The determination of alpha-tocopherol in blood serum]

A modified method for measuring vitamin E is described, making use of thin-layer chromatography with Silufol plates. Effects of various storage conditions of the blood serum on its vitamin E levels were examined. Vitamin E proved to be sufficiently stable at storage at -10 degrees C and defrosting under 20 degrees C. Comparison of this mode of storage with other ones has demonstrated its advantages. The method was tried in clinical practice in examinations of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic alcoholism, females suffering from infertility due to inflammations and healthy ones (controls) and found to be accurate, reproducible, and informative.     

Enhanced immunoglobulin A response and protection against Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium in the absence of the substance P receptor

The development of the neurokinin-1 receptor-deficient (NK1R(-/-)) mouse permitted inquiry into the regulation of secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) responses by substance P (SP) after oral immunization with a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium vector expressing colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. In NK1R(-/-) mice, mucosal and serum IgA anti-CFA/I fimbrial responses were augmented, while secreted IgG anti-CFA/I fimbrial responses remained unaffected compared to those of BALB/c (NK1R(+/+)) mice. Supportive antibody-forming cells were present in the small intestinal lamina propria and spleen. To gain insight as to why the augmented S-IgA responses occurred, minimally, the responses were not attributed to differences in vaccine colonization of Peyer's patch (PP) and spleen or in their respective tissue weights. However, these S-IgA responses were supported by increased numbers of PP CD4(+) T helper (Th) cells secreting interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-6 and splenic CD4(+) Th cells secreting IL-6 compared to NK1R(+/+) mice. Challenge of naive NK1R(-/-) mice with wild-type Salmonella showed improved median survival compared to naive NK1R(+/+) mice. Data from peritoneal macrophage infection studies suggest that this survival is in part contributed by increased IL-10 production. Oral vaccination with Salmonella CFA/I or Salmonella vector showed no significant differences in conferred protection against wild-type challenge for either NK1R(-/-) or NK1R(+/+) mice. Thus, these studies suggest that SP mediation contributes to proinflammatory responses to Salmonella infections.     

Case report of a Thai male cystic fibrosis patinet with the 1898+ 1G-->T splicing mutation in the CFTR gene: a review of East Asian cases. Mutations in brief no. 196. Online

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal autosomal recessive multisystem disorder, which occurs mainly in European-derived populations. The incidence of CF varies between 1 in 2000 to 3000 live-births in various ethnic groups. The disease is rare in East Asians. Here we report a 9 year old Thai male patient, who was diagnosed to have CF based on recurrent pneumonia, a slow weight gain, pancreatic insufficiency and repeatedly elevated sweat chloride levels by two different methods. A comprehensive genetic analysis showed the splicing mutation, 1898+ 1G-->T, which was apparently of maternal origin. Literature search found 39 documented cases of CF patients in East Asians. CFTR (MIM# 602421) genotyping was performed in 14 patients including our patient and in 9 of them a CF allele was identified. The findings seem to indicate that the splicing mutations, 1898+ 1G-->T and 1898+ 5G-->T are more common in East Asian CF patients.     

Changes in enzyme activity of leukocytes during amyloid formation experimentally and in patients with amyloidosis

In patients with secondary amyloidosis and in animals with experimental amyloidogenesis and amyloidosis (casein model) the activity of hydrolases, oxidoreductases, and myeloperoxidase was determined in neutrophils and lymphocytes of the peripheral blood. During the period of amyloid formation, hydrolase and myeloperoxidase activity in the neutrophis was reduced, especially in the stage of initial amyloid deposition. Changes in the activity of these enzymes in animals with developed amyloidosis coincided with those in the blood cells of patients with secondary amyloidosis. The results are discussed from the standpoint of the resorption theory.Presented by Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR E. M. Tareev.)Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 82, No. 7, pp. 799–801, July, 1976.     

Implications of Crop Rotation and Fungicide on Fusarium and Mycotoxin Spectra in Manitoba Barley, 2017–2019

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is one of the most important diseases of barley in Manitoba province (western Canada), and other major barley producing regions of the world. Little is known about the Fusarium species and mycotoxin spectra associated with FHB of barley in Manitoba. Hence, barley grain samples were collected from 149 commercial fields from 2017 to 2019, along with information on respective cropping history, and analyzed with respect to Fusarium species spectra, abundance, chemotype composition, and mycotoxin profiles. Fusarium poae was the predominant Fusarium species associated with FHB of barley in Manitoba, followed by F. graminearum, and F. sporotrichioides; F. equiseti and F. avenaceum were also detected but at low levels. F. poae strains with the nivalenol (NIV) chemotype and F. graminearum strains with 3-acetyl deoxynivalenol (3-ADON) and 15-acetyl deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) chemotypes were commonly detected in the barley grain samples. Nivalenol (597.7, 219.1, and 412.4 µg kg⁻¹) and deoxynivalenol (DON) (264.7, 56.7, and 65.3 µg kg⁻¹) were the two most prevalent mycotoxins contaminating Manitoba barley in 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively. A substantially higher DON content was detected in grain samples from barley fields with cereals as a preceding crop compared to canola and flax. Furthermore, F. poae proved less sensitive to four triazole fungicides (metconazole, prothioconazole+tebuconazole, tebuconazole, and prothioconazole) than F. graminearum. Findings from this research will assist barley producers with improved understanding of FHB threat levels and optimizing practices for the best management of FHB in barley.     

