隐身南新仓的低调奢华

置身RAIN CLUB的超凡境地中，美食、美酒和美妙的音乐是智灵的洗净，像干燥的北京城迎来第一场春天的“润”——稍显奢华。[编者按]     

Design of noninflammatory synthetic siRNA mediating potent gene silencing in vivo.

Targeted silencing of disease-associated genes by synthetic short interfering RNA (siRNA) holds considerable promise as a novel therapeutic strategy. However, unmodified siRNA can be potent triggers of the innate immune response, particularly when associated with delivery vehicles that facilitate intracellular uptake. This represents a significant barrier to the therapeutic development of siRNA due to toxicity and off-target gene effects associated with this inflammatory response. Here we show that immune stimulation by synthetic siRNA can be completely abrogated by selective incorporation of 2'-O-methyl (2'OMe) uridine or guanosine nucleosides into one strand of the siRNA duplex. These noninflammatory siRNA, containing less than 20% modified nucleotides, can be readily generated without disrupting their gene-silencing activity. We show that, coupled with an effective systemic delivery vehicle, 2'OMe-modified siRNA targeting apolipoprotein B (apoB) can mediate potent silencing of its target mRNA, causing significant decreases in serum apoB and cholesterol. This is achieved at therapeutically viable siRNA doses without cytokine induction, toxicity, or off-target effects associated with the use of unmodified siRNA. This approach to siRNA design and delivery should prove widely applicable and represents an important step in advancing synthetic siRNA into a broad range of therapeutic areas.     

湘中地区50～59岁女性农民400人心血管功能测定

目的:观察体质监测身体功能指标——血压、肺活量/体质量、安静脉搏、台阶指数,了解经济不发达地区女性农民心血管功能现状。方法:于2004-07/08采用随机整群抽样的方法,在湘中地区4个县(市)中随机抽取50～54岁和55～59岁女性农民共400人作为研究对象,用体质测量仪对反映心血管功能的指标进行测定,包括血压、肺活量、安静脉搏、台阶指数。并将所获数据分别与全国同龄女性农民及湖南省城市体力、非体力劳动人群心血管功能指标进行差异性比较。测试同时对测试对象进行询问访谈,内容包括生活环境和经济收入、劳动生活方式、饮食营养习惯、体育锻炼现状、疾病情况等。要求测试者根据自己的实际情况如实回答。结果:400人均完成指标测试,全部进入结果分析。①湘中女性农民50～54岁高血压患病率为31.09%,55～59岁为40.13%,以1级、2级高血压为主。55～59岁年龄组,湘中女性农民收缩压和舒张压均高于全国农民及省内城市人群(P<0.05)。两年龄组比较,55～59岁年龄组高于50～54岁年龄组。②湘中55～59岁女性农民肺活量/体质量低于湖南省城市体力、非体力劳动人群(P<0.01,0.05)。③湘中50～54岁女性农民安静心率高于湖南省城市非体力人群(P<0.01)。④湘中55～59岁女性农民台阶指数低于湖南省城市体力劳动人群(P<0.05)。⑤湘中女性农民的心血管功能受体育锻炼、饮食习惯、经济等因素的影响。结论:湘中地区50～59岁女性农民心血管功能整体低于全国农民和湖南城市体力、非体力人群。影响湘中女性农民身体功能的主要因素有缺乏体育锻炼、饮食习惯、落后经济等因素。     

The role of intraoperative monitoring of oculomotor and trochlear nuclei -safe entry zone to tegmental lesions.

OBJECTIVE: A safe entry zone to tegmental lesions was identified based on intraoperative electrophysiological findings, the compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) from the extraocular muscles, and anatomic considerations. This entry zone is bordered caudally by the intramesencephalic path of the trochlear, laterally by the spinothalamic tract, and rostrally by the caudal margin of the brachium of the superior colliculus. METHODS: Four intrinsic midbrain lesions were operated upon via the safe entry zone using the infratentorial paramedian supracerebellar approach. All lesions involved the tegmentum and included an anaplastic astrocytoma, a metastatic brain tumor, a radiation necrosis, and a cavernous angioma. CMAP were bilaterally monitored from the inferior recti (for oculomotor function) and superior oblique (for trochlear nerve function) muscles. RESULTS: In three of four cases, CMAP related to the oculomotor nerve were obtained upon stimulation at the cavity wall after removal of the tumor. Stimulation at the surface of the quadrigeminal plate, however, did not cause any CMAP response. Using this monitoring as an indicator, the lesions were totally removed. CONCLUSIONS: In the surgery of tegmental lesions, CMAP monitoring from extraocular muscles is particularly helpful to prevent damage to crucial neural structures during removal of intrinsic lesions, but less so to select the site of the medullary incision. The approach via the lateral part of the colliculi is considered to be a safe route to approach the tegmental lesions.     

