[Determination of chlorogenic acid, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid in yinqiaojiedupian by high performance capillary electrophoresis]

A simple, rapid and reproducible capillary electrophoretic method was developed for the determination of chlorogenic acid, glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid in Yinqiaojiedupian. The buffer solution used in this method was a mixture of 20 mmol/L NaH2PO4 and 5 mmol/L Na2B4O7(pH 7.0). The other conditions were as follows: applied voltage, 20 kV (positive to negative polarity); L = 60 cm; Leff = 55 cm; i.d. = 75 microns; lambda = 254 nm; temperature, 25 degrees C; injection time, 5 s hydrostatic. The linear calibration range was 1.568-100.4 mg/L for glycyrrhetinic acid, 8.000-128.0 mg/L for glycyrrhizin and 8.080-129.3 mg/L for chlorogenic acid, and recoveries were 98.0%-103% for glycyrrhetinic acid, 97.3%-102% for glycyrrhizin and 97.3%-100% for chlorogenic acid. The relative standard deviations (n = 3) were 0.2%-1.3% (intra-day) and 1.9%-3.0% (inter-day) for glycyrrhetinic acid, 0.5%-1.2%(intra-day) and 1.9%-2.1%(inter-day) for glycyrrhizin and 0.7%-1.3%(intra-day) and 1.6%-2.1%(inter-day) for chlorogenic acid. The contents of these three acids in Yinqiaojiedupian were successfully determined within 10 min.

[Diagnosis and treatment of Killian's polyp under nasal endoscope]

OBJECTIVE

To further understand the advantage of examination and operation for killian's polyp under nasal endoscope.

METHOD

22 cases with Killian's polyps were diagnosed and treated under nasal endoscope.

RESULT AND CONCLUSION

Before operation, examination under nasal endoscope may clearly find origin of the polyp and foci in maxillary sinus, which plays more important role in differential diagnosis and operation than CT or X-ray test. Operative treatment of Killian's polyp under nasal endoscope can not only eradicate foci but also reserve function of mucosa, but for severe foci in the maxillary sinus, the optimum operation should be Caldwell-Luc antrotomy.

[Study on relationship between detection of interleukin-6 and its mRNA and pregnancy induced hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) on pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and to confirm the derivation of IL-6 and relationship between IL-6 and growth of placenta and fetus.

METHODS

Pregnant women without infection and uterine contraction are divided into two groups: (1) PIH group (n = 57), (2) Normal pregnancy group (n = 15), reverse transcription-polymerase chain rection (RT-PCR) is used to detect IL-6 mRNA expression in leucocyto of peripheral blood and in placenta; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used to detect IL-6 level of peripheral blood and amniotic fluid.

RESULTS

(1) The level of IL-6 and its mRNA in peripheral blood has a increasing trend as PIH degree. In moderate and severe PIH, IL-6 and its mRNA level are significantly higher than that of normal pregnancy. In each degree of PIH, IL-6 mRNA expression in placeata is significantly lower than that of normal pregnancy. In moderate and severe PIH, IL-6 level in amniotic fluid is significantly lower than that in normal pregnancy (P < 0.001). (2) In moderate and severe PIH, IL-6 level has high correlation to the IL-6 mRNA in peripheral blood (r = 0.67, P < 0.01). The IL-6 level in amniotic fluid has significant correlation to IL-6 mRNA in placenta (r = 0.79, P < 0.01). IL-6 and its mRNA in peripheral blood has no high correlation to IL-6 in amniotic fluid. (3) In severe PIH, the IL-6 mRNA in placenta and IL-6 level in amniotic fluid in the group of pregnancy with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are both lower than that of the group without IUGR (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In PIH, the immune activity is rising, the IL-6 is overproduced by activated immune cells and it may involve in immune respond of organism and damage of vasicular endothelium. Decrease of IL-6 mRNA in placenta and IL-6 in amniotic fluid showes that the capability of production and transport of IL-6 decline in placenta of PIH patient, and these result in ischemia of placenta trophoblast and disturbance of the growth and development of placenta and fetus.

