Stable Transfection of Nonosteogenic Cell Lines with Tissue Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase Enhances Mineral Deposition Both in the Presence and Absence of β-Glycerophosphate: Possible Role for Alkaline Phosphatase in Pathological Mineralization

It is documented that alkaline phosphatase (AP) plays an important role in bone mineralization. Considering that TN-AP is expressed in periodontal ligament fibroblasts, renal epithelial cells, and vascular endothelial cells, and that TN-AP is both a calcium-/phosphate-binding protein and a phosphohydrolytic enzyme, we hypothesize that membrane-bound AP also plays an important role in the initiation of physiological and pathological mineralizations in tissues other than bone and cartilage. To test this hypothesis, nonosteoblast cell lines, including a fibroblast line, a renal epithelial line, and a capillary endothelial line, were stably transfected to express high levels of rat bone AP on their cell surfaces. These rat bone AP-expressing cells were then cultured on filter membranes in the presence or absence of β-glycerol phosphate. von Kossa staining for calcium phosphate and transmission electron microscopy with electron diffraction analysis for minerals were employed to investigate the effect of membrane AP on extracellular calcium phosphate mineralization. Our results indicated that AP expression on these nonosteoblast-like cell surfaces have induced extracellular hydroxyapatite (HAP) mineralization. Our findings support the concept that membrane-bound AP contributes to extracellular apatitic mineralization by mechanisms that do not necessarily involve its hydrolase activity. They also suggest that AP might be important for the initiation of pathological mineralization in nonosteogenic tissues. Received: 11 January 1996 / Accepted: 31 October 1996     

In vivo comparison of two through-plane MR velocity mapping methods: Fast fourier encoding and phase mapping

Magnetic resonance imaging maps of velocity were acquired with a 1.5-T system in 10 subjects in a plane perpendicular to the main pulmonary artery. Velocity images were successively acquired with a method developed from Fourier-encoding velocity imaging (FEVI) principles with eight gradient steps and one excitation, and with two-point phase-subtraction mapping. Reconstruction in FEVI was implemented by zero-filling interpolation around the eight gradient steps and then around the four central steps. The methods were compared by using estimates of noise in velocity measurements based on the difference between the experimental map and a smooth fitted map. For the same acquisition time, FEVI with four encoding steps was more precise in velocity measurements than phase mapping. Precision was further increased by the use of eight encoding steps, but acquisition time was doubled.     

Ulnar distribution of reflex sympathetic dystrophy due to compression of the brachial plexus by a primary venous malformation

An atypical variant of reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is presented in a 45 year old female with a vascular malformation of the right arm and chest wall. The mechanism was thought to be compression of the brachial plexus by the malformation. The unique scintigraphic features of this presentation of RSD in the ulnar arterial distribution are illustrated.     

抽空房水C3F8充填前房中期全眼球湿房角膜保存的实验研究

采用抽空房水Ｃ３Ｆ８（全氟丙烷）充填前房全眼球湿房保存角膜内皮细胞活性。通过内皮细胞显微照相、内皮细胞活性染色（锥蓝联合茜素红染色）、扫描电镜、保存后的兔角膜行实验性同种异体穿透角膜移植，证实保存７天内皮细胞结构完整，功能良好。     

低氧对口腔鳞癌细胞系血管内皮生长因子和MMP-2的影响

目的 :研究低氧对体外培养的口腔鳞癌细胞系血管内皮生长因子 (vascularendothelialgrowthfactor ,VEGF)和明胶酶 A(matrixmetalloproteinase 2 ,MMP 2 )的影响。 方法 :分别用酶联免疫吸附实验 (ELISA)和半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT PCR)测定了低氧处理不同时间段时口腔鳞癌细胞系TSCCa和GNM细胞的细胞中VEGF和MMP 2的活性和mRNA表达情况。结果 :低氧处理 4h时 ,VEGF和MMP 2的活性便显著增加 ,8h时达到最高 ,GNM细胞中VEGF和MMP 2分别增加 2倍和 2 .5倍 ;而TSCCa细胞中VEGF和MMP 2增加的更为明显 ,分别增加了 6倍和 4倍。RT PCR结果显示GNM细胞VEGF和MMP 2mRNA表达水平均较TSCCa细胞高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,低氧处理时在TSCCa细胞中VEGF和MMP 2增加的尤为明显。结论 :低氧可通过调节口腔鳞癌细胞VEGF和MMP 2的活性和mRNA的表达在口腔鳞癌血管形成中起重要作用     

Quantitative evidence of peripheral conversion of angiotensin within the human leg: effects of local angiotensin-I administration and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on regional blood flow and angiotensin-II balance across the leg

