[Endoscopic totally visceral sac separation for ventral hernias repair: anatomy notes and technical considerations]

The abdominal wall can be treated as a whole physiological and functional entity which is composed of multiple anatomical structures and planes. Surgical approaches and technical details that required are diverse in different area. Indeed, the abdominal wall is confined by several anatomical boundaries which make these surgical planes separated. If one could dissect these boundaries, then separated spaces could be connected, establishing an ample retromuscular/preperitoneal space to accommodate the mesh of ventral hernia repair. The concept of totally visceral sac separation (TVS) is achieved. The TVS concept is a summary of diverse ventral hernia repair techniques. Since its initiation and spread, this technique has been widely accepted and implemented by domestic surgeons due to its outstanding performance. This treatise will review the relevant anatomy as well assurgical tricks by the authors that aid in performing TVS. Some of the details are more tricky and harder to understand, thus this in-depth description of the technique.

First-principles investigation of a new 2D magnetic crystal: Ferromagnetic ordering and intrinsic half-metallicity

The development of two-dimensional (2D) magnetic materials with half-metallic characteristics is of great interest because of their promising applications in spintronic devices with high circuit integration density and low energy consumption. Here, by using density functional theory calculations, ab initio molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo simulation, we study the stability, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of a OsI₃ monolayer, of which crystalline bulk is predicted to be a van der Waals layered ferromagnetic (FM) semiconductor. Our results reveal that the OsI₃ monolayer can be easily exfoliated from the bulk phase with small cleavage energy and is energetically and thermodynamically stable at room temperature. Intrinsic half-metallicity with a wide bandgap and FM ordering with an estimated T_C = 35 K are found for the OsI₃ monolayer. Specifically, the FM ordering can be maintained under external biaxial strain from -2% to 5%. The in-plane magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy of the 2D OsI₃ monolayer reaches up to 3.89 meV/OsI₃, which is an order larger than that of most magnetic 2D materials such as the representative monolayer CrI₃. The excellent magnetic features of the OsI₃ monolayer therefore render it a promising 2D candidate for spintronic applications.

Effects of wet atmospheric nitrogen deposition on epiphytic lichens in the subtropical forests of Central China: Evaluation of the lichen food supply and quality of two endangered primates

Over the last few decades, the threat posed to biodiversity and ecosystem function by atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been increasingly recognized. The disturbed nutrient balance and species composition of plants induced by higher N deposition can impact the biodiversity of the organisms that consume the plants. In this research, we implemented several experiments to estimate the effects of increased N deposition on the growth, survival, and nutrients of the dominant epiphytic lichens in the subtropical mountains in Central China to assess the lichen food amount and nutritional quality for two endangered primates endemic to China. Our results indicated that the thallus growth and propagule survival of the lichens were significantly decreased when nitrogen addition changed from 6.25 to 50.0 kg N·ha^-1·y^-1; it was also shown that lichen biomass could be decreased by 11.2%-70.2% when the deposition addition exceeded 6.25 kg N·ha^-1·y^-1. Further, our study revealed that increased nitrogen deposition also reduced the nutritional quality of the lichens via reducing the soluble protein and soluble sugar levels and increasing the fiber content, which would substantially affect the diet selection of the plants consumers in the region, particularly the populations of the two lichen-eating endangered primate species, Rhinopithecus roxellana and R. bieti. Our experimental study suggested that the nitrogen pollution derived from anthropogenic activities could cause cascading effects for the whole forest ecosystem of Central China; thus, more studies about nitrogen deposition in this region are required.

[Totally endoscopic sublay repair (TES)--a novel approach to repair midline ventral hernia]

Objective: Investigating a novel approach to treat a midline ventral hernia--totally endoscopic sublay repair (TES). The procedure will be described in detail and the safety and efficacy evaluated. Methods: During July and December 2017, eleven consecutive cases of primary and secondary epigastric midline ventral hernias were repaired using the TES procedure. A large mesh should be placed in the retrorectus position using this minimally invasive procedure. The indications for this procedure include umbilical, epigastric and incisional hernia equal in length to the rectus diastasis. Results: All operations were successful without open conversion. The mean operation time was 120 mins(80-205 min), postoperative pain was mild and the mean VAS was 2.5 on first postoperative day. The average postoperative stay in hospital was 3.3 days (2-5 days). 2 cases experienced postoperative seroma but without adverse effect on the final outcome and no recurrences during the follow-up period of 1 to 6 months. Conclusions: TES procedure is safe, practical and minimally invasive requiring no specific device and highly reproducible. Besides there is no need for expensive anti-adhesion mesh and fixation tacker which make it more cost effective. TES is a good technique for the surgical treatment of midline ventral hernia.

[Effect of autologous blood transfusion device on preventing blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty using comprehensive hemostatic methods]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the conventional application of using comprehensive hemostatic methods during the perioperative period, and the effect of autologous blood transfusion (ABT) device compared with non-negative pressure drainage on preventing blood loss and allogenic blood transfusion after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

A total of 131 patients (131 knees) with severe knee osteoarthritis who underwent unilateral primary TKA by the same surgeon in Peking University Third Hospital from June 2014 to June 2015 were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into ABT group (64 patients) and control group (67 patients). ABT devices were used for drainage and blood transfusion in the ABT group while the control group used the non-negative pressure drainage only. The results of the drainage fluid volume, the decrease of hemoglobin, the total blood loss, the hidden blood loss and blood transfusion after TKA were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The drainage fluid volume in ABT group was significantly higher than that in control group [515 mL (80-1 610 mL) vs. 260 mL (40-670 mL), P<0.001]. The autologous blood transfusion in ABT group was 245 mL (60-1 070 mL). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the value of hemoglobin decrease 1 day after surgery (P=0.340) and 3 days after surgery (P=0.524). There were no significant differences in the total blood loss (P=0.101) and the hidden blood loss (P=0.062) between the two groups either. There were 9 patients in the 131 patients who received allogeneic blood transfusion, of whom 5 in the ABT group (5/64, the blood transfusion rate was 7.8%) and 4 in the control group (4/67, the blood transfusion rate was 6.0%), and no significant differences in the blood transfusion rate between the two groups (P=0.943).

CONCLUSION

With the conventional application of using comprehensive hemostatic methods during perioperative period, the ABT device did not show the effective result of controlling postoperative blood loss and failed to reduce the rate of allogeneic blood transfusion in patients with unilateral primary TKA. However, the ABT device could increase the drainage fluid volume and improve the patient's hospitalization expenses. Therefore, there is no need for routine application of ABT device in unilateral primary TKA.