[Nitric oxide levels in cirrhotic patients]

The aim of this study is to ascertain whether the formation of nitric oxide is argumented in patients with liver cirrhosis and its mechanism. 38 cirrhotic patients and 15 normal controls were studied. Higher plasma levels of NO2-/NO3- (stable end products of nitric oxide), endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were observed in patients with cirrhosis than in normal controls (P < 0.01, 0.01, 0.01, 0.05). The higher Child-Pugh, the higher plasma NO2-/NO3- level. The concentration of NO2-/NO3- had a positive correlation with that of endotoxin and TNF alpha (r = 0.481, P < 0.01; r = 0.351, P < 0.05). It is suggested that the production of nitric oxide is augmented and could be induced by endotoxin and TNF alpha. Execessive formation of nitric oxide may be related to hyperdynamic circulation in cirrhosis.

Dissemination of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus from the gastric mucosa requires G protein-coupled signaling

The gastric mucosa is an important portal of entry for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infections. Within hours after intragastric (i.g.) inoculation, virus appears in the gastric epithelia, then in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, and then in the liver and brain. By 72 h i.g.-inoculated virus is widely disseminated and equivalent to intravenous (i.v.) infection (S. K. Rai, B. K. Micales, M. S. Wu, D. S. Cheung, T. D. Pugh, G. E. Lyons, and M. S. Salvato. Am. J. Pathol. 151:633-639, 1997). Pretreatment of mice with a G protein inhibitor, pertussis toxin (PTx), delays LCMV dissemination after i.g., but not after i.v., inoculation. Delayed infection was confirmed by plaque assays, by reverse transcription-PCR, and by in situ hybridization. The differential PTx effect on i.v. and i.g. infections indicates that dissemination from the gastric mucosa requires signals transduced through heterotrimeric G protein complexes. PTx has no direct effect on LCMV replication, but it modulates integrin expression in part by blocking chemokine signals. LCMV infection of macrophages up-regulates CD11a, and PTx treatment counteracts this. PTx may prevent early LCMV dissemination by inhibiting the G protein-coupled chemotactic response of macrophages infected during the initial exposure, thus blocking systemic virus spread.

Key roles for E2F1 in signaling p53-dependent apoptosis and in cell division within developing tumors

Apoptosis induced by the p53 tumor suppressor can attenuate cancer growth in preclinical animal models. Inactivation of the pRb proteins in mouse brain epithelium by the T121 oncogene induces aberrant proliferation and p53-dependent apoptosis. p53 inactivation causes aggressive tumor growth due to an 85% reduction in apoptosis. Here, we show that E2F1 signals p53-dependent apoptosis since E2F1 deficiency causes an 80% apoptosis reduction. E2F1 acts upstream of p53 since transcriptional activation of p53 target genes is also impaired. Yet, E2F1 deficiency does not accelerate tumor growth. Unlike normal cells, tumor cell proliferation is impaired without E2F1, counterbalancing the effect of apoptosis reduction. These studies may explain the apparent paradox that E2F1 can act as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in experimental systems.

A common mechanism for illusory and occluded object completion

New phenomena and results are reported that implicate a common contour interpolation mechanism in illusory and occluded (modal and amodal) object completion. In 3 experiments, a speeded classification task was used to study novel quasimodal displays in which occluded and illusory contours join. Results showed the same advantages in speed and accuracy over control displays for quasimodal, illusory, and occluded displays. The implications of quasimodal displays, along with another new display type in which contour linkages must precede determination of modal or amodal appearance, are considered. These logical considerations and empirical results suggest that amodal and modal completion depend on a common underlying mechanism that connects edges across gaps.

[Effect of aloe-emodin on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells after arterial injury]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of Aloe-emodin (AE), an active ingredient of Rhubarb, on the kinetics of proliferation of smooth muscular cells (SMCs) cultured in vitro after rabbit iliac arterial injury.

METHODS

Forty-eight hours after de-endothelialization (balloon endothelial denudation), the iliac arteries of the Japanese white rabbits were isolated and the smooth muscle cells were cultured primarily. AE was added to culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). The cultures were pulse-labeled with 3H-TdR and TdR uptake into VSMC were measured and the cell cycle of the cultures were analyzed by using flow cytometer.

