Skeletonization of internal thoracic artery affects its innervation and reactivity.

OBJECTIVE: The studies showing the superior characteristics of ITA graft and its impact on the clinical results of coronary artery surgery were performed with ITA harvested almost exclusively as a pedicle. This study assesses the impact of ITA skeletonization on its innervation and reactivity. METHODS: Segments of skeletonized and non-skeletonized ITA were stained with antibodies against protein S-100 to look for the presence of sympathetic nerve fibers. The functional studies were performed on segments of discarded human pedicled ITA that were divided into two 3mm rings, one skeletonized and another non-skeletonized. We compared concentration-effect relationships for the contraction to norepinephrine and endothelium-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine and bradykinin, as well as endothelium-independent relaxation to sodium nitroprusside in skeletonized and non-skeletonized segments of the same ITA. RESULTS: Skeletonized ITA was devoid of protein S-100 positive nerve fibers. It contracted stronger (maximal response 37.0+/-2.04 vs. 25.4+/-1.83mN (P<0.001)) and was twice as sensitive to norepinephrine: pD(2) 6.03+/-0.10 vs. 5.70+/-0.12 (P=0.035). The endothelium-dependent relaxation responses did not differ between skeletonized and non-skeletonized ITA rings. The skeletonized ITA rings appeared over 10 times more sensitive to sodium nitroprusside: pD(2) 6.66+/-0.20 vs. 5.59+/-0.37 (P=0.012)-potency ratio 11.61. The maximal responses did not differ significantly: 112.0+/-6.71 vs. 129.4+/-16.4% (P=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: Skeletonization results in sympathectomy of ITA. It has no effect on endothelium-dependent relaxation but increases reactivity of ITA to norepinephrine. This augmented response to alpha-agonist is small, in comparison with over a ten-fold increase in sensitivity to sodium nitroprusside. Pedicled and skeletonized ITA are functionally significantly different vessels when studied in vitro.     

Linear birefringence measurements of the in vitro human cornea

This paper presents results of an in vitro investigation of the optical anisotropy of the human cornea. Computer controlled imaging polarimetry and the Jones formalism were used to investigate the distribution of the birefringence and the azimuth angle across the surface of 12 corneas taken from the corneal bank. Each map of the birefringence and the azimuth angle has no rotational symmetry and is different for each cornea. The minimal value of the birefringence always appears in the corneal centre and varies from 9 to 43 degrees for different corneas. Birefringence of the cornea increases monotonically more than one order in the direction of the corneal periphery. Close to the centre of the cornea the azimuth angle is almost constant and varies significantly away from the optical part of the cornea.     

Cadaveric Dissections Based on Observations of Injuries to the Temporal Bone Structures following Head Trauma

One hundred temporal bones obtained from forensic autopsies were dissected to expose injured structures. Longitudinal fractures were present in 82%, transverse fractures in 11%, and mixed fractures in 7% of the cases. Facial canal injuries were present in almost half of the bones with longitudinal fractures (36/82), although cuts of the facial nerve stem were rarely encountered. Damages to the facial canal associated with longitudinal fractures were most frequently seen in the region of the geniculum. However, transverse fractures with facial canal involvement (7/11) most frequently occurred in the labyrinthine portion, causing a complete cut of the facial nerve. Injuries to the jugular bulb were also common (21/100) and associated with all types of temporal bone fractures. Observed damages to the auditory ossicles included disconnection of their joints or fractures of the malleus or stapes. Fractures of the incus were not observed. Injuries to the carotid canal were common (52/100), although an injury to the arterial wall was observed in only one specimen. The frequency and nature of damage in temporal bone fractures strictly reflect the type of fracture, especially in terms of facial nerve disorders: the most serious damage is observed with fractures that involve the otic capsule.     

Avantage double mobility press--fit cup in total hip arthroplasty]

The Avantage double mobility press-fit cup was devised by Dr. Bousquet in the 70's to bring reasonable response to a problem of recurrent dislocation after total hip arthroplasty. The cup is attached to the femoral head by a bipolar polyethylene liner. The polyethylene liner moves freely inside a shiny--polished metal cup. The angular range of motion before impingement is increased by the mobility of the liner. The double connection (cup-liner, liner-head) reduces the stress on the metal cup and improve the stability of the prosthesis. The solution has proved to be efficient in reducing dislocation risk and maintains at the same time the appropriate range of motion. Between January 2004 and November 2005, 113 hip arthroplasties in 108 women with use of the double mobility cup were performed. The cemented version of the Avantage cup was inserted in 15 patients (mean age--76.9 years). Uncemented, HA coated implant was used in 98 patients (with mean age of 55 years). The mean follow-up was 20.4 months. No one patient was lost to follow-up. No postoperative dislocation was observed during follow-up. There was no unwanted leg lengthening greater than 1 cm. The Avantage cup may be indicated in any primary total hip arthroplasty especially in those with increased risk of postoperative dislocations. This cup enables a correct balance of the hip without a need of the unwanted lengthening of the leg.     

