微创踝关节融合术治疗老年创伤性踝关节炎中的临床效果及对患者氧化损伤与骨代谢的影响

目的:研究微创踝关节融合术治疗老年创伤性踝关节炎中的临床效果及对患者氧化损伤与骨代谢的影响。方法:收集2014年3月至2015年3月我院收治的94例老年创伤性踝关节炎患者,按随机数表法分为实验组和对照组,每组各45例。两组患者在手术前均进行常规检查,对照组采用常规开放式踝关节融合术,实验组采用微创踝关节融合术。对比两组治疗后血清氧化损伤指标肌红蛋白(MYO)、缺血修饰白蛋白(IMA)、总抗氧化能力(TAC)、丙二醛(MDA)水平,骨代谢指标碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、甲状旁腺素(PTH)、骨钙素(BGP)、降钙素(CT)水平,视觉疼痛模拟评分(VAS)、美国矫形外科足踝协会(AOFAS)评分及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,实验组血清MYO、IMA、MDA水平显著低于对照组[(20.48±2.59)ng/mL vs.(27.07±2.97)ng/m L,(65.68±8.20)U/L vs.(74.27±9.01)U/L,(5.01±1.03)nmol/L vs.(9.64±2.17)nmol/L](P0.05),血清TAC水平显著高于对照组[(11.40±2.50)kU/L vs.(7.36±1.03)kU/L](P0.05);血清ALP、BGP、CT水平均显著高于对照组[(103.28±12.47)U/L vs.(90.53±10.02)U/L,(11.08±1.42)ng/L vs.(8.01±1.23)ng/L,(61.39±5.87)ng/L vs.(50.28±4.92)ng/L](P0.05),ACP、PTH水平均显著低于对照组[(5.21±0.60)U/L vs.(8.03±0.92)U/L,(42.95±5.38)ng/L vs.(60.49±6.92)ng/L](P0.05);VAS评分显著低于对照组[(1.06±0.23)分vs.(3.79±0.67)分](P0.05),AOFAS评分显著高于对照组[(73.02±6.28)分vs.(65.58±5.13)分](P0.05);不良反应总发生率显著低于对照组[6.66%(3/45) vs. 20.41%(10/49)](P0.05)。结论:微创踝关节融合术可调节老年创伤性踝关节炎患者的骨代谢,增强骨密度,减少术后不良反应,有利于改善患者预后。     

胸腺五肽联合辛伐他汀治疗COPD合并肺动脉高压的疗效及对患者血清PAF-AH、esRAGE、CA125水平的影响

目的:探讨胸腺五肽联合辛伐他汀治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)合并肺动脉高压的疗效及对患者血清血小板活化因子乙酰水解酶(PAF-AH)、内源性分泌型晚期糖基化终末产物受体(esRAGE)、糖类抗原125(CA125)水平的影响。方法:选择2016年1月至2017年12月我院接诊的65例COPD合并肺动脉高压患者,通过随机数表法分为观察组35例和对照组30例。对照组在常规治疗基础上给予辛伐他汀治疗,观察组在对照组基础上给予胸腺五肽治疗,两组均连续治疗4周。治疗后,比较两组血清PAF-AH、esRAGE、CA125水平、免疫功能、肺功能、血气分析指标的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组血清PAF-AH、esRAGE水平明显高于对照组,而血清CA125水平明显低于对照组[(187.20±15.10)ng/mL vs.(135.13±11.42)ng/mL,(0.32±0.08)ng/L vs.(0.26±0.05)ng/L,(21.06±3.27)U/mL vs.(30.49±4.23)U/mL](P0.05);观察组CD3~+、CD4~+、CD4~+/CD8~+明显高于对照组[(69.56±7.89)%vs.(57.56±6.05)%,(43.30±5.11)%vs.(37.86±4.53)%,(2.14±0.30) vs.(1.82±0.26)](P0.05);观察组血清第一秒用力呼气容积(FEV1)、FEV1/用力肺活量(FVC)明显高于对照组,肺动脉收缩压(PASP)明显比对照组低[(2.17±0.34)L vs(1.84±0.29)L,(67.34±8.28)%vs.(60.37±6.05)%,(36.23±3.15)mmHg vs.(42.85±3.88)mmHg](P0.05);观察组动脉血压分压(PaO_2)明显高于对照组,二氧化碳分压(PaCO_2)明显低于对照组[(89.45±7.40)mmHg vs.(80.23±6.82)mmHg,(33.83±3.11)mmHg vs.(40.02±3.86)mmHg](P0.05)。两组不良反应的总发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:胸腺五肽联合辛伐他汀治疗COPD合并肺动脉高压患者效果显著优于单用辛伐他汀治疗,可更有效改善患者肺功能和肺动脉高压状态,其内在机制可能和调节血清PAF-AH、esRAGE、CA125水平及缓解气道炎症反应相关。     

