原发性胆汁性胆管炎患者胆囊病变临床分析

目的 分析总结原发性胆汁性胆管炎（PBC）患者胆囊病变的特点。方法 回顾性分析110例PBC患者超声检查胆囊病变情况。结果 83.6%PBC患者发现胆囊壁毛糙,42.7%有胆囊炎,40.0%有胆囊壁增厚,22.7%有胆囊结石,19.1%有胆囊息肉,18.2%有胆囊壁水肿;44例伴胆囊壁增厚的与66例不伴胆囊壁增厚的PBC患者白细胞计数分别为【（4.3±1.8）×10⁹/L和（5.2±2.3）×10⁹/L,P<0.05】,血红蛋白为【（96.4±25.8） g/L和（122.1±18.2） g/L,P<0.05】,血小板计数为【（122.3±101.7）×10⁹/L和（178.2±81.8）×10⁹/L,P<0.05】,总胆红素为【（71.1±81.1） μmol/L和（26.4±34.3） μmol/L,P<0.05】,白蛋白为【（31.2±6.1） g/L和（41.2±6.1） g/L,P<0.05】,胆碱酯酶为【（3247.8±2058.9） U/L和（6829.3±2698.9） U/L,P<0.05】,总胆固醇为【（3.6±1.4） mmol/L和（4.8±1.5） mmol/L,P<0.05】,门静脉内径为【（11.9±1.8） mm和（11.3±1.6） mm,P<0.05】;不伴胆囊壁增厚组腹水发生率为16.7%,显著低于伴胆囊壁增厚组的68.2%（P<0.05）;前者胆囊炎占4.5%,显著低于后者的100.0%（P<0.05）,前者无胆囊壁水肿,后者为45.5%（P<0.05）,前者胆囊壁毛糙占100%,显著高于后者的59.1% （P<0.05）,前者肝功能B/C级占19.7%,显著低于后者的68.2%（P<0.05）。结论 胆囊病变为PBC患者的常见表现,胆囊壁毛糙、胆囊炎和胆囊壁增厚为最常见的3种胆囊病变类型,应加强临床分析,及时进行针对性干预,从而改善患者预后。     

两种手术方法处理腹腔镜胆囊切除术后胆总管残余结石患者临床疗效比较

目的 分析比较经内镜逆行性胰胆管造影（ERCP）下取石与开腹胆道探查（CBDE）治疗腹腔镜胆囊切除术（LC）后胆总管残余结石患者的临床疗效。方法 2015年2月~2016年12月我院收住的经LC术后存在胆总管残余结石患者84例,其中38例采取CBDE法（A组）治疗,46例采取ERCP下取石（B组）。结果 B组术中出血量明显少于A组[（3.4±1.3）ml对（124.2±65.8）ml,P<0.05],手术时间[（34.8±4.2）min对（123.3±15.8）min,P<0.05]、术后排气时间[（1.0±0.7）h对（42.6±9.1）h,P<0.05]和住院时间[（4.9±3.5）d对（9.3±4.3）d,P<0.05]均明显短于A组;术后1 w,B组血清GGT水平为（63.7±7.5）IU/L,与A组的（70.2±7.9）IU/L 比无显著性相差（P>0.05）,血清ALP水平为（105.6±11.5）IU/L,与A组的（115.4±12.8）IU/L比无显著性相差（P>0.05）;A组并发症发生率为23.7%、结石再复发率为5.3%,而B组分别为15.2%和6.5%,两组比较无显著性差异（P>0.05）。结论 相对于CBDE术,采用ERCP下取石处理经LC术后胆总管残余结石患者可有效降低术中出血量,缩短手术时间,并因可反复进行而具有优势。     

