[Disposition of 3-(N-piperidinomethylarino)methyl-rifamycin SV (FCE 22250) in rats]

After rats being given ig FCE 22250 5, 10 and 25 mg.kg-1, the plasma peak times (Tmax) were 12-14 h, the max plasma concentrations (Cmax) were 3.0, 5.6 and 12 micrograms.ml-1 respectively, and the half-lives of elimination (T1/2) were 24-26 h. The apparent volumes of distribution of the three doses were about 1 L.kg-1, suggesting that FCE 22250 in blood and in tissue was balanced. Total body clearance rate of each of the three doses was 29 ml.kg-1.h-1. The ig absolute bioavailability ranged from 69-84%. Its distribution in rats was as follows: the highest in liver, next in lung and then in fat, kidney, intestine, spleen, lymphaticode, heart, muscle, testis, the lowest in brain. It was eliminated mainly via the bile with feces. The human serum protein binding rate of FCE 22250 was 96.2%. It was shown that the rate was not correlated with drug concentration in serum under our experimental conditions.

Morphometric diagnosis of bladder tumor

This paper reports the morphometric analysis results of 100 cases of bladder tumor cells with a Q-900 computer-assisted image analysis system. According to the nuclear area, axis ratio and area ratio of tumor nuclei, bladder transitional cell tumors were divided into 4 grades. This system is called the morphometric grading system (M grading). The results show that the higher the M grading, the lower the survival rate and the higher the recurrence rate. As the M grade increases the tumors could be accompanied by muscular invasion. When recurring, the tumor has a poor prognosis if M grading increases. We conclude that the morphometric grading system is able to yield a quantitative pathologic diagnosis and can predict the biological behavior of bladder tumors. Recently, new techniques for diagnosing and predicting the biological behavior of bladder tumors have been developed. One such technique is morphometric analysis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma with computer-assisted image instruments [1]. Because this morphometric method is easily applicable to pathological section routinely stained with HE and the results are reproducible and more objective, the studies about morphometric analysis of bladder tumor have increased in recent times. This paper reports the preliminary morphometric analysis results of bladder tumor cells examined by a Q-900 image analysis instrument for 100 cases.

Retinoic acid in mono- or combined differentiation therapy of myelodysplasia and acute promyelocytic leukemia

Myelodysplastic preleukemic syndromes (MDPS) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) share a surprising in vivo sensitivity to the hormonally acting 13 cis or all trans retinoic acids (transRA). Here we show that transRA as a monotherapeutic agent induced a stable remission in APL at the third relapse. In MDPS, treatment with prednisone and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25D3) 13 cis RA induced a long-lasting hematological remission. Initially both patients had an impaired BM microenvironment which regenerated on retinoid therapy as judged by reappearance of the Hematon fraction in the BM aspirates. Our preclinical experiments using long-term liquid BM cultures (LTBMC) indicated that several individual patterns of growth and differentiation responses can be induced by combinations of transRA, 1 alpha,25D3 and hemopoietic growth factors (HGFs). The biological responses may vary from complete clonal extinction to a significant growth stimulation of the leukemic blast cell populations. These results further support the importance of preclinical studies in selecting "good" responders for, and excluding "poor" responders from protocols using differentiation therapy.

Inhibition of mouse skin tumor-initiating activity of DMBA by chronic oral feeding of glycyrrhizin in drinking water

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), a Mediterranean plant, has been used as an antidote, demulcent, and elixir folk medicine for generations in China. The main water-soluble constituent of licorice is glycyrrhizin (GL), which has been shown to possess several pharmacological properties. In this study, we show that oral feeding of GL to Sencar mice resulted in substantial protection against skin tumorigenesis caused by 7,12-dimethyl-benz [a]anthracene (DMBA) initiation and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) promotion. The latent period prior to the onset of tumor development was considerably prolonged in GL-fed animals compared with animals not fed GL and resulted in significant decrease in the number of tumors per mouse, during and at the termination of the experiment. Oral feeding of GL in drinking water also resulted in inhibition in the binding of topically applied [3H]benzo[a]pyrene and [3H]DMBA to epidermal DNA. The possible mechanism(s) of the antitumor-initiating activity may be due to the involvement of GL as inhibitor of the carcinogen metabolism followed by DNA adduct formation. Our results suggest that GL possesses considerable antitumorigenic activity and could prove useful in protecting some forms of human cancer.

