Norepinephrine modulates glutamatergic transmission in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis.

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and its adrenergic input are key components in stress-induced reinstatement and maintenance of drug use. Intra-BNST injections of either beta-adrenergic receptor (beta-AR) antagonists or alpha2-adrenergic receptor (alpha2-AR) agonists can inhibit footshock-induced reinstatement and maintenance of cocaine- and morphine-seeking. Using electrophysiological recording methods in an in vitro slice preparation from C57/Bl6j adult male mouse BNST, we have examined the effects of adrenergic receptor activation on excitatory synaptic transmission in the lateral dorsal supracommissural BNST (dBNST) and subcommissural BNST (vBNST). Alpha2-AR activation via UK-14,304 (10 microM) results in a decrease in excitatory transmission in both dBNST and vBNST, an effect predominantly dependent upon the alpha2A-AR subtype. Beta-AR activation via isoproterenol (1 microM) results in an increase in excitatory transmission in dBNST, but not in vBNST. Consistent with the work with receptor subtype specific agonists, application of the endogenous ligand norepinephrine (NE, 100 microM) elicits two distinct effects on glutamatergic transmission. In dBNST, NE elicits an increase in transmission (62% of dBNST NE experiments) or a decrease in transmission (38% of dBNST NE experiments). In vBNST, NE elicits a decrease in transmission in 100% of the experiments. In dBNST, the NE-induced increase in synaptic transmission is blocked by beta1/beta2- and beta2-, but not beta1-specific antagonists. In addition, this increase is also reduced by the alpha2-AR antagonist yohimbine and is absent in the alpha2A-AR knockout mouse. In vBNST, the NE-induced decrease in synaptic transmission is markedly reduced in the alpha2A-AR knockout mouse. Further experiments demonstrate that the actions of NE on glutamatergic transmission can be correlated with beta-AR function.     

Psychological distress among female spouses of male at-risk drinkers.

The consequences of alcoholism on the mental health of spouses of lifetime at-risk drinkers are only known from studies on alcoholics already in treatment. A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from a Quebec community health survey. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, our goal was to ascertain the mental health of female spouses living with a male lifetime at-risk drinker. Secondly, we wanted to examine the relationship between male lifetime at-risk drinkers (aged 30-54 years) and the psychological distress of their nondrinking female spouses. Lifetime at-risk drinking, for the purposes of this study, was defined as having at least two positive answers to the CAGE questionnaire. Couples wherein both spouses were deemed not at-risk for problem drinking by the CAGE instrument (0 or 1 positive answer) formed the control group. Psychological distress was measured using the Indice de Détresse Psychologique de l'Enquête Santé Québec (Préville, M., Boyer, R., Potvin, L., Perreault, C., & Légaré, G. (1992). La détresse psychologique: détermination de la fiabilité et de la validité de la mesure utilisée dans l'enquête Santé Québec. Cahier de recherches #7, Montréal, Santé Québec.). It measures symptoms of anxiety, depression, aggressivity, and cognitive impairments. Scores of >or=22 (out of 100) were indicative of a high level of psychological distress. This study confirmed higher levels of psychological distress in female spouses of male lifetime at-risk drinkers in the general population. An exploratory study examined the association between the psychological distress of female spouses and each of the following nine independent variables: male partner lifetime at-risk drinker, stressful life events, job situation, socioeconomic status, perceived health status, presence of children less than 15 years, length of the marital relationship, presence of a confidant, and availability of social support. Lifetime at-risk drinking is a risk factor for the spouse's psychological distress. An examination of the demographic characteristics related to alcohol intake in male lifetime at-risk drinkers is also described in this study.     

改良开放性手术治疗巨大良性前列腺增生症

目的探讨巨大良性前列腺增生症的开放性手术治疗方法及效果。方法回顾分析16例巨大良性前列腺增生症,年龄61~88岁,平均74岁。作耻骨上经膀胱前列腺切除术。结果手术均成功;手术时间35~65min,出血量100~200mL,术后前列腺重量为200~520g,平均215g;膀胱冲洗2~3d,拔导尿管5~7d;术后3d再出血1例,经DSA同侧髂内血管栓塞止血成功,排尿困难1例,短期尿失禁1例,其余患者术后均排尿通畅,控尿良好。结论开放性手术治疗巨大良性前列腺增生症,其梗阻解除彻底,是一种合理的治疗方法。恰当的手术方法是提高疗效及降低并发症的关键。     

大鼠腹腔肥大细胞肿瘤坏死因子合成与释放的研究

应用免疫细胞化学技术及酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）对大鼠腹腔肥大细胞合成和释放肿瘤坏死因子（TNF）的状况进行了观测。结果:新鲜分离纯化的大鼠腹腔肥大细胞胞浆呈TNF蛋白阳性。单纯肥大细胞培养早期（2～4 h）,上清液中未能检测到TNF,随着培养时间延长,上清液中TNF含量增多;盐酸吗啡与肥大细胞共同培养2h时,上清液中出现可测TNF。四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）比色分析试验表明,肥大细胞培养上清液具体有TNF的抗肿瘤活性中。提示:大鼠腹腔肥大细胞能合成和释放TNF,盐酸吗啡能促进肥大细胞释放TNF。