妊高征患者胰岛素样生长因子水平及对胎儿生长发育的影响

目的：探讨妊娠高血压综合征(妊高征)患者血清胰岛素样生长因子(IGF-1)和胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白-3(IGFBP-3)水平与疾病程度及新生儿出生体重之间的关系。方法：用放射免疫方法测定33例妊高征和32例正常血压妊娠妇女的血清IGF-1、IGFBP-3的水平。结果：重度妊高征组IGF-1显著低于正常组，IGFBP-3在各组间的水平浓度差异均无显著性，但IGF-1与IGFBP-3之间呈正相关。新生儿出生体重随妊高征严重程度的加剧而降低，各组间比较差异有显著性(F=5．453，P=0．002)。结论：妊高征患者的发病及严重程度与IGF-1有明显的关系，IGF-1与胎儿的发育及新生儿出生体重有明显的相关性。     

Relationship Among MRTA, DXA, and QUS

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) are the accepted modalities for the evaluation of fracture risk in the clinical setting. However, neither method provides a direct measurement of bone mechanics. In this study, we investigated a prototype device, known as a mechanical response tissue analyzer (MRTA), which provides direct mechanical measurements of mechanical properties of bone. A total of 56 healthy volunteers (20 men and 36 women) between the ages of 18 and 83 were recruited. The MRTA was used to measure the cross-sectional bending stiffness (EI) of the ulna bone. Axial speed of sound (SOS) at the ulna bone was determined by QUS; bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were determined by DXA. Correlations, regression analysis, and analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to compare the three modalities. These analyses revealed that although there are strong linear relationships among the data collected by the various technologies, the bone properties reflected by MRTA are not fully explained by DXA and QUS. We conclude that the total information conveyed by MRTA measurements is unique. Further research is needed to delineate the different qualities of bone strength that are captured by MRTA, but not by DXA or QUS.     

急性冠脉综合征患者循环内皮祖细胞与炎性相关因子的研究

目的:探讨急性心肌梗死(AMI)、不稳定性心绞痛(UA)患者外周血中循环内皮祖细胞(EPCs)与炎性相关因子C反应蛋白质(CRP)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的相关性。方法:取AMI(25例)UA患者(28例)及健康体检者(对照组32例)静脉血,采用密度梯度离心法从外周血获得单个核细胞;激光共聚焦显微镜鉴定FITC-UEA-I和Dil-acLDL双染色阳性细胞为正在分化的EPCs,并在倒置荧光显微镜下计数;酶联免疫法检测各种炎性相关因子。结果:AMI组及UA组的EPCs数量和血清CRPI、L-6、TNF-α水平显著高于正常对照组。结论:AMI及UA患者EPCs数量增加与炎性相关因子增加有关。     

Post–traumatic Alzheimer''s disease: preponderance of a single plaque type

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is unknown. Several factors have been proposed including head trauma. At present, the link between head injury and a subsequent neurodegenerative process is largely circumstantial, except in the case of dementia pugilistica (punch drunk syndrome) found in boxers. Recent studies have shown that the brains of boxers with this syndrome contain large numbers of 'diffuse' beta-protein immunoreactive plaques. We supposed that this plaque type might be associated with trauma induced Alzheimer-like degeneration. In order to test this hypothesis we have re-investigated a previously reported case of post-traumatic premature Alzheimer's disease. Immunocytochemistry using antibodies to amyloid beta-protein revealed large numbers of 'diffuse' non-Congophilic plaques with little or no neuritic component. A similar preponderance of this plaque type is present in the brains of boxers with dementia pugilistica. Our observations support the idea of a trauma induced Alzheimer-like degenerative process and indicate that such a condition is associated with a marked preponderance of 'diffuse' plaques.     

Identification of a Membrane Receptor for Retinol-Binding Protein Functioning in the Cellular Uptake of Retinal

Retinol-binding protein (RBP) is the transport protein that carries retinol in the circulation from the liver to its target tissues. The existence of a cell-surface receptor on the target cells, which mediates the uptake of retinol from RBP, has been known since 1975. Recently, it was identified as an integral transmem-brane protein named STRA6 that is inducible by retinoic acid in certain cancer cells. The receptor was found to be highly specific for RBP, with high affinity, and to be localized in all tissues known to require retinol for their function, particularly the pigment epithelium of the eye.     

Singularities explained: Response to Klein.

