Muscular sufficiency, serum protein, enzymes and bioenergetic studies (31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in chronic malnutrition

Muscle sufficiency was significantly lower in 1336 children with chronic malnutrition of moderate to severe degree. Eighteen children with a chronic moderate degree of malnutrition and 8 well-nourished, age-matched controls were selected for biochemical and 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31 -P MRS) studies. The results showed that: (a) serum total protein, albumin, iron, calcium and inorganic phosphate were similar in both groups; (b) serum enzyme levels were significantly increased in the malnourished group; (c) 31-P MRS showed significantly higher means for total ATP, β-ATP, a-ATP and inorganic phosphate for the malnourished compared to the control group. In chronic malnutrition, proteins are maintained by degradation in muscle resulting in release of amino acids and enzymes. 31-P MRS studies showing increases in total ATP, β-ATP and inorganic phosphate and a decrease in phosphocreatine suggest that ATP is maintained at the cost of phosphocreatine.     

高效液相色谱法测定血浆中洛美沙星浓度及其在人体内药代动力学

建立了人血浆洛美沙星的反相离子对高效液相色谱测定方法。该法简便易行,精密度好,方法回收率95～102%,日内、日间RSD为2.1～7.8%,血药浓度在0.125～5.012 μg/ml范围内呈线性关系,相关系数0.9998,当S/N=2时,最小检测浓度为25 ng/ml。健康志愿者口服400 mg洛美沙星,药代动力学过程符合一室模型,消除相半衰期为5.5 h。     

Difficulties in Immunohaematology : The Weak D Antigen

Background

The Rh blood system is one of the most polymorphic and immunogenic systems known to humans. The expression of Rh blood group antigen is complex. The Rh D antigen is the most important of the antigens that constitute the Rh antigen system. In most cases, D antigen can easily be detected. However, due to variability of expression, weak forms antigen are encountered. The reactivity of weak D with antisera is variable and presents as a problem in blood banking.

Methods

A retrospective analysis for a five-year period was done. Blood samples that were negative for Rh D by immediate spin tube method were tested for weak D antigen by additional lab tests.

Result

Of 34932 serial Rh grouping tests done in our Blood Bank, the incidence of weak D Rh antigen was 0.189%. All these were confirmed by the antiglobulin test.

Conclusion

These patients present as a problem for the blood banker and a curiosity to the clinician. Although uncommon, all health care workers should be aware of this entity to avoid anti D alloimmunisation.Key Words: Weak D, Rh Blood Group     

International validation of ReQuest in patients with endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

BACKGROUND: Reflux Questionnaire (ReQuest), a newly developed gastro-oesophageal reflux disease-sensitive scale, can be used to reliably evaluate the effect of treatment on gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms. AIM: International validation of this scale, in patients suffering from endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. METHODS: In this open, multicentre and multinational clinical trial 840 endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients received pantoprazole 20 mg daily for 28 days. The long and short versions of ReQuest were completed both in the pre-treatment and treatment phases. For scale development an item reduction analysis was performed. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and responsiveness were calculated for psychometric analysis. Construct validity was evaluated by comparison with the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale and the Psychological General Well-being questionnaire by means of correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Factor analyses confirmed the content validity of both long and short version of ReQuest. Psychometric calculations proved high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha: 0.9), test-retest reliability [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient: 0.9 (long vs. long) and 0.8 (short vs. short)], and responsiveness (Responsiveness Index 320.3) of the scale, for which also good construct validity was achieved (correlation coefficient: Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale -0.6; Psychological General Well-being -0.4). CONCLUSION: ReQuest proved valid, reliable, and responsive in this multinational clinical trial to evaluate treatment response in endoscopy-negative gastro-oesophageal reflux disease patients.     

