携带IL-10基因的双歧杆菌对 溃疡性结肠炎小鼠肠道屏障功能的影响

目的观察表达IL-10基因的双歧杆菌对溃疡性结肠炎(UC)小鼠肠道屏障功能的影响,进一步探讨转基因双歧杆菌治疗UC的相关机制。方法 25只小鼠分为空白对照组、结肠炎组(UC-blank组)、双歧杆菌治疗组(UC-bacteria组)、空质粒双歧杆菌治疗组(UC-pBBAD/X-bacteria组)和表达IL-10基因双歧杆菌治疗组(UC-BL-hIL-10-bacteria组),每组5只。采用5%DSS诱导建立UC小鼠模型,利用前期研究已成功筛选出的可稳定表达hIL-10蛋白的BL-hIL-10菌株对小鼠进行治疗。采用HE染色评估小鼠结肠炎症情况;采用荧光定量PCR检测小鼠结肠组织Claudin1、2、4、5、7和8的表达水平;计算小鼠DAI。结果 (1)BL-hIL-10菌株可以降低UC小鼠DAI,减轻UC小鼠结肠组织炎症程度。(2)BL-hIL-10菌株能下调UC小鼠结肠组织Claudin2表达水平,同时能够上调Claudin1、4、5、7和8的表达水平。(3)UC-BL-hIL-10-bacteria组UC小鼠的治疗效果明显优于UC-bacteria组和UC-pBBAD/Xbacteria组。结论 BL-hIL-10菌株能改善UC小鼠结肠黏膜的通透性,其机制可能与其能上调Claudin1、4、5、7和8的表达水平,同时降低Claudin-2的表达水平有关。     

携带IL-10基因的双歧杆菌对 感染后肠易激综合征的治疗作用

目的探讨转基因双歧杆菌对感染后肠易激综合征(PI-IBS)小鼠的治疗作用。方法 50只成年雄性SD小鼠,随机选取10只作为空白对照组(NC组),其余40只PI-IBS模型小鼠随机分为IBS组(IBS组)、双歧杆菌治疗组(BL组)、空质粒双歧杆菌治疗组(BL-0组)和BL-hIL-10治疗组(每组10只)。NC组和IBS组每天予0.2mL PBS灌胃1次;其余三组每天灌胃溶有经0.2%L-Arb诱导24h后的BL、BL-0、BL-hIL-10菌液(双歧杆菌浓度达5×108个/mL)的PBS液0.2mL,每天1次。所有小鼠干预7d后处死,然后行血液及结肠组织学检验。结果 (1)通过评估小鼠疾病活动指数、小鼠脾脏指数和结肠组织HE染色病理学变化,证明口服BL-hIL-10能显著减轻PI-IBS小鼠的炎症症状;(2)BL-hIL-10能升高IL-10比例并降低IL-12的比例,维持Th平衡。结论口服转基因双歧杆菌可以缓解PI-IBS小鼠的炎症反应,其机制可能是通过调节Th平衡来实现。     

熊去氧胆酸联合双歧三联活菌对结肠炎小鼠炎症因子及肠道菌群影响

目的探究熊去氧胆酸(UDCA)联合双歧三联活菌对溃疡性结肠炎(UC)小鼠IL-10、TLR4及肠道菌群的影响。方法购自中国科学院微生物研究所SPF级BALB/c小鼠60只,按照区间分组法将小鼠分为对照组、UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组各12只。每日观察小鼠一般情况、收集粪便做大便隐血实验检测、采用疾病活动指数(DAI)评分判断疾病活动指数;于建模成功7 d后采集各组眼眶静脉血、断头法处死后获取结肠组织,检测IL-10、TLR4,进行UC组织病理学评分,并取小鼠粪便分析其肠道菌群变化。结果第3、7、21 d UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组DAI评分均低于UC组,且UDCA联合组DAI评分低于UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组;第21 d UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组的体质量均低于对照组,UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组体质量均高于UC组,且UDCA联合组体质量高于UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组(P0.05)。对照组组织病理学评分低于UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组,UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组均低于UC组,UDCA联合组低于UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组(P0.05)。UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组条带数较对照组减少,UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组条带数较UC组增多,UDCA联合组条带数多于UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组(P0.05)。UC组、UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组的肠杆菌、肠球菌、拟杆菌、梭杆菌数量均较对照组少;而UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组、UDCA联合组较UC组多,且UDCA联合组较UDCA组、双歧三联活菌组多(P0.05)。结论熊去氧胆酸联合双歧三联活菌治疗UC小鼠,可明显降低IL-10、TLR4水平,增加肠道菌群数量,治疗效果更佳。     