[Evaluation and analysis of the tibial coronal alignment after total knee replacement with the extramedullary tibial cutting guided by the tibial tubercle and anterior tibial tendon in Chinese patients]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficiency of the tibial coronal alignment after total knee arthroplasty with the extramedullary cutting system guided by the tibial tubercle and anterior tibial tendon, and to discuss the potential risk factors for the postoperative malalignment.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 212 primary unilateral TKA surgeries (in 188 patients) in our hospital between June to December in 2014 had been analysed. All the cases were performed by one surgical group. An extramedullary tibial cutting guide system had been used, with a landmark of one third inner-medial tibial tubercle as a proximal anatomy reference, and anterior tibial tendon as a distal marker. The mechanical axis of lower extremity in full-length X-ray was measured before surgery, and the tibial prosthetic coronal alignment was checked two weeks postoperation, evaluating the accuracy of this extramedullary cutting system guided by our method.

RESULTS

Since good alignment was defined as an angle within 3 degrees of the perpendicular to the mechanical axis, the tibial component positions were acceptable in 191 knees (90.1%), five knees were in valgus postoperative, and sixteen knees were in varus. There were seventeen(8.7%) in 179 knees with a preoperative varus presented malalignment after surgery, and four in 12 preoperative valgus kneess howed malalignment also, no statistical difference was found by Chi-square test(χ(2)=2.778,P=0.096), which cannot define the relationship between the varus or valgus deformity preoperation and the malalignmentposition in tibial prosthesis after surgery. Twenty-two knees suffered a severe preoperative deformity as a varus or valgus angle larger than 20 degrees with absolute value of mechanical axis before surgery and tibial prosthetic coronal alignment were 21.95 °(20.00°,26.90°)and 1.85°(0.10°, 7.10°), showed a significant difference (Z=2.11,P=0.035) compared with the data [10.65°(0.50°,19.80°)in preoperative mechanical axis and 1.10°(0.00°,4.60°)in the tibial prosthetic coronal alignment]of 190 knees who presented a mild deformity before surgery(less than 20 degrees), the result indicated the severe preoperative deformity might be a potential mal-alignment risk factor within this cutting system in TKA surgery.

CONCLUSION

The tibial coronal alignment after total knee arthroplasty could achieve good results with extramedullary cutting guide, by using one third inner-medial tibial tubercle and anterior tibial tendon as a proximal and distal anatomy marker. Postoperative varus might occur in this system, and tibial prosthetic malalignment appeared more often in the patients who suffered a severe deformity before surgery.

The value of multislice spiral CT features of cavitary walls in differentiating between peripheral lung cancer cavities and single pulmonary tuberculous thick-walled cavities

OBJECTIVES

Form discordance of cavity walls (FDCW) and form concordance of cavity walls (FCCW) in multislice spiral CT (MSCT) were investigated to determine their value in differentiating between peripheral lung cancer cavities and single pulmonary tuberculous thick-walled cavities. An assessment of the role of multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) in detecting FDCW and FCCW was also performed.

METHODS

MSCT cross-sectional images of 116 consecutive cases (including 60 cases with available MPR images) with peripheral lung cancer cavities and 118 consecutive cases (including 62 cases with available MPR images) with single pulmonary tuberculous thick-walled cavities (wall thickness >3 mm) were retrospectively analysed. According to the characteristics of cavitary internal and external walls on MSCT, these cavities were divided into two types (FDCW and FCCW). FDCW was further divided into three subtypes (FDCW-I, FDCW-II and FDCW-III); FCCW was further divided into two subtypes (FCCW-I and FCCW-II).

RESULTS

On the cross-sectional and MPR images, the total detection rate of FDCW-I and FDCW-III in peripheral lung cancer cavities was 76.7% (89/116) and 93.3% (56/60), respectively, whereas the total detection rate of FCCW-I and FCCW-II in single pulmonary tuberculous thick-walled cavities was 75.4% (89/118) and 91.9% (57/62), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

FDCW-I, FDCW-III, FCCW-I and FCCW-II were valuable in differentiating between peripheral lung cancer cavities and single pulmonary tuberculous thick-walled cavities. MPR could improve the detection of FDCW-I and FDCW-III in peripheral lung cancer cavities and FCCW-I and FCCW-II in single pulmonary tuberculous thick-walled cavities.

Three angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors from Rabdosia coetsa

The EtOAc extract of Rabdosia coetsa showed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Bioassay-guided isolation of this extract yielded ethyl caffeate (1), rosmarinic acid (2) and methyl rosmarinate (3), which inhibited ACE activity by 32.42%, 55.19% and 39.50% respectively, at the concentration of 10 microg/ml.

Biologic effect and immunoisolating behavior of BMP-2 gene-transfected bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in APA microcapsules

We investigated the encapsulation of BMP-2 gene-modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in alginate-poly-L-lysine (APA) microcapsules for the persistent delivery of bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) to induce bone formation. An electrostatic droplet generator was employed to produce APA microcapsules containing encapsulated beta-gal or BMP-2 gene-transfected bone marrow-derived MSCs. We found that X-gal staining was still positive 28 days after encapsulation. Encapsulated BMP-2 gene-transfected cells were capable of constitutive delivery of BMP-2 proteins for at least 30 days. The encapsulated BMP-2 gene-transfected MSCs or the encapsulated non-gene transfer MSCs (control group) were cocultured with the undifferentiated MSCs. The gene products from the encapsulated BMP-2 cells could induce the undifferentiated MSCs to become osteoblasts that had higher alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity than those in the control group (p<0.05). The APA microcapsules could inhibit the permeation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjuncted immunoglobulin G. Mixed lymphocyte reaction also indicates that the APA microcapsules could prevent the encapsulated BMP-2 gene-transfected MSCs from initiating the cellular immune response. These results demonstrated that the nonautologous BMP-2 gene-transfected stem cells are of potential utility for enhancement of bone repair and bone regeneration in vivo.

Spatial and temporal variations and possible sources of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites in rivers in Tianjin, China

Water, suspended solid (SS) and sediment samples were collected from nine water courses in Tianjin, China and analyzed for dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites (DDXs, including o,p'-,p,p'-DDT, DDD and DDE). The average DDX concentrations in water, SS and sediment were 59+/-30 ng l(-1), 2690+/-1940 ng g(-1)dry wt. and 340+/-930 ng g(-1)dry wt., respectively. Due to the termination of the extensive agricultural application and industrial manufacture, DDXs in river sediment decreased by one order of magnitude since 1970's and low DDT fractions in these sediments were observed. Still, DDXs in the sediments near the outlets of the major manufacturers remained relatively high attributed to the historic input. DDXs in sediment were also positively correlated with organic matter content. Spatial distributions of DDXs in SS and water was different from that in sediment. For SS, a negative correlation between DDX concentration and SS content indicated a dilution effect in many rivers. Dissolved organic carbon content was the major factor affecting DDX concentrations in water phase. Wastewater discharged from dicofol manufacturers and likely illegal agricultural application were the primary reasons causing high DDT (DDE+DDD) ratios in SS and water.

