Special needs of adolescent and young women in accessing reproductive health: promoting partnerships between young people and health care providers.

This article considers the unique challenges and opportunities that health care providers (HCPs) face when they address the sexual and reproductive health and rights of young women accessing services. Some of the difficulties that HCPs encounter in their work are highlighted, including poor remuneration, the impact of their personal biases and the effect of an under-equipped working environment. The financial, logistical and emotional challenges young people face in accessing services are also described, as well as some small changes that could promote fruitful partnerships between HCPs and their young clientele. Also considered is how international documents concerning reproductive health can be utilized as advocacy tools to ensure that, when governments speak of making young people's needs a priority, resources are also made a priority-so that reproductive health can become a reality for all young people.     

Differential Regulation of RGS-2 by Constant and Oscillating PTH Concentrations

PTH has diverse effects on bone metabolism: anabolic when given intermittently, catabolic when given continuously. The cellular mechanisms underlying the varying target cell response are not clear yet. PTH induces RGS-2, a member of the Regulator of G-protein Signaling protein family, via cAMP/PKA, and inactivates PKC-mediated signaling. To investigate intracellular signaling pathways with different PTH concentration-time patterns, we treated UMR 106-01 osteoblast-like cells in a perfusion system. PTH was administered intermittently (4 min/h, 10⁻⁷ M) or continuously at an equivalent cumulative dose (6.6 × 10⁻⁹ M). cAMP was measured using radioimmunoassay, mRNA levels using real-time rtPCR and ribonuclease protection assay, and protein levels using Western immunoblotting. A single PTH pulse transiently increased cAMP levels by 2000% ± 1200%. In contrast to continuous PTH exposure, cAMP induction remained unchanged with intermittent PTH, ruling out desensitization of the PTH receptor. In continuously perfused cells, RGS-2 abundance was three to five times higher than in cells intermittently exposed to PTH for up to 12 h. MKP-1 and -3 were significantly less induced with pulsatile PTH; exposure-mode-dependent differences in MMP-13 and IGFBP-5 were small. Pulsatile but not continuous PTH administration prevents PTHrP receptor desensitization and accumulation of RGS-2 in osteoblasts, which should preserve PKC-dependent signaling.     

Lipid extract from completely sporoderm‐broken germinating Ganoderma sinensis spores elicits potent antitumor immune responses in human macrophages

Ganoderma sinensis has been used widely in Oriental countries for the prevention and treatment of various diseases including cancer. Previous studies have shown that the lipid extract from Ganoderma exhibits direct cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Here, it is reported that the lipid extract from germinating G. sinensis spores, at lower concentrations that have no direct tumoricidal activity, induce potent antitumor immune responses in human monocytes/macrophages. Upon stimulation with the lipid extract, monocytes/macrophages exhibited markedly increased production of proinflammatory cytokines and surface expression of costimulatory molecules. Conditioned medium from stimulated cells effectively suppressed the growth of tumor cells. Apparently, the lipid extract triggered macrophage activation via a mechanism different from that associated with LPS. Moreover, it was observed that the lipid extract could partially re‐establish the antitumor activity of the immunosuppressive tumor‐associated macrophages. These results indicated that in addition to its direct tumoricidal activity, the lipid extract from G. sinensis spores could exert antitumor activity by stimulating the activation of human monocytes/macrophages. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A nationally representative survey of hospital malnutrition: the Italian PIMAI (Project: Iatrogenic MAlnutrition in Italy) study

