Epidural steroid injection: a procedure ideally performed with fluoroscopic control

Epidural injection of steroid and local anesthesia can be used to treat low back pain. The injection is best performed with fluoroscopic control, with needle placement documented by means of a limited epidurogram. The technique was used in 116 patients; there were only three failures (2.5%) and one complication.     

SYNTHESIS OF γ-L-GLUTAMYL-TAURINE*

Glu(Tau), a bioactive substance previously isolated from the protein free aqueous extract of bovine parathyroid powder, has been synthesized. The intermediate derivative Z-Glu(Tau)-OBzl was prepared in three different ways from Z-Glu-OBzl and (1) cystamine by using the mixed anhydride method followed by oxidation, (2) Tau by the active ester procedure via Z-Glu(ONp)-OBzl, (3) Tau applying mixed anhydride coupling. The protecting groups were removed by hydrogenolysis.     

单纯肥胖者与代谢综合征患者血管内皮功能的比较

目的:比较单纯肥胖者与代谢综合征患者的血管内皮功能。方法:观察对象来自石家庄市2000-09/2001-06参加社区健康体检者。①体质量指数≥25kg/m2的超重/肥胖者中,单纯肥胖组295例,代谢综合征组219例,另选172例体质量指数<25kg/m2的健康人作为对照。②将肥胖者按体质量指数分为轻度肥胖(25～29.9kg/m2)和重度肥胖(≥30kg/m2),按腰围分为腹部脂肪轻度堆积(男<104cm,女<88cm)和重度堆积(男≥104cm,女≥88cm)。③血管内皮舒张功能测定:所有受试者采用NAS-1000HF彩超诊断系统测定反应性充血时及含服硝酸甘油后肱动脉内径的变化。结果:686例受试者全部进入结果分析。①单纯肥胖组和代谢综合征组体质量指数、腰围、臀围和腰臀比均高于对照组(P<0.01～0.001),其中体质量指数和臀围在男女间比较差异不显著,腰围和腰臀比男性高于女性(P<0.05),而男性代谢综合征组又高于男性单纯肥胖组(P<0.05)。②血管内皮舒张功能检测显示,反应性充血时,单纯肥胖组和代谢综合征组相对于基础血管内径变化的百分率均低于对照组[(7.79±3.93)%,(5.54±4.46)%,(11.25±3.98)%,P<0.05～0.01];代谢综合征组男性低于单纯肥胖组男性(P<0.05);男性代谢综合征组重度肥胖者低于轻度肥胖者(P<0.05);单纯肥胖组男性重度脂肪堆积低于男性轻度脂肪堆积者(P<0.05),代谢综合征组无论男女,重度脂肪堆积均低于轻度脂肪堆积者(P<0.05)。结论:①单纯肥胖者已存在血管内皮功能异常,而代谢综合征患者中内皮功能损伤程度更显著,并且与腹部脂肪堆积密切相关。②代谢综合征患者中男性血管内皮功能损伤较女性更明显。     

Infectious agents and atherosclerotic vascular disease

The pathological changes underlying occlusive vascular disease show considerable overlap with those caused by a range of infections. Particular viral and bacterial pathogens have long been suspected of playing a part, directly or indirectly, in the process leading to atherosclerosis. We review recent evidence of links between infections and ischaemic heart disease, particularly in the case of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. Possible mechanisms for these associations are discussed.      

The challenge of using read-across within the EU REACH regulatory framework; how much uncertainty is too much? Dipropylene glycol methyl ether acetate,an exemplary case study

The use of read-across of data within a group of structurally similar substances potentially allows one to characterise the hazards of a substance without resorting to additional animal studies. However the use of read-across is not without challenges, particularly when used to address the needs of a regulatory programme such as the EU REACH regulation. This paper presents a case study where a previously accepted read-across approach was used to address several data gaps in a REACH registration dossier but was subsequently rejected in part by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), resulting in the requirement to perform a developmental toxicity study in rodents. Using this case study, this paper illustrates some of the practical challenges faced when making use of read-across, particularly with respect to addressing the uncertainty associated with the use of read-across; showcasing the scientific justification and highlighting some of the potential implications/opportunities for future cases.     

Hepato-erythropoietic porphyria presenting as scleroderma and acrosclerosis in a sibling pair

In a group of 19 subjects suffering from erythropoietic protoporphyria the administration of beta-carotene appeared to produce improvement based on a subjective assessment of alterations in exposure times required to produce the symptoms and signs of the condition. This clinical improvement however failed to show a direct correlation with the prophyrin levels in blood and faeces, or with the estimation by phototesting of the minimal response dose within the action spectrum of 400-600 nm.     

酵母菌生物合成谷胱甘肽

从3091株酵母菌中筛选出一株Candida sp K₁₁,在加有半胱氨酸的培养基中培养的菌体,每克干细胞含18mg谷胱甘肽(GSH)。以K₁₁为出发株,经紫外线诱变,在GSH代谢类似物乙硫氨酸平板上选得抗代谢类似物突变株K₁₁UE126,其胞内累积GSH的量较出发株高出49.7%,且在其培养基中不必加入半胱氨酸。     

1-芳基-4-乙氧羰基-5-氨基-1,2,3,-连三唑和几种亲电子试剂的反应及产物抗菌性能的研究

本文研究1-芳基-4-乙氧羰基-5-氨基-1,2,3,-连三唑(1)同过量乙酸,乙酸酐、乙酰氯、苯甲酰氯以及甲酰胺等的反应,制得1的14种新衍生物:1-H-4-乙氧羰基-5-芳胺基-1,2,3-连三唑(2 b～d),1-酰基-4-乙氧羰基-5-芳胺基-1,2,3-连三唑(3a～d),1-芳基-4-乙氧羰基-5-乙酰胺基-1,2,3-连三唑-(4a～d)以及1-甲酰基-4-乙氧羰基-5-对硝基苯胺基-1,2,3-连三唑(5a),1-苯甲酰基-4-乙氧羰基-5-对硝基苯胺基-1,2,3-连三唑(5b),1-对氨苯甲酰基-4-乙氧羰基-5-对硝基苯胺基-1,2,3-连三唑(5c)。所有化合物的结构,均经元素分析及波谱分析确证,并筛选了一些化合物的抗菌作用。