Flerobuterol: a potential antidepressant drug related to β-adrenergic agonists. Experimental profile in mice

The potential antidepressant effect of flerobuterol (dl-(fluoro-2 phenyl)-1 t-butylamino-2 ethanol), a new drug related to beta-adrenoceptor agonists, was evaluated and compared with imipramine and salbutamol using classical psychopharmacological tests in mice. Like imipramine and salbutamol, flerobuterol (0.5-32 mg kg-1, ip) fully prevented apomorphine (16 mg kg-1, sc)- and partly reversed reserpine- and oxotremorine-induced hypothermia. At higher doses (16-32 mg kg-1), flerobuterol enhanced the toxic effects of yohimbine. Unlike imipramine, flerobuterol and salbutamol did not reduce immobility duration in the behavioural despair test. Salbutamol and flerobuterol decreased locomotor activity. Flerobuterol did not induce mydriasis, did not prevent oxotremorine-induced tremors or salivary and lacrimal gland secretion and did not reduce reserpine-induced palpebral ptosis. Propranolol (8 mg kg-1, ip) but not alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (75 mg kg-1, ip) prevented the flerobuterol-induced antagonism of apomorphine-induced hypothermia. Our results suggest that flerobuterol demonstrates potential antidepressant activity, which could be related to beta-adrenoceptor activation in mice.     

Ileoanal reservoir for ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis

Although total proctocolectomy with permanent ileostomy is regarded as the definitive therapy for ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis, psychologic and physical complications with this operation have stimulated the development of the operation of total abdominal colectomy, mucosal proctectomy, ileal reservoir, and ileoanal anastomosis as an alternative surgical procedure. Since 1980, 104 of these operative procedures have been completed with no operative mortality; experience has been gained with both the J- and S-type reservoirs. Despite an appreciable number of postoperative complications, satisfactory function of the reservoir has been achieved in 86 of 91 patients followed up for at least three months after closure of the ileostomy. The remaining five patients have required reinstitution of fecal diversion. Functional results have not differed between two-limbed and three-limbed reservoirs. This operation must be considered a viable alternative in patients with ulcerative colitis and familial polyposis.     

Suppurative corneal ulceration in Bangladesh

Suppurative keratitis is an important preventable cause of blindness, particularly in the developing world. This study analyses 142 cases of suppurative keratitis referred to Chittagong Eye Infirmary, Bangladesh. Some 53.5% of cases were bacterial and 35.9% were fungal. The five most common pathogens were: Pseudomonas sp. 24%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 17%, Aspergillus sp. 13%, Fusarium sp. 7% and Curvularia sp. 6%. Gram stain and culture results were consistent in 62.6% of cases. Previous antibiotic treatment was a significant factor for failure of culture isolation and less so for Gram stain failure. On Gram stain, 55.9% of pseudomonal cases were missed, but only 2% of fungal cases were missed. Over all, Gram stain had a sensitivity of 62% and positive predictive value of 84% for bacterial cases, and 98% and 94% for fungal cases, respectively. Fungal ulcers were typically filamentous, but an antecedent history of trauma was not common. The most frequent injury was due to rice grains, but the inoculum appeared to be introduced during eye washing with contaminated water. Pseudomonal ulcers occurred most frequently in the monsoon season, and Fusarium cases were seen only in the hot, dry season.     

科室主任管理职能与基本素质探讨

人力资源在管理中发挥着重要作用，其中，科室主任作为医院人力资源的重要组成部分，在医院惯性运行和可持续发展中扮演着重要角色。因此，科室主任因其技术和管理双重职责所具备的管理职能、基本素质和领导艺术在日常工作中显得尤为关键。     

Detection of the Glanzmann's thrombasthenia mutations in Arab and Iraqi-Jewish patients by polymerase chain reaction and restriction analysis of blood or urine samples.

Severe Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is relatively frequent in Iraqi-Jews and Arabs residing in Israel. We have recently described the mutations responsible for the disease in Iraqi-Jews--an 11 base pair deletion in exon 12 of the glycoprotein IIIa gene, and in Arabs--a 13 base pair deletion at the AG acceptor splice site of exon 4 on the glycoprotein IIb gene. In this communication we show that the Iraqi-Jewish mutation can be identified directly by polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. With specially designed oligonucleotide primers encompassing the mutation site, an 80 base pair segment amplified in healthy controls was clearly distinguished from the 69 base pair segment produced in patients. Patients from 11 unrelated Iraqi-Jewish families had the same mutation. The Arab mutation was identified by first amplifying a DNA segment consisting of 312 base pairs in controls and of 299 base pairs in patients, and then digestion by a restriction enzyme Stu-1, which recognizes a site that is absent in the mutant gene. In controls the 312 bp segment was digested into 235 and 77 bp fragments, while in patients there was no change in the size of the amplified 299 bp segment. The mutation was found in patients from 3 out of 5 unrelated Arab families. Both Iraqi-Jewish and Arab mutations were detectable in DNA extracted from blood and urine samples. The described simple methods of identifying the mutations should be useful for detection of the numerous potential carriers among the affected kindreds and for prenatal diagnosis using DNA extracted from chorionic villi samples.     

Self-administered heroin and cocaine combinations in the rat: additive reinforcing effects-supra-additive effects on nucleus accumbens extracellular dopamine.

The concurrent use of cocaine and opiate combinations (speedball) has increased since the 1970s and now represents a growing subset of intravenous drug abusers. An isobolographic analysis was applied to the ascending limb of the dose-effect curves for rat self-administration of cocaine, heroin, and their combination to determine the nature of the interaction. The addition of heroin to cocaine shifted the dose-effect curve for self-administration to the left, and the modulation in reinforcing efficacy of the combination of cocaine and heroin was found to be additive. A second experiment used microdialysis to determine the effects of this drug combination on nucleus accumbens (NAc) extracellular levels of dopamine ([DA](e)) in rats self-administering low doses of cocaine, heroin, or cocaine/heroin combinations. These doses of cocaine and cocaine/heroin combinations significantly increased NAc [DA](e), while heroin alone did not. The ratio of the % baseline of [DA](e) (or the dialysate concentrations of DA) to cocaine in the dialysate was higher during self-administration of cocaine/heroin combinations than with cocaine alone. These data indicate that although the interaction between cocaine and heroin in maintaining self-administration is additive, a potentiation of NAc dopaminergic neurotransmission is present, suggesting that NAc [DA](e) may not be a direct measure of reinforcing efficacy and/or it is not central to the mediation of the self-administration of this drug combination.     

Targeted gene disruption of murine CD7

CD7 is a 40 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein member of the Ig superfamily. CD7 is a marker of mature human T cells and NK cells, and is expressed early in their development. Cross-linking CD7 positively modulates T cell and NK cell activity as measured by calcium fluxes, expression of adhesion molecules, cytokine secretion and proliferation. CD7 associates directly with phosphoinositol 3'-kinase, and CD7 ligation induces production of D-3 phosphoinositides and tyrosine phosphorylation. Severe combined immunodeficiency has been associated with a lack of lymphocyte surface CD7. The CD7 ligand is unknown. The murine CD7 homolog is encoded by a single gene on chromosome 11. In order to characterize the role of CD7 in lymphocyte development and function we have eliminated the CD7 gene by targeted disruption. CD7- deficient mice display normal histology of thymus and spleen, normal lymphocyte populations in primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, and normal serum Ig levels. Specific antibody responses after immunization with T-dependent and T-independent antigens are equivalent in wild-type and CD7 knockout mice. CD7-deficient lymphocytes respond normally to T cell mitogenic and allogeneic stimuli, and display normal NK cell cytotoxicity.