Effects of acute beta-adrenergic antagonism on verbal problem solving in autism spectrum disorder and exploration of treatment response markers

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social communication as well as restricted, repetitive behaviors. Evidence suggests that some individuals with ASD have cognitive impairments related to weak central coherence and hyperrestricted processing. Reducing noradrenergic activity may improve aspects of network processing and thus improve cognitive abilities, such as verbal problem solving, in individuals with ASD. The present pilot study explores the effects of acute administration of the beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol on verbal problem solving in adults and adolescents with ASD. In a within-subject crossover-design, 20 participants with ASD received a single dose of propranolol or placebo on one of two sessions in a double-blinded, counterbalanced manner. Verbal problem solving was assessed via an anagram task. Baseline measurements of autonomic nervous system functioning were obtained, and anxiety was assessed at baseline and following drug administration. Participants solved the anagrams more quickly in the propranolol condition, as compared to the placebo condition, suggesting a potential cognitive benefit of this agent. Additionally, we observed a negative linear relationship between response to propranolol on the anagram task and two measures of baseline autonomic activity, as well as a positive linear relationship between drug response and baseline anxiety. These relationships propose potential markers for treatment response, as propranolol influences both autonomic functioning and anxiety. Further investigation is needed to expand on the present single-dose psychopharmacological challenge and explore the observed effects of propranolol in a serial-dose setting.     

普萘洛尔联合5-单硝酸异山梨醇酯预防食管静脉曲张再出血68例临床疗效观察

Objective To observe the propranolol and the 5-isosorbide mononitrate to prevent the prevention of esophageal variceal hemorrhage. Methods 36 cases of treatment group and control group 32 patients were compared The rebleeding situation of two groups were observed. Results The treatment group were followed up for two years in rebleeding rate was significantly lower than the control group(P＜ 0. 01). Conclusion Propranolol and 5-isosorbide mononitrate can prevent esophageal varices rebleeding incidence.     

Tissue and serum mRNA profile of MMPs-2/9 as a potential novel biomarker for the most individual approach in infantile hemangiomas and cancer disease

Propranolol is a widely-known beta-blocker approved for treating infantile hemangiomas (IH). The mechanisms behind the spectacular IH involution after propranolol treatment remain unclear. Recently, there is strong evidence of overexpression of numerous angiogenic factors in IH tissues, and it is reported that propranolol influences their pathways. However, a number of MMPs studies is highly limited. Here, for the first time, we propose a comprehensive approach by analyzing the expression levels of metalloproteinases-2/9 (MMPs-2/9) and tissue metalloproteinase inhibitor-2 (TIMP-2) in vivo on both, molecular and immunohistochemical levels, and in both, IH tissues and in the serum of IH patients, and relates the obtained results to the tumor’s biology and systemic propranolol treatment.Material and methodsMMPs-2/9 and TIMP-2 were analyzed in 71 IH tissue samples using immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, and in 50 serum samples of IH patients by ELISA.ResultsSignificantly lower MMPs-2/9 and higher TIMP-2 levels were observed in IH tissues on the mRNA level as well as lower serum MMP-2 concentration among the treated individuals.ConclusionMMPs-2/9 and TIMP-2 are both involved in the biology of IH and the propranolol pathways enabling their antiangiogenic properties. The most reliable method of IH examination appears to be direct MMPs-2/9 mRNA evaluation in tumor tissue; and MMP-2 evaluation in patients’ serum is a valuable complement to it. Tissue and serum mRNA MMPs assessment may represent a suitable novel biomarker identifying tumor progression and involution processes with potential clinical impact in IH as well as in cancer disease.     

心得安体外抑精子作用的研究

30份取自健康志愿受试者的精液标本,在其自然液化后,按其精液中的精子数量和/或质量分为四组,并分别加入各不同浓度的心得安溶液剂,尔后在各个规定的时间内观察其杀精子效果。实验发现:心得安在体外对人类精子具有肯定的抑杀作用。其抑杀精子的效果与药物浓度和用药时间及精子的数量或质量有关。因此,初步认为:心得安可能作为一种安全、有效、经济和使用方便的女性阴道用杀精子避孕药,很值得进一步研究。     

