Retinoma and phthisis bulbi of retinoblastoma. 1. Clinical and genetic analysis

Retinoma and phthisis bulbi of retinoblastoma are rare entities found in retinoblastoma patients and their relatives. Eleven cases of phthisis bulbi of retinoblastoma and 9 cases of retinoma were identified from 1966 to 1991 in our center. The clinic data show that retinoma and phthisis bulbi are closely related to the retinoblastoma gene. Enucleation should be carried out as soon as possible without hesitation for the phthisis of eyes with retinoblastoma. Genetic counseling and frequent observation should be paid attention to retinoma patients and their offspring. The mechanism of retinoma developed is discussed. We propose that the diversity of second mutation might be the cause of retinoma.

[Feed-back regulation of presynaptic D2 receptors blockaded by l-stepholidine and l-tetrahydropalmatine]

The activity of tyrosine hydroxylase by accumulation of L-dopa content in the striatum under decarboxylase inhibitor (benserazide, 400 mg.kg-1) was measured by HPLC-ECD to ascertain whether l-SPD possesses an agonistic or antagonistic effect on D2 receptor subtype. The accumulated L-dopa content was increased with 1,4-butyrolactone (BL, 750 mg.kg-1) to 1.8 +/- s 0.6 micrograms.g-1 in rat striatum. After the rats were ip l-SPD 5 mg.kg-1 or l-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP) 10-20 mg.kg-1, the increment of L-dopa level was much more than that in the BL group (P < 0.01) in a dose related manner. On the contrary, apomorphine (ip 5 mg.kg-1) abolished the accumulation of L-dopa induced by BL. Furthermore, l-SPD and l-THP not only reversed the negative feed-back regulation by apomorphine on the accumulated level of L-dopa, but also increased this level over the accumulation by BL. These results showed that l-SPD and l-THP do possess the antagonistic effect on presynaptic DA receptor (D2) without agonistic effect.

Modern surgical treatment of congenital subluxated lenses

Traditional surgical management of subluxated lenses is usually associated with a high incidence of operative and postoperative complication and a poor visual outcome. We treated a series of 14 patients (26 eyes) whose visual acuity could not be improved with optical correction (phakic or aphakic) with modern microsurgery and automated suction-cutting devices. Preoperative visual acuity ranged from 0.05 to 0.3. Improvement in post-operative visual acuity was documented in all operated eyes, ranging from 0.4 to 1.0 during a follow-up period ranging from 6 to 59 months (medium 43 months). The only complication was a small accidental cut in the pupillary border in three eyes. Other complication did not occur.

Regulated temporal and spatial expression of the calcium-binding proteins calcyclin and OPN (osteopontin) in mouse tissues during pregnancy

In situ hybridization and northern/slot blot analyses were used to quantify the expression of calcyclin (2A9, 5B10), osteopontin (opn, secreted phosphoprotein, 2ar) and calmodulin mRNAs in mouse tissues that support pregnancy. High-to-moderate levels of the mRNAs of all three genes were detected at discrete locations in the uterus, decidua and placenta as a function of gestation time. Calmodulin expression was constant in these tissues; calcyclin mRNA was high during early pregnancy and declined after day 8-9 of gestation; and opn mRNA was undetectable before day 7, with maximal levels on days 9-12 in each of these tissues. Calcyclin, but not opn, expression was also observed in the chorioamnion after day 12. Calcyclin was expressed throughout the decidua on day 8 but became restricted to the primary (antimesometrial) decidual zone and decidua lateralis on day 9, and the decidua capsularis after day 9. By contrast, opn mRNA was localized on day 9 to the mesometrial triangle, which contains a large population of granulated metrial gland cells, and to the decidua basalis. These two genes may serve as markers for the two types of decidual tissue. We suggest that one function of OPN, which may be an indicator of cells in the decidua that have a bone marrow genealogy, is to mediate the flux of calcium from the maternal circulation to the developing embryo.

Effects of l-stepholidine on tyrosine hydroxylase activity in rat corpus striatum

l-Stepholidine (SPD) 2.5 and haloperidol (Hal) 1.0 mg.kg-1 ip increased rat striatal L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) accumulation induced by NSD 1015 (50 mg.kg-1, ip), a decarboxylase inhibitor. SPD (2.5 mg.kg-1, ip) did not alter but apomorphine (2.0 mg.kg-1, ip) decreased the dopamine (DA) content elevated by gamma-butyrolactone (GBL, 750 mg.kg-1, ip) in the rat striatum. Ip injection of either SPD 5.0 or Hal 2.5 mg.kg-1 after NSD 1015 50 mg.kg-1 or NSD 1015 plus GBL 750 mg.kg-1 also augmented tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity in the rat striatum. These results suggest that SPD produces an antagonistic effect on presynaptic DA receptors.

