Mioclonías positivas y negativas en paciente con enfermedad renal crónica / Positive and negative myoclonus in a patient with end stage renal disease

Introducción: Las mioclonías son contracciones musculares paroxísticas de corta duración o pérdida abrupta del tono muscular, denominadas mioclonías positivas y negativas, respectivamente. Se presenta un caso clínico de mioclonías positivas y negativas generalizadas y se pretende describir los múltiples mecanismos fisiopatológicos y etiologías que lo desencadenan. Presentación del caso: Hombre de 35 años, con diabetes mellitus tipo 1 complicada con enfermedad renal diabética en hemodiálisis, desarrolló una bacteriemia asociada a catéter por Staphylococcus aureus y presentó mioclonías positivas y negativas. Se identificaron como posibles desencadenantes la uremia, la infección y los fármacos con potencial promioclónico; el hallazgo incidental de una lesión isquémica en núcleo caudado no explicaba la semiología encontrada en el paciente. Se hizo el control y retiro de todos los factores promioclónicos enunciados, junto a manejo farmacológico con levetiracetam, y con ello se logró el control de los síntomas. Discusión: Los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica son susceptibles a la acumulación de productos tóxicos de tipo guanidinas, que tienen potencial para producir mioclonías. Además, las infecciones, el uso de fármacos con potencial promioclónico y lesiones estructurales como las isquemias corticales son etiologías que deben considerarse en el diagnóstico diferencial. El mayor impacto en los síntomas se observa con el control del factor desencadenante, y, en caso de persistir, la terapia farmacológica proporciona buenos resultados. Conclusión: Las mioclonías son trastornos del movimiento relativamente comunes en la enfermedad renal crónica. La identificación del desencadenante es crucial para su manejo junto al uso de fármacos con actividad antimioclónica.

Introduction: Myoclonus are paroxysmal muscle contractions of short duration or abrupt loss of muscle tone, called positive and negative myoclonus respectively. A clinical case of generalized positive and negative myoclonus is presented and the aim is to describe the multiple pathophysiological mechanisms and etiologies that trigger it. Case presentation: A 35-year-old man with type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic kidney disease on hemodialysis developed catheter-associated bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus and presented positive and negative myoclonus. Uremia, infection, and drugs with pro-myoclonic potential were identified as possible triggers; The incidental finding of an ischemic lesion in the caudate nucleus did not explain the semiology found in the patient. The control and removal of all the pro-myoclonic factors mentioned was carried out, along with pharmacological management with levetiracetam, thus achieving control of the symptoms. Discussion: Patients with chronic kidney disease are susceptible to the accumulation of guanidine-type toxic products, which have the potential to produce myoclonus. Furthermore, infections, the use of drugs with pro-myoclonic potential and structural lesions such as cortical ischemia are etiologies that should be considered in the differential diagnosis. The greatest impact on symptoms is observed with the control of the triggering factor and if it persists, pharmacological therapy provides good results. Conclusion: Myoclonus are relatively common movement disorders in chronic kidney disease. Identification of the trigger is crucial for its management along with the use of drugs with anti-myoclonic activity.

Avaliação de soluções antifúngicas de guanidina para resina base de dentadura: um estudo in vitro / Evaluation of guanidine antifungal solutions for denture base resin: an in vitro study

Background: The purposes of this study were: (1) to formulate polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride (PHMGH) solutions at different concentrations; (2) to evaluate their antifungal activity against a mature biofilm of Candida albicans on acrylic resins; (3) to evaluate possible effects on acrylic resins flexural strength and surface roughness. Methods: PHMGH solutions were formulated with distilled water and 0.125, 0.250, or 0.5 wt.% of PHMGH. One group without PHMGH was used as control. For antifungal activity analysis, acrylic resin specimens were contaminated with C. albicans. Specimens were immersed in PHMGH solutions or distilled water for 5 or 10 min. Ultimate flexural strength and surface roughness of acrylic resins were evaluated. Results: All PHMGH solutions at 5 or 10 min showed antifungal activity compared to the control group (p<0.05). The group with 0.5 wt.% of PHMGH showed no countable colonies regardless of the time of contact with the acrylic resins. After 10 min, all PHMGH solutions had antifungal effect without differences from 0.125 to 0.5 wt.% of PHMGH. All groups showed high flexural strength after contact with the solutions compatible with ISO 20795-1:2013 recommendation. The values of surface roughness always remained low, from 0.01 to 0.04 µm for all groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it was concluded that the use of a solution composed by distilled water and 0.5 wt.% of PHMGH for 5 min was effective as a disinfectant agent against mature biofilm of C. albicans , maintaining acceptable roughness and flexural strength.

