Renal glucose release in rabbits submitted to total functional hepatectomy and norepinephrine infusion

Aim — To study the possible endogenous sources of glucose in the absence of the liver (equivalent to the anhepatic period of liver transplantation). Material and Methods - A experimental model of total functional hepatectomy in anesthetised rabbits was developed. The aorta and the right renal vein were catheterised in order to collect blood samples to measure glucose contents. The animals were divided into two groups: group 1, 5 animals underwent only norepinephrine infusion; group 2, 15 animals underwent norepinephrine infusion and submitted to total functional hepatectomy. Results - In group 2, before the hepatectomy, arterial glucose levels were higher than venous ones and after the liver removal, the venous levels became higher than the arterial ones. This pattern showed an inversion in the glicemic curves. In group 1 this pattern was not observed. Conclusion - The glicemic curves behavior observed in group 2 is not due to norepinephrine infusion, but represents renal glucose release after total functional hepatectomy.Objetivo — Estudar as prováveis fontes endógenas de glicose na ausência do fígado (equivalente à fase anepática do transplante de fígado). Material e Métodos - Criou-se um modelo experimental de hepatectomia total funcional em coelhos anestesiados. A aorta e a veia renal direita foram cateterizadas para colheita de glicemias seriadas. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos: grupo 1, com 5 animais submetidos apenas a infusão de noradrenalina e grupo 2, constando de 15 animais também submetidos a infusão de noradrenalina e tiveram seus fígados retirados. Resultados - Demonstram que, no grupo 2, antes da hepatectomia, as dosagens de glicemias arteriais foram maiores que as venosas, e após a retirada do órgão, estes valores se tornaram menores. Isto configurou inversão das curvas das glicemias. No grupo 1 não foi observada essa inversão. Conclusão - Conclui-se que esse comportamento das curvas de glicemia observadas nos animais do grupo 2 não se deve à ação da noradrenalina e significa liberação renal de glicose após a hepatectomia.18318

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved