Immunoglobulin and T cell receptor gene rearrangements in human lymphoma and leukemia

DNA samples from blood leukocytes or tumor biopsies of 45 patients with phenotypic B or T cell neoplasms were analyzed for rearrangements of the immunoglobulin (Ig) or T cell receptor (TCR) genes by Southern blot hybridization analysis. Rearrangements of the Ig heavy chain joining region genes (JH) were present in DNA from each of 28 B cell lymphomas and leukemias; 14 of 21 of these tumors also had rearrangements of the Ig kappa light chain joining (JK) or deleting element (KDel) genes. Conversely, 16 of 17 T cell lymphomas and leukemias had rearranged TCR beta chain genes. One B cell and one T cell tumor had rearrangements of both Ig and TCR genes. There was a strong correlation between the rearrangements of specific genes and the immunophenotype of the tumor: JH rearrangement without TCR beta chain rearrangement occurred only in B cell tumors; TCR beta chain rearrangement with or without JH rearrangement occurred only in T cell tumors, with one exception; and JK and KDel rearrangements were found only in B cell tumors. Thus, rearrangements of the Ig heavy and light chain genes and the TCR beta chain genes were found to be highly sensitive markers of monoclonal human lymphomas and lymphoid leukemias, with the type of gene rearrangements well correlated with the cell lineage of these neoplasms.     

Biochemical and electrophysiological properties of SR 57746A, a new, potent 5-HT1A receptor agonist

Summary— SR 57746A (1-[2-(naphth-2-yl) ethyl]-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1, 2, 5, 6 tetra-hydropyridine hydrochloride) binds competitively, and with high affinity (K_i = 2.0 ± 0.7 nM) to 5-HT_1A receptors from rat hippocampus in vitro , but has much less affinity for other 5-HT receptor subtypes (IC₅₀ > 650 nM). SR 57746A produces a concentration-dependent inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in rat hippocampal homogenates, with a maximal effect identical to that of 8-OH-DPAT, suggesting that SR 57746A behaves as a full agonist in tthis experimental model. SR 57746A potently displaces [³H]8-OH-DPAT binding to rat hippocampal membranes ex vivo , with an ID₅₀ of 11.1 mg/kg po, 30 min after administration, and 2.8 mg/kg po, 2 h after administration. This effect of SR 57746A is long-lasting (at least 24 hours at 10 mg/kg po). SR 57746A does not modify the levels of 5-HT or DA in various brain areas, but decreases the concentrations of 5-HIAA, and increases those of DOPAC, HVA and 3-MT. Following iv administration, SR 57746A (0.095 to 0.25 mg/kg) inhibits the spontaneous firing of dorsal raphe neurones, but does not modify the activity of DA neurones in the substantia nigra or ventral tegmental area. Thus, SR 57746A is a potent, selective and full agonist at 5-HT_1A receptors in vitro and vivo.     

针刺足三里穴磁共振功能成像的初步探讨

目的　采用磁共振功能成像 (fMRI)技术了解针刺足三里穴时脑的反应 ,为针灸治疗的中枢机制提供实验依据。方法　利用fMRI -BOLD技术 ,获取脑血流变化的实验数据 ,利用感兴趣区 (ROI)分析方法 ,获得针刺足三里穴时脑功能变化正相关系数(CC)的脑功能图。结果　针刺右侧足三里穴引起视丘下部 ,同侧室旁核和双侧颞叶、中央后回脑血流增加 ,且右侧感兴趣区范围较左侧广。结论　针刺足三里穴可引起植物神经中枢和颞叶变化 ,与中医经络学说认为足三里穴有治疗胃肠疾病和改善精神及睡眠状态的作用密切联系。针刺足三里穴时能引起双侧特定脑皮层的反应 ,但以同侧为主 ,表明经络独特感传道的存在 ,且与周围神经不尽相同。     

Mechanism of human accommodation as analyzed by nonlinear finite element analysis

Results of nonlinear finite element analysis support the Schachar theory of accommodation and demonstrate that the long-held Helmholtz theory of accommodation is impossible.     

Purinergic synapses formed between rat sensory neurons in primary culture

Though there is some evidence to the contrary, dogma claims that primary sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion do not interact, that the ganglion serves as a through-station in which no signal processing occurs. Here we use patch clamp and immunocytochemistry to show that sensory neurons in primary culture can form chemical synapses on each other. The resulting neurotransmitter release is calcium dependent and uses synaptotagmin-containing vesicles. On many cells studied, the postsynaptic receptor for the neurotransmitter is a P2X receptor, an ion channel activated by extracellular ATP. This shows that sensory neurons have the machinery to form purinergic synapses on each other and that they do so when placed in short-term tissue culture.     

Pneumonia due to Haemophilus influenzae (H. aegyptius) biotype 3.

Haemophilus influenzae (H. aegyptius) biotype 3 was isolated from eye, nasopharyngeal, and sputum cultures of a 23-month-old male and from sputum and transtracheal aspirate cultures of his 39-year-old mother, both with diffuse bronchopneumonia.