自身免疫性肝炎患者肝组织程序性死亡受体1表达及其临床意义探讨*

目的 观察自身免疫性肝炎（AIH）患者肝组织程序性死亡受体1（PD-1）表达情况及其临床意义。方法 2015年5月~2017年4月我院收治的AIH患者68例（活动期48例,缓解期20例）,在超声引导下使用BARD一次性全自动活检枪行肝穿刺活检术取得肝组织。另选择同期肝血管瘤患者13例,经手术取得肝组织。采用ABC法检测肝组织PD-1表达。比较肝组织PD-1表达情况并采用Pearson相关分析其与血生化学和血清学指标的相关性。结果 48例活动期AIH患者血清TBIL、AST、ALT、ALP和GGT水平分别为（72.1±48.9） μmol/L、（243.1±170.4） U/L、（345.3±217.7） U/L、（154.3±94.6） U/L和（86.5±43.5） U/L,显著高于20例缓解期患者【分别为（14.8±4.2） μmol/L、（28.3±8.7） U/L、（27.6±8.8） U/L、（73.3±51.3） U/L和（71.3±27.3） U/L,P<0.05】;活动期患者血清GLO和IgG水平分别为（34.3±11.3） g/L和（23.2±7.5） g/L,显著高于缓解期【分别为（30.7±10.2） g/L和（11.7±4.6） g/L,P<0.05】; 68例AIH患者肝组织PD-1表达阳性率为（13.61±6.87）%,显著高于对照组的（2.25±0.68）%（P<0.05）,而48例活动期患者肝组织PD-1表达阳性率为（16.56±7.81）%,显著高于缓解期组的（6.56±3.21）%（P<0.05）;48例活动期患者肝组织界面性肝炎为93.75%,淋巴细胞浸润为89.58%,单管破坏性炎症为6.25%,而20例缓解期患者无界面性肝炎、淋巴细胞浸润或单管破坏性炎症表现;活动期AIH患者肝组织PD-1表达阳性率与血清TBIL （r=0.996,P<0.001）、AST（r=0.989,P<0.001）、ALT（r=0.995,P<0.001）、ALP（r=0.998,P<0.001）、GGT（r=0.995,P<0.001）、GLO（r=0.996,P<0.001）和IgG（r=0.997,P<0.001）均呈正相关,在缓解期AIH患者,肝组织PD-1表达阳性率与血清TBIL （r=0.999,P<0.001）、AST（r=0.999,P<0.001）、ALT（r=0.999,P<0.001）、ALP（r=0.999,P<0.001）、GGT（r=0.999,P<0.001）和IgG（r=0.999,P<0.001）呈正相关（P<0.001）。结论 AIH患者肝组织PD-1表达增强,与肝组织炎症活动度密切相关,其参与肝损伤的作用机制还需要进一步探讨。     

以APP移动信息为基础的术前访视对原发性肝癌患者情绪的影响*

目的 研究应用APP移动信息为基础的术前访视对原发性肝癌（PLC）患者情绪的影响。方法 2015年1月~2016年12月我院肿瘤科收治的PLC患者72例,被随机分为观察组36例和对照组36例,分别给予常规术前访谈和采用专科特色APP软件术前访视。采用汉密尔顿焦虑量表（HAMA）和抑郁量表（HAMD）评价焦虑和抑郁性障碍。结果 访视后,观察组患者收缩压为（115.4±6.1） mmHg,显著低于对照组[（129.6±6.8） mmHg,P<0.05],舒张压为（82.6±3.1）mmHg,显著低于对照组[（89.8±3.4） mmHg,P<0.05],心率为（76.6±8.1）/min,显著低于对照组[（86.7±8.2）/min,P<0.05];观察组HAMA评分为（15.1±1.6）,显著低于对照组[（22.8±4.6）,P<0.05],HAMD评分为（14.8±1.9）,显著低于对照组[（22.3±3.2）,P<0.05];观察组入睡时间为（41.2±6.9） min,显著短于对照组[（47.9±8.2）min,P<0.05],睡眠时间为（6.8±1.1）h,显著长于对照组[（5.8±0.9）h,P<0.05],觉醒次数为（1.5±0.5）次,显著少于对照组[（2.2±0.8）次,P<0.05]。结论 运用APP移动信息技术对PLC患者进行术前访视可明显改善患者的焦虑或抑郁情绪,提高睡眠质量,为成功手术做好了保证。     

白蛋白输注联合腹腔置管持续引流与支链氨基酸联合利尿剂治疗失代偿期肝硬化张力性腹水的效果对比分析

目的 观察白蛋白输注联合腹腔置管持续引流与支链氨基酸联合利尿剂治疗肝硬化张力性腹水患者的疗效差异。方法 2014年12月~2016年 8月我院收治的78例肝硬化张力性腹水患者被随机分为对照组32例,给予白蛋白联合腹腔置管持续引流治疗,试验组46例接受支链氨基酸联合利尿剂治疗,疗程均为2 w。结果 在治疗2 w末,试验组与对照组肝性脑病（x²=5.472,P<0.05）和自发性细菌性腹膜炎发生率（x²=4.092,P<0.05）有显著性差异;试验组24 h尿量为（1321±278） ml,显著多于对照组的（1102±239） ml（P<0.05）;两组血清TBIL[（36.8±23.1） μmol/L 对（36.3±26.8） μmol/L,P>0.05]、PT-INR [（1.05±0.91）对（1.16±1.03）,P>0.05]、 ALB[（32.9±9.1） g/L 对（30.7±8.5） g/L,P>0.05]、Cr [（65.2±45.7）μmol/L对（72.4±38.8）μmol/L,P>0.05]均无显著性相差。结论 白蛋白联合腹腔置管持续引流是治疗肝硬化张力性腹水公认有效的方法,而应用支链氨基酸联合利尿剂具有相对安全、剂量可控、价格低廉、无创的特点,短期效果也较好。     

