儿童化学发光免疫分析中稀释方法的探讨

目的：探讨儿童化学发光免疫分析中标本量过少时,用怎样的稀释介质以及稀释方法解决这个问题,分析不同的稀释介质产生的基质效应。方法：本实验以儿童常规筛查检测项目血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸（TT3）为例,选取血清样本30例,分别使用美国贝克曼库尔特公司UniCelDX1800Access化学发光免疫分析仪测试药盒三碘甲状腺原氨酸（TT3）配套TT3定标液s0（简称TT3S0）、0．9％氯化钠、医用蒸馏水作为稀释介质进行手工2倍（1：1）及4倍（1：3）后测定。计算稀释测定结果与原始数据的差异,观察基质效应对检测结果的影响。寻找实际工作中可运用的稀释介质和稀释倍数。结果：不同稀释组与原始值之间比较,TT3S02倍（t=-0．7937,P〉0．05）、4倍稀释（t=-0．2503,P〉0．05）,以及蒸馏水2倍稀释（t=-0．2845,P〉0．05）差异均无统计学意义。而0．9％氯化钠2倍（t=-6．4686,P〈0．05）、4倍稀释（t=-3．9842,P〈0．05）,以及医用蒸馏水4倍稀释（t=-1．9957,P〈0．05）差异有统计学意义。结论：三碘甲状腺原氨酸TT3S0定标液2倍,4倍稀释方法及医用蒸馏水2倍稀释方法均可以得到较为满意的结果。三碘甲状腺原氨酸（TT3）配套TT3定标液S0可用于标本2倍及4倍稀释。当定标液获取困难,蒸馏水2倍稀释同样可以运用。     

甲状腺功能5 项检测在妊娠期妇女中的应用

目的:分析甲状腺功能5项检测在妊娠期妇女中的应用价值,为制定妊娠期妇女的甲状腺功能指标的参考值范围提供依据。方法:选取2013年8月~2014年12月我院收治的826例健康妊娠妇女(实验组)与794例非妊娠育龄妇女(对照组)为研究对象。采用电化学发光法检测甲状腺功能5项指标,即三碘甲腺原氨酸(TT3)、甲状腺素(TT4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)、游离三碘甲腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4),比较两组甲状腺功能异常率,并比较5项指标在妊娠早、中、晚期妇女与对照组中的差异。结果:(1)实验组甲状腺功能异常的发生率(39.10%)显著高于对照组(17.63%),差异有统计学意义(P0.05);(2)实验组FT4、TT4水平随着妊娠期的进展逐渐降低,TSH水平逐渐升高,且均低于对照组水平,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);而各妊娠期FT3、TT3水平比较差异无统计学意义,但均略低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:甲状腺功能5项指标检测应作为妊娠期妇女的孕期必查项目之一,且制定早、中、晚期妊娠期妇女的甲状腺功能5项指标参考值范围十分必要。     

碘131联合胰岛素泵对2型糖尿病伴发甲亢患者炎性因子和甲状腺功能的影响

摘要 目的：观察碘131联合胰岛素泵治疗2型糖尿病伴发甲亢患者的临床疗效。方法：选取2017年3月至2019年1月本院收治的2型糖尿病伴发甲亢患者110例,按随机数表法分为观察组（n=55）与对照组（n=55）,观察组患者给予碘131联合胰岛素泵治疗,对照组患者给予甲巯咪唑联合胰岛素注射治疗。分别在治疗前后检测两组患者的血糖、血清炎性因子及甲状腺功能指标,比较两组患者临床有效率及不良反应发生率。结果：观察组临床有效率为92.73%,高于对照组的74.55%（P<0.05）。治疗后,两组患者空腹血糖、餐后2 h血糖、糖化血红蛋白均下降（P<0.05）,血清肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、C-反应蛋白（CRP）、白细胞介素（IL）-6、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸（TT3）、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）、总四碘甲状腺原氨酸（TT4）、游离四碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT4）水平均下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）;观察组总不良反应率为18.18%,低于对照组的58.18%（P<0.05）。结论：碘131联合胰岛素泵治疗2型糖尿病伴发甲亢安全有效,能够更好地改善患者的甲状腺功能,降低炎性因子水平。     