[The alterations of arachidonic acid metabolism in polymorphonuclear leukocytes in cerebral thrombosis]

The significant alterations in arachidonic acid metabolism of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes in 8 patients with cerebral thrombosis. The production of TXB2, LTB4 and 20-OH-LTB4 was significantly enhanced, whereas the PGE2 value also had an increasing tendency. It was suggested that the alterations of arachidonic acid metabolism of PMN leukocytes might augment the process of thrombosis and bring on more brain ischemia.

[Mural ameloblastoma]

All materials of 14 cases of mural ameloblastoma from 1968 to 1987 in our hospital were reviewed and pathologic characteristics of the tumor were suggested. The mural ameloblastoma may be classified into three categories: (1) inside of cyst; (2) inside of wall and (3) mixed type. Their representations were plexiform, follicular and mixed type in histopathology. The pathologic classification is of value on choice of clinical therapy and prognosis. The tumor recurs readily after simple curettage.

[Effects of morphine of different concentrations on myocardial action potential]

The effects of morphine at different concentrations on myocardial action potential were studied in isolated right ventricular papillary muscles of the guinea pig. It was observed that morphine at low concentrations (0.2-1.6 mumol/L) shortened the action potential duration (ADP) and effective refractory period (ERP) in a concentration dependent manner. These effects could be abolished by naloxone (1 mumol/L), phentolamine, tetraethylammonium (TEA) and cesium chloride (Cs+), but not by verapamil. On the other hand, morphine at high concentrations (15-120 mumol/L) prolonged ADP and ERP in a concentration dependent manner. The effects were unaffected by low dose of naloxone (1.2 mumol/L) but were abolished by high dose of naloxone (10 mumol/L), phentolamine, TEA, Cs+ and verapamil. These results suggest that morphine at low and high concentrations might stimulate different subtypes of opioid receptors. The effects of morphine in low concentrations are associated with the activation of potassium channel, whereas the effects of morphine at high concentrations are associated with the activation of potassium channel, calcium channel or calcium activated potassium channel. The action of opioid receptor was closely related to alpha adrenoreceptors.

Establishment of an axenic culture of Giardia lamblia through preliminary passage in suckling gerbil

Cysts of Giardia lamblia from fresh stool specimens of a 13-year-old boy, who lived in suburban Beijing and had suffered from recurrent diarrheas for years, were concentrated, purified and suspended in physiological saline. Six suckling gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were each inoculated with 0.2 ml of this suspension which contained 20,000 cysts/ml. On day 8 after inoculation, the infected animals were sacrificed and trophozoites of G. lamblia which appeared numerous in the upper small intestines were isolated aseptically. The trophozoites were inoculated into modified TYI-S-33 medium and cultivated at 37 C. On day 14 of cultivation, the organism grew luxuriantly and formed a cellular monolayer on the inner wall of the culture tube. The organism replicated every 15 +/- 2 hours and the peak growth occurred 120 hours after seeding. No bacterial growth was detected by repeatedly transferring the culture onto blood agar plates and into beef broths. Several lots of the culture have been subjected to cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen and the viability of the thawed organism ranged from 50% to 80% 1-10 weeks after being cryopreserved. The thawed parasites grew well in subcultures. This axenic culture has been maintained for one year and 4 months, and more than 150 subcultures have been made.

In vivo MRS measurement of deoxymyoglobin in human forearms

In vivo MRS measurement of deoxymyoglobin (deoxy-Mb) in human forearms was performed by observing the N-delta proton of F8 proximal histidine. The concentration of deoxy-Mb reflects the oxygen level in the muscle. In resting muscles, the deoxy-Mb level was below the detection sensitivity. When ischemia was introduced by arterial occlusion, the time-resolved NMR spectra (with 1 min resolution) was recorded to follow the change in the deoxy-Mb signal. The result shows that deoxy-Mb signal builds up and levels off within 6 min. This technique may be used to study bioenergetics of muscle during exercise and under pathological conditions.

The prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Shanghai, China: impact of age, gender, and education

We report the prevalence rates for dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) obtained from a probability sample survey of 5,055 noninstitutionalized older persons in Shanghai, China. A two-stage procedure was used for case finding and case identification. A Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination was used to determine cases of possible dementia. Three different cutoff points on this mental status test were used depending on the respondent's level of education. Clinical evaluations, based on functional assessments and psychiatric interview, medical and neurological examinations, three standardized mental status tests, and a selected group of psychometric tests, were made in the second stage of the study to ascertain the clinical diagnosis of dementia and AD utilizing the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, edition 3 and National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria, respectively. The prevalence rate of dementia in persons 65 years and older was 4.6%. Clinically diagnosed AD accounted for 65% of the subjects with dementia. These findings indicate that the prevalence of dementia in Shanghai is very much higher than figures published earlier for China and Japan, and at the lower part of the range of values reported for community residents in the United States and other Western countries, but less than half of that reported in the recently published survey of the elderly in East Boston. Increasing age, gender (female), and low education are each highly significant and independent risk factors for dementia. One hypothesis to explain the increased prevalence in elderly women who had received no formal education invokes the possibility of an effect of early deprivation, perhaps lowering brain "reserve," allowing the symptoms of dementia to appear at an earlier date during disease progression.

Ca2(+)-dependent interactions between the C-helix of troponin-C and troponin-I. Photocross-linking and fluorescence studies using a recombinant troponin-C

We have used in vitro mutagenesis to synthesize in Escherichia coli a recombinant rabbit skeletal troponin-C (designated as TnC57) in which Cys-98 was replaced with leucine, and Ala-57 in the C-helix of the N-terminal domain was replaced with cysteine. TnC57 labeled with the bifunctional photocross-linker benzophenone-4-maleimide could be photocross-linked with troponin-I in both the binary complex with troponin-I and in the ternary complex with troponin-I and troponin-T. The fluorescence lifetime of TnC57 labeled with the probe N-iodoacetyl-N'-(5-sulfo-1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine decreased from 13.2 +/- 0.1 to 11.8 +/- 0.1 ns when Ca2+ bound to the low affinity triggering sites. Complexation with either troponin-I or both troponin-I and troponin-T resulted in significant increases in this lifetime both in the absence and the presence of Ca2+. In either the binary or the ternary complex, this lifetime increased from 15.5 to 18.0 ns upon Ca2+ binding to the low affinity sites. Complementary acrylamide-quenching studies yielded results that are consistent with the fluorescence lifetime results. Our results show that the C-helix of troponin-C interacts with troponin-I, in confirmation of recent zero-length cross-linking results (Leszyk, J., Grabarek, Z., Gergely, J., and Collins, J.H. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 299-304). Moreover, they are in support of a model (Herzberg, O., Moult, J., and James, M.N.G. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 2638-2644) in which the binding of Ca2+ to the triggering sites in the N-terminal domain of troponin-C results in the movement of the B- and C-helices away from the central helix, thereby exposing a putative hydrophobic binding site for troponin-I.

Thyroid nodularity and chromosome aberrations among women in areas of high background radiation in China

Thyroid nodularity following continuous low-dose radiation exposure in China was determined in 1,001 women aged 50-65 years who resided in areas of high background radiation (330 mR/yr) their entire lives, and in 1,005 comparison subjects exposed to normal levels of radiation (114 mR/yr). Cumulative doses to the thyroid were estimated to be of the order of 14 cGy and 5 cGy, respectively. Personal interviews and physical examinations were conducted, and measurements were made of serum thyroid hormone levels, urinary iodine concentrations, and chromosome aberrations in circulating lymphocytes. For all nodular disease, the prevalences in the high background and control areas were 9.5% and 9.3%, respectively. For single nodules, the prevalences were 7.4% in the high background area and 6.6% in the control area (prevalence ratio = 1.13; 95% confidence interval = 0.82-1.55). There were no differences found in serum levels of thyroid hormones. Women in the high background region, however, had significantly lower concentrations of urinary iodine and significantly higher frequencies of stable and unstable chromosome aberrations. Increased intake of allium vegetables such as garlic and onions was associated with a decreased risk of nodular disease, which seems consistent with experimental studies suggesting that allium compounds can inhibit tumor growth and proliferation. The prevalence of mild diffuse goiter was higher in the high background radiation region, perhaps related to a low dietary intake of iodine. These data suggest that continuous exposure to low-level radiation throughout life is unlikely to appreciably increase the risk of thyroid cancer. However, such exposure may cause chromosomal damage.

