Causes of B chromosome variant substitution in the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans

We have analysed B chromosome frequency for three consecutive years, B transmission rate at population and individual levels, clutch size, egg fertility and embryo–adult viability in a natural population of the grasshopper Eyprepocnemis plorans containing two different B chromosome variants, i.e. B₂ and B₂₄, the second being derived from the first and having replaced it in nearby populations. From 2002 to 2003 the relative frequency of both variants changed, although the differences did not reach significance. A mother–offspring analysis showed no significant effect of any of the two B variants on clutch size, egg fertility or embryo–adult viability, but B₂₄ was more efficiently transmitted than B₂ through males from the 2002 season, which explains the observed frequency change. Controlled crosses, at individual level, showed significant drive through some females for B₂₄ but not for B₂, suggesting that this difference in transmission rate might also be important for the substitution process. The analysis of relative fitness for B₂ and B₂₄ carriers for all fitness components, as a whole, showed a significantly better performance of B₂₄-carrying individuals, suggesting that the cumulative effect of these slight differences might contribute to the replacement of B₂ by B₂₄. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at .     

Panhypopituitarism as first manifestation of a lung cancer

Pituitary metastases of solid tumours are infrequent, specially as a first manifestation. When they happen, they are usually due to breast or lung cancer and are asymptomatic or produce diabetes insipidus. It is very strange that they produce hormonal deficiency. We present a case report of a bronchogenic adenocarcinoma in a 65-year-old man which began with panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus and visual alterations. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large sellar mass, with clivus infiltration and invading the right cavernous sinus. The biopsy result was adenocarcinoma metastases from lung cancer.     

成人高原心脏病临床分型的探讨

本文总结了６８０例成人高原心脏病临床资料，依照其临床表现、Ｘ线、心电图等项检查，提出了临床上较为实用的诊断和分型意见。     

In vivo evaluation of EPO-secreting cells immobilized in different alginate-PLL microcapsules.

Alginates are the most employed biomaterials for cell encapsulation due to their abundance, easy gelling properties and apparent biocompatibility. However, as natural polymers different impurities including endotoxins, proteins and polyphenols can be found in their composition. Several purification protocols as well as different batteries of assays to prove the biocompatibility of the alginates in vitro have been recently developed. However, little is known about how the use of alginates with different purity grade may affect the host immune response after their implantation in vivo. The present paper investigates the long-term functionality and biocompatibility of murine erythropoietin (EPO) secreting C2C12 cells entrapped in microcapsules elaborated with alginates with different properties (purity, composition and viscosity). Results showed that independently of the alginate type employed, the animals presented elevated hematocrit levels until day 130, remaining at values between 70-87%. However, histological analysis of the explanted devices showed higher overgrowth around non-biomedical grade alginate microcapsules which could be directly related with higher impurity content of this type of alginate. Although EPO delivery may be limited by the formation of a fibrotic layer around non-biomedical grade alginate microcapsules, the high EPO secretion of the encapsulated cells together with the pharmacodynamic behaviour and the angiogenic and immune-modulatory properties of EPO result in no direct correlation between the biocompatibility of the alginate and the therapeutic response obtained.     

耳源性脑疝25例临床分析

耳源性脑疝25例,抢救成功者19例。采用单纯脑脓肿穿刺抽脓抢救脑疝6例,仅1例成功;开颅减压术抢救脑疝20例,18例抢救成功。本组临床实践和文献报道都说明耳源性脑疝一旦发生应即刻行开颅减压术,能卓有成效地抢救生命     

Direct percutaneous ureteral approach for the treatment of ureteral stenosis or obstruction.

Two cases are presented in which conventional approaches did not permit dilation of and stent placement in obstructed ureters. In patients with iatrogenic ureteral laceration or rigid ureteral kinking, direct percutaneous translumbar puncture may provide a safe alternative. The authors' technique is described.     

REM sleep behavior disorder and vocal cord paralysis in Machado-Joseph disease.

We evaluated the occurrence of REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) and vocal cord abductor paralysis (VCAP) in a group of 9 Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) patients. RBD was diagnosed by clinical history plus audiovisual polysomnography in 4 men and 1 woman (55%). While dreaming, 4 fell out of the bed and the other injured his arms. Laryngoscopy detected bilateral VCAP in 1 patient with stridor who required emergency tracheotomy, and partial vocal cord abductor restriction in 2. RBD and VCAP are two potentially injurious conditions that should be considered part of the clinical spectrum of MJD.     

南京地区23例成人非何杰金淋巴瘤免疫病理分析

应用了A、B、C法7种单克隆抗体进行免疫组化染色,检测南京地区23例成人非何杰金淋巴瘤活检标本,结果示9例T系淋巴瘤,8例B系淋巴廇,非T非B及未定型淋巴瘤各3例。病理组织学表现与免疫表型符合率B系达80％,T系达60％。故根据形态学表现估测免疫表型是可行的。经HTLV抗体血清检测,仅1例多形细胞性T淋巴瘤患者阳性。     

黑质内注射FeCl3对大鼠纹状体多巴胺释放量及含量的影响

①目的探讨黑质(SN)内注射不同剂量的FeCl3对大鼠纹状体(CPu)多巴胺(DA)释放量和含量的影响.②方法实验用SD大鼠32只,分成4组6只大鼠为正常对照组;9只大鼠左侧SN内注射 FeCl3溶液10 μg(Ⅰ组);8只大鼠左侧SN内注射FeCl3溶液20 μg(Ⅱ组);9只大鼠左侧SN内注射FeCl3溶液40 μg(Ⅲ组),3周后采用快速周期伏安法(FCV)监测纹状体D A的释放量,高效液相色谱法(HPLC)检测纹状体DA含量.③结果在FeCl3单侧损毁大鼠中,损毁侧CPu DA释放量的减少和DA含量的降低与注射FeCl3剂量之间有明显剂量依赖关系(F=93.78,164.51,q=3.50～29.79,P<0.05).Ⅲ组损毁侧CP u DA的更新率[以(DOPAC+HVA)/DA表示]明显加快,与其他组比较差异有显著性(F=13 6.22,q=22.32～22.72,P<0.05);而Ⅰ,Ⅱ组变化较小,与正常大鼠相比差别无统计学意义 (q=0.25,2.04,P>0.05).④结论黑质内Fe3+含量升高可使CPu内DA释放量和含量均降低,铁含量高可能参与帕金森病的病理改变.