Cytokeratin expression in initial oral mucositis of head and neck irradiated patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to study cytokeratin (Ck) expression in initial radiation-induced oral mucositis. STUDY DESIGN: Eleven cases of initial radiomucositis of the buccal mucosa and 9 normal specimens were immunostained for Ck 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, 18, and 19 by immunoperoxidase method. RESULTS: Expression of Ck 1, 6, 10, and 16 was stronger in mucositis than in normal mucosa. Ck 7, 8, and 18 were negative for both control and study groups. Ck 5, 13, and 14 were positive for both groups, nevertheless suprabasal staining for Ck 14 was more evident in mucositis than in the control group. Sporadic staining for Ck 19 was observed in 1 case of mucositis and in 2 controls. CONCLUSIONS: Increased Ck expression can be associated with the reactive proliferation of the epithelium and increasing resistance of the oral mucosa during the initial phases of radiotherapy.     

大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后caspase-12表达与细胞凋亡

目的:观察大鼠脊髓缺血再灌注损伤过程中细胞凋亡、caspase-12的表达变化规律,以探讨其分子机制。方法:采用自制压迫装置制备脊髓压迫缺血再灌注模型。运用形态学、分子生物学等方法,分别于缺血再灌注后3、7、11、23和47h,观察脊髓缺血再灌注损伤后,脊髓的病理变化和内质网的形态学改变、细胞凋亡及caspase-12的表达变化的规律。结果:脊髓缺血再灌注3h后,出现不同程度的细胞肿胀,神经元退行性变及内质网结构变化;随着再灌注时间的延长,神经元和神经胶质细胞凋亡数明显增加,并伴有caspase-12的表达增强;capspase-12表达与细胞凋亡的时空变化规律相一致。结论:在脊髓缺血再灌注过程中神经细胞凋亡是引起脊髓继发性损伤的主要病理因素,caspase-12可能参与了脊髓缺血再灌注损伤所导致的细胞凋亡。     

Female and male partner age and menotrophin requirements influence pregnancy rates with human menopausal gonadotrophin therapy in combination with intrauterine insemination

This study analyses the influence of female and male patient age and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) requirements on clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates with ovulation stimulation using HMG in combination with intrauterine insemination (IUI). In this study, 363 consecutive HMG/IUI treatment cycles in 184 patients carried out at a university fertility centre were analysed in a retrospective fashion. The main outcomes measured were clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates. Increased female partner age (> or = 35) and male partner age (> or = 40) were found to negatively influence pregnancy rates with HMG/ IUI therapy. In addition, this study demonstrated a critical threshold of HMG requirements beyond which pregnancy did not occur. No pregnancies occurred in treatment cycles requiring > 25 ampoules (1875 IU) of menotrophins to achieve follicular maturity, irrespective of patient age. In conclusion, female partner age, male partner age, and HMG requirements all significantly influence pregnancy rates with HMG/IUI therapy.