Hair concentrations of calcium, iron, and zinc in pregnant women and effects of supplementation.

In this investigation, the concentration levels of hair elements of calcium, iron, and zinc were measured in pregnant women from Tianjin metropolis, China. The subjects were 93 cases of pregnant women who had been suffering from calcium, iron, or zinc deficiency judged by blood tests at the mid-term of the second trimester or early in the third trimester. Of these 93 cases, 82 subjects had their hair element levels measured when the blood tests were conducted. Then, they were supplied with mineral element nutrients of gluconic acidic zinc (noted as Zn-nutrient), gluconic acidic calcium (Ca-nutrient), or/and ferrous sulfate (Fe-nutrient) which were correspondent to the deficient element(s) for more than 2 mo before 84 subjects returned to hospital for further diagnoses and had their hair element levels measured for the second time. Finally, in the third trimester or near-parturient phase, 13 subjects had their hair element levels measured again. Except for the deficiencies of calcium, iron, or/and zinc, these subjects were all healthy without symptoms of any diseases. The concentrations of hair Ca, Fe, and Zn were measured by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. These concentrations of the three hair elements measured at three different times were statistically analyzed. From the analyses, it was clear that hair concentrations of Ca, Fe, and Zn could reflect the effects of supplementation. Also, the mutual resistant effects among Ca-, Fe-, and Zn-nutrients were revealed. However, by appropriate combination, the mutual resistant effects could be depressed and mutual promotional effects might be enhanced. Finally, it could be concluded that mineral element deficiencies might be convalesced by adequate compensations of mineral element nutrients.

Hair and serum calcium, iron, copper, and zinc levels during normal pregnancy at three trimesters.

The hair and serum levels of calcium, iron, copper, and zinc levels were measured in a group of 70 healthy pregnant women and in 66 age-matched healthy controls living in the Tianjin city of the People's Republic of China. The study subjects were classified into three subgroups according to gestational age. The hair concentrations were measured by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, whereas those in sera were established by atomic absorption spectrometry. The hair concentrations of Ca, Fe, Cu, and Zn in the three groups of gravida were lower or significantly lower than those in controls. In sera, the differences did not show statistical significance in most cases. A deficiency of calcium was observed in subjects in the last trimester of gestation. This reinforces the importance of supplementation with calcium during pregnancy.

[Effects of anti-rhTNF alpha monoclonal antibody on oxygen extraction in endotoxemic rabbits].

The effects of anti-rhTNF alpha monoclonal antibody (McAb) on oxygen extraction in endotoxemia rabbits were observed by decreasing total oxygen delivery (DO2) with progressive hypoxia. The result showed that the DO2-VO2 relationship in anti-rhTNF alpha McAb group, like the control group, could be clearly divided into "independent" and "dependent" segment, while the non-correlated antibody group, like the endotoxemic group, never presented any plateau upon breathing the air. Critical oxygen delivery (DO2C) and pooled oxygen extraction rate (ER) in anti-rhTNF alpha McAb group were respectively 10.18 +/- 3.21 ml/(min.kg) and 0.690, not significantly different from those in the control group (10.18 +/- 1.69 and 0.730). The ER in non-correlated antibody group was 0.408, which was significantly lower than that in anti-rhTNF alpha McAb group (P < 0.05), while the plasma TNF alpha concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.01). It was concluded that the monoclonal antibody of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor could block or even reverse the pathologic process of oxygen extraction deficiency caused by endotoxemia.

[The application of PCR technique in genetic diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma].

In this study, specimens from 59 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were immunophenotyped with L26 and UCHL-I McAb, then investigated for gene rearrangement by PCR technique. The results showed that the rates of positive amplification of clonal IgH and TCR beta gene rearrangement were 71.4% (10/14) and 83.3% (10/12) respectively in the fresh tissues, and the IgH (semi-nested PCR technique) and TCR beta were 80% (12/15) and 73.3% (11/15) respectively in paraffin embedded tissues. Definitive diagnosis was made for the 6 cases which could not be diagnosed by routine and immunohistochemical methods, and all 6 exhibited IgH or TCR beta single band. No cases with pseudopositive amplification were discovered. This study suggested that the PCR technique was the most specific, sensitive and rapid detection method for clonal gene rearrangement in NHL.

Adrenal steroids in maternal and cord blood after dexamethasone administration at midterm.

We undertook a study designed to evaluate whether it is feasible to suppress fetal adrenal secretion of androgens at mid-pregnancy by giving dexamethasone (DX) to the mother. Levels of DX and adrenal steroids were measured in maternal and cord plasma of 13 DX-treated and 16 untreated mothers undergoing abortion at 18-20 weeks of pregnancy. Maternal adrenal suppression was evidenced by a sharp fall of plasma cortisol (F), cortisone (E), corticosterone (B), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). However, in cord blood no fall of DHEA-S or corticosterone sulfate (BS) was found up to 20 hours after DX administration, and cord plasma ACTH remained detectable. The failure of DX to suppress the fetal adrenal at mid-pregnancy suggests that this drug would not be effective in the intrauterine treatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (C.A.H.).