Blood pressure responses in Japanese and Swedish children in the supine and standing position

We investigated the cardiovascular responses to active standingin Swedish and Japanese pre-pubertal children using non-invasivecontinuous beat-to-beat finger blood pressure (BP) monitoring.Seventy-eight Swedish (7–12 years) and 53 Japanese children(6–12 years) were examined. There were no significantdifferences in body weight or height between the two groups(total group). Finger blood pressure and heart rate were continuouslyrecorded in the supine position and during standing. SupineBP was significantly higher in Swedish compared to Japanesechildren (115/65 vs 98/50mmHg, P<0.001), and Swedish childrenshowed a significantly larger initial BP drop upon rising (–28/15 vs –141 –10 mmHg, P<0.05) and alarger increment of heart rate (39 ± 10 vs 29 ±8 beats. min^–1, P<0.05). There were, however, no differencesin the blood pressure and heart rate changes in the followingsteady state period (2–3 min) between the two groups. These results suggest that Swedish pre-pubertal children havea higher basal blood pressure and enhanced cardiovascular autonomicresponses, such as pronounced baroreflex receptor sensitivityand vasoconstrictor mechanisms. These differences in the twocohorts were not related to body dimensions or degree of maturation,indicating that autonomic functions in the cardiovascular systemlargely depend on genetic factors and environmental variables.     

Quantitative analysis of S. mutans and S. sobrinus cultivated independently and adhered to polished orthodontic composite resins

In Orthodontics, fixed appliances placed in the oral cavity are colonized by microorganisms.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively determine the independent bacterial colonization of S. mutans and S. sobrinus in orthodontic composite resins.

Material and methods

Seven orthodontic composite adhesives for bonding brackets were selected and classified into 14 groups; (GIm, GIs) Enlight, (GIIm, GIIs) Grengloo, (GIIIm, GIIIs) Kurasper F, (GIVm, GIVs) BeautyOrtho Bond, (GVm, GVs) Transbond CC, (GVIm, GVIs) Turbo Bond II, (GVIIm, GVIIs) Blugloo. 60 blocks of 4x4x1 mm of each orthodontic composite resin were made (total 420 blocks), and gently polished with sand-paper and ultrasonically cleaned. S. mutans and S. sobrinus were independently cultivated. For the quantitative analysis, a radioactive marker was used to codify the bacteria ⁽³H) adhered to the surface of the materials. The blocks were submerged in a solution with microorganisms previously radiolabeled and separated (210 blocks for S. mutans and 210 blocks for S. sobrinus) for 2 hours at 37ºC. Next, the blocks were placed in a combustion system, to capture the residues and measure the radiation. The statistical analysis was calculated with the ANOVA test (Sheffè post-hoc).

Results

Significant differences of bacterial adhesion were found amongst the groups. In the GIm and GIs the significant lowest scores for both microorganisms were shown; in contrast, the values of GVII for both bacteria were significantly the highest.

Conclusions

This study showed that the orthodontic composite resin evaluated in the GIm and GIs, obtained the lowest adherence of S. mutans and S. sobrinus, which may reduce the enamel demineralization and the risk of white spot lesion formation.     

Role of calcium-binding protein regucalcin in regenerating rat liver

Regucalcin is a novel calcium-binding protein which does not contain EF-hand motif as a Ca²⁺-binding domain. The organization of the rat regucalcin gene consists of seven exons and six introns. Its mRNA is mainly present in liver but slightly in kidney with a size of 1.8 kb. Hepatic regucalcin mRNA expression is stimulated by various factors including calcium, calcitonin, insulin, and oestrogen in rats. The mRNA is also expressed in hepatoma cells (Morris hepatoma and HepG2). Regucalcin plays a role in the maintenance of cytosolic Ca²⁺ homeostasis in liver cells. Moreover, regucalcin has an inhibitory effect on Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent enzyme activation, protein kinase C activation, and many Ca²⁺-activated enzymes, indicating a role in the regulation of the Ca²⁺-signalling system. Recently, regucalcin has been demonstrated to regulate nuclear function in liver cells. Regucalcin can inhibit Ca²⁺-activated nuclear DNA fragmentation in rat isolated liver nuclei. Furthermore, the liver nuclear DNA and RNA syntheses are inhibited by regucalcin. Such an effect of regucalcin is also seen in the nuclei of regenerating rat liver. The regucalcin mRNA level is increased in regenerating liver. These findings suggest that regucalcin plays a regulatory role in the suppression for overexpression of proliferative cells.     

