Meconium Does Not Guarantee Fetal Lung Maturity

Objective: In utero passage of meconium may represent a response to hypoxic stress or a normal maturational event. When found during the third trimester, one may be tempted to use its presence as prima facie evidence of fetal lung maturity. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of meconium-stained fluid in the third trimester and the incidence of biochemical and physiologic lung immaturity in these fetuses.

Methods: Amniotic fluid specimens obtained at our institution from 1991 through 1993 (n = 2,377) were analyzed for maturity and visually inspected for meconium. Perinatal outcome was obtained for intramural deliveries occurring within 3 days of amniotic fluid collection (n = 905). Gestational age was defined as the best obstetric estimate based on menstrual dates, clinical examination, and ultrasound results.

Results: Meconium staining was present in 2.7% (n = 64) of specimens. Although meconium-stained specimens were more likely to have mature lecithin-sphingomyelin (L:S) ratios (OR 2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2–3.6) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) concentrations (OR 3.8, CI 2.2–6.7), 17.2% were immature for both L:S and PG (n = 11, CI = 9.9–28.2%). When analysis was limited to fetuses delivering intramurally within 3 days of amniotic fluid collection, respiratory distress syndrome occurred in 3.0% (CI = 0.5–15%) with meconium-stained fluid.

Conclusions: The presence of meconium in amniotic fluid does not guarantee lung maturity. The same consideration of the risks of prematurity must be given to the fetus with meconium-stained fluid as given to the fetus with clear fluid.     

Familial high-density-lipoprotein deficiency causing corneal opacities (fish eye disease) in a family of Dutch descent.

Fish eye disease (FED) is an extremely rare familial disorder characterized by severe HDL deficiency and extensive corneal opacities. This disorder appears to be a variant of familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency in which the enzyme remains partly active yet the ability of the enzyme to esterify cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been lost. The rarity of this disorder has limited advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the HDL deficiency. However, we here describe the clinical and biochemical presentation of a family with FED who are of Dutch descent. The proposition presented with HDL deficiency and corneal opacity. Subsequently, they were diagnosed as having FED by the absence of LCAT activity against a small proteoliposome substrate despite the presence of half-normal LCAT mass and a near-normal ratio of unesterified to total cholesterol in plasma. Heterozygotes presented with half-normal LCAT activity, but not with decreased HDL. With the identification of this three-generation family, renewed investigation of this intriguing disorder of HDL is now possible.     

Use of the fluorescent probe 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate to monitor the interactions of chlorophenols with phospholipid membranes (liposomes)

The fluorescence intensity (F₄₈₀), at pH 8, of 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) bound to phospholipid membranes (liposomes) was decreased in the presence of mono-, di- and pentachlorophenols (pesticides and chemical intermediates that are toxic to animals). No shifts in emission spectra occurred, and no decreases in ANS fluorescence intensity were observed, in the presence of chlorophenols if liposomes were absent. An exception was 2,6-dichlorophenol which, at pH 8, had no effect on membrane-bound ANS-F₄₈₀. Using liposomes prepared from dimyristoyl lecithin, a 50 per cent decrease in membrane-bound ANS-F₄₈₀ was produced by 0.046 mM pentachlorophenol and 0.2–0.5 mM dichlorophenols (excluding the 2,6-derivative). These results are consistent with published toxicological data on polychlorinated phenols that show an order of toxicity: pentachlorophenol > 2,4-dichlorophenol > 2,6-dichlorophenol.     

Dielectric Analysis of Phosphorylcholine Head Group Mobility in Egg Lecithin Liposomes

Purpose. A knowledge of the interfacial properties of lecithin underpins our understanding of many of the physicochemical characteristics of drug delivery systems such as liposomes and lecithin stabilized microemulsions. In order to further this understanding, a high frequency dielectric study of the interfacial properties of egg lecithin liposomes was undertaken. Methods. The effect of temperature, lecithin concentration and probe sonication on the interfacial dielectric properties of liposomal suspensions was investigated by high frequency dielectric relaxation spectroscopy between 0.2–6 GHz. Results. The frequency dependent permittivity of each suspension exhibited a dielectric dispersion centred around 100 MHz, corresponding to the relaxation of zwitterionic head groups. The activation energy for head group reorientation was estimated as H = 6.3 kJ mol^–1. There was an increase in extent of inter-head group interactions on increasing the liposome volume fraction, whereas the effect of probe sonication showed that: (i) head groups in both the outer and inner lamellae contribute to the dielectric response; (ii) the head groups may be less restricted in liposomes of high surface curvature with few lamellae; (iii) the high frequency permittivity of the suspension increased on sonication, as a result of a reduction in the amount of (depolarized) interlamellar water following a reduction in the number of lamellae per liposome. Conclusions. Dielectric analysis of the zwitterionic head groups of lecithin therefore provides a means for investigating the surface of lecithin liposomes, and may be used to investigate the effect of drugs and other solutes on membranes.     

