Usefulness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance in detection of ejection fraction changes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate a usefulness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) in following adaptive haemodynamic adjustments to postural change and isometric exercise. Sixteen subjects with intact cardiovascular system took part in this study. Haemodynamic parameters were obtained in recumbency and after taking up erect posture. Besides, TEB was performed during handgrip test and the results were compared with baseline resting data. Each time the radionuclide ventriculography (RV) was performed concurrently with TEB to obtain an independent measurement of ejection fraction (EF). Active orthostasis was associated with a change in stroke volume, cardiac output and total vascular resistance by -29.7%, -3.4%, +3.9%, respectively. The handgrip produced a significant increase in cardiac output by 16.3%, however it was not associated with an enhancement of stroke volume. Although there was a moderate correlation between EF calculated by TEB and RV in supine position (r=0.66; p < 0.001), TEB failed to reflect changes of EF in orthostasis and isometric exercise. In conclusion, our results suggest that TEB offers in subjects with normal cardiovascular function a valuable alternative to cardiovascular monitoring of stroke volume and cardiac output, but calculation of EF is associated with a risk of serious error.     

Stress induced IL-10 does not seem to be essential for early monocyte deactivation following cardiac surgery

An increase in circulating levels of IL-10 is believed to contribute to immunosuppression caused by major surgery. Cortisol and catecholamines have been shown to be important costimulatory factors for IL-10 secretion in humans. As thoracic epidural block (TEB) should blunt the perioperative increases in cortisol and catecholamines we investigated whether IL-10 secretion is influenced by TEB. Twenty-six patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized to receive either general anesthesia (GA) or GA plus TEB. Sensory and pain levels were measured to demonstrate clinical effectiveness. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, IL-6 and IL-10 as well as monocyte surface expression of HLA-DR and their ex vivo capacity to release TNF-alpha after LPS stimulation were measured perioperatively. TEB was clinically effective and patients receiving TEB showed decreased circulating levels of IL-10. However, this decrease was independent of decreased levels of cortisol or epinephrine. No influence of TEB on IL-6 levels, monocyte capacity to ex vivo release TNF-alpha upon LPS stimulation or their expression of HLA-DR was found. In conclusion, high TEB reduces antiinflammatory immune suppressing mediators including IL-10 and stress mediators. At least in cardiac surgery patients the monocyte functional depression is not related to systemic release of IL-10 and the influence of cortisol or epinephrine is less important for early monocyte deactivation than what in vitro and animal models have suggested.     

交感神经阻滞对糖尿病心腔扩张顽固心衰的疗效

目的:探讨交感神经阻滞对有糖尿病、心腔扩张的顽固心衰患者心脏收缩功能和心腔大小的影响。方法:经胸3～胸4棘突间隙穿刺至硬膜外腔,留置硬膜外导管,0.5%利多卡因3～5ml每2h推注一次,持续4w,适当辅以常规治疗。测定并比较TEB治疗前及后4w射血分数(EF)、左室内径(LVED)和左房内径(LAED)等指标的变化。结果:治疗后左室射血分数(EF)由治疗前的(31.53±9.29)%升为(44.75±8.32)%(P0.05);左室内径(LVED)由治疗前的(70.59±6.25)mm缩减到(63.59±7.05)mm(P0.05);左房内径(LAED)由治疗前的(46.16±7.19)mm缩减到(39.05±7.23)mm(P0.05)。结论:心区交感神经阻滞结合常规用药对有糖尿病、心腔扩张的顽固心衰患者的心脏功能有明显改善作用,并使其扩大的心脏明显缩小。     

p120-catenin is essential for terminal end bud function and mammary morphogenesis

Although p120-catenin (p120) is crucial for E-cadherin function, ablation experiments in epithelial tissues from different organ systems reveal markedly different effects. Here, we examine for the first time the consequences of p120 knockout during mouse mammary gland development. An MMTV-Cre driver was used to target knockout to the epithelium at the onset of puberty. p120 ablation was detected in approximately one-quarter of the nascent epithelium at the forth week post-partum. However, p120 null cells were essentially nonadherent, excluded from the process of terminal end bud (TEB) morphogenesis and lost altogether by week six. This elimination process caused a delay in TEB outgrowth, after which the gland developed normally from cells that had retained p120. Mechanistic studies in vitro indicate that TEB dysfunction is likely to stem from striking E-cadherin loss, failure of cell-cell adhesion and near total exclusion from the collective migration process. Our findings reveal an essential role for p120 in mammary morphogenesis.     

