Expression of lymphocyte subpopulations, cytokine serum levels and blood and urine trace elements in nickel sensitised women

In this study, 20 non-allergic and 20 non-atopic women sensitised only to nickel (Ni) showed similar levels of urine and serum Ni and serum chromium (Cr). On the contrary, serum copper, a marker of inflammation, was significantly higher in the Ni-sensitised group. Sensitised women also had higher values of blood B CD19+, CD5--CD19+ and B and natural killer CD3--CD25+ lymphocytes, but not alterations of some other lymphocyte subsets and serum cytokines. Urine Ni was correlated with "memory" CD4+-CD45RO+ lymphocytes in the non-allergic women and with T CD4+-CD45RO+ and CD3+-CD25+ cells in the atopic women; these subjects also showed a statistically significant correlation of serum Ni with B CD5+-CD19+ lymphocytes and serum IL-13. Moreover, serum Cr of both groups of women was positively or negatively correlated with activated HLA-DR+ cells and/or serum IL-5 and interferon gamma. These results (confirming in part those of a previous study on non-allergic men) suggest that both Ni and Cr are involved in mechanisms regulating the immune response and that allergy to these metals could be considered an alteration of their physiological role.     

Purpose and guidelines for toxicokinetic studies within the National Toxicology Program

Urogenital mycoplasmal infections could affect use of primates as models for reproductive system studies and could affect reproduction in captive primates, but could be useful as animal models of similar human infections. We conducted a pilot study to assess detection of urogenital mycoplasmal infections in primates by use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Healthy animals were anesthetized, and vaginal, cervical, or endometrial and urethral swab specimens were collected from females and males, respectively. Specimens were tested by PCR supplemented with dot blotting and nonradiolabeled oligonucleotide probing for 16S rRNA sequences conserved among mollicutes. Specimens with positive results were tested by species-specific PCRs with primers for 16S rRNA sequences of Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis and for adhesin gene sequences of Mycoplasma genitalium. Spiked duplicate reactions were included as internal controls for each reaction. Results for 232 specimens from 166 animals indicate that naturally acquired urogenital infections are readily detected and suggest that urogenital mycoplasmal infections are common in laboratory primates (48/166 [29%] overall). M. hominis and U. urealyticum appeared to be common among the studied primates overall and especially in chimpanzees. Mycoplasmas other than M. genitalium, M. hominis, and U. urealyticum appeared to be at least as common as these three, with specimens from 18 of 48 animals (38%) having positive "generic" PCR results, but no positive results in species-specific PCRs.     

Adsorptive stripping voltammetry of nicardipine at a HMDE; determination of trace levels nicardipine in blood and urine

The redox behaviour of nicardipine, a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, has been studied in different media on mercury, glassy carbon, gold and platinum electrodes using various voltammetric techniques. A highly sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for the determination of nicardipine based on adsorption of the drug onto mercury, followed by differential pulse voltammetric determination of the surface species, is described. All factors (pH, supporting electrolyte, accumulation potential and time, etc.) influencing adsorption as well as voltammetric response are discussed. The application of adsorptive stripping voltammetry at the hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE) to the determination of trace levels of nicardipine in human urine and blood is illustrated, without an extraction procedure being necessary prior to the voltammetric measurement. A limit of detection of 4.8 ng per ml urine and 34 ng per ml blood is found with a mean recovery of nicardipine in urine and blood of 97%. The mean relative error does not exceed 6.5%.     

Physicians'' patterns of using a computerized collection of guidelines for primary care

Conserved amino acid motifs are found in numerous expressed genes. Proteins and peptides with functional relationships may be identified using probes designed to hybridize with these motifs. An oligonucleotide probe was prepared to match the sequence of the expected active region of a frog corticotropin-releasing factor-like peptide sauvagine and used to screen a sheep brain cDNA library. A novel 1331-bp cDNA encoding a putative 328-residue protein with a theoretical mass of 36 kDa was identified. The presence of a strong signal sequence indicates that it is a secreted protein. The amino- and carboxy-terminal regions are characterized by several potential phosphorylation sites and binding motifs, suggesting a role in intracellular signal transduction. Although the protein possesses a 7-residue sequence identical to that found in sauvagine, its overall primary structure most closely resembles those of the alpha-carbonic anhydrases (alpha-CAs). Moreover, the detection of the human and mouse orthologues in the EST databases, together with an evolutionary analysis, indicates that the protein represents a new member of the alpha-CA gene family, which we designate carbonic anhydrase-related protein XI (CA-RP XI), encoded by CA11 (human) and Car11 (mouse, rat). The human CA11 gene appears to be located between the secretor type alpha(1,2)-fucosyltransferase gene cluster (FUT1-FUT2-FUT2P) and the D-site binding protein gene (DBP) on chromosome 19q13.3. Despite potentially inactivating changes in the active-site residues, CA-RP XI is evolving very slowly in mammals, a property indicative of an important function, which has also been observed in the two other "acatalytic" CA isoforms, CA-RP VIII and CA-RP X, whose functions are unknown.     

