[Effects of panaxadiol and panaxatriol saponins on action potentials of normal and xanthine-xanthine oxidase damaged cultured myocardial cells]

Wistar rat myocardial cells were cultured. PDS 20-80 micrograms.ml-1; PTS 1.25-20 micrograms.ml-1 dose-dependently decreased their action potential parameters, indicating the possibility of being concerned in the blockage of Ca channel. After the free radical damage was induced by xanthine 0.42 mmol.L-1--xanthine oxidase 5.3 nmol.L-1 (X-XO). All the action potential parameters of the cardiac cells decreased without exception. Both PDA and PTS antagonized the electrical appearance of membrane damage induced by X-XO, suggesting that both PDS and PTS protect the myocardial cells from oxidative damage.

[Effects of microinjection of tutin into nucleus tractus solitarius region on the morphology of neural tissue of this area in rabbit]

Four hours after unilateral microinjection of tutin (10 micrograms) into the NTS region, the nervous tissue surrounding the center of microinjection showed the following morphologic changes: 1. Under the light microscopic examination (n = 5), the neuronal body showed chromatolysis and the nuclear basophilia enhanced in about 17% of the neurons, the lacunae of neuropil distended and gave a "spongy" appearance. The neurons with lesion mingled with the normal ones in the absence of distinct demarcation. 2. Under the electron microscopic examination (n = 3), the cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum distended, and the nuclear electron density increased on account of the increased nuclear chromatin in the affected cells. The organelles of dendrites decreased or disappeared; the neuroglia looked edematous. There were only a few axons which looked edematous in the neuropil. Microinjection of the same volume (1 microliter) of NS into the other side of NTS region in the same rabbit didn't show any sign of damage as those described above. Thus, our preliminary results suggest that tutin might damage the soma and dendrites of some neurons, and therefore, it might be a neuroexcitotoxin.

[Effect of liuwei dihuang decoction and its compatible prescriptions on lipid peroxide and lipofuscin]

Our experiment has shown that liuwei dihuang Decoction can decrease the contents of lipid peroxide in the serum as well as lipofuscin in the liver of the older mice to the level of the younger ones, while the two compatible prescriptions derived from the decoction, "Three invigorators" and "Three purges", cannot produce the same effect. All the three forms of prescription have no action on the lipofuscin in the heart.

Association of HLA antigens with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in a Han Chinese population

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, or the uveomeningitis syndrome, is one of the most commonly identified types of endogenous uveitis diagnosed in China. Because its incidence is higher in Orientals than in whites, immunogenetic background [corrected] may be an important factor in its incidence. We performed HLA-A, -B, and -DR typing on 25 patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome and on 65 healthy control subjects from the Han Chinese population. The results showed that HLA-DR4 and -Dw53 were closely associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (P less than .001 [relative risk = 16.0] and P less than .001 [relative risk = 34.2], respectively). This association is similar to that reported in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in Japan, suggesting that DR4 and DRw53 may play important roles in the development of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome in Oriental populations.

NMR imaging study of the pharmacodynamics of polylysine-gadolinium-DTPA in the rabbit and the rat

The pharmacodynamics of polylysine-(Gd-DTPA) (Schering, Berlin, Germany), a new blood pooling contrast agent for MRI, were studied in the rabbit and the rat. Polylysine-(Gd-DTPA) is a compound with high LD50. Due to its high molecular weight (50.000) and physico-chemical properties, it remains in the vascular system; during the first hour, the plasma level is three times higher than for Gd-DTPA. MRI was performed at 1.5 T using a SE sequence with TR/TE = 300/15 or 20 msec. Signal intensities of muscle, liver and kidney were measured before and after intravenous injection of the contrast agent (0.1 mmol/kg) during 8 hours in the rat (n = 3) and up to 2 wk in the rabbit (n = 3). A dose response study in three additional rabbits confirmed that the 0.1 mmol/kg dose was optimal. The pharmacodynamics results show that the effects of polylysine-(Gd-DTPA) are similar in both the rabbit and the rat. The liver signal is enhanced by about 60% immediately after injection in both species. This enhanced signal decays to half its maximal value in about one hour, which makes the contrast agent useful for clinical applications at a dose of 0.1 mmol/kg. In the kidney medulla and cortex the signals are enhanced by much larger factors (about 3 to 4); it takes at least one day for the kidney to clear the contrast agent in both species.