Klein [Klein, A. S. (2006). Separating transducer nonlinearities and multiplicative noise in contrast discrimination. Vision Research, 46, 4279-4293] questions the existence of intrinsic singularities in two-alternative force-choice (2AFC) Signal Detection Theory (SDT) models, suggesting that the singularities found in Katkov et al. [Katkov, M., Tsodyks, M., & Sagi, D. (2006a). Singularities in the inverse modeling of 2AFC contrast discrimination data. Vision Research, 46, 259-266; Katkov, M., Tsodyks, M., & Sagi, D. (2006b). Analysis of two-alternative force-choice Signal Detection Theory model. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 50, 411-420] are due to discarding higher order terms in the Taylor expansion of d' and/or limited to steep psychometric functions. Here we provide some simple intuitive examples that illustrate the results described in Katkov et al. (2006a, 2006b). We show, for the constant noise model, that singularities exist when exact values of d' are computed and that the singularities are not limited to steep psychometric functions. In these cases the disambiguation of the different models requires millions of trials.     

Stereoselective plasma protein binding of ibuprofen enantiomers

Summary We have developed a novel and reproducible method for determining the plasma protein binding of the two ibuprofen enantiomers in the presence of each other. The method involves the use of radiolabelled racemic ibuprofen, equilibrium dialysis, derivatization of the enantiomers to diastereomeric amides, high-performance liquid chromatography, and radiochemical analysis.We have determined the plasma protein binding of R(–)- and S(+)-ibuprofen in 6 healthy male volunteers after the oral administration of 800 mg racemic ibuprofen.The mean time-averaged percentage unbound of the R(–)-enantiomer, 0.419 was significantly less than that of the S(+)-enantiomer, 0.643, consistent with stereoselective plasma protein binding.The percentage unbound of each ibuprofen enantiomer was concentration-dependent over the therapeutic concentration range and was influenced by the presence of its optical antipode.     

Capillary hemangioblastoma: histogenesis of stromal cells

Summary The histogenesis of stromal cells in capillary hemangioblastoma has been the subject of debate. The light and electron microscopic studies of hemangioblastomas presented here showed pericytic and leiomyoblastic features in stromal cells. Cells cultured by the monolayer method showed similar features to those of the original tumors. Immunohistochemical studies for glial fibrillary acidic protein and factor VIII/von Willebrand factor indicated that stromal cells were antigenically distinct from astrocytes and endothelial cells. These findings suggest that stromal cells are closely related to pericytes and smooth muscle cells, and support Rhodin's speculation that pericytes serve as a precursor to smooth muscle cells.     

Limbus-based versus Fornix-based conjunctival flap in filtering surgery

Summary A randomized prospective study was performed to compare the results of filtering surgery using a Limbusbased versus a Fornix-based conjunctival flap. The wound closure of the Fornix-based flap was performed using a running 10/0 nylon suture at the limbus. No statistical significant difference of IOP regulation was found between the two groups. There was a tendency of reduced occurrence of shallow anterior chamber and of less vascularized filtering blebs in the Fornix-based technique.     

Addition of sufentanil to bupivacaine in caudal block effect on stress responses in children

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present randomized study was to determine the effect of adding sufentanil to bupivacaine, compared with bupivacaine alone in caudal block, on the surgical stress response in children. METHODS: The children were premedicated with midazolam 0.5 mg/kg. All children received induction with nitrous oxide and sevoflurane. Anesthesia was maintained with the same volatile agents in the both groups. The children were randomly allocated to two groups. Group I received bupivacaine alone (n = 17) and group II received bupivacaine + sufentanil (n = 16). Caudal block was performed with 0.25% bupivacaine 2 mg/kg (group I) or 0.25% bupivacaine 2 mg/kg with sufentanil 0.5 microg/kg (group II) after induction of anesthesia. Blood samples were obtained after induction of anesthesia (T(0)) to measure baseline concentrations of cortisol, prolactin, glucose and insulin. Additional samples were obtained 30 min after the start of surgery (T(1)), and 60 min after the end of surgery (T(2)). RESULTS: All of the basal values (T(0)) were within the normal ranges of the authors' laboratory for children of this age group and there were no differences between the groups (P > 0.05). In both groups, glucose concentration increased at T(1), compared with T(0) and T(2) (P < 0.05). The glucose concentration was unchanged at T(2) compared with T(0) in both group (P > 0.05). In both groups, prolactin concentration increased at T(1), compared with T(0) and decreased at T(2), compared with T(1) (P < 0.05). Cortisol decreased at T(1) and T(2), compared with T(0) in both groups. (P < 0.05). Insulin concentration remained unchanged at T(0) and T(2), but increased slightly at T(1) in both groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in plasma prolactin, cortisol, glucose and insulin levels between the two groups at T(1) and T(2) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There is no advantage in adding 0.5 microg/kg sufentanil to bupivacaine over bupivacaine alone in the caudal block, with regard to the surgical stress response in children.