Concentrations of serum interleukin-8 after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest

To assess differences in serum interleukin-8 concentrations in resuscitated and nonresuscitated patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to compare changes of interleukin-8 levels with hemodynamic variables after restoration of spontaneous circulation, 39 patients with out-of-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest who had undergone CPR were studied. Venous blood samples were taken after CPR and 1 and 2 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation to measure serum interleukin-8 levels by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The median serum interleukin-8 levels after CPR were significantly higher in resuscitated than in nonresuscitated patients (64.9 pg/ml; range 30.2 to 1497 vs 0 pg/ml; range 0 to 31.6 pg/ml; p < 0.001). One and 2 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation, the median serum interleukin-8 levels were 96.2 pg/ml and 155.4 pg/ml, respectively. Mean values of systolic blood pressure immediately after and 1 and 2 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation were 117 +/- 9 mm Hg, 130 +/- 11 mm Hg, and 136 +/- 13 mm Hg, respectively. No significant correlations were found between hemodynamic values and serum interleukin-8 levels. In conclusion, successful initial resuscitation was associated with increased serum interleukin-8 concentrations. The interleukin-8 levels remained at high values 2 hours after restoration of spontaneous circulation.

Human centromeric DNAs

Human centromeres have been extensively studied over the past two decades. Consequently, more is known of centromere structure and organization in humans than in any other higher eukaryote species. Recent advances in the construction of a human (or mammalian) artificial chromosome have fostered increased interest in determining the structure and function of fully functional human centromeres. Here, we present an overview of currently identified human centromeric repetitive DNA families: their discoveries, molecular characterization, and organization with respect to other centromeric repetitive DNA families. A brief examination of some functional based studies is also included.

Risk factors for parasuicide among psychiatric inpatients

To improve suicide prevention during hospitalization, this study examined risk factors for parasuicide among psychiatric inpatients. A group of 58 psychiatric inpatients (19 with schizophrenia, 20 with depression, and 19 with other diagnoses) who displayed suicidal behavior during hospitalization were compared with two control groups of nonparasuicidal inpatients. For inpatients with schizophrenia, a history of parasuicide was a risk factor; for those with depression, it was suicidal behavior on admission; and for patients with other diagnoses, it was violence during hospitalization.

Pharmacokinetic screening for the selection of new drug discovery candidates is greatly enhanced through the use of liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Selection of a new drug discovery candidate from a series of compounds requires a means of performing rapid analytical method development and sensitive quantitation of each drug in serum, plasma or other biological matrices. Information on serum/plasma concentration, bioavailability and half-life can often aid the discovery process by selecting those candidates with the desired pharmacokinetic parameters. In one series of farnesyl protein transferase (FPT) inhibitors, gas chromatography with nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD) was initially used to analyze samples from pharmacokinetic studies in mice and monkeys. Typical turnaround times using this technique approached 2-4 weeks for method development, quantitation of study samples and calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters. Once LC-atmospheric pressure ionization (API) MS-MS analysis was implemented in these same studies, they could be completed in less than one week. The advantages of using LC-API-MS-MS to aid in the drug candidate selection process is demonstrated for one compound (SCH 44342) in this series of FPT inhibitors.

Cardiac angiomyolipoma: radiologic and pathologic correlation

Primary tumors of the heart are rare. We report a case of large cardiac angiomyolipoma (hamartoma) that presented as a fat-containing tumor mass on imaging studies, diagnosed radiographically as teratoma. The patient was admitted through the emergency room at Tainan Municipal Hospital because of severe dyspnea. A chest radiograph revealed marked widening of the mediastinum. Echocardiography and computed tomographic scanning of the thorax showed a mass of mixed density with calcification. A teratoma with intrapericardial invasion was suspected. Sternotomy disclosed a large intrapericardial lobulated mass (34 x 30 x 12 cm, 3,150 g) arising from the right atrium, with severe adhesion to the origin of the inferior vena cava. Histopathologic examination demonstrated an angiomyolipoma of the heart. To our knowledge, this is the largest cardiac angiomyolipoma reported. We report this case to emphasize that a differential diagnosis of angiomyolipoma must be included in a patient with a fat-containing cardiac tumor.

Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of felbamate in the elderly

AIMS

The objective of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of the antiepileptic drug felbamate in young and elderly healthy vounteers.

METHODS

The single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of felbamate were examined in an open-label two-dose level parallel group study in 24 elderly (66 to 78-year-old) and 11 young (18 to 45-year-old) healthy volunteer subjects. Pharmacokinetics were determined from blood samples obtained over 120 h after administration of single 600 mg or 1200 mg doses, and after multiple doses of 600 mg or 1200 mg administered every 12 h. Safety and tolerability were assessed through laboratory tests, ECGs, vital signs and reported adverse events.

RESULTS

Single dose felbamate pharmacokinetic parameters differed between young and elderly subjects; compared with young subjects, elderly subjects had lower mean clearance (31.2 vs 25.1 ml min(-1); 90% CI -11.4 to -0.9; P = 0.02) and a trend towards a greater half-life (18.6 vs 21.0 h; 90% CI -0.6 to 5.4; P = 0.11). Mean AUC and C(max) values were also higher in elderly subjects. No gender differences were noted for weight-adjusted pharmacokinetic variables. Felbamate was less well tolerated in elderly subjects compared with young subjects, as shown by higher rates of adverse event reporting and dropouts at the higher dose level. This may be due to age-related pharmacokinetic differences, to the rapid dose titration schedule used in this study, and/or to altered sensitivity to felbamate's pharmacodynamic effects.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings imply that elderly subjects require lower initial dosing and slower dose titration of felbamate than non-elderly subjects.

Pharmacokinetics of isepamicin following a single administration by intravenous infusion or intramuscular injections

The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin following administration of a 1-g dose were evaluated for 18 healthy male volunteers between the ages of 26 and 38. In a randomized crossover fashion, each volunteer received doses of isepamicin by a 30-min intravenous infusion and as an intramuscular injection. Blood samples were collected at specified times after dosing and assayed for isepamicin by a validated radioimmunoassay method. The individual plasma concentration-time curves were analyzed by noncompartmental methods. In general, the pharmacokinetics after intravenous infusion and intramuscular injection were similar. As expected, the maximum concentration of isepamicin in serum following intramuscular injection (37.2 microg/ml) was lower than the observed concentration at the end of infusion (66.7 microg/ml). The areas under the concentration-time curves from 0 h to infinity following intramuscular and intravenous administration were 164.8 and 154.5 microg x hr/ml, respectively, indicating complete absorption following intramuscular administration. The respective mean terminal-phase half-life (t1/2) values were 2.6 and 3.6 h. Although t1/2 was slightly longer following intravenous infusion, the small difference in the observed t1/2 values was not considered to be clinically significant. Total body clearances following intramuscular injection and intravenous infusion were 1.3 and 1.4 ml/min/kg, respectively, which were similar to renal serum creatinine clearances in healthy volunteers (> 1.14 ml/min/kg). The drug was safe and well tolerated. The results of the present study clearly show complete absorption of isepamicin following intramuscular administration. The similarity in the pharmacokinetics after intravenous infusion and intramuscular dosing would permit interchangeable administration of isepamicin by either route without compromising clinical efficacy.

