Cloning and expression pattern analysis of BkGRAS2 from Betula kirghisorum

GRAS proteins are plant-specific transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of root and shoot growth. Here, we cloned BkGRAS2 from Betula kirghisorum (abbreviated to Bk) and analyzed the physicochemical properties and expression pattern of the encoded protein. BkGRAS2 had an open reading frame of 1614 bp encoding 537 amino acid residues. The deduced BkGRAS2 protein was hydrophilic, and it contained highly conserved VHIID and SAW motifs. BkGRAS1 and BkGRAS2 showed considerable sequence similarities. An expression analysis indicated that BkGRAS2 was expressed in root, stem, and leaf, with the highest level in the leaf. Expression of BkGRAS2 was increased following stress treatment with 0.6% NaHCO3. Transient expression analysis of GFP-BkGRAS2 in onion epidermal cells revealed that the BkGRAS2 protein was localized in the cytoplasm, but could also be detected in the nucleus. Our study provides the basis for future research on the role of the GRAS gene family in B. kirghisorum.

Protective immunity of rAd5/NR2B vaccine against concomitant aversiveness of spontaneous neuropathic pain following spinal nerve ligation injury

OBJECTIVE

Peripheral nerve injury elicits an aversive state of spontaneous neuropathic pain, and up to now, the modulation of this concomitant aversive state remains a major therapeutic challenge. NMDA receptor subunits NR2B in the rACC are critically involved in the processing of this aversive state and then a strategy targeted at the NR2B subunit might be promising for modulation of the aversive state. Thus, in the present study, using negative reinforcement animal model to reveal spontaneous pain, we investigated the effect of oral immunization with recombinant adenovirus serotype 5-mediated NR2B gene transfer (rAd5/NR2B) on the modulation of the tonic pain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Following oral administration of the rAd5/NR2B vaccine, NR2B-specific antibodies were induced in serum. And the humoral response was involved in the decreased expression of NR2B protein in the rACC.

RESULTS

The present study demonstrated that CPP achieved by spinal administration of clonidine in spinal nerve ligation (SNL) rats revealed the presence of aversive state of spontaneous neuropathic pain. Notably, the humoral autoimmune response blocked the CPP by spinal clonidine, suggesting the relief of the concomitant aversive of spontaneous neuropathic pain in the SNL rats.

CONCLUSION

These data proved the feasibility of oral immunization with rAd5/NR2B for modulation of concomitant aversive of spontaneous neuropathic pain due to peripheral nerve injury.

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on inflammatory cytokines in acute myocardial ischemia injury in rats

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is believed to be involved in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes, and now it is recognized as the third endogenous signaling gasotransmitter, following nitric oxide and carbon monoxide; however, the effects of H₂S on inflammatory factors in acute myocardial ischemia injury in rats have not been clarified. In the present study, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) was used as the H₂S donor. Thirty-six male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: Sham, ischemia, ischemia + low-dose (0.78 mg/kg) NaHS, ischemia + medium-dose (1.56 mg/kg) NaHS, ischemia + high-dose (3.12 mg/kg) NaHS and ischemia + propargylglycine (PPG) (30 mg/kg). The rats in each group were sacrificed 6 h after the surgery for sample collection. Compared with the ischemia group, the cardiac damage in the rats in the ischemia + NaHS groups was significantly reduced, particularly in the high-dose group; in the ischemia + PPG group, the myocardial injury was aggravated compared with that in the ischemia group. Compared with the ischemia group, the levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the serum of rats in the ischemia + medium- and high-dose NaHS groups were significantly reduced, and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) protein in the myocardial tissues of rats was significantly reduced. In the ischemia + PPG group, the TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 levels in the serum were significantly increased, the expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was increased, although without a significant difference, and the expression of NF-κB was increased. The findings of the present study provide novel evidence for the dual effects of H₂S on acute myocardial ischemia injury via the modulation of inflammatory factors.

