Accelerating effects of epidermal growth factor on skin lesions of pemphigus vulgaris: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a severe blistering disease involving the skin and mucous membranes. The most common causes of death in these patients are adverse effects of drugs, and infection. Skin lesions are one of the important sources of infection. Thus, any local treatment that could reduce healing time of lesions and consequently reduce the total dosage of drugs needed to treat is favourable. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in reducing healing time of lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, within-patient, left/right, controlled trial, 20 hospitalized patients with pathologial and immunohistologial (direct and indirect immunoflourecence) proven pemphigus vulgaris (PV) were chosen. In addition, all patients had at least one appropriate pemphigus lesion on each side of the body that had not healed after 2-week systemic therapy and sterile saline washing. EGF (10 microg/g) in 0.1% silver sulfadiazine cream vs. 0.1% silver sulfadiazine cream alone was applied randomly on one side of the body. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that median time to heal with application of EGF plus silver sulfadiazine cream was 9 days, in comparison with 15 days for silver sulfadiazine cream alone (log-rank test, P=0.0003). No intervention-related adverse effect was observed during the study. CONCLUSIONS: EGF can significantly reduce healing time of skin lesions in patients with pemphigus vulgaris, at least when this cream base is applied (Cochrane skin group identifier: CSG20).     

The plasma kallikrein–kinin system and risk of cardiovascular disease in men

BACKGROUND: The plasma kallikrein-kinin system (PKKS) has been implicated in cardiovascular disease, but activation of the PKKS has not been directly probed in individuals at risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke. OBJECTIVE: To determine the involvement of the PKKS, including factor XI, in cardiovascular disease occurring in a nested case-control study from the Second Northwick Park Heart Study (NPHS-II). METHODS AND RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 10.7 years, 287 cases of CHD and stroke had been recorded and 542 age-matched controls were selected. When FXIIa-C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-inhibitor) concentrations were divided into tertiles (lowest tertile as reference), the odds ratios (ORs) at 95% CIs for CHD were 0.52 (0.34-0.80) in the middle tertile and 0.73 (0.49-1.09) in the highest tertile (P = 0.01 for the overall difference; P = 0.01 for CHD and stroke combined). For kallikrein-C1-inhibitor complexes, the ORs for stroke were 0.29 (0.12-0.72) and 0.67 (0.30-1.52) in the middle and high tertiles, respectively (P = 0.02). FXIIa-C1-inhibitor and kallikrein-C1-inhibitor complexes were negatively related to smoking and fibrinogen (P < 0.005). FXIa-inhibitor complexes correlated strongly with FXIIa-inhibitor complexes. CONCLUSIONS: Lower levels of inhibitory complexes of the PKKS enzymes and particularly of FXIIa contribute to the risk of CHD and stroke in middle-aged men. This observation supports the involvement of the PKKS in atherothrombosis.     

NGF对小脑皮质细胞凋亡影响的实验研究

目的　探讨神经生长因子 (NGF)对小脑皮质神经细胞凋亡的影响 ,为临床治疗小脑变性疾病提供新的措施。方法　以原代培养的新生SD乳鼠小脑皮质细胞建立谷氨酸诱导的神经细胞凋亡模型。为观察NGF对受损细胞的保护作用 ,应用MTT法测定细胞的存活率和细胞代谢情况 ;利用光学显微镜技术观察细胞凋亡的形态学改变。结果　Glu (5 0 0 μmol/L)作用 5min可诱导小脑神经细胞凋亡。MTT法计数结果显示 ,NGF高剂量治疗组细胞存活率显著高于模型组 (P <0 0 1) ,光学显微镜观察发现受损细胞的形态学变化也得到明显改善。结论　外源性NGF能够减轻大鼠小脑皮质神经细胞凋亡。     

Psychosocial factors at work and perceived health among agricultural meat industry workers in France

Objective  The objective of this study was to describe the perceived health status of the meat industry employees—i.e., working in the slaughtering, cutting, and boning of large animals and poultry—and its relation to their organisational and psychosocial constraints at work. Methods  This postal survey included all 3,000 employees of the meat industry (beef, pork and poultry) in four districts in Brittany, France, whose companies were affiliated with the agricultural branch of the national health insurance fund. The questionnaire asked for social and demographic data and information describing their job and the organisation of their work. The psychosocial factors at work were described according to Karasek’s questionnaire (demand, latitude and social support at work). Perceived health was measured with the Nottingham Health Profile perceived health indicator. Results  This study shows the high prevalence of poor health reported by the workers in this industry. This poor perceived health was worse in women and increased regularly with age. Among the psychosocial factors studied, high quantitative and qualitative demand at work, inadequate resources for good work and to a lesser extent, inadequate prospects for promotion appear especially associated with poor perceived health. Other factors often associated with poor perceived health included young age at the first job and work hours that disrupt sleep rhythms (especially for women). Conclusion  Our results show that this population of workers is especially vulnerable from the point of view of perceived physical and psychological health and is exposed to strong physical, organisational and psychosocial constraints at work. They also demonstrate that poor perceived health is associated with some psychosocial (such as high psychological demand and insufficient resources) and organisational factors at work. These results, in conjunction with those from other disciplines involved in studying this industry, may help the companies to develop preventive activities.     