2型糖尿病患者中医证型与糖脂代谢和甲状腺功能的关系

目的:探讨2型糖尿病患者中医证型与糖脂代谢和甲状腺功能的关系。方法:选择2016年1月-2017年12月期间武警宁夏总队医院收治的2型糖尿病患者104例,根据中医证型将其分为湿热困脾组23例、阴虚热盛组21例、气阴两虚组20例、阴阳两虚组22例与血瘀脉络组18例。检测并对比不同中医证型2型糖尿病患者糖脂代谢与甲状腺功能指标水平。结果:阴虚热盛组、气阴两虚组、阴阳两虚组与血瘀脉络组甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平低于湿热困脾组,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平高于湿热困脾组(P0.05);阴阳两虚组TG、TC、LDL-C水平低于阴虚热盛组、气阴两虚组、血瘀脉络组(P0.05)。湿热困脾组、气阴两虚组、阴阳两虚组与血瘀脉络组空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2h血糖(2hPPG)、糖化血红蛋白(GHb)水平低于阴虚热盛组(P0.05)。湿热困脾组、阴虚热盛组、气阴两虚组、血瘀脉络组游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)水平高于阴阳两虚组,促甲状腺激素(TSH)水平低于阴阳两虚组(P0.05),各组总甲状腺素(TT4)、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)水平总体比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:糖脂代谢和甲状腺功能能够在一定程度上反映出2型糖尿病患者的中医证型变化,可作为2型糖尿病患者中医证型与病情变化的有效参考指标。     

甲状腺全切除术与双叶切除术对甲状腺微小癌患者血清甲状腺激素水平、预后及生活质量的影响

目的:探讨甲状腺全切除术与双叶切除术对甲状腺微小癌患者血清甲状腺激素水平、预后及生活质量的影响。方法:回顾性分析2016年2月～2018年8月期间我院收治的甲状腺微小癌患者103例的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同分为A组(n=50,双叶切除术)和B组(n=53,甲状腺全切除术),比较两组围术期指标、甲状腺激素水平、生活质量、并发症及复发情况。结果:B组术中出血量少于A组,手术时间、住院时间、切口长度短于A组(P0.05)。术后3个月,两组血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)水平均较术前降低,且B组低于A组(P0.05)。术后12个月,两组生活质量简表(SF-36)量表各维度评分均较术前升高,且B组高于A组(P0.05)。B组并发症发生率低于A组(P0.05);两组复发率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:甲状腺全切除术治疗甲状腺微小癌患者的预后与双叶切除术相当,可有效改善临床指标、生活质量和甲状腺功能,同时还可减少并发症发生率。     

不同剂量口服碘对甲亢患者的治疗效果评价

为探究不同剂量口服碘对甲状腺功能亢进患者的治疗效果与影响,本研究选取荆州市第一人民医院在2011年9月至2015年2月收治的120例甲亢患者,随机分为观察组(n=60)和对照组(n=60),给予观察组患者小剂量口服碘进行治疗,人均剂量为2.85 MBq/g;给予对照组患者大剂量口服碘进行治疗,人均剂量为4.47 MBq/g,观察比较两组患者血清内促甲状腺激素(TSH)、四碘甲状腺原氨酸(T4)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)、三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)水平的变化,以此评价甲状腺功能减退的发生率及治疗效果。研究结果显示,观察组患者的总有效率为96.67%,对照组为76.67%;观察组患者甲状腺功能降低的发生率为1.67%,对照组为16.67%,观察组的疗效显著优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(p0.05)。经治疗后,两组患者血清内的FT3、FT4、T3及T4水平均显著降低,TSH水平明显高,差异具有统计学意义(p0.05),但治疗后观察组和对照组两组患者血清内的T3、T4、FT3、FT4和TSH水平均无显著差异(p0.05)。研究表明,小剂量口服碘能够有效治疗甲状腺功能亢进,且小剂量碘能够降低甲亢的发生率,疗效显著,值得临床广泛应用。     

甲状腺素是一种前激素吗?

50年代前,四碘甲腺原氨酸(T_4)一直被认为是甲状腺所分泌的、唯一直接在细胞水平发挥生理作用的激素。1952年Gross和Pitt-Rivers首次发现:人类血清中存在三碘甲腺原氨酸(T_3)。此后的研究证明:T_3也是甲状腺分泌的一种激素,其浓度虽仅为T_4的1/40;但无论在动物或人类,T_3的生理作用均比T_4大3～5倍。给予无甲状腺病人T_4后,可转变为     

