Comparative analysis of mRNA and protein expression of Popdc1 (Bves) during early development in the chick embryo.

The isolation of the Popeye gene family was based on its preferential expression in striated muscle tissue. Recently, a monoclonal antibody against chick Popdc1 (also known as Bves) became available and was used in this study to comparatively analyze the expression pattern of Popdc1 at both the protein and mRNA level during early chick embryogenesis. Using whole-mount immunohistochemistry, expression in the heart was first observed at Hamburger and Hamilton (HH) stage 10 in the presumptive left ventricular segment. Cardiac expression was confined to differentiated cardiac myocytes, and undifferentiated myocytes at the anterior and posterior pole showed little expression. After looping, the outer curvature myocardium showed prominent Popdc1 staining, whereas the inner curvature was unlabeled. Despite previous reports, Popdc1 protein was not detectable at any time point in the proepicardium, epicardium, or the smooth muscle layer of the coronary vessels. Whole-mount in situ hybridization using a full-length Popdc1 probe detected novel expression domains, which have not been described previously. Popdc1 mRNA was found in Hensen's node at HH stage 4, and by HH stage 5+, expression became asymmetric. In addition, Popdc1 mRNA was found in pharyngeal endoderm and in the notochordal plate. Subsequently, beginning at HH stage 9, Popdc1 mRNA expression was found in the cardiac mesoderm and expression was maintained in the heart in a pattern very similar to the one observed by antibody staining.     

Septic cavernous sinus thrombosis due to Streptococcus constellatus infection.

Adult septic cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) due to Streptococcus constellatus infection has not been reported. We report a case of CST due to S. constellatus in a 39-year-old man who had typical presentations of septic CST including headache, fever, and ophthalmoplegia, with an evolving course for 10 days before he was sent to our emergency room. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study revealed CST, which was confirmed by cerebral angiography study. Multiple positive blood cultures grew viridans streptococci and further species identification with conventional methods, API-20 STREPT system analysis, and polymerase chain reaction sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA revealed S. constellatus. The presence of sphenoid sinusitis in this patient was also demonstrated by cranial MRI study, and the presence of meningitis by meningeal irritation signs and inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings. Chronic alcohol consumption for more than 10 years was the only predisposing condition to this infection. He had a full recovery after 6 weeks of intravenous penicillin G therapy (24 x 10(6) U/day). Almost complete regression of cavernous sinus lesion and resolution of sphenoid sinusitis were shown on follow-up cranial MRI study about 6 months later.     

β-防御素在慢性鼻-鼻窦炎和正常鼻黏膜中的表达

近年来研究表明，鼻黏膜及黏膜下腺体中存在大量的免疫活性细胞并分泌大量的生物活性分子，如各类白介素、溶菌酶、抑菌肽等。研究这些生物活性分子对如何提高鼻腔黏膜的防御功能及慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的防治有重要意义。人类β-防御素（human β-defensins，hBD），包括hBD-1和hBD-2是近几年发现的广泛分布于口腔、呼吸道、胃肠道、泌尿道黏膜上皮及黏膜下腺体组织的重要蛋白质分子，     

Cefazolin plus ceftazidime versus imipenem/cilastatin monotherapy for treatment of CAPD peritonitis--a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). We studied the efficacy of imipenem/cilastatin monotherapy in the treatment of PD-related peritonitis. METHODS: We performed an open-label, randomized control study comparing imipenem/cilastatin monotherapy (treatment group) versus cefazolin plus ceftazidime (control group) in the treatment of PD peritonitis. The result was further compared to a historic group treated with cefazolin plus netilmycin. Outcome measures were primary response rate at day 10 and complete cure rate. RESULTS: We enrolled 51 patients in the treatment group, 51 in the control group, and identified 96 in the historic group. The primary response rate to the assigned antibiotics was 49.0%, 51.0%, and 49.0% for the treatment, control, and historic groups, respectively (p = 0.97). The primary response rate allowing for change in antibiotic was 82.4%, 90.2%, and 82.3%, respectively, for the three groups (p = 0.41). The complete cure rate was 72.5%, 80.4%, and 82.3%, respectively (p = 0.60). Tenckhoff catheter removal was needed in 6 cases in the treatment group, 6 cases in the control group, and 13 cases in the historic group (p = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that monotherapy of imipenem/cilastatin has similar efficacy compared to the two standard regimens of cefazolin plus ceftazidime or netilmycin in the treatment of PD peritonitis.     

