Challenges in designing a Taqman-based multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and Varicella-zoster virus

To optimise molecular detection of herpesviruses an internally controlled multiplex Taqman-PCR for the detection of Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1), Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) was developed. The selection of the dye combination working on the ABI 7700 cycler for this multiplex PCR revealed crosstalk phenomena between several combinations of reference dyes and reporter dyes. A final dye combination with CY5 as reference dye and FAM/JOE/TXR as reporter dyes was selected. The influence of the concentration of the internal positive control (IPC) concentration on the quantitative results of HSV1, HSV2 and VZV positive patient samples was analysed. The results indicate that high IPC concentrations are detrimental for the sensitivity of the multiplex assay and that the presence of the IPC molecule narrows the dynamic range of the duplex PCRs between any of the virus PCRs and the IPC-PCR. The optimised multiplex assay detecting HSV1, HSV2 and VZV using 10(3) IPC molecules showed a performance and sensitivity comparable to that of the individual assays.     

不同输液配伍葛根素注射液对溶血的影响

目的:探讨葛根素注射液与临床上常用的2种输液配伍后对其溶血不良反应的影响。方法:采用分光光度法测定孵育1,3,6 h时,葛根素不同浓度、不同输液配伍时的溶血率;测定溶液pH值、渗透压值,明确pH、渗透压、Na⁺、Cl^-和葡萄糖分子在溶血中的作用。结果:葛根素注射液与不同输液配伍时,相同孵育时间、相同浓度的溶血率存在显著差异,组间pH值存在显著变化,而渗透压无显著变化,Na⁺、Cl^-、葡萄糖分子能显著影响溶血率变化。结论:葛根素注射液与不同输液配伍后的溶血存在显著差异,pH值、渗透压不是引起溶血差异的因素;葛根素注射液与0.9%氯化钠注射液和5%葡萄糖注射液输液配伍时,红细胞对溶质成分Na⁺、Cl^-、葡萄糖分子的膜通透性不同可能是引起溶血差异的主要原因。     

尼群地平和阿替洛尔的协同降压作用

作者在肾血管型高血压犬和自发性高血压大鼠上研究了钙拮抗剂尼群地平和β１受体阻滞剂阿替洛尔单用与合用的降压效应，结果表明两药合用后降压作用增强，作用维持时间延长，尼群地平的反射性心率加快作用消失，阿替洛尔的减慢心率作用减弱。并通过ｑ值试验得ｑ＝１．３２，证明两药合用后降压作用增强是一种协同作用。     

Effects of combining extracts (from propolis or Zingiber officinale) with clarithromycin on Helicobacter pylori

Propolis and Zingiber officinale have been shown to be specifically targeted against Helicobacter pylori strains, to possess antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antitumoral activity and to be used in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. Considering that these natural products could potentially serve as novel therapeutic tools also in combination with an antibiotic, the aim of this work was to evaluate their effect when combined with clarithromycin on clinical H. pylori isolates (n = 25), characterized in respect to both clarithromycin susceptibility and the presence of the cagA gene. The results showed that the combinations of propolis extract + clarithromycin and Z. officinale extract + clarithromycin exhibited improved inhibition of H. pylori with synergistic or additive activity. Interestingly, the susceptibility to combinations was significantly independent of the microbial clarithromycin susceptibility status. Only one H. pylori strain showed antagonism towards the Z. officinale extract + clarithromycin combination. The data demonstrate that combinations of propolis extract + clarithromycin and Z. officinale extract + clarithromycin have the potential to help control H. pylori-associated gastroduodenal disease.     

Thermal insulation and SIDS-an investigation of selected 'Eastern' and 'Western' infant bedding combinations