马齿苋水提物对溃疡性结肠炎保护作用的实验研究

目的:探讨马齿苋水提物对溃疡性结肠炎(Ulcerative colitis,UC)的保护作用。方法:利用葡聚糖硫酸钠(Dextran sulfate sodium,DSS)诱导C57BL/6复制UC模型,将小鼠随机分为6组,分别为正常组,DSS模型组,SASP对照组,马齿苋低、中、高剂量组(100,200 mg/kg和400 mg/kg),每天ig给药1次,记录小鼠体重并统计疾病活动指数(Disease activity index,DAI)评分,连续7天。于第8天,测定结肠长度,测定MDA、SOD以及NO含量,观察结肠病理学形态变化,并测定IL-6,IL-1β与TNF-αm RNA的表达。结果:模型组与正常组比较,小鼠体重,结肠长度及SOD有显著降低(P0.05),而DAI评分,MDA、NO含量以及TNF-α,IL-6与IL-1βm RNA的表达有明显升高(P0.05)。而马齿苋水提物中、高组与模型组比较,小鼠的体重,结肠长度以及SOD含量均有显著性提高(P0.05),结肠组织病理损伤有所改善,DAI评分MDA、NO含量以及TNF-α,IL-6与IL-1βm RNA的表达均有明显降低(P0.05)。结论:马齿苋水提物对UC具有保护作用,可能与改变SOD、NO与MDA而抑制氧化应激反应及下调TNF-α,IL-6与IL-1β等细胞因子m RNA的表达而降低炎症反应有关。     

恶唑酮诱导BALB/C小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的实验研究

目的:探讨恶唑酮诱导小鼠溃疡性结肠炎(UC)模型的建立,并评估其在UC研究中的价值.方法:30只BALB/C小鼠被随机分成模型组、对照组和治疗组,每组10只.予恶唑酮建模后,治疗组给予柳氮磺胺吡啶灌胃治疗,观察三组小鼠的疾病活动指数(DAI).一周后处死所有小鼠,取其病变结肠观察组织学改变,并检测脾组织重量,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定三组小鼠血清白细胞介素IL-10、IL-2的含量.结果:模型组小鼠病变结肠组织学改变与人类UC病变结肠形态相似,其DAI和组织学损伤评分均较对照组有明显改变.血清IL-10含量显著增高,IL-2含量明显下降,免疫脏器脾脏的重量明显减轻.结论:恶唑酮能诱导出与人类UC发病相似的实验小鼠模型.可作为研究UC病因、发病机制和药物治疗较为理想的模型.     