[Posterior scleral reinforcement operation in the high myopia with macular degeneration]

The authors performed posterior scleral reinforcement operation on 23 cases of high myopia with macular degeneration. One eye underwent surgery and the another eye served as control. Follow-up period ranged from 3 to 24 months. It was found that the corrected vision and refractive degree of the operated eye maintained the original levels and that the control eyes tend to become worse during the follow-up periods. It was also observed that the blood circulation of the macular area of operated eye seemed to be improved, and the bioelectricity was activated. No serious complications were found. Therefore the authors pointed out, for high myopia patients, if the condition advanced constantly, the posterior scleral reinforcement operation is a method of choice before other better therapeutic methods are established.

[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the ovary--report of 5 cases]

Five cases of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the ovary (OPNHL) are reported. All were B cell lymphomas (1 small cleaved, 2 non-cleaved and 2 cleaved non-cleaved lymphoma) and treated with operation combined with chemotherapy, 2 of whom also received radiotherapy. One case died 15 months after operation, 4 are still alive, and 2 of these 4 have survived for over 3 years. The clinical manifestations of OPNHL are similar to those of ovarian carcinoma, therefore, it is difficult to diagnose this disease before operation. Histologically, it is important to differentiate OPNHL from granulosa cell tumor and dysgerminoma. Debulking operation should be attempted and timely chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy given for better results even for advanced ovarian lymphoma.

Post-translational modification of a monocyte-specific chemoattractant synthesized by glioma, osteosarcoma, and vascular smooth muscle cells

Chemotaxis is an important step in monocyte recruitment in inflammation, wound healing, and tumor growth. We reported previously that monocyte chemotactic activity secreted by malignant cells and normal smooth muscle cells is associated with a protein or family of proteins that are related to the monocyte-specific smooth muscle cell-derived chemotactic factor (SMC-CF) (Graves, D. T., Jiang, Y. L., Williamson, M. J., and Valente, A. J. (1989) Science 245, 1490-1493). Similar monocyte chemotactic proteins (MCP-1) produced by U-105MG human glioma cells have also been identified (Yoshimura, T., Robinson, E. A., Tanaka, S., Appella, E., Kuratsu, J., and Leonard, E. J. (1989) J. Exp. Med. 169, 1449-1459). We now report that the MCP-1 gene is expressed in MG-63 human osteosarcoma and vascular smooth muscle cells and that SMC-CF antiserum specifically immunoprecipitates proteins synthesized by U-105MG glioma cells. Experiments were undertaken to elucidate the processing pathway of MCP-1/SMC-CF-like proteins in each of these cell types. These experiments demonstrate that larger MCP-1/SMC-CF-like proteins are derived from a Mr = 9000 precursor. Post-translational modification involves the addition of O-linked carbohydrates and sialic acid residues. Differences in carbohydrate processing account for the heterogeneity in MCP-1/SMC-CF-like proteins produced by different cell types. Secretion of these proteins occurs rapidly following processing events in the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi compartment.

Protective action of selenium and manganese on xanthine and xanthine oxidase induced oxidative damage to cultured heart cells

Ventricular myocytes from neonatal Wistar rats were cultured with 80% Dulbecoo's modified Eagle medium and 20% fetal bovine serum. An appropriate amount of xanthine and xanthine oxidase was added to the culture medium to increase the content of free radicals in cardiac cells. Variation in action potential and input impedance of cardiac myocytes indicated the oxidative damage to the membrane. The ultrastructure of heart cells, characteristically the myofilaments and mitochondria, was damaged. Electron spin resonance measurement demonstrated that xanthine and xanthine oxidase elevated the free radical content, while selenium (Se) and manganese (Mn) reduced the free radicals in cultured heart cells. Supplementation of 0.173 microgram/ml Se and 0.1 microgram/ml Mn into the culture medium separately or simultaneously antagonized the damage induced by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. The possible mechanism might be the production of superoxide anion free radical leading to free radical damage to cardiac cells. Se and Mn might play a role as scavengers through glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase respectively and thus protect cardiac cells from free radical damage.

Relationship between hormone profiles and the restoration of spermatogenesis in men treated with gossypol

Gossypol acetic acid was administered orally to 35 male volunteers at a dose of 20 mg once a day for 52-70 days in the loading phase and twice a week for 22 months in the maintenance phase. Sperm counts and the serum concentrations of LH, FSH, prolactin, testosterone and oestradiol were monitored regularly during treatment and for a follow-up period of 12 months. At around 90 days after treatment, all treated participants approached or attained azoospermia and remained at this level throughout the maintenance phase. By the end of the follow-up phase, eight treated men were still azoospermic, while sperm counts in the other 27 men were restored to normal levels. The only hormone that changed significantly during and after the treatment was FSH. From the 6th month of the treatment to the end of the follow-up phase, serum concentrations of FSH in the eight participants that reached irreversible azoospermia were significantly higher than in the other 27 men or in controls. It is suggested that monitoring of FSH levels might be of diagnostic use for identifying those participants with irreversible azoospermia during gossypol treatment.

