[A study of the quality of Fujian native Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. var. biloba Rehd. et Wils]

This study reports on the connexion of the content of the efficacious constituents, magnolol and honokiol of Magnolia officinalis var. biloba with age, diameter of the trunk and various parts of the tree, thus presenting a basis for its collection, quality control and clinical applications.

Pulmonary corpora amylacea in sheep

Pulmonary corpora amylacea (PCA) were found in 36 per cent of lambs with chronic non-progressive pneumonia. They were spheroidal or ovoid, concentrically lamellar, and commonly found in the alveoli. The components of PCA were complex and variable but staining reactions indicated that most of them contained deoxyribonucleoproteins, glycoproteins and ribonucleoproteins. Electron microscopy showed that they were composed of a fine granular material with an occasional vesicular pattern. There are a number of differences in the morphology and staining reaction of ovine PCA compared with those described in man. Some of these differences may be related to their age. Ovine PCA are closely associated with chronic non-progressive pneumonia and it is postulated that they may result indirectly from bronchiolar stenosis and stagnation of exudate.

[Long-term results of an operation alone and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer--report of 265 patients]

During the period from June 1973 to December 1978, 338 patients with advanced gastric cancer were treated in our hospital. By retrospective grouping, 142 out of 265 patients with tumor resected received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (MMC + 5FU + Ara-C), 123 operated alone were taken for comparison. These two groups were similar in: age, sex, location of tumor, mode of resection, histological type, clinical stage and follow-up rate. The results indicated that the 1, 3 and 5 year survival rates of the combined group were much higher than those of the operation only group. Further analysis showed that the supplementary chemotherapy was particularly valid in stages III and IV. In stage III patients, the 5 year survival rate was increased by 27.8%. In stage IV patients, the 3 and 5 year survival rates of the combined group were 16.3% and 9.8% but none survived over 3 years in the operation only group. The authors believe that postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy plays an important role in controlling the micrometastatic and residual cancer foci.