Propofol pretreatment attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats by activating the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propofol pretreatment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and the role of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in this procedure. Survival was determined 48 h after LPS injection. At 1 h after LPS challenge, the lung wet- to dry-weight ratio was examined, and concentrations of protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined using the bicinchoninic acid method or ELISA. Lung injury was assayed via lung histological examination. PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in the lung tissue were determined by Western blotting. Propofol pretreatment prolonged survival, decreased the concentrations of protein, TNF-α, and IL-6 in BALF, attenuated ALI, and increased PI3K and p-Akt expression in the lung tissue of LPS-challenged rats, whereas treatment with wortmannin, a PI3K/Akt pathway specific inhibitor, blunted this effect. Our study indicates that propofol pretreatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI, partly by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Expression analysis of miRNA and target mRNAs in esophageal cancer

We aimed to investigate miRNAs and related mRNAs through a network-based approach in order to learn the crucial role that they play in the biological processes of esophageal cancer. Esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) and adenocarcinoma (EAC)-related miRNA and gene expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed miRNAs and genes were selected. Target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted and their regulatory networks were constructed. Differentially expressed miRNA analysis selected four miRNAs associated with EAC and ESCC, among which hsa-miR-21 and hsa-miR-202 were shared by both diseases. hsa-miR-202 was reported for the first time to be associated with esophageal cancer in the present study. Differentially expressed miRNA target genes were mainly involved in cancer-related and signal-transduction pathways. Functional categories of these target genes were related to transcriptional regulation. The results may indicate potential target miRNAs and genes for future investigations of esophageal cancer.

In vitro proliferation and differentiation of hepatic oval cells and their potential capacity for intrahepatic transplantation

Hepatic oval cells (HOCs) are recognized as facultative liver progenitor cells that play a role in liver regeneration after acute liver injury. Here, we investigated the in vitro proliferation and differentiation characteristics of HOCs in order to explore their potential capacity for intrahepatic transplantation. Clusters or scattered HOCs were detected in the portal area and interlobular bile duct in the liver of rats subjected to the modified 2-acetylaminofluorene and partial hepatectomy method. Isolated HOCs were positive for c-kit and CD90 staining (99.8% and 88.8%, respectively), and negative for CD34 staining (3.6%) as shown by immunostaining and flow cytometric analysis. In addition, HOCs could be differentiated into hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells after leukemia inhibitory factor deprivation. A two-cuff technique was used for orthotopic liver transplantation, and HOCs were subsequently transplanted into recipients. Biochemical indicators of liver function were assessed 4 weeks after transplantation. HOC transplantation significantly prolonged the median survival time and improved the liver function of rats receiving HOCs compared to controls (P=0.003, Student t-test). Administration of HOCs to rats also receiving liver transplantation significantly reduced acute allograft rejection compared to control liver transplant rats 3 weeks following transplantation (rejection activity index score: control=6.3±0.9; HOC=3.5±1.5; P=0.005). These results indicate that HOCs may be useful in therapeutic liver regeneration after orthotopic liver transplantation.

Analysis of uncertainty in equilibrium reconstruction in the EAST superconducting tokamak

The analysis of uncertainties of magnetic measurements in equilibrium reconstruction is carried out on the EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) tokamak. It is shown that uncertainties of magnetic diagnostics are about 0.2% and 10 mWb for flux loops and 0.6% and 20 G for magnetic probes. Analyzing the sensitivity of the magnetic data uncertainty in the plasma shape reconstruction is presented, based on EFIT fixed boundary and fitting mode and applying overall uncertainty as fitting weight in EFIT. It is found that reconstruction uncertainties are ranged in 0.5-1.4 cm for 6 control segments, less than 0.8 cm for X-points, and 1.0-1.6 cm for strike points with 95% confidence, in the last experimental campaign on the EAST tokamak.

Huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a major public health problem around the world due to its increasing prevalence, long duration, caregiver burden, and high financial cost of care. The degeneration of acetylcholine-containing neurons in the basal forebrain has been implicated in the symptoms of AD. Cholinesterase inhibitors may block the degradation of acetylcholine, thus increasing the efficacy of the remaining cholinergic neurons. Huperzine A is a linearly competitive, reversible inhibitor of acetyl cholinesterase that is said to have both central and peripheral activity with the ability to protect cells against hydrogen peroxide, beta-amyloid protein (or peptide), glutamate, ischemia and staurosporine-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. These properties might qualify Huperzine A as a promising agent for treating dementia (including AD).