Antecedentes: Os objetivos deste estudo foram: (1) formular soluções de cloridrato de polihexametileno guanidina (PHM-GH) em diferentes concentrações; (2) avaliar sua atividade antifúngica contra biofilme maduro de Candida albicans em resinas acrílicas; (3) avaliar efeitos na resistência à flexão e rugosidade da superfície. Métodos: Soluções de PHMGH foram formuladas com água destilada e 0,125, 0,250 ou 0,5% em peso de PHMGH. Um grupo sem PHMGH foi usado como controle. Para análise da atividade antifúngica, amostras de resina acrílica foram contaminadas com C. albicans, e imersas em soluções de PHMGH ou água destilada por 5 ou 10 min. Resistência à flexão final e rugosidade da superfície foram avaliadas. Resultados: Todas as soluções de PHMGH aos 5 ou 10 minutos apresentaram atividade antifúngica em comparação ao grupo controle (p <0,05). O grupo com 0,5% em peso de PHMGH não mostrou colônias contáveis, independentemente do tempo. Após 10 minutos, todas as soluções de PHMGH tiveram efeito antifúngico sem diferenças de 0,125 a 0,5% em peso de PHM-GH. Os grupos apresentaram alta resistência à flexão após o contato com as soluções compatíveis com a recomendação ISO 20795-1: 2013. Os valores de rugosidade da superfície permaneceram baixos, de 0,01 a 0,04 µm para todos os grupos. Conclusão: Dentro das limitações deste estudo, concluiu-se que o uso de uma solução composta por água destilada e 0,5% em massa de PHMGH por 5 min foi eficaz como agente desinfetante contra o biofilme maduro de C. albicans, mantendo rugosidade e resistência à flexão aceitáveis.

Association between use of humidifier disinfectant and allergic rhinitis in Korean children: a cross-sectional study based on the eighth Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC)

BACKGROUND: Rhinitis was the most frequently diagnosed disorder among users of humidifier disinfectants (HDs). The aim of our study was to investigate on the relationship between allergic rhinitis (AR) and HD uses.METHODS: Our study used the data from the eighth Panel Study on Korean Children; a total of 1,540 participants were enrolled. The χ² test and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to debunk the association between AR and HD uses.RESULTS: In our analysis, odds ratios (ORs) of doctor-diagnosed AR increased significantly when simply the response of whether HDs were used in the past was considered. When the brands of HD were considered, ORs of doctor-diagnosed AR were found to be increased significantly for those who have used polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate/oligo(2-[2-ethoxy]-ethoxyethyl)guanidinium-containing HDs (model 3: 1.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.95). However, once duration of usage was additionally considered, ORs of doctor-diagnosed AR increased significantly only for those who have used chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone-containing HDs for more than or equal to 3 months (model 3: 2.08, 95% CI: 1.17–3.69). Further, past use of HD was associated with significantly increased ORs of AR diagnosed before 2013 (model 3: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02–1.79).CONCLUSIONS: Results of our study suggest that past uses of HDs may be associated with an increased risk of AR.