超声造影检查失代偿期肝硬化门静脉血流动力学指标的变化

目的 探讨肝硬化患者门脉高压症的血流动力学和超声影像学特点。方法 2015年7月~2016年12月诊治的65例失代偿期肝硬化患者、65例代偿期肝硬化和65例健康人作为研究对象,检测门静脉、肝动脉血流动力学指标以及超声造影检查指标。结果 失代偿期患者门静脉内径（Dpv）为（1.6±0.5） cm,比代偿期患者【（1.3±0.4）cm,P<0.05】或健康人【（0.9±0.1）cm,P<0.05】明显增宽,门静脉平均流速（PVV）为（9.2±0.6） cm/s,比代偿期组【（11.6±0.8）cm/s,P<0.05】或健康人【（20.1±0.4）cm/s,P< 0.05】明显降低,肝动脉搏动指数（HAPI）和肝动脉阻力指数（HARI）分别为（1.6±0.4）和（0.9±0.1）,比代偿期组【（1.5±0.7）和（0.7±0.1）,P<0.05】或健康人组【（0.8±0.2）和（0.6±0.2）,P<0.05】明显增加,肝血管指数（LVI）为（6.5±1.6）,比代偿期组【（9.6±2.6）,P<0.05】或健康人组【（23.6±4.5）,P<0.05】明显降低,门脉高压指数（PHI）为（2.8±0.5）s/m,比代偿期组【（1.8±0.6）s/m,P< 0.05】或健康人组【（1.3±0.5）s/m,P<0.05】明显增高;代偿组和失代偿组肝静脉内造影剂到达时间（HVAT）和肝动-静脉渡越时间（HA-VTT）分别为【（18.9±2.2）s和（6.8±1.8）s】及【（19.7±2.3）s和（8.6±1.3）s】,与健康人组的【（24.1±1.7）s和（13.4±1.4）s,P< 0.05】相比,明显缩短;肝硬化患者HA-VTT与HVPG呈负相关（r=-0.7819,P<0.01）。结论 对肝硬化患者行超声造影检查有助于对门脉高压症的监测,有着重要的临床意义。     

UDCA联合维生素D治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者外周血T细胞亚群变化及其对疗效的影响

目的 探讨补充外源性维生素D辅助熊去氧胆酸（UDCA）治疗原发性胆汁性肝硬化（PBC）患者外周血T细胞亚群的变化及其效果。方法 2014年1月~2015年12月我院收治的PBC患者92例,采用随机数字表法均分为两组,每组46例。对照组常规应用UDCA治疗,观察组采用口服维生素D联合UDCA治疗。使用美国Roche E-602全自动免疫分析仪及其配套试剂检测外周血25-羟基维生素D[25（OH）D],使用流式细胞术检测外周血CD4⁺Treg和Th17细胞水平。结果 治疗前两组实验室检测指标水平差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;治疗1年后,观察组外周血25（OH）D为（18.2±6.8） ng/ml,明显高于对照组【（15.1±5.0） ng/ml,P<0.05】,Th17细胞占比为（1.4±0.4）%,明显低于对照组【（2.0±0.5）%,P<0.05】,CD4⁺Treg细胞占比为（3.5±0.8）%,明显高于对照组【（3.1±0.4）%,P<0.05】,外周血丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）为（41.8±31.5） U/L,明显低于对照组【（68.8±33.5） U/L,P<0.05】,天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）为（37.5±30.7） U/L,明显低于对照组【（68.2±35.3）U/L,P<0.05】,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）为（131.7±62.8） U/L,明显低于对照组【（237.7±105.8） U/L,P<0.05】,γ-谷氨酰转肽酶（GGT）为（71.8±35.8）U/L,明显低于对照组【（121.7±41.2）U/L,P<0.05】;治疗前后血清25（OH）D水平与CD4⁺Treg细胞占比呈正相关（P<0.05）,而CD4⁺Treg细胞与GGT和ALP水平呈正相关（P<0.05）。结论 补充外源性维生素D有助于改善PBC患者病情,可能与其对CD4⁺Treg细胞的激活作用有关。     

