Use of Hemo-De to eliminate toxic agents used for concentration and trichrome staining of intestinal parasites.

In a blind comparison, 465 randomly collected clinical fecal specimens were examined. Hemo-De was found to be an excellent replacement for ethyl acetate in the concentration procedure and for carbol-xylene and xylene in the trichrome staining procedure. Elimination of toxic reagents, combined with its lower cost, makes Hemo-De the preferred choice in routine parasitology examinations.     

Ethyl acetate as a substitute for diethyl ether in the formalin-ether sedimentation technique.

Ethyl acetate appears to be a satisfactory subsitute solvent for diethyl ether in the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique. In comparative studies, concentration of organisms with ethyl acetate was equal to or greater than that with diethyl ether. No distortion or alteration of morphology was observed with eigher solvent, and preparations were comparable in appearance and ease of examination. In addition, ethyl acetate is less flammable and less hazardous to use than diethyl ether.     

Comparison of clinical results for the use of ethyl acetate and diethyl ether in the formalin-ether sedimentation technique performed on polyvinyl alcohol-preserved specimens.

One hundred fecal specimens preserved in polyvinyl alcohol fixative were examined by the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique with ethyl acetate substituted for diethyl ether. Technical performance of the procedures, appearance and amount of sediment obtained, and organism morphology were comparable. Also, ethyl acetate is less flammable and, therefore, less dangerous to use than diethyl ether. Results of parasite recovery when diethyl ether or ethyl acetate was used revealed few clinical relevant differences, most of which could also have been attributed to other variables inherent in this type of diagnostic testing.     

Clinical comparison of ethyl acetate and diethyl ether in the formalin-ether sedimentation technique.

A substitute for the volatile solvent diethyl ether has been actively sought for the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique. Ethyl acetate has recently been shown to be a comparable substitute. In an effort to verify these findings and evaluate ethyl acetate under clinical conditions, comparison studies with 62 fresh human stool specimens were performed. Parallel concentrates with diethyl ether and ethyl acetate were prepared for each specimen, and the quantity and appearance of recovered parasite species were determined. Ethyl acetate was found comparable to diethyl ether in the quantitative recovery of parasite eggs, cysts, and larvae; no distortion or alteration of parasite morphology was observed with either solvent. More care was required, however, to completely remove the interface plugs of ethyl acetate and prevent their remixing the concentrate sediment. In addition, wet mounts prepared from ethyl acetate concentrates were occasionally obscured by liquid bubbles probably composed of remaining insoluble ethyl acetate. Clinical laboratories considering substituting ethyl acetate for diethyl ether in the Formalin-ether sedimentation technique should be aware of these problems and take the appropriate precautions to avoid them.     

Comparison of the quantitative formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique and agar plate culture for diagnosis of human strongyloidiasis

The quantitative formalin ethyl acetate concentration technique (QFEC) was compared to agar plate culture (APC) for the detection of Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. QFEC could substitute for APC only when the parasite load was higher than 50 larvae per g of stool. This study serves as a good reminder to those conducting stool exams about the sensitivity and specificity limitations of both techniques.     

壮药赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及流份对LPS诱导的RAW264.7细胞的抗炎作用

目的 筛选赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及不同洗脱梯度二氯甲烷-甲醇部位对炎症反应的抑制作用最强的流份。 方法 使用MTT法确定壮药赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及不同洗脱梯度二氯甲烷-甲醇部位对RAW264.7细胞安全给药浓度范围,通过ELISA法测定赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及不同洗脱梯度二氯甲烷-甲醇部位对LPS诱导RAW264.7细胞分泌NO、TNF-ａ、IL-12、IL-6、IL-1β含量,筛选对炎症反应的抑制作用最强的流份。 结果 赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及流份在0.06~2.0 mg/ml浓度范围内,赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及流份对细胞活力的抑制作用逐渐增强,浓度在0.5 mg/ml以上具有明显的细胞毒性,在0.5 mg/ml以下对细胞活力具有增强作用。二氯甲烷-甲醇洗脱部位高剂量能抑制炎症因子IL-12、IL-6、TNF-ａ、IL-1β释放,对NO的分泌没有抑制作用。 结论 赪桐乙酸乙酯部位及不同洗脱梯度的二氯甲烷-甲醇部位抗炎机制是通过抑制NO、TNF-ａ、IL-12、IL-6、IL-1β炎症因子的分泌,二氯甲烷-甲醇（50:1）洗脱部位和二氯甲烷-甲醇（30:1）洗脱部位的抗炎能力较强。     

