Transforming growth factor-beta(1) in the kidney and urine of patients with glomerular disease and proteinuria.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) is the major fibrogenic growth factor implicated in the pathogenesis of renal scarring. Proteinuria is a poor prognostic feature for various types of glomerular disease and its toxic action may be related to the activation of tubular epithelial cells towards increased production of cytokines and chemoattractant peptides. In this work we studied the site of synthesis and expression profile of TGF-beta(1) in the renal tissue of patients with heavy proteinuria and examined the relation of this expression with the urinary excretion of TGF-beta(1). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with heavy proteinuria (8.4+/-3.0 g/24 h) were included in the study. All patients underwent a diagnostic kidney biopsy and were commenced on immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and cyclosporin. The sites of synthesis and expression profile of TGF-beta(1) mRNA and protein in the kidney were examined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Urinary and plasma TGF-beta(1) levels were determined by ELISA before the initiation of treatment and 6 months later and compared with those of normal subjects and of patients with IgA nephropathy and normal urinary protein excretion. RESULTS: The site of synthesis and expression of TGF-beta(1) in the renal tissue of patients with heavy proteinuria was mainly localized within the cytoplasm of tubular epithelial cells. Interstitial expression was also present but glomerular TGF-beta(1) expression was found only in patients with mesangial proliferation. Urinary TGF-beta(1) excretion was significantly higher in nephrotic patients compared with normal subjects and with patients with IgA nephropathy and normal urinary protein excretion (783+/-280 vs 310+/-140 and 375+/-90 ng/24 h, respectively; P<0.01). In patients with remission of proteinuria after immunosuppressive therapy, urinary TGF-beta(1) excretion was significantly reduced (from 749+/-290 to 495+/-130 ng/24 h; P<0.01), while in patients with persistent nephrotic syndrome, it remained elevated. CONCLUSIONS: The localization of TGF-beta(1) mRNA and protein within tubular epithelial cells, along with its increased urinary excretion in patients with nephrotic syndrome, suggest the activation of these cells by filtered protein towards increased TGF-beta(1) production.     

库欣综合征低钾血症发生与氢化可的松关系的探讨

①目的　探讨库欣综合征病人低钾血症的发生与氢化可的松的关系。②方法　采用放免法测定 6 4例库欣综合征病人 2 4h尿游离氢化可的松 (UFC) ,血清氢化可的松 (SC)及血浆促皮质素 (ACTH)水平 ,比较增生型与腺瘤型病人中低钾血症组与非低钾血症组之间UFC ,SC和ACTH等指标的差异。③结果　库欣综合征中增生型及腺瘤型病人低钾血症的发生率均较高 ,分别为 30 .4 3%及 33.33% .增生型中低钾血症者UFC ,SC(2 4 :0 0 ,8:0 0 ) ,血浆ACTH(8:0 0 )含量显著高于无低钾血症者 ,差异有显著性 (t=2 .10～ 3.0 2 ,P <0 .0 5 ) ;腺瘤型中有低钾血症者仅UFC含量显著高于无低钾血症者 (t=3.2 7,P <0 .0 5 )。直线相关分析表明 ,低钾血症的发生与UFC含量呈正相关 (r=0 .32 5 ,P <0 .0 5 )。④结论　库欣综合征病人低钾血症的发生与体内氢化可的松水平有关 ,UFC水平可作为预测低钾血症是否发生的一个重要指标     

外伤后癫痫大鼠模型脑内铁蛋白与转铁蛋白含量的动态变化研究

目的:从脑内铁代谢的角度研究铁在外伤后癫(PTE)发病机制中的可能作用。方法:用ELISA方法检测PTE大鼠模型脑组织内铁蛋白(Ft)和转铁蛋白(Tf)的动态含量。结果:早期Ft在整个脑组织内呈现为即刻反应性升高,15d后其含量在实验对侧脑组织内恢复至正常范围,而在实验侧脑组织内呈现继续升高的趋势;Tf含量只在实验侧脑组织内升高,且呈现随时间继续升高趋势。结论:PTE大鼠模型中的铁代谢过程十分复杂,相关蛋白尤其是Tf含量的增加提示铁可能是外伤后癫灶形成机制的一部分。     

Sonographic changes following splenectomy for portal hypertension in Schistosoma mansoni.

Eleven patients with portal hypertension due to infection with Schistosoma mansoni underwent splenectomy and devascularization operations. The patients were examined with ultrasound once preoperatively and twice postoperatively over a period of about 6 months. Following surgery there was significant and sequential reduction in the diameter of the portal vein at the hilum and the splenic vein at the pancreas. The liver lengths and index of liver size did not change significantly. No changes in the degree of periportal fibrosis could be detected.     

