沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠片对高原地区慢性心力衰竭患者神经内分泌激素和心功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠片治疗高原地区慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者的疗效及对神经内分泌激素和心功能的影响。方法：选取2017年3月~2019年6月期间我院接收的CHF患者109例。根据随机数字表法将患者随机分为对照组（n=54）和研究组（n=55）,对照组患者予以缬沙坦治疗,研究组患者则予以沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠片治疗,比较两组患者疗效、神经内分泌激素指标[去甲肾上腺素（NA）、醛固酮（ALD）、血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）]和心功能指标[超敏心肌肌钙蛋白T（hs-cTnT）、N-末端脑钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）、左房内径（LAD）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）以及左室射血分数（LVEF）]。记录两组患者心血管不良事件发生情况。结果：研究组患者治疗12周后总有效率为90.91%（50/55）,显著高于对照组患者的75.93%（41/54）（P<0.05）。两组治疗12周后ALD、NA、AngⅡ均下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗12周后hs-cTnT、NT-proBNP、LVEDD、LAD均下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）;LVEF升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组心血管不良事件发生率对比无差异（P>0.05）。结论：沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠片治疗高原地区CHF患者,疗效显著,可有效改善神经内分泌激素水平和心功能,且不增加心血管不良事件发生率,临床应用价值较高。     

3.0 T磁共振T2×mapping成像技术定量评估膝关节骨性关节炎的临床价值及与WOMAC评分的相关性分析

摘要 目的：研究3.0 T磁共振T2×mapping成像技术定量评估膝关节骨性关节炎（OA）的临床价值及与西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数（WOMAC）评分的相关性。方法：将我院于2017年4月～2019年12月期间收治的膝关节OA患者80例纳入研究。根据K-L分级标准将膝关节OA患者分成轻度组（K-L分级为Ⅰ～Ⅱ级）32例,重度组（K-L分级为Ⅲ～Ⅴ级）48例。另取同期于我院进行体检的健康者30例作为对照组。所有受试者均接受3.0 T磁共振T2×mapping扫描,比较各组膝关节不同部位软骨T2值、WOMAC评分以及血清炎症因子水平,以Pearson相关性分析膝关节OA患者膝关节不同部位软骨T2值和WOMAC评分的关系。结果：重度组膝关节不同部位软骨T2值均高于轻度组以及对照组,且轻度组膝关节不同部位软骨T2值均高于对照组（均P＜0.05）。重度组各项WOMAC评分及总分均高于轻度组以及对照组,且轻度组各项WOMAC评分及总分均高于对照组（均P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关性分析发现：膝关节OA患者膝关节不同部位软骨T2值和各项WOMAC评分及总分均呈正相关（均P＜0.05）。重度组血清白介素-1β（IL-1β）、白介素-18（IL-18）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）均高于轻度组以及对照组,且轻度组血清IL-1β、IL-18、TNF-α均高于对照组（均P＜0.05）。结论：3.0 T磁共振T2×mapping成像技术定量评估膝关节OA的临床价值较高,且患者膝关节不同部位软骨T2值与WOMAC评分密切相关。     

原发性肝癌MRI检查图像特征分析及联合血清AFP、TK1、DKK1的诊断价值研究

摘要 目的：研究原发性肝癌（PHC）磁共振成像（MRI）检查图像特征及其联合血清甲胎蛋白（AFP）、胸苷激酶1（TK1）、Dickkopf相关蛋白1（DKK1）的诊断价值。方法：将我院从2017年1月～2020年1月收治的PHC患者76例纳入研究,记作观察组。另取同期我院收治的70例良性肝病患者记作对照组。对所有受试者均进行MRI扫描,比较两组MRI图像特征。检测并对比两组血清AFP、TK1、DKK1水平的差异。通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析MRI及上述各项血清学指标诊断PHC的效能。结果：PHC患者T1WI主要表现为均匀低或稍低信号,T2WI主要表现为不均匀高信号,DWI均表现为均匀高信号。观察组血清AFP、TK1、DKK1水平均高于对照组（均P＜0.05）。经ROC曲线分析可得：MRI检查联合血清AFP、TK1、DKK1诊断PHC的曲线下面积、灵敏度、特异度、准确度均高于上述各项检查方式单独诊断。结论：PHC患者MRI图像特征如下：T1WI主要表现为均匀低或稍低信号,T2WI主要表现为不均匀高信号,DWI均表现为均匀高信号。此外,MRI检查联合血清AFP、TK1、DKK1诊断PHC的效能较高,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

