Disseminating tumor cells and their interactions with leukocytes visualized in the brain.

Brain tumors are increasingly prevalent. Recent advances focus attention on individual, disseminated tumor cells that cannot be imaged or eliminated. Cells of the immune system may be ideally suited to attack individual tumor cells, but more basic understanding is needed. We describe a rat model, using the lacZ reporter gene, that allows identification of individual tumor cells, and tumor-leukocyte interactions in vivo. The model demonstrates how widely tumor can disseminate, without secondary tumorigenesis or recruitment of nonneoplastic cells. It demonstrates that leukocytes have access to disseminating tumor. Among its many applications, this work lays a foundation for developing cell-mediated immunotherapy against individual brain tumor cells.     

Analysis of Implantation in Assisted Reproduction Through the Use of Serial Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Measurements

Purpose: Our purpose was to examine implantation of singleton pregnancies achieved following various assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) through the appearance and rising titers of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. Methods: A total of 114 singleton pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination was analyzed. Patients were divided into five groups according to the type of ovarian stimulation protocol [gonadotropin stimulation with/without the use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), long protocol, or flare-up technique] and to the day of embryo transfer (day 2 or day 3 after oocyte retrieval). Serial serum hCG levels were measured between 10 and 25 days after fertilization and log-transformed. Linear regression analyses were performed and extrapolated to hCG = 10 mIU/ml (hCG ₁₀ ), which was used as an estimate of detectable implantation. The slopes of the regression lines were used to estimate the rising speed of hCG. Results: There were no significant differences in the days of hCG in maternal serum to reach 10 mIU/ml (implantation) or in the slopes of the regression lines for all five studied groups. Conclusions: The appearance of hCG in maternal serum was used to assess the time of clinically detectable implantation. Furthermore, because hCG production is a marker of trophoblastic activity, its serum doubling time was used as an indicator of embryo quality. Results showed that in various ART protocols with and without GnRHa, there were no significant differences in implantation time or embryo quality. Embryo development in early pregnancy follows a preprogrammed-timing schedule and depends mainly on the embryonic age of the health, successfully implanted conceptus.     

Innervation of the trapezius muscle: is cervical contribution important to its function?

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of the cervical plexus and the accessory nerve to the function of the trapezius muscle. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Eighteen adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. The neurotomies were performed in the left sides and the right sides served as within-subject controls. In group A, the accessory nerve was transected. The C2-5 were transected in group B, and both of the accessory nerve and C2-5 were cut in group C. The electrophysiologic, myophysiologic, and histologic changes of the muscles were measured. RESULTS: There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the three groups in the recovery rates of the transverse area of the muscles. The CMAP recorded from the experimental sides in group B were similar to the control sides. The values of the maximum tension of the tetanus contraction between the two sides showed no differences either (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The accessory nerve supplies the most important motor input to the trapezius. Motor innervations of the cervical plexus are not very significant.     

重度抑郁症大学生经短周期有氧运动处方干预后抑郁症状和心肺功能的变化

目的:观察短周期有氧运动处方的干预对重庆抑郁症大学生抑郁症状和心肺功能的影响。方法:于2005-09/10选择陕西省西安市8所高校中的11例患抑郁症的大学生,男6例,女5例;年龄18～25岁。均符合美国社会精神疾病的诊断统计手册标准重度抑郁症的诊断标准;均对干预方案知情同意。采用自编运动处方,即修订跑台测试方法进行有氧运动干预,训练在每周一至周六进行,每日进行5组,每组3min,共干预3周;强度以周围毛细血管血乳酸浓度达(3.0±0.5)mmol/L为标准,组间间歇期为其1/2强度至恢复,乳酸浓度监测在每第6个训练计划日进行。心率作为监测指标,由于对于训练计划的适应,心率会逐步降低,所以通过提高跑台的转速增加运动强度。运动强度评价采用Bord自我用力感觉量表,强度保持在13,14级(比较困难)。检测最大摄氧量,以反映心肺功能耐力运动表现。在训练计划开始和结束时用汉密顿抑郁量表(5级评分,0～4分,分数越高表示抑郁症状越严重)评估患者抑郁症严重程度。结果:患抑郁症大学生11名均进入结果分析。训练后患抑郁症大学生汉密顿抑郁量表分为(13.12±5.54)分,较训练前明显下降[(19.55±3.30)分,P<0.01]。训练前后患抑郁症大学生最大摄氧量分别为(35.24±10.10),(33.91±10.23)mL/(kg·min),两者比较,差异不明显(P=1.000)。结论:重度抑郁症大学生经短周期有氧训练后,抑郁症状明显改善,心肺功能未见明显增强。     

脑肿瘤伴发精神障碍─—附36例分析

９８例颅内肿瘤经手术和病理检查证实，其中３６例脑瘤伴精神障碍，最常见的精神症状是情感淡漠，情感不稳，遗忘，意识模糊，嗜睡、痴呆。为最常见的部位为额顶部和颞叶部。     

Pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered sodium dichloroacetate in rabbits

ＰｈａｒｍａｃｏｋｉｎｅｔｉｃｓｏｆｉｎｔｒａｖｅｎｏｕｓｌｙａｄｍｉｎｉｓｔｅｒｅｄｓｏｄｉｕｍｄｉｃｈｌｏｒｏａｃｅｔａｔｅｉｎｒａｂｂｉｔｓＧｕＢｉｎ（顾斌）；ＳｏｎｇＬｉｎｇ（宋岭）；ＪｉａｎｇＹｏｎｇｐｅｉ（蒋永培）；ＷｅｎＡｉｄｏｎｇ（文...     

