Extrication process of chlorogenic acid in Crofton weed and antibacterial mechanism of chlorogenic acid on Escherichia coli.

Crofton weed is a perennial herb and a biological intruding species. The present study firstly used the orthogonal test to compare the differences in extraction of chlorogenic acid in leaves and stems of Crofton weed by using three kinds of solvents, namely water, ethanol and ethyl acetate. The best effect was found by using ethonolic extraction of chlorogenic acid in Crofton weed. Further, by choosing Escherichia coli as test object, in-vitro antibacterial test was conducted to study the antimicrobial activities of chlorogenic acid by testing a series of indexes before and after the interaction between chlorogenic acid and Escherichia coli, to clarify the antibacterial mechanism of chlorogenic acid on Escherichia coli. Finally, by comparing the antibacterial activities of isochlorogenic acid A on Escherichia coli, it was concluded that both chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid A showed antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, wherein chlorogenic acid had a better antibacterial effect on Escherichia coli than isochlorogenic acid A.

Chronic lumbar paraspinal compartment syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

A 25-year-old male weightlifter felt increasing intractable low back pain during training but denied any acute injury. The physical examination, blood parameters, radiographs and MRI were unremarkable. He had been treated non-operatively by various means, with only temporary relief. The pressures in the lumbar paraspinal compartment were abnormally high and he was treated by surgical decompression. This gave rapid relief, he returned to training, and one year later the pain had not recurred.

Expression and quantification of LYVE-1 in human colorectal cancer.

The recent discovery of a new hyaluronan (HA) receptor, LYVE-1 (lymphatic vessel endothelial HA receptor), has been received with great interest regarding its specific expression in the lymphatic system. The process of lymphangiogenesis or the formation of new lymphatics in tumours is important because it serves as a major route for cancer metastasis. Therefore, methods to quantify lymphangiogenesis by measuring LYVE-1 have been studied extensively in searching for its possible role in cancer diagnosis, prognosis and even targeted treatment of lymphatic tumour metastasis. Here we report a quantitation study on lymphangiogenesis by either quantitative PCR or immunohistochemistry approaches in detecting LYVE-1 expression in human colorectal tumour. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTQ-PCR) was carried out to quantify LYVE-1 levels in colorectal cancer samples. Also, the same specimen was observed for LYVE-1 expression by immunohistochemical stain. By RTQ-PCR amplification, LYVE-1 was highly expressed in colorectal specimens and LYVE-1 signal from non-cancer tissue of normal control was much weaker by conventional RTPCR. Immunohistochemical stain showed that LYVE-1 was significantly expressed in cancer tissues (especially in the margin region of cancer), whereas in non-cancer specimens fewer positive stains were revealed. The results suggested that the LYVE-1 molecule was expressed significantly in colorectal specimens, which may imply a new marker for a malignant situation.

Laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation of hepatic cavernous hemangioma. A preliminary experience with 27 patients.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), currently used extensively for liver tumors, also has been applied successfully to hepatic cavernous hemangioma (HCH) percutaneously. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of laparoscopic RFA for patients with HCHs. METHODS: Between March 2001 and March 2004, 27 patients with symptomatic and rapid-growth lesions were treated by laparoscopic RFA using the RF-2000 generator system. The treatment-related complications were observed. All the patients were followed up with helical computed tomography scans and ultrasonography at regular intervals to assess the therapeutic efficacy of laparoscopic RFA. RESULTS: This study assessed 9 men and 18 women with a mean age of 41.6 +/- 8.3 years. Three additional intrahepatic lesions missed preoperatively were found in three patients on intraoperative ultrasound. A total of 27 patients with 50 liver lesions were treated successfully with laparoscopic RFA. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 5.5 +/- 2.0 cm. The mean length of time for RFA per lesion was 20.7 +/- 11.9 min, and the mean blood loss was 134.4 +/- 88.9 ml. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed simultaneously for gallstones in 13 patients and for abutting of gallbladder from hemangioma in 2 patients. In addition, 3 patients also had a laparoscopic deroofing of simple hepatic cysts. Although postoperative low-grade fever and transient elevation of serum transaminase levels were observed in 13 patients, there were no complications related to laparoscopic RFA. During a median follow-up period of 21 months (range, 12-42 months), complete lesion necrosis was achieved for all the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic RFA therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment option for patients with symptomatic and rapid-growth HCHs located on the surface of the liver or adjacent to the gallbladder. Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful adjunct for detecting additional liver lesions and offering more accurate targeting for RFA.

Intracellular pH regulation in isolated fast-twitch skeletal muscle from dystrophin-deficient mouse.

