Effect of molecular weight distribution on the solution properties of sodium hyaluronate in 0.2M NaCl solution

Various molecular parameters, which characterize sodium hyaluronate in 0.2M NaCl solution, were obtained at 25°C by means of the static and dynamic light scattering and low shear viscometry over the molecular weight range of 5.94–627 × 10⁴. Molecular weight distribution was obtained by using the Laplace inversion method of the autocorrelation function of the scattered light intensity and by Yamakawa theory for the wormlike chain with the stiff chain parameters for sodium hyaluronate in 0.2M NaCl (persistence length, chain diameter, molar mass per unit contour length, and the excluded‐volume strength). The molecular weight distribution thus obtained reproduced the solution properties of sodium hyaluronate well. Especially, the intrinsic viscosity showed a good agreement over four orders of molecular weight with Yamakawa theory combined with the Barrett function. Sodium hyaluronate in 0.2M NaCl solution is well expressed by the wormlike chain model affected by the excluded‐volume effect with the persistence length of 4.2 nm. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 50: 87–98, 1999     

The use of whole-body sodium, potassium and calcium content to identify the nutrient status of first year salmon fry

Samples of fed and unfed hatchery reared Atlantic salmon fry and parr were analysed for body water and whole body Na, K and Ca content. From these body parameters it is possible to estimate the relative proportions of the skeletal mass, and intra- and extracellular spaces. These data can be applied to estimating the nutritional status of parr sampled at random from hatchery, and possibly from wild populations. When fish with a dry weight of about 25 and 70 mg were deprived of artificial food for 27 and 21 days, respectively, the Na/K ratio rose to 0.59 and 0.80 compared with 0.37 in the controls. With fish of about 475 mg in weight, percentage water content was a better indicator of undernourishment. The use of the K⁺: Ca²⁺ ratio to compare the amount of cellular material with the skeletal mass was a good indicator of nutritional depletion, especially in smaller fish.     

Growth and Nitrate Reductase Activity of Chlorella fusca Cells as Affected by Long Term Salinity

Influence of various saline media on Chlorella fusca growth, contents of photosynthetic pigments, and activity of the nitrate reductase (NRA) was determined. KCl, CaCl₂, and MgCl₂ in concentrations relative to NaCl as 1:1, 2:1, and 3:1 promote cell number, dry mass, and contents of photosynthetic pigments. The activity of NR was enhanced by Mg²⁺ and K⁺ and in some cases by Ca²⁺ at all ratios applied. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of calcium on growth and leaf ion concentrations of Gossypium hirsutum grown in saline hydroponic culture

The optimum Ca²⁺ concentration for growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum cv. Acala SJ-2) was in the range 1 to 15 mol m^–3 for plants growing in hydroponic culture with 100–150 mol m^–3 NaCl. Most saline (but not sodic) soils contain higher Ca²⁺ concentrations. CaCl₂ was inhibitory to the growth of cotton above 20–50 mol m^–3. Increasing concentrations of Ca²⁺ in the range 0–2 mol m^–2 drastically reduced Na⁺ accumulation in the leaves. As CaCl₂ concentrations were increased above the optimum for growth there was a further reduction in leaf Na⁺ accumulation, but this was more than offset by increased leaf Ca²⁺ and Cl^– concentrations. Leaf K⁺ concentrations were not much affected by changes in external CaCl₂ concentrations. The response of Mg²⁺ varied from an increase to a decrease with increasing external CaCl₂ and was influenced by nutritional status. There was no evidence that high Ca²⁺ caused a deficiency of Mg²⁺ in cotton. Except for Cl^–, whose concentrations tended to decrease initially and then increase as the CaCl₂ concentration increased, the anions were largely unaffected by changes in external CaCl₂.     

The Effect of Acute Stress and Temperature on Plasma Cortisol and ion Concentrations and Growth of Lake Inari Arctic Charr, Salvelinus Alpinus