Prenatal diagnosis of partial trisomy 12 and partial trisomy 21 due to a 3:1 segregation of maternal reciprocal translocation t(12;21) (p13.3;q21)

We describe the prenatal diagnosis and fetal phenotype of partial trisomy 12 (p13.3-pter) and partial trisomy 21 (pter-q21) due to a 3:1 segregation with tertiary aneuploidy transmitted from a maternal reciprocal translocation 12;21. Genetic amniocentesis of a 39-year-old gravida 2, para 1 woman at 19 weeks' gestation due to advanced maternal age revealed an unusual karyotype of 47,XY,+der(21)t(12;21)(p13.3;q21)mat. The pregnancy was terminated at 24 gestational weeks. The proband postnatally displayed by dysmorphic features of a round flat face with prominent cheeks and high forehead, upward slanting palpebral fissures, epicanthic folds, hypertelorism, a short nose, a broad and depressed nasal bridge, anteverted nares, a deformed philtrum, an open mouth, thin upper vermilion and broad everted lower lip, low-set ears with prominent anthelix and deep concha, broad hands with simian creases, a short neck, and cryptorchidism. The association of the involved chromosomal segments with the phenotype of Down's syndrome and trisomy 12p syndrome is discussed.

Depressive disorders among older residents in a Chinese rural community

BACKGROUND

Two recent surveys of depression among Chinese elderly people sampled different populations, used different case ascertainment methods and resulted in a seven-fold difference in prevalence rates. The present study was conducted to compare prevalence rates obtained with two commonly used methods in the same population, and to examine the risk factors for depression.

METHODS

The target population included all residents aged 65 years and over in a rural Chinese community. Participants were interviewed for demographic and medical information, examined by a neurologist and administered Chinese versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-S), the Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI) and an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) form. Individuals who screened positive on the GDS-S were also interviewed by a psychiatrist for diagnosis according to the DSM-III-R criteria.

RESULTS

Among the 1313 participants, 26% screened positive on the GDS-S and 13% were diagnosed as having a depressive disorder, including 6.1% with major depression. Individuals with depressive disorders were more likely to have poor ADL scores, lower CASI scores, and chronic physical illnesses. They were also more likely to be female, older, illiterate and without a spouse, but adding these variables did not increase the overall association with the GDS-S score.

CONCLUSIONS

Depression was quite common in this Chinese rural geriatric population. The prevalence rate was twice as high when judged by depression symptomatology rather than clinical diagnosis. The critical risk factors were functional impairments, poor cognitive abilities and the presence of chronic physical illnesses.

[Using self-efficacy in assessing self-care to the IDDM patients]

The purpose of this study was to test an Self-Efficacy Scale for IDDM patients to assess their self-care performances. Data were collected by convenience sampling method from 72 patients with IDDM at southern Taiwan from February 5 to June 15, 1995. Two instruments were used in this study: the Insulin Management Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale (IMDSES) and Diabetes Self-Care Scale. The following results were obtained. 1. Subjects had average levels of self-efficacy. The IMDSES Scale total mean was 70.59 (SD = 16.59). The highest and the lowest mean in all IMDSES subscales were blood sugar monitor (76.29, SD = 16.37) and the foot care (63.37, SD = 26.92) respectively. 2. Subjects had average levels of self-care. The Diabetes Self-Care Scale total mean was 68.80 (SD = 18.45). The highest and the lowest mean in all Diabetes subscale were insulin adjustment (75.01, SD = 20.22) and the foot care (61.07, SD = 27.70) 3. There was a strong correlation between the IMDSES Scale and the Diabetes Self-Care Scale (r = 0.94, p < 0.01). In addition, there were significant Pearson correlations between each of the all Diabetes Self-Efficacy subscales and their related Self-Care subscales (r = 0.93 approximately 0.62, p < 0.01). These results supported the theoretical perspective of Bandura's self-efficacy. Individual with higher levels of self-efficacy were better able to manage their diabetes self-care. Implications of these findings for nursing practice and research are discussed.