RESULTS

Compared with control, when the concentration gradient ranged from 10(-1) to 10(-5) g/L, the amount (cpm, count per minute) of 3H-TdR uptake into SMCs has significant differences (P < 0.05) and 10(-1) and 10(-2) g/L AE showed strong inhibitory effects on TdR uptake into VSMC and the percentage of inhibition [% inhibition = (cpm without AE - cpm with AE)/cpm without AE x 100%] was more than 90%. AE displayed concentration dependent inhibitory effects. The percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was increased, but the percentage of cells in S phase was decreased in AE group, the transition of SMC cycle phase from G0 to S was blocked.

CONCLUSIONS

AE is a strong inhibitor to the proliferation of SMCs and the pharmacological action of AE might reduce SMC proliferation in vivo and decrease intimal hyperplasia of restenosis.

Differential messenger ribonucleic acid expression in aggressive versus linear periprosthetic osteolysis

Osteolysis is a radiographic term used to describe bone resorption adjacent to prosthetic implants. This process involves a spectrum of radiographic presentations, from small generalized linear patterns (linear osteolysis) to larger erosive patterns (aggressive osteolysis). The tissue from aggressive osteolytic lesions from five patients were compared with a series of linear osteolytic lesions from five additional patients. Total ribonucleic acid was extracted from these tissue samples, followed by reverse transcription and amplification by the polymerase chain reaction using a series of primers intended to amplify all ribonucleic acid species. The polymerase chain reaction products were separated by gel electrophoresis and compared by side by side analysis (differential display techniques). Transcription initiation factor IIB and cytokine receptor CRFB4 messenger ribonucleic acid were expressed in four of five patients with aggressive osteolytic lesions, as compared with none of five patients with linear osteolytic lesions. Conversely, nonmuscle myosin heavy chain messenger ribonucleic acid was expressed in five of five patients with linear osteolysis, and in none of the five patients with aggressive osteolysis. Thus, there is a difference in cell behavior between linear and aggressive osteolytic lesions that likely accounts for differences in radiographic appearance. This disparity is likely attributable to differences in local conditions (greater amounts of debris, increasing instability of the implant, or increased fluid pressures within the osteolytic lesions), and differences in host response.

Surface completion complements boundary interpolation in the visual integration of partly occluded objects

Previous research on perceptual completion has emphasized how the spatial relationships of edges influence the visual integration of the image fragments that result from partial occlusion. We report studies testing the hypothesis that the similarity of surface features also influences visual integration, complementing edge interpolation processes. Using displays that separated edge interpolation processes from surface-feature interpolation processes, we tested the hypotheses that a surface completion process integrates image fragments with similar surface features, and that surface completion is constrained by amodally interpolated and amodally extended boundaries. Both edge relatability and surface-feature similarity were manipulated in a series of paired-comparison and classification tasks. The results of these studies supported the hypotheses and were extended to surface features of colors, textures, and color gradients. Results also suggest that, under certain conditions, surface completion may interact with and influence edge interpolation.

A common mechanism for illusory and occluded object completion

New phenomena and results are reported that implicate a common contour interpolation mechanism in illusory and occluded (modal and amodal) object completion. In 3 experiments, a speeded classification task was used to study novel quasimodal displays in which occluded and illusory contours join. Results showed the same advantages in speed and accuracy over control displays for quasimodal, illusory, and occluded displays. The implications of quasimodal displays, along with another new display type in which contour linkages must precede determination of modal or amodal appearance, are considered. These logical considerations and empirical results suggest that amodal and modal completion depend on a common underlying mechanism that connects edges across gaps.

[Choices of anesthesia in operations of extraction of foreign body in esophagus]

In order to probe the anesthetic methods of extracting foreign body in esophagus and improve operative effect, potentiated surface anesthesia and intratracheal intubation anesthesia were applied in operations to 72 cases of foreign bodies in esophagus, and comparative observations were done to these cases. All the cases had their foreign bodies extracted smoothly and no serious complications occurred. We consider that each anesthetic method has its advantage. The former is suitable for the adolescents and adults, the latter is suitable for the young children who have foreign bodies in esophagus and difficult breathing.