Eye irritation tests of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) using a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium

Disinfectants including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and mixtures of chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) have been widely used in Korea to prevent microbial growth in the humidifier water, which triggered an outbreak of serious respiratory diseases. In addition to the respiratory syndrome, disease-related symptoms including liver toxicity, asthma, and skin allergies were also found after extensive survey of people exposed to the humidifier disinfectants (HDs). In this study, eye irritation tests were performed based on the Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) test guidelines 492 using EpiOcular™ which is a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium. As results, the raw materials of PHMG (26% as active ingredient) and CMIT/MIT (1.5% as active ingredient) were classified under UN globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemical (GHS) category 1 or category 2. However, aqueous dilutions of raw materials such as market products of HDs that contain 0.13% of PHMG and 0.03% of CMIT/MIT or further dilutions of the market products for humidifier that contain 0.0013% of PHMG and 0.0003% of CMIT/MIT were classified under any category, which suggested absence of eye irritation at the test concentration.

Eye irritation tests of polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) using a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium

Disinfectants including polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG) and mixtures of chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (CMIT/MIT) have been widely used in Korea to prevent microbial growth in the humidifier water, which triggered an outbreak of serious respiratory diseases. In addition to the respiratory syndrome, disease-related symptoms including liver toxicity, asthma, and skin allergies were also found after extensive survey of people exposed to the humidifier disinfectants (HDs). In this study, eye irritation tests were performed based on the Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) test guidelines 492 using EpiOcular™ which is a tissue model of reconstructed human cornea-like epithelium. As results, the raw materials of PHMG (26% as active ingredient) and CMIT/MIT (1.5% as active ingredient) were classified under UN globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemical (GHS) category 1 or category 2. However, aqueous dilutions of raw materials such as market products of HDs that contain 0.13% of PHMG and 0.03% of CMIT/MIT or further dilutions of the market products for humidifier that contain 0.0013% of PHMG and 0.0003% of CMIT/MIT were classified under any category, which suggested absence of eye irritation at the test concentration.

A review of current studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis induced by chemicals

Several studies showed that the inflammatory and fibrotic responses induced by polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p) were similar to those observed for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea in 2011. “Omic” technologies can be used to understand the mechanisms underlying chemical-induced diseases. Studies to determine the toxicity of chemicals may facilitate understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of pulmonary fibrosis at a molecular level; thus, such studies may provide information about the toxic characteristics of various substances. In this review, we have outlined the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and described pulmonary fibrosis induced by various chemicals, including bleomycin, paraquat, and PHMG-p, based on the results of studies performed to date.

A review of current studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis induced by chemicals

Several studies showed that the inflammatory and fibrotic responses induced by polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p) were similar to those observed for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea in 2011. “Omic” technologies can be used to understand the mechanisms underlying chemical-induced diseases. Studies to determine the toxicity of chemicals may facilitate understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of pulmonary fibrosis at a molecular level; thus, such studies may provide information about the toxic characteristics of various substances. In this review, we have outlined the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and described pulmonary fibrosis induced by various chemicals, including bleomycin, paraquat, and PHMG-p, based on the results of studies performed to date.

Two Cases of Chloromethylisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone-associated Toxic Lung Injury

Previous animal studies have not conclusively determined the association between exposure to humidifier disinfectants (HDs) containing 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT) and/or 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (MIT) and development of HD-associated lung injuries. Nonetheless, patients exposed to HDs containing only CMIT and/or MIT showed clinically similar lung injuries to those exposed to HDs containing polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) or oligo (2-[2-ethoxy]ethoxyethyl) guanidinium chloride (PGH). Here, we report twin sisters with lung injuries associated with exposure to CMIT/MIT-containing HDs. At 6 months of age, a younger twin sister presented with the 3-day history of cough, sputum, and respiratory difficulty. Chest radiography revealed multiple patchy consolidation and ground-glass opacities with pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Thoracostomy was performed due to pneumothorax at admission and she was discharged at 11 days of hospitalization. At 5 years of age, multiple tiny nodules and faint centrilobular ground-glass opacities were observed with the small pneumatocele. The elder sister visited a tertiary hospital due to dyspnea at 12 months of age. Chest radiography showed consolidation, pneumomediastinum, and pulmonary interstitial emphysema. There was no response to the administration of immunosuppressant drugs and antifibrotic agents. At 5 years of age, chest CT revealed ground-glass opacity and multiple tiny centrilobular ground-glass opacities nodules in both lungs with exercise intolerance.

