Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant affects the refractometric measurement of total protein concentration in equine synovial fluid

The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) concentration on the refractometric measurement of the total protein (TP) concentration of equine synovial fluid and (ii) assess the effect of time and temperature on the refractometric measurement of TP concentration. Synovial fluid was retrieved aseptically from horses presenting to Liphook Equine Hospital either (a) immediately after euthanasia or (b) from those requiring arthrocentesis as part of their clinical investigation. Samples were aliquoted into commercially available (i) plain tubes (0.5 mL; control) and (ii) EDTA tubes (at different volumes to obtain serial dilutions of EDTA:synovial fluid). TP concentration was measured by two independent observers using a calibrated hand-held refractometer. Samples from a separate group of horses were stored for 24 h at 4°C and 20°C before analysis to assess the effects of time and temperature. Results were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. TP concentration was significantly higher at all EDTA concentrations compared to control samples, with the greatest effect seen with higher concentrations (P<0.0001 for samples with ≥3.17 mg EDTA/mL). Storage time or temperature did not significantly affect TP concentration. Refractometric measurement of small volumes of synovial fluid in commercially available EDTA tubes leads to artificially elevated TP concentrations. Delays in sample analysis and alterations in storage conditions did not significantly affect TP concentration within the parameters studied. The magnitude of overestimation of synovial total protein concentration could result in misclassification of suspect synovial sepsis cases where EDTA tubes are used.     

Reelin promotes peripheral synapse elimination and maturation

Reelin is an extracellular protein that is crucial for layer formation in the embryonic brain. Here, we demonstrate that Reelin functions postnatally to regulate the development of the neuromuscular junction. Reelin is required for motor end-plate maturation and proper nerve-muscle connectivity, and it directly promotes synapse elimination. Unlike layer formation, neuromuscular junction development requires a function of Reelin that is not mediated by Disabled1 or very-low-density lipoprotein receptors and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 receptors but by a distinct mechanism involving its protease activity.     

Tolerance to morphine-induced increases in [14C]catecholamine synthesis in mouse brain

Morphine sulfate increased the incorporation of carbon-14-labeled tyrosine into labeled catecholamines in the mouse brain. Tolerance was manifested by a shift to the right in the dose-response curve for morphine after mice were treated repeatedly with morphine. Naloxone, a specific morphine antagonist, also shifted the dose-response curve for morphine to the right.     

豆基蛋白胶气泡雾化机理的数值模拟

根据豆基蛋白胶的流动特性,确定了其本构方程,为数值模拟研究提供了相关的参数;选择设计了一种气泡雾化喷嘴,分别对水和空气以及豆基蛋白胶和空气在喷嘴内部的流动情况进行了数值模拟研究.结果表明:豆基蛋白胶是非牛顿流体中的一种假塑性流体,它在气泡雾化喷嘴中的流动符合幂律模型;这种假塑性流体能和水一样与空气在气泡雾化喷嘴内部进行很好地混合,其压力图、速度矢量图、组分体积分数图符合流体力学的运动规律,这为具有高黏度特性的豆基蛋白胶进行雾化实验提供了理论依据.