Experimental study on the correlation of nitric oxide with portal hypertensive enteropathy

To explore the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE), cirrhotic portal hypertension was induced in Wistar rats by subcutaneous administration of carbon tetrachloride. At the end of 12th week, NADPH-diaphorase staining was performed on ice frozen sections with the sample of fresh colonic tissues. NO synthase (NOS) activities and NOS mRNA expression of colonic tissues were investigated with chemoluminescence method and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. After NADPH-diaphorase histochemical staining, the computer image analysis and paired t test showed that NOS staining intensities of submucosal vascular endothelial cells and nerve fibers were all significantly higher in PHE group than those in normal group (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively), but the intensities of superficial epithelial cells were significantly lower than those of controls (P < 0.01). Chemoluminescence method demonstrated that general NOS activity of colonic mucosa was significantly higher in PHE group than that in control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the degree of iNOS activity increase was greater than that of cNOS (104% vs 35%). RT-PCR revealed that NOS mRNA expressions were dramatically higher in PHE group than those in control group (P < 0.01). The results suggested that NO, with its property of vasodilatation, may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular lesions of PHE in cirrhotic rats, and may also has something to do with mucosal lesions of colon in PHE.

Apoptosis and cancer mechanisms

For nearly two decades, studies in the cancer research field focussed on identifying genes that act as positive and negative regulators of cell growth. Only relatively recently was it recognized that the regulation of cell death (apoptosis) is also an important modulator of tumorigenesis. At least two genes linked to human cancers, BCL2 and TP53, have been shown to regulate apoptosis. The correlation between apoptosis modulating genes and human tumours raises an important question as to how dysregulation of apoptosis contributes to neoplastic transformation and malignant cell growth. Cell culture studies have clearly demonstrated that TP53 can induce and BCL2 can suppress apoptosis in response to various stimuli. Studies of mammalian viruses, which possess mechanisms for both inducing and evading apoptosis, have also extended our understanding of this process. On the basis of such findings, several animal models have been developed which begin to address the role of apoptosis regulation in tumorigenesis. This chapter discusses those animal models, focussing on bcl-2 (and its relatives) and p53.

[Cloning, expression and purification of the chaperonin GroESL in Escherichia coli]

The DNA fragment encoding the molecular chaperion GroESL was subcloned into high-expression vector pKC220, and the GroESL were high expressed in the E. coli strain harboring the recombinant plasmid by high temperature induction. The amount of the expressed GroEL and GroES protein were about 40% and 15% of the total cellular proteins, respectively. These two subunits were both purified from E. coli by (NH4)2SO4 salt out DEAE-52 chromography and Sephadex G-50 chromography.

Biochemical and molecular homogeneity in the patellar tendon of the immature pig

Patellar tendon is widely used for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament. However, few studies have investigated the tendon's homogeneity, a characteristic often assumed of it in experiments. In this study, the assumption that the patellar tendon is homogeneous was tested by dividing the central half of the tendon into six sections along its length and width and comparing commonly measured biochemical parameters and patterns of gene expression among these sections. No significant differences were found between the sections for any of the studied parameters: water content (p > 0.5), DNA content (p > 0.9), total collagen content (p > 0.8), amount of type I collagen (p > 0.7) or type-III collagen (p > 0.7), or expression of mRNA (p > 0.9). For all parameters, the minimum power value for statistical analyses was greater than 0.80. It was concluded that the central half of the tendon is homogeneous in terms of all of the measured parameters. The results provide important information for the many experiments that sample part of the patellar tendon to infer the characteristics of the whole tendon, e.g., biopsy studies.

[Tri-dimensional computer reconstruction and animated display from serial sections of the Chinese crude drugs]

In this paper, the tri-dimensional computer reconstruction and animated display from serial sections of the genuine crude drug Radix Aconitii have been addressed. Accordingly, some tridimensional image technique and information for the teaching and identification of pharmacognosy have also been offered.

