[Thomas Cochrane, an extraordinary British medical missionary in modern China]

In February 1906, Union Medical College (UMC, Peking) held the opening ceremony. The establishment and operation of the College was mostly attributed to Thomas Cochrane (1866-1953) from London Missionary Society. As a medical missionary in China, Cochrane lived through the dramatic political and social changes in the modern history of China and the world.As an English medical missionary, he witnessed and experienced the extreme poverty and severe shortage of medicine of the Chinese people when he was in Chaoyang, Liaoning Province, most inhabited by the Mongolian ethnic group. Then, he survived the Boxer Movement which with great resentment toward Christianity massacred the Chinese and foreign missionaries. After that, he approached to and then won over the trust and appreciation of the highest ruler of the Qing Dynasty. After the establishment of Republic of China, he handed over in person the college established by himself to the philanthropic organization of American capitalist. Cochrane's less than 30 years of life in China mirrored the great political, social, healthy, educational, intellectual, and ideological changes in China that shaped the medicine and health at the turn of the 20(th) century.

[Deaths attributable to alcohol use and its impact on life expectancy in China, 2013]

Objective: To analyze the deaths attributable to alcohol use and its impact on people's life expectancy in China in 2013. Methods: The mortality data from the Disease Surveillance Points System and alcohol use data from China Chronic Disease Surveillance (2013) were used. The deaths attributed to alcohol use and its impact on the life expectancy of Chinese residents were estimated based on the principle of comparative risk assessment by calculating population attributable fraction. Results: In 2013, alcohol use resulted in 381 200 deaths, including 97 100 hemorrhagic stroke deaths, 88 200 liver cancer deaths, 61 400 liver cirrhosis deaths and 48 700 esophageal cancer deaths, and prevented 76 500 deaths, including 68 500, 4 900 and 3 100 deaths which might be caused by ischemic heart disease, hemorrhagic stroke and diabetes respectively. If risk factor of alcohol use is removed, the people's life expectancy would rise by an average of 0.43 years, especially in western China by 0.52 years, which was 0.12 years higher than that in eastern and central China, and the life expectancy of the population in rural and urban areas would rise by 0.48 years and 0.31 years respectively. Conclusions: Although alcohol has a protective effect on reducing ischemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes deaths, alcohol use is still a risk factor influencing the mortality and life expectancy of residents in China. It is necessary to take targeted measures to reduce the health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol.

[Screening of serum biomarkers by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure]

Objective: To investigate the screening of serum biomarkers in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). Methods: Gel electrophoresis was used to isolate and remove high-abundant proteins. Each group of peptides was labeled by the iTRAQ reagents and then tested with an UltiMateTM 3000 nanoliter high-performance liquid chromatograph, and a Q-Exactive tandem mass spectrometer. The Protein Discovery software was used to analyze mass spectrometry data and perform bioinformatic analysis for differentially expressed proteins. Results: Ten samples each were included in the HBV-ACLF group and the chronic hepatitis B (CHB) group, and six samples each were included in the HBV-ACLF survival group and the HBV-ACLF death group. Compared with the CHB group, the HBV-ACLF group had 43 differentially expressed proteins, among which 34 were downregulated and 9 were upregulated. Compared with the HBV-ACLF survival group, the HBV-ACLF death group had 33 differentially expressed proteins, among which 18 were upregulated and 15 were downregulated. Conclusion: Keratin,α1-acid glycoprotein, and zinc-α₂-glycoprotein identified in the serum may be used as potential biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of patients with HBV-ACLF.