分侧肾上腺静脉取血与肾上腺CT对原发性醛固酮增多症诊断的价值比较研究

摘要 目的：研究原发性醛固酮增多症（PA）患者行分侧肾上腺静脉取血（AVS）、肾上腺CT诊断的效果。方法：数据遴选本院2018年1月-2021年11月收治的70例原发性醛固酮增多症患者,所有患者均行肾上腺CT、AVS诊断,对最终诊断结果比较分析。结果：收缩压、舒张压、空腹血糖、总胆固醇在单双侧间无差异（P＞0.05）,双侧肾素活性、血清醛固酮肾素比值较单侧存在差异（P＜0.05）;肾上腺CT与AVS诊断的符合率情况：肾上腺CT显示为单侧异常、双侧异常及双侧正常患者,AVS符合率分别为65.00 %、31.25 %、50.00 %;单独肾上腺CT诊断：灵敏度为57.1 %,特异度为25.7 %,肾上腺静脉采血诊断：灵敏度为74.3 %,特异度为42.9 %;并联联合诊断灵敏度为100.0 %,特异度为26.3 %,串联诊断灵敏度为19.5 %,特异度为100.0 %。结论：PA是临床常见疾病,具有患病率高、预后差等特点,临床依靠临床表现、血液生化检查诊断PA疾病,但仅借助血液生化检验进行诊断治疗较困难,功能定位是治疗关键。实际工作中,可以临床通过CT检查及AVS检查功能定位诊断,但对于PA患者来说,仅借助肾上腺CT诊断结果制定治疗方案,可能导致手术侧选择错误,建议愿意接受肾上腺手术治疗者,推荐先行AVS,正确选择治疗方案,达到改善预后作用,效果较理想、值得临床借鉴推广。     

消疬膏对脾胃虚弱证颈部淋巴结核患者CD4+CD25highFoxP3+调节性T淋巴细胞和胃肠激素的影响

摘要 目的：研究消疬膏对脾胃虚弱证颈部淋巴结核患者CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞和胃肠激素的影响。方法：选择南京市中西医结合医院于2020年3月~2022年1月期间收治的颈部淋巴结核患者120例。按照随机数字表法分为对照组（60例）和研究组（60例）。对照组接受常规抗结核方案，研究组接受消疬膏联合常规抗结核方案，两组疗程均为6个月。观察两组治疗前和治疗6个月后的中医证候积分、CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞相关指标和胃肠激素的变化，记录两组治疗期间用药安全性。结果：两组治疗6个月后肿疡大小、肿疡皮色、面色、纳呆、倦怠乏力、便溏、舌质、脉象评分均下降，且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗6个月后CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞、白介素-10（IL-10）水平低于对照组，γ-干扰素（IFN-γ）水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗6个月后胆囊收缩素（CCK）、胃泌素（GAS）水平低于对照组，胃动素（MTL）水平高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组的不良反应总发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：消疬膏治疗脾胃虚弱证颈部淋巴结核患者，可有效改善患者临床症状，可能与调节CD4⁺CD25^highFoxP3⁺调节性T淋巴细胞和胃肠激素水平有关。     

目标剂量螺内酯联合曲美他嗪对老年慢性心力衰竭患者炎症因子、RAAS及心率变异性的影响

摘要 目的：探讨目标剂量螺内酯（20 mg/d）联合曲美他嗪对老年慢性心力衰竭（CHF）患者炎症因子、肾素-血管紧张素-醛固酮系统（RAAS）、及心率变异性的影响。方法：选取120例老年CHF患者,随机分为对照组和研究组,各60例,其中对照组给予曲美他嗪治疗,研究组给予曲美他嗪联合目标剂量螺内酯治疗,对比两组疗效、炎症因子[超敏C反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白介素-6（IL-6）]、RAAS指标 [肾素（PRA）、血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）及醛固酮（ALD）]、心率变异性[24 h平均正常R-R间期标准差（SDNN）,24 h连续5 min节段平均正常R-R间期标准差（SDANN）,连续正常R-R间期差的均方根（rMSSD）]、心功能[左心室射血分数（LVEF）、左室收缩末期内径（LVESD）、左室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）]及安全性。结果：与对照组相比,研究组的总有效率更高（P<0.05）。治疗6个月后,两组hs-CRP、TNF-α、IL-6、LVESD、LVEDD、PRA、AngⅡ、ALD均较治疗前降低,且研究组上述指标低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗6个月后,两组LVEF较治疗前升高,且研究组LVEF高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗6个月后,研究组SDNN、SDANN、rMSSD均较治疗前升高,且研究组上述指标高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率比较差异不明显（P>0.05）。结论：曲美他嗪联合目标剂量螺内酯治疗老年CHF患者疗效显著且安全性好,可明显改善患者的心功能、心率变异性,降低炎症因子水平,其可能是通过拮抗RAAS发挥作用。     

沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠对老年慢性心力衰竭合并2型糖尿病患者肾功能、神经内分泌激素和TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探讨沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠对老年慢性心力衰竭（CHF）合并2型糖尿病（T2DM）患者肾功能、神经内分泌激素和转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）/Smad3信号通路的影响。方法：选择我院2020年5月~2021年5月期间收治的92例老年CHF合并T2DM患者,按照双色球法将患者分为对照组（n=46,接受常规治疗）和研究组（n=46,对照组基础上接受沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠治疗）。对比两组心功能、肾功能、神经内分泌激素、TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路相关指标和不良反应发生情况。结果：治疗12个月后,研究组心输出量（CO）、左心室射血分数（LVEF）高于对照组,左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗12个月后,研究组血肌酐（Scr）、血尿素氮（BUN）、血尿酸（UA）、中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白（NGAL）、胱抑素C（Cys-C）低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗12个月后,研究组去甲肾上腺素（NE）、醛固酮（ALD）和血管紧张素II（AngII）低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗12个月后,研究组Smad7 mRNA高于对照组,Smad2 mRNA、TGF-β1 mRNA、Smad3 mRNA低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率组间比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：沙库巴曲缬沙坦钠用于治疗老年CHF合并T2DM患者,可有效改善患者的心功能、肾功能、神经内分泌激素和TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路相关指标,安全性较好。     

基于NRS营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养对老年肝硬化患者营养状态、肠道菌群及外周血Th17/Treg平衡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨基于营养风险筛查（NRS）营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养对老年肝硬化患者营养状态、肠道菌群及外周血辅助性T细胞17（Th17）/调节性T细胞（Treg）平衡的影响。方法：按照随机数字表法将2019年12月~2022年8月期间长沙市第一医院收治的103例老年肝硬化患者将患者分为对照组（常规饮食治疗,51例）和研究组（对照组基础上接受基于NRS营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养治疗,52例）。比较两组NRS2002评分、营养状态指标、肠道菌群指标及外周血Th17/Treg平衡变化情况。结果：治疗3个月后,两组NRS2002评分下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组血清总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）及前白蛋白（PA）升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、肠球菌、肠杆菌升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组酵母样真菌下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组Treg升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）,治疗3个月后,两组Th17、Th17/Treg下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：老年肝硬化患者经基于NRS营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养治疗,有利于降低营养不良发生风险,可能与改善患者的营养状态、肠道菌群及外周血Th17/Treg平衡有关。     

益心康泰胶囊联合硫氮唑酮对不稳定型心绞痛患者心功能及血清ET-1、Hcy、cTnT水平的影响

摘要 目的：探讨益心康泰胶囊联合硫氮唑酮对不稳定型心绞痛（UAP）患者心功能及血清ET-1、Hcy、cTnT水平的影响。方法：选择2019年3月到2021年3月期间在我院接受治疗的UAP患者84例,按照随机数字表法分为研究组和对照组各42例,对照组给予阿司匹林、硝酸酯类、?茁-受体阻滞剂及他汀类药物等常规治疗,研究组在其基础上给予益心康泰胶囊联合硫氮唑酮治疗,两组均治疗30 d。对比两组患者的心绞痛疗效、心功能指标、血清学指标、心绞痛发作次数和持续时间、不良反应发生率。结果：研究组临床总有效率高于对照组（P<0.05）。研究组治疗后的QT间期离散度(QTd)、左室舒张末径(LVEDD)、左室收缩末径(LVESD)均低于对照组,而左室射血分数(LVEF)高于对照组 (P<0.05)。治疗后研究组心绞痛发作次数和持续时间均低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗后研究组患者的血管内皮素1(ET-1)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、心肌肌钙蛋白T(cTnT)水平均低于对照组(P<0.05)。两组不良反应总发生率无明显差异（P>0.05）。结论：益心康泰胶囊联合硫氮唑酮治疗UAP患者疗效较好,能减少患者心绞痛持续时间和发作次数,增强患者的心功能,降低ET-1、Hcy、cTnT水平,且具有较好的安全性,具有一定临床应用价值。     