超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断的临床价值研究

目的:探讨超声弹性成像联合血清促甲状腺激素(TSH)、总三碘甲状腺原氨酸(TT3)、总甲状腺素(TT4)在甲状腺结节良恶性诊断的临床价值。方法:选择2018年1月至2019年12月我院收治的甲状腺结节患者80例,根据病理检查结果分为良性结节组(48例),恶性结节组(32例),所有患者术前进行血清TSH、TT3、TT4及超声弹性成像检查,比较各组血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平及超声弹性成像评分,分析甲状腺结节患者血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平与超声弹性成像评分的相关性,超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4在甲状腺恶性结节诊断的临床价值。结果:恶性结节组血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平显著高于良性结节组,超声弹性成像评分高分比例显著高于良性结节组(P<0.05),经Pearson相关分析显示,甲状腺结节患者血清TSH、TT3、TT4水平与超声弹性成像评分呈正相关(P<0.05)。以病理诊断为金标准,超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4诊断甲状腺恶性结节的灵敏度为96.88%,特异度为93.75%,准确度为95.00%,灵敏度、特异度和准确度优于单独血清TSH、TT3、TT4检测和单独超声弹性成像检测。结论:超声弹性成像联合血清TSH、TT3、TT4对甲状腺结节良恶性的鉴别诊断具有较好的临床价值。     

阿立哌唑与利培酮对男性精神分裂症患者性功能、甲状腺素水平及糖脂代谢的影响

目的:探讨阿立哌唑与利培酮对男性精神分裂症患者性功能、甲状腺素水平及糖脂代谢的影响。方法:选取我院于2016年1月至2017年10月期间收治的92例精神分裂症患者。根据数表法将患者随机分为对照组(n=46)与研究组(n=46),对照组给予利培酮治疗,研究组给予阿立哌唑治疗,两组均治疗8周。观察两组患者临床疗效、性功能、糖脂代谢、甲状腺素水平。结果:研究组患者临床总有效率为84.78%(39/46),高于对照组的78.26%(36/46),但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组治疗前后性欲、性唤起以及性高潮比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);对照组治疗后上述指标低于治疗前和研究组(P0.05)。研究组治疗前后三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),游离甲状腺素(FT4)低于治疗前(P0.05);对照组治疗后T4、FT3以及FT4低于治疗前和研究组(P0.05)。研究组治疗前后总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FPG)以及餐后2 h血糖(2hPG)比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);对照组治疗后TG、HDL-C、FPG以及2hPG高于治疗前和研究组(P0.05)。结论:阿立哌唑对男性精神分裂症患者的性功能、甲状腺素水平及糖脂代谢影响较小,与利培酮均具有较好的治疗效果,可做进一步推广应用。     

左甲状腺素联合碘131对甲状腺功能亢进症患者甲状腺体积、TR-Ab和TPOAb水平的影响

目的:研究左甲状腺素联合碘131对甲状腺功能亢进症患者甲状腺体积、促甲状腺激素受体抗体(Thyrotropin receptor antibody,TR-Ab)和甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(Thyroid peroxidase antibody,TPOAb)水平的影响。方法:选择2013年1月-2019年1月我院收治的68例甲状腺功能亢进症患者,随机分为两组。对照组使用小剂量(111～148 MBq)的碘131,观察组在碘131的基础上,联合服用左甲状腺素,每次12.5μg,每日1次,均治疗3个月后观察疗效及甲状腺体积、TR-Ab和TPOAb水平变化。结果:观察组治疗3个月后的有效率明显高于对照组(P0.05);治疗前,两组的甲状腺体积、TR-Ab和TPOAb水平无明显差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组的上述指标均明显降低(P0.05),且观察组明显低于对照组(P0.05);治疗前,两组的血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(Free triiodothyronine,FT3)、促甲状腺素(Thyroxine,TSH)和游离四碘甲状腺素(Free tetraiodothyroxine,FT4)水平无明显差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组的血清FT3和FT4水平明显降低(P0.05),血清TSH水平明显升高(P0.05),观察组更加明显(P0.05);治疗前,两组的血清甲状腺球蛋白(Thyroglobulin,Tg)和半胱氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂C(Cysteine protease inhibitor C,Cys C)水平无明显差异(P0.05),治疗后,两组的血清Tg和Cys C水平明显降低(P0.05),观察组明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:左甲状腺素联合碘131对甲状腺功能亢进症有确切的疗效,能有效阻碍甲状腺自身抗体产生,改善甲状腺功能,降低血清Tg和Cys C水平。     

Growth Rates of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius in Nature

