Current outcomes of one-stage surgical correction for Berry syndrome

Objectives

Berry syndrome is a combination of distal aortopulmonary window (APW), aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery (RPA), intact ventricular septum, and interrupted aortic arch. We present here our current experience of primary repair of this syndrome with the goal of optimizing treatment for this rare condition.

Qualitative fitting characteristics of elastomeric half face-piece respirators using Isoamyl acetate agent

To examine the fit testing of elastomeric half face-piece respirators (EHRs), a total of 41 candidates were randomly assigned into seven EHRs equipped with organic vapor (OV) cartridges which were commonly used in the Iranian industrial workplaces. The qualitative fitting into the facial dimensions was assessed using the Allegro Isoamyl Acetate fit test kit. While the studied EHRs showed very low passing fit testing rates, the 3M, AoSafety (Medium), and AoSafety (Large) had the highest passing rates with 22.0%, 14.60%, and 9.76%, respectively. The AoSafety (All sizes) delivered a higher passing fit test rate than the 3M brand (29.30 vs. 22.0%). The one size fits all respirators including the DUO and Climax showed lower proportions of passing fit tests compared with AoSafety three-size system brands (2.40% and 4.90% vs. 29.30%). Low fit test passing rates were determined among different respirators. The respirators with various sizes and styles had more opportunities for different wearers to pass the fit test than single size models. The initial and annual fit testing requirements shall be developed by local government. Also, the manufacturers are required to pay attention to respirator features and subject characteristics during the production to obtain satisfactory protection for the end-users.     

Characterization of metal-resistant plant-growth promoting Bacillus weihenstephanensis isolated from serpentine soil in Portugal

A metal-resistant bacterial strain SM3 isolated from a serpentine soil in the north-east of Portugal was characterized as Bacillus weihenstephanensis based on the morphological and biochemical characteristics and on the comparative analysis of the partial 16S ribosomal DNA sequence. Bacillus weihenstephanensis SM3 showed a high degree of resistance to nickel (1500 mg l(-1)), copper (500 mg l(-1)) and zinc (700 mg l(-1)) and also to antibiotics (ampicillin, penicillin, kanamycin and streptomycin). Strain SM3 has also exhibited the capability of solubilizing phosphate and producing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) both in the absence and in the presence of metals (Ni, Cu and Zn). A pot experiment was conducted to elucidate the effects of strain SM3 on plant growth and uptake of Ni, Cu or Zn by Helianthus annuus. Inoculation with strain SM3 increased the shoot and root biomass of H. annuus grown in both non-contaminated and contaminated soil. Furthermore, strain SM3 increased the accumulation of Cu and Zn in the root and shoot systems. A batch experiment was also conducted to assess the metal mobilization potential of strain SM3 in soil. Inoculation with this strain increased the concentrations of water soluble Ni, Cu and Zn in soil. Metal solubilization by this bacterial strain may be an important process to promote the uptake of heavy metals by plants. This study elucidates the multifarious role of strain SM3 in plant growth promotion and its metal mobilizing potential.     

脑梗塞患者血浆抑制性氨基酸变化及兴奋性氨基酸的关系

目的目前对兴奋性氨基酸（EAA）和抑制性氨基酸（IAA）的临床研究较少，从临床方面探讨EAA，IAA在脑梗塞发展过程中的作用可为今后临床深人研究提供一定的参考资料。方法应用高效液相色谱法对44例动脉粥样硬化性血栓性脑梗塞病人急性期和病后2周血浆EAA和IAA的含量进行测定，进行病人自身前后对照并与30例正常人对比。结果脑梗塞病人急性或血浆谷氨酸（Glu）、天门冬氨酸（Asp）、牛磷酸（Tau）含量明显高于正常对照组（P＜0.01）；病后2周其血浆含量有所下降，其中Glu含量与急性期相比有显著性差异（P＜0．01），但三者均未恢复正常，与正常对照组相比仍有显著性差异（P＜0．01）；血浆丙氨酸（Ala）、甘氨酸（Gly）在脑梗塞急性期及病后2周与正常对照组相比均无显著性差异（P＞0．05）。结论Glu、Asp作为损伤因素参与了脑梗塞的发生发展过程，研究EAA在脑梗塞中的作用时应同时观察IAA的相应变化．兴奋性毒性指数的概念值得进一步研究。测定血浆Glu的含量可考虑作为估计脑梗塞病程的一项生化指标。     

一氧化氮合成酶抑制剂(L-NNA)对缺血纹体兴奋性和抑制性氨基酸释放的影响

目的：研究一氧化氮合成酶抑制剂（Ｌ－ＮＮＡ）对大鼠半球持续性缺血时兴奋性和抑制性氨基酸释放的影响。方法：用微透析结合高效液相法测定半球缺血３０，６０，９０，１２０分钟时大鼠纹体Ｇｌｕ，Ａｓｐ，Ｇｌｙ，Ｔａｕ和ＧＡＢＡ的释放。结果：大鼠半球缺血３０，６０，９０，１２０分钟时纹体所有五种氨基酸的释放都显著增加，除了１２０分钟缺血时Ｌ－ＮＮＡ可影响Ｇｌｕ的释放外，并不明显影响缺血时纹体Ｇｌｕ和Ａｓｐ的释放。然而，它可明显地促进大鼠半球缺血３０，６０，９０，１２０分钟时纹体Ｇｌｙ，Ｔａｕ和ＧＡＢＡ的释放。结论：半球缺血时所有五种氨基酸的不正常释放都参与了脑缺血病理过程，Ｌ－ＮＮＡ促进半球缺血时抑制性氨基酸的释放可能是其保护缺血大脑的机制之一。     