白芍总苷对糜烂型口腔扁平苔藓外周血TNF-α，IFN-γ及IL-10水平的影响

目的:研究白芍总苷对糜烂型口腔扁平苔藓外周血肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)、γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)及白细胞介素-10(IL-10)水平的影响。方法:选取2014年7月至2015年7月我院接诊的糜烂型口腔扁平苔藓患者80例作为本次研究对象。对照组患者采用低浓度他克莫司治疗,观察组采用白芍总苷治疗,观察两组患者治疗前后血清TNF-α、IFN-γ及IL-10水平的变化、糜烂面积、疼痛评分及近期治疗疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组血清TNF-α、IL-10水平显著低于对照组,血清IFN-γ水平明显高于对照组[(2.16±0.61)μg/m L vs(3.04±0.80)μg/m L、(258.93±5.72)ng/L vs(273.41±6.03)ng/L、(319.27±53.46)ng/L vs(290.95±51.03)ng/L(P0.05),糜烂面积、疼痛评分均显著低于对照组[(0.10±0.03)cm2 vs(0.51±0.10)cm~2、(1.01±0.30)分vs(3.20±0.78)分](P0.05),近期治疗疗效优于对照组95.00%(38/40)vs75.00%(30/40)(P0.05)。结论:白芍总苷治疗糜烂型口腔扁平苔藓的效果显著,可能与其调节血清TNF-α、IFN-γ及IL-10的水平有关。     

不同糖耐量人群血清BED锌指蛋白3 表达水平及其与代谢相关指标的关系

目的:探讨不同糖耐量人群血清BED锌指蛋白3(ZBED3)表达水平及其与代谢相关指标的关系。方法:选取2012年1月到2014年3月在我院就医的115例2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者、97例糖耐量异常(IGT)患者及糖耐量正常(NGT的109名健康体检或志愿者,测定其血清中ZBED3的水平,并分析其与相关的代谢指标的关系。结果:女性群体血清ZBED3水平显著高于男性群体(121.3±33.5 pg/m Lvs 113.9±32.9 pg/m L,P=0.02);超重组血清ZBED3水平显著高于非超重组(132.5±31.4 pg/m L vs 111.4±30.2pg/m L,P=0.00);T2DM组血清ZBED3水平显著高于IGT组和NGT组(143.5±31.2 pg/m L vs 123.7±26.4 pg/m L,97.1±20.3pg/m L,P=0.00)。血清ZBED3水平与体重指数、腰围/臀围比值、体脂百分比、舒张压、收缩压、甘油三酯、空腹胰岛素、空腹血糖及Homa-胰岛素抵抗指数呈正相关(P0.01),与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇成明显负相关(P0.01);且腰围/臀围比值、体脂百分比、舒张压、甘油三酯、糖化血红蛋白及Homa-胰岛素抵抗指数是影响血清ZBED3水平的独立相关因素。结论:T2DM、IGT患者及超重群体血清ZBED3水平明显上升,且与肥胖和T2DM的发生发展密切相关。     

小骨窗显微手术治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的效果分析及对血清CCCK-18、CTRP-3水平的影响