木犀草素调节SIRT3/AMPK/mTOR信号通路对溃疡性结肠炎小鼠Th17/Treg免疫平衡的影响CSCD

探究木犀草素对溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)小鼠模型中辅助性T细胞17(Th17)/调节性T细胞(Treg)免疫平衡的影响,并分析其潜在机制。60只BALB/c雄性小鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、阳性对照组、木犀草素组、木犀草素+3-TYP组,每组12只。采用葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导建立UC模型,观察并记录小鼠体重变化、大便稠度和大便潜血情况,计算疾病活动指数(DAI);HE染色观察结肠组织病理学变化;流式细胞术检测脾脏Th17、Treg细胞比例,计算Th17/Treg比值;ELISA检测结肠组织中IL-6、IL-10、IL-17和IL-23含量;RT-qPCR检测结肠组织RORγt和Foxp3的mRNA表达;Western blot检测结肠组织SIRT3、AMPK、p-AMPK、mTOR、p-mTOR蛋白表达。与正常组相比,模型组小鼠DAI评分、组织病理学评分、脾脏Th17/Treg比值、结肠组织IL-6、IL-17、IL-23、RORγt mRNA水平和p-mTOR/mTOR比值升高,IL-10、Foxp3 mRNA和SIRT3蛋白水平以及p-AMPK/AMPK比值降低(P<0.05)。经药物干预后,小鼠DAI评分、组织病理学评分、脾脏Th17/Treg比值、结肠组织IL-6、IL-17、IL-23、RORγt mRNA水平和p-mTOR/mTOR比值降低,IL-10、Foxp3 mRNA和SIRT3蛋白水平以及p-AMPK/AMPK比值升高(P<0.05);3-TYP可减弱木犀草素对UC小鼠Th17/Treg细胞分化平衡的影响(P<0.05)。木犀草素可改善DSS诱导的UC小鼠模型中Th17/Treg失衡,其机制可能与激活SIRT3/AMPK/mTOR通路有关。     

特定双歧杆菌菌株对炎症性肠病小鼠的影响

为了观察特定双歧杆菌菌株对葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导的Balb/c小鼠结肠炎的影响,探讨该双歧杆菌菌株对炎症性肠病(IBD)的防治作用及其可能机制。将小鼠分为3组:正常对照组、模型组(DSS组)、实验组(DSS+Bf组)。用已挑选好的双歧杆菌菌株预先处理小鼠4周后,用4%DSS溶液诱导急性结肠炎。实验结束后,检测每组小鼠结肠的长度及结肠炎炎症程度,利用半定量RT-PCR法检测小鼠肠道派伊尔结细胞中IL-10的表达,利用免疫组化实验检测肠道黏膜中IL-10分泌阳性细胞。结果实验组小鼠结肠的平均长度为7.80 cm±0.21 cm,虽较正常对照组(9.10 cm±0.82 cm)缩短,但较模型组(6.80 cm±0.31 cm)其缩短程度减少;结肠炎炎症程度肉眼评分结果:模型组和实验组分别为8.60±0.24分和6.60±0.68分,两组之间均有显著性差异(P<0.05),显微镜下评分结果为实验组(6.80±0.73分)较模型组(8.80±0.37分)明显减少(P<0.05);实验组小鼠肠道派伊尔结细胞IL-10的表达和肠道黏膜IL-10分泌阳性细胞数明显多于模型组。该实验所用的双歧杆菌菌株减轻了DSS诱导的小鼠肠道炎症反应,并且增强了肠道免疫细胞的IL-10的表达及分泌。     