[On National Demonstration Areas: a cluster analysis]

Objective: To understand the 'backward' provinces and the relatively poor work among the construction of National Demonstration Area, so as to promote communication and future visions among different regions. Methods: Methods on Cluster analysis were used to compare the development of National Demonstration Area in different provinces, including the coverage of National Demonstration Area and the scores of non-communicable disease (NCDs) prevention and control work based on a standardized indicating system. Results: According to the results from the construction of National Demonstration Area, all the 29 provinces and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (except Tibet and Qinghai) were classified into 6 categories: Shanghai; Beijing, Zhejiang, Chongqing; Tianjin, Shandong, Guangdong and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps; Hebei, Fujian, Hubei, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Xinjiang, Hunan and Guangxi; Shanxi, Jilin, Henan, Hainan,Sichuan, Anhui and Jiangxi; Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Guizhou, Yunnan, Gansu and Heilongjiang. Based on the scores gathered from this study, 24 items that representing the achievements from the NCDs prevention and control endeavor were classified into 4 categories: Manpower, special day on NCD, information materials development, policy/strategy support, financial support, mass media, enabled environment, community fitness campaign, health promotion for children and teenage, institutional structure and patient self-management; healthy diet, risk factors on NCDs surveillance, tobacco control and community diagnosis; intervention of high-risk groups, identification of high-risk groups, reporting system on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, popularization of basic public health service, workplace intervention programs, construction of demonstration units and mortality surveillance; oral hygiene and tumor registration. Contents including oral hygiene, tumor registration, intervention on high-risk groups, identification of high-risk population, reporting system on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, popularization of basic public health service, workplace intervention programs, construction of demonstration units and mortality surveillance were discerned as the relatively weak areas in the construction programs of National Demonstration Area. Conclusions: Western regions, especially in some remote provinces had the poorest performance during the construction of National Demonstration Area. Programs regarding chronic disease surveillance, identification and intervention on high-risk groups showed the lowest scores and these outcome-oriented tasks should be further focused on, during the next term of review, in these areas.

Effect of B Vitamins-fortified Foods on Primary School Children in Beijing

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of B vitamins-fortified foods on primary school children. A controlled trial was conducted in 101 normal primary school children aged 9-11 years. They were randomly assigned to supplemental control group (S-control, n=36), riboflavin supplementation group (+riboflavin 0.625 mg/day, n=32), and B vitamin compound supplementation group (+riboflavin 0.625 mg/day, +thiamin 0.512 mg/day, +nicotinic acid 0.365 mg/day, +folic acid 0.13 mg/day, n=33) based on school classes. Urinary riboflavin excretion and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (EGRAC) along with erythrocyte transketolase activity (ETKA) were used to evaluate B vitamin levels in the children. AYP index, an index reflecting the brain performance ability, was chosen to assess the children's study abilities. Health education was carried out to help children and their parents adopt scientific dietary concepts. The urinary riboflavin excretion was higher in two supplementation groups (435.24 +/- 153.3 microg/g creatinine, 374.6 +/- 144.6 microg/g creatinine) than in S-control group (235.1 +/- 86.2 microg/g creatinine). Average values of EGRAC were lower in two supplementation groups (0.90 +/- 0.11, 0.80 +/- 0.10) than in S-control group (1.08 +/- 0.25). At the same time, the percentage of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP%) decreased from 63.69 +/- 28.04 to 42.16 +/- 16.31 in B vitamin compound supplementation group. Meanwhile, AYP index increased at the end of the supplementation in two supplementation groups. B vitamins supplementation can significantly increase B vitamin level in children. Biochemical activities of riboflavin and thiamin can improve with the intake of fortified foods. The effect of B vitamin compound supplementation is better than that of single riboflavin supplementation when the effect of riboflavin's biofunction is considered. In addition, micronutrient supplementation appears to assist children's study abilities.

[Establishment of macrophage model of iron overload in vitro and the injury induced by oxidative stress on macrophage with iron overload]

OBJECTIVE

To establish macrophage iron overload model in vitro by co-culture macrophages with iron, and to explore the effect of iron overload on cell reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the impact of ROS on macrophages.