Coinduction of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor release and lymphokine-activated killer cell susceptibility in monocytes by interleukin-2 via interleukin-2 receptor beta

Human monocytes express interleukin-2 receptor beta (IL-2R beta) constitutively; however, the function of these receptors has not been fully delineated. We discovered that IL-2R beta directs two biologic activities in human monocytes, the release of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and increased susceptibility to lysis by lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK) cells. Human monocytes were purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells by plastic adherence and anti-CD2 plus complement lysis. By a 5-hour 51Cr-release assay, monocytes cultured in IL-2 were found to gain increasing susceptibility to LAK cells with time and this effect was dose dependent. Maximal susceptibility was obtained with a 4-day culture in 1,000 U/mL of IL-2. Monocytes were also found to release GM-CSF in response to IL-2 using a CSF-dependent cell line, Mo7e. Because IL-2- induced GM-CSF release coincides with LAK lysis of IL-2-cultured monocytes, we treated monocytes with anti-GM-CSF and anti-IL-2R beta to determine whether GM-CSF release and LAK susceptibility were dependent or independent events. We found that both phenomena were inhibited by either antibody. Therefore, we conclude that IL-2-induced release of GM- CSF is mediated by IL-2R beta, which then acts to modulate the susceptibility of monocytes to lysis by LAK cells.     

Factor V deficiency in Philadelphia-positive chronic myelogenous leukemia

Factor V deficiency has been identified in 8 of 8 patients 7--20 yr of age, with Philadelphia-positive (Ph1+) chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). In these 8 patients, factor V deficiency was not due to hepatic dysfunction, factor V inhibitors, or disseminated intravascular coagulation. In 3 patients, factor V activity rose 10%--12% (0.10--0.12 U/ml) after the infusion of 28--31 ml/kg body weight of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The rise persisted less than 14 hr. The mean measured postinfusion rise in factor V was 18% of the expected rise calculated from the volume of FFP infused in the patients' plasma volume. In 4 patients, a small transient rise in factor V activity occurred after splenectomy or plateletpheresis. Factor V deficiency was completely corrected after a marked reduction in bone marrow cellularity in 2 patients with Ph1+ CML treated with extensive chemotherapy, total body irradiation, and bone marrow transplantation. Factor V deficiency was retrospectively observed in 6 of 20 patients, ages 20--80 yr, with Ph1+ CML and 3 of 6 patients with other myeloproliferative disorders. The factor V deficiency appears to be associated with the large myeloid- megakaryocytic cell mass characteristic of CML and other myeloproliferative disorders.     

安宫牛黄丸中小檗碱的HPLC法测定

本文报道用HPLC法测定黄连及含黄连中成药安宫牛黄丸中小檗碱型生物碱。实验结果表明选用硅胶柱为固定相,以醋酸乙酯—甲酸—乙醇(15:3:2)为流动相,能使样品中四种小檗碱型的生物碱获得最佳分离。用此法测得不同厂家生产的安宫牛黄丸中盐酸小檗碱的含量为0.331～0.456%,平均回收率为97.23%,变异系数为1.2%。     

High Helicobacter pylori eradication rate with a 1-week regimen containing ranitidine bismuth citrate

Background:

High Helicobacter pylori eradication rates have consistently been reported with 2-week dual therapy regimens of ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin. Ranitidine bismuth citrate with two antibiotics may provide an alternative 1-week eradication regimen.

Methods:

This double-blind, randomized, parallel group, international, multicentre study compared ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d. and clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. for 2 weeks (RC) with ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d., clarithromycin 500 mg b.d. and metronidazole 400 mg b.d. for 1 week (RCM) for eradication of H. pylori in 350 patients with dyspepsia.

Results:

Treatment with RC and RCM eradicated H. pylori (established by the combination of two negative results from two discrete ¹³C-UBTs at nominal weeks 4 and 12) from 89% (95% CI: 84–94) and 92% (95% CI: 88–97) of the observed population, and from 78% (95% CI: 72–84) and 80% (95% CI: 75–86) of the intention-to-treat population. When established only by one negative ¹³C-UBT result at least 28 days after the end of treatment, the respective intention-to-treat rates were 85% (95% CI; 79–90) and 88% (95% CI: 83–93). Both regimens were well-tolerated, only 6% of patients given RC and 4% given RCM discontinued treatment. Median plasma bismuth concentrations at the end of the second week of study were low, at 3.5 and 0.4 ng/mL, respectively.

Conclusions:

Ranitidine bismuth citrate triple therapy for 1 week (RCM) and dual therapy for 2 weeks (RC) were equally effective for the eradication of H. pylori infection.

     

人工神经网络用于中药材雷公藤和昆明山海棠的分类识别研究

应用误差反向传播学习算法(BP算法)对中药材雷公藤和昆明山海棠浸出物的红外光谱进行分类识别。网络为3层结构,输入节点为9个,隐层节点为21个,输出节点为1。分类结果与XIM-CA法基本一致。此外,本文还考察了网络参数间的相互关系。