Bone mineral densities in individuals with Gilbert’s syndrome: A cross-sectional,case-control pilot study

BACKGROUND

Unconjugated bilirubin inhibits osteoblastic proliferative activity in vitro, raising the possibility that Gilbert’s syndrome (GS) patients are at increased risk of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVES

To compare bone mineral density (BMD), serum parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-telopeptide (CTX) and osteocalcin levels in GS subjects versus matched controls in a cross-sectional, case-control study.

METHODS

BMD determinations were obtained with central dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum PTH, CTX and osteocalcin levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

A total of 17 GS and 30 control subjects were studied. Overall, there were no significant differences in BMD, PTH, CTX or osteocalcin levels between the two groups. However, when older (older than 40 years of age) and younger (40 years of age and younger) cohorts were considered separately, the older GS cohort had significantly decreased total hip BMD, T scores and Z scores, and femoral neck BMD, T scores and Z scores (P<0.005 for each parameter, respectively) compared with older control subjects. Serum osteocalcin levels were lower in the older versus younger GS cohort (P=0.006). An inverse correlation existed between all subjects’ serum unconjugated bilirubin levels and total body BMD determinations (r=−0.42; P=0.04). On univariate analysis, the association between serum unconjugated bilirubin and total body BMD was not significant (P=0.066), nor was serum unconjugated bilirubin identified as a risk factor for low BMD when entered into multivariate analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present pilot study warrant further research involving larger numbers of subjects and longitudinal measurements to determine whether GS is associated with decreased BMD, particularly in older GS subjects.     

Interaction of antibodies with human glomerular epithelial cells

We tested the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of human idiopathic membranous glomerulonephritis is similar to that of Heymann glomerulonephritis, a model of membranous glomerulonephritis induced in rats by immunization with renal brush border preparations; the characteristic subepithelial deposits result from interaction of antibodies with a brush border antigen (gp330) expressed on the plasma membrane of glomerular visceral epithelial cells (GEC), followed by redistribution and shedding of gp330 immune complexes. The experiments were performed in cultured glomerular visceral epithelial cells, in living monkeys and rats, and in isolated perfused human, monkey, and rat kidneys. Antigens from plasma membranes of human renal brush border vesicles (HBBV) and GEC vesicles (HGECV) and their corresponding polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies reactive with human and monkey GEC were prepared. First, polyclonal antibodies to HGECV bound diffusely to cultured GEC; monoclonal antibody 8G5, recognizing a 60-kDa protein, mainly bound to the coated pits and apical invaginations; both polyclonal HGECV and 8G5 monoclonal antibodies induced antigen redistribution (capping) at 37 degrees C. Second, monkeys were actively or passively immunized, and isolated human and monkey kidneys were perfused with the antibodies. Active immunization with HBBV induced tubular immune deposits, whereas active immunization with HGECV did not provoke renal lesions. After passive immunization HBBV and HGECV antibodies bound diffusely to glomerular cells, and subepithelial deposits were observed during the autologous phase; in contrast, 8G5 induced early (day 3) granular deposits. Third, fine granular deposits developed in glomeruli of human and monkey kidneys perfused for 4 hours at 37 degrees C with 8G5; these deposits were more difficult to detect by electron microscopy than those occurring in kidneys of Lewis rats perfused with sheep antiHBBV. The results show that some antibodies redistribute antigens at the surface of human and monkey GEC in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo and induce formation of granular deposits in human glomerular capillary walls. Failure to induce more severe lesions in human and monkey kidneys may be ascribed to lack of GEC antigens comparable to rat gp330, insufficient cross linking by monoclonal antibody, lack or insufficient concentration of epitope-specific antibodies, insufficient time of kidney perfusion, or a combination of these factors.     

Studies on immunological tolerance induced in mice by kidney allografts.