Chromosomal evolution of the Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi)

The aim of this study was to test the validity of the hypothesis that the 2n=46 karyotype of the Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) could have evolved through 12 tandem fusions from a 2n=70 hypothetical ancestral karyotype, which is still retained in Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) and brown-brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). Combining fluorescence-activated chromosomal sorting and degenerate oligonucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction, we generated chromosome-specific DNA paint probes for 13 M. gouazoubira chromosomes and most of the M. reevesi chromosomes with the exception of 18, 19 and X. These paint probes were used for fluorescence in situ hybridisation to chromosomal preparations of M. reevesi, H. inermis and M. gouazoubira. Chromosome-specific paint probes from M. reevesi chromosomes 1-5 and 11 each delineated more than one homologous pair (18 pairs in total) on the metaphases of H. inermis and M. gouazoubira. All the other probes from M. reevesi and probes from M. gouazoubira each hybridised to one pair of homologous chromosomes or regions. The C5 probe, derived from centromeric satellite sequences of M. reevesi, hybridised to the centromeric regions of all chromosomes of these three species. Most interestingly, several non-random interstitial signals, which are apparently localised to the putative fusion points, were found on chromosomes 1-5 and 11 of M. reevesi. Both the reciprocal painting patterns and localisation of the C5 probe demonstrate that M. reevesi chromosomes 1-5 and 11 could have evolved from 18 different ancestral chromosomes through 12 tandem fusions, thus providing direct molecular cytogenetic support for the tandem fusion hypothesis of karyotype evolution in M. reevesi.

Chronic calcifying pancreatitis in Taiwan: a multicentric study and comparison with western countries

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study investigates the clinical features of chronic calcifying pancreatitis (CCP) in Taiwan and also the comparative differences in the disorder as it affects orientals and occidentals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records at seven tertiary hospitals relating to patients diagnosed with CCP between 1976 and 1996 are reviewed and analyzed. Ninety patients were enrolled. Defining the calcification of the pancreas is achieved by plain film, ultrasonography, computed tomography, or histology.

RESULTS

CCP afflicts men more frequently than it does women, by a ratio of 3.5:1 (70 men and 20 women). The mean age is 45 years (male: 46 female: 41.4). For fifty-two patients (57.8%), alcohol is the major cause of the condition, while in others, the causes are non-alcoholic (idiopathic: 31; biliary: 4; hereditary: 3). Alcoholism is mainly associated with males and younger sufferers. The major complications are diabetes mellitus (53.3%), cysts or pseudocysts (21.1%), and biliary stricture or stones (20%). Pancreatic adenocarcinoma and splenic vein thrombosis were found in six and five patients, respectively. Three patients died from cancers of other than pancreatic origin (lung: 1;liver: 1;bile duct: 1). Thirty-three patients were treated surgically of which thirteen (39.4%), including one with pancreatic auto transplantation, improved. Fifty-seven patients received medical treatment but only eleven (19.3%) improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical features of CCP in Taiwan are notably similar to those manifesting in western countries and in Japan. With the changes in life style and increased alcoholic consumption in Taiwan, the prevalence of CCP may increase and its demographic features may alter in the future.

Hepatoprotective effect of the fractions of Ban-zhi-lian on experimental liver injuries in rats

The hepatoprotective effect of various fractions (n-hexane, CHCl3, EtOAc, n-BuOH, and H2O) of Ban-zhi-lian derived from Scutellaria rivularis Benth was studied against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and acetaminophen (APAP)-induced acute hepatotoxicity in rats. Liver damage was assessed by quantifying serum activities of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (sGOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (sGPT), as well as by histopathological examination. The results indicated that the CHCl3 fraction and EtOAc fractions exhibited the greatest hepatoprotective effects on CCl4-induced liver injuries, the CHCl3 fraction and n-hexane fraction are most potent against D-GalN-induced intoxication, and the CHCl3 fraction represented the most liver-protective effect on APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. The pathological changes of hepatic lesions caused by these three hepatotoxicants were improved by treatment with the fractions mentioned above, which were compared to Glycyrrhizin (GLZ) and Silymarin as standard reference medicines.