Turnover times for water passing through several Sulfolobus acidocaldarius-containing springs were determined by measuring the dilution rates of small amounts of sodium chloride that were added to the springs. Chloride was diluted out exponentially, while concentrations of the bacteria remained constant. Additionally, temperature, pH, and chemical composition of the springs also remained constant during the time that the chloride was being diluted. The springs are thus steady-state systems, and since the rates of bacterial growth must be at least equal to the chloride dilution rates, minimal doubling times for the bacterial populations can be calculated. Half-times for chloride dilution, equivalent to bacterial doubling times, were on the order of 10 to 20 h for springs ranging in volume from about 20 to 2,000 liters, but approximately 30 days for two larger springs of about 1 million liters. Formaldehyde-fixed cells of a serologically distinguishable strain of S. acidocaldarius were also added as markers to four of the smaller springs, and the dilution rates of these bacteria were compared with the chloride dilution rates. The rates agreed reasonably well, thus verifying the growth rates obtained from the chloride dilution rates. In three springs, exponential growth was studied by draining the springs and allowing them to refill with bacteria-free water. Exponential doubling times were on the order of a few hours, much more rapid than steady-state doubling times. The methods used in this work may have wider utility in aquatic environments.     

Thirst and salt appetite in horses treated with furosemide.

When a preliminary experiment in sodium-replete ponies revealed an increase, but not a significant increase, in salt consumption after furosemide treatment, the experiment was repeated using sodium-deficient horses in which aldosterone levels might be expected to be elevated to test the hypothesis that a background of aldosterone is necessary for salt appetite. Ten Standardbred mares were injected intravenously with furosemide or an equivalent volume of 0.9% sodium chloride as a control to test the effect of furosemide on their salt appetite and blood constituents. Sodium intake and sodium loss in urine, as well as water intake and urine output, were measured and compared to determine accuracy of compensation for natriuresis and diuresis. Plasma protein and packed cell volume showed significant increases in response to furosemide treatment (F = 29.31, P less than 0.001 and F = 11.20, P less than 0.001, respectively). There were no significant changes in plasma sodium concentration or osmolality in response to the treatment (P greater than 0.05). The furosemide-treated horses consumed 126 +/- 14.8 g salt, significantly more than when they were given the control injection (94.5 +/- 9.8 g; t = 2.22, P = 0.05). In response to furosemide, horses lost 962 +/- 79.7 and consumed 2,170 +/- 5 meq sodium; however, compared with control, they lost 955 meq more sodium and ingested only 570 meq more sodium, so they were undercompensating for natriuresis. The furosemide-treated horses drank 9.6 +/- 0.8 kg of water, significantly more than when they received the control injection (6.4 +/- 0.8 kg; t = 6.9, P less than 0.001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Advances in cryopreservation of stallion semen in modified INRA82.

In the procedure used in this paper, semen was first diluted in INRA82+2% egg yolk (E1) at 37 degrees C. Before or after cooling to 4 degrees C, semen was centrifuged and diluted in E1+2.5% glycerol (E2). Cooled semen was frozen in 0.5-ml straws. Straws were thawed at 37 degrees C for 30s. For fertility trials, frozen ejaculates were used only if total post-thaw motility was above 35%. Most mares were inseminated two times before ovulation with 400 x 10(6) total spermatozoa every 24h. This paper presents post-thaw motility (CASA) and fertility results obtained when some steps of the procedure were evaluated.Use of the first three jets of ejaculate before the centrifugation did not improve post-thaw motility compared to use of the whole semen (25% versus 25%, 2 stallions x 12 ejaculates, P>0.80). When the first dilution was performed in E2 at 22 degrees C instead of in E1 at 37 degrees C, motility was slightly improved (38% versus 36%, n>283 ejaculates per group, P<0.04) but fertility was similar (51% versus 58%, n>196 cycles per group, P>0.10). Coating the spermatozoa with 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8mM of Concanavalin A resulted in unchanged post-thaw motility (6 stallions x 3 ejaculates, P>0.05). The extender E2 was modified or supplemented with different substances. Increasing egg yolk concentration from 2 to 4% (v/v) did not increase post-thaw motility (42% versus 34%, 6 stallions x 2 ejaculates, P>0.05). Different glycerol concentrations (range: 1.7-3.7%) had no significant effect on post-thaw motility even though 2.4-2.8% resulted in a nonsignificant higher motility (7 stallions x 2 ejaculates, P>0.05). Glutamine at 50mM in E2 improved post-thaw motility compared with no glutamine (49% versus 46%, n>584 ejaculates per group, P<0.0001) but not fertility (53% versus 54%, n>451 cycles per group, P>0.80). Thawing at 75 degrees C for 10s slightly increased motility after 120 min at 37 degrees C (6 stallions x 1 ejaculate, P<0.05) but no effect on per-cycle fertility was noted (32% (19 cycles) versus 41% (17 cycles), P>0.50). When post-thaw dilution was performed using a fixed molarity multi-step system (25 mOsm per step) from various osmolarities (900-690 mOsm) to 365 mOsm, motility was unaffected compared with dilution in one step (36% versus 38%, 6 stallions x 1 ejaculate, P>0.20).     

