云南东川非铀矿山矿工血清IL-2、IL-6、TNF-α检测及其基因多态性的初步研究

目的 通过对云南非铀矿山矿工血清IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α浓度及基因多态性位点的检测,对氡致非铀矿山矿工机体生物效应进行初步探讨。方法 血清中IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α的浓度测定采用双抗夹心ABC-ELISA法。TNF-α(-308,G→A)检测基因型采用基因体外扩增限制性片段长度多态性分析方法,IL-2(-330, T→G)基因型检测采用PCR体外扩增后测序的方法。结果 矿工组与对照组比较,年龄(F＝1.07,P>0.05),工龄(F＝0.40,P>0.05),血清IL-2浓度(F＝0.71,P>0.05),血清IL-6浓度(F＝1.09,P>0.05),血清TNF-α浓度(F＝0.95,P>0.05),IL-2基因型频度(χ²=0.02,P>0.05)和TNF-α基因型频度(χ²=2.21,P>0.05),差异均无统计学意义。结论 云南东川非铀矿山矿工血清IL-2、IL-6和TNF-α平均浓度有下降的趋势, TNF-α(-308,A A)基因型频度有增高的趋势。     

Histopathological characterisation of effects of the mouse Pax6 missense mutation on eye development

Mutations in PAX6/Pax6 lead to a variety of ocular anomalies in humans and mice. The aim of the study was to characterise the ocular abnormalities caused by the missense Pax6^Leca4 mutation and compare them to published observations on Pax6 alleles that are functionally equivalent to Pax6⁻ null alleles (such as Pax6^Sey and Pax6^Sey-Neu) and human inherited eye diseases. Ocular features of homozygous Pax6^Leca4/Leca4 and heterozygous Pax6^Leca4/+ embryos at E12.5-E18.5, heterozygous Pax6^Leca4/+ young mice at P18 and heterozygous Pax6^Leca4/+ adults at 12 weeks were analysed histologically with their wild-type Pax6^+/+ littermates. Homozygous Pax6^Leca4/Leca4 fetuses died perinatally with no eyes although an optic cup rudiment with pigmented cells developed. Pax6^Leca4/+ mice were microphthalmic and a range of other severe ocular phenotypes affected both the anterior and the posterior segments. In contrast to Pax6^+/−, the Pax6^Leca4/+ eyes had no goblet cells in the corneal epithelium, the iris was not hypoplastic and there was no lens-corneal epithelial plug. However, microphthalmia was more severe, corneal vascularisation occurred earlier (during fetal stages), pigmented cells were present in the vitreous and corneal stroma and the ciliary body was malformed or abnormal. These results show that, although Pax6^Leca4/+ lacked some eye abnormalities commonly seen in Pax6^Sey/+ and Pax6^Sey-Neu/+ eyes, in most respects their eyes were more severely affected. These differences probably reflect both differences between the Pax6^Leca4 and the Pax6^Sey-Neu mutations and differences in modifier gene expression in different genetic backgrounds. The presence of pigmented cells in the cornea is a novel observation. Some Pax6^Leca4/+ ocular abnormalities were similar to those present in human Peters' anomaly and persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) so Pax6^Leca4/+ mice provide a useful model for some inherited eye diseases.     

Flavocoxid is as effective as naproxen for managing the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee in humans: a short-term randomized,double-blind pilot study

Flavocoxid (Limbrel), a proprietary mixture of flavonoid molecules (baicalin and catechin), was tested against a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen, for the management of the signs and symptoms of moderate osteoarthritis (OA) in humans. Discomfort and global disease activity were used as the primary end points, and safety assessments were also taken for both treatments as a secondary endpoint. In this double-blind study, 103 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either flavocoxid [500 mg twice daily (BID)] or naproxen (500 mg BID) in a 1-month onset of action trial. Outcome measures included the short Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index, subject Visual Analogue Scale for discomfort and global response, and investigator Visual Analogue Scale for global response and fecal occult blood. Both flavocoxid and naproxen showed significant reduction in the signs and symptoms of knee OA (P ≤ .001). There were no statistically detectable differences between the flavocoxid and naproxen groups with respect to any of the outcome variables. Similarly, there were no statistically detectable differences between the groups with respect to any adverse event, although there was a trend toward a higher incidence of edema and nonspecific musculoskeletal discomfort in the naproxen group. In this short-term pilot study, flavocoxid was as effective as naproxen in controlling the signs and symptoms of OA of the knee and would present a safe and effective option for those individuals on traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors. A low incidence of adverse events was reported for both groups.     