Isolation and Quantification of Glycosaminoglycans from Human Hair Shaft

BACKGROUND: There is evidence that glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are present in the hair shaft within the follicle but there are no studies regarding GAGs isolation and measurement in the human hair shaft over the scalp surface, it means, in the free hair shaft. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our research was to isolate and measure the total GAGs from human free hair shaft. METHODS: Seventy-five healthy individuals participated in the study, 58 adults, men and women over the age of 50 and 17 children (aged 4~9). GAGs in hair samples, received from the parietal and the occipital areas, were isolated with 4 M guanidine HCl and measured by the uronic acid-carbazole reaction assay. RESULTS: GAGs concentration was significantly higher in the occipital area than in the parietal area, in all study groups. GAG levels from both areas were significantly higher in children than in adults. GAG levels were not associated with gender, hair color or type. CONCLUSION: We report the presence of GAGs in the human free hair shaft and the correlation of hair GAG levels with the scalp area and participants' age.

An analysis of a humidifier disinfectant case from a toxicological perspective

An analysis of patients and fatalities due to exposure to polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) shows that PHMG causes mainly lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, no research on the other organs has been conducted on this matter yet. So, an in-depth discussion on toxicological techniques is needed to determine whether or not PHMG is toxic to organs other than just the lungs. For the test of target organ toxicity by PHMG exposure, a toxicokinetic study must first be conducted. However, measurement method for PHMG injected into the body has not yet been established because it is not easy to analyze polymer PHMG, so related base studies on analytical technique for PHMG including radio-labeling chemistry must come first. Moreover, research on exposure-biomarker and effect-biomarker must also be conducted, primarily related to clinical application. Several limitations seem to be expected to apply the biomarker study to the patient because much time has passed after exposure to the humidifier disinfectant. It is why a more comprehensive toxicological researches must be introduced to the causality for the victims.

Humidifier disinfectant lung injury, how do we approach the issues?

A large portion of the Korean population has been exposed to toxic humidifier disinfectants (HDs), and considering that the majority of the victims are infants, the magnitude of the damage is expected to be considerably larger than what has currently been revealed. The current victims are voicing problems caused by various diseases, including but not limited to lung, upper respiratory tract, cardiovascular, kidney, musculoskeletal, eye, and skin diseases, etc. However, there has been difficulty in gaining validation for these health problems and identifying causal relationships due to lack of evidence proving that toxic HD is the specific causes of extrapulmonary diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Furthermore, the victims and bereaved families of the HD case have not received any support for psychological distress such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, feelings of injustice, and anger caused by the trauma. In addition, because the underlying mechanisms of the toxic materials within the HDs such as polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate, poly(oxyalkylene guanidine) hydrochloride, chloromethylisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone have yet to be determined, the demand for information regarding the HD issue is growing. The victims of the HD cases require support that goes beyond financial aid for medical costs and living expenses. There is a desperate need for government-led integrated support centers that provide individualized support through health screenings; in other words, we need an integrated facility that provides the appropriate social support to allow the victims to recover their physical and mental health, so as to well prepare them to return to a normal life. The implementation of such a plan requires not only the close cooperation between those departments already directly involved such as the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, but also active support on a national scale from pan-governmental consultative bodies.

Major concerns regarding lung injury and related health conditions caused by the use of humidifier disinfectant

A total of 221 patients were evaluated to be humidifier disinfectant associated with lung injury (HDLI) through two rounds of programs through April 2015. The humidifier disinfectant (HD) brands most often associated with HDLI were found to be Oxy (n=151, 68 %) and Cefu (n=26, 17 %). Polyhexamethylene guanidine used for disinfectant for four types of HD brands including Oxy was found to be associated with the highest number of HDLI cases (n=188). Further programs are operating to identify various health effects including lung injury which may be associated with the use of HD. Not only national agencies, but also pertinent environmental health societies should cooperate in the necessary investigations so that this tragedy can be properly addressed and future incidents concerning chemicals and chemical-containing products can be prevented.