色钉菇乙酸乙酯相对SH-SY5Y细胞的保护作用

目的探讨色钉菇乙酸乙酯提取物对1-甲基-4-苯基吡啶离子(MPP+)诱导损伤的多巴胺能神经元的保护作用。方法以SH-SY5Y细胞系为对象,首先测定MPP+孵育48 h时的半致死量(IC50)。然后用25mg/L、50mg/L、100mg/L等剂量的乙酸乙酯提取物预先孵育4 h,随后加入1.0mmol/L(IC50值)MPP+孵育48 h。通过MTT法检测细胞活性;Hoechst染色法、AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI双染法流式细胞术检测法观察细胞凋亡情况。利用DCFHDA检测色钉菇乙酸乙酯提取物对细胞内活性氧(ROS)水平的影响。结果 1.0mmol/L MPP+孵育48 h时达到半致死剂量,MPP+的损伤浓度确定为1.0mmol/L。预先经色钉菇乙酸乙酯相(50mg/L)孵育,可显著提高SH-SY5Y细胞的活力,降低细胞凋亡率。MPP+损伤后ROS水平急剧升高,而25mg/L、50mg/L、100mg/L乙酸乙酯提取物干预后ROS水平下降。结论 50mg/L色钉菇乙酸乙酯相可显著减轻MPP+对SH-SY5Y细胞的毒性损伤,具有显著的保护作用。     

Use of terpene-based solvents (Hemo-De, Histoclear, and Shandon and BDH xylene substitutes) in place of xylene in the Ehrlich indole test.

Although less effective than xylene and Kovacs reagent as indole extractants, Hemo-De and Shandon xylene substitute can be used in the Ehrlich indole test if a less toxic solvent is desirable. In doubtful cases, xylene should be used. Because of the blocking action shown in the test, use of indole-nitrite broth cannot be recommended.     

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethyl acetate extract, fractions and compounds from stem bark of Albizia adianthifolia (Mimosoideae)

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Albizia adianthifolia is used traditionally in Cameroon to treat several ailments, including infectious and associated diseases. This work was therefore designed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of ethyl acetate extract, fractions and compounds isolated from the stem bark of this plant. METHODS: The plant extract was prepared by maceration in ethyl acetate. Its fractionation was done by column chromatography and the structures of isolated compounds were elucidated using spectroscopic data in conjunction with literature data. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays were used to detect the antioxidant activity. Broth micro-dilution method was used for antimicrobial test. Total phenol content was determined spectrophotometrically in the extracts by using Folin-Ciocalteu method. RESULTS: The fractionation of the extract afforded two known compounds: lupeol (1) and aurantiamide acetate (2) together with two mixtures of fatty acids: oleic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid (B1); n-hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and docosanoic acid (B2). Aurantiamide acetate was the most active compound. The total phenol concentration expressed as gallic acid equivalents (GAE) was found to vary from 1.50 to 13.49 ug/ml in the extracts. The antioxidant activities were well correlated with the total phenol content (R2 = 0.946 for the TEAC method and R2 = 0.980 for the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay). CONCLUSION: Our results clearly reveal that the ethyl acetate extract from the stem bark of A. adianthifolia possesses antioxidant and antimicrobial principles. The antioxidant activity of this extract as well as that of compound 2 are being reported herein for the first time. These results provide promising baseline information for the potential use of this plant as well as compound 2 in the treatment of oxidative damage and infections associated with the studied microorganisms. KEYWORDS: Albizia adianthifolia, antioxidant, antimicrobial, phenols, fractionation, aurantiamide acetate.     

Evaluation of a xylene substitute in Ehrlich indole test.

Hemo-De (PMP Medical Industries, Inc., Irving, Tex.) was evaluated and found to be a suitable substitute for xylene in the Ehrlich modification of the indole test.     

Plasma acetate and bicarbonate kinetics and intolerance to acetate during and after renal dialysis

Plasma acetate kinetics, acid-base homeostasis and clinical tolerance were monitored in 7 patients with chronic renal failure during and after hemodialysis with standard conditions. In 6 patients, without severe clinical symptoms acetate levels became stable during the last hour of dialysis (4.86 +/- 0.44 mmol/l) and decreased according to first order kinetics (half-life (8.82 +/- 3.42 mn). Simultaneously bicarbonate levels significantly increased (p less than 0.005). At the opposite the 7th patient has been characterised by a continuous rise in acetate levels (12.3 mmol/l at the end of the dialysis), a slower elimination (half-life: 31.0 mn), a collapse of plasma bicarbonate and severe acetate intolerance. Moreover symptomatic patients were characterised by an increase of plasma levels and half-lives. Therefore it seems that during dialysis of comparable efficiency, an insufficient rate of acetate metabolism may be at the origin of a worsening of metabolic acidosis as well as an increase of acetate load, responsible for severe acetate intolerance.     

