Histocompatibility lymphocytic antigen (HLA) typing in patients with acute exacerbation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Histocompatibility lymphocytic antigen (HLA) typing was performed in 6 patients with acute exacerbation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis whose diagnoses were established on the basis of typical histological findings, and was compared with those of 12 with subacute thyroiditis, 33 with general Hashimoto's thyroiditis and also with a control group. There was a high incidence of BW35 in patients with subacute thyroiditis, although it was only seen in 1 of 6 patients with acute exacerbation. The difference was statistically significant (p less than 0.01). Four of 6 patients with acute exacerbation had DR2 and none of them had DR4, which was the reverse of the findings for Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients in general, and the difference in the incidence of DR2 was significant (p less than 0.001). None of the HLA types in patients with acute exacerbation was significantly different from those of the control group. In conclusion, HLA typing in patients with acute exacerbation was different from those of subacute thyroiditis and general Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Acute exacerbation was considered to involve quite a limited and rather unique population among patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.     

Hyperreactivity of the bronchial tree in patients with hay fever before and after immunotherapy

Immunotherapy with Pollinex was performed in 46 patients with hay fever. Hyperreactivity of the bronchi determined with inhalation histamine test was noted in 36% of the patients. Histamine test was positive in 24% of patients treated with Pollinex. The difference was statistically insignificant.     

Inhalation anesthesia in adult cattle

An inhalation technique was used for anesthesia during ileal cannulation in five adult cows. Following sedation with intravenous acepromazine, anesthesia was induced intravenously with thiopental sodium in 5% glyceryl guaiacolate solution. Endotracheal intubation was performed and anesthesia maintained with halothane in oxygen via a circle system with a precision vaporizer. In all cases, induction was smooth and no difficulties were experienced during the maintenance of anesthesia. Total anesthesia time was 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Following completion of the surgical procedure, which was performed with the animal in left lateral recumbency, each cow was rolled to a sternal position and supported, if necessary. The endotracheal tube was left in place, with oxygen administration continued, until the animal was able to swallow. Recoveries were rapid and all animals were ambulatory within 30 minutes after completion of the surgery. The only post-operative complication due to anesthesia was transient mouth soreness in two cases, attributed to the use of a mouth speculum during intubation.     

转化生长因子β的提取、纯化及其对肝细胞凋亡的诱导作用

用酸/醇法从新鲜的牛血小板中粗提TGF-β。经离子交换色谱和凝胶色谱纯化后,收集经SDS-PAGE鉴定相对分子质量为25×10     

Amino acid sequence of the diazooxonorleucine binding site of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas 7A glutaminase--asparaginase enzymes

Acinetobactor glutaminase-asparaginase was treated with [6-14C]diazo-5-oxonorleucine, reduced with sodium borohydride, and cleaved with cyanogen bromide. Radioactivity was present only in a 96-residue-N-terminal peptide which eluted as the second peptide peak on Sephadex G-50. Radioactivity was released with the threonine in position 12 during automatic sequencing of this peptide. The amino acid sequence of a 60-residue tn-terminal segment and a 16-residue C-terminal segment of this peptide was determined. Pseudomonas 7 A glutaminase-asparaginase was treated with [6-14C]diazo-5-oxonorleucine and reduced with sodium borohydride. Radioactivity was released with the threonine in residue 20 during automatic sequencing of the whole enzyme. Analysis of 26 N-terminal residues showed that an 8-residue segment containing the radioactive threonine was identical with that in Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase and in Escherichia coli asparaginase. Additional identical residues were noted in the N-terminal regions of these enzymes.     