Aim and methods  Nutrition, unhealthy lifestyles and cancer appear to be strictly related, but few authors have analysed the interest in dietary information of cancer patients and their families. This survey was conducted in the Veneto area (Italy) to investigate the concern of cancer patients and their family members about diet as a health tool before and after diagnosis of cancer. Results  Seven hundred and four questionnaires were collected: 380 from cancer patients and 324 from family members of cancer subjects. Breast cancer (BC) was the most frequent disease for patients (61.8%) as well as families (26.5%). Generally, the importance of having precise diet information after diagnosis is recognised by 40.3% of patients, with significant differences between the various types of cancer: gastric and colon/rectum cancer (GCC) patients were more concerned than BC women about precise information concerning a diet to follow immediately after diagnosis (p = 0.000, ODs = 3.10, CI 1.68–5.71) or during treatments (p = 0.001, ODs = 2.67, CI 1.46–4.89). The nutritional information is supplied to patients in 34% of cases and to relatives in 30.3%, often from non-medical sources. In total healthcare workers (family doctor, oncologist, surgeon, dietician) represented the exclusive source of dietary information for 24.9% of patients and 22.9% of family members. Diet after diagnosis changes in 69.1% of GCC patients and in 39.2% of BC women. Relatives, particularly women, report difficulties preparing patients’ meals in 30.7% of cases, changes in the eating habits of the entire family in 29.9% and discontent connected with patients diet in 13.9%. The concern about proper nutrition after diagnosis increases more in GCC subjects (p < 0.025) when compared to BC subjects and in patients with more recent diagnosis (p < 0.041) when compared with patients with diagnosis >5 years ago, while in family members the interest in diet after diagnosis increases more in women than in men (p < 0.030) without other differences regarding the degree of relationship, type of cancer or diagnosis time. Relatives (92.7%) have more interest in nutritional education than patients (74.9%). Cancer patients <65 years were more interested in educational initiatives concerning nutrition (p = 0.000, ODs = 4.46, CI 2.6–7.4) than older patients (>65 years) and female subjects were more concerned than male patients (p = 0.008, ODs = 2.11, CI 1.2–3.6). Conclusions  The interest in the dietary knowledge and in educational initiatives concerning nutrition is high in cancer patients and their relatives, although it decreases with the age. The poor attention paid to nutrition of cancer patients by various healthcare workers deserves consideration, since the psychophysical wellbeing and perhaps also survival of cancer patients can be improved by correct dietary management, as well as, naturally, by the principal treatments themselves.     

Comparison of fecal microflora in children with atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome according to IgE sensitization to food

Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) commonly often arises during early infancy. In several intervention studies a beneficial influence on AEDS course of certain intestinal bacteria, administered as 'probiotics', has been described. To evaluate the possible role of the natural intestinal microflora in children with allergic eczema/dermatitis syndrome regarding immediate type hypersensitivity to food allergens, children with food allergy (AAEDS, n = 68) have been compared with children without detectable food allergy (NAEDS, n = 25). All children (n = 93) in preschool age, mean age of 2.6 (+/-1.8) years, diagnosed with AEDS who were treated as inpatients in 2003 in a dermatological hospital were included. The correlation between fecal microflora, parasites and specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against common food allergens was analyzed. A similar composition of intestinal microflora in children with AAEDS and NAAEDS was found. The food allergens that were most frequently detected were egg white, cow milk, casein, peanut and hazelnut. Furthermore, a significant association between IgE sensitization against important food allergens and components of the fecal microflora could not be demonstrated. With aging changes occur in the intestinal microbiota [Proteus/Klebsiella and age (rho = -0.607) and Enterococcus and age (rho = -0.428)]. In two subjects of the AAEDS group Blastocystis hominis was found. The composition of natural intestinal microflora in children with AAEDS and NAAEDS was similar. Hence, there is no evidence of a role of the intestinal microflora with regard to the development of infant (food) allergy in children with AEDS. The possible consequences for allergic diseases later in life require further investigation.     

心血管疾病并发焦虑抑郁症状2050例心理干预治疗分析

目的:了解心血管疾病并发焦虑抑郁症状的情况并探讨心理干预等对焦虑抑郁症状的影响。方法:对住院的2050例心血管疾病并发焦虑抑郁症状的患者进行回顾性分析。结果:心血管疾病患者中并发有焦虑抑郁症状者占56%;其常表现为类似心绞痛、左心衰竭症状,可并发有心律失常;高血压病并发有焦虑抑郁患者对血压升高的耐受性差,动态血压检查以非勺型改变者居多;单纯使用心血管药物治疗效果欠佳,心理干预,焦虑抑郁症状严重者结合抗焦虑抑郁药物疗效显著。结论:心血管疾病患者常并发焦虑抑郁症状,心理干预治疗等可有效改善患者的症状。     

