The effect of IH764-3 on fibroblast proliferation and function

The effect of IH764-3, a potent component isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza, on the proliferation and function of cultured fibroblasts was studied. It was found that the fibroblast growth curve had a dose-dependent relationship with IH764-3 concentration. The incorporation of 3H-TdR and 3H-proline into fibroblasts was significantly inhibited by IH764-3, and calmodulin, fibronectin and thrombospondin contents in the test group were obviously lower than those in the control group. Flow cytometry showed that in the IH764-3-treated group, the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was higher than that in the control. Electron microscopic observation (TEM and SEM) showed that in the treated group, collagen secretion was decreased. All of these results indicate that IH764-3 exerts a direct inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation and affects their ability to synthesize collagen.

Control of ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion via intracerebroventricular injections

The central nervous system (CNS) may play a larger role than previously thought in the development of ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion. The probability of ventricular fibrillation after complete, permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery was 52% in conscious control pigs. After the administration into the lateral cerebral ventricle of tyrosine, the amino acid precursor of the catecholamine neurotransmitters, 100% of the animals developed ventricular fibrillation. After tyrosine plus propranolol, a beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, only 9% of pigs developed ventricular fibrillation. Treatment with propranolol alone did not affect the outcome. Catecholamine synthesis in the CNS may be associated with the development of ventricular fibrillation after coronary artery occlusion.

Magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging of skeletal muscle at 0.26 Tesla--changes in signal intensity following exercise

Magnetization transfer contrast (MTC) imaging of skeletal muscle before and after exercise has been studied in normal volunteers at 0.26 Tesla. A saturation pulse was applied over a range of offset frequencies immediately before a gradient recall echo sequence. Substantial signal loss was observed in all muscles. After exercise, selective saturation resulted in a significant increase of contrast between active and less active muscle, a phenomenon attributable to an increase in extracellular water content. MTC imaging provides a more sensitive method to detect changes in water distribution in human skeletal muscle.

The role of oxygen free radicals in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury

A series of experiments have been done to investigate the role of oxygen free radicals in ischemia/reperfusion injury. The following results were found: Myocardial MDA content increased significantly after post-ischemic reperfusion in vivo and in vitro. A blockade of the xanthine oxidase pathway for free radical generation could provide effective protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Exogenous reactive oxygen intermediates H2O2, .OH and O2- could induce changes in the contractility and electrophysiological properties of myocardial cells similar to those seen in ischemia/reperfusion. An outburst of free radical generation was detected by ESR spectroscopy at low temperature (-173 degrees C) and with the spin trapping technique during the very early phase of reperfusion. The authors emphasize the important role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

[Clinical and experimental research of the treatment of chronic renal failure with shenshuaifang]

33 cases of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients were treated by coloclysis with Chinese medicine Shenshuaifang (SSF). The effective rate was 60.61%, the total effective rate was 87.88%. It showed significant difference in the total effective rate compared with the control group (P less than 0.05). Animal experiments showed SSF could slow down the rising of the blood Cr and BUN of the mice which suffered with CRF, and reduce their urine protein. Conclusion. SSF had good effect on lowering the blood Cr and BUN of the CRF patients, so it could delay the progress of CRF, and it's effect was better than the general medical conservative treatment.

[Effects of semen Ziziphis Spinosae oil and Ziziphis Spinosae extract on the decrease of serum lipoprotein and inhibiton of platelet aggregation]

Our experiments have shown that oral administration of Semen Ziziphis Spinosae oil(SZSO) or Ziziphis Spinosae extract (ZSE) given to quails for 53 days can significantly reduce their TC, LDL and TG and markedly subdue the fatty degeneration in their livers. Also, SZSO pressed into the stomach of rats for five days can conspicuously inhibit their platelet aggregation, while ZSE cannot.

[Protective effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and its extracts on the chronic desensitization of beta-adrenoceptors in guinea pigs]

Histamine-induced wheezing test is conjunction with radioligand binding assay showed that after long-term administration of isoprenaline the reactivity and R, value (total receptor binding sites) of beta-adrenoceptors in the lung tissue of guinea pigs were reduced. The decoction of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch or its extractive LX56 given intraperitoneally could prevent these changes, but the decoction per os or glycyrrhetinic acid given intraperitoneally could not.

Synthesis of (+/-)-N-2-methylpropyl-N-1'-methylacetonyl-nitrosamine

N-2-methylpropyl-N-1-methylacetonyl-nitrosamine (NMAMPA), first isolated from moldy and normal foods, was synthesized by chemical means. The structure and molecular weight of the synthetic NMAMPA were elucidated by spectrometry. A combination of spectral and chromatographic data indicated that the synthetic NMAMPA is identical to that obtained naturally. Synthetic NMAMPA is a racemic modification, and a carcinogen which can induce esophageal and forestomach cancer in rats.

