Role of retinol in protecting epithelial cell damage induced by Clostridium difficile toxin A

Vitamin A (retinol), a fat-soluble vitamin, is an essential nutrient for the normal functioning of the visual system, epithelial cell integrity and growth, immunity, and reproduction. Our group has investigated the effect of high doses of oral vitamin A on early childhood diarrhea in our prospective community-based studies from Northeast Brazil and found a beneficial role in reducing the mean duration but not incidence of diarrheal episodes. In this study, we explored the role of retinol supplementation in intestinal cell lines following Clostridium difficile toxin A (TxA) challenge. C. difficile is the most common anaerobic pathogen borne with antibiotic-borne diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. Since retinol is critical for the integrity of tight junctions and to modulate the cell cycle, we have focused on changes in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) in Caco-2, a more differentiated intestinal cell line, and on models of cell proliferation, migration and viability in IEC-6 cells, an undifferentiated crypt cell line, following TxA injury. In this model, retinol therapy reduced apoptosis, improved cell migration and proliferation, and prevented the reduction in TEER, following C. difficile TxA challenge in a glutamine-free medium. These results suggest the role of retinol in protecting intestinal epithelial barrier function from C. difficile TxA enterotoxic damage.     

2003-2005年新生儿感染常见致病菌及耐药性的变迁

目的了解本地区新生儿2003至2005年感染常见致病菌的种类及耐药的现状，以指导临床合理应用抗生素。方法收集我院新生儿科2003年1月至2005年12月收治的613份体液培养阳性（痰液、血液、分泌物、胃液等标本）的患儿资料，对常见检出菌及其耐药性的变迁情况进行分析。结果共检出40种613株病原菌，以革兰阴性杆菌为主约占57．6％，而肺炎克雷伯菌和大肠埃希菌分别位于前二位，其产ESBLs菌株检出率分别为78．1％和82．6％。药敏结果显示，常见致病菌对青霉素、第一、二代头胞类抗生素、红霉素类耐药性显著增加，但对第三代头胞类抗生素如头孢曲松、头孢噻肟（凯福隆）、头孢他啶（复达欣）及B内酰胺酶抑制剂复方制剂、碳青霉烯类、万古霉素等较敏感。产ESBLs菌仅对亚胺培南及B内酰胺酶抑制剂复方制剂敏感。结论革兰阴性杆菌特别是肺炎克雷伯菌和大肠埃希菌是新生儿感染主要病原菌，产ESBLs菌比例增加应引起高度重视。碳青霉烯类、哌拉西林／三唑巴坦和头孢哌酮／舒巴坦，可作为新生儿严重医院感染经验用药，应尽量根据药敏试验调整抗生素。     

Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.     

Prognostic index to identify patients who may not benefit from whole brain radiotherapy for multiple brain metastases from lung cancer

Palliative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is often recommended in the management of multiple brain metastases. Allowing for WBRT waiting time, duration of the WBRT course and time to clinical response, it may take 6 weeks from the point of initial assessment for a benefit from WBRT to manifest. Patients who die within 6 weeks (‘early death’) may not benefit from WBRT and may instead experience a decline in quality of life. This study aimed to develop a prognostic index (PI) that identifies the subset of patients with lung cancer with multiple brain metastases who may not benefit from WBRT because of ‘early death’. The medical records of patients with lung cancer who had WBRT recommended for multiple brain metastases over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified as either having died within 6 weeks or having lived beyond 6 weeks. Potential prognostic indicators were evaluated for correlation with ‘early death’. A PI was constructed by modelling the survival classification to determine the contribution of these factors towards shortened survival. Of the 275 patients recommended WBRT, 64 (23.22%) died within 6 weeks. The main prognostic factor predicting early death was Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) status >2. Patients with a high PI score (>13) were at higher risk of ‘early death’. Twenty-three per cent of patients died prior to benefit from WBRT. ECOG status was the most predictive for ‘early death’. Other factors may also contribute towards a poor outcome. With further refinement and validation, the PI could be a valuable clinical decision tool.     

Body mass index and age affect Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire scores in male subjects

This cross-sectional analysis evaluated the effect of age and body mass index (BMI) on Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire scores in males. Subjects (n = 60) were recruited according to BMI status. Each completed the 51-item Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire. The group was split at the median age to produce a “younger” and “older” group for statistical analysis. A 2-way between-groups analysis of variance revealed a significant main effect of BMI on disinhibition (P = .003) and hunger (P = .041) with higher levels found in overweight males compared to healthy-weight counterparts. A significant main effect of age on hunger (P = .046) demonstrated older males were less susceptible to hunger than younger males. These insights provide a better understanding of eating behavior across the male life cycle and may assist health professionals to better guide men in weight management in the light of rising overweight/obesity.     