A novel alkaloid from Gaultheria nummularioides

A novel alkaloid, gaultherialine A (1), along with twenty-seven known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Gaultheria nummularioides D. Don. The structure of the new alkaloid was elucidated as 7,8-dimethoxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-2H-benzo[e]indole-2-one N-oxide (1) on the basis of spectral evidence.

A new meroditerpenoid from Mayodendron igeum

A new meroditerpenoid, igeumone (1), together with 18 known compounds (2-19), were isolated from ethanolic extract of the bark of Mayodendron igeum. Their structures were determined by analysis of spectral data or comparison with authentic samples. X-ray crystallographic analysis was employed to unambiguously determine the structure of 1.

Facile synthesis of optically pure (S)-3-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid derivatives

Optically pure (S)-3-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid derivatives are important intermediates of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma dual agonists and heteropeptides. Many efforts have been made for synthesis of those intermediates, but there exist some flaws yet. We observed that dielectric constants of organic solvents drastically affected diazotization of O-benzyl-L-tyrosine. Optically pure (S)-3-p-benzyloxyphenyllactic acid was obtained by simple recrystallization when DMF or DMSO of higher dielectric constant was used as a co-solvent in diazotization of O-benzyl-L-tyrosine. It was easily turned into various optically pure (S)-3-p-hydroxyphenyllactic acid derivatives.

Geostatistical analysis and kriging of Hexachlorocyclohexane residues in topsoil from Tianjin, China

A previously published data set of HCH isomer concentrations in topsoil samples from Tianjin, China, was subjected to geospatial analysis. Semivariograms were calculated and modeled using geostatistical techniques. Parameters of semivariogram models were analyzed and compared for four HCH isomers. Two-dimensional ordinary block kriging was applied to HCH isomers data set for mapping purposes. Dot maps and gray-scaled raster maps of HCH concentrations were presented based on kriging results. The appropriateness of the kriging procedure for mapping purposes was evaluated based on the kriging errors and kriging variances. It was found that ordinary block kriging can be applied to interpolate HCH concentrations in Tianjin topsoil with acceptable accuracy for mapping purposes.

Modeling the dynamic changes in concentrations of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH) in Tianjin region from 1953 to 2020

A level IV fugacity model was used to simulate the dynamic changes of gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (gamma-HCH) concentrations in environmental media in Tianjin, China. A similar model (level III) was previously used and validated under steady state conditions; this paper explores its dynamic behavior. Application of the level IV fugacity model has been validated using independently observed gamma-HCH concentrations in various media during the early 1980s and during 2001. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using coefficient-of-variation normalized sensitivity coefficients. The model was also subject to uncertainty analysis using Monte Carlo simulation. It was found that concentrations of gamma-HCH reached within 95% of their steady-state levels in all media after less than 15 years. Around one order-of-magnitude decreases in gamma-HCH concentrations in various media occurred between 1993 and 2001. We project that gamma-HCH concentrations will decrease another 1.7-1.9 orders of magnitude to reach 1.1 (0.9-1.2) x 10(-14), 2.7 (2.5-3.0) x 10(-10), 1.2 (1.1-1.3) x 10(-7), and 6.1 (5.4-6.8) x 10(-8) mol/m(3), in air, water, soil, and sediment, respectively, by 2020. The sensitivities and true uncertainty of the model are discussed.

Human exposure and health risk of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and delta-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) in Tianjin, China

The dynamic exposures to HCHs of individuals born between the years 1913 and 1993 in Tianjin have been simulated by connecting a fugacity model (IV) with a multimedia exposure model. Ingestion is the most important pathway for human beings to take up HCHs, and concentrations in the human body correlate with body weight changes. Accumulations of HCHs were derived assuming that the degradation in human body behaved linearly. The health risk of exposure to HCHs was measured using cancer risk and loss of life expectancy (LLE), and LLE was modified from its original definition to incorporate a dynamic calculation that takes variances in exposure into account. Monte-Carlo simulations were run to analyze the uncertainties of the model.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in dustfall in Tianjin, China

Atmospheric dustfall samples from 23 locations in Tianjin, China, were collected and analyzed for 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as priority pollutants from March 2002 to March 2003. SigmaPAH16 (sum of 16 PAH compounds) concentrations in the dustfall collected during heating season ranged from 2.5 to 85.5 mug/g, while that during the non-heating season varied from 1.0 to 48.2 microg/g dry weight. The dominant components in the heating season included naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and chrysene, while naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene were dominant during the non-heating season. Compared with the non-heating season, the heating season was characterized by a higher fraction of high-molecular-weight PAHs with four to six rings with exception of the samples from the east industrial area. The east industrial area had more significant correlations between individual PAH compounds, and more discrete triangular components of three-, four-, five- and six-ring PAHs. No significant correlations were observed between the PAHs concentrations and total organic carbon (TOC) in the dustfall samples. The deposition fluxes of sigmaPAH15 (sum of 15 PAHs except naphthalene), sigmaPAH6 (sum of 6 carcinogenic PAHs recommended by IARC) and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) from atmospheric deposition to the whole area were estimated as 1911, 196, and 53 microg/m2/year, respectively. The deposition rates for PAH compounds in the east industrial area were higher than those in the urban and rural areas. Furthermore, the deposition contribution of PAHs during domestic heating season in winter was not significant relative to the annual inputs.

Contamination of rivers in Tianjin, China by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Tianjin urban/industrial complex is highly polluted by some persistent organic pollutants. In this study, the levels of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were tested in sediment, water, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) samples in 10 rivers in Tianjin. The total concentration of 16 PAHs varied from 0.787 to 1943 microg/g dry weight in sediment, from 45.81 to 1272 ng/L in water, and from 0.938 to 64.2 microg/g dry weight in SPM. The levels of PAHs in these media are high in comparison with values reported from other river and marine systems. Variability of total concentrations of PAHs in sediment, water, and SPM from nine different rivers is consistent with each other. No obvious trends of total PAHs concentration variations were found between upstream and downstream sediment, water, and SPM samples for most rivers, which indicate local inputs and disturbances along these rivers. The spatial distributions of three-phase PAHs are very similar to each other, and they are also similar to those found in topsoil. However, their chemical profiles are significantly different from that of topsoil. The change of profiles is consistent with the different aqueous transport capability of 16 PAHs. Low molecular weight PAHs predomination suggests a relatively recent local source and coal combustion source of PAHs in the study area.

