Kinetics of ultrasonic extraction of extractive substances from garden (Salvia officinalis L.) and glutinous (Salvia glutinosa L.) sage.

The kinetics of ultrasonic extraction of extractive substances (ES) from dry herbs of garden (Salvia officinalis L.) and glutinous (Salvia glutinosa L.) sage using petroleum ether, 70% ethanol or water at 40 degrees C, as well as the composition of dry extracts, were studied. The mechanism of ultrasonic extraction is confirmed to occur in two steps: first, dissolution of the ES near the particle surface (washing) and, second, diffusion from the solid particles to the bulk of the liquid extract (slow extraction). The process is described mathematically using three concepts of the unsteady diffusion through plant material, the film theory and the empirical equation of Ponomaryov. The yield of ES increases with increasing solvent polarity, and nearly the maximum concentration of ES in liquid extracts is achieved for about 20 min. The composition of extracts depends on both the extraction conditions applied and the plant material.

[Arginase activity in plasma and erythrocytes in children with hematologic diseases]. / Aktivnost arginaze u plazmi i eritrocitima kod dece s hematoloskim oboljenjem.

INTRODUCTION: Arginase (EC 3.5.3.1) is one of the essential enzymes in the terminal stages of the urea cycle in the liver which participates in the elimination of ammonia from the human body [1, 7]. Except in liver tissue arginase is also present in many human tissues and in the circulating blood cells, especially in erythrocytes and leukocytes. Arginase splits arginase to urea and ornithine that serve for biosynthesis of amino acid proline, glutamic acid and biosynthesis of polyamines-spermine, spermidine and putrescine. Arginase activity is high during the mitotic cycle, with the function in phase S of the cell cycle. The aim of our study was to assess the arginase activity in the blood of children with some haematologic diseases. METHODS: We examined the arginase activity in blood plasma and erythrocytes of children who suffer from some haematological disorders (27 patients) and in healthy children (control group-15 subjects). The enzyme activity was measured with spectrophotometric method on the basis of the determination of the amount of liberated ornithine from substrate-arginine [3]. RESULTS: The obtained results suggest that arginase activity was much higher in the blood of ill children (Table 1 and Figure 1). In the control group of children (total 15) plasma arginase activity was in the range of 0 to 20 U/L x = 0.86 U/L), and enzyme activity in erythrocytes was 1.62-3.98 U/g Hb (x = 2.81 U/g Hb). Erythrocytes enzyme activity and plasma enzyme activity were in ranges of 4.03-5.26 U/L with the mean value of x = 4.56 U/L, and arginase activity in erythrocytes was in ranges of 9.38-14.16 U/g Hb, with mean value x = 11.34 U/g Hb, respectively. Arginase activity in erythrocytes was also significantly higher in children with non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia (9 children) and was in ranges of 5.33-9.58 U/g Hb (x = 7.29 U/g Hb), with the relatively low values in plasma, 0-4.14 U/L (x = 1.75 U/L). In children with sideropenic anaemia (total number-11) arginase activity in erythrocytes was also very significantly increased with the range between 2.86 and 14.16 U/g Hb (x = 5.54 U/g Hb) while the plasma enzyme activity was relatively low, with the values in range of 0-4.98 U/L (x = 1.41 U/L); in myelodysplastic syndrome (4 pts) arginase activity in plasma was very low (0-0.71 U/L; x = 0.26 U/L) with higher values of arginase activity in erythrocytes (4.22-5.89 U/g Hb; x = 4.94 U/g Hb). DISCUSSION: We have concluded that the enzyme activity was the highest in erythrocyte haemolysates of patients with spherocytosis, non-sherocytic haemolytic anaemia; it was also high, but in a smaller degree, in erythrocytes of children with sideropenic anaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome; arginase activity in plasma of these children was higher in comparison with enzyme activity in plasma and erythrocytes of healthy children. Our results are in agreement with data from literature where it is stated that the younger erythrocytes have the highest arginase activity than the mature erythrocytes [4]. CONCLUSION: The measurement of arginase activity in plasma and erythrocytes is a good diagnostic indicator for the presence of young erythrocytes and reticulocytes in the circulating blood as is the good sign for the detection of haemolytic processes.

[Pharmacotherapy of nutritive anaemia in pediatrics]. / Farmakoterapija nutricionih anemija u pedijatriji.

The therapeutical problem of nutritive anaemia is discussed. The incidence of sideropenic anaemia is particularly stressed. All the drugs used in the pharmacotherapy of sideropenic and megaloblastic anaemia are also described. The doses, indications and adverse effects of these drugs are described in detail.

[Immunophenotyping in diagnostic and classification of leukemia]. / Imunofenotipizacija u dijagnostici i klasifikaciji leukemija.

Markers of differentiation on cell membrane are recognized by monoclonal antibodies, capable to define more precisely the level of cell maturation. The immunofluorescent method, used in this work, is based on the discoveration of surface molecules by means of fluorescein labeled monoclonal antibodies. 74 patients with leukemia, 11 children and 63 adults persons, have been examined. The results show that malignant cells express certain markers characteristic for some forms of leukemias. The most common marker expression in pre-B ALL was: CD34, CD10, CD22, CD24, CD19 and DR. Expression of CD10 marker was characteristic for CALLA + pre-B ALL cells. T leukemias expressed CD38, CD2, CD3, CD4 and CD8 markers. The expression of CD36, CD13, CD14, CD15, CD11b and DR markers was seen in AML. Surface markers may determine type of leikemia. Immunophenotyping of leukemias has enabled us to make a precise diagnostic, determine its prognosis, and select appropriate therapeutic approach.

Hb Yokohama [beta 31 (B13)Leu----Pro] detected as a de novo mutation in a Yugoslavian boy.

Hb Yokohama [beta 31 (B13)Leu----Pro] was observed in a young Yugoslavian boy as a de novo mutation. The child exhibited severe transfusion-dependent hemolytic anemia. The variant was detected and quantitiated at 10.5% by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography. In vitro globin chain synthesis showed a slight imbalance with an alpha/beta ratio of 1.38. Structural characterization of the abnormal beta chain was done by high performance liquid chromatographic analysis, on material obtained by high salt precipitation. The mutation was confirmed by sequencing of the amplified DNA.