Inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system: a new avenue for atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is thought to be functionally active in atherosclerosis (AS) lesions. Aspirin was found to be a potent inhibitor of the UPS in some tumour studies; however, its effect on AS remains to be demonstrated in vivo. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were placed on a normal diet (N) or on a normal diet with aspirin (NI) or on an atherogenic diet without (H) or with aspirin (HI) for 12 weeks. Proteasome activity, concentrations of plasma lipids and levels of peroxidation were determined. Ubiquitin/ubiquitin-conjugates (Ub), IkappaBalpha, phosphorylated IkappaB (pIkappaBalpha) and p65 were investigated by Western blotting or immunochemistry. RESULTS: Concentrations of plasma lipids and peroxidation levels were higher in H or HI vs. N or NI. Histological analysis showed that atheroma was increased in H. Ub and IkappaBalpha were mainly localised in subendothelium and media vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blots revealed that Ub, IkappaBalpha, and pIkappaBalpha were increased, whereas p65 was lower in HI vs. H. The activity of the 20S proteasome was functionally active in H vs. N, NI or HI, while the 26S proteasome was not affected in any of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aspirin can attenuate the pathogenesis of atheroma formation, the degradation of IkappaBalpha and pIkappaBalpha, and lower the expression of p65, indicating that its therapeutic effects on AS may be via inhibition of the UPS.     

PR35THE INCIDENCE OF NON‐MELANOMA SKIN CANCER IN NEW ZEALAND

Background It is estimated that skin cancers cost $33 million per annum to the New Zealand healthcare system. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the commonest types of non melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs). Anecdotal evidence indicates that there has been a doubling in the incidence of NMSCs in New Zealand over the last decade. Because of the high incidence mandatory reporting of NMSCs to the National Cancer Registry is not required. This lack of accurate data has led to poor health care policies and strategies including funding and workforce planning. Aims The aims of this study are to (1) present the latest statistics on NMSCs in New Zealand, including the incidence across different regions over the last decade, patient demographics, anatomic distribution of NMSCs, incidence and sites of metastasis, and disease‐specific survival; to (2) the histopathology of NMSCs, including surgical margins, histologic grade, and perineural, lymphatic, and vascular invasion; and (3) the relative role of different faculties treating NMSCs. Method This project has been approved by the multi‐centre ethics committee. A retrospective review was conducted from patients’ histology records from public and private pathology laboratories within defined catchment areas. Criterion for analysis is a confirmed diagnosis of NMSC treated surgically. A Microsoft Access database is created that will facilitate subsequent data retrieval and analysis. Results and Conclusion It is hoped that this up‐to‐date data will form the framework for the development of sound and sustainable healthcare policies of management of NMSCs including management strategies and workforce planning, and research direction on this common disease.     

血管紧张素Ⅱ和洛沙坦对增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞增殖和胶原合成的影响

目的探讨血管紧张素Ⅱ及其Ⅰ型受体(AT1)拮抗剂洛沙坦(losartan)对增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞增殖和胶原合成的影响。方法体外分离培养增生性瘢痕成纤维细胞,在不同浓度的血管紧张素Ⅱ和洛沙坦作用下,采用MTT法和3H-脯氨酸掺入释放法分别检测成纤维细胞增殖和生成胶原的情况。结果血管紧张素Ⅱ在浓度为1×10-7~1×10-4mol/L时,成纤维细胞的增殖和合成胶原明显增多(P<0.05);血管紧张素Ⅱ浓度与胶原量呈正相关。洛沙坦在浓度为1×10-6~1×10-4mol/L时,成纤维细胞增殖和胶原生成量显著减少(P<0.05);且浓度与胶原生成量呈负相关。结论血管紧张素Ⅱ可以促使成纤维细胞增殖并产生大量的胶原;洛沙坦通过拮抗AT1后,抑制细胞增殖、胶原合成量显著减少,提示血管紧张素Ⅱ在促使增生性瘢痕的发展过程中起着重要的作用,AT1的拮抗剂有望在增生性瘢痕防治中发挥重要作用。     

仙人掌粉对糖尿病大鼠血糖的影响

目的　研究仙人掌对糖尿病血糖的影响。方法　采用四氧嘧啶造成大鼠实验性糖尿病模型 ,然后将高、中、低 3种剂量的仙人掌粉加入到基础饲料中进行实验观察。结果　仙人掌粉高 (10g kg·d)、中 (5 .0g kg·d)剂量组均可显著降低糖尿病大鼠空腹血糖 ,并且高剂量组具有显著改善糖尿病大鼠尿量增加的作用。各剂量组对正常大鼠血糖无明显影响。结论　仙人掌粉能有效降低四氧嘧啶所导致的糖尿病大鼠的血糖、尿量     

肥胖与胆石病的多因素条件Logistic回归分析

目的探讨肥胖与结石病发病的关系。方法采用调查表的方式对1997年住院手术确诊为结石病的病人进行回顾性调查，内容包括：年龄、性别、体重、身高、是否吃早餐。对调查表进行多因素logstic统计分析。结果分析结果表明我们调查了我院102例结石病患者和101名正常人发现肥胖、女性、不经常吃早餐、饮用高硬度的水均是结石病的危险因紊，对那些长时间不吃早餐的人更容易患结石病，（相对危险度OR〉40．139）。结论我们建议今后应注意膳食营养的均衡，保持标准体重，饮用卫生水。     

苓桂术甘汤的临床运用

苓桂术甘汤出自<伤寒论·辨太阳病脉证并治>:"伤寒若吐若下后,心下逆满,气上冲胸,起则头眩,脉沉紧,发汗则动经,身为振振摇者,茯苓桂枝白术甘草汤主之".<金匮要略·痰饮咳嗽病脉证并治>:"心下有痰饮,胸胁支满,目眩,苓桂术甘汤主之","夫短气有微饮,当从小便去之,苓桂术甘汤主之.肾气丸亦主之".     

Validity and reliability of the Bengali version of the Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire

Purpose  

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in Bangladesh, and the quality of life (QoL) of these patients remains unknown as there is no instrument available in the native language. In this study, we translated the 56-item Hepatitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (HQLQ) into Bengali and evaluated its validity and reliability.     

应用前列腺素E1注射治疗勃起功能障碍8年经验

目的观察前列腺素E1(PGE1)注射治疗勃起功能障碍(ED)的长期疗效、副作用及预后。方法使用PGE1行阴茎海绵体注射,阴茎硬度检查仪(Rigiscan)连续记录1h,并根据观察结果,调查PGE1注射剂量,确定每例患者合适的注射量,掌握注射方法后回家自行注射。共筛选出ED患者410例,随访患者阴茎勃起情况、药量调整和副作用。结果410例ED患者中,心理性139例,静脉性83例,动脉性36例,神经性78例,混合性74例。对治疗满意的患者有256例(62.44%),其中21例(5.1%)在使用PGE15次后停用,并能达到满意的性生活而治愈。293例(71.46%)患者自述注射时有胀痛感。171例(43.17%)因疼痛(105例)、操作不便(25例)、副作用顾虑(37例)和其他原因(4例)而于6个月后放弃治疗。204例(49.76%)患者使用时间已超过1年,24例(5.85%)患者使用时间已超过5年,7例(1.7%)使用已有8年。未发现阴茎异常勃起和阴茎海绵体纤维化。注射损伤阴茎表面血管致瘀斑者有20例。有27例患者失访。结论PGE1是治疗ED的一种安全有效的药物,可以长期使用。其最常见的副作用是阴茎疼痛。Rigiscan能帮助确定PGE1的注射剂量。