Outer dense fibres of human spermatozoa: partial characterization and possible physiological functions

The outer dense fibres are accessory fibres in the spermatozoon. They represent up to 30% of the protein portion in human spermatozoa and are involved in sperm progressive motility. If outer dense fibres are missing or developed poorly, spermatozoa are only locally motile. For isolation of the outer dense fibres, human spermatozoa were sonicated at 25 kHz and the flagella were separated by density gradient centrifugation in Percoll. Thereafter, membranes and fibrous sheath were dissolved under reducing conditions in the cationic detergent cetyltrimethylammonium bromide for 30, 60 and 90 min, respectively. The isolation steps were monitored by phase contrast microscopy and electron microscopy. After SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining of isolated outer dense fibres, two protein bands at 55 and 67 kDa could be detected. By means of rhodamine B staining, no phosphorus could be detected in the outer dense fibre proteins.     

VEGETARIAN DIET COMPONENTS,PROTEIN AND BLOOD PRESSURE: WHICH NUTRIENTS ARE IMPORTANT?

1. Evidence that vegetarian dietary patterns lower blood pressure (BP) comes from both population studies and randomized controlled trials in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. 2. The effect has been shown most clearly in those who keep to a strict lacto-ovo vegetarian diet characterized by a relatively low intake of saturated fat, a high polyunsaturated/saturated fat ratio, and a high intake of fruit, vegetables and other fibre containing products. Randomized controlled dietary trials suggest the effects are independent of dietary sodium, additive to that of calorie restriction, and not due to the absence of meat protein per se. Indeed, recent population studies suggest an inverse relationship between dietary protein and BP. 4. Dietary fats, fibre, potassium, magnesium and calcium do not independently seem to account for the effects. A possible role for complex carbohydrate in conjunction with the other dietary factors has yet to be fully explored.     

Diet and phenylketonuria: time for change?

This article is a report of a meeting of dietitians held on 15 September 1992 in Birmingham to discuss the recommendations of a 'Medical Research Council Working Party on the Dietary Management of Phenylketonuria'. (Contributions on the day of the meeting came from Judith Houghton, Eleanor Weetch, Isabel Smith, Sheena Laing, Ruth Watling, John Walter, Rodney Pollitt.)     

Pharmacokinetics of reboxetine in healthy volunteers. Single oral doses,linearity and plasma protein binding

The pharmacokinetics of reboxetine, a new antidepressant agent, were found to be close to linear in a crossover study comparing administration of single 2, 3, 4 and 5 mg capsule doses in 15 healthy male volunteers, and in the same study the capsules were bioequivalent to the proposed therapeutic tablet formulation (4mg). Kinetic analysis was based on HPLC assay of reboxetine in plasma and urine collected up to 72 h after each administration. Plasma levels indicated a rapid absorption (t_max?2h) and an elimination half-life of about 13 h. Clearance and volume of distribution were modest (ratios to bioavailability: CL/F?29 mL min^?1; V_z/F?32L); urinary excretion was ～9% of dose, corresponding to a renal clearance of only 3 mL min^?1 (a value consistent with the rate of glomerular filtration of unbound drug). In vitro, binding to plasma proteins, estimated from radioactivity levels following dialysis of ¹⁴C-labelled reboxetine, appeared to be dominated by α₁-acid glycoprotein without marked saturation up to plasma concentrations of over 500 ng mL^?1 (2.8–3.1% unbound with human plasma from three additional volunteers; 1.8–2.0% for 2gL^?1 orosomucoid α₁-acid glycoprotein, and 46.4–47.4% for 40 gL^?1 albumin), whilst the mean C_max in the current study was much lower (164 ng mL^?1 after a 5 mg dose).     

Protein C concentrate prevents peripartum thrombosis.

A protein C deficient woman, with a past history of recurrent thrombosis and purpura fulminans, was successfully treated with protein C concentrate in the peripartum period. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

褪黑素对急性胰腺炎相关性肺损伤中趋化因子MIP-2表达的影响

目的观察褪黑素(MT)对ANP大鼠肺组织趋化因子巨噬细胞炎性蛋白-2(MIP-2)表达的影响,探讨MIP-2在ANP相关肺损伤发病机制中的作用。方法35只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(SO组),ANP 3h、6h、12h组和MT 3h、6h、12h组,每组5只。采用4%牛磺胆酸钠胰胆管逆行注射制备ANP动物模型,MT组在ANP诱导前30min腹腔注射MT 20mg/kg体重。检测血淀粉酶,观察肺组织病理学改变,采用实时定量RT-PCR法和免疫组化检测肺组织中MIP-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达。结果与SO组相比,ANP 3h、6h和12h组肺组织MIP-2 mRNA表达分别增加48%,137%和230%。ANP组MIP-2蛋白表达量分别为3.40±0.84,5.80±0.55和6.40±0.45。MT干预组肺组织损伤得到改善,MIP-2 mRNA表达分别为ANP相应时间点的87%,77%和84%,MIP-2蛋白表达分别为2.20±0.84.4.20±0.45和5.20±0.50,与ANP相应时间点比较,相差显著(P<0.05)。结论MIP-2在ANP相关肺损伤发病中起一定作用,MT可能通过下调MIP-2的表达以减轻ANP相关肺损伤的程度。     

嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白测定的影响因素探讨

目的探讨温度、抗凝剂(EDTA-K2)对血嗜酸性粒细胞阳离子蛋白(ECP)水平的影响。方法采用固相双位点酶放大化学发光法,分别对22例健康体检者在两种不同温度(25℃和37℃)的血清标本,以及在相同温度(37℃)下,加抗凝剂和不加抗凝剂的血标本进行ECP水平测定。结果25℃组和37℃组血清ECP水平分别为8.92±6.45μg/L(x±s)和19.87±12.16μg/L(x±s),两组有显著性差异(P<0.01);37℃温度下加抗凝剂和不加抗凝剂血标本的ECP水平分别为5.26±2.60μg/L(x±s)和19.87±12.16μg/L(x±s),两组也有显著性差异(P<0.001)。结论温度和抗凝剂(EDTA-K2)对血标本的ECP水平测定有不同程度的影响。