Urine as an alternative to urethral swabs for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis in infertile males

Swabbing the urethrae of men has been the traditional approach for collecting specimens for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis . Recently, however, urine testing using enzyme immunoassay has yielded promising results. A total of 105 patients attending the Andrology Clinic at Ga Rankuwa Hospital, Medunsa were included in the study. These patients were asymptomatic and had no urethral discharge. Three endo-urethral swabs and first-catch urine were collected fiom each patient. The urethral swabs were used for enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (IDEIA 111), tissue culture and direct immonufluorescent antibody (DFA) test (IMAGEN) to detect C. trachomatis . In addition about 15–30 ml of first-catch urine, or urine collected at least 2h after the previous micturition, was collected for each patient for EIA testing. Fifteen (14.3%) of 105 patients were positive on urethral swab EIA, in comparison with the DFA test in which 14 (13.3%) were positive. Eight (7.8%) were positive in tissue culture. Urine EIA was positive in 17 (16.2%) patients, of whom five (4.8%) were positive in urine EIA only. All EIA positive urines were confirmed by DFA. We recommend that first-catch urine or urine collected at least 2h after the previous micturition in infertile males may be considered a suitable alternative to urethral swab for chlamydial diagnosis because it is noninvasive and nontraumatic.     

蝮蛇抗栓酶对骨内高压降压作用实验研究

本实验随机将家兔一侧后肢于膝关节伸直位夹板外固定５周，制成固定侧胫骨上端骨内高压模型。对其全身和局部血液流变学指标进行测定，发现全血粘度，血浆粘度增大，血沉增快，血浆纤维蛋白原含量明显增高。对上述模型应用蝮蛇抗栓酶（ｓｖａｔｅ）连续治疗２１天，骨内压降低，血液流变学各项指标亦降低。本实验结果显示，蝮蛇抗栓酶通过改善骨内高压状态下的异常血液流变学状态可使骨内高压降低，从而认为血液流变学疗法可能成为临床治疗骨内高压症的一种新手段，而蝮蛇抗栓酶可能为其中高效药物之一。     

Indirect detection of anti-acetylcholinesterase compounds in microcolumn liquid chromatography using packed bed reactor with immobilized human red blood cell acetylcholinesterase and choline oxidase

The inhibiting compounds were separated by micro-column liquid chromatography in the mobile phase containing the natural substrate acetylcholine. A home-made packed bed microbioreactor system containing immobilized enzyme acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) in human red blood cell membrane and choline oxidase (CHO) from alcaligenes was used for the post-column conversion of acetylcholine to hydrogen peroxide which was detected by an electrochemical detector. The inhibition effect of the solutes caused a decrease in the acetylcholinesterase activity, a decrease in the formation of hydrogen peroxide and also a decrease in the response corresponding to the concentration of the solutes. The rate of the enzyme regeneration was also recorded. The micro-system was compared with a conventional LC system comprising commercially prepared enzyme reactor. The stability of the enzymes is at least 3 weeks at ambient temperature. The limit of detection depends on biological activity of inhibition and for galanthamine was 1 pmol.     

血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂在急性心肌梗塞早期的应用

对２５例急性心肌梗塞（ＡＭＩ）并左心功能不全患者早期应用血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂（ＡＣＥＩ）治疗的对照性临床分析，结果：用小剂量的ＡＣＥＩ治疗对患者心率、血压无显著的影响〔治疗前后心率分别为８９．９０±１０．２２次／分与８９．４２±８．１９次／分，血压分别为１５．３７±３．４６／９．７４±２．３２ｋＰａ（１ｋＰａ＝７．５ｍｍＨｇ）〕和１４．９６±２．６０／９．４６±１．７６ｋＰａ〕；对合并轻、中度泵衰竭患者的疗效显著，但对重度泵衰竭的疗效与对照组比较无显著性差异；治疗组恶性心律失常的发生率较对照组减低１３．３８％，警告性室早的发生率治疗组较对照组减少２６．３９％，但Ⅱ°～Ⅲ°房室传导阻滞的发生率治疗组高于对照组；两组４周病死率比较无显著性差异。作者认为：ＡＣＥＩ治疗ＡＭＩ并轻、中度泵衰竭安全有效；ＡＣＥＩ有一定抗心律失常作用，但应注意传导系统的并发症，使用中应注意各种副作用的发生。     

Quantitative evidence of peripheral conversion of angiotensin within the human leg: effects of local angiotensin-I administration and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on regional blood flow and angiotensin-II balance across the leg