目的:探讨小骨窗显微手术治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的效果及对血清gaspase切割的细胞角蛋白18(CCCK-18)、补体C1q肿瘤坏死因子相关蛋白3(CTRP-3)水平的影响。方法:选取2016年5月至2018年5月我院收治的160例基底节区高血压脑出血患者,按照随机数表法将其分为观察组(n=82)和对照组(n=78)。对照组采用传统大骨瓣开颅术治疗,观察组采用小骨窗显微手术治疗。观察和比较两组的临床疗效,血肿清除率、术中出血量、术后意识恢复时间、住院时间,治疗前后NIHSS、ADL评分、血清CCCK-18、CTRP-3水平的变化及并发症的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组总有效率显著高于对照组[95.12%vs. 79.48%](P0.05);血肿清除率、术中出血量、术后意识恢复时间、住院时间均显著优于对照组[(93.62±3.58)%vs.(85.40±2.19)%,(92.47±12.56)mL vs.(189.25±26.47) mL,(2.01±0.58) d vs.(8.69±2.03) d,(13.39±2.08) d vs.(19.45±3.76) d](P0.05);NIHSS评分显著低于对照组[(9.76±1.42)分vs.(20.57±3.26)分](P0.05);ADL评分显著高于对照组[(86.42±8.64)分vs.(75.39±7.02)分](P0.05);血清CCCK-18水平显著低于对照组[(201.76±32.59) U/L vs.(237.57±39.20) U/L,(29.59±5.19) ng/mL vs.(42.97±7.94)ng/mL](P0.05);CTRP-3水平显著高于对照组[(289.59±35.19)ng/mL vs.(232.97±27.94)ng/mL](P0.05);并发症总发生率显著低于对照组[3.65%(3/82) vs. 14.10%(11/78)](P0.05)。结论:小骨窗显微手术治疗基底节区高血压脑出血的疗效显著,可更有效清除血肿,缓解血肿压迫,改善神经功能,减少继发性损伤,安全性高,可能与其降低血清CCCK-18水平及升高CTRP-3水平有关。     

血清Cys C、RBP和尿mALB检测对肾小球滤过功能及肾功能损伤诊断分析

目的:探讨血清胱抑素C(Cys-C)、视黄醇结合蛋白(retinol binding protein,RBP)及尿尿微量白蛋白(m Alb)检测对肾小球肾炎的滤过功能及肾功能损伤的诊断价值。方法:以我院2017年12月至2018年12月收治的42例肾小球肾炎患者作为观察组、39例健康体检合格者为对照组,比较两组血清Cys-C、RBP及m Alb水平,观察组不同预后者肾功能指标水平,观察组不同预后者血清Cys C、RBP及尿m ALB水平,两组血清Cys C、RBP及尿m ALB检出率。结果:观察组血清Cys C、RBP及尿m ALB水平均显著高于对照组[(2.73±0.72)mg/L vs(0.85±0.21)mg/L,(104.72±21.36)mg/L vs(37.69±8.91)mg/L,(39.51±4.02)mg/L vs(7.08±1.26)mg/L](P0.05);10例CRF/CKD和病情缓解或无进展24h尿蛋白水平无显著差异(P0.05),血肌酐、尿素氮显著高于病情缓解或无进展组[(105.76±12.37)μmol/L vs(92.09±11.01)μmol/L,(17.02±2.73)μmol/L vs(7.15±1.06)μmol/L](P0.05);CRF者血清Cys C、RBP及尿m ALB水平均显著高于病情缓解或无进展者[(3.91±0.56)mg/L vs (2.08±0.35)mg/L,(182.36±31.23)mg/L vs(47.08±9.35)mg/L,(258.68±70.27)mg/L vs (16.03±3.24)mg/L](P0.05);血清Cys C、RBP及尿m ALB阳性检出率分别为83.33%、76.19%、73.80%,联合检测率为92.85%,联合检出率显著高于单项指标检出率(P0.05)。结论:血清Cys C、视黄醇结合蛋白及尿m ALB三者联合检测有效率较高,可用作评估肾小球肾炎患者的滤过功能及肾功能损伤,观察患者预后。     

老年癫痫患者血清miR-222、miR-21的水平变化及其临床意义

目的:探讨老年癫痫患者血清中miR-222、miR-21水平含量变化及其与炎症因子、T淋巴细胞亚群的关系。方法:选取2015年1月至2016年1月在我院诊断的老年癫痫患者47例(癫痫组)、选取同期健康体检对象47例作为健康组,检测两组血清miR-222、miR-21、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-2(IL-2)、T淋巴细胞亚群水平,并分析相关性。结果:癫痫组的血清miR-222(1.2941±0.2751)、miR-21(2.1176±0.3382)、血清TNF-α(4.78±0.96)ng/m L、IL-2(4.37±1.12)ng/m L均高于健康组(0.6674±0.129)、(0.7314±0.1162)、(1.33±0.42)ng/m L、(8.96±2.77)ng/ml(P0.05);癫痫组的CD8+(28.92±3.16)%高于健康组(26.60±2.45)%(P0.05),CD4+(39.54±6.81)%、CD3+(57.18±7.44)%、CD4+/CD8+(1.37±0.20)均低于健康组(50.63±7.21)%、(69.25±6.81)%、(1.90±0.27)%(P0.05);癫痫组血清miR-222、miR-21与CD4+、CD3+水平呈显著的负相关性(r=-0.312,r=-0.381,P0.05),与患者的血清TNF-α、IL-2水平呈显著的正相关性(r=0.496,r=0.338,P0.05)。结论:老年癫痫患者血清中miR-222、miR-21水平显著的升高,并且与患者的血清炎症因子、T淋巴细胞水平变化有关,可能参与患者炎症反应及免疫水平的调节。     

银杏达莫对急性脑梗死患者t-PA, Hcy, MMP-9的影响

目的:研究银杏达莫治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效及其对患者血清纤维蛋白溶煤原活化剂(t-PA)、同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)水平的影响。方法:选取2014年3月至2015年3月我院接诊的急性脑梗死患者90例为研究对象并将其随机分为两组。对照组采用常规治疗,观察组采用银杏达莫治疗,观察和比较两组患者治疗后血清t-PA、Hcy、MMP-9水平,神经功能缺损(NIHSS)评分,Barthel指数、脑血流变化和临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组总有效率[95.55%(43/45)]显著高于对照组[71.11%(32/45)](P0.05),NIHSS评分低于对照组[(2.83±0.51)%vs(6.91±1.21)%],Barthel指数大于对照组[(82.10±4.03)%vs(64.86±5.39)%](P0.05),血清t-PA水平显著高于对照组[(0.59±0.16)IU·mL~(-1) vs(0.52±0.14)IU·mL~(-1)],血清Hcy、MMP-9水平明显低于对照组[(10.49±1.97)ng/L vs(15.92±2.01)ng/L、(16.35±1.30)mol/L vs(21.54±2.53)mol/L、(159.07±14.53)pg/mL vs(231.34±16.72)pg/mL](P0.05);观察组MCA、PCA显著大于对照组[(49.40±6.30)cm2 vs(41.36±5.76)cm2、(34.86±4.29)cm2 vs(29.76±4.20)cm2](P0.05)。结论:银杏达莫治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效显著,能够促进神经功能恢复,改善血管内皮功能,降低Hcy、MMP-9水平,有利于患者的预后。     

氯沙坦联合环磷腺苷葡胺对肺心病患者心肺及免疫功能的影响

目的:探讨氯沙坦联合环磷腺苷葡胺对肺心病患者心肺功能和免疫功能的影响。方法:选择2010年9月至2015年9月我院接诊的94例肺心病患者并按随机数表法分为观察组和对照组,每组各47例。对照组给予常规肺心病治疗,观察组在对照组的基础上给予氯沙坦联合环磷腺苷葡胺进行治疗。比较两组治疗前后CO、LVEF、SV、FEV1及FEV1/FV、Ig G、Ig A、补体C3、血清白细胞介素-2(interleukin-2,IL-2)、可溶性白细胞介素2受体(soluble interleukin-2 receptor,s IL-2R)、8-异前列腺素(8-ISO prostaglandin,8-iso-PG)水平的变化以及治疗后的临床疗效。结果:治疗后,观察组CO、LVEF、SV、FEV1及FEV1/FVC水平均显著高于对照组[(5.21±0.27)vs(4.15±0.46),(63.42±6.17)vs(52.37±5.76),(74.68±9.24)vs(64.56±11.73),(1.75±0.27)vs(1.32±0.31),(75.68±10.62)vs(65.49±10.05)](P0.05),血清补体C3高于对照组[(1.34±0.12)g/L vs(1.16±0.10)g/L](P0.05);血清s IL-2R、8-iso-PG水平显著低于对照组[(371.46±161.06)U/ml vs(435.75±152.43)U/ml,(23.58±11.72)ng/L vs(31.08±11.39)ng/L](均P0.05);观察组总有效率高于对照组[(95.74)%vs(78.72)%](P0.05)。结论:氯沙坦联合环磷腺苷葡胺可有效提高肺心病患者心、肺及免疫功能。     

