Structure and regulation of the murine Clara cell secretory protein gene

The sheep haemophilia A, recently described in a flock of White Alpine sheep, is probably caused by the production of a less potent mutant of factor VIII (F-VIII). Other potential mechanisms, such as drastic reduction (or lack) of F-VIII production, or occurrence of an F-VIII inhibitor, are less likely. This conclusion was based on the analysis of plasma dilution-clotting effect relationships in normal female (anestrous, non-pregnant) sheep, female carriers of haemophilia A, and afflicted male sheep. A response model underlying the analysis was suggested, its validity tested, and a mathematical analysis suitable for routine evaluation procedure recommended.     

（Ce—TZP）—Al2O3陶瓷力学性能及其增韧机理的研究

本文研究了不同Al2O_3含量对(Ce-TZP)-Al_2O_3陶瓷强度、硬度及断裂韧性的影响。结果表明:Al_2O_3含量在10—20wt%时,具有明显的增强效果,较大幅度地提高了硬度及强度,并保留较高的韧性。借助于磨损试验和X射线衍射分析,研究了Ce-TZP材料的增韧机理。结果表明:材料的磨损抗力与磨损面上单斜相增量呈一致增加的关系。可以认为,该材料的增韧以相变增韧为主要机制。     

Report of the Second Equine Leucocyte Antigen Workshop, Squaw valley, California, July 1995

The final assignment of antibody clusters for leucocyte antigens and immunoglobulins, as described in detail in Sections 3 and 4, is summarized in Table 4. Together with other mAbs developed outside of ELAW II (Table 9) this pool of reagents represent a powerful array of tools for the study of equine immunity. The Second Equine Leucocyte Antigen Workshop made considerable advances in pursuing the objectives of establishing the specificities of mAbs and achieving consensus on the nomenclature for equine leucocyte and immunoglobulin molecules. Of equal importance, several productive collaborations were fostered among the participating laboratories and observers. Overall, enormous advances have been made in the past decade since mAbs specific for equine leucocyte antigens and immunoglobulins were first reported. There remains enormous scope and need for further studies of equine leucocyte antigens and immunoglobulins, both for the purposes of comparative immunology and for the good of the horse. In the future novel techniques will be required to develop reagents for specific target antigens such as the orthologues of the CD25 or CD45 isoforms. In studies of equine immunoglobulins the functional role of the IgG isotypes must be better established, reagents for IgE must be developed, and cloning of the immunoglobulin heavy chain genes will be essential if the complexities of the IgG sub-isotypes are to be elucidated. The tasks still facing the currently small group of equine immunologists throughout the world remain formidable, and will only be tackled successfully in a spirit of collaboration.     

Thrombin stimulates expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells

The effect of thrombin on the fibrinolytic potential of human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in culture was studied. SMC of different origin responded to thrombin treatment with a dose and time dependent increase in tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) levels in both cell lysates and conditioned media with maximum effects achieved at 10-20 IU/ml thrombin. PAI-1 antigen levels also increased in the extracellular matrix of thrombin treated SMC. PAI-2 levels in cell lysates of such SMC were not affected by thrombin. The effect was restricted to active thrombin, since DFP-thrombin and thrombin treated with hirudin showed no increasing effect on t-PA and PAI-1 levels in SMC. Enzymatically active thrombin also caused a four-fold increase in specific PAI-1 mRNA and a three-fold increase in t-PA mRNA. Furthermore we demonstrated the presence of high and low affinity binding sites for thrombin on the surface of SMC with a KD = 4.3 x 10(-10)M and 9.0 x 10(4) sites per cell and a KD = 0.6 x 10(-8) M and 5.8 x 10(5) sites per cell respectively. Thrombin could come in contact with SMC in case of vascular injury or following gap formation between endothelial cells. Our data support the idea that besides its known proliferative effect for SMC, thrombin could also modulate their fibrinolytic system.     