Summary The renin-angiotensin system relevantly contributes to the maintenance of systemic vascular tone and there is experimental evidence that large amounts of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are present in peripheral vascular tissues, including resistance vessels. To determine and quantify peripheral vascular conversion of angiotensin-I (ANG-I) to angiotensin-II (ANG-II) across the human leg, the response of regional blood flow to local regional intra-arterial infusion of ANG-I and changes in associated ANG-I1 balance were evaluated during ANG-I infusion and following additional ACE inhibition. Ten sodium-loaded healthy men were enrolled in the study. Following cannulation of both femoral arteries and the right femoral vein, leg blood flow was determined (indocyanine-green dye-dilution method) at baseline conditions and during constant intra-arterial infusion of haemodynamically ineffective doses of ANG-I as well as following concomitant intra-arterial administration of low doses of the non-sulfhydril ACE inhibitor cilazapril. From the transfemoral arterio-venous differences in ANG-II plasma concentrations and the corresponding regional blood (plasma) flow, the ANG-II balance across the leg was calculated. Systemic blood pressure did not change throughout the trial, indicating that no major systemic effects were present during ANG-I infusion or concomitant ACE inhibition. Moreover, arterial ANG-II plasma concentrations were not significantly changed by ANG-I infusion. Leg blood flow decreased to below baseline values following ANG-I infusion, increasing again then in a dose-dependent manner during concomitant cilazapril administration. The calculated baseline ANG-II balance across the leg revealed a net extraction in 6 out of 10 subjects and a net ANG-II formation in 4. Following ANG-I, a shift towards net ANG-II formation or decrease in extraction was seen in 8 subjects, while 2 had no change in ANG-II balance.During concomitant ACE inhibition, ANG-II balance was again shifted towards net extraction or reduced formation. Our results confirm that, in man, considerable regional arterio-venous differences in ANG-II plasma concentrations are present, resulting in either net transfemoral extraction or net formation of the peptide. It is suggested that systemic vascular conversion of circulating ANG-I might contribute to the maintenance of peripheral vasuclar tone in man. Send offprint requests to S. Gasic at the above address     

太极通天液治疗血管性痴呆的疗效评价

目的：评价太极通天液治疗血管性痴呆的临床疗效。方法：随机将148例血管性痴呆分为太极通天液治疗组和丹参口服液对照组，另接应用韦氏成人智力量表评分，将血管性痴呆组分为3个亚组：即80－89分组，70－79分组和70分以下组，观察期为3个月。结果：太极通天液治疗前后WAIS－RC评分与对照组比较，80－89分组和70－79分组均有统计学差异（P＜0．05），而70分以下组无统计学差异（P＞0．05），结论：太极通天液对血管性痴呆有较好的治疗效果，且与痴呆病情程度有关。     

麝香酮对易卒中型肾血管性高血压大鼠血浆内皮素和脑血管重塑的影响

目的观察麝香酮对易卒中型肾血管性高血压大鼠(RHRSP)血浆内皮素(ET)和脑动脉结构改变的影响。方法雄性RHRSP自术后第9周始分成两组:高血压组(n=12)和麝香酮治疗组(n=12),并以年龄、性别、数量相同的正常假手术组作对照,测量收缩压(SBP)和血浆ET含量,显微镜下观察血管形态改变,计算机图像分析血管外径、中膜厚度、管腔内径、中膜面积和壁腔比。结果12周时麝香酮组的SBP、ET水平比高血压组低(P<0.05)。镜下观察发现麝香酮组血管形态损害比高血压组轻。麝香酮组血管外径、血管内径、管壁厚度均大于高血压组(P<0.05),壁腔比则小于高血压组(P<0.05)。大脑中动脉平滑肌细胞面积较高血压组大,但两者间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论麝香酮治疗可轻度降低RHRSP的SBP和血浆ET水平,并能一定程度上改善其血管重塑。     

A double-blind cross-over study of nifedipine retard in patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Summary The effectiveness of nifedipine retard as a treatment for Raynaud's phenomenon was assessed in 15 patients in a placebo controlled double blind study. An associated connective tissue disease was evident in 7 patients. Changes in finger and forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography), digital skin temperature and digital systolic pressure were measured acutely before and after a 2-week treatment period. Subjective assessment of efficacy was based on patient diary data. In addition alpha₂-adrenoceptor density on platelets was measured before and after chronic nifedipine therapy in both the patient group and in an age-and-sex-matched control group. No significant haemodynamic changes were observed. Nifedipine retard significantly reduced the frequency (p<0.05) with no change in either the duration or severity of vasospastic attacks. Side effects were commono following nifedipine retard. A reduction in alpha₂-adrenoceptor density on platelets was observed in patients compared to a control group (p<0.05). Alpha₂-adrenoceptor density was unchanged following a 2-week treatment period with nifedipine retard. This study concludes that nifedipine retard is not effective in the treatment of Raynaud's phenomenon over a short time course. Patients with Raynaud's phenomenon have reduced alpha₂-adrenoceptor densities on their platelets.