Leydig cell types in primary testicular disorders

Ultrastructural study of testicular biopsy specimens from 67 adults with primary testicular disorders (Klinefelter's syndrome, XX male syndrome, Del Castillo's syndrome, and cryptorchidism) revealed the following four Leydig cell types: 1) normal or nearly normal Leydig cells with abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria with tubular cristae, lipid droplets, and Reinke's crystals; 2) abnormally differentiated Leydig cells without either lipid droplets or Reinke's crystals but with altered mitochondria, concentric unfenestrated cisternae of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and both paracrystalline and filamentous inclusions; 3) multivacuolated Leydig cells containing abundant lipid droplets; and 4) immature Leydig cells with scarce development of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and numerous cytoplasmic microfilaments. Abnormally differentiated Leydig cells might represent dysgenetic cells, whereas immature, normal, and vacuolated Leydig cells might represent three progressive stages in the Leydig cell cycle (undifferentiated, mature, and old involuting Leydig cells). An inverse correlation between the proportion of abnormal Leydig cells and testosterone levels was observed in each of these testicular disorders.     

粉防己碱逆转耐阿霉素的人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的抗凋亡作用

肿瘤细胞的多药耐药性与抗细胞凋亡作用关系密切。本研究用抗肿瘤药物阿霉素 (5μmol·L-1 )处理人乳腺癌敏感和耐药的MCF 7细胞 2 4hr后 ,观察到在敏感细胞中 ,有较多的漂浮细胞 ,阿霉素主要分布在细胞核中 ;而在耐药细胞中 ,细胞形态未发生变化 ,阿霉素主要分布在细胞质中 ,其含量明显减少。阿霉素诱导MCF 7细胞的凋亡作用进一步用AnnexinV FITC染色法证实。此外 ,用高效逆转耐药性的药物粉防己碱 (2 0 μmol·L-1 )与阿霉素合用外理敏感和耐药的细胞 ,用线粒体荧光染料MitosensorTM 染色 ,证明合用组凋亡细胞明显增多。通过流式细胞术分析显示 :细胞凋亡的发生与细胞周期无关。本研究表明 :粉防己碱能逆转耐阿霉素的人乳腺癌MCF 7细胞的抗凋亡作用。     

Bacterial gangrene on the cheek of a comatose patient--necrotizing fasciitis or noma

A 68-year-old Japanese woman with sepsis developed a gangrene on her left cheek from a small wound in contact with a gastric tube. Klebsiella pneumoniae was cultured from the sputum, wound, and the blood and was assumed to be responsible for this condition, possibly through thrombosis of an artery.     

Suppressor effect of morphine on the pancreatic polypeptide response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in man

The effect of intravenous infusions of morphine and naloxone, alone or in combination, on basal plasma pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels as well as on the PP response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in normal subjects was investigated. Morphine infusion (150 micrograms/kg/120 min, intravenously) induced a progressive decrease in the basal plasma PP levels (basal value: 158 +/- 42 pg/mL; nadir, at 120 minutes: 108 +/- 26 pg/mL; P less than 0.05). In control experiments, insulin injection was followed by a 10-fold plasma PP elevation (peak: 1258 +/- 71 pg/mL). During morphine infusion, the PP response to hypoglycemia appeared consistently reduced (peak: 404 +/- 117 pg/mL, P less than 0.05 vs. control). Naloxone pretreatment (4.8 mg, intravenously) partially reversed the blocking effect of morphine on the PP secretion evoked by insulin-induced hypoglycemia (peak: 977 +/- 133 pg/mL, P less than 0.05 vs. control and morphine experiments). Similar degrees of hypoglycemia were achieved with and without morphine or naloxone. The intravenous infusion of naloxone alone failed to significantly modify both basal circulating PP levels and the PP response to hypoglycemia. The observation that morphine reduces PP output, both the basal value and that elicited by a parenteral stimulus, indicates that this effect is independent of its action on the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, the lack of effect of naloxone alone on PP secretion argues against the participation of endogenous opiates in the control of this process.     

E-钙黏素、MMP2和ICAM-1的表达与胃癌中医证型的关系

目的:通过检测E-钙黏素(E-Cad)、MMP2和ICAM-1在胃癌不同证型的表达,探讨基因表达与胃癌中医证型的关系.方法:胃癌标本59例,其中肝胃不和型10例、脾胃虚寒型10例、胃热伤阴型9例、痰湿凝结型10例、瘀毒内阻型10例和气血双亏型10例;采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测六型胃癌组织E-Cad、MMP2和ICAM-1mRNA的表达水平,并对各基因在不同证型的表达情况以及证型与基因的关系进行分析.结果:3种目的基因在6种证型中的表达均有很大差异,其中,E-Cad在胃热伤阴型与气血双亏型中的表达有显著性差异(0.58±0.11vs0.89±0.25,P=0.026),MMP2在肝胃不和型与瘀毒内阻、气血双亏两型有显著性差异(0.78±0.26vs1.27±0.44,P=0.006;0.78±0.26vs1.30±0.59,P=0.004),胃热伤阴型与瘀毒内阻、气血双亏两型有显著性差异(0.86±0.22vs1.27±0.44,P=0.024;0.86±0.22vs1.30±0.59,P=0.016),脾胃虚寒型与瘀毒内阻、气血双亏两型有显著性差异(0.86±0.22vs1.27±0.44,P=0.020;0.86±0.22vs1.30±0.59,P=0.013);ICAM-1在各证型间无显著差别,但已有组间差别的趋势.结论:不同证型胃癌的转移机制存在一定的差异,基因表达的差异可能是形成不同证型的物质基础之一.     

Infectious oral necrosis (cancrum oris) in Nigerian children: a review

The devastating orofacial gangrenous disease known as cancrum oris (noma) is still commonly seen in underprivileged Nigerian children. These children are usually victims of such stressors as chronic malnutrition, numerous endemic communicable diseases and severe adverse physical conditions which may lead to depletion of their adaptive resources or produce physiological maladaptation to additional stressors. Measles is the most common infection preceding the development of noma in Nigerian children. Acquired immunodeficiency as well as the impaired endocrine balance of the chronically malnourished permits, for example, widespread infection with the measles virus. Anergy resulting from the combination of malnutrition and measles virus infection promotes selective overgrowth and invasion by an infective consortium consisting of anaerobic organisms and other species capable of elaborating necessary growth factors for the former. Because of the pre-existing depletion of adaptive physiologic resources in the malnourished child, the infection is not readily contained locally as necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis but instead spreads rapidly to the next naturally occurring anatomical barriers. This is then followed by continuing necrosis and possible sequestration as exemplified by noma.