Protective effect of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens against infections of Citrus aurantium seedlings by Phoma tracheiphila

Isolate TEB1 an antagonistic endophytic bacterium, obtained from citrus leaves and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by 16S rDNA sequencing, was used for the biological control of mal secco disease of Citrus aurantium seedlings caused by the mitosporic fungus Phoma tracheiphila. The isolate TEB1 exhibited a good in vitro activity against P. tracheiphila in dual cultures as well as with the well diffusion method. C. aurantium seedlings watered with a suspension of TEB1 cells showed a reduction of 53.61 and 48.63 % in disease severity and incidence, respectively. A PCR test with specific primers was performed 365 days after inoculation and P. tracheiphila was detected along the whole stem in inoculated control plant while no amplification product was obtained in TEB1 treated seedlings. Molecular analysis of TEB1 revealed a positive amplification of fenD and ituC genes responsible of the biosynthesis of fengycin and iturin lipopeptides, respectively. Moreover, observations by optical microscope showed that TEB1 reduced by 55 % the germination of P. tracheiphila conidia and exhibited a marked effect on mycelia structure. Data suggest that lipopeptides produced by the bacterium interact with the cytoplasmic membrane of the fungus causing pore formation. TEB1 appears a potential candidate for the biological control of citrus mal secco disease.     

特比萘芬与其他抗真菌药物对外阴阴道念珠菌病病原菌的体外相互作用研究

目的 了解特比萘芬( TEB)分别与氟康唑(FLU)、伊曲康唑(ITR)、咪康唑(MCZ)、克霉唑(CMZ)及制霉菌素(NYS)联合对外阴阴道念珠菌病患者分离的念珠菌体外相互作用.方法 受试念珠菌株46株,包括白念珠菌(20株)、热带念珠菌(15株)、光滑念珠菌(4株)、克柔念珠菌(3株)、近平滑念珠菌(3株)和季也蒙念珠菌(1株).方法参考CLSIM27-A3方案中的微量液基稀释法,观察各药单独和联合后的MIC,并计算FICI.结果 TEB、FLU、ITR、MCZ、CMZ和NYS 的单药MIC范围分别为0.5～256μg/mL、0.5～ 128 μg/mL、0.5 ～ 32.0 μg/mL,0.125 ～ 16μg/mL、0.03 ～ 4.0 μg/mL和2～8μg/mL.当TEB与FLU、ITR、MCZ和CMZ联合时,对白念株菌表现为协同作用的分别为100％ (20/20),80％ (16/20),55％ (11/20)和90％ (18/20);对1株季也蒙念珠菌均显示为协同作用;对热带念珠菌,TEB分别与上述4种唑类药物联合时,显示有协同作用的分别为67％ (10/15),60％ (9/15),20％(3/15)和20％ (3/15);TEB与唑类药物联合对光滑念珠菌、克柔念珠菌和近平滑念珠菌均无协同作用;TEB与NYS联合时对所有菌株均无协同作用.结论 TEB与唑类药物联合对不同种的念珠菌显示有不同的效应,但对外阴阴道念珠菌病主要的致病菌白念珠菌显示有良好的协同作用.TEB与NYS联合对念株菌均无协同作用.     

