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2-ketogluconic acid production and phosphate solubilization by Enterobacter intermedium.

Enterobacter intermedium, isolated from grass rhizosphere, exhibited a strong ability to solubilize insoluble phosphate. This bacterium oxidized glucose to gluconic acid and sequentially to 2-ketogluconic acid (2-KGA), which was identified using HPLC and GC-MS. The ability of E. intermedium to solubilize phosphate and produce 2-KGA produce in broth medium containing different components was monitored with air and without air supply. With an air supply, the production of 2-KGA markedly increased to about 110 g/l at day 10 in media containing 0.2 M gluconic acid, while it was about 65 g/l without gluconic acid addition. With an air supply, the concentration of soluble phosphate significantly decreased to 200-250 mg/l in media containing 1% CaCO3, whereas it was about 1000 mg/l without CaCO3 addition. Without an air supply, the concentration of 2-KGA and phosphate were negligible throughout the culture period.

Culture Media↗

Altered exopolysaccharides of Bradyrhizobium japonicum mutants correlate with impaired soybean lectin binding, but not with effective nodule formation.

The exact mechanism(s) of infection and symbiotic development between rhizobia and legumes is not yet known, but changes in rhizobial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) affect both infection and nodule development of the legume host. Early events in the symbiotic process between Bradyrhizobium japonicum and soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) were studied using two mutants, defective in soybean lectin (SBL) binding, which had been generated from B. japonicum 2143 (USDA 3I-1b-143 derivative) by Tn5 mutagenesis. In addition to their SBL-binding deficiency, these mutants produced less EPS than the parental strain. The composition of EPS varied with the genotype and with the carbon source used for growth. When grown on arabinose, gluconate, or mannitol, the wild-type parental strain, B. japonicum 2143, produced EPS typical of DNA homology group I Bradyrhizobium, designated EPS I. When grown on malate, strain 2143 produced a different EPS composed only of galactose and its acetylated derivative and designated EPS II. Mutant 1252 produced EPS II when grown on arabinose or malate, but when grown on gluconate or mannitol, mutant 1252 produced a different EPS comprised of glucose, galactose, xylose and glucuronic acid (1:5:1:1) and designated EPS III. Mutant 1251, grown on any of these carbon sources, produced EPS III. The EPS of strain 2143 and mutant 1252 contained SBL-binding polysaccharide. The amount of the SBL-binding polysaccharide produced by mutant 1252 varied with the carbon source used for growth. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) produced by strain 2143 during growth on arabinose, gluconate or mannitol, showed a high level of SBL binding, whereas CPS produced during growth of strain 2143 on malate showed a low level of SBL binding. However, the change in EPS composition and SBL binding of strain 2143 grown on malate did not affect the wild-type nodulation and nitrogen fixation phenotype of 2143. Mutant 1251, which produced EPS III, nodulated 2 d later than parental strain 2143, but formed effective, nitrogen-fixing tap root nodules. Mutant 1252, which produced either EPS II or III, however nodulated 5-6 d later and formed few and ineffective tap root nodules. Restoration of EPS I production in mutant 1252 correlated with restored SBL binding, but not with wild-type nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

Arabinose↗

Assessing the cellular transmembrane electrical potential difference on the hepatic uptake of palmitate.