Evaluation of factors influencing root-induced changes of copper fractionation in rhizosphere of a calcareous soil

Major factors influencing the root-induced copper fractionation changes within the rhizosphere of maize, wheat, pea, and soybean seedlings were evaluated using a contaminated calcareous soil. The effects of acidification, alkalization, and introduction of root exudates were investigated by addition of acid, alkaline and root exudates from solution cultures, prior to incubation and copper fractionation. Raw and sterilized soils were compared for changes of copper fractionation in the rhizosphere using rhizoboxes with maize, wheat, pea and soybean seedlings. The results indicated that the general trend in considerable changes was similar among the plant species studied. The rhizosphere experienced a depletion of carbonate associated and organic bound copper along with an accumulation of exchangeable and Fe-Mn oxide bound copper. The resulting significant influence of root exudates on copper fractionation appears to have been produced through complexation rather than acidification or alkalization. The increase in exchangeable copper in rhizosphere was strengthened by microorganisms.

Residues of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers and their distribution characteristics in soils in the Tianjin area, China

Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) has a history of use in China. This paper presents the results of an investigation of HCH residue isomers and their distribution characteristics in soils near Tianjin, China. One hundred eighty-eight soil samples were collected from the Tianjin area. Four HCH isomers-alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, and delta-HCH-were detected using gas chromatography for all samples. Concentrations of the sum HCH ranged from 1.3 to 1095 ng g(-1), among which beta-HCH accounted for 52.5%. In addition, residues of HCH within Tianjin's urban areas were found to be higher. No significant differences were found between the residues of HCH in soils from waste irrigation areas and those in other areas. Total organic carbon content was determined to impact the residue levels of HCH in soils, while pH value and clay content were not related to concentrations of HCH. In general, all HCH isomers in soil samples had abnormally high residue levels, possibly the result of continuous use of HCH in this area.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in agricultural soil and vegetables from Tianjin

Several types of vegetables were collected from two contaminated sites in Tianjin, China. The bulk soil and the rhizosphere soil samples were also collected from the same plots. Sixteen PAHs in the samples were measured. The total concentrations of PAH16 in the bulk soil from the two sites were 1.08 and 6.25 microg/g, respectively, with similar pattern. The concentrations of PAH16 and individual compounds in the rhizosphere were significantly higher than those in the bulk soil with mean values of 2.25 and 7.82 microg/g for the two sites, respectively. The contents of both total and dissolved organic matter in the rhizosphere were also higher than those in the bulk soil. Almost all PAH compounds studied were detected in both roots and aerial parts of the vegetables studied. Abundance of higher molecular weight PAHs in vegetable, however, was lower than that in soil. Concentrations of PAH16 in vegetable were higher than those reported in the literature for other areas. It appears that agricultural soils and vegetables in Tianjin, especially those from the site located immediately next to an urban district and irrigated with wastewater for several decades, are severely contaminated by PAHs. Among the eight types of vegetable studied, the highest concentration of PAHs was found in cauliflower. By average, the concentration of PAH16 in the aerial part of vegetables was 6.5 times higher as that in vegetable root, suggesting that foliar uptake is the primary transfer pathway of PAHs from environment to vegetables.

Use of sequential ASE extraction to evaluate the bioavailability of DDT and its metabolites to wheat roots in soils with various organic carbon contents

An accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) procedure using water, n-hexane and a mixture of n-hexane and acetone as solvents in sequence was developed and tested to evaluate the bioavailability of DDT and its metabolites including p,p'-DDT, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDE, and p,p'-DDD (SigmaDDTs) to wheat uptake from soils characterized by varied organic carbon contents. Results indicated that the extractability of SigmaDDTs with water was enhanced considerably in the presence of water soluble organic carbon (WSOC), while the amount of SigmaDDTs extracted with n-hexane was negatively correlated to the content of water insoluble organic carbon (WIOC). The interaction between SigmaDDTs and WIOC also reduced the bioavailability of the pesticides to wheat roots during uptake. There was a good positive correlation between the amount of SigmaDDTs extracted by n-hexane and the amount of SigmaDDTs accumulated in wheat roots, suggesting some potential for the use of the n-hexane ASE-extracted fraction as an indicator of SigmaDDTs' bioavailability to plant uptake. As such, the three sequentially extracted fractions may be viewed as representing the mobile, bioavailable, and fixed pools of SigmaDDTs in the soil.

Medium scale spatial structures of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the topsoil of Tianjin area

The spatial distribution patterns of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soil are important to regional environmental assessment. In this paper, the spatial structural features of sixteen prior PAH compounds in the topsoil of Tianjin area, as well as soil properties, were studied. Results shown that medium scale spatial autocorrelations were well revealed. Spherical models with sills could be used to fit all experimental variograms. The spatial structures of PAHs contents demonstrated significant anisotropy. Air precipitation caused by the combustion of coal was the key factor in the formation of the spatial structural patterns of PAHs in the topsoil of Tianjin area.

Changes of copper speciation in maize rhizosphere soil

Chemical forms of copper in the rhizosphere and bulk soil of maize were investigated using rhizobox cultivation and sequential extraction techniques. The copper accumulations were also determined. The results demonstrated that there were continuous changes in copper fractionation within the maize rhizosphere. Initially, the amount of exchangeable copper increased before dropping below the initial level after 40 days or so. Carbonate associated copper followed a similar trend of change, but with a slower pace than the exchangeable copper. The increase in carbonate associated copper only become evident after 30 days, with the net loss occurring after 60 days. There were also initial increases in oxide bound copper as well as decreases in the organic matter associated copper, both followed by a turnover after 40-50 days. The accumulation of copper in the maize plant was found to be biomass dependent. The amount of accumulated copper absorbed in the plant material exceeded the initial quantity of the exchangeable copper in the soil, revealing a transformation from less bioavailable to more bioavailable fractions. During cultivation, decreases in redox potential and increases in pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial activity in the maize rhizosphere were observed. The change in copper speciation may result from root-induced changes in DOC, redox potential, and microbial activity in the rhizosphere.

