Adjuvant effect of ginseng extracts on the immune responses to immunisation against Staphylococcus aureus in dairy cattle

A crude ginseng extract (GS) and the purified ginsenoside R(b1) (R(b1)) were evaluated for their adjuvant effects in dairy cattle at immunisation with ovalbumin (OVA) and/or a Staphylococcus aureus bacterin used for prevention of bovine mastitis. To evaluate a suitable dose of GS as an adjuvant, 36 lactating cows were randomly divided into six groups. The cows were inoculated twice intramuscularly with a 2-week interval, with saline solution, OVA in saline, or OVA in combination with 4, 16 or 64 mg GS, or Al(OH)(3). The level of specific antibodies to OVA in serum and milk whey was measured before immunisations and 1-5 weeks after the second immunisation. The antibody response in serum was significantly higher in animals immunised with OVA and GS than in animals immunised with OVA alone. A significant increase in milk antibody titres compared with OVA only was only found 2 weeks after the second immunisation in the group immunised with OVA and 4 mg GS. In the second part of the study, 18 heifers were randomly divided into three groups and were immunised twice intramuscularly with a two week interval, with the S. aureus bacterin (control), or with the bacterin in combination with 4 mg GS or 1mg R(b1). The specific antibody response to S. aureus and the lymphocyte proliferation after stimulation with PWM, concanavalin A (Con A) or a specific S. aureus antigen was evaluated in blood samples taken before and after immunisations as specified above. Addition of R(b1) resulted both in significantly higher antibody production and lymphocyte proliferation in response to PWM, Con A and S. aureus antigens than in the control group. Addition of GS induced a significantly higher lymphocyte proliferation in response to PWM and Con A than the control, but had no additional effect on the antibody production. In conclusion, both GS and R(b1) were safe adjuvants, and R(b1) had the strongest adjuvant effects, when used for immunisation against S. aureus in dairy cattle. Field trials are warranted to test the ability of GS and R(b1) to enhance the efficacy of mastitis vaccines in protection against intramammary infections.

Ginseng extract in aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccines improves the antibody response of pigs to porcine parvovirus and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae

Ginseng, the dry extract prepared from the Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer-root contain immunomodulators named ginsenosides, which in the pig enhance the antibody response to viral and bacterial antigens. The enhancing effect of ginseng was demonstrated vaccinating pigs against porcine parvovirus (PPV) and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae infections, using commercially available vaccines. The potency of the licensed, aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted; vaccines were compared with those supplemented with ginseng. The antibody response to PPV was measured by the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test whereas the mouse potency test and ELISA evaluated the immune response to E. rhusiopathiae. Antibodies to the 64-66 kDa glycoprotein of the E. rhusiopathiae were demonstrated by immunoblotting. The qualitative antibody responses were evaluated by means of ELISA(s) using monoclonal antibodies to swine IgG1 and IgG2. The addition of 2mg ginseng per vaccine dose, potentiate the antibody response of the commercial vaccines without altering their safety. Significantly higher (P<0.001) antibody titres were achieved to both PPV and to E. rhusiopathiae by the supplementation with ginseng. Aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccines favoured the production of IgG1 antibodies. Interestingly, the vaccines supplemented with ginseng favoured IgG2. The vaccines used in the evaluations varied in their immunogenic potency. However, after the addition of ginseng the less immunogenic vaccine proved to be as potent as the better one without ginseng. Thus, the use of ginseng as a co-adjuvant provides a simple, safe and cheap alternative for improving the potency of aluminium hydroxide adjuvanted vaccines.

[The role of the leukocytes in pathogenesis of secondary brain injury]

The levels of leukocyte count, neutrophil number, leukocyte adhesiveness, leukocyte releasing oxygen-free radical (O2.-) after phagocytosing bacteria and serum lipid peroxide MDA were determined in the peripheral blood of 40 patients with acute head injury within 48 hours and 22 normal adults. These levels of patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.05), and increased with the severity of craniocerebral injury elevation. The leukocyte count and neutrophil number of those patients who died were significantly higher than these of those survived patients (P < 0.05). It suggested that leukocytes aggravated the secondary brain injury after craniocerebral injury by increasing of leukocyte adhesiveness, and generating and releasing oxygen-free radical, and measurement of leukocyte count and neutrophil number in the peripheral blood could evaluate the prognosis of the patient with craniocerebral injury.