非典型肺炎的文献计量分析

从文献计量学角度对SARS肆虐期间MEDLINE收录的有关SARS文献进行分析,旨在了解世界各国在这方面的研究进展情况和为科研人员了解国内外SARS的研究动态信息提供参考.     

Brain uptake of radiolabeled N‐oleoyl‐dopamine in the rat

N‐acyl‐dopamines are a novel class of biologically active lipids that have recently been identified in the brain and have the potential to interact with neural signaling pathways. This study seeks to determine the ability of N‐oleoyl‐dopamine, a synthetic amide of oleic acid and dopamine, to cross the blood brain barrier. We determined the tissue content of radioactivity in selected brain regions, in a short‐run study design, following injections of [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine (0.4 µCi) into the internal carotid artery in the rat. These results were compared with intracarotid injections of [³H]dopamine and with intravenous injections of both radiolabeled compounds. The level of radioactivity was determined using liquid scintillation and was expressed as the percentage of its total dose injected per gram of tissue. We found that the 15‐min brain uptake of radioactivity, with no distinct regional variations, amounted to about 6% following the intracarotid [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine, which was a significant 3–4‐fold increase over that following similar administration of [³H]dopamine. Intravenous injections of [³H]N‐oleoyl‐dopamine gave a much smaller yield of radioactivity in brain tissue samples which was still severalfold greater than that for intravenous [³H]dopamine. Qualitative thin‐layered chromatography screening showed the presence of unchanged N‐oleoyl‐dopamine in the brain following injections. We conclude that N‐oleoyl‐dopamine has an appreciable ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier, which contrasts the limited transfer of dopamine alone. N‐oleoyl‐dopamine might exert physiological effects due to its known affinity for the central vanilloid receptors or to better satisfying the brain tissue demand for dopamine. The study suggests a potential pharmacological role for N‐oleoyl‐dopamine delivered exogenously in helping regulate the brain function. Drug Dev. Res. 60:217–224, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The effect of sulphinpyrazone and alpha-tocopherol on platelet activation and function in haemodialysed patients

In 30 patients on chronic haemodialysis treatment the platelet activity and function were studied before and during antiplatelet therapy with alpha-tocopherol and sulphinpyrazone. In both kinds of treatment a significant decrease of ADP-induced and spontaneous aggregation was observed. Sulphinpyrazone exerts an inhibitory effect not only on platelet aggregation but also on platelet factor 3 and provokes a significant prolongation of the bleeding time.     

风湿性心脏病二尖瓣置换术中细胞因子水平的变化

目的测定风湿性心脏病二尖瓣置换术中细胞因子水平,了解它们的变化规律。方法 11例体外循环(CPB)下二尖瓣置换术患者,分别于术前,主动脉阻断前,主动脉阻断后5min,主动脉开放后10min、1h、2h、4h、24h测定白介素6(IL-6)、白介素8(IL-8)、白介素10(IL-10)以及肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)。结果IL-6、IL-8、IL-10水平在CPB开始后逐渐升高,在主动脉开放后2h左右达到高峰(P<0.01)。之后逐渐下降,到主动脉开放后24h已显著下降。TNF水平在CPB开始后逐渐升高,在主动脉开放后24h仍维持在很高的水平(P<0.01)。结论CPB下二尖瓣置换术中既有促炎因子水平的升高,又有抗炎因子的激活。     

上腔静脉综合征的外科治疗

目的报告５例上腔静脉综合征外科治疗经验及体会。方法２例行颈内静脉－大隐静脉转流术，３例行颈外静脉－大隐静脉转流术。结果无术后并发症及手术死亡。术后近期疗效满意５例，远期疗效满意２例。结论外科手术治疗上腔静脉综合征能明显改善患者的预后；但由于上腔静脉综合征病因、梗阻部位和范围不同，手术方法应有所选择。     

日本血吸虫亲免素基因的扩增及序列分析

[目的]研究日本血吸虫亲免素基因编码序列的结构及进行初步的功能预测.[方法]用5'端和3'端锚定PCR从尾蚴文库中扩增,以获取日本血吸虫中国大陆株亲免素基因完整的开放阅读框(open readingframe,ORF);用生物信息学技术确认其是否为亲免素编码基因并进行结构功能的初步分析和预测.[结果]用5'端和3'端锚定PCR从尾蚴文库中获得了亲免素基因5'端和3'端所缺序列,得到的亲免素基因cDNA的总序列长为1 438 bp,其ORF长1 296 bp,编码431个氨基酸.利用生物信息学技术鉴定其为日本血吸虫亲免素基因的完整cDNA序列.并用RT-PCR从日本血吸虫尾蚴mRNA扩增出亲免素基因的ORF.[结论]成功获得了日本血吸虫亲免素编码基因的全长cDNA,为进一步的功能研究打下了基础.