1994～2002年广西甲型副伤寒和伤寒流行情况分析

目的 了解1994～2002年接种伤寒Vi疫苗后的7年间伤寒和副伤寒流行变化，评价Vi疫苗对控制伤寒流行的效果并分析甲型副伤寒的特征及影响其爆发流行的因素。方法对自治区疾病控制中心实验室记录、伤寒副伤寒爆发调查报告、监测系统资料、全区伤寒流行地区伤寒Vi疫苗供应情况进行统计分析。结果 经过血培养证实甲型副伤寒病例为1200例、伤寒为285例；甲型副伤寒与伤寒的流行病学、临床特征十分相似；饮用污染水是引起甲型副伤寒爆发的主要原因；从1999年起，甲型副伤寒杆菌开始超过伤寒菌为优势流行菌株。结论 在广泛使用伤寒Vi疫苗后，伤寒基本得到控制，但因为引起副伤寒发病的危险因素依然存在，甲型副伤寒已取代寒，成为广西农村地区的最重要的传染病之一。为控制甲型副伤寒的流行，在安全饮用水供应状况得到全面改善之前，应尽快研制出副伤寒疫苗。     

Triterpenoid saponins, new metalloprotease snake venom inhibitors isolated from Pentaclethra macroloba.

We report here the antiproteolytic and antihemorrhagic properties of triterpenoid saponin inhibitors, named macrolobin-A and B, from Pentaclethra macroloba, against Bothrops snake venoms. The inhibitors were able to neutralize the hemorrhagic, fibrin(ogen)olytic, and proteolytic activities of class P-I and P-III metalloproteases isolated from B. neuwiedi and B. jararacussu venoms. Clotting and fibrinogenolytic activities induced by snake venoms and isolated thrombin-like enzymes were partially inhibited. Furthermore, the potential use of these inhibitors to complement antivenom therapy as an alternative treatment and/or used as molecular models for development of new therapeutical agents in the treatment of snake bite envenomations needs to be evaluated in future studies.     

Immunocytochemical distribution of met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 in the rat lower brainstem

The distribution of methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8, a unique peptide derived from proenkephalin A in the rat brainstem, was studied immunocytochemically by using a highly specific antiserum to this octapeptide sequence. Immunoreactive perikarya with various shapes and sizes were detected in many regions of the rat brainstem. Dense accumulation of immunoreactive perikarya and fibers was seen in the nuclei associated with special sensory and visceral functions, such as the interpeduncular nucleus, the parabrachial nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve. Clusters of methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunoreactive perikarya and fibers were observed in certain areas considered to play a role in nociception and analgesia, such as the central gray of the midbrain central gray and the raphe magnus nucleus. Some methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8-like immunoreactive perikarya were distributed in the lateral reticular nucleus, the nucleus of the solitary tract, and the raphe magnus nucleus, where monoaminergic neurons were also detected. In addition to the previously reported enkephalinergic cells, we found many methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 containing neurons; the rostral and caudal linear nucleus of raphe, the median raphe nucleus, entire length of the raphe magnus nucleus, the medial longitudinal fasciculus, the cuneate nucleus, the external cuneate nucleus, the gracile nucleus, and the area postrema. The wide distribution of this octapeptide-like immunoreactivity reflected neurons expressing the preproenkephalin A gene distributed more widely than previously reported and that innervated many regions.     