The antiatherogenic effects of components isolated from pollen typhae

Based on the results of previous investigations that pollen Typhae, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, Had antiatherogenic effects, several components were isolated successively from the drug and their effects on porcine aortic endothelial cell (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures as well as on platelet aggregation were examined. 12 components isolated from Pollen Typhae have been identified on their chemical structures and biological effects. 4 of them showed different evident antiatherogenic effects. 1) Isorhamnetin-3-O-rhamnosyl-glucoside could stimulate EC to produce tPA and PGI2; 2) Quercetin-3-O-neohesperidose could protect EC from injury by fibrin, as well as raise tPA activity; 3) beta-Sitosterol palmitate could inhibit SMC proliferation and 4) beta-Sitosterol glucoside showed an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. These results would provide some information for the search of new drugs in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis.

[Long-term results of surgery combined with or without chemotherapy in the treatment of stomach cancer--an analysis of 170 cases]

A prospective randomized comparative study on 5-year survival rates in 170 cases of stomach cancer was done. All were treated by surgery, herein, 82 received postoperative chemotherapy. The 5-year survival rates were 40.2% and 21.6% in combination group (surgery plus chemotherapy) and surgery alone group (P less than 0.01), 56.4% and 30.2% in patients treated by radical operation combined with chemotherapy and radical operation alone (P less than 0.01), 60.5% and 36.9% in patients with Stage II and III lesions as treated by radical operation plus chemotherapy and by radical operation alone (P less than 0.05). The results suggest that chemotherapy after surgery improve the long term survival rate in patients with stomach cancer.

Antagonists of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone with novel unnatural amino acids at position six

Five new antagonists of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) containing novel unnatural amino acids at position six are reported. They are very effective in the rat antiovulatory assay. Using saline as vehicle, antagonist-[N-Ac-D-2-Nal1, D-4-Cl-Phe2, D-3-Pal3, Arg5, D-A26, D-Ala10]-LHRH inhibited ovulation completely at 1 micrograms/rat and three of the other antagonists showed some antiovulatory activity at 0.5 micrograms/rat.

Further study of pollen typhae's effects on the production of tPA and PGI, by cultured endothelial cells

We had reported that Pollen Typhae, a Chinese traditional herbal medicine could reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation in experimental animals. Fraction IV isolated from Pollen Typhae had the ability to raise tPA and PGI2 productions by cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells (EC). In this paper we reported that F.IV was divided chemically into four subfractions named SubF.1-4 among them SubF.2-2 was further separated from SubF.2, and SubF.4-1 from SubF.4. The six subfractions were tested for their effects on the productions of tPA (125I-fibrin plate method) and PGI2(RIA) by porcine endothelial cells. The results showed that SubF.3 could enhance tPA activity and SubF.2-2 could increase PGI2 level. With Chrono-Log 500 Lumi-Aggregometer, SubF.1,2-2 and 3 were found to be able to inhibit platelet aggregation and release reaction. These data indicated that the mechanisms of Pollen Typhae in its antiatherosclerotic effects were multiple which resulted from various biologic effects exerted by various components of this drug. Chemical analyses were performed and their structures were identified, demonstrating that SubF.2-2 was a flavonoid, while SubF.3 was a group of flavonoids, implying there are some antiatherogenic components in flavonoids.

Cross-cultural studies of dementia: use of a Chinese version of the Blessed-Roth Information-Memory-Concentration test in a Shanghai dementia survey

A culturally adapted Chinese version of the Blessed-Roth Information-Memory-Concentration test (CIMC) was used in a dementia screening survey of a probability sample of 5,055 elderly Shanghai residents. The individual items on the CIMC that best predicted the overall score were similar to the best predictor of an American version of the IMC. Performance on the CIMC was markedly affected by the level of education or lack thereof. In a subsample for whom clinical diagnoses were obtained, it was possible to establish cutoff values on the CIMC by stratifying the sample according to education.