Brain abscess in Saudi Arabia

There are significant variations among countries in the incidence of brain abscess. We report here 26 cases of brain abscess treated at the Neurosurgery Department of King Faisal University and Dammam Central Hospital Saudi Arabia over a six year period (1982–1988). This is 2.3% of total admissions to the two neurosurgery departments serving a population of approximately 1.2 million in the same period.Young males were most often affected (M/F ratio 3.3:1; 31% were less than 15 years old, 46% aged between 15–39 years, and 23% older than 40 years). Streptococcus was found to be the most common microorganism (38.4%). Mixed infection was seen in 15.3%, and sterile abscesses were found in 11.5% of the patients after aerobic and anaerobic cultures of the pus. Chronic otitis media and paranasal sinusitis predisposed the patients to abscess formation in 57.6% of the cases. The temporo-parietal area was the commonest site. Epilepsy was a complication in 30.7% of our patients, and the mortality rate was 15.3%.     

Hypocholesterolemic effect of khellin and methoxsalen in male albino rats.

Khellin (CAS 82-02-0) and methoxsalen (CAS 298-81-7) were examined in male albino rats to evaluate their ability to modify serum lipoprotein cholesterol. Clinical chemistry parameters were also measured to obtain information indicative of possible drug toxicity. The drugs were evaluated in four-week double dose studies. After four weeks at 0.45 mg/100 mg b.wt. for khellin and 0.27 mg/100 g b.wt. for methoxsalen, per day, both drugs significantly lowered low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol. Very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were not changed. No apparent toxicity was observed as clinical chemistry parameters and body weights were not different compared to control values. Similar results were observed with a lower dose of khellin (0.23 mg/100 g b.wt./d). A dose of 0.13 mg/100 g b.wt./d of methoxsalen had no observable effect in this study. Confirmation of the hypocholesterolemic activity of khellin and methoxsalen in this study enhances the therapeutic potential of these compounds against atherosclerosis.     

生长抑素受体亚型在人鼻咽癌细胞株CNE2中表达

背景与目的：生长抑素受体（somatostatin receptor SSTR）在许多肿瘤组织均有表达，为生长抑素类似物如奥曲肽用于这些肿瘤的治疗提供了生物学基础，但对生长抑素受体在鼻咽癌中表达情况的研究甚少。本研究旨在了解生长抑素受体基因在鼻咽癌细胞中的表达情况，为生长抑素类似物用于鼻咽癌治疗的进一步研究提供试验基础。方法：采用RT—PCR法和SP免疫组化法联合检测体外培养的人鼻咽癌细胞株CNE2的SSTRs表达，并对PCR mRNA产物测序以鉴定结果。结果：RT—PCR提示人鼻咽癌细胞株CNE2分别表达生长抑素受体亚型SSTR1、SSTR2、SSTR4；免疫组化结果：人鼻咽癌细胞株CNE2表达SSTR1、SSTR2A为强阳性（〉60％），表达SSTR4为弱阳性、SSTR2介于两者之间、SSTR3和SSTR5则无表达。结论：我们的研究证实人鼻咽癌细胞株CNE2有多种生长抑素受体亚型基因表达，且以表达SSTR1、SSTR2较多。     

Total and free tissue factor pathway inhibitor in pregnancy hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the role played by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in pregnancy hypertension. METHODS: Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, hemostatic measurements were obtained for women with pre-eclampsia (n=51), nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (n=62), postpartum pre-eclampsia 24 h after childbirth (n=31), and no hypertension (healthy pregnant controls, n=100). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in circulating free TFPI levels in women with pre-eclampsia (9.7+/-6.2 ng/mL) or nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (8.3+/-5.3 ng/mL) compared with healthy controls (5.3+/-2.1 ng/mL). In women with pre-eclampsia the levels remained elevated after placental delivery (10.6+/-4.0 ng/mL). Free protein S levels were significantly higher in women with pre-eclampsia (40.0%+/-10.7%), nonproteinuric hypertension of pregnancy (37.1%+/-12.5%), or postpartum pre-eclampsia (39.3%+/-9.1%) than in healthy pregnant controls (32.2%+/-8.5%). CONCLUSION: Increased levels of the physiologically active free forms of TFPI and free protein S, 2 coagulation inhibitors, may protect women with pregnancy-induced hypertension from the risks of hemostatic activation.     

重型肝炎急性肝衰竭肝移植手术指征探讨

目的总结重型肝炎实施急诊肝移植的经验,探讨其手术指征。方法回顾性分析34例拟行急诊肝移植治疗的重型肝炎并急性肝衰竭患者的临床资料,其中11例实施急诊肝移植手术。结果34例患者中,14例在等待供体中死亡,另9例在转入我科时已丧失手术机会,于3d内死亡。11例急诊肝移植均采用改良背驮式肝移植,其中1例术后7d死于肺部感染、急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS),1例术后20d死于原发性移植肝功能不良合并肾功能衰竭,其他9例术后均恢复顺利。随访6~29个月,1例于术后12个月死于慢性排斥反应,余8例情况良好。结论急诊肝移植是治疗重型肝炎合并急性肝功能衰竭移植的有效方法,其指征为:(1)Ⅱ级及Ⅱ级以上的进行性脑病;(2)PT延长15 s以上(或凝血酶原活动度<30%);(3)血清TBIL(300μmol/L(17.5mg/dl)或TBIL进行性升高(每天>17.1μmol/L)。