Distribution of alpha 2-adrenergic receptor mRNAs in the rat CNS.

alpha 2-Adrenergic receptors (ARs) are involved in central nervous system (CNS) control of blood pressure. It is now known that there are three human genes that encode subtypes of alpha 2-ARs, but little is known regarding the distribution of these subtypes throughout the CNS. The availability of receptor clones allows the mapping of mRNAs encoding the individual alpha 2-AR subtypes in the CNS. In this communication, we report that there are three, closely related rat alpha 2-AR genes. We have developed subtype-specific hybridization probes from each of these genes and have used these reagents to measure alpha 2-AR subtype mRNA accumulation in extracts of discrete regions of the rat CNS. We found that mRNAs encoding the alpha 2A-AR and alpha 2C-AR subtypes are distributed widely, but unevenly, throughout the rat CNS. The A subtype is prominent in the midbrain, brainstem, spinal cord, pituitary and diencephalon while the C subtype predominates in basal ganglia and cerebellum. The cortex, olfactory bulb and hippocampus contain roughly equal amounts of the alpha 2A- and alpha 2C-AR mRNAs. A third subtype's (alpha 2B-AR) mRNA is far less abundant in brain tissues, and is only found in the diencephalon.     

Influence of serum protein on polycarbonate-based copolymer micelles as a delivery system for a hydrophobic anti-cancer agent.

A new micelle system formed from methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-b-poly (5-benzyloxy-trimethylene carbonate; MePEG-b-PBTMC 5000-b-4800) was investigated as a delivery system for the hydrophobic anti-cancer agent, ellipticine. The ellipticine was loaded into the MePEG-b-PBTMC micelles with a loading efficiency of 95% using a high-pressure extrusion technique. The ellipticine-loaded micelles have a spherical morphology and an average diameter of 96 nm. The anti-cancer activity of ellipticine was confirmed to be retained following formulation in the MePEG-b-PBTMC micelles. The extent of protein adsorption to the MePEG-b-PBTMC micelles was investigated by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and gel filtration chromatography. Overall, the amount of protein both loosely and tightly associated with the micelles was found to be minimal and insignificant. The partitioning properties of ellipticine between an aqueous medium containing protein and the MePEG-b-PBTMC micelles were examined over a range of protein concentrations. Under physiologically relevant conditions, it was found that 61% of the drug remained within the micelle fraction while 39% was in the protein-containing aqueous phase. In addition, the in vitro drug release profile of ellipticine from the micelles was fit using a modified Higuchi model and found to be accelerated in the presence of protein. These studies demonstrate that although there are no significant interactions between micelle and protein, the properties of the micelle as a delivery vehicle may be strongly influenced by protein-drug interactions.     

Immunological responses to pneumococcal vaccine in frail older people

Advanced age has been associated with a wide range of defects in both the innate and adaptive immune systems including diminished specific antibody responses that increase the risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) and limit the effectiveness of vaccines. However, the elderly are a heterogeneous group and measures of overall frailty may be a better indicator of disease susceptibility (or vaccine response) than chronological age alone.     

腮腺良性和恶性多形性腺瘤的超声研究

目的研究腮腺良性和恶性多形性腺瘤的超声特点,为临床医师诊治提供有效依据。方法选取腮腺良性多形性腺瘤患者79例和恶性多形性腺瘤患者15例,对其肿块的大小、硬度、内部回声、彩色多普勒血流显像(CDFI)特点结合病理学诊断进行对照研究。结果恶性多形性腺瘤的声像图特点与良性多形性腺瘤相似,但其肿瘤相对较大,质地更硬,内部回声分布更紊乱。不同性质的肿瘤的大小和质地有显著性差异,(P<0.01)。结论多形性腺瘤的超声诊断主要依据二维图像之特点。当多形性腺瘤大于3.0 cm,硬度较硬,内部回声分布不均多提示恶性。     

抗淋球菌IgA蛋白酶单克隆抗体特性的初步研究

本文对以重组淋球菌ＩｇＡ蛋白酶为抗原制备的７株特异性ＭｃＡｂ的特性进行了初步研究。结果有５株（１Ｃ８、１Ｅ５、１Ｆ１１、１Ｇ３和２Ｅ６）能中和淋球菌ＩｇＡ蛋白酶活性。经相加试验初步证明，其中１Ｆ１１、２Ｇ３与其它３株ＭｃＡｂ的作用位点不同。因此，淋球菌ＩｇＡ蛋白酶至少存在３个中和表位。     

Hereditary characteristics of enzyme deficiency and dermatoglyphics in congenital color blindness

The hereditary characteristics of enzyme deficiency and dermatoglyphics in congenital color blindness (CCB) were studied. We propose that there is a linkage between the two loci on the X-chromosome determining CCB and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), based on our study of a high incidence of G6PD deficiency in 156 male cases with CCB. The CCB gene is closely linked with that of G6PD deficiency from our pedigree investigations. The rise in the frequency of eight or more whorls, the low value of atd angle and the presenting rate of real palmar patterns of the thenar, hypothenar and I, areas presented the hereditary traits of congenital color blindness.     

Clinical and experimental study of xiao er ke cuan ling oral liquid in the treatment of infantile bronchopneumonia]

Xiao Er Ke Chuan Ling Oral Liquid (KCL) is a Chinese herbal preparation consisted of 10 herbs such as Prunus armeniacae, Scutelaria baicalensis, Lonicera japonica etc. 30 children suffering from bronchopneumonia and/or acute bronchitis were treated with KCL (treated group) and another 30 cases were treated with penicillin and aminophylline (control group). Results: cure rate and effective rate in treated group was 26.6%, and 93.3% respectively. While in control group was 30% and 96.6% respectively. No significant differences were seen between them(P > 0.05). The pharmacodynamic experiment showed KCL had potent pharmacological action. The experiment on tracheal fragment of Guinea pig in vitro showed it caused moderately strong smooth muscle relaxation, through inhibition the effect of histamine and acetylcholine. Asthma induction experiment of Guinea pig in vivo showed KCL could significantly prolong the latent period of asthma and alleviate asthmatic symptom. Ammonium water cough induction experiment in mice showed it may apparently prolong cough latent period and reduce times of cough relapse and alleviate cough symptom. KCL had potent antipyretic effect on fever model induced by triple vaccine in rabbits. Bacteriostatic and antiviral experiment in vitro showed the drug had quite strong inhibitory effects for Streptococcus hemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Flexners Dysentery bacillus, Diplococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and it could potently inhibit the respiratory syncytial virus. KCL is an effective drug in treating bronchopneumonia and acute bronchitis.     

MHC—I类抗原加工途径异常与肿瘤关系的研究进展

随着免疫学研究的不断深入，MHC－I类抗原呈递细节已逐渐明晰，全面认识肿瘤细胞MHC－I类相关抗原加工途径缺陷或改变与肿瘤生物学及肿瘤临床的关系，将有助于肿瘤的诊治和预防。