Expression of superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase in myometrium, fetal membranes and placenta during normal human pregnancy and parturition

Superoxide, an agent which attenuates the half-life of nitric oxide, is metabolized and synthesized by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase, respectively. Over the last few years much work has focused on the role of nitric oxide in human parturition. The aim of this study was to determine whether the onset of human parturition is associated with a change in the expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn SOD) or xanthine oxidase within the uterus. Samples of myometrium, placenta, decidua and fetal membranes were obtained from women before and after the onset of labour at term. Immunocytochemistry was used to localize Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD and xanthine oxidase and measure SOD enzyme activity. Cu/Zn and Mn SOD-like immunoreactivity was detected in syncytiotrophoblast cells, villous stromal cells and endothelial cells of blood vessels in the placenta. In the myometrium Cu/Zn and Mn SOD were localized to myocytes and endothelial cells and to some vascular smooth muscle cells. In the fetal membranes we observed staining for Cu/Zn SOD and Mn SOD in the amnion, chorion, extravillous trophoblast and decidua. There was no difference in SOD enzyme activity or staining intensity for SOD between different cell types before and during labour. Xanthine oxidase immunoreactivity was identified in each of the tissues examined and again there was no difference in immunostaining in tissues obtained from women delivered before or after the onset of labour. These results show that the pregnant uterus is capable of both synthesizing and degrading superoxide and suggest that superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase may play a role in the maintenance of uterine quiescence during pregnancy, but not in the initiation of parturition.      

Reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation with different grade steatotic grafts in rats

Objective To explore the survival time, pathological change and liver regeneration in different kinds of reduced-size liver transplantation in rats using steatotic grafts. Methods Macrovesicular and microvesicular steatotic rat liver models were established by feeding rats with a diet consisting of 79% standard chow, 20% lard and 1% cholesterol for different time periods. With modified two cuff vascular anastomoses and end-to-end sutures on the bile duct, reduced-size orthotopic rat liver transplantations were performed in an attempt to explore the ratio of graft weight to recipient body weight, recipient original liver weight and histological and electron-microscopic findings in comparison with whole rat liver transplantations. Results A one-week survival rates for the rats undergoing whole liver transplantation, and those in the 70% reduced-size orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT) group, the 60%ROLT group and the 50%ROLT group (grade Ⅰ macrosteatotic grafts) were 91.67%, 75%, 75% and 25%. A 2-week survival rate was 83.33%, 75%, 58.33% and 0 respectively. And their graft recipient body weight (GRBW) values SD were 3.56%±0.36%, 2.53%±0.15%, 2.28%±0.12% and 1.83%±0.16%, respectively. In grade Ⅱ macrosteatotic grafts, the one-week survival rate for those undergoiong whole liver transplantation and those in the 70% ROLT group was 83.33% and 25%. In the microsteatosis grafts for whole liver transplantation, 70% ROLT, 60% ROLT and 50% ROLT, the one-week survival rate was 83.33%, 75%, 75% and 33.33%; and the 2-week survival rate was 75%, 66.67%, 66.67% and 0, respectively. The survival rate of the 50% ROLT group using grade Ⅰ macrosteatotic grafts or grafts mainly with microsteatosis was significantly different from that of other groups. While using macrosteatotic grafts in grade Ⅱ, the 1-week survival rate of the 70% ROLT group was very poor. Pathological findings after operation included liver regeneration and portal space with mild lymphocyte infiltration. Improvement in steatosis and dilation of the central vein and sinusoids was observed in some rats.Conclusions In the successful and long-term survival of rat reduced-size liver transplantation using grade Ⅰmacrosteatotic grafts or grafts with microsteatosis, the GRBW values should be over 2.28%±0.12%, and the value of graft-recipient liver weight should be over 60%. Steatotic livers in grade Ⅱ should not be used as grafts in ROLT. Steatosis was improved and even totally cured in some long-term survival rats.     

