[Effects of n-butanol extract from Cortex Ilicis rotundae on blood pressure and heart rate in rate]

It was studied that effects of n-butanol extract from Cortex Ilicis Rotundae on blood pressure and heart rate in differedt state. Results showed that the drug elicited a sgnificant depressor effect on both normal pressure and artery pressure to rise for common carotid artery blocked in rats. Of the two latter decline of percent of blood presure and active time and slowing heart rate were more significan than the former. It was same depressor effect that injected the drug into duodenum but not act to hypotensive rats. These results suggested that the drug induce significantly depressor effect and slow heart rat with the exception of hypotension.

The effect of denaturants on protein structure

Virtually all studies of the protein-folding reaction add either heat, acid, or a chemical denaturant to an aqueous protein solution in order to perturb the protein structure. When chemical denaturants are used, very high concentrations are usually necessary to observe any change in protein structure. In a solution with such high denaturant concentrations, both the structure of the protein and the structure of the solvent around the protein can be altered. X-ray crystallography is the obvious experimental technique to probe both types of changes. In this paper, we report the crystal structures of dihydrofolate reductase with urea and of ribonuclease A with guanidinium chloride. These two classic denaturants have similar effects on the native structure of the protein. The most important change that occurs is a reduction in the overall thermal factor. These structures offer a molecular explanation for the reduction in mobility. Although the reduction is observed only with the native enzyme in the crystal, a similar decrease in mobility has also been observed in the unfolded state in solution (Makhatadze G, Privalov PL. 1992. Protein interactions with urea and guanidinium chloride: A calorimetric study.

[Clinical experience in the treatment of chronic radiation ulcer in 32 cases]

A retrospective study was carried out, aiming at a proper treatment to the chronic radiation ulcer that is often difficult to deal with. Thirty-two cases of chronic radiation ulcer have been treated in the department since 1983. The cause, site, features and method of treatment were summarized. Thirty-one cases were cured, 26 cases healed by the first intention, 5 cases healed by the second intention. One died. It is emphasized that more knowledge should be gained for understanding and treatment of the chronic radiation ulcer. Different methods of debridement and repair should be performed according to the site, depth and pathologic features of the ulcer. To improve local circulation, an island flap is the first choice of treatment.

Clinical observations on 278 cases of cervical spondylopathy treated with electroacupuncture and massotherapy

From Dec. 1990 to Dec. 1993, 278 cases of cervical spondylopathy were treated with electroacupuncture and massotherapy. The cure rate was 82.7%; but in the control group, it was only 61%, indicating that electroacupuncture may enhance the cure rate (P < 0.05). Of the 278 cases treated by three to five sessions, the pain and numbness disappeared in about 96% of the patients.

Analysis of urinary and faecal porphyrin excretion patterns in human porphyrias by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry

We report a new method for obtaining urinary and faecal porphyrin excretion patterns in human porphyrias based on fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). Porphyrins were esterified and extracted from urine or faeces as their methyl esters for analysis by FAB-MS. The protonated pseudo-molecular ion [M + H]+ observed for each porphyrin is characteristic of that porphyrin, thus allowing a mixture of porphyrins to be analysed without the need for chromatographic separation. By using tandem MS, identification and characterisation of unknown porphyrins can be achieved. The urinary and faecal porphyrin excretion patterns from various porphyric patients obtained by FAB-MS are in good agreement with those analysed by TLC or HPLC methods.

Compartment-selective sensitivity of cardiovascular morphogenesis to combinations of retinoic acid receptor gene mutations

Several aspects of normal cardiovascular development require signaling by the vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid. We have previously established germ-line mutations in mice in the genes that encode the RAR alpha 1, RAR beta, and RXR alpha retinoic acid receptors as a means of studying the function of these receptors in vivo. Although mutation of RXR alpha results in fetal ventricular defects, the RAR alpha 1 and RAR beta mutations are apparently nonphenotypic in the heart and elsewhere. In this study, we have established and analyzed combinations of these receptor gene mutations. Malformations of the ventricular chamber (chamber hypoplasia and muscular ventricular septal defects), conotruncus (double-outlet right ventricle, transposition, and membranous ventricular septal defects), aortic sac (persistent truncus arteriosus and aorticopulmonary window), and aortic arch-derived arteries were recovered in various combinations of the RAR alpha 1, RAR beta, and RXR alpha gene mutations. Depending on the combination of receptor mutations, selective defects were obtained in specific cardiovascular compartments, suggestive of differential expression or function of each receptor within domains of the developing heart.