对诊断PADAM的游离睾酮指数的评估

目的 评价诊断中老年男子部分雄激素缺乏综合征（PADAM）的游离睾酮指数（FTI）.方法 对129例45岁以上健康男性的FTI进行年龄相关分析.以推算的游离睾酮（CFT）值为依据,对FTI进行有效性检验.结果 男子在中老年期FTI与增龄呈明显的负相关.FTI敏感性97.78%,特异性58.33%.结论 计算简单的FTI可用于PADAM病人的筛选和随访,尤其对70岁以上男子是血清FT较为有效的参数.     

脂肪抽吸对中心型肥胖患者代谢指标的影响

目的 观察脂肪抽吸对中心型肥胖患者代谢指标的影响。方法 筛选中心型肥胖患者30例，采用肿胀麻醉法，脂肪抽吸量在2000～2500ml；分别检测脂肪抽吸前2d和脂肪抽吸后1周、1个月、2个月、3个月的血脂、血清胰岛素、瘦素、脂联素、抵抗素，并换算出胰岛素抵抗指数（HO-MA-IR）、胰岛素敏感指数（ISI）和血糖及胰岛素下面积。结果脂肪抽吸后1个月、2个月血糖下面积及HOMA-IR均有不同程度的降低，ISI则有所升高（术后1周：P〈0.05；术后1月：P〈0．01）；脂肪抽吸后血清瘦素较脂肪抽吸前显著降低（P〈0.01），抵抗素和脂联素较脂肪抽吸前亦有所变化，特别是在术后1个月时变化较为明显（P〈0.05），除血清瘦素、血糖下面积外，其余指标脂肪抽吸后3个月基本恢复原有水平。结论 脂肪抽吸对代谢指标在3个月内有一定的影响，特别是对糖代谢改善显著，但3个月后这种变化基本恢复到原有水平。     

幕上星形细胞肿瘤Ki-67抗原表达及其预后作用

目的 探讨Ki-67抗原在幕上星形细胞肿瘤中的表达及其预后作用。方法 使用S-P免疫组化方法检测82例原发性幕上星形细胞肿瘤标本中Ki-67抗原的表达。单因素使用Kaplan-Meier法,多因素分析使用COX比例风险模型进行预后分析。结果Ki-67 指数在组织学分级GradeⅡ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ中分别为2.86%±1.57%,6.72%±3.95%,8.16%±3.92%(P<0.01)。单因素及多因素分析均提示Ki-67指数是独立的预后因素。在GradeⅡ中,Ki-67指数>2.5%与Grade Ⅲ中Ki-67指数≤2.5%的患者生存期差异无显著性(P>0.05);在GradeⅣ中,Ki-67指数≤2.5%与>2.5%的患者生存期有显著性差异(P<0.01)。结论 Ki-67指数随着各病理级别增高而增高;Ki-67指数>2.5%提示预后较差。在同一病理级别中,Ki-67指数不同,其预后有显著性差异。而部分不同病理级别的患者,随着Ki-67指数的不同,其生存期却无显著差异。联合组织病理检查及Ki-67指数检测有助于更精确地判断预后。     

德国小蠊抗药性及其抗性衰退情况研究

目的了解德国小蠊的抗药性及抗药性衰退情况.方法以点滴法测定德国小蠊对溴氰菊酯、敌敌畏、二氯苯醚菊酯、残杀威等的抗药性及抗药性衰退情况.结果现场品系分别为0.098、0.490、5.612、0.741ug/虫,正常饲养1年后抗性分别为0.086、0.232、3.412、0.317ug/虫,5年后抗性分别为0.008、0.123、0.410、0.0811ug/虫,LD50最高为二氯苯醚菊酯,1年后抗性衰退倍数范围为1.14～2.39,5年后抗性衰退倍数范围为3.98～13.69.结论具有高等抗性德国小蠊经实验室饲养5年后抗性基本衰退.     

介入疗法在急性肢体动脉闭塞治疗中的应用价值

目的探讨介入疗法在急性肢体动脉闭塞治疗中的应用价值。方法回顾性总结28例急性肢体动脉闭塞介入治疗经验。采用经皮血管腔内成形术和动脉内溶栓术治疗上肢动脉闭塞5例、腹主动脉下段闭塞1例、下肢动脉闭塞22例。结果经术后4个月~9年临床观察,急性单段动脉闭塞血管再通率为100%(8/8例)、多段动脉闭塞血管再通率为80%(16/20例),总血管再通率为85.71%(24/28例)。结论介入疗法是治疗急性肢体动脉闭塞的一种有效方法,值得推广应用。