Modeling the fate of benzo[a]pyrene in the wastewater-irrigated areas of Tianjin with a fugacity model

A Level III fugacity model was applied to characterize the transfer processes and environmental fate of benzo[a]pyrene in wastewater-irrigated areas of Tianjin, China. The physical-chemical properties and transfer parameters of benzo[a]pyrene were used in the model and the concentration distribution of benzo[a]pyrene in sediment, soil, water, air, fish, and crop compartments, as well as transfer fluxes across the compartments, were then derived under steady-state assumptions. The calculated results were compared with monitoring data for air, soil, water, and sediment collected from the literature. The results indicate that there was generally good agreement and the differences were within an order of magnitude for air, soil, and sediment. The concentration of benzo[a]pyrene in the ambient air in the area was very low with a majority present sorbed to aerosol. In the water compartment, approximately 70% of benzo[a]pyrene dissolved in water phase. Relatively high concentrations of the compound were found in the soil and sediment, with the soil serving as the dominant sink in the area. Benzo[a]pyrene, with a slow metabolic rate, was found to accumulate in fish in the area.

Determination of PAHs in wastewater irrigated agricultural soil using accelerated solvent extraction

A procedure was developed for determination of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in heavily contaminated paddy soil from wastewater irrigated farmland near Tianjin. The sample was distilled with accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), purified by a silica gel column, and measured with GC/MS. The optimal conditions for the distillation were at 140 degrees C (1500 psi) with a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and acetone for 5 min. Application of cyclohexane for extract transfer improved the recovery when the ASE extraction was followed by a silica gel cleanup procedure. Recoveries from the method for 16 PAHs ranged from 57-140% with the coefficients of variation of the results ranging from 0.35% to 5.75%. The total 16 PAHs in a composite sample collected from a wastewater irrigated paddy field near Tianjin was 3.90 mg/kg.

Novel products from oxidation of the norditerpenoid alkaloid pseudaconine with HIO4

Oxidation of pseudaconine 8, a norditerpenoid alkaloid, with HIO4 led to a series of novel interesting products, depending greatly on reaction medium and work-up conditions. Treatment of 8 in MeOH-H2O (1:1) with NaIO4 gave compounds 10 and 11, but compound 12 was obtained quantitatively when the final reaction solution was alkalized with conc. NH4OH. The imine 12 was also obtained in 100% yield by treating 8 in 5% HCl solution with NaIO4 followed by alkalizing the reaction products to pH>9 with conc. NH4OH. When the work up pH was 7-8, only N,O-mixed acetal-ketal 13 was formed in 96% yield, which was converted quantitatively to 12 by further alkalizing. When the reaction mixture was alkalized to pH 7-8 with Na2CO3, a hemiacetalketal 14 was afforded quantitatively, which was converted to 15 in 87% yield by further treatment with Na2CO3 or 5% NaOH methanol. Compound 15 could be converted back to 14 by treatment with 10% HCl solution. Acetylation of the imine 12 gave the compounds 16 and 17 in 15% and 19% yields, respectively. All of the new compounds were isolated and fully characterized.

New access to 7,17-seco norditerpenoid alkaloids via reduction of the corresponding 8-chloro derivatives

New access to the 7, 17-seco norditerpenoid alkaloids 9 (60%) from yunnaconitine (5), as well as 14 (46%) and 15 (22%) from isotalatizidine (10), via selective hydrolysis, chlorination and reduction with NaBH4 is described.

Burn injuries in rats upregulate the gene expression of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2(14k) in skeletal muscle

Burn injuries are associated with muscle cachexia, which mainly reflects protein breakdown in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Ubiquitination of proteins degraded by this mechanism is regulated by multiple enzymes, including the 14-kd ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, E2(14k). In this study, burn injuries in rats resulted in increased levels of the 1.2 kilobase E2(14k) transcript in the white, fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus muscle with no changes or only minor changes in the red, slow-twitch soleus muscle, liver, and kidney. The results provide the first evidence that burn injuries upregulate the gene expression of E2(14k) in skeletal muscle and suggest that ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent muscle protein breakdown after thermal injuries may, at least in part, be regulated by E2(14k).

[New triterpenoid saponins from Anemone begoniifolia]

AIM

To study the triterpenoid saponins in the whole plants of Anemone begoniifolia Lévl. et Vant.

METHODS

Methanol extraction, normal and reversed phase silica gel column chromatography and various spectral analysis were used to isolate and determine the structures of the triterpenoid saponins.

RESULTS

Four triterpenoid saponins were idenetified as: 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 23-O-methyl malonyl hederagenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) and 3-O-methyl malonyl hederagenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4).

CONCLUSION

Compunds 2, 3 and 4 are new compounds and named as begoniifolides A, B and C, respectively.

Burn injury upregulates the activity and gene expression of the 20 S proteasome in rat skeletal muscle

There is evidence that burn injury stimulates ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent protein breakdown in skeletal muscle. In this proteolytic pathway, protein substrates are conjugated to multiple molecules of ubiquitin, whereafter they are recognized, unfolded and degraded by the multicatalytic 26 S protease complex. The 20 S proteasome is the catalytic core of the 26 S protease complex. The influence of burn injury on the expression and activity of the 20 S proteasome has not been reported. We tested the hypothesis that burn injury increases 20 S proteasome activity and the expression of mRNA for the 20 S proteasome subunits RC3 and RC7. Proteolytic activity of isolated 20 S proteasomes, assessed as activity against fluorogenic peptide substrates, was increased in extensor digitorum longus muscles from burned rats. Northern-blot analysis revealed that the expression of mRNA for RC3 and RC7 was increased by 100% and 80% respectively following burn injury. Increased activity and expression of the 20 S proteasome in muscles from burned rats support the concept that burn-induced muscle cachexia is at least, in part, regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway.

Insulin-like growth factor I reduces ubiquitin and ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme gene expression but does not inhibit muscle proteolysis in septic rats

We examined the effect of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), administered in vivo, on protein turnover rates and gene expression of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway in skeletal muscle of septic rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture. Other rats were sham-operated. Miniosmotic pumps were implanted sc, and groups of rats received IGF-I (7 mg/kg x 24 h) or saline. Protein synthesis and breakdown rates were determined in incubated extensor digitorum longus muscles. Messenger RNA levels for ubiquitin and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2(14k) were determined by Northern blot analysis. Sepsis resulted in an approximately 30% reduction of muscle protein synthesis, and this effect of sepsis was blunted in rats treated with IGF-I. In contrast, IGF-I did not prevent the sepsis-induced increase in total and myofibrillar muscle protein breakdown. Ubiquitin and E2(14k) messenger RNA levels were increased several fold in muscle from septic rats, and this effect of sepsis was abolished in IGF-I treated rats. The results suggest that administration of IGF-I may improve sepsis-induced muscle cachexia by stimulating protein synthesis. However, because muscles were resistant to IGF-I, with regard to regulation of protein breakdown, the use of IGF-I to treat muscle cachexia during sepsis remains unclear. An additional important implication of the present study is that changes in messenger RNA levels for ubiquitin and the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2(14k) do not always reflect changes in muscle protein breakdown rates.

