Analysis of clozapine response and polymorphisms of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) in schizophrenic patients

We have examined the hypothesis that a variable number of tandem repeats in the third cytoplasmic loop of the dopamine D4 receptor influences clinical response to clozapine using a sample of 189 schizophrenic patients. Alleles of the 48-bp repeat, which range from two to ten copies in the normal human population, were analysed by the polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA as template. Association between these alleles and response to clozapine was tested using the difference in pre-and post-treatment GAS scores as a measure of response. We found no statistically significant variation between genotypic groups and response by analysis of variance. We conclude that the variation of the number of 48-bp repeats alone does not determine response to clozapine. Larger studies are underway to determine if there is a more subtle relationship with sequence variation within the repeats or at other polymorphic sites within the gene that may provide evidence for a component of clozapine's action being at D4 receptors. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

紫外分光光度法测定SOD活性的应用及其意义

本文对SOD的紫外分光光度法测定进行了实用性研究。结果表明,本文方法具有用血量少,重现性好,快速、灵敏,试剂廉价等优点。西宁地区与平原地区人群的比较测定显示,前者SOD活性明显高于后者(P<0.01)。     

角膜损伤后神经再生的实验研究

应用神经组织化学技术观察了兔角膜NA能神经及AchE阳性神经在角膜损伤后的再生,证实术后1月,两种神经均有再生轴突进入植片;术后3月可见交界区和植床内神经密度明显增加;同时,对术后两种神经再生的功能意义进行了讨论。     

血管内氧合器的研制

为了探索呼吸辅助的新方法，我们采用国产聚丙烯中空纤维，自行设计、制造模具，研制出一种血管内氧合器。该氧合器是一个小的、细长的可经单侧股静脉或颈静脉切开，置入腔静脉内的装置。氧合器有效长度４０ｃｍ，膜交换面积０．０９ｍ＾２。经负压调节通过血管内氧合器的氧流量，以防止纤维破裂造成的血管内气栓的危险。一根双腔导气管使气体经同一静脉切开部位循环，气体经内芯管流经血管内氧合器尖端，然后经中空纤维束流出。目前     

Transient Brain Ischaemia Provokes Ca2+, PIP2 and Calpain Responses Prior to Delayed Neuronal Death in Monkeys

To clarify the mechanism of postischaemic delayed cornu Ammonis (CA)-1 neuronal death, we studied correlations among calpain activation and its subcellular localization, the immunoreactivity of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP₂) and Ca²⁺ mobilization in the monkey hippocampus by two independent experimental approaches: in vivo transient brain ischaemia and in vitro hypoxia-hypoglycaemia of hippocampal acute slices. The CA-1 sector undergoing 20 min of ischaemia in vivo showed microscopically a small number of neuronal deaths on day 1 and almost global neuronal loss on day 5 after ischaemia. Immediately after ischaemia, CA-1 neurons ultrastructurally showed vacuolation and/or disruption of the lysosomes. Western blotting using antibodies against inactivated or activated μ-calpain demonstrated μ-calpain activation specifically in the CA-1 sector immediately after ischaemia. This finding was confirmed in the perikarya of CA-1 neurons by immunohistochemistry. CA-1 neurons on day 1 showed sustained activation of μ-calpain, and increased immunostaining for inactivated and activated forms of μ- and m-calpains and for PIP₂. Activated μ-calpain and PIP₂ were found to be localized at the vacuolated lysosomal membrane or endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial membrane respectively, by immunoelectron microscopy. Calcium imaging data using hippocampal acute slices showed that hypoxia-hypoglycaemia in vitro provoked intense Ca²⁺ mobilization with increased PIP₂ immunostaining specifically in CA-1 neurons. These data suggest that transient brain ischaemia increases intracellular Ca²⁺ and PIP₂ breakdown, which will activate calpain proteolytic activity. Therefore, we suggest that activated calpain at the lysosomal membrane, with the possible release of biodegrading enzyme, will cause postischaemic CA-1 neuronal death.     

临床输液监控系统的设计

本文针对临床输液过程中出现的漏、停、输液速度改变等各种问题，讨论了一由单台微机和多个单片机通讯实现的多床输液自动监控、自动反应、自动报答系统的可行性，并给出了主要部分的硬件、软件设计方法。     

Propionic acidemia: report of a case that is successfully managed by peritoneal dialysis and sodium benzoate therapy

Propionic acidemia is a rare hereditary disease which is an autosomal recessive disorder. Defect of propionyl CoA carboxylase results in abnormal accumulation of propionate and its metabolites which interfere the pathway of glycine cleavage and the urea cycle. This organic acidemia is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical and biochemical findings, including recurrent vomiting, difficult feeding, lethargy, hypotonia, metabolic ketoacidosis, hyperglycinemia and hyperammonemia during the acute episodes. We present a male newborn infant who sustained this disorder and was managed successfully with blood exchange transfusion, peritoneal dialysis, supplemented with sodium benzoate and sodium bicarbonate therapy. Urine gas chromatography disclosed significant elevation of propionate and its metabolites which subsided 2 days after peritoneal dialysis. Special designed formula was then given with restriction of protein intake and supplement with sodium benzoate and sodium carbonate. Prenatal genetic counseling is necessary in further pregnancy. Diagnosis can be obtained when propionyl CoA carboxylase activity is low in cultured amniotic fluid cells or chorion villi sample or when there is abnormally high methylcitrate level in amniotic fluid.     

严重鼻衄行颌内动脉栓塞术并发脑梗塞死亡

报道１例严重鼻衄伴高血压、动脉硬化患者，经常规方法止血无效，行患侧颌内动脉超选择性栓塞术。术后鼻出血停止，但出现脑梗塞、昏迷，经抢救无效，于术后第９天死亡。认为对有动脉硬化的患者，应不用或慎用超选择性动脉栓塞术。     

Influence of Osteoarthritis on Serum Marker Levels of Bone Formation and Resorption in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Background :
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of osteoarthritis of lumbar vertebrae on serum bone formation and resorption marker levels of patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Methods :
Serum levels of carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), carboxyterminaltelopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were examined in 40 patients with BPH, and the presence of osteoarthritis at the lumbar vertebrae of the patients was evaluated by plain x-ray-p.
Results :
Findings of osteoarthritis were observed in 23 of the 40 patients (58%), and 10 of the patients had severe osteoarthritis (involving at least 2 lumbar vertebral bodies). The serum levels of PICP, ALP, ICTP, and PSA of the patients without osteoarthritis findings were not different from those of the patients with osteoarthritis or severe osteoarthritis.
Conclusion :
The influence of osteoarthritis on serum bone formation and resorption marker levels of patients with BPH appears to be rather slight, if there is any influence at all.