Platelets express a membrane protein complex immunologically related to the fibroblast fibronectin receptor and distinct from GPIIb/IIIa

We have previously identified and characterized a membrane glycoprotein complex (GP150/135) that functions as fibronectin receptor (FN-R) in fibroblast adhesion. Here we report that an immunologically related protein complex is expressed at the surface of human platelets. Antibodies monospecific for the smaller subunit (GP135) of the fibroblast FN-R in fact specifically stained the platelet surface, as determined by FACS analysis, and reacted with a component of molecular weight (mol wt) 138,000 as shown in western blots of platelet membranes. Moreover, the same antibodies precipitated the 138,000 component together with a 160,000 protein, suggesting that the two molecules are associated in a supramolecular complex. A comparative analysis indicated that this protein complex is distinct from the GPIIb/IIIa complex, known to function as a receptor of wide specificity for fibrinogen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand factor. Differential extraction experiments revealed that the platelet 138,000 component is an integral membrane protein.     

缺血性脑卒中的A-S-C-O(表型)分类

背景和目的:国际5国脑血管病专家提出一种新的腩卒中亚型分类法,旨在介绍完整的"脑卒中表型"分类的新观念,该分类是包括脑卒中的病因和存在的所有病因相关的疾病,并将病因疾病按严重程度分成3级.     

高血压治疗的现代途径(MATH)

标　　题　硝苯地平胃肠治疗系统对老年患者的抗高血压治疗作用作　　者　ＢｒａｖｏＥＬ,ＫｒａｋｏｆｆＬＲ,ＴｕｃｋＭＬ,ｅｔａｌ.　　参考文献　ＡｍＪＨｙｐｅｒｔｅｎｓ,1990,3:326Ｓ目　　的　评估硝苯地平的新剂型胃肠治疗系统ＧＩＴＳ治疗高血压的疗效和安全性。研究疾病　高血压病。设　　计　多中心、开放性临床研究。病人资料　1155例ＤＢＰ在95～110ｍｍＨｇ的高血压患者。随　　访　至目标血压达到后12周。治疗方案　硝苯地平控释片30ｍｇ/ｄ,在6周内剂量逐渐增至最大量180ｍｇ/ｄ,每次增量为30ｍｇ,目标血压为舒张压降至90…     

Spectrum and origin of phenylketonuria mutations in Spain

In order to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of phenylalanine hydroxylase deficiencies in the Spanish population, 37 PKU patients were initially screened for 16 known European mutations. For the remaining unidentified alleles, we used a combined strategy based on single strand conformation polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. Overall, a total of 15 different mutations were found in our sample, which account for 62% of the total mutant alleles. We also investigated the association between the mutations, haplotypes and variable number of tandem repeats described on the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene. In addition, we analyzed the geographical distribution in Spain of the two most prevalent mutations in our population: IVS10 and I65T.     

Safety and immunogenicity of a booster dose of Staphylococcus aureus types 5 and 8 capsular polysaccharide conjugate vaccine (StaphVAX) in hemodialysis patients

StaphVAX, an unadjuvanted, bivalent vaccine composed of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) capsular polysaccharides (CPS) types 5 and 8 bound to the mutant non-toxic recombinant Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A (rEPA) conferred approximately 60% protection for 10 months against bacteremia caused by this pathogen in hemodialysis patients. A protective level of 80 microg/ml was estimated based upon geometric mean (GM) antibody levels at the end of the efficacy period. To extend the duration of protection conferred by StaphVAX in hemodialysis patients, recipients of the vaccine were reinjected in a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Vaccinees received StaphVAX and a saline placebo injection 14 days apart according to the randomization schedule. The booster dose of StaphVAX was administered an average of 958 days (753-1167 days) after the first injection. There were no serious adverse reactions. Antibody levels at day 14, 28, 92, and 182 post-injection were measured by ELISA. Maximal levels of IgG anti-CPS were observed at the 28-day interval. For type 5, GM antibody levels increased from 73 microg/ml at day 0 to 162 microg/ml (P < 0.001) and for type 8 from 59 microg/ml to 133 microg/ml (P < 0.001). Anti-CPS antibody levels of approximately 80 microg/ml to type 5 and type 8 were achieved in 72.4 and 74.3% of vaccinees, respectively. There was excellent correlation between the level of anti-CPS and opsonic titer (r = 0.93). Moreover, the decline of anti-CPS antibody levels at six months was significantly less rapid than that observed from the first immunization (P < 0.001). We conclude that a booster immunization to maintain protective levels of specific antibodies for an extended period of time is feasible for patients at continuous risk for S. aureus bacteremia.     

Traditional phytotherapy and trans-cultural pharmacy among Turkish migrants living in Cologne, Germany

This article reports on an ethnopharmaceutical field study carried out among Turkish migrants in Cologne, western Germany, which recorded 79 botanical taxa and 115 plant-based preparations, encompassing 167 folk phytotherapeutical uses, as well as a few other biological (animal and mineral derived) remedies. One-fourth of the recorded remedies were represented by food-medicines. Half of the ingredients quoted came originally from Turkey; only a few plants were gathered from the wild or cultivated in the Cologne area. This article discusses the Turkish migrants' frequent use of aerial parts of Sideritis species, the fruits of Pistacia terebinthus and the seeds of Peganum harmala from the perspective of modern phytopharmacology, phytotherapy and toxicology. It considers cultural adaptation related to the use of folk pharmaceuticals by analysing the ingredients of the Turkish folk pharmacopoeia and comparing them with those of the Turkish medical ethnobotany and of the phytotherapy of the host country (Germany). Only one third of the remedies mentioned by Turkish migrants living in Cologne are also known in German evidence-based phytotherapy, and less than 10% of the recorded phytotherapeutic uses are common to both pharmacopoeias. This article concludes by suggesting hypotheses on future changes affecting the knowledge and use of medicinal plants within the Turkish community of Cologne.     

Barriers to HAART adherence among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the barriers to highly active antiretrovial therapy (HAART) adherence among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adolescents and to explore the association of barriers and nonadherence. DESIGN: Structured interviews were conducted to determine the barriers associated with adherence; principal component factor analysis was performed on scores of the 19 barrier variables. SETTING: Human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents were recruited from 13 US cities into the REACH (Reaching for Excellence in Adolescent Care and Health) Project, the first large-scale disease progression study of HIV-positive adolescents infected through sexual behavior or injection drug use. PATIENTS: Human immunodeficiency virus-infected adolescents in the REACH cohort who were prescribed HAART (N = 114) were included in the analyses. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were self-report of adherence and barriers to adherence and viral load (HIV-1 RNA level in plasma). RESULTS: Viral load was significantly associated with self-report of adherence to HAART (P =.02). Only 28.3% of adolescents reported taking all of their prescribed antiretroviral medications in the previous month. Factor analysis of the barriers to adherence indicates there are 2 factors accounting for the largest proportion of the variance: (1) medication-related adverse effects (both physical and psychological) and (2) complications in day-to-day routines. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence was tied closely with daily routine, which supports the assumption that working closely with adolescents to improve their organizational skills may be necessary to improve adherence. Patient-level intervention, provider-level intervention, and health care system modification may all be necessary to improve HIV-infected adolescents' adherence to HAART.