Degradation of methoxysuccinyl-phe-leu-phe-7-amido-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin (FLF) in cultured myotubes and HepG2 cells is proteasome- and calpain/calcium-dependent

During recent years, it has become increasingly clear that the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway regulates intracellular protein degradation in various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Substrates specifically degraded by the proteasome are important tools to assess the involvement of the proteasome in cellular proteolysis. It was recently proposed that the membrane permeable substrate methoxysuccinyl-phenylalanine-leucine-phenylalanine-7-amido-4- trifluoromethyl coumarin (FLF) is degraded specifically by the proteasome. The role of other proteolytic pathways in the degradation of FLF, however, is not fully understood. In the present study, we tested the role of different proteolytic pathways in the degradation of FLF in cultured myotubes and HepG2 cells by treating the cells with inhibitors of lysosomal, calpain and proteasome activity. In addition, we tested the hypothesis that insulin blocks proteasome-dependent degradation of FLF in myotubes and HepG2 cells. Results suggest that degradation of FLF in both myotubes and HepG2 cells is regulated by proteasome and calpain activity but not by lysosomal activity. Insulin inhibited proteasome-dependent but not calpain-dependent degradation of FLF in both myotubes and HepG2 cells. The results are important because they suggest that FLF degradation does not specifically reflect proteasome activity.

Nutritional immunomodulation leads to enhanced allograft survival in combination with cyclosporine A and rapamycin, but not FK506

BACKGROUND

Recently, specific immunonutrients were found to increase experimental allograft survival when combined with cyclosporine A (CsA). This study compared the effect on rat cardiac allograft survival when nutritional immunomodulation was used with CsA, rapamycin (Rapa), or tacrolimus (FK506).

METHODS

Intra-abdominal ACI to Lewis cardiac allografts were performed and assessed daily by palpation. Study groups included untreated controls and those receiving CsA, Rapa, or FK506. Rats were fed ad libitum with Impact diet (fortified with fish oil, arginine, and RNA) or standard rat food. Further study groups were transplanted that received a donor-specific transfusion in addition to immunosuppression and diet.

RESULTS

Allograft survival was extended by combining Impact with CsA (45.3+/-19 days) and Rapa (165.3+/-52 days), but not FK506 (12.4+/-3.2 days). Mean graft survival in the Rapa/Impact group met criteria for functional tolerance. The addition of a donor-specific transfusion did not lead to graft survival advantages over similar groups not receiving a donor-specific transfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of immunonutrients improves transplant outcome in animals treated with short courses of CsA and Rapa, but not FK506. These findings highlight the potential differences in the effects of nutritional immunomodulation with different immunosuppressive drugs in the treatment of transplant patients.

Two glycosides from the stem bark of Tetracentron sinense

Two glycosides, tetracentronsides A and B, were isolated from the stem bark of Tetracentron sinense Oliv., along with ten known compounds, beta-sitosterol, lupeol, betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, vanillic aldehyde, vanillic acid, maslinic acid, huazhongilexin, daucosterol and catechin. On the basis of spectral and chemical evidence, tetracentronside A and B were identified as 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl-O-6'-O-vanilloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (8R, 8'R) 9-beta-D-glucopyranosyl dihydrocubebin, respectively.

Leaching kinetics of water soluble organic carbon (WSOC) from upland soil

The kinetics of the leaching process of Water Soluble Organic Carbon (WSOC) from an upland soil were studied in a column leaching experiment. The pattern of the leaching curve indicated multiphasic release kinetics. A conceptual model was proposed to divide capillary and gravitational pores. The translocation of organic carbon in soil during leaching occurs in four sequential steps. 1) degradation of insoluble organic carbon to form WSOC; 2) desorption into capillary pore water; 3) diffusion towards gravitation pore water; and 4) leaching by convection flow. The overall kinetics of the leaching process can be depicted using an equation with three additive terms for degradation, desorption/diffusion, and convection, respectively.

Treatment of burned rats with insulin-like growth factor I inhibits the catabolic response in skeletal muscle

Thermal injury is associated with a pronounced catabolic response in skeletal muscle, reflecting inhibited protein synthesis and increased protein breakdown, in particular myofibrillar protein breakdown. Administration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has a nitrogen-sparing effect after burn injury, but the influence of this treatment on protein turnover rates in skeletal muscle is not known. In the present study, we examined the effect of IGF-I on muscle protein synthesis and breakdown rates following burn injury in rats. After a 30% total body surface area burn injury or sham procedure, rats were treated with a continuous infusion of IGF-I (3. 5 or 7 mg . kg-1 . 24 h-1) for 24 h. Protein synthesis and breakdown rates were determined in incubated extensor digitorum longus muscles. Burn injury resulted in increased total and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates and reduced protein synthesis in muscle. The increase in protein breakdown rates was blocked by both doses of IGF-I and the burn-induced inhibition of muscle protein synthesis was partially reversed by the higher dose of the hormone. IGF-I did not influence muscle protein turnover rates in nonburned rats. The results suggest that the catabolic response to burn injury in skeletal muscle can be inhibited by IGF-I.

Proteasome blockers inhibit protein breakdown in skeletal muscle after burn injury in rats

1. Burn injury stimulates ubiquitin-dependent protein breakdown in skeletal muscle. The 20S proteasome is the proteolytic core of the 26S proteasome that degrades ubiquitin conjugates. We examined the effects of the proteasome inhibitors N-acetyl-L-leucinyl-L-leucinal-L-norleucinal (LLnL), lactacystin and beta-lactone on protein breakdown in muscles from burned rats. 2. A full-thickness burn of 30% total body surface area was inflicted on the back of rats. Control rats underwent a sham procedure. After 24 h, extensor digitorum longus muscles were incubated in the absence or presence of 20S proteasome blocker and protein turnover rates and ubiquitin mRNA levels were determined. 3. LLnL resulted in a dose- and time-dependent inhibition of total protein breakdown in incubated muscles from burned rats. Lactacystin and beta-lactone blocked both total and myofibrillar muscle protein breakdown. In addition to inhibiting protein breakdown, LLnL increased ubiquitin mRNA levels, possibly reflecting inhibited proteasome-associated RNase activity. 4. Inhibited muscle protein breakdown caused by LLnL, lactacystin and beta-lactone supports the concept that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a central role in burn-induced muscle proteolysis. Because the proteasome has multiple important functions in the cell, in addition to regulating general protein breakdown, further studies are needed to test the role of proteasome blockers in the treatment or prevention of muscle catabolism.