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and safety of Huperzine A for the treatment of patients with AD.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group was searched on 1 February 2006 using the search term: huperzin*. The CDCIG Specialized register contains records from all major health care databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, SIGLE, ISTP, INSIDE, LILACS) as well as from many trials databases and grey literature sources. In addition, the CBM and AMED databases and relevant websites were searched and some journals were hand-searched. Specialists in the field were approached for unpublished material and any publications found were searched for additional references.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying the efficacy and safety of Huperzine A for AD.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted independently by two reviewers using a self-developed data extraction form and entered into RevMan 4.2.10 software. Meta-analyses were performed when more than one trial provided data on a comparable outcome on sufficiently similar patients. Random effects analyses were performed whenever heterogeneity between results appeared to be present. Standardized differences in mean outcome measures were used due to the use of different scales and periods of treatment.

MAIN RESULTS

Six trials including a total of 454 patients met our inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of most included trials was not high. It was shown that compared to placebo, Huperzine A had beneficial effects on the improvement of general cognitive function measured by MMSE (WMD 2.81; 95% CI 1.87 to 3.76; P < 0.00001) and ADAS-Cog at six weeks (WMD 1.91; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.55) and at 12 weeks (WMD 2.51; 95% CI 1.74 to 3.28), global clinical assessment measured by CDR (WMD -0.80; 95% CI -0.95 to -0.65) and CIBIC-plus (OR 4.32, 95% CI 2.37 to 7.90), behavioral disturbance measured by ADAS-non-Cog at six weeks (WMD -1.33, 95%CI -2.12 to -0.54) and at 12 weeks (WMD -1.52, 95% CI-2.39 to -0.65), and functional performance measured by ADL (WMD = -7.17; 95% CI -9.13 to -5.22; P < 0.00001). However, Huperzine A was not superior to placebo in the improvement of general cognitive function measured by Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS) (WMD: 2.78; 95% CI -0.17 to 5.73, P = 0.06) and specific cognitive function measured by Weshler Memory Scale (WMS) (WMD = 6.64; 95% CI -3.22 to 16.50; P = 0.19). No data were available on quality of life and caregiver burden. The adverse events of Huperzine A were mild and there were no significant differences of adverse events between Huperzine A groups and control groups.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

From the available evidence, Huperzine A seems to have some beneficial effects on improvement of general cognitive function, global clinical status, behavioral disturbance and functional performance, with no obvious serious adverse events for patients with AD. However, only one study was of adequate quality and size. There is therefore inadequate evidence to make any recommendation about its use. Rigorous design, randomized, multi-centre, large-sample trials of Huperzine A for AD are needed to further assess the effects.

Chinese medicinal herbs for influenza

BACKGROUND

Influenza is an acute respiratory communicable disease which, during epidemics, can cause high morbidity and mortality. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, often administered following a particular theory, may be a potential medicine of choice.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of Chinese medicinal herbs in preventing and treating influenza, and to estimate the frequency of adverse effects.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 1, 2007), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Review Group specialised register; MEDLINE (January 1966 to January 2007); EMBASE (January 1988 to January 2007); CBM (Chinese Biomedical Database) (January 1980 to January 2007); and the Chinese Cochrane Center's Controlled Trials Register (up to January 2007). We also searched Current Controlled Trials (www.controlled-trials.com) and the National Research Register (http://www.update-software.com/National/) for ongoing trials and reference lists of articles. For more information we telephoned and wrote to researchers in the field, as well as trial authors of studies evaluated in the review

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with placebo, no treatment, or chemical drugs normally used in preventing and treating uncomplicated influenza patients.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted data and assessed trial quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Two studies involving 1012 participants were reviewed. The methodological quality of both studies was 'poor'. Included RCTs separately compared two medicinal herbs with two different antiviral drugs, precluding any pooling of results. 'Ganmao' capsules were found to be more effective than amantadine in decreasing influenza symptoms and speeding recovery in one study, (in which adverse reactions were mentioned in the amantadine group although no data were reported). There were no significant differences between 'E Shu You' and ribavirin in treating influenza, nor in the occurrence of adverse reaction.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The present evidence is too weak to support or reject the use of Chinese medicinal herbs for preventing and treating influenza. More RCTs with good methodological quality, larger numbers of participants and clear reporting are needed in the future. We recommend that all the clinical trials registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register and Chinese journals join in the Joint Statement of Establishing Chinese Clinical Trial Registration and Publishing System.