Effects of haematocrit value and glucagon on the metabolism of perfused rat liver

Liver from adult male rats were perfused in situ for 30 min with either undiluted, defibrinated rat blood (haematocrit value 38%) or the same blood diluted with buffer to give a haematocrit of 20%. Perfusion with diluted blood lowered the PO2 of the effluent perfusate but this was insufficient to prevent the fall in O2 consumption due to the reduction in haematocrit. Glucagon (5 X 10(-9) M) increased hepatic O2 consumption with whole blood but not with diluted blood. perfusate K+ was increased by perfusion with diluted blood and glucagon. Bile flow was depressed and biliary K+ increased by glucagon but only in experiments with whole blood. Perfusate glucose was raised by lowering of hepatic O2 consumption but the hormonal stimulation of glucose output was the same at both haematocrits. Net ketogenesis was increased with perfusion with diluted blood and by glucagon. In the absence of glucagon there was a net secretion of triacylglycerols which was depressed by lowering of the haematocrit. Glucagon inhibited triacylglycerol secretion and the effect was greater with whole blood so that there was net uptake. While effects of glucagon were obtained during perfusion at a lower haematocrit, it would appear that whole blood was the medium that allowed their fullest expression.     

Properties and regulation of leaf nicotinamide–adenine dinucleotide phosphate–malate dehydrogenase and `malic'' enzyme in plants with the C4-dicarboxylic acid pathway of photosynthesis

1. NADP-malate dehydrogenase and ;malic' enzyme in maize leaf extracts were separated from NAD-malate dehydrogenase and their properties were examined. 2. The NADP-malate dehydrogenase was nicotinamide nucleotide-specific but otherwise catalysed a reaction comparable with that with the NAD-specific enzyme. By contrast with the latter enzyme, a thiol was absolutely essential for maintaining the activity of the NADP-malate dehydrogenase, and the initial velocity in the direction of malate formation, relative to the reverse direction, was faster. 3. For the ;malic' enzyme reaction the K(m) for malate was dependent on pH and the pH optimum varied with the malate concentration. At their respective optimum concentrations the maximum velocity for this enzyme was higher with Mg(2+) than with Mn(2+). 4. The NADP-malate dehydrogenase in green leaves was rapidly inactivated in the dark and was reactivated when plants were illuminated. Reactivation of the enzyme extracted from darkened leaves was achieved simply by adding a thiol compound. 5. The activity of both enzymes was low in etiolated leaves of maize plants grown in the dark but increased 10-20-fold, together with chlorophyll, when leaves were illuminated. 6. The activity of these enzymes in different species with the C(4)-dicarboxylic acid pathway was compared and their possible role in photosynthesis was considered.     

Use of tablet forms of monomycin in children with acute dysentery]

The clinical picture of acute dysentery caused mainly by Shigella sonnei was studied in 160 children: 50 children were treated with monomycin tablets and for the treatment of 110 children monomycin in the form of amorphous powder in bottles was used. The treatment was carried out in accordance with the official instructions. Coincidence of the recovery time in the both groups was registered. When the patients were treated with monomycin tablets, 5 and 15-34 per cent of the antibiotic a daily dose was excreted with the urine and excrements respectively. It was concluded that monomycin in the from of tablets was more convenient in the treatment of children.     

Electron microscopic localization of calelectrin, a Mr 36 000 calcium-regulated protein, at the cholinergic electromotor synapse of Torpedo

Calelectrin is a calcium-binding protein of Mr 36 000 which has previously been shown to be associated with membranes of the cholinergic synapse in a calcium-dependent manner. We report here that calelectrin was solubilized from the electric organ of Torpedo marmorata in the absence of calcium together with proteins of Mr 54 000 and Mr 15 000. In cholinergic nerve endings isolated from the electric organ only calelectrin was solubilized in a calcium-dependent manner. A specific antiserum to calelectrin was used to localize the antigen by immunofluorescence microscopy on sections of electric organ and showed that calelectrin is distributed throughout the postsynaptic cell. Calelectrin was also detected in axons and in the cell bodies of the cholinergic neurones where it was concentrated in discrete patches throughout the cells. Electric organ tissue was processed to localize calelectrin with the electron microscope using an immunoperoxidase method. The most intense staining was observed on the cytoplasmic face of the acetylcholine receptor-containing postsynaptic membrane and also associated with the intracellular filaments of the electrocyte. The intensity of staining associated with these structures could be greatly reduced by preincubating the tissue with calcium chelators. In nerve terminals calelectrin was associated with synaptic vesicles in a polarized fashion. Calelectrin was also found on the cytoplasmic face of the synaptosomal plasma membrane and associated with neurofilaments. No extracellular staining was ever observed. Our results strongly support our original hypothesis that calelectrin is a calcium-regulated component of intracellular structure associated both with membranes and filaments.     

