几丁糖和透明质酸钠对宫腔粘连的防治效果及并发症的影响

目的:探讨几丁糖和透明质酸钠对宫腔防粘连效果及并发症的影响。方法:回顾性分析本院2013年9月~2014年9月收治的150例人工流产患者的临床资料,均实施常规无痛人流手术,按照术前处理方式的不同分为空白对照组(50例)和几丁糖组(50例)、透明质酸钠组(50例)。术后随访6个月,观察两组的阴道流血持续时间和月经复潮时间,以及术后第14 d子宫内膜厚度和术后粘连发生情况、并发症发生情况,并进行比较。结果:术后几丁糖组和透明质酸钠组的阴道流血持续时间和月经复潮时间,以及术后第14 d天子宫内膜厚度和术后粘连发生情况、并发症发生率与空白对照组之间均存在统计学差异,各项指标均显著优于空白对照组,P0.05,但几丁糖组和透明质酸钠组二组间比较差异无统计学意义,P0.05。结论:对人工流产患者予以几丁糖和透明质酸钠处理均可以获得良好的临床效果,有效减少术后粘连以及各种并发症的出现。     

昆虫寄生与滇合欢种子大小和数量的关系

以云南地区含羞草科合欢属滇合欢Albizia simeonis为研究对象,在调查滇合欢正常种荚和被昆虫寄生种荚内种子数、种子败育数和种子大小的基础上,研究昆虫寄生对滇合欢种荚内种子数量、大小以及败育的影响,分析了种荚内种子大小和数量之间的关系。结果表明:完好种荚与受害种荚内种子总数差异并不显著,但完好种荚内正常种子数量显著高于受害种荚,而败育种子数则显著低于受害种荚。昆虫寄生并没有对滇合欢种荚内正常种子大小产生显著影响,但被寄生的种子体积显著大于正常种子。种荚内败育种子数与被寄生种子数呈显著正相关关系,表明昆虫寄生对滇合欢种荚内种子败育产生了影响。滇合欢种荚内种子数量与种子大小呈负相关关系,但完好种荚内种子数量与大小的相关性并不显著,而有昆虫寄生的种荚内种子数量与种子大小则表现出显著的负相关,即昆虫寄生加剧了滇合欢种荚内种子大小与数量的权衡。     

Pharmacological assessment of methamphetamine-induced behavioral hyperactivity mediated by dopaminergic transmission in planarian Dugesia japonica

The freshwater planarian Dugesia japonica has a simple central nervous system (CNS) and can regenerate complete organs, even a functional brain. Recent studies demonstrated that there is a great variety of neuronal-related genes, specifically expressed in several domains of the planarian brain. We identified a planarian dat gene, named it D. japonica dopamine transporter (Djdat), and analyzed its expression and function. Both in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence revealed that localization of Djdat mRNA and protein was the same as that of D. japonica tyrosine hydroxylase (DjTH). Although, dopamine (DA) content in Djdat(RNAi) planarians was not altered, Djdat(RNAi) planarians showed increased spontaneous locomotion. The hyperactivity in the Djdat(RNAi) planarians was significantly suppressed by SCH23390 or sulpiride pretreatment, which are D₁ or D₂ receptor antagonists, respectively. These results suggest that planarians have a Djdat ortholog and the ability to regulate dopaminergic neurotransmission and association with spontaneous locomotion.     

Potentiation of the glutamatergic synaptic input to rat locus coeruleus neurons by P2X7 receptors

Locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in a rat brain slice preparation were superfused with a Mg²⁺-free and bicuculline-containing external medium. Under these conditions, glutamatergic spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were recorded by means of the whole-cell patch-clamp method. ATP, as well as its structural analogue 2-methylthio ATP (2-MeSATP), both caused transient inward currents, which were outlasted by an increase in the frequency but not the amplitude of the sEPSCs. PPADS, but not suramin or reactive blue 2 counteracted both effects of 2-MeSATP. By contrast, α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-meATP), UTP and BzATP did not cause an inward current response. Of these latter agonists, only BzATP slightly facilitated the sEPSC amplitude and strongly potentiated its frequency. PPADS and Brilliant Blue G, as well as fluorocitric acid and aminoadipic acid prevented the activity of BzATP. Furthermore, BzATP caused a similar facilitation of the miniature (m)EPSC (recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin) and sEPSC frequencies (recorded in its absence). Eventually, capsaicin augmented the frequency of the sEPSCs in a capsazepine-, but not PPADS-antagonizable, manner. In conclusion, the stimulation of astrocytic P2X7 receptors appears to lead to the outflow of a signalling molecule, which presynaptically increases the spontaneous release of glutamate onto LC neurons from their afferent fibre tracts. It is suggested, that the two algogenic compounds ATP and capsaicin utilise separate receptor systems to potentiate the release of glutamate and in consequence to increase the excitability of LC neurons.     

Detection by whole genome microarrays of a spontaneous 126-gene deletion during construction of a ytfE mutant: confirmation that a ytfE mutation results in loss of repair of iron-sulfur centres in proteins damaged by oxidative or nitrosative stress

We show that genomic hybridization allows detection of a spontaneous secondary deletion of 126 genes that occurred during construction of an Escherichia coli ytfE mutant, LMS4209, explaining some of its unexpected growth defects. We confirm that YtfE is required to repair damage to iron-sulfur centres and for hydrogen peroxide resistance.     

