Behavioural response in paired food choice experiments with Oniscus asellus (Crustacea, Isopoda) as an indicator of different food quality

This paper describes a study of behavioural response in terrestrial isopod Oniscus asellus when offered two food pellets of different quality. One group had a choice of sterilised food and food pellets covered with mould. The other group had a choice of uncontaminated and cadmium-dosed food. During the behavioural test, the animals were monitored by a video camera and each visit to food pellets and time spent around it was counted. The results show that animals spent significantly less time near sterilised and cadmium-dosed food than with uncontaminated or mould-covered food. Discrimination between offered food pellets showed that avoidance behaviour can be used as an indicator of different food quality.     

甲氰咪胍对恶性梗阻性黄疸病人术后细胞免疫功能的影响

目的: 观察甲氰咪胍对恶性梗阻性黄疸病人术后细胞免疫功能的影响,探讨其临床应用价值。方法: 将44例病人随机分为甲氰咪胍治疗组和对照组,观察两组间术后感染发生情况;用间接免疫荧光法检测T淋巴细胞亚群变化。结果: 治疗组术后感染发生率明显低于对照组（9% 对36%,P<0.05）;治疗组术后周围血CD4+细胞计数、CD4+/CD8+比值明显高于对照组(P<0.05）。结论: 围手术期应用甲氰咪胍可以改善恶性梗阻性黄疸病人的细胞免疫功能,预防术后感染的发生,具有临床应用价值。     

鲁甸地震极危重伤员治疗模式的探讨

目的 探讨适合于地震中极危重伤员的治疗模式.方法 鲁甸地震中将对极危重伤员的诊疗模式,由平时的“诊断—治疗”改为“抢救—诊断—治疗”模式.对治疗效果进行分析.结果 20例极危重伤员中4例直接收入中心ICU,16例经多学科会诊后由专科重症监护室转入中心ICU治疗.给予合理评估、集中救治全面生命支持,多学科专家小组一对一管理,强化护理质量及医院感染管理.死亡3例（15.00％）,好转转出中性ICU12例（60.00％）,病情平稳仍住中心ICU治疗5例（25.00％）.结论 对极危重地震伤员集中救治试行“抢救—诊断—治疗”模式效果良好.     

A prospective study of multiple needle biopsies versus a single open biopsy for testicular sperm extraction in men with non-obstructive azoospermia

Little is known about the efficacy and the factors affecting the outcome of fine needle aspiration biopsy of the testis for sperm retrieval in azoospermic men with defective spermatogenesis. A prospective study was designed to compare the efficacy of needle and open (window) testicular biopsies for testicular epididymal sperm extraction (TESE) in 35 consecutive men with azoospermia due to defective spermatogenesis undergoing testicular biopsy for intracytoplasmic injection of oocytes. Each of the consecutive 35 patients underwent TESE using a 19 gauge butterfly needle followed by a window (1-1.5 cm-sized incision) testicular biopsy in the same procedure. The extraction of spermatozoa into culture medium was compared with the assessment of testicular biopsies by histology, the mode of biopsy (needle or open biopsy) and the amount of tissue retrieved by either method. Testicular spermatozoa were retrieved in 22 (63%) who had an open testicular biopsy compared with five (14%) patients who had multiple needle biopsies, respectively; the difference was statistically significant. Open testicular biopsy retrieves more testicular tissue than needle biopsy. Needle testicular biopsy retrieved testicular spermatozoa in 50% of those with hypospermatogenesis, 10% with focal spermatogenesis and in no patients with maturation arrest or Sertoli cell-only pattern. In contrast, sperm retrieval was successful in 100%, 90% and 66% of those with respective histologies using open testicular biopsy. Other than bruising, for which they required no analgesia, none of the patients suffered any obvious complications associated with traditional testicular biopsy. We conclude that open testicular biopsy is more effective than needle biopsy for the retrieval of testicular spermatozoa in azoospermic men with defective spermatogenesis. The difference observed may be related to the amount of testicular tissue retrieved and to the influence of testicular histology.      