The anabolic effects of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle after burn injury are not caused by increased cell volume

BACKGROUND

In a recent report, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulated protein synthesis and inhibited protein breakdown in skeletal muscle after bum injury. The mechanism of the anabolic effects of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle is not known. We tested the hypotheses that IGF-1 stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein breakdown in skeletal muscle secondary to cell swelling and that cell swelling in itself induces an anabolic response in muscle tissue.

METHODS

Extensor digitorum longus muscles from control and burned rats were incubated in the absence or presence of 1 microg/mL of IGF-1. Protein synthesis and breakdown rates were determined by measuring incorporation of 14C-phenylalanine into protein and net release of tyrosine, respectively. Cell volume was measured by determining wet and dry weight and by using 3H-mannitol as an extracellular marker.

RESULTS

IGF-1 stimulated protein synthesis and inhibited protein breakdown in muscles from nonburned and burned rats without influencing cell volume. Incubating muscles in hypo-osmotic medium increased cell volume by 17% and inhibited protein breakdown by 14% but did not influence protein synthesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The anabolic effects of IGF-1 in skeletal muscle are not caused by increased cell volume. The results differ from those reported previously in liver cells in which the anabolic effects of IGF-1 were associated with cell swelling. The role of changes in cell volume in the regulation of protein metabolism may be different in skeletal muscle than in other tissues.

The molecular regulation of protein breakdown following burn injury is different in fast- and slow-twitch skeletal muscle

We compared the effect of burn injury on the energy-ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway in the fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and the slow-twitch soleus muscle in rats. Rats were subjected to a 30% total body surface area full-thickness burn or sham procedure. At various time points after injury, total and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates were determined in incubated EDL and soleus muscles. The energy-dependent component of protein break-down was determined by incubating muscles in energy-depleting medium. Messenger RNA levels for ubiquitin and RC3, a 20S proteasome subunit, were measured by Northern blot analysis. Burn injury resulted in an approximately 50% increase in total protein breakdown and a 3-4 fold increase in myofibrillar protein breakdown in EDL muscles, and this response reflected increased energy-dependent protein breakdown. In contrast, protein breakdown rates were not significantly influenced by the burn injury in soleus muscles. Ubiquitin mRNA levels were increased almost 10-fold in EDL and approximately 4.5-fold in soleus muscles following burn injury. Burn injury resulted in a 2-fold increase in RC3 mRNA in EDL with no significant changes noted in soleus muscles. The results suggest that the more pronounced effect of burn injury on protein breakdown in fast-twitch than in slow-twitch muscle may reflect different regulation of proteolysis at the molecular level.

Thermal injury induces the development of inflammatory macrophages from nonadherent bone marrow cells

The normal course of hematopoiesis is controlled by growth factors and cytokines and, therefore, should be susceptible to alterations induced by systemic mediator release such as that seen following thermal injury. We hypothesized that a brief exposure of developing macrophages to the postthermal injury state would result in functionally altered progeny. We measured the production of inflammatory mediators by rat, bone-marrow macrophage precursors harvested 24 h following a 30% TBSA burn after subsequent maturation in a controlled, in vitro environment. Interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and prostaglandin (PG) E2 levels in response to 24 h stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured following 4 or 8 days of incubation with IL-3, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), or both. Flow cytometric analysis showed that bone marrow cells harvested from burn and sham animals cultured in GM-CSF developed principally into macrophages (His48+, R21A6A+, CD11b+. Unstimulated cells produced negligent levels of cytokines and PGE2. Stimulated burn-derived cells released greater amounts of IL-6 and TNF at 4 or 8 days of culture depending on the conditions. Elevated PGE2 release was noted in all GM-CSF containing cultures, with burn-derived cells showing a trend towards reduced prostaglandin release. Detection of mRNA for cytokines after LPS stimulation showed no change in IL-6 or TNF transcripts. A short exposure to the systemic effects of thermal injury preprogramed macrophage progenitor cells with the propensity to develop into inflammatory macrophages, secreting higher levels of TNF and IL-6. This shift towards proinflammatory functions in these cells suggests they could be a source of enhanced inflammatory mediator release at 4 or more days post thermal injury.

Cytokines block the effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on glucose uptake and lactate production in skeletal muscle but do not influence IGF-I-induced changes in protein turnover

There is evidence that proinflammatory cytokines are involved in the regulation of muscle protein breakdown in various catabolic conditions but the mechanisms are not fully understood. Previous studies suggest that cytokines reduce circulating and tissue levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and may block the anabolic effects of the hormone in certain cell types and tissues. We tested the hypothesis that a mixture of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 alpha, and interferon-gamma block the anabolic effects of IGF-I in skeletal muscle. Muscles from burned or unburned rats were incubated in the absence or presence of 1 microgram/mL of IGF-I with or without the addition of the cytokines. As expected, IGF-I stimulated protein synthesis and inhibited protein breakdown in incubated muscles. The cytokines did not influence protein turnover rates in muscles incubated with or without IGF-I. In additional experiments, the effects of IGF-I on glucose uptake and lactate production were tested. IGF-I increased glucose uptake approximately 2.5-fold and stimulated lactate production approximately 5-fold. These effects of the hormone were significantly inhibited by the cytokine mixture. The results suggest that cytokines do not induce protein catabolism by directly inhibiting the anabolic effects of IGF-I in muscle tissue. The inhibitory effects of the cytokines on IGF-I-stimulated glucose transport and lactate production suggest that the lack of effect of cytokines on protein metabolism was not due to a metabolic unresponsiveness of the incubated muscles to the cytokines.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulates protein synthesis and inhibits protein breakdown in muscle from burned rats

BACKGROUND

Burn injury is associated with substantial whole-body protein loss, reflecting mainly a catabolic response in skeletal muscle. Recent studies suggest that treatment with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) may reverse the catabolic response to burn injury, but the effects of IGF-1 on muscle protein synthesis and breakdown rates after burn injury are not known. We tested the hypothesis that IGF-1 blunts the catabolic response in skeletal muscle after burn injury by stimulating protein synthesis and inhibiting protein breakdown and that this effect of IGF-1 is caused by a direct effect on muscle tissue.

METHODS

Intact extensor digitorum longus muscles from burned, sham-burned, and untreated rats were incubated in the absence or presence of different concentrations of IGF-1. Total and myofibrillar protein breakdown rates were measured as net release of tyrosine and 3-methylhistidine, respectively. Protein synthesis rates were determined by measuring the incorporation of (U-14C)-phenylalanine into protein.