[Effects of extract of Cortex Ilicis Rotundae on cardiovascular pharmacology]

In thes paper, the effects of Cortex Ilicis Rotundae (CIR) on Cardiovascular Pharmacology are studied. The results show that ethyl alcohol extract of CIR can reduce coronary blood flow, weaken myocardial contractility, slow down heart rates, prolong survival time of mice and prevent arrhythmias, the roles of CIR decoction are similar to ethyl alcohol extract, but it is not markable on heart rates and myocardial contractility.

Photon absorption coefficient and the Franz-Keldysh shift of cutoff wavelength for mercury cadmium telluride detectors

Based on the calculation of photon absorption coefficient alpha and width W of the depletion region of mercury cadmium telluride detectors, we derived the equation for alpha, W and the effective Franz-Keldysh shift Dlambda(ce). An interpretation of the substantial difference between Dlambda(ce) and the maximum Franz-Keldysh shift Dlambda(cm) of the cutoff wavelength is presented. We also propose a method to increase the Dlambda(ce) of mercury cadmium telluride detectors.

[Correlativity among biological characteristics of Gardenia jasminoides Eills]

The relationship among certain biological characteristics, fruit yield and quality of G. jasminoides was studied, and the special features, closely correlateied with fruit production and quality, as well as with the steadiness of heredity were found out. According to these features the G. jasminoides produced in Sichuan province has been divided into 6 types.

Detection of c-myc gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by nonradioactive in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the c-myc gene expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at mRNA and protein levels, and to evaluate the relationship between the degree of expression and the clinicopathological data.

METHODS

The expression of c-myc specific mRNA and protein was detected using in situ hybridization with digoxigenin-labeled probe and immunohistochemistry in 12 cases of normal nasopharyngeal epithelium (NE) and 48 cases of NPC. The intensity of staining for each sample was assessed as negative, weak, moderate and intense. Statistical analyses were performed using the Chi square test and the rank sum test.

RESULTS

For normal NE 41.7% (5/12) had weak (4/12) or moderate (1/12) staining for c-myc protein and 41.7% (5/12) had weak staining for c-myc mRNA. In contrast, 89.6% (43/48) of NPC showed some degree of c-myc protein positive and 87.5% (42/48) showed some degree of c-myc mRNA positive. In most samples, the expression of c-myc protein was consistent with that of c-myc mRNA. C-myc protein and mRNA expression levels in NPC were significantly higher than those in normal NE, and correlated with early recurrence, but they were not significantly related to patient's age, sex, EBVCA-IgA titre, disease stage, lymph node status and metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

C-myc gene over-expression may be involved in the pathogenesis and early recurrence of NPC. Further studies are needed to substantiate the preliminary findings.

The Union Health Center: a working model of clinical care linked to preventive occupational health services

As health care provision in the United States shifts to primary care settings, it is vital that new models of occupational health services be developed that link clinical care to prevention. The model program described in this paper was developed at the Union Health Center (UHC), a comprehensive health care center supported by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (now the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees) serving a population of approximately 50,000 primarily minority, female garment workers in New York City. The objective of this paper is to describe a model occupational medicine program in a union-based comprehensive health center linking accessible clinical care with primary and secondary disease prevention efforts. To assess the presence of symptoms suggestive of occupational disease, a health status questionnaire was administered to female workers attending the UHC for routine health maintenance. Based on the results of this survey, an occupational medicine clinic was developed that integrated direct clinical care with worker and employer education and workplace hazard abatement. To assess the success of this new approach, selected cases of sentinel health events were tracked and a chart review was conducted after 3 years of clinic operation. Prior to initiation of the occupational medicine clinic, 64% (648) of the workers surveyed reported symptoms indicative of occupational illnesses. However, only 42 (4%) reported having been told by a physician that they had an occupational illness and only 4 (.4%) reported having field a workers' compensation claim for an occupational disease. In the occupational medicine clinic established at the UHC, a health and safety specialist acts as a case manager, coordinating worker and employer education as well as workplace hazard abatement focused on disease prevention, ensuring that every case of occupational disease is treated as a potential sentinel health event. As examples of the success of this approach, index cases of rotator cuff tendonitis, lead poisoning, and formaldehyde overexposure in three patients and their preventative workplace follow-up, affecting approximately 150 workers at three worksites, are described. Work-related conditions diagnosed during the first 3 years of clinic operation included cumulative trauma disorders (141 cases), carpal tunnel syndrome (47 cases), low back disorders (33 cases), lead poisoning (20 cases), and respiratory disease (9 cases). This pilot project represents a new model for effective integration of clinical care and occupational disease prevention efforts within a primary care center. It could serve as a prototype for development of such services in other managed and primary care settings.