Contractility of retinal pericytes grown on silicone elastomer substrates is through a protein kinase A-mediated intracellular pathway in response to vasoactive peptides

The normal function of retinal capillaries to distribute blood within the retina depends on appropriate contractility of retinal pericytes, which is thought to be modulated by agents that alter intracellular cyclic adenosine-3'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels. We examined the hypothesis that the vasoactive peptides Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide (PACAP) reduce pericyte contractility via a protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated intracellular pathway that utilises cAMP. We utilised a single-call assay of contractility that is based on visualising the contractile force exerted by the pericytes on a silicone elastomer substrate and quantified, as a contractility index, from the number and length of wrinkles induced in the silicone elastomer by the pericytes. Pericytes were cultured from the retinas of freshly killed abattoir cattle, and identified in culture using immunohistochemical techniques. The pericytes contracted in response to norepinephrine (EC(50)=8 microM) and relaxed in response to both VIP (EC(50)=48 nM) and PACAP (EC(50)=3 nM). The relaxation induced by PACAP was inhibited by Rp-cAMPS (EC(50)=26 microM), which is an agent that inhibits cAMP binding at PKA. We confirmed the activation of PKA by PACAP in experiments where H89 also inhibited the PACAP-induced relaxation. U71322, which inhibits phospholipase C-linked events, was also able to inhibit the PACAP-induced pericyte relaxation. Our results support the hypothesis that PACAP leads to the relaxation of pericytes via a PKA-mediated intracellular pathway and a phospholipase C-mediated pathway, which probably relies on hyperpolarisation because of activation of Ca(2+)-dependent potassium channels. This single-cell assay has proved useful as the basis for the development of a diagnostic procedure for diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye disease caused by abnormal regulation of blood flow in the retinal capillaries.

Bicyclol for chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND

Bicyclol is a novel synthetic 'anti-hepatitis' drug, used in China for chronic hepatitis C. Until now, systematic reviews on bicyclol therapy have not been performed.

OBJECTIVES

To study the benefits and harms of bicyclol for patients with chronic hepatitis C.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (July 2005), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials in The Cochrane Library (Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (1994 to July 2005), EMBASE (1994 to July 2005), Science Citation Index Expanded (1994 to July 2005), The Chinese Biomedical Database (1994 to August 2005), Chinese Journals Full-article Database (1994 to August 2005), VIP Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (1994 to August 2005), and China National Infrastructure (CNKI) (1994 to August 2005). We also contacted manufacturers and researchers in the field.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised clinical trials on bicyclol versus no intervention, placebo, or other interventions in patients with chronic hepatitis C were included, irrespective of blinding, publication status, or language.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The primary outcome measures were total and liver-related mortality and liver-related morbidity (eg, cirrhosis and carcinoma). Secondary outcome measures were viral response and liver histology.

MAIN RESULTS

The search identified one randomised clinical trial comparing bicyclol with placebo for 39 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The follow-up was three months. In the trial, there was no evidence that bicyclol was superior to placebo for clearance of HCV RNA (RR 3.80, 95% CI 0.47 to 31.0) and anti-HCV antibodies, but bicyclol was associated with statistically significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase activity at 12-th week after treatment (WMD -69 IU/L, 95% CI -115 to -24).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Only one randomised clinical trial has examined bicyclol for patients with chronic hepatitis C. This small, short-term trial found no evidence to support or refute its use. Large, randomised, double-blind clinical trials with long-term follow-up are needed to examine the possible benefits and harms associated with bicyclol. Bicyclol can only be recommended for use in randomised trials.

Chinese medicinal herbs for the common cold

BACKGROUND

Chinese herbal medicines are frequently used to treat the common cold in China. Until now, their efficacy has not been systematically reviewed.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicines for the common cold.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 3, 2006) which contains the Acute Respiratory Infections Group's specialised register; MEDLINE (1966 to July 2006); EMBASE (1980 to March 2006); AMED (1985 to July 2006); and the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (1975 to July 2005).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) studying the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine(s) for the treatment of the common cold were included, irrespective of publication status or language.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Four review authors telephoned original trial authors of the RCTs identified by our searches to verify the randomisation procedure. Two review authors extracted and analysed data from the trials which met the inclusion criteria.

