Mechanisms of proteinuria in nephrotic humans

The glomerular capillary wall imposes a remarkably efficient barrier to the passage of proteins the size of albumin and larger. The development of heavy proteinuria signifies impairment of the function of this barrier. Because endogenous proteins of graded size are heterogeneous with respect to their molecular charge and undergo extensive tubular reabsorption, they are not useful for quantifying the extent of barrier dysfunction. An alternative approach is to determine the fractional clearance of uncharged and non-reabsorbable polymers of graded size. When combined with a hydrodynamic theory of solute transport through a heteroporous membrane, the intrinsic properties of healthy and diseased glomerular capillary walls can be inferred. This approach reveals the nephrotic range proteinuria that attends minimal change nephropathy to be associated with impairment of both the size- and charge-selective properties of glomerular capillary walls.     

A new species of Stephanostomum Looss, 1899 (Digenea, Acanthocolpidae) with a bizarre oral sucker: S. adlardi sp. nov. from the common coral trout Plectropomus leopardus (Lacepède, 1802) (Perciformes, Serranidae) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef

A new species of Acanthocolpidae, Stephanostomum adlardi is described from the serranid Plectropomus leopardus from Lizard Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef. It differs from all previously described acanthocolpids in the structure of the oral sucker which is extended into dorsal and ventral lobes each bearing a row of spines. A phylogenetic tree estimated from combined nuclear small and partial large ribosomal RNA gene sequences shows that, despite the unusual oral sucker structure, the species is a true member of the genus Stephanostomum. The molecular results also suggest that Monostephanostomum nolani is derived from within Stephanostomum.     

Human leukocyte interferon-α in cream,for the treatment of genital warts in asian women a placebo-controlled,double-blind study

The purpose of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine and compare the clinical efficacy and tolerance of human leukocyte -interferon (incorporated 2 × 10⁶ IU/g) in hydrophilic cream to cure genital warts. Preselected Asian female patients (n=150) aged 18–40 years (mean 22.5), with the clinical and biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of genital warts (mean 2.64), predominantly flat vaginal condylomas, were randomly allocated to 3 parallel groups. Each patient was given a coded tube containing 80 g placebo/active preparation with a graduated applicator. Patients were instructed to inject 6 g of the either alloted placebo/active cream deep into the vagina thrice a day for 3 consecutive days (group A) or 4 consecutive days (group B) per week, and if not cured the same treatment was extended to 3 more weeks (maximum 4 weeks active treatment). To assess the clinical efficacy patients were examined on a week-to-week basis. A total clearance of warts (biopsy-confirmed) was evaluated as a complete cure. Patients cured during the treatment were spared further treatment and were requested to visit us after 16 weeks for relapse control. As for the remaining patients, empty tubes were collected, and similarly coded replacement tubes were given for further treatment (in total 588 tubes were used). By the end of the treatment 57.2% lesions (227/397) were eliminated in all the groups: 48% patients in group A, 90% patients in group B, and 10% patients in placebo groups taken as completely cured. Of the 150 patients 128 (85.3%) did not complain of any drug-related adverse symptoms. Transitory increase in body temperature (mean 38.4°C), accompanied by headache (14.6%) and generalized itching (6.6%) were the most frequently reported side effects; however, treatment was well tolerated by all the patients, and there were no dropouts. Our findings indicate that clinical efficacy is dose dependent, that is, the results of group B were significantly superior to that of group A (P < 0.05). Of the 49.3% cured patients (74/150) followed up for 6 months (monthly basis) seven had a relapse, and none had reinfection. It is concluded that clinical efficacy of leukocyte interferon-a to cure genital warts is dose dependent. These results further support the view that leukocyte interferon-a incorporated in hydrophilic cream can be considered a reliable, safe, and home-based treatment to cure vulvar and vaginal warts.Abbreviation HPV human papillomavirus     

引导组织再生术屏障膜放置时间的研究

在 ３０ 只成年兔的下颌两切牙唇侧牙槽骨制备 １０ｍ ｍ ×５ｍ ｍ 的开窗骨缺损,其表面覆盖 Ｇｏｒｅ Ｔｅｘ 膜。该膜分别于术后 １、２、３、５ 周取出,以不放膜组为空白对照。所有动物５ 周处死,标本作组织学分析。结果表明,２ 周取膜组较空白对照组有更多的新骨形成,而 ３ 周或 ５ 周取膜组织的再生量无进一步增加。提示在引导兔开窗骨缺损的牙周再生中,屏障膜放置所需要的最适宜时间是 ２ 周。     

BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER IN RIGHT- AND LEFT-PAWED FEMALE RATS ASSESSED BY A NEW STAINING METHOD