肝动脉灌注化疗栓塞联合射频消融对中晚期肝癌患者生存率、肝功能和T淋巴细胞亚群的影响

摘要 目的：探讨肝动脉灌注化疗栓塞（TACE）联合射频消融（RFA）对中晚期肝癌患者生存率、肝功能和T淋巴细胞亚群的影响。方法：选取2014年7月~2018年4月期间我院收治的中晚期肝癌患者126例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为对照组和研究组,各63例。对照组给予TACE治疗,研究组则在对照组的基础上联合RFA治疗,比较两组患者疗效、生存率、肝功能、T淋巴细胞亚群及不良反应情况。结果：研究组治疗后临床总有效率为69.84%（44/63）,显著高于对照组患者的50.79%（32/63）（P<0.05）。两组患者治疗后丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、总胆红素（TBIL）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）均较治疗前降低,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺较治疗前降低,但研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）;CD8⁺较治疗前升高,但研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。研究组患者1年、2年生存率均高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：TACE联合RFA治疗中晚期肝癌患者,安全性较好,疗效较好,可有效改善患者肝功能,减轻机体免疫抑制,提高患者生存率。     

成年SD大鼠心肌原代成纤维细胞分离及培养的优化方案

目的:摸索及优选成年SD大鼠心肌原代成纤维细胞的体外分离、培养及鉴定的实验方法。方法:将成年SD大鼠心脏剪成小组织块,采用以下四种方案(A:0.08%胰酶+0.1%胶原酶II消化15 min,B:0.2%胶原酶II消化15 min,C:0.2%胶原酶II消化60min,D:0.2%胶原酶II消化90 min)提取成年大鼠心脏原代成纤维细胞,再通过差速贴壁分离方法培养原代成纤维细胞。采用倒置显微镜观察成纤维细胞的基本形态特征,并进行Vimentiin免疫荧光染色对培养的原代细胞进行荧光鉴定;采用台盼兰染色对培养的原代成纤维细胞存活率进行鉴定;采用细胞计数对培养的成纤维细胞生长趋势进行鉴定。结果:四种方法均能培养成纤维细胞,但单酶消化60 min可一次性提取较多细胞,并且细胞状态佳,3 d即可传代。72 h成纤维细胞Vimentin免疫荧光染色阳性率高达97%。台盼兰染色可见其细胞死亡率明显降低,并且细胞计数可见细胞生长状态极佳。结论:单酶消化60 min是提取成年SD大鼠心肌原代成纤维细胞的高效、快速、稳定的实验方法,为心脏疾病的基础及临床研究提供了较为理想的细胞学实验模型。     

Management of advanced ovarian cancer in South West Wales − a comparison between primary debulking surgery and primary chemotherapy treatment strategies in an unselected,consecutive patient cohort

ObjectivesThis study represents the first reported outcomes for patients with advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) in South-West Wales undergoing treatment with primary debulking surgery or primary chemotherapy respectively.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of consecutive, unselected patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer (FIGO III/IV) presenting to a regional cancer centre between October 2007 and October 2014. Patients were identified from Welsh Cancer Services records and relevant data was extracted from electronic National Health Service (NHS) databases. Main outcome measures were median overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and perioperative adverse events. Hazard ratio estimation was carried out with Cox Regression analysis and survival determined by Kaplan-Meier plots.ResultsOf 220 women with AOC, 32.3% underwent primary debulking surgery (PDS) and 67.7% primary chemotherapy and interval debulking (PCT-IDS). Patients were often elderly (median age 67 years) with a poor performance status (26.5% PS >1). Complete cytoreduction (0 cm residual) was achieved in 32.4% of patients in the PDS group and in 50.0% of patients undergoing IDS. Median OS for all patients was 21.9 months (PDS: 27.0 and PCT-IDS: 19.2 months; p > 0.05) and median PFS was 13.1 months (PDS: 14.3 months and PCT-IDS: 13.0 months; p > 0.05). Median overall and progression free survival for patients achieving complete cytoreduction were 48.0 and 23.2 months respectively in the PDS group and 35.4 months and 18.6 months in the IDS group (p > 0.05).ConclusionThis retrospective study of an unselected, consecutive cohort of women with AOC in South West Wales shows comparable survival outcomes with recently published trials, despite the relatively advanced age and poor performance status of our patient cohort. Over the seven-year study period, our data also demonstrated a non-significant trend towards improved survival following primary surgery in patients who achieved maximal cytoreduction. Our future aim therefore is to examine and develop the role of extended surgery in these patients.     

