Parvalbumin 3 is an Abundant Ca2+ Buffer in Hair Cells

Ca2+ signaling serves distinct purposes in different parts of a hair cell. The Ca2+ concentration in stereocilia regulates adaptation and, through rapid transduction-channel reclosure, underlies amplification of mechanical signals. In presynaptic active zones, Ca2+ mediates the exocytotic release of afferent neurotransmitter. At efferent synapses, Ca2+ activates the K+ channels that dominate the inhibitory postsynaptic potential. A copious supply of diffusible protein buffer isolates the three signals by restricting the spread of free Ca2+ and limiting the duration of its action. Using cDNA subtraction and a gene expression assay based on in situ hybridization, we detected abundant expression of mRNAs encoding the Ca2+ buffer parvalbumin 3 in bullfrog saccular and chicken cochlear hair cells. We cloned cDNAs encoding this protein from the corresponding inner-ear libraries and raised antisera against recombinant bullfrog parvalbumin 3. Immunohistochemical labeling indicated that parvalbumin 3 is a prominent Ca2+-binding protein in the compact, cylindrical hair cells of the bullfrog's sacculus, and occurs as well in the narrow, peanut-shaped hair cells of that organ. Using quantitative Western blot analysis, we ascertained that the concentration of parvalbumin 3 in saccular hair cells is approximately 3 mM. Parvalbumin 3 is therefore a significant mobile Ca2+ buffer, and perhaps the dominant buffer, in many types of hair cell. Moreover, parvalbumin 3 provides an early marker for developing hair cells in the frog, chicken, and zebrafish.     

小包装全氟丙烷气体动力学实验研究

为检验塑料小包装全氟丙烷气体（C3F8）在不同包装和储存方法时浓度变化，将装有5～7mlC3F8的聚氯乙烯小袋，根据不同储藏温度和外包装方法随机分成四组：（1）22℃聚乙烯外包装，（2）36℃聚乙烯外包装，（3）22℃铝箔真空外包装，（4）-29℃聚乙烯外包装；每一组C3F8小袋气体存放一定时间后，应用气相色谱分析方法进行浓度测量。结果：第3组C3F8浓度最高和稳定，第2组浓度随放置时间降低最明显，第4组是临床应用气体的储藏和包装方法，其30天样本浓度和第3组相等，但放置一年时浓度降低。结果显示：塑料小包装C3F8予以铝箔真空外包装是一种可行的方法，利于C3F8运输和普及；聚乙烯外包装的C3F8，应放在-29℃保存，时间不超过一年。     

Breast Cancer Risk Assessment and Counseling: A Clinician's Guide

Abstract: Most individuals concerned about hereditary breast cancer risk will neither order nor benefit from genetic testing at the present time. Many will, however, seek information about their risk and testing. Risk assessment services, in addition to providing information about hereditary risk and genetic testing, need also to include assessment of non-hereditary risks, information about how to evaluate risks, early detection modalities, the etiology of cancer, and assistance in devising follow-up health care plans. Psychosocial factors, particularly those pertaining to the individual's past history with illness and beliefs about causes and prognosis, must be taken into account to provide relevant information that is understood. A case history with examples of some of the types of information that lead to informed consent in a cancer risk assessment setting is provided.     

Prevalence of mental illness and its impact on the use of home care and nursing homes: a population-based study of older adults in Manitoba.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of mental illness in older adults and its effect on home care and personal care home (PCH) use. METHODS: Using nonidentifying administrative records (fiscal years 1997-1998 to 2001-2002) from the Population Health Research Data Repository housed at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, we determined the 5-year period prevalence for individuals aged 55 years and over (119 539 men and 145 752 women) for 3 mental illness categories: cumulative mental disorders (those having a diagnosis of depression, anxiety disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, and [or] substance abuse), any mental illness, and dementia. We calculated age-specific and age-adjusted rates of home care and PCH use and the prevalence of mental illness in PCH residents. RESULTS: From the group aged 55 to 59 years to the group aged 90 years or older, the prevalence of mental illness increased with the population's age. The prevalence of any mental illness rose from 32.4% to 45.0% in men and from 42.6% to 51.9% in women, and dementia prevalence rose from 2.0% to 33.6% in men and from 1.3% to 40.3% in women. The age-adjusted annual rates of open home care cases per 1000 population aged 55 and older varied by mental illness grouping (no mental disorder, 57 for men and 91 for women; cumulative mental disorders, 162 for men and 191 for women; dementia, 300 for men and 338 for women). The age-adjusted rates of PCH use per 1000 population aged 75 years and older also varied by mental illness grouping (no mental disorder, 53 for men and 78 for women; cumulative mental disorders, 305 for men and 373 for women; dementia, 542 for men and 669 for women). Among patients admitted to (or resident in) a PCH in 2002-2003, 74.6% (87.1%) had a mental illness, and 46.0% (69.0%) had dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Mental illness affects the use of home care and nursing homes profoundly. Individuals with dementia used home care at 3 times the rate of those having no mental illness diagnosis, and they used PCHs at 8 times the rate.     

前臂逆行骨间背侧皮瓣的临床应用

目的总结前臂逆行骨间背侧皮瓣的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析42例前臂逆行骨间背侧皮瓣，并结合文献阐明其变异程度及变异的处理。结果骨间背侧血管在前臂中1／3缺如1例．皮瓣边缘坏死；皮瓣向近端延伸超过4cm者4例，远端坏死，延迟愈合；其余均一期愈合：结论虽然前臂骨间背侧血管有变异，但前臂逆行骨间背侧皮瓣仍是修复手背中等大小创面较为理想的方法，以近点皮肤穿支向近端延伸皮瓣不要超过4cm。     

Clinical trial of a prevention and treatment protocol for skin breakdown in two nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of skin care protocols, including a body wash and skin protectant, on skin breakdown in 2 nursing homes. DESIGN: This was a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design study.Setting and subjects Adult residents (n = 136) of 2 skilled nursing homes consented to participate in this study. Seventy percent were women; the sample average age of 82 years. INSTRUMENTS: A researcher-designed data recording form documented resident demographics, incidence and type of skin breakdown or pressure ulcer, presence of urinary or fecal incontinence, and assessment of the effectiveness of body wash and skin protectant. METHODS: Baseline data on prevalence of pressure ulcers and skin protocol were collected weekly for a 3-month period followed by a week-long educational program by the researchers about skin care and the body wash and skin protectant. During the 3-month trial with the body wash and skin protectant incorporated into routine care, research assistants recorded resident data weekly and researchers again assessed prevalence and incidence of pressure ulcers and skin breakdown weekly. RESULTS: Incorporation of a body wash and skin protectant into a skin care prevention and early intervention protocol in 2 nursing homes documented a decrease in skin breakdowns from 68 pre-intervention to 40 postintervention; the decrease in agency B was statistically significant. There was a statistically significant decrease in stage I and II pressure ulcer incidence overall (pre-intervention = 19.9%, postintervention = 8.1%). Nurses evaluated the body wash and skin protectant as effective for 98% of the time used. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a protocol for skin care along with staff education, including the prophylactic use of a body wash and skin protectant, reduced the incidence of skin breakdown, including pressure ulcers and perineal dermatitis, in 2 long-term care facilities.