Mechanism and modification of bradykinin-induced coronary vasodilation.

In isolated perfused rabbit hearts, bradykinin produced a concentration-dependent decrease in coronary resistance directly associated with biosynthesis and release of prostaglandin-E-like substance. An inhibitor of bradykinin destruction (the nonapeptide SQ-20881) markedly enhanced both the coronary vasodilation and release of prostaglandin-E-like substance produced by cardiac injection of bradykinin. Indomethacin inhibited both the myocardial prostaglandin biosynthesis and the decrease in coronary resistance induced by bradykinin. The demonstration that bradykinin is a potent stimulator of prostaglandin biosynthesis in the heart has implications as to the cause of the afferent cardiovascular reflexes and pain in myocardial infarction and angina pectoris.     

Characteristics of gastric cancer in Asia

Gastric cancer(GC)is the fourth most common cancer in the world with more than 70%of cases occur in the developing world.More than 50%of cases occur in Eastern Asia.GC is the second leading cause of cancer death in both sexes worldwide.In Asia,GC is the third most common cancer after breast and lung and is the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer.Although the incidence and mortality rates are slowly declining in many countries of Asia,GC still remains a significant public health problem.The incidence and mortality varies according to the geographic area in Asia.These variations are closely related to the prevalence of GC risk factors;especially Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)and its molecular virulent characteristics.The gradual and consistent improvements in socioeconomic conditions in Asia have lowered the H.pylori seroprevalence rates leading to a reduction in the GC incidence.However,GC remains a significant public health and an economic burden in Asia.There has been no recent systemic review of GC incidence,mortality,and H.pylori molecular epidemiology in Asia.The aim of this report is to review the GC incidence,mortality,and linkage to H.pylori in Asia.     

Drinking patterns of inner-city black Americans and Puerto Ricans

Alcoholic patients--183 Black Americans (62 women) and 132 Puerto Ricans (18 women)--at an inner-city alcoholism treatment program were surveyed using the Drinking History Questionnaire. Significantly more Puerto Rican men than Black men reported drinking distilled spirits, daily drinking, drinking in the morning to relieve a hangover, shakes when sobering up, blackouts when drinking, convulsions after a bout, psychoperceptual withdrawal symptoms and alcohol-related marital difficulties. Puerto Rican women were significantly older at the first time of drunkenness than the other groups. These women tended to drink at home daily and they reported a surprisingly high mean alcohol consumption. Significantly more Black women reported drinking to make friends. The tendency for Blacks to drink with their spouse, and to encourage their spouse to drink, was a major finding. This finding may have clinical implications for treatment and suggests that in lower class Black alcoholics a careful history of the drinking patterns of the spouse or living companion should be taken to determine the proper treatment approach.     

乙型肝炎病毒polyA形成与调节因素研究进展

乙型病毒性肝炎(乙肝)是全球范围的重大公共卫生问题之一,其病原体乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)可通过多种途径感染人体,引起急性肝炎、慢性肝炎、肝硬化甚至肝癌。HBV感染是全球十大死因之一,世界上30%的人感染过或者成为HBV的携带者。据统计[1],全球共有3.5亿HBV慢性感染者,每年因HBV慢性感染所致的肝纤维化或者肝癌感染致死的人数有100万左右。