Understanding the driving forces for the hepatic uptake of endogenous and exogenous substrates in isolated cells and organs is fundamental to describing the underlying hepatic physiology/pharmacology. In this study we investigated whether uptake of plasma protein-bound [3H]-palmitate across the hepatocyte wall is governed by the transmembrane electrical potential difference (PD). Uptake was studied in isolated hepatocytes and isolated perfused rat livers (IPL). Protein-binding and vasoactive properties of the different perfusates were determined using in vitro heptane/buffer partitioning studies and the multiple indicator dilution (MID) technique in the IPL, respectively. Altering hepatocyte PD by perfusate ion substitution resulted in either a substantial depolarization (-14 +/- 1 mV, n = 12, mean +/- S.E., substituting choline for Na+) or hyperpolarization (-46 +/- 3 mV, n = 12, mean +/- S.E., substituting nitrate for Cl-). Perfusate ion substitution also affected the equilibrium binding constant for the palmitate-albumin complex. IPL studies suggested that, other than with gluconate buffer, hepatic [3H]-palmitate extraction was not affected by the buffer used, implying PD was not a determinant of extraction. [3H]-Palmitate extraction was much lower (p < 0.05) when gluconate was substituted for Cl- ion. This work contrasts with that for the extraction of [3H]-alanine where hepatic extraction fraction was significantly reduced during depolarization. Changing the albumin concentration did not affect hepatocyte PD, and [3H]-palmitate clearance into isolated hepatocytes was not affected by the buffers used. MID studies with vascular and extravascular references revealed that, with the gluconate substituted buffer, the extravascular volume possibly increased the diffusional path length thus explaining reduced [3H]-palmitate extraction fraction in the IPL.

Alanine↗

p-Aminohippurate transport in basal-lateral membrane vesicles from rabbit renal cortex: stimulation by pH and sodium gradients.

p-Aminohippuric acid (PAH) uptake was studied in basal-lateral membrane vesicles prepared from rabbit renal cortex. An outwardly directed hydroxyl gradient (pHo = 6.0, pHi = 7.6) stimulated PAH uptake slightly over that when the internal and external pH values were equal at 7.6. A 100 mM sodium gluconate gradient directed into the basal-lateral membrane vesicles increased PAH uptake about 2-fold over that when N-methyl-D-glucamine or potassium gluconate gradients were present. When hydroxyl and sodium gradients were simultaneously imposed (pHo = 6.0, pHi = 7.6 and 100 mM sodium gluconate extravesicularly) PAH uptake was stimulated greater than with the pH or Na+ gradient alone. In fact, an 'overshoot' was observed. Countertransport experiments showed that either intravesicular PAH or intravesicular PAH and Na+ could stimulate 3H-PAH uptake. Probenecid, an inhibitor of organic anion transport, inhibited both the hydroxyl-stimulated and Na+ gradient-stimulated PAH uptake but the greatest inhibition by probenecid was seen when the hydroxyl and sodium gradients were both present. Thus, it is proposed that the driving force for PAH accumulation across the basal-lateral membrane of the proximal tubule is a transport system which moves Na+ and PAH into the cell for an hydroxyl ion leaving the cell, i.e. a sodium-dependent anion-anion exchange system.

Aminohippuric Acids↗

Electrolyte transport across the pleura of rabbits.

The amounts of Na+ and Cl- in the right pleural space of anesthetized rabbits were determined 10 and 60 min after a 2 ml hydrothorax with the following solutions: Ringer, Ringer with an inhibitor of the Na(+)-Cl- coupled transport or of the Na+/K+ pump, Ringer with gluconate instead of Cl- or with methylglucamine instead of Na+. During the 10-60 min period: (a) with Ringer Na+ and Cl- decreased (P less than 0.01) along with an iso-osmotic liquid absorption, (b) with disulfonic-stilbene (0.1 mM), amiloride (0.7 mM), acetazolamide (0.1 mM), or ouabain (0.5 mM) Na+ did not change and Cl- decreased less (P less than 0.01) than with Ringer. With gluconate-Ringer or methylglucamine-Ringer the liquid flow reversed: in the former case Cl- and, to a smaller extent, Na+ increased (P less than 0.01); in the latter only Na+ increased (P less than 0.01). These findings suggest: (1) the occurrence of a Na+/H+ and Cl-/HCO3- double exchange on the serosal side and of a Na+/K+ pump on the interstitial side of the pleural mesothelium; (2) a slow efflux from the pleural space of gluconate or methylglucamine relative to the corresponding influx of Cl- or Na+, respectively; this drags liquid into the space by osmotic gradient.

