Small supplements of N-3 fatty acids change serum low density lipoprotein composition by decreasing phospholipid and apolipoprotein B concentrations in young adult women

Summary In order to investigate the effect of a short-term application of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the composition of serum very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and high density lipoproteins (HDL), nine women aged 29±4.2 years, following a diet with a SFA/MUFA/PUFA profile of 2.4/3/1, received supplements of six capsules daily, each capsule containing 0.137 g of n-3 fatty acids (14.5% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 8.9% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) for 10 d. Food consumption, assessed during two 10-days periods indicates that percentage contribution of SFA, MUFA, and PUFA to the daily energy intake did not change through the fish-oil supplementation period, but the daily consumption of n-3 fatty acids increased 2.3 times. N-3 fatty supplementation increased EPA and DHA percentages in serum phospholipids, but failed to decrease (p>0.05) the cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum LDL and HDL, although it did so in VLDL. In contrast, the lipoprotein-phospholipid and lipoprotein-protein concentrations were markedly affected, mainly in LDL and HDL (at least p<0.01). HDL and VLDL compositions were not affected but the total mass (lipid+protein in mg/dl) concentration of these lipoproteins significantly decreased (p<0.05), suggesting a lower number of these particles in circulating blood after the n-3 treatment. The LDL-cholesterol/LDL-apolipoprotein B ratio increased (p<0.01) reflecting a probable increase in LDL size. Following fish oil supplementation, LDL particles contained a significantly lower amount of phospholipids, which also suggests changes in the surface/core ratio of the average LDL. Changes in serum lipoprotein lipids did not significantly correlate with any dietary change other than the n-3 fatty acid increase. The results indicate that a 10-day application of a small supplement of n-3 change the LDL composition leading to less atherogenic LDL particles with lower phospholipid and apolipoprotein (Apo) B concentrations. Received: 15 May 1998, Accepted: 28 August 1998     

Apolipoprotein E promotes the binding and uptake of β-amyloid into Chinese hamster ovary cells in an isoform-specific manner

The 4 allele of apolipoprotein E gene is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. However, the mechanism by which the E4 isoform of apolipoprotein E increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease is poorly understood. To determine whether the isoform-specific effects of apolipoprotein E may be mediated via clearance of bound β-amyloid, we examined the uptake of β-amyloid 1–40 into Chinese hamster ovary cells in the presence or absence of the apolipoprotein E isoforms E2, E3 and E4. Apolipoprotein E2 and E3 treatments were associated with higher association of β-amyloid with cells as compared to treatment with E4. Heparin blocked the association of β-amyloid with cells, as did an antibody to one of the apolipoprotein E receptors (the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein).

Thus, the apolipoproteins E2 and E3, but not E4, may play important roles in the clearance of β-amyloid from the extracellular space via the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein.     

Pediatric intestinal transplantation

Advancements in donor management, organ preservation and operative techniques, as well as immunosuppressive therapies, have provided children with intestinal failure and its complications a chance not only for enteral autonomy but also long-term survival through intestinal transplantation (ITx). First described in the 1960’s, experience has grown in managing these complex patients both pre- and post-transplant. The goals of this review are to provide a brief history of intestinal transplantation and intestinal rehabilitation in pediatric patients, followed by focused discussions of the indications for ITx, induction and maintenance immunosuppression therapies, common post-operative complications, and outcomes/quality of life post-transplant.     

Periventricular- intraventricular hemorrhage in the premature infant- A historical perspective

The objective of this chapter is to trace the evolution of intraventricular hemorrhage in the premature infant highlighting the importance of the germinal matrix, a critical role for cerebral blood flow changes in the genesis of hemorrhage, clinical factors that increase the bleeding risk, and potential preventative strategies. In 1976, neuropathological studies demonstrated capillary rupture within the germinal matrix as the precursor of hemorrhage. In 1980, introduction of cranial ultrasound facilitated diagnosis of intraventricular hemorrhage. In 1979, loss of cerebral autoregulation in sick newborn infants was demonstrated. In the 1980’s, studies demonstrated the importance of intravascular factors in provoking hemorrhage. In 1983, the association of cerebral blood flow velocity fluctuations and subsequent hemorrhage was demonstrated. In 1994, antenatal steroids use to accelerate lung development was recommended. This was associated with an unanticipated reduction in hemorrhage. In the mid 1990’s early indomethacin administration was associated with a reduction of severe hemorrhage.     