MAIN RESULTS

Fourteen studies involving 2440 patients were included. The methods of all studies were rated of poor quality (category C). Included studies used "effective drugs" as controls; however, the efficacy of these control drugs was not reported. Different Chinese herbal preparations were tested in nearly all trials; in only one was a Chinese herbal preparation tested twice. In six studies, five herbal preparations were found to be more effective at enhancing recovery than the control; and in the other eight studies, five herbal preparations were shown to be equal to the control. There was a strong probability of different biases in all of the included studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Chinese herbal medicines may shorten the symptomatic phase in patients with the common cold. However, the lack of high quality clinical trials means we are unable to recommend any kind of Chinese herbal preparation for the common cold.

Complementary DNA microarray analysis of chemokines and their receptors in allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the roles of chemokines and their receptors in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis by observing the complementary DNA (cDNA) expression of the chemokines and their receptors in the nasal mucosa of patients with and without allergic rhinitis, using gene chips.

METHODS

The total RNAs were isolated from the nasal mucosa of 20 allergic rhinitis patients and purified to messenger RNAs, and then reversely transcribed to cDNAs and incorporated with samples of fluorescence-labeled with Cy5-dUPT (rhinitis patient samples) or Cy3-dUTP (control samples of nonallergic nasal mucosa). Thirty-nine cDNAs of chemokines and their receptors were latticed into expression profile chips, which were hybridized with probes and then scanned with the computer to study gene expression according to the different fluorescence intensities.

RESULTS

The cDNAs of the following chemokines were upregulated: CCL1, CCL2, CCL5, CCL7, CCL8, CCL11, CCL13, CCL14, CCL17, CCL18, CCL19, CCL24, and CX3CL1 in most of the allergic rhinitis sample chips. CCR2, CCR3, CCR4, CCR5, CCR8 and CX3CR1 were the highly expressed receptor genes. Low expression of CXCL4 was found in these tissues.

CONCLUSION

The T helper cell (T(H)) immune system is not well regulated in allergic rhinitis. Most of the upregulated genes we identified are of chemokines and their receptors that play important roles in T(H)2 response, and some are involved in the induction of allergic reaction, accumulation of inflammatory cells, and degranulation of sensitized cells. These findings can point to new strategies for allergic rhinitis immunotherapy.

Rifampicin plus pyrazinamide versus isoniazid for treating latent tuberculosis infection: a meta-analysis

SETTING

Six trials from Haiti, Mexico, the U.S.A., Brazil, Spain, Zambia and Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rifampicin plus pyrazinamide (RZ) vs. isoniazid (INH) for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB) among persons with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared RZ for 2-3 months with INH for 6-12 months. Endpoints were development of active TB, severe adverse effects and death. Treatment effects were summarised as risk difference (RD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Three trials conducted in HIV-infected patients and three trials conducted in non-HIV-infected persons were identified. The rates of TB in the RZ group were similar to those in the INH group, whether the subjects were HIV-infected or not (HIV-infected patients: pooled RD = 0%, 95% CI -1-2, P = 0.89; non-HIV-infected persons: pooled RD = 0%, 95% CI -2-1, P = 0.55). There was no difference in mortality between the two treatment groups (HIV-infected patients: pooled RD = -1%, 95% CI -4-2, P = 0.53; non-HIV-infected persons: pooled RD = 0%, 95% CI -1-1, P = 1.00). However, both subgroup analyses showed that a higher incidence of all severe adverse events was associated with 2RZ than INH among non-HIV-infected persons (RD = 29%, 95% CI 13-46, P = 0.0005 vs. RD = 7%, 95% CI 4-10, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

RZ is equivalent to INH in terms of efficacy and mortality in the treatment of latent tuberculosis infection. However, this regimen increases the risk of severe adverse effects compared with INH in non-HIV-infected persons.