普萘洛尔治疗长QT综合征的电生理机制探讨

目的：观察普萘洛尔对家兔跨左室壁不同部位心肌细胞电生理特性的影响，探讨普萘罗尔治疗长QT综合征（LQTS）的电生理机制。方法：采用标准玻璃微电极记录技术，记录心外膜心肌（epicardium，Epi）、中层心肌（mid—myocardium，Mid）和心内膜心肌（endocardium,Endo）的跨膜动作电位（transmembrance action potential，TAP）。用基础周长（basic cycle length，BCL）为2000m刺激心肌标本，观察不同浓度的普萘洛尔对三种心肌TAP的影响。结果：1．普萘洛尔浓度依赖性缩短d—sotalol灌流的三层心肌的APD90，与Epi和Endo相比，Mid的APD90缩短更明显，使TDR降低，且随着剂量的增加这种作用更为显著。2．普萘洛尔浓度依赖性地抑制d—sotalol诱导的早期后除极（Early afterdepolarization，EAD）。结论：普萘洛尔降低三层心肌间的复极离散度和抑制早期后除极是普萘洛尔治疗LQTS的电生理机制。     

氟桂利嗪联合普奈洛尔治疗偏头痛的观察

目的观察氟桂利嗪联合普奈洛尔治疗无先兆偏头痛的疗效，探讨两药联合应用能否增强疗效。方法146例无先兆偏头痛患者随机分为3组，Ⅰ组50例，氟桂利嗪每晚睡前5mg一次口服，普夸洛尔每次10mg，每日3次口服；Ⅱ组49例，氟桂利嗪每晚睡前5mg一次口服；Ⅲ组47例，普奈洛尔每次10mg，每日3次口服。3组均以90d为疗程，观察3组治疗前后平均每月头痛发作次数、程度的变化及副作用。结果治疗后Ⅰ组总有效率92．0％，Ⅱ组总有效率69．4％，Ⅲ组总有效率63．8％，联合治疗组疗效明显优于单一用药组，v值分别为2．64、3．45，均P〈0．01，3组副作用无明显差异。结论氟桂利嗪与普奈洛尔联合应用能提高治疗无先兆偏头痛的疗效，副作用无增加。     

Unusual Cause of Pediatric Vaginal Bleeding: Infantile Capillary Hemangioma of the Cervix

Background

The differential diagnosis for pediatric prepubertal vaginal bleeding is wide. Rare etiologies include vascular malformations and tumors, such as infantile hemangiomas (IHs), which validate the usefulness of exam under anesthesia, vaginoscopy, and tissue diagnosis.

The influence of drugs on the properties of gels and swelling characteristics of matrices containing methylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose

The cloud points, matrix swelling and gel layer formation in matrices containing cellulose ethers and indomethacin, propranolol hydrochloride or tetracycline hydrochloride have been investigated. The two hydrochloride salts contributed to the matrix swelling and gel layer formation, maintaining the integrity of matrices containing methylcellulose. Gel layer formation, measured by thermomechanical analysis was most rapid, and the layer thickest, in matrices containing propranolol hydrochloride. This mimicked cloud point determination where propranolol salted the cellulose ethers into solution to a greater extent than tetracycline. The poorly soluble indomethacin failed to contribute to swelling and gel layer formation. Studies, using U-tube viscometry, indicated that the viscosity of gels containing HPMC E4M, HPMC F4M, HPMC K4M and methylcellulose reduced on storage. This appeared to be further catalysed by the inclusion of drugs, and especially of tetracycline hydrochloride in the gels.     

Angiography with epinephrine and beta receptor blocker in diagnosis of sigmoid lesions

Various sigmoid lesions, seen on barium enema of 39 patients, were investigated with angiography of the inferior mesenteric artery using three series. The first was performed with contrast medium only, the second after use of epinephrine, and the third after a beta-blocking agent (propranolol) combined with epinephrine. The patients were followed for more than three years. Eleven carcinomas were detected, all diagnosed angiographically. Carcinoma, radiation fibrosis, and diverticulitis with fibrosis may appear similar on pharmacoangiography, but the inflammatory reaction seen, for example in diverticulitis, is different. These findings are important because they can have an influence on the indications and selection of the most suitable operation to be performed.     

Propranolol block of epinephrine-induced hypokaliaemia in man

Propranolol abolished the epinephrine-induced decrease in plasma potassium, in man. Propranolol also inhibited the rise in plasma lactic acid but only slightly affected the rise in blood glucose levels.