METHOD

Iron overload group were treated with different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 μmol/L respectively) of ferric ammonium citrate (FAC). The control group was the group of macrophages without FAC treatment. We detected the number and state of cells, metabolic activity, the change of phagocytosis, the levels of ROS and reactive nitrogen, and changes of related oxidative stress signaling pathways in different groups. Changes in the above indexes were detected after application of deferasirox (DFX) to remove iron and the antioxidant N -acetylcysteine (NAC) to clear excess oxidative stress.

RESULTS

(1)The levels of labile iron pool (LIP) in macrophages co-cultivated with iron was increased with the increase of iron concentration in a dose-dependent manner. The LIP levels was the highest in the macrophages treated with 80 μmol/L. (2)The increase of FAC concentration, the metabolic activity of macrophages in the 5 FAC-treated groups decreased to 51.58%, 40.98%, 16.23%, 3.46%, and 0.05% of the activity level of the control group (all P< 0.05). The group with the metabolic activity decreased to 16.23% (20 μmol/L) was selected as the iron overload group for the following experiments. (3)Compared with the control group, the number of macrophages in the iron overload group reduced to 32.80% (P<0.05), and the state of cells changed from adherence to partial suspension. The phagocytosis of macrophages in the iron overload group reduced to 20.40% of the control group (P<0.05). (4)Our further experiment showed that the levels of ROS and the activity nitrogen in the iron overload group increased by 7.71-and 1.45-fold compared with the control group (both P<0.05). The RT-PCR showed up-regulated mRNA expression of genes related with ROS production, i. e. nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX 4) gene related with ROS production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene related with reactive nitrogen production, down-regulated mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) gene which participated in ROS clearance. Moreover, mRNA expression of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) gene involved in oxidative stress signaling pathway in the iron overload group was up-regulated, while fork head protein O3 (FOXO3) which regulated oxidative stress through negative feedback showed a down-regulation level of mRNA expression compared with the control group. (5)After iron chelation and antioxidant treatment, the above-mentioned damage in the iron overload group were partially reversed.

CONCLUSIONS

The damages of iron overload on macrophages may be mediated by inducing oxidative stress and activating oxidative stress signaling pathways. Our established model provides a method to explore the mechanism of iron overload on macrophage, and may shed some new light on possible therapeutic target in treating iron overload patients.

Liquid-liquid phase transition in quasi-two-dimensional supercooled silicon

Anomalies of the local structural order in quasi-two-dimensional liquid silicon upon cooling are investigated. Results show that the appearance of the left subpeak in pair correlation functions is the signature of the liquid-liquid phase transition (LLPT). The structural origin of the LLPT is the formation of a crystal-like ordered structure with a short-range scale, which in turn forms the local well-organized paracrystalline region. Unlike in the bulk liquid silicon, the stages of the LLPT and liquid-solid phase transition (LSPT) in the quasi-two-dimensional liquid silicon do not overlap. The crystal-like ordered structures formed in the LLPT are precursors which are prepared for the subsequent LSPT. Also observed was a strong interconnection between the local well-organized paracrystalline region and the transition from the typical metal to the semimetal in the two-dimensional silicon. This study will aid in better understanding of the essential phase change in two-dimensional liquid silicon.

Degradation of nitenpyram pesticide in aqueous solution by low-temperature plasma

In order to study the new technique of plasma wastewater treatment, the degradation behaviour ofnitenpyram (NTP) pesticide was investigated in a low-temperature plasma formed during a dielectric barrier discharge process. The reactor was a radial flow sedimentation tank centred around the water inlet. We studied the effect of pesticide concentration and input power of the dielectric barrier discharge, together with the effect of external factors on the degradation of nitenpyram pesticide wastewater such as conductivity and the use of various of catalysts, and the reaction products were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The results showed that NTP could be effectively removed from aqueous solution by low-temperature plasma. Increasing the input power could improve the efficiency of degradation, conforming to a first-order kinetic model. Use of a suitable catalyst clearly improved the degradation process, as also did low conductivity. The pH of NTP was reduced with discharge time.

