Quantitation of protein 3 content of circulating erythrocytes at the single-cell level

The density and size of human erythrocytes has been roughly correlated with cell age, with the denser and smaller cells being older. Observations of this type have led to a hypothesis that the membranes of circulating erythrocytes are dynamic with respect to composition and that material is lost from the membrane during cell maturation and circulation. In this study, flow cytofluorimetry was used to investigate the distribution of the human erythrocyte anion transport protein (protein 3) in heterogeneous samples of circulating red cells. We verified that protein 3 can be specifically and quantitatively labeled in intact human erythrocytes with eosin-5-maleimide, a luminescent probe. Individual cells were accordingly analyzed for size by forward light scattering and for protein 3 content by quantitation of eosin fluorescence. Initial results indicated that the smallest erythrocytes had a protein 3 content equal to that of the largest circulating erythrocytes. This result was independently verified by light scatter-activated cell sorting; direct measurement of cell diameters by microscopy verified that the cell sizes of erythrocytes showing the 10% greatest and 10% smallest light-scattering signal were indeed distinct. Independent analysis of the size-sorted erythrocytes for protein 3 content was accomplished by gel electrophoresis of stroma from 150,000 large and small erythrocytes. Quantitative scanning densitometry of silver-stained gels of prepared stroma showed that protein 3 content of each set of fractionated cells was equal and did not vary as a function of cell size. Taken in combination with the reported correlation between increasing red blood cell age and decreasing cell size, these results indicate that any loss of membranous material during the cell aging process is not random.     

Concentrations of placental protein 14 in uterine flushings from infertile women: validation of the collection technique and method of expression of results

Concentrations of various proteins in uterine flushings have been described as a direct method for assessment of the secretory activity of the endometrium. We investigated levels of the endometrial protein known as placental protein 14 (PP14) in flushings obtained from 271 infertile women. Under transvaginal ultrasonographic control, 2 ml of 0.154 M sodium chloride solution were injected into the uterine cavity and re-aspirated, five times. In contrast to previous studies the recovered volume of each flushing was not consistent (range: 0.05-2.1 ml); the volume varied significantly between serial samples obtained from an individual (P = 0.02, one-way ANOVA), different cycle days (P < 0.0001, one-way ANOVA) and women with bilaterally blocked versus patent Fallopian tubes (P < 0.05, Student's t-test). Concentrations of PP14 showed a better correlation with protein content (r = 0.506, P < 0.0001) than with the recovered volume (r = 0.087, P = 0.095). We therefore corrected PP14 concentrations for total protein content as an indicator of the efficiency of the flushing process. Corrected PP14 concentrations varied significantly relative to time since the onset of menstruation (P = 0.001, Kruskal Wallis ANOVA) with higher levels on days 1-8, as previously observed in plasma samples. No significant difference in PP14 levels was found with different causes of infertility. This study shows that uterine flushing is not a consistent process in women with differing physical characteristics and at varying times throughout the menstrual cycle.      

Oral health care patterns and the history of miscarriage

Objective: Oral infections can trigger the production of pro‐inflammatory mediators that may be risk factors for miscarriage. We investigated whether oral health care patterns that may promote or alleviate oral inflammation were associated with the history of miscarriage in 328 all‐Caucasian women. Materials and methods: Of 328 women in this cross‐sectional cohort, 74 had history of miscarriage (HMC). Medical, dental and sociodemographic data were collected through clinical examinations, medical record searches and structured questionnaires. Results: The multivariate regression analyses indicated that urgency‐based dental treatment demonstrated a significant association [odds ratio (OR) = 2.54; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21–5.37; P = 0.01] and preventive dental treatment demonstrated a marginally significant inverse association (OR = 0.53; CI: 0.26–1.06; P = 0.07) with HMC. Self‐rated poor oral health had a non‐significant positive association with HMC (OR 1.60; CI: 0.88–2.90). Conclusion: Our results provide sufficient evidence for hypothesis generation to test whether other precise measures of oral inflammation are associated with adverse birth outcomes.     