芒果苷对DSS诱导的小鼠溃疡性结肠炎的预防作用及其抗炎机制初步研究

本文研究芒果苷(MGF)对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的预防作用及其作用机制。选用昆明种小鼠,用葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)复制UC模型。动物随机分成空白对照组、DSS模型对照组、柳氮磺胺吡啶(SASP)阳性对照组(900 mg/kg)、MGF组(300、150、75 mg/kg)、MGF固体分散体(MGF-SD)组(折合成MGF为300 mg/kg)。除空白对照组外,其他组小鼠自由饮用2.5%DSS水溶液造模,连续14 d,造模的同时灌胃给予相应药物干预。隔天进行疾病活动指数(DAI)评分。于第14 d处死小鼠,对结肠进行大体形态损伤指数(CMDI)评分,HE染色后进行结肠病理组织学指数(CHPI)评分,ELISA法检测结肠组织IL-1β、IL-4、IL-6和IL-10水平。结果显示,模型对照组小鼠DAI、CMDI和CHPI评分均显著增加(P0.05),结肠组织中IL-1β、IL-6水平显著升高(P0.05),IL-4、IL-10水平显著降低(P0.01)。MGF可显著改善UC小鼠的DAI、CMDI和CHPI评分。MGF组和MGFSD组均能显著降低结肠组织IL-1β水平(P0.05);MGF高剂量组和MGF-SD组显著降低结肠组织IL-6水平,但组间无显著差异(P0.05);各药物组对结肠组织IL-4和IL-10水平的影响与模型组比较均无显著性(P0.05)。表明MGF对DSS诱导的小鼠UC具有较好的预防作用,可能与下调结肠组织中IL-1β、IL-6水平有关,进而调节结肠组织中促炎因子与抗炎因子的平衡。提高MGF的溶解度不能提高其对UC的防治作用。     

益生菌联合柳氮磺胺吡啶治疗溃疡性结肠炎的疗效观察

【摘 要】 目的 通过建立葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导的急性期溃疡性结肠炎(UC)小鼠模型,观察嗜酸乳杆菌以及联合柳氮磺胺吡啶对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎(UC)的治疗作用,并检测Hsp70、Hsp27在肠黏膜的表达,探讨其可能的作用机制。方法　5% DSS 7 d建立急性UC动物模型。将60只BALB/c小鼠随机分为6组：正常对照组、模型组、阴性对照(生理盐水,NS)组、嗜酸乳杆菌组、柳氮磺胺吡啶组和嗜酸乳杆菌联合柳氮磺胺吡啶组,观察指标包括：疾病活动指数(DAI)、结肠黏膜肉眼改变及病理组织学积分;采用免疫组化SABC 法检测热休克蛋白(HSP70)和(HSP27)的表达量。结果 嗜酸乳杆菌可降低实验小鼠DAI积分和改善结肠组织损伤;与模型组、阴性对照组相比,嗜酸乳杆菌联合柳氮磺胺吡啶组的HSP70表达增加(P＜0.05),其中以嗜酸乳杆菌联合柳氮磺胺吡啶组效果最佳。结论 嗜酸乳杆菌和柳氮磺胺吡啶对小鼠溃疡性结肠炎都有治疗作用,且二者疗效相当;两药联合应用效果最佳。其机制可能与增加结肠黏膜HSP70的表达有关。     

基于高通量测序技术研究色胺酮对溃疡性结肠炎小鼠肠道菌群的影响

目的研究色胺酮对葡聚糖硫酸钠(DSS)诱导溃疡性结肠炎(UC)模型小鼠肠道菌群的影响。方法用3%DSS自由饮用7 d诱导昆明种小鼠UC模型,灌胃125 mg/kg柳氮磺胺吡啶作为阳性对照,色胺酮组以78 mg/kg水溶液灌胃给药,观察小鼠给药前后的体征,进行疾病活动指数(DAI)评分,观察结肠组织形态变化;ELISA法检测小鼠血清中IL-6、IL-8、IL-10、IL-1β和TNF-α水平变化;每组收集5个粪便样本,利用Illumina MiSeq测序平台采用细菌的16S rRNA进行V4-V5区高通量测序,对测序结果进行生物信息学分析。结果色胺酮和阳性药干预后,DAI评分表明小鼠体征有所改善,HE染色显示UC小鼠结肠组织损伤有一定程度修复,炎性细胞减少;ELISA检测显示小鼠血清中促炎性细胞因子IL-6、IL-8、IL-1β和TNF-α水平下调,抑炎性细胞因子IL-10水平上升;测序后菌群物种注释及生物多样性分析显示色胺酮干预后UC小鼠失调的厚壁菌门/拟杆菌门比例得到一定程度恢复,菌群多样性有一定程度回调,菌群结构向正常状态恢复;肠道菌群LEfSe组间差异显著性分析结果表明4个菌属Erysipelotrichaceae_UCG_003、Sellimonas、Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group和Tyzzerella丰度可能与色胺酮对UC治疗作用相关。结论色胺酮治疗UC小鼠后,小鼠体征、结肠组织病理结构、细胞因子水平及肠道菌群变化等结果均表明色胺酮对UC小鼠肠道微生态具有调节作用,为色胺酮抗UC作用机制研究提供了新思路。     