谷胱甘肽通过抑制重型儿童哮喘巨噬细胞凋亡发挥保护作用

目的探究GSH对重型儿童哮喘气道巨噬细胞凋亡的影响。方法通过GSH检测试剂盒检测重型及轻型哮喘患儿巨噬细胞AM内的GSSG水平,并采用MTT法检测巨噬细胞AM的细胞活力,Western blot法检测凋亡相关蛋白Cleaved caspase 3的表达情况。结果 (1)重型哮喘患儿的吞噬细胞内GSSG水平显著高于轻型患儿;(2)哮喘患儿巨噬细胞AW的细胞活力与轻型哮喘患儿相比显著降低,且体外补充的GSH可以逆转细胞活力降低;(3)体外补充GSH可以逆转重型哮喘患儿巨噬细胞凋亡蛋白Cleaved caspase 3的表达增多。结论体外补充GSH可以抑制重型哮喘患儿气道巨噬细胞凋亡,发挥保护作用。     

The reactivation of nitrate reductase from spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) inactivated by NADH and cyanide,using trivalent manganese either generated by illuminated chloroplasts or as manganipyrophosphate

Nitrate reductase of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) leaves which had been inactivated in vitro by treatment with NADH and cyanide, was reactivated by incubation with oxidant systems and measured as FMNH₂-dependent activity. Reactivation was produced with trivalent manganese compounds represented either by manganipyrophosphate or produced by oxidation of Mn²⁺ ions in the presence of illuminated chloroplasts and compared with reactivation obtained with ferricyanide. Reactivation in the chloroplast system was equivalent to that with ferricyanide when orthophosphate was used but was variable and weak in the presence of pyrophosphate, although manganipyrophosphate was formed, freely. Reactivation by manganipyrophosphate in dark reaction conditions was less effective than with ferricyanide but was not inhibited by the addition of pyrophosphate. Reactivation with illuminated unheated chloroplasts was dependent on added manganese and oxidation of manganese in the presence of pyrophosphate was abolished by boiling the chloroplasts. In the presence of orthophosphate however, boiled, illuminated chloroplasts reactivated the enzyme in the absence of added manganese. Reactivation occurred spontaneously in air, more slowly than with the other oxidants, but to a similar extent to that produced by manganipyrophosphate. The results provide a possible model for physiological reactivation mechanisms.     

Intermittent cyclophosphamide in refractory rheumatoid arthritis.

Three patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis were treated with oral cyclophosphamide; in two cases this was supplemented with pulse treatment with methylprednisolone. Long term remission was induced in all three patients and was sustained until follow up at least nine months after the methylprednisolone was stopped. Leucopenia occurred but resolved when cyclophosphamide was reduced from daily to intermittent dosing. Intermittent treatment with cyclophosphamide, possibly in conjunction with pulses of methylprednisolone, may induce remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis refractory to other forms of treatment.     