PATIENT SATISFACTION WITH RIZATRIPTAN VERSUS OTHER TRIPTANS: DIRECT HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISONS

This study summarises the impact of treatment with rizatriptan 10 mg versus other 5-HT_1B/1D receptor agonists (triptans) on patient satisfaction with medication. Rizatriptan is a potent, selective 5-HT_1B/1D receptor agonist shown to be fast, effective and well tolerated in the acute treatment of migraine. We investigated patients' overall satisfaction with treatment in studies in which direct comparisons with other triptans were made. Data from five double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in which rizatriptan 10 mg was compared with another triptan were included in the analysis. Rizatriptan 10 mg was compared with sumatriptan 100 mg in one parallel study (n=916), sumatriptan 50 mg in two crossover studies (n=1599), naratriptan 2.5 mg in one parallel study (n=502), and zolmitriptan 2.5 mg in one parallel study (n=701). Satisfaction was reported by patients on a seven-point scale ranging from ‘completely satisfied, couldn't be better’ to ‘completely dissatisfied, couldn't be worse’ at 2 hours after dosing. The percent of patients in the top two ‘satisfied’ categories (completely or very satisfied) were analysed. More patients on rizatriptan 10 mg were completely or very satisfied compared with sumatriptan 100 mg (33% vs 26%, p<0.05), sumatriptan 50 mg (40% vs 35%, p<0.05), naratriptan 2.5 mg (33% vs 19%, p<0.01), and zolmitriptan 2.5 mg (38% vs 30%, p<0.05). In all five studies more patients treated with rizatriptan 10 mg or other triptans were completely or very satisfied with treatment than patients receiving placebo (p<0.001, except naratriptan vs placebo p=0.004). The results, combined with the superior efficacy profile (fast, effective, well tolerated) of rizatriptan 10 mg, should enhance the treatment of migraine headache and lead to improved therapeutic intervention in clinical practice.     

Classical galactosaemia in Chinese: A case report and review of disease incidence

We report a case of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT) deficiency in a full-term Chinese neonate, who presented with atypical biochemical features of hyperammonaemia in addition to the classical presenting features of jaundice and lethargy after feeding. Red cell GALT activity was virtually absent in the patient while 50% of normal activity was found in parents and a sibling. Mutation screening excluded both Q188R and N314D as the causative mutation in GALT gene, which suggested a possible genetic segregation among ethnic groups. Data from a Taiwan screening program suggested that the incidence of the disease was approximately 1 in 400 000 in the Chinese population which was a sixth of that in Caucasian populations.     

N-Acetylcysteine’s Renoprotective Effect in Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To examine N-acetylcysteine’s (NAC’s) renoprotective effect in adult cardiac surgeryMethods: PubMed, Ovid Medline, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials published between January 1990 and May 2021 that investigated the effect of NAC in preventing acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. The inclusion criterion was studies that assessed the effect of NAC in comparison to placebo by measuring the incidence of AKI.Results: Overall meta-analytic estimates of all 10 included trials showed that NAC did not have a significant effect (odds ratio [OR]: 0.84, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64–1.10) on AKI. Further subgroup analysis did not show a significant benefit of NAC in preventing AKI.Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that NAC does not have a significant effect in reducing the incidence of AKI. However, there is notable heterogeneity among the included studies that could possibly account for the non-significant effect observed. It is worth noting that only one trial administered NAC high dosages perioperatively, and it is the only included trial to show a significant benefit in reducing the incidence of AKI (OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.11–0.81). Further studies on this dosage and duration of administration should be conducted to best elucidate the effect of administering NAC.     

Spinal anaesthesia

Spinal anaesthesia involves the injection of local anaesthetic solution into the intrathecal space. It is a widely practiced anaesthetic technique that can provide surgical anaesthesia for procedures below the umbilicus. Due to the proximity of the central nervous system, safe practice is of paramount importance and requires a good understanding of relevant anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. Complications are rare but need to be recognized and managed rapidly and appropriately.     

改良成年SD大鼠雪旺细胞培养的实验研究

目的应用双酶消化法来提取高纯度和高数量的周围神经雪旺细胞。方法对双酶消化周围神经的时间由３０分钟延长至８０～９０分钟;机械分离周围神经束的方法改为在放大１６倍手术显微镜下分离神经束。对培养细胞进行雪旺细胞数量、Ｌｏｗｒｙ蛋白含量的测定;并用同位素标记测定细胞量和免疫组织化学法观察。结果从成年ＳＤ大鼠１ｃｍ长一段上臂尺神经中,用该法可提取１．７２×１０７个雪旺细胞／毫升,雪旺细胞的纯度和数量是以往所有提取方法中最高的,并且这些雪旺细胞的细胞形态和再生功能均正常。结论该改良方法为研究周围神经再生的机理,提供了一个重要的手段。