[Anti-anaphylactic pharmacological action of water-soluble constituents of Ginkgo biloba L. episperm]

Water-soluble constituents of Ginkgo biloba episperm 100 or 200 mg/kg po given to mice inhibited passive cutaneous allergic response and the same dose given to rats ip inhibited mast cell degranulation. It antagonized the contractile effect of isolated guinea pig ileum smooth muscles induced by the antigen. It inhibited the deliverance of SRS-A from anaphylactic lung of guinea pig.

Epstein-Barr virus genotypes associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in southern China

We have used probes representing approximately two-thirds of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome to examine genetic polymorphism of wild-type EBV directly detected in 28 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tissues from Southern China. In the hypervariable regions containing reiterated sequences, this analysis showed that while naturally occurring viruses are genetically diverse, only one genotype was detectable in each tumor specimen. Unique variants in NPC were detected in four regions of the EBV genome. Two of these appeared significant in their distribution. The type C variant resulting from loss of a BamHl site between the BamHl W1* and l1* regions was prevalent among isolates from Southern China, but not so common in the United States. An "f" variant having an extra BamHl site in the BamHl F region was almost exclusively detected in only Asian NPC biopsies.

End-point nystagmus and ocular drift: an experimental and theoretical study

End-point nystagmus (EPN) and ocular drift during eccentric fixation were investigated in five normal subjects. All had EPN during prolonged eccentric fixation, two had sustained EPN within a few seconds of fixating an eccentric target. Our data show that the occurrence of EPN was determined by the velocity of slow phase ocular drift. Drift velocities greater than 1 deg/sec elicited sustained EPN or fatigue EPN while drift velocities lower than 0.3 deg/sec did not elicit EPN. Slow phase drift velocity increased with eccentricity and fixation duration and decreased with visual feedback. Computer simulations and theoretical analysis suggest that the reduction in drift eye movement velocity during fixation of a visible target, as compared to drift eye movement velocity during attempted fixation of a remembered target in darkness, is mainly due to the smooth pursuit system.

Absorbed dose comparison among commercial ionization chambers in polystyrene and acrylic phantoms

Using the AAPM Task Group 21 protocol, photon and electron doses were compared in polystyrene and acrylic phantoms. The ionization chambers used were a Farmer graphite chamber, a PTW acrylic chamber, a homemade polystyrene chamber, and an Exradin air-equivalent chamber, all being of cylindrical type. A Memorial parallel-plate polystyrene chamber was also included. 60Co, 4-, 6-, and 18-MV x rays as well as 9- and 20-MeV electron beams were investigated.

Cervical dilatation with prostaglandin analogues prior to vaginal termination of first trimester pregnancy in nulliparous patients

Dilatation of the cervix with prostaglandin analogues prior to vaginal termination of pregnancy was attempted in 125 nulliparous women in the first trimester of pregnancy. The patients were divided into five groups (25 in each group) and given a single extra-amniotic dose of one of the following prostaglandin analogues 14-16 hours prior to the evacuation of the uterus by vacuum aspiration. (Group A) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 (free acid); (Group B) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester; (Group C) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha (free acid); (Group D) 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester and(Group E) a mixture of 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2methyl ester and 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester. Evacuation of the uterus without mechanical dilatation of the cervix was possible in 111 (90%) of the patients. In an additional 10 patients (8%) there was some degree of cervical dilatation and further mechanical dilatation could be performed easily. With the combination of 15 (S) 15 methyl PGE2 methyl ester and 15 (S) 15 methyl PGF2alpha methyl ester the incidence of gastrointestinal side effects and pyrexia were considerably reduced.