Prevalence of the G1691A mutation in the factor V gene (factor V Leiden) and the G20210A prothrombin gene mutation in the Thai population

We investigated the prevalence of a genetic variation in the factor V gene (G1691A Leiden mutation) and the prothrombin gene (G20210A) using polymerase chain reaction techniques in samples from 500 normal Thai population and among 50 unselected Thai patients with an objectively confirmed history of deep venous thrombosis. The prevalence of factor V Leiden and the prothrombin G20210A gene mutation in a group of 500 healthy controls was 0.2% in both groups (allele frequency of 0.1%). Of the 50 adult patients studied, none was a carrier of factor V Leiden or the prothrombin G20210A gene mutation. Our findings confirm that the prevalence of factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A gene mutation is lower among Asians than Caucasians and that the distribution of factor V Leiden is similar to that of the prothrombin G20210A variant. The low prevalence of these two mutations can, at least in part, account for the lower frequency of deep venous thrombosis reported in the Thai population. Screening for factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation is of limited benefit and may not be cost-effective in Thai patients with the first episode of deep venous thrombosis.     

Effect of new thiazolidine derivatives LPSF/GQ-02 and LPSF/GQ-16 on atherosclerotic lesions in LDL receptor-deficient mice (LDLR−/−)

BackgroundAtherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a chronic inflammatory condition. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are used to enhance sensitivity to insulin and have demonstrated a protective effect over a variety of cardiovascular markers and risk factors. Controversially, the TZDs are associated with the development of heart failure. Thus, lines of research have invested in the search for new molecules in order to obtain more selective and less harmful treatment alternatives for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and its risk factors.MethodsAnimals were fed a diet rich in fat for 10 weeks. In the last 2 weeks, animals received either pioglitazone, LPSF/GQ-02, or LPSF/GQ-16 daily through gavage. At the end of the treatment, blood was collected for biochemical analysis and the aortas were dissected for subsequent analyses.ResultsNo changes in the blood lipid profile were found following the use of the drugs in comparison to the control. However, the new thiazolidine derivatives were more efficient in improving insulin resistance in comparison to pioglitazone and the control group. Morphometric analyses revealed that neither pioglitazone nor LPSF/GQ16 led to satisfactory effects over atherosclerosis. However, LPSF/GQ-02 led to a reduction in area of the atherosclerotic lesions. Ultrastructural analyses revealed extensive degeneration of the endothelium and an increase in apoptotic cells in the subendothelial space following the use of pioglitazone and LPSF/GQ-16. However, LPSF/GQ-02 caused minimal cell alterations in the aortic endothelium. Regarding markers, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), LPSF/GQ-16, and pioglitazone exerted similar effects, increasing the expression of MMP-9, and had no effect on the expression of eNOS compared with the control group. On the other hand, LPSF/GQ-02 was effective in reducing the expression of MMP-9 and increased eNOS significantly.ConclusionsThe results suggest that the new thiazolidine derivative LPSF/GQ-02 is a promising candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis.     

Determination of potassium in the skeletal muscles by whole-body counting

Changes in muscular function are related to nutritional status, disease and physical activity. To study these relationships, it is desirable to be able to determine the whole body potassium content, which is characteristic to the muscular tissue. This can be achieved by measurements in a whole-body counter, identifying contributions from the upper and lower parts of the body. In a whole-body counter with large plastic scintillators, a special measuring methodology is required. Such a method of measuring (40)K in the leg muscles, extracting the part of the detector signal originating from the lower part of the body, has been developed and tested by independent phantom measurements. The results suggest that it is suited to perform regional measurements of body potassium but validation and implementation into clinical research are still necessary.     

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer: the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) experience.

INTRODUCTION: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced treatment delivery technique that can improve the therapeutic dose ratio. Its use in the treatment of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been well studied. This report reviews our experience with IMRT for patients with inoperable NSCLC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We performed a retrospective review of 55 patients with stage I-IIIB inoperable NSCLC treated with IMRT at our institution between 2001 and 2005. The study endpoints were toxicity, local control, and overall survival. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 26 months, the 2-year local control and overall survival rates for stage I/II patients were 50% and 55%, respectively. For the stage III patients, 2-year local control and overall survival rates were 58% and 58%, respectively, with a median survival time of 25 months. Six patients (11%) experienced grade 3 acute pulmonary toxicity. There were no acute treatment-related deaths. Two patients (4%) had grade 3 or worse late treatment-related pulmonary toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT treatment resulted in promising outcomes for inoperable NSCLC patients.