[Chemical constituents of the leaves of Crataegus pinnatifida Bge. var. major N. E. Br]

Compounds were isolated from the aqueous extract of the leaves of Crataegus pinnatifida var. major and seven of them were identified as 2-(4-hydroxybenzyl)malic acid, quercetin, hyperin, vitexin, rhamnosylvitexin, diethylamine hydrochloride and sorbitol respectively by UV, IR, NMR, MS, some chemical techniques by comparison with the standard spectra of known compounds.

Imaging 2-D objects with a grating interferometer: two methods

Grating interferometric imaging has some unique advantages. The theory developed has been for 1-D objects only. The 2-D imaging methods reported are either complex or have low SNR. Two new methods for 2-D interferometric imaging are presented in this paper. The first is that an object composed of discrete points is imaged with a grating interferometer composed of three or more 1-D grating interferometers of which the grating line directions are different. The second is that a 2-D continuous distribution object is imaged with a 1-D grating interferometer by sampling line byline. These two methods are simple and may be practical for real time processing.

[Treatment and prevention of asymmetrical intrauterine growth retardation with huoxue huayu prescription]

The purpose of this study was to observe the therapeutical and preventive effect of the compound prescriptions of Huoxue Huayu (promoting blood circulation to remove stasis, PBCRS) and Yiqi Huoxue, replenishing Qi to remove stasis, RQRS) on experimental intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) caused by passive smoking during pregnancy in rats. The fetal average birth weight and the erythrocyte deformability were found to be significantly reduced in the smoke-exposed group compared with the control group. However, there was a significant increase of blood viscosity (at both shear rates), Hb, Ht, MCV, MCH levels and the erythrocyte fragility in the smoke-exposed group in comparison with the control group. After the mother-rats were given PBCRS and RQRS prescriptions during gestation, the fetal average birth weight and erythrocyte deformability were markedly increased. The blood viscosity, Hb, Ht, MCV, MCH levels and erythrocyte fragility of pregnant rats were decreased. No differences were found in the control group and the two treated groups. The electronic microscope observation of erythrocyte shape shows there were some protrusions on the surface of red cells in the smoke-exposed group. The protrusions were significantly reduced in the two treated groups, which was similar to the control group. The erythrocyte deformability, the blood viscosity, Hb, Ht, MCV, MCH levels indicate that there was a significant correlation between them and the fetal average birth weight respectively. This study indicates that blood stasis is one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of asymmetrical IUGR and that the PBCRS recipe could improve intrauterine growth environment of fetal which could treat and prevent IUGR in obstetrics.

[An observation of the anticancer activity of mitoxantrone hydrochloride injection]

Experimental results of anticancer activity of DHAQ.HCl are reported in this paper. It was discovered that DHAQ.HCl, mitoxantrone hydrochloride, had an obvious anticancer effect on the experimental tumor strains:Ehrlich ascites cancer, Sarcoma-180, Leukemia P388, etc., and that it was more effective to Leukemia P388 than to other strains. The anticancer activity of DHAQ.HCl was better than DHAQ (P less than 0.05). No side effect was observed on the local sites (s.c.) of tumor planted or drug injected. And also a good anticancer effect was observed on the sites of tumor planted by local injection. It is suggested that this observation can provide some information on the choice of routes of administration of this drug clinically.

[Analgesic and sedative effects of the Chinese drug rhizoma Paridis]

The analgesic and sedative actions of Chinese drug Rhizoma Paridis are reported. All of the 6 experimented species and varieties in common use are obviously effective. Among them Paris polyphylla var. chinensis, P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis are stronger in analgesic action. Sedative action of P. fargesii, P. polyphylla var. chinensis, P. thibetica is also strong. In addition, pariphyllin A and gracillin were also used in the experiment.