The relationship between health locus of control and compliance of hemodialysis patients

Successful treatment of end stage renal disease (ESRD) depends on the patient compliance with therapeutic regimens. This descriptive study was conducted to examine the relationship between the health locus of control (HLC) orientation and compliance with therapeutic regimens. The convenience sample of 86 hemodialysis patients was obtained at two hemodialysis centers of teaching hospitals in southern Taiwan. A Demographic Questionnaire, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLC) Scale, and Multimethod Compliance Assessment (including: Laboratory Assessment, Nurse Assessment, and Patient Self-report) were used to collect the data. The average overall rate of compliance with therapeutic regimen was 76.4% by patient self-report and 69.2% by nurse assessment. Examining the three compliance measures, patients were most compliant in following instructions for taking phosphate-binding medication (PBM) and least compliant in limiting fluid intake according to patient self-report and by nurses' assessment. The level of compliance for diet restriction fell between the other two measures. No significant correlations between the three subscales of the multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC) and composite compliance measures were found in this study, except that those with a high score on the subscale of powerful others locus of control were positively correlated with patient self-report (r = 0.388, p < 0.001) and with the laboratory assessment (r = 0.21, p < 0.01). This suggests that the MHLC construct had only a slight influence on measures of compliance in hemodialysis patients of Taiwan. Implications of findings for nursing practice, theory, and research are also discussed.

Microsample determination of lovastatin and its hydroxy acid metabolite in mouse and rat plasma by liquid chromatography/ionspray tandem mass spectrometry

A sensitive and specific method was developed and validated to quantitate lovastatin and its hydroxy acid in mouse and rat plasma. This method employs a solid-phase extraction procedure to isolate lovastatin and its hydroxy acid metabolite from the biological matrices (0.1 ml of mouse or rat plasma). The reconstituted extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography/ionspray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Simvastatin and simvastatin hydroxy acid were used as internal standards for lovastatin and lovastatin hydroxy acid, respectively. The assay has a lower limit of quantitation (LLQ) of 0.50 ng ml-1 in mouse and rat plasma for both lovastatin and its hydroxy acid based on 0.1 ml aliquots of plasma. The intra- and inter-assay precision (RSD), calculated from quality control (QC) samples, was < 7% for lovastatin and < 6% for lovastatin hydroxy acid in both matrices. The inter-assay accuracy as determined from QC samples was less than 6% for lovastatin and less than 8% for lovastatin hydroxy acid in both matrices. The overall recovery of lovastatin was 54% in mouse plasma and 55% in rat plasma, and the overall recovery of lovastatin hydroxy acid was 100% in mouse plasma and 67% in rat plasma.

cGMP-elevating agents suppress proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by inhibiting the activation of epidermal growth factor signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and many vascular diseases. It is known that nitric oxide released from the endothelium participates in the regulation of VSMC proliferation via a cyclic 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated mechanism. In a series of experiments, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and A02131-1 were evaluated for their antiproliferative effect and the mechanism of their cGMP-elevating action.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The effect of SNP and A02131-1 on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated proliferation of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMC) was examined. Cell proliferation was measured in terms of [3H]thymidine incorporation, flow cytometry, and the cell number. Further, their effect on the EGF-activated signal transduction pathway was assessed by measuring mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), MAPK kinase (MEK). Raf-1 activity, and the formation of active form of Ras. SNP and A02131-1 inhibited EGF-induced DNA synthesis and subsequent proliferation of VSMC. These two increased cGMP but only a little cAMP in VSMC. A similar antiproliferative effect was observed with 8-bromo-cGMP. The antiproliferative effect of the two was reversed by KT5823 but not by dideoxyadenosine nor Rp-cAMPS. SNP and A02131-1 blocked the EGF-inducible cell cycle progression at the G1/S phase. Further experiments indicated that the two cGMP-elevating agents primarily blocked the activation of Raf-1 by EGF-activated Ras.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that cGMP-elevating agents inhibit [3H]thymidine incorporation and thus the growth of VSMC, and this inhibition appears to attenuate EGF-activated signal transduction pathway by preventing Ras-dependent activation of Raf-1.

