水迷宫训练逆转孕期应激造成的子代海马NR2B表达的降低

目的:比较空间学习记忆中孕期应激子代和对照组子代海马空间学习功能密切相关蛋白NR2B的表达。方法:建立孕期束缚应激小鼠模型,在出生后第3周用酶联免疫法检测子代雄性小鼠血清皮质酮;在出生后第9周,采用免疫蛋白印迹和real-timePCR法检测子代雄性小鼠非空间学习记忆状态及空间学习记忆中海马NR2B的表达水平。结果:(1)基础状态下孕期应激子代血清皮质酮水平与对照组子代并无差异,应激状态下孕期应激子代血清皮质酮水平(43.7×104pg/ml)明显高于对照组子代(18.7×104pg/ml);(2)孕期应激雄性子代在出生后第9周海马NR2B mRNA和蛋白表达均显著低于对照组雄性子代。但经过空间学习记忆训练,两组海马NR2B蛋白水平无明显差异。结论:孕期应激减少子代海马神经元NR2B的表达,但水迷宫行为训练可逆转孕期应激造成的子代海马神经元NR2B的表达降低。     

Identification of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus inhibitory compound isolated from Serratia marcescens

In this study, we identified an antimicrobial compound produced by the Gram-negative bacterium Serratia marcescens. Colonies of S. marcescens inhibited the growth of nine different methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates and several other tested Gram-positive bacterial species, but not Gram-negative bacteria. Genetic analysis revealed the requirement for the swrW gene which codes for a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase that generates the cyclodepsipeptide antibiotic serratamolide, also known as serrawettin W1. This is the first report describing the anti-MRSA properties of serratamolide.     

Bypassing proximal health care facilities for acute care: a survey of patients in a Ghanaian Accident and Emergency Centre

Objective To characterise the population that presents to the Accident and Emergency Centre (AEC) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and to identify risk factors associated with bypassing proximal care facilities. Methods A structured questionnaire was verbally administered to patients presenting to the AEC over 2 weeks. The questionnaire focused on the use of health care resources and characteristics of current illness or injury. Measures recorded include demographics, socioeconomic status, chief complaint, transportation and mobility, reasons for choosing KATH and health care service utilisation and cost. Results The total rate of bypassing proximal care was 33.9%. On multivariate analysis, factors positively associated with bypassing included age older than 38 years (OR: 2.18, P 0.04) and prior visits to facility (OR 2.88, P 0.01). Bypassers were less likely to be insured (OR 0.31, P 0.01), to be seeking care due to injury (OR 0.42, P 0.03) and to have previously sought care for the problem (OR 0.10, P < 0.001). Conclusions Patients who bypass facilities near them to seek care at an urban AEC in Ghana do so for a combination of reasons including familiarity with the facility, chief complaint and insurance status. Understanding bypassing behaviour is important for guiding health care utilisation policy decisions and streamlining cost‐effective, appropriate access to care for all patients.     

Novel innate and adaptive lymphocytes: The new players in the pathogenesis of inflammatory upper airway diseases

Host immunity (innate and adaptive immunity) plays essential roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory upper airway diseases, including allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. Recently, the discovery of novel innate immune cells, particularly innate lymphoid cells, has renewed our view on the role of innate immunity in inflammatory upper airway diseases. Meanwhile, the identification of new subsets of T helper (Th) cells, including Th22, Th9 and follicular Th cells, and regulatory B cells in the adaptive immunity, has broadened our knowledge on the complex immune networks in inflammatory upper airway diseases. In this review, we focus on these newly identified innate and adaptive lymphocytes with their contributions to the immunological disturbance in allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. We further discuss the perspective for future research and potential clinical utility of regulating these novel lymphocytes for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis.