[Cytological observation on hyphae invading Mycena osm undicola in the process of seed germination of Gastrodia elata Bl]

In order to obtain the nutrition necessary to sprout, Gastrodia elata seeds depend on digesting a kind of fungi (Mycena osmundicola Lange). Hyphae are enclosed and digested by embryonic cytoplasm after M. osmundicola penetrates the embryo through suspensor cells, and then meristem cells begin to divide. The digested hyphae penetrate into large cells to be further digested. The body of the embryo then enlarges and germinates under meristem cells using the nutrition thus obtained.

[A simplified polygraphic method for studying sleep in the rat]

Experiments were performed on 10 healthy Wistar rats with chronically implanted electrodes for the recording of electrocorticogram (ECoG), electro-oculogram (EOG), and electromyography (EMG). All the rats were prepared for the implantation of recording electrodes under 5% Ketamine (100 mg/kg i.p.) anesthesia. Four to six days after operation, the rat was put in an apparatus which was designed specifically sensitive to detect the movement of the animal without electrode on the body so that electroactogram (EAG) could be recorded readily. One group of experiment animal (n = 5), recorded ECoG, EAG, EOG and EMG simultaneously, was compared to another group (n = 5), recorded ECoG and EAG simultaneously. The results of experiments indicate that the ECoG, recorded from the the mesial frontal and occipital areas, have certain characteristics during different sleep phases, and the characteristics for classifying sleep phases by the two kinds of somnopolygram are similar. Therefore, simultaneous recording of the ECoG and EAG can be used to discriminate the sleep phases in the rat. In this way, the somnopolygraphic recording method for studying sleep in the rat would be simplified.

[Effects of fungi and its liquid extract on seed germination of Dendrobium hancockii Rolf]

The experiment revealed that several species of fungi isolated from the protocorms of Orchidaceae notable promote the seed germination of Dendrobium hancockii. The seed germination rate amounts to over 20% when the seeds are incubated with fungi, but zero without incubation. Seed germination rate ranges from 40 to 70% when the incubation is affected in liquid extract of the cultural products of fungi, but the growth of protocorms and seedlings of Dendrobium hancockii is slower in liquid extract of fungi than on mycolia.

[Determination of primary metabolic products of fungi promoting seed germination of Gastrodia elata Bl. and other Orchidaceae medicinal plants]

The contents of amino acids, protein, water-soluble sugar, reducing sugar and microelements in seven strains of seed-germination-promoting fungi were determined. It was found that the contents of primary products were different in these fungi. In the light of physiological characteristics of seed germination, the action mechanism of the products in promoting seed germination was discussed.

[Sedative-hypnotic effect of caulis Polygoni multiflori decoction]

The sedative-hypnotic effect of Caulis Polygoni multiflori decoction (CPMD) was studied by the rolling cylinder method in mice and by the somnopolygraphic recording method in rats. The result from the rolling method in mice showed that CPMD (9g/kg) did have synergic action with the subthreshold hypnotic dose of sodium pentobarbital (20mg/kg). The result from the somnopolygraphic recording experiment showed that the immediate hypnotic effect of an effective dose of CPMD (20g/kg) was basically similar to that of diazepam (5mg/kg) used under the same experimental condition, chiefly an increase in the duration of slow wave sleep phase (SWS) and a decrease in the duration of paradoxical sleep phase (PS). By the end of a three-day session in dose of twice a day the hypnotic effect appeared more prominent and the reduction of SWS latency became significant.

[Selection of the germination strain of Mycena osmundicola Lange in Gastrodia elata Bl. seeds]

By successive selection and comparison these seeds are higher in germination rate, faster in protocorm growth and higher in yield of Gastrodia elata. It is evident that Mycene osmundicola is one of the best strains in Gastrodia elata germination fungi.

[Antitumor action of lignum sappan]

The aqueous extract of lignum sappan can kill cell lines of HL-60, K562, L929 and Yac-1 at the concentration of 2 microliters/ml. The survival time of mice bearing EAC is increased by 185% (P less than 0.01) by ip 0.2 ml/mouse x 7d. The three-stage sequential test standard can be passed smoothly.