Timing of insemination relative to ovulation in pigs: effects on sex ratio of offspring

The objective of the present study was to identify effects of the interval between insemination and ovulation in pigs on the sex ratio and sex ratio dispersion of offspring. Crossbred sows that had farrowed 2 to 9 litters were weaned (Day 0) and came into estrus between Days 3 and 7 after weaning. Ultrasonography was performed every 6 h, from 12 h after the onset of estrus until ovulation had been observed. The sows were inseminated once at various intervals from the onset of estrus. At farrowing, the numbers of viable piglets and dead piglets were recorded per sow. In four 12-h intervals between insemination and ovulation (36 to 24 h before ovulation, 24 to 12 h before ovulation, 12 to 0 h before ovulation and 0 to 12 h after ovulation), the total number of piglets was (mean+/-SEM) 10.8+/-1.2 (n=15); 13.4+/-0.7 (n=23); 13.2+/-0.9 (n=21); and 12.1+/-1.0 (n=16), respectively (P>0.05). The percentage of male piglets per litter in the four 12-h intervals was 52.1+/-3.6, 50.5+/-2.7, 54.9+/-2.8 and 47.8+/-4.5, respectively (P>0.05). Sex ratio was not influenced by litter size (P>0.05), and its distribution was normally dispersed (i.e., as expected under a binomial distribution) in all 4 intervals between insemination and ovulation (P>0.05).     

地佐辛对骨关节病髋关节置换术患者炎症应激反应及认知功能的影响

目的:探讨地佐辛对骨关节病髋关节置换术(THA)患者术后炎症应激反应及认知功能的影响。方法:选取汉中市中心医院2017年1月至2018年12月收治的97例骨关节病行THA患者,采用随机数字法将其分为观察组(n=49例)对照组(n=48例)。观察组患者术毕前20 min给予地佐辛2.5 mg。对照组患者术毕前20 min给予0.9%氯化钠作为安慰剂。对比术前及术后1h、6h、12h两组白细胞介素(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平、肾上腺素及皮质醇水平;于术前、术后1d、3d、7d采用简易智力精神状态检查量表(MMSE)对所有患者认知功能进行评定并行组间比较,记录两组不良反应发生情况。结果:术前两组IL-6、TNF-α水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组术后1h、6h、12h IL-6水平、术后12h TNF-α水平低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术前两组肾上腺素及皮质醇水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组术后12h肾上腺素及术后6h、12h皮质醇水平低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术前及术后7d两组MMSE评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组术后1d及3d MMSE评分明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。两组不良反应发生率差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:地佐辛可显著降低骨关节病患者行THA术后炎症因子水平,改善术后应激状态,保护患者认知功能,且患者安全耐受,具有一定的临床应用价值。     

利妥昔单抗注射液联合化疗治疗B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤的疗效观察

目的:观察利妥昔单抗注射液联合化疗治疗B细胞非霍奇金淋巴瘤(B-NHL)的疗效。方法:将2013年1月至2014年12月我院收治的71例B-NHL患者分为对照组(n=35例)和观察组(n=36例)。对照组给予常规化疗方案进行治疗,观察组在此基础上加用利妥昔单抗进行治疗,3个周期后评价其疗效及安全性。结果:观察组总有效率为91.67%,明显高于对照组的68.57%,对比差异有统计学意义(x2=5.979,P0.05);观察组不良反应总发生率为41.67%,略低于对照组的45.71%,但无统计学差异(x2=0.118,P0.05)。结论:利妥昔单抗注射液联合化疗治疗B-NHL中期疗效显著,且无严重不良反应,值得临床推广。     

The effect of the extract of Crocus sativus and its constituent safranal, on lung pathology and lung inflammation of ovalbumin sensitized guinea-pigs

