Retrospective study correlating clinical infectious history and peripheral blood T-cell subpopulations in cancer, GvH and HIV+ patients.

The CD4+ CD8- inducer helper cell and the CD4- CD8+ cytotoxic/suppressor cell absolute numbers were measured in the peripheral blood of patients with various pathological conditions: with leukemia-lymphomas or solid tumors, patients with bone marrow grafts suffering from GvH, HIV-1 asymptomatic carriers, ARC and AIDS patients. The study was carried out during observation periods when they were not suffering from opportunistic infections and were untreated. In all the groups a decrease of the CD4+ CD8- cell absolute number was observed. In the leukemia-lymphoma and solid tumor bearing patients the CD4- CD8+ absolute value was lower than normal, while in the GvH- and HIV-infected patients, it was significantly higher. The clinical follow-up of each group indicates that GvH, ARC and AIDS patients developed infection in 40-68% of the cases, ie the only groups at risk of infection are those in which the CD4- CD8+ absolute values are high: we suggest that the balance CD4+ versus CD8+ should be considered rather the absolute CD4+ when discussing appropriate use of immuno-regulators.     

Zinc takes the center stage: its paradoxical role in Alzheimer’s disease

There is compelling evidence that the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves characteristic amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, oxidative stress, and anomalous metal–Aβ protein interaction. New studies have implicated redox active metals such as copper, iron, and zinc as key mediating factors in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. There is also evidence that drugs with metal chelating properties could produce a significant reversal of amyloid-β plaque deposition in vitro and in vivo. This paper reviews current observations on the etiologic role of zinc in AD. We also discuss the interactions of zinc and copper with Aβ, a factor that purportedly facilitates disease processes. Finally, we review the protective role of zinc against Aβ cytotoxicity and hypothesize how the apparent effect of zinc on AD pathology may be paradoxical, The Zinc Paradox. Indeed, complex pathologic stressors inherent to the Alzheimer’s diseased brain dictate whether or not zinc will be neuroprotective or neurodegenerative. Further research on the zinc paradox in AD is needed in order to elucidate the exact role zinc plays in AD pathogenesis.     

人体液中喷布洛尔及其代谢物的GC/MS分析

用气相色谱一质谱联用(GC-MSD)系统分析方法检出了人尿中喷布洛尔的6个羟化代谢物,用Scp-Pak柱提取的方法检出了人血浆中的原型药物。并从分子结构上对此药物的代谢途径进行了研究。尿中提取和血中提取的回收率分别为90.83.%和85.88%,Gc-MSD的检测限为5pg。本方法适用于运动员兴奋剂的系统检查。     

Neuroendocrine and neurochemical measurements in depression

The authors performed dexamethasone suppression tests (DST), TRH infusions, 72-hour urine collections, and lumbar punctures on a group of male depressed patients. Approximately 60% of the patients were DST positive and 33% had a blunted TSH response. Two biologic variables, the 8 a.m. postdexamethasone cortisol and the postprobenecid CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), accounted for over half of the variance in the behavioral measure, the Hamilton score. Plasma cortisol elevation was associated with high 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG) excretion; TSH blunting was associated with low urinary MHPG excretion. Comprehensive biologic measures showed certain significant interrelationships and correlations with the severity of depression.     

Effect of an education and activation programme on functional limitations and patient-perceived recovery in acute and sub-acute shoulder complaints – a randomised clinical trial

Background  

The education and activation programme (EAP) aims at coping with psychosocial determinants to prevent the development of chronic shoulder complaints (SCs). The effect of the EAP on functional limitations and patient-perceived recovery after 6 and 26 weeks is evaluated in a randomised clinical trial.