Ultrasensitive analysis of the intestinal absorption and compartmentalization of aluminium in uraemic rats: a 26Al tracer study employing accelerator mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND: Developments in accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) now permit the determination of femtogram amounts of 26Al in blood and in various tissues with good precision and free of external contamination. METHODS: In the present study we used trace quantities of 26Al to investigate the intestinal absorption and compartmentalization of aluminium in rats with renal failure (Nx, 5/6 nephrectomy) and in pair- fed controls (C). Single oral doses of 20 ng 26Al were administered to six animals in each group and, subsequently, 24-h post-load 26Al was analysed in serum, urine, bone, liver, and spleen by means of AMS. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of 26Al were significantly lower in uraemic rats compared to controls, whereas urinary excretion was comparable (Nx, 7.11 +/- 5.78 pg/day vs C, 9.46 +/- 6.10 pg/day), suggesting a higher fraction of ultrafiltrable serum 26Al in uraemia. The target tissues of cellular transferrin-mediated 26Al uptake, liver and spleen, tended to show a larger degree of aluminium accumulation in controls (0.26 +/- 0.31 pg/g vs Nx, 0.14 +/- 0.10 pg/g and 0.37 +/- 0.27 pg/g vs Nx, 0.25 +/- 0.27 pg/g respectively). In contrast, in bone, a site of extracellular aluminium deposition, 26Al concentrations were more elevated in uraemia (1.22 +/- 0.59 pg/g vs C: 0.68 +/- 0.30 pg/g). Estimated total 26Al accumulation in all measured target tissues was significantly higher in uraemic rats (28.15 +/- 9.90 pg vs C: 17.03 +/- 7.03 pg) and total recovery of 26Al from tissue and urine was 26.58 +/- 6.74 pg in controls and 35.75 +/- 7.03 pg in uraemic animals, suggesting a fractional absorption of 0.133% and 0.175% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that fractional absorption from a dietary level dose of 26Al is about 0.13%. Compartmentalization occurs in transferrin-dependent target tissues such as liver and spleen; however, in quantitative terms extracellular deposition in bone is more important. Uraemia has a significant effect on the intestinal absorption and compartmentalization of aluminium. It enhances fractional absorption and increases subsequent extracellular deposition of aluminium in bone. However, at the same time uraemia does not increase transferrin-dependent cellular accumulation of aluminium in liver and spleen.      

Acute toxicity and first clinical results of intensive postinduction therapy using a modified busulfan and cyclophosphamide regimen with autologous bone marrow rescue in first remission of acute myeloid leukemia [see comments]

The combination of high-dose busulfan (16 mg/kg) and 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide is gaining increasing significance as a preparative regimen prior to autologous, syngeneic, or allogeneic marrow transplantation. A new regimen of high-dose busulfan in conjunction with a reduced dose of 120 mg/kg cyclophosphamide has recently been described as a preparative regimen prior to allogeneic transplantation. To determine the drug-related nonhematologic toxic effects of this new regimen without confounding factors associated with allogeneic transplantation, we conducted a pilot study using this new regimen in 20 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission prior to autologous unpurged marrow transplantation. All patients experienced transient non-life-threatening acute drug-related toxicity with skin reactions in 20 (100%), nausea and vomiting in 20 (100%), oral mucositis in 18 (90%), hepatic functional impairment in 17 (85%), hemorrhagic cystitis in three (15%), and generalized seizures in two (10%) of these patients, respectively. Two procedural, fatal complications resulted from infectious causes that were not directly related to the speed of hematopoietic reconstitution or the toxicity of the preparative regimen. The 3-year event-free survival estimate (55% +/- 11%) and probability of leukemic recurrence (38% +/- 11%) attained with this new regimen in recipients of autografts in first remission of AML are promising and challenge comparisons with preparative regimens employing combinations of cytotoxic agents or total body irradiation (TBI).     

牛津单髁膝关节置换：长期结果

牛津膝置换是使用最广泛的膝关节单髁置换（UKR）。牛津膝在37年前开始应用,拥有一个全匹配的活动衬垫,因而磨损率非常低。牛津膝最主要的使用指征是膝关节前内侧骨关节炎,这种病人至少占所有需要行膝关节置换术患者的50％。由于这一系统的设计特点,传统UKR的反指征,如年龄、活动量、肥胖、髌股关节损害和软骨钙质沉着症等对于牛津膝均不是反指征。与全膝关节置换（TKR）相比,牛津膝提供更快的康复、更好的功能、更大的活动度和更好的术后满意度,发生并发症更少、程度更轻,病残率和死亡率更低。一个持续超过30年的研究显示在90％的病例中,牛津膝为患者终生提供了优或良的临床结果,且不需要翻修。在最近15年,牛津膝通过微创手术入路植入,涉及6000多例使用该入路牛津膝置换的9个研究报道显示,10年生存率约95％。在许多这样的研究中,医生们在拟行膝关节置换的患者中约50％使用了牛津单髁膝置换。     

