Localization of proopiomelanocortin mRNA in functional subsets of neurons defined by their axonal projections

In situ cDNA:mRNA hybridization is a technique that has been developed for the visualization of cDNA:mRNA hybrids in individual cells. To use this technique to answer questions of regulation in heterogeneous populations of cells in the brain, it must be combined with other procedures allowing for the identification of functional subgroups of neurons. We report here a procedure by which in situ cDNA:mRNA hybridization may be combined with retrograde axonal tracing using the fluorescent tracer fast blue. Using this technique, it now becomes possible to measure mRNA regulation in functional subsets of cells defined by their axonal projections.     

快速心房起搏对家兔L-型钙通道和Kv4.3钾通道基因表达的影响

目的观察快速心房起搏对家兔心房L型钙通道亚单位和Kv4.3钾通道基因表达的影响。方法新西兰大耳白家兔36只,随机分成6组,经右颈外静脉穿刺置入电极于右房,分别给予0、3、6、12、24或48h快速心房起搏,停止起搏后取右房组织,应用半定量反转录聚合酶链式反应测定各时相点L型钙通道α1c,β1,α2亚单位,钾通道Kv4.3mRNA的表达水平。结果L型钙通道α1c、β1亚单位在快速起搏6h后表达水平下调,并随着起搏时间的延长进一步下调。α2亚单位的mRNA表达在各时相点无显著差异。Kv4.3的mRNA的表达在快速起搏的24h和48h下降分别达55.50%（P<0.01）和59.12%（P<0.01）。48h后下降达到一个平台期。结论快速心房起搏可导致L型钙通道亚单位和Kv4.3钾通道mRNA表达下调。     

三级医院病人就诊流向探讨

研究通过对包括专科医院在内的多家三级医院住院病人资料的分析，将疾病种类按ICD－9编码分为19类，研究各类疾病应往低级别医院分流的比例。结果表明：各大类疾病的分流比例不同，分流比例较高的主要是常见病和多发病，总的分流比大约在60％左右。     

尿激酶溶栓对大鼠局灶性脑缺血基质金属蛋白酶-9表达的影响

目的研究大鼠局灶性脑缺血后应用尿激酶(urokinase,UK)溶栓对基质金属蛋白酶-9(Matrix metalloproteinase-9,MMP-9)表达的影响,探讨MMP-9在UK溶栓引起的再灌注损伤及出血性转化中的作用。方法将实验动物随机分成3组进行研究(1)UK溶栓组;(2)缺血对照组;(3)假手术组。分别用免疫组织化学方法分析3组缺血后24hMMP-9的表达,对比研究两组MMP-9表达的差异性。结果缺血后24h前两组均有MMP-9的表达,但是UK溶栓组表达的程度明显高于缺血对照组;假手术组无MMP-9的表达。结论(1)缺血能导致MMP- 9的表达。(2)UK溶栓引起MMP-9表达的上调。     

大鼠局灶脑缺血AC133抗原和AC133mRNA的表达初探

目前国内外研究发现自体和异体骨髓干细胞移植可增加脑梗死周围区域的血管数量[1]。但在脑梗死后,机体自身内皮干细胞是否参与梗死周围区域的新血管形成尚无报道。AC133(又称CD133)是新发现的造血干祖细胞糖蛋白抗原,在已分化的内皮细胞上不表达,在内皮前体细胞表达[2],AC133蛋白和基因是否在大脑缺血脑组织表达以及局部缺血后AC133是否参与血管内皮功能等问题尚无文献提及。本研究将初探大鼠局灶脑缺血后脑组织中AC133抗原和AC133mRNA的表达。1资料1.1动物分组及模型制备:雄性SD大鼠42只,体重250～350g,随机分成3组:正常对照组、假…     

Sural nerve biopsies in Guillain-Barre syndrome: axonal degeneration and macrophage-associated demyelination and absence of cytomegalovirus genome.

T-cell infiltration was detected by immunohistochemistry in only 2 of 10 sural nerve biopsies from patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The number of endoneurial macrophages, identified by the monoclonal antibody MAC 387, was increased, compared with the number in 10 cases of axonal neuropathy. Macrophage-associated demyelination was identified in 7 and axonal degeneration in 8 cases. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) genome was not detected with the polymerase chain reaction.     

The effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on the expression of cytokeratin mRNA in hamster cheek pouch epithelium

The effect of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) on cytokeratin (CK) gene expression in hamster cheek pouch epithelium was studied with a hybridohistochemical technique. Using specific human anti-sense RNA probes, the plausible hamster mRNA counterparts for these human CK mRNAs were localized by detection of heterologous hybrids. In comparison with normal epithelium, the expression and distribution pattern of CK mRNAs in the hamster cheek pouch were obviously changed after application of SLS. There was a decreased expression of CK mRNAs in the hyperplastic basal layer, and increased expression in the hypertrophic granular layer. Strikingly, hybridization with the human CK 18 cRNA probe revealed an additionally expressed CK mRNA in the SLS-treated epithelium that was not found in the untreated epithelium. The present study indicates that cRNA probes for human CK mRNAs can be used successfully, not only to distinguish between different hamster CK mRNAs but also to investigate changes in CK gene expression upon the induction of non-neoplastic and neoplastic alterations in the hamster cheek pouch model. This may help elucidate the molecular changes involved in epithelial pathologies.     

Nutrition et fonction immunitaireNutrition and immune function

A deficiency of total energy or of one or more essential nutrients, including vitamins A, B₆, B₁₂, C, and E, folic acid, zinc, iron, copper, selenium, essential amino acids and essential fatty acids, will impair immune function and increase susceptibility of the host to infectious pathogens. This is most likely because these nutrients are involved in the molecular and cellular responses to challenge of the immune system. Providing these nutrients to deficient individuals restores immune function and improves resistance to infection. Thus, appropriate nutrition is required in order for the host to maintain adequate immune defences towards bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and tumour celîs. Although the intakes of several nutrients which result in greatest enhancement of immune function appear to be greater than recommended intakes, excess intake of certain nutrients also impairs immune responses. Some nutrients (e.g. glutamine, arginine) may become limiting in critical illness and there is mounting evidence that provision of these will aid patient recovery.     

Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the neurotrophic peptide ORG 2766

The efficacy of the neurotrophic peptide ORG 2766 in diabetic patients with polyneuropathy was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial. One hundred and twenty four patients were randomised in five groups to receive 0.1, 0.4, 2 or 5 mg ORG 2766 or placebo, once daily, administered subcutaneously 52 weeks. Thermal discrimination thresholds (TDT) and vibration perception thresholds (VPT), motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, Hoffmann reflex, heart rate variation during deep breathing and heart rate response after standing up, neurological examination score and neuropathic symptom score were determined at baseline and after 17, 34 and 52 weeks of treatment. Of the nerve function indices studied, at week 52 the TDT_warmth of the hand in the ORG 2766 0.1, 0.4 and 5 mg groups and the TDT_cold of the foot in the ORG 2766 0.1 and 0.4 mg groups significantly improved compared with placebo. Further significant improvement as compared with placebo was observed in the paraesthesia score at week 34 and week 52 in the ORG 2766 2 mg group. Only at week 34 had both the heartbeat variation during deep breathing and the VPT of the foot in the ORG 2766 0.1 mg group improved significantly, compared with placebo. No further statistically significant differences were observed at time for the other measures. No adverse reactions were observed. The only recorded drug-induced side effect was pain at the injection site. Taking all measures of efficacy into account, the statistically significant results observed did not show consistency within each measure. Therefore, it is concluded that ORG 2766, in contrast to earlier reports, is not effective in treating diabetic polyneuropathy.     

精氨酸加压素（AVP）的衍生物AVP4—8不能作用于AVPV1a受体而诱发电流反应

在微量注射大量肝脏ｍＲＮＡ之后，通过电压箝方法进行功能鉴定，两栖类卵母细胞成功地表达了ＡＶＰＶ１ａ受体。但在灌流ＡＶ４－８溶液时，却不能诱导卵母细胞产生内向振荡电流反应。提示ＡＶＰ４－８不能通过ＡＶＰＶ１ａ受体而介导生理学效应。