Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-like immunoreactivity in human trigeminal ganglion and nucleus

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is shown by immunohistochemistry in human trigeminal sensory system from 22 weeks of gestation to adulthood. In the trigeminal ganglion, a distinct subpopulation of GDNF-positive neurones is observed, which amounts to about 15% at early pre-term and adult ages and peaks to around 30% at perinatal ages. Labelled neurones are mostly small- and medium-sized. Occasionally, Schwann and satellite cells are stained. GDNF/substance P (SP) and GDNF/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) double stained neurones occur at all ages examined, whereas GDNF/trkA coexistence can be observed in pre- and full-term newborns only. Centrally, GDNF-immunostained fibers and terminal-like structures are mainly restricted to the spinal trigeminal nucleus, where they are codistributed with SP and CGRP. In the subnucleus caudalis, positive neurones can also be observed both in the superficial laminae and in the magnocellular part, with higher frequency in adults. These results suggest that GDNF may play a functional role in human trigeminal primary sensory neurones throughout life and provide indication for its possible involvement in the regulation of pain-related neuronal circuits in human trigeminal sensory system.     

No association between an intronic presenilin-1 gene polymorphism and schizophrenia in a Chinese population

We investigated the association between schizophrenic psychosis and an intronic polymorphism of the presenilin-1 (PS1) gene in a Chinese population. Schizophrenic and control groups had similar PS1 genotype distributions and allele frequencies, indicating that this polymorphism may not be involved in the development of schizophrenia.     

Balancing the equation: The significance of professional and lay perceptions in the promotion of cervical screening amongst minority ethnic women

Studies of minority ethnic women and cancer screening have, in the past, suffered from many theoretical and methodological weaknesses. In addition, no attempts have been made to study the complexity of the issue involved in the intercultural context, or the possible contribution of women's experiences to low uptake rates. In order to further our understanding of the issues, an alternative approach, participatory action research (PAR), was adopted to identify factors that might have contributed to the persistently low participation of minority ethnic women in the cervical screening programme, and address them collaboratively. This paper presents the key findings of the ‘problem identification' phase of the project. Using mainly the focus-group method, it explores both smear takers' and minority ethnic women's perceptions and experiences of cervical screening. Data suggest that there was a divergence in perceptions held by these groups regarding cervical screening, which contributed to negative experiences for both groups. There is also clear evidence of dysfunctional clinical communication arising from these differing perceptions. Opportunistic screening at post-natal examination adopted by many general practices appeared to have perpetuated the perceptions that the majority of minority ethnic women held about the purpose of the smear test. Compounded by language differences, the majority of women who had undergone smear testing understood neither the purpose of screening programme nor the procedure of the test. This has clear implications for promoting regular uptake, and more importantly for informed consent and choice.     

Roles of oxygen radicals and elastase in citric acid-induced airway constriction of guinea-pigs

Antioxidants attenuate noncholinergic airway constriction. To further investigate the relationship between tachykinin-mediated airway constriction and oxygen radicals, we explored citric acid-induced bronchial constriction in 48 young Hartley strain guinea-pigs, divided into six groups: control; citric acid; hexa(sulphobutyl)fullerenes + citric acid; hexa(sulphobutyl)fullerenes + phosphoramidon + citric acid; dimethylthiourea (DMTU) + citric acid; and DMTU + phosphoramidon + citric acid. Hexa(sulphobutyl)fullerenes and DMTU are scavengers of oxygen radicals while phosphoramidon is an inhibitor of the major degradation enzyme for tachykinins. Animals were anaesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated. Each animal was given 50 breaths of 4 ml saline or citric acid aerosol. We measured dynamic respiratory compliance (Crs), forced expiratory volume in 0.1 (FEV0.1), and maximal expiratory flow at 30% total lung capacity (Vmax30) to evaluate the degree of airway constriction. Citric acid, but not saline, aerosol inhalation caused marked decreases in Crs, FEV0.1 and Vmax30, indicating marked airway constriction. This constriction was significantly attenuated by either hexa(sulphobutyl)fullerenes or by DMTU. In addition, phosphoramidon significantly reversed the attenuating action of hexa(sulphobutyl)fullerenes, but not that of DMTU. Citric acid aerosol inhalation caused increases in both lucigenin- and t-butyl hydroperoxide-initiated chemiluminescence counts, indicating citric acid-induced increase in oxygen radicals and decrease in antioxidants in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. These alterations were significantly suppressed by either hexa(sulphobutyl)fullerenes or DMTU. An elastase inhibitor eglin-c also significantly attenuated citric acid-induced airway constriction, indicating the contributing role of elastase in this type of constriction. We conclude that both oxygen radicals and elastase play an important role in tachykinin-mediated, citric acid-induced airway constriction.     

The spectrum of cavernous sinus and orbital venous thrombosis: a case and a review

Orbital venous pathologies encompass a broad range of entities including tumors, shunts, congenital anomalies, aneurysms, and obstructive lesions. Patients may present with a variety of clinical findings which may include a combination of tumefaction, vascular engorgement, orbital pulsation, and exophthalmos, depending on the relationship between the lesion and the vascular system. Clinical findings may be unreliable in excluding serious underlying disorders, and so an extensive clinical and radiologic evaluation is necessary. This article presents a rare case of spontaneous aseptic cavernous sinus-superior ophthalmic vein thrombosis in a woman on hormone replacement therapy, and illustrates the multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and management. The literature on issues surrounding this case is reviewed.     

电针治疗对老年性痴呆大鼠血清β淀粉样蛋白及生长因子水平的影响

目的:观察电针对老年性痴呆(AD)模型大鼠β-淀粉样蛋白及转化生长因子(TGF-α)的影响,揭示针灸治疗的作用机理和针灸治疗AD的免疫基础。方法:建立AD大鼠模型,随机分为电针组、喜得镇组、模型自然恢复组、假手术组,观察血清β-AP和TGF-α水平。结果:电针组和喜得镇组大鼠血清β-AP水平明显下降(P<0.05),但仍明显高于假手术组。结论:电针能降低AD模型大鼠血清中β淀粉样蛋白及TGF-α。