Asymmetric dimethyl-arginine (ADMA) response to inflammation in acute infections.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOs) asymmetrical dimethyl-arginine (ADMA) has been implicated as a possible modulator of inducible NOs during acute inflammation. We examined the evolution in the plasma concentration of ADMA measured at the clinical outset of acute inflammation and after its resolution in a series of 17 patients with acute bacterial infections. RESULTS: During the acute phase of inflammation/infection, patients displayed very high levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin and nitrotyrosine. Simultaneous plasma ADMA concentration was similar to that in healthy subjects while symmetric dimethyl-arginine (SDMA) levels were substantially increased and directly related with creatinine. When infection resolved, ADMA rose from 0.62 +/- 0.23 to 0.80 +/- 0.18 micromol/l (+29%, P = 0.01) while SDMA remained unmodified. ADMA changes were independent on concomitant risk factor changes and inversely related with baseline systolic and diastolic pressure. Changes in the ADMA/SDMA ratio were compatible with the hypothesis that inflammatory cytokines activate ADMA degradation. CONCLUSIONS: Resolution of acute inflammation is characterized by an increase in the plasma concentration of ADMA. The results imply that ADMA suppression may actually serve to stimulate NO synthesis or that in this situation plasma ADMA levels may not reflect the inhibitory potential of this methylarginine at the cellular level.     

The participation of adenosine receptors in the adenosine 5''-triphosphate-induced relaxation in the isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum penis

AIM: To investigate the participation of adenosine receptors in the adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced relaxation in the corpus cavernosum penis (CCP) of rabbits. METHODS: The ATP-induced relaxation was assessed on the noradrenaline precontracted CCP of rabbits in the presence and absence of 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine (CSC); an adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist; alloxazine and MRS1754; adenosine A(2B) receptor antagonists; and ARL67156, an inhibitor of ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases. RESULTS: Adenosine and ATP relaxed the noradrenaline precontracted CCP of rabbits in a concentration-dependent manner. The adenosine- and ATP-induced relaxations were suppressed by alloxazine and MRS1754, but not by 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine. ARL67156 potentiated the ATP-induced relaxation but not the adenosine-induced one. MRS1754 suppressed the ATP-induced relaxation potentiated by ARL67156. CONCLUSIONS: The above results suggest that, in the CCP of rabbits, the adenosine receptor mediating adenosine-induced relaxation is of the A(2B) receptor and the ATP directly causes relaxation through the A(2B) receptor on the CCP.     

云南省600例0~5岁儿童维生素A缺乏调查

目的:了解云南省城乡0~5岁儿童维生素A营养状况及影响因素。方法:省、地、县随机整群抽取600例儿童,采用微量荧光光度法检测VitA含量。结果:VitA缺乏发生率16·17%,地、县明显高于省会城市;0岁儿童明显高于其他年龄组;腹泻儿童明显高于正常儿童;VitA缺乏的影响因素:近1周内进食鸡蛋、奶类制品、鱼虾类、肝类、黄绿色蔬菜、鱼肝油等食物有利于维生素A的吸收,急性呼吸道感染、发烧与维生素A缺乏发生率差异不明显。结论:维生素A缺乏发生率城市明显低于农村地、县两级,说明维生素A缺乏防治工作重点在农村,特别是0岁儿童,防治的主要措施是采取合理膳食,均衡营养,控制腹泻流行。     

南山区与某社区常住人口6年恶性肿瘤发病调查

目的：了解某社区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病率是否高于周边人群，重点是白血病平均年发病率。方法：采用回顾性调查法及个案调查表收集该社区1998年6月～2004年9月常住人口中的确诊恶性肿瘤病人22例，将该社区恶性肿瘤平均年发病率与南山区在该时段恶性肿瘤平均的发病率进行比较。结果：1998年6月～2004年9月南山区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病66．1／10万，某社区常住人口恶性肿瘤平均年发病率29．9／10万，两地差异有统计学意义（F=0．0001，P〈0．05）；南山区常住人口白血病平均年发病率2．79／10万，某社区常住人口白血病平均年发病率4．07／10万，两者无统计学意义差异（F=0．467，P〉0．05）。结论：该社区常住人口恶性肿瘤及白血病平均年发病水平低于南山区全区水平。