Transient electric birefringence of human erythroid spectrin dimers and tetramers at ionic strengths of 4 mm and 53 mm

In conventional electrooptic studies the sample ionic strength must for technical reasons be kept below about 3 mm, which is only 2% of the ionic strength at physiological conditions. In particular for flexible polyelectrolytic macromolecules it can in general not be ruled out that both the conformational average and dynamics at ionic strength 3 mm and below may differ significantly from what it is at physiological conditions. Here we report on the first electrooptic study of human erythroid spectrin dimers and tetramers at ionic strengths higher than 3 mm. All measurements in this study were carried out at both ionic strength 4 mm (2.5 mm HEPES + 1 mm NaCl) and 53 mm (2.5 mm HEPES + 50 mm NaCl). Spectrin tetramers were studied only at 4°C whereas the dimers were studied at both 4 °C and 37°C. At 4°C there is a striking quantitative similarity between the transient electric birefringence (TEB) of spectrin dimers and tetramers. Also, the TEB of spectrin dimers at 37°C was very similar to the results at 4°C. The contour length and the molecular weight of spectrin dimers and tetramers are known. The dominating TEB relaxation time is in all cases only a fraction of what is predicted theoretically if the spectrin dimers and tetramers are assumed to be stiff and extended molecules. In sum, the new TEB data constitute strong electrooptic evidence confirming that spectrin dimers and tetramers have a highly flexible structure, and demonstrate for the first time that a major part of the intrachain dynamics of the spectrin is quite insensitive to an increase of the ionic strength from 4 mm to 53 mm. Use of the reversing electric field pulse technique for all conditions studied yields TEB data suggesting that the orientation of both spectrin dimers and tetramers in an electric field is dominated by a permanent rather than an induced electric dipole moment. Received: 26 August 1998 / Revised version: 8 February 1999 / Accepted: 11 February 1999     

Involvement of axonal guidance proteins and their signaling partners in the developing mouse mammary gland

Mammary morphogenesis in the mouse is driven by specialized structures at the ends of the developing ducts, the terminal end buds (TEB). The mechanisms controlling the precise branching and spacing of the ducts are, as yet, unknown. To identify genes that are associated with migration of TEB and differentiation of the subtending ducts, we developed a novel method of isolating TEB and ducts free of stroma, and compared the gene expression profiles of these two isolates using oligonucleotide microarrays. Ninety one genes were upregulated in TEB compared to ducts. Three of these genes, Sprr1A, Sema3B, and BASP1, are associated with axonal growth and guidance. Two additional members of the Sprr family, Sprr2A and 2B, not previously associated with axonal growth, were also highly expressed in TEB. Expression of these genes was confirmed by RT-PCR and Western blotting, and the cellular distribution of Sprr1A and BASP1 was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. Other semaphorins, including Sema3C, 4A, 4F and the cancer invasion associated Sema 4D were also expressed in the mouse mammary gland along with the semaphorin receptors, Plexins A2, A3, B2, and D1, and Neuropilins 1 and 2. These results are discussed in the context of other proteins expressed in the developing gland that are known to be downstream effectors of these signaling molecules. We suggest that these genes may influence ductal growth and morphogenesis in the developing mammary gland.     

Flexibility of nucleosomal DNA

In this study transient electric birefringence (TEB) has been used to investigate the molecular flexibility of short fragments of DNA. Nucleosomal DNA always exhibits negative birefringence and Kerr behavior was observed up to high field strengths (6 KV/cm). The value of the Kerr constant is 3.5 10^?2 e.s.u.. Birefringence decays were single exponentials and a field dependence of the molecular orientational relaxation time τ was found: it is explained by an inherent flexibility of the DNA molecule. A 20 % decrease in the calculated length was observed with fields applied as low as 2 KV/cm. The results obtained at very low fields establish TEB as a method well suited to calculate accurate values for the length of small fragments of DNA: the τ value of 4.3 μsec corresponds to a DNA length of 660 Å.     

