表皮细胞具有促进增殖的作用,晚期创面中稍弱。     

Influence of intense light stimulation on trigeminal and cervical pain perception thresholds

Thirty-three migraineurs and 23 healthy controls were submitted to pressure algometry before and after light-induced discomfort was elicited by progressive light stimulation in a monoblind fashion. Pressure algometries were performed on the emergence of the supraorbital, infraorbital, mental and greater occipital nerves, and over the temporal muscles, always throughout the same sequence and from right to left. Measurements were carried out before and immediately after light stimulation and after 10 min of the second algometry. The final result for each site measured at each time-point was the mean of the three measurements. Light stimulation was carried out progressively until light-induced discomfort was reported, to a maximum of 20,000 lux. A heat-blocking glass protected patients' eyes. Migraineurs presented significant and persistent drops in pain perception thresholds after light stimulation, at all sites tested (P = 0.002 to < 0.0001). These drops were not seen in controls, in whom, conversely, a less significant increase was seen on right infraorbital and left temporal muscle sites. Our results indicate that in migraineurs, light may have a relevant role in trigeminal and cervical pain perception thresholds.