History of haemophilia

Summary.  Haemophilia, an ancient disease, now has sophisticated methods for diagnosis and treatment. The genetically missing factors can now be supplied by fractionation of human-derived (HD) plasma or with recombinant technology (r). Making therapeutic choices is complicated by past transfusion-transmitted diseases. HD and r products now have similar safety profiles. Several diseases have only HD products for treatment. These products remain important in our treatment armamentarium.     

转化生长因子β对人颈椎关节突关节软骨细胞基质金属蛋白酶13基因表达的调节作用及意义

目的 探讨转化生长因子β（TGF-β）对人的颈椎关节突关节透明软骨细胞基质金属蛋白酶13（MMP-13）基因表达的作用，旨在阐明颈椎退行性变的相关发生机理。方法 应用逆转录方法PCR及实时荧光定量方法，检测不同浓度TGF-β作用传代培养人的透明软骨细胞MMP-13mRNA的含量。另外3种不同浓度分别与10ng／ml IL-1β组成联合作用组，共计6个实验组及1个正常对照组。结果 正常对照组中透明软骨细胞仅见MMP-13mRNA扩增产物，实验组TGF-β1、10和100ng／ml作用12h后，MMP-13mRNA表达逐渐增强；而联合作用组中，随着TGF-β1浓度的升高，MMP-13mRNA表达逐渐降低，并且各组之间存在明显的差异（P〈0．05）。结论 TGF-β可按剂量依赖方式调节颈椎关节突关节软骨细胞MMP-13mRNA的表达。     

Thrombophilic risk factors and unusual clinical features in three Italian CADASIL patients

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a genetically transmitted cerebrovascular disease. Typically, the first clinical manifestation is migraine and the full clinical spectrum of the disease with recurrent strokes of the subcortical type, cognitive, and mood disorders is seen during the fourth and fifth decades of life. Vascular risk factors are usually absent in CADASIL patients and the diagnosis of the disease is particularly suspected in young adults with cerebrovascular events of unknown cause, diffuse leukoencephalopathy on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, and a history of cerebrovascular diseases or dementia in many family members. We describe three Italian CADASIL patients who presented to medical attention for cerebrovascular events occurred after the age of 55 and had, in addition to hypertension and hyperlipidemia, thrombophilic risk factors such as hyperhomocysteinemia, elevated levels of lipoprotein(a), and antiphospholipid antibodies. Symptoms possibly related to cortical involvement, such as dysphasia and visual field deficits, were reported by two of these patients. We conclude that a diagnosis of CADASIL should not be disregarded in patients with vascular risk factors and presenting with symptoms not immediately referable to subcortical damage at ages more advanced than commonly reported.     

sFGFR1基因的克隆与在RTS系统中的高效表达

目的：克隆sFGFRl(soluble fibroblast growth factors receptor-1)基因，并在RTS(rapid translation system)系统中高效表达相应蛋白．方法：培养Swiss rat 3T3 fibroblast细胞株，提取总RNA，用RT—PCR方法获取鼠sFGFR1 cDNA片段，酶切后克隆到pIVEX2．3d载体并进行序列分析；采用Roche RTS ProteinMaster500系统，高效表达sFGFR1蛋白并用Western Blot鉴定表达的蛋白．结果：克隆了sFGFR1基因，测序证实序列正确；Western Blot证实sFGFR1蛋白在RTS系统中高效表达．结论：克隆了sFGFR1基因并在RTS系统获得高效表达．     

子宫内膜异位症患者血清及腹腔液中血小板衍生生长因子、血管细胞粘附分子水平的变化及其意义

目的通过检测子宫内膜异位症(EMs)患者血清及腹腔液中血小板衍生生长因子(PDGF)、血管细胞粘附分子-(VCAM-1)浓度,探讨PDGF和VCAM-1在EMs发病中的作用。方法选取手术后病理证实为EMs的40例患者为EMs组,其中I~II期17例,III~IV23例;非EMs组20例作为对照组。应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测血清及腹腔液中PDGF和VCAM-1水平。结果EMs组血清及腹腔液中PDGF、VCAM-1水平均明显高于对照组(P<0.01)。随EMs期别的增加,其血清和腹腔液中PDGF、VCAM-1含量呈上升趋势;EMsIII~IV期水平显著高于I~II期(P<0.05)。EMs患者PDGF与VCAM-1呈正相关性(P<0.05)。结论EMs患者PDGF、VCAM-1表达水平升高,在EMs的发生发展中具有重要作用。