The asymmetrical breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was studied in female rats. Paw preference was assessed by a food reaching test. Adrenaline-induced hypertension was used to destroy the BBB, which was evaluated using triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) staining of the brain slices just after giving adrenaline for 30 s. In normal rats, the whole brain sections exhibited complete staining with TTC. After adrenaline infusion for 30 s, there were large unstained areas in the left brain in right-pawed animals, and vice versa in left-pawed animals. Similar results were obtained in seizure-induced breakdown of BBB. These results were explained by an asymmetric cerebral blood flow depending upon the paw preference in rats. It was suggested that this new method and the results are consistent with contralateral motor control that may be important in determining the dominant cerebral hemisphere in animals.     

Evaluation of clinical and financial outcomes of a new no‐sting barrier film and barrier cream in a large UK primary care organisation

The study involves 95 subjects within a UK Primary Care Organisation and was undertaken in two arms. The objective was to determine the clinical outcomes and clinical acceptability of a newly available range of no‐sting barrier film and no‐sting barrier cream products offering significant financial benefits. The importance of undertaking this study is underpinned by evidence in the literature relating to the use of no‐sting barrier preparations within clinical practice. The first part of the study (arm 1) involved extensive evaluation of either the film or cream barrier in 36 patients and was compared to existing standardised barrier protection care within the organisation. The results indicated that the new product range met all the criteria for formulary inclusion and following this the barrier range was further evaluated in arm 2, 33 patients with barrier cream and 26 patients with barrier film. The entire study was conducted over a 3‐month period with patient treatment lasting a minimum of 2 days to a maximum 4‐week period adhering to the agreed evaluation protocol as approved by clinical governance. In arm 1 (n = 36), the clinical expectation of the product was met in 32 cases relating to ease of use, conformability, no‐sting, quick drying, ease of absorption, compatibility with devices, frequency of application, prevention and management including visual skin improvement resulting in a recommendation for formulary listing in 31 of 36 cases. In arm 2 (n = 59), barrier film and barrier cream performance was consistently rated same as, better than or much better than the existing barrier used. A formulary listing recommendation was made in 51 of 59 cases.     

Mercury content in marketed cosmetics: analytical survey in Shijiazhuang,China

Context: Mercury is one of the skin-lightening ingredients in cosmetics as mercury ions are thought to inhibit the synthesis of the skin pigment melanin in melanocyte cells.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the mercury levels of cosmetics currently marketed in Shijiazhuang, a northern city in China.

Methods: We collected 146 random cosmetic samples and analyzed for mercury concentrations or levels by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results: Among the 146 samples, 134 (91.8%) were positive for mercury, and the concentrations of mercury ranged from not detectable to 592?ng/g. Cosmetic samples for children and babies had the highest detection rate (100%), followed by shampoo and hair conditioner (92.3%) and skin-lightening cream (92.0%). All of them were lower than the acceptable limit (1?μg/g) in China.

Discussion and conclusions: Cosmetics for skin had the highest mean mercury content (45?ng/g), followed by hair products (42.1?ng/g). The concentrations of mercury detected in samples were lower than the current legal limit in China, indicating it may not pose a risk to consumers.     

感染HIV的孕产妇预防艾滋病母婴传播服务需求与障碍分析

目的了解艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染孕产妇的预防艾滋病母婴传播服务需求与服务利用障碍。方法对某艾滋病高发地区,自2003年以来截至2004年10月发现并分娩的HIV感染孕产妇进行问卷调查。结果13.79%的孕产妇不愿意接受产前检查,5.17%的孕产妇不愿意住院分娩,怕歧视、担心检查和住院分娩费用高等是孕产妇不接受孕产期保健的主要原因;96.43%的孕产妇愿意本人和给孩子服用抗逆转录病毒药物预防艾滋病母婴传播,但只有87.50%的孕产妇服用了抗HIV药物,未服药的原因为临产急诊分娩,未得到检测结果,延误了孕产妇和婴儿的服药时机;89.29%的孕产妇希望其所生婴幼儿获得随访服务,但只有58.93%的婴幼儿得到过随访服务,其中51.52%的婴幼儿在出生后3个月内得到首次随访;怕别人知道自己的感染情况是不愿意接受随访的主要原因;近7%的孕产妇不愿意或不知道要给所生的婴幼儿进行HIV抗体检测。结论育龄妇女和孕产妇艾滋病检测不及时、非住院分娩、婴幼儿随访服务薄弱、经济负担、社会歧视等问题,是预防艾滋病母婴传播服务利用的主要障碍,预防艾滋病母婴传播综合能力亟待加强。