Comparative effects of halothane, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane on function and metabolism in the ischaemic rat heart

This study was designed to examine the effects of inhalationanaesthetics on function and metabolism in isolated ischaemicrat hearts. Four volatile anaesthetics in two different concentrations(1.0 to 1.5 MAC) were used before whole heart ischaemia wasinduced for 1 5 mm followed by reperfusion for 30 mm. The datawere compared with a control group in which inhalation anaestheticswere not used. Before ischaemia, volatile anaesthetics depressedventricular function. During reperfusion, ventricular functionand coronary flow in both halothane groups were significantlylower than those in the control group. Myocardial ATP concentrationsin the 1.0 MAC of enflurane and isoflurane groups were significantlyhigher than those in the control group. We conclude that halothanehad more depressant effects than the other anaesthetics andthat enflurane and isoflurane may enhance metabolic recoveryin the ischaemic working rat heart. (Br. J. Anaesth. 1995; 74:569–575)     

MCI-186对高糖环境中受损人真皮微血管内皮细胞的保护作用

目的 观察高糖环境对人真皮微血管内皮细胞(HDMEC)功能的影响，探讨清除自由基对高糖所致HDMEC损伤的保护作用。方法 建立高糖环境下HDMEC培养的体外模型，并加入自由基清除剂MCI—186予以干扰，同时检测细胞的增殖、形态、黏附等生物学行为。结果 高糖环境可影响内皮细胞的增殖，改变其特异性形态，增加H2O2诱导的细胞毒性。MCI-186可缓解高糖所致的内皮细胞增殖受抑，降低内皮细胞表面黏附性，下调高糖诱导的细胞凋亡。结论 控制血糖的同时清除有害自由基，可能对糖尿病合并难愈创面的治疗起到积极作用。     

Sudden cerebral hypoperfusion enhances respiratory suppression in hypoxic newborn piglets

The relationship between sudden cerebral hypoperfusion and sudden respiratory suppression was investigated in newborn piglets. A total of 11 experiments on five newborn piglets were divided into three groups: normoxic, hyperoxic and hypoxic. The sudden cerebral hypoperfusion was created by manual compression of the Arteria carotis communis and Vena jugularis interna. Respiratory suppression was calculated by measuring the duration of apnea and the per cent reduction of respiratory amplitude. The means of apnea duration in normoxic and hyperoxic groups were 6.6 ± 0.8 and 1.2 ± 2.4 s, respectively, while two experiments on the hypoxic group showed 8.4 s and complete cessation of respiration in one of them. The per cent reductions of respiratory amplitude in the normoxic and hyperoxic groups were 23.3 ± 8.5 and 17.6 ± 11.7%, respectively. In the hypoxic group, one of two experiments showed a 22.7% reduction, which was equivalent to that of the normoxic group. We conclude that sudden cerebral hypoperfusion enhances respiratory suppression, especially when it coincides with hypoxia. The phenomenon may be one of the possible causes for a certain type of sudden infant death syndrome. Further study will be undertaken to elucidate the direct effects of the mechanism of cerebral hypoperfusion on respiratory suppression.     

