Androgen receptors in colorectal adenomas

Summary To evaluate the potential effect of androgens on the development and growth of human colorectal adenomas, the prevalence and concentration of cytosolic androgen receptors (AR) were analysed in 26 adenomas and 19 samples of normal colonic mucosa by a hybrid ligand receptor-binding assay. AR were detected in 7 of the adenomas (26.9%), and in 6 of the normal mucosa samples (31.6%). In the adenomas, AR levels demonstrated were low, ranging from 6 to 31 fmol/mg cytosol protein, and dissociation constants (Kds) ranged from 0.17–2.7x10^-9 M. Of 13 adenomas excised from men, 6 (46%) had positive receptor activity, whereas only 1 of 13 (7.7%) from women was positive (P=0.03, Fisher's exact test). There was no correlation between AR titre and patient age, or between adenoma size and histological type or degree of dysplasia. In normal mucosa, AR levels ranged from 7 to 33 fmol/mg and Kds ranges from 0.24–3.1x10^-9 M. There was no significant difference between either AR prevalence or levels in the adenomas and normal mucosa. The sex difference was exclusive to the adenoma. Endogenous androgen may play a role in adenoma development early in the promotional process.     

麦冬类中药组织切片计算机三维重建图鉴

利用计算机技术实现麦冬类中药组织连续切片三维重建与动态显示,为计算机辅助生药学鉴定和教学提供了新的三维图像技术和研究资料。     

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Medical or surgical treatment? Report of an interactive workshop

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. With the introduction of proton pump inhibitors medical treatment of GERD has been significantly improved. However, the development of laparoscopic antireflux surgery resulted in an increasing interest of surgeons in this disease. An interactive meeting was organized in order to develop an agreement between gastoenterologists and surgeons regarding therapeutic decisions and this is the main topic of this paper.     

Low-artifact intravascular devices: MR imaging evaluation

Flow-phantom magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, with use of both spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (GRE) techniques at 1.5 T, was performed on the percutaneous Greenfield (beta-III titanium alloy [TMA wire]), Amplatz (MP32-N alloy), and Simon nitinol filters and TMA wire facsimiles of the bird's nest, Gunther, new retrievable, and Amplatz vena caval filters. SE imaging allowed detection of thrombi as small as 5 X 5 mm trapped within the percutaneous Greenfield, Simon nitinol, and TMA-wire facsimile filters; with the MP32-N Amplatz filter, a larger volume of thrombus (10 X 20-mm clots) was necessary for clot detection. GRE imaging allowed detection of intraluminal tilting of the percutaneous Greenfield and facsimile Amplatz (TMA-wire) filters. GRE imaging was useful for demonstrating postfilter turbulence due to clots, which was greatest for the Amplatz filter. Imaging of facsimile vascular devices made of tantalum or TMA wire did not cause the severe "black-hole" MR artifacts typical of the stainless-steel devices. SE and GRE imaging were very useful for determining caval patency in two patients with previously placed Mobin-Uddin filters. Noninvasive MR evaluation of blood vessels in the presence of a variety of low-artifact intravascular devices appears feasible.     

Sequence comparison of human and yeast telomeres identifies structurally distinct subtelomeric domains

We have sequenced and compared DNA from the ends of three human chromosomes: 4p, 16p and 22q. In all cases the pro-terminal regions are subdivided by degenerate (TTAGGG)n repeats into distal and proximal sub- domains with entirely different patterns of homology to other chromosome ends. The distal regions contain numerous, short (<2 kb) segments of interrupted homology to many other human telomeric regions. The proximal regions show much longer (approximately 10-40 kb) uninterrupted homology to a few chromosome ends. A comparison of all yeast subtelomeric regions indicates that they too are subdivided by degenerate TTAGGG repeats into distal and proximal sub-domains with similarly different patterns of identity to other non-homologous chromosome ends. Sequence comparisons indicate that the distal and proximal sub-domains do not interact with each other and that they interact quite differently with the corresponding regions on other, non- homologous, chromosomes. These findings suggest that the degenerate TTAGGG repeats identify a previously unrecognized, evolutionarily conserved boundary between remarkably different subtelomeric domains.      

Optimization of selective hyperthermia

Selective hyperthermia can be a feasible treatment modality for deep tissue abnormalities. It is accomplished by using a laser or ultrasound noninvasively to transfer energy to a desired target causing tissue damage. This process has two potential benefits to medical professionals: simplicity of procedure and safety to patient. However, optimizing these selective interactions is difficult due to the number of variables. We propose an optimization coefficient relating the dynamic and geometric parameters of selective hyperthermia, and proceed to measure it in an experimental setup consisting of a near-infrared laser and laser-absorbing dye. To simulate tissue, gelatin phantoms are created using a combination of water, intralipid, and gelatin. Our experiments use a 1.00-cm-diam spherical phantom that is homogeneously enhanced with an indocyanine green (ICG) solution and placed inside a nontarget phantom and irradiated by an 805-nm diode laser. Temperature measurements taken at different locations are analyzed so optimization coefficients can be calculated for different parameters. This optimization coefficient compares the difference in temperatures from inside and outside the target. Analysis of the values after thermal equilibrium provides information about the best parameter selection. Our findings indicate that the optimal ICG concentration and power combination for our tested parameters are 0.083% and 0.97 W, respectively. Based on our analysis, optimization can be obtained by using this coefficient to compare the selectivity of several parameter combinations.     

It’s the Culture!—How systemic and societal constructs impact well‐being

Pediatric anesthesiologists practice within a culture, a system, and a society. In this article, we provide an overview of the influence these have on the well‐being or the unwellness of pediatric anesthesiologists. The scope of these issues is broad and far‐reaching; thus, our goal has been to highlight those areas which would be likely to have the largest impact on well‐being if addressed fully by society, institutions, and leaders in our field. We discuss the burnout‐promoting aspects of medical education and training. We survey occupational factors, such as the high‐stake pediatric anesthesia environment, occupational health hazards, time pressure, and the reduction in physician autonomy. We then describe societal barriers, such as the marginalization of certain populations, the US system of malpractice litigation, the stigma surrounding psychiatric care, and some of the issues related to physician reimbursement in the United States. We conclude that in order to move forward, improving physician wellness must be a focus of society, of the medical system as a whole, and of individual departments and leaders in pediatric anesthesia.