Culture portals

Portal infusion of NAPQl into rats and mice produces necrosis in the periportal region (unpublished results quoted by Nelson, 1990). Studies of cultured hepatocytes sensitized to paracetamol by the induction of cytochrome P450 by 3-methylcholanthrene have shown that paracetamol-induced cytotoxicity was dependent on ROM generation (Gerson et al., 1985). 

Some forms of invasive candidiasis are dominated by deep organ infection and may never be detected by blood cultures. Chronic disseminated candidiasis or hepatosplenic candidiasis is a unique form of candidemia seen after recovery from neutropenia. Candidemia during the period of neutropenia may be initially localized to the portal circulation with dissemination to contiguous organs. After recovery of neutrophils, an inflammatory response is seen against areas of focal infection in the liver and spleen. This inflammatory response produces abdominal pain that is associated with... 

A 70-year-old woman with a 2-year history of primary biliary cirrhosis confirmed by histological and immunological criteria took colestyramine sachets twice daily for 2 months and developed lethargy, confusion, and drowsiness (3). She had signs of chronic liver disease, portal hypertension, and hepatic encephalopathy. Laboratory investigations confirmed a metabolic acidosis (pH 7.15) and hyperchloremia. Multiple cultures failed to reveal sepsis, and a urinary pH of 4.85 together with tests of renal acidification excluded renal tubular acidosis. No other cause was found and she responded to 600 mmol of sodium bicarbonate intravenously over 36 hours. 

In cultured rat portal veins, leptin-induced hypertrophy is associated with p38, JNK, and ERK (unpublished data), suggesting that cell signaling mechanisms involved in leptin-induced hypertrophy may reflect the nature of the vascular tissues used to assess leptin-induced hypertrophy. 

Chickenpox in infancy and shingles in adults are caused by the same varicella-zoster virus. Very rarely and almost exclusively in immunosuppressed patients, concomitant hepatitis can occur with pronounced (mainly focal) hepatocellular necrosis, sometimes even with a fatal course. (37) Leucocytic portal and periportal infiltration can spread to the blood vessels and bile capillaries. Intranuclear inclusion bodies are present (s. fig. 23.2). Diagnosis is based on increased GPT, GOT, GDH and y-GT values as well as the presence of varicella IgM antibodies alternatively, pathogens can also be demonstrated in cultures. In children, a differential diagnosis of Reye s syndrome must be considered. As therapy in a severe course, aciclovir is indicated. (38-43)... 

In adult patients with new-onset ascites as determined by physical exam or radiographic studies, abdominal paracentesis should be performed and ascitic fluid analysis should include a cell count with differential and a serum-ascites albumin gradient (SAG). If infection is suspected, ascitic fluid cultures should be obtained at the time of the paracentesis. The SAG can accurately determine whether ascites is a result of portal hypertension or another process. If the SAG is >1.1 g/dL, portal hypertension is present with 97% accuracy. If the SAG is <1.1 g/dL, with similar certainty the patient does not have portal hypertension. This is important because patients without portal hypertension will not respond to salt restriction and diuretics. The treatment of ascites secondary to portal hypertension is relatively straightforward and includes abstinence from alcohol, sodium restriction, and diuretics. This strategy is effective in approximately 90% of patients. Fifteen percent of patients will respond to dietary sodium restriction alone, and an additional 75% of patients will respond to the addition of diuretics. ... 

Reabsorbed bile acids are transported back to the liver in the portal blood bound to albumin, where they are taken up by parenchymal cells for excretion into bile. The uptake process has been studied in isolated rat hepato-cytes (S17), the perfused rat liver (Rl), and cultured rat hepatocytes (V5), and a bile acid receptor protein has been partially characterized in liver cell membrane preparations (Al). Taken together, these studies suggest that uptake is via a coupled membrane carrier mechanism, whereby bile salt anions are cotransported with sodium cations across the liver cell sinusoidal membrane. Although the majority of bile acids are extracted from portal blood by the liver, a small fraction (less than 1% of the total bile salt pool)... 

The information system contains several modules the Web-portal Bioluminescence and luminous organisms , the database BIOLUMBASE of natural and genetically modified luminous microorganisms, the electronic catalogue of cultures maintained in CCIBSO, information concerning history of bioluminescence studies, different properties and expressions of bioluminescence, methods and devices to measure bioluminescence, reagents for bioluminescent analysis and also applied programs for administration of the information system (Fig.l). The developed structure of the database will reflect all types of properties and communications of relevant material,... 

This millennium has seen the discovery of the first Pectinatus species that have not been associated with beer production. Gonzalez et al. (2005) found a new species, Pectinatusportalensis ( of El Portal ), from winery wastewater. However, the cultures cited as the type strain of the species do not conform to the original species description, and it has been requested to reject the name if a suitable replacement strain is not found (Vereecke Arahal, 2008). Another nonbeer-associated species, Pectinatus brassicae ( of cabbage ), was recently isolated from salty pickle wastewater of cabbage production (Zhang et al 2012). Shortly after this, another new species, Pectinatus sottacetonis ( of pickle ), was discovered from a commercial pickle spoilage tank of cucumbers in the USA (Caldwell et al 2013). 

The rectal cavity has the potential of convenient access and easy administration of suppositories or gels, although patient acceptance of rectal delivery is low in some cultures. It has a limited surface area (de Boer et al, 1992) and relatively high proteolytic activity (Lee et al, 1987), but with respect to administration of insulin the rectal route offers the particular physiological advantage of potential delivery, via the upper rectal veins, into the portal system. This would mimic the natural secretion of insulin and result in reduced peripheral hyperinsulinemia. However, nearly two-thirds of the insulin absorbed firom the rectum reaches the general circulation via the lymphatic pathway (Caldwell et al, 1982). 

At the national level it might be useful to utilise EuroSafe much more in the future, which also records information about accidents in private life (EuroSafe 2006). EuroSafe, the European Association for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, is a network of injury prevention champions dedicated to making Europe a safer place. Occupational health care systems in workplaces could have the proper expertise to utilise the systems provided by EuroSafe. Though there currently exists a national web portal of HLA in Finland (TapaturmaportaaU 2008), the significance of HLA, especially at work places, needs a new type of statistics and effective media to communicate the real, total accident figures. This would support holistic and consistent safety culture. 

Fig. 22.1. Protocol schematic for ex vivo hepatic gene therapy. The lateral segment of the patient s liver was removed by a subcostal incision, and a Hickman catheter was placed by sacrificing the inferior mesenteric vein. The liver specimen (-250 gm) was then perfused with coUagenase to release hepa-tocytes (-3 billion) which were then divided into 800 culture dishes. Two days later, a retrovirus containing the sequence for the LDL receptor was added to the culture media. The hepa-tocytes were harvested 12-18 hrs later and divided into three aliquots. Each aliquot was infused slowly (2 cc/min) back into the patient s portal circulation using the Hickman catheter. Adapted from Grossman [8]...

For an overview see http //portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL ID=35598 URL DO=DO TOPIC URL SECTION=201.html. 

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