[Cytological observation on culture of embryo in vitro of Tripterygium hypoglaucum (level.) Hutch]

This paper for the first time reports the embryo culture in vitro of Tripterygium hypoglaucum. Callus, adventitious roots and adventitious protuberances were induced from the cultured embryos in vitro. Multi-buds at the excised embryo tip were also observed at the same time. Cytohistological examination showed (1) callus was histologically easy to be induced to form adventitious roots; (2) callus on the cotyledons was originated from the epidemical and subepidemical cells of the cotyledons, and the adventitious roots were originated from the disperse meristematic tissue or vascular tissue in the callus obtained from cultured excised embryos.

[Studies on second-degree atrioventricular block during atrial fibrillation]

The degree of AV block after cardioversion in 80 episodes of atrial fibrillation in 61 patients who suffered from atrial fibrillation associated with second-degree AV block was observed. Only in 34 of the 80 episodes the electrocardiogram showed first-degree AV block. The remaining 46 had normal AV conduction. No second-degree block was found. It demonstrates that second-degree AV block during atrial fibrillation is not identical with that in sinus rhythm.

[A clinical study and analysis of congenital lenticular dislocation (35 cases)]

Thirty-five cases of congenital lenticular dislocation seen in our Center since 1985 have been studied and analyzed clinically. By the survey of pedigrees and examination of these patients, including ocular, systemic, skeletal X-ray, psychocardiogram, and urinary sodium-nitroprusside test, 21 cases were diagnosed as Marfan's syndrome, 6 cases as simple ectopia lentis, 3 cases as Weill-Marchesani's syndrome, 4 cases as aniridia and 1 case as homecys tinuria. We found that the most significant ocular manifestation of congenital lenticular dislocation was reduction in visual acuity. The severity of visual disturbance varied with the types of dislocation and the visual deficiency was closely related to the intermediate-grade (II) dislocation of the lens. Examination of ERG showed normal function in most of the patients. From this, we believe that the major cause of visual reduction in congenital lenticular dislocation is lenticular myopia and astigmatism. There fore, early diagnosis and effective correction of vision should be emphasized to prevent the occurrence of amblyopia.

Studies on monoclonal antibody against recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Three hybridoma cell lines producing monoclonal antibodies (McAb) against recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) have been established by fusing mouse myeloma cell line SP2/0 cells with spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with rhG-CSF. Ascites was obtained from BALB/c mice by injecting the hybridoma cells intraperitoneally. Three McAbs were purified by the caprylic acid-ammonium sulfate method. For each, the IgG subclass, valence and activity, molecular weight, specificity and affinity were determined. The applications of McAbs against rhG-CSF in the clinic and laboratory are discussed.

Acceleration sensitivity of crystal resonators affected by the mass and location of electrodes

Predominant thickness-shear frequencies and modes of a crystal plate with electrodes of arbitrary shape and mass distribution are obtained by a finite-element method, based on Mindlin's first-order equations with platings. These frequencies and modes are used in a perturbation method for computing the acceleration sensitivity of crystal resonators with electrodes. Computations are made for a square AT-cut quartz plate that is supported by a four-point mount and coated with identical square and uniform electrodes on the upper and lower faces of the plate. To study the effect of uneven distribution of electrode mass, acceleration sensitivities are calculated when a small mass is added at various locations near the edges of the square electrodes. It is found that the percent increase of the acceleration sensitivity of the resonator with a small added mass to that of the resonator without added mass ranges from 3.8% to 541.7%, depending on the location of the small mass placed at the edges of the electrodes.

Lappaconitine and N-deacetyllappaconitine potentiate footshock-induced analgesia in rats

The effects of lappaconitine (LA) and N-deacetyllappaconitine (DLA) on footshock-induced analgesia (FSIA) were studied by the rat tail flick test. Rats subjected to 90 s nonescaping footshock had a significant increase in tail flick latency. Naloxone (4 micrograms, i.c.v.) partially antagonized the FSIA. After 5 consecutive exposures to footshock, rats developed a complete tolerance to the FSIA. The rats tolerant to FSIA showed a cross-tolerance to morphine- but not LA- and DLA-induced analgesia. Administrations of subanalgesic doses of LA and DLA potentiated the FSIA in both intact and adrenalectomized rats.