Vitreous cryopreservation of tissue engineered bone composed of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and partially demineralized bone matrix

Cryopreservation of tissue engineered products by maintaining their structure and function is a prerequisite for large-scale clinical applications. In this study, we examined the feasibility of cryopreservation of tissue engineered bone (TEB) composed of osteo-induced canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (cBMSCs) and partially demineralized bone matrix (pDBM) scaffold by vitrification. A novel vitreous solution named as VS442 containing 40% dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO), 40% EuroCollins (EC) solution and 20% basic culture medium (BCM) was developed. After being cultured in vitro for 8 days, cell/scaffold complex in VS442 was subjected to vitreous preservation for 7 days and 3 months, respectively. Cell viability, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of cBMSCs in TEB after vitreous cryopreservation were examined with parallel comparisons being made with those cryopreserved in VS55 vitreous solution. Compared with that cryopreserved in VS55, cell viability and subsequent proliferative ability of TEB in VS442 after being rewarmed were significantly higher as detected by live/dead staining and DNA assay. The level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and osteocalcin (OCN) deposition in VS442 preserved TEB was also higher than those in the VS55 group since 3 days post-rewarm. Both cell viability and osteogenic capability of the VS55 group were found to be declined to a negligible level within 15 days post-rewarm. Furthermore, it was observed that extending the preservation of TEB in VS442 to 3 months did not render any significant effect on its survival and osteogenic potential. Thus, the newly developed VS442 vitreous solution was demonstrated to be more efficient in maintaining cellular viability and osteogenic function for vitreous cryopreservation of TEB over VS55.     

侧孢芽孢杆菌Bl13对番茄早疫病防治效果及机制

以对番茄早疫病原菌有良好拮抗效果的侧孢芽孢杆菌Bl13为研究对象,采用盆栽试验,通过测定番茄株高、茎粗、番茄早疫病病情指数、叶片内防御酶活性以及根区土壤微生物多样性、微生物群落结构组成等指标,探究侧孢芽孢杆菌Bl13防治番茄早疫病的效果及机制。结果表明: 接种Bl13可显著降低番茄早疫病的病情指数,提高叶片内多酚氧化酶(PPO)、过氧化物酶(POD)等防御酶活性,降低病害对植物地上部分及根系生长发育的影响。同时,改善番茄根区土壤微生物群落结构,使芽孢杆菌属、假单胞菌属等常见有益菌属相对丰度显著提高,油壶菌属、血赤壳属相对丰度显著降低。侧孢芽孢杆菌Bl13可通过提高番茄叶片内防御酶活性并增加根区中有益微生物的数量来增强植物对番茄早疫病的抗性,从而实现对番茄早疫病的防治。     

Protective role of tebuconazole and trifloxystrobin in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under cadmium stress via enhancement of antioxidant defense and glyoxalase systems

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal and an environmental pollutant that significantly reduces plant growth and productivity. Proper management can ameliorate dysfunction and improve the plant growth and productivity exposed to Cd. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explore the protective role of the fungicides tebuconazole (TEB) and trifloxystrobin (TRI) in helping wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Norin 61) seedlings to tolerate Cd. Five-day-old hydroponically grown seedlings were allowed to mild (0.25 mM CdCl₂) and severe (0.5 mM CdCl₂) Cd stress separately and with the fungicides (2.75 µM TEB + 1.0 µM TRI) for the next four days. Compared to control, the level of H₂O₂ in the seedlings exposed to mild and severe Cd stress alone increased by 81 and 112%, respectively. The accumulation of Cd also increased in the wheat seedlings along with declining mineral nutrients under Cd stress. The protective effect of TEB and TRI was observed with the enhancement of the antioxidant defense and methylglyoxalase systems and reduction in oxidative damage. Applying TEB and TRI reduced MDA (by 9 and 18%), EL (by 21 and 17%), MG (by 12 and 17%), and LOX activity (by 37 and 27%), respectively, relative to Cd stress alone. Cadmium uptake also decreased in the shoots (by 48 and 50%, respectively) and roots (by 23 and 25%, respectively) of the fungicide-treated wheat seedlings under mild and severe Cd stress, relative to stress alone. These results indicate the exogenous application of TEB and TRI is a promising approach to improve Cd tolerance in wheat plants. Further investigation is needed under field conditions and for other crop species to determine the Cd-tolerance induced by TEB and TRI application.     