BACKGROUND: Differences in the incidence of SIDS between 'Western' and 'Eastern' countries has been attributed to cultural practices, which may affect the infants care and thermal environment. AIM: The purpose of this work was to estimate for selected 'commonly' used bedding, sleep positions and practices in Japan, Korea and New Zealand, the intrinsic 'dry' thermal resistance of bedding. Insulation levels are also discussed in the context of published information about the thermal environment in which the bedding is likely to be used. METHOD: Selected Japanese, Korean and New Zealand bedding was loosely tucked over an infant manikin in the lateral, prone and supine sleep positions. Thickness in use was measured, and intrinsic 'dry' thermal resistance estimated using the Wilson Laing model which accommodates the effect on insulation of the three-dimensional arrangement of bedding combinations during use. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Thickness of under- and upper-bedding varied among countries with thickness and estimated 'dry' thermal resistance of the upper-bedding affected by the type/combination of bedding and the infants sleep position. Insulation levels are discussed in relation to environmental conditions within and among countries and between seasons. Further information on thermal environments, bedding combinations used and care practices within both Asian and Western countries is needed. CONCLUSIONS: 'Eastern' infants appear likely to be generally covered in bedding combinations of greater insulation than those used to cover 'Western' infants in comparable seasons. Differences existed between insulation of the Japanese and Korean bedding combinations investigated. Lower rates of SIDS apparent in 'Asian' populations do not appear attributable to use of lower levels of bedding insulation only.     

Distribution of glutathione S-transferase M1, P1 and T1 genotypes in different age-groups of Finns without diagnosed cancer

BACKGROUND: Xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) are important detoxifiers of hazardous environmental agents, and their polymorphisms may therefore modify the risk of environmentally induced cancers. Consequently, the XME polymorphisms have been extensively studied in this context during recent years. Particular attention has been given to the polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1, P1 and T1 genes. Previous studies have provided abundant data indicating these polymorphisms as important modifiers of individual susceptibility to cancers of environmental origin. It can be postulated that if the at-risk genotypes of these genes were real risk factors for the environmental cancers, their prevalence would presumably decrease with age in cancer-free part of the population. METHODS: We tested the hypothesis in a population based group of 2105 Finns (1,051 men, 1,054 women) in five age strata (27, 37, 47, 57 and 67 years of age), all without clinically diagnosed cancer. RESULTS: For GSTM1 genotype, a significant interaction was seen between gender and age among never smokers (p=0.003). Currently smoking men tended to be less likely (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.31-1.03), and currently smoking women more likely (OR 1.70, 95% CI 0.97-2.97) homozygotes for the GSTP1*B allele compared with never smokers. Moreover, the likelihood of being a concurrent carrier of the putatively protective genotypes of all of the three studied GSTs was almost three-fold (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.10-7.12) in heavy smokers in the two oldest age-groups compared with the other genotypes. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings based on a novel study design provide support to the previous case-control studies suggesting that GST genotypes modify individual risk of environmentally-induced cancers.     

Cost assessment and price setting of inpatient care in the Netherlands. The DBC case-mix system

In February 2005, a case-mix system based on ‘diagnosis treatment combinations’ (DBCs) was introduced in the Netherlands for the registration and reimbursement of hospital and medical specialist care. This paper describes the characteristics of the DBC system and how it is used for the reimbursement of hospitals. Prices for reimbursement are either based on fixed tariffs (‘list A’) or negotiated between health insurers and hospitals (‘list B’) and are partly based on information about unit costs of health care services. Because the DBC system is still under development we will describe the current situation (March 2006), but also focus on the most likely future developments.     

Analysis of an interaction threshold in a mixture of drugs and/or chemicals

Increasingly, humans are exposed to drug/chemical mixtures. These exposures can result from therapeutic interventions or environmental sources. Of interest is the interaction that may occur among the components of these mixtures. Since interaction can be dose-dependent, it is important to determine exposure levels to either exploit the benefits of the interaction in a therapeutic application or to avoid the effect of the interaction in the case of an environmental risk assessment. We propose generalized linear models that permit the estimation of interaction threshold boundaries. The methods developed are applied to the combination of ethanol and chloral hydrate.     

小鼠伍用氯胺酮与赛拉嗪翻正反射和毒性的影响

观察了氰胺酮（Ｋｅｔ）与赛拉嗪（Ｘｙ１）以１：１和３：１配伍对小鼠急性毒性和翻正反射消失效应的影响。用Ｑ（ｘ）统计检验合用后的联合作用性质，并绘制出Ｑ曲线及其９５％可信限图．可见Ｋｅｔ与Ｘｙｌ以１：１和３：１伍用后毒性分别为相加和轻微协同，翻正反射消失效应均呈协同性增强．配伍后的治疗指数，安全指数及可靠安全系数都较单药提高．大鼠和大的实验结果也表明Ｋｅｔ与Ｘｙｌ伍用后效应增强．