(C57BL/6 x A/J)F1 murine recipients of DBA/2 kidney allografts developed tolerance to DBA/2 tissues, which was measured by observation of growth of a DBA/2 tumor. Eleven, 14 and 18 days after inoculation, the size of the tumor was considerably larger in kidney-grafted than in nongrafted animals. Still, the susceptibility of grafted animals to the tumor did not equal the susceptibility of the DBA/2 mice syngeneic with the tumor. Removal of the renal graft left the recipients with significant tolerance which, however, was weaker than that of the mice in which the kidney graft was left undisturbed. In parabiosis experiments, it was noted that the size of the DBA/2 tumor was equal in the partner which received the DBA/2 kidney graft and in the partner which was not grafted. These experiments rather clearly showed that the tolerance studied was of an 'infectious' type and that it was apparently transferred by some suppressing factor(s) present in the circulation.     

构建招收飞行员基本认知能力预测学业成绩的模型

目的：通过空军招收飞行员心理品质检测第一平台的基本认知能力测验,建立学生学业成绩的预测模型,提前淘汰高考成绩不良的学生,以节省开支. 方法：①实验1：采用完全随机设计的方法,于2005-12选取西安市某部队院校入校3个月的854名大学生,进行加法计算、比较刻度、找特殊图形、组合图形、填写数据、识符检数、判别方向、选词配对、找规律填数等9项基本能力测试,利用Pearson相关分析,选出与学业成绩显著相关的4项测验.②实验2：2006-12选取与实验1不同部队院校的2006级入校3个月的200名大学生,进行4项选定的测验,通过SPSS 12.0统计软件包进行多元回归分析最终建立预测学业成绩的基本认知能力模型,并分析其预测效度. 结果：①实验1结果：选定的4项能力测试与学业成绩的相关分别是：加法计算X1（r=0.233）、找特殊图形X2（r=0.226）、填写数据X3（r=0.100）、选词配对X4（r=0.176）.②实验2结果：最终建立的预测方程是Y=532.75＋1.001X1＋1.247X3＋1.257X4,它能解释学业成绩中13.0%的变异. 结论：基本认知能力测验能预测学业成绩,并且能达到较好的效度,可以应用到飞行员选拔的实际中.     

Antitumoractive Endoperoxides from Triterpenes

A series of triterpene endoperoxides was synthesized and screened for antitumor activity in a panel of 15 human cancer cell lines by a sulforhodamine‐B (SRB) assay. The compounds induce apoptosis and show excellent antitumor activity.     

马缨丹叶的化学成分研究

自马缨丹(Lantana camara L.)叶中分离到六个化合物。经光谱(UV,IR,MS,¹HNMR,¹³CNMR)和化学分析,分别鉴定为齐墩果酮酸(oleanonic acid,Ⅰ),马缨丹甲素(lantadene A,Ⅱ),马缨丹乙素(lantadene B,Ⅲ),lantanilic acid(Ⅳ),icterogenin(Ⅴ)和4′,5-二羟基-3,7-二甲氧基黄酮-4′-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖甙(4′,5-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside,Ⅵ)。Ⅵ是新化合物,命名为马缨丹黄酮甙(camaroside)。     

Sexual abuse of adults with mental retardation by other consumers

All allegations of sexual abuse of adults with mental retardation by other adults with mental retardation over a five year period were examined. There were 72 cases substantiated with a total of 49 perpetrators. In all 72 cases, sexual abuse of one adult with mental retardation by another occurred; however, the perpetrator was deemed culpable in 31 cases, abuse and neglect were confirmed in six cases and facility neglect accounted for the remaining 35 cases. Victims were represented in all levels of mental retardation and had few secondary disabilities. Men were found to be at as much risk of sexual abuse as women. Ninety-four percent of the perpetrators were men and 81% had or still dolive in large congregate settings. Findings were congruent with the theories that perpetrators with mental retardation victimize men and women at similar rates, that living in congregate settings results in significant risks, and that men and women with mental retardation need to be provided with the skills necessary to identify what constitutes sexual abuse and what actions to take to prevent it.