肿瘤相关基因Cap43在胰腺癌中的表达及意义

目的研究肿瘤相关基因Cap43在胰腺癌组织中的表达情况,探讨其对胰腺癌的诊断价值。方法收集1999年4月～2002年8月长海医院外科手术切除胰腺癌标本和癌旁正常组织33例,诊断均由病理证实。男性22例,女性11例,年龄30～73岁,平均58．1岁。所有组织标本按肿瘤、癌旁(正常)配对。采用RT-PCR和Northern杂交方法研究Cap43 mRNA表达情况。结果 RT-PCR结果显示,Cap43在肿瘤组织中表达显著上调,其在肿瘤组织和癌旁正常组织的扫描值分别为4 033±1 986和2 244±1 145,有显著差异(P<0．001)。Northern杂交亦显示Cap43在肿瘤组织中表达显著上调,相同病例的RT-PCR结果与Northern杂交的结果有较好的一致性,经回归分析,没有显著性差异(P>0．1)。结论 Cap43在胰腺癌组织中呈显著高表达,其有可能成为胰腺癌早期诊断的重要标志物。     

Implementation of a movement paradigm using the Commodore 64 microcomputer

Implementation of an alternating movement paradigm for monkeys was achieved using an inexpensive but versatile microcomputer, the Commodore 64. During task performance, the computer monitors one of three user selectable input signals (e.g. joint position) and continuously displays this signal as a moving cursor on a video monitor along with a user positioned target box. Other user defined parameters include in-target holding time and reinforcement ratio. The system also provides two sound cues to signal entry of the cursor into the target box and successful completion of a trial. Extensive use is made of the computer's intrinsic hardware features for implementation of movement paradigm functions. Use of external components is limited to digitizing and interface hardware. A two part software package consisting of a BASIC and a machine language program performs all task and hardware related functions. Acquisition and display of analog input signals, display of target positions, and delivery of auditory cues and applesauce rewards are all controlled by the machine language program. All user defined parameters are specified from the BASIC menu program. The specific programs described in this paper should be applicable to the control of tasks requiring alternation of a behavioral parameter between two target zones.     

Voltage-tension relations in single frog atrial cardiac cells

Voltage-clamp experiments were performed on isolated single frog (Rana catesbeiana or Rana pipiens) atrial cells to determine the voltage-contraction relations of the single cardiac cell. The contractile responses of the single cell associated with long duration (3 second) depolarizing steps consisted of a rise to peak (phasic) followed by a decay to a sustained contraction (tonic). These phasic-tonic type contractile responses could be obtained under conditions where membrane potential was well controlled along the entire length of the cell. Thus, the data obtained on the single cell indicate that the phasic-tonic contractile response is the characteristic contractile response of frog atrial tissue. The voltage dependence of the extent of relaxation to the tonic component following the peak of the contraction was affected dramatically by the intracellular sodium concentration. This result indicates that both the relaxation following peak contraction as well as the tonic contraction are related to calcium control via the sodium-calcium exchanger. The data also indicate that calcium entry via the inward calcium current is required for the contractile response to have a phasic component. These data indicate that calcium entry via the inward calcium current followed by the sodium-calcium exchanger first reducing and then maintaining the intracellular calcium level produces the characteristic phasic-tonic contractile response.     

Laparoscopic Right Hemicolectomy for Ileocolic Intussusception Secondary to Caecal Neoplasm

Intussusception in adults is a rare cause of abdominal pain. Unlike its paediatric counterpart, intussusception in adults is associated with obvious pathology. We describe a case of ileocolic intussusception extending to the splenic flexure. We were able to reduce the intussusception partially and pedicle was stapled carefully. The specimen was delivered through a small incision and right hemicolectomy was performed adhering to oncological principles. We recommend laparoscopic-assisted surgery is considered for adult intussusceptions.     

Long-term experience with implanted intrathecal drug administration systems for failed back syndrome and chronic mechanical low back pain

Background  

Continuous intrathecal drug delivery has been shown in open studies to improve pain and quality of life in those with intractable back pain who have had spinal surgery. There is limited data on long term effects and and even less for patients with mechanical back pain without prior spinal surgery.     

PAQR3: a novel tumor suppressor gene

PAQR3, also known as RKTG (Raf kinase trapping to Golgi), is a member of the progestin and adipoQ receptor (PAQR) family. The role of PAQR3 as a tumor suppressor has recently been established in different types of human cancer in which PAQR3 exerts its biological function through negative regulation of the oncogenic Raf/MEK/ERK signaling. Multiple studies have found that PAQR3 downregulation frequently occurs in human cancers and is very often associated with tumor progression and shortened patients’ survival. Moreover, restoring the expression of PAQR3 could induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells. Downregulation of PAQR3 by oncogenic microRNAs has also been reported. In this review, we summarized current knowledge concerning the role of PAQR3 in tumor development. To our knowledge, this is the first review on the role of this novel tumor suppressor.     

Limitations of the double sucrose gap voltage clamp technique in tension-voltage determinations on frog atrial muscle.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the limitations of the double sucrose gap voltage clamp technique in the determination of tension-voltage relationships for frog atrial muscle. Tension-voltage relationships were determined under two conditions. In one case we determined both the tension response and slow inward current associated with an apparent step depolarization (step-clamp) as a function of the magnitude of the step depolarization. In the second case, an action potential was elicited, the voltage clamp was applied early during the plateau phase of the action potential, and the tension response was determined as a function of the clamp potential (action potential-clamp). Under both step-clamp and action potential-clamp conditions, the waveform of the tension response rose to a peak value (Tp) and then decayed with time to a tension that was maintained for the duration of the depolarization. The Tp-clamp potential relationships obtained under step-clamp and action potential-clamp conditions were similar. Microelectrode measurements of transmembrane potential of cells in the "voltage-clamped" region of the preparation demonstrated the lack of temporal and spatial voltage control under both step-clamp and action potential-clamp conditions, and also demonstrated that acquisition of spatial voltage control occurred at about the same time that the tension response reached its peak value. These data indicate that this voltage clamp technique does not allow an accurate determination of the so-called phasic tension-voltage relationship in frog atrial muscle because of a lack of temporal and spatial control of voltage during the rising phase of the tension response.