彩色多普勒超声检查诊断肝移植术后胆道并发症价值分析*

目的 探讨采用彩色多普勒超声检查诊断肝移植术后胆道并发症的应用价值,为提高移植肝的存活率提供保障。方法 2014年5月~2018年9月在我院行肝移植术的54例患者,采用胆道造影和彩色多普勒超声检查胆道情况。结果 经胆道造影检查,发现14例发生了肝移植术后胆道并发症,其中胆道狭窄9例,胆管内胆泥或胆石形成5例;有并发症患者肝内胆管内径和总胆管内径分别为（4.7±2.1） mm和（7.5±3.6） mm,显著大于40例无并发症患者的（1.2±0.5） mm和（4.3±1.6） mm（P<0.05）,有并发症患者肝内胆管壁厚和总胆管壁厚分别为（2.3±0.4） mm和（4.7±1.5） mm,显著大于无并发症患者的（0.8±0.2） mm和（2.1±0.9） mm（P<0.05）;以总胆管内径>6 mm、胆管壁回声增强和总胆管壁厚度>3.5 mm作为诊断标准,彩色多普勒超声检查诊断肝移植术后胆道并发症的敏感度为57.1%,特异度为80.0%。结论 使用彩色多普勒超声检查诊断肝移植术后胆道并发症的发生具有无创、方便和可重复进行的优点,具有很大的临床应用价值。     

乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌患者预后的多因素分析*

目的 探讨影响乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌（HCC）患者预后的因素。方法 2008年1月~2015年11月在上海瑞金医院确诊和治疗的乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者469例,根据血清HBV DNA水平将患者分为高病毒载量组（HBV DNA≥1×10⁴ copies/ml）和低病毒载量组（HBV DNA<1×10⁴copies/ml）,比较两组患者肝功能、甲胎蛋白、应用核苷或核苷酸类（NAs）治疗、巴塞罗那分期对生存时间的影响。结果 在入组的469例患者中,低病毒载量组243例（51.8 %）,高病毒载量组226 例（48.2 %）;低病毒载量组平均年龄为54±10岁,高病毒载量组平均年龄为52±10岁,无显著差异（P>0.05）;在低病毒载量组中男性213例（87.7%）,女性30例（12.3%）,而在高病毒载量组中分别为205例（90.7 %）和21例（9.2 %,P>0.05）;低病毒载量组血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）和谷草转氨酶（AST）水平显著低于高病毒载量组（P<0.05）;低病毒载量组平均生存时间为（1144±732） d,显著长于高病毒载量组[（496±278） d,P<0.05];单因素分析发现影响乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者预后的因素包括是否接受NAs抗病毒治疗（P<0.01）、血清AFP≥40 μg/L（P<0.05）、血清 ALT≥64 IU/L（P<0.01）、血清AST≥40 IU/L（P<0.001）、血清总胆红素≥24 μmol/L（P<0.001）、血清直接胆红素≥6.8 μmol/L （P<0.001）、血清HBV DNA≥1×10⁴ copies/ml （P<0.001）;经多因素分析,发现BCLC 分期为晚期（HR为1.84,CI 为1.57~2.15,P<0.001）、未接受NAs治疗（P<0.01）、血清AST≥40 IU/L（P<0.05）和HBV DNA≥1×10⁴ copies/ml （P<0.001）为影响乙型肝炎相关性HCC预后的独立危险因素。结论 HCC患者的预后受到多种因素的影响,其中血清病毒载量和是否接受NAs抗病毒治疗极其重要。     

恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化临床疗效观察

目的 探讨恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的临床疗效。方法 2015年3月~2017年8月我院收治的120例失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者被随机分为对照组60例和观察组60例,分别给予恩替卡韦分散片或恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片治疗,观察24 w。结果 在治疗12 w时,观察组血清TBIL为（16.3±4.2） μmol/L,显著低于对照组的（26.3±5.2） μmol/L（P<0.05）,观察组血清ALB为（32.5±4.2）g/L,显著高于对照组的（30.2±5.3） g/L（P<0.05）;在治疗24 w时,观察组血清ALB为（37.8±2.3） g/L,显著高于对照组的（34.4±4.2） g/L（P<0.05）;观察组血清LN和C- IV分别为（65.2±15.1）ng/ml和（85.5±8.5） ng/ml,显著低于对照组的【（75.3±10.3） ng/ml和（96.2±10.3） ng/ml,P<0.05】;观察组血清HBV DNA水平为（1.0±0.1） lg copies/ml,与对照组的（1.7±0.3） lg copies/ml比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）,血清HBV DNA转阴率为100.0%,与对照组的90.0%比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）;在治疗12 w和24 w,观察组发生自发性细菌性腹膜炎（SBP）5例（8.3%）和2例（3.3%）,显著低于对照组的10例（16.7%）和8例（13.3%,P<0.05）;在治疗24 w末,观察组死亡3例（5%）,而对照组死亡10例（16.7%,P<0.05）。结论 恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者能短期改善肝功能指标,降低血清肝纤维化指标水平,减少并发症的发生。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.