Avaliação in vitro do efeito de diferentes processos de alisamento químico/térmico na fibra capilar / In vitro evaluation of the straightening effect by different chemical/thermal processes in the hair fiber

A aparência dos cabelos é de fundamental importância na sociedade atual. Estando em moda, cabelos mais lisos e com menos volume, os consumidores que antes os alisavam com produtos químicos e força mecânica, passaram a utilizar um tratamento térmico, além do secador de cabelos: as piastras ("chapinhas") que atuam em valores de temperatura ao redor de 230°C. Esse procedimento ocasiona além dos danos mecânicos e químicos também dano térmico, tornando os cabelos ainda mais fragilizados. O escopo deste estudo foi avaliar o dano na fibra capilar, de amostras não tratadas e nas que receberam aplicação de alisantes/relaxantes tradicionais e alternativos. O estudo foi dividido em cinco capítulos que avaliam: aplicação dos alisantes/relaxantes com ingredientes ativos distintos; danos mecânicos, perda Protéica; análise térmica e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As amostras de cabelo utilizadas em todos os estudos foram tratadas como descrito no primeiro capítulo. Foram aplicados produtos comerciais contendo os seguintes ingredientes ativos: Hidróxido de Sódio, Tioglicolato de Amônio, Hidróxido de Guanidina (reação de hidróxido de cálcio com carbonato de guanidina), formaldeído e ácido glioxílico isolado e em combinação com carbocisteína. O uso de formaldeído e ácido glioxilico em formulações de alisantes/relaxantes está proibido pela Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Todos os produtos aplicados alisaram os cabelos; os procedimentos que utilizaram a piastra tornaram os fios mais lisos. Os alisantes/relaxantes à base de ácido glioxilico e formaldeído reduziram de forma expressiva a tensão de ruptura dos cabelos tornando-os mais frágeis. A maior perda protéica foi observada na amostra tratada com carbocisteína (1,74 mg/g cabelo). Nos estudos de análise térmica, na fase de desidratação a amostra tratada com carbocisteína apresentou maior perda de massa (15,17%); na fase de denaturação da proteína, a tratada com hidróxido de sódio (51,06%); e na fase de eliminação do material carbonáceo, todas as amostras apresentaram perda de massa maior que a amostra não tratada; as menores temperaturas de pico foram as das amostras sem tratamento alisante (630°C) e ácido glioxílico (640°C). Observando-se as imagens de microscopia eletrônica nota-se modificação nas bordas das cutículas das amostras indicando que sofreram agressão; o hidróxido de guanidina deixou adicionalmente resíduo; as amostras tratadas com ácido glioxílico e formaldeído apresentaram a formação de filme superficial como um "envelopamento" da fibra. Os resultados sugerem que não há predominância de um procedimento mais danoso que os demais; porém os que utilizaram a piastra (alisamentos/relaxamento ácidos) acentuaram os danos