Acetazolamide↗

Hydrofluoric acid burns.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to report our experience with hydrofluoric acid (HF) burns and to present our management guidelines for these burns, which include a novel way of delivering calcium combined with dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) for cutaneous burns. METHOD: We reviewed our institutional experience from 1977 to 1999 for patients presenting with burns caused by hydrofluoric acid and collected data on age, sex, burn size, anatomical site, method of contact, surgical procedure, and outcome. RESULTS: Of a total of 2310 admissions, 42 HF burns patients were identified during the study period. The average age was 34 years. There were 35 males and 7 females. Seventy-four percent of cases received burns to the upper limb. Median burn size was 1% of the total body surface area. Seventeen percent of patients required a surgical procedure. In 24% of cases, the method of contact was work related and 40% were injured using cleaning products at home or on boats. No deaths were recorded. CONCLUSION: HF injury is uncommon but problematic burns often requiring surgery. RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT: In cases of cutaneous exposure, treatment should commence immediately with 30 min lavage followed by application dimethyl sulphoxide 50% + calcium gluconate 10% in surgical jelly. If hand or forearm is affected, regional intravenous calcium 'Bier's block' using 40 ml 10% calcium gluconate with 5000 U heparin in total final volume of 40 ml may be indicated. Subcutaneous infiltration may be indicated for elsewhere at 0.5 ml/cm(2) burn of 10% calcium gluconate. Persisting pain may require nail removal or arterial calcium infusion.

Administration, Topical↗

Calcium release in frog cut twitch fibers exposed to different ionic environments under voltage clamp.

Calcium release was measured in highly stretched frog cut twitch fibers mounted in a double Vaseline-gap voltage clamp chamber, with the internal solution containing 20 mM EGTA plus 0.4 or 1.8 mM added calcium. Rise in myoplasmic [Ca(2+)] was monitored with antipyrylazo III as the indicator at a temperature of 13 to 14 degrees C. The waveform of calcium release rate (Rel) computed from the absorbance change showed an early peak (Rel(p)) followed by a maintained phase (Rel(m)). Each Rel(p)-versus-V plot was fitted with a Boltzmann distribution function. The maximum value of Rel(p) (Rel(p,max)) was compared in various calcium-containing external solutions. The average value in a Cl(-) solution was about one-third larger than those in a CH(3)SO(3)(-) or gluconate solution, whereas the values in the CH(3)SO(3)(-) and gluconate solutions had no statistically significant difference. In external solutions containing CH(3)SO(3)(-) or gluconate, a replacement of the Ca(2+) with Mg(2+) reduced Rel(p,max) by 30 to 50%, on average. The values of Rel(p, max) also had no statistically significant difference among calcium-free external solutions containing different impermeant anions. An increase of the nominal free [Ca(2+)] in the end-pool solution from a reduced to the normal physiological level increased the value of Rel(p,max), and also slowed the decay of the maintained phase of the Rel waveform. The Rel waveforms in the Cl(-) and CH(3)SO(3)(-) solutions were compared in the same fiber at a fixed potential. CH(3)SO(3)(-) increased the time to peak, reduced Rel(p), and increased Rel(m), and the effects were partially reversible. Under the hypothesis that the decay of the peak was due to calcium inactivation of calcium release, the inactivation was larger in Cl(-) than in CH(3)SO(3)(-), in qualitative agreement with the ratio of Rel(p) in the two solutions. Under the alternative hypothesis that the peak and the maintained phase were separately gated by calcium and depolarization, respectively, then CH(3)SO(3)(-) appeared to decrease the calcium-gated component and increase the voltage-gated component.

Animals↗

[Lithium].