Regional myocardial dysfunction: evaluation of patients with prior myocardial infarction with fast CT

A prototype ultrafast cine computed tomographic (CT) scanner, designed specifically for cardiac imaging, was used to evaluate a preliminary series of patients with prior myocardial infarction (n = 21) and a control group without coronary artery disease (n = 5). Multilevel 50-msec CT scan exposures were obtained during peripheral intravenous bolus injections of contrast medium. A comparison was made between cine-CT scans and standard left ventriculographic images in assessing segmental left ventricular motion. Results indicate that cine CT, performed at sufficiently rapid speeds (20 scans per second) to allow useful analysis of regional ventricular wall motion, can provide adequate image quality. Analysis of 110 segments revealed a good correlation (90.9%) between the two techniques in characterizing normal from abnormal regional wall motion. Cine CT, based on this initial study, demonstrates considerable potential for evaluating not only cardiac chamber dimensions but also segmental wall dynamics.     

Biochemical changes and environmental factors in manual and semiautomatic bakeries

The bread-making industry involves a combination of hazardous exposures. A biochemical and environmental study was conducted on manual and semi-automatic bakeries. The aim of this study was to investigate different biochemical changes and environmental factors among bakery workers. Blood samples were collected from 25 exposed workers and 25 age and sex matched control subjects, determination of circulating IgE (immunoglobulin E), carbonic anhydrase and catalase enzyme were analyzed in the blood Environmental measurements (respirable dust, total suspended particulate TSP). Heat stress, noise and relative humidity were analyzed in manual and semi automatic bakeries. A significant increase in the level of IgE catalase and carbonic anhydrase were significantly higher among exposed workers in comparison with control group either in manual and semi-automatic bakeries Environmental factors were significantly higher especially in manual bakeries Where higher contaminates and heat stress exposure than automatic ones due to nature of work type of fuel. age of oven etc and most of contaminants exceeded the TLV Attention should be paid to the health of the bakery workers and it has been recommended to completely mechanize manual bakeries.     

Biomonitoring of genotoxic risks and haematological changes in workers in rubber industry

Several substances used in rubber processing are known to be of genotoxins and haematotoxins. Such as benzene, phenols, amines amides, naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene. Twenty-five exposed workers from a rubber factory were compared with twenty-five controls working as administrative staff in the same factory. An elevated level of urinary thioether (mercapturic acid derivatives) a significant elevation in the level of DNA SSB was found among exposed workers in comparison with control group (p < 0.01). A significant increase in the absolute numbers of peripheral leukocytes and in erthrocyte mean cell volume was observed among exposed workers in comparison with controls (p < 0.01), while a significant decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes and eosinophils was found among exposed workers in comparison with controls. However, the percentage of monocytes was not altered. The reported results have justified the use of genotoxic biomarkers in assessing levels of genotoxic exposure in human population groups and as a screening biomarkers in periodic medical examination as a protective measure.     

人尿中几种雄激素及蛋白同化激素的HPLC测定

对HPLC分离及定量测定人尿中雄激素及蛋白同化激素的方法进行了初步研究。确定了六种甾体激素的分离条件及内标定量方法。固定相为C₈键合硅胶,甲醇—乙腈—水(4:5:6)恒溶剂洗脱,程序流速。紫外检测器波长254 nm。检测限可至1 ng以下。本法采用Sep-Pak C₁₈小柱进行尿样净化,回收率高而且稳定。操作简便快速。对尿样中甾体葡萄糖醛酸甙结合物的酶促水解条件也进行了初步探索。     

股方肌肌骨瓣植入治疗成人股骨头缺血性坏死

目的:目前成人股骨头缺血性坏死的手术方法较多,但远期疗效大多不肯定。股方肌肌骨瓣植入术可以治疗成人股骨头缺血性坏死,但需验证其近远期疗效。方法:选择2001-01/2007-01铜川市矿务局中心医院骨科收治的股方肌肌骨瓣植入治疗股骨头坏死患者15例(18髋),均知情同意。术中暴露股方肌及其在股骨近端的附着点,于附着点处凿取骨瓣,骨瓣为4cm×1.5cm×1.0cm的长方形,将骨瓣插入股骨头内,远端用可吸收骨钉固定。术后3,6,12,24个月门诊复查拍患髋正位和蛙式位X射线片,根据临床查体和X射线片表现将手术效果分为优、良、差3级。结果:全部患者均获随访,随访时间4～36个月。近期疗效满意,出院时疼痛症状均缓解,未见手术相关并发症。中远期随访结果优10髋,良6髋,差2髋,优良率88.9%。结论:股方肌肌骨瓣植入术治疗成人股骨头缺血性坏死近远期疗效确切,手术操作相对简单。