Role of endogenous platelet-activating factor (PAF) in endotoxin-induced portal hypertension in rats

To determine the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in endotoxin-induced portal hypertension, we performed continuous recording of both blood pressure (BP) and portal venous pressure (PVP) in rats following the administration of intravenous PAF (25 ng/kg), intraportal PAF (25 ng/kg), intraportal endotoxin (2 mg/kg), and intraportal endotoxin (2 mg/kg) for 1 min subsequent to pretreatment with a specific PAF-antagonist (CV-6209, 1 mg/kg, i.v.). Basal resting values of both BP (102.3 +/- 9.3 mmHg) and PVP (7.7 +/- 1.2 mmHg) fell rapidly after intravenous infusion of PAF (BP: 36.7 +/- 5.8 mmHg; PVP: 5.7 +/- 0.8 mmHg) and followed by gradual return. Intraportal PAF infusion elicited a rapid but less severe depression of BP (57.2 +/- 9.4 mmHg) as compared with intravenous PAF infusion, whereas PVP was increased transiently around 4 min after treatment (11.0 +/- 5.3 mmHg). A similar degree of PVP elevation (10.7 +/- 2.0 mmHg) was observed between 8 and 20 min after intraportal administration of endotoxin. Depression of BP was initiated 12 min after endotoxin administration but was not severe (76.6 +/- 12.8 mmHg). CV-6209 significantly alleviated the endotoxin-induced elevation of PVP and completely inhibited the hypotension. These observations suggest that: (i) PAF-induced elevation of PVP is a direct response of the liver to PAF; and (ii) endogenous PAF plays an important role in the endotoxin-induced portal hypertension.     

Endoscopic features ot Lipohyperplasia m the Large Intestine

Abstract: We reviewed 18 cases of large intestinal lipohyperplasia (LPH) to clarify the clinical and endoscopic features of this lesion. LPH was found in the ileocecal valve in 16 patients (88.9%). On colonoscopic examination, LPH showed a submucosal tumor-like lesion with a smooth surface. The color was slightly yellowish or the same as that of the surrounding mucosa and the cushion sign was positive in all cases. According to endoscopic features, LPH in the ileocecal valve was classified into three types. The diffuse type showed a symmetrically swollen ileocecal valve. In contrast, the localized type displayed polypoid protrusion from the ileocecal valve. The intermediate type showed partial protrusion with asymmetrical swelling of the valve. Four patients had the diffuse type, three the intermediate type and nine the localized type. The upper lip of the ileocecal valve was more frequently involved in the localized and intermediate types. On rare occasion, LPH was recognized as hemispherical mucosal elevation in the ascending colon and rectum. Histological examination revealed infiltration of mature adipose tissue in the submucosal layer. It was noted that five of the 18 patients had associated malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. As to therapy, six patients received endoscopic polypectomy and one underwent right hemicolectomy for associated advanced cancer in the cecum. In summary, this review shows that LPH is recognized primarily as focal or diffuse swelling of the ileocecal valve. On colonoscopic examination the possibility of such a lesion in the ileocecal valve should be kept in mind.     

Haemopoietic growth factors induce human basophil migration in vitro

Accumulation of basophils in inflammatory sites is an important aspect of the late-phase allergic reaction involving skin and upper and lower airways, suggesting the existence of mechanisms for basophil migration. Because haemopoietic growth factors have been shown to stimulate various functions of human basophils, we tested the ability of haemopoietic growth factors to migrate basophils in vitro. Both IL-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) induced migration of purified normal basophils (purity c. 80%) in a dose-dependent fashion at picomolar concentrations, while granulocyte (G)-CSF, macrophage (M)-CSF, and IL-4 had no effect at all. Chequerboard analyses indicate that migratory activity of both factors are chemokinetic. These results suggest that local production of both factors during allergic reactions might potentially play an initial role in the recruitment of basophils from the circulation to sites of inflammatory reactions.     

反相HPLC-荧光法测定大白鼠组织及食物中α-二羧基类化合物的含量

采用最新合成的荧光试剂与大白鼠组织及食物中α-二羧基类化合物生成荧光诱导体，然后用反相HPLC－荧光法对大白鼠组织及食物中的乙二醛、甲基乙二醛、二乙酸和2，3－乙酸丙酮4种α-二羧基类化合物同时进行分离定量检出，色谱柱为L－ODS（100×8mmid），流动相为乙膊-0．5mol／L醋酸铵（35：65V／V），荧光检出波长为Ex350nmEm390nm，检出限度（S／N－3）11．6～13．8fmol／10ul，回收率均在90％以上。