MUC-1基因在胃癌和外周血中的表达及临床意义

目的：检测胃癌MUC－1的表达情况及其与临床分期和转移的相关性。方法：应用逆转录聚合酶链反应（RT－PCR）和免疫组化方法检测胃癌活检标本和外周血中MUC－1基因和蛋白的表达水平。结果：在56例胃癌病例中MUC－1 mRNA阳性表达率为48．2％，MUC－1蛋白阳性表达率为53．6％，临床分期中I和II期病人阳性表达率MUC－1 RNA为33．3％，MUC－1蛋白为40％，而-Ⅲ期病人则分别高达65．4％和69．2％，二者差异有显著性意义（P＜0．05），在淋巴结转移的患者中外周血的癌细胞MUC－1高表达，阳性率为73％，结论：MUC－1是一种较好反映胃癌恶性程度和转移性的肿瘤标志物。     

Decision trees based on automatic learning and their use in cardiology

Computerized information systems, especially decision support systems, have become an increasingly important role in medical applications, particularly in those where important decision must be made effectively and reliably. But the possibility of using computers in medical decision making is limited by many difficulties, including the complexity of conventional computer languages, methodologies and tools. Thus a conceptual simple decision making model with the possibility of automating learning should be used. In this paper we introduce a cardiological knowledge-based system based on the decision tree approach supporting the mitral valve prolapse determination. Prolapse is defined as the displacement of a bodily part from its normal position. The term mitral valve prolaps (PMV), therefore, implies that the mitral leaflets are displaced relative to some structure, generally taken to be the mitral annulus. The implications of the PMV are the following: disturbed normal laminar blood flow, turbulence of the blood flow, injury of the chordae tendinae, the possibility of thrombus's composition, bacterial endocarditis, and finally hemodynamic changes defined as mitral insufficiency and mitral regurgitation. Uncertainty persists about how it should be diagnosed and about its clinical importance. It is our deep belief that the echocardiography enables properly trained experts armed with proper criteria to evaluate PMV almost 100%. But unfortunately, there are some problems concerned with the use of echocardiography. In that manner we have decided to start a research project aimed at finding new criteria and enabling the general practitioner to evaluate PMV using conventional methods and to select potential patients from the general population. To empower one to perform needed activities we have developed a computer tool called ROSE (computeRised prOlaps Syndrom dEtermination) based on algorithms of automatic learning. This tool supports the definition of new criteria and the selection of potential PMV-patients.     

Effect of the NK3 receptor antagonist, talnetant, on rectal sensory function and compliance in healthy humans

Visceral hypersensitivity is important in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome and thus a target for modulation in drug development. Neurokinin (NK) receptors, including NK(3) receptors, are expressed in the motor and sensory systems of the digestive tract. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two different doses (25 and 100 mg) of the NK(3) receptor antagonist, talnetant (SB223412) with placebo on rectal sensory function and compliance in healthy volunteers studied at two centres. Rectal barostat tests were performed on 102 healthy volunteers, randomized to receive either oral talnetant 25 or 100 mg or placebo over 14-17 days. Studies were performed on three occasions: day 1 immediately prior to 1st dose, day 1 4 h postdose, and after 14- to17-day therapy. Compliance, and pressure thresholds for first sensation, urgency, discomfort and pain were measured using ascending method of limits, and sensory intensity ratings for gas, urgency, discomfort and pain determined during four random phasic distensions (12, 24, 36 and 48 mmHg). Talnetant had no effect on rectal compliance, sensory thresholds or intensity ratings compared with placebo. In general, the results obtained at the two centres differed minimally, with intensity scores at one centre consistently somewhat lower. At the doses tested, talnetant has no effect on rectal compliance or distension-induced rectal sensation in healthy participants.     

Effects of methimazole pretreatment on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Many interrelationships exist between the thyroid gland and the gastrointestinal tract. Several past and recent studies have shown that the thyroid gland profoundly influences the structure and function of the exocrine pancreas in the rat. In the present study we investigated the effect of methimazole (METZ), an antithyroid drug, on cerulein induced acute pancreatitis (AP) in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into 3 groups (10-12 weeks age, 200-250 g weight, n: 10). Group B was made hypothyroid with methimazole 5 mg/kg daily for 10 days and the others were untreated euthyroid groups. After 10 days, acute pancreatitis was induced with four doses of 20 microg/kg body weight of cerulein administered s.c at hourly intervals in group A and B while the control group C was given 4 doses of I ml saline. Pancreas wet weight (mg), plasma amylase activity (IU/l) and pancreatic histology were used as endpoints to quantify the severity of the AP. RESULTS: Plasma tri-iodothyronine (T3) (ng/dl) and thyroxine (T4) (microg/dl) levels were significantly reduced after METZ treatment for 10 days (p < 0.01). METZ pretreatment reduced significantly the cerulein induced increase in pancreatic weight (1,205 +/- 12 mg in METZ treated AP group versus 1,617 +/- 14 mg in AP group, p < 0.05) and the rise in amylase activity (7,078 +/- 816 IU/l in METZ treated AP group versus 8,611 +/- 830 IU/l in AP group p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: METZ reduces the severity of cerulein induced AP in rats. This effect might be through its antithyroid property.     

Properties of circulating IgA molecules in Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis with focus on neutrophil cytoplasmic antigen IgA binding (IgA-ANCA): new insight into a debated issue

Background: The presence and the pathogenetic role of circulating IgA reacting with neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (IgA-ANCA) in patients with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is still debated. This study was aimed to investigate some characteristics of serum IgA and macromolecular IgA in HSP patients, focusing on IgA-ANCA. Methods: Eighty-seven HSP patients with biopsy proved renal involvement (51 adults and 36 children) enrolled in a multicentre study of the Italian Group of Immunopathology were investigated. Results: Significantly high levels of IgA immune complexes were found in both adults (P <0.05) and children (P <0.01), while the binding of IgA to jacalin, was significantly low in children with HSP (P <0.01) only. Two series of ELISA were done for IgA-ANCA, in two different laboratories. Increased binding to PMN crude extracts (P <0.01) without any modification in IgA binding to proteinase 3 was found by either specific ELISA. Conversely, the binding of IgA to myeloperoxidase (MPO) was found to be significantly (P <0.05) increased with positive values in 25% of patients by one assay only. Three of four sera with positive IgA-MPO ANCA exhibited binding in Western-blot studies with the MPO preparation used in ELISA to a 28-kDa species. D-galactose and N-acetyl-glucosamine decreased the binding of serum IgA to MPO more in HSP than in controls (P <0.05). Conclusions: The conflicting reports on IgA-ANCA may reflect some atypical characteristics of the reaction which can be detected only by some ELISAs. We suggest that not an antigen-antibody reaction but a lectinic interaction due to abnormal composition of IgA carbohydrate side chains may account for the IgA-ANCA reaction in patients with HSP nephritis.