Substance In Group Research Articles

Simultaneous determination of several forms of phosphate in food by ion exchange chromatography

The phosphate group is a group of food additives commonly used for moisturizing, improving the structure, and retaining the color and flavor of products prepared from meat, fish, milk, baked goods, and beverages. A reliable and fast ion exchange chromatography method developed for the simultaneous determination of several forms of phosphate (orthophosphoric acid; pyrophosphate, triphosphate, and hexametaphosphate) in food. Samples were extracted with deionized water at a temperature of 25 ± 5oC for 30 minutes. The extracts were determined by ion exchange chromatography under the conditions: Dionex IonPacTM AS11 column (4 x 250 mm, 9 µm) and Dionex IonPaxTM AG11 column (4 x 50 mm, 9 µm) with the gradient program of KOH concentration from 20 mM to 80 mM. The flow rate is 1 mL/min. The method has good specificity, the calibration curves of the four substances have correlation coefficient values R2 > 0.9999, repeatability and recovery meet the requirements of AOAC. The detection limits (LOD) and quantification limit (LOQ) of each substance in the phosphate group are 12 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, respectively. The method was applied to simultaneously determine several forms of phosphate in 50 food samples: 15/50 samples detected pyrophosphate, 2/50 samples detected triphosphate, 18/50 samples detected hexametaphosphate and 44/50 samples detected ortho-phosphoric acid, 6/50 samples not detected any form of phosphate. The concentration of phosphate group in detected samples varied from 67.9 mg/kg to 2499 mg/kg.

Levels of neurotrophins in the brain of female rats in an experimental model of malignant tumor growth under conditions of hypothyroidism

Objective. Studying the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF-β), and neurotrophin 3 (NT3) in the cerebral cortex and subcortical substance of female rats in an experimental model of extracerebral growth of malignant tumor under conditions of induced hypothyroidism.Materials and methods. An experiment was performed on 47 white non-linear female rats: 10 rats each in the intact group, control group 1 (induced hypothyroidism), control group 2 (subcutaneous growth of Guerin’s carcinoma), main group (combination of pathologies); 7 rats in the group with subcutaneous tumor growth to assess life expectancy. Hypothyroidism was induced by per os administration of thiamazole (mercazolil, Akrikhin, Russia), daily dose of 2.5 mg/100 g of body weight, course of 30 days; total thyroxine and thyroid stimulating hormone were determined in blood serum by RIA (Immunotech, Czech Republic). When persistent hypothyroidism was achieved, Guerin’s carcinoma was transplanted under the skin as standard. Aſter decapitation on the 18th day aſter transplantation, the content of BDNF, NGF-β, NT3 (R&D System, RayBiotech, USA) was determined in 10 % homogenates of the cortex and subcortical substance subcortex of the brain (R&D System, RayBiotech, USA).Results. In the cortex in control groups 1 and 2, the level of BDNF was 2.6- and 1.6-fold lower, respectively, and NGF-β was 2.2-fold higher on average than in the intact group. NT3 levels in the control group 1 were 3.0- and 1.6-fold lower in the cortex and subcortical substance, respectively. In the control group 2, the levels of NT3 and NGF-β were higher in the subcortical matter than in the intact group by 2.4-fold and 3.1-fold, respectively. In the cortex and subcortical substance in the main group, only NGF-β levels were higher on average by 1.7 times, with values being intermediate between the corresponding values in control groups 1 and 2.Conclusion. Changes in the levels of all neurotrophins in hypothyroidism were most pronounced in the cortex, while in independent tumor growth, NGF-β in the cortex and subcortical substance and NT3 only in subcortical substance changed the most. When the pathologies were combined, only NGF-β was altered in the cortex and subcortical substance. Apparently, there is an interaction of the tumor and the CNS with changes in the balance of regulatory signals in the subcortical areas of the brain, that reflecting the connection with the biological characteristics of an active or inhibited (in presence of hypothyroidism) tumor growth.