Modification of cyclosporin A and conjugation of its derivative to HPMA copolymers

Cyclosporin A (CsA) was epoxidized with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in the presence of sodium carbonate or with tert-butyl hydroperoxide in the presence of dioxomolybdenum iminodiethanoxide. The CsA epoxide was not stable and rearranged into a compound with a more stable five-member ring structure. An amino group containing cyclosporin A derivative (CsA amine) was obtained by the reaction of CsA epoxide with excess ethylenediamine. The yield of the CsA amine was 30--40% based on the CsA. An HPMA copolymer--CsA conjugate was prepared by the reaction of the CsA amine with an HPMA and MA-Gly-Phe-Leu-Gly-ONp copolymer. The content of CsA amine in the conjugate was 8.7 wt %. The CsA amine was released from the copolymer by enzymatic hydrolysis with papain.     

Reduction of nitro-BT by various chloroform-methanol fractions obtained from the grey matter of the rat brain

Histochemical studies have shown, that nerve fibers can not be visualised in the grey matter of the brain by the reduction of Nitro-BT, if prior to incubation an extraction with chloroform-methanol of the brain slices was performed. According with this finding the grey matter of the rat brain was homogenized and extracted with chloroform-methanol. After centrifugation the obtained supernatant was three times evaporated. Each time before evaporation the supernatant was dissolved in chloroform-methanol solution v/v 2:1. The substance obtained was of teer-like consistency and brown colour. The substance was weight and used for further experiments. Similar extraction was done with phosphate buffer. It was found, that the phosphate buffer does not extract the searched for substance. The comparison of the extinction curves of various fractions has shown that the highest concentration of the substance which reduces Nitro-BT can be found in that fraction which was three times washed with chloroform-methanol. The same concentration was observed in the water fraction which was the result of purification with hexanmethanol. From our investigations it may be concluded that the substance which reduces Nitro-BT in tissue is bound with lipids and purified form lipids passes into water.     

Efficacy of pefoxacin (abactal) in the complex treatment of patients with pancreonecrosis]

The efficacy of pefloxacin in the complex treatment of 28 patients with pancreatonecrosis of various etiology was estimated in a prospective trial. The diagnosis of pancreatonecrosis was verified by the data of the disease clinical progress, laboratory findings and instrumental examination. Pefloxacin (Abactal; LEK) was administered intravenously in a dose of 400 mg every 8 hours (1200 mg) in combination with metronidazole in a dose of 1.5-2.0 g a day intravenously. When indicated 3 days after the start of the pefloxacin therapy, the treatment was switched to the oral use of the drug in the same dosage. The positive clinical effect (cure and improvement) at the end of the treatment with pefloxacin was stated in 78 per cent of the patients in spite of the initial severity state of above 15 APACHE II. It was shown that in the treatment of patients with pancreatonecrosis when the severity state was not above 12 APACHE II the antibacterial therapy with pefloxacin in combination with metronidazole was optimal.     

Low serum cholesterol level and the risk of cancer of the colon

The study aimed at assessing a degree of low serum cholesterol relationship to carcinoma of the colon. The study involved 137 patients with carcinoma of the colon and 54 patients serving as a control group. Serum cholesterol and total proteins levels were assayed and nutritional status of the patients was analysed. It was found that serum cholesterol was significantly lower in patients with both advanced and mild cancer of the colon in comparison with a control group. Similar tendency was noted in the group of female patients with cancer of the colon but the difference between the patients with not advanced cancer and control group was statistically insignificant. Serum total proteins did not differ in patients with cancer of the colon and control group. In the group of male patients (with both stages of the cancer) in whom low serum cholesterol was noted (below 5.2 mM/L) a risk of cancer was 3-7 times higher. In female patients relative risk of cancer was significantly higher only in the advanced stages of the disease.     