Short-term dynamic change of gill copper in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, evaluated by a sequential extraction

Dynamic changes in Cu speciation and its binding to fish gills were investigated by exposing common carp (Cyprinus carpio) to a 1 mg/1 Cu solution for 7 hours. Cu speciation in the bulk solution and fish gill microenvironment was calculated using general chemical equilibrium modeling. A sequential extraction procedure using distilled water, magnesium dichloride (1.0 mol/1), and acetic acid (10%) was used to characterize the Cu associated with the fish gills. Cu residual in the gill tissue was measured after the sequential extraction. Changes in total Cu concentration, pH, and dissolved organic carbon (Doc) in the bulk solution were recorded during the experimental period and calculated for the fish gill microenvironment. Cu-hydroxide species and Cu2 were dominant Cu species in both bulk solution and the fish gill microenvironment, whereas increased Cu-mucus was found in the fish gill microenvironment. DOC in the exposure medium, assumed to arise from mucus release, also increased and complexed Cu in solution. Forty-three percent of the Cu associated with the gills was readily water extractable, with an additional 22% exchangeable with Mg2+ or protons. Only 35% of the Cu accumulated within the gill tissues. The binding of Cu to the fish gills reached apparent equilibrium after 3 hours of exposure. Furthermore, the amount of water-extractable Cu within the gills showed significant correlation to the concentration of Cu predicted to be complexed with calculated free mucus in the gill microenvironment.

Chinese medicinal herbs for measles

BACKGROUND

Measles is an infectious disease caused by Morbillivirus. Chinese physicians believe that medicinal herbs are effective in alleviating symptoms and preventing complications. Chinese herbal medicines are dispensed according to the particular symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness and possible adverse events of Chinese medicinal herbs in treating measles.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2005); MEDLINE (1966 to June 2005); EMBASE (1980 to June 2005); the Chinese Biomedical Database (1976 to June 2005); VIP Information (1989 to June 2005); China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (1994 to June 2005); and the metaRegister of Controlled Trials was searched for ongoing trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which patients with measles without complications were treated with Chinese medicinal herbs were included.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The primary outcome measure was death from any cause. The secondary outcome measure was improvement of overall symptoms. The tertiary outcome measure was fever clearance time.

MAIN RESULTS

We identified 28 trials which claimed to use random allocation. Nineteen study authors were contacted by telephone and we discovered that the allocation methods they had used were not actually randomised. Three studies were excluded because the patients experienced complications. We were unable to contact the remaining six authors. These require further assessment and have been allocated to the 'Studies awaiting assessment' section.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Two authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. We interviewed by telephone the study authors for missing information regarding random allocation of the study process. Some trials allocated the participants according to the sequence they were admitted to the trials, that is to say, by using a pseudo-random allocation method. None of the trials concealed the allocation or blinding method. We hope future randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in this field will be conducted.

Chinese medicinal herbs for influenza

BACKGROUND

Influenza is an acute respiratory communicable disease which can cause high morbidity and mortality in an epidemic. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs following a particular theory may be a potential medicine of choice.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this review was to assess the therapeutic effect and adverse reaction of Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs in treating uncomplicated influenza.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2004); MEDLINE (January 1966 to October 2004); EMBASE (January 1988 to October 2004); CBM (Chinese Biomedical Database) (January 1980 to December 2003); and the Chinese Cochrane Center's Controlled Trials Register (up to December 2003). We also searched Current Controlled Trials (www.controlled-trials.com) and the National Research Register (http://www.update-software.com/National/) for ongoing trials and reference lists of articles. We wrote to researchers in the field, or authors of studies evaluated in the review for more information.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and quasi-randomised trials comparing traditional Chinese medicinal herbs with placebo, or various other Chinese medicinal herbs, or with other current regimes normally used in care or comparing drugs with herbal preparations to simple drugs in treating defined uncomplicated influenza patients.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two reviewers extracted data and assessed trial quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Eleven studies with the number of participants ranged from 52 to 479. In total 2,088 participants were included in the review. As the interventions of the included studies were different from each other and most of the studies were of low quality, we did not perform a summary meta-analysis. Some of the studies showed positive results favouring Traditional Chinese medicinal herb treatment compared to antiviral or antipyretic-analgesic drugs or the combination of them. Only three studies mentioned adverse reactions but no detailed data were acquired in the included studies. Eleven studies with the number of participants ranged from 52 to 479, 2,088 in total were included. As the interventions of the included studies were different from each other and most of the studies were of low quality, we failed to perform a summary meta-analysis. Some of the studies showed positive results favouring Traditional Chinese medicinal herb treatment compared to antiviral or antipyretic-analgesic drugs or the combination of them. Only three studies mentioned adverse reactions but no detailed data was acquired in the included studies.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The small number of included studies and participants, as well as the low quality of most studies, made the evidence far from conclusive for clinical decision making, although traditional Chinese medicinal herbs as a whole seem to be comparatively or more effective compared to different chemical drugs. A certain herbal preparation could not be recommended for there was not enough evidence. More high quality randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with similar interventions are required to strengthen the evidence for the efficacy and safety of certain herbal preparation.