[Enhanced cytotoxicity of VM-26 in human malignant glioma cells by calcium channel blocker nicardipine in vitro]

Using the monolay tumor cell culture system and the method or MTT colorimetric analysis, the cytotoxicity of the anticancer drug VM-26 and Nicardipine(NCDP) in human malignant glioma cell line U251 was studied. The results showed that the cytotoxicity of VM-26 in U251 was enhanced by NCDP at a low dose which did not show direct cytotoxicity. The authors considered that VM-26 combined with NCDP can heighten the intracellular anticancer drug concentration, reverse the drug resistance and heterogeneity in human malignant glioma cells. The mechanism of the enhanced effect was also discussed. These findings will provide an alternative chemotherapeutic clue to treat the postoperative malignant gliomas.

Phonon spectrum in a plasma crystal

The Fourier spectra of longitudinal and transverse waves corresponding to random particle motion were measured in a two-dimensional plasma crystal. The crystal was composed of negatively charged microspheres immersed in a plasma at a low gas pressure. The phonons were found to obey a dispersion relation that assumes a Yukawa interparticle potential. The crystal was in a nonthermal equilibrium, nevertheless phonon energies were almost equally distributed with respect to wave number over the entire first Brillouin zone.

Dispersion relations of longitudinal and transverse waves in two-dimensional screened Coulomb crystals

Dispersion relations of longitudinal and transverse waves in two-dimensional (2D) screened-Coulomb crystals were investigated. The waves were excited in 2D crystals made from complex plasmas, i.e., dusty plasmas, by applying radiation pressure of laser light. The dependencies of the dispersion relation on the shielding parameter, the damping rate, and the wave propagation direction were experimentally measured. The measured dispersion relations agree reasonably with a recently developed theory, and the comparison yields the shielding parameter and the charge on particles.

[The polymorphic study of HLA-DRB1 gene in Chinese Liaoning Han with PCR-sequence specific primers]

8 allele and group specificity at HLA-DRB1 locus were genotyped in 159 unrelated individuals of Liaoning Han, with polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primers. The range of gene frequencies was from 0.02201-0.23899. Heterozagosity was 83%. 33 out of 36 theoretical genotypes were identified and the result conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium law. The present method can be used not only in paternity test, individual identification, but also in clinic graft matching between donor and recipient as well as the study of HLA.

Increased pituitary and adrenal reactivity in premenopausal women with posttraumatic stress disorder

BACKGROUND

Limited studies of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in posttraumatic stress disorder have been performed in premenopausal women. We therefore undertook a study of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation in this population.

METHODS

Outpatient posttraumatic stress disorder subjects were compared with healthy, age- and weight-matched nontraumatized subjects. Subjects were free from psychotropic medications, alcohol and other illicit substances for at least 4 weeks before study. Menstrual cycle phase was determined by monitoring the LH surge and plasma progesterone levels. Corticotropin releasing factor and adrenocorticotropin stimulation tests, as well as 24-hour urinary-free cortisol measurements were performed.

RESULTS

Corticotropin releasing factor test: Baseline adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels did not differ between the 12 PTSD and 11 comparison subjects, but the posttraumatic stress disorder group had greater adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol responses to corticotropin releasing factor, as well as a later cortisol peak. Adrenocorticotropic hormone test: Baseline cortisol levels did not differ between the 10 posttraumatic stress disorder subjects and seven controls, but the posttraumatic stress disorder group showed greater cortisol responses to adrenocorticotropic hormone. Peak cortisol responses to corticotropin releasing factor and adrenocorticotropic hormone were correlated with each other and with 24-hour urinary-free cortisol excretion.

CONCLUSIONS

Pituitary and adrenal hyperreactivity to exogenous corticotropin releasing factor and adrenocorticotropic hormone is demonstrated in premenopausal women with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. Cortisol hyperreactivity thus may play a role in the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder in women.

[A review of research actuality on age-related macular degeneration]

A research actuality on Age-related Macular Degeneration(AMD) is reviewed, including epidemiology, pathogeny, mechanism, and the therapy of western or traditional chinese medicine. The pathogeny of AMD is linked with age, race, the history of heredity, smoking and environment. The mechanism of AMD is concerned with the metabolic disturbance of RPE and the chronic nonspecific inflammation. The main therapies for treating AMD include laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, surgery, radiotherapy, drug and gene therapy. Using traditional chinese medicine to treat AMD is an exploratory direction which deserves to be mentioned due to the present situation of no effective treatments to AMD.