小麦灌浆特性的遗传研究Ⅰ.遗传模型及基因效应

利用8个小麦品种双列杂交的F~1|及其亲本, 按Hayman分析法研究了小麦籽粒灌浆特性的遗传规律。结果表明,小麦籽粒灌浆特性符合加性-显性遗传模型。基因作用以加性效应为主,呈部分显性。籽粒灌浆期的显性方向指向增效,籽粒灌浆速率的显性方向指向减效。所有性状均有较高的狭义遗传力h^2|~N|=0.71-0.93,可在杂种早代选择。     

Primary hypoblast development in the chick

Summary Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that the primary hypoblast forms beneath the area pellucida during the first 8 h of incubation mainly by establishment of contact among cells which move downward out of the epiblast. This movement, polyingression, begins posteriorly and continues antero-laterally during the period of primary hypoblast formation. Polyingression produces many pits and possibly a crescentic fold in the embryo upper surface with corresponding cell clusters and a ridge on the lower surface. Fixationin situ helps prevent formation of artifactual folds and wrinkles facilitating interpretation of the SEM images.Formation of intercellular adhesions which lead to development of an epithelial primary hypoblast proceeds in a posterior to anterior direction along with polyingression. This epithelialization begins with elaboration of numerous filamentous processes by cells as they arrive from the epiblast, and continues with ongoing input of cells, merging of cells and cell clusters, and cell flattening. We have also shown (Weinberger and Brick 1982) that proliferation of ingressing cells provides additional cells for hypoblast development.     

The accumulation of abundant soluble proteins changes early in the development of the primary roots of maize (Zea mays L.)

A reference database of the major soluble proteins of the primary root of the maize inbred line B73 was generated 5 days after germination (DAG) using a combination of 2-DE and MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 302 protein spots were detected with CBB in a pH 4-7 range and 81 proteins representing 74 distinct Genbank accessions were identified. Only 28% of the major proteins identified in 5 DAG primary roots were identified in similarly analyzed 9 DAG primary roots documenting remarkable changes in the accumulation of abundant soluble proteins early in primary root development.     

射频消融联合DC-CIK治疗肝癌40例的临床观察

目的:探讨射频消融联合DC-CIK治疗原发性肝癌的临床效果及其毒副作用.方法:将我院2009年1月-2010年1月收治的80例原发性肝癌患者随机分为观察组和对照组各40例,均给予射频消融治疗,观察组患者在此基础上给予DC-CIK治疗.观察和比较两组患者的治疗效果、生存质量、免疫功能、癌胚抗原(AFP)的变化及患者3年生存率.结果:观察组患者的治疗总有效率为92.5％,显著高于对照组72.5％(P＜0.05);观察组患者治疗后外周血T细胞亚群中CD3+、CD4+,、CD4+/CD8+比值及NK(CD16+CD56+)均较治疗前显著上升(P＜0.01),且显著高于对照组;而T细胞亚群CD8+及甲胎蛋白(AFP)水平均显著下降(P＜0.01),且显著低于对照组(P＜0.01).治疗后,两组患者的自觉症状均减轻、食欲增加、精神状态有所改善,观察组患者的生存质量平均分(167.2±15.8)显著高于对照组(133.5±12.9)(P＜0.01).治疗期间,两组患者均部分出现腹痛、恶心、发热症状,对症处理后24h内均可缓解,不良反应发生率比较无显著差异(P＞0.05);观察组患者6个月内的死亡率为5.0％,显著低于对照组40.0％(P＜0.05),3年生存率为22.5％,显著高于对照组2.5％(P＜0.01).结论:DC-CIK辅助射频消融治疗原发性肝癌可显著提高其治疗效果,增强患者的免疫功能,改善患者的生存质量,并延长患者生存时间.     