An integrated mathematical model of thrombin-, histamine-and VEGF-mediated signalling in endothelial permeability

BACKGROUND

Endothelial permeability is involved in injury, inflammation, diabetes and cancer. It is partly regulated by the thrombin-, histamine-, and VEGF-mediated myosin-light-chain (MLC) activation pathways. While these pathways have been investigated, questions such as temporal effects and the dynamics of multi-mediator regulation remain to be fully studied. Mathematical modeling of these pathways facilitates such studies. Based on the published ordinary differential equation models of the pathway components, we developed an integrated model of thrombin-, histamine-, and VEGF-mediated MLC activation pathways.

RESULTS

Our model was validated against experimental data for calcium release and thrombin-, histamine-, and VEGF-mediated MLC activation. The simulated effects of PAR-1, Rho GTPase, ROCK, VEGF and VEGFR2 over-expression on MLC activation, and the collective modulation by thrombin and histamine are consistent with experimental findings. Our model was used to predict enhanced MLC activation by CPI-17 over-expression and by synergistic action of thrombin and VEGF at low mediator levels. These may have impact in endothelial permeability and metastasis in cancer patients with blood coagulation.

CONCLUSION

Our model was validated against a number of experimental findings and the observed synergistic effects of low concentrations of thrombin and histamine in mediating the activation of MLC. It can be used to predict the effects of altered pathway components, collective actions of multiple mediators and the potential impact to various diseases. Similar to the published models of other pathways, our model can potentially be used to identify important disease genes through sensitivity analysis of signalling components.

Virtual screening of selective multitarget kinase inhibitors by combinatorial support vector machines

Multitarget agents have been increasingly explored for enhancing efficacy and reducing countertarget activities and toxicities. Efficient virtual screening (VS) tools for searching selective multitarget agents are desired. Combinatorial support vector machines (C-SVM) were tested as VS tools for searching dual-inhibitors of 11 combinations of 9 anticancer kinase targets (EGFR, VEGFR, PDGFR, Src, FGFR, Lck, CDK1, CDK2, GSK3). C-SVM trained on 233-1,316 non-dual-inhibitors correctly identified 26.8%-57.3% (majority >36%) of the 56-230 intra-kinase-group dual-inhibitors (equivalent to the 50-70% yields of two independent individual target VS tools), and 12.2% of the 41 inter-kinase-group dual-inhibitors. C-SVM were fairly selective in misidentifying as dual-inhibitors 3.7%-48.1% (majority <20%) of the 233-1,316 non-dual-inhibitors of the same kinase pairs and 0.98%-4.77% of the 3,971-5,180 inhibitors of other kinases. C-SVM produced low false-hit rates in misidentifying as dual-inhibitors 1,746-4,817 (0.013%-0.036%) of the 13.56 M PubChem compounds, 12-175 (0.007%-0.104%) of the 168 K MDDR compounds, and 0-84 (0.0%-2.9%) of the 19,495-38,483 MDDR compounds similar to the known dual-inhibitors. C-SVM was compared to other VS methods Surflex-Dock, DOCK Blaster, kNN and PNN against the same sets of kinase inhibitors and the full set or subset of the 1.02 M Zinc clean-leads data set. C-SVM produced comparable dual-inhibitor yields, slightly better false-hit rates for kinase inhibitors, and significantly lower false-hit rates for the Zinc clean-leads data set. Combinatorial SVM showed promising potential for searching selective multitarget agents against intra-kinase-group kinases without explicit knowledge of multitarget agents.

