Genetic contributions to Parkinson's disease

Sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the loss of midbrain dopamine neurons and Lewy body inclusions. It is thought to result from a complex interaction between multiple predisposing genes and environmental influences, although these interactions are still poorly understood. Several causative genes have been identified in different families. Mutations in two genes [α-synuclein and nuclear receptor-related 1 (Nurr1)] cause the same pathology, and a third locus on chromosome 2 also causes this pathology. Other familial PD mutations have identified genes involved in the ubiquitin–proteasome system [parkin and ubiquitin C-terminal hydroxylase L1 (UCHL1)], although such cases do not produce Lewy bodies. These studies highlight critical cellular proteins and mechanisms for dopamine neuron survival as disrupted in Parkinson's disease. Understanding the genetic variations impacting on dopamine neurons may illuminate other molecular mechanisms involved. Additional candidate genes involved in dopamine cell survival, dopamine synthesis, metabolism and function, energy supply, oxidative stress, and cellular detoxification have been indicated by transgenic animal models and/or screened in human populations with differing results. Genetic variation in genes known to produce different patterns and types of neurodegeneration that may impact on the function of dopamine neurons are also reviewed. These studies suggest that environment and genetic background are likely to have a significant influence on susceptibility to Parkinson's disease. The identification of multiple genes predisposing to Parkinson's disease will assist in determining the cellular pathway/s leading to the neurodegeneration observed in this disease.     

How reproducible is cutaneous electrogastrography? An in-depth evidence-based study1

AIM: To check on reproducibility of parameters of the cutaneous electrogastrogram registered at a close or a distant time span. METHODS: Twenty-two volunteers recruited by an advertisement (11 females and 11 males, median age 25 years, range: 18-35) underwent three surface electrogastrography examinations of which two were taken on consecutive days and the third one was accomplished at least 2 weeks before or after the two other sessions. The examination involved a 30-min fasted recording, followed by a 90-min postprandial registration after intake of a 394-kcal mixed solid-liquid test meal. RESULTS: Parameters of the electrogastrogram pertaining to the frequency of the gastric slow waves exhibited good to moderate reproducibility, whereas fair reproducibility characterized parameters expected to describe the power of gastric slow waves. With the exception of the difference fed minus fasted power (DeltaDP), in no instance was the medium term reproducibility any worse than the short term one. Categorical data analysis revealed that the relative time share of normogastria postprandially exhibited a better reproducibility than in the fasted period. The Cohen's kappa-value of 0.459 for the DeltaDP for the medium term reproducibility placed this parameter within the range of moderate agreement between repeat examinations. Of the two two-parameter combinations considered, the alliance of the fasted and fed normogastria performed worse than any of those parameters considered alone, whereas a combination of the DeltaDP with the fed-state normogastria revealed a kappa-value amounting to 0.510 for the medium term reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: The feasibility of some electrogastrographic parameters to convey clinically useful information may be hampered by their fair reproducibility. Recoding of parameters of the cutaneous electrogastrogram from primary continuous to secondary categorical may help achieve a better agreement between repeat examinations.     

奥美拉唑联合呋喃唑酮及阿莫西林治疗十二指肠溃疡疗效观察

目的 观察奥美拉唑联合呋喃唑酮及阿莫西林治疗十二指肠溃疡的疗效.方法 将十二指肠溃疡患者50例随机分为两组:治疗组26例,予以奥美拉唑每日清晨空腹口服20 mg,治疗4周,呋喃唑酮100 mg,3次/d,阿莫西林1000 mg,2次/d,治疗2周,治疗期间不加其他药物.对照组:奥美拉唑每日清晨空腹口服20 mg,治疗4周.结果 治疗组:治愈率53.85%,好转率42.31%,有效率98.16%;对照组:治愈率41.67%,好转率37.50%,有效率79.17%.治疗组和对照组总有效率经统计学处理有显著差异(P＜0.05).结论 奥美拉唑联合呋喃唑酮及阿莫西林治疗十二指肠溃疡能改善临床症状和促进溃疡愈合.     

Studies on the effects of Pluchea indica less root extract on gastroduodenal ulcer models in rats and guineapigs

The methanolic fraction of P. indica root extract was found to possess significant antiulcer activity in different experimental animal models. In preventive antiulcer tests, significant protective actions in acetylsalicylic acid, serotonin and indomethacin-induced gastric lesions were observed in experimental rats. The extract also afforded significant protection to chemically-induced duodenal lesion in guineapigs. Significant enhancement of healing process in acetic acid-induced chronic gastric lesions were also observed in the extract-treated animals.     

新胆碱酯酶抑制剂对实验性重症肌无力的治疗作用

本文应用实验性重症肌无力模型研究了7种新的胆碱酯酶抑制剂对实验性重症肌无力的治疗作用,其中包括6种二甲氨基甲酸烷氧(烷硫)基苯酯及1种中草药提取物,大多数化合物对乙酰胆碱酯酶有较强的抑制作用,并见到有不同程度的治疗效果。二甲氨基甲酸-3-叔丁基-4〔2-(1-哌啶基)乙氧基〕苯酯不仅明显改善肌无力症状,而且毒性小、副作用较新斯的明轻,值得进一步研究。     

