The renal and hepatic distribution of Bence Jones proteins depends on glycosylation: a scintigraphic study in rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate renal and liver distribution of two monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains. The chains were purified individually from the urine of patients with multiple myeloma and characterized as lambda light chains with a molecular mass of 28 kDa. They were named BJg (high amount of galactose residues exposed) and BJs (sialic acid residues exposed) on the basis of carbohydrate content. A scintigraphic study was performed on male Wistar rats weighing 250 g for 60 min after i.v. administration of 1 mg of each protein (7.4 MBq), as the intact proteins and also after carbohydrate oxidation. Images were obtained with a Siemens gamma camera with a high-resolution collimator and processed with a MicroDelta system. Hepatic and renal distribution were established and are reported as percent of injected dose. Liver uptake of BJg was significantly higher than liver uptake of BJs (94.3 vs 81.4%) (P < 0.05). This contributed to its greater removal from the intravascular compartment, and consequently lower kidney accumulation of BJg in comparison to BJs (5.7 vs 18.6%) (P < 0.05). After carbohydrate oxidation, there was a decrease in hepatic accumulation of both proteins and consequently a higher renal overload. The tissue distribution of periodate-treated BJg was similar to that of native BJs: 82.7 vs 81.4% in the liver and 17.3 vs 18.6% in the kidneys. These observations indicate the important role of sugar residues of Bence Jones proteins for their recognition by specific membrane receptors, which leads to differential tissue accumulation and possible toxicity.     

Enhancement Effects in the Percutaneous Absorption of Alprazolam Through Human Skin in vitro

The enhancement effects of some chemicals on the percutaneous absorption of alprazolam through human skin was investigated in vitro. Linoleic acid, oleic acid, Comperlan F® (linoleic acid diethanolamide), Comperlan KD® (coconut fatty acid diethanolamide) and Ethomeen C12® (bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)cocamine) were evaluated for their enhancing effect either as neat solvents or combined with propylene glycol. The effects of skin pretreatment with the enhancers on the percutaneous absorption of alprazolam from a drug suspension in an aqueous gel were also investigated: skin pretreatment with some enhancers has shown potentially interesting aspects. The determination of alprazolam partitioning into untreated and pretreated horny layer supported the idea that, with oleic and linoleic acid, a contribution to the modification of the diffusional resistance of the skin was given by an increase of the drug solubility in the stratum coraeum.     

Magnetic resonance features of supravalvular aortic stenosis in William''s syndrome. Report of 2 cases

A wandering spleen and splenic cysts are uncommon conditions in children. A combination of both entities has only rarely been reported in the literature. Another case of this complex pathology in 12-year-old girl is presented. She was initially referred for evaluation of a large abdominal mass. Diagnostic studies raised the suspicion of a hematoma in an abnormally located spleen, but the definitive diagnosis was established at laparotomy. Successful surgical management consisted of total cystectomy and splenopexy.     

New accurate two-noded shear-flexible curved beam elements

 There are two purposes of this work. One is to present two accurate two-noded finite elements which are derived from the potential energy principle and the Hellinger–Reissner functional principle respectively. The second is to show the successful application of the internal displacement parameters in developing a high-order related displacement-rotation interpolation field. Because the derived interpolation field is capable of accurately modeling deformation modes in extreme thin curved beams and nearly straight beams, both shear locking and membrane shocking are avoided. Several standard numerical tests display superior behaviors of the present elements. Received: 5 February 2002 / Accepted: 16 September 2002     

Bioprocess applications of model-based estimation techniques

The last decade has seen the development of a number of approaches for estimating those variables which are difficult to measure on-line in industrial process situations. Whilst a range of techniques is available, a common element is the use of process knowledge in the form of a system model. In the case of bioprocess systems, although a large range of models has been presented in the literature, their use in estimation schemes on an industrial scale has been limited. A number of reasons can be identified for their low level of utilisation. Of particular significance is the uncertainty which exists in quantifying system performance and the process-model mismatch which inevitably results. The level of ‘pre-defined model’ uncertainty, together with the knowledge gained during the course of the fermentation, serves to dictate estimator structure. The paper considers a range of estimation strategies and contrasts, through industrial applications, their performance characteristics and utility.     

分布系统中多米诺效应的分析与消除

分布系统中发生故障后,错误信息在进程间的传播,以及由此引起的系统恢复过程中的多米诺效应是分布系统容错恢复技术所面临的最重要与最困难的问题.目前各种研究工作偏重于具体的系统动态恢复技术.本文的研究重点在于首次揭示多米诺效应本身固有的数量特征及其与分布系统技术参数间的联系,给出多米诺效应动态消除技术,引入系统额外开销的下限,并针对动态技术的缺点,探讨多米诺效应的静态消除技术,为解决困难开辟新途径.     

Seismic Physical Modeling Technology and Its Applications

1. Introduction Seismic physical modeling technology is an important method for the research on seismic exploration theory and methods. In seismic physical experiments, the earth, mantle or field site are scaled down to physical models according to the similarity principle, and then the seismic field and its variation are observed in the laboratory for the research work on the theories and methods of the earth structure, earthquake forecasting, energy and mineral resource exploration, and engi…     

浅析燕云十六州的战略价值

后晋天福三年(938年),"儿皇帝"石敬瑭"履约"向契丹割献燕云十六州.从此,中原王朝丧失了抵御北方游牧民族入侵的天然屏障,北方门户大开.宋代,燕云地区的争夺几乎贯穿了十至十二世纪北宋与辽金战争的整个过程.事实上,后人所指的"燕云十六州"与石敬瑭割辽的十六州在名称、时间和地域上有很大的差别;燕云地区内的险峻的山脉、横贯的河流与长城、五关一起构成了其巨大的军事价值;富庶的经济,众多的人口又构成了该地区巨大的经济价值;从历史上看,燕云十六州的归属于中原王朝和北方游牧民族政权双方而言,战略意义重大.     

The effect of support morphology on the reaction of oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene at short contact times

The oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane is carried out in short contact time reactors over Pt and LaMnO₃ based catalysts supported on a large number of different ceramic substrates (45, 60 and 80 ppi foam monoliths and 200, 400, 600, 900 and 1200 cpsi honeycomb monoliths). Experimental results, obtained under the same conditions at varying the C₂H₆/O₂ ratio, showed that the highest performance in terms of ethylene selectivity and yield is always attained on LaMnO₃ catalysts. Furthermore, the results are significantly influenced by the morphology and cell density of the support, with 45 and 60 ppi foams and 400 and 600 cpsi honeycombs giving the best performance. The experimental results are explained by means of geometrical and fluid dynamic considerations on the support, and by means of a 2D mathematical model, which clearly indicates an optimal intermediate cell density for maximising ethylene selectivity and yield.