Release of galactosyltransferase from human platelets and a subset of monocytes in culture

We show that human monocytes and platelets release considerable amounts of galactosyltransferase (GT) in serum-free culture as measured by the amount of incorporation of 3H-galactose into ovalbumin. Enzyme production was the greatest among medium-sized mononuclear cells separated by counter-current elutriation. The cells were adherent and positive for the monocyte-specific monoclonal antibody FMC-32. The activity in the monocyte fractions was not due to platelet contamination as shown from experiments in which platelets or platelet antigens were eliminated. Cell viability decreased by less than 3% during the overnight culture, and results from cell disruption experiments showed that the enzyme was not released from dead or dying cells. Cycloheximide inhibited release during 20 hours culture. Approximately 50% of the enzyme in the cell culture supernatant was pelletable at 105,000 g. Platelets released the enzyme more rapidly than did monocytes and were readily stimulated by thrombin to release more GT. Thrombin also increased monocyte GT activity after overnight incubation, but other stimulants, zymosan and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), decreased release. We conclude that GT is released into culture supernatants by platelets and by a subset of peripheral blood monocytes. These sources may account for a significant proportion of the serum enzyme and may be important in modification of extracellular carbohydrates during inflammation and coagulation.     

The incidence,spectrum and outcome of paediatric trauma managed by the Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service

Introduction

The Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Trauma Service (PMTS) has run a systematic quality improvement programme since 2006. A key component included the development and implementation of an effective surveillance system in the form of an electronic surgical registry (ESR). This study used data from the ESR to review the incidence, spectrum and outcome of paediatric trauma in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Methods

The ESR was reviewed, and all cases of paediatric trauma managed between 1 January 2012 and 30 July 2014 were retrieved for analysis.

Results

During the study period, 1,041 paediatric trauma patients (724 male, 69.5%) were managed by the PMTS, averaging a monthly admission of 36. The mean age was 10.9 years (standard deviation: 5.4 years). The mechanism of injury (MOI) was blunt trauma in 753 patients (72.3%) and penetrating trauma in 170 (16.3%). Pedestrian vehicle collisions accounted for 21% of cases and motor vehicle collisions for a further 11%. Intentional trauma accounted for 282 patients (27.1%) and self-inflicted trauma for 14 cases (1.3%). Ninety patients admitted to the intensive care unit and fifty-one required high dependency unit admission. There were 17 deaths, equating to an in-hospital mortality rate of 1.7%. A total of 172 children died on the scene of an incident. There were 35 road traffic related deaths, 26 suicides by hanging, 27 deaths from blunt assault and 23 deaths from penetrating assault. The overall mortality rate for paediatric trauma was 18.2%.

Conclusions

The ESR has proved to be an effective surveillance system and has enabled the accurate quantification of the burden of paediatric trauma in Pietermaritzburg. This has improved our understanding of the mechanisms and patterns of injury, and has identified a high incidence of intentional and penetrating trauma as well as road traffic collisions. These data can be used to guide strategies to reduce the burden of paediatric trauma in our environment.     

Dietary compliance in screening-detected coeliac disease adolescents

In 1992–94 we screened 6315 students for coeliac disease (CD) by testing antigliadin antibodies (AGA) as the first-level investigation. We found 28 biopsy-proven coeliac patients who were invited to start the gluten-free diet (GFD). The aim of this study was a clinical and laboratory follow-up in these screening–detected coeliac adolescents. Patients were 17 females and 11 males with a mean age at diagnosis of 12.8 ± 1 years (range 11–14). Mean follow-up duration time was 23 ± 7 months (range 9–37). Twenty-three of the 28 screening-detected coeliac patients came to the control visit, 3 refused the follow-up and 2 subjects were not found. Twelve patients (52.2%) stated that they never ate any gluten-containing food, while 11 of them (47.8%) reported occasional transgressions to the diet. GFD acceptance was reported as good ( n = 6), moderate ( n = 11) or low ( n = 6). After starting the GFD, signs of improvement were seen in most patients, such as weight gain, increased height velocity and increased feeling of well-being. AGA (both IgG and IgA classes) and antiendomysium antibodies (AEA) were normal in 19 subjects, 2 cases had IgG-AG A and AEA positivity, 1 patient showed abnormal AGA and AEA levels, while isolated IgA-AGA positivity persisted in 1 case. This study shows that even silent CD cases can clinically benefit from the GFD. The consequences of occasional transgressions to the GFD remain unclear.     

Characterization of carbohydrates in commercial infant formulae

Human milk has always been the reference parameter for the preparation of commercial formulae. The advent of more advanced technologies has enabled increasingly precise information on the composition of human milk to be obtained. Our knowledge in the field of carbohydrates also has improved considerably in the last few years following the pioneering studies of Montreuil (1, 2). From a quantitative point of view it has been demonstrated that in the different phases of lactation, in addition to lactose, human milk contains a consistent amount of oligosaccharides (about 20 g/1 in colostrum and 10–13 g/l in mature milk) (3, 4), whereas monosaccharides make up only about 1% of the total carbohydrates (4). More than 100 different types of oligosaccharides have been identified so far in human milk (5–7), mostly tri-octasaccharides (8). From a biochemical point of view, oligosaccharides are constituted by glucose, galactose, N -acetyl-glucosamine, fucose and sialic acid, and present a linear or branching structure (5). Little is known yet about their physiological role or metabolic fate (9); nevertheless, it has been demonstrated that, in addition to their nutritional function, they participate also in the regulation of the intestinal ecosystem, encouraging the growth of bifid flora (10) and contributing to the defense mechanisms against pathogens in various organs (11–13).     

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and catalase activities in erythrocytes of schizophrenic patients under pharmacotherapy with traditional antipsychotics

We studied the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and catalase in erythrocytes of schizophrenia patients who were under pharmacotherapy with traditional antipsychotic drugs. Prior to therapy, we observed decreased activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and increased activity of catalase in patients compared to the control. After a 6-week therapy with antipsychotics of the first generation, catalase activity became normal, whereas the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase declined further.     

~(99m)TcO_4~-甲状腺显像定量分析在甲状腺疾病中的应用

目的:探讨99mTcO4-甲状腺显像定量分析在甲状腺疾病诊断中的临床价值。方法:采用Marconi Fx810 SPECT仪对38例正常对照者和189例Graves病、亚急性甲状腺炎、单纯性甲状腺肿及甲状腺功能减退者进行99mTcO4-甲状腺动静脉态双时相显像,测定颈动脉与甲状腺显影时间差(Td)及20分钟时甲状腺与颈部软组织像素的平均放射性比值(UI)。结果:①Graves病组表现为Td缩短,UI值明显增高,且UI值恢复速度滞后于体外甲功指标的恢复(P<0.01)。②亚甲炎组甲状腺摄锝功能降低(P<0.01),静态显像表现为放射性普遍稀疏或局限性稀巯。③单甲肿组、甲减组Td、UI值与正常组无明显差异(P>0.05)。④对照组、Graves病、亚甲炎及单甲肿组24小时吸131I率与UI值有良好的相关性。结论99mTcO4-甲状腺显像定量分析法操作简便,误差小,适用范围广,在常见甲状腺疾病的诊断中具有重要价值。