Resolution of peripheral artery catheter-induced ischemic injury following prolonged treatment with topical nitroglycerin ointment in a newborn: a case report.

Tissue ischemia, necrosis, and gangrene are uncommon but well-described complications of arterial catheterization in the neonate. Treatment options for progressive tissue necrosis following arterial embolization and/or vasospasm are limited in these patients secondary to unpredictable pharmacokinetics and risks associated with systemic anticoagulation or vasodilatation in newborns. We report a case of a multidose regimen of topical 2% nitroglycerin ointment for reversing severe tissue ischemia following peripheral arterial line placement. The favorable response in this infant suggests that topical nitroglycerin therapy should be considered as potential therapy to ameliorate the effects of vascular compromise following arterial line placement in neonates.     

图片学习测验在识别老年人轻微认知功能损害中的作用

目的　分析图片学习测验在识别老年人轻微认知功能损害 (MCI)中的作用。方法　选择符合MCI诊断标准的老年人 4 8例与正常对照组 5 6名完成图片学习测验、简易智能状态检查、听觉词语学习测验及多种非记忆测验。结果　图片学习测验的 3个记忆指标 (图片短时记忆、延迟记忆和学习记忆 )在MCI与正常对照组之间有非常显著的差异。已经给出这三个图片记忆指标区分MCI与正常老年人的划界分、敏感性和特异性。结论　图片记忆操作简便、信度和效度好 ,可以作为临床医师筛选MCI的有效工具     

2001年与2004年抗菌药物应用情况比较

目的　了解抗菌药物应用的基本情况。方法　将 2 0 0 1年 3月 14 3 0例住院患者病历与 2 0 0 4年 3月的 2 0 66例住院患者病历进行回顾性调查和对比分析。结果　 2 0 0 1年的 14 3 0例中有 948(66 3 % )例 ,和 2 0 0 4年的 2 0 66例有 10 60例 (5 1.3 % ) ,应用了抗菌药物。结论　定期检查考评 ,严格掌握用药指征 ,是加强抗菌药物应用管理的关键。     

Recent advances in the management of primary breast cancers.

The current concept of breast cancer treatment arises from Fisher's theory that operable breast cancer has distant micrometastasis at its very early stages. Since it is the presence of systemic diseases or micrometastasis that determines the final outcome, variation in local treatment would not affect survival. Fisher's theory led to a change in local treatment, from Halsted's radical mastectomy to breast-conserving therapy (BCT), and the introduction of adjuvant systemic treatment. As part of the job of surgery is replaced by radiation therapy in local control, the efficacy and side effects of radiation should be carefully monitored. The recently published results of 20-year follow-up in 2 important studies confirm that BCT achieves equal survival compared to mastectomy in women with early breast cancers, even after all causes of mortality have been considered. The introduction of sentinel lymph node biopsy has further decreased the adverse impact of breast cancer treatment on women. As variation in local control does not affect survival, more efforts are being put into developing adjuvant systemic treatment with curative intent. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been demonstrated to substantially affect the survival of women with early breast cancers. It is now apparent from numerous studies that adjuvant therapy improves survival in all subgroups of women with early breast cancer, although the absolute benefit varies depending on axillary lymph node status, tumor size, and other prognostic factors. This article reviews recent advances in the management of primary breast cancer, including: long-term follow-up after BCT; side effects of radiation therapy in BCT; post-mastectomy radiotherapy; sentinel node biopsy; adjuvant hormone therapy; and chemotherapy, including new strategies such as the incorporation of taxanes, dose-dense chemotherapy schedules, and the use of aromatase inhibitors in place of, or in addition to, tamoxifen.     

见于湖南的一例血红蛋白G-台中家系

见于湖南江华县的一例慢泳血红蛋白α链变种,其先证者为汉族青年,属杂合子。家系调查发现其父、大姐和弟均携有同样的异常Hb。血液学常规检查一般正常。除先证者肝在肋缘下0.5cm扪及外,无任何临床症状。经一级结构分析,确证此例为HbG一台中[α74(EF3)Asp→His]。功能观测其氧平衡特征与HbA无差异。这是见于湖南的首例。