[Effect of Equisetum hyemale on experimental hyperlipemia in rats and its toxic test]

The results of an experimental study in rats fed with Equisetum hyemale and hyperlipid food have proved that inhibiting effects on the elevation of triglyceride and cholesterol can be obviously observed in both high and low doses of Equisetum. The study also shows that Equisetum hyemale can antagonize the hyperlipemia in rats. The acute toxic test has proved its low toxicity.

Clinical evaluation of 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT in the assessment of coronary artery disease

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 99Tcm-MIBI myocardial tomography for detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) 115 consecutive patients who underwent both 99Tcm-MIBI single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and coronary arteriography were studied. Thirty-three patients without and 82 with significant coronary artery disease were documented by coronary arteriography. The overall sensitivity and specificity of 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT for detecting coronary artery disease were 96 and 87.9%, respectively. The sensitivity for identifying patients with CAD without myocardial infarction was 88%. The sensitivity of 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT for detecting individual coronary artery lesions was 86% for left anterior descending artery (LAD), 69% for left circumflex artery (Lcx) and 86% for right coronary artery (RCA), lesions respectively. In conclusion, 99Tcm-MIBI SPECT provides a reliable method for detecting CAD.

[Relation between left ventricular mass indexes and cardiac function in hypertensive patients: an approach with Doppler echocardiography]

73 age-matched hypertensive patients, 46 men and 27 women, were divided into the four groups according to left ventricular mass indexes (LVMI) and normal control groups were established correspondingly. Doppler and M-mode echocardiography were used to assess the systolic and diastolic functions of left ventricle (LV) and the alterations of heart construction. It was shown that when the LVMI increased slightly, the internal dimension and systolic function of LV had no significant change, but the diastolic function became abnormal and the left atrium enlarged. When the LVMI increased significantly, both the left atrium and left ventricle enlarged and the systolic and diastolic functions of LV were impaired. It is concluded that increase of LV mass may be present in the early stage of hypertension and left atrial enlargement is an early sign of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which occurs before systolic dysfunction in the patients with essential hypertension.

Spontaneous variability of left ventricular ejection fraction assessed with the Cardioscint

A miniature, non-imaging caesium iodide nuclear probe optically coupled to a photodiode (the 'Cardioscint') has been developed which, in conjunction with a modified personal computer, is capable of continuous on-line monitoring of left ventricular function and ST-segment level at the bedside. The purpose of this study was to assess the variability in ejection fraction over periods of time and to compare this variability with that of equilibrium gamma camera radionuclide ventriculography. Ten normal volunteers (nine male) of mean (S.D.) age 49 (10) years underwent semisupine radionuclide ventriculography using both gamma camera and Cardioscint in randomized order. The gamma camera recorded four consecutive acquisitions (mean of 7.2 min each) and the Cardioscint, using a 20 s acquisition time, recorded left ventricular function over 35 min per subject. The mean ejection fraction of the group by gamma camera was 52 (7)% and by Cardioscint was 54 (5)%. When the variability in ejection fraction by gamma camera was compared with the Cardioscint averaged over corresponding time periods (i.e. an average of 7.2 min), the mean coefficient of variation of the camera was 5.0% versus 2.9% for the probe system. Individual 20-s probe acquisitions over the total study duration (reflecting the short-term variability of the system) had a coefficient of variation of 5.1%. Thus the Cardioscint provides a stable continuous recording of ejection fraction. These volunteer data provide a basis for interpretation of data acquired in the clinical situation.

Quantitative 111In antimyosin antibody imaging to predict the age of myocardial infarction

To establish whether quantitative 111In antimyosin uptake can be used to predict infarct age, we studied the heart-lung ratio in 107 images from 90 patients at various intervals following a Q-wave infarction. Imaging was performed 24 hours following 111In antimyosin injection. The HLR was measured as the ratio of the maximum counts in the infarcted myocardium to the adjacent lung background. The ratio ranged from 1.26 to 3.87, and declined with increasing infarct age. Infarcts were classified on the basis of age as type I (less than 3 days old), type II (less than 14 days), and type III (less than 90 days). True positive and false positive rates (TPR and FPR), and test-likelihood ratio calculations were performed for HLR thresholds ranging from 1 to 4, for the three infarct types. A FPR of 0% and likelihood ratio of infinity was obtained at a HLR threshold of 2.3 for type I infarcts (TPR 40.8%); at a HLR threshold of 2 for type II infarcts (TPR 50.6%), and a threshold of 1.8 for type III infarcts (TPR 52.6%). The likelihood of each infarct type can be estimated directly from the HLR for values below the above thresholds. These results show that quantitative 111In-antimyosin imaging may be used to predict infarct age.