卵磷脂对实验性矽肺的抑制作用

大鼠气管内注入石英粉尘造成实验性矽肺，用气雾吸入卵磷脂进行治疗；病理形态观察和多项生化指标测定结果，均显示卵磷脂能明显减轻石英引起的矽肺病变，提示卵磷脂能有效地抑制矽肺的发主和发展。     

激光光凝眼底联合卵磷脂络合碘片治疗中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变99例疗效观察

目的评价激光光凝眼底联合卵磷脂络合碘片治疗中心性浆液性脉络膜视网膜病变(CSC)的疗效。方法将198例CSC患者212眼根据患者自愿分为两组各99例106眼。对照组采用激光光凝眼底治疗,观察组采用激光光凝眼底联合卵磷脂络合碘片治疗。在治疗1个月和3个月后用Amsler方格表评价视力恢复状况,并比较两组疗效。结果两组治疗后视力较之治疗前明显改善(P<0.05)。观察组治疗1月后视力恢复状况明显好于对照组(P<0.05),3月后两组视力无统计学差异(P>0.05)。观察组总显效率与对照组相比有统计学差异(P<0.05),但总有效率组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论激光光凝眼底联合卵磷脂络合碘片治疗CSC可以帮助患者尽快改善视力状况,提升治疗总显效率,是一种较为理想的治疗手段,值得在临床中推广运用。     

利多卡因——卵磷脂微乳处方的初步研究

目的 :以卵磷脂微乳为载体 ,制备利多卡因透皮给药系统。方法 :伪三元相图考察油包水型微乳形成区域 ;测定微乳黏度 ,正交分析法筛选微乳处方 ;紫外分光光度法直接测定微乳中盐酸利多卡因浓度。结果 :助表面活性剂的种类和Km(表面活性剂 /助表面活性剂用量比 )对微乳形成区域有显著性影响 ,正丙醇和异丙醇所形成的微乳区较大 ;低纯卵磷脂微乳形成区域较高纯卵磷脂大 ;醇的种类对微乳的黏度均有显著的影响 ,Km 对微乳的黏度有较大影响。选定紫外检测波长为 2 6 2nm ,盐酸利多卡因浓度在 0 .0 2～ 0 .5mg/mL范围内线性关系良好 (R =0 .9999)。平均回收率 ( 10 0 .17± 0 .16 ) %。日内差与日间差分别为 0 0 137±0 0 12 1,0 0 119± 0 0 115。结论 :选择混合表面活性剂利于制备微乳 ,醇的种类与用量对于利多卡因透皮微乳体系处方的选择具有重要意义。     

葛根素联合卵磷脂络合碘片对眼底出血患者止血效果的影响

目的:探究葛根素联合卵磷脂络合碘片对眼底出血患者止血效果的影响。方法:选取2016-04/2017-03在我院就诊的眼底出血患者66例100眼,使用完全随机法将患者随机分为A组和B组,各33例50眼。A组给予卵磷脂络合碘片治疗,B组使用葛根素联合卵磷脂络合碘片治疗。两组均接受3个疗程的治疗。检测治疗前后血浆黏度指标、血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、总胆固醇(TC)和甘油三酯(TG)水平变化,统计两组患者眼底出血治疗效果和不良反应发生率。结果:治疗前两组患者血浆黏度、血清Hcy、TC和TG指标无差异(P>0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的全血黏度高切、全血黏度低切、血浆黏度、Hcy、TC和TG均低于治疗前(P<0.001);与A组比较,B组患者全血黏度高切、全血黏度低切、血浆黏度、Hcy、TC和TG均降低(P<0.05)。B组患者较A组治疗总有效率增高(P<0.05)。两组患者均发生不同程度的甲状腺变化、胃肠道反应、精神兴奋和腹胀,两组患者不良反应生率无差异(P>0.05)。结论:葛根素联合卵磷脂络合碘片治疗眼底出血患者疗效显著,与改善患者血浆黏度、降低血清Hcy、TC和TG有关。     

蛋黄粉不同制粒方法对精制蛋黄卵磷脂质量的影响

目的考察蛋黄粉不同制粒方法对精制蛋黄卵磷脂质量的影响。方法根据多次试产情况,选用95%、65%、30%三个不同浓度乙醇对蛋黄粉湿法制粒,低温烘干,另用干法制粒把蛋黄粉压成片状或粒状作对比,然后经超临界脱油、提取、精制、冷冻干燥制成精制蛋黄卵磷脂,比较产品质量。结果成品都能达企业注册标准[1]要求,经冷链稳定性考察发现干法制粒的产品质量最稳定。结论蛋黄粉用干法制粒对成品质量最有利,并且生产操作简单、方便,适合工业化生产。