Scintigraphic evaluation of myocardial uptake of thallium 201 and technetium 99m pyrophosphate utilizing a rat model of chronic doxorubicin cardiotoxicity

To evaluate the usefulness of myocardial scintigraphy as a monitoring tool for chronic doxorubicin (DXR) cardiotoxicity, a rat model was used to investigate the relationship between the myocardial uptake of thallium 201 (Tl) or rechnetium 99m pyrophosphate (^99mTc-PPi) and histological changes of the heart. Although there was no significant difference in myocardial Tl uptake between control and DXR-treated rats at an early phase after Tl injection, late-phase Tl uptake was significantly higher in the DXR-treated rats than in the control rats, indicating a slow wash-out of Tl from the myocardium. The wash-out rate calculated from scintigraphic examination of DXR-treated rats was significantly decreased with increasing degree of cardiomyopathy. Since the Tl wash-out rate was sharply decreased even in animals with minimal histological changes, it may be a possible monitoring tool for the early detection of chronic DXR cardiotoxicity. On the other hand, myocardial^99mTc-PPi images could be obtained only in rats with severe myocardial changes and hence would not useful for early detection.     

The effects of altering time delays of coupled pacing during acute atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Coupled pacing (CP), which consists of delivering a premature electrical stimulation to the heart after the effective refractory period of ventricular activation, is a novel method for controlling ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation (AF). It also has been established that CP improves pump function by enhancing external cardiac work and myocardial efficiency. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to determine if two time delays for CP (short and long) would result in similar improvements in ventricular function. METHODS: In a canine model, we applied CP at two time delays (CP-S and CP-L) during two stages: sinus rhythm (SR) and acute AF. The cardiac responses to CP during SR served as the nontachycardic and nondepressed control. During both rhythms, we shortened the coupling interval until we obtained maximal contractility, designated CP-S. Next, we increased the delay until we started to see a measurable secondary contraction (left ventricular pressure development of approximately 20 mmHg). These longer delays were designated CP-L. RESULTS: Our results showed that the ventricular rate of intrinsic activation (VRIA) remained decreased despite prolongation of the time delay of CP during both AF and SR. Also, both delays of CP increased left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and dLVP/dt, which are indices of myocardial contractility. In contrast, CP increased external cardiac work only during AF. Prolonging this time delay did not markedly decrease the improvement in external cardiac work. Myocardial O(2) consumption (MVO(2)) did not significantly change as the result of CP during either SR or AF. Finally, myocardial efficiency improved during AF as the result of CP at both time delays. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, shorter time delays for CP increased contractile strength during both SR and AF. However, extending the time delay of CP had minimal effects on diminishing the improved ventricular pump function and energetics that resulted from CP during AF. Thus, the maximal enhancement of myocardial contractility via CP-S was not needed to maintain the improved ventricular function during acute AF when CP is applied.     

载氧血红蛋白纯化工艺研究

目的改善心脑血管缺氧载氧药物是一种创新药物。由于它半径比红细胞小400~1 000倍,易于通过毛细血管,给缺血组织及时供氧,迅速缓解或纠正缺氧状态,达到治疗抢救目的。血红蛋白的纯化工艺是载氧药物研制的重要工艺步骤。方法本研究建立了一套通过热敏法分离纯化人脐带血血红蛋白的工艺以及较为完善的纯化血红蛋白质量检测指标。结果与现有的纯化方式相比,热敏法操作简便,仪器设备造价低廉,纯化与病毒灭活同时进行,得到的纯化产品损失少,纯度高,各项理化指标达到国际水平。结论本工艺适用于规模制备纯化血红蛋白,为进一步研制治疗心脑血管缺氧载氧药物创造了有利条件。     

In-situ measurements of gas permeability in fuel cell membranes using a cylindrical microelectrode

A new method to study permeation of gases in proton conducting membranes using a cylindrical microelectrode is presented. The focus of this work was to develop an in-situ method to study transport properties of hydrogen and oxygen close to real fuel cell operating conditions. The gas permeability is strongly affected by the change of water content in the membrane and it is therefore of advantage that, by using this method, measurements can be carried out over a wide range of relative humidities. The numerical method makes it possible to separate the diffusion coefficient and the concentration of dissolved gas in the membrane and also allows kinetic limitations to be taken into account. Chronoamperometric measurements on Nafion® 117 were successfully evaluated numerically. Experiments at temperatures of 25 and 60 °C with respect to oxygen permeation and at 60 °C for hydrogen permeation at relative humidities in the range 30–94% are presented. The reproducibility of data was excellent when measuring with different microelectrodes on the same membrane sample, but differed when measuring on different samples. In general, the permeability increases with increasing temperature and relative humidity.     

