Anti-inflammatory action of dapsone: inhibition of neutrophil adherence is associated with inhibition of chemoattractant-induced signal transduction

Dapsone has clinical utility as an anti-inflammatory agent but the mechanism of this action remains unknown. We have previously reported that dapsone inhibits beta2 integrin (CD11b/CD18)-mediated adherence of human neutrophils in vitro and now describe studies designed to discover how dapsone-mediated inhibition of this neutrophil function occurs. Results indicate that dapsone interferes with the activation or function of the G-protein (Gi type) that initiates the signal transduction cascade common to chemotactic stimuli. They also show that dapsone-mediated suppression of this pathway inhibits the generation of second messengers essential to the activation of beta2 integrin molecules, as well as respiratory and secretory functions of neutrophils exposed to chemoattractants. We propose that the inhibition of chemoattractant-induced signal transduction by dapsone suppresses neutrophil recruitment and local production of toxic respiratory and secretory products in the affected skin of dermatitis herpetiformis and other neutrophilic dermatoses.     

Pathogenetic aspects of the L-arginine-NO metabolic pathway in arteriosclerosis and possible therapeutic aspects

A yearly pattern in the occurrence of uterine cervical cancer (UCC), obtained from cytological examinations reported as type V (cases concluding a malignant alteration), has been previously shown for data obtained in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area (state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico) for a span of 10 years (1978-1987), with a peak of relative incidence in the month of February being high stable for consecutive years. With the aim of extending and validating those results, we analyzed the monthly totals of positive detected cases of UCC in the states of Nuevo Leon, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas (covering most of Northern Mexico) during the same period. To eliminate bias due to the seasonal variation in the number of screening smears, data were first expressed in relation to the number of cytological examinations done the same month. The least-squares fit of a 1-year cosine curve to the data of relative incidence in the four states reveals a statistically significant yearly pattern (p = .008), with a maximum of relative incidence in February almost double that during the rest of the year. Results indicate that the relative incidence of UCC is higher than the yearly average during the winter, with secondary peaks in May and October. In view of the nonsinusoidal waveform in the incidence of UCC, we undertook a multiple-component analysis, allowing several cosine functions to be simultaneously fitted to the data. Results indicate that the yearly pattern in the relative incidence of UCC can be represented by a model that includes two components with periods of 12 and 4 months (p = .004). The same model can be documented as statistically significant independently for each of the four states. These results, summarizing over 2200 positive cases of UCC detected in more than 1,100,000 screening smears, are in full agreement with those found previously for part of the state of Nuevo Leon and reveal a highly stable and predictable yearly pattern of variation in the relative incidence of UCC in Northern Mexico.     

建立数据库用微机进行钻井液设计

为了更好地指导现场钻井液施工,利用微机建立有关数据库和相应的设计软件,根据地质、工程的要求和井下情况进行钻井液设计,其特点是资料全面、程序运行可靠且操作简便,设计符合现场情况,施工顺利。在千12区块,用微机设计的109口井与人工设计的75口井相比,钻井速度提高,井下复杂情况减少,提高了经济效益。     

数字测图,数字制图及勘测设计一体化

简述引用瑞得软件建立数字化成图系统，以进一步实现测量与工程设计一体化，使得繁琐的作业过程变为简单，缩短作业时间，不断提高生产作业效率。     

Evaluation of serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity as a predictor of passive transfer status in crias

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity and serum IgG concentration in neonatal crias. DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: 21 llama and 4 alpaca crias from 0 to 5 days old. PROCEDURE: Serum GGT activity was measured, using a commercially available kit. Serum IgG concentration was determined by use of radial immunodiffusion. With a serum IgG concentration of 1,000 mg/dl (considered adequate passive transfer), specificity and sensitivity of serum GGT activity in the detection of failure of passive transfer were determined. Regression models were developed to determine the relationship between serum GGT activity and serum IgG concentration. RESULTS: Sensitivity ranged from 0.56 to 0.89, and specificity ranged from 0.88 to 0.31, depending on the value of serum GGT activity chosen as a threshold. Proportion of crias correctly classified ranged from 0.76 to 0.52. Regression models failed to demonstrate a significant relationship between serum GGT activity and serum IgG concentration. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Passive transfer status in crias cannot be accurately predicted on the basis of serum GGT activity.     