Virtual screening of Abl inhibitors from large compound libraries by support vector machines

Abl promotes cancers by regulating cell morphogenesis, motility, growth, and survival. Successes of several marketed and clinical trial Abl inhibitors against leukemia and other cancers and appearances of reduced efficacies and drug resistances have led to significant interest in and efforts for developing new Abl inhibitors. In silico methods of pharmacophore, fragment, and molecular docking have been used in some of these efforts. It is desirable to explore other in silico methods capable of searching large compound libraries at high yields and reduced false-hit rates. We evaluated support vector machines (SVM) as a virtual screening tool for searching Abl inhibitors from large compound libraries. SVM trained and tested by 708 inhibitors and 65,494 putative noninhibitors correctly identified 84.4 to 92.3% inhibitors and 99.96 to 99.99% noninhibitors in 5-fold cross validation studies. SVM trained by 708 pre-2008 inhibitors and 65 494 putative noninhibitors correctly identified 50.5% of the 91 inhibitors reported since 2008 and predicted as inhibitors 29,072 (0.21%) of 13.56M PubChem, 659 (0.39%) of 168K MDDR, and 330 (5.0%) of 6638 MDDR compounds similar to the known inhibitors. SVM showed comparable yields and substantially reduced false-hit rates against two similarity based and another machine learning VS methods based on the same training and testing data sets and molecular descriptors. These suggest that SVM is capable of searching Abl inhibitors from large compound libraries at low false-hit rates.

Hepatic and renal artery rupture due to Aspergillus and Mucor mixed infection after combined liver and kidney transplantation: a case report

Fungal infection is a major cause of death in patients who undergo organ transplantation. The incidence of Aspergillus or Mucor infection is low compared with Candida species. We report a case in which Aspergillus and Mucor infected both the hepatic and renal arteries, leading the 2 arteries to rupture at the same time. The patient died 4 days after the second operation. We review the recent literature about this topic and explore the possible route of transmission in our patient. We also discuss the prophylactic methods for Aspergillus and Mucor infections.

Candida albicans THI13 disruption affects production of monocytic cytokines

INTRODUCTION

The Candida albicansTHI13 gene was identified by its homology to the Candida tropicalis CtNMT1 gene, which is involved in pyrimidine precursor biosynthesis.

METHODS

Disruption of THI13 revealed that this gene played a minor role in thiamin biosynthesis in C. albicans. Purified human monocytes were incubated with C. albicans at the optimal Candida: monocyte ratio of 0.5 and cytokines in the supernatants were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This experiment showed that the wild-type strain significantly induced interleukin-10 (IL-10) production but had little effect on IL-12 production, and that THI13 mutants had no significant effect on IL-10 production, though the IL-12 level was increased in the supernatants. These results suggest that THI13 is involved in the host effective immune response by regulating IL-10 and IL-12 production.

Synthesis, in vitro anticancer evaluation, and interference with cell cycle progression of N-phosphoamino acid esters of zidovudine and stavudine

A series of N-diisopropylphosphoryl (DIPP) L-amino acid ester prodrugs of zidovudine (AZT) (3a-3e) and stavudine (d4T) (4a-4e) has been prepared. The activity of these compounds against MCF-7 cells (human pleural effusion breast adenocarcinoma cell line) and K562 cells (human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line) was evaluated. In difference from that of AZT amino acid phosphoramidates, the alophatic amino acid esters of AZT were found to be more cytotoxic than the aromatic analogues toward MCF-7 cell. Two DIPP-L-amino acid esters of d4T 4b (CC50 = 83 microM) and 4c (CC50 = 182 microM) were found to be more cytotoxic than the parent drug toward K562 cells. MCF-7 and K562 cell cycle disturbance was investigated showing detectable blockade in the S phase when exposed to biologically active AZT, 3a, 3b, 3c, 4b and 4c, indicating that they inhibit cell growth by blocking cell cycle progression. Together with previous reports, present findings suggest that anti-breast cancer activity of AZT may be due to hamper DNA synthesis.

New products from alkali fusion of ginkgolides A and B

Alkali fusion of ginkgolides A and B has afforded five unexpected products 3-7. Their structures were established from their spectral data and chemical reactions. They were evaluated for their in vitro activity to inhibit the platelet-activating factor-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets and show less potency than ginkgolides A and B.

Piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A and piperol B: a new series of highly specific PAF receptor antagonists from Piper betle

Piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, and piperol B, isolated from Piper betle, selectively inhibited the washed rabbit platelet aggregation induced by platelet activating factor (PAF) in a concentration-dependent manner. The IC50 values of piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, piperol B, and ginkgolide B were about 18.2, 10.6, 114.2, 11.8, and 4.8 mumol/l, respectively. The inhibitory potency of ginkgolide B was about 2.8, 1.2, 22.8, and 1.4 times higher than those of piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, and piperol B. The concentration-response curve of PAF-induced platelet aggregation was shifted to the right by 50 mumol/l of piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, piperol B, and ginkgolide B. The EC50 of PAF was increased by these compounds from 1.5 nmol/l to 14.3, 23.1, 2.4, 20.6, and 47.2 nmol/l, respectively. The compounds also inhibited the binding of [3H]-PAF to washed rabbit platelets with IC50 values of 8.7, 5.3, 88, 6.2, and 1.8 mumol/l. Correlating with the inhibitory potency for platelet aggregation, the inhibitory potency of ginkgolide B for binding of PAF was about 3.8, 1.9, 48, and 2.4 times higher than those of piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, and piperol B. However, the aggregation of washed rabbit platelets induced by threshold ADP and arachidonic acid were unaffected by piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, and piperol B. Furthermore, piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, and piperol B had no effects on the cAMP contents in rest washed rabbit platelets. In conclusion, these data indicate that piperbetol, methylpiperbetol, piperol A, and piperol B are effective PAF receptor antagonists in vitro.

Protection of ebselen against anoxic damage of cultured neurons of cerebral cortex

AIM

To study the protective effect of ebselen on anoxic damage of brain cells.

METHODS

On d 10 after plating of the cortical neurons from 1-d-old rat, cultures were placed under 95% N2 + 5% CO2 for 2-6 h. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in supernatant, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of neurons were determined.

RESULTS

Under anoxia, efflux of LDH and TBARS from cultured neurons increased while GSH-Px activity decreased. Ebselen reduced the efflux of LDH and TBARS in a dose-related manner and increased the total GSH-Px activity.

CONCLUSION

Ebselen can protect neurons from anoxic damage.

Effects of diet and exercise in preventing NIDDM in people with impaired glucose tolerance. The Da Qing IGT and Diabetes Study

OBJECTIVE

Individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) have a high risk of developing NIDDM. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diet and exercise interventions in those with IGT may delay the development of NIDDM, i.e., reduce the incidence of NIDDM, and thereby reduce the overall incidence of diabetic complications, such as cardiovascular, renal, and retinal disease, and the excess mortality attributable to these complications.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In 1986, 110,660 men and women from 33 health care clinics in the city of Da Qing, China, were screened for IGT and NIDDM. Of these individuals, 577 were classified (using World Health Organization criteria) as having IGT. Subjects were randomized by clinic into a clinical trial, either to a control group or to one of three active treatment groups: diet only, exercise only, or diet plus exercise. Follow-up evaluation examinations were conducted at 2-year intervals over a 6-year period to identify subjects who developed NIDDM. Cox's proportional hazard analysis was used to determine if the incidence of NIDDM varied by treatment assignment.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of diabetes at 6 years was 67.7% (95% CI, 59.8-75.2) in the control group compared with 43.8% (95% CI, 35.5-52.3) in the diet group, 41.1% (95% CI, 33.4-49.4) in the exercise group, and 46.0% (95% CI, 37.3-54.7) in the diet-plus-exercise group (P < 0.05). When analyzed by clinic, each of the active intervention groups differed significantly from the control clinics (P < 0.05). The relative decrease in rate of development of diabetes in the active treatment groups was similar when subjects were stratified as lean or overweight (BMI < or > or = 25 kg/m2). In a proportional hazards analysis adjusted for differences in baseline BMI and fasting glucose, the diet, exercise, and diet-plus-exercise interventions were associated with 31% (P < 0.03), 46% (P < 0.0005), and 42% (P < 0.005) reductions in risk of developing diabetes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Diet and/or exercise interventions led to a significant decrease in the incidence of diabetes over a 6-year period among those with IGT.