Higher-order organization of subrepeats and the evolution of cervid satellite I DNA

Based on sequence analyses of 17 complete centromeric DNA monomers from ten different deer species, a model is proposed for the genesis, evolution, and genomic organization of cervid satellite I DNA. All cervid satellite I DNA arose from the initial amplification of a 31-bp DNA sequence. These 31-bp subrepeats were organized in a hierarchical fashion as 0.8-kb monomers in plesiometacarpalia deer and 1-kb monomers in telemetacarpalia deer. The higher-order repeat nature of cervid centromeric satellite DNA monomers accounts for their high intragenomic and intraspecific sequence conservation. Such high intraspecific sequence conservation validates the use of a single cervid satellite I DNA monomer from each deer species for interspecific sequence comparisons to elucidate phylogenetic relationships. Also, a specific 0.18-kb tandem duplication was observed in all 1-kb monomers, implying that 1-kb cervid satellite I DNA monomers arose from an unequal crossover event between two similar 0.8-kb ancestral DNA sequences.

Pharmacokinetics of intramuscularly administered isepamicin in man

The pharmacokinetics of isepamicin, a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic, was studied in man after intramuscular administration. Two groups each of 6 volunteers received isepamicin for 10 consecutive days by intramuscular injection at respective doses of 7.5 mg/kg once daily or 7.5 mg/kg twice daily. Plasma and urinary concentrations of isepamicin were determined using a specific HPLC method. In both groups, there was no drug accumulation following multiple administration. The t1/2, which ranged from 2.4 to 2.7 h, was independent of the dosage regimen. Isepamicin excreted into (0-24 h) urine accounted for virtually 100% of the dose. The results show that the pharmacokinetics of isepamicin are similar with these dosage regimens. The drug undergoes no detectable biotransformation, does not accumulate upon multiple dosing, and is cleared solely by urinary excretion.

Comparisons of geniposidic acid and geniposide on antitumor and radioprotection after sublethal irradiation

The antitumor effects of two iridoid compounds, geniposidic acid (GA) and geniposide (GP), were investigated in mice along with their possible effects on radioprotection after sublethal X-irradiation. Decreases in the growth of the implanted tumor by ascitic cells were a result of intraperitoneal administration of GA and GP at high concentrated levels. This result was achieved by exerting the levels of dosage in a dose-dependent manner. Except on the 12th day after treatment by the dosage of 500 mg/kg, reduced radiation effects of mice treated with the drugs in the 30 min preirradiated period by GA and GP on peripheral leukocytes were not observed significantly by the sublethal whole-body X-irradiation. And except on the 7th day after treatment, when these two compounds were administered i.p. to mice 30 min before 4 Gy irradiation, neither GA nor GP enhanced significantly the postirradiation responses of splenic blastogenesis by PHA. In addition, GA might be a more potent tumor growth inhibitor than GP when combined with the X-irradiation, though there was no significant synergetic effect on their combined antitumor activity. The preliminary results of GA and GP on hematological and blastogenic observations in this study suggested that they may very well, partially, play a role in an effective anticancer product with the ability to decrease undesirable radiation damage to the hematologic tissue after high dose irradiation.

Coexistent mitral stenosis and coronary artery fistula presenting as myocardial ischemia: case report

We report a 50-year-old female case of mitral stenosis with congenital coronary artery fistula communicating the left anterior descending artery to pulmonary artery. In reviewing the literature, mitral stenosis associated with coronary artery fistula is rare. The case was initially treated medically for congestive heart failure. The electrocardiogram revealed severe myocardial ischemia and no obvious etiology was found clinically. The coronary angiogram demonstrated the diagnosis of coronary artery fistula. Myocardial ischemia improved markedly after surgical correction of the valvular disease and the fistula. The patient continued to do well during 2 years and 10 months follow up. The concomitant mitral stenosis masked the symptoms of coronary artery fistula, and made us fall to diagnose the condition initially. Valvular heart disease associated with severe myocardial ischemia without obvious atherosclerotic stenosis of coronary artery reminded us of the possibility of coronary artery fistula, though it has rarely been reported.

