Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence among blood product recipients in San Francisco before transfusion

To determine the incidence of transfusion-associated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection after routine screening of donated blood, a pilot study estimated the pretransfusion prevalence of HIV infection among blood product recipients in San Francisco. Among the 911 nonduplicate pretransfusion specimens from recipients without a clinical history of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC), the overall prevalence of antibody to HIV was 2.9 percent (5.2% among males and 0.6% among females; p = 0.00002). If recipients in specifically defined or possible high-risk groups (n = 348) were excluded, a seropositivity rate of 1.8 percent (10/563) was detected, with all the positives occurring in men (10/242, 4.1%) and none in women (0/321, 0%). This demonstrated prevalence of HIV infection among blood product recipients in San Francisco before transfusion was substantially higher than the known 0.02 to 0.04 percent prevalence in the donor population. Therefore, the population of women without known risk for AIDS is the best in which to assess the risk of HIV infection in patients who are currently receiving seronegative blood transfusions.     

基于椎弓根三维形态测量实施个体化置钉技术

目的:观察胸腰段椎弓根CT测量在椎弓根螺钉内固定中的作用,寻找一种个体化椎弓根螺钉置入的方法。方法:选择1999-02/2006-03河北工程大学附属医院收治的T12和/或L1段骨折患者59例,行螺旋CT检查及图像三维重建,重建结束后,得到胸腰段标本的三维图像,通过旋转和切割进行图像处理并测量,模拟出T11～L2的椎弓根形态,根据CT测量椎弓根的实际投照点进行调整,即横断面上椎弓根轴线与矢状位上椎弓根轴线的交点,在确定进钉点时选择下关节突为参照物,选用合适直径的螺钉进行植钉,植入螺钉后,连接棒或板系统。结果:262个椎弓根行植钉术,242个完全在椎弓根内,仅有20个螺钉穿透椎弓根皮质。术后平均随访16.1个月,均无临床并发症的发生,Frankel平均增加1.4级。术后有2例患者出现断钉(3枚),1例患者出现断棒,所植入的螺钉与机体生物相容性好,无不良反应的发生。结论:利用三维CT测量的数据辅助,严格按照个体化的椎弓根的轴线方向植钉,在置钉时应考虑到螺钉本身直径的因素,可以提高植钉的成功率。     

Effect of cholecalciferol supplementation on blood glucose in an experimental model of type 2 diabetes mellitus in spontaneously hypertensive rats and Wistar rats

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D might have an influence on glucose concentrations, due to the presence of VDR receptors on the pancreas. We established an experimental model of type 2 diabetes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar rats in order to investigate the glycemic response. METHODS: SHR males (n=6) and Wistar rats (n=6) weighing approximately 89+/-5.5 g and 123.5+/-6.5 g, respectively, after 7 days of basal period, had the chow pattern substituted (350 kcal/100 g) for a hypercaloric/hyperlipidic (HC/HL) diet (490 kcal/100g) and then injected with 40 mg/kg (SHR) and 20 mg/kg (Wistar) streptozotocin I.P. After the creation of diabetes, the rats suffered daily gavage of cholecalciferol (12.5 microg/kg(-) (1)) for 14 days. The blood glucose was assessed twice a week with a glucometer. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. RESULTS: SHR and Wistar rats fed on a HC/HL diet gained 60 g and 32 g in once week, vs. the basal period, where they only gained 23 g and 13 g, respectively. The cholecalciferol supplementation did not change the glucose concentration in all of the SHR animals. About 40% of the group responded by treatment with reduction of about 60% in glucose concentrations. We did find a 40% of the blood glucose levels in all Wistar rats. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecalciferol is able to reduce blood glucose in this experimental diabetes model.     

Systemic lupus erythematosus in males: analysis of clinical and laboratory features.

We analysed the clinical and laboratory features of 16 males in comparison with 231 females from a series of 247 unselected patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There was no significant difference between male and female patients with regard to age at onset and age at diagnosis. Apart from serositis, which was found to occur at a significantly higher frequency in male patients, the incidence of clinical features at disease onset was similar in both sexes. Analysis of clinical findings during the evolution of the disease showed no significant difference between male and female patients. Similarly, no significant immunological difference was found between the two groups. Thus, except for a higher frequency of serositis as the presenting symptom in males, we could not find any notable differences in clinical and serological parameters of male and female patients with SLE.     

