Copper and zinc dismetabolism in the mouse brain upon chronic cuprizone treatment

Recent reports describe successful treatment using copper chelation therapy in neurodegenerative animal models. However, the success claimed for chelation therapy in neurodegenerative diseases is still rather controversial. To acquire new information on copper metabolism/homeostasis, we utilized cuprizone, a very sensitive and selective copper-chelating agent with well-known neurotoxic properties, as a relevant chemical model in mice. Upon cuprizone treatment, mice developed a pronounced astrocytosis, with brain oedema and spongiosis characterised by vacuolisations of the neuropil predominantly in the white matter. In addition, cuprizone treatment severely altered copper and zinc homeostasis in the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in all other tissues examined, with increasing metal ion concentrations particularly in the CNS. Concomitant with this increase in the Cu and Zn concentration in the brain, metallothionein-I and -II were also highly immunoreactive in astrocyte, consistent with the astrocytosis and demyelination observed in our and other laboratories.Received 23 February 2005; received after revision 3 May 2005; accepted 13 May 2005     

Mechanisms underlying celiac disease and its neurologic manifestations

The extra-intestinal manifestations of celiac disease (CD), including ataxia and peripheral neuropathy, are increasingly being recognized as the presenting symptoms of this autoimmune disease. Although there is a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of the intestinal lesions in CD the mechanisms behind the neurologic manifestations of CD have not been elucidated. In this article, the authors review the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind the histopathologic changes in the intestine, discuss the presentation and characteristics of neurologic manifestations of CD, review the data on the mechanisms behind these manifestations, and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of CD. Molecular mimicry and intermolecular help may play a role in the development of neurologic complications.Received 11 March 2004; received after revision 29 October 2004; accepted 12 November 2004     

Compensatory caspase activation in MPP+-induced cell death in dopaminergic neurons

Many have hypothesized that cell death in Parkinsons disease is via apoptosis and, specifically, by the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway. We tested this hypothesis using a mouse dopaminergic cell line of mesencephalic origin, MN9D, challenged with the Parkinsonism-causing neurotoxin MPP⁺ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion). Apoptosis was the main mode of cell death when the cells were subjected to MPP⁺ treatment under serum-free conditions for 24 h. Caspase-3 and caspase-9, however, were not activated, thus indicating the existence of alternate or compensatory cell death pathway(s) in dopaminergic neuronal cells. Using caspase inhibitors, we demonstrated that these pathways involve caspase-2, –8, –6 and –7. A time-course study indicated that activation of caspase-2 and –8 occurred upstream of caspase-6 and caspase-7. Upon MPP⁺ challenge, the apoptosis-inducing factor was translocated from the mitochondria into the MN9D cytosol and nucleus. These results suggest the existence of alternative apoptotic pathways in dopaminergic neurons.Received 20 September 2004; received after revision 5 November 2004; accepted 22 November 2004     

龙虾叶状幼体弧菌病防治的研究

对龙虾叶状幼体弧菌病采用多项措施，多种药物防治对比试验研究，总结出用沙－活性炭过滤海水，减少水体病原菌量，用漂白粉消毒水池和用具，杜绝污染源，用土毒素药浴亲虾，避免病原菌由卵带入，选用体格健壮的中年亲虾，保证孵化出的叶状幼体有旺盛的生命力，投放光合细菌、金藻、扁藻、丰年虫幼体、文蛤肉喂叶状幼体，改善叶状幼体营养，增强叶状幼体抗病力，利用光合细菌加速培育水体中有机物分解，净化水质，恶化病原菌生存环境     

木香根腐病发生及其危害的调查研究

通过对重庆南川木香主产区内根腐病的调查,结合不同环境条件进行分析,初步得出木香根腐病的发生与海拔高度、地势高低、土壤类型、耕作制度及管理水平等密切相关.在土壤含水量高、排水不畅的粘土地块,根腐病发生严重.特别是连作田,随着连作时间的延长,病害发生加重.此外,根据发病率、病情指数与木香产量损失率之间的关系研究发现,移栽的第2年(3年生)根腐病发病明显,建议此时进行综合防治以减少木香产量的损失.     

温情 诗意 成长——《草房子》的死亡叙事探析

《草房子》是曹文轩成长小说的代表作,小说的叙述多次涉及死亡。其死亡叙事充分体现了三方面的特征：即充满了浓浓的温情;诗意的叙述;死亡是儿童精神成长的特殊契机。     

阿托伐他汀对冠心病慢性心力衰竭患者的心功能和预后的影响

目的:观察阿托伐他汀对冠心病慢性充血性心力衰竭患者的心功能和预后的影响.方法:选取2004年1月～2008年6月江汉大学附属医院心内科病区冠心病慢性充血性心力衰竭患者132例,随机分成治疗组(67例)和对照组(65例).两组患者均行冠心病慢性充血性心力衰竭的常规基础治疗.治疗组在常规治疗的基础上,加用阿托伐他汀10mg,每晚一次.总疗程26周.治疗前后检测血脂全套、左室射血分数(LVEF)、C反应蛋白(CRP),观察所有患者治疗后两年的住院次数、住院总日数和病死率.结果:治疗组与对照组比较,治疗6个月后,血清总胆固醇(TC),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C),CRP均有不同程度降低,LVEF明显提高,治疗后两年的住院次数和总日数相对减少,差异无显著性;病死率明显降低,差异有非常显著性(P<0.01).结论:阿托伐他汀治疗能改善冠心病慢性心衰患者的心功能和预后.     

宫颈病变三阶梯式诊断与宫颈细胞学筛查

目的运用宫颈三阶梯式诊断程序,正确诊断宫颈病变。方法介绍宫颈病变的三阶梯式诊断程序：细胞学筛查-阴道镜检查-病理组织学诊断。结果正确运用三阶梯式诊断程序,能实现在子宫颈癌前诊断,阻断子宫颈癌的发生．有效降低宫颈癌的发病牢及死亡率。结论在宫颈病变的筛查工作中遵循宫颈病变三阶梯式诊断程序,能达到早期发现、早期治疗的目的。     

健身气功·五禽戏对高脂血症患者细胞黏附分子及血脂水平的影响

探讨健身气功·五禽戏锻炼对高甘油三酯血症（HTG）患者血浆细胞黏附分子及血脂水平的影响,采用随机选择HTG患者62例,随机分为运动组（实验组）和对照组,观察患者实验前后血浆可溶性细胞间黏附分子-1（siCAM-1）和可溶性血管细胞间黏附分子-1（sVCAM-1）及血脂相关指标浓度的变化。结果显示：经6个月健身气功·五禽戏运动锻炼后,实验组slCAM-1、sVCAM-1、Ps、Fig、TG、TC和LDL—C水平明显低于对照组,HDL—C水平明显高于对照组,其差异均有显著性（P〈0．05或0．01）．认为健身气功·五禽戏运动锻炼具有良好的调节血脂异常的作用,并可降低高甘油三酯血症患者细胞黏附分子水平．     

五行学说与早期中医学

早期中医学有两大重要学派，即五脏学派和经络学派。该文讨论二者与五行学说的关系，结论是：五行学说为五脏学派的理论支柱；经络学派原本与五行学说无关，后来虽然与其发生了联系，但是受五行学说的影响仍然很小。