Omental plug closure of large duodenal defects--an experimental study

An explosive epidemic of Q-fever that occurred at Jedl'ové Kostol'any (Nitra District) in April 1993, had an unusual mode of transmission, unprecedented in Slovakia. The submitted case-reports can be very instructive for both health workers and the lay public. The bulk of infection was spread in the local pub through contaminated garments of animal attendants assisting abortions and births of goats in a large capacity breeding centre of Gemersan Co. By their repeated visits to the local pub the infection most probably spread to other guests by aerosol. A total of 113 persons (103 males, 10 females) contracted Q-fever. Out of them 95 were infected by contact with the goat attendants (84%), and 18 were occupational diseases after direct contact with the infected goats. The human epidemic of Q-fever facilitated to trace an ongoing epizootic of coxiellosis in the herd of goats of Gemersan breed. In order to stop further spread of infection among humans and to contain the outbreak of coxiellosis among animals extensive epidemic and epizootic measures were taken.     

The effects of thiamin on lead metabolism: organ distribution of lead 203

The effect of thiamin on the organ distribution of lead was evaluated in CD-1 mice exposed intragastrically or intraperitoneally to a single dose of lead acetate (100 micrograms) containing 100 microCi lead 203. They were treated with either thiamin (25 or 50 mg/kg body weight), calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CaEDTA) (50 mg/kg body weight), or combinations of thiamin and CaEDTA. The whole body retention and the organ distribution of lead 203 varied depending upon the route of lead administration, dose of thiamin and the specific treatment combination. Thiamin (25 or 50 mg/kg) treatment increased the whole body retention of both intragastric and intraperitoneal lead by approximately 10% in each instance. Calcium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, either alone or in combination with thiamin (50 mg/kg) reduced the whole body retention of lead by as much as 14% regardless of route of lead exposure. The relative retention of lead by the liver, kidney and spleen was greater in mice exposed to lead by the intragastric route. Regardless of route, CaEDTA in the combined treatment reduced the relative retention of lead in both the liver and kidney, whereas thiamin alone only reduced the retention of lead in the kidney. The results of this study indicate that thiamin in combination with CaEDTA alters the distribution and retention of lead in a manner which may have therapeutic application as it relates to chelation therapy.     

Treatment Investigational New Drug experience with Survanta (beractant)

From September 1989 through July 1991, before commercial availability, Survanta (beractant intratracheal suspension), a modified bovine-derived surfactant used for prevention and treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, was made available to 231 neonatal intensive care units in the United States and Canada under a Treatment Investigational New Drug protocol. Results of this open clinical experience are reported. Investigators could give one dose of Survanta soon after birth to neonates weighing 600 to 1250 g (prevention strategy). Neonates weighing 600 to 1750 g who were not treated at birth could begin Survanta therapy if respiratory distress syndrome developed within 8 hours of birth (rescue strategy). All neonates could receive up to three more doses over the first 48 hours of life at minimum intervals of 6 hours if they met retreatment criteria. Qualifications for enrollment closely matched those used in previous randomized controlled clinical trials. This report includes results from 8168 neonates who completed the study. Treatment Investigational New Drug rates for intracranial hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonary hemorrhage, pulmonary air leaks, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, death or bronchopulmonary dysplasia, pulmonary interstitial emphysema, pretreatment sepsis, and posttreatment sepsis were less than for treated neonates in the controlled trials and survival was equivalent across studies. Problems with treatment administration were reported with 30.4% of doses, while adverse events were reported in 0.5% of neonates. The results of the Treatment Investigational New Drug protocol revealed no new safety concerns associated with the widespread use of Survanta and confirmed the safety profile established in earlier controlled trials.     

Repair of chronic distal biceps brachii tendon rupture using free autogenous semitendinosus tendon

Distal biceps brachii tendon ruptures occur much less frequently than do their proximal counterparts. Distal tendon ruptures usually are associated with considerable function deficits and may require surgical treatment. Repair of chronic distal biceps brachii ruptures are extremely unusual. A free autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft was used to reconstruct the distal biceps tendon by reattaching the graft to the radial tuberosity via a 2-incision technique in a patient with symptoms and a chronic injury.