红藻氨酸作用后海马神经元胞膜表面的超微结构的原子力显微镜观察

目的 观察原代培养神经元在红藻氨酸(KA)作用下细胞表面形态的三维构像变化。方法 利用原子力显微镜(AFM)对大鼠海马神经元经不同浓度的KA(25和250μmol／L，50和100nmol／L)分别作用10min和100min后的表面结构进行纳米级水平扫描和观测。结果 正常海马神经元表面光滑，起伏均匀、规律；KA作用后神经元呈退行性改变，表现为胞体肿胀，胞膜表面粗糙，出现隆起和“孔洞”样结构，并且其变化程度分别与作用时问和KA浓度呈量-效关系。结论 KA对海马神经元毒性作用后胞膜表面超微结构所产生的明显变化，可借助AFM清晰观察，并定量分析。     

骨肉瘤细胞特异性结合短肽的筛选

目的：获得与骨肉瘤细胞株os-732特异结合的短肽，作为骨肉瘤靶向治疗的先导化合物。方法：以骨肉瘤细胞os-732为靶细胞，成骨细胞为吸附细胞对噬菌体12肽库进行差减筛选，用细胞ELISA、免疫组化鉴定阳性噬菌体克隆并测序。结果：经三轮筛选，从随机挑选的20个噬菌体克隆中得到9个特异性与骨肉瘤细胞os-732结合，而不与正常成骨细胞结合的阳性克隆。但其氨基酸序列无同源性。结论：得到多个序列不同的特异性结合骨肉瘤的噬菌体克隆，提示骨肉瘤细胞表面结构复杂，具多个骨肉瘤抗原表位。本实验获得的短肽具有一定的亲合力和肿瘤特异性，为针对不同位点的靶向药物设计提供了实验依据。     

The adverse effect of treatment prolongation in cervical cancer by high-dose-rate intracavitary brachytherapy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The potential risk of prolongation of treatment time in cervical cancer has been reported for many low-dose rate (LDR) studies, with an estimated loss of local control ranging from 0.3 to 1.6% per day of treatment prolongation. Since the treatment schedule for fractionated high-dose rate intracavitary brachytherapy (HDRICB) is not directly comparable with that for low-dose rate studies, this report aims to evaluate the adverse effect of treatment prolongation specifically for cervical cancer treated with HDRICB. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From September 1992 to December 1997, 257 patients diagnosed with uterine cervical cancer (35 Ib, 26 IIa, 122 IIb, 10 IIIa, 57 IIIb, 7 IVa), who underwent external radiotherapy combined with between two and four courses of HDRICB and a minimum of 3 years of follow-up (median 57 months), were analyzed. Treatment consisted of irradiation of the whole pelvis with 44-45 Gy consisting of 22-25 fractions by 5 weeks, with the dose boosted to 54-58 Gy (with central shielding) for patients diagnosed as FIGO stage IIb-IVa bilateral parametrial disease. HDRICB was performed using an Ir-192 remote afterloading technique at 1-week intervals. The standard prescribed dose for each course of HDRICB was 7.2 Gy to point A for three insertions (before July 1995), or 6.0 Gy to point A for four insertions (after July 1995). Total prescribed point A doses (external beam radiotherapy+HDRICB) ranged from 58 to 71.6 Gy (median, 65.6 Gy) for stage IB-IIA, while analogous dosage for larger lesions (stage IIb-IVa) ranged from 59 to 75.6 Gy (median, 65.6 Gy). Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses were used to test the effect of treatment time on pelvic control rate (PCR) and cause-specific survival (CSS) at 5 years. RESULTS: Median treatment time was 63 days. For all stages of disease, the 5-year CSS and PCR were significantly different comparing treatment times of less than and greater than or equal to 63 days [83% and 65% (P=0.004], 93% and 83% (P=0.02), respectively]. These associations were also significant for stage Ib/IIa [97% and 79% (P=0.01), and 100% and 87% (P=0.02), respectively), but not for stage IIb [75% and 72% (P=0.79), and 93% and 87% (P=0.83), respectively] or stage III [66% and 49% (P=0.2), and 83% and 72% (P=0.21), respectively]. Multivariate analysis identified three prognostic factors for CSS, stage (P<0.001), tumor response to external RT (P=0.001), and overall treatment time (OTT; P=0.006). Prognostic factors for pelvic failure were stage (P<0.001), tumor response to external RT (P=0.001), and OTT (P=0.03). Prolongation of treatment time resulted in a daily decrease in pelvic control rate of 0.67% overall, and 0.43% for stage Ib-IIa, 0.57% for stage IIb, and 0.73% for stage III patients. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the data from the current study demonstrates that the adverse effect of treatment prolongation was observed later in the treatment course for the high-dose rate (HDR) series compared to the LDR analog, however, treatment-time prolongation still negatively influenced the cause-specific survival and pelvic control rate for both dosage groups.     