Membrane simulations mimicking acidic pH reveal increased thickness and negative curvature in a bilayer consisting of lysophosphatidylcholines and free fatty acids

Phospholipids are key components of biological membranes and their lipolysis with phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) enzymes occurs in different cellular pH environments. Since no studies are available on the effect of pH on PLA₂-modified phospholipid membranes, we performed 50-ns atomistic molecular dynamics simulations at three different pH conditions (pH 9.0, 7.5, and 5.5) using a fully PLA₂-hydrolyzed phosphatidylcholine (PC) bilayer which consists solely of lysophosphatidylcholine and free fatty acid molecules. We found that a decrease in pH results in lateral squeezing of the membrane, i.e. in decreased surface area per headgroup. Thus, at the decreased pH, the lipid hydrocarbon chains had larger S_CD order parameter values, and also enhanced membrane thickness, as seen in the electron density profiles across the membrane. From the lateral pressure profiles, we found that the values of spontaneous curvature of the two opposing monolayers became negative when the pH was decreased. At low pH, protonation of the free fatty acid headgroups reduces their mutual repulsion and accounts for the pH dependence of all the above-mentioned properties. The altered structural characteristics may significantly affect the overall surface properties of biomembranes in cellular vesicles, lipid droplets, and plasma lipoproteins, play an important role in membrane fission and fusion, and modify interactions between membrane lipids and the proteins embedded within them.     

Antimitotic agents increase the production of doubled-haploid embryos from cork oak anther culture

The objective of this study is to induce the nuclear DNA duplication of anther-derived embryos of cork oak (Quercus suber L.) to obtain doubled-haploid plants. Anther culture of this species produces a low percentage (7.78%) of spontaneous diploids, as assessed by flow cytometry. Therefore, three antimitotic agents, colchicine, oryzalin and amiprophos-methyl (APM), were applied in vitro to anther-derived cork oak haploid embryos from six genotypes at different concentrations and for different treatment durations. Antimitotic toxicity was determined by embryo survival. Efficiency in inducing chromosome doubling of haploid embryos was evaluated by flow cytometry measurements and differences were observed between treatments. Nuclear DNA duplication and embryo survival of cork oak haploid embryos was most efficiently induced with oryzalin 0.01 mM for 48 h. Around 50% diploid embryos were obtained. The rate of chromosome duplication induced by APM 0.01 mM was also acceptable but lower than that induced by oryzalin, regardless of the duration of the treatment. Colchicine 1.3 or 8.8 mM was the least efficient, with the induction of necrosis and only a small rate of nuclear DNA duplication.     

The pro-life argument from substantial identity and the pro-choice argument from asymmetric value: a reply to Patrick Lee

Lee claims that foetuses and adult humans are phases of the same identical substance, and thus have the same moral status because: first, foetuses and adults are the same physical organism, and second, the development from foetus to adult is quantitative and thus not a change of substance. Versus the first argument, I contend that the fact that foetuses and adults are the same physical organism implies only that they are the same thing but not the same substance, much as living adults and their corpses are the same thing (same body) but not the same substance. Against Lee's second argument, I contend that Lee confuses the nature of a process with the nature of its result. A process of quantitative change can produce a change in substance. Lee also fails to show that foetuses are rational and thus have all the essential properties of adults, as required for them to be the same substance. Against the pro-choice argument from asymmetric value (that only the fact that a human has become conscious of its life and begun to count on its continuing can explain human life's asymmetric moral value, i.e. that it is vastly worse to kill a human than not to produce one), Lee claims that foetus's lives are asymmetrically valuable to them before consciousness. This leads to counterintuitive outcomes, and it confuses the goodness of life (a symmetric value that cannot account for why it is worse to kill a human than not produce one) with asymmetric value.     

IS SEX‐SELECTIVE ABORTION MORALLY JUSTIFIED AND SHOULD IT BE PROHIBITED?

In this paper we argue that sex-selective abortion (SSA) cannot be morally justified and that it should be prohibited. We present two main arguments against SSA. First, we present reasons why the decision for a woman to seek SSA in cultures with strong son-preference cannot be regarded as autonomous on either a narrow or a broad account of autonomy. Second, we identify serious harms associated with SSA including perpetuation of discrimination against women, disruption to social and familial networks, and increased violence against women. For these reasons, SSA should be prohibited by law, and such laws should be enforced. Finally, we describe additional strategies for decreasing son-preference. Some of these strategies rely upon highlighting the disadvantages of women becoming scarce, such as lack of brides and daughters-in-law to care for elderly parents. We should, however, be cautious not to perpetuate the view that the purpose of women is to be the consorts for, and carers of, men, and the providers of children. Arguments against SSA should be located within a concerted effort to ensure greater, deeper social and cultural equality between the sexes.     

肝硬化并自发性细菌性腹膜炎的观察和护理

目的探讨肝硬化并自发性细菌性腹膜炎有效的观察方法和护理措施。方法对152例肝硬化并自发性细菌性腹膜炎的观察方法和护理措施进行回顾性分析。结果152例患者通过治疗及护理配合,治愈好转129例,死亡和自动出院23例。结论加强病情观察及实施有效的护理措施对促进患者康复、减少并发症,降低死亡率有重要的意义。