Benign intracranial hypertension and recombinant growth hormone therapy in Australia and New Zealand

Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is reported in three children from Australia and one from New Zealand, who were being treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH). Three males and one female, aged between 10.5 and 14.2 y, developed intracranial hypertension within 2 weeks to 3 months of starting treatment. A national database, OZGROW, has been prospectively collecting data on all 3332 children treated with rhGH in Australia and New Zealand from January 1986 to 1996. The incidence of BIH in children treated with growth hormone (GH) is small, 1.2 per 1000 cases overall, but appears to be greater with biochemical GHD (<10IUml ^-1), i.e. 6.5/1000 (3 in 465 cases), relative risk 18.4, 95% confidence interval 1.9-176.1, than in all other children on the database. The incidence in patients with Turner's syndrome was 2.3/1000 (1 in 428 cases). No cases in patients with partial GHD (10–20 IUml ^-1) or chronic renal failure were identified. Possible causative mechanisms are discussed. The authors'practice is now to start GH replacement at less than the usual recommended dose of 14IUm-² week^-1 in those children considered to be at high risk of developing BIH. Ophthalmological evaluation is recommended for children before and during the first few months following commencement of rhGH therapy and is mandatory in the event of peripheral or facial oedema, persistent headaches, vomiting or visual symptoms. The absence of papilledema does not exclude the diagnosis.     

大鼠肝细胞Ⅰ，Ⅲ型前胶原基因表达及PDGF的影响

目的观察大鼠肝细胞Ⅰ，Ⅲ型前胶原基因的表达及ＰＤＧＦ对其表达的影响．方法应用原位杂交技术检测分离培养的ＳＤ大鼠肝细胞（ｎ＝３０）内Ⅰ，Ⅲ型前胶原基因的表达．同时观察１０μｇ／Ｌ（ｎ＝３０）和３０μｇ／Ｌ（ｎ＝３０）ＰＤＧＦ促进前胶原基因表达的作用．测定基因表达颗粒总面积占细胞总面积的百分比，并作比较分析．结果无论正常肝细胞或是在两种浓度的ＰＤＧＦ存在时，肝细胞内均可见到Ⅰ，Ⅲ型前胶原基因的表达．正常肝细胞Ⅰ，Ⅲ型前胶原基因表达面积的百分比（％）为７７±１９和７５±２１；加１０μｇ／ＬＰＤＧＦ后为１１５±１９和１１２±１０，而加３０μｇ／Ｌ后为１５２±３４及１８１±２８，且在后者中表达明显增强（Ｐ＜００５及Ｐ＜００１）．结论ＰＤＧＦ在转录水平上促进肝细胞胶原的合成．     

INTERACTION BETWEEN EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR AND ARGININE VASOPRESSIN IN RENAL MEDULLARY MEMBRANES

1. Epidermal growth factor is a potent mitogen that causes natriuresis, diuresis and inhibition of arginine vasopressin-induced water reabsorption. 2. The aim of this study was to determine any interaction between epidermal growth factor and the V1 (vascular) and/or V2 (antidiuretic) arginine vasopressin receptor subtypes. 3. Radioligand binding displacement assays demonstrated that although arginine vasopressin related peptides displaced both radioligands from renal medullary membranes at low concentrations epidermal growth factor displaced neither. 4. Arginine vasopressin V2 receptor second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CAMP) production was inhibited by epidermal growth factor (IC₅₀ 2 ± 10^?7 mol/L) as was sodium fluoride cAMP production but only at much higher concentrations. 5. Therefore the diuretic effect of epidermal growth factor is not via direct antagonism of arginine vasopressin receptors but seems mediated via inhibition of the V2 second messenger system.     