Systemic cytokine response in children bitten by snakes in Costa Rica

BACKGROUND

To characterize the host response to venom from snakes of the family Viperidae in Costa Rica, we investigated the release of cytokines: IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES in pediatric patients who were bitten by a snake.

METHODS

Patients were included in this study if they were admitted to the hospital within 24 hours of the snakebite. Blood samples were taken immediately on admission to the hospital, and then at intervals of 3, 12, and 24 hours, and on days 3, 5, and 7 after the accident. Patients received gentamicin plus clindamycin or gentamicin plus penicillin intravenously for a minimum of 3 days or longer if necessary. IL-1, IL-8, TNF-alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES were determined by monoclonal antibody-based ELISAs, while IL-6 was determined by bioassay.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were included in this study; 15 were bitten by Bothrops asper and three by B. lateralis. Eleven patients were male. Median (range) age was 9 (1-12) years. Nine patients had detectable serum concentrations of IL-6 (200 pg/ mL) and IL-8 (51 pg/mL) on admission, increasing to 500 pg/mL and 115 pg/mL for IL-6 and IL-8, respectively, during the first 12-24 hours. Cytokine concentrations returned to normal or undetectable ranges by 72 hours. TNF-alpha concentrations peaked at 12 hours (mean: 48 pg/mL). Low, but detectable concentrations of MIP-1beta were observed in some patients at various time intervals (48 pg/mL), whereas IL-1 was not detectable at any time point. Regulated on Activation Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted (RANTES) concentrations were evaluated in only five patients, being elevated in all of them. Patients with elevated cytokine concentrations required early fasciotomy (<24 hours after the accident) more often than those who had normal or undetectable cytokine concentrations (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant associations between severity of envenomation, or outcome, and elevated serum cytokine concentrations (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Bothrops sp snake venoms induce clinical and pathophysiologic alterations similar to acute trauma, with release of proinflammatory cytokines. A better understanding of the role of the inflammatory response could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies to improve the outcome in snakebitten patients.

Effects of natural organic matter, anthropogenic surfactants, and model quinones on the reduction of contaminants by zero-valent iron

Recent studies of contaminant reduction by zero-valent iron metal (Fe0) have highlighted the role of iron oxides at the metal-water interface and the effect that sorption has at the oxide-water interface on contaminant reduction kinetics. The results suggest that a variety of organic surface-active substances might enhance or inhibit contaminant degradation, depending on the degree to which they promote solubilization, sorption. and/or reaction. Of particular interest is the effect of natural organic matter (NOM), because of its ubiquitous presence in natural waters and amphiphilic properties; anthropogenic surfactants, because of their use in groundwater remediation; and certain quinones, which represent the redox-active functional groups associated with NOM. In this study, no well-defined effects of these substances were found on the reduction of nitro benzene by Fe0, but the reduction of carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene (TCE) was inhibited by NOM. Results with carbon tetrachloride showed that the inhibitory effect of humic acids was greater than fulvic acids, but that several quinonoid NOM model compounds (juglone, lawsone. and anthraquinone disulfonate) increased the rate of reduction by Fe0. Isotherms for adsorption of TCE and NOM onto Fe0 showed evidence of competition for surface sites.

[Operative outcome of patients with left ventricular giant aneurysm: mid-term follow-up in 49 patients]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the mid-term outcome of the patients with left ventricular aneurysm repaired, and analyze the factors influencing early and late mortality and morbidity.

METHODS

From January 1992 to November 1998, 58 patients underwent surgical repair for postischemic left ventricular aneurysm. In the 56 survivals, 49 patients (87.5%) were followed-up for an average of 47.6 months (the longest time was 90.0 months).

RESULTS

Early mortality rate was 3.4% (2 patients). In the follow-up period (mean 47.6 +/- 22.4 months), 10 patients died. The 5-year survival rates were 63.7%. The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction were improved significantly 29.0 months after operation. There was significant improvement in mean NYHA (from class 2.5 +/- 0.7 to 1.3 +/- 0.5). Of the survivors, 43 (87.8%) were free from angina, and 7 had arrhythmias. Multivariate analysis showed that left ventricular end-diastolic diameter larger than 70 mm and left ventricular ejection fraction lower than 35% were independent risk factors. 33% patients were free from drugs.

