Additive effects of endogenous cannabinoid anandamide and ethanol on alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated responses in Xenopus Oocytes

The interaction between the effects of the endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist anandamide and ethanol on the function of homomeric alpha(7)-nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes were investigated using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Anandamide and ethanol reversibly inhibited currents evoked with 100 microM acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. Coapplication of anandamide and ethanol caused a significantly greater inhibition of alpha(7)-nACh receptor function than anandamide or ethanol alone. The IC(50) value of 238 +/- 34 nM for anandamide inhibition decreased significantly to 104 +/- 23 nM in the presence of 30 mM ethanol. The inhibition of alpha(7)-mediated currents by coapplication of anandamide and ethanol was not altered by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, an inhibitor of anandamide hydrolyzing enzyme, or N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonylamide, an anandamide transport inhibitor. Analysis of oocytes by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization technique indicated that ethanol treatment did not alter the lipid profile of oocytes, and there is negligible, if any, anandamide present in these cells. Results of studies with chimeric alpha(7)-nACh-5-HT(3) receptors comprised of the amino-terminal domain of the alpha(7)-nACh receptor and the transmembrane and carboxyl-terminal domains of 5-HT(3) receptors suggest that although ethanol inhibition of the alpha(7)-nACh receptor is likely to involve the N-terminal region of the receptor, the site of action for anandamide is located in the transmembrane and carboxyl-terminal domains of the receptors. These data indicate that endocannabinoids and ethanol potentiate each other's inhibitory effects on alpha(7)-nACh receptor function through distinct regions of the receptor.     

Plasma concentrations of morphine,morphine-6-glucuronide and morphine-3-glucuronide and their relationship with analgesia and side effects in patients with cancer-related pain

Morphine, the recommended drug for the management of moderate to severe cancer pain, is metabolized predominantly to the glucuronides morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) and morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G). The quantitative clinical importance of these metabolites following the administration of oral morphine is unclear. This study investigates the relationship between plasma concentrations of morphine (M), M6G, M3G and clinical effects in patients receiving sustained release oral morphine for cancer-related pain. Peak and trough plasma concentrations of morphine and its metabolites were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). At corresponding time points, pain [Visual Analogue Scales (VAS), Verbal Rating Scales (VRS), Pain Relief Scores (PRS)] and toxicity (VAS and VRS) were assessed. Renal and liver function tests were performed. Forty-six patients were included in the study. There was a significant correlation between dose and both peak and trough plasma M, M6G and M3G (r > 0.60, P < 0.001 for each). Differences between peak and trough M, M6G, M3G, M+M6G, M6G:M, M3G:M and M3G:M6G were all significant (P < 0.001 for each). Pain was generally well controlled in the group, with a median VAS of 15 mm at the peak blood sampling time point. The differences between peak and trough values for VAS pain, VAS nausea and VAS drowsiness were not statistically significant (P = 0.078, 0.45 and 0.099, respectively). There were no differences in peak or trough morphine and metabolite concentrations or ratios between patients with low (< median) or high pain scores. Similarly, there was no significant relationship between high and low plasma concentrations and clinical effect. This study did not identify a simple relationship between plasma concentrations of morphine, morphine metabolites or metabolite ratios and clinical effects in patients with cancer and pain who were receiving chronic oral morphine therapy. Although overall pain control was good, there was marked interpatient variability in the dose of morphine and the plasma concentrations necessary to achieve this degree of analgesia.     

新疆4个地区240例HIV感染者直接经济负担研究

目的探讨新疆4个地区HIV感染者个人直接经济投入的差异。方法对新疆乌鲁木齐、哈密、伊犁、喀什4个地区240例HIV感染者家庭收入和医疗费用支付方式进行调查;分析各地区HIV感染者的门诊费用(诊疗费、交通费)、住院费用(住院费、交通费、食宿费、营养费)等存在的差异。结果乌鲁木齐与其他地区相比HIV门诊就诊率和住院率均比较高,且各项直接医疗费用与非直接医疗费用也较其他地区高。结论经济发达地区,交通业较为便利,医疗服务较为齐全,医疗服务投入较多。而经济发展较为缓慢地区,其各种医疗服务较为匮乏,人民获得各种医疗服务较为困难,并且由于个人收入较低,居民受教育程度也较低,HIV感染者各项医疗投入也较低。     

Comparative evaluation of different DNA extraction methods for HPV genotyping by linear array and INNO-LiPA

In order to investigate the influence of DNA extraction on two PCR-based HPV genotyping tests (Linear Array, Roche and INNO-LiPA Extra, Innogenetics), three different procedures were used to purify DNA from 28 cervico-vaginal samples tested previously by the Hybrid Capture 2: the AmpliLute Liquid Media Extraction kit (Roche), the QIAamp DNA Blood mini kit (QIAGEN), and the NucliSENS EasyMAG automated platform (bioMérieux). All HC2-positive samples were found positive by both assays, independently of the extract used. Type-specific concordance (i.e., identical HPV type-specific profile in all the extracts of the same sample) was observed in 55% and 75% of the cases testing samples by the Linear Array and the INNO-LiPA, respectively. Using the DNA extracted with the two manual methods the results were concordant in 75% of the cases both for the Linear Array and the INNO-LiPA. When comparing the Linear Array results obtained on either of the two manual extracts with those obtained following automated extraction, 65% of the samples showed type-specific concordance in both cases. The INNO-LiPA results were concordant in 80% of the cases comparing the AmpliLute versus the automated extract, while concordant results were observed in 90% of the cases when comparing the QIAGEN versus the automated extract. In conclusion, the Linear Array and INNO-LiPA results are affected by the method of DNA extraction. Consequently, different HPV type-specific profiles may be observed using different extracts of the same sample. The use of consistent protocols for DNA purification is a priority to guarantee intra-assay reproducibility over time.     

Neurotransmitter receptor heteromers and their integrative role in 'local modules': the striatal spine module

‘Local module’ is a fundamental functional unit of the central nervous system that can be defined as the minimal portion of one or more neurons and/or one or more glial cells that operates as an independent integrative unit. This review focuses on the importance of neurotransmitter receptor heteromers for the operation of local modules. To illustrate this, we use the striatal spine module (SSM), comprised of the dendritic spine of the medium spiny neuron (MSN), its glutamatergic and dopaminergic terminals and astroglial processes. The SSM is found in the striatum, and although aspects such as neurotransmitters and receptors will be specific to the SSM, some general principles should apply to any local module in the brain. The analysis of some of the receptor heteromers in the SSM shows that receptor heteromerization is associated with particular elaborated functions in this local module. Adenosine A_2A receptor–dopamine D₂ receptor–glutamate metabotropic mGlu₅ receptor heteromers are located adjacent to the glutamatergic synapse of the dendritic spine of the enkephalin MSN, and their cross-talk within the receptor heteromers helps to modulate postsynaptic plastic changes at the glutamatergic synapse. A₁ receptor–A_2A receptor heteromers are found in the glutamatergic terminals and the molecular cross-talk between the two receptors in the heteromer helps to modulate glutamate release. Finally, dopamine D₂ receptor–non-α₇ nicotinic acetylcholine receptor heteromers, which are located in dopaminergic terminals, introduce the new concept of autoreceptor heteromer.