The appearance of the hair is of fundamental importance in today's society. Being in fashion, hair straight and with less volume, consumers that before straighted hair with chemicals products and mechanical strength began to use a heat treatment, in addition to hair dryers: the hot plates ("chapinhas") acting on temperature values around 230°C. This procedure causes not only mechanical and chemical damage but also thermal one, making the hair more fragile. The scope of this study was to evaluate the damage to the hair fiber, in untreated samples and these receiving straighteners/relaxers application of traditional and alternative products.The study was divided into five chapters that evaluated: application of straighteners/relaxers with different active ingredients; mechanical damage, protein loss; thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The hair samples used in all studies were treated as described in the chapter one. Commercial products containing the following active ingredients were used: Sodium Hydroxide, Ammonium Thioglycolate, Guanidine Hydroxide (calcium hydroxide reaction with guanidine carbonate), Formaldehyde and Glyoxylic Acid alone and in combination with Carbocysteine. The use of Formaldehyde andGlyoxylicAcid in straightening/relaxing formulations are prohibited by the National Agency for Sanitary Vigilance. All applied products, straight the hair samples; the procedures that used the hot plates become the hair more straight. The straightening/relaxing based on Glyoxylic Acid and Formaldehyde reduced significantly the hair break point making them more fragile. Most protein loss was observed in the sample treated with Carbocysteine (1.74mg/g hair).In the thermal analysis studies at the dewatering stage, Carbocystein treated samples showed greater weight loss(15.17%), at the protein denaturation stage this treated with Sodium Hydroxide (51.06%) and in the carbonaceous material elimination phase all samples showed mass loss greater than the untreated sample;. The lower peak temperatures were observed in the samples without treatment (630°C) and with Glyoxylic Acid (640°C). Observing the images of electron microscopy is noted the change in the cuticle aspect of the samples showing that the edges were damaged, Guanidine Hydroxide, left further residue: the samples treated with Glyoxylic Acid and Formaldehyde showed the formation of surface film as an "enveloping" fiber. The results suggest that there is not a predominance of a more harmful treatment than other, but those using hot plates(straightening/relaxing acids) emphasize the damage

Detection of Rare Cancer Cells in the Blood by RNA Extraction of Filtered Mononuclear Cells and Reverse Transcription-PCR / 임상검사와정도관리

BACKGROUND: To enhance the cancer cell detection rate in blood, we tried to detect cancer cells by blood filtration, RNA extraction and reverse transcription (RT)-PCR in the filtered mononuclear cells (MNCs). METHODS: From the specimens of whole blood and filtered MNCs, RNA was extracted by the guanidinium isothiocyanate buffer method. Filtration efficiency was evaluated by measurement of leukocyte count, red cell count, and hemoglobin level. To compare the RNA extraction efficiency between whole blood and filtered MNCs, the followings were examined: (1) RNA electrophoresis, (2) hTERT, survivin, plakophilin, LunX, and MAGE A1-6 RT-PCR, and (3) the detection limit of added SNU484 cells in the blood by MAGE A1-6 RT-PCR. Finally blood specimens of 13 lung cancer patients were used to detect cancer cells by LunX and MAGE A1-6 RT-PCR with filtered MNCs. RESULTS: The filtration method revealed 0%, 92.8% and 95.1% filtration rates for leukocyte, red cell, and hemoglobin, respectively. Contamination of concentrated genomic DNA was observed in the electrophoresis of RNA extracted from whole blood. Positive rates of hTERT, survivin and plakophilin were higher in the filtered MNCs. The filtration method detected 1 SNU484 cell/mL, and the blood samples of 4 (30.8%) lung cancer patients showed positive results for RT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: For the detection of cancer cells in the blood, the filtration method was very efficient, and LunX and MAGE A1-6 genes would be useful for the detection of blood cancer cells in patients with lung cancer.

Tocólisis con clorhidrato de isoxuprina o nifedipina en la amenaza de parto pretérmino / Tocolysis with isoxuprine hydrochloride or nifedipine in preterm labor

Comparar la eficacia del clorhidrato de isoxuprina o la nifedipina en la tocólisis de la amenaza de parto pretérmino. Se seleccionaron 82 pacientes con edad gestacional entre 24 y 34 semanas y diagnóstico de amenaza de parto pretérmino. Las pacientes se dividieron al azar en 2 grupos para recibir clorhidrato de isoxuprina (grupo A) o nifedipina (grupo B). Se determinaron el tiempo de cese de las contracciones, tensión arterial materna, concentraciones de glucosa y efectos adversos maternos. Maternidad "Dr. Nerio Belloso", Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo. Estado Zulia. Se logró una tocólisis efectiva en las primeras 24 horas en 61,0 por ciento y 70,7 por ciento de las pacientes del grupo A y B, respectivamente (P = ns). Después de 7 días de tratamiento, 36,6 por ciento de las pacientes en el grupo A y 31,7 por ciento de las pacientes en el grupo B aun permanecían sin contracciones (P = ns). Se logró un retraso del parto hasta las 34 semanas o más en 26,8 por ciento y 29,3 por ciento de las pacientes de los grupos A y B, respectivamente. En el grupo de pacientes tratadas con clorhidrato de isoxuprina se observó un aumento significativo de las concentraciones séricas de glucosa (P < 0,001). Los efectos adversos maternos fueron significativamente más frecuentes en el grupo de clorhidrato de isoxuprina después de 2 y 24 horas de tratamiento (P < 0,05). La nifedipina es igual de efectiva que el clorhidrato de isoxuprina en la tocólisis de la amenaza de parto pretérmino y produce menos efectos adversos