Anthropology and genetics of the caucasus peoples and the problem of the origin of the caucasoids

The electrophoretical polymorphisms of some blood proteins were studied in the Talysh population of Pirasora situated in South-East Azerbaidjan. We calculated the gene frequencies of these polymorphisms and determined the genetic distances between the Talyshes and some Iranian populations of North, Central and South Iran, Afghans, and three populations of Azerbaijan. The Talyshes are very close to Iranians of Shiraz, whereas they are distant from the Azerbaijanians. Anthropological investigations showed that the Caucasoids and Mongoloids lived in the Aragvi Basin since the Eneolithic period. This was stated by Alexeev (1974), who emphasized the mixture of the Caucasus populations from ancient times on. We calculated the genetic distances between the Caucasus populations and numerous populations of other geographic regions, considering 28 alleles of 12 loci of blood group, serum protein and red cell enzyme polymorphisms and constructed the dendrogram of these populations. The position of the Caucasus populations in the dendrogram corresponds on principle to the earlier anthropological observations. The clustering of the Caucasoid populations corresponds completely with anthropological and historical data, and supports our earlier hypothesis (Nazarova 1999) concerning the differentiation of Caucasoids, Northern Mongoloids and Amerinds from the populations, which inhabitated Asia in palaeolithic times.     

On the structure and dynamics of the complex of the nucleosome and the linker histone

Several different models of the linker histone (LH)–nucleosome complex have been proposed, but none of them has unambiguously revealed the position and binding sites of the LH on the nucleosome. Using Brownian dynamics-based docking together with normal mode analysis of the nucleosome to account for the flexibility of two flanking 10 bp long linker DNAs (L-DNA), we identified binding modes of the H5-LH globular domain (GH5) to the nucleosome. For a wide range of nucleosomal conformations with the L-DNA ends less than 65 Å apart, one dominant binding mode was identified for GH5 and found to be consistent with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments. GH5 binds asymmetrically with respect to the nucleosomal dyad axis, fitting between the nucleosomal DNA and one of the L-DNAs. For greater distances between L-DNA ends, docking of GH5 to the L-DNA that is more restrained and less open becomes favored. These results suggest a selection mechanism by which GH5 preferentially binds one of the L-DNAs and thereby affects DNA dynamics and accessibility and contributes to formation of a particular chromatin fiber structure. The two binding modes identified would, respectively, favor a tight zigzag chromatin structure or a loose solenoid chromatin fiber.     

Kinematics and dynamics of the temporomandibular joint and of the movements of the mandible

In order to analyze the complicated movements of the mandible as the open-closing movement and the protrusio are, it is useful to evaluate the basic kinematic principles and reduce them to simple technical constructions. Both the open-closing movement and the protrusio could be reduced to 4-bar links, which were used to simulate the movements with help of a computer. Besides, the polodes and the curves of points in the muscular attachments could be constructed. The 2 entirely different 4-bar links have 3 things in common: The resting system - cranium, the moving system - mandibula, and 1 of the 2 arms connecting these 2 systems - the ligamentum laterale. As this ligament is taut during movements it can be considered a "guiding ligament" representing 1 of the 3 determining components of the mandibular movements. The other of the 2 arms has no anatomical equivalent; this arm, however, is "replaced" by the 2 other determining components of the mandibular movements: the joint and the muscles. The curves, which the Caput mandibulae describes, are practically identical for the open-closing movement and the protrusio despite of the different 4-bar links and these curves exactly correspond to the Discus articularis, taut by the upper part of the M. pterygoideus lateralis. The muscles do not only just move the mandibula, but they are also the component, which can choose between the different mandibular movements. By means of the curves, which points in the muscular attachments describe, the function of the masticatory muscles could be analyzed exactly.     