[Palatography including lingual and occlusal surface of teeth, palatogram pattern of Chinese sounds]

In order to develop a method that can determine not only the contact pattern of the tongue with the palate but also with the teeth during speech. Static palatograph recording system was used in this study. Palatograms of six normal dentulous adults were made by the recording system during pronounce the following Chinese phonetic alphabets: /S/, /X/, /D/, /J/, /N/, /K/, /R/, /L/. The contact pattern that is the contact area of tongue to palate and tongue to teeth in the palatograms were identified and analysed. The result indicated that the palatograms of the six normal adults are different which can be divided into four types: Type1/S, X/; Type2/D, N, J/; Type 3/K/; Type 4/R, L/.

Determination of lignocaine hydrochloride by ion-pairing flow injection with piezoelectric detection

A rapid and simple method for the determination of lignocaine hydrochloride by ion-pairing flow injection analysis was developed. It is based on the formation of an ion pair between lignocaine hydrochloride and sodium dodecyl phenylsulfonate and piezoelectric detection. The calibration curve was linear between 0.01 and 2.00 mg ml-1, with a detection limit of 8 micrograms ml-1, an RSD of 0.29% (10 replicates) and a sampling frequency of 120 h-1. The proposed method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of lignocaine hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations.

[The sawtooth oscillation phenomenon of visible spectral signal in HT-6M Tokamak]

The sawtooth oscillation phenomenon of visible spectral signal in HT-6M Tokamak is presented. The influences of electron temperature, electron density and atomic ground density on the spectral signal discussed. This phenomenon results mainly from the change of electron temperature at the edge.

[The change of trace elements content in hair during the period of gestation]

Study on trace elements content change in hair during the period of gestation for 52 lying-in women was performed. The quantitative results for 7 elements have been obtained and the change tendencies for other 7 elements without standard value have been observed on the basis of a self comparison method for each individual.

[Clinical significance of multidrug resistance gene(mdr1) expression in patients with acute leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate relationship between drug resistance of leukemia cells and prognosis.

METHODS

The expression of multidrug resistance gene(mdr1) mRNA was measured in 85 patients with acute leukemia and in 20 normal controls by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

The mdr1 positive rate in untreated group was 44.7%. The CR rate differed significantly between mdr1+ (23.9%) and mdr1-(88.5%)(P < 0.005). The mdr1 positive rate of refractory-relapsed group was higher than that in CR group (P < 0.001). The mdr1 mRNA expression level of refractory-relapsed group was higher than that in CR group. A gradually increasing level of mdr1 mRNA expression in CR patients indicated early relapse. The mdr1 positive rate in normal contral and long-term surviver patients was very low. The mdr1 expression was correlated with French-American-Birtish Cooperative Group (FAB) classification.

CONCLUSION

The mdr1 expression correlated with chemotherapeutic effect and prognosis. It is an unfavorable prognostic factor for patients with acute leukemia.

Human aortic endothelial cell migration onto stent surfaces under static and flow conditions

PURPOSE

The objective of the present study is to establish an in vitro model designed to quantitatively define human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) migration onto stainless steel stent material under both static and flow conditions of high and low wall shear stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To simulate implantation of a stent onto the intact arterial wall, HAECs were seeded and grown to confluence on thick, firm collagen gels. Flat 1 x 1-cm square, stainless steel pieces were implanted on this endothelialized surface and migration of HAECs onto the steel surface was monitored, measured, and compared under static and high (15 dynes/cm2) and low (2 dynes/cm2) wall shear stress flow conditions designed to model wall shear stress levels encountered at different sites within the human arterial system.

RESULTS

Under no flow, endothelial cell migration occurred uniformly from the periphery, attaining complete confluence over the square surface within 14 days. The initial migratory rate was approximately 10 micrograms/h +/- 0.5 days 1-3 and increased to a rate near 15 micrograms/h +/- 0.5 between days 10 and 14. High shear stress significantly (P < .002) increased HAEC migration rate to 25 micrograms/h +/- 0.8 in the direction of flow, resulting in an increase in total area endothelial coverage from 59% under no flow to 87% under high shear stress flow conditions when compared at 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate the rate and extent of endothelial migration onto a prosthetic material surface are influenced by the level of direction of flow-related wall shear stress. Furthermore, these results demonstrate an in vitro model that provides a method to quantitatively evaluate and possibly predict the relative ability of different prosthetic materials to endothelialize under variable in vivo flow conditions.

