半导体激光并超短波治疗慢性前列腺炎的临床观察

目的：观察半导体激光治慢性前列腺炎的临床疗效。方法：将患者140例随机分为2组．治疗组76例,采用半导体激光并体外短波对会阴部治疗;对照组64例,单纯采用体外短波治疗。结果：治疗组有效率为89．2％;对照组有效率为76．5％。两组比较差异显著（P＜0．05）。结论：半导体激光照射治疗慢性前列腺炎可明豆糖高疗效。     

Production of associative sequences in schizophrenia and chronic brain syndrome.

"… timing differences in the associative process of schizophrenics and epileptics" was studied. Recall and a "condition of restricted association were employed… . controls were found to differ from the patient groups with respect to gross output of words… . As increased restrictions were imposed on the associative process, disturbances in the thinking of the pathological groups became more apparent… . results suggest that inappropriate responses (intrusions), which appear in the productions of psychotic individuals, are but symptomatic of a more basic disturbance in thought processes… . [Results] discussed within the framework of Hebbian theory and in relation to other theoretical formulations." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A fourth empirically derived cluster of chronic pain patients based on the Multidimensional Pain Inventory: Evidence for repression within the dysfunctional group.

The authors proposed that chronic pain patients with repressive defenses are not represented in current 3-cluster solutions of the Multidimensional Pain Inventory and that such a group can be distinguished by using a measure of defensiveness together with subscales of the MPI. For 178 pain patients, hierarchical cluster analyses were performed on the MPI and Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding. Profile analysis of validation measures showed that repressors scored comparably with dysfunctional patients on somatic symptoms of depression, pain severity, and perceived disability but significantly higher on these factors than the adaptive copers. Repressors scored comparably with adaptive copers on cognitive-affective symptoms of depression, anxiety, and anger but significantly lower on these variables than dysfunctional patients. Repressors also reported greater pain severity and perceived disability relative to their reports of negative affect, whereas dysfunctional and adaptive coper groups exhibited no such disparities. Without a measure of defensiveness, the MPI may misclassify a distinct group of patients as dysfunctional, but who readily endorse physical symptoms yet report low levels of emotional distress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biofilms in Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Impact,Risk Factors and Control Strategies

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication from diabetes mellitus, with a huge economic, social and psychological impact on the patients’ life. One of the main reasons why DFUs are so difficult to heal is related to the presence of biofilms. Biofilms promote wound inflammation and a remarkable lack of response to host defences/treatment options, which can lead to disease progression and chronicity. In fact, appropriate treatment for the elimination of these microbial communities can prevent the disease evolution and, in some cases, even avoid more serious outcomes, such as amputation or death. However, the detection of biofilm-associated DFUs is difficult due to the lack of methods for diagnostics in clinical settings. In this review, the current knowledge on the involvement of biofilms in DFUs is discussed, as well as how the surrounding environment influences biofilm formation and regulation, along with its clinical implications. A special focus is also given to biofilm-associated DFU diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. An overview on promising alternative therapeutics is provided and an algorithm considering biofilm detection and treatment is proposed.     

Deciphering Differential Life Stage Radioinduced Reproductive Decline in Caenorhabditis elegans through Lipid Analysis

Wildlife is chronically exposed to various sources of ionizing radiations, both environmental or anthropic, due to nuclear energy use, which can induce several defects in organisms. In invertebrates, reproduction, which directly impacts population dynamics, has been found to be the most radiosensitive endpoint. Understanding the underlying molecular pathways inducing this reproduction decrease can help in predicting the effects at larger scales (i.e., population). In this study, we used a life stage dependent approach in order to better understand the molecular determinants of reproduction decrease in the roundworm C. elegans. Worms were chronically exposed to 50 mGy·h⁻¹ external gamma ionizing radiations throughout different developmental periods (namely embryogenesis, gametogenesis, and full development). Then, in addition to reproduction parameters, we performed a wide analysis of lipids (different class and fatty acid via FAMES), which are both important signaling molecules for reproduction and molecular targets of oxidative stress. Our results showed that reproductive defects are life stage dependent, that lipids are differently misregulated according to the considered exposure (e.g., upon embryogenesis and full development) and do not fully explain radiation induced reproductive defects. Finally, our results enable us to propose a conceptual model of lipid signaling after radiation stress in which both the soma and the germline participate.     