Serology and systematics of the Ebenales and the Theales

The systematic position ofthe Ebenaceae, Sapotaceae, Styracaceae, Ochnaceae, Stachyuraceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Clusiaceae and Hypericaceae has been investigated using serological comparisons of sets of antigenic determinants. The results show that the Sytracaceae and Sapotaceae are undoubtedly more closely associated with the Actinidiaeceae and Theaceae, respectively, than with each other. We found no corresponding determinants betnween antigen systems from the Ebenaceae and systems from any other family whose relations to this family have been proposed. As discovered previously, investigations of antigen systems from the Ochnaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Stachyuraceae, Clusiaceae and Hypericaceae are against the idea of a natural order “Theales” in which these families, or at least some of them, are combined with the Theaceae and Actinidiaceae. This paper completes our previous investigations which largely support a superorder Ericanae sensu Ehrendorfer and Takhtajan. We propose to include the Actinidiaceae and Theaceae in this superorder, assigning them a central position laong with the Sapotaceae and Sytracaeae on one side and the Primulales and Ericales on the other. Another most interesting finding is that there are corresponding determinants between antigen systems from the members of the Ericanae and representatives of the Polemoniaceae and Loasaceae.     

人类基因组及后基因组研究进展及其应用与开发研究现状

人类对自身基因组的研究,随着人类基因组工作草图的绘制完成和对基因功能研究的深入已加快进入了实质性、关键性的开发利用阶段。本文概述了人类基因组及后基因组的研究进展及依此开展基因治疗及基因（组）药物研制等应用开发研究的现状。     

Biophysics and Structure of the Patch and the Gigaseal

Interpreting channel behavior in patches requires an understanding of patch structure and dynamics, especially in studies of mechanosensitive channels. High resolution optical studies show that patch formation occurs via blebbing that disrupts normal membrane structure and redistributes in situ components including ion channels. There is a 1-2 μm region of the seal below the patch where proteins are excluded and this may consist of extracted lipids that form the gigaseal. Patch domes often have complex geometries with inhomogeneous stresses due to the membrane-glass adhesion energy (E_a), cytoskeletal forces, and possible lipid subdomains. The resting tension in the patch dome ranges from 1-4 mN/m, a significant fraction of the lytic tension of a bilayer (∼10 mN/m). Thus, all patch experiments are conducted under substantial, and uneven, resting tension that may alter the kinetics of many channels. E_a seems dominated by van der Waals attraction overlaid with a normally repulsive Coulombic force. High ionic strength pipette saline increased E_a and, surprisingly, increased cytoskeletal rigidity in cell-attached patches. Low pH pipette saline also increased E_a and reduced the seal selectivity for cations, presumably by neutralizing the membrane surface charge. The seal is a negatively charged, cation selective, space with a resistance of ∼7 gigohm/μm in 100 mM KCl, and the high resistivity of the space may result from the presence of high viscosity glycoproteins. Patches creep up the pipette over time with voltage independent and voltage dependent components. Voltage-independent creep is expected from the capillary attraction of E_a and the flow of fresh lipids from the cell. Voltage-dependent creep seems to arise from electroosmosis in the seal. Neutralization of negative charges on the seal membrane with low pH decreased the creep rate and reversed the direction of creep at positive pipette potentials.     