[Primary study of iontophoresis of zinc ion in treatment of retinitis pigmentosa]

We report here the preliminary effects of zinc iontophoresis in treatment of 26 Rp patients who had decreased zinc serum level or abnormal ratio of serum copper to zinc. Through more than 20 to 30 times of therapy, the vision of 15.38% eyes increased more than "3 lines", 4% eyes increased more than 5 degrees in the visual field, 13.46% eyes improved in dark adaptation threshold (greater than 1.0), the visual functions of the rest eyes were slightly improved or unimproved. The fundus didn't change before & after treatment. There were no changes of ERG in 8 eyes of 4 cases. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages between Zn iontophoresis and Zn compound taken orally, the improvement of vision by direct electric current therapy, the relationship between the metabolism of Zn element and Vit A and influence of Zn over the mechanism of dark adaptation were also briefly discussed.

Roles of periaqueductal gray and nucleus raphe magnus on analgesia induced by lappaconitine, N-deacetyllappaconitine and morphine

In the rat tail flick test, ip LA 6 mg/kg, icv DLA 60 micrograms and icv or with morphine 5 micrograms exhibited significant analgesia. But with either LA 40 micrograms or DLA 60 micrograms was inactive. Naloxone (4 micrograms icv) which antagonized morphine analgesia failed to alter the analgesia induced by LA and DLA. Microinjection of DLA 20 micrograms or morphine 5 micrograms into the periaqueductal gray (PAG) or nucleus raphe magnus (NRM) produced markedly analgesic activity. The effects of electrolytic and kainic acid (0.8 micrograms) lesions of the PAG and NRM on the analgesia elicited in the rat from ip LA, icv DLA and morphine were also evaluated. No change in baseline tail flick latency was observed following lesions of the PAG and NRM. But lesions of the PAG and NRM significantly attenuated the analgesia mediated by LA, DLA and morphine. These results suggest that supraspinal sites, especially the PAG and NRM, are involved in the analgesic action induced by LA, DLA and morphine.

[Effects of reserpine and 5-HT on analgesia induced by lappaconitine and N-deacetyllappaconitine]

In the rat tail-flick test it was shown that ip lappaconitine (LA) 1-6 mg/kg, N-deacetyllappaconitine (DLA) 4-10 mg/kg or icv DLA 20-60 micrograms/rat exhibited a dose-dependent analgesic activity, but icv LA 20-40 micrograms/rat was inactive. The analgesic potency of ip LA was a little more potent than that of DLA and slightly weaker than that of morphine (P less than 0.05). Combined ip of subanalgesic doses of morphine and LA or DLA produced significant analgesic action. Analgesia mediated by LA was not antagonized by naloxone. The analgesic effect induced by LA or DLA was abolished and restored 3 and 120 h, respectively, after ip reserpine 3 mg/kg. Concomitant administration of 1-tryptophan or 5-HT as well as premedication of alpha-methyldopa prevented reserpine-induced decrease on LA or DLA analgesia. The elevation of brain 5-HT level by icv 5-HT significantly enhanced the analgesia of LA and DLA. LA- or DLA-induced analgesia was attenuated by pretreatment of p-chlorophenylalanine but this attenuation was reversed by icv 5-HT. p-Chloroamphetamine also markedly reduced LA- or DLA-induced analgesia. It is concluded that the central serotoninergic system is involved in the modulation of LA- or DLA-induced analgesia.

[Effects of central Ca2+ on analgesic action of lappaconitine]

Lappaconitine (LA), isolated from Aconitum sinomontanum Nakai, was characterized as analgesic principle by our laboratory. The analgesic effect of ip LA 6 mg/kg as measured in the rat tail-flick test was reduced by icv CaCl2 or MgCl2 0.1 or 1 mumol/rat. BaCl2 was inactive. The analgesic action induced by LA was potentiated by ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA, 0.2 mumol/rat icv) but not by ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA, 0.2 or 0.4 mumol/rat icv). The calcium antagonists nifedipine (5 mg/kg ip) and verapamil (1 mumol/rat icv) partially reversed the Ca2+ antagonistic effect on LA analgesia, although nifedipine did not enhance LA analgesic action and only at 15 min after medication did verapamil exhibit enhancement of LA analgesia. The analgesic activity of LA was reduced and augmented by microinjection of CaCl2 0.5 mumol and EGTA 50 nmol to periaqueductal gray (PAG) area, respectively. These results suggest that LA can produce analgesia, possibly through a decrease in cellular calcium availability and PAG may be involved in the Ca2+ antagonistic effect on LA analgesia.