Alpha-smooth muscle actin in pathological human disc nucleus pulposus cells in vivo and in vitro

That a contractile actin isoform has been found in cells of other cartilage tissues in healing and disease states prompted this investigation of the presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) in pathological human intervertebral disc tissue. The presence of this isoform has been reported in human intervertebral disc specimens obtained at autopsy from subjects for whom there were no reported symptoms. An objective of this study was to evaluate the cell density and percentage of alpha-SMA-containing cells in pathological nucleus pulposus tissue obtained from lumbar disc surgery from 17 patients. Additionally, explants of nucleus pulposus material were cultured to determine how alpha-SMA expression changed with time in vitro. Seventy-six 5-mm diameter explants (approximately 2 mm thick) pooled from six lumbar surgeries were cultured for 1, 2, 4, or 6 weeks. Microtomed sections of paraffin-embedded specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or a monoclonal antibody to alpha-SMA. Histologically, cells were categorized as to alpha-SMA phenotype (positive or negative), and the areal cell density was determined. The evaluation of the cultured nucleus pulposus explants also included documentation of the percentage of cells that were round or elongated and the percentage of the cells that were part of a group (group: >/= 2 cells). Every nucleus pulposus section exhibited the presence of alpha-SMA-containing cells, which accounted for approximately 24 percent of the cells in vivo. In vivo, the cell density was significantly higher in older individuals (p = 0.02). The average time for cell outgrowth from the explants was 8.6 days. Approximately 10-15 percent of the cells in the explants stained positive for alpha-SMA. The time in culture had no significant effect on any of the outcome measures except the percentage of alpha-SMA-containing cells that were round (p = 0.008), with values decreasing through 4 weeks and then slightly rising at 6 weeks. The role of alpha-SMA in intervertebral disc pathology warrants further investigation.     

口服谷氨酰胺颗粒对烧创伤患者的疗效及安全性分析

目的观察口服谷氨酰胺(Gln)颗粒对烧(创)伤及大手术患者的疗效及可能发生的不良反应.方法采用随机双盲、安慰剂对照法,将受试患者分为Gln组和对照组,每组60例,两组患者采用等氮、等热量的营养支持.Gln组口服或管饲Gln 0.5 g·kg-1·d-1,对照组使用同等剂量的安慰剂甘氨酸,疗程均为7 d.比较用药前后两组患者肠黏膜屏障功能、蛋白代谢、免疫功能、肝和肾功能的变化及不良反应等. 结果伤后两组患者血浆Gln浓度明显低于正常值,而血浆二胺氧化酶(DAO)活性、内毒素含量、肠黏膜通透性[尿乳果糖/甘露醇(L/M)]及尿氮排量均明显增高;但Gln组用药7 d后血浆Gln浓度与用药前比较增加38.04%(P＜0.01).Gln组血浆前白蛋白、转铁蛋白及白细胞介素2(IL-2)含量均显著高于对照组(P＜0.01),升幅分别为21.19%、51.11%、57.54%.血浆DAO活性、L/M比值、内毒素含量及尿氮排量明显低于对照组,降幅分别为47.26%、52.18%、22.22%、27.78%(P＜0.05或0.01).两组患者的血浆总蛋白、白蛋白、血尿常规及肝、肾功能在用约前后变化不明显(P＞0.05).用药后有少数患者出现轻微不良反应如恶心、腹泻和便秘等,2～3 d后自行缓解,两组间比较,差异无显著性意义(P＞0.05).结论口服Gln能显著提高患者血浆Gln浓度,明显减轻伤后肠黏膜受损程度,并能促进机体蛋白合成,降低蛋白分解,提高机体免疫功能,且临床应用无明显不良反应.     

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch vs. gastric bypass for severe obesity

Conclusion In the year 2003 there is no “one best bariatric operation” for every severely obese patient. The choice of operation must be tailored to each individual patient’s needs and wishes. For the superobese patient, the patient diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia of the stomach, and for those patients who do not wish to undergo the severe dietary restrictions imposed by the RNY-GB, the BPD-DS is a valuable surgical option.     

Dose-rate scaling factor estimation of THOR BNCT test beam.

In 1998, an epithermal neutron test beam was designed and constructed at the Tsing Hua Open-Pool Reactor (THOR) for the purpose of preliminary dosimetric experiments in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). A new epithermal neutron beam was designed at this facility, and is currently under construction, with clinical trials targeted in late 2004. Depth dose-rate distributions for the THOR BNCT test beam have been measured by means of activation foil and dual ion chamber techniques. Neutron and structure-induced gamma spectra measured at the test beam exit were configured into a source function for the Monte Carlo-based treatment planning code NCTPlan. Dose-rate scaling factors (DRSFs) were determined to normalize computationally derived dose-rate distributions with experimental measurements in corresponding mathematical and physical phantoms, and to thus enable accurate treatment planning using the NCTPlan code. A similar approach will be implemented in characterizing the new THOR epithermal beam in preparation for clinical studies. This paper reports the in-phantom calculated and experimental dosimetry comparisons and derived DRSFs obtained with the THOR test beam.     

心血管危险因子与广西汉族迟发性阿尔茨海默病之间的相关性研究

目的　研究心血管危险因子载脂蛋白 E( Apo E)、载脂蛋白 C- ( Apo C- )以及低密度脂蛋白受体相关蛋白 ( LRP)与汉族迟发性阿尔茨海默病 ( LOAD)之间的相关性。方法　应用 PCR-RFLP技术或直接通过 PCR方法 ,分析了 1 5 6例正常老年人、79例 LOAD Apo E、Apo C- 与 LRP基因型。结果　在 LOAD患者组和正常对照组中 ,Apo Eε4等位基因出现的频率分别为 1 7.7%、5 .7% ,其间差异有显著性 ( x2 =1 5 .75 0 ;P=0 .0 0 1 ,OR=3 .3 96,95 % CI =1 .80 8～ 6.3 79) ;Apo Eε3等位基因频率分别为 76.0 %、84% ,前者低于后者 ( x2 =4.43 9;P=0 .0 3 5 ,OR=1 .65 9,95 % CI =1 .0 3 3～ 2 .665 ) ;LRP、Apo C- 基因的基因型频率和等位基因频率在 LOAD与对照组之间差异无显著性 ( P >0 .0 5 )。结论　 Apo Eε4等位基因是 LOAD的遗传危险因子 ,Apo Eε3等位基因则可能有保护效应 ;此研究未能证明 Apo C- 基因变异和 LRP基因 C766T多态性与 LOAD有相关关系     

Advances in the treatment of depression in older adults

Depressive symptoms in older adults are common, but the minority of elderly meet criteria for major depressive disorder. This has led to confusion regarding the recognition of diagnosis, approach to treatment, and monitoring of outcomes in this needy population. Few depressed older adults are willing to seek treatment from psychiatrists or mental health specialists. Treatment approaches to the depressive spectrum of disorders in late life, which encompasses major and minor depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and mood disorders related to medical conditions, must include evidence-based algorithms that can be delivered in a variety of health care settings. Several recent multisite trials have advanced the use of collaborative care models and the systematic stepwise approach to the treatment of depression and anxiety states in older adults. This offers the ability to provide effective treatment of depression for older adults, consistent with current guidelines, in primary care and specialized health care settings.