Changes of hepatic and systemic haemodynamics following somatostatin administration in patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis

Abstract Somatostatin has been used to effectively control acute variceal haemorrhage, with conjectured mechanisms on portal hypertension. We, therefore, evaluated the effects of somatostatin on hepatic and systemic haemodynamics in 15 patients with hepatitis B-related cirrhosis and portal hypertension. All patients received an intravenous, continuous infusion of somatostatin 250 μg/h, following a bolus injection of 250 μg. In systemic haemodynamics, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased ( P < 0.05), associated with a reflex bradycardia within 3 min following bolus injections, compared with basal values. The right atrial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, inferior vena cava pressure, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance remained unaffected after drug infusion. In hepatic haemodynamics, the wedge hepatic vein pressure remained unchanged after drug administration. However, there was an increase in free hepatic vein pressure (FHVP; P < 0.05), and a trend toward a decrease in the hepatic vein pressure gradient (HVPG; P = 0.063), within 3 min after bolus injection. Furthermore, the hepatic blood flow decreased significantly at 10 and 30 min after somatostatin infusion ( P < 0.05). The effective sinusoidal perfusion assessed by indocyanine green infusion also decreased progressively at 10 min ( P = 0.057) and 30 min ( P < 0.05). We concluded that somatostatin, at the dose used in this study, caused a transient and bolus-related vasoconstrictive effect, resulting in increases in MAP and FHVP, a decrease in heart rate, and a trend toward lower HVPG. In addition, somatostatin reduced the hepatic blood flow and effective sinusoidal perfusion which may be hazardous to cirrhotic patients during variceal haemorrhage.     

A multiple-pathway model for the diffusion of drugs in skin

A mathematical model for the diffusion of drugs in skin is presented.The penetration of the drug by both transcellular and intercellularpathways, as well as its interchange between these pathways,is considered. A pharmacologically motivated asymptotic limitis identified and analysed to obtain, in particular, an analyticalexpression for the flux of drug to the blood at steady state.Relevant model data is discussed, and some numerical resultsare also presented.     

14-3-3σ调控p27抑制Rat1-Akt细胞增殖

目的： 研究腺病毒介导14-3-3·σ（Ad-14-3-3·σ）对Akt过表达Rat1-Akt细胞增殖的影响，并探讨其作用是否通过调控p27而实现。 方法： 通过5-溴-2′脱氧尿嘧啶（BrdU）实验检测Ad-14-3-3·σ对Rat1-Akt细胞增殖的影响，并通过激酶分析法和免疫荧光实验探讨Ad-14-3-3·σ对p27磷酸化水平及其在细胞内定位的影响。 结果： Ad-14-3-3σ转染的细胞BrdU阳性率（45%）低于PBS处理组（100%）或Ad-β-gal转染的对照组细胞（98%）。14-3-3σ可降低磷酸化p27的水平和减少Akt介导的p27在胞浆中的定位。 结论： 转染14-3-3σ基因能抑制Akt过表达细胞株Rat1-Akt增殖，14-3-3σ通过降低Akt激酶磷酸化p27的活性，阻断Akt介导的p27胞浆错位，从而发挥其抑制Rat1-Akt细胞增殖。     

Analysis of allergenic components of Bermuda grass pollen by monoclonal antibodies

A panel of 16 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) pollen (BGP) were generated for identification and purification of the major allergenic components of the eliciting antigen (Ag). Radioimmunoprecipitation (RIP) analysis revealed that there were at least eight antigenic components with molecular weights (MW) ranging from 12 kilodalton (12 kDa) to 200 kDa. Each of these components has distinct biochemical characteristics based on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF). Among them, Cyn d Bd67K and Cyn d Bd58K were basic proteins, Cyn d Bd35K consisted of at least four isomeric components with isoelectric points ranging from 6.2 to 7.2. The other antigens (Cyn d Bd68K, 48K, 38K, Cyn d Bd200K, Cyn d Bd46K, Cyn d Bd25K and Cyn d Bd12K) were all acidic proteins. The IgE binding capacity of all these antigens was determined with sera from 11 BGP-allergics by using a modified radioallergosorbent test. All but one of the antigens (Cyn d Bd200K) were found to react with human IgE from sera of BGP-allergic patients. Among those human IgE-binding molecules, Cyn d Bd35K reacted with allergic sera most frequently (10 of 11), followed by Cyn d Bd58K (8 of 11) and Cyn d Bd46K (7 of 11) respectively. Our results suggest that Cyn d Bd35K, Cyn d Bd58K, and Cyn d Bd46K are major allergens of BGP, and the MoAbs we obtained should be valuable tools for further purification of these allergens.     