The mode of action of the cation lithium is not well known. It is at present used as a topical drug in dermatology. Lithium inhibits many enzymes: Na/K ATPase, adenylcyclase, enzymes of the prostaglandines E1 synthesis, inositol-1-phosphatase. It is active on neutrophils et T lymphocytes, explaining in part its anti-inflammatory activity. It has a dose-dependent action on levures. It has possibly a direct inhibitory activity on DNA synthesis of herpes viruses. Lithium has a good local safety. Percutaneous penetration is weak and plasma concentrations are very much lower than that observed after oral intake. Lithium has been studied in seborrhoeic dermatitis. Its efficacy was primarily observed in psychotic patients. An assay with oral lithium did not confirmed the first observations. Topical lithium was found more efficient. Topical lithium succinate associated with zinc sulfate and lithium gluconate had a greater efficacy than placebo. Comparison with topical ketoconazole showed a non inferiority of lithium gluconate. Oral lithium also showed a reduction of symptoms' duration of herpes simplex. Cutaneous side-effects of oral lithium are frequent and numerous. Some of them may be explained by a lithium pharmacological cell activity (such as psoriasis). Teratogenicity is observed in mice and rats. Drug interactions are not expected after topical application. Irritants side effects are mainly observed after topical application; they are moderate and transitory. Lithium gluconate treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis is a bid application during at least 8 weeks. It may be used in renal insufficiency. It is not recommended in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Administration, Oral↗

Clinical presentation and treatment of black widow spider envenomation: a review of 163 cases.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To review cases of black widow spider envenomation to describe the clinical presentation and evaluate the efficacy of treatment. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An urban toxicology referral center. TYPE OF PARTICIPANTS: All patients attended by the toxicology service and discharged from our hospital between January 1982 and December 1990 with a diagnosis of black widow spider envenomation. INTERVENTIONS: Inclusion criteria were either a positive black widow spider identification or a visible envenomation site ("target lesion"). Depending on the clinical presentation, patients were categorized as grade 1, 2, or 3 in severity. The efficacy and side effects of treatment alternative were evaluated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: One hundred sixty-three patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common sites of envenomation were the upper and lower extremities. The most common presenting complaint was generalized abdominal, back, and leg pain. One hundred eighteen patients initially presented to our institution, and 45 were transfers. Pain relief of grade 2 and 3 envenomations was achieved most effectively with either black widow spider-specific antivenin alone or a combination of IV opioids and muscle relaxants. Fifty-eight patients received antivenin with complete resolution of symptoms in a mean time of 31 +/- 26.7 minutes. Of the 118 patients initially seen at our institution, the mean total duration of symptoms was 9 +/- 22.7 hours in patients receiving antivenin and 22 +/- 24.9 hours in patients not receiving antivenin. Fifty-two percent of patients not receiving antivenin required hospitalization, whereas only 12% of those receiving antivenin were admitted. One patient died of severe bronchospasm after receiving antivenin. Calcium gluconate was not effective in providing symptomatic relief in this series, with 96% of the grade 2 and 3 envenomations treated initially with calcium gluconate requiring the addition of IV opioids or other analgesics for symptomatic relief. Fifty-five percent of patients initially receiving IV morphine and 70% of those initially receiving both IV morphine and benzodiazepines obtained symptomatic relief without additional medication. CONCLUSION: One hundred sixty-three envenomations by black widow spiders were reviewed and graded according to severity with treatment modalities evaluated. Although calcium gluconate usually has been considered the first-line treatment of severe envenomations by black widow spiders, we found it ineffective for pain relief compared with a combination of IV opioids and benzodiazepines. The use of antivenin significantly shortened the duration of symptoms in severe envenomations.

Adolescent↗

Regulation of hexose phosphate metabolism in Acetobacter xylinum.