Neuronal Ganglioside Increases Dependent on the Neuron-Glia Interaction in Primary Culture

Dissociated neuronal cells from rat embryonic hemispheres were cultivated on astroglial layers. The increase in ganglioside content of the cocultures was more rapid than that of neuronal cultures seeded on polylysine surfaces for the first 24 h, and the extent of the increase was greater 7 days after inoculation, probably because of interaction between the preformed astroglial layers and the neuronal cells in vitro. The promoted expression of the a-pathway gangliosides, GM1 and GD1a, was recognized by TLC and the increase in GM1 was immunologically ascertained. The incorporation of 3H-labeled N-acetyl-D-mannosamine into GD3 and b-series gangliosides was elevated for the first 24 h. However, cocultures in which there was no contact between neuronal cells and the astroglial sheet showed no appreciable increase in incorporation. Thus, cell surface changes were induced at the membrane glycolipid level in the neuronal cells by contact with astroglial layers. The synthesis and expression of neuronal gangliosides are discussed in relation to the onset of neuron--glia interaction.     

Cholangiocytes in the pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis and development of cholangiocarcinoma

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an idiopathic cholangiopathy strongly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and characterized by cholestasis, chronic immune infiltration and progressive fibrosis of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. PSC confers a high risk of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) with PSC-CCA representing the leading cause of PSC-associated mortality. PSC-CCA is derived from cholangiocytes and associated progenitor cells – a heterogeneous group of dynamic epithelial cells lining the biliary tree that modulate the composition and volume of bile production by the liver. Infection, inflammation and cholestasis can trigger cholangiocyte activation leading to an increased expression of adhesion and antigen-presenting molecules as well as the release of various inflammatory and fibrogenic mediators. As a result, activated cholangiocytes engage in a myriad of cellular processes, including hepatocellular proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis and fibrosis. Cholangiocytes can also regulate the recruitment of immune cells, mesenchymal cells, and endothelial cells that participate in tissue repair and destruction in settings of persistent inflammation. In PSC, the role of cholangiocytes and the mechanisms governing their transformation to PSC-CCA are unclear however localization of disease suggests that cholangiocytes are a key target and potential regulator of hepatobiliary immunity, fibrogenesis and tumorigenesis. Herein, we summarize mechanisms of cholangiocyte activation in PSC and highlight new insights into disease pathways that may contribute to the development of PSC-CCA. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Cholangiocytes in Health and Disease edited by Jesus Banales, Marco Marzioni, Nicholas LaRusso and Peter Jansen.     

Direct measurements of the dextran-dependent calcium uptake by rat peritoneal mast cells

The metallochromic indicator murexide has been used to monitor calcium concentration changes during the dextran-induced, phosphatidylserine-dependent degranulation of rat peritoneal mast cells. The dextran-induced Ca2+-uptake showed an absolute dependence on the presence of phosphatidylserine. The extent of Ca2+-uptake increased with phosphatidylserine in a concentration-dependent manner. At 25 degrees C the half-life of the uptake process equalled 35 +/- 5 s. Exposure of the mast cells to dextran in the presence of Ca2+, but in the absence of phosphatidylserine, desensitized the cells. The subsequent addition of phosphatidylserine failed to restore the Ca2+-uptake activity. However, the Ca2+-ionophore A23187 did promote Ca2+ uptake by the cells without PS.     

Changes in cell wall composition associated with maturation in the gymnosperm Araucaria angustifolia

A general structural characterization and an investigation on the dynamics of formation of cell wall polysaccharides was performed, using plantlets stem samples from a typical gymnosperm from southern Brazil, Araucaria angustifolia, as experimental model. Microscopic examination and monosaccharide composition of plantlet segments at different heights were carried out to show the representative portions of stem cell wall development. The plantlets were divided in portions (tip, middle and base) which were submitted to sequential extractions. The extraction with water gave rise to large amounts of pectic material in the three portions and more highly substituted pectins occurred in the tip portion of the stems. Increase in alkali concentration extracted, respectively, higher amounts of xyloglucan structurally similar to those from dicotyledons. However, oligosaccharides containing galactose and fucose where found in higher amounts in base than tip portion. The changes in cell wall composition suggest that the development in gymnosperm cell walls follow the same key events as found in dicotyledon walls (type I).