To compare the efficacy of isoxuprine clorhidrate or nifedipine in tocolysis of threatened preterm labor. 82 patients with a gestational age between 24 and 34 weeks and threatened preterm labor diagnosis were selected. Patients were randomly divided in 2 groups to receive isoxuprine clorhidrate (group A) or nifedipine (group B). Time of cease of contractions, maternal blood pressure, glucose concentrations and maternal adverse effects were determined. Maternidad "Dr. Nerio Belloso", Hospital Central "Dr. Urquinaona", Maracaibo. Estado Zulia. An effective tocolysis was obtained within 24 hours in 61.0 percent and 70.7 percent for patients in group A and B, respectively (P = ns). After 7 days of treatment, 36.6 percent of patients in group A and 31,7 percent of patients in group B were still without contractions (P = ns). A delay in labor till 34 weeks or more was made in 26.8. percent and 29.3 percent of patients in group A and B, respectively. In the group of patients treated with isoxuprine clorhidrate a significant raise of glucose concentrations was observed (P < 0.001). Maternal adverse effects were significant more frequent in isoxuprine clorhidrate group after 2 and 24 hours of treatment (P < 0,05). Nifedipine has a similar effectivity than isoxuprine clorhidrate for tocolysis in threatened preterm labor and produces less adverse effects

Synthesis and anti-histaminic activity of some novel pyrimidines

Novel Pyrimidines were prepared by the condensation of Chalcones of 4 -piperazine acetophenone with guanidine HC1. The structures of the synthesized compounds RP 1-5 were assigned on the basis of Elemental analysis, IR, [1]H NMR and Mass spectroscopy. These compounds were also screened for antihistaminic activity. The recorded% of histamine inhibition showed significant antihistaminic activity when compared to the reference antihistaminic drug mepiramine

Effect of denaturants on the structure and activity of 3-hydroxybenzoate-6-hydroxylase.

The effect of denaturants such as urea, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), guanidinium hydrochloride (Gu.HCl) on the structure of enzyme 3-hydroxybenzoate-6-hydroxylase was studied using intrinsic fluorescence and far and near-UV-CD spectroscopic techniques. Also, activity profiles of the enzyme, as a function of increasing concentrations of denaturants were studied. The far-UV CD spectrum of the enzyme did not show appreciable alterations in the presence of urea, SDS or Gu.HCl, thereby suggesting that the protein does not undergo gross conformational changes in its alpha-helical secondary structure. The treatment of enzyme with 2 M urea resulted in almost complete loss of catalytic activity, accompanied by the reduction of emission fluorescence of enzyme. Similarly, treatment with 0.01% SDS also caused almost complete loss of activity and quenching of enzyme fluorescence as well as a red shift in the emission peak. In addition, reduction in the intensity of near-UV-CD spectrum, especially at 280 nm was observed. About 70% of the activity was lost by treatment with 20 mM Gu.HCl, accompanied by quenching of intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme. The change in intrinsic fluorescence of the enzyme in the presence of 5 mM-100 mM Gu.HCI could be correlated to progressive loss of catalytic activity. Thus, intrinsic fluorescence (due to tryptophan residues) could be used as an effective probe to provide an insight into the relation between the activity and subtle conformational changes of the enzyme. The results suggested that denaturants caused very slight conformational changes in the enzyme that perturbed the microenvironment of aromatic amino acid residues such as tryptophan accompanied by reduction or loss of catalytic activity.