Single-stage cluster sampling with a telescopic respondent rule: a variation motivated by a survey of dementia in elderly residents of Shanghai

In this report, we consider the situation in which one wishes to identify a cohort of a specified number of individuals within each of several domains for future follow-up studies based on a single-stage cluster sampling design. We develop sample size formulae relevant to this situation and introduce a variation of single-stage cluster sampling that seems more suitable in this situation than is ordinary single-stage cluster sampling. The basis for this variation is the concept that the definition of eligible respondents is not the same for all clusters. The use of this modified respondent rule (which we call telescopic) enables one to meet specified sample sizes in all domains of interest without the need to sample extra individuals in some domains. We used a version of this sampling design successfully in the field with a survey of elderly persons conducted in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

Detecting giardia lamblia antigen in fecal matter with counterimmuno-electrophoresis in diagnosis of giardiasis

Feces specimens from 35 patients with parasitologically confirmed giardiasis, 41 with acute gastroenteritis, 23 with acute bacillary dysentery, 40 normal persons as well as 15 jirds experimentally infected with Giardia lamblia were used for detecting parasite antigen by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE). It revealed that 33 (94%) of the 35 patients with giardiasis and 14 (93%) of 15 infected jirds were positive, while the other cases, either normal person or normal jird were negative. CIE was also performed in 4 with giardiasis before and after metronidazole treatment. Prior to metronidazole administration, they were all CIE positive, but from the second day on, all became CIE negative. Apparently, detecting giardia antigen in feces specimens by CIE is not only sensitive in detecting current infection but also helpful in evaluating the effects of antigiardia agents on giardiasis.

[Clinical and laboratory studies of the effect of an antilupus pill on systemic lupus erythematosus]

An effort was made to get a clear understanding of antilupus pill (ALP) action on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate its therapeutic effect. ALP was originated from a notable efficacious recipe by an expert physician of TCM. It was prepared with the decoction of 17 Chinese medical herbs (such as Flos Lonicerae, Salvia miltiorrhiza etc.) to dispell noxious heat from blood, replenish the vital essence, invigorate blood circulation and resolve the stagnation. The effective rate of 92% for 230 SLE patients treated with ALP and corticosteroids, 85% for 76 patients treated with ALP alone, 79-89% for rash, trichomadesis, oral or nasal pharynx ulcer patients, and arthritis patients without deformation were obtained. The ANA titer was decreased markedly for 75% patients. ALP had no side effect and could take the part place of hormone in dosage and lessen its side effect. Through pharmacological verification it was concluded that ALP could inhibit the inflammatory process from various causes including type I, III and IV hypersensitivity, and show no response on both sensitizing and reactive stages of immunological reaction.

Antimutagenic activity of green tea polyphenols

For centuries green tea has been a widely consumed beverage throughout the world. It is known to contain a number of pharmacologically active compounds. In this study water extracts of green tea (WEGT) and their major constituents, green tea polyphenols (GTP), were examined for antimutagenic activity. WEGT and GTP were found to significantly inhibit the reverse mutation induced by benzo[alpha]pyrene (BP), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), 2-aminofluorene, and methanol extracts of coal tar pitch in Salmonella typhimurium TA100 and/or TA98 in the presence of a rat-liver microsomal activation system. GTP also inhibited gene forward mutation in V79 cells treated with AFB1 and BP, and also decreased the frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges and chromosomal aberrations in V79 cells treated with AFB1. The addition of GTP during and after nitrosation of methylurea resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of mutagenicity. Studies to define the mechanism of the antimutagenic activity of GTP suggest that it may affect carcinogen metabolism, DNA adduct formation, the interaction of ultimate carcinogen or the scavenging of free radicals.

[Chemoprevention in the high incidence area of lung cancer]

Since 1984, mass screening for cancer has been carried out in the realgar and tin mines, high incidence areas of lung cancer. Certain epidemical characteristics were found in precancerous lesion of lung cancer. Chemopreventive treatment were carried out by giving R1 [N-(p-ethoxycarbophenyl) retinamide] & R2 [N-(p-carboxyphenyl) retinamide]-retinoids synthesized by the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. A prospective randomized double-blind control trial on the subjects with moderate or severe atypical hyperplasia cells in the sputum was conducted. Thirty-seven patients were treated by R1 (50 mg/d, p. o; total dose: 18.25 g/yr/case). In view of the absorption of R2 being better than R1, R2 (20 mg/d, p. o; total dose: 3.6/g/6mos/case) was given to 52 patients instead of R1. Patients in the control group were treated by riboflavin (50 mg/d, p. o.). The results showed that general status of the patients was improved. IgA and IgM in the serum were increased and the arsenic skin lesions were relieved after the treatment with R1 and R2. As compared with the control group, the incidence of lung cancer was 1:4 and mean degree of hyperplasia in the sputum dropped. It is suggested that these drugs are safe and effective in the chemoprevention of lung cancer. It is worth for further study.