In muscles from anaesthetized dystrophin-deficient mdx mice, exercise results in a stronger acidification and a slower intracellular pH recovery compared to control mice. We examined whether this observation could be attributed to defective H+-carriers in dystrophin-lacking muscles. Immunohistochemistry and Western blots revealed no defect in mdx muscles for the presence of the lactate-/H+co-transporter MCT4 and of the Na+/H+ antiporter NHE1, the main H+-carriers active in fast-twitch skeletal muscle after exercise. Functional tests of the H+-transporters, on isolated muscles submitted to identical flow of superfusion, were performed in conditions meant to lower intracellular pH: repetitive electrical stimulation or NH4Cl pre-pulse. These revealed no defect in intracellular pH recovery in mdx muscles. Therefore, we conclude that impaired intracellular pH regulation in anaesthetized mdx mice is not attributable to a reduced presence or activity of H+-extruders. We propose that CO2 washout might be slowed down in vivo in mdx muscles because of the defective vascular response in contracting muscles from these mice.

Assessment of the lactate biosensor methodology.

The rapid determination of lactate level is useful for clinical emergencies, as in the case of shock conditions or during surgical operations, as well as in numerous cases of respiratory failure, in cardiac or paediatric pathology and during exercise tests. Moreover, it is of prognostic significance in critically ill patients. Photometric methods are slow and, even when performed in good conditions, will give results only 30 min after blood collection, during which time the clinical condition of the patient may change. In this study, we have assessed the lactate biosensor, a method that yields lactate measurements in less than 1 min with only 100 microL of biological fluid. In order to test the validity of this method, we performed comparisons between the Sigma classical enzymatic reference method and two commercially available biosensors: the Ciba-Corning biosensor 865 and the Yellow Springs lactate biosensor. Lactate measurements were performed in heparinized arterial blood samples without antiglycolitic agent (n=71). In order to cover a wide range of lactate levels, samples came from patients admitted to the intensive care unit for severe conditions and patients addressed for bicycle exercise testing. Each whole blood sample was processed in duplicate by both biosensors. For plasma measurement, subsamples of whole blood were centrifuged and the resulting plasma were processed by the biosensors and the Sigma method. Two parameters that can potentially influence lactate measurement were also investigated: haematocrit and total protein levels. The data showed that measurements performed on plasma are satisfactory for both biosensors. For whole blood, the Ciba-Corning device gives accurate results but the Yellow Springs apparatus seriously underestimates lactate levels. This underestimation is strongly influenced by the haematocrit level, so that a correction factor can be calculated (based on the haemoglobin level), which allows accurate "corrected" results to be obtained for whole blood with the Yellow Springs analyser.

Influence of age and breed on the binding of oxygen to red blood cells of bovine calves.

The influence of somatic growth and genetic selection on the whole blood oxygen equilibrium curve (OEC) was measured under standard conditions in double-muscled and dairy calves during their first 3 mo of life. Crossbreed animals were also investigated. Hemoglobin, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), Cl, and Pi concentrations were also measured. The percentage of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) was determined. The influence of exogenous Cl, Pi, and pH on the OEC was also assessed. The PO2 at 50% hemoglobin saturation (P50) increased during somatic growth, probably because of the increase in DPG recorded in double-muscled neonates and to the progressive disappearance of HbF in both breeds. The oxygen exchange fraction (OEF%) was used to assess the combined influence of the OEC shift and OEC shape changes on blood oxygen desaturation under standard conditions, when the PO2 decreases within a physiological range. The OEF% showed an increase during the first month, then a stabilization. The effects of Cl, Pi, and pH in Friesian calves were similar as in adult cattle. Double-muscled neonates had a lower P50, OEF% values, and DPG concentrations and higher hemoglobin and Cl concentrations than Friesian neonates. The Pi concentration and the percentage of HbF were similar in both breeds. The pH and the Cl concentration had significantly less effect on the OEC in double-muscled than in Friesian calves. Crossbreed animals exhibited intermediate parameter values, between those recorded for double-muscled and Friesian calves. All differences between breeds progressively disappeared during the first month. These data show that blood function changes markedly in calves during the first month of life and that genetic selection can alter blood function.

Chloride and inorganic phosphate modulate binding of oxygen to bovine red blood cells.

