Highly selective and sensitive determination of free and total amino acids in Apocynum venetum L. (Luobuma tea) by a developed HPLC–FLD method coupled with pre-column fluorescent labelling

Amino acids (AA) are important chemical constituents of tea leaves remarkably influencing the quality of tea. In this study, free AA and total AA in Apocynum venetum L. (Luobuma tea) were estimated by HPLC equipped with fluorescent detector using 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g]carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy] ethyl chloroformate (DBCEEC) as a fluorescent labelling reagent. Different parameters for derivatization and separation were optimized. AA were rapidly derivatized within 3 min at room temperature with DBCEEC. In conjunction with a gradient elution, a baseline resolution of 20 analytes was achieved on a reversed-phase Hypersil BDS C18 column. LC separation for the derivatized AA showed good reproducibility. Twenty AA were detected and showed significant linear responses with correlation coefficients (>0.9992). This developed method offered the low detection limit of 2.88–23.4 fmol.     

Vasculo–Behçet's syndrome with widespread arterial involvement

Abstract

An 18-year-old woman with a history of multiple oral ulcers followed by erythema nodosum was admitted to our hospital because of the lack of a pulse in her upper left extremity and occasional dizziness. High C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were detected in her serum. Arterial angiography showed a widespread narrowing of the major arteries, including both carotid arteries, the left vertebral artery, the left subclavian artery (branches of the aortic arch), the abdominal aorta, and left renal arteries. However, no involvement in the circle of Willis was noted, and this was confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. Pulmonary scintigraphy showed no perfusion defect. The distribution of the arterial involvement, her youth, and nega-tive human leukocyte antigen (HLA) B51 were consistent with Takayasu arteritis, although the presence of mucocutaneous involvement favored a diagnosis of vasculo-Behçet's syndrome. We treated the patient with prednisolone and warfarin, which resulted in an improvement in CRP levels and no thrombosis-related complications.     

Enthesitis-related arthritis in Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease

Abstract

Histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis or Kikuchi–Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, benign and self-limiting disorder that characteristically presents with fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Articular manifestations in the form of arthralgias are common but frank arthritis is distinctly rare and dactylitis has not been reported yet. Herein, we describe a young boy who presented with arthritis and dactylitis as the initial manifestation of KFD. A 14-year-old boy presented with a two-week history of fever, generalized lymphadenopathy and asymmetric polyarthritis, enthesitis and dactylitis of the toes. Two years earlier he presented with arthritis of the knee and ankle joints, which lasted for 12 months. However, he had been asymptomatic for one year. Investigations revealed anemia, leukopenia and raised acute phase reactants. Work-up for infectious etiology, systemic lupus erythematosus and leukemia and lymphoma was negative. Excision biopsy of the cervical lymph node confirmed KFD. Fever, lymphadenopathy and leukopenia dissipated with nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drug therapy, but the arthritis persisted. A trial of methotrexate led to the resolution of the arthritis.     

Usefulness of interposition arthroplasty in the Sauvé–Kapandji procedure for rheumatoid wrist

Abstract

The aim of synovectomy combined with the Sauvé–Kapandji (S–K) procedure for the treatment of a rheumatoid wrist is to obtain a stable painless wrist that retains sufficient mobility for function. However, loss of motion occurs postoperatively in most cases. In our study of 59 rheumatoid patients, the results of the transposition of distal strips of retinaculum into the radiocarpal and ulnocarpal joints for interposition arthroplasty to maintain wrist motion (interposition group), and transposition below the extensors to provide a gliding surface (SK group) were evaluated. The distal end of the ulna was fixed to the radius with poly-L-lactic acid screws, and a proximal strip of retinaculum was placed above the extensors after synovectomy of the rheumatoid wrist. Clinical symptoms, radiographic changes, and postoperative complications were assessed 3–9 years (mean 5.9 years) postoperatively. Patients in the interposition group showed better postoperative results, including wrist motion, than those of patients in the SK group. Both procedures resulted in only minor complications such as superficial skin necrosis, hematoma, and superficial infection. We concluded that interpostion arthroplasty combined with the S–K procedure using a distal strip of retinaculum might be a safe and appropriate method for wrist reconstruction following synovectomy of a rheumatoid wrist.     

Analysis of electrocorticographic patterns in rats fed standard or hyperlipidic diets in a normal state or during status epilepticus

Objective: The consumption of hyperlipidic diets has grown markedly in recent decades, and several studies have linked this consumption with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Conversely, hyperlipidic diets have been used as an alternative therapy for refractory epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a hyperlipidic diet on brain electrical activity before and during status epilepticus (SE) using computational and mathematical methods.

Methods: Electrocorticogram (ECoG) was recorded in Wistar rats fed with standard and hyperlipidic diets. Each recording was obtained during 30-minute period (baseline), after this time, the SE was induced by pilocarpine, and recording was continued for another 30?minutes. The ECoG signals were analyzed by the following methods: power spectrum, Lempel–Ziv complexity (LZC), and fractal dimension of the phase space.

Results: Hyperlipidic diet in normal animals caused a decrease in the theta, alpha, and beta rhythm, and reduced the LZC of the brain electrical activity. However, when the animals were induced to SE, these differences between nutritional groups were not observed. SE caused in both dietary groups increase in theta, alpha, and beta rhythm values, and increase in the complexity of brain electrical activity.