The metabolism of glucose and fructose was studied in resting succinate-grown cells of Acetobacter xylinum. From fructose only cellulose and CO(2) were formed by the cells, whereas from glucose, gluconate was formed much more rapidly than these two products. The molar ratio of sugar converted into cellulose to sugar converted into CO(2) was significantly greater than unity for both hexoses. The pattern of label retention in the cellulose formed by the cells from specifically (14)C-labelled glucose, fructose or gluconate corresponded to that of hexose phosphate in a pentose cycle. On the other hand, the isotopic configuration of cellulose arising from variously singly (14)C-labelled pyruvate did not agree with the operation of a pentose cycle on gluconeogenic hexose phosphate. Readily oxidizable tricarboxylic acid-cycle intermediates such as acetate, pyruvate or succinate promoted cellulose synthesis from fructose and gluconate although retarding their oxidation to CO(2). The incorporation into cellulose of C-1 of fructose was greatly increased in the presence of these non-sugar substrates, although its oxidation to CO(2) was greatly diminished. It is suggested that the flow of hexose phosphate carbon towards cellulose or through the pentose cycle in A. xylinum is regulated by an energy-linked control mechanism.

Acetates↗

Calcium supplementation and ototoxicity in patients receiving cisplatin.

We have studied the effect on ototoxicity of maintaining serum calcium concentration by calcium gluconate infusion in cancer patients receiving high-dose cisplatin in a randomized study in two groups: 11 patients received calcium gluconate, 4 mg kg-1 i.v. infusion during cisplatin therapy; 11 other patients without any calcium supplementation served as controls. All of them received the first course of chemotherapy, based on cisplatin, 120 mg m2 with a hydration schedule. An audiogram was performed in each patient just before cisplatin and repeated after 1 day and 3 weeks. Mean total calcium concentration in control patients before and after chemotherapy was 2.2 +/- 0.14 (95% confidence interval 1.9-2.5) and 2.0 +/- 0.13 (95% CI 1.7-2.24) mmol 1(-1) respectively (P = 0.0004) and for ionized calcium 1.22 +/- 0.52 (95% CI 0.21-2.23) and 1.11 +/- 0.07 (95% CI 0.97-1.25) mmol 1(-1) respectively (P = 0.0005). Serum magnesium levels were maintained or increased by magnesium supplementation. Although there was no change in serum total or ionized calcium, or serum magnesium in the calcium infusion group, no differences in hearing loss between the groups were observed. High-dose cisplatin chemotherapy for cancer patients induces an acute decrease of serum total calcium and serum ionized calcium and audiometric changes. Maintenance of calcium serum levels by calcium gluconate infusion did not protect against ototoxicity in those patients.

Adolescent↗

Rate-dependency of calcitonin secretion in response to increased plasma Ca2+.

BACKGROUND: Calcitonin (CT) is a polypeptide hormone secreted from C-cells of the thyroid gland in response to hypercalcemia. The physiological contribution of CT to calcium homeostasis has not been completely clarified. The present study therefore further characterized the sigmoidal relationship between plasma ionized calcium (P-Ca2+) and CT in normal rats, and examined the possibility of rate-dependency of CT secretion in response to changes in P-Ca2+. DESIGN: Hypercalcaemia was induced by an infusion of calcium gluconate at rate of 4.5 x 10(-2) mmol h-1 rat-1 i.v. (n = 8) and hypocalcaemia was induced by an EGTA infusion at a rate of 4.5 x 10(-2) mmol h-1 rat-1 (n = 7) in one protocol: the 'slow' protocol. In another protocol an increased rate of infusion of calcium gluconate or EGTA was used to induce a more rapid change in P-Ca2+. Calcium gluconate was infused at a rate of 6.0 x 10(-2) mmol h-1 rat-1 (n = 6) and EGTA infused at a rate of 7.5 x 10(-2) mmol h-1 rat-1 (n = 7): the 'rapid' protocol. RESULTS: The infusions of both the 'slow' and 'rapid' protocols resulted in linear changes in P-Ca2+, but with significantly different slopes (P < 0.01). The Ca2+/CT curves of both protocols were represented by sigmoidal curves. The 'rapid' increase of P-Ca2+ resulted in a higher maximal CT secretion (2032 +/- 215 pg mL-1) than the 'slow' increase of P-Ca2+ (1213 +/- 85 pg mL-1; P < 0.001), despite similar minimal and maximal levels being obtained in P-Ca2+ in the two protocols. Thus, a significantly greater CT response was obtained with a more rapid increment in P-Ca2+. CONCLUSION: The relationship between P-Ca2+ and CT is represented by a sigmoidal curve, as previously shown. The CT response depended, however, not only upon the concentration of P-Ca2+ obtained but also upon the rate of increase in P-Ca2+, demonstrating rate-dependency as another significant physiological relation between Ca2+ and CT.