Different pharmacological effects of Crocus sativus have been demonstrated on guinea pig tracheal chains in previous studies. In the present study, the prophylactic effect of the extract of C. sativus and its constituent, safranal on lung pathology and total and differential white blood cells (WBC) of sensitized guinea pigs was examined. Guinea pigs were sensitized with injection and inhalation of ovalbumin (OA). One group of sensitized guinea pigs were given drinking water alone (group S) and three groups were given drinking water containing three concentrations of safranal (S+SA1, S+SA2 and S+SA3 groups), three groups, drinking water containing three concentrations of extract (S+CS1, S+CS2 and S+CS3 groups) and one group drinking water containing one concentration of dexamethasone (S+D group) (n=6, for all groups). The lung pathology was evaluated in control, non treated and treated sensitized groups. Total and differential WBC counts of lung lavage were also examined. All pathological indices in group S showed significant increased compared to control group (p<0.05 for lung congestion and p<0.001 for other groups). Total WBC number (p<0.001), eosinophyl percentage (p<0.001) in lung lavage and serum histamine levels (p<0.01) were also increased in sensitized animals compared to those of controls. Treatment of S animals with dexamethasone, all concentrations of the extract and safranal significantly improved lung pathological changes, most types of WBC and serum histamine levels compared to group S (p<0.05-0.001). Treatment of S group with first concentration of safranal also decreased total WBC. Treatment with safranal was more effective in improvement of most pathological changes, total and differential WBC count as well as serum histamine level (p<0.05-0.001). These results showed a preventive effect of the extract of C. sativus and its constituent safranal on lung inflammation of sensitized guinea pigs. The results also showed that the effect of the plant is perhaps due to its constituent safranal.     

The acute phase response alters cationic amino acid transporter expression in growing chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

The effect of an acute phase response (APR) on cationic amino acid transporter (CAT1-3) mRNA expression in liver, muscle, bursa and thymus was determined in broiler strain chickens. The APR was initiated by injecting Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide subcutaneously (LPS; 1 mg/kg bw). In Experiment 1, CAT1-3 mRNA expression was determined at multiple time points following LPS administration. LPS increased bursa and liver total and high affinity CAT mRNA expression (P<0.05) and transiently increased pectoralis total CAT mRNA expression (P<0.05). Total CAT mRNA expression in the thymus decreased 7.7-fold from 0 to 8 h after LPS injection (P<0.05). In Experiment 2, fasted chicks were uninjected or LPS-injected. LPS increased total and high affinity CAT mRNA 2-fold in both the bursa and liver (P<0.05) and did not change thymus total and high affinity CAT mRNA expression (P>0.05). LPS increased liver weight only (P<0.05) and did not alter the plasma lysine and arginine concentration (P>0.05). In Experiments 3 and 4, thymocyte proliferation and total protein content were dependent upon the media lysine concentration (P<0.001). The inability of the thymus to compete for lysine and arginine during the APR may limit the ability of thymocytes to develop during infections.     

Aconitase: its source of catalytic protons

An ordinary isotope partition experiment was performed to determine the rate of dissociation of the proton from the donor site for the hydration of cis-aconitate. Aconitase in [3H]water was efficiently diluted into well-mixed solutions of cis-aconitate. Citrate and isocitrate that were formed within 2 s were more heavily labeled than could be explained by consideration of an isotope effect in the processing of one proton per enzyme equivalent. Control experiments indicate that mixing was much more rapid than catalytic turnover, ruling out incompletely diluted [3H]water as a significant isotope source. Therefore, it appears that significantly more than one enzyme-bound tritium atom (protons) must have been used in the course of the multiple turnover of the enzyme after the dilution was complete. Isotope incorporation reached values in excess of four proton equivalents as a limit with simple Michaelis dependence on cis-aconitate. From the half-saturation concentration value for trapping, 0.15 mM, the t 1/2 for exchange of each of these protons with solvent appears to be approximately 0.1 s at 0 degrees C. The large number of protons trapped seems to suggest the existence of a structurally stabilized pool of protons, or water, that communicates between the active site base and the medium in the hydration of cis-aconitate. The proton abstracted in the dehydration of [3H]citrate is transferred directly to undissociated cis-aconitate to form isocitrate without dilution, or cis-aconitate having dissociated, the tritium passes to the medium, presumably through the pool of bound protons indicated above. All of the citrate-derived protons can be found in isocitrate if cis-aconitate is added in sufficient concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)