Diamorphine-bupivacaine mixture compared with plain bupivacaine for analgesia

We have studied the efficacy of two extradural infusions (10 ml h-1) in 50 patients in active labour. Patients in the diamorphine group (n = 25) received 0.0625% plain bupivacaine 6.25 mg h-1 mixed with 0.005% diamorphine 0.5 mg h-1 and those in the control group (n = 25) received 0.125% plain bupivacaine 12.5 mg h-1. Both groups received intermittent "top-ups" of 0.25% bupivacaine 10 ml when indicated. Although median pain scores during the infusion were similar in both groups, patients in the diamorphine group indicated greater satisfaction with the infusion (88% very satisfied, compared with 52% in the control group (P < 0.02)). There were no differences in the incidence of hypotension, instrumental vaginal delivery, number of "top-ups", duration of the second stage or extent of motor block. However, patients in the diamorphine group had a high incidence of pruritus (44%, compared with 0% in the control group (P < 0.01)).     

Lichtenstein herniotomy

All standard methods of hernia repair involve suturing together tissues which are not normally in apposition. This violates the basic surgical principle that tissue must never be approximated under tension and accounts for an unacceptable number of failures. Total reinforcement of the inguinal floor with a sheet of suitable biomaterial and employment of a "tension-free" technique is a more effective approach. Since June 1984, 3250 primary inguinal hernias have been repaired at the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute by the open tension-free technique using Marlex mesh. All operations were performed under local anesthesia. Patients were discharged from the hospital within two or four hours after the operation. The patients were followed from one to 8 years by physician examination. The follow-up rate was 87%. There were four recurrences. The causes of recurrence and how to avoid them are discussed.     

Lysosomal enzyme and inhibitor levels in the human trabecular meshwork

PURPOSE: To examine in the human trabecular meshwork lysosomal enzymes and one inhibitor of serine proteases that actively participate in the degradation of macromolecules into low molecular weight constituents. METHODS: Using an avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique, lysosomal proteases and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor were examined in the trabecular meshwork of 23 human eyes with donor ages ranging from 2 to 90 years. These eyes were categorized into three age groups (< or = 20, 21 to 49, and > or = 50 years). Histochemical staining for lysosomal hydrolases was also performed on frozen sections of 20 human eyes. The staining was analyzed by an image analyzer and the levels of lysosomal proteases were further measured by biochemical assays. RESULTS: The trabecular meshwork from all the eyes stained intensely against antibodies to cathepsins B and G and alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor. The staining for elastase was weaker but evident. Image analyses revealed that the staining intensity for each protease or inhibitor was similar in all age groups. The staining in the uveal meshwork appeared to be the strongest among all the trabecular meshwork regions. Biochemical assays of tissue extracts confirmed that the enzyme and inhibitor levels were comparable among the three donor age groups. Activities of two lysosomal hydrolases, acid phosphatase and acid esterase, were also found in trabecular meshwork cells of 20 eyes. No apparent difference in enzyme activities was found with increasing age, and variation related to region was not observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the age-independent distribution of a variety of lysosomal enzymes and a protease inhibitor in the human trabecular meshwork. The presence of these proteins suggests a possible role in the metabolic operation of the trabecular meshwork.     

Comparison of antioxidant activities and bioactive compounds between Bokbunja (Rubus coreanus Miq.) and other berries

The physicochemical properties and antioxidant properties of bokbunja, a Korean black raspberry, were clarified and compared with blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry. The amount of soluble solids was significantly (p<0.05) lower in bokbunja than in other berries, whereas the pH of bokbunja was significantly (p<0.05) higher. Analysis of the total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin contents found that bokbunja had the highest, while the others were ranked in the order of raspberry>blueberry>cranberry>strawberry. The content of ellagic acid (147.3 mg/100 g of FW) also was highest in bokbunja. The antioxidant activities of bokbunja, assessed based on DPPH, ABTS, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, were higher than for other berries. Bokbunja is a healthier antioxidant source than other berries.     