Die Behandlung der Apophysenabrissverletzung des Epicondylus ulnaris im Kindesalter

OBJECTIVE: Surgical reduction and retention of apophyseal avulsion injuries at the medial epicondyle to prevent joint instability, lasting malalignment, or pseudarthrosis. INDICATIONS: Absolute: intraarticular apophyseal dislocation of the medial epicondyle, complete lesion of the ulnar nerve. Relative: dislocation of the apophysis (> 4 mm) in children > 5 years of age; the need for intervention increases in children as the degree of dislocation, age, and athletic activity increase. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Dislocation of the medial epicondyle (< or = 4 mm) in children < 5 years of age, provided the fragment location is not intraarticular. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Open reduction of the apophysis through a medial approach. Identification of the ulnar nerve. In young children or with small fragments fixation with Kirschner wire. Screw fixation in older children or for larger fragments. POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Long upper-arm plaster cast until wound healing is achieved. Subsequently, upper-arm plaster cast for 3 weeks. Removal of Kirschner wires after 4-6 weeks, screw removal after 8-12 weeks. Physiotherapy only if marked reduction of elbow mobility is found 6 weeks after cast removal. RESULTS: From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2003, 25 children with an average age of 12 years suffering from medial epicondylar avulsion fractures were operated on using open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation. An average of 3 years after the injury 14 of these children underwent follow-up examination using a procedure that took subjective, clinical and radiologic parameters into account. Two children showed a slight reduction in overall strength of the injured extremity when compared with the contralateral extremity. One child had a flexion deficit of 10 degrees, all other children showed movement limitations of < or = 5 degrees compared to the contralateral extremity. In all the cases available to follow-up, there was a slight increase in valgus alignment of the elbow joint compared with the uninjured side (3 degrees on average). All fractures consolidated within 6 weeks.     

人Uroplakin Ⅱ启动子用于靶向性基因治疗膀胱癌的实验研究

目的探讨利用人UroplakinⅡ(hUPⅡ)启动子进行靶向性基因治疗膀胱癌的可能性。方法将hUPⅡ启动子和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)克隆到腺病毒载体Ad5中,构建重组体pAd-hUPⅡ-TNF。转染细胞293后产生复制缺陷型的重组腺病毒,感染膀胱癌细胞系BIU-87,检测TNF-α对BIU-87细胞体外生物学行为及体内成瘤性的影响。结果成功构建pAd-hUPⅡ-TNF重组腺病毒载体,转染细胞293获得复制缺陷型重组腺病毒。BIU-87细胞经重组腺病毒感染后可产生高浓度的TNF-α,并降低BIU-87的生长速度。感染腺病毒的BIU-87培养液可抑制L929细胞的生长。裸鼠原位膀胱肿瘤动物模型实验结果表明膀胱灌注重组腺病毒48h后,裸鼠尿液含高浓度的TNF-α,4周后腺病毒组膀胱重量和体积明显低于对照组(P<0.01)。结论hUPⅡ启动子TNF-α为治疗基因的重组腺病毒可特异性使膀胱癌细胞系BIU-87产生高浓度的TNF-α,并降低BIU-87和L929细胞的生长速度。重组腺病毒可使裸鼠尿内含高浓度的TNF-α,并可抑制裸鼠原位膀胱肿瘤动物模型膀胱癌细胞的成瘤性。     

Academic Degrees and Clinical Practice Characteristics: The University of Washington Physician Assistant Program: 1969-2000

CONTEXT: The physician assistant profession has been moving toward requiring master's degrees for new practitioners, but some argue this could change the face of the discipline. PURPOSE: To see if there is an association between physician assistants' academic degrees and practice in primary care, in rural areas, and with the medically underserved. METHODS: Surveys were sent to 880 graduates of the first 32 University of Washington physician assistant classes through 2000. Respondents noted their academic degree at program entry and the highest degree attained at any time up to the time of survey. Relationships between practice characteristics and academic degree levels were tested by unadjusted odds ratios and logistic regression after controlling for year of graduation and sex. RESULTS: Of the 478 respondents, 54% worked in primary care, about 30% practiced in nonmetropolitan communities, and 42% reported providing care for the medically underserved. Respondents with no degree (33% of total at entry, 24% at survey) were significantly more likely than degree holders to work in primary care and nonmetropolitan areas. Respondents with no degree at program entry were significantly more likely, and those with no degree at the time of the survey were marginally more likely, to self-report work with the medically underserved. CONCLUSION: Respondents with no academic degree are significantly more likely to demonstrate a commitment to primary, rural, and underserved health care. These findings may inform the national debate about the impact of required advanced degrees on the practice patterns of nonphysician providers.     

Delayed and persistent suppression of bronchoconstriction by trypsin in the airway lumen.

Mucosal trypsin, a protease-activated receptor (PAR) stimulant, may have an endogenous bronchoprotective role on airway smooth muscle. To test this possibility the effects of lumenal trypsin on airway tone in segments of pig bronchus were tested. Bronchial segments from pigs were mounted in an organ chamber containing Kreb's solution. Contractions were assessed from isovolumetric lumen pressure induced by acetylcholine (ACh) or carbachol added to the adventitia. Trypsin, added to the airway lumen (300 microg x mL(-1)), had no immediate effect on smooth muscle tone but suppressed ACh-induced contractions after 60 min, for at least 3 h. Synthetic activating peptides (AP) for PAR1, PAR2 or PAR3 were without effect, but PAR4 AP caused rapid, weak suppression of contractions. Lumenal thrombin was without effect and did not prevent the effects of trypsin. Effects of trypsin were reduced by N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester but not indomethacin. Trypsin, thrombin and PAR4 AP released prostaglandin E2. Adventitially, trypsin, thrombin and PAR4 AP (but not PAR2 AP) relaxed carbachol-toned airways after <3 min. The findings of this study show that trypsin causes delayed and persistent bronchoprotection by interacting with airway cells accessible from the lumen. The signalling mechanism may involve nitric oxide synthase but not prostanoids or protease-activated receptors.