Is automatic disinfection between each endoscopy mandatory? Société Royale Belge de Gastro-entérologie

PURPOSE: The effects of chronic chloroquine administration on serum proteins and free amino acids of rabbits and the accompanying ultrastructural changes in the retina were investigated. METHODS: Thirty pigmented rabbits were injected intramuscularly with chloroquine diphosphate (14 mg/Kg bw). Fifteen rabbits served as control. Blood samples drawn after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 12 months were assayed for serum proteins by Bio-analytic kits and horizontal electrophoretic technique. Free amino acids were determined by Beckman analyzer. Central retinal tissue was fixed in 4% glutaraldehyde, embedded in araldite CY212 and sectioned for ultrastructural examination. RESULTS: Histopathologic changes were apparent within three months, initially affecting the pigment epithelium and photoreceptors and later involving the remaining neuroretinal layers. Hypoproteinemia gradually developed mainly due to a sharp drop in albumin and alpha 1 and 2 globulin fractions, inspite of an increase in beta and gamma globulin fractions. The concentration of non-essential amino acids varied considerably from a depletion of taurine, aspartine, glutamine, tryptophan and arginine to an increase of serine, alanine, GABA and ornithine. The most outstanding effect was the disappearance of tyrosine and its return to normal value at the end of the experiment. CONCLUSION: The disturbances in protein pattern and free amino acid levels are an indication of chloroquine toxicity and may be implicated in the retinopathy.     

Genistein-induced changes in lipid metabolism of ovariectomized rats

The effect of the isoflavone, genistein, on the lipid metabolism of ovariectomized rats was studied. Three types of experiments were performed. In the first one, the rats were fed diets supplemented with 0.01 or 0.1% of genistein for 14 days. In the second and third experiments, the direct effect of genistein on the liver and fat tissue were measured respectively by means of liver perfusion or incubation of isolated adipocytes with the isoflavone. Genistein in food significantly decreased blood serum and muscle triglyceride concentrations and increased the level of free fatty acids in serum. Serum free cholesterol was diminished and liver cholesterol was enhanced after genistein ingestion. When genistein acted directly on the liver during perfusion, a smaller incorporation of 14C-glucose into lipids was observed, and in parallel a greater output of free fatty acids into the medium was noticed. These changes were accompanied by diminution of the liver triglyceride contents. Genistein, acting on the adipocytes strongly depressed both basal and insulin-induced lipid synthesis, when glucose was used as a substrate. The effect of the isoflavone alone on the lipolysis in the adipocytes was negligible. However, it intensified lipolysis induced by epinephrine. The results obtained let us conclude that genistein in food can reduce the fattening processes in ovariectomized rats. This effect of genistein may be attributed, at least in part, to its direct influence on lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue.     

Preoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the motor system in patients with tumours in the parietal lobe

Intracranial lesions may compromise structures critical for motor performance, and mapping of the cortex, especially of the motor hand area, is important to reduce postoperative morbidity. We investigated nine patients with parietal lobe tumours and used functional MRI sensitized to changes in blood oxygenation to define the different motor areas, especially the primary sensorimotor cortex, in relation to the localization of the tumour. Activation was determined by pixel-by-pixel correlation of the signal intensity time course with a reference waveform equivalent to the stimulus protocol. All subjects showed significant activation of the primary sensorimotor cortex while performing a finger opposition task with the affected and unaffected side. In five patients the finger opposition task additionally activated the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex and the supplementary motor area (SMA). Extension and flexion of the foot, additionally performed in two patients, also activated the sensorimotor cortex, in one case within the perifocal oedema of the tumour. Tumour localization near the central sulcus induced displacement of the sensorimotor cortex as compared to the unaffected side in all patients with a relevant mass effect. The results of our study demonstrate that functional MRI at 1.5 T with a clinically used tomograph can reproducibly localize critical brain regions in patients with intracranial lesions.     

Schrifttumsberichte

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Schrifttumsberichte

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

The role of MCM-41 composition in the creation of basicity by alkali metal impregnation

Three types of mesoporous molecular sieves (silicate MCM-41, niobosilicate NbMCM-41, and aluminosilicate AlMCM-41) were impregnated with alkali metal acetates. The textural stability of the samples was estimated on the basis of XRD measurements and nitrogen adsorption/desorption methods. The acidic–basic properties of the obtained materials were tested in the cyclization of acetonylacetone and studied by FTIR spectroscopy after adsorption of methylacetylene (propyne) and pyridine. Two types of chemical reactions between mesoporous matrix and alkali metal salt/oxide were observed: the reaction between alkali metal salt and silica/silicate and the reaction between basic oxide and silanol groups or Na⁺ cations. In the first one the alkali metal silicate formation decreases from Li to Cs species and leads to the destruction of the material. The second reaction places alkali metal cations in extra framework positions, which increases from Li to Cs species and is only observed in the case of AlMCM-41 and NbMCM-41 materials. As a result of the second reaction Lewis acidity is generated. The average effect of these two interactions leads to the volcanic curve for basicity of M/AlMCM-41 and M/NbMCM-41 with the maximum for K-samples. In contrast, basicity of M/MCM-41 systematically increases from Li to Cs form since the second type of interaction does not occur for these samples.     

Pulmonary plasmacytoma. Apropos of a case. Review of the literature]

Thirty-six infants born at term who developed hyperbilirubinemia were assessed for developmental status at 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months of age according to a mental and psychomotor scale for 0-4 year old. The development quotient (DQ) of infants with hyperbilirubinemia were lower than controls, and the reduction was significant at 2 months of age (P = 0.03). When single component of DQ was compared, it was shown that the DQ score for social behavior was significantly lower in patients at 2 months of age than in control (P = 0.007), and except for motor, other four single DQ scores were lower in patients than in control and the reduction was significant in the DQ scores for adaptability and social behavior (P = 0.05, 0.032, respectively). Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between DQ and serum peak bilirubin value or duration of hyperbilirubinemia. The results indicate that hyperbilirubinemia may have a long term impact on mental development of infants. It is necessary to monitor all infants with hyperbilirubinemia, including full term infants with no severe complication.     

Object exploration and reactions to spatial and nonspatial changes in hooded rats following damage to parietal cortex or hippocampal formation.

Hooded rats with bilateral lesions of the anterior part of the hippocampal formation (HIP), anterior region of the posterior parietal cortex (APC), or posterior region of the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) were compared with controls for their exploration of 5 objects in an open field, habituation of locomotion and object investigation, and response to spatial and nonspatial change. First, all groups displayed habituation of both locomotor and exploratory activity. Second, controls selectively reexplored displaced objects, and APC-lesioned rats reexplored all objects, whereas PPC- and HIP-lesioned rats failed to react to the spatial change. Third, a novel object induced reexploration in all groups. Results are consistent with the roles of the HIP and PPC in spatial information processing. Moreover, the APC and PPC are involved in attentional effortful processing and visuospatial information processing necessary for spatial representation, respectively. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bacterial diagnosis of tuberculosis using the PCR technique

At the beginning of 80-ties new system BACTEC for mycobacteria culture has been introduced. So time of this culture has been shortened to 1-3 weeks. At the end 80-ties Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique was started and at present it is used in many laboratories in order to get information about genetic material of mycobacteria in different biological samples. Most often insertive factor IS 6110, located in chromosome Myc. tub. complex, is used. DNA amplification occurs in three stages: 1) DNA denaturation. 2) addition of starters (primers): 3) elongation of starter with d NTP synthesis. PCR technique identifies genetic material (DNA) of mycobacterium which is presented in a given biological sample. Positive PCR result not necessarily means that active disease takes place.