Discussion: Hyperlipidic diet consumption attenuated the brain's electrical activity, suggesting that healthy individuals who habitually eat a hyperlipidic diet may develop dysfunctions such as cognitive decline and memory impairment. Furthermore, the antagonistic effect between hyperlipidic diet and SE suggests that this diet could protect against seizures.     

The inter-rater and test–retest reliability of the Self-care and Transfer scales,and intra-rater reliability of all scales of the Swedish Translation of the Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT-S)

Abstract

Objective: The Australian Therapy Outcome Measures for Occupational Therapy (AusTOMs-OT) are used internationally to measure the outcomes of occupational therapy services across diagnoses, ages, and health care settings. This study reports on the inter-rater and test–retest reliability of the Self-care and Transfer scales as well as the intra-rater reliability of all scales of the Swedish (AusTOMs-OT-S) translation. Methods: Fifteen occupational therapists rated 11 case study clients on two occasions, separated by two weeks. Test–retest reliability and inter-rater reliability were calculated for the Self-care scale and Transfer scales. Moreover, intra-rater reliability was calculated for each of the 15 therapists across all 12 scales. Results: The inter-rater reliability intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were all found to be high to very high, ranging from ICC 0.762 to 0.904; the intra-rater reliability coefficients were also very good with 11 of the 15 therapists achieving ICCs of 0.745 or over, and finally the test–retest ICCs were also found to be high, ranging from 0.705 to 0.920. Conclusions: Although further research is required to confirm reliability, preliminary reliability of the AusTOMs-OT Swedish translation has been demonstrated and therapists can have confidence when using the scales.     

Exploring Types of Parent–Child Relationship and Internet use across Europe

This article explores internet-related parent–child relationships across twenty-five European countries. Parent–child dyads are analysed in terms of parental mediation, digital competence, and communicative proximity, in order to answer the following research questions: Which types of parent–child relationship with respect to internet use can be found? How do they coincide with developmental, social, and cultural patterns? And how are they distributed across European Union countries? Using data from the EU Kids Online survey, four types of parent–child relationship were identified. The types are shaped by several factors on the level of child, family, and country, with the child's age and internet use being the most important predictors. Based on the prevalence of these family types, six country clusters were identified, which represent technical, social, and cultural contexts shaping the type of internet-related parent–child relationship.     

Antagonistic Effect In Vivo of Zinc on Inhibition of δ -Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydratase by Lead

δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of heme, in which it catalyzes the condensation of two molecules of δ-aminolevulinic acid to one molecule of porphobilinogen. It is a sulfhydryl enzyme, which means, among other tilings, that its activity is inhibited by many heavy metals. In the present investigation rabbits were given either zinc or lead or both. Zinc had a strong activating effect on ALAD in vivo, and the inhibitory effect of lead was almost completely eliminated. A close positive correlation was found between ALAD in the red blood cells and zinc in the plasma, but there was no correlation between ALAD and zinc in the red blood cells. These observations are of particular interest in the light of recent findings, suggesting that zinc is an essential metal for ALAD.     

Restrictive Mediation and Unintended Effects: Serial Multiple Mediation Analysis Explaining the Role of Reactance in US Adolescents

Extant research indicates that restrictive parental mediation, parents enforcing rules limiting children’s media use, produces unintended effects in adolescents. Speculation exists that these suboptimal effects are due to psychological reactance following a restrictive mediation interaction leading the adolescent toward defiant behavior. A survey of undergraduate students (N = 483) was conducted to investigate the process of psychological reactance as a mediating factor in the relationship between restrictive parental mediation and three unintended effects: negative attitude toward parents, positive attitude toward restricted content, and increased viewing of restricted content with friends. Results revealed a direct effect of restrictive mediation on attitude toward parent, but not attitude toward restricted content or viewing restricted content with friends. Moreover, the reactance process fully mediated restrictive mediation’s effect on attitude toward restricted content and viewing restricted content with friends, and partially mediated the effect on attitude toward parents.     

Effect of triacontanol on the pharmacokinetics of docetaxel in rats associated with induction of cytochrome P450 3A1/2

Abstract

1.?Triacontanol was confirmed to have a potential anti-cancer effect, the aim was to assess whether the co-administration of triacontanol alters the exposure of docetaxel via inducing hepatic CYP3A1/2 activity. The concentration of docetaxel in rats pretreated with triacontanol for seven successive days was determined, and the expression levels of CYP3A protein and mRNA were analyzed by the western blot and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique, respectively.

2.?The concentrations of docetaxel in rats pretreated with triacontanol were decreased, with 61.5%, 61.9% decrease in AUC_0–24h and 65.7%, 54.9% reduction in C_max (120 and 180?mg?kg^?1, respectively) compared with the control. Hepatic clearance of docetaxel was enhanced in vitro and in vivo at dosage of 120 and 180?mg?kg^?1, and CYP3A activity was up-regulated by measuring the formation rate of 1-hydroxymidazolam. Triacontanol preferentially induced protein expression level of CYP3A2 in a dose-dependent manner and of CYP 3A1 at dosage of 120 and 180?mg?kg^?1. The mRNA expression of CYP3A1 was moderately different with the western blot results, but the trends appeared similar. CYP3A2 mRNA level was not markedly affected by triacontanol.

3.?The significant triacontanol–docetaxel interaction was largely due to the induction of CYP3A1/2, which brought useful information in the clinical therapy when the combination is administered in human.