Effect of vaccination therapy for acne,using a staphylococci antigenic complex in combination with clindamycin

A group of 46 patients with acne vulgaris were prescribed clindamycin in combination with a vaccination therapy using a staphylococci antigenic complex (Polystafana; Sevapharma, Czechia). Acne papulopustulosa was diagnosed in 36 patients and acne indurata in 10 patients. The clinical effect of clindamycin and Polystafana was determined on the basis of the regression of the inflammatory manifestation of acne: regression by 0-30% was considered unsuccessful, by 30-80% satisfactory, and above 80% excellent; the immunomodulation effect of the treatment was evaluated in parallel. The clinical effect was excellent in 21 patients with acne papulopustulosa and in 6 with acne indurata; it was accompanied by pronounced immunomodulation effect as both cellular and humoral immunity was also tended to return to normal values. A satisfactory clinical effect was observed in 15 patients with acne papulopustulosa, whose cellular immunity component was also stimulated. Only 4 patients with acne indurata failed to respond successfully. These were the patients who showed a pronounced deficit of the cellular immunity component persisting even after the treatment. The administration of clindamycin in combination with Polystafana vaccination can be recommended as an effective means for the treatment of acne vulgaris.     

Localization of a renal kallikrein immunoreactive-like substance in rat ureter

An antibody against rat kallikrein was produced in rabbits and its localization was studied in various organs of the rat to confirm its specificity. The distribution of immunoreactive kallikrein was studied in rat ureter by use of immunochemical techniques. Ureteral tissue was fixed in Zamboni's-glutaraldehyde fixative and immunostained with indirect immunofluorescence and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method for light and electron microscopy. Preabsorption of the primary polyclonal antiserum with purified rat urinary kallikrein and substitution with normal serum were used as controls. By light microscopy, kallikrein was localized in the lamina propria and in the adventitial connective tissue surrounding the entire ureter. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed this immunolocalization. Immunoreactive kallikrein was concentrated in fibroblasts of connective tissue and was not present in collagen fibers. Immunoreactivity was associated with the Golgi complex, free polyribosomes, and rough endoplasmic reticulum. No immunostaining was observed in other subcellular components of fibroblasts.     

112株志贺菌菌群分布和药敏特点分析

目的研究本地区2001年至2005年志贺菌菌群分布及其药敏特点,以指导临床合理抗菌治疗。方法经大便培养筛选志贺菌,用生化和血清学方法鉴定菌群和血清型,采用K-B法检测病原菌耐药性。结果在112例细菌性痢疾患者中,男女比例相似,年龄分布以婴幼儿最高,临床表现不典型者较多,菌群分布以福氏志贺菌最多,F2b为优势血清型,对抗菌药物敏感性差异有显著性。结论近5年来本地区细菌性痢疾患者发病特点有年龄差异,菌群仍以福氏志贺菌为主,血清型以F2b为主,第3代头孢菌素是治疗细菌性痢疾最佳的抗菌药物。     

Lack of inhibitory effects of the anti-fibrotic drug imatinib on endothelial cell functions in vitro and in vivo

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease that is characterized by microangiopathy with progressive loss of capillaries and tissue fibrosis. Imatinib exerts potent anti-fibrotic effects and is currently evaluated in clinical trials. The aim of the present study was to exclude that the anti-fibrotic effects of imatinib are complicated by inhibitory effects on endothelial cell functions, which might augment vascular disease in SSc. Endothelial cells and mice were treated with pharmacologically relevant concentrations of imatinib. The expression of markers of vascular activation was assessed with real-time PCR. Proliferation was analysed with the cell counting experiments and the MTT assay. Apoptosis was quantified with caspase 3 assays, annexin V in vitro and with TUNEL staining in vivo. Migration was studied with scratch and transwell assays. Tube forming was investigated with the matrigel assay. Imatinib did not alter the expression of markers of vascular activation. Imatinib did not increase the percentage of annexin V positive cells or the activity of caspase 3. No reduction in proliferation or metabolic activity of endothelial cells was observed. Imatinib did not affect migration of endothelial cells and did not reduce the formation of capillary tubes. Consistent with the in vitro data, no difference in the number of apoptotic endothelial cells was observed in vivo in mice treated with imatinib. Imatinib does not inhibit activation, viability, proliferation, migration or tube forming of endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo. Thus, treatment with imatinib might not augment further endothelial cell damage in SSc.