Characterization of adenosine deaminase (ADA)-negative B-lymphoblastoid cells cocultured with ADA-positive fibroblasts

Abstract: A cell line, BAD05, derived from B lymphocytes of an adenosine deaminase (ADA; EC 3,5,4,4)-deficient patient could not proliferate in a serum-free medium containing 100 μmol/l deoxyadenosine. When BAD05 was cultured with ADA-positive fibroblasts, the proliferation of BAD05 was improved. BAD05 cell density increased when the initially mixed ratio of fibroblasts/BAD05 was 1/10 or higher, but decreased when the ratio was 1/20 or lower. Deoxyadenosine concentrations in the medium and ATP and deoxyATP (dATP) levels in the BAD05 were measured after 4 hours of coculture at initial BAD05 cell densities of 1 × 10⁵and 1 × 10⁶cells/ml. Deoxyadenosine concentrations in the medium decreased as the density of fibroblasts increased. The dATP level decreased as the mixed ratio rose. The ratio of fibroblasts/BAD05 rather than the cell density of fibroblasts had a larger effect on the dATP levels in BAD05. Under our experimental conditions, ADA-negative cells proliferated well when the ratio of ADA-positive cells/ADA-negative cells was over 1/10.     

Assessment of the Severity of Asthma in a Family Practice

The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical history and self-perception of severity as predictors of asthma severity. A short-term longitudinal study was conducted in a family practice in Melbourne, Australia, utilizing peak flow monitoring, medication diary, and self-administered asthma severity questionnaire. Seventy-two asthmatic subjects with a positive bronchodilator or exercise test, aged between 6 and 79 years, were studied. Symptom and treatment items were correlated with peak flow variability and minimal peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). An asthma severity scale was generated using the partial credit version of Item Response Theory and the participants' severity scores were validated against lung function tests and medication usage. Quantitative modeling procedures were used to investigate the interrelationships of factors associated with peak flow variability. Severity scores demonstrated significant relationships with peak flow variability (partial r = 0.34) and treatment items. Self-perceived severity of asthma in the preceding 2 weeks showed significant association with peak flow variability (partial rho = 0.46) and minimal PEFR (rho = -0.41). The severity module of the Monash Respiratory Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument. The most important symptoms appear to be the frequency of use of bronchodilator and frequency of nocturnal attacks. A carefully structured clinical history in conjunction with the peak flow criteria of variability and minimal peak flow rate would be appropriate in the evaluation of asthma severity. Patients' self-perception of the severity of their asthma needs further evaluation.     

Felodipine or Hydrochlorothiazide/Triamterene for Treatment of Hypertension in the Elderly: Effects on Blood Pressure, Hypertensive Heart Disease, Metabolic and Hormonal Parameters

Trenkwalder P, Plaschke M, Aulehner R, Lydtin H. Felodipine or Hydrochlorothiazide/Triamterene for Treatment of' Hypertension in the Elderly: Effects on Blood Pressure, Hypertensive Heart Disease, Metabolic and Hormonal Parameters.

The aim of the study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy of either felodipine or the diuretic combination hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene in a group (n = 65) of elderly (≥70 years) hypertensives (office blood pressure ≥ 60/95 mmHg) with special regard to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, hypertensive heart disease and metabolic parameters. This was a randomized, double-blind study with a treatment period of 6 months. Reduction of office and 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure was comparable with both treatment regimens; after 6 months, 18 of 29 patients in the felodipine group (62%) and 20 of 27 patients in the diuretic group (74%; p = 0.4) were controlled. While episodes of ischemic type ST-segment depression were significantly reduced in the felodipine group (from 49 to 9 episodes), there was no significant change in the diuretic group (from 24 to 21 episodes). Both regimens decreased left ventricular wall thickness, but the decline in left ventricular muscle mass index was significant only for felodipine. Felodipine did not induce any change in metabolic or hormonal parameters; the diuretic combination significantly increased serum creatinine, uric acid, plasma renin activity, and plasma prorenin. Thus, the antihypertensive efficacy of felodipine and the diuretic combination was comparable in elderly hypertensives; only felodipine, however, improved parameters of hypertensive heart diesease and showed a neutral metabolic and hormonal profile.     

Patch testing with beryllium alloy samples in guinea pigs

An experimental study was conducted in guinea pigs for the predictive assessment of the beryllium alloy hazard in occupational exposure of the skin to beryllium compounds. Guinea pigs were sensitized to beryllium sulfate according to the maximized Magnusson and Kligman test, and challenged with beryllium alloys and metallic copper, beryllium and aluminum samples. Results showed a delayed skin hypersensitivity reaction in 30 to 60% of pre-sensitized guinea pigs challenged with copper-beryllium alloys and aluminum-beryllium alloy. An inflammatory follicular reaction was induced by copper in both controls and pre-sensitized guinea pigs.     

CMSS-VEPs: Contrast modulated steady state visual evoked potentials: Its neuronal origin and clinical use

CMSS-VEPs are presented as a sensitive, non-invasive functional investigation technique of the visual function, applicable in clinical practice. New improvements of the technique are presented. The underlying neuronal mechanisms are discussed. The clinical use is illustrated in a case of optic neuritis.     