Karlsburg Type I diabetes risk study of a general population: frequencies and interactions of the four major Type I diabetes-associated autoantibodies studied in 9419 schoolchildren

Aims/hypothesis. The Karlsburg Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes risk study on schoolchildren aims to evaluate the predictive diagnostic value of diabetes-associated autoantibodies in the general population. Methods. We took capillary serum from 9419 schoolchildren, aged 6–17 years, for testing of autoantibodies (AAbs) to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), protein tyrosine phosphatase (IA2A) and insulin (IAA) by 125I-antigen binding. We also tested for autoantibodies to cytoplasmic islet cell antigens (ICA) immunohistochemically. Results. By testing of 9419 sera for the four AAbs at cut-off at or greater than the 98th centile for the radioassayed AAbs and at or greater than 10 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (JDF) units for ICA, 8.1 % of schoolchildren had at least one AAb. We found that 3.04, 2.97, 2.35, and 0.86 % had IAA, GADA, IA2A or ICA, respectively. 7.3 % had only one AAb and 0.8 % (75) had two or more AAbs, reflecting a risk to develop diabetes. Thus, by primary screening by combined testing of GADA and IA2A, 98.7 % (74/75) would be identified. At high AAb levels, cut-off at or greater than the 99.8th centile and at or greater than 40 JDF units for ICA, 0.23 % (22/9419) of schoolchildren, similar to the disease prevalence of 0.3 %, had two or more AAbs. Ten of 17 children tested had reduced (p < 0.001) first-phase insulin secretion by intravenous glucose tolerance test. Six of 22 subjects developed Type I diabetes within a follow-up of 19 ± 10 months. Conclusion/interpretation. For children older than 5 years the combined anti-GAD/IA2 test with cut-off at or greater than the 98th centile should be used for primary screening followed by testing for IAA and ICA. Subjects at risk for diabetes have two or more AAbs at or greater than the 98th centile. Subjects at risk for rapid progression to Type I diabetes have two or more AAbs at or greater than the 99.8th centile. [Diabetologia (1999) 42: 661–670] Received: 3 September 1998 and in final revised form: 20 January 1999     

Biomarkers of chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer identified by proteomics: Current status

This review describes and discusses the advantages and limitations of proteomic approaches in the identification of biomarkers associated with chemotherapy resistance. Both gel-based (two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and gel-free (shotgun and quantitative) mass spectrometry approaches are discussed. Non-mass spectrometry approaches including antibody microarray platforms are described as complementary proteomic strategies. Methods for technical confirmation and clinical validation of putative biomarkers are presented. Use of this proteomic toolbox in the quest for biomarkers of chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer is reviewed. Technical aspects of sample selection, acquisition, storage and analysis are discussed and putative biomarkers identified through proteomic approaches are presented.     

糖尿病患者血清GAD-Ab、ICA、IAA联合检测的临床意义

[目的 ]探讨糖尿病患者血清谷氨酸脱羧酶抗体 (GAD -Ab)、胰岛细胞抗体 (ICA)和胰岛素自身抗体 (IAA)的联合检测在临床中的重要意义。 [方法 ]用ELISA法测定 4 3例 1型糖尿病 (ID DM )患者、5 5例 2型糖尿病 (NIDDM )患者和 5 0例正常人血清中的GAD -Ab、ICA、IAA。 [结果 ]1型糖尿病组中GAD -Ab、ICA、IAA的阳性率分别为 76 .7%、37.2 %、2 5 .6 % ;2型糖尿病组中 3种抗体的阳性率分别为 9.1 %、1 0 .9%、1 0 .9% ;正常对照组中GAD -Ab、ICA、IAA均为阴性。 1型糖尿病患者的GAD -Ab、ICA、IAA阳性率都高于 2型糖尿病患者 (P <0 .0 5 )及正常对照组 (P<0 .0 5 )。 [结论 ](1 )测定GAD -Ab在糖尿病分型及预测中优于ICA和IAA。 (2 )GAD -Ab、ICA、IAA的联合检测是鉴别 1型糖尿病和 2型糖尿病的重要血清学指标。 (3)在预测 1型糖尿病发病及早期诊断中 ,GAD -Ab、ICA、IAA的联合检测可提高检出阳性率 ,避免漏诊 ,也提高了诊断的特异性及敏感性     

Recurrent hypoglycemia,a rare case of insulin autoimmune syndrome in a young African American male

Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is an uncommon cause of spontaneous hypoglycemia from hyperinsulinemia due to autoantibodies against endogenous insulin (Jian-Ping Chu, 2016). These individuals have no prior exposure to exogenous insulin. We report a case of a 35-year-old African American male, who presented to Vaughn Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL, after he was found to have seizures from hypoglycemia, with a blood sugar of 63 on presentation. He was never diagnosed with diabetes in the past, nor did he have a history of seizure disorder. He continued to be hypoglycemic during the initial period of his hospital stay. His fasting insulin level was 27 mIU/l (normal is less than 25, with presence of insulin autoantibodies (IAA), and a negative workup otherwise. This led us to include IAS as one of our differentials for his hypoglycemia.