The majority of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor complexes in adult rat cerebral cortex contain at least three different subunits (NR1/NR2A/NR2B)

A monoclonal antibody (R1JHL) against the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor has been developed that recognizes an epitope in the region of the amino-terminal amino acids 341-561 (a region common to all splice variants of NR1). This monoclonal antibody identifies a broad band at 115 kDa in immunoblots using membranes from NR1-transfected cells and from rat brain tissue. No cross-reactivity with any NR2 subunit is seen. With the goal to determine quantitatively the subunit composition of cortical NMDA receptors, we used the monoclonal antibody to NR1 and polyclonal antibodies against the NR2A and NR2B subunits to perform immunoprecipitations of receptor subunits from solubilized adult rat cortical membranes. Solubilization of the receptor subunits was accomplished under both nondenaturing (native) conditions, under which the subunits seem to remain associated with one another, and denaturing conditions, under which the subunits are associated from each other. Although each of these antibodies selectively immunoprecipitates only its corresponding (cognate) subunit when the subunits have been solubilized under denaturing conditions, each of the antibodies immunoprecipitates a sizable fraction of the other two NMDA receptor subunits when membranes are solubilized under nondenaturing conditions, indicating an interaction in situ. Using quantitative immunoblot analysis of the three subunits in both the pellets and supernatants from the immunoprecipitations, we found 1) the dominant NMDA receptor complex in adult rat cortex contains at least three subunits, NR1/NR2A/NR2B; 2) a smaller fraction of NMDA receptors are composed of only two subunits, NR1/NR2B or NR1/NR2A; 3) there are no complexes that contain NR2A/NR2B that do not contain NR1; 4) only a small fraction of each subunit is not associated with any other NMDA receptor subunit; 5) no coimmunoprecipitation of noncognate subunits occurs unless the subunits are assembled with each other in situ; and 6) there is no physical interaction between these NMDA receptor subunits and the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor GluR2 or GluR3 subunits. These results suggest that functional studies with recombinant receptors composed of at least three subunits may be the most physiologically meaningful.

Experiments on the transmission of Babesia major and Babesia bigemina by Haemaphysalis punctata

Experiments on the transmission by Haemaphysalis punctata of three large Babesia strains were carried out. Three Babesia-free batches of laboratory reared H. punctata ticks were infected with two strains of Babesia major, B. major (Xingjiang strain), isolated with adult ticks of H punctata and B. major (Henan strain), isolated with H. longicornis) and a strain of Babesia bigemina by feeding them on the calves infected by inoculation of blood stabilates. H. punctata was shown to be capable of transmitting the B. major strains transovarially. The larvae, nymphs and adults developed from female ticks engorged on the calf infected with B. major (Xingjiang strain) transmitted the pathogen to splenectomised calves with prepatent periods of 15, 11 and 12 days, respectively. The calves infested with larvae and nymphs died of babesiosis with parasitemias of 400 and 710 per 1000 erythrocytes. The calf infested with adult ticks survived babesiosis, but the number of erythrocytes and the amount of haemoglobin were reduced greatly. H. punctata transmitted B. major (Henan strain) in the same way. The prepatent periods of the calves infested with larvae, nymph and adult ticks were 9, 10 and 12 days, respectively. Calves infested with larvae survived, but those infested with nymphal and adult ticks died of babesiosis with parasitemias of 410 and 100 per 1000 erythrocytes, respectively. H. punctata ticks did not transmit the B. bigemina strain to splenectomised calves. There were no clinical symptoms and no parasites were discovered in the blood films during a 2 month observation period after the calves were infested with larval, nymphal and adult ticks derived from female ticks engorged on calves inoculated with B. bigemina.

Regional and ontogenic expression of the NMDA receptor subunit NR2D protein in rat brain using a subunit-specific antibody