Influence of lecithin on mitochondrial DNA and age-related hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: Lecithin is a polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PPC), which are high energy functional and structural elements of all biologic membranes. PPC play a rate-limiting role in the activation of numerous membrane-located enzymes, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione, which are important antioxidants protecting cell membranes from damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS-induced damage to mitochondrial DNA may lead to reduced mitochondrial function in the cochlea and resultant hearing loss. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: The effects of lecithin on aging and age-associated hearing loss were studied in rats by measuring hearing sensitivities using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). In addition, mitochondrial function as a measure of aging was assessed by determining mitochondrial membrane potentials using flow cytometry and by amplifying mitochondrial DNA deletions associated with aging. Harlan-Fischer rats aged 18 to 20 months (n = 14) were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group was supplemented orally for 6 months with lecithin, a purified extract of soybean phospholipid (Nutritional Therapeutics, Allendale, NJ). RESULTS: The data obtained were compared with the control group. ABRs were recorded at 2-month intervals and showed significant preservation of hearing sensitivities in the treated subjects. Flow cytometry revealed significantly higher mitochondrial membrane potentials in the treated subjects, suggesting preserved mitochondrial function. Finally, the common aging mitochondrial DNA deletion (mtDNA(4834)) were amplified from brain and cochlear tissue including stria vascularis and auditory nerve. This specific deletion was found significantly less frequent in all tissues in the treated group compared with the controls. CONCLUSION: These experiments support our hypothesis and provide evidence that lecithin may preserve cochlear mitochondrial function and protect hearing loss associated with aging.     

LONG-TERM OUABAIN ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT ALTER BLOOD PRESSURE IN CONSCIOUS SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

1. We tested the ability of ouabain to cause chronic hyper tension by continuously infusing ouabain for 28 days (mini-osmotic pump implantation; i.p.). The blood pressure and metabolic effects of sham (150 mmol/L NaCI; n= 12) or ouabain infusion (10 μg/kg per day; n= 14; 100 μg/kg per day; n = 14) were examined in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. Plasma ouabain concentrations measured after 28 days of ouabain infusion were as follows: sham, not detectable (n= 11); ouabain 10 μg/kg per day, 0.60 ± 0.07 nmol/L (n= 14); and ouabain 100 μg/kg per day, 7.17 ± 0.57 nmol/L (n= 14; P < 0.001). 3. Sham or ouabain infusion did not alter food intake, bodyweight, water intake or urine output in conscious rats. 4. Blood pressure was not altered by sham treatment. Ouabain at 10 μg/kg per day or 100 μg/kg per day did not produce consistent rises in blood pressure. Ouabain at 10 μg/kg per day increased blood pressure on treatment day 12 only (+ 6mmHg; P < 0.05), while at 100μg/kg per day blood pres sure increased on treatment days 16 (+ 9 mmHg; P < 0.05) and day 18 (+ 8mmHg; P < 0.05) only. There was no significant difference in blood pressure between sham and ouabain groups. 5. Renal blood flow was decreased in rats infused with ouabain at 10 μg/kg per day (2.0 ± 0.3 mL/min per 100 g body-weight; n= 5; P < 0.01) and 100 μg/kg per day (2.2 ± 0.4 mL/ min per 100 g bodyweight; n= 7; P < 0.05) compared with sham treatment (3.5 ± 0.2 mL/min per 100 g bodyweight; n= 6). Renal vascular resistance was increased in rats treated with ouabain at 10 μg/kg per day (65.5 ± 12.6 mmHg/mL per min per 100 g bodyweight; n= 5; P < 0.01) and 100 μg/kg per day (66.0 ± 15.6 mmHg/mL per min per 100 g bodyweight; n= 7; P < 0.05) compared with sham treatment (32.6 ± 2.5 mmHg/mL per min per 100 g bodyweight; n= 6). 6. High plasma concentrations of ouabain do not cause consistent increases in blood pressure in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats.     

对孙真人《养生铭》的现代诠释(二)

(续)亥寝鸣云鼓,寅兴漱玉津。妖邪难犯己,精气自全身。在这一节里,孙思邈郑重提出了两条养生的具体措施“:鸣云鼓”和“潄玉津”,并且指出了它们与正常睡眠和祛邪防病、保精全神的关系。何谓“鸣云鼓”?就是叩齿。何时鸣云鼓?孙氏也明确规定了时间“,亥”时,即夜晚的21～23时。在《千金方》中,孙氏还提出过早晨叩齿的方法,曰“:每旦以一撮盐纳口中,以暖水含,揩牙及叩击百遍,为之不绝,不过五日,口齿即牢密”。可见,孙氏对叩齿与护齿的关系看得是很重的。叩齿何益?用现代的话说,它可以增强牙齿的力量和防病、抗病能力,促进牙周组织及根尖组织…