RESULTS

IGF-1 stimulated protein synthesis and inhibited protein breakdown in a dose-dependent fashion in muscles from burned and unburned rats. The maximal effect of IGF-1 on protein synthesis was seen at a hormone concentration of 100 ng/mL, whereas protein breakdown was further inhibited when the hormone concentration was increased to 1 microgram/mL. Ubiquitin messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were reduced by IGF-1 in incubated muscles, suggesting that IGF-1 may inhibit ubiquitin-dependent protein breakdown.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the anabolic effects of IGF-1 after burn may reflect inhibited protein breakdown and stimulated protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and that this response may be caused by a direct effect of IGF-1 on muscle tissue.

Bone marrow and splenocyte coculture-generated cells enhance allograft survival

BACKGROUND

Protocols that incorporate donor-specific cell infusions using bone marrow, spleen, or blood transfusion continue to enhance allograft survival and often lead to tolerance in experimental models. Clinical benefits from these modalities have not been as striking, leading to ongoing study in this field. We have explored culture techniques for the in vitro selection and development of cellular effectors capable of enhancing allograft survival.

METHODS

Rat bone marrow or spleen cells cultured under a variety of conditions were screened for suppressor function. Bone marrow cells, nonadherent to plastic, cultured for 7 days with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, lipopolysaccharide, and with or without splenocytes were found to contain predominantly myeloid lineage cells and had the ability to suppress phytohemagglutinin or mixed lymphocyte reaction-induced splenocyte proliferation. Standard donor-specific peripheral blood transfusion was compared with cultured donor-specific bone marrow cells, splenocytes, or marrow cells cultured with splenocytes (cocultured) administered intravenously at 1 x 10(7) cells/kg the day before an ACI to Lewis heterotopic heart transplant. Cyclosporine was administered at 10 mg/kg on day -1 and 2.5 mg/kg on days 0-6 relative to transplantation.

RESULTS

Mean allograft survival in cyclosporine-treated animals was 8.5 days without and 16.6 days with a donor-specific blood transfusion. Cocultured cells extended allograft survival (39.5 days), whereas bone marrow or splenocytes cultured alone did not. With Percoll gradient separation, two predominant culture subfractions, one with potent suppressor function and another with stimulator function, were identified. Flow cytometric analysis showed mixed populations enriched for macrophages but also including dendritic cells in both subfractions. The suppressive fraction extended allograft survival to 20.8 days and the stimulatory fraction was less effective, yet remixing of both fractions regained the full allograft survival advantage.

CONCLUSIONS

In this model, the coculture of bone marrow cells and splenocytes with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and lipopolysaccharide produced functionally divergent subpopulations that synergistically enhanced allograft survival. The development of cellular effectors with enhanced ability to prolong allograft survival using in vitro culture techniques is possible, and provides a new therapeutic option in the use of cell infusion-based therapies.

[Transurethral laser prostatectomy: report of 200 cases]

From August 1988 to May 1993, 200 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were treated by transurethral laser prostatectomy (TULP) in our hospital. 165 patients were followed up for 6 months to 4.5 years and the results showed excellent effect in 128 cases, improved 32 cases, the total effectiveness was 97%. TULP, a safe and effective therapy for BPH, have more wide operative indication range but it is not suitable for patients with carcinoma of prostate.

Effect of glutamine on phagocytosis and bacterial killing by normal and pediatric burn patient neutrophils

Glutamine is essential for the function of lymphocytes and macrophages, where it serves, among other things, as a source of energy. Little information is available concerning the fuel that polymorphonuclear cells use for their metabolic and bactericidal functions. It was the purpose of this study to determine whether glutamine would enhance the in vitro bactericidal function of normal neutrophils and whether the amino acid would restore the observed impaired function in burn patients to or above the normal level. Twelve burn patients with total body surface area burns ranging from 32% to 87% were studied. At various postburn times, neutrophils were isolated and their ability to kill Staphylococcus aureus in the presence and absence of glutamine was determined and compared with that in normal subjects. Glutamine enhanced the bactericidal function of normal neutrophils. In every patient, at all but two postburn times, glutamine caused an improvement in the observed abnormal neutrophil bactericidal function and often restored it to or slightly above the normal level. Glutamine had no effect on the expression of C3b receptors (CR1 or CD35) or on phagocytosis by the cells. This study confirms the beneficial effects of glutamine in at least one arm of the immune system and adds evidence for the possible advantage of including this amino acid in the diets of burn and other trauma patients.

Serotype-specific epitope(s) present on the VP8 subunit of rotavirus VP4 protein

cDNA clones representing the VP8 and VP5 subunits of VP4 of symptomatic human rotavirus strain KU (VP7 serotype 1 and VP4 serotype 1A) or DS-1 (VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 serotype 1B) or asymptomatic human rotavirus strain 1076 (VP7 serotype 2 and VP4 serotype 2) were constructed and inserted into the pGEMEX-1 plasmid and expressed in Escherichia coli. Immunization of guinea pigs with the VP8 or VP5 protein of each strain induced antibodies that neutralized the rotavirus from which the VP4 subunits were derived. In a previous study (M. Gorziglia, G. Larralde, A.Z. Kapikian, and R. M. Chanock, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:7155-7159, 1990), three distinct serotypes and one subtype of VP4 outer capsid protein were identified among 17 human rotavirus strains that had previously been assigned to five distinct VP7 serotypes. The results obtained by cross-immunoprecipitation and by neutralization assay with antisera to the VP8- and VP5-expressed proteins suggest that the VP8 subunit of VP4 contains the major antigenic site(s) responsible for serotype-specific neutralization of rotavirus via VP4, whereas the VP5 subunit of VP4 is responsible for much of the cross-reactivity observed among strains that belong to different VP4 serotypes.

Causes of death in aged burn patients: analysis of 36 cases

Over a 10-year period 110 patients over the age of 65 years were admitted to the Burn Center, Rui Jin Hospital and 36 (32.7 per cent) died. Significant differences between the survivors and non-survivors were related to the total burn surface area and full skin thickness burn size. Among the causes of death, pre-existing cardiopulmonary diseases and associated inhalation injury were particularly important since pneumonia was considered as a primary cause of death in 13 patients, myocardial disease in two, cor-pulmonale and heart failure in two. Care of the early fluid resuscitation, early excision of deep burn wounds and grafting, prevention or treatment of a variety of life-threatening complications, and nutritional supplementation appeared to decrease the mortality of aged burn patients.