Becker muscular dystrophy with bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia

This report describes a case of Becker muscular dystrophy presenting with recurrent symptomatic wide complex tachycardia. Electrophysiologic testing demonstrated the mechanism to be bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia. It is important to consider this potential mechanism in patients with ventricular arrhythmias who have this particular clinical entity, since radiofrequency catheter ablation can represent a curative treatment.     

Amifostine (WR-2721) shortens the engraftment period of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide-purged bone marrow in breast cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow support

4-Hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4-HC), a commonly used marrow-purging agent, is active against many tumors, but is also toxic to normal marrow progenitors. Amifostine (WR-2721) is a sulfhydryl compound with chemoprotectant activity. Preclinical studies using suspensions of bone marrow and breast cancer cells demonstrated that ex vivo treatment with amifostine followed by 4-HC resulted in protection of marrow progenitors, with no compromise in the antitumor effect of 4-HC. This fact stimulated the development of a clinical trial. Bone marrow was harvested from 15 poor-prognosis breast cancer patients and randomly assigned to ex vivo treatment with amifostine followed by 4-HC (amifostine + 4-HC), or treatment with 4-HC alone. High-dose chemotherapy was then administered followed by infusion of the purged autologous bone marrow support (ABMS). Leukocyte engraftment, defined as a white blood cell count > or = 1 x 10(9)/L, was achieved in an average of 26 days for patients whose marrow was purged with amifostine + 4-HC versus 36 days for patients whose marrow was purged with 4-HC alone (P = .032). The average number of platelet transfusions (12 v 29; P = .017) and days of antibiotic therapy (28 v 40; P = .012) were significantly less for patients whose marrow was exposed to amifostine + 4-HC, compared with 4-HC alone. Unpurged backup marrow fractions were infused into three patients whose marrow was purged with 4-HC alone, because of inadequate marrow recovery. None of the patients who received amifostine + 4-HC-purged marrow required a backup marrow fraction. Complete remissions were achieved in 83% of patients with measurable disease, with no difference between the two cohorts. Forty-three percent of patients remained alive and progression-free at a mean of 13 months posttransplant. There was no significant difference in the rate or pattern of relapse for patients whose marrow was purged with amifostine + 4-HC compared with those whose marrow was purged with 4-HC alone. Ex vivo treatment of marrow with amifostine significantly shortens the time to marrow recovery, thereby reducing the risk of myelosuppressive complications in breast cancer patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy and 4-HC-purged ABMS. Since supportive care requirements are also significantly decreased, amifostine may reduce the cost of such therapy.     

光催化氧化后四环素的分解率与COD去除率之间关系的探讨

以粉状无机半导体（ＺｎＯ）为催化剂，探讨了水溶液中四环素经光催化氧化分解率和ＣＯＤ去除率之间的关系。实验表明，在本实验中四环素的分解率和ＣＯＤ去除率之间有较好的正相关性。当反庆系统中有足量的活性催化剂和足够的光照时间时，绝大部分四环素将被较彻底地氧化分解成ＣＯ２，这不仅有助于光催化反应机理的研究，助于今后在环保中的实际应用。     

Absorbability of Calcium From Common Beans

Absorption of calcium from white, red, and pinto beans, labeled with ⁴⁵Ca, was measured in 24 women in a three-way randomized design using a calcium load of 72 mg and milk as the referent. Fractional absorption for the three beans averaged 0.219 ± 0.047 and did not differ by type. Milk calcium absorption at the same load was more than two times higher, 0.451 ± 0.088 (P < 0.001). Oxalate content averaged 0.34%, and phytate averaged 1.7%, a stoichiometric excess relative to calcium. To evaluate the relation of phytate to reduced absorbability, labeled pinto beans were pre-treated with phytase and fed to 10 subjects. Fractional absorption rose, averaging 0.318 ± 0.071, (P <0.01 vs. untreated beans), but was significantly below that of milk. The difference was partly accounted for by phytate, with the remainder probably due to relatively high oxalate.