Membrane flow within the myelin sheath in IDPN neuropathy

This report describes some aspects of beta,beta'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) neuropathy in rats as observed by ultrastructural methods and X-ray diffraction. Light microscopy shows gross swelling of the axons in proximal lumbar spinal roots 8 days after intraperitoneal injection of IDPN. Mean axon cross-sectional area and mean axon perimeter increased to 280% and 160% of their control values, respectively. At the same time, myelin membrane packing was not visibly disturbed. In addition, X-ray diffraction patterns, recorded under physiological conditions, demonstrate that the myelin lipid bilayer thickness and widths of the aqueous spaces between bilayers did not change. Related observations are made on posterior tibial nerve (PNS myelin) and ventral spinal cord (CNS myelin). The various observations together are interpreted in terms of a fluid myelin membrane. It is proposed that the myelin membrane flows during axon swelling even though normal membrane-membrane contacts are maintained within the sheath. Membrane flow and slippage between membranes are explained in terms of a molecular model of the myelin multilayer.     

放免法检测乙型慢性活动性肝炎病人红细胞C3b受体的研究

用放免法检测乙型慢性活动性肝炎病人的红细胞ｃ３ｂ受体（ＫＢＣＣＲ１）．结果：病人ＲＢＣＣＲ１明显低于献血员（Ｐ＜０．０５）；抗－ＨＢｓ特异性免疫复合物阳性病人ＲＢＣＣＲ１明显低于阴性病人（Ｐ＜０．０１），与红细胞Ｃ３ｂ受体花环试验检测结果一致。表明乙型慢性活动性肝炎病人ＲＢＣＣＲ１数量减少，活性下降。其原因可能是特异性循环免疫复合物占据了ＲＢＣＣＲ１空位，使ＣＲ１活性下降。     

维胺酯-β-环糊精包合物的研究

应用３因素８水平的均匀设计方法，优化出维胺酯－β－环糊精包合物最佳制备条件，所得包合物的包合率为９９．３％，其表观稳定常数为１３９４Ｍ－１．     

The spermatozoal volume as indicative of the plasma membrane integrity (modification of the hypoosmotic swelling test). I. Methods

Summary. The aim of the present study was to establish a more differentiating indicator of plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa than the classic version of the hypoosmotic swelling test according to Jeyendraan. Spermatozoa were prepared by density gradient centrifugation (90% Percoll) to select 'fertilization competent' spermatozoa only. After a second washing procedure sufficiently pure sperm cell suspensions were obtained. The volume distributions of these sperm cells were measured with a Coulter Counter at 25 °C after adaptation in 300 mosmolar NaCl solution resp. 150 mosmolar NaCl solution for 5 min. These volume distributions showed significantly different patterns for the isotonic and hypotonic stress situation in the simple salt solution. Moreover, the comparison of the response to hypoosmotic stress showed more than four reproducible characteristic patterns, promising well differentiated results for different sperm populations. The new method for the detection of hypoosmotic swelling effect might be a real and valuable functional parameter.     

Effect of “Re Du Qing” on the activation,proliferation and membrane fluidity of lymphocytes

Summary Effects of Chinese Medicinal Preparation “Re Du Qing” (RDQ) on the activation, proliferation and membrane fluidity of T lymphocytes from human peripheral blood Were studied by means of³H-TdR incorporation and DPH fluorescence polarization. The results showed that “RDQ” can:1) significantly inhibit the activation of T lymphocytes; 2) restrain the proliferation of activated T lymphoblasts in the presence of exogenous interleukin-2 (IL-2); and 3) increase the membrane fluidity of T lymphocytes and antagonize the decreased fluidity of lymphocyte membrane mediated by Con A or PHA. The functional abnormalities of T lymphocytes in some autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and the usefulness of RDQ in the treatment of these diseases were also discussed.     

Interdigestive small bowel motility and duodenal bacterial overgrowth in experimental acute pancreatitis

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of an acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP), without biliary obstruction, on the migrating motor complex (MMC), small bowel bacterial overgrowth (SBBO), bacterial translocation (BT) and infection of the pancreas simultaneously. Rats were divided into four groups: mild pancreatitis, control, ANP and sham operated control. Jejunal myoelectrodes were used to measure MMCs. Blood, peritoneal fluid, bile, and abdominal organs were harvested for microbial culturing 72 h after induction of pancreatitis. The splenic portion of the pancreas was taken for histology. During ANP the MMC cycle length was significantly increased from 14.1 +/- 0.2 to 22.4 +/- 1.9 min (P < 0.05). The duodenum of ANP rats was in contrast with the other groups characterized by Enterobacteriacae (> 3 log 10 CFU g-1 in seven of 12 rats, P < 0.05). A positive correlation (r = 0.78, P < 0.01) existed between duodenal Gram-negative and anaerobic flora and the MMC cycle. Correlation between MMC cycle length and BT to the pancreas was positive as well (r = 0.70, P < 0.01). A positive correlation (r = 0.85, P < 0.01) was found between the severity of pancreatitis and duodenal bacterial overgrowth. During ANP without biliary obstruction, the jejunal MMC is disturbed and consequently SBBO occurs. The correlation between the severity of pancreatitis, the disturbance of the MMC and SBBO suggests an important pathophysiological role of the proximal small bowel in the infection of pancreatic necrosis.     

Familial Juvenile Nephronophthisis in Two Siblings — Histological Findings at an Early Stage —

We present two female siblings with familial juvenile nephronophthisis (FJN) which was diagnosed at the early stage of renal failure. Diagnosis was made during the investigation of anemia in case 1 and by a subsequent family survey in case 2. Most patients with FJN are not identified until the terminal stage of renal failure and such cases have rarely been reported in Japan. Case 2 had a reduction in the maximum urinary concentration ability but no azotemia, and among the FJN patients reported in Japan so far she has the least advanced renal disease. Histological examination of the renal biopsy in case 1 showed typical findings of FJN, such as thickening and lamination of the tubular basement membrane (TBM), interstitial fibrosis, and round cell infiltration of the interstitium. In case 2, renal biopsy revealed an irregular marked thickening of the TBM with trivial interstitial changes and a normal glomerular appearance. The histology of these two cases suggests that the TBM may be the primary site affected in FJN.     

Diving physiology and pathophysiology

Summary. Divers have worked at 500 m depth in the sea and have reached 700 m in simulated chamber dives. A prerequisite for this has been extensive physiological studies of the body's reactions to pressure and pressure changes. This paper reviews such physiological and pathophysiological studies with emphasis on recent developments.