Nitric oxide production and immunoglobulin deposition in leptospiral hemorrhagic respiratory failure.

Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage leading to death is a syndrome which may develop in leptospirosis, but its pathophysiology is not well documented. We report an autopsy case of leptospirosis. A healthy 41-year-old man presented with low back myalgia, dry cough and fever for 4 days and a normal chest X-ray on admission. Acute respiratory failure developed hours later. Profuse bloody fluid appeared in the endotracheal tube immediately after intubation. Chest X-ray showed whiteness across all lung fields. He died of persistent shock 16 h after the onset of acute respiratory failure. Autopsy revealed diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage with hyaline-membrane formation, myocarditis, interstitial nephritis and hepatitis. Silver stain of lung and kidney tissue demonstrated leptospires. Immunohistochemical staining showed inducible nitric oxide synthase in alveolar macrophages. Immunofluorescein staining showed immunoglobulin in alveolar septum and alveolar space. This case suggests that hemorrhagic diffuse alveolar damage with persistent shock is related to over-production of nitric oxide and immunoglobulin deposition in fatal leptospirosis.     

Directed differentiation of Balb/C mouse embryonic stem cells into pancreatic islet-like cell clusters in vitro: observation by atomic force microscope]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the morphological changes of Balb/C mouse embryonic stem cells following directed differentiation into pancreatic islet-like cell clusters (PICC) in vitro using atomic force microscope (AFM). METHODS: Balb/C mouse embryonic stem cells were first cultured into embryonic bodies (EBs) and allowed to differentiate spontaneously for 4 days. The cells were then transferred to gelatin-coated dishes for the EBs to attach and spread on the tissue culture plates, in the course of which a series of cell growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and nicotinamide were added into the culture medium at specific time points to induce directed differentiation of the stem cells into PICC. Immunocytochemistry was employed to detect the cells positive for insulin and glucagon, which were observed with AFM. RESULTS: The embryonic stem cells developed into cell clusters of different sizes, in which the cells were tightly arranged. Islet B cells were numerous in the center of clusters and darkly stained, but fewer in the peripherals with lighter stains. Islet A cells expressing glucagon were relatively fewer in the cell clusters, found mainly in the peripherals. Scanning of the insulin-positive clusters by AFM revealed large quantity of tissue fibers resembling nerve fibers that formed a reticular structure in disorderly arrangement. Numerous round granules were observed in the cytoplasm of almost identical sizes ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 mum in diameter. CONCLUSION: The cell clusters obtained by directed differentiation are mature in both morphology and function with also well organized structures.     

Internalization of sst2, sst3, and sst5 receptors: effects of somatostatin agonists and antagonists.

The uptake of radiolabeled somatostatin analogs by tumor cells through receptor-mediated internalization is a critical process for the in vivo targeting of tumoral somatostatin receptors. In the present study, the somatostatin receptor internalization induced by a variety of somatostatin analogs was measured with new immunocytochemical methods that allow characterization of trafficking of the somatostatin receptor subtype 2 (sst2), somatostatin receptor subtype 3 (sst3), and somatostatin receptor subtype 5 (sst5) in vitro at the protein level. METHODS: Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells expressing the sst2, sst3, or the sst5 were used in a morphologic immunocytochemical internalization assay using specific sst2, sst3 and sst5 antibodies to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the capability of somatostatin agonists or antagonists to induce somatostatin receptor internalization. In addition, the internalization properties of a selection of these agonists have been compared and quantified in sst2-expressing CHO-K1 cells using an ELISA. RESULTS: Agonists with a high sst2-binding affinity were able to induce sst2 internalization in the HEK293 and CHO-K1 cell lines. New sst2 agonists, such as Y-DOTA-TATE, Y-DOTA-NOC, Lu-DOTA-BOC-ATE (where DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid; TATE is [Tyr3, Thr8]-octreotide; NOC is [1-NaI3]-octreotide; and BOC-ATE is [BzThi3, Thr8]-octreotide), iodinated sugar-containing octreotide analogs, or BIM-23244 were considerably more potent in internalizing sst2 than was DTPA-octreotide (where DTPA is diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid). Similarly, compounds with high sst3 affinity such as KE108 were able to induce sst3 internalization. In sst2- or sst3-expressing cell lines, agonist-induced receptor internalization was efficiently abolished by sst2- or sst3-selective antagonists, respectively. Antagonists alone had no effect on sst2 or sst3 internalization. We also showed that somatostatin-28 and somatostatin-14 can induce sst5 internalization. Unexpectedly, however, potent sst5 agonists such as KE108, BIM-23244, and L-817,818 were not able to induce sst5 internalization under the same conditions. CONCLUSION: Using sensitive and reproducible immunocytochemical methods, the ability of various somatostatin analogs to induce sst2, sst3, and sst5 internalization has been qualitatively and quantitatively determined. Whereas all agonists triggered sst2 and sst3 internalization, sst5 internalization was induced by natural somatostatin peptides but not by synthetic high-affinity sst5 agonists. Such assays will be of considerable help for the future characterization of ligands foreseen for nuclear medicine applications.     

