Change in significance of feeding during larval development in the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris

Larvae of the west-Japan type yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), show a long-day type photoperiodic response at 25 degrees C; under long-day conditions, larvae pupate after the fourth or fifth instar, while under short-day conditions, they undergo a few nonstationary supernumerary molts and eventually enter diapause. In the present study, the effect of food on the development and photoperiodic response of the larvae was examined with special reference to molting and pupation. Although the pupal body size was greatly affected by the food quality and the length of feeding, the critical day length for induction of metamorphosis at 25 degrees C was always between 13.5 and 14 h. Exposure to starvation of larvae reared on the standard diet revealed that the capability to pupate is acquired after a few days of feeding in the fourth instar. In the larvae that had acquired the capability to pupate, premature pupation was induced by exposure to starvation, indicating that feeding becomes dispensable long before it is normally terminated.     

VEGF-mediated angiogenesis stimulates neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the premature brain

This study investigated the effects of angiogenesis on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in the premature brain. We observed the changes in neurogenesis that followed the stimulation and inhibition of angiogenesis by altering vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in a 3-day-old rat model. VEGF expression was overexpressed by adenovirus transfection and down-regulated by siRNA interference. Using immunofluorescence assays, Western blot analysis, and real-time PCR methods, we observed angiogenesis and the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the number of vWF-positive areas peaked at day 7, and they were highest in the VEGF up-regulation group and lowest in the VEGF down-regulation group at every time point. The number of neural stem cells, neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the subventricular zone gradually increased over time in the VEGF up-regulation group. Among the three groups, the number of these cells was highest in the VEGF up-regulation group and lowest in the VEGF down-regulation group at the same time point. Western blot analysis and real-time PCR confirmed these results. These data suggest that angiogenesis may stimulate the proliferation of neural stem cells and differentiation into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the premature brain.     

Validation of a total testosterone assay using high-turbulence liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry: Total and free testosterone reference ranges

Accurate measurement of testosterone concentration is of critical importance when diagnosing and treating male hypogonadism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, premature or delayed puberty, and androgen excess in polycystic ovary syndrome or other virilizing conditions. However, some assays have inherent limitations and biases that affect measurement of low-testosterone values. Therefore, we developed a highly specific online mass spectrometry method. Sera were extracted online using high-turbulence flow liquid chromatography coupled to analytical HPLC and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HTLC-APCI-MS/MS). Analyte ions were monitored by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). Total analysis time was 1.15 min per sample when using the multiplexing system. Testosterone concentrations were measured directly from 150 μL of serum or plasma without derivatization or liquid-liquid extraction. The lower limit of quantification was 0.3 ng/dL, and the assay was linear up to 2000 ng/dL. The method compared very well with an established RIA: y = 1.02x + 1.5, r² = 0.994. Comparison with a platform immunoassay confirmed the previously reported ICMA positive bias at low concentrations. Male and female adult and pediatric reference ranges were developed for this very sensitive and accurate high-throughput LC-MS/MS method. This method is suitable for measuring the expected low-testosterone concentrations seen in women, children, and hypogonadal males and for monitoring testosterone suppressive therapy in prostate cancer patients.     

Adding glutathione to parenteral nutrition prevents alveolar loss in newborn Guinea pig

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a main complication of prematurity, is characterized by an alveolar hypoplasia. Oxidative stress is suspected to be a trigger event in this population who has a low level of glutathione, a main endogenous antioxidant, and who receives high oxidative load, particularly ascorbylperoxide from their parenteral nutrition. Hypothesis: the addition of glutathione (GSSG) in parenteral nutrition improves detoxification of ascorbylperoxide by glutathione peroxidase and therefore prevents exaggerated apoptosis and loss of alveoli.Methods: Ascorbylperoxide is assessed as substrate for glutathione peroxidase in Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Three-days old guinea pig pups were divided in 6 groups to receive, through a catheter in jugular vein, the following solutions: 1) Sham (no infusion); 2) PN(-L): parenteral nutrition protected against light (low ascorbylperoxide); 3) PN(+L): PN without photo-protection (high ascorbylperoxide); 4) 180 μM ascorbylperoxide; 5) PN(+L)+10 μM GSSG; 6) ascorbylperoxyde+10 μM GSSG. After 4 days, lungs were sampled and prepared for histology and biochemical determinations. Data were analysed by ANOVA, p<0.05Results: The Km of ascorbylperoxide for glutathione peroxidase was 126±6 μM and Vmax was 38.4±2.5 nmol/min/ U. The presence of GSSG in intravenous solution has prevented the high GSSG, oxidized redox potential of glutathione, activation of caspase-3 (apoptosis marker) and loss of alveoli induced by PN(+L) or ascorbylperoxide.Conclusion: A correction of the low glutathione levels observed in newborn animal on parenteral nutrition, protects lungs from toxic effect of ascorbylperoxide. Premature infants having a low level of glutathione, this finding is of high importance because it provides hope in a possible prevention of bronchopulmonary dysplasia.     

