[Studies on the toxicity of a new synthetic drug SC1001-aminum]

SC1001A is a new sedative, hypnotic and anti-epileptic drug. Screening for possible mutagenicity of the agent consisted of a battery scheme of short-term mutagenic tests with different hereditary detecting end points. Three assays were with in the scheme: Ames test (for detecting gene mutation in vitro), micronucleus test (for detecting chromosomal aberration in vivo) and CHL (Chinese hamster lung cell line) test (for detecting chromosomal aberration in vitro). In addition, a routine teratogenicity study on SC1001A was carried out in mice. They were given daily at 3-dose levels (exposed to up to 33% of the LD50 by gastric incubation from the 6th through the 15th day of gestation. SC1001A gave uniformly negative results in all three mutagenic assay systems. Results of the teratogenic experiment showed that only the pregnant rate in bred mice in the moderate dose group and the mean maternal body weight gain of the dams during gestation in the low dose group were significantly lower than those in the corresponding control group. A clear dose-response relationship was not demonstrated. All dose levels of SC1001A used caused no adverse effects on the number of survival fetuses per litter, growth or development of the fetal mice. No malformations in the external appearance, of the internal organs and of the skeletal systems in fetal mice were observed. The above-mentioned results indicated that SC1001A induced neither gene mutation nor chromosomal damage both in vitro and in vivo. There was no evidence of teratogenesis. Therefore, it is estimated that SC1001A is probably comparatively safe as a pharmaceutical product for human beings in usual dosage.

[Application of cluster analysis of the study of commodity bulbus Lilii (I)]

Cluster analysis has been applied to the classification of various commodities of Bulbus Lilii in order to sort out the main one. The stomatic index of the commodity has been determined.

Physical growth of Chinese children from birth to 6 years old in urban and rural areas in 1985

During 1985 a survey of the physical growth of 175,290 Chinese children less than 7 years in age was undertaken in the urban and rural areas of ten provinces. The results of weight, height, and head circumference are similar to those generally found as regards the differences between boys and girls. The children in rural areas were lighter and shorter. From the age of 3-6 months onwards the weights and heights of all groups were less than international standards. Nutrition is probably the major factor in these differences in growth.

Two novel cell surface antigens on small cell lung carcinoma defined by mouse monoclonal antibodies NE-25 and PE-35

Two mouse monoclonal antibodies, NE-25 and PE-35, defining novel cell surface antigens of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) were produced. The molecular weight of NE-25 and PE-35 antigens estimated by radioimmunoprecipitation was 25,000 and 35,000, respectively. NE-25 antigen was expressed on the majority of cell lines and tumor specimens of SCLC among lung carcinoma. These NE-25-positive cell lines showed typical growth morphology as SCLC classic lines and expressed high levels of neuroendocrine biomarkers, such as aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, while NE-25 antigen-negative lines lacked apparent neuroendocrine properties. This antigen was expressed also on a subset of neoplastic cells with (neuro)endocrine properties, including pulmonary carcinoid, and on various tumors of nervous tissues, such as neuroblastoma. Among the normal cells, Kulchitski cells of lung, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, Langerhans islet, and nervous tissues were positive. Thus, the expression of NE-25 antigen is closely associated with the neural and/or (neuro)endocrine differentiation state. On the contrary, PE-35 antigen was present on four major types of lung carcinomas as well as on squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinomas of various tissues, but it was absent from nervous tissue tumors. Thus, PE-35 antibody showed a "pan-epithelial" reactivity. Analysis by NE-25 and PE-35 antibodies provided evidence for the heterogeneities of SCLC by demonstrating four surface phenotypes, with the NE-25+/PE-35+ phenotype being most common. In addition, the results supported the current understanding that various histological types of lung carcinoma, including SCLC, are derived from a stem cell of the bronchial epithelium.