Precision error in dual-photon absorptiometry related to source age

An average, variable precision error of up to 6% related to source age was observed for dual-photon absorptiometry of the spine in a longitudinal study of bone mineral content involving 393 women. Application of a software correction for source decay compensated for only a portion of this error. The authors conclude that measurement of bone-loss rates using serial dual-photon bone mineral measurements must be interpreted with caution.     

A monoclonal antibody to the membrane glycoprotein complex CD18 inhibits polymorphonuclear leukocyte accumulation and plasma leakage in vivo

Previous in vitro findings suggest a critical role for the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) membrane glycoprotein complex CD18 in PMN adherence and chemotaxis. We examined the effect of the murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 60.3, recognizing CD18, on induced PMN accumulation in vivo. Rabbits were pretreated with MoAb 60.3, and the chemotactic factors fMLP, leukotriene (LT)B4, and C5a, as well as histamine, were injected intradermally; 4 hours later, plasma leakage (125I-albumin) and the PMN accumulation (myeloperoxidase) were determined. Both PMN accumulation and PMN-dependent plasma leakage were abolished in the inflammatory skin lesions of rabbits pretreated with MoAb 60.3 as compared with control animals, whereas histamine-induced PMN-independent plasma leakage was unaffected. Intravital microscopy of the rabbit tenuissimus muscle revealed that MoAb 60.3 inhibited both PMN adherence in the venules and migration into the tissue following application of LTB4 and zymosan-activated serum (ZAS). Rolling of PMNs along the venular endothelium was unaffected. Thus, these experiments confirm and extend earlier in vitro findings of the critical role of the membrane glycoprotein complex, CD18, in PMN adherence and chemotaxis.     

药典内5种淫羊藿中黄酮类成分的反相高效液相色谱分析

报道了药典规定的5种淫羊藿──淫羊藿、箭叶淫羊藿、巫山淫羊藿、柔毛淫羊藿和朝鲜淫羊藿中9种黄酮──淫羊藿甙(icariin)、宝藿甙-Ⅰ(baohuosideI)、宝藿甙-Ⅱ(baohuosideⅡ)、淫羊藿甙A(epimedosideA)、箭藿甙B(sagittatosideB)、朝藿定B(epimedinB)、朝藿定C(epimedinC)、大花淫羊藿甙C(ikarisosideC)和大花淫羊藿甙F(ikarisosideF)的反相高效液相色谱测定。色谱柱为DISK-C_phenlyl,流动相为乙腈-乙酸液(水:36%乙酸=100:4),梯度洗脱,检测波长为272nm。     

Pancreatin preparations used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis-- lipase content and in vitro release.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic extracts are essential in the treatment of the majority of cystic fibrosis patients. The clinical response to different preparations is often unpredictable and at present there is no sure method of determining the best preparation for a particular patient. METHODS: Creon, Nutrizym GR, Pancrease and the high-lipase versions, Creon 25,000, Nutrizym 22 and Pancrease HL, were investigated for lipase content and resistance to simulated gastric conditions. The rates of lipase release in response to pH change, bile salts and duodenal solids were investigated. The stability of lipase and its binding to duodenal solids were also investigated. RESULTS: Declared values for lipase content were exceeded in all preparations. All preparations were acid resistant. The release of lipase in response to pH change showed notable differences in release rates. After 20 min at pH 5.5, Creon released three times the amount of lipase compared with Pancrease, the other preparations coming within the range. Above pH 5.75, the release rates were comparable amongst the preparations. Bile salts influenced release variably whilst release in a solid-rich duodenal fluid was much slower than in buffers. The released lipase was susceptible to proteolysis and pH-dependent binding to duodenal solids; these effects may compromise lipolysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results show some factors contributing to variable clinical responses to pancreatic supplements. Improvements may result if a patient is assessed on different preparations.     

Disorders of fascicular conduction following coronary surgery: etiology and clinical relevance

Seventy-one consecutive patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were studied prospectively. New fascicular conduction defects (FCD) were evident in 51 patients (72%) 1 h after cardioplegic cardiac arrest, in 40 patients (56%) after 2 h, in 29 patients (41%) on the first postoperative day, and in 14 patients (20%) on the seventh postoperative day. Right bundle branch block was the most common type of FCD, followed by left anterior hemiblock. FCD were related to longer aortic cross-clamp time, higher age (p less than 0.025), frequency of wall motion abnormalities (p = 0.033), the number of diseased (p = 0.007) and bypassed vessels (p less than 0.0005), a greater intra- (p = 0.018) and postoperative (p = 0.017) demand for catecholamines, a more complicated postoperative course (p = 0.005), and a longer stay in the intensive care unit (p less than 0.01). Ischemic damage to the conduction system during cardioplegic cardiac arrest appears to be the most likely explanation for new FCD after CABG. Severe coronary heart disease contributes to their development. Hence, adequate myocardial preservation is of crucial importance. FCD are associated with increased perioperative morbidity, according to other studies, also with poorer long-term prognosis, especially in case of a left bundle branch block. In this subset a closer follow-up may be indicated.     

Aortic lacerations: fatal complications of thoracic aortography

Traumatic aortic lacerations are life-threatening injuries that require a prompt diagnosis and surgery if patients are to survive. Most authors recommend transfemoral catheterization when performing thoracic aortography in patients with suspected aortic lacerations. The authors of this study describe two patients in whom transfemoral catheterization and contrast material injection were directly related to their deaths. These cases illustrate the need for cautious catheter manipulation in patients with aortic lacerations.     

Hemophilic arthropathy: assessment with MR imaging

Fifteen patients with hemophilia, 14 of whom had hemophilic arthropathy, were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to determine if it could be used to assess hemophilic arthropathy, especially synovial hypertrophy and the status of the articular cartilage. Thirty-five joints of the appendicular skeleton were imaged. Four joints in two patients were clinically normal. Synovial hypertrophy was detected in 28 joints and appeared as areas of low to intermediate signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images, with foci of increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images (presumed to be due to areas of fluid or inflammation) in 16 joints. Abnormal articular cartilage was demonstrated in 26 joints; bone lesions, fluid collections, and joint space narrowing could also be seen. MR imaging appears to be useful in depicting the components of hemophilic arthropathy.     

NITRIC OXIDE-DEPENDENT ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IS UNAFFECTED BY ALLOPURINOL IN HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIC SUBJECTS

1. Hypercholesterolaemia is associated with abnormal endothelium-related vasodilator function, possibly due to increased destruction .NO by superoxide anions (.O2-). Oxypurinol, a xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibitor with anti-oxidant properties and the active metabolite of the commonly used drug allopurinol, reduces .NO quenching in vitro and has been reported to acutely improve endothelial function in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. 2. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether oral allopurinol improves .NO dilator function in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. 3. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over design evaluated the effect of allopurinol (300 mg daily for 4 weeks) on forearm blood flow (FBF) responses to intrabrachial infusion of acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) in nine hypercholesterolaemic subjects. 4. Endothelium-dependent vascular responses to ACh and L-NMMA were not significantly altered by allopurinol. The endothelium-independent vasodilator response to SNP was similarly unchanged. 5. These results indicate that allopurinol does not influence basal or stimulated activity of the .NO dilator system in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. If intracellular .O2- inactivation .NO is responsible for endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolaemia, the source may be other than XO dependent. However, generation of .O2- during the conversion of allopurinol to oxypurinol could offer an alternative, and probably more likely, explanation for the ineffectiveness of allopurinol in vivo.