A quantitative evaluation of the glycogen content of the hepatocytes from different lobular ares of the normal human liver and in chronic hepatitides of different etiologies

Investigation of glycogen function in hepatocytes of different liver lobule zones is particularly important in understanding glycogen metabolism in humans and animals in norm and pathology. The present study was done to investigate glycogen contents in hepatocytes of different lobule zones of human liver in norm, and in patients with chronic hepatitis of viral or alcohol etiology. Quantitative analysis of glycogen content in hepatocytes of portal and central lobule zones was conducted on slices of human liver (the material of series live punctional biopsies) stained using a quantitative variant of PAS-reaction (Kudryavtseva et al., 1970, 1974). The measurements were done by image analyzer , which allows to make jointly cytophotometric analysis of substance in cells and definition of cell localization in tissue. The results showed clear differences of glycogen contents in different lobule zones in normal liver and in liver during chronic viral and alcohol hepatitis. Glycogen contents in hepatocytes of portal lobule zone were significantly higher than in the central lobule zone in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. Opposite data were obtained in patients with chronic alcohol hepatitis. Significantly higher glycogen contents were found in hepatocytes of the central liver lobule zone. Possible mechanisms of such a phenomenon are discussed . Thus, if glycogen contents in hepatocytes may be taken as an indicator of liver chronic damage degree (as has been shown elsewhere: Kudryavtseva, 1987; Kudryavtseva et al., 1988) the pattern of distribution of hepatocytes with different glycogen content in the liver lobule can be used as an indicator of etiology of chronic hepatitis. The obtained data seem to be important and actual, particularly for diagnostic of subclinical and symptomless forms of these diseases. Further investigation is required to find out reasons and mechanisms of this phenomenon.     

Disinfection of circulating water systems by ultraviolet light and halogenation

Continuous ultraviolet light (u.v.) and chemical disinfection of circulating water systems were evaluated. Direct comparisons of the biocidal effectiveness of u.v. light vs halogenation were tested with Legionella spp and Pseudomonas aeruginosa because of their association with the acquisition of overt clinical disease from water-containing appliances. Findings indicated that six species of Legionella and P. aeruginosa were killed by a moderate level of u.v. radiation. L. pneumophila and other bacteria in a circulating water system were effectively killed by a biocidal u.v. light. However, free chlorine levels needed to kill Legionella, Pseudomonas, and Flavobacterium within 1 min were found to be greater than 4 mg ml^?1. Data from a long-term field trial with u.v. light treatment of evaporative condenser water showed a significant reduction in numbers of bacteria. Ultraviolet disinfection of hospital hydrotherapy whirlpools confirmed the utility of this mode of disinfection under circumstances where chlorination may not be practical for medical reasons. These findings were confirmed during investigations of halogenated or u.v.-treated public hot tub/whirlpools. The effectiveness of routine chemical disinfection for controlling microbial flora in a cooling tower was also evaluated. The 2 month survey indicated that the numbers of bacteria, including Legionella, were not affected by two biocides that were used. The observations made during this investigation support the conclusion that u.v. light disinfection of water-containing systems may be an appropriate alternative or supplement to chemical biocides.     

The alcoholic psychologist: Issues, problems, and implications for the profession.

Alcoholism, a major health problem currently being addressed by other professions, has unique features, manifestations, and ramifications for psychologists. Salient aspects of alcoholism in psychology include etiological and motivational factors, characteristic behaviors, and specific risk factors in the work environment of psychologists. Alcoholism, conceptualized as a deeply embedded permanent addiction not resolvable by conscious, planned effort, constitutes a special dilemma for psychologists who hold a strong belief in the powers of the mind and in the capacity to comprehend and alter behavior. Current efforts to effectively and humanely deal with alcoholism within the professions, modeled on self-help principles of Alcoholics Anonymous in combination with professional treatment, are examined, including the present efforts in psychology to deal with distressed psychologists. An advocacy role for the American Psychological Association to assist in the development of a peer-collaborative network for psychologists in recovery is suggested. (58 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Alcoholic psychologists: Routes to recovery.

The authors interviewed abstinent alcoholic psychologists with a structured interview previously used in studies of other alcoholic professionals. Histories and experiences of the psychologists closely resembled those of other professionals. Like the other professionals, psychologists had exhibited relatively advanced, visible signs of alcoholism, but professional sanctions were rare and almost never combined with effective intervention. Although a majority had received professional treatment, the treatment was usually inappropriate or ineffective. Most Ss had recovered or attained sobriety outside of formal intervention programs or professional therapy or treatment. Recovery depended excessively on happenstance events and self-diagnosis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Insights into Molecular Structure of Pterins Suitable for Biomedical Applications

Pterins are an inseparable part of living organisms. Pterins participate in metabolic reactions mostly as tetrahydropterins. Dihydropterins are usually intermediates of these reactions, whereas oxidized pterins can be biomarkers of diseases. In this review, we analyze the available data on the quantum chemistry of unconjugated pterins as well as their photonics. This gives a comprehensive overview about the electronic structure of pterins and offers some benefits for biomedicine applications: (1) one can affect the enzymatic reactions of aromatic amino acid hydroxylases, NO synthases, and alkylglycerol monooxygenase through UV irradiation of H₄pterins since UV provokes electron donor reactions of H₄pterins; (2) the emission properties of H₂pterins and oxidized pterins can be used in fluorescence diagnostics; (3) two-photon absorption (TPA) should be used in such pterin-related infrared therapy because single-photon absorption in the UV range is inefficient and scatters in vivo; (4) one can affect pathogen organisms through TPA excitation of H₄pterin cofactors, such as the molybdenum cofactor, leading to its detachment from proteins and subsequent oxidation; (5) metal nanostructures can be used for the UV-vis, fluorescence, and Raman spectroscopy detection of pterin biomarkers. Therefore, we investigated both the biochemistry and physical chemistry of pterins and suggested some potential prospects for pterin-related biomedicine.     

Alkali silicate binders: effect of SiO2/Na2O ratio and alkali metal ion type on the structure and mechanical properties

The influence of SiO₂:Na₂O molar ratio and the nature of an alkali metal (Na vs. K) in commercial aqueous alkali silicate on the microstructure, textural properties, phase composition, and hydrolytic stability of an alkali silicate binder have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption technique, X-ray diffractometry, thermal analysis, and dissolution tests. It has been found that microstructure and textural properties of the alkali silicate binder depend both on silica to alkali molar ratio and type of alkali metal (Na vs. K). Sodium silicate binder obtained from commercial silicate solution with lower SiO₂:Na₂O molar ratio (2.2) exhibits a globular microstructure of silica xerogel with high content of micropores, whereas the binder formulated with SiO₂:Na₂O molar ratio 3.2 is characterized by more open cluster structure with lower content of micropores. It is observed that surface specific area estimated by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller method and mesopore volume obtained by the Barrett–Joyner–Halenda method for sodium silicate binder are substantially higher than those for potassium silicate binder. The ultimate hydrolytic stability of the sodium silicate binder increases slightly with increase in the silica to alkali molar ratio within the studied range. Decreasing in SiO₂:Na₂O molar ratio and replacement of sodium silicate solution by potassium silicate solution in the corresponding filled composition lead to the improvement of mechanical properties and decrease in open porosity.