Reduced area of the normal lung on high-resolution computed tomography predicts poor survival in patients with lung cancer and combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema

Background

This study aimed to determine the radiologic predictors and clarify the clinical features related to survival in patients with combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) and lung cancer.

Odor discrimination of "IP 3-" and “cAMP-increasing” odorants in the turtle olfactory bulb

The ability of the turtle olfactory system to discriminate between various odorants that increase levels of adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and inositol trisphosphate (IP ₃) in the olfactory bulb was examined by the cross-adaptation technique and analyzed by multidimensional scaling. The mean values of the degree of discrimination among the IP ₃-increasing odorants were higher than those among the cAMP-increasing odorants, and were similar to those between cAMP- and IP ₃-increasing odorants, suggesting that the features of the receptors of cAMP-increasing odorants are different from those which respond to IP ₃-increasing odorants. Analysis by multidimensional scaling suggested that differences in second messenger pathways are not related to detecting odor quality in the turtle olfactory system. Received: 21 July 1995/Received after revision: 20 October 1995/Accepted: 6 November 1995     

Modular architecture of the T4 phage superfamily: a conserved core genome and a plastic periphery

Among the most numerous objects in the biosphere, phages show enormous diversity in morphology and genetic content. We have sequenced 7 T4-like phages and compared their genome architecture. All seven phages share a core genome with T4 that is interrupted by several hyperplastic regions (HPRs) where most of their divergence occurs. The core primarily includes homologues of essential T4 genes, such as the virion structure and DNA replication genes. In contrast, the HPRs contain mostly novel genes of unknown function and origin. A few of the HPR genes that can be assigned putative functions, such as a series of novel Internal Proteins, are implicated in phage adaptation to the host. Thus, the T4-like genome appears to be partitioned into discrete segments that fulfil different functions and behave differently in evolution. Such partitioning may be critical for these large and complex phages to maintain their flexibility, while simultaneously allowing them to conserve their highly successful virion design and mode of replication.     

DAB2IP 基因的研究进展

Human DAB2 interaction protein (DAB2IP) is a novel member of Ras GTPase-activating protein family. It interacts directly with disabled-2 protein (DAB2/DOC2) which suppresses growth of cancers derived from different tissues, including mammary, prostate and ovarian cancers. DAB2IP was identified as an immediate downstream effector mediated by DAB2/DOC2. DAB2IP and DAB2/DOC2 form a unique protein complex that has a negative regulatory effect on the Ras-mediated signal pathway. It is demonstrated that DAB2IP is a tumor suppressor gene inactivated by methylation in several cancers. This article reviews the structure and biological functions of DAB2IP gene as well as its potential roles in carcinogenesis and evolution.     

The opposite roles of nNOS in cardiac ischemia–reperfusion-induced injury and in ischemia preconditioning-induced cardioprotection in mice

The role of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in cardiac ischemia–reperfusion (IR) and ischemia preconditioning (IP) is still controversial. Here, we focused on the possible roles of nNOS in cardiac IR and IP. Wild type C57BL/6 (WT) mice were subjected to coronary artery occlusion for 30 min followed by 24-h reperfusion (IR). Cardiac injury (infarct size and apoptotic cell number) was increased, associated with elevation of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation) and nitrative stress (nitrotyrosine formation). A potent nNOS inhibitor, L-VNIO, and a superoxide dismutase mimetic and peroxynitrite scavenger, MnTBAP, significantly reduced IR-induced increases of oxidative/nitrative stress and cardiac injury. IR-induced cardiac injury in nNOS^−/− (KO) mice was significantly lower than that in WT mice. MnTBAP markedly reduced IR-induced cardiac injury by suppression of oxidative/nitrative stress in KO mice. Cardiac IP was performed by three cycles of 5-min IR before 30-min ischemia followed by 24-h reperfusion. IP attenuated IR-induced cardiac injury in WT mice associated with reductions of oxidative/nitrative stress. IP-induced reduction of cardiac injury and oxidative/nitrative stress were eliminated by pretreatment with L-VNIO. In contrast with WT mice, IP had no protective effects in nNOS KO mice. In conclusion, nNOS played a dual role during cardiac IR and IP; nNOS exacerbated IR-induced injury by increasing oxidative/nitrative stress and contributed to IP-induced protection by inhibition of oxidative/nitrative stress.     

Prevalence of sesamoid bones in the interphalangeal joint of the thumb and fingers: A Radiographic Study

The prevalence of sesamoid bones in the hands has been reported in some previous articles. Most of them, however, have reported sesamoid bones of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the hand and of the interphalangeal (IP) joint of the thumb. The present study investigates the prevalence of sesamoid bones of the IP joint of the thumb and fingers. A retrospective review of radiologic views of the IP joints in the thumb or fingers was performed, including a total of 650 patients (1,096 thumbs or fingers). Sesamoid bones were found in the IP joint of the thumb at 67% (212 of 318), while the index, middle, ring, little fingers had sesamoid bones in the proximal interphlangeal (PIP) joint at 0% (0 of 172), 0.4% (1 of 244), 0.5% (1 of 183), and 1% (2 of 179), respectively. None of the four fingers had sesamoid bones in the distal IP joint. Previous articles have described the similar prevalence to the present study, of sesamoid bones of the IP joint of the thumb, while some others reported the different prevalence. About the PIP joint, no previous articles have found a sesamoid bone. Because the lateral X‐ray view is more accurate and suitable to evaluate sesamoid bones, we used the lateral one for the present study. The knowledge that sesamoid bones occurs at these rates in the thumb IP joint and finger PIP joints is helpful to differentiate chip fractures from sesamoid bones near the IP joint, including the PIP joint. Clin. Anat. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

锌对体外培养淋巴细胞功能的影响研究

本文研究不同锌离子浓度对体外培养淋巴细胞增殖功能的影响及其作用的可能机制.结果表明10~(-4)mmol/L,10~(-5)mmol/L Zn~(2+)使淋巴细胞增殖指数明显增加,但其作用弱于PHA.同时在该浓度下,淋巴细胞分泌IL-2增多,三磷酸肌醇(IP_3)含量增加,但对[Ca~(2+)]i浓度无显著影响.结果显示锌离子促使淋巴细胞分泌IL-2,引起淋巴细胞增殖,而IP_3可能与锌离子引起淋巴细胞增殖的部分功能有关.