One year old, individually tagged Lake Inari Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, were reared at three constant temperatures, 10.3°C, 14.1°C and 18.1°C, over four weeks. Blood samples were collected from a group of unstressed fish after the cultivation period at the same time as another group of fish were subjected to acute handling stress treatment (2min netting in air and 40min (± 20min) recovery period in water). Plasma cortisol, calcium, sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations were measured on both groups. To study the effect of minor daily temperature fluctuations on the stress response of Arctic charr, two additional daily fluctuating temperature (14 ± 1°C, 18 ± 1°C) treatments were established. The samples were taken in the same manner as those in the constant temperature treatments. Growth was fastest at 10.3–14.1°C and clearly lower at 18.1°C. Pre-stress plasma cortisol levels were low but increased slightly with increasing temperature. After stressor treatment, the cortisol concentrations of Arctic charr were clearly higher in all temperature treatments but there were no significant differences in plasma cortisol concentrations among temperatures. Plasma calcium levels increased during the stress treatment but temperature did not modulate this effect. The plasma potassium concentrations declined at 14.1–18.1°C after acute stress but the response was not affected by temperature within this range. The concentrations of sodium and chloride were unaffected by acute stress. Temperatures of 10.3–18.1°C and fluctuating temperature treatments had no influence on any plasma ion concentrations. Arctic charr were able to maintain the plasma ion concentrations in fresh water at 10.3–18.1°C and after acute stress treatment. Results indicate that the optimum temperature for growth of Arctic charr has little to do with the plasma ion concentrations or the ability to maintain those concentrations after short-term stress. The plasma cortisol responses further indicate that the optimum temperature for growth of Arctic charr is not related to the suppressed ability to react to an acute handling stressor. Temperature fluctuations did not cause significant differences in cortisol levels when compared with constant temperatures.     

几丁聚糖和透明质酸钠对血管内皮细胞增殖的影响

目的：比较几丁聚糖和透明质酸钠对血管内皮细胞增殖的影响。方法：用含不同浓度的几丁聚糖和透明质酸钠的培养液对血管内皮细胞（EV304）进行培养,以四唑盐比色法测细胞增殖,并用流式细胞仪测定细胞周期。结果：几丁聚糖在≥0.1mg/ml时促进血管内皮细胞的增殖,透明质酸钠对血管内皮细胞的增殖有抑制作用,几丁聚糖可使细胞周期中G1期比例下降,而透明质酸钠使细胞周期中G1期比例上升。结论：几丁聚糖促进血管内皮细胞的增殖,而透明质酸钠对血管内皮细胞的增殖有抑制作用。     

The use of body water, sodium, potassium and calcium content to investigate the nutritional status of first year Atlantic salmon parr in two Scottish Highland streams

Water content of Atlantic salmon parr fell from about 84% at emergence (late May) to just under 79% in September but rose again towards March. Na⁺ content consequently rose from 3·3 mg g⁻¹ dry wt at the beginning of June to 6·2 mg g⁻¹ in early July. It then fell to 4·4 mg g⁻¹ in September, rising again towards March. K⁺ content rose to a maximum in July to stabilize at 16·6 mg g⁻¹ dry wt in September. The resultant Na⁺/K⁺ ratio peaked at 0·43: 1 in mid-June, falling to a minimum in mid-August but rising again in March reflecting changes in the relative proportions of intra and extracellular water. The changes in whole-body chemistry suggest a period of nutritional stress immediately after emergence and during the winter. In streams at higher altitude and of lower nutrient status, nutritional stress during the winter appears to be more severe.     

柯萨奇B3病毒对心肌细胞离子通道电流的影响

目的 :探讨柯萨奇B3病毒 (coxsackievirusB3,CVB3)对大鼠心肌细胞离子通道的影响 ,以了解病毒感染导致细胞电生理活动异常的机理。方法 :酶消化法获得单个心肌细胞后利用膜片钳全细胞电流记录技术观察CVB3对L型钙通道电流、钠通道电流、外向钾电流和内向整流性钾电流的影响。结果 :CVB3感染使L型钙通道电流、外向钾电流增加 ,内向整流性钾电流减小 ,对钠通道电流无明显影响。结论 :CVB3对L型钙通道电流、外向钾电流和内向整流性钾电流的影响可能是病毒感染后细胞损伤和产生异常电活动的原因。     

Interpretation of relevance of sodium–calcium exchange in action potential of diabetic rat heart by mathematical model

Sarcolemmal Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchange plays a central role in ion transport of the myocardium and the current carried with it contributes to the late phase of the action potential (AP) besides the contribution of outward K⁺-currents. In this study, the mathematical model for AP of the diabetic rat ventricular myocytes [34] was modified and used for the diabetic rat papillary muscle. We used our experimentally measured values of two K⁺-currents; transient outward current, I_to and steady-state outward current, I_ss, as well as L-type Ca²⁺-current, I_CaL, then compared with the simulated values. We have demonstrated that the prolongation in the AP of the papillary muscle of the diabetic rats are not due to the alteration of I_CaL but mainly due to the inhibition of the K⁺-currents and also the Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchanger current, I_Na–Ca. In combination with our experimental data on sodium-selenite-treated diabetic rats, our simulation results provide new information concerning plausible ionic mechanisms, and second a possible positive effect of selenium treatment on the altered I_Na–Ca for the observed changes in the AP duration of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat heart. (Mol Cell Biochem 269: 121–129, 2005)     

