Involvement of the fibrogenic cytokines, TGF-beta and bFGF, in the pathogenesis of idiopathic myelofibrosis

Idiopathic Myelofibrosis (IMF), is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by the association of myeloproliferation and myelofibrosis. The pathophysiological mechanisms resulting in this disease remain still unclear. The myeloproliferation appeared to result from the clonal amplification of hematopoietic progenitors. In contrast, fibroblasts participating in myelofibrosis were shown to be polyclonal, thus suggesting that myelofibrosis was a reactive process. We studied the role of two growth factors TGF-beta and bFGF, which display potent fibrogenic properties and are major regulators of primitive hematopoiesis, in IMF pathogenesis. We demonstrated an increase of TGF-beta and bFGF expression in circulating megakaryocytic cells and platelets, together with alterations of the expression of these cytokines and their receptors in hematopoietic CD34+ progenitor cells from IMF patients. Our results suggested that TGF-beta and bFGF are involved both in myelofibrosis and myeloproliferation which characterize IMF.     

Introducing genetic testing for cardiovascular disease in primary care: a qualitative study

Background

While primary care systematically offers conventional cardiovascular risk assessment, genetic tests for coronary heart disease (CHD) are increasingly commercially available to patients. It is unclear how individuals may respond to these new sources of risk information.

Aim

To explore how patients who have had a recent conventional cardiovascular risk assessment, perceive additional information from genetic testing for CHD.

Design and setting

Qualitative interview study in 12 practices in Nottinghamshire from both urban and rural settings.

Method

Interviews were conducted with 29 adults, who consented to genetic testing after having had a conventional cardiovascular risk assessment.

Results

Individuals’ principal motivation for genetic testing was their family history of CHD and a desire to convey the results to their children. After testing, however, there was limited recall of genetic test results and scepticism about the value of informing their children. Participants dealt with conflicting findings from the genetic test, family history, and conventional assessment by either focusing on genetic risk or environmental lifestyle factors. In some participants, genetic test results appeared to reinforce healthy behaviour but others were falsely reassured, despite having an ‘above-average’ conventional cardiovascular risk score.

Conclusion

Although genetic testing was acceptable, participants were unclear how to interpret genetic risk results. To facilitate healthy behaviour, health professionals should explore patients’ understanding of genetic test results in light of their family history and conventional risk assessment.     

dl-18-甲基炔诺酮-[2,3,d]异(口恶)唑及其卤代物的合成

dl-18-甲基炔诺酮是现用的避孕药之一。甾体化合物引入[2,3 d]异噁唑环或C_(21)卤代后生物活性均有不同程度的提高。我们参考文献方法,合成了dl-18-甲基炔诺酮-[2,3 d]-异噁唑2;并采用简便的方法,合成了化合物2的卤代物3、4及炔诺酮的C_(21)     

四川省城市广场健身文化的现状调查及持续发展策略研究

调查四川省有代表性的城市广场健身文化活动,分析四川省城市广场健身文化的发展现状及趋势,立足于有地方特点和具有民族传统特色的健身文化的发展与传承,提出构建广场健身文化的保障制度建设和活动组织形式。     

马克思、恩格斯论性爱、婚姻和家庭

马克思和恩格斯在其著作、手稿及书信中,运用辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的科学方法,对性爱、婚姻和家庭问题进行了多角度的深入分析,并提出了许多精辟的观点。系统地、准确地理解马克思和恩格斯有关性爱、婚姻和家庭问题的观点在理论上是极为重要的。本文根据马克思、恩格斯的原意,系统地整理了马克思和恩格斯有关性爱、婚姻和家庭问题的观点,并将所选取的论述,归纳成4个条目:性爱、婚姻、家庭、其它。     

滑环技术在CT设备中的应用

目的:本文指出传统CT图象存在的缺陷及不足之处;介绍新一代高、低压滑环及螺旋CT实现快速连续扫描的原理,优越性、便于了解其基本知识