CONCLUSION

Left ventricular aneurysm repair is an important therapeutic intervention and can be performed successfully. Patients who could benefit from the operation are those with a normal postoperative contraction pattern. Cardiac surgical procedures;

[Studies on chemical constituents from the flower of Citrus aurantium]

The chemical constituents from the flower of Citrus aurantium were studied. 11 compounds were isolated and identified including neohesperidin(I), synephrin(II), 5,8-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3 beta-ol(III), adenosine(IV), asparagine(V), tyrosine(VI), valine(VII), isoleucine(VIII), alanine(IX),beta-sitosterol(X) and beta-daucosterol(XI).

Pharmaceutical cost-containment policy: experiences in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

In the decade after 1983, the annual growth rate of drug expenditure was about four times as high as that of per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in Shanghai. In 1993 and 1994, a drug list policy and hospital revenue capping policy were introduced in Shanghai to contain drug expenditure. We studied the impact of these two policies, as a model for similar policies in other parts of China and elsewhere.

METHODS

Quarterly drug expenditure data were collected from 1992 to 1996 and more detailed drug expenditure flow was obtained at seven selected hospitals. Twelve focus group discussions were organized to obtain opinions from all stakeholders.

RESULTS

The research findings showed a dramatic and continuing decline in the growth rates of total medical and drug expenditures after the implementation of the two policies. The proportion of total medical expenditure attributable to drugs declined from 67% in 1992 to 51% in 1996. The annual growth rate of drug expenditure per ambulatory visit and per bed-day was reduced as well. Drug revenue as a proportion of total hospital revenue declined gradually in all seven hospitals. The two policies did not alter the equity of drug utilization between the insured and non-insured. The government, insurance authority and state-owned drug enterprises all favoured the new policies, while hospital administrators, professionals, joint venture and foreign manufacturers wished for the reimbursement mechanisms to be improved, for retention of their freedom of choice, and for the drug list to be further expanded.

CONCLUSIONS

The drug list and capping policies in Shanghai appear to have achieved their objectives of containing the escalation of drug expenditure and improving the rational use of drugs without loss of equity. The underlying causes of the escalation of drug expenditure in China need to be further elucidated.

IL-18-binding protein protects against lipopolysaccharide- induced lethality and prevents the development of Fas/Fas ligand-mediated models of liver disease in mice

IL-18-binding protein (IL-18BP) is a natural IL-18 inhibitor. Human IL-18BP isoform a was produced as fusion construct with human IgG1 Fc and assessed for binding and neutralizing IL-18. IL-18BP-Fc binds human, mouse, and rat IL-18 with high affinity (K(D) 0.3-5 nM) in a BIAcore-based assay. In vitro, IL-18BP-Fc blocks IL-18 (100 ng/ml)-induced IFN-gamma production by KG1 cells (EC(50) = 0.3 microg/ml). In mice challenged with an LD(90) of LPS (15 mg/kg), IL-18BP-Fc (5 mg/kg) administered 10 min before LPS blocks IFN-gamma production and protects against lethality. IL-18BP-Fc administered 10 min before LPS blocks IFN-gamma production induced by LPS (5 mg/kg) with ED(50) of 0.005 mg/kg. Furthermore, IL-18BP-Fc (5 mg/kg) abrogates LPS (5 mg/kg)-induced IFN-gamma production even when administered 6 days before LPS but shows no effect when administered 9 or 12 days before LPS. Given 10 min before LPS challenge to mice primed 12 days in advance with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes, IL-18BP-Fc prevents LPS-induced liver damage and IFN-gamma and Fas ligand expression. Given at the moment of priming with P. acnes, IL-18BP-Fc decreases P. acnes-induced granuloma formation, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1alpha and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 production and prevents sensitization to LPS. IL-18BP-Fc also prevents Con A-induced liver damage and IFN-gamma and Fas ligand expression as well as liver damage induced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A or by anti-Fas agonistic Ab. In conclusion, IL-18BP can be engineered and produced in recombinant form to generate an IL-18 inhibitor, IL-18BP-Fc, endowed with remarkable in vitro and in vivo properties of binding and neutralizing IL-18.

SOM integrated with CCA for the feature map and classification of complex chemical patterns

Considering that the two-dimensional (2D) feature map of the high-dimensional chemical patterns can more concisely and efficiently represent the pattern characteristic, a new procedure integrating self-organizing map (SOM) networks with correlative component analysis (CCA) is proposed. Firstly, CCA was used to identify the most important classification characteristics (CCs) from the original high-dimensional chemical pattern information. Then, the SOM maps the first several CCs, which include the most useful information for pattern classification, onto a 2D plane, on which the pattern classification feature is concisely represented. To improve the learning efficiency of SOM networks, two new algorithms for dynamically adjusting the learning rate and the range of neighborhood around the winning unit were further worked out. Besides, a convenient method for detecting the topologic nature of SOM results was proposed. Finally, a typical example of mapping two classes natural spearmint essence was employed to verify the effectiveness of the new approach. The feature-topology-preserving (FTP) map obtained can well represent the classification of original patterns and is much better than what obtained by SOM alone.

Diazepam inhibits HIV-1 Tat-induced migration of human microglia

During HIV-1 encephalitis, the chemotaxis-inducing activity of Tat may enhance the viral life cycle through recruitment of additional susceptible microglial cells to foci of infection. Benzodiazepines (BDZs) readily penetrate the blood-brain barrier and are known to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Pretreatment of human microglial cells with peripheral (Ro5-4864) and mixed (diazepam), but not central (clonazepam), benzodiazepine receptor ligands was found to potently suppress HIV-1 Tat-induced chemotaxis. Application of Tat to microglial cells evokes an increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) that rapidly desensitizes the cells. Diazepam's inhibitory effect was associated with its ability to block Tat-induced [Ca(2+)]i mobilization. These data support the notion that through their effects on microglia, peripheral BDZ receptor ligands could alter the neuropathogenesis of HIV-1.

Capillary sodium dodecyl sulfate-DALT electrophoresis of proteins in a single human cancer cell

Capillary Sodium dodlecyl sulfate (SDS)-DALT an (abbreviation for Dalton) electrophoresis was applied to analysis of proteins in single HT29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. A vacuum pulse was employed to introduce a single cell into the coated capillary. Once the cell was lysed, proteins were denatured with SDS, fluorescantly labeled with 3-(2-furoyl)-quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (FQ), and then separated by using 8% pullulan as the sieving matrix. This method offers a few advantages for single-cell protein analysis. First, it provides reproducible separation of single-cell proteins according to their size. Based on comparison with the migration time of standard proteins, most components from a single HT29 cancer cell have molecular masses within the range of 10-100 kDa. Second, as a one-dimensional separation method, it gives fairly good resolution for proteins. Typically, around 30 protein components of a single HT29 cell were resolved, indicating that this method has similar peak capacity to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Third, this method shows high detection sensitivity and wide dynamic range, which is important because of the wide range of protein expression in living systems. Detection limits for standard proteins ranged from 10(-10) to 10(-11) M. Finally, this method provides much higher speed than classical gel electrophoresis methods, and it provides automated anlysis of cellular proteins at the single-cell level; the separation is complete in 30 min and the entire analysis takes approximately 45 min.

Effect of insulinotropic agent nateglinide on Kv and Ca(2+) channels in pancreatic beta-cell

Novel insulinotropic agent nateglinide stimulates insulin via binding to sulfonylurea receptor and closing the ATP-dependent K+ (K(ATP)) channels in pancreatic beta-cells, leading to an increase in [Ca(2+)](i) for exocytosis. The voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel and the delayed rectifier K+ (Kv) channels are also present in beta-cells and their activities determine the configuration of action potential and hence contribute to the regulation of [Ca(2+)](i) and insulin secretion. This study, by using the patch-clamp method in whole cell configuration, comparatively characterized the direct effects of sulfonylurea receptor ligands including nateglinide, glyburide, and repaglinide on Kv and Ca(2+) channels. Each agent inhibited Kv currents in a concentration-dependent manner with effective concentration range two to three orders higher than that for blocking K(ATP) channels. A marginal stimulation of Ca(2+) current was observed with all drugs, while repaglinide at concentration greater than 300 nM inhibited Ca(2+) current. The direct effects of these antidiabetic agents on Kv and Ca(2+) channels may act concertedly with their primary action on K(ATP) channels in regulating [Ca(2+)](i) and the stimulus-secretion coupling.

Growth inhibition of epidermal growth factor-stimulated human glioblastoma cells by nicardipine in vitro

BACKGROUND

The objective of this work was to observe and analyze the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and the calcium channel antagonist nicardipine on the growth of U251MG, a human malignant glioma cell line, which have high-affinity EGF receptors.

METHODS

The growth effects of EGF and nicardipine on U251MG cultured in serum-free and serum-supplemented (10% fetal bovine serum, FBS) medium respectively were observed by MTT colorimeritric analysis.