[Experimental research of the effect of polysaccharides in semen Ziziphis Spinosae and Ziziphis Spinosae on enhancing the immune function of mice injured by radiation]

This article surveys the pharmacological effect of the polysaccharides in Semen Ziziphis Spinosae and Ziziphis Spinosae. The result shows that oral administration of this polysaccharide (0.1g/kg/d) can strengthen the immune function of cells nd body fluids and to a certain extent protect mice from radioactive injuries.

[AIDS surveillance in Yunnan Province in China (1986-1990)]

We have carried out surveillance on HIV/AIDS in Yunnan Province since 1986. Up to 1990 total of 13,417 people has been surveyed and 373 HIV-positives were found in five area of whom two AIDS cases were reported to GPA WHO. The persons with HIV were attribute to intravenous drug users (IVDUs) and their wives, most of them came from IVDUs of Dehong Dai Race and Jingpo Race Automous Region Located in the border between China and Burma. No positive has been found in prostitutes, STD patients and blood donors.

Recombinant DNA probes for Mycoplasma synoviae

A genomic library was prepared from Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) strain WVU 1853 cloned in plasmid vector pUC8 and transformed in Escherichia coli host JM83. In dot blot assays, four transformed E. coli clones hybridized with 32P-labeled chromosomal DNA of MS but not with 32P-labeled chromosomal DNA of M. gallisepticum (MG) strain S6. In Southern hybridization, each of the CsCl-purified recombinant plasmid clones was shown to contain two MS DNA fragments between 1.0 to 2.3 kbp in length. 32P-Labeled probes prepared from each of the four recombinant plasmids hybridized in dot blot assays with MS strain WVU 1853 and nine MS field isolates but not with MG strains S6, K810, F2F10, four MG field isolates, and 15 other species of avian mycoplasmas.

10-year survival rate for patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiation therapy. Clinical analysis of 367 cases

Of 1,344 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated during 1961-1965 at the Shanghai Cancer Hospital, 367 who survived over 10 years after radiation therapy, were analysed. The results showed that the patients with stage I, II nasopharyngeal carcinoma and those with stage III, IV, the 10-year survival rates were 41.5% and 22.8% respectively, the overall 10-year survival rate being 27.3%. The 10-year survival rate was higher for female patients than for males, and was not related to the age of the patients and the pathological type of this carcinoma. The optimal tumor dosage was thought to be 60-70 Gy 350(95.4%) out of the 367 patients received radiotherapy only once. The rest received repeated irradiation for recurrence. For the reirradiated patients, the 10-year survival rate was 13.5%. Most recurrences occurred 5 years after radiotherapy (12/17), and only 5 within 3 years.

Antigenic analysis of three strains of Mycoplasma meleagridis of varying pathogenicity

Three strains of Mycoplasma meleagridis of varying pathogenicity were characterized by conventional serologic methods and by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The three strains (RY-39A, MC-25B, and RY-39C) did not differ by cross agglutination, immunofluorescence and immunodiffusion tests. However, the strains differed in their protein patterns as determined by SDS-PAGE.

Involvement of a nucleolar component, perichromonucleolin, in the condensation and decondensation of chromosomes

A component of the nucleolar material, perichromonucleolin (PCN), was identified by a specific antiserum against nucleoli obtained from a scleroderma patient. The distribution and changes of PCN during the mitotic cycle were followed using this antiserum and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Based upon the behavior of PCN during mitosis, it could be differentiated into chromosomal and nonchromosomal portions. During prophase the former gradually associates with the surface of the condensing chromosomes and forms the coat or pellicle around the metaphase and anaphase chromosomes. This pellicle PCN is carried by the anaphase chromosomes to the daughter nuclei. During the time from telophase to interphase, the pellicle PCN dissociates from the decondensing chromosomes and is incorporated into the new nucleoli. The nonchromosomal PCN, after the breakdown of the nuclear membrane, distributes in the cytoplasmic region around the condensed chromosomes and diffuses into the cytoplasm during anaphase. Preliminary biochemical analysis by immunoblotting showed that the PCN consists of two main proteins with molecular masses of 36 kDa and 30 kDa.

Long term survival of radiotherapy for esophageal cancer: analysis of 1136 patients surviving for more than 5 years

One thousand one hundred and thirty-six patients surviving for more than five years after radiotherapy were studied. The important prognostic factors are: lesion less than 5 cm in length, lesion located in the upper-third segment and lesion that is radiosensitive. The radiation dose given to long term survivors varies greatly, i.e., 2700 to 9300 rad. Yet, for the sensitive type of lesion, doses lower than 5000 rad could also effect a cure. The delivery of an optimum dose determined by serial examinations during radiotherapy could improve the result of treatment. For local recurrent lesions, the value of a second course of radiation is extremely limited and surgery is the only means to offer a cure. For metastasis in the lymph nodes, radiation offers some hope of cure, although the long term outcome may not be satisfactory. For second primary cancer of the esophagus, aggressive radiation still gives encouraging results.