Identification and structural characterization of further DNA elements in the potato and pepper genomes homologous to the transposable element-like insertion Tst1

The molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of elements from potato and pepper that are related to the recently identified Tst1 element are described. Sequence analysis reveals considerable conservation of sequences internal to both the Tst1 element and two of the related elements identified here. In six potato clones analysed, the 11 bp inverted repeat first identified in the Tst1 element is conserved. Several of the elements are flanked by an 8 bp direct repeat. DNA fragments which were amplified from several pepper genomes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using the inverted repeat as sequence primers also display considerable conservation of sequences internal to the Tst1 element. These data further support the possibility that Tst1 is a non-autonomous transposable element and that Tst1 might be the first example of a transposable element which occurs in several genera of solanaceous plants.

111In antimyosin antibody uptake is related to the age of myocardial infarction

The intensity of 111In antimyosin uptake is related to the type (Q wave or non-Q wave), size, and location of an acute myocardial infarction. To determine whether the uptake intensity is also related to the infarct age, and to establish the time frame during which 111In antimyosin uptake occurs postinfarction, we studied a quantitative measure of uptake intensity, the heart-lung (HL) ratio, in 90 consecutive patients at various intervals following a Q wave infarction. Imaging was performed 24 hours following 111In antimyosin injection. Uptake of antimyosin could be demonstrated up to 154 days postinfarction. The HL ratio was measured as the ratio of the maximum counts in the infarcted myocardium to the adjacent lung background, and was 1.93 +/- 0.51 (mean +/- SD) overall. The ratio declined exponentially with increasing age of infarct. Using nonlinear regression analysis, 47% of the total variance of the HL ratio could be attributed to age alone (p less than 0.001). Sequential antimyosin imaging was performed in nine patients, with the first study between 4 and 15 days, the second between 50 to 100 days, and the third between 125 to 270 days after the onset of chest pain. The HL ratios were (mean +/- SD) 1.77 +/- 0.25 for scans between 4 and 15 days, 1.54 +/- 0.12 for scans between 50 and 100 days (p less than 0.02), and 1.42 +/- 0.16 (p less than 0.05) for scans between 125 to 270 days, further establishing the progressive reduction in 111In antimyosin uptake with age of myocardial infarction.

Filariasis and its control in Fujian, China

Epidemiological survey of filariasis in Fujian Province, China showed that malayan filariasis, transmitted by Anopheles lesteri anthropophagus was mainly distributed in the northwest part and bancroftian filariasis with Culex quinquefasciatus as vector, in middle and south coastal regions. Both species of filariae showed typical nocturnal periodicity. Involvement of the extremities was not uncommon in malayan filariasis. In contrast, hydrocele was often present in bancroftian filariasis, in which limb impairment did not appear so frequently as in the former. Hetrazan treatment was administered to the microfilaremia cases identified during blood examination surveys, which were integrated with indoor residual spraying of insecticides in endemic areas of malayan filariasis when the vector mosquito was discovered and with mass treatment with hetrazan medicated salt in endemic areas of bancroftian filariasis. At the same time the habitation condition was improved. These factors facilitated the decrease in incidence. As a result malayan and bancroftian filariasis were proclaimed to have reached the criterion of basic elimination in 1985 and 1987 respectively. Surveillance was pursued thereafter and no signs of resurgence appeared.

[Pathological changes of the optic nerve from compression by the internal carotid artery]

The optic nerve in relation to the internal carotid artery was anatomically and pathologically studied in 51 adult brain specimens. There were obvious impressions on the optic nerves from compression by the sclerosed internal carotid arteries, and pathological changes in the optic nerves, such as atrophy, were observed in 6.9% of the specimens. This fact suggests that clinical visual defects of unknown explanation may be caused by the indurative internal carotid artery compressing the optic nerve.