Unfolded Histidine-Tagged Protein is Immobilized to Nitrilotriacetic Acid-Nickel Beads, But Not the Nickel-Coated Glass Slide

The adsorption of proteins on the surface of glass slides is essential for construction of protein chips. Previously, we prepared a nickel-coated plate by the spin-coating method for immobilization of His-tagged proteins. In order to know whether the structural factor is responsible for the immobilization of His-tagged proteins to the nickel-coated glass slide, we executed a series of experiments. First we purified a His-tagged protein after expressing the vector in E. coli BL21 (DE3). Then we obtained the unfolding curve for the His-tagged protein by using guanidine hydrochloride. Fractions unfolded were monitored by internal fluorescence spectroscopy. The delta G(H20) for unfolding was 2.27 kcalmol +/- 0.52. Then we tested if unfolded His-tagged proteins can be adsorbed to the nickel-coated plate, comparing with Ni2+ -NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) beads. Whereas unfolded His-tagged proteins were adsorbed to Ni2+ -NTA beads, they did not bind to the nickel-coated plate. In conclusion, a structural factor is likely to be an important factor for constructing the protein chips, when His-tagged proteins will immobilize to the nickel-coated slides.

Modified guanidine hydrochloride method for DNA extraction from cord blood used in HLA genotyping / 中国实验血液学杂志

To compare two different methods for extracting genomic DNA from cord blood and to evaluate their applications for HLA genotyping, the genomic DNA from 72 samples was extracted by guanidine hydrochloride (Gu * HCl) and modified guanidine hydrochloride, the DNA yield and purity were evaluated by spectrophotometry and detected by PCR with sequence-specific primers. The result showed that the genomic DNA was successfully isolated from whole blood by both methods. The modified Gu * HCl method used was better than Gu * HCl method as the modified method produces better quality of DNA and less ambiguous bands in PCR. It is concluded that modified Gu * HCl method has the advantages of low-cost, simple operation, high quality output and clear positive bands in HLA-genotyping, the modified method is optimal for extracting DNA from multiple samples of cord blood bank.

Bioassay of human tooth protein blotted polyvinylidene difluoride(PVDF) membrane

PURPOSE: Human tooth proteins are highly heterogeneous, comprising diverse proteins derived from a number of genes. The attempts to identify protein for activity of tooth matrix proteins have been defied by several factors. First, the amount of proteins within teeth is very small relative to many extracellular matrix proteins of other tissues. Second, the bioassay system is tedious and needed for long time. Therefore we tried to find easy techniques, which increase the product rate, and an assay of small proteins, with which amino acid sequence is possible without additional procedures. Materials and METHODS: Total protein were extracted from 300 g enamel removed teeth and 600 g teeth with 4 mol/L guanidine HCl and purified by gel chromatography. Aliquot of proteins was implanted into muscle pouches in Sprague-Dawley rats for bioassay. By SDS-PAGE and membrane blotting, molecular weight of each protein was estimated and a partial amino acid sequence was obtained. Each fraction blotted on the membrane was cut out and inserted in rat ectopic model. RESULTS: In dissociative method, total tooth proteins were obtained 1mg/ml from enamel removed teeth and 3.5 mg/ml from teeth. In SDS-PAGE, four clear bands at the sites corresponding to 66, 40, 20 and 18 kD. Especially The 66 kD band was clearly exhibited. Amino acid sequencing from tooth could be possible using PVDF membrane blotting technique. In amino acid sequencing, 66 kD protein was identified as albumin. CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional method for extraction of teeth protein and bioassay of proteins, the methods in this study were easy, time-saving and more productive technique. The matured tooth proteins omitting additional procedure of mechanical removal of enamel were simply analyzed using blotted PVDF membrane. This method seems to make a contribution as a technique for bioassay and amino acid sequencing of protein.