光照疗法对新生儿红细胞谷胱甘肽还原酶活性的影响

作者对光照疗法（光疗）前及光疗后于口服维生素Ｂ＿２（４３例）和不予口服维生素Ｂ＿２（１７例）的黄疸新生儿的红细胞谷胱甘肽还原酶（ＧＲ）的活性进行了动态观察。结果显示，接受短期光疗的黄疸新生儿其红细胞ＧＲ活性较光疗前的ＧＲ活性有显著下降，光疗后予口服维生素Ｂ＿２可使下降的红细胞ＧＲ活性回升，而不予补充维生素Ｂ＿２者的红细胞ＧＲ活性继续下降。光疗的时间越长，红细胞ＧＲ活性的下降越明显，补充维生素Ｂ＿２使红细胞ＧＲ活性回复到正常水平所需的时间也越长。短期光疗也可引起体内维生素Ｂ＿２的降解，导致红细胞ＧＲ活性的下降，为避免因红细胞ＧＲ活性下降引起的红细胞额外破坏，对接受光疗的黄疸新生儿常规补充维生素Ｂ＿２的是必要的。     

Effet apaisant du sucre chez le nouveau-né: revue de la littérature

Résumé  Le saccharose, administré à une concentration d’au moins 12% chez le nouveau-né à terme (24% chez le prématuré), en petite quantité (0,05 à 2 ml), dans une seringue ou mieux dans une tétine, 2 minutes avant la réalisation d’un soin douloureux avec effraction cutanée (microprélèvement, ponction veineuse), permet de réduire, plus rarement d’abolir, les comportements de détresse et/ou de douleur (pleurs et manifestations faciales). Il s’agit d’un moyen simple, non médicamenteux, et utilisable partout, qui doit pouvoir représenter une aide non négligeable chez les nouveau-nés, pour la prise en charge de la douleur provoquée par des soins modérément douloreux. Il peut être utilisé seul, mais son action limitée rend préférable de l’envisager comme technique adjuvante. Son mode d’action reste encore peu clair, ainsi que sa tolérance en cas d’administrations pluri-quotidiennes.

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Summary  Sucrose of at least 12% concentration delivered to full-term infants (24% concentration for preterm infants), in a small volume of 0.05 to 2 ml, through a syringue or better through a pacifier, 2 minutes before blood sample such as heel-stick or venipuncture, can attenuate or hardly abolish stress and/ or pain (crying and facial expressions). It is a simple non pharmacological treatment, helpful in the management of pain related to moderate painful procedures. As it exerts moderate effects, it is better used as an adjuvant treatment than used alone. Mechanisms of effects are not clear yet, as well as the occurrence of adverse effects when repeated daily administrations.

     

预防肝硬化上消化道出血的临床研究

目的　探讨普萘洛尔和低剂量兰索拉唑长期维持治疗对预防肝硬化门脉高压消化道出血的疗效。方法　1 1 9例肝硬化门脉高压患者随机分为 3组 :Ⅰ组 :给予口服普萘洛尔加上护肝治疗。Ⅱ组 :联合给予低剂量兰索拉唑和普萘洛尔。Ⅲ组 :仅给予护肝治疗。兰索拉唑维持服药 6个月 ,普萘洛尔及一般对症治疗维持 1年。观察治疗前后各组患者所伴发溃疡、门脉高压性胃病 (PHG)、急性胃黏膜病变 (AGML)情况 (发生率 ) ,各组消化道出血的复发率、门静脉直径 (PVD)、脾静脉直径 (SVD)的变化。结果　经 1年观察 ,结果显示 ,普萘洛尔组、联合治疗组、对照组出血的复发率分别为 1 5 0 %、2 2 %、48 5 % ,组Ⅰ、组Ⅱ复发率显著低于组Ⅲ ,同时 ,组Ⅰ与组Ⅱ间的差异有显著性意义。治疗可见组Ⅰ、组Ⅱ患者所伴发的溃疡、PHG、AGML明显改善 ,PVD、SVD缩小。结论　普萘洛尔组联合抑制酸维持治疗 ,可预防引起消化道出血多种病因 ,较单用普萘洛尔的疗效好     

A retrospective mortality study of workers exposed to arsenic in a gold mine and refinery in France

A historical mortality study of a cohort of employees of a gold mining and refining company was carried out in Salsigne, France. A major goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between lung cancer mortality and exposure to arsenic, radon, silica, and other contaminants of the working environment. A twofold excess of lung cancer was found both among miners and smelters, mainly concentrated among workers who had experienced exposure to past levels of arsenic, radon, and silica. The consistency of the results in the mine and the refinery are suggestive of a carcinogenic risk from both soluble and insoluble arsenic, although the potential role of other factors cannot be dismissed. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

模拟医学生物化学实验血清标本的探讨

用蛋白胨、三油酸甘油酯、鼠肝、葡萄糖等材料模拟血清标本,通过测定该血清中蛋白、血脂、谷丙转氨酶、血糖以及部分物理参数,探讨了模拟血清从外观和实验项目上满足实验教学的可行性。结果表明,模拟血清实用、简便易得,既能解决医学生物化学实验教学标本来源困难问题,又能防止实验室污染和节省大量实验经费。