Oral sensorimotor therapy: Assessment,efficacy and future directions

This review addresses the current state of knowledge in oral sensorimotor therapy for children with neurological impairments and ingestive problems. Comprehensive assessment of the child with dysphagia looks at the interaction of oral performance and growth. These domains include eating efficiency, oral-motor skills, oral sensory evaluation, classification of the severity of an eating problem, interaction of respiration and ingestion, aspiration, positioning for feeding, social skills assessment, careload and assessment technologies. Oral sensorimotor therapy improves eating but not drinking skills in children 3–12 years of age. Weight gain is sufficient so that children maintain their growth channel but they do not show catchup growth. Many factors thought to contribute to better ingestive performance need further study, such as jaw and lip control in association with drinking. The earliest possible identification of infants at risk for eating impairments needs to be rigorously pursued. Such an approach offers hope that the later growth deterioration now seen in children with eating impairments may be prevented. Finally, the effect of positioning and the use of eating equipment to promote self-feeding need further study.     

地膜覆盖条件下红花生长发育规律及其与产量关系的研究

对地膜覆盖条件下红花生长发育规律及其与产量的关系进行了研究。结果表明,地膜红花与露地红花生长发育规律基本一致,但地膜红花生育进程明显提前,各个阶段的生长量明显增多,花的产量及籽粒产量极显著提高。     

Comparative effects of plateletderived growth factor-BB and insulin-like growth factor-I, individually and in combination, on periodontal regeneration in Macaca fascicularis

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) in combination have previously been shown to enhance periodontal regeneration. The objective of this study was to further characterize the biological effects of this combination of growth factors in non-human primates and compare the effects to those of each growth factor individually. Ligature-induced periodontitis was initiated in 10 cynomolgus monkeys. After periodontal lesions were established, surgery was performed, and either a methylcellulose gel vehicle or vehicle containing 10 μg each of either PDGF-BB, IGF-I or both PDGF-BB and IGF-I was applied to exposed root surfaces. Biopsies were taken 4 and 12 wk after treatment and the extent of periodontal regeneration was assessed by histomorphometry. At both 4 and 12 wk vehicle-treated lesions generally revealed minimal osseous defect fill (ODF) (8.5±2.1% and 14.5±5.7%, respectively) and new attachment (NA) (34.1±5.2% and 26.6±10.5%, respectively). IGF-I treatment did not significantly alter healing compared to vehicle in any parameter at both 4 and 12 wk. PDGFBB-treated sites exhibited significant (p<0.05) regeneration of NA (69.6±12.0%) at 12 wk; trends for PDGF-BB treatment effect were also observed in other parameters at 4 and 12 wk. although these increases were not statistically significant. Treatment with PDGF-BB/IGF-I resulted in 21.6±5.1 % and 42.5±8.3% ODF at 4 and 12 wk, respectively, and 64.1±7.7% and 74.6±7.4% NA at 4 and 12 wk, respectively (all significantly greater than vehicle, p<0.05). The results from this study demonstrated that: 1) IGF-1 alone at the dose tested did not significantly alter periodontal wound healing; 2) PDGF-BB alone significantly stimulated NA, with trends of effect on other parameters; and 3) the PDGF-BB/IGF-I combination resulted in significant increases in NA and ODF above vehicle at both 4 and 12 wk.     

大鼠腹腔肥大细胞肿瘤坏死因子合成与释放的研究

应用免疫细胞化学技术及酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）对大鼠腹腔肥大细胞合成和释放肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）的状况进行了观测。结果:新鲜分离纯化的大鼠腹腔肥大细胞胞浆呈TNF蛋白阳性。单纯肥大细胞培养早期（2～4 h）,上清液中未能检测到TNF,随着培养时间延长,上清液中TNF含量增多;盐酸吗啡与肥大细胞共同培养2h时,上清液中出现可测TNF。四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）比色分析试验表明,肥大细胞培养上清液具体有TNF的抗肿瘤活性中。提示:大鼠腹腔肥大细胞能合成和释放TNF,盐酸吗啡能促进肥大细胞释放TNF。     