急性心肌梗死患者冠脉介入治疗后血浆apelin的变化及作用

目的:观察急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者围手术期血浆apelin的表达变化,分析AMI合并2型糖尿病(T2DM)患者血浆apelin的表达与预后的相关性,探讨apelin在冠脉介入治疗(PCI)中的心脏保护作用。方法:72例于2012年2月~8月在我院心内科接受冠状动脉造影确诊为AMI并成功完成PCI的冠心病患者,分别在术前、术后0小时、术后4小时、术后24小时收集血清,酶联免疫吸附法测定血浆apelin-13水平;进一步对糖尿病及非糖尿病AMI患者(每组各20例)进行亚组分析,随访两组患者在术后6个月时主要不良心脑血管事件(MACCE)。结果:AMI患者术后0 h组apelin水平与术前基线水平明显降低(31.54±5.48 vs35.15±6.48 ng/L,P0.05);术后4小时及24小时组apelin水平较术前明显升高(39.65±5.48 vs 35.15±6.48 ng/L,43.93±5.37 vs35.15±6.48 ng/L,P0.05)。糖尿病与非糖尿病组apelin水平术前无明显差异;糖尿病组在术后各时间点的apelin水平均明显高于非糖尿病组(31.12±5.50 vs 29.21±6.53 ng/L,40.57±5.37 vs 33.49±3.89 ng/L,43.50±7.41 vs 34.54±3.52 ng/L,P0.05)。两组术后6个月随访T2DM组LVEF值改善明显高于NT2DM组,但MACCE事件无明显差异。结论:AMI患者PCI术后存在血浆apelin表达的升高,其中糖尿病患者在术后血浆apelin表达较非糖尿病患者明显增高,提示PCI冠脉血运重建可促进糖尿病患者apelin分泌,调节胰岛素抵抗改善预后。     

Tuning of electronic properties of one-dimensional cyano-bridged Cu-Ni, Cu-Pd, and Cu-Pt bimetallic assemblies by stereochemistry of ligands

Preparations, XPS and electronic spectroscopy, and magnetism of seven new one-dimensional cyano-bridged coordination polymers, chiral [Cu(RR-chxn)₂][Pd(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (1), [Cu(trans-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (2, 4, and 6 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt), and [Cu(cis-chxn)₂][M(CN)₄] · 2H₂O (3, 5, and 7 for M = Pd, Ni, and Pt) (RR-chxn = cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine, trans-chxn = racemic trans-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine, and cis-chxn = racemic cis-cyclohexane-(1,2)-diamine) have been reported in view of tuning of their electronic properties by stereochemistry of chxn ligands and metal-substitution. Comparison of Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 peaks of XPS and broad d-d bands around 18 000 cm⁻¹ of electronic spectra are described systematically for 1-7. Variable-temperature magnetic measurement shows that complexes 1-7 indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions via cyano-bridges. Because of semi-coordination coupled with pseudo Jahn-Teller elongation and electrostatic interaction for 1, the axial Cu-N coordination bond distances of 2.330(7) and 3.092(8) Å are considerably longer than those of equatorial ones in the range from 2.016(6) to 2.030(6) Å. The former bond distances of 1 are intermediate values among the related Ni (2.324(6) and 3.120(8) Å) and Pt (2.34(1) and 3.09(1) Å) complexes.     

Land,livestock, and livelihoods: Changing dynamics of gender,caste, and ethnicity in a Nepalese Village

Over the past 10 years, Ghusel VDC, Lalitpur District has moved from primarily subsistence agriculture into the wider cash economy aided by the Small Farmers' Development Program (SFDP), which provides credit to farmers mainly for the purchase of buffalo for milk production, and by the National Dairy Corporation, which supports local dairy cooperatives. Analysis reveals that buffalo-keeping and milk sales are increasing the well-being of many households, while at the same time creating new inequalities in gender roles and responsibilities, greater inequities between Brahmin and Tamang residents in Ghusel, and placing pressures on the ecosystem for increased supplies of fodder and fuelwood. Evidence suggests that there is critical, need for attention to the social, and particularly gender-based, implications of maintaining livestock for milk sales and to the ecological underpinnings of this livelihood system.     