Biofouling mitigation by D-tyrosine in membrane bioreactor: Short-term performance

D-amino acids can inhibit the formation of biofilm without affecting bacterial growth, which is a new strategy to control membrane biofouling. This paper investigated the effects of D-tyrosine on the performance of membrane bioreactor (MBR) during short-term operation. The results showed that the critical flux of activated sludge in MBR increased with the existence of D-tyrosine. The removal efficiencies of wastewater were not affected by D-tyrosine. The fouling propensities of soluble microbial products (SMP) in both MBRs were almost the same. Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) in D-tyrosine group exhibited weaker fouling propensity. Further research indicated that the addition of D-tyrosine did not have a significant impact on SMP. D-tyrosine lead to the reduction of EPS polysaccharides and the great fluctuation of EPS protein. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that the addition of D-tyrosine changed the microbial community structure in MBR, which might be one of the reasons for the change of EPS.

Effects of Phoenix dactylifera against Streptozotocin-Aluminium Chloride Induced Alzheimer's Rats and Their In Silico Study.

Phoenix dactylifera is known for medicinal importance due to its antioxidant, antidiabetic, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of P. dactylifera seeds to cure Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD was induced in the rats with streptozotocin + aluminium chloride followed by treatment of methanolic extract of P. dactylifera seeds. The blood glucose levels were determined at regular intervals, which showed a prominent decrease in the extracts treated group. Behavior tests, including the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) test and Morris Water Maze (MWM) test, were used to evaluate memory patterns in rats. The results indicated that extract-treated rats significantly improved memory behavior compared to the diseased group. After dissection, the serum electrolytes, antioxidant enzymes, and choline esterase enzymes were measured in different organs. The serum parameters creatinine, urea, and bilirubin increased after extract treatment. Similarly, the level of antioxidant enzymes like peroxidases (POD), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in the extract-treated group showed improved results that were close to the normal control group. The enzyme (lipase, insulin, amylase, and acetylcholine) levels were found enhanced in extract groups as compared to diseased rats. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine the level of dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitters, which were increased significantly for P. dactylifera seeds with values of 0.18 μg/mg tissue and 0.56 μg/mg tissue, respectively. Overall, results showed that P. dactylifera seeds proved to be quite efficient in improving the memory and behavior of treated rats. The antioxidants and enzymes were also increased; therefore, it may be a potential candidate for treating AD.

Brain activities of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats treated with gliclazide: Behavioural, biochemical and histomorphology studies.

Gliclazide (GLD), a sulphonylurea is efficacious in the treatment of diabetes type-2. However, there is limited information on its activity in the brain, especially in diabetics. This research investigated the brain activities of GLD following streptozotocin-induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Twenty five adult male Wistar rats (200–250 g) were grouped (n = 5) as: Control (distilled water, 5 mL/kg) and GLD (150 mg/kg) groups; and the diabetic groups, untreated streptozotocin (STZ, 35 mg/kg), and STZ (35 mg/kg) treated with GLD (150 mg/kg) for two and four weeks, and already on high fat diet. The animals’ body weights and blood glucose levels were checked weekly. After the experimental duration, spontaneous alternation and novel object recognition tests were carried out and the animals sacrificed. Perfusion with phosphate buffered saline preceded brain excision for biochemical analyses, with halves fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histology. Compared with the control, results showed (p < 0.05) declined spontaneous alternation and exploratory activities with no preference for familiar or novel objects, body weights loss, raised blood glucose, increased malondialdehyde with decreased superoxide dismutase concentrations, and no apparent adverse effect on hippocampal and prefrontal cortical Nissl substance in the untreated diabetic group. The adverse observations were attenuated in the GLD treated diabetic groups; although the spontaneous alternation in the four weeks GLD treated diabetic group improved (p < 0.05), exploration of objects increased (p < 0.05) without preference. The present results showed that treatment with GLD for two and four weeks mitigated STZ activities, even though there was less improvement in neurocognitive activities.