Cognitive impairment among elderly adults in Shanghai, China

This study reports the methods and initial findings of the first longitudinal study of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in China. A probability sample of 5,055 noninstitutionalized elderly persons in Shanghai was tested directly during the first phase of the study using a Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Details of sampling design and data collection procedures are described. Overall, some 4.1 percent of adults 55 years or older may be classified as having severe cognitive impairment, and 14.4 percent are mild cases. The rates for females are higher than for males by a ratio of 3.75 in the severe category, and 2.6 in the mild group. Within each age group, cognitive impairment rates vary by education. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine, within each age group, the nature of the association between the presence of a cognitive impairment and educational level controlling for sex. The results showed that educational attainment has a highly significant inverse relationship with prevalence of cognitive impairments (severe vs others). On the other hand, when educational attainment was controlled for in the logistic regression model, sex was significantly associated with prevalence of cognitive disorders for the age groups 65-74 and 75 years or older, but not for the group 55-64 years. These findings suggest the impact that basic educational deficits have on human cognitive functioning as measured through tests like the MMSE. Cross-tabulations of impairment rates according to marital status, economic status, and health-related problems are also presented.

Protection against polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-induced skin tumor initiation in mice by green tea polyphenols

Green tea is a popular beverage in China and Asia and has been shown to possess antipyretic, diuretic and several other pharmacological activities. The major constituents of green tea are polyphenols which have been found to possess antioxidant and antimutagenic properties. In this study green tea polyphenols (GTP) were evaluated as an anti-initiating agent against the skin tumorigenicity induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mice. In a complete skin tumorigenesis protocol using 3-methylcholanthrene the topical application of GTP to female BALB/c mice resulted in substantial protection against the onset and subsequent development of tumors. In the two-stage skin tumorigenesis protocol using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as the initiating agent followed by twice weekly applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate; (TPA) as tumor promoter, topical application of GTP to female SENCAR mice afforded significant protection against skin tumorigenicity. Oral feeding of GTP in drinking water to female SENCAR mice also protected against skin tumorigenesis in DMBA - TPA-treated animals. GTP when administered topically or orally significantly inhibited PAH - DNA adduct formation in epidermis after topical application of [3H]benzo[a]pyrene or [3H]DMBA. Our results suggest that GTP has substantial anti-skin-tumor-initiating activity against PAHs and could prove useful in protecting against some forms of human cancer.

Cross-cultural studies of dementia: Use of a Chinese version of the Blessed-Roth Information-Memory-Concentration test in a Shanghai dementia survey

A culturally adapted Chinese version of the Blessed-Roth Information-Memory-Concentration test (CIMC) was used in a dementia screening survey of a probability sample of 5,055 elderly Shanghai residents. The individual items on the CIMC that best predicted the overall score were similar to the best predictor of an American version of the IMC. Performance on the CIMC was markedly affected by the level of education or lack thereof. In a subsample for whom clinical diagnoses were obtained, it was possible to establish cutoff values on the CIMC by stratifying the sample according to education.

[Inhibitory effects of new-breviscapine on thrombosis in vivo]

New-Breviscapine is an anti-platelet compound with some kinds of salts extracted from a Chinese herb Erigeron breviscapus. In aortic thrombus formation in rabbits, the platelet 5-HT release reaction and platelet destruction could be reduced by the compound, meanwhile aortic thrombosis was inhibited with a clear correlation between drug dosage and its efficacy. It was shown that new-breviscapine could inhibit the production of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha by platelets and endothelial cells respectively. The data suggest that new-breviscapine has a significant inhibitory effect on thrombus formation in vivo through suppression of platelet functions.