Bax suppresses tumorigenesis and stimulates apoptosis in vivo

The protein p53 is a key tumour-suppressor, as evidenced by its frequent inactivation in human cancers. Animal models have indicated that attenuation of p53-dependent cell death (apoptosis) can contribute to both the initiation and progression of cancer, but the molecular mechanisms are unknown. Although p53-mediated transcriptional activation is one possible explanation, none of the known p53-responsive genes has been shown to function in p53-dependent apoptosis. Here we test the role of the death-promoting gene bax in a transgenic mouse brain tumour, a model in which p53-mediated apoptosis attenuates tumour growth. Inactivation of p53 causes a dramatic acceleration of tumour growth owing to a reduction in apoptosis of over ninety per cent. We show that p53-dependent expression of bax is induced in slow-growing apoptotic tumours. Moreover, tumour growth is accelerated and apoptosis drops by fifty per cent in Bax-deficient mice, indicating that it is required for a full p53-mediated response. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration that Bax acts as a tumour suppressor, and our findings indicate that Bax could be a component of the p53-mediated apoptotic response in this system.

[Effect of nickel sulfate on the concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH in serum of rat]

The effect of nickel sulfate on the concentrations of T3, T4 and TSH in sera of rats was studied. Forty wistar male rats were divided into four groups. The rats in groups 1, 2 and 3 were injected with 0.005 mol/L NiSO4, 0.01 mol/L NiSO4 and 0.02 mol/L NiSO4 [1 ml/(kg x d)] respectively, while the rats of group 4 were injected with normal saline, serving as control. Forty days later, the concentrations of T3 and T4 in sera of 0.01 mol/L NiSO4 and 0.02 mol/L NiSO4 groups were obviously decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The concentrations of T4 in sera of 0.005 mol/L NiSO4 group was also decreased, compared with control group. There was no difference in the concentrations of T3 and T4 in sera among the groups with different doses of NiSO4. Between different dose groups and the control group, the concentrations of TSH in sera showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The proliferation of the epithelial cells of thyroid gland was noticed. The rough endoplasmic reticulam was exceedingly expanded. The nuclei were transformed. The results suggest that Ni may injure thyroid gland.

[Endoscopic sinus surgery through the front wall of maxillary sinus: report on 30 cases]

By drilling the front wall of maxillary sinus, endoscopic sinus surgery was performed in 30 cases. Using this method, the focus was easily observed and cleaned, the natural hole was rapidly and reliably reamed with less bleeding and no serious reaction, and the rate of recurrence was lower.

The lymphocytosis-promoting agent pertussis toxin affects virus burden and lymphocyte distribution in the SIV-infected rhesus macaque

Pertussis toxin from the gram-negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis is an ADP-ribosylase that modifies Gi proteins in mammalian lymphocytes and inhibits their capacity to traffic from blood into lymphoid tissues. We used this compound to induce lymphocytosis in rhesus macaques and to study its effects on SIV infection. Pertussis toxin injected at 25 micrograms/kg induced a transient lymphocytosis that peaked 3-8 days after administration and caused a rapid, transient decrease in the frequency of infectious cells in blood as judged by in vitro virus isolation assays. Lymphocyte subsets were altered during the lymphocytosis interval and sustained changes in CD8+ T cell levels were noted as long as 53 days after pertussis toxin injection. In situ hybridization studies showed that pertussis toxin altered the distribution of viral RNA in lymph nodes during the interval of lymphocytosis, and caused long-term changes with decreased virus replication in some tissue specimens.

Pertussis toxin induces lymphocytosis in rhesus macaques

Lymph nodes and other solid tissues of the immune system are the principal sites for antigen presentation and lymphocyte activation. Lymphocytes in peripheral blood recognize the high endothelial venules within lymphoid tissues and cross from blood to tissue by the process of extravasation. Pertussis toxin is known to block extravasation and cause lymphocytosis in murine models but has not been studied extensively in nonhuman primates. We used intravenous injection of soluble pertussis toxin to induce a transient lymphocytosis in rhesus monkeys. The increase in total white blood cells was proportionally greater for lymphocytes than for polymorphonuclear cells and the CD4+ lymphocyte subpopulation increased more than the CD8+ cell population. The presence of immature polymorphonuclear cells suggested some activation of bone marrow. Clinical chemistry studies revealed an effect of pertussis toxin on liver function. Pertussis toxin is a powerful immunomodulatory agent that can disrupt and reorganize solid lymphoid tissues.