人体β-胡萝卜素的肠转化和吸收后转化的研究

目的 :为了解部分中国人体内 β 胡萝卜素 ( β carotene ,以下简称 β C)转化维生素A (vitaminA ,以下简称VA)的效率 ,开展了本研究。方法 :使用稳定同位素稀释法对 15名 5 0 60岁健康农村志愿者 (男 9,女6)进行β C人体代谢实验。 2周适应期和 5 6天实验期内 ,志愿者接受常规膳食 ,避免大量VA和 β C摄入以及烟、酒和营养补充剂。实验第 1天 ,给受试者含 6mg氘标记 β C( 2 H8β C)玉米油胶丸 ,随半流质早餐 (脂肪热能比 2 5 % )一起摄入。实验第 4天 ,受试者以同样方法摄入含 3mg氘标记醋酸视黄醇 ( 2 H8RAC)油剂胶丸。实验第 1天和第 4天摄入标记物后 0 ,3 ,5 ,7,9,11,13h时 ,实验第 2 ,3 ,5 ,6,7,8,9,10 ,14,2 1,2 8,3 5 ,42 ,49,5 6天晨空腹时 ,采静脉血。用高效液相色谱仪 (HPLC)分离血清 β C和VA组分 ,再分别使用气相质谱仪(GC MS)和液相质谱仪 (LC MS)测定VA和 β C组分的同位素丰度。根据VA和 β C的浓度和同位素丰度 ,描述标记VA和β C在体内应答的血液动力学曲线。 结果 :所有 15名受试者对2 H8RAC应答明显 ;但是在对2 H8β C的应答方面 ,只有 11名受试者2 H4视黄醇应答曲线明显 ,有 4名受试者血清2 H4视黄醇应答曲线非常微弱。经过对备份血清样品进行的多次重复GC MS测定 ,我们目前初步?     

Influence of stretch-shortening cycle on mechanical behaviour of triceps surae during hopping

Belli , A. & Bosco, A. 1992. Influence of stretch-shortening cycle on mechanical behaviour of triceps surae during hopping. Acta Physiol Scand 144 , 401408. Received 20 March 1 991 , accepted 3 December 1991. ISSN 0001–6772. Laboratories of Physiology, Universities of St Etienne and Lyon, France and Departments of Biology and Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. Six subjects performed a first series of vertical plantar flexions and a second series of vertical rebounds, both involving muscle triceps surae exclusively. Vertical displacements, vertical forces and ankle angles were recorded during the entire work period of 60 seconds per series. In addition, expired gases were collected during the test and recovery for determination of the energy expenditure. Triceps surae was mechanically modelled with a contractile component and with an elastic component. Mechanical behaviour and work of the different muscle components were determined in both series. The net muscular efficiency calculated from the work performed by the centre of gravity was 17.5±3.0% (mean ± SD) in plantar flexions and 29.9 ± 4.8% in vertical rebounds. The net muscle efficiency calculated from the work performed by the contractile component was 17.4 %% 2.9% in plantar flexions and 16.1 ± 1.47; in vertical rebounds. These results suggest that the muscular efficiency differences do not reflect muscle contractile component efficiency but essentially the storage and recoil of elastic energy. This is supported by the relationship (P < 0.01) found in vertical rebounds between the extra work and the elastic component work. A detailed observation of the mechanical behaviour of muscle mechanical components showed that the strategy to maximize the elastic work depends also on the force-velocity characteristics of the movement and that the eccentric-concentric work of the contractile component does not always correspond respectively to the ankle extension-flexion.