1.16 Substance Use and Mental Health in Children in South Bronx: Craft Survey

According to 2020 statistics from NIDA, the lifetime prevalence of illicit substance use disorder (SUD) in eighth graders is 21.3%, which increases up to 46.6% in 12th graders. SUD is the second most common mental health complaint in children to the emergency room (ER). The ER can be used as a screening site for prevalence of this disorder. We conducted a CRAFFT (Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble) survey to determine the prevalence of SUD in children and adolescents with mental health disorders (CA-MHD). A cross-sectional quality improvement (QI) study was done on children presenting to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric ER of South Bronx, NY with mental health complaints, between April and June 2021. Participants were screened for concomitant substance use disorder with the CRAFFT questionnaire and a structured survey to observe reasons for using a substance, effects on mood and functionality, and help/treatment received for substance use. Our data comprised 151 patients (61 males and 90 females) with 63 children (42%) and 88 adolescents (58%) presented. With respect to ethnicity, 89 were Hispanics (59%), 57 were African Americans (38%), and 4 were other ethnicities (3%). Forty-two participants (28%) endorsed substance use. Marijuana was the most commonly used substance (29 patients), followed by alcohol (10), and other illicit substances (3). Eight participants denied the use of marijuana, but their urine drug screen was positive for cannabinoids. Patients using drugs were asked about seeking help in the past for substance issues; however, all reported they have not taken any help nor do they want to take any help in the future. Commonly identified reasons for substance use in descending order are frustration due to personal issues, loneliness, and feeling sad. Participants reported that substance use helped them in remaining calm amid work and forgetting about the problems. SUD is prevalent among CA-MHD presenting to the ER, with cannabis being the most used substance in this age group. The majority of substance users identified interpersonal problems to be the trigger for substance use; hence, interpersonal therapy can be useful in ameliorating this pattern. More studies are required to delineate the exact efficacy. Presently, this study is still ongoing, and in the future, we will have more comprehensive and bigger data sets.

The first clinical experience of using bone chips to promote sternum reossification after median sternotomy

The OBJECTIVE was to evaluate the first experience of using bone chips in sternum metallic osteosynthesis in terms of safety and clinical efficacy. METHODS AND MATERIALS. 20 patients, 10 people in each group (11 men and 9 women; the average age in Group 1 was 74.2±5.3 years; in Group 2 – (72.4±6.7) years) were enrolled in the study. In accordance with the objective of the study, when suturing the sternum, bone-chip grafts were inserted into the spongy substance in Group 1 patients. Group 2 included patients who underwent surgical treatment according to the generally accepted standard protocol: bone wax was applied to the spongy bone tissue of the sternum. RESULTS. The evaluation of sternum reossification was performed with spiral computed tomography. The initial state of the bone tissue was examined before the operation, in the early postoperative period (12 days) and in the midterm period – 12 months after the operation. The results were evaluated on a point scale: 0 points – sternal diastasis more than 3 mm, 12 points – complete sternal consolidation. In the early postoperative period, the degree of sternum fusion did not differ in both groups. (Group 1 – (3.5±0.7); Group 2 – (3.5±0.8) points). In the mid-term follow-up (12 months after), the degree of sternum fusion in patients of Group 1 was (11±0.7) points, which was almost two times higher than in patients of Group 2 – (5.6±3) points. CONCLUSION. The use of Xeno-materials for bone grafting in patients at high risk of impaired reossification after median sternotomy is safe and effective.

The Antibacterial Effect of Ethanol Edamame Seeds (Glycine Max (L) Merril) Extract to E.coli Bacteria

Abstract&#x0D; Infectious diseases can occur in all parts of the body. One of the causes infection in humans is Eschericiae coli bacteria. Eschericiae coli is a rod-shaped bacteria, a gram negative bacteria, facultative aerobics and classified family member of Enterobacteriaceae from the Gammaproteobacteria class. Along the times, E.coli bacteria have resistent to some antibiotics. So we need a new alternative. There is a antibacterial substance in the isoflavon group contained in edamame. Genistein is a main isoflavon in edamame that have antiinflammation, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to determine is there any antibacterial effects in ethanol edamame seeds extract to E.coli bacteria. This study used a true experimental research design in vitro with a post test only control group design. The average diameter results of the inhibition zone were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis method and obtained p = 0.001 which means there are significant differences in at least two groups. After that, the Mann Whitney post hoc test was conducted and a significant difference was found in the positive and negative control groups for all groups but there was no difference in the treatment group, both groups K1, K2 and K3 for all groups.&#x0D; Keywords : Edamame, Antibacterial, E.coli

Murine's amygdala microstructure and elevated plus maze activities following R. vomitoria root bark and G. latifolium leaf extracts administration.