Perinatal methanol exposure in the rat. I. Blood methanol concentration and neural cell adhesion molecules

Although the acute toxicity of methanol is well documented, few studies have addressed the consequences of perinatal exposures to the low concentrations that are expected to arise from its proposed use as a component of automobile fuel. This report describes the general research design of a series of studies, the effects of methanol exposures on blood concentrations in dams and neonates, and indices of brain development. Four cohorts of Long-Evans pregnant rats, each cohort consisting of an exposure (n = 12) and a control (n = 12) group, were exposed whole-body to 4500 ppm methanol vapor or air for 6 hr daily beginning on Gestation Day 6. Both dams and pups were then exposed through Postnatal Day 21 (PND 21). Blood methanol concentrations determined by gas chromatography from samples obtained immediately following a 6-hr exposure reached approximately 500-800 micrograms/ml in the dams during gestation and lactation. Average concentrations for pups attained levels about twice those of the dams. Selected offspring from Cohort 4 were exposed for one additional 6-hr session at ages that extended out to PND 52. Regression analyses showed that the blood methanol concentrations of the pups declined until about PND 48, at which time their levels approximated those of their dams. Such pharmacokinetic differences might increase the risks posed to developing organisms. Light-microscopic analysis showed no significant abnormalities in the brains of the methanol-treated animals. However, assays of neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAMs) in brains of pups sacrificed on PND 4 showed staining for both the 140 and the 180 kDa isoforms to be less intense in the cerebellum of exposed animals. NCAM differences were not apparent in animals sacrificed 15 months after their final exposure.

Acute Cytotoxic Allogeneic Histoincompatibility Reactions Involving Gray Cells in the Marine Sponge, Callyspongia diffusa

A variety of procedures were used in a study of the histoincompatibility reactions of Callyspongia diffusa. Rejection reactions as traditionally tested between laterally apposed intact fingers cut from two different sponges require about a week of contact to exhibit cytotoxicity. In a miniaturized assay involving reactions between small pieces of tissue snipped from sponges with scissors and pushed together on an insect pin, cytotoxicity is evident within 48 hours of contact. Reactions of cells dissociated by divalent cation removal and allowed to reaggregate in seawater were also studied. Aggregates produced from allogeneic mixtures of cells from two individuals were killed by internal cytotoxic reactions within 36 hours of the initiation of aggregation. After only one hour of aggregation, aggregates from allogeneic mixtures were significantly smaller than aggregates of cells from a single individual. This rapid slowing of aggregation is the earliest response to allogeneic contact that we noted and does not appear to reflect early cytotoxic processes. Apposition of an aggregate containing cells from one sponge to an aggregate containing cells from a second individual leads to mutual destruction. Aggregates harvested and apposed 4 hours after initiation of aggregation begin to show mutual cytotoxicity at 36 hours of contact. Aggregates placed in contact 48 hours after the initiation of aggregation exhibit cytotoxicity within 8 hours. These rapidly reacting 48-hour aggregates exhibit a pronounced accumulation of gray cells at the boundary of allogeneic contact by 8 hours. These results are interpreted as indicating at least five steps in the histoincompatibility reactions of C. diffusa: (1) recognition soon after allogeneic contact; (2) generation of signals that suppress cell aggregation and cell movement and attract gray cells to the boundary of contact; (3) acceleration of the sponge immune response--including the responsiveness of gray cells to accumulate at the boundary of allogeneic contact--by tissue trauma produced when the tissue is cut or dissociated it into individual cells; (4) arrival of gray cells at the boundary of allogeneic contact; and (5) initiation of cytotoxic processes.