Calcium, network activity, and the role of NMDA channels in synaptic plasticity in vitro.

Functionally effective neuronal circuits are constructed through a competitive process that requires patterned neuronal activity elicited by structured input from the environment. To explore the mechanisms of this activity-dependent synaptic restructuring, we have developed an in vitro preparation of mouse spinal cord neurons maintained in a 3-chambered cell-culture system. Sensory afferents that received chronic electrical stimulation for 3-5 d developed stronger synaptic connections than unstimulated afferents converging onto the same postsynaptic spinal cord neuron. Exposure to 100 microM DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV), an antagonist of the NMDA channel, during the stimulation period prevented the competitive advantage associated with electric stimulation. However, when APV was applied with a higher concentration of calcium (3 mM), activity-dependent synaptic plasticity was no longer inhibited by the NMDA receptor antagonist. This reversal of APV block of the plasticity was not impaired by reducing transmitter release with 3 mM magnesium (in addition to 3 mM calcium and APV). A suppressant effect of APV on spontaneous activity was observed, which was attributed to loss of the NMDA component of the EPSP. Activity-dependent plasticity was also blocked if spontaneous activity was suppressed with dilute tetrodotoxin (TTX; 5-10 nM), a dosage that reduces excitability of neurons but is insufficient to block sodium-dependent action potentials. These experiments bring into question how NMDA channel activation is involved in the processes of synaptic remodeling during development. The data suggest that postsynaptic activity is required for synaptic remodeling, but this activity need not involve NMDA receptor activation specifically for activity-evoked synaptic plasticity. Instead, the mechanism for plasticity appears to operate through calcium-dependent processes in general.     

Specific sensitization to common allergens and pulmonary function in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey

BACKGROUND: The role of atopy in the evolution to chronic obstructive disease remains controversial. AIM: We aimed to assess the association between individual sensitization to common allergens and lung function. METHOD: We analysed data from 12,687 subjects aged 20 to 44 years, from 34 centres in 15 countries participating in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). Participants performed a blood test, lung function test, methacholine challenge, and answered an administered questionnaire. The relationships between specific IgE, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio were assessed for each study centre stratified by sex, followed by random effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: Asthmatics sensitized to house dust mite had a lower FEV1 (-119 mL in women and -112 mL in men) and FEV1/FVC ratio (-1.95%, and -2.48%) than asthmatics without sensitization. Asthmatics sensitized to cat had a lower FEV1 (statistically significant for women only) and a lower FEV1/FVC ratio. Asthmatic women sensitized to grass had a lower FEV1 and a lower ratio, and those sensitized to Cladosporium had a lower FEV1. A weak association was found with sensitization to cat and to Cladosporium among non-asthmatic women, which disappeared after adjusting for BHR. CONCLUSION: We conclude that atopy was related to a lower lung function, which was only apparent among asthmatics. This relationship was explained by specific sensitization to cat and to house dust mite, the latter being homogeneous across areas.     

胞嘧啶脱氨酶的原核表达和多克隆抗体的制备

目的：在原核系统中表达并纯化大肠杆菌胞嘧啶脱氨酶（cytosine deaminase,CD)，制备鼠抗大肠杆菌CD多克隆抗体，方法：亚克隆CD基因到原核表达载体pMAL-c2和pBV222中，并转化入大肠杆菌DH5α内，诱导表达并纯化MBP-CD和6his-CD融合蛋白，用纯化的MBP-CD融合蛋白免疫小鼠制备多克隆抗体。结果：通过重组质粒的酶切筛选出重组阳性克隆，成功地表达和纯化出MBP-CD和6his-CD融合蛋白，用纯化的MBP-CD成功制备了鼠抗CD多克隆抗体，并用6his-CD和GST-CD重组蛋白进行Western印迹分析，证实了抗体的正确性，结论：应用多克隆抗体可以检测体内外CD基因的表达，为临床前和临床上深入开展CD基因的生物治疗研究提供重要的实验材料。     

影像学检查在儿童过敏性紫癜的临床价值

目的探讨儿童过敏性紫癜的影像学特点及其临床价值。方法回顾性分析32例过敏性紫癜并发肠套叠患儿的临床及影像学资料。结果出现并发症之前过敏性紫癜的腹部X线主要表现为局限性小肠充气扩张，粘膜增粗，肠间隙增宽，可伴有液平；B超显示为不同程度的多发节段性肠壁水肿增厚，肠管狭窄等表现；出现并发症后，其X线表现加重，部分病例伴有肠穿孔；B超及X线监视下空气灌肠可以明确是否并发肠套叠，部分病例可通过空气灌肠达到复位治疗的目的。结论影像学检查的重要临床价值在于能与需要手术治疗的其他急腹症相鉴别，同时可以了解其是否并发常见的并发症，为临床确定治疗方案提供可靠的信息。     

Plasma proteins in a standardised skin mini-erosion (II): effects of extraction pressure

Background  

A standardised suction technique has been used to sample plasma proteins in dermal interstitial fluid (IF) serially for 5 to 6 days from a suction-induced skin mini-erosion. Increased protein concentrations ascribed to inflammation have been shown from day 1 onward. In this study, we assessed the effect of two different extraction pressures on IF sample composition.