Phenotypically normal individuals with an inversion (X) (p22q13) and the recombinant (X), dup q

Two families are described in which there is an inv(X) (p22ql3) which has been transmitted for three generations. In one family (K482), no recombinants have been recovered and the inversion can be traced to a female born in 1839. In the second family (K491), a recombinant (X), dup q, has been recovered in a normal fertile woman. In both families the inverted X appears to be carrying the Xg allele. Despite extensive family studies no common ancestor has been found for the two families.
The pattern of DNA synthesis has been studied in those individuals who are karyotypically 46, X, inv(X) (p22ql3) and 46, X, rec(X)dup q, inv(X) (p22ql3); the selection of the abnormal as the late synthesizing X chromosome is random in the former and total in the latter. In some cells the two long arms of the recombinant X chromosome showed asynchrony of DNA replication.     

Dll4-Notch信号传递途径在血管发生中的作用

血管发生(angiogenesis)依赖多种促进血管发生因子和抑制血管发生因子之综合的交互作用所调控。血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和Notch信号传递途径(Notch signaling pathway)参与此过程。之前研究已证明Notch信号传递途径在胚胎发育和肿瘤血管发生(tumour angiogenesis)中扮演重要的角色,而最近研究则发现在血管发育过程中Dll4-Notch信号传递途径扮演着前所未知的新角色,并阐明因Notch信号传递减少而引起血管缺陷之机制,从而揭示破坏肿瘤血管发生的新药物靶点。本文着重于介绍Notch信号传递途径的组成;Dll4-Notch在血管发生中的作用;以及Dll4-Notch对肿瘤治疗的意义。     

Risk of insomnia and hypnotics use among emergency physicians

This study investigated the risk of insomnia and hypnotics use among emergency physicians. This cross-sectional study recruited physicians working in Taiwanese hospitals in 2015 and the general population as the participants. Data from 1,097 emergency physicians obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database were grouped into the case group, whereas 14,112 nonemergency physicians and 4,388 people from the general population were categorized into the control groups. This study used logistic regression and conditional logistic regression to compare the risks of insomnia between emergency and nonemergency physicians and between emergency physicians and the general population, respectively. The prevalence of insomnia among emergency physicians, nonemergency physicians and general population was 5.56%, 4.08%, and 1.73%, respectively. Compared with nonemergency physicians and the general population, emergency physicians had a significantly higher risk of insomnia. The proportions of emergency physicians, nonemergency physicians, and general population using hypnotics were 19.96%, 18.24%, and 13.26%, respectively. Among emergency physicians who used hypnotics, 49.77%, 25.57%, and 24.66% used only benzodiazepines, only nonbenzodiazepines, and both benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines, respectively. Nonpharmacological interventions to improve insomnia and reminder of safe use of hypnotics to emergency physicians can serve as references for hospitals in developing health-promoting activities.     

My job impacts my sleep: signs and symptoms of insomnia among healthcare workers

Potential insomnia in healthcare workers is a public health concern as it may degrade the quality of patient care. We examined the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in healthcare workers and their perceived need for a sleep intervention. Participants were 62 nurses working full-time at a U.S. hospital. These nurses were asked about background characteristics, perceived stress, sleep concerns, and need for a sleep intervention. They also participated in 14-d ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and actigraphy sleep study. A qualitative analysis showed that the majority (92%) of participants reported at least one sleep concern with insomnia-related concerns being most prevalent (68%). Quantitative analyses indicated that those with insomnia-related concerns had higher perceived stress overall and lower EMA sleep sufficiency and sleep quality. Moreover, participants with insomnia concerns had shorter actigraphy-measured nap duration prior to non-workdays than those without. Nearly all (95%) expressed interest in participating in a sleep intervention; an online format and mindfulness contents were most preferred. Our results suggest a high prevalence of insomnia symptoms and a high interest in a sleep intervention in nurses. Information obtained from this study could be used to deliver a tailored sleep intervention for nurses whose role in public health is essential.     

Acculturation and Dietary Practices Among Korean Americans

OBJECTIVE: Examine variation in dietary practices and nutritional intakes of Korean Americans at different acculturation levels. DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey. SUBJECTS/SETTING: US national sample of 348 Korean Americans (46% of the Korean American sample to whom questionnaires were delivered). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, Spearman rank correlation, chi 2 test, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Korean Americans who were more acculturated consumed more American food and less Korean food. American foods such as oranges, low-fat milk, bagels, tomatoes, and bread were consumed regularly by Korean Americans; Korean foods such as rice, kimchi, garlic, green onions, and Korean soup were also consumed regularly. American foods were adopted the most at breakfast and the least at dinner. Bicultural people regularly incorporated more different types of foods into their diet. Despite significant differences in dietary practices, dietary quality did not vary by acculturation status. APPLICATION/CONCLUSIONS: Acculturation was influential in the dietary patterns of Korean Americans. Specific information about Korean diet related to acculturation status can be used by dietitians who work with Korean Americans. Dietitians can benefit from gathering and applying specific information about Korean diets and diets of other ethnic groups; they also need to recognize the changing nature of dietary patterns as acculturation occurs.