Effects of mibefradil on synaptic transmission in the hippocampus and on voltage-dependent currents in isolated hippocampal and thalamic neurons of the rat

The effects of a novel anti-hypertensive drug, mibefradil, on voltage-dependent currents in isolated thalamic and hippocampal neurons, as well as on synaptic transmission in the hippocampus have been studied. Mibefradil exerted a potent inhibitory action on low-threshold calcium currents in thalamic neurons (IC₅₀=160 nM). In higher concentrations (1–20 μM), this drug blocked not only low-threshold calcium current but also voltage-dependent sodium and delayed potassium currents in pyramidal hippocampal neurons. The amplitude of population action potentials in hippocampal slices decreased by 55% in the presence of 20μM mibefradil. All of the effects of mibefradil were almost completely reversible. In our experiments, the sensitivity of low-threshold calcium channels in thalamic neurons to mibefradil was higher than that observed on other objects. The ability of mibefradil to block not only calcium currents but also other types of voltage-dependent ion conductances in hippocampal neurons may be considered an essential factor that determines the specificity of the pharmacological profile of this drug.     

A Pilot Study Evaluating Sodium Hyaluronate as a Carrier For Freeze-dried Demineralized Bone Powder

Freeze-dried demineralized bone (FDDB) is widely used in orthopaedic and neurosurgery. However, it is difficult to deliver the FDDB by itself and surgeons have been seeking a convenient and easy-to-use form of FDDB. This study was designed to evaluate sodium hyaluronate (HA) as a carrier or delivery vehicle. HA is a viscous and biocompatible high molecular weight hydrogel. It was tested as a viscous carrier to facilitate the delivery of freeze-dried demineralized bone into a bony defect. The natural bone forming properties of FDDB were evaluated in an athymic mouse model and shown to be as active when dispersed in HA as compared to a saline control. Particle sizes in the range studied (125–850 μm) had no effect on FDDB efficacy. All exhibited active bone formation. Similarly, two different carrier viscosities were formulated to achieve both a malleable putty and a more flowable paste. These, too, both exhibited active bone formation. The use of a pH 7.4 buffer in the HA formulation gave optimum results in the model. Additional studies are underway to further evaluate the surgical efficacy of FDDB suspended in HA. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

玻璃酸钠和曲安奈德治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的疗效比较

目的:比较关节腔内注射玻璃酸钠和曲安奈德治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的疗效。方法:将膝关节骨性关节炎患者随机分为2组,分别接受玻璃酸钠和曲安奈德治疗。随访6个月,评估每组患者的膝关节疼痛评分、关节功能、活动角度。结果:曲安奈德治疗后的第1、2周疼痛缓解作用、关节功能显著优于玻璃酸钠(P<0.05)。2组患者膝关节活动度在治疗后的第1、3个月内无显著差异(P>0.05),玻璃酸钠治疗后的第6个月关节活动度显著优于曲安奈德(P<0.05)。结论:曲安奈德和玻璃酸钠均可缓解膝关节疼痛,改善功能和增加膝关节活动度。曲安奈德早期疗效优于玻璃酸钠,但持续时间较玻璃酸钠短。     

The effect of aging on the mineral status of female mice

To clarify the effect of aging on the mineral status of female mice, mineral concentrations in their tissues were determined. Five 2-mo-old, five 6-mo-old, and five 10-mo-old female B10BR mice were fed a commercial diet. Iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium concentrations in the blood, liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, and spleen of the mice were determined using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Iron concentrations in the liver, kidney, heart, brain, and spleen increased with age. Significant differences were detected between mice 2 and 6 mo of age and between mice 2 and 10 mo of age. Zinc concentrations in the heart and lung decreased significantly with age. Zinc concentrations in the heart and lung of 10-mo-old mice were significantly lower than those of 2-mo-old mice. It is noteworthy that the copper concentration in the brain of 10-mo-old mice was markedly higher compared with that of younger mice. Calcium accumulation was apparent in the kidney of mice at 10 mo.