祁连山西水林区土壤阳离子交换量及盐基离子的剖面分布

以祁连山西水林区分布的棕钙土、灰褐土、栗钙土和高山草甸土为对象,研究了阳离子交换量和盐基离子(K+、Na+、Ca2+、Mg2+)的剖面分布规律及其与土壤理化因子的关系。结果表明:土壤阳离子交换量(CEC,介于4.80—48.10 cmol/kg)和盐基总量(TEB,介于4.67—21.34 cmol/kg)随剖面深度的增加逐渐减小,不同土壤类型的大小顺序为:灰褐土>高山草甸土>栗钙土>棕钙土;土壤盐基组成以Ca2+、Mg2+为主(占TEB的比例平均为71.6%、22.9%),K+、Na+所占比例较低(占TEB的比例平均为3.3%、2.2%);棕钙土、灰褐土和栗钙土盐基离子的剖面分布由浅至深呈现:K+≈Ca2+>Na+≈Mg2+,高山草甸土盐基离子则呈现:K+>Na+>Mg2+>Ca2+。不同土壤类型间盐基离子的含量及饱和度随发生层次不同存在较大差异。土壤有机质是CEC的主要贡献因素,粉粒对CEC也有显著的促进作用,而砂粒、CaCO3对CEC有显著抑制作用。土壤生物复盐基作用弱于淋溶作用,造成盐基饱和度较大(BSP,介于44.4%—97.2%),并随剖面深度的增加逐渐增大。相关性分析表明,土壤交换性Na+、Mg2+的含量及饱和度均呈极显著正相关,交换性Na+、Mg2+饱和度与CaCO3含量呈极显著正相关;pH值与BSP呈极显著正相关;土壤速效P含量与CEC呈极显著正相关,速效K含量与交换性K+含量呈极显著正相关。     

Rapid determination of isoamyl nitrite in pharmaceutical preparations by flow injection analysis with on‐line UV irradiation and luminol chemiluminescence detection

Isoamyl nitrite is used as a therapeutic reagent for cardiac angina and as an antidote for cyanide poisoning, but it is abused because of its euphoric properties. Therefore, a method to determine isoamyl nitrite is required in many fields, including pharmaceutical and forensic studies. In this study, a simple, rapid and sensitive method for the determination of isoamyl nitrite was developed using a flow injection analysis system equipped with a chemiluminescence detector and on‐line photoreactor. This method is based on on‐line ultraviolet irradiation of isoamyl nitrite and subsequent luminol chemiluminescence detection without the addition of an oxidant. A linear standard curve was obtained up to 1.0 μM of isoamyl nitrite with a detection limit (blank + 3SD) of 0.03 μM. The method was successfully applied to determine isoamyl nitrite content in pharmaceutical preparations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bee Products Prevent Agrichemical-Induced Oxidative Damage in Fish

In southern South America and other parts of the world, aquaculture is an activity that complements agriculture. Small amounts of agrichemicals can reach aquaculture ponds, which results in numerous problems caused by oxidative stress in non-target organisms. Substances that can prevent or reverse agrichemical-induced oxidative damage may be used to combat these effects. This study includes four experiments. In each experiment, 96 mixed-sex, 6-month-old Rhamdia quelen (118±15 g) were distributed into eight experimental groups: a control group that was not exposed to contaminated water, three groups that were exposed to various concentrations of bee products, three groups that were exposed to various concentrations of bee products plus tebuconazole (TEB; Folicur 200 CE™) and a group that was exposed to 0.88 mg L⁻¹ of TEB alone (corresponding to 16.6% of the 96-h LC₅₀). We show that waterborne bee products, including royal jelly (RJ), honey (H), bee pollen (BP) and propolis (P), reversed the oxidative damage caused by exposure to TEB. These effects were likely caused by the high polyphenol contents of these bee-derived compounds. The most likely mechanism of action for the protective effects of bee products against tissue oxidation and the resultant damage is that the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) are increased.     