Studies on the relationship between protein kinase C and differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells induced by retinoic acid

We studied the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells in 14 patients with APL. After the induction by retinoic acid (RA) the mature cells rose to 60 +/- 11.8% compared to 0.7 +/- 1% of the control, while the promyelocytes declined to 8.7 +/- 6.4% (93.3 +/- 5.6% in the control group). Protein kinase C (PKC) activity was significantly increased to 149.3 +/- 156.2 pmol/mg per min compared to 47 +/- 40.9 of the control (p less than 0.01). In HL-60 cells, the activity of PKC increased also from 52.3 +/- 35 to 129.2 +/- 64.6 pmol/mg per min (n = 10, p less than 0.01) after the induction of differentiation with RA. If the leukemia cells were pretreated with a kind of PKC inhibitor such as trifluoperazine, the increase of PKC activity was inhibited, and the rate of nitroblue tetrazolium reduction decreased from 89.9 +/- 7.7% to 62 +/- 25% (n = 6, p less than 0.01) and the mature cells reduced from 63.1 +/- 11.7% to 19.7 +/- 12.2% (p less than 0.01). We presumed that the activity of PKC is closely related to the differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemia cells induced by all-trans-retinoic acid.

Molecular mapping of rice chromosomes

We report the construction of an RFLP genetic map of rice (Oryza sativa) chromosomes. The map is comprised of 135 loci corresponding to clones selected from a PstI genomic library. This molecular map covers 1,389 cM of the rice genome and exceeds the current classical maps by more than 20%. The map was generated from F2 segregation data (50 individuals) from a cross between an indica and javanica rice cultivar. Primary trisomics were used to assign linkage groups to each of the 12 rice chromosomes. Seventy-eight percent of the clones assayed revealed RFLPs between the two parental cultivars, indicating that rice contains a significant amount of RFLP variation. Strong correlations between size of hybridizing restriction fragments and level of polymorphism indicate that a significant proportion of the RFLPs in rice are generated by insertions/delections. This conclusion is supported by the occurrence of null alleles for some clones (presumably created by insertion or deletion events). One clone, RG229, hybridized to sequences in both the indica and javanica genomes, which have apparently transposed since the divergence of the two cultivars from their last common ancestor, providing evidence for sequence movement in rice. As a by product of this mapping project, we have discovered that rice DNA is less C-methylated than tomato or maize DNA. Our results also suggest the notion that a large fraction of the rice genome (approximately 50%) is single copy.

Inhibition of the skin tumorigenicity of (+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene by tannic acid, green tea polyphenols and quercetin in Sencar mice

The effect of pretreatment of skin of Sencar mice with topically applied tannic acid, quercetin and green tea polyphenols (GTP) on the skin tumor initiating activity of (+/-)-7 beta,8 alpha-dihydroxy-9 alpha,10 alpha-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene (BPDE-2) has been evaluated. The animals were pretreated with the plant phenols (tannic acid and quercetin (3000 nmol) or GTP 24 mg/mouse) for 7 days after which they received a single topical application of 200 nmol of BPDE-2 as the initiating agent. Beginning 7 days following initiation animals received twice weekly applications of 3.24 nmol of 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Tannic acid and GTP afforded significant protection against skin tumor induction. These inhibitory effects were verified both by prolongation of the latency period and subsequent development of tumors. Quercetin, on the other hand, afforded only moderate protection. Each phenolic compound was found to be highly effective in accelerating the disappearance of BPDE-2 from aqueous medium. Our results suggest that tannic acid and GTP have substantial potential for protecting against the skin tumorigenic response to BPDE-2 and the mechanism of inhibition may involve inactivation of the reactive carcinogenic moiety.

Use of all-trans retinoic acid in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia

Twenty-four patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (45 to 100 mg/m2/day). Of these, eight cases had been either nonresponsive or resistant to previous chemotherapy; the other 16 cases were previously untreated. All patients attained complete remission without developing bone marrow hypoplasia. Bone marrow suspension cultures were studied in 15 of the 24 patients. Fourteen of these patients had morphological maturation in response to the retinoic acid (1 mumol/L). Chloroacetate esterase and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase staining as well as electronmicroscopic examination confirmed that retinoic acid-induced cells differentiated to granulocytes with increased functional maturation (as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, NBT). The single nonresponder to retinoic acid in vitro was resistant to treatment with retinoic acid but attained complete remission after addition of low-dose cytosine arabinoside (ara-C). During the course of therapy, none of the patients showed any abnormalities in the coagulation parameters we measured, suggesting an absence of any subclinical disseminated intravascular coagulation. The only side effects consisted of mild dryness of the lips and skin, with occasional headaches and digestive symptoms. Eight patients have relapsed after 2 to 5 months of complete remission. The others remain in complete remission at 1+ to 11+ months and are still being followed up. We conclude that all-trans retinoic acid is an effective inducer for attaining complete remission in APL.