On the Microanatomy of the Brain and the Innervation and Homologues of the Cephalic Appendages of Hesionidae and Syllidae (Polychaeta)

Abstract Earlier papers dealing with the anatomy of the hesionids and syllids were studied. Thereby it was found that information about the structure of the central nervous system was meagre. As a result, the anterior end appendages, especially the large, laterloventral ones of the Syllidae, have been differently interpreted. This prompted a re-investigation. The circum-oesophageal connectives, the brain commissures and the innervation of the alimentary canal and the cephalic appendages of a number of hesionid and syllid species were studied. The results, summarized in schematic diagrams, were compared with corresponding observations in other polychaete families. Among other things, it was concluded that not only the latero-ventral cephalic appendages of the hesionids but also those of the syllids are homologous with the palps of the nereids and of many other “errant” and “sedentary” families.     

Comparison of the Effects of Flexion and Extension of the Thumb and Fingers on the Position and Cross-Sectional Area of the Median Nerve

Objective

To assess the separate effects of thumb and finger extension/flexion on median nerve position and cross-sectional area.

Methods

Ultrasonography was used to assess median nerve transverse position and cross-sectional area within the carpal tunnel at rest and its movement during volitional flexion of the individual digits of the hand. Both wrists of 165 normal subjects (11 men, 4 women, mean age, 28.6, range, 22 to 38) were studied.

Results

Thumb flexion resulted in transverse movement of the median nerve in radial direction (1.2±0.6 mm), whereas flexion of the fingers produced transverse movement in ulnar direction, which was most pronounced during flexion of the index and middle fingers (3.2±0.9 and 3.1±1.0 mm, respectively). Lesser but still statistically significant movements were noted with flexion of the ring finger (2.0±0.8 mm) and little finger (1.2±0.5 mm). Flexion of the thumb or individual fingers did not change median nerve cross-sectional area (8.5±1.1 mm²).

Conclusions

Volitional flexion of the thumb and individual fingers, particularly the index and middle fingers, produced significant transverse movement of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel but did not alter the cross-sectional area of the nerve. The importance of these findings on the understanding of the pathogenesis of the carpal tunnel syndrome and its treatment remains to be investigated.     

Schistosoma haematobium: the effect of Astiban on the cell composition and ultrastructure of the vitelline gland and the ultrastructure of the tegument and gastrodermis

Treatment of Schistosoma haematobium (Nigerian strain) in hamsters with a single dose of 40 mg/kg of Astiban caused a reduction in the number of S1, S2, and S3 vitelline cells and an increase in S4 cells. Following seven daily doses of the drug, a marked reduction in S1 cells and a complete loss of S2 and S3 cells occurred such that 95% of the cells were S4 cells, all of which were structurally abnormal. Coagulation and disintegration of the protein granules of the vitelline droplets occurred with increase in lipid droplets, swelling of the nuclear membrane and an increase in cytosegresomes. Blebbing of the tegument in both sexes occurred following a single treatment and vacuolation of the basal infolds and alterations to the mitochondria also resulted, but severe erosion of the tegument was rare even following repeated drug treatment. Damage to the gastrodermis was severe with the development of autophagic vacuoles containing whorls of myelin and sequestered portions of damaged tissue. The degree of damage increased with the number of drug treatments.     

Age and features of the skeletotopy of the roots of the lungs of newborn infants and children

In 186 roentgenograms of frontal projections, obtained in children from birth up to 7 years of age, made according to the vital indications (but without any pathology in the thoracic organs), and in 63 isolated preparation of lungs, skeletotopy and size of the lung roots have been studied. The skeletopic difference between superior and inferior margins of the roots near the medial surface of the lung in the newborns during the first day of life has been stated to make in the projection to the frontal thoracic wall 2 ribs, or 2 vertebrae (to the posterior wall), and to the end of the first month of life-3 ribs, or 3 vertebrae, respectively; during the first year-2.5 ribs, or 2 vertebrae, in children of 1-7 years of age-2 ribs, or 2 vertebrae, respectively. The projection borders of the lung roots from birth up to 7 years of age are noted to change in time and with various intensity.