Physical parameters in the use of MRI tomography. Limitation due to physiologic reactions and guidelines. Radiation Protection Commission

PURPOSE: The standards and regulations concerning the protection of patients and operator staff within the context of MRI are compiled. Resulting consequences regarding physical parameters are evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The static magnetic field, heating effects caused by RF-fields and acoustical noise are outlined. The actual boundaries of these parameters are compared against the relevant published standards. Peripheral stimulation limits due to pulsed gradient fields have been determined in a new clinical study. RESULTS: Many parameters recommended for the normal operating mode are already exceeded during routine MRI. Referring to our clinical study, we found that limits recommended in the MRI relevant standards are unnecessarily conservative and can actually be doubled. CONCLUSIONS: The applicable national and international standards and regulations show (at least partly) that serious differences in the definition of terms and values exist. The application of these standards would be much easier if they were made uniform. The values defined in the MR-specific standards should be adapted to actual knowledge concerning patients' safety.     

关于高炉有害微量元素的控制

随着近些年国内钢铁企业产能的迅速扩大,铁水生产与含铁原料供应增长缓慢的矛盾日趋激化,高炉用料的品质出现了下滑趋势,特别是一些中小企业表现更为突出.为了实现高炉生产的稳定、安全、长寿,邢钢开展了有害微量元素控制的研究.高炉生产实现了安全高效,有害元素实现了有效控制.     

预焙阳极中微量元素的控制与生产实践

本文分析预焙阳极中微量元素的控制和生产实践,阐明预焙阳极中微量元素的来源和主要影响,并对微量元素的控制方法进行总结,用以提高预焙阳极生产质量,供相关人员借鉴参考。     

A randomized controlled trial of two methods for collection of sterile urine in neonates

The cause of laryngeal and pharyngeal carcinomas is likely multifactorial. Smoking is an important factor, but mucosal damage from gastroesophageal reflux may also contribute. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gastroesophageal reflux is more common in patients with laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinomas than in those without these malignancies. Over an 8-year period, we correlated the results of clinical and radiographic examinations of the pharynx and esophagus to pH monitoring results in 798 patients with a variety of upper aerodigestive tract symptoms and who underwent both pH monitoring and barium esophagography. In this group, 63 patients (52 men, 11 women) had laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinomas, and 735 patients (319 men, 416 women) had neither malignancy. Abnormal pH findings were defined as a total percentage of esophageal acid exposure time of 6% or more as determined with the esophageal probe, or any reflux event detected with the pharyngeal probe. Thirty-four of 63 patients with carcinomas (54%) had abnormal pH-monitoring results: Esophageal acid exposure was abnormal in 10 patients, pharyngeal acid exposure was abnormal in 7 patients, and acid exposure was abnormal in both areas in 17 patients. Of the 735 patients without malignancies, 365 (50%) had abnormal pH-monitoring results (p > 0.05). In this population of patients, abnormal results of pH monitoring were common, occurring in 399 (50%) of 798 patients, but no significant difference was found between results in those with and without laryngeal or pharyngeal carcinomas. Therefore, our study found that gastroesophageal reflux as shown by pH monitoring was not more common in patients with these malignancies.     

Determination of trace levels of niguldipine in urine and blood by adsorptive stripping voltammetry at the hanging mercury drop electrode

Smyth line (SL) chickens spontaneously develop a posthatch autoimmune loss of pigment cells (vitiligo) in the feather. Concurrent with the development of Smyth line vitiligo (SLV), mononuclear cell infiltration and altered T cell profiles can be observed in the pulp of developing feathers. To determine whether the development of SLV is preceded by or associated with alterations in blood lymphocyte and leukocyte populations, blood leukocyte profiles were established at various times prior to and throughout the spontaneous development of SLV. The proportions among various blood leukocyte populations (percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, and basophils) were determined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometric analyses. Lymphocyte markers included fluorescence-conjugated monoclonal antibodies to identify T cells (CD3), T helper cells (CD4), cytotoxic T cells (CD8), and B cells (IgM). The proportions among blood lymphocyte populations examined did not differ between SL and MCH-matched parental Brown line (BL) control chickens prior to and throughout the development of SLV. Compared to BL controls, SL chickens had, however, increased proportions of inflammatory leukocytes in the blood, particularly at the time when most hatchmates developed SLV. Examination of leukocyte alterations with respect to first observation of SLV revealed that inflammatory leukocyte levels were elevated early in SLV. Although altered leukocyte profiles in the blood were observed during the development of SLV, blood from SL chickens did not reflect alterations in lymphocyte populations known to occur at the site of melanocyte destruction. The role of inflammatory blood leukocytes in the development of SLV needs to be further investigated.     