Measurement of cardiac output by electrical impedance plethysmography

There are many potential applications for cardiac output measurement in clinical and experimental medicine. The most commonly used techniques are invasive procedures, requiring cardiac or arterial catheterization, a disadvantage that has restricted their wider application. Impedance plethysmography has been developed as a non-invasive, beat-by-beat method of cardiac output measurement, which provides an estimate of stroke volume from changes in the electrical impedance of the thorax during cardiac systole. The values for cardiac output obtained by this technique have been extensively compared with values obtained by other methods, both in experimental animals and in the human subject. In the majority of studies high correlation coefficients have been obtained, although impedance plethysmography has tended to give higher absolute values than most other methods. Values for cardiac output obtained by impedance plethysmography are best assessed by comparison with a series of normal values obtained by this technique, rather than with values obtained by other methods. We discuss the results of an investigation of normal cardiac output by impedance plethysmography; theoretical objections to impedance cardiography are considered, and various methods of determining the specific resistivity of blood are reviewed.     

Genetische Determinanten des EKG

Soon after the introduction of the electrocardiogram (ECG), the high heritabilities of many ECG parameters were recognized. About a decade ago the identification of underlying genetic variants was initiated. With the advent of genome-wide association studies, an adequate method exists to comprehensively identify heart-rhythm-associated genes and gene variants. Their molecular characterization will not only enhance our level of understanding of cardiac electrophysiology but will also offer a future option for improving therapeutic and preventive strategies against arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.     

Seeking causes: Classifying and evaluating congenital heart defects in etiologic studies

BACKGROUND: Classification and analysis of congenital heart defects (CHD) in etiologic studies is particularly challenging because of diversity of cardiac phenotypes and underlying developmental mechanisms. We describe an approach to classification for risk assessment of CHD based on developmental and epidemiologic considerations, and apply it to data from the National Birth Defect Prevention Study (NBDPS). METHODS: The classification system incorporated the three dimensions of cardiac phenotype, cardiac complexity, and extracardiac anomalies. The system was designed to facilitate the assessment of simple isolated defects and common associations. A team with cardiologic expertise applied the system to a large sample from the NBDPS. RESULTS: Of the 4,703 cases of CHDs in the NBDPS with birth years 1997 through 2002, 63.6% were simple, isolated cases. Specific associations of CHDs represented the majority of the remainder. The mapping strategy generated relatively large samples for most cardiac phenotypes and provided enough detail to isolate important subgroups of CHDs that may differ by etiology or mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: Classification of CHDs that considers cardiac and extracardiac phenotypes is practically feasible, and yields manageable groups of well-characterized phenotypes. Although best suited for large studies, this approach to classification and analysis can be a flexible and powerful tool in many types of etiologic studies of heart defects.     

Significance of penetration,excretion, and transovarial uptake to toxicity of three insect growth regulators in predatory lacewing adults

Topical treatment of the predatory lacewing adults, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) before and after the onset of oviposition with diflubenzuron (DFB) at doses based on the maximum field recommended concentration resulted in a total inhibition of egg hatch due to death of the embryo. In contrast, pyriproxyfen (PYR) and tebufenozide (TEB) did not affect fecundity and egg fertility. To explain these differences in toxicity, the patterns of penetration through the cuticle, distribution inside the insect body, and excretion were studied using [(14)C]-labeled isotopes of each insect growth regulator (IGR). Penetration of DFB and TEB reached about 16 and 26% in 7 days, whereas 88% of PYR had penetrated in 24 h. However, the rate of excretion for PYR was very high, compared to that of DFB and TEB. Low amounts of absorbed radioactivity were recovered from the female body with the exception of DFB, the ovaries and the eggs deposited during a week. DFB and PYR concentration reached a peak in the eggs deposited at the fourth and second day after treatment, respectively. The current data indicate the importance of penetration through the insect cuticle. However, other mechanisms are likely to be involved in the selectivity of the current IGRs towards this beneficial insect.