Animals↗

Changes in major components of tea fungus metabolites during prolonged fermentation.

Changes in major components and microbes in tea fungus broth (or kombucha; teakwass) prepared from nine different sources during a prolonged fermentation of up to 60 days were investigated. Cell concentrations of both yeasts and acetic acid bacteria in broth were generally higher than those in the cellulosic pellicles. The residual sucrose concentration decreased linearly with time, although the rate fell after the first month. Metabolic fates of glucose and fructose produced as a result of the hydrolysis of sucrose were different. Glucose was not produced in parallel with fructose (0.085 g 100 ml(-1) d(-1)) but was produced with a lower initial rate (0.041 g 100 ml(-1) d(-1)). Both titratable acidity and gluconic acid increased steadily with time for all samples, although gluconic acid was not generated for 6 days until the fermentation had begun. Acetic acid increased slowly to a maximum value of 1.1 g 100 ml(-1) after 30 days; thereafter, it decreased gradually. Gluconic acid contributed to the titratable acidity and thus, the taste of tea fungus broth, during the final stage of fermentation. It is concluded that the desired quality or composition of kombucha can be obtained through the proper control of fermentation time.

Acetic Acid↗

A new metabolic link between fatty acid de novo synthesis and polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthesis. The PHAG gene from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 encodes a 3-hydroxyacyl-acyl carrier protein-coenzyme a transferase.

To investigate the metabolic link between fatty acid de novo synthesis and polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) synthesis, we isolated mutants of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 deficient in this metabolic route. The gene phaG was cloned by phenotypic complementation of these mutants; it encoded a protein of 295 amino acids with a molecular mass of 33,876 Da, and the amino acid sequence exhibited 44% amino acid identity to the primary structure of the rhlA gene product, which is involved in the rhamnolipid biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PG201. S1 nuclease protection assay identified the transcriptional start site 239 base pairs upstream of the putative translational start codon. Transcriptional induction of phaG was observed when gluconate was provided, and PHA synthesis occurred from this carbon source. No complementation of the rhlA mutant P. aeruginosa UO299-harboring plasmid pBHR81, expressing phaG gene under lac promoter control, was obtained. Heterologous expression of phaG in Pseudomonas oleovorans, which is not capable of PHA synthesis from gluconate, enabled PHA synthesis on gluconate as the carbon source. Native recombinant PhaG was purified by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis from P. oleovorans-harboring plasmid pBHR81. It catalyzes the transfer of the acyl moiety from in vitro synthesized 3-hydroxydecanoyl-CoA to acyl carrier protein, indicating that PhaG exhibits a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA-acyl carrier protein transferase activity.

Acyltransferases↗

Zinc and the common cold: a meta-analysis revisited.

The common cold has been estimated to cost the United States > $3.5 billion per year. Despite several randomized clinical trials, the effect of treating colds with zinc gluconate remains uncertain due to conflicting results. We conducted a meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials on the use of zinc gluconate lozenges in colds using the random effects model of DerSimonians and Laird. Ten clinical trials of cold treatment with zinc gluconate were identified. After excluding two studies that used nasal inoculum of rhinovirus, eight trials were combined and analyzed. The summary odds ratio for the presence of "any cold symptoms" at 7 d was 0.52 (95% confidence interval, 0.25-1.2). We conclude that despite numerous randomized trials, the evidence for effectiveness of zinc lozenges in reducing the duration of common colds is still lacking.