[Protection of ebselen on oxygen free radical-induced lipid peroxidation damage of cultured rat cortical neuron and cortical mitochondria]

Ebselen (2-phenyl-1, 2-benzisoselenanzol-3 (2H) one, C13 H9NOSe) is a seleno-organic anti-oxidant compound. In this study, the effect of ebselen on lipid peroxidation damage induced by O2.- and .OH in vitro, of cultured rat cortical neuron and cortical mitochondria was studied. When neuron was exposed to hypoxanthine/xathine oxidase system and vitamin C/CuSO4 system, obvious damage was detected: lactic dehydrogenase(LDH) was released and TBARS content increased. Ebselen (10, 25, 50 mumol.L-1) reduced LDH efflux induced by O2.- and .OH in a dose-dependent manner. As for the TBARS content, from 5 mumol.L-1 to 50 mumol.L-1, ebselen negated its increase, also dose-dependently. Furthermore, ebselen lowered TBARS content of cortical mitochondria treated with O2.- and .OH in a dose-related manner. But ebselen showed no activity of scavenging O2.- and .OH. This suggests that ebselen has direct anti-oxidant activity on neuron and its activity is not achieved by scavenging oxygen free radical.

Radioimmunolocalization of human malignant tumors with In-111 labeled monoclonal antibody

An anti-human colon carcinoma monoclonal antibody 2C10 was radiolabeled with In-111 and studied in 15 patients with gastrointestinal and ovarian carcinoma. The labelling efficiency approached 100% and immunoactivity of the labeled antibody was over 75%. 2-3 mCi (1 mg) In-111-2C10 was given to the patients intravenously and scintigraphy was performed 72 hours after administration with a gamma camera. Specimens were also scanned in some of the patients. The resected tumors and remote margin were examined immunohistochemically. Positive scintigraphic images were obtained in 12/15 patients with colorectal cancer (10) and ovarian cancer (2). Negative results were seen in the two patients with gastric cancer. The scintigraphic results of 10 patients were confirmed surgically and pathologically. The remaining 5 were confirmed by endoscopy, B-ultrasonography or X-ray CT. Most patients had been definitely diagnosed before imaging except one patient with metastatic focus from ovarian cancer to colon and one with recurrent colon cancer were first detected with RIAD, showing the unique advantage the latfer. The high background radioactivity in the liver, however, is a conspicuous problem to be solved.

Effects of CI-930 on hemostasis, thrombosis, and AA-induced hemodynamic reaction

In mice, CI-930 0.5-2 mg.kg-1 ip not only prolonged the tail bleeding time but also protected the mice from sudden thromboembolic death induced by arachidonic acid (AA, 100 mg.kg-1, i.v.) or TXA2/PGH2 mimetic U46619 (200 micrograms.kg-1, i.v.). CI-930 0.625 and 2.5 mg.kg-1 i.v. exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on thrombus formation in rat arteriovenous shunt. All these effects of CI-930 were more potent than those of dazoxiben, a known antiplatelet drug. In rabbit, AA 0.75 mg.kg-1 i.v. caused a rapid and marked increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and a concomitant sharp decrease in cardiac output and carotid arterial pressure. CI-930 itself 0.5 mg.kg-1 i.v. resulted in a long-lasting fall in carotid arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and a slight decrease in cardiac output. In addition, CI-930 protected rabbit from all the harmful hemodynamic responses to the occlusion of pulmonary microcirculation, which was induced by AA. The results suggest that CI-930 possess a potent anti-hemostatic, antithrombotic, and probably antihypertensive effects on experimental animals.