The influence of Pi and Cl on the equilibrium of oxygen binding to bovine red blood cells was assessed by plotting the whole blood oxygen dissociation curve measured under standard conditions with and without added KCl and K2HPO4. Both salts shifted the oxygen dissociation curve to the right. This effect was more marked at the highest saturation levels. At a given saturation level, the anion-induced shift was linearly related to the concentration of salt added to the blood. Cl had a greater effect than Pi. The relationship between changes in Po2 at 50% hemoglobin saturation (in Torr) and concentrations of ions added (in mmol/l) was equal to 0.0515[Cl] + 0.0302[Pi] (r2 = 0.94; P < 0.001). These changes were not due to the hyperosmolality induced by salt addition, since sucrose added in place of salts was without effect on the measured parameters. The oxygen exchange fraction expressed as percentage of saturation, i.e., the difference in hemoglobin saturation when Po2 decreases from 130 to 40 Torr, was linearly correlated to added anion concentration (in mmol/l) (= 0.102[Cl] + 0.059[Pi] (r2 = 0.95; P < 0.001)). No significant interaction between the anions was observed; their effects were purely additive. This original mechanism of controlling the oxygen affinity of bovine blood may have clinical relevance: Cl and Pi could be used to increase oxygen transport efficiency in hypoxic animals.

Comparative study of the oxyhaemoglobin dissociation curve of four mammals: man, dog, horse and cattle.

1. The entire oxygen dissociation curve (ODC) and the effects of temperature, pH and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) on this curve, have been compared in four mammalians: man, dog, horse and cattle. 2. If the oxyphoric capacities are similar between these species (around 1.39 ml O2/gHb), their P50, measured in standard conditions, i.e. at pH 7.4; pCO2 40 mmHg and T 37 degrees C, varies between 23.8 (+/- 0.8) mmHg for the horse, 25.0 (+/- 1.4) mmHg for cattle, 26.6 (+/- 1.2) for man and 28.8 (+/- 2.6) mmHg for the dog. 3. The higher dispersion of the dog's P 50 is due to difference between breeds; in seven breeds investigated, the P 50 ranges from 25.8 (spaniel) to 35.8 (hound). 4. We noted no sex difference in the four species. 5. The DPG level is confirmed to be low in cattle (< 1 mumol/gHb) as compared to man (13.5 +/- 2.1 mumol/gHb), horse (16.9 +/- 1.1 mumol/gHb) and dog (19.4 +/- 2.8 mumol/gHb). 6. The oxygen exchange fraction defined as the difference in vol% between a pO2 of 80 and 35 mmHg is, respectively, 3.6 (+/- 0.6) vol% for cattle, 4.0 (+/- 0.4) vol% for the horse, 5.5 (+/- 0.5) vol% for man and 6.6 (+/- 1.7) vol% for the dog. 7. The position and shape of the ODC, as well as T, DPG and pH effects, indicate that the haemoglobin of man and dog seem better adapted to O2 delivery as compared to the horse and cattle.

[The effect of inhaled salbutamol on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy]. / Effet du salbutamol inhalé sur les échanges gazeux pulmonaires de patients atteints de BPCO.

The aim of this study is to establish whether or not the inhalation of a puff of salbutamol (Ventoline, 100 micrograms) could induce hypoxemia. Twenty-five chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients were investigated. In a first group of 20 patients arterial blood gases and related indices were measured before and 5, 10, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after inhalation of salbutamol. The oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve was traced before and 90 minutes after the drug intake. Except in two subjects in whom salbutamol dramatically improves arterial blood gases, the drug had no effect on the investigated parameters. It is concluded that salbutamol does not affect the blood gases in COPD patients. In this respect the behaviour of COPD patients differs from that of asthmatics in whom salbutamol generally induced hypoxemia.

[Chronic alcoholism with diffuse brain atrophy].

An analysis of clinical manifestations and CT scan of 9 cases of chronic alcoholism was reported. It is shown that there are diffuse brain atrophy in chronic alcoholism patients with neuro-psychiatric symptoms. There were significant relations among clinical history, amount of alcohol consumed and brain atrophy. It should also be mentioned that the number of young alcoholics is more than that of elderly. This problem must be paid attention to.

Density of myosin filaments in the rat anococcygeus muscle, at rest and in contraction. II.

Rat anococcygeus muscles were fixed at rest or in contraction by conventional methods and prepared for electron microscopy. Myosin filaments were counted on cross sections and their density expressed per unit cytoplasmic area. In contracted muscles, the mean density increased from 86 to 168 filaments per micron 2 (1.95 times), while the density of intermediate (10 nm) filaments increased by 1.25 times. Cell cross sections from the same muscles were measured. Contraction produced a shrinkage which explains the apparent increased density of the 10 nm filaments; however an excess of 61 myosin filaments per micron 2 cannot be explained in this way. These findings provide the structural basis which quantitatively explains the birefringence changes observed in living contracted muscle (Godfraind-De Becker & Gillis, 1988). Our optical and electron optical results provide evidence for a reversible formation of myosin filaments during contraction of the rat anococcygeus muscle.