R. vomitoria (RV), a plant used locally in the management of psychotic disorders, adversely affects the brain functionally and structurally. Such adverse reports, as well as the potential of G. latifolium (GL) to mitigate same warranted this investigation on the combined actions of RV and GL on the amygdala. Twenty-four male CD-1 mice weighing 22-27g were divided into four groups (n = 6): Control (20ml/kg body weight, b.w., distilled water); RV (200mg/kg b.w.), GL (200mg/kg b.w.), and RV (200mg/kg b.w.) and GL (200mg/kg b.w.) combination orally, and for 14days. On day 15, the elevated-plus maze test was carried out and the animals sacrificed, and processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Neurobehavioural results showed significant decrease (p[Formula: see text] 0.001) in stretch-attend posture, time spent in closed arms, grooming frequency, protected head-dip, as well as significantly (p[Formula: see text]0.01) increased time spent in the open arms and unprotected head-dips of the RV group. The combined RV and GL groups showed no such differences in these parameters. Histologically, the amygdala showed hypertrophied cells, with pyknotic and karyorrhectic nuclei, and reduced expression of Nissl substance in the RV group, while the combined RV and GL group showed less degenerative features. Glial fibrillary acidic protein expression (GFAP) was increased in the RV group, while the combined RV and GL group showed reduced expression. In conclusion, RV root bark extract has adverse effects on the microstructure of murines' amygdala and their behaviour, which may be ameliorated by GL.

Animal Health Risk assessment of multiple chemicals in essential oils for farm animals

This technical report implements the EFSA MIXTOX guidance document for animal health risk assessment of combined exposure to multiple chemicals in essential oilsusing whole mixture and component-based approaches (WMA and CBA).The harmonised step wise approaches from the MIXTOX guidance are applied to the problem formulation, exposure assessment, hazard assessment and risk characterisation using conservative scenarios, available data and tools. Options for the refinement of the CBA are proposed for the exposure assessment and hazard assessment (toxicity and toxicokinetic data and models) steps as well as for the application of risk characterisation methods.For exposure assessment, exposure metrics are derived for the whole mixture or for each component of the assessment groupusing the maximum proposed use levels of the essential oil in feedcombined with the feed consumption patterns corrected for body weight for each farm animal species. For hazard assessment, combined chronic toxicity on a species-specific basis requires data collection of reference points from chronic tolerance studies in each farm species or (sub)-chronic toxicity studies on test species. For the WMA, the chronic toxicity of the whole mixture is used and divided by uncertainty factors.For the component-based approach, the chronic toxicity for each substance in each assessment group is collected. For risk characterisation using WMA and CBA, a margin of exposure approach and a combined margin of exposure approach are applied respectively.Options for refining the approachesfor the component-based approach are proposedincluding the use ofspecific toxic effectsfor the grouping of chemicals as well as the use of toxicokinetic data and generic physiologically-based kinetic models for farm animal species.

Tentative identification of the metabolites of (1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone, and the product of its thermal degradation, by in vitro and in vivo methods.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), mimicking the psychoactive effects of cannabis, consist of a vast array of structurally diverse compounds. A novel compound belonging to the SC family, (1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl)-(2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropyl)methanone (named TMCP-CHM in this article) contains a cyclopropane ring that isomerizes during the smoking process, resulting in a ring-opened thermal degradant with a terminal double bond in its structure. Metabolites of TMCP-CHM were tentatively identified in vitro (after incubation of the parent substance with S9 pooled human liver fraction) and in vivo (rat experimental model) studies by accurate-mass liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). For the identification of the degradant metabolites, and to study biotransformation of parent substance in the human, urine and hair samples from patients, who had ingested the compound and were subsequently admitted to hospital with drug intoxications, were analyzed. Products of mono-, di-, trihydroxylation, carboxylation, and carboxylation combined with hydroxylation of TMCP-CHM and its degradant were detected in human urine. Metabolism of the degradant included addition of water to the terminal double bond followed by dehydration and formation of a cyclic metabolite. Degradant metabolites prevailed in comparison with metabolites of the parent substance in each metabolite group examined, except carboxylation. N-Dealkylated metabolites found in human urine originated only from the degradant. Most of the hydroxy metabolites were detected in human urine in both the free form and as glucuronides. The detection of monohydroxylated (M1.1-M1.3, M/A1.10) and carboxylated/hydroxylated (M4.2, M/A4.3) metabolites of TMCP-CHM and the hydrated form of the monohydroxylated metabolite of the degradant was found to be convenient for routine analysis.

THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE PERINATAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CONDITION FETAL CNS WITH HEMOLYTIC DISEASE, WHO RECEIVED TREATMENT BY INTRAUTERINE INTRAVASCULAR BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Objective: to determine the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the pathomorphological evaluation of focal changes in the central nervous system (CNS) of fetuses with hemolytic disease before and after treatment, by intrauterine intravascular blood transfusion, and to compare the MRI data of fetuses with ultrasound neurosonography (NSH) newborns. The study included 45 pregnant women and their 45 newborns. Patients are divided into 2 groups. The main group: 30 pregnant women (mean gestation period 32,1 weeks) with hemolytic disease of the fetus who underwent intrauterine intravascular blood transfusion and their 30 newborns with hemolytic disease of the newborn. In this group, comparative MRI examinations of the central nervous system were performed using a protocol including fast MP sequences based on T1 and T2-weighted images, as well as the DWI pulse sequence, both before treatment (intrauterine intravascular blood transfusion of the fetus), and after treatment (regardless of the multiplicity of intrauterine intravascular transfusion — before delivery). The comparison group comprised 15 pregnant women (mean gestation period of 38,6 weeks) with no signs of hemolytic disease, examined by MRI for other indications (concomitant pathology of pregnancy) and their 15 newborns, comparable in gestational age to the main group. The obstetric anamnesis, the MRI data of the central nervous system of fetuses before the treatment (the first intrauterine intravascular transfusion) and after the treatment (before the delivery) and the results of ultrasound for the first day of life were analyzed. When comparing the MRI data of changes in the central nervous system, in the main group (in fetuses with bladder) in relation to the comparison group before treatment (the first intrauterine, intravascular transfusion), a high incidence of focal changes in the brain substance in the main group was revealed. The use of MRIdiagnostics demonstrates a decrease in the risk of development of PCNC in ischemic type, in dynamics before and after treatment. Based on the MRI diagnostic data of the fetal CNS, it is possible to judge the prognosis of the outcomes of hemolytic disease of the fetus, in comparison with the neonatal neurosonography data for the first day.

Abstract 1269: Preventive potentials of the fruits of Detarium microcarpum on N-methyl nitrosourea (MNU) induced colon carcinogenesis in rats

Abstract Detaruim microcarpum Guill. &amp; Perr is a leguminous African plant with significant nutritional and medicinal uses. In an experimental N-methyl nitroso urea (MNU) induced colon carcinogenesis in rats, various concentrations of pulverized D. microcarpum fruits were included in diets of rats and the chemopreventive effects of these supplemented diets were investigated. The rats were divided into 10 groups (n=7) and fed for 10 weeks with diets containing 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% D. microcarpum. Subsequently, the feeding continues for another 12 weeks but with concomitant intra-rectal administration of MNU at every 72 hour interval. Respective control groups fed similar concentrations of supplemented diets, normal diet with or without MNU intoxication were also included. All rats were sacrificed at the end of the 22 weeks experiment; blood collected for hematological analysis and serum was separated for carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) assay and other biochemical tests. Liver, kidney and colon were also collected for antioxidant and tissue peroxidation assays. Sections of the colon were subjected to histopathological studies and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining using mutL homolog 1 (MLH1) antibody. A significant (p&amp;lt;0.05) elevation was observed in levels of CEA (210 ± 18 pg/ml) in the MNU positive control group when compared with the test groups and the negative control group (70 ± 6 to 140 ±11 pg/ml). There were significant decreases (p&amp;lt;0.05) in the major hematological parameters (PCV, hemoglobin, WBC etc) levels, catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the MNU control group when compared to other groups. A concomitant significant increases (p&amp;lt;0.05) was also observed in the levels of liver function enzymes and kidney function biomarkers as well as thiobarbituric reactive substance (maliondealdehyde) in the MNU control group when compared to the test groups and other controls . It was further observed that these variations in the CEA and antioxidant status markers were dose dependent in many instances. Histopathological and IHC staining of the colons in the treated groups showed mild changes in tissues with no expression of the MLH1 antibody when compared with the MNU control group having moderate damage and expression of the antibody. Hence it was concluded that the inclusion of fruits of D. microcarpum in the diet protected the organs and tissues of the rats from induced MNU toxicity; ameliorated oxidative stress in colon carcinogenesis model and possibly prevented the initiation of the process of carcinogenesis implying that the fruits possess significant health benefits which may have warranted their usage in foods and also in traditional medicine in Africa. Citation Format: Mubarak L. Liman, Sunday E. Atawodi. Preventive potentials of the fruits of Detarium microcarpum on N-methyl nitrosourea (MNU) induced colon carcinogenesis in rats [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1269. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1269