Iodised salt for preventing iodine deficiency disorders

BACKGROUND

Iodine deficiency is the main cause for potentially preventable mental retardation in childhood, as well as causing goitre and hypothyroidism in people of all ages. It is still prevalent in large parts of the world.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of iodised salt in comparison with other forms of iodine supplementation or placebo in the prevention of iodine deficiency disorders.

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Library, Medline, the Register of Chinese trials developed by the Chinese Cochrane Centre, and the Chinese Med Database. We performed handsearching of a number of journals (Chinese Journal of Control of Endemic Diseases, Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine, and Studies of Trace Elements and Health up to February 2001), and searched reference lists, databases of ongoing trials and the Internet. Date of latest search: November 2001.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included prospective controlled studies of iodised salt versus other forms of iodine supplementation or placebo in people living in areas of iodine deficiency. Studies reported mainly goitre rates and urinary iodine excretion as outcome measures.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The initial data selection and quality assessment of trials was done independently by two reviewers. Subsequently, after the scope of the review was slightly widened from including only randomised controlled trials to including non-randomised prospective comparative studies, a third reviewer repeated the trials selection and quality assessment. As the studies identified were not sufficiently similar and not of sufficient quality, we did not do a meta-analysis but summarised the data in a narrative format.

MAIN RESULTS

We found six prospective controlled trials relating to our question. Four of these were described as randomised controlled trials, one was a prospective controlled trial that did not specify allocation to comparison groups, and one was a repeated cross-sectional study comparing different interventions. Comparison interventions included non-iodised salt, iodised water, iodised oil, and salt iodisation with potassium iodide versus potassium iodate. Numbers of participants in the trials ranged from 35 to 334; over 20,000 people were included in the cross-sectional study. Three studies were in children only, two investigated both groups of children and adults and one investigated pregnant women. There was a tendency towards goitre reduction with iodised salt, although this was not significant in all studies. There was also an improved iodine status in most studies (except in small children in one of the studies), although urinary iodine excretion did not always reach the levels recommended by the WHO. None of the studies observed any adverse effects of iodised salt.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that iodised salt is an effective means of improving iodine status. No conclusions can be made about improvements in other, more patient-oriented outcomes, such as physical and mental development in children and mortality. None of the studies specifically investigated development of iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, which can be easily overlooked if just assessed on the basis of symptoms. High quality controlled studies investigating relevant long term outcome measures are needed to address questions of dosage and best means of iodine supplementation in different population groups and settings.

Low mutational burden of individual acquired mitochondrial DNA mutations in brain

Neurons may be particularly susceptible to oxidative damage, which has been proposed to induce somatic mutations, particularly in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Therefore, acquired mtDNA mutations might preferentially accumulate in the brain and could play a role in aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Recently, a somatic T to G mtDNA mutation at noncoding nucleotide position 414 was reported in fibroblasts specifically from elderly subjects, with mutational burdens of up to 50%. We screened for this mutation in brain-derived mtDNA from 8 Alzheimer's disease patients, 27 Parkinson's disease patients, 4 multiple system atrophy patients, and 44 controls using up to three RFLP analyses. A total of 73 of these subjects were over the age of 65. The 414 mutation was absent in all cases. Next, individual mtDNA fragments from 6 elderly subjects were cloned, and a total of 70 clones were sequenced. The 414 mutation was absent in all clones, though occasional sequence variations were identified at other sites in single clones. The 414 mutation also was absent in blood (n = 6) and fibroblasts (n = 11) from elderly subjects. Our data suggest that it is rare for any one particular acquired mtDNA mutation to reach levels in the brain that are functionally significant. This does not exclude the possibility that the cumulative burden of multiple, individually rare, acquired mutations impairs mitochondrial function.

[Study on improving the dissolution rate of tanshinone in vitro by solvent deposition method]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the dissolution rate of a poorly watersoluble drug, tanshinone.

METHOD

Using pregeletinged starch as carrier, to prepare solvent deposition systems of tanshinone solvent method. The dissolution rate of tanshinone, solvent deposition systems and physical mixture were detected, and the physico-chemical properties of these study forms were investigated with scanning electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy.