Redox imbalance influence in the myocardial Akt activation in aged rats treated with DHEA

This study examined, in young and old (3 and 24 month-old, respectively) healthy Wistar rats, the in vivo effect of DHEA (10 mg/kg body weight) administered subcutaneously for 5 weeks. Reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione levels, glucose — 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and thioredoxin (Trx) reductase activities, hydrogen peroxide steady-state concentration and Nrf2, GST, Trx-1, Akt and p-Akt expressions were assessed in heart tissue. DHEA treatment significantly increased GST activity in 3 and 24 month-old treated groups. The aging factor diminished hydrogen peroxide concentration and Nrf2 expression, independently of treatment. However, the aging process increased GST, Akt and p-Akt expressions in both 24 month-old groups. The aged group responded differently to DHEA respective to GSSG content, GPx activity and p-Akt concentration. Further studies are needed to form conclusions about the efficacy and safety of DHEA replacement in the elderly, and to better understand DHEA's net effect on oxidative stress parameters and its modulation of signaling cascades.     

Identification of a phylogenetically distinct orthobunyavirus from group C

Apeu virus (APEUV) (family Bunyaviridae, genus Orthobunyavirus) was plaque purified and characterised by serological and molecular analysis. Neutralising assays confirmed cross-reactivity between purified APEUV clones and the Caraparu virus complex of group C orthobunyaviruses. Partial sequencing of the L, M and S segments of one APEUV clone (APEUV-CL5) was carried out. A phylogenetic tree constructed with the L amino acid sequences clustered APEUV-CL5 within the genus Orthobunyavirus, confirming its serological classification. Analysis of M segment sequences clustered APEUV-CL5 in the Caraparu virus complex (Group C), in agreement with serological tests and previous molecular characterisation. However, the sequence of the nucleocapsid gene (N) gave low identity values when compared to those of the group C viruses. The phylogenetic tree based on N nucleotide sequences clustered APEUV-CL5 next to the California and Bwamba groups. This remarkable S nucleotide variability suggests that APEUV-CL5 could be a genetic reassortant and that this evolutionary mechanism is present in the history of the group C viruses.     

Remifentanil, Isoflurane, and Preconditioning Attenuate Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Background

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of isoflurane, remifentanil, and preconditioning in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI).

Methods

All 52 male Wistar rats were anesthetized with isoflurane, intubated and mechanically ventilated. The animals were randomly divided into: S group (sham; n = 11) that underwent only right nephrectomy; as well as the I group of right nephrectomy and ischemia for 45 minutes by clamping of left renal artery. (n = 11); the IP (n = 9), the R (n = 10), and the RP (n = 11) groups. In addition, the R and RP animals received remifentanil (2 μg · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹) during the entire experiment. The IP and RP group underwent ischemic preconditioning (IPC = three cycles of 5 minutes). Serum creatinine values were determined before and after IRI, as well as 24 hours later. In addition to an Histological study, cells from the left kidney were evaluated for apoptosis by flow cytometry (FCM).

Results

The Creatinine value of 0.8 ± 0.2 mg/dl in the S group was significantly lower at 24 hours than the I 3.9 ± 1.5 mg/dl; IP 2.6 ± 1.7 mg/dl; R 3.3 ± 2.8 mg/dl; or RP 1.8 ± 0.5 mg/dl groups. The RP group value was significantly lower than those of the I, IP, and R groups (p < 0.05). The S group showed less proximal tubular cell damage than the I, IP, R, and RP groups (p < 0.05). The percentages of apoptotic cells (FITC⁺/PI⁻) were: S group = 11.6 ± 6.5; I = 16.7 ± 7.3; IP = 37.0 ± 28.4; R = 11.7 ± 6.6, and RP = 8.8 ± 1.5. The difference between the IP vs RP group was significant. Similar percentages of necrotic cells (FITC⁺/PI⁺) and intact cells (FITC⁻/PI⁻) were observed among the groups.

Conclusions

Ischemic preconditioning showed no protective effect in the isoflurane group (IP) but when isoflurane was administered associated with remifentanil (RP), there was a beneficial effect on the kidney, as demonstrated by flow cytometry and serum creatinine values.     

Linkage study of voltage-gated potassium channels in familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy

Voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKCs) play a critical role in the regulation of neuronal excitability and have been implicated in some types of epilepsies. Recently, autoimmune limbic encephalitis (LE) was associated with antibodies against VGKC. In addition, patients with LE showed partial epilepsy and increased T2 signal abnormalities in limbic structures. We have reported familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (FMTLE) associated with hippocampal atrophy (HA) and other signs of mesial temporal sclerosis detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In order to investigate whether VGKC may be associated to HA present in FMTLE, we perform linkage study in these candidate genes. Seventy-three microsatellites markers were genotyped in different human autosomal chromosome. Two-point LOD scores did not show evidence for linkage with any of the microsatellite markers genotyped (Zmax ranging from 0.11to-9.53 at theta=0.00). In the present study, linkage data showed no evidence that VGKC are involved in the determination of HA in FMTLE.