Paraganglioma of the nasal cavity: a case report

We describe the case of a 72-year-old woman presenting with a 1-year history of recurrent epistaxis and unilateral progressive nasal obstruction with associated rhinolalia resulting from the presence of a tumor mass occupying two-thirds of the right nasal cavity. Histopathologically, neoplastic cells or "chief cells" were arranged in well-defined nests, which had the classic alveolar or so-called "zellballen" pattern. Immunohistochemical studies highlighted the presence of S-100 protein-positive sustentacular cells located at the periphery of the clusters of chief cells. The chief cells showed a diffuse and intense positivity for neuron-specific enolase and synaptophysin. A diagnosis of paraganglioma was made. The lesion was excised completely and the patient did not develop recurrences or distant metastases after 8 months of follow-up. Paragangliomas arising in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are extremely rare tumors. We report on the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of our case and review the cases previously described in the literature.     

抗类脂A治疗梗阻性黄疸病人血液IL-6、IL-8水平的影响

目的：观察梗阻性黄疸病人术前抗内毒素治疗对内毒素血症抑制及ＩＬ－６,ＩＬ－８的影响。方法：梗阻性黄疸病人分３组在术前分别给予一般手术治疗（ＯＪ组）,口服胆盐（ＯＪＴ１组）和静脉注射抗内毒素抗体（ＯＪＴ２组）观察血浆内毒素（ＥＴ）,ＩＬ－６及ＩＬ－８含量变化。结果：３组术前ＥＴ,ＩＬ－６和ＩＬ－８水平差异不显著,ＯＪＴ１组和ＯＪＴ２组用药后血浆ＥＴ水平均显著下降,明显低于ＯＪ组（Ｐ〈０．０１）,术后     

超声评价2型糖尿病女性患者膀胱异常改变

目的 探讨超声评价2型糖尿病(T2DM)女性患者膀胱异常改变的临床价值。方法 将60例T2DM女性患者分为2组:A组,30例,病程>10年;B组,30例,病程≤10年。30名健康体检者作为C组。采用超声诊断仪分别测量膀胱排空后、适度充盈时的左右径、上下径及前后径,测量适度充盈时膀胱壁厚度、逼尿肌厚度(DWT),计算膀胱残余尿量(PRV)、膀胱重量(UEBW)。对3组的年龄、体质量指数(BMI)、PRV、DWT、UEBW分别进行统计学分析。结果 各组间年龄、BMI、PRV差异均无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。A组DWT明显大于B组、C组(P均<0.05),B组和C组间DWT差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组和B组UEBW均明显大于C组(P均<0.05),且A组UEBW大于B组(P<0.05)。结论 超声可无创、准确地评价女性T2DM患者膀胱的异常改变,对于临床早期诊断具有重要意义。     

The association between symptoms of sexual dysfunction and age at onset in Parkinson’s disease

Objective

Age at onset in Parkinson’s disease (PD) seems to be related nonmotor symptoms. In this study we investigated the effect of the age at onset on symptoms of sexual dysfunction (SSD) in patients with PD.

Methods

This prospective study comprised 22 consecutive outpatients with early onset PD (EOPD—onset of the disease before 55 years), and 66 outpatients with late onset PD (LOPD—onset of PD over 55 years). They were all recruited from the Department of Movement Disorders, Clinic of Neurology. The diagnosis was established according to the UK PD Brain Bank Criteria by a movement disorders specialist. The Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor was used to assess motor disability and Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage was used to establish disease severity. The sexual functions of the patients were rated by applying the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX).

Results

Thirteen EOPD patients (59.09 %) and 53 of the LOPD patients (80.3 %) (p 0.047) reported dissatisfaction with at least one item of ASEX. There were no differences between H&Y stages (p 0.205) UPDRS total (p 0.267) and motor scores (p 0.100) between groups. LOPD patients had significantly higher ASEX scores than EOPD patients (p 0.001).

Interpretation

Sexual dysfunciton occurs more frequently and more severely in LOPD than EOPD patients. PD patients with different ages at onset clinically present differently in terms of SSD.