RESULT

The dissolution rate of tanshinone from the solvent deposition systems in vitro was significantly higher than that from physical mixtures and tanshinone powered alone. Tanshinone deposited on the surface of the carrier in crystal form, and the size was obviously reduced. A lot of acerose crystals of tanshinone on the surface of the carrier occurred. No chemical reaction acted between tanshinone and carrier.

CONCLUSION

The dissolution rate of tanshinone in vitro can be improved with solvent deposition method.

Evidence for cooperativity between nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in patch clamp records

It is often assumed that ion channels in cell membrane patches gate independently. However, in the present study nicotinic receptor patch clamp data obtained in cell-attached mode from embryonic chick myotubes suggest that the distribution of steady-state probabilities for conductance multiples arising from concurrent channel openings may not be binomial. In patches where up to four active channels were observed, the probabilities of two or more concurrent openings were greater than expected, suggesting positive cooperativity. For the case of two active channels, we extended the analysis by assuming that 1) individual receptors (not necessarily identical) could be modeled by a five-state (three closed and two open) continuous-time Markov process with equal agonist binding affinity at two recognition sites, and 2) cooperativity between channels could occur through instantaneous changes in specific transition rates in one channel following a change in conductance state of the neighboring channel. This allowed calculation of open and closed sojourn time density functions for either channel conditional on the neighboring channel being open or closed. Simulation studies of two channel systems, with channels being either independent or cooperative, nonidentical or identical, supported the discriminatory power of the optimization algorithm. The experimental results suggested that individual acetylcholine receptors were kinetically identical and that the open state of one channel increased the probability of opening of its neighbor.

Production of hydroxyl free radical by brain tissues in hyperglycemic rats subjected to transient forebrain ischemia

Preischemic hyperglycemia is known to aggravate brain damage resulting from transient ischemia. In the present study, we explored whether this aggravation is preceded by an enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during the early reperfusion period. To that end, normo- and hyperglycemic rats were subjected to 15 min of forebrain ischemia and allowed recovery periods of 5, 15, and 60 min. Sodium salicylate was injected intraperitoneally in a dose of 100 mg/kg, and tissues were sampled during recirculation to allow analyses of salicylic acid (SA) and its hydroxylation products, 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (DHBA). Tissue sampled from thalamus and caudoputamen in normoglycemic animals failed to show an increase in 2,3- or 2,5-DHBA after 5 and 15 min of recirculation. However, such an increase was observed in the neocortex after 60 min of recirculation, with a suggested increase in the hippocampus as well. Hyperglycemia had three effects. First, it increased 2,5-DHBA in the thalamus and caudoputamen to values exceeding normoglycemic ones after 15 min of recirculation. Second, it increased basal values of 2,5- and total DHBA in the neocortex. Third, it increased the 60-min values for 2,5- and total DHBA in the hippocampus. These results hint that, at least in part, hyperglycemia may aggravate damage by enhancing basal- and ischemia-triggered production of ROS.

Apatite-organic polymer composites prepared by a biomimetic process: improvement in adhesion of the apatite layer to the substrate by ultraviolet irradiation

A dense and uniform layer of highly bioactive apatite can be formed in arbitrary thickness on any kind and shape of organic polymer substrates by the following biomimetic process. The substrate is first placed in contact with granular particles of CaO, SiO2-based glass soaked in a simulated body fluid with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma for forming apatite nuclei, and then soaked in another fluid highly supersaturated with respect to the apatite for making the apatite nuclei grow. In the present study, the polymer substrates were pretreated with ultraviolet (UV) light, and then subjected to the biomimetic process described above. By UV irradiation, the induction period for the apatite nucleation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly-ether sulphone (PESF), polyethylene (PE), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyamide 6 (N6) substrates were reduced form 24 h to 10 h. The adhesive strengths of the apatite layer to the substrates increased from 2.5-3.2 MPa to 4.5-6.0 MPa for PET, PESF and PMMA, and from about 1.0 MPa to 4.0-6.5 MPa for PE and N6 substrates. These results have been explained by assuming that silicate ions, which induce apatite nucleation, are easily adsorbed on the substrates due to the formation of polar groups, with an improved hydrophilic nature, on the polymer surfaces by UV irradiation.