贵金属饰品中痕量有害元素的分析

近年来,贵金属饰品中存在的有害元素引起了国内外各检测机构的高度关注。这些有害元素不仅对消费者的身体健康产生了极大的危害,对首饰制造行业的生产、销售和贸易也产生了巨大的影响,因此对贵金属饰品中有害元素的含量进行限定是十分必要的。文中对国内外饰品中有害元素的行业标准进行了介绍,并对有害元素分析常用的样品分解方法、分离富集方法以及仪器检测技术进行了总结和评述,同时还对该研究领域的未来发展趋势进行了展望。     

ICP-MS测定铜锌合金中痕量元素

研究了应用电感耦合等离子体质谱法 (ICP MS)测定铜锌合金中Mg ,Al,Ti,Cr ,Mn ,Ni,Cd ,In ,Sn ,Sb ,Tl,Pb ,Bi共13种痕量元素的分析方法。考察铜锌合金中 2 0余种痕量元素的质谱干扰情况及可能的消除方法。通过合适的仪器参数的设置和干扰的校正 ,对个别存在干扰的元素进行了分析 ;研究了非谱干扰对测定痕量元素的影响和内标校正的作用。仅用样品混合酸溶解 ,未进行基体分离或其他样品前处理。实验结果表明 ,对不同质量范围的待测元素以Sc ,La和Re多内标校正信号漂移及     

In vivo study of trace elements in leprous skin

The skin of leprous patients at various stages of the disease was investigated by diagnostic x-ray spectrometry, In the active stage raised iron and slightly raised zinc levels were found. The usefulness of the method in skin investigation is foreseen.     

Methylephedrine concentrations in blood and urine specimens

Methylephedrine is a sympathomimetic amine that appears in many over-the-counter cough and cold medications throughout the world. The abuse of methylephedrine-containing medications has been reported in Japan. Although methylephedrine is not available in the United States, it was identified in 15 cases received by the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, Division of Forensic Toxicology, Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology over a two-year period; 12 of the 15 cases were collected from patients or decedents located within the confines of the continental United States. Methylephedrine was identified in each case by gas chromatography-nitrogen-phosphorus detection following an alkaline extraction and subsequently confirmed using full scan electron impact mass spectrometry. Quantitation of underivatized methylephedrine was performed using the same technique. Blood methylephedrine concentrations ranged from less than 0.05 to 0.28 mg/L (n = 14), and the mean methylephedrine concentration in urine was 1.6 mg/L (range, 0.15-6.8, n = 11 [excluding case 6]). A literature search revealed little information pertaining to the interpretation of methylephedrine concentrations in the blood. Six of the 15 cases presented here were positive for methylephedrine in the blood. Three of these cases were postmortem cases, and the other three cases were nonfatal aircraft mishaps. There is no evidence in any of these cases that methylephedrine was present at toxic concentrations; therefore, it appears from the cases reviewed in this study that blood methylephedrine concentrations less than 0.3 mg/L are not associated with significant toxicity.     

Utility of urine and blood cultures in pyelonephritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine how often the results of urine and blood cultures led to changes in antibiotic therapy for patients discharged from the hospital with the diagnosis of pyelonephritis. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutively admitted patients, 10-90 years old, with an ICD-9 discharge diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis. All patients were admitted to a university-based, tertiary care center and a large HMO medical center from 1993 to 1994. The association of urine and blood culture results with a change in antibiotic therapy was assessed. RESULTS: Of the 194 patients who met inclusion criteria, 189 (97%) had urine cultures obtained at the time of admission and 139 (71%) had blood cultures obtained. Ampicillin, gentamicin, or both were given as initial antibiotics 81% of the time, and isolated organisms from urine or blood were sensitive to the empiric antibiotics 95% of the time. Most (171/189; 90%) urine cultures were positive, but only 9 (5%) of these led to a change in antibiotic therapy. 80% of the urinary pathogens were Escherichia coli, 5% Enterococcus, 5% Proteus, and 4% Klebsiella. Only 40 (29%) of the 139 blood cultures were positive; none prompted a change in antibiotics. There were no cases in which blood and urine cultures grew different pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Urine cultures are useful in directing antibiotic therapy in patients with the discharge diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis and support a change in therapy in 5% of cases. Among the patients in this study, blood cultures results did not lead to changes in antibiotic therapy. These findings warrant prospective, multicenter evaluation.     

X射线荧光光谱法测定纯铜中微量杂质元素

对X射线荧光光谱法测定纯铜中微量杂质元素的实验条件,背景和光谱重叠干扰及校正进行研究。通过以纯铜标准样品绘制校准曲线,采用专用空白试样测量背景强度,多项式(多点)拟合计算峰底背景,专用的标准样品计算与分析线的重叠干扰量并加以校正,理论α系数法或基本参数法校正样品中元素间的吸收-增强效应,选择高反射率的人工晶体PX-10测定部分重金属痕量元素,成功地用X射线荧光光谱法测定纯铜中微量杂质元素。样品的分析结果与推荐值或火花源原子发射光谱的测定值符合,回收率在95%～102%范围,各元素的相对标准偏差(RSD)均小于5.0%。