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.      

米非司酮作用于兔输卵管收缩活动与Ca^2＋关系的研究

通过“结合化学分离与原子吸收分光光度法”对Ca^2 含量测定和离体输卵管肌条收缩记录方法，研究米非司酮（Ru486)对增加假孕（4d)兔输卵管平滑肌收缩频率，而不改变其收缩张力和振幅时与Ca^2 之间的关系，结果提示：（1）Ru486对输卵管分泌液和组织内Ca^2 的含量分布无明显影响；（2）Ru486具有降低细胞外液高Ca^2 浓度促Ca^2 内流，而使收缩增强的效应，且能协同Ca^2 通道阻断剂（Verapamil)抑制细胞外Ca^2 内流，而致收缩减弱的效应。     

Prostaglandin E2 receptor subtype 2 (EP2) regulates microglial activation and associated neurotoxicity induced by aggregated α-synuclein

Background  

The pathogenesis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) remains elusive, although evidence has suggested that neuroinflammation characterized by activation of resident microglia in the brain may contribute significantly to neurodegeneration in PD. It has been demonstrated that aggregated α-synuclein potently activates microglia and causes neurotoxicity. However, the mechanisms by which aggregated α-synuclein activates microglia are not understood fully.     

Characteristics of Achromobacter xylosoxidans bacteremia in northern Taiwan.

There were 40 cases of Achromobacter xylosoxidans bacteremia during a 6-year period in a medical center in northern Taiwan. Males outnumbered females (72.5% vs 27.5%). Common underlying diseases and conditions in these 40 bacteremic patients were malignancies (57.5%), central venous catheter implants (55%), surgery (35%), neutropenia (30%) and use of steroids (25%). Recurrent bacteremia occurred in 4 patients (10%), all of whom had a central venous catheter implant which was considered the most probable source of infection. More than one-quarter (27.5%) of the cases were community acquired. The mortality rate due to A. xylosoxidans bacteremia was 47.5%. Risk factors significantly associated with mortality were nosocomial acquisition and polymicrobial bacteremia. Disk susceptibility testing showed that these isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and most cephalosporins but were susceptible to piperacillin, imipenem, ceftazidime and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.     

A review of burn symptoms and potential novel neural targets for non-invasive brain stimulation for treatment of burn sequelae

Burn survivors experience myriad associated symptoms such as pain, pruritus, fatigue, impaired motor strength, post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Many of these symptoms are common and remain chronic, despite current standard of care. One potential novel intervention to target these post burn symptoms is transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). tDCS is a non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technique that modulates neural excitability of a specific target or neural network. The aim of this work is to review the neural circuits of the aforementioned clinical sequelae associated with burn injuries and to provide a scientific rationale for specific NIBS targets that can potentially treat these conditions. We ran a systematic review, following the PRISMA statement, of tDCS effects on burn symptoms. Only three studies matched our criteria. One was a feasibility study assessing cortical plasticity in chronic neuropathic pain following burn injury, one looked at the effects of tDCS to reduce pain anxiety during burn wound care, and one assessed the effects of tDCS to manage pain and pruritus in burn survivors. Current literature on NIBS in burn remains limited, only a few trials have been conducted. Based on our review and results in other populations suffering from similar symptoms as patients with burn injuries, three main areas were selected: the prefrontal region, the parietal area and the motor cortex. Based on the importance of the prefrontal cortex in the emotional component of pain and its implication in various psychosocial symptoms, targeting this region may represent the most promising target. Our review of the neural circuitry involved in post burn symptoms and suggested targeted areas for stimulation provide a spring board for future study initiatives.     

从粤东丰溪自然保护区白腹巨鼠和褐家鼠体内分离出莱姆病螺旋体

目的：探讨鼠类携带莱姆病螺旋体情况。方法：用ＢＳＫ培养基分离病原、单克隆抗体鉴定。结果：从白腹巨鼠和褐家鼠体内分离出２株疏螺旋体,经用莱姆病螺旋体种属特异的单克隆抗体进行间接免疫荧光抗体试验,证实均为莱姆病螺旋体,命名为ＭＤ２１和ＭＤ５５。结论：首次从病原学证实鼠类为粤东地区莱姆病螺旋体的主要宿主动物。     

Comparison of gene expressions in the 2-cell embryos produced in vitro from blocking and non-blocking strain mice

目的:检测阻滞品系昆明小鼠和非阻滞品系B6C3F1小鼠体外发育2-细胞胚内基因表达水平的差异,探讨昆明小鼠植入前胚体外发育阻滞与哪些基因表达调控有关.方法:分别收集昆明小鼠和B6C3F1小鼠体外培养2-细胞胚,运用基因芯片分析和Real-time PCR验证.结果:基因芯片检测共筛出差异表达基因303个,其中昆明小鼠2-细胞胚表达上调基因有168个；下调基因有135个.昆明小鼠2细胞胚表达上调的基因以信号转导、细胞周期、细胞结构和运动、细胞增殖和分化以及发育进程等为主；而下调基因与电子转移、蛋白质代谢和修饰、氨基酸代谢以及蛋白质靶向运输和定位等相关.结论:胚内能量供应不足和蛋白质合成障碍可能是昆明小鼠植入前胚体外发育出现2-细胞阻滞的重要原因.     

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。