Heterogeneity of Na+/K+-ATPase from rectal gland of Squalus acanthias is not due to α isoform diversity

 Purified Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.37) isolated from the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias was characterized in ouabain-binding studies and with respect to isoform(s) of the α peptide. To avoid enzyme inactivation [³H]ouabain equilibrium binding was carried out at 20°C. The heterogeneity of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase isolated from shark rectal gland was similar in [³H]ouabain binding as previously seen in hydrolytic studies. The binding isotherms were compatible with the existence of a high-affinity (K _dis 0.69 nM) and a low-affinity (K _dis 42 nM) component of 1.46 and 0.79 nmol^.(mg protein)^–1, respectively. In Western blots the α peptide of the enzyme hybridized with an isoform-specific polyclonal antibody raised to an α₃-specific region of the large intracellular domain of rat Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, but not with the supposed α₃-specific monoclonal antibody MA3-915 with its epitope near the N-terminus. Semi-quantitative analysis of the reaction of the α₃-specific polyclonal antibody with the α peptide from the shark enzyme compared to the reaction with α peptide from rat brain enzyme indicated that this region is not exactly the same in the two species. The α peptide of shark enzyme was not recognized by α₁- or α₂-specific polyclonal antibodies, or by the α₁-specific monoclonal antibodies 3B and F6. The large intracellular domain of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase from shark rectal gland thus seems to be α₃-like and no α isoform heterogeneity seems able to account for the heterogeneity seen in ouabain binding. Received: 7 August 1998 / Accepted: 6 November 1998     

保存时间及温度对血清标本补体C_3和CH50测定结果的影响

目的 了解保存时间及温度对补体活性的影响。方法:用单向琼脂扩散法和非离心单管法对不同温度和时间下标本的C_3含量及CH50进行测定。结果与结论:血清补体C_5含量在室温下24h、4C下4dC、-10C和-20C下8d内无显著变化;CH50在室温下12h、4C下24h,-10C和-20C下8d内CH50无明显变化。     

血清TGA、TMA、T3、T4、TSH鉴别甲亢型桥本甲状腺炎和Graves病

目的：鉴别甲亢型桥本甲状腺炎（ Ｈ Ｔ）和 Ｇｒａｖｅｓ 病（ Ｇ Ｄ）,提高 Ｈ Ｔ 的诊断率,减少 Ｈ Ｔ 手术和不必要的抗甲状腺治疗。方法：以经甲状腺细针穿刺活检或术后病理证实为 Ｈ Ｔ 和 Ｇ Ｄ 的临床表现为甲状腺功能亢进的病人为研究对象,以活检前或术前清晨空腹血清 Ｔ Ｇ Ａ, Ｔ Ｍ Ａ, Ｔ３, Ｔ４ 和 Ｔ Ｓ Ｈ 为检测指标。结果：甲亢型 Ｈ Ｔ 和 Ｇ Ｄ 病人的 Ｔ Ｇ Ａ, Ｔ３ 有明显差异（ Ｐ＜ ００１）; Ｔ３／ Ｔ４, Ｔ Ｍ Ａ, Ｔ Ｓ Ｈ 有显著差异（ Ｐ＜ ０００１）; Ｔ４ 无差异（ Ｐ＞ ００５）。结论：血清 Ｔ３, Ｔ３／ Ｔ４ , Ｔ Ｓ Ｈ, Ｔ Ｇ Ａ 和 Ｔ Ｍ Ａ 可以作为鉴别甲亢型 Ｈ Ｔ 和 Ｇ Ｄ 的重要检测指标。     

抗CD3单抗增强激活骨髓抗白血病效应的研究

目的：为了研究增强ｒＩＬ－ ２ 激活的骨髓细胞（激活骨髓ＡＢＭ）的抗白血病效应。方法：应用抗ＣＤ３ 单抗与ｒＩＬ－ ２ 联合作用体外激活骨髓细胞,采用ＭＴＴ比色分析法测定不同条件下ＡＢＭ杀伤肿瘤细胞活性。结果：ｒＩＬ－ ２、抗ＣＤ３ 单抗＋ ｒＩＬ－ ２ 体外诱导３ ｄ 的ＡＢＭ 杀伤活性分别为５６．４％ ±９．０％ ,６５．８％ ±９．２％ ,两组相比差异显著（Ｐ＜ ０．０１）;体外诱导７ ｄ 细胞增殖倍数分别为３．７,６．０ 倍。结论：在合理的诱导条件下,能够增强ＡＢＭ 的杀伤活性,扩大ＡＢＭ 的增殖效应,从而使有限的骨髓细胞在短期内达到有效的治疗剂量