重组骨形态发生蛋白-2结合软骨下钻孔治疗犬关节软骨全层缺损的实验研究

目的 研究重组骨形态发生蛋白-2(rhBMP-2)结合软骨下骨钻孔治疗犬关节软骨全层缺损的可行性，为临床应用提供实验依据。方法 依照软骨缺损处理方法的不同将64侧股骨髁随机均分为4组：①结合组：软骨下骨钻孔 胶原海绵吸附rhBMP-2充填软骨缺损；②BMP组：胶原海绵吸附rhBMP-2充填软骨缺损；③钻孔组：单纯软骨下骨钻孔；④对照组：不作处理或单纯用胶原海绵填塞。术后2、4、8、12周取材观察其大体、光镜、透射电镜、免疫组织化学情况。结果 除对照组仅有纤维组织修复外，其余3组均有不同程度的软骨修复，但结合组的修复在组织细胞形态、超微结构、Ⅱ型胶原含量等方面均明显优于其他两组。结论rhBMP-2结合软骨下骨钻孔能有效修复犬膝关节软骨的全层缺损，该技术可行，有望在临床应用。     

约氏疟原虫感染不同小鼠免疫分子的应答差异

目的探讨在约氏疟原虫感染过程中不同宿主的免疫应答差异。方法以约氏疟原虫（致死型）感染DBA／2和BALB／c小鼠，计算红细胞感染率；收集感染前和感染后1、3、6、9、12、15、20d小鼠血清，并无菌取出脾脏，培养脾细胞。应用ELISA试剂盒检测小鼠血清中IFN-γ和IL-12水平，并通过Griess方法检测脾细胞培养上清中NO含量。结果DBA／2小鼠的原虫血症峰值水平明显低于BALB／c小鼠，并于感染后第20d左右自愈；BALB／c小鼠于原虫血症达到峰值水平后全部死亡；DBA／2小鼠的IFN-γ和IL-12水平于感染后1d即出现了有意义的升高并持续到第20d；BALB／c小鼠的IFN-γ和IL-12水平仅干感染后1d出现了有意义的升高；DBA／2小鼠NO的产生于感染后3d出现了有意义的升高，第6d达到峰值，而BALB／c小鼠的NO水平始终未见明显升高。结论DBA／2小鼠通过感染早期Th1细胞免疫应答的有效建立能够抑制原虫血症，IL-12是启动并维持Th1细胞免疫应答的关键性细胞因子。     

镁离子对大鼠弥漫性轴索损伤超微结构的影响

目的探讨镁离子(Mg^2 )对脑弥漫性轴索损伤(diffuse axonal injury，DAI)脑干超微结构的影响。方法选健康成年雄性SD大鼠36只，体重350～450g，将其随机分为实验组、对照组、空白组，每组为12只。采用改良Marmarou模型制作DAI模型，伤后30min分别给予MgSO4 250μmol／kg、等渗盐水0．2ml，伤后24h处死。用透射电镜分别检测脑干超微结构，并行综合组织损伤评分。结果伤后24h，对照组髓鞘分离，线粒体嵴明显肿胀；实验组未见髓鞘分离，线粒体轻度肿胀。实验组脑干综合组织损伤程度评分明显轻于对照组。结论Mg^2 可在超微结构水平阻止DAI轴索的继发性损害，对DAI具有一定的保护作用。     

脑健冲剂对AD模型大鼠行为学及线粒体结构影响的实验研究

目的：研究脑健冲剂对AD模型大鼠行为学及线粒体超微结构的影响。方法：采用D-半乳糖致衰老与β-淀粉样蛋白注射联合所致的AD大鼠模型，服用脑健冲剂，测试大鼠在迷宫中的学习及记忆能力和海马CAl区线粒体体密度、面数密度等形态学指标。结果：脑健冲剂能有效的改善AD模型大鼠的学习、记忆障碍，并能很好地改善线粒体结构的受损程度。结论：脑健冲剂对AD有较明显的治疗作用，为临床应用脑健冲剂治疗AD提供实验依据。