Structure and function of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase

In mammals, S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase (AdoHcyase) is the only known enzyme to catalyze the breakdown of S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) to homocysteine and adenosine. AdoHcy is the product of all adenosylmethionine (AdoMet)-dependent biological transmethylations. These reactions have a wide range of products, and are common in all facets of biometabolism. As a product inhibitor, elevated levels of AdoHcy suppress AdoMet-dependent transmethylations. Thus, AdoHcyase is a regulator of biological transmethylation in general. The three-dimensional structure of AdoHcyase complexed with reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADH) and the inhibitor (1′R, 2′S, 3′R)-9-(2′,3′-dihyroxycyclopenten-1-yl)adenine (DHCeA) was solved by a combination of the crystallographic direct methods program, SnB, to determine the selenium atom substructure and by treating the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction data as a special case of multiple isomorphous replacement. The enzyme architecture resembles that observed for NAD-dependent dehydrogenases, with the catalytic domain and the cofactor binding domain each containing a modified Rossmann fold. The two domains form a deep active site cleft containing the cofactor and bound inhibitor molecule. A comparison of the inhibitor complex of the human enzyme and the structure of the rat enzyme, solved without inhibitor, suggests that a 17° rigid body movement of the catalytic domain occurs upon inhibitor/substrate binding.     

Chiral Separation of G‐type Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents via Analytical Supercritical Fluid Chromatography

Chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) are extremely toxic organophosphorus compounds that contain a chiral phosphorus center. Undirected synthesis of G‐type CWNAs produces stereoisomers of tabun, sarin, soman, and cyclosarin (GA, GB, GD, and GF, respectively). Analytical‐scale methods were developed using a supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) system in tandem with a mass spectrometer for the separation, quantitation, and isolation of individual stereoisomers of GA, GB, GD, and GF. Screening various chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for the capacity to provide full baseline separation of the CWNAs revealed that a Regis WhelkO1 (SS) column was capable of separating the enantiomers of GA, GB, and GF, with elution of the P(+) enantiomer preceding elution of the corresponding P(–) enantiomer; two WhelkO1 (SS) columns had to be connected in series to achieve complete baseline resolution. The four diastereomers of GD were also resolved using two tandem WhelkO1 (SS) columns, with complete baseline separation of the two P(+) epimers. A single WhelkO1 (RR) column with inverse stereochemistry resulted in baseline separation of the GD P(–) epimers. The analytical methods described can be scaled to allow isolation of individual stereoisomers to assist in screening and development of countermeasures to organophosphorus nerve agents. Chirality 26:817–824, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Chirality published by John Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Reorientation of Microfibrils and Microtubules at the Outer Epidermal Wall of Maize Coleoptiles During Auxin-Mediated Growth

Auxin-mediated elongation growth of isolated subapical coleoptile segments of maize (Zea mays L.) is controlled by the extensibility of the outer cell wall of the outer epidermis (Kutschera et al., 1987). Here we investigate the hypothesis that auxin controls the extensibility of this wall by changing the orientation of newly deposited microfibrils through a corresponding change in the orientation of cortical microtubules. On the basis of electron micrographs it is shown that cessation of growth after removal of the endogenous source of auxin is correlated with a relative increase of longitudinally orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. Conversely, reinduction of growth by exogenous auxin is correlated with a relative increase of transversely orientated microfibrils and microtubules at the inner wall surface. These changes can be detected 30–60 min after the removal and addition of auxin, respectively. The functional significance of directional changes of newly desposited wall microfibrils for the control of elongation growth is discussed.     

Influence of Fluoride on Rat Kidney Antioxidant System: Effects of Methionine and Vitamin E

The aim of the study has been to determine and compare the influence upon the kidney antioxidative system, exercised by administration of vitamin E, and vitamin E in combination with methionine, under conditions of oxidative stress induced by sodium fluoride. The experiment was carried out on Wistar FL rats (adult males) that, for 35 days, were administered water, NaF, NaF with vitamin E, or vitamin E with methionine (doses: 10 mg NaF/kg of body mass/24 h, 3 mg vitamin E per 10 μl per rat for 24 h, 2 mg methionine per rat for 24 h). The influence of administered sodium fluoride and antioxidants upon the antioxidative system in kidney was examined by analyzing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of the most important antioxidative enzymes (SOD, total and both its isoenzymes, GPX, GST, GR, and CAT). The studies carried out confirmed the disadvantageous effect of the administered dose of NaF upon the antixodiative system in rats (increase in the concentration MDA, decrease activity of all antioxidative enzymes). The administration of vitamin E increased the activity of studied enzymes with the exception of glutathione reductase GR; it also reduced the procesess of lipid peroxidation. It has been found that combined doses of vitamin E and methionine were most effective in inhibiting lipid peroxidation processes. The results confirmed the antioxidative properties of methionine.     