Profile differences between overdose and non-overdose suicide attempts in a multi-ethnic Asian society

BackgroundThis study explores differences in characteristics of overdose (OD) and non-overdose (NOD) suicide attempts in Singapore.MethodsFour hundred eighty-five medical records of people who attempted suicide were extracted from a local general hospital patient database and classified into OD and NOD groups. Differences in socio-demographic factors, suicide characteristics and hospital admission types between both groups were examined.ResultsIndians were more likely than the Chinese and Malays to employ OD method in their attempts. More suicide attempts in the OD group than NOD group were self-reported. The most likely place for suicide attempts for both groups was at home, though more NOD suicide attempts were in public areas as compared to the OD group. Analgesics were the most used substance in the OD group. Those who attempted suicide using OD had a higher number of psychiatric ward admissions than the NOD group. Risk and protective factors varied between both groups.ConclusionDifferences in socio-demographics, suicide characteristics and admission characteristics between OD and NOD groups were observed. Recommendations for suicide prevention in the community are discussed. Further studies on the mediators and moderators of these trends and characteristics of suicide attempts are necessary to ensure maximal efficacy of prevention and management.

Dust Resulting from Tire Wear and the Risk of Health Hazards

The present study examined the effects of air pollutants on people’s health, focusing on dust produced from automobile tires while cars drive on roads. The annual volume of dust resulting from tire wear, calculated based on the number of automobiles registered in Japan, was 1747245.4 m3. To put it simply, this translates to approximately 1.4 times the volume of the Tokyo Dome, a famous Japanese baseball stadium. Particulate substances are categorized into three groups depending on their size, and dust resulting from tire wear is classified into the coarse particle mode along with mold spores, pollen, and dust produced from brake pads. This study examined whether or not tire dust causes health damage similarly to pollen, a particulate substance in the same group. There were 38/cm2 dust particles resulting from tire wear on a busy road in Osaka Prefecture, and this number was larger than that of cedar pollen/cm2 (35), a cause of hay fever, identified in Hokkaido. The results suggest that tire dust may also adversely affect the health of people if any of its constituents has a toxicity or causes allergies.

Antioxidant Role of Selenium in Rats with Experimental Acute Otitis Media

The aim of this prospective experimental animal study was to determine whether selenium had a protective effect on oxidative stress in rats with acute otitis media, by measuring the alterations of antioxidant parameters and lipid peroxidation on days 4 and 10 after inoculation into the middle ear. Streptococcus pneumoniae was inoculated into the middle ear cavities of 32 rats in animal laboratory of a tertiary medical center. Group 1 served as the control group and the animals were administered 1.5ml/day saline. Group 2 received 0.2mg/kg/day oral selenium for 10days. The blood samples of each group were obtained on post-inoculation days 4 and 10. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, albumin, total sulphydryl, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were investigated. Day 10 level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in group 2 was lower than the day 4 level of the same substance in the control group. Although glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels significantly decreased starting from 4th day until 10th day in group 1, their levels increased in group 2. Day 10 levels of albumin and total sulphydryl in group 1 were significantly higher than day 4 levels in group 2. We found that selenium supplementation for 10days decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increased glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels when compared to the control group. We believe that selenium supplementation may be beneficial to prevent the clinical sequelae and recurrence of otitis media.

Brain damage related to hemorrhagic transformation following cerebral ischemia and the role of KATP channels

Background: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is a major factor limiting the use of thrombolytic treatment for stroke. Animal model can help us to understand HT. This study is to establish a HT model in rats to compare HT with uncomplicated cerebral infarction in neurobehavioral deficit, brain edema, brain adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, and to investigate its pathology changes as well as the impact of, Glibenclamide, a ATP-sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel) blocker, on the pathogenesis of HT. Methods: Male, Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: hemorrhagic transformation (HT), cerebral infarction (CI), Glibenclamide+HT (GH) and a control. To create HT model, right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was conducted with intraluminal thread technique; 30 min after MCAO, 50 μL arterial blood was injected into the caudate nucleus where the infarction occurred. Neurologic deficit was evaluated by Longa test, Berderson test and Beam test. Brain water content, brain ATPase activity and SDH activity were measured. Histology was examined using light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Results: No significant difference in neurobehavioral deficit and brain water content was observed between HT and CI groups in all time points (P>0.05). Brain ATPase activity 12 h and 24 h after operation and brain SDH activity 24 h after the operation in HT group were both significantly increased compared with those in CI group (P<0.05); the increase of brain ATPase and SDH activity in HT group could be prevented by Glibenclamide. Neuronal degeneration and tissue edema in HT group, swollen neuropil and loosen intercellular substance in CI group were revealed by histology study. Ultrastructural changes including swollen mitochondria and interstitial edema were also observed in both HT and CI groups. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that moderate hemorrhagic transformation does not significantly aggravate cerebral infarction, and that KATP channels have an important role in energy metabolism.