111In-antimyosin antibody imaging for detection of myocardial infarction: a quantitative approach

Indium-111-antimyosin imaging has been shown to be a sensitive and specific method for detecting myocardial necrosis, but a quantitative method for interpretation of 111In-antimyosin planar images is lacking. A prospective study was performed in 114 patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction using planar 111In-antimyosin imaging. A ratio of maximum myocardial uptake counts (H) (9 X 9 pixels) over adjacent lung background (L), i.e. H/L ratio, was obtained from 24 and 48 h images. This value was compared with peak creatine kinase (CK) enzyme and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The patients were classified into groups based upon standard criteria for Q-wave acute myocardial infarction (Q-MI) (n = 50), non-Q-MI (n = 21), unstable angina (n = 15) and those with no evidence of MI or ischaemia (n = 28). The mean +/- S.D. H/L ratio in the Q-MI group was 2.28 +/- 0.50 (24 h, left anterior oblique, LAO, view) and was greater than the non-Q-MI group (1.98 +2- 0.30) (P less than 0.02). In patients with unstable angina (UA), seven had a high ratio (1.75 +/- 0.29) and eight had a lower ratio (1.29 +/- 0.07). In the group of patients without MI or UA, the ratio was 1.24 +/- 0.11 and this was significantly lower than the Q-MI and non-Q-MI groups and those patients with UA and positive 111In uptake (P less than 0.001, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between old MI and patients without evidence of MI or UA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

cis regulatory elements directing tuber-specific and sucrose-inducible expression of a chimeric class I patatin promoter/GUS-gene fusion

The 5'-upstream region of the class I patatin gene B33 directs strong expression of the beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene in potato tubers and in leaves treated with sucrose. Cis-acting elements affecting specificity and level of expression were identified by deletion analysis in transgenic potato plants. A putative tuber-specific element is located downstream from position -195. Nuclear proteins present in leaf and tuber extracts bind specifically to a conserved AT rich motif within this region. A DNA fragment between -183 and -143, including the binding site is, however, not able to enhance the expression of a truncated 35S promoter from cauliflower mosaic virus. Independent positive elements contributing to a 100-fold increase relative to the basic tuber-specific element are located between -228 and -195; -736 and -509, -930 and -736 and -1512 and -951. Sucrose inducibility is controlled by sequences downstream of position -228, indicating that the tuber-specific and sucrose-inducible elements are in close proximity.

Gene expression during tuber development in potato plants

Potato tubers are modified stems that have differentiated into storage organs. Factors such as day-length, nitrogen supply, and levels of the phytohormones cytokinin and gibberellic acid, are known to control tuberization. Morphological changes during tuber initiation are accompanied by the accumulation of a characteristic set of proteins, thought to be involved in N-storage (i.e. patatin) or defense against microbial or insect attack (i.e. proteinase inhibitor II). Additionally, deposition of large amounts of starch occurs during tuber formation, which is paralleled by an increase in sucrose synthase and other enzymes involved in starch biosynthesis (i.e. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, starch synthases, and branching enzyme). Potential controlling mechanisms for genes expressed during tuberization are discussed.

Assessment of right ventricular function with nonimaging first pass ventriculography and comparison of results with gamma camera studies

A new technique has been developed for measuring right ventricular function by nonimaging first pass ventriculography. The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) obtained by non-imaging first pass ventriculography was compared with that obtained by gamma camera first pass and equilibrium ventriculography. The data has demonstrated that the correlation of RVEFs obtained by the nonimaging nuclear cardiac probe and by gamma camera first pass ventriculography in 15 subjects was comparable (r = 0.93). There was also a good correlation between RVEFs obtained by the nonimaging nuclear probe and by equilibrium gated blood pool studies in 33 subjects (r = 0.89). RVEF was significantly reduced in 15 patients with right ventricular and/or inferior myocardial infarction compared to normal subjects (28 +/- 9% v. 45 +/- 9%). The data suggests that nonimaging probes may be used for assessing right ventricular function accurately.

Clinical evaluation of the 99mTc-CPI myocardial perfusion imaging

99mTc-CPI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy including planar images in 35 patients and SPECT images in 16 patients has been studied. Scintigraphic data revