Intraoperative arteriography: comparison of conventional screen-film with photostimulable imaging plate radiographs

This prospective study compared images obtained with a photostimulable imaging plate with matched images obtained with a conventional screen-film combination in 26 patients undergoing intraoperative arteriography. Diagnostic accuracy of the two techniques was assessed objectively, and image quality was assessed subjectively. In 16 patients (62%), the radiation exposure was reduced by 50% for the imaging plate technique by decreasing the mAs level generally used for the screen-film combination. Because of the dynamic range of the imaging plate system, no repeat examinations were necessary, while 12% of the screen-film studies had to be repeated because of over- or under-penetration. Imaging plate studies required 6% more time for processing than screen-film studies. Receiver-operating-characteristic analysis indicated no difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two imaging techniques. Subjective evaluation also revealed no difference in observer preference for imaging plate or screen-film studies. The imaging plate technique is an excellent alternative to screen-film studies in the operating room.     

木莲属土厚朴的研究

调查发现一些地区将木莲属(Manglietia)植物桂南木莲、川滇木莲等的树皮代厚朴药用,称为“土厚朴”。用高效液相色谱法,分析了他们所含的厚朴酚(magnolol)、和厚朴酚(honokiol)和木兰箭毒碱(magnocurarine),柳叶木兰碱(salicifoline)及武当木兰碱(magnosprengerine)的含量。研究结果表明,厚朴与土厚朴的生药均有香气和苦辛味,但后者较弱;它们都含有相同的活性成分,但土厚朴的酚类成分含量较低,而木兰箭毒碱含量较高。     

Membrane receptors of mouse leukocytes. II. Sequential expression of membrane receptors and phagocytic capacity during leukocyte differentiation

Analysis of four mature cell markers on mouse bone marrow leukocytes grown in vitro, demonstrated a distinct sequence of marker appearance during the terminal phases of granulocytic cell differentiation. A similar pattern of marker expression was also suggested by analysis of mature neutrophils and macrophages isolated from normal tissues. Among cultured neutrophils, receptors for the Fc portion of IgG (FcR) were first expressed on myelocytes and metamyelocytes, and then subsequently on more mature cells. Morphologically mature colony neutrophils (polymorphs) from agar cultures contained only FcR and complement receptor type two (CR(2)) (C3d receptor), and lacked both complement receptor type one (CR(1)) (C3b receptor) and the capacity to ingest latex, bacteria, or iron particles. Neutrophils from 2 and 3 wk liquid media cultures of marrow cells differed from agar grown neutrophils in that they had phagocytic capacity (particle ingestion) [Pi] in addition to FcR and CR(2). Furthermore, in the 4th and 5th wk of these continuous liquid cultures, CR(1) was also expressed, completing the surface marker profile of normal blood neutrophils. Based on these studies, the following order of appearance of these four markers on cells from the myelocytic series was proposed: FcR {arrow} FcR CR(2) {arrow} FcR CR(2) Pi {arrow} FcR CR(2) Pi CR(1). Differential studies of tissue leukocytes containing these same markers revealed that a heterogeneity existed among morphologically mature neutrophils. Even though 95 percent of blood polymorphs contained all four markers, the same was true of only half of spleen polymorphs and only 20 percent of bone marrow polymorphs. Cells of the monocyte-macrophage series were studies in parallel with neutrophils. Cultured marrow monocytes acquired the four mature cell markers so rapidly that the order of receptor appearance could not be determined. However, it was found that CR2 was lost during the terminal phase of monocyte maturation into activated macrophages.     

Why HIV Positive Patients on Antiretroviral Treatment and/or Cotrimoxazole Prophylaxis Use Traditional Medicine: Perceptions of Health Workers,Traditional Healers and Patients: A Study in Two Provinces of South Africa

The study explored the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of patients, health workers and traditional healers about the use of traditional medicine and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART). The study explored the perceptions, knowledge and attitudes of patients, health workers and traditional healers about the use of traditional medicine and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART), using an exploratory qualitative design in two provinces of South Africa: an urban township health facility in the Western Cape, and a rural district hospital in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) with antennal HIV rate of 32% and 28%''respectively. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 participants: six HIV patients on ART and using Traditional Medicine(TM), two doctors, two nurses and four traditional healers. Two focus group discussions -one at each site - were held with community health workers who work with HIV-positive patients (Western Cape [5] and in KZN [4]). Patient said to have used Traditional Healing Practices (THP) before they were diagnosed with HIV, and some who have been diagnosed with HIV continue using TM in conjunction with ART and/or Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Patients preferred not to disclose THP to health professionals because of lack of support and understanding. Patients utilize THP because of family expectations, privacy and confidentiality, especially when they have not disclosed their HIV status. Healthcare professionals had strong negative opinions about THP, especially for HIV-positive patients. Traditional healers supported the patient''s rationale for THP use. This study revealed a need to better understand factors involved in patients'' choosing to use THP concurrently with ART.     

Heparin binding epidermal growth factor in renal ischaemia/reperfusion injury

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its ligands are crucially involved in the renal response to ischaemia. We studied the heparin binding‐epidermal growth factor (HB‐EGF), a major ligand for the EGF receptor, in experimental and human ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). HB‐EGF mRNA and protein expression was studied in rat kidneys and cultured human tubular (HK‐2) cells that were subjected to IRI and in human donor kidneys during transplantation. The effect of EGF receptor inhibition was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, urinary HB‐EGF protein excretion was studied after renal transplantation. Finally, HB‐EGF KO and WT mice were subjected to IRI to study the role of HB‐EGF in renal injury. HB‐EGF mRNA was significantly up‐regulated in the early phase of IRI in rats, cells, and human donor biopsies. Treatment with PKI‐166 reduces macrophage accumulation and interstitial α‐SMA in the early phase of IRI in rats. In vitro, PKI‐166 causes a marked reduction in HB‐EGF‐induced cellular proliferation. Urinary HB‐EGF is increased after transplantation compared with control urines from healthy subjects. HB‐EGF KO mice subjected to IRI revealed significantly less morphological damage after IRI, compared with WT mice. We conclude that IRI results in early induction of HB‐EGF mRNA and protein in vivo and in vitro. Absence of HB‐EGF and inhibition of the EGF receptor in the early phase of IRI has protective effects, suggesting a modulating role for HB‐EGF. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

2,4-二氨基-5-甲基-6-取代苄氨基喹唑啉衍生物的合成及其抗疟和抗肿瘤作用

本文报道2,4-二氨基-5-甲基-6-取代苄氨基喹唑啉衍生物的合成及其抗疟和抗肿瘤活性。这类化合物由5-甲基-2,4,6-三氨基喹唑啉与相应的取代苯甲醛缩合成Schiff碱,然后经还原,甲酰化或亚硝化制得。经对伯氏鼠疟原虫(Plasmodium berghei)抑制性治疗筛选,有三个化合物Ⅳ_(2,5,6)剂量5mg/kg×4d抑制率为100%;体外抗肿瘤活性以Ⅱ_7和Ⅳ_8最强,对L1210白血病细胞株的IC_(50)分别为3.910×10~(-3)μg/ml和6.172×10~(-3)μg/ml,与MTX相当。     

Surfactant protein B deficiency: Clinical, histological and molecular evaluation

Congenital alveolar proteinosis due to surfactant protein B deficiency is an inherited disease which results in severe respiratory failure in term infants soon after birth. The pathophysiologic basis of this disease is now known to be an inability to synthesise adequate quantities of normally functioning surfactant protein B. We report a male infant with fatal respiratory failure of neonatal onset, and histopathological features typical of those seen in congenital alveolar proteinosis. Molecular analysis of genomic DNA revealed two mutations, the 'common' 121ins2 mutation in exon 4, and a novel 2bp frameshift mutation in exon 5. We believe this is the first Australian case of surfactant protein B deficiency confirmed by molecular analysis.