酪酸梭菌活菌散在防治早产儿喂养不耐受方面的应用

目的观察和评价酪酸梭菌活菌散防治早产儿喂养不耐受的临床疗效。方法将56例早产儿随机分成观察组和对照组,观察组30例,对照组26例。对照组给予早产儿配方奶及部分肠外营养等常规治疗,观察组在常规治疗基础上同时添加酪酸梭菌活菌散。观察2组早产儿恢复出生体重、达到全胃肠喂养时间及发生喂养不耐受等情况。结果观察组早产儿恢复出生体重、达到全胃肠喂养时间明显短于对照组(P<0.01或P<0.05),喂养不耐受的发生率也显著少于对照组(P<0.05)。结论早产儿服用酪酸梭菌活菌散,对防治喂养不耐受具有积极的作用,能减少早产儿喂养过程中呕吐、胃潴留、腹胀的发生,促进患儿早期的生长发育,缩短达到全胃肠喂养的时间。     

心可舒治疗频发早搏疗效观察

目的：应用心率变异性的方法观察心可舒片对旱搏的治疗效果及其影响。方法：将96例频发旱搏患者随机分成治疗组（51例）和对照组（45例）。对照组给予倍他乐克缓释片口服,47．5mg／次,1次／日,治疗组在口服倍他乐克缓释片基础上加用心可舒片4片／次,3次／日。在服药前及服药后1个月各行1次动态心电图及普通心电图检查,并进行临床观察。结果：治疗组在消除旱搏,改善临床症状方面较对照纽明显有效（P〈0．05）,治疗组较对照组心率变异性改善有明显差异（P〈0．05）。结论：心可舒片与倍他乐克舍用可有效增加其治疗早搏的作用,同时改善心率变异性和改善倍他乐克引起的窦性心动过缓副作用,有较好的临床疗效。     

早期干预对早产儿脑损伤预后的临床观察

目的：探讨早期联合干预对脑损伤早产儿智能及运动发育的影响。方法：80例存在脑损伤的早产儿随机分为干预组与对照组,每组各40例,对照组给予常规治疗与保健指导,干预组在此基础上联合神经节苷脂治疗与早期康复训练,定期随访两年,观察比较患儿纠正胎龄40周时神经行为评分（NBNA）,智力及运动发育情况。结果：干预组患儿纠正胎龄40周NBNA评分为33．04±1．12．对照组NBNA评分为30．95±0．88,两组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;干预组MDI与PDI指数分别于9月龄始和6月龄始显著高于对照组（P〈0．01或0．05）;1岁时进行Gesell智力发育检查,干预组大运动、精细动作、适应性、语言、个人一社会交往等五个能区情况均明显好于对照组（P〈0．01）;干预组17．5％的后遗症发生率显著低于对照组32．5％的发生率（P〈0．01）。结论：联合旱期干预治疗可有效促进脑损伤早产儿神经系统功能修复,改善智能及运动发育,减少后遗症发生。     

Loss of ovarian function and the risk of ovarian cancer

Animal models with premature ovarian failure resulting from the loss or depletion of germ cells consistently develop ovarian surface epithelial cell hyperplasia with invasion into the stroma and the development of ovarian tubular adenomas. In human ovaries, deep epithelial invaginations and inclusion cysts occur at increasing frequency with age and are thought to be the structures from which the majority of ovarian cancers arise. A feature that is common to these animal models and to post-menopausal women is a deficiency in the number of oocytes. The potential consequences of the loss or depletion of female germ cells, naturally or otherwise, include failure of follicle development, significant reductions in oestrogen and progesterone levels and elevation of circulating levels of gonadotropins. This review will consider the way in which these structural and hormonal changes affect ovarian cancer risk. Some lessons may be learned from gonad formation, since notable similarities exist between ovarian tumorigenesis and embryonic gonadogenesis including fragmentation of the basement membrane underlying the coelomic (surface) epithelium, the potential for the migration of epithelial cells into the gonad and the importance of the germ cells for the regulation of ovarian structure and function. Research was supported by grants from the National Cancer Institute of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.