These data suggest that good octreotide responders are more likely to respond to TRH or bromocriptine. Good octreotide responders may include subgroups with different levels of TRH and dopamine receptor expression. A possible relation between octreotide response and the mutation of G alpha s gene should be investigated.

The main objective of this study was to suggest a feasible, effective process for the reduction of sewage sludge using ozone oxidation catalysed by metal ion. A series of lab-scale experiments was conducted to select a suitable catalyst and its proper dose to achieve optimum sludge reduction. Using a central composite design under response surface methodology (RSM), system optimization with respect to sludge reduction and cost-effectiveness was performed by varying the independent parameters: dosages of ozone and ions. Five metal ions, Mn2+, Fe2+, Zn2+, CU2+, and Al3+1, were tested, and the manganese ion showed the highest sludge reduction, as measured by a decrease in total suspended solids. The ozone/Mn combination achieved approximately twice as much sludge reduction as the ozonation alone. Furthermore, the Mn dose of 10 mg/g-TS (total solids) resulted in the highest sludge reduction efficiency among the different doses, which ranged from 0 to 20 mg-Mn/g-TS. The predicted efficiency of sewage sludge reduction using the RSM was found to agree well with the experimental results, and the statistical analyses predicted optimum ranges for the doses of ozone and Mn ions, taking into account the overall cost for sewage sludge treatment.

No abstract

The immunosuppressive effects of Sophorae radix (SR) make this plant an attractive agent for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The effect of SR on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the New Zealand Black/White F(1) (NZB/w F(1)) mouse model system was investigated. Three-month-old NZB/w F(1) mice were separated into two groups: one treated with SR (1% SR solution by oral administration, daily for 15 weeks) and one with water as a control. Experimental parameters include proteinuria, anti-dsDNA antibody titers, T-cell response and renal histopathological analysis. Results in the SR-treated group showed a significant reduction in proteinuria and anti-dsDNA antibodies either in serum or in glomerular capillaries, along with significant recovery from renal glomerular damage. The lymphocyte population was significantly increased in the SR-treated mice compared with the control group. In the T helper (Th)1/Th2 cytokine secretion profile, interferon-gamma in splenocyte culture was significantly reduced in the SR-treated mice, while interleukin-4 secretion was not altered. These results strongly suggest SR therapy corrects the deviated Th1/Th2 balance, thereby alleviating SLE-like symptoms in the NZB/w F(1) mice. Therefore, SR may be useful in the clinical treatment of SLE.

No abstract