Influences of simulated gastrointestinal environment on physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles and their implications on intestinal epithelial permeability

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) hold great promise in food, industrial and biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, influences of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), a likely route for Au NPs administration, on the physicochemical properties of Au NPs has been rarely evaluated. Here, we investigated the influence of GIT fluids on the physicochemical properties of Au NPs (5, 50, and 100?nm) and their implications on intestinal epithelial permeability in vitro. Au NPs aggregated in fasted gastric fluids and generated hydroxyl radicals in the presence of H₂O₂. Cell studies showed that GIT fluids incubation of Au NPs affected the cellular uptake of Au NPs but did not induce cytotoxicity or disturb the intestinal epithelial permeability.     

Mechanisms of repigmentation induced by photobiomodulation therapy in vitiligo

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is based on the exposure of biological tissues to low‐level laser light (coherent light) or light‐emitting diodes (LEDs; noncoherent light), leading to the modulation of cellular functions, such as proliferation and migration, which result in tissue regeneration. PBM therapy has important clinical applications in regenerative medicine. Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentary disorder resulting from disappearance of functional melanocytes in the involved skin. Vitiligo repigmentation depends on available melanocytes derived from (a) melanocyte stem cells located in the bulge area of hair follicles and (b) the epidermis at the lesional borders, which contains a pool of functional melanocytes. Since follicular melanoblasts (MBs) are derived from the melanocyte stem cells residing at the bulge area of hair follicle, the process of vitiligo repigmentation presents a research model for studying the regenerative effect of PBM therapy. Previous reports have shown favourable response for treatment of vitiligo with a low‐energy helium‐neon (He‐Ne) laser. This review focuses on the molecular events that took place during the repigmentation process of vitiligo triggered by He‐Ne laser (632.8 nm, red light). Monochromatic radiation in the visible and infrared A (IRA) range sustains matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), improves mitochondrial function, and increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis and O₂ consumption, which lead to cellular regenerative pathways. Cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondria was reported to be the photoacceptor upon which He‐Ne laser exerts its effects. Mitochondrial retrograde signalling is responsible for the cellular events by red light. This review shows that He‐Ne laser initiated mitochondrial retrograde signalling via a Ca²⁺‐dependent cascade. The impact on cytochrome c oxidase within the mitochondria, an event that results in activation of CREB (cyclic‐AMP response element binding protein)‐related cascade, is responsible for the He‐Ne laser promoting functional development at different stages of MBs and boosting functional melanocytes. He‐Ne laser irradiation induced (a) melanocyte stem cell differentiation; (b) immature outer root sheath MB migration; (c) differentiated outer root sheath MB melanogenesis and migration; and (d) perilesional melanocyte migration and proliferation. These photobiomodulation effects result in perifollocular and marginal repigmentation in vitiligo.     

Computed tomography imaging features for amyloid dacryolith in the nasolacrimal excretory system: A case report

BACKGROUNDNasolacrimal duct obstruction leading to epiphora is a common ophthalmologic complaint, and it may derive from amyloidosis in rare cases. There are a few reports about localized amyloidosis, and amyloidosis with involvement and obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct is exceedingly rare. CASE SUMMARYA 54-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of a lump overlying the left lacrimal sac that had grown rapidly for nearly half a year. Physical examination touched a firm lump in the left lacrimal sac. Nasal endoscopy discovered lesions in appearance of sediments with easy bleeding at the entry of the nasolacrimal duct of the left inferior nasal meatus. Computerized tomography scan revealed speckle high density in the left lacrimal sac and the dilated nasolacrimal duct. During an endoscopic exploration and excision, a large number of dacryoliths were exposed. Pathology indicated amorphous pink material and multinucleated giant cell reaction in the fibrous tissue.CONCLUSIONThis case showed amyloidosis in localized form mimicking dacryolith with nasolacrimal duct obstruction. In clinical practice, we should be aware of the possibility of localized amyloidosis in the nasolacrimal excretory system.     

Clinical significance of quantitative studies of cell nucleus in lymphocytes of the cerebrospinal fluid in leukemia]

The nuclear content, area and perimeter of the nucleus of lymphocytes in the C.S.F. were determined quantitatively by means of image analysis technique. 26 cases of central nervous system lymphocytic leukemia (CNLL), and 8 suspected cases were studied, other 56 cases who did not have leukemic and neoplastic diseases and had normal C.S.F. lymphocytes were taken as a control. Our data showed that all the mean nuclear content (MNC), mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), and the maximum and minimum nuclear contents of the 2 groups of former patients were obviously higher than those of the contral (P less than 0.01). These results presented suggestion that the image analysis technique can be used for differentiating the leukemic lymphocyte from normal one especially in suspected cases, and thus the diagnosis of CNLL might be improved.     

Immigrants et tuberculose : données épidémiologiques récentes

Immigrants, and especially those recently arrived in host countries, are a high-risk group for tuberculosis. In 2006 in France, nearly half of the new cases of tuberculosis were reported in this group. The incidence rate among people born abroad was about seven times higher than that observed in people born in France (38.9/10⁵ vs 5.2/10⁵). The incidence was also the highest in districts with a high proportion of socioeconomically vulnerable population, such as Paris and greater Paris area. The characteristics of French born and non-French born cases differed. Patients born abroad were less likely to have pulmonary tuberculosis (68.2% vs 78.2; p < 0.001) and were more likely to live in institutions (such as migrant shelters) and to harbor multiresistant tuberculosis strains. A national tuberculosis control program was launched in France in 2007, to decrease the prevalence of tuberculosis in targeted populations.     

鱼油抗大鼠实验性心律失常作用

鱼油口服给药1.4 ml/kg·d,连续15d能显著升高氯化钡致大鼠心律失常的阈剂量(P<0.05),降低心律失常的严重程度(P<0.05),60 min内窦性心率恢复率为85.7％(P<0.01),死亡率为0。心肌细胞膜脂肪酸分析显示,鱼油影响大鼠心肌细胞膜脂肪酸组成,升高DHA含量(P<0.05),降低AA含量及AA/DHA比值(P<0.01)。多元逐步回归分析表明,鱼油的抗心律失常作用与其升高心肌细胞膜DHA含量有关,相关系数为r=-0.5872(P<0.01)。     

糖对椰酵假单胞菌产毒性能的影响研究

以半固体ＬＡ和营养琼脂为基础培养基，分别加入葡萄糖、蔗糖、可溶性淀粉、甘油等４种成分，研究糖分对椰酵假单胞菌产毒性能影响。结果表明，椰酵假单胞菌在营养琼脂和ＬＡ半固体基础培养基上基本不产毒或产毒量很低，而葡萄糖和甘油的加入使椰酵假单胞菌的产毒能力大幅度提高，产毒量不低于在马铃薯葡萄糖琼脂（ＰＤＡ）中，提示了糖代谢在椰酵假单胞菌生长和产毒过程中的重要作用。建议将ＬＤＡ（含葡萄糖的ＬＡ，新设计）半固体做为一种新的椰酵假单胞菌产毒培养基，有利于实验室研究及不同实验室间的质量控制     

射频消融术后尿潴留患者的护理

分析86例射频消融术后患者出现尿潴留的不同原因，包括不习惯床上排尿、精神因素、疼痛等。护理对策包括：减少卧床时间，心理护理，变换体位，物理诱导，术后多饮水等，结果81例患者排尿成功，只有5例(5．8％)男性前列腺肥大患者需要导尿。