Carbenoxolon Is Capable to Regulate the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening in Chronic Alcohol Intoxication

Background: carbenoxolone, which is a derivative of glyceretic acid, is actively used in pharmacology for the treatment of diseases of various etiologies. In addition, we have shown carbenoxolone as an effective inducer of mitochondrial permeability transition pore in rat brain and liver mitochondria. Methods: in the course of this work, comparative studies were carried out on the effect of carbenoxolone on the parameters of mPTP functioning in mitochondria isolated from the liver of control and alcoholic rats. Results: within the framework of this work, it was found that carbenoxolone significantly increased its effect in the liver mitochondria of rats with chronic intoxication. In particular, this was expressed in a reduction in the lag phase, a decrease in the threshold calcium concentration required to open a pore, an acceleration of high-amplitude cyclosporin-sensitive swelling of mitochondria, as well as an increase in the effect of carbenoxolone on the level of mitochondrial membrane-bound proteins. Thus, as a result of the studies carried out, it was shown that carbenoxolone is involved in the development/modulation of alcohol tolerance and dependence in rats.     

Impact of Uremic Toxins on Endothelial Dysfunction in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at a highly increased risk of cardiovascular complications, with increased vascular inflammation, accelerated atherogenesis and enhanced thrombotic risk. Considering the central role of the endothelium in protecting from atherogenesis and thrombosis, as well as its cardioprotective role in regulating vasorelaxation, this study aimed to systematically integrate literature on CKD-associated endothelial dysfunction, including the underlying molecular mechanisms, into a comprehensive overview. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of literature describing uremic serum or uremic toxin-induced vascular dysfunction with a special focus on the endothelium. This revealed 39 studies analyzing the effects of uremic serum or the uremic toxins indoxyl sulfate, cyanate, modified LDL, the advanced glycation end products N-carboxymethyl-lysine and N-carboxyethyl-lysine, p-cresol and p-cresyl sulfate, phosphate, uric acid and asymmetric dimethylarginine. Most studies described an increase in inflammation, oxidative stress, leukocyte migration and adhesion, cell death and a thrombotic phenotype upon uremic conditions or uremic toxin treatment of endothelial cells. Cellular signaling pathways that were frequently activated included the ROS, MAPK/NF-κB, the Aryl-Hydrocarbon-Receptor and RAGE pathways. Overall, this review provides detailed insights into pathophysiological and molecular mechanisms underlying endothelial dysfunction in CKD. Targeting these pathways may provide new therapeutic strategies reducing increased the cardiovascular risk in CKD.     

伴有重度肾功能不全的慢性肾小球肾炎患者可以应用依那普利吗?

目的 探讨依那普利对伴有重度肾功能不全的慢性肾小球肾炎患者的有效性和安全性。方法 慢性肾小球肾炎患者46 例, 以内生肌酐清除率(Ccr) 分为两组。高Ccr 组:Ccr 50 ml·min^-1 以上, 13 例;中Ccr 组:Ccr 25～50 ml·min^-1, 17 例;低Ccr 组:Ccr25 ml·min^-1以下, 16 例。临床观察2 mon 后, 依那普利治疗4 mon, 停药后再观察2 mon。每月动态检测尿蛋白、尿白蛋白清除率、肾功能及血清钾等指标。结果 与高、中Ccr 组相比, 依那普利在低Ccr组抗蛋白尿作用较小, 且血清钾轻度升高;治疗后3组Ccr 均降低, 而停药后低Ccr 组不恢复, 但无进行性降低。结论 依那普利对伴有重度肾功能不全的慢性肾小球肾炎患者仍具有抗蛋白尿作用, 且较为安全。     

MDMA pretreatment leads to mild chronic unpredictable stress-induced impairments in spatial learning.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a drug of abuse worldwide and a selective serotonin (5-HT) neurotoxin. An important factor in the risk of drug abuse and relapse is stress. Although multiple parallels exist between MDMA abuse and stress, including effects on 5-HTergic neurotransmission, few studies have investigated the consequences of combined exposure to MDMA and chronic stress. Therefore, rats were pretreated with MDMA and exposed 7 days later to 10 days of mild chronic unpredictable stress (CUS). MDMA pretreatment was hypothesized to enhance the effects of CUS leading to enhanced 5-HT transporter (SERT) depletion in the hippocampus and increased anxiety and cognitive impairment. Whereas MDMA alone increased anxiety-like behavior on the elevated plus maze, CUS alone or in combination with MDMA pretreatment did not increase anxiety-like behavior. In contrast, MDMA pretreatment led to CUS-induced learning impairment in the Morris water maze but not an enhanced depletion of hippocampal SERT protein. These results show that prior exposure to MDMA leads to stress-induced impairments in learning behavior that is not otherwise observed with stress alone and appear unrelated to an enhanced depletion of SERT. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)