RESULTS

EGF significantly enhanced the growth of U251MG cells in a dose-dependent manner in serum-free medium. The maximal effect was seen at 20 ng/ml. The effects of EGF approximated those obtained in 10% FBS. Nicardipine decreased U251MG cell proliferation, especially in serum-supplemented medium, and completely blocked the growth-stimulated effects of EGF. The combined effects of EGF (10 ng/ml) and nicardipine equaled those of nicardipine alone.

CONCLUSIONS

When serum was absent, the U251MG cells showed a pronounced mitogenic response to EGF in a dose-dependent manner, which approximated that achieved with 10% FBS. The addition of serum obscured this effect. Nicardipine suppressed the growth of U251MG cells and completely blocked the growth-stimulated effects of EGF may suggest a possible role of this drug as adjuvant therapy for human malignant gliomas.

[Design and implementation of mini PACS in the hospital]

This paper introduces the principle and classification of picture archiving and communication system (PACS) and some pertinent technologies, including the capture methods of pictures data, images storage equipment and the choice of medium, and the network of images transmission. Also presented is an analysis of the merit and demerit of different kinds of PACS, and in the end we put forward a PACS design method and network framework based on practical implication in the Jinwei project experimental hospital.

Comparative experimental study of Ho-Yag laser and true-cut biopsy needle in myocardial revascularization

OBJECTIVE

To study the mechanism and effects of blood perfusion on acute ischemic region of myocardium through channel created by Ho-Yag laser and True-cut biopsy needles with myocardial contrast echocardiography.

METHODS

We partially ligated the left anterior descending coronary artery of canine hearts between the 1st and 2nd diagonal branches to produce two groups of acute myocardial ischemia models and then performed transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) on this region with Ho-Yag laser and True-cut biopsy needles. Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed with a new generation of ultrasound contrast agent and second harmonic imaging of this region before, during ischemia and after revascularization. Pictures were taken with "R" wave trigger skill.

RESULTS

Acoustic density (dB) in the ischemic region (anterior wall) with myocardial contrast echocardiography decreased obviously after the left anterior descending artery was ligated (Laser group: 5, 40 +/- 1.81, Needle group: 7.11 +/- 2.51) compared with that before (Laser group: 11.69 +/- 1.61, Needle group: 12.96 +/- 2.88, P < 0.01). dB increased remarkably after TMR by either laser or True-cut biopsy needle (Laser group: 11.02 +/- 2.01, Needle group: 10.01 +/- 4.45. P < 0.01) compared to that during ischemia and approximated to that before ischemia (P > 0.05). We found that the acoustic density of the contrast developed one picture (one cardiac cycle) ahead in the transmyocardial revascularization region than that in the lateral and other region of the left ventricle wall in the scan of both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute ischemic myocardium can be perfused immediately by oxygenated blood from the left ventricle through channels created with both Ho-Yag laser and True-cut biopsy needles. Evidence of blood perfusion through these channels mainly during systolic phase was detected, and myocardial contrast ultrasound using intravenous perfluorocarbon-exposed sonicated dextrose albumin was regarded as a reliable method in the study of transmyocardial revascularization.

Effect of subcutaneous injection of ginseng on cows with subclinical Staphylococcus aureus mastitis

Cows with subclinical mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus were subjected to subcutaneous injections with either an extract from the root of Panax ginseng CA Meyer at a dose of 8 mg/kg body weight per day for 6 days, or with saline as a control. The injection areas were checked for adverse reactions. The daily milk production was measured before and after treatment. Blood was collected for total and differential leucocyte counts, identification of lymphocyte subpopulations using flow cytometry, lymphocyte proliferation test, and neutrophil phagocytosis and oxidative burst assay. Quarter milk samples were collected for bacteriological analysis and somatic cell counts (SCC). After the end of treatment, the numbers of S. aureus-infected quarters and milk SCC tended to decrease in ginseng-treated cows. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst activity of blood neutrophils were significantly increased 1 week after ginseng treatment, but the proliferative response of blood lymphocytes did not change significantly. The number of monocytes in ginseng-injected cows was significantly higher 1 week post-treatment than pre-treatment, and the number of lymphocytes was significantly higher than pre-infusion at 2 and 3 weeks after ginseng treatment. Similar changes were not observed in the control group. The present findings indicate that ginseng treatment can activate the innate immunity of cows and may contribute to the cow's recovery from mastitis. It is therefore suggested that ginseng has a potential as a stimulator of the immune system of dairy cows.