Trace metal distribution in soluble organic matter from municipal solid waste compost determined by size-exclusion chromatography

Municipal solid waste (MSW) composts carry high amounts of trace metals and organic complexing agents that may influence metal bioavailability and mobility after application to soils. In order to assess the degree of organic complexation of trace metals in the solution phase of MSW compost and the relevance of organic ligand type, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was applied to compost-extracted organic ligands. Adjustment of the elution conditions minimized the interaction with the gel matrix for compost humic substances and dissolved organic matter (DOM) fractions. The SEC was then used to separate the aqueous compost extract into samples with distinct differences in chemical constituents. The highest quantities of Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn, and Cd were found to coelute with the main peak of the SEC elution curve, which, as observed by Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, also had the highest density of carboxyl groups. The ratio of aromatic to aliphatic structures was higher for eluates with low retention times, and cations such as Al, Cr, and Fe were preferably associated with these larger organic molecules. All trace metals in the compost solution phase were bound mostly to DOM rather than forming inorganic complexes.     

Correlation of testicular sperm extraction with morphological, biophysical and endocrine profiles in men with azoospermia due to primary gonadal failure

To identify the predictive factors for testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and to understand the pathology associated with TESE, we carried out a prospective study in 40 consecutive men with azoospermia due to primary gonadal failure. The main outcome measure was the retrieval of at least one testicular spermatozoon. Endocrine and biophysical profiles, testicular histology, Johnsen score and testicular spermatids were used as predictors of sperm extraction. Spermatogenesis was quantified with the Johnsen score. A variable pattern of spermatogenesis was common, being present in 20 (50%) patients. Visualisation of testicular spermatids on testicular histology showed a strong association with TESE (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant differences were detected in plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testicular volume between patients who had hypospermatogenesis and Sertoli cell-only or maturation arrest. There were no significant differences in Johnsen score, biophysical and endocrine profiles between the groups with successful and failed TESE. However, a statistically significant trend occurred with changes in histological pattern [chi2 for trend, P = 0.001; Pearson's coefficient (r) = 0.6], Johnsen score (P = 0.022; r = 0.5), testicular volume (P = 0.01; r = 0.5) and plasma FSH concentrations (P = 0.044; r = 0.4), albeit to a limited degree. Difference in the interpretation of histological patterns with different assessors was observed. The type of occupation or risk factors for azoospermia showed no association with testicular pathology or TESE. Variable histological patterns in different tubules in the same individual may explain the poor correlation of TESE with endocrine and biophysical profiles, Johnsen score and histological pattern. Differences in the amount of tissue used for TESE and histopathology, and misinterpretation of testicular histology rather than failure to quantify spermatogenesis may explain the poor correlation between histological patterns and TESE. Testicular spermatids predicted TESE. However, considerable overlap in values means that no single variable can provide a perfect discrimination between the groups with successful and failed TESE.      

Effect of Marsdenia tenacissima extract on G2/M cell cycle arrest by upregulating 14-3-3σ and downregulating c-myc in vitro and in vivo

Objective: Marsdenia tenacissima extract(MTE) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with anti-cancer activity. In some previous studies, different mechanism actions of the anti-cancer effect of MTE have been revealed. In this study, we first observed that MTE exhibited G2/M cell cycle arrest on two different human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 by mediating 14-3-3σ and c-myc.Methods: The effect of MTE on G2/M cell cycle arrest was evaluated in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines. MTT assay was done for evaluation of cell viability. Flow cytometry was employed for cell cycle analysis. Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed to analyze the expression of G2/M cell cycle-related key protein in cells and tissue samples. Animal studies have been conducted to elucidate the anti-tumor effect of MTE.Results: Cell cycle is the backbone for developing cancer. Cell cycle proteins play a major role in the progression of cell cycle and cell proliferation. However, some key protein directly or indirectly modulate the action of cell cycle protein that highly affect cell cycle regulation. In order to investigate cellular proliferation of cancer, we observed that MTE induced the upregulation of 14-3-3σ and downregulation of c-myc,and then reduced the expression of G2/M cell cycle associated key protein, leading to the inhibition of cellular entry into mitosis phase. We also confirmed that MTE exerted a significant antitumor effect on the MDA-MB-231 xenograft model in vivo.Conclusion: G2/M cell cycle arrest occurred by the action of MTE, mediated by the upregulation of 14-3-3σ as well as downregulation of c-myc in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines.     