[Normal radiologic anatomic variants and X-ray findings of hypervitaminosis D of the ulna, radius and carpal bones in children]

The forearm and wrist radiographs in 400 children with age ranging from 2 months to 2 1/2 years were analyzed. Comparatively, x-ray films and their correlated macrosections of the wrist of 14 children's cadavers about the same age were studied. Alternate lines of increased, decreased, and increased density at the distal metaphysis of the ulna and radius were accountable. All these are normal variants of the development of the ulna and radius of infants. A series of abnormal x-ray signs were demonstrated in children administered over 100,000 IU of vitamin D every month on the average. These signs are blurred cortical bone with linear periosteal reaction, disorganization of the cortical bone, osteoporosis, cortical thickening and sclerosis of the ulna and radius, dense and thick calcified ring of ossification nuclei of the carpale, and dense metaphyseal band of the ulna and radius. The more vitamin D was administered, the more frequently abnormal x-ray signs occurred. These signs coincide with the results of radiopathologic and microangiographic correlations of hypervitaminosis D in animals, an experiment we had made before. The x-ray findings of hypervitaminosis D are very complicated. Only based on a series of x-ray signs rather than a single dense metaphyseal band could a radiologic diagnosis of hypervitaminosis D be made.

Asynchronous optical sampling: a new combustion diagnostic for potential use in turbulent, high-pressure flames

Asynchronous optical sampling (ASOPS) is a pump-probe method that has strong potential for use in turbulent, high-pressure flames. We show that rapid measurement of species number density can be achieved by maintaining a constant beat frequency between the mode-locking frequencies of the pump and probe lasers. We also describe the instrumental timing parameters for ASOPS and consider the optimization of these parameters. Measurement of the nanosecond decay for electronically excited sodium in an atmospheric flame demonstrates the viability of the ASOPS technique in highly quenched flame environments.

Pump/probe method for fast analysis of visible spectral signatures utilizing asynchronous optical sampling

We report the results from a new pump/probe spectrometer for potential use in combustion diagnostics that employs asynchronous optical sampling. The instrument consists of two frequency-doubled mode-locked Nd:YAG lasers operating at slightly different repetition rates, synchronously pumping two dye lasers (rhodamine 6G) to generate the pump and probe beams. The spectral and temporal capabilities of the instrument are examined by obtaining a spectrum and an excited state decay of rhodamine B. The instrument response is shown to be proportional to pump power, probe power, and sample absorptance. Different frequency synthesizers and different modes of triggering are used to study their effect on signal stability.

Treatment of urgency and urge incontinence with flavoxate in the People's Republic of China

Flavoxate is a smooth muscle relaxant widely used to treat urgency and urge incontinence. It has been used in an unblinded, uncontrolled clinical trial in 14 urology departments in universities and major hospitals in the People's Republic of China involving 361 patients with urgency/incontinence of various types. Patients were given 200 mg three times daily, orally, for 2 weeks, although 33 patients received a daily dosage of 1200 mg. Frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia and incontinence were assessed and scored clinically prior to and after treatment. Three departments also included urodynamic investigations, e.g. monitoring of the end-residual volume. Results from 336 evaluable patients indicate that 228 (67%) were completely cured of urgency/incontinence symptoms, 66 (20%) were improved and 42 (13%) patients were unchanged. Flavoxate was also effective in 77.4% of patients refractory to previous anti-cholinergic treatment. Treatment did not increase the end-residual volume and adverse events occurred only in four (1.3%) patients, two (0.6%) of which discontinued the therapy. The 1200 mg dose produced a complete cure in 82% of patients and improvement in the remaining 18%, with no side-effects. In conclusion, flavoxate is an effective and well tolerated treatment for urgency/incontinence of various causes.

Studies on fertility control-the formation and antifertility effect of polyvinyl-pyrolidone-gossypol complex

In this study, PVP-gossypol complexes with different molecular weights and compositions were synthesized. UV and NMR spectra revealed the presence of hydrogen bonds in these complexes. The dissolution rates of various PVP-gossypol complexes in water at 37 degrees C were determined. The results showed that the presence of PVP in the complex enhanced the dissolution rate of gossypol in water greatly. In addition, the in vitro spermicidal activity on human semen, antifertility effect on male rats, and the toxic reaction of male mice by taking large dosage were preliminarily studied. The experimental results indicated that the PVP-gossypol complexes not only possessed the similar antifertility effect and acute toxicity to male mice as gossypol-acetic acid, but also reduced the irreversibility of the fertility as well. Thus, certain species of PVP-gossypol complex may have potential as new and better male oral contraceptive with recoverability in fertility.

Effect of intracerebral microinjection of naloxone on acupuncture- and morphine-analgesia in the rabbit

Although there are unequivocal evidences indicating the participation of endogenous opiate-like substances in acupuncture analgesia, their exact sites of action remain to be elucidated. From the results of localization studies by injecting minute amount of narcotic antagonist naloxone into discrete brain areas and assessing its effect on acupuncture analgesia in rabbits it is concluded that nuclei accumbens, amygdala, habenula and periaquaductal grey are the strategic sites for endogenous opioids to exert their analgesic effect. These brain areas are also of extreme importance for the realization of morphine analgesia.