急性软脑膜微循环障碍实验模型的研究

本文报道应用高分子右旋糖酐制成软脑膜微循环障碍的动物实验模型。软脑膜微循环障碍模型的标志;软脑膜微血管血流速度减慢,血液流态呈粒状流或絮状流,血细胞聚集。 将98只家兔分成甲、乙二组。甲组38只,静脉注射平均分子量为25万的高分子右旋糖酐,乙组60只,静脉注射平均分子量为49万的高分子右旋糖酐。实验结果发现,甲组38只家兔仅28只可复制成软脑膜微循环障碍的实验模型,模型复制成功率为73.6％;乙组60只家兔,59只可形成软脑膜微循环障碍实验模型,成功率为98.3％。本实验证明复制动物模型以49万分子量的高分子有旋糖酐为宜。 本实验模型可用于脑微循环障碍和改善脑微循环药物的研究工作。     

胃减容术3种机械通气对患者氧合情况的比较

目的：探讨病态肥胖患者行腹腔镜胃减容术时，3种机械通气参数对患者氧合情况的影响。方法：选择行腹腔镜胃减容术的病态肥胖24例，按手术时间顺序分为3组，每组8例。A组：潮气量12ml／kg，呼吸频率10次／min；B组：潮气量20ml／kg，呼吸频率10次／min；C组：潮气量12ml／kg，呼吸频率20次／min。分别于气腹前（T1）、气腹后（T2）抽取动脉血测量pH、PO2、PCO2、Plat（平台压）、Peak（峰压）、AaDO2（肺泡-动脉氧分压差）。结果：气腹后B组Plat（33．2±1．8）cmH2O、Peak（36．3±1．6）cmH2O显著高于A组Plat（29．5±3．9）cmH2O（q=3．053，P〈0．05）、Peak（33．0±2．9）cmH2O（q：2．823，P〈0．05）和C组Plat（28．0±4，1）cmH2O（q：4．290，P〈0．05）、Peak（31．8±2．8）cmH2O（q：4．704，P〈0．05）。其他观察指标无统计学差异。结论：病态肥胖患者在腹腔镜下施行胃减容术时，加大潮气量20ml／kg或加快呼吸频率20次／min不能改善患者的氧合情况。     

Distension-induced gastric accommodation in functional dyspepsia: effect of autonomic manipulation

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is associated with impaired gastric accommodation and autonomic dysregulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of autonomic manipulation on distension-induced gastric accommodation in subjects with and without FD, using a newly developed gastric barostat paradigm. Twelve healthy subjects (HS) and 18 subjects with FD had four barostat examinations each: no intervention, intravenous atropine (1 mg), vagal stimulation (mental relaxation with deep breathing) and acute stress stimulation (serial subtraction task). Intrabag pressure increased from 1 to 15 mmHg in 5 min (ramp phase), and was maintained at 15 mmHg for 5 min (tonic phase). Volume responses were analysed using predefined parameters. There were no significant group differences in accommodation variables between HS and subjects with FD. The FD group could be subdivided into two distinct subgroups: subgroup 1 (n = 7, 38%) with low maximum volume and accommodation rate, and subgroup 2 with normal accommodation (n = 11). In subgroup 1, but not in subgroup 2 atropine increased maximum volume and accommodation rate substantially. Neither mental stress nor mental relaxation changed any of the accommodation variables. In a subgroup of subjects with FD, impairment of distension-induced gastric accommodation can be improved by cholinergic blockade, but not by acute physiological autonomic manipulation.     

Is endoscopic one‐piece mucosal resection essential for early gastric cancer?

Background: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is widely accepted as a minimally invasive treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC) in Japan. However, the criteria for EMR must be strictly adhered to otherwise patients will miss the chance for additional therapy. We assess the important factor in expanding the indication of EMR. Methods: We investigated 1101 EGCs that had been resected by EMR at the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCCH), Tokyo, Japan, according to the indication recommended by Japanese Gastric Cancer Association (JGCA) and the expanded indication proposed by NCCH. Curability and local recurrence of the EMRs were assessed related to the applied indication and the number of resected specimens. Results: The recurrence rate of non‐evaluable resection was higher than that of evaluable resection (P < 0.0001). Eighty‐three lesions among 772 lesions in the JGCA group were non‐evaluable. Thirty‐seven leisons among 329 lesions in the NCCH group were non‐evaluable. There was no difference in the rate of non‐evaluable resection between JGCA and NCCH groups (P = 0.8329). However, the rate of curative resection was lower in the NCCH group than in the JGCA group (P = 0.0009). In piecemeal resection, there was no difference in the rate of non‐evaluable resection between JGCA and NCCH groups (P = 0.0527). In one‐piece resection, the rate of non‐evaluable resection was lower in the NCCH group than the JGCA group (P = 0.0137). Conclusion: Based on our series of cases, we propose one‐piece resection as a gold standard for EMR because it enables accurate histological evaluation, even in the EMR, according to the expanded indication.     

自体腹白线片修补十二指肠溃疡穿孔(附13例报告)

目的探讨用游离自体腹白线片修补急性十二指肠溃疡穿孔的应用价值。方法从2006年1月至2006年7月对13例用自体腹白线片修补急性十二指肠溃疡穿孔的病人的临床资料和随访情况进行回顾性分析,其中2例穿孔大于2cm2,平均手术时间60分钟,平均失血量20ml,平均住院天数9±1天。结果游离自体腹白线片修补急性十二指肠溃疡穿孔13例均痊愈出院。随访15天至6个月,无手术并发症。结论本方法操作较简单、安全、效果好,其适应症广,是一种可行的新方法。