Heats of dilution of atactic polystyrene in ethyl acetate

The heats of dilution and the volume change for the system polystyrene/ethyl acetate were measured. It was shown that the values of the interaction heat parameter as well as those of the excess volume change their positive sign to a negative one at about the same molar mass of the polymer. This is explained in terms of drastic changes of the conformation of the polymer molecules as soon as a certain molar mass is attained.     

The metabolism of acetate in the perfused hind-quarter of the rat.

The elimination kinetics of acetate, the main end product of ethanol metabolism in the liver and the influence of acetate oxidation on the redox- and energy state of the isolated perfused hind-quarter of the rat were studied. The rate of acetate uptake increased with increasing initial concentration of acetate in the perfusion medium, suggesting that the plasma level of free acetate may be one factor in the regulation of acetate uptake in the skeletal muscle. Addition of acetate as a single dose did not affect the net production of lactate or the uptake of glucose. In continuous infusion experiments at a constant concentration of 2 mM of acetate in the medium, the lactate/pyruvate ratio was unaffected in the medium and in the muscle tissue. Addition of acetate did not affect the oxygen uptake. Experiments with 14-C-acetate showed that about 50% of added radioactivity was found in form of 14-CO2 accounting for 25 to 45% of the oxidative metabolism in the muscle tissue. It was calculated that about 25% of the acetate produced in the liver during ethanol oxidation can be consumed in the resting, perfused hind-quarter of the rat. The tissue content of high-energy phosphate compounds was not significantly affected by acetate.     

Synthesis of casein-g-poly(vinyl acetate)

Casein-g-poly(vinyl acetate) was synthesized using potassium persulfate as initiator. Changes in monomer concentration, initiator concentration, backbone concentration, and temperature were effected. The rate of total conversion of monomer, the rate of homopolymerization and graft copolymerization, the grafting efficiency and the percentage of grafting were calculated. The grafting results were discussed in the light of grafting efficiency and percentage of grafting. They were found to be lower in the case of casein-g-poly(vinyl acetate) when compared to those of casein-g-poly(butyl acrylate).     

Spotlight on glatiramer acetate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) is a synthetic copolymer composed of a random mixture of four amino acids that modifies the immune response that results in the CNS inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss characteristic of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). In three randomised, double-blind trials in patients with RRMS, subcutaneous glatiramer acetate 20 mg/day was significantly more effective than placebo for the primary outcome measure of each trial (mean relapse rate, proportion of relapse-free patients and number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scans). The mean relapse rate was significantly reduced at endpoint (approximately one-third less) in the two larger trials (the US pivotal trial [primary endpoint] and the European/Canadian study [tertiary endpoint]) in patients receiving glatiramer acetate compared with those receiving placebo. The rate was 78% less for glatiramer acetate than placebo patients in the pilot trial that investigated a slightly different patient population. Glatiramer acetate significantly decreased disease activity and burden of disease, as assessed in the European/Canadian study using a range of MRI measures. Patients with RRMS treated with glatiramer acetate in the US trial were significantly more likely to experience improved disability (whereas placebo recipients were more likely to experience worsening disability) and their overall disability status was significantly improved compared with placebo recipients. Data from the active-treatment extension of the US trial suggest that glatiramer acetate has sustained clinical benefits up to 8 years. Glatiramer acetate was generally well tolerated; the most commonly reported treatment-related adverse events were localised injection-site reactions and transient post-injection systemic reactions. Both reactions were generally mild and self limiting but were responsible for the majority of withdrawals from treatment (up to 6.5% and 3.5%, respectively). Glatiramer acetate is not associated with the influenza-like syndrome or neutralising antibodies that are reported in patients treated with interferon-beta for RRMS. The cost effectiveness of glatiramer acetate has yet to be definitively determined as assessment of available data is confounded by very different models, data sources and assumptions. In conclusion, glatiramer acetate has shown efficacy in well controlled clinical trials in patients with RRMS; it reduces relapse rate and decreases MRI-assessed disease activity and burden. It is generally well tolerated and is not associated with the influenza-like symptoms and formation of neutralising antibodies seen with the interferons-beta. Based on available data and current management guidelines, glatiramer acetate is a valuable first-line treatment option for patients with RRMS.     

Studies on effect of Acalypha indica L. (Euphorbiaceae) leaf extracts on the malarial vector, Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera:Culicidae)

The leaf extract of Acalypha indica with different solvents viz, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol were tested for larvicidal, ovicidal activity and oviposition attractancy against Anopheles stephensi. The larval mortality was observed after 24 h exposure. The LC(50) values are 19.25, 27.76, 23.26 and 15.03 ppm, respectively. Mean percent hatchability of the ovicidal activity was observed 120 h after treatment. The percent hatchability was inversely proportional to the concentration of extract and directly proportional to the eggs. The highest effective attractancy of 90.09%, 94.20%, 85.43% and 95.75% were observed at 100 ppm concentration viz, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The lowest effective attractancy of 47.17%, 61.94%, 49.28% and 68.12% were observed at 25 ppm concentration viz, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol, respectively. The results that the leaf extract of A. indica is promising as larvicidal and ovicidal activity and oviposition attractancy against malaria vector A. stephensi.     