Common Cold↗

Provocative agents and the diagnosis of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid gland.

Twenty-six patients with known or suspected medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and 21 normal control subjects were tested intravenously on four separate days with calcium gluconate (CG), 2 mg Ca(++)/kg/1 min.; pentagastrin (P), 0.5 ug/kg/ 5 sec.; calcium chloride (CC), 3 mg Ca(++)/kg/10 min.; and a combination of calcium gluconate and pentagastrin (CG + P). Calcitonin (CT) levels were determined by radioimmunoassay on plasma collected before and immediately following each test infusion. In none of the 21 control subjects was there a clear increase in CT above 200 pg/ml following any of the four provocative tests. Conversely, in all 26 patients with known or suspected MTC, plasma CT levels were markedly increased (>300 pg/ml) following the combined infusion of CG + P. The peak CT response was greater with CG + P than with a) CG alone (22 of 24 patients, p < 0.002), b) P alone (25 of 26 patients, p < 0.002), or c) CC alone (17 of 17 patients, p < 0.002). Of 12 MTC patients with undetectable basal calcitonin levels, all had peak responses greater than 300 pg/ml following CG + P, whereas such responses occurred less often following CG alone (8 of 12) or P alone (8 of 12). The results demonstrate that the combined administration of pentagastrin and calcium gluconate constitutes a more effective and reliable stimulus for CT secretion from MTC cells than the use of either agent alone, and appears the most useful single screening test for the detection of occult MTC.

Adolescent↗

Continuous intra-arterial infusion therapy in hydrofluoric acid burns.

To determine the effect of continuous intra-arterial calcium gluconate infusion therapy on patients suffering from hydrofluoric acid dermal burns of the digits, clinical treatment was performed prospectively on 10 patients from January 1997 to December 1998 at the burn care unit of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital. An arterial catheter was inserted transcutaneously through the radial artery of the involved hand. After confirmation of the proper position of the catheter, calcium gluconate was infused continuously with an ambulatory infusion pump. Rapid pain relief was achieved immediately after infusion. The rate of infusion was then tapered down gradually, and treatment was completed with no major therapeutic complication. All injured digits of these 10 patients were successfully salvaged with good cosmetic appearance and complete functional preservation. Compared with other conventional therapies, continuous intra-arterial calcium gluconate infusion therapy proved to be a safe, rapid, simple, portable, and effective method for treating hydrofluoric acid dermal burns.

Adult↗

The role of oxygen in the regulation of glucose metabolism, transport and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The effect of dissolved oxygen concentration on the metabolism of glucose in Pseudomonas aeruginosa was studied with chemostat cultures using both single-step and gradual transitions from either ammonium or glucose limitation to oxygen limitation and studying transient and steady states. The pathway of glucose metabolism was regulated by the availability of oxygen. The organism responded to oxygen limitation by adjusting its metabolism of glucose from the extracellular direct oxidative pathway, which produces gluconate and 2-oxogluconate, to the intracellular phosphorylative route. This change was a consequence of decreased activities of glucose dehydrogenase and gluconate dehydrogenase and of the transport systems for gluconate and 2-oxogluconate, and an increased activity of glucose transport, while relatively high activities of hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were maintained. Citrate synthase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase activities responded to changes in dissolved oxygen concentration rather than to changes in the glucose or ammonium concentrations. The effect of oxygen limitation on the oxo-acid dehydrogenases and aconitase was probably due, wholly or in part, to repression by glucose consequent upon the increase in residual glucose concentration. Succinate dehydrogenase was repressed by an increase in ammonium concentration under an oxygen limitation.

Ammonium Sulfate↗