A novel lamina lucida component of epithelial and endothelial basement membranes detected by LH39 monoclonal antibody.

The murine monoclonal antibody, LH39 was characterized in this study and appeared to bind to a novel basement membrane epitope. This antigen was expressed in the epithelial basement membrane of human tissue derived from all three germ cell layers and in basement membranes surrounding small blood vessels within the stroma of all organs examined. LH39 antigen could be first detected in fetal skin at the dermo-epidermal junction at 7 weeks estimated gestational age but was not present in the dermal vasculature until 16 weeks. When tested against tissue from a range of lower mammalian species, LH39 antigen appeared to be primate-specific. The epithelial basement membrane zone in organotypical cultures, where there is de novo synthesis of basement membrane components, contained abundant LH39 antigen in contrast to other basement membrane components, type IV collagen, laminin, and type VII collagen. Ultrastructural localization of LH39 epitope, using immunogold electron microscopy on unfixed freshly frozen tissue, was to the lamina lucida. No cross-reactivity could be detected between LH39 and laminin, fibronectin, and collagens I, III, IV, and V using the ELISA assay. In vitro studies with a range of proteolytic enzymes suggested that the antigen was non-collagenous in nature. LH39 precipitated a polypeptide with a molecular weight of 185 kD from extracts of metabolically labelled cultured keratinocytes, and polypeptides of 185 and 200 kD from the culture medium. The tissue distribution of LH39 antigen suggested that it may be an epitope within anchoring filaments. Potential applications of this antibody include the study of benign and malignant human vascular disorders, diseases and tumours associated with angiogenesis, epithelial neoplasms, and conditions of tissue regeneration and repair, such as wound healing.     

Ketanserin降低清醒自发性高血压大鼠血压波动性的机理初探

应用计算机化清醒大鼠血流动力学测定技术，观察５－ＨＴ２受体阻滞剂Ｒｉｔａｎｓｅｒｉｎ（Ｒｉｔ）和α１受体阻滞剂哌唑嗪对清醒自发性高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲ）的血压、血压波动性（ＢＰＶ）和动脉压力感受性反射血压控制部分（ＡＢＲ－ＢＰ）的效应，旨在初步探讨兼具５－ＨＴ２受体和α１受体阻滞作用地新型抗高血压药Ｋｅｔａｎｓｅｒｉｎ降低ＢＰＶ的机制。结果表明：Ｒｉｔ对ＳＨＲ无降压作用，但侧脑室给药明显提高ＡＢＲ－Ｂ     

高血糖对急性颅脑伤预后的影响

对ＩＣＵ收治的６１例急性闭合性颅脑伤患者入院２４ｈ血糖水平与急性期格拉斯哥昏迷评分、颅脑伤不同类型及预后进行分析。结果提示：格拉斯哥昏迷评分与血糖水平经回归分析呈显著负相关（ｒ＝－０．９６４，Ｐ＜０．０１）；不同类型颅脑伤患者以脑挫裂伤组血糖最高。高血糖组患者病死率明显高于非高血糖组，死亡组患者血糖明显高于恢复不良组及恢复良好组。作者认为，血糖测定有助于了解颅脑伤的严重程度，同时可以估计患者的预后，在颅脑伤的救治过程中加强血糖监测是必要的。     

Recovery from depression after electroconvulsive therapy is accompanied by evidence of increased tetrahydrobiopterin-dependent hydroxylation

Serum phenylalanine and tyrosine levels were measured in 26 patients with severe depression before and after receiving electroconvulsive therapy. The phenylalanine:tyrosine [P:T] ratio declined significantly for those responding to treatment but not for nonresponders. These findings are discussed in relation to tetrahydrobiopterin, the essential cofactor for the formation of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin and the hydroxylation of phenylalanine to tyrosine.     

Treatment of chronic hepatitis B

SUMMARY. Chronic infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. A large number of therapeutic approaches has been tried, including interferon (IFN), nucleoside analogues and immunomodulators. To date controlled clinical trials have shown that only IFN is of long-term value but many patients fail to respond to treatment. New approaches to treating patients with IFN-resistant hepatitis B are currently undergoing clinical and experimental evaluation, and it seems likely that new therapeutic agents will be available in the near future.     

Near visual acuity: a simple measure of practical significance in insulin-treated diabetic patients.

The value of measuring near visual acuity as a predictor of loss of independence in administering insulin and monitoring blood or urine glucose has been assessed in 110 insulin-treated diabetic patients. Near visual acuity was simple to measure in the clinic setting, and correlated well with 6 m acuity. Fourteen patients depended on an assistant either to draw up the correct dose of insulin (n = 12), inject the insulin (n = 7) or to monitor blood or urine glucose (n = 12). Of these 14 patients only one, who was demented, had near visual acuity better than N.12. Two other patients had near visual acuity N.12 or worse and yet were independent of help. One had severe visual impairment and used a pen-injector and a meter with speech synthesizer, and the other had near visual acuity of N.12. Impairment of near visual acuity to N.12 or worse is associated with loss of independence in insulin-treated diabetes. Measurement of near visual acuity could be useful in predicting independence of insulin-treated patients.     

Scopolamine abolishes cerebral blood flow response to somatosensory stimulation in anesthetized cats: PET study

The effect of the cholinergic blocker, scopolamine on the cerebral blood flow (CBF) response to vibrotactile stimulation of a fore paw was studied using high-resolution positron emission tomography and H₂¹⁵O in 5 pentobarbital-anesthetized cats. Before scopolamine injection, the CBF response to the stimulation was found in the contralateral somatosensory cortex (mean ratio (contralateral/ipsilateral) control: stimulated1.02 ± 0.02: 1.17 ± 0.05; P < 0.01). After intravenous injection of scopolamine (0.35 mg/kg), the CBF response was abolished. However, the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRGlu) response to the same stimulation was unchanged after scopolamine injection in the same cats. We concluded that scopolamine abolishes the CBF response but not neuronal response to stimulation. We suggest that cholinergic mechanisms may play an important role for mediating CBF coupling to neuronal activity during physiological stimulation.     

覆醛氧化淀粉联合硝苯啶治疗老年慢性肾功能衰竭264例

对老年慢性肾功能衰竭264例患者(男148例,女116例;年龄66±7a)用硝苯啶10mg联合覆醛氧化淀粉5-10mg,tid,po。另设相似88例患者(男48例,女40例;年龄66±7a)单服覆醛氧化淀粉与之对照,用法同前。2组均连服16wk。结果:前者有效216例(81.8％),后者有效49例(56％),组间比较P<0.01。2组副作用相似,均可坚持服药。