Studies on the uptake and subsequent tissue distribution of [35S]trithiomolybdate in rats: effects on metallothionein copper in liver, kidney, and intestine

[35S]trithiomolybdate (20 micrograms Mo) was readily absorbed from intestinal sacs in anesthetized rats, and radioactivity was subsequently detectable in all the subcellular fractions examined in the organs sampled. The compound was bound reversibly to proteins in patterns similar to those observed in liver in cattle and sheep. Absorption was depressed by the presence of copper in the sacs. At higher levels of trithiomolybdate (1 mg Mo per rat), the characteristic copper peak of metallothionein disappeared from the liver, kidney, and intestine cytosol fractions in most animals, while the concentration of copper in plasma increased by about 50%. It is suggested that the changes in copper distribution are relevant to the clinical syndromes produced by increased dietary Mo in ruminants.

Exceptional activity of tannic acid among naturally occurring plant phenols in protecting against 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-, benzo(a)pyrene-, 3-methylcholanthrene-, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced skin tumorigenesis in mice

Our recent studies have shown that naturally occurring dietary plant phenols such as tannic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and anthraflavic acid are capable of inhibiting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolism and subsequent PAH-DNA adduct formation in epidermis of SENCAR mice (M. Das, et al., Cancer Res., 47: 760-766, 1987, and 47: 767-773, 1987). In this study these plant phenols were tested for their effects against PAHs and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced skin tumorigenesis in mice. Each plant phenol was evaluated as a possible anticarcinogen in an initiation and promotion and a complete skin tumorigenesis protocol. In the two-stage tumor protocol in SENCAR mice using 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea as the initiating agent followed by twice weekly applications of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate as tumor promoter each plant phenol afforded significant protection against skin tumorigenicity. The protective effects were verified both by prolongation of latency period and by subsequent tumor development. In the complete carcinogenesis protocol in BALB/c mice using 3-methylcholanthrene as a tumorigen the applications of each of the plant phenols 30 min prior to each PAH application afforded significant protection by delaying the onset and the subsequent development of skin tumors. Our results suggest that these plant phenols have substantial though variable potential for modifying the risk of skin tumorigenicity induced by a wide variety of chemicals and of these tannic acid was shown to have maximal chemoprotective effects.

The use of [185W] thiotungstates for tracer studies in secondary hypocuprosis in cattle

[185W] thiotungstates were synthesized in-vitro and purified by techniques developed for thiomolybdates. [185W] trithiotungstate (15 mg W) injected intravenously into cattle was mainly associated with albumin albumin. The presence of the compound in plasma when injected in larger amounts (0.2 to 1 gW) caused an increase in albumin-bound copper and transiently depressed ceruloplasmin diamine oxidase activity. It is suggested that the long-lived, less costly 185W could prove a convenient alternative to 99Mo for tracer studies with labelled thio-compounds in animals.

Interaction of epicatechins derived from green tea with rat hepatic cytochrome P-450

Green tea has been used for generations in China and Asia as an antipyretic and diuretic. Prior studies have shown that extracts of green tea inhibit the mutagenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aflatoxin B1. In this study, we investigated the interaction of certain flavonoid components of green tea epicatechin derivatives including (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG), and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) with rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 (P-450). The addition of EC, EGC, ECG, and EGCG to hepatic microsomes prepared from phenobarbital (PB)-treated rats resulted in spectral changes characterized by absorbance maxima at 420 nm and minima at 380 nm, typical of modified Type II (reverse Type I) binding. Of the epicatechin derivatives, EGCG and ECG showed greater spectral change with oxidized P-450 and time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of the binding of carbon monoxide to dithionite-reduced cytochrome P-450. The addition of EC, EGC, ECG, and EGCG to microsomes prepared from control, PB- or 3-methylcholanthrene-treated rats resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of cytochrome P-450-dependent aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase activities. EGCG was the most potent in this regard. Green tea polyphenols and epicatechin derivatives also significantly inhibited NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. An examination of the structure activity relationship of epicatechin derivatives suggests that the inhibitory effect on the microsomal enzyme system may be due to the galloyl groups or hydroxyl groups on the molecule. Our data indicate that these extracts of green tea may have potential as anticarcinogens.