Summary The renin-angiotensin system relevantly contributes to the maintenance of systemic vascular tone and there is experimental evidence that large amounts of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) are present in peripheral vascular tissues, including resistance vessels. To determine and quantify peripheral vascular conversion of angiotensin-I (ANG-I) to angiotensin-II (ANG-II) across the human leg, the response of regional blood flow to local regional intra-arterial infusion of ANG-I and changes in associated ANG-I1 balance were evaluated during ANG-I infusion and following additional ACE inhibition. Ten sodium-loaded healthy men were enrolled in the study. Following cannulation of both femoral arteries and the right femoral vein, leg blood flow was determined (indocyanine-green dye-dilution method) at baseline conditions and during constant intra-arterial infusion of haemodynamically ineffective doses of ANG-I as well as following concomitant intra-arterial administration of low doses of the non-sulfhydril ACE inhibitor cilazapril. From the transfemoral arterio-venous differences in ANG-II plasma concentrations and the corresponding regional blood (plasma) flow, the ANG-II balance across the leg was calculated. Systemic blood pressure did not change throughout the trial, indicating that no major systemic effects were present during ANG-I infusion or concomitant ACE inhibition. Moreover, arterial ANG-II plasma concentrations were not significantly changed by ANG-I infusion. Leg blood flow decreased to below baseline values following ANG-I infusion, increasing again then in a dose-dependent manner during concomitant cilazapril administration. The calculated baseline ANG-II balance across the leg revealed a net extraction in 6 out of 10 subjects and a net ANG-II formation in 4. Following ANG-I, a shift towards net ANG-II formation or decrease in extraction was seen in 8 subjects, while 2 had no change in ANG-II balance.During concomitant ACE inhibition, ANG-II balance was again shifted towards net extraction or reduced formation. Our results confirm that, in man, considerable regional arterio-venous differences in ANG-II plasma concentrations are present, resulting in either net transfemoral extraction or net formation of the peptide. It is suggested that systemic vascular conversion of circulating ANG-I might contribute to the maintenance of peripheral vasuclar tone in man. Send offprint requests to S. Gasic at the above address     

超声引导胶原酶治疗外侧型腰椎间盘突出症

目的探讨超声引导胶原酶治疗外侧型腰椎间盘突出症的疗效及安全性.方法在相应椎间盘突出的棘突间,旁开1.5～2.5cm处经皮穿刺,采用超声引导定位,穿刺成功后,先进行加压试验,再进行麻醉试验,无腰麻征象后,将胶原酶注入到突出的椎间盘内或周围.结果 231例病人出院时的优良率为92.21%,有效率为99.57%;随访1～5年的优良率为92.65%,有效率为99.58%.近期与远期疗效比较无显著性差异(χ2=0.129,P＞0.05).结论利用超声引导监测、定位,注射胶原酶治疗外侧型腰椎间盘突出症,安全性强、有效率高.     

一株曲霉果糖转移酶的发酵条件及转果糖基活性

对一株曲霉果糖转移酶菌株的产酶培养条件进行了研究。确定了最佳培养基组成：初始蔗糖质量浓度15～18g／dL，氮源为酵母膏，K2HPO4对果糖转移酶的产生具有明显的促进作用，添加0．2g／dLCMC能够使果糖转移酶活力提高到原来的1．3倍，在pH5．5，30℃条件下，果糖转移酶最高酶活力为30．42U／mL。HPLC分析结果表明，转糖基产物为总质量的55．8％。     

Homozygosity for the transthyretin-Met30-gene in seven individuals with familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy detected by restriction enzyme analysis of amplified genomic DNA sequences

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) with a mutation in position 30 of transthyretin (TTR) (previously called prealbumin) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by varying degrees of peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, gastrointestinal problems, and vitreous amyloid. We have earlier diagnosed homozygosity for the TTR-Met30-gene using Southern analysis in four Swedish individuals. We have found it possible to detect homozygosity for the Met-30 mutation by amplifying discrete regions of the TTR-gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the amplification products restricted with NsiI analysed by gel electrophoresis. Clinical data on seven homozygous individuals, including three new cases, are presented.     

甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵促进IL-2增强NK活性的研究

本实验采用乳酸脱氢酶释放法研究甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵对人外周血NK细胞活性的影响。结果表明,甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵本身无增强NK细胞活性的作用,但可明显促进IL-2增强NK活性,这种增强作用与甘草甜素和甘草酸单铵的浓度有关。