[Relation of changes in plasma TXB2 PGF1alpha and differentiation of signs and symptoms in traditional Chinese medicine in severe icteric hepatitis]

Clinical observations and experimental studies were made in 52 cases of chronic cholestatic hepatitis, 30 cases of chronic severe hepatitis, 30 healthy control persons, and 30 animals with experimental intrahepatic cholestasis. The results were as follows: Plasma TXB2 and PGF1 alpha were higher than their normal values both in cases of chronic cholestatic hepatitis and in cases of chronic severe hepatitis (P less than 0.01), the ratio of TXB2 and PGF1 alpha was normal in cases of chronic severe hepatitis and lower than normal value in cases of chronic cholestatic hepatitis (P less than 0.01). The cases were divided into 4 types (hepatitis due to blood stasis and blood heat, blood stasis and blood heat accompanying symptoms of fluid retention in the epigastrium, damp-heat, and composite factors) according to differentiation of symptoms and signs on the basic theories of TCM. Significant difference was found in TXB2, PGF1 alpha, PGF1 alpha/TXB2 and bilirubin when compared with each other in the 4 types of hepatitis patients (P less than 0.01). Bilirubin, TXB2, PGF1 alpha and PGF1 alpha/TXB2 in the survivors became normal or close to normal after they were treated with blood-cooling and circulation-promoting Chinese herbal medicine and prescriptions by changing their dosages according to differentiation of symptoms and signs on the basic theories of TCM. The therapeutic effect of prescription II was more satisfactory than that of prescription I. Changes of plasma TXB2 and PGF1 alpha in the experimental animals were more significant than those both in the control group and in the group treated with prescriptions I and II (P less than 0.01), but in the liver only the ratio of TXB2 and PGF1 alpha was lower than that in normal animals (P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Relation of changes in plasma cAMP, cGMP and the clinical conditions, pathology and the type of traditional Chinese medicine in 50 cases of chronic severe icteric hepatitis]

Plasma of cAMP and cGMP in 30 cases of chronic active hepatitis (group of cholestatic patients) as well as in 20 cases of chronic hepatitis with submassive or massive necrosis (group of chronic severe hepatitis patients) were studied with 125I-marked radioimmunoassay. 50 cases with their serum bilirubin levels higher than 171 mumol/L were selected as subjects for this study. Among them, 42 were diagnosed as hepatitis B, 6 as coinfection of hepatitis A and B. According to differentiation of symptoms and signs of TCM, 24 were diagnosed as simple hepatitis due to blood stasis and blood heat, 17 as hepatitis due to blood stasis and blood heat accompanying symptoms of Yang deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney. 20 healthy persons were selected as controls. The results were as follows: cAMP was 56.82 +/- 25.54 ng/L and 80.32 +/- 20.73 ng/L, and cGMP was 9.07 +/- 6.56 ng/L and 19.49 +/- 9.34 ng/L in the group of cholestatic patients and in the group of chronic severe hepatitis patients respectively. Both were higher than those in the control group whose cAMP was 14.12 +/- 3.25 ng/L and cGMP was 5.87 +/- 1.44 ng/L (P less than 0.01). Increase in cGMP and decrease in the ratio of cAMP and cGMP in the cases accompanying symptoms of Yang deficiency of the Spleen and Kidney were much higher than those in the other two types of hepatitis patients (P less than 0.01 and 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Light-evoked changes in extracellular calcium concentration in frog retina

Light-evoked changes in extracellular Ca2+ concentration were recorded with Ca2(+)-selective microelectrodes in the retina of the frog eyecup. A Ca-decrease at light onset and offset was found in the inner plexiform layer, and its properties are consistent with it resulting from Ca2+ influx into activated neuronal terminals. In the subretinal space, a Ca-increase at light onset and a Ca-decrease at offset were observed, and these likely arise directly from photoreceptors. A slower ON Ca-decrease was also seen here. Because it survives pharmacological isolation of the photoreceptors from post-synaptic interactions, but not physical isolation of the retina from the pigment epithelium, this component probably depends on pigment epithelial activity.

[The properties of dentin and resinified dentin in the tensile test]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of resinifying therapy to the hard tissue of tooth by using measurement of the tensile strength. The fresh extracted maxillary anterior teeth having been cleaned and sterilized were divided into two groups. The control group was placed into 9% N-saline solution of 37 +/- 1 degrees C. The experimental group was treated with resinifying therapy. The tensile specimens were shaped by turning in a lathe until it satisfied the tensile test requirement of Mechanics of Materials except that they were hollow. A set of special split jig was made for this test. Instron Universal Testing Machine was used for measuring the load on the specimens. The loading speed was 0.05 mm/min. The straining meter was used to measure the tensile strain. The result revealed that tensile strength of resinifying dentin was little lower than that of unresinified dentin. The resinified dentin didn't increases stiffness or brittleness.