慢性支气管炎和肺气肿大鼠肺组织腺苷A1受体表达及药物的干预作用

慢性支气管炎(以下简称慢支)、肺气肿是危害公众健康的主要病种之一，迄今其确切发病机制仍不清楚。腺苷作为一种嘌呤核苷，具有多种生理及病理作用，在慢支与肺气肿发病机制中的作用如何，本研究通过观察慢支和肺气肿大鼠模型肺组织中腺苷A1受体的表达及糖皮质激素(以下简称激素)、抗胆碱能制剂干预后腺苷A1受体表达的变化，探讨腺苷及其受体在慢支、肺气肿发病机制中的作用，为其治疗提供实验依据。     

miRNA在银屑病发病机制及治疗作用中的研究进展

［摘要］　银屑病是一种由免疫因素介导的常见慢性、复发性、炎症性疾病。目前,其病因及发病机制尚未明确。随着科学技术的进步,研究发现微小RNA（miRNA）在免疫系统的发育和调节及银屑病发病机制中均起重要作用。该文对参与银屑病发病机制的miRNA的各种研究结果及miRNA对银屑病的治疗作用的研究进展进行综述。     

代谢功能障碍相关脂肪变性肝病治疗的研究进展

［摘要］　代谢功能障碍相关脂肪变性肝病(MASLD)是慢性肝病之一,严重危害人民健康。其发病机制复杂,目前尚无特效治疗药物。近年来的研究提出了更多的发病机制及对应的治疗方案。该文对代谢功能障碍相关脂肪变性肝病治疗的研究进展作一综述。     

腺苷及其受体在炎症性肠病中作用的研究进展

近年来,炎症性肠病(inflammatory bowel disease,IBD)的发病率不断上升,但其病因和发病机制尚未完全明确。大量研究表明,腺苷及其受体调控肠道的运动、分泌、感觉、免疫和炎症反应等,在IBD的发病中起着重要作用,可能为IBD的治疗提供新的方向。本文拟对腺苷及其受体在IBD中的研究进展作一综述。     

基于NLRP3炎症小体复合物为靶点的帕金森病治疗研究新进展

［摘要］　帕金森病（PD）是第二常见的神经退行性疾病,当前尚无有效的治疗方法,主要靠药物延缓疾病进展。PD是遗传、环境和衰老共同作用的结果,其发病机制复杂。其中神经炎症是PD发病机制的重要环节,近期研究报道以核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白3（NLRP3）炎症小体为核心的神经炎症在PD炎性机制中扮演重要角色,可能是PD的潜在治疗靶点。为此,该文将论述NLRP3炎症小体在PD中的活化方式及其可能的致病机制,并讨论以NLRP3炎症小体为靶点的PD治疗新方法,为深入认识NLRP3炎症小体在PD中的作用及发掘PD治疗新策略提供参考。     

腺苷受体与支气管哮喘治疗研究新进展

腺苷受体在哮喘气道炎症中的作用已受到广泛的重视,包括促进哮喘患者气道炎症介质合成和分泌,参与支气管哮喘的气道炎症、气道高反应性及支气管收缩反应的发生和发展。本文就腺苷受体在支气管哮喘发病机制中的作用,及其在哮喘治疗中的研究价值作一综述。     

cGAS-STING信号通路与脓毒症肠屏障功能障碍相关性的研究进展

［摘要］　脓毒症的发病机制复杂。近年来研究证实，脓毒症发生时，cGAS-STING信号通路激活及作用机制对于改善脓毒症肠屏障功能障碍具有重要意义。该文就cGAS-STING信号通路的激活、cGAS-STING信号通路与脓毒症肠道炎症反应及cGAS-STING信号通路对肠屏障功能的影响作一综述。     

腺苷试验对阵发性室上性心动过速患者诱发隐匿性预激综合征的研究

［摘要］　目的　探讨静脉注射腺苷试验对阵发性室上性心动过速（PSVT）患者诱发隐匿性预激综合征的检出率。方法　静脉注射腺苷试验对45例PSVT患者和45名无PSVT者（对照组）能否诱发出预激（δ）波进行分析。结果　45例患者在静脉注射腺苷试验中诱发出预激（δ）波43例（95.55%）,对照组45名诱发出预激（δ）波2例（4.44%）,P<0.01。结论　腺苷试验对PSVT患者可诱发出预激（δ）波,可诊断隐匿性预激综合征。     

腺苷A2A受体的心脏保护作用及其分子机制

临床研究证实，腺苷能减少急性心肌梗死患者的心肌梗死面积，防止经皮冠状动脉介入治疗时出现无复流现象，减少血运重建后患者的心脏不良事件。有研究表明，腺苷A2A．受体在腺苷的心脏保护作用中起到了十分重要的作用，这可能与A2A受体激活可以扩张微血管、抑制免疫反应和促进血管修复及重建有关。本文将综述腺苷A2A受体的心脏保护作用及其分子机制。     

腺苷A2A受体的心脏保护作用及其分子机制

临床研究证实,腺苷能减少急性心肌梗死患者的心肌梗死面积,防止经皮冠状动脉介入治疗时出现无复流现象,减少血运重建后患者的心脏不良事件.有研究表明,腺苷A2A受体在腺苷的心脏保护作用中起到了十分重要的作用,这可能与A2A受体激活可以扩张微血管、抑制免疫反应和促进血管修复及重建有关.本文将综述腺苷A2A受体的心脏保护作用及其分子机制.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

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.