A polyclonal antibody for the NMDA receptor subunit NR2D has been developed that identifies an approximately 160-kDa band on immunoblots from NR2D transfected cells and CNS tissues. No cross-reactivity is seen with other NMDA receptor subunits. The NR2D receptor subunit is N-glycosylated in both brain and transfected cells. Transfected cells expressing NR2D are immunofluorescently labeled, whereas untransfected cells or cells transfected with other NMDA receptor subunit cDNAs are not. Similarly, the NR2D subunit is selectively and quantitatively immunoprecipitated, whereas the NR1, NR2A, or NR2B subunit is not. The relative densities of the NR2D subunit in nine areas of postnatal day 7 and adult rat brains have been determined by quantitative immunoblotting. NR2D was expressed at highest levels in the thalamus, midbrain, medulla, and spinal cord, whereas intermediate levels of this subunit were found in the cortex and hippocampus. Low or undetectable levels were seen in the olfactory bulb, striatum, and cerebellum. Following a peak after the first week of birth, NR2D protein levels decreased by about twofold in adulthood in all rat brain regions examined. More complete ontogenic profiles were determined for the diencephalon, telencephalon, and spinal cord where similar ontogenic patterns were seen. NR2D protein is present at high levels at embryonic stages of development, rises to a peak at postnatal day 7, and decreases but remains measurable during late postnatal life. This study demonstrates the generation and characterization of an antibody selective for the NR2D NMDA receptor subunit as well as a determination of the distribution and ontogenic profile of this subunit in rat brain. The results suggest that native NMDA receptors containing the NR2D subunit may have functional roles not only in the young brain but also in adult brain.

[Preliminary study of colloid osmotic pressure for cardiopulmonary bypass]

The ideal colloid osmotic pressure is beneficial to decrease the fluid accumulated in the pulmonary and other tissue during cardiopulmonary bypass. Schupbach reported the proper colloidosmotic pressure for cardiopulmonary bypass was 2.1 kPa (16 mmHg). Colloid osmotic pressures of blood and priming fluid during cardiopulmonary bypass were measured in 28 patients with heart disease by using colloid osmotic pressure detection apparatus. The value of colloid osmotic pressure suitable for the designed standard was apparently different among the Gelofusine group and other groups. P value was 0.005. Priming fluid for cardiopulmonary bypass needs to satisfy the quality and the quantity of colloid osmotic pressure. Using Albumin isn't economical. Whole blood and plazma are not suitable for increasing colloid osmotic pressure. Hydroxyethyl starch or Gelofusine is best choice in priming to get designed standard of colloid osmotic pressure. The ratio of hydroxyethyl starch or Gelofusine in priming fluid should beyond 1/2.

Ethanol exposure reduces the density of the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor (p75) on pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells

Although ethanol is detrimental to the developing nervous system, the mechanism(s) by which ethanol produces neuronal damage is (are) not clear. One potential mechanism is ethanol-induced inhibition of neurotrophic support. This study utilized an in vitro model, pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, to examine the effect of ethanol on the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor. NGF binding studies indicated that ethanol exposure (400 mg/dl for 4 days) reduced the density of the low-affinity (p75) NGF receptor on PC12 cells, but had no effect on the density of the high-affinity NGF receptor. The equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for both the low-affinity and high-affinity NGF receptors were unaffected by ethanol. Low-affinity NGF binding is mediated by the p75 component of the NGF receptor. Quantification of p75 by immunoprecipitation revealed that ethanol reduced the level of p75 in PC12 cells. However, Northern analysis indicated that the p75 mRNA was not reduced by ethanol exposure, raising the possibilities that ethanol inhibited translation of p75 or incorporation of the p75 protein into the plasma membrane. This work is consistent with the hypothesis that ethanol's detrimental effects may be produced in part by inhibition of neurotrophic support at the receptor level.

Ethanol inhibits basic fibroblast growth factor-mediated proliferation of C6 astrocytoma cells

Early ethanol exposure alters the proliferative activity of glial and neuronal precursors in the developing CNS. The present study tests the hypothesis that ethanol-induced alterations in cell proliferation result from interference with growth factors. An in vitro model of astroglia (C6 astrocytoma cells) was used to study the effects of ethanol on proliferation mediated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). bFGF stimulated the proliferation of C6 cells. This bFGF-enhanced proliferation was evident by increases in total cell number, DNA synthesis (as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation), and the number of cells that took up bromodeoxyuridine. A synthetic peptide that specifically blocked the binding of bFGF to its high-affinity receptor completely abolished the proliferation-promoting effect of bFGF. The action of another mitogen for C6 cells, insulin-like growth factor-1, was not affected by this peptide. Therefore, the bFGF-stimulated proliferation was mediated through a specific bFGF receptor. Ethanol inhibited bFGF-mediated proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Ethanol concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/dl partially inhibited bFGF-mediated proliferation (by 58 and 74%, respectively), whereas concentrations of > or = 400 mg/dl completely abolished the growth-stimulating effect of bFGF. Our data show that ethanol alters proliferative activity of C6 cells by disrupting the action of bFGF. The target of ethanol neurotoxicity is a receptor-mediated activity. bFGF can affect cell proliferation by a non-receptor-mediated intracellular pathway, but ethanol does not have an impact on this pathway.