1762 CONGENITAL DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA- CONTRIBUTION OF PULMONARY ARTERIAL REMODELLING TO PERSISTENT PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Some infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) who die after surgical correction have a transient postoperative period during which oxygenation is adequate(“honeymoon”(H) period) while others have persistent hypoxemia. To explain the different clinical course, lung development and pulmonary arterial structure of 7 neonates with CDH who came to autopsy were analyzed using morphometric techniques. Three infants comprised the H group, transiently having PaO2>150 torr in the descending aorta (DAo) while receiving 100% oxygen. Four infants comprised the no-honeymoon (no-H) group and never had PaO2>85 torr in the DAo. All lungs were small for age, the ipsilateral being smaller in weight and volume. Three of the 4 infants in the no-H group had more reduced ipsi- and contralateral lung weight and ipsilateral lung volume compared with the H group. The contralateral lung volumes were similar suggesting relative overinflation of lung substance in the no-H group. Each member of the no-H group had abnormal structure of intraacinar arteries with muscle extending precociously to alveolar wall vessels. In addition, compared with the H group, the luminal area of pre- and intraacinar arteries in the no-H group was decreased by reduced external diameter and/or increased medial thickness in both lungs. The different postoperative course of infants with CDH is based on both severity of pulmonary hypoplasia and extent of pulmonary arterial remodelling.

Gel filtration of ABH blood group substances : II. Individual gel chromatographic patterns of ABH substances in the saliva of secretors and non-secretors

The saliva from 605 donors was gel chromatographed on Sephadex G-100 and was examined serologically for ABH blood group specific fractions termed fractions 1, 2 and 3. All secretors had the main active excluded fraction (fraction 1) alone or associated with fraction 2 and/or fraction 3. The saliva from non-secretors lacked fraction 1 and had fraction 2 and/or fraction 3. In some non-secretors, no active fraction was detected (true non-secretors). Eight gel filtration patterns for each of the A, B and H antigens were therefore identified. A standardised technique on small Sephadex G-100 columns was developed and the frequencies of each gel filtration type determined in the last 199 secretors and 32 non-secretors were examined. The gel filtration pattern of H substance in group A, B and AB subjects was also studied. In some of these subjects, gel filtration patterns of the single antigens had been found which differ from each other. The ABH salivary gel filtration pattern of a single subject is a stable individual characteristic and probably is genetically determined.

A genetical study of the variations in ABH secretion

Summary1. The sib pair data suggest that the amount of A, B or H antigen secreted by an individual is in part inherited.2. Most of the inherited component of the variance in antigen secreted appears to be polygenic.3. The data confirm that group O people secrete more H substance than do group A people who, in turn, secrete more than group B people, and that group AB people secrete least of all. This suggests that there may be a difference between homozygotes and heterozygotes of groups A and B with regard to the amount of H secreted.4. The ratio of A:H secreted appears to be in part controlled genetically.5. The distribution of the ratio of A: H substance in group A secretors indicates that many of the so‐called aberrant secretors are really the arbitrarily chosen extremes of a continuous and unimodal distribution of ratios. If this be so, aberrant secretors should be defined as individuals whose A: H or B: H ratio falls more than a given number of standard deviations from the mean of the control group. Such a definition would allow people in different places, using different antisera, to compare their results.The research has been carried out with the aid of grants from the Medical Research Committee of the United Liverpool Hospitals under the Chairmanship of Lord Cohen of Birkenhead, the Nuffield Foundation and the Medical Research Council. Our thanks are due to our Senior Technician, Mr W. T. A. Donohoe, for his expert serological work. Finally we are grateful to our research assistant, Miss S. M. Manning, who has been invaluable in collecting most of the material and in carrying out all the secretarial work.