Evaluation of four prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine: syh-mo-yiin, guizhi-fuling-wan, shieh-qing-wan and syh-nih-sann on experimental acute liver damage in rats

Syh-Mo-Yiin (SMY), Guizhi-Fuling-Wan (GFW), Shieh-Qing-Wan (SQW) and Syh-Nih-Sann (SNS) are four prescriptions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used in the remedy of liver trouble in various types. The hepatoprotective effects of water extracts of these four recipes against D-galactosamine (D-GalN) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute hepatic damage were determined in rats. The results indicated that the serum glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (sGOT) and the serum glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT) levels provoked by D-GalN and CCl4 decreased after treatment with these prescriptions of TCM. Histological changes around portal area (D-GalN-induced hepatotoxicity) and central vein (CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity) were simultaneously improved by the treatment with TCM mentioned above.

Double mycotic aneurysms of the ascending aorta

Infection in the vascular tree has been proved to be one of the greatest challenges for cardiovascular surgeons. Of these, mycotic aneurysms of the ascending aorta were considered to be almost always lethal until recently. A thorough survey of the literature indicates that only 42 cases of mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta have been reported. All the reported cases of mycotic aneurysm of the ascending aorta were a single lesion in the ascending aorta except a case reported in 1993. This report describes an additional case of double mycotic aneurysms of the ascending aorta caused by Pseudomonas infection.

Serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin in patients with acute ischaemic stroke

To investigate the role of circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin in ischaemic stroke, serum levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin were measured by ELISA in 51 patients with acute ischaemic stroke within 24 h, and in 25 age-matched healthy controls and 10 young healthy volunteers. Carotid Doppler ultrasonography showed a significant stenosis (> 50%) of the carotid or vertebrobasilar artery in 11 of 51 stroke patients. Serum levels of ICAM-1 [mean (SE)] were higher (P < 0.01) in patients with ischaemic stroke [381 (30) ng/ ml] than in age-matched controls [271 (27) ng/ml] and young controls [246 (6) ng/ml]. There was no significant difference in serum E-selectin levels [mean (SE)] among stroke patients, age-matched and young controls [47 (6), 39 (3), and 41 (3) ng/ ml, respectively; P = NS]. The leucocyte count [mean (SD)] was higher (P < 0.01) in patients with ischaemic stroke [8310 (2800)] than in age-matched controls [6040 (930)]. Serum levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin did not significantly differ between patients with or without abnormal carotid or vertebrobasilar artery disease. In conclusion, serum ICAM-1 level and leucocyte count were elevated in acute ischaemic stroke within 24 h, while the E-selectin level did not change significantly. This finding suggests that adhesion molecules may play an important role in the post-rolling process of leucocyte-endothelial cell interaction in acute ischaemic stroke.

Antitumor 8-chlorobenzocycloheptapyridines: a new class of selective, nonpeptidic, nonsulfhydryl inhibitors of ras farnesylation

Ras farnesylation by farnesyl protein transferase (FPT) is an intracellular event that facilitates the membrane association of the ras protein and is involved in the signal transduction process. FPT inhibition could be a novel, noncytotoxic method of treating ras dependent tumor growth. We report here three structural classes of 8-chlorobenzocycloheptapyridines as novel, nonpeptidic, nonsulfhydryl FPT inhibitors having antitumor activity in mice when dosed orally. We discuss structural and conformational aspects of these compounds in relation to biological activities as well as a comparison to the conformation of a bound tetrapeptide FPT inhibitor.