电子束表面工程的技术发展水平（下）

四、第一代表面工程方法 １．固态淬火（硬化） 加热的各项工艺参数、材料的初始组织和机件的具体几何形状,都对材料的组织和性能、淬硬的深度和机件的表面质量有很大的影响。在我们的试验研究中,对各种不同的结构钢和工具钢以及某些铁进行了研究,采用的加热方式为将需要淬硬的整个表面同时加热等。对于退火状态的和整体淬硬的多,硬化度分别达到３．６～３．７和１．５～１．７。钢的硬度达到ＨＲＣ６５～６８,显微硬度为１０～１１ＧＰａ,硬化的深度为 １．５－２．０ｍｍ。 在各种钢中,会产生残余的压缩应力,还会形成细粒组织,并…     

专业铸就品牌

第八届国际公路水运交通技术与设备展览会（CHINA TRANSPO 2006）将于2006年9月26-29日在北京全国农业展览馆举行。截至目前．参展企业已近300家，包括徐工、柳工、三一重工、中联重科、西筑等筑路机械厂家．中海油、壳牌等道路材料生产企业．中国重型汽车集团、宇通客车、厦门金龙等商用车辆制造企业，尤其引人注目的是，本届展会有十余家省市交通厅局单位设台参展，这是历年来同类展会中不多见的。据悉，目前预订的展位面积已达38000平方米，一场交通行业的国际展览盛宴正在徐徐拉开帷幕。     

Evaluation of Serum Volume Losses During Long-Term Storage

Aliquots of serum collected in a large case-control study of cervical cancer were stored at −70°C for up to 4 years during implementation of the study. When 500 μL serum aliquots were thawed in preparation for carotenoid and vitamin A assays, volumes were noticeably variable and fell below 500 μL in the majority of the samples. We were concerned about evaporation/sublimation during storage of the samples because loss of water would concentrate the analytes of interest. We evaluated the use of density and sodium ion concentration measurements to confirm its occurrence. We found that serum density was an unreliable indicator of extent of volume loss since the anticipated increases in density due to evaporation were of the same magnitude as inter-individual variation in serum density. In contrast, Na⁺ concentration is tightly regulated and would rise if water had been lost from the samples. In a representative sample of serum aliquots from the case-control study, 24 of 25 vials contained less than 500 μL of serum. The mean sodium ion concentration (138.1 ± 3.6 mmol/L) was within the normal range for human serum of 136–145 mmol/L, and no correlation was observed between serum volume and Na⁺ concentration. These results strongly suggest that the observed low volumes were not due to evaporative losses. Instead, the variably low volumes of serum aliquots were probably due to pipetting errors in the initial aliquotting resulting from the use of air-displacement pipettes.     

PhLPs and PhLOPs in the phosducin family of G beta gamma binding proteins

In this study, we identify new isoforms of the retinal phosducin and investigate the expression of the phosducin family, showing that an isoform, PhLP1, has sequence homology with Phd and Gbeta gamma binding capability, whereas two isoforms (phosducin-like orphan proteins, PhLOPs) share sequence homology with Phd but fail to bind Gbeta gamma. Original identification of PhLP1 and the PhLOPs was from a human retina cDNA library, using a PCR product for library hybridization screening that contained a predicted functional epitope domain. The screen identified Phd and three related, but distinct, recombinants (PhLP1, PhLOP1, and PhLOP2). By RT-PCR, all isoforms are expressed in either retina or forskolin-stimulated Y79 retinoblastoma cells; however, the new isoforms are below the level of detection on Northern blot analysis. The predicted amino acid translation of each homologue revealed major differences, arising from either splice variants or gene duplication of Phd. To test the functional interaction of all phosducin isoforms with Gbeta gamma in vitro, a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein was developed for each member. Biochemical interaction with purified retinal transducin Gbeta gamma was verified for GST-Phd and demonstrated for GST-PhLP1; however, neither GST-PhLOP1 nor GST-PhLOP2 bound Gbeta gamma. Comparable results were observed when the GST-phosducin fusion proteins selectively sequestered Gbeta gammas from retinal extracts or when functional Gbeta gamma interactions were assessed using surface plasmon resonance technology. Phosducin and its isoforms are widely distributed in body tissues where they may participate in signal transduction pathways. Phd and PhLP1 possess an 11-amino acid conserved epitope domain (TGPKGVINDWR) that controls the high-affinity binding of Gbeta gamma; these isoforms are implicated in the G-protein signaling pathway. The phosducin-like orphan proteins (PhLOPs) fail to bind Gbeta gamma, suggesting that the PhLOP isoforms may participate in still unidentified signaling pathways.