MMP-2、TIMP-2与碱烧伤后角膜新生血管形成的实验研究

目的:探讨基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶-2组织型抑制剂(TIMP-2)在碱烧伤大鼠角膜新生血管(CNV)形成中的表达和意义。方法:采用碱烧伤大鼠角膜建立CNV模型,摘除角膜作病理切片,多形核白细胞(PMN)记数;免疫组化法检测MMP-2、TIMP-2的表达。结果:烧伤后1d角膜缘PMN开始增多,到CNV7d组PMN增加最明显,此后逐渐减少;免疫组化显示:MMP-2在CNV中阳性表达逐渐增加,于7d表达最明显,此后随炎性细胞的减少而减弱,21d后几乎无表达;TIMP-2则于早期变化不明显,7d表达开始升高,14d达高峰。结论:烧伤后CNV形成早期,MMP-2活性增高,继而TIMP-2表达增加,使MMP-2活性受抑,基底膜降解受阻,新生血管延伸停滞;CNV形成中,MMP-2的表达增加,并与角膜的炎性反应程度一致,PMN浸润可能是CNV形成的关键因素。     

CD44v7/8基因表达与宫颈癌关系的探讨

目的探讨宫颈癌组织中CD44v7/8基因的异常表达及临床意义。方法1986～2000年沈阳医学院附属中心医院采用免疫组化的方法随机测定59例宫颈癌、18例尖锐湿疣和18例慢性宫颈炎组织中CD44v7/8基因的表达情况。结果宫颈癌、尖锐湿疣及慢性宫颈炎3种疾病中CD44v7/8表达阳性率分别为76.27%、11.11%和11.11%,宫颈癌组的CD44v7/8表达分别高于慢性宫颈炎组及尖锐湿疣组,且差异非常显著(P<0.01)。慢性宫颈炎组及尖锐湿疣组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论CD44v7/8蛋白的表达增强与宫颈癌的发生、发展及和局部浸润转移有关。     

In Vitro and in Vivo Evaluation of Whole and Half Tablets of Sustained-Release Adinazolam Mesylate

The mechanism of release from sustained-release adinazolam mesylate tablets was assessed by the Higuchi equation and by analysis of drug release profiles through 60% released using the Peppas equation. Computed values of the diffusional exponent, n, ranged from 0.59 to 0.66. Values of n in this range are consistent with a mixed mechanism of release, with diffusion of drug through the hydrated polymer matrix and relaxation of this matrix being the principal processes controlling release. The rate of in vitro drug release was increased for half tablets relative to whole tablets and is attributed to an increase in the surface to volume ratio of half tablets of about 16%. This increase in surface-to-volume ratio of half tablets was reflected by an increase in the constant, k, from the Peppas equation of 20–23% and by an increase in the slope of Higuchi plots of 12–18% for four lots of tablets. In vivo/in vitro relationships from two bioavailability studies were thoroughly evaluated. Using either a linear or a quadratic relationship, an in vivo/in vitro correlation exists for sustained-release adinazolam mesylate tablets.     

V型斜视伴原发性下斜肌功能过强的治疗

目的 探讨Ⅴ型斜视伴原发性下斜肌功能过强的治疗效果。方法根据手术方式将49例Ⅴ型斜视伴下斜肌功能过强惠者分为四组，分别采用水平肌加强减弱术不联合下斜肌切断减弱术（Ⅰ组）、联合单侧下斜肌切断减弱术（Ⅱ组）、联合双侧下斜肌对等切断减弱术（Ⅲ组）及联合双侧下斜肌不对等切断并部分切除减弱术（Ⅳ组）治疗Ⅴ型斜视。结果Ⅴ型斜视伴原发性下斜肌功能过强采用四种方式治疗后，眼位正位，下斜肌功能亢进改善＋～＋＋，双侧下斜肌功能对等，术前术后原在位度数和上下注视25。斜视角之差的差异有非常显著性（P〈0．001）。结论根据单侧或双侧下斜肌功能过强的具体情况来选择不同的手术方式治疗Ⅴ型斜视伴原发性下斜肌功能过强，眼位矫正满意，同时手术方式简单、安全有效。