Gamma-glutamylcysteine protects ergothioneine-deficient Mycobacterium tuberculosis mutants against oxidative and nitrosative stress

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb.), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), cannot synthesize GSH, but synthesizes two major low molecular weight thiols namely mycothiol (MSH) and ergothioneine (ERG). Gamma-glutamylcysteine (GGC), an intermediate in GSH synthesis, has been implicated in the protection of lactic acid bacteria from oxidative stress in the absence of GSH. In mycobacteria, GGC is an intermediate in ERG biosynthesis, and its formation is catalysed by EgtA (GshA). GGC is subsequently used by EgtB in the formation of hercynine-sulphoxide-GGC. In this study, M.tb. mutants harbouring unmarked, in-frame deletions in each of the fives genes involved in ERG biosynthesis (egtA, egtB, egtC, egtD and egtE) or a marked deletion of the mshA gene (required for MSH biosynthesis) were generated. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analyses (LC-MS) revealed that the production of GGC was elevated in the MSH-deficient and the ERG-deficient mutants. The ERG-deficient ΔegtB mutant which accumulated GGC was more resistant to oxidative and nitrosative stress than the ERG-deficient, GGC-deficient ΔegtA mutant. This implicates GGC in the detoxification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in M.tb.     

In vitro studies of the rabbit immune system. IV. Differential mitogen responses of isolated T and B cells.

The mitogenic responses of separated rabbit lymphocyte populations functionally analogous to mouse T and B cells have been tested in vitro. Purified T cells were prepared by passage over nylon wool (NW) and purified B cells prepared by treatment with antithymocyte serum and complement (ATS + C). ATS + C kills 70% of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL's) and 50% of the spleen cells while passage over NW yields 40% of the applied PBL's and 5–23% of the applied spleen cells. NW-purified T cells from the spleen or PBL's respond fully to concanavalin A (Con A) but have a reduced response to phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and little or no response to goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (anti-Ig). PBL's that survive ATS + C (B cells) are stimulated by anti-Ig but not by Con A or PHA. B cells purified from spleen do not respond to Con A or PHA but will respond to anti-Ig under appropriate conditions. A full spleen B-cell response to anti-Ig required removal of Ig produced by the cultures that blocked anti-Ig stimulation. It is concluded that, for rabbit lymphocytes, Con A and PHA are primarily T-cell mitogens and that anti-Ig is primarily a B-cell mitogen. However, the mitogen response of unfractionated PBL or spleen cell populations indicates an overlap in reactivity. This could be due to cells sharing T and B properties, alteration of cell populations by the fractionation procedures used, or recruitment of one population in the presence of a mitogenic response of the other population.     

八种脑-肠肽侧脑室内注射对大鼠基础胃酸分泌的影响

用乌拉坦麻醉大鼠作急性实验,采用连续灌流胃并收集流出液的方法,观察向侧脑室内注射微量脑-肠肽对大鼠基础胃酸分泌的影响。实验结果如下:(1)雨蛙肽、八肽胆囊收缩素、促甲状腺素释放激素及四肽胃泌素均使总酸排出量增加;(2)生长抑素、胰多肽、P 物质、胰高血糖素则使总酸排出量减少;(3)上述肽类用侧脑室注射的剂量作肌肉注射,除四肽胃泌素也产生明显的刺激胃酸分泌作用外,对胃酸分泌均无明显影响。以上结果提示,脑内的一些肽类可能以神经递质或调制物的方式,参与中枢对胃酸分泌的调节。     

A chromium-tolerant plant growing in Cr-contaminated land

In this paper, a kind of Typhaceae plant species, Typha angustifolia L, with a high tolerance to Cr is described. Experiments were carried out to examine its ability to tolerant Cr and its physiological response. The results showed that there was no difference in growth, plant height, and biomass response to external Cr (VI) between the plants exposed to 100 microM Cr (VI) and control (0 microM), while increasing Cr levels to 200-800 microM induced a significant decrease in plant height and biomass, but no significant injury was detected, even for the plants exposed to 800 microM Cr. Chromium induced significant increases in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities. Meanwhile, a significantly positive correlation was found between Cr and Mn or Cu in leaves and roots, respectively. The Cr tolerance of the plant appeared to be associated with the enhancement of SOD and POD activities and the improvement in uptake and translocation of the essential microelements.