The effect of ethyl acetate extract of pomelo mix on systemic exposure of verapamil in rabbits

The effect of ethyl acetate extract of pomelo fruit on systemic exposure of verapamil was explored in rabbits. Two groups each of 8 locally-inbred New Zealand male rabbits were used. The first group was used for single-dose treatment (both verapamil and pomelo extract). The second group was used for multiple-dose treatment, pomelo extract (once daily for 14 days) and verapamil single doses (at days 7 and 14). A verapamil dose of 30 mg/kg and a pomelo extract dose of 45 mg/kg were used. Single-dose treatment with pomelo extract resulted in a minor change in mean C(max) of verapamil in plasma, while a decrease of 37.8% in AUC(0-24) and 28.3% in AUC(0-∞) was observed but did not reach statistical significance. After the first period of multiple dose treatment (pomelo extract for 7 days), the combination increased the concentration of verapamil in plasma with a significant increase in mean C(max), AUC(0-24) and AUC(0-∞) by 461.9%, 299.7%, and 261.1%, respectively (p values were 0.005, 0.002, and 0.006, respectively). In contrast, after the second period (day 14 of pomelo extract use), the combination decreased the concentration of verapamil in the plasma with a substantial decrease in mean C(max), AUC(0-24), and AUC(0-∞), by 68.2%, 69.7% and 58.3%, respectively. This decrease did not reach statistical significance (p values were 0.073, 0.081 and 0.083, respectively). The T(max) was not affected significantly in both studies. The study illustrates a complex time-dependent interaction between verapamil and the ethyl acetate extract of pomelo mix. More intensive studies are needed to further understand the nature of the interaction.     

The anti-allergic effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from an Ecklonia kurome extract

To determine the anti-allergic effects of Ecklonia kurome, the ethyl acetate fraction from an E. kurome (EEK) extract was compared to the ethyl acetate fraction from an Eisenia arborea (EEA) extract and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) for inhibitory effects on inflammation in experimental animals, degranulation in inflammatory lymphocytes and enzymatic activities involved in allergic reactions. EEK was found to inhibit mouse ear oedema by inflammatory inducers (arachidonic acid, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and oxazolone) in a dose-dependent manner, through both topical and oral administrations. EEK also inhibited degranulation in rat basophilic leukaemia cells and enzymatic activities (cyclooxygenase-2, soybean lipoxygenase and phospholipase A₂) in a dose-dependent manner. The effects of EEK were generally comparable of those of EEA and EGCG. Therefore, E. kurome and the components in EEK have the benefit of being used not only in common foods, but also more widely as a functional food resource in anti-allergic foods.     

Modified trichrome staining technique with a xylene substitute.

Hemo-De was evaluated and found to be a suitable replacement for xylene in the Wheatly trichrome staining of polyvinyl alcohol-fixed fecal smears used in the microscopic identification of intestinal protozoans.     

L-lactate for high-efficiency hemodialysis: feasibility studies and a randomized comparison with acetate and bicarbonate

We evaluated the feasibility of using L-lactate as a base for hemodialysis. In one study, acid-base changes using 40 mM L- or DL-lactate were compared. In a second study, acid-base status using various amounts of L-lactate exclusively was studied. The third study compared symptoms and acid-base changes during 9 weeks of high-efficiency dialysis when using L-lactate, acetate, or bicarbonate as base. In the first study, plasma bicarbonate changes were equivalent with 40 mM L-lactate and 40 mM DL-lactate, but overall correction of acidosis appeared to be suboptimal. In the second study, when compared to a bicarbonate control period, correction of acidosis was reduced when using 40 mM L-lactate + 4 mM acetate solution, but increased when using a 46 mM L-lactate + 4 mM acetate solution. In the third study, correction of acidosis was comparable when using 42 mM L-lactate + 4 mM acetate, 39 mM acetate, or 35 mM HCO3 + 4 mM acetate. Whereas 46% +/- 12 (SEM) treatments "failed" because of symptoms when using acetate, the percentages of "failed" treatments were only 7% +/- 4.2 with L-lactate (p less than 0.05) and 11% +/- 4.2 with bicarbonate (p less than 0.05). The results suggest that L-lactate is a suitable dialysis solution base that is capable of correcting chronic uremic acidosis. During high-efficiency dialysis, the incidence of intradialytic symptoms with L-lactate is comparable to that with bicarbonate and less than that with acetate.