Practical guidelines for physicians in the management of febrile seizures

Recent studies have shown that adequate medication can prevent the recurrence of febrile seizures (FS). It has also been clarified that the vast majority of, though not all, FS patients follow a benign course. Then, questions arise as to whether or not FS should be prevented, particularly in light of the risks of side effects from drugs. Which kinds of FS can be prevented, if necessary? The guidelines presented here are aimed primarily at helping general practitioners in considering how to manage FS most appropriately. The guidelines stress that judgements should be individualized, while referring to a few specific ‘warning factors’. The guidelines follow a ‘laissez-faire’ principle for the majority of FS cases, whereas intermittent therapy with diazepam and continuous medication with either phenobarbital or valproate are indicated in other limited cases meeting respective definite criteria.     

Muscle growth and myosin isoform transitions during development of a small teleost fish, Poecilia reticulata (Peters) (Atheriniformes, Poeciliidae): a histochemical, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and morphometric study

The myosin composition of lateral muscle in Poecilia reticulata from birth to adult was studied by ATPase histochemistry and immunostaining with myosin isoform-specific antibodies. At birth the muscle consists of two layers containing developmental isoforms of myosin. In deep layer fibres the developmental myosin is replaced by the adult fast-white isoform soon after birth. In the epaxial and hypaxial monolayer fibres the myosin composition present at birth (J1) is replaced within 3 days by another (J2). In some fibres, this J2 composition is retained in the adult, but in others it is slowly replaced by the adult slow-red muscle isoform. Close to the lateral line, all monolayer fibres are already in transition between the J2 myosin and the adult slow-red form at birth, and rapidly complete the transition to slow-red form. These fibres, together with others generated de novo in an underlying hyperplastic zone, form the red muscle layer of the adult. The pink muscle develops during the first month after birth, and by 31 days it consists of an outer, middle and inner layer. A few middle layer fibres are already present at birth, while the outer layer fibres first appear 3 days after birth. The thin inner layer is probably a transitional form between the middle pink and adult white types, and appears at about 31 days. A morphometric analysis showed that growth of the white muscle occurs principally by hypertrophy. Even at the magnification level of the electron microscope, no satellite cells or myoblasts which could give rise to new fibres were found in the white muscle, except in the far epaxial and hypaxial regions and only in the first 10 days. A zone of hyperplastic growth was also found lying just under the superficial monolayer close to the lateral line, and this presumably contributes fibres to the red and pink muscle layers.     

Overexpression of suppressor of cytokine signalling-5 augments eosinophilic airway inflammation in mice

BACKGROUND: Enhanced expression of the suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS)-5 might be of therapeutic benefit for T-helper type 2 (Th2) dominant diseases, as its expression is reported to result in a reduction of Th2 differentiation in vitro due to the inhibition of IL-4 signalling. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory role of SOCS-5 in vivo, we explored the phenotype of an experimental asthma model developed in SOCS-5 transgenic (Tg) mice. METHODS: The SOCS-5 Tg mice or wild-type (WT) mice were sensitized and repeatedly challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). We examined bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), lung specimens, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine. RESULTS: The production of IFN-gamma by CD4(+) T cells from unprimed SOCS-5 Tg mice was significantly increased in comparison with unprimed wild-type mice, indicating that SOCS-5 Tg mice have a Th1-polarizing condition under natural conditions. However, in an asthma model, significantly more eosinophils in the airways and higher levels of IL-5 and IL-13 in BALF were observed in the SOCS-5 Tg than the wild-type mice. AHR in the asthma model of SOCS-5 Tg was also more enhanced than that of wild-type mice. OVA-stimulated CD4(+) T cells from the primed SOCS-5 Tg mice produced significantly more IL-5 and IL-13 than CD4(+) T cells from wild-type mice. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the overexpression of SOCS-5 does not inhibit Th2 response, but rather augments the phenotype of the asthma model in vivo. This finding throws into question the therapeutic utility of using enhancement of SOCS-5 expression for Th2-dominant disease.