Non-invasive detection of fecal protein kinase C betaII and zeta messenger RNA: putative biomarkers for colon cancer

We have developed a non-invasive method utilizing feces, containing sloughed colonocytes, as a sensitive technique for detecting diagnostic colonic biomarkers. In this study, we used the rat colon carcinogenesis model to determine if changes in fecal protein kinase C (PKC) expression have predictive value in monitoring the neoplastic process. Weanling rats were injected with saline or azoxymethane (AOM) and 36 weeks later fecal samples and mucosa were collected, poly A+ RNA isolated, and quantitative RT-PCR performed using primers to PKC betaII and zeta. Fecal PKC betaII and zeta mRNA levels were altered by the presence of a tumor, with tumor-bearing animals having a 3-fold higher (P < 0.05) PKC betaII expression as compared with animals without tumors. In addition, AOM-injection increased mucosal PKC betaII mRNA expression compared with saline controls. No effect of tumor incidence on mucosal PKC betaII expression was observed. In contrast, fecal PKC zeta expression was 2.5-fold lower (P < 0.05) in animals injected with azoxymethane versus saline. Since tumor incidence exerts a reciprocal effect on fecal PKC betaII and zeta mRNA expression, data were also expressed as the ratio between PKC betaII and zeta. The isozyme ratio was strongly related to tumor incidence, i.e. ratio for animals with tumors was 2.18 +/- 1.25, animals without tumors was 0.50 +/- 0.16, P = 0.025. We demonstrate that the expression of fecal PKC betaII and zeta may serve as a noninvasive marker for development of colon tumors. A sensitive technique for the detection of colon cancer is of importance since early diagnosis can substantially reduce mortality.      

Advances in computer-assisted single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for epilepsy surgery in children

Epilepsy surgery has emerged as an important option in the treatment of children with epilepsy that is refractory to antiepileptic drug management. The cornerstone of successful surgery is accurate localization of the brain region of seizure onset. Traditional techniques of seizure onset localization, e.g. surface electroencephalography (EEG) recording and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), allow accurate localization in a significant number of patients. When the focus of seizure onset is not apparent from these non-invasive techniques, other methods of localization, e.g. intracranial EEG recording, may be needed before resection of the focus. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a nuclear medicine blood-flow technique that has been used to identify a region of epileptogenic brain associated with low blood flow in the resting state (interictal SPECT) or increased blood flow at the time of seizure activity (ictal SPECT). This report describes the validation and utility of a computer-assisted method of subtracting the interictal from the ictal SPECT scans and co-registering the difference image on the MRI. This method, called subtraction ictal SPECT co-registered on MRI (SISCOM), is used in guiding the location and the extent of intracranial electrode implantation, or in obviating the need for the implantation in some cases.     

易感小鼠花生过敏诱导的中毒反应

花生过敏是造成人ＩｇＥ诱导中毒反应的主要原因之一,本试验组制作Ｃ３Ｈ小鼠动物模型,并给其口服花生蛋白（ＰＮ）及霍乱毒素（ＣＴｘ）,然后在腹腔内注射ＰＮ（溶于明矾中的ＰＮ）,使这种鼠即刻发生高度敏感症状（包括致死性的中毒反应）及花生特异性ＩｇＥ水平增高,血浆息斯地明水平、脱颗粒肥大细胞及血管渗漏水平也大幅度升高。对照组小鼠未给药或仅仅接受了ＣＴｘ,则未显示出花生特异性ＩｇＥ水平升高及中毒症状。本文又分析了几种与中毒反应有关的参数。结果证明,小鼠花生过敏中毒反应与人花生过敏类似,同时小鼠花生过敏中毒反应模型,为研究中毒性免疫病理发生机制及研究更有效的治疗方案提供了一个有用的工具。     

前胡丙素与硝苯啶对大鼠工作心脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

大鼠ip前胡丙素(Pra-C 15 mg/kg,bid×3d)和硝苯啶(Nif 60μg/kg,bid×3d),使离体缺血再灌注工作心脏的收缩(AP,LVSP,+dP/dt_max)舒张(-dP/dt_max LVEDP和T值)性能在35min时得到改善,尤以舒张性能改善明显,并能促进CO,CF,SV及HR恢复,改善心脏工作效率,减少CK释放和心肌线粒体钙含量,表明Pra-C和Nif对心肌缺血都有保护作用,Pra-C的效应与Nif相近。     

头皮糠疹与巯氧吡啶锌

头皮糠疹是常见病是多发病,临床表现为头皮红斑和脱屑,提示皮损部位表皮结构和功能异常,头皮角质层代谢紊乱,最近对头皮糠疹病因和病理的研究证实马拉色菌,皮脂分泌和个体敏感性是形成上述皮损的3个关键因素,硫氧吡啶锌（PTZ或ZPT）可以有效地杀灭马拉色菌,PTZ的颗粒大小和形状对其在头皮的生物利用度有明显的影响。此外,PTZ的抗菌效果有赖于其分子结构的完整性,在外用制剂中加入附加的游离锌,可以有效防止PTZ解离,从而提高其疗效。