Differences in gallstone structure in primary common bile duct lithiasis and gallbladder lithiasis

Summary Some differences between gallbladder lithiasis and primary common bile duct lithiasis are described. Microbiological cultures and biochemical analyses were carried out on the bile of two groups of patients: 27 suffering from gallbladder and 5 from primary common duct lithiasis. The microstructure and composition of gallstones were also examined by polarized light microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Women predominated in gallbladder lithiasis but not in primary common duct lithiasis group (P<0.05) and body weight was higher in the former group (P<0.02). Primary common duct lithiasis patients had a higher, although not significant, incidence of duodenal diverticulosis (P=0.15), and a higher incidence ofE. coli-positive cultures in bile (P<0.001). No significant difference in the biochemical composition of the bile was found between the groups. Brown pigment stones predominated in primary common duct lithiasis, while cholesterol stones did in gallbladder and secondary common duct lithiasis (P<0.0001). Stones formed in the gallbladder generally show linear, radial growths of cholesterol crystals, while those from the common duct present a polystratified, concentric deposition of microgranules composed mainly of pigmentary salts.These differences should be taken into account as additional criteria in the differential diagnosis between primary and secondary common duct lithiasis, as the classical criteria for diagnosing of the former greatly underestimate its actual incidence. The distinction between primary and secondary common duct lithiasis is of practical significance, since each entity requires different treatment.Abbreviations CBD common bile duct - CBDL common bile duct lithiasis - ERCP endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography - GBL gallbladder lithiasis - HDL high density lipoproteins - PCBDL primary common bile duct lithiasis - SCBDL secondary common bile duct lithiasis - SGOT serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase - SGPT serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase     

Phosphopyridoxal complexes with histamine and histidine (5) the kinetics of cyclic compound formation between histamine and pyridoxal-5′-phosphate in the presence of pig kidney diamine oxidase and rat intestinal histaminase

Pig kidney diamine oxidase (DAO) and rat intestinal histaminase (Hi-are) activities are inhibited in vitro by high concentrations of both a substrate (histamine) and a coenzyme (pyridoxal-5-phosphate). This inhibition may be at least partially associated with the formation of a cyclic compound between histamine (Hi) and pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP).The dynamics of this cyclic compound formation in the presence of both enzymes has been examined. In an incubation mixture containing partially purified pig kidney DAO, the rate of cyclization decreased slightly as compared with a buffer. On the contrary, in the presence of crude rat intestinal histaminase, the rate of cyclization was inhibited significantly; this inhibition was proportional to the amount of enzyme preparation present in the incubation mixture. The possible mechanism of the influence of enzyme protein on the rate of cyclic compound formation, and its possible biological significance, are discussed.     

Ultrastructural changes in the optic nerves of rodents with experimental Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS) or scrapie

This report describes the ultrastructural changes in the optic nerves of (1) hamsters infected with the Echigo-1 strain of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), (2) hamsters infected with the 263K or 22C-H strain of scrapie, and (3) mice infected with the Fujisaki strain of Gerstmann-Str?ussler-Scheinker disease (GSS). Vacuolation of myelinated fibres was present in the myelin sheaths, with splitting of myelin lamellae. These vacuoles contained typical secondary vacuoles and curled membrane fragments. Myelinated fibre vacuolation was also accompanied by an exuberant cellular reaction consisting of macrophages containing numerous mitochondria, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, and secondary lysosomes filled with digested myelin debris and other electron-dense material. Within macrophages, myelin fragments undergoing active digestion, lyre-like bodies and paracrystalline inclusions were frequently noted. Astrocytes and their processes were prominent; glial filaments and many mitochondria were readily detected. Proliferation of inner mesaxons was observed. Cross-sectional profiles of innumerable myelinated fibres contained membranous organelles continuous with the inner lamellae of the oligodendroglial cells. The proliferations of inner mesaxons formed whorls and loops, and intrusion of the membranous tongue of the inner mesaxon into the axoplasm was occasionally observed; dystrophic neurites were relatively numerous. In mice infected with the Fujisaki strain of GSS, fibres had undergone demyelination with stripping of the myelin lamellae, while others showed vesicular myelin degeneration.     

Risk factors of uterine contraction after ureteroscopy in pregnant women with renal colic

International Urology and Nephrology - Ureteroscopy is widely applied in pregnant women with renal colic, but such patients are easy to experience uterine contraction after surgery. There are many...     

An image-based modeling framework for patient-specific computational hemodynamics

We present a modeling framework designed for patient-specific computational hemodynamics to be performed in the context of large-scale studies. The framework takes advantage of the integration of image processing, geometric analysis and mesh generation techniques, with an accent on full automation and high-level interaction. Image segmentation is performed using implicit deformable models taking advantage of a novel approach for selective initialization of vascular branches, as well as of a strategy for the segmentation of small vessels. A robust definition of centerlines provides objective geometric criteria for the automation of surface editing and mesh generation. The framework is available as part of an open-source effort, the Vascular Modeling Toolkit, a first step towards the sharing of tools and data which will be necessary for computational hemodynamics to play a role in evidence-based medicine.     

Extraction of components from hydrocortisone mixtures using high pressure thin layer chromatography

Chromatographic conditions for the separation of five pairs of active compounds occuring in four ointment preparations and an aerosol one were elaborated. The ways of extraction of hydrocortisone esters (acetate and butyrate), chlorquinaldol, oxytetracycline base and oxytetracycline hydrochloride from the ointments as well as purification of the extracts prior to the HPLC analysis were described. The proposed analytical methods are for more specific and precise from those used until now in the home-made preparations quality control.     

低氧对体外培养的肺血管周细胞免疫表型的影响

用细胞培养、免疫细胞化学染色、图像分析及流式细胞术观察低氧和猪肺动脉缺氧内皮细胞条件培养液(HECCM)对体外培养的新生大鼠肺血管周细胞 (PC)α- SM- actin、 CD34 、 S- 10 0和 PCNA的表达及细胞周期的影响。结果发现 ,低氧和 HECCM可促进 PC表达α- SM- actin和 PCNA,而抑制 CD34 和 S- 10 0的合成 ,促进 PC由静止期 (G0 /G1 期 )进入 DNA合成期 (S期 )及有丝分裂期 (G2 M期 )。提示 ,低氧不仅能促进 PC增殖 ,而且还可促进其向平滑肌样细胞转化。故 PC是慢性低氧性肺动脉高压时无肌型细动脉肌化的重要细胞来源。     

性别异常的染色体组型分析

为了进一步探讨性别异常发生的机制及染色体组型与表型性别的相关性 ,对 33例性别异常病人的染色体组型和临床资料进行分析。结果表明 :46XY男性假两性畸形占 5 7 5 7% ,46XX女性假两性畸形为 18 18% ,真两性畸形的组型有12 12 % ,其他组型为 12 12 %。含Y染色体组型的病人 88 8%可以找到睾丸 ,但 73 6 8%的病人表现为女性社会性别。性染色体与社会性别的相符率为 42 82 %。还发现 2例男性假两性畸形其性染色体正常 ,但常染色体分别为臂间倒位及 13和 14号染色体间的易位时 ,也可以导致性别异常。结论 :性染色体决定着性腺分化的方向 ,但成熟的性腺和正常的性别发育还需除性染色体之外的多条染色体、多个基因的参与。