Plasma cyclic nucleotide responses to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and methacholine in patients with hyperthyroidism

The effect of insulin-induced hypoglycaemia and methacholine on plasma cAMP and cGMP levels was studied in normal volunteers, hyperthyroid and hypothyroid patients. A significant positive correlation existed between the maximal increase in plasma cAMP and the maximal decrease in plasma glucose in normals during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Therefore, the plasma cAMP response is considered to be dependent on the degree of hypoglycaemia, rather than the dose of insulin. The cAMP response to hypoglycaemia was significantly higher in hyperthyroid patient, and was lower in patients with hypothyroidism than in normals. The cAMP response of the hyperthyroid patients was normalized when their hyperthyroidism was controlled after 3 months of treatment. The plasma level of cGMP was slightly elevated during hypoglycaemia, but there was no significant difference between controls and hyperthyroid patients. The cGMP response to methacholine, which is probably mediated by cholinergic receptors, was significantly potentiated in hyperthyroid patients. The cAMP response, which is presumably dependent on endogenous catecholamines secreted during methacholine-induced hypotension, was also enhanced in hyperthyroid patients. It is likely that beta-adrenergic receptor responses and cholinergic receptor responses are both enhanced in hyperthyroidism.     

阿苯达唑治疗多房棘球蚴病研究进展

多房棘球蚴病是由多房棘球绦虫感染引起的一种高致死率人兽共患寄生虫病。阿苯达唑为苯并咪唑类化合物之一,具有强大的杀灭寄生虫作用,且驱虫谱较广。对于不愿接受手术治疗、失去手术机会或身体状态差而无法耐受手术的多房棘球蚴病患者,使用阿苯达唑药物治疗可一定程度上延缓疾病进展。近年来,多房棘球蚴病相关实验研究取得大量成果。本文回顾了相关文献并对阿苯达唑治疗多房棘球蚴病研究进展进行综述,以期增加对阿苯达唑治疗多房棘球蚴病效果的认识,为未来用于临床治疗奠定基础。     

乳腺癌各分子亚型中骨桥蛋白的表达及其临床意义

目的： 研究骨桥蛋白（osteopontin,OPN）在乳腺癌各分子亚型中的表达及其临床意义。 方法： 收集2000年1月至2003年12 月第二军医大学长海医院的99例乳腺癌组织标本,免疫组织化学法检测ER（estrogen receptor）、PR(progesterone receptor)和HER-2（human epidermal growth factor receptor-2）的表达,并据此将乳腺癌患者分为luminal A型、luminal B型、HER-2过表达型和基底细胞样型。免疫组织化学法测定各分子亚型乳腺癌组织中OPN的表达情况,并分析OPN表达与乳腺癌患者临床病理特征的关系。 结果： 根据ER、PR和HER-2的不同表达情况,99例乳腺癌患者中luminal A型45例、luminal B型27例、HER-2过表达型14例、基底细胞样型13例。OPN在luminal A型、luminal B型、HER-2过表达型和基底细胞样型中表达率分别为22.2%、29.6%、71.4%和61.5%,HER-2过表达型和基底细胞样型乳腺癌组织中OPN表达率均高于luminal A型和luminal B型（P<0.01）。OPN低表达的乳腺癌患者生存率高于OPN高表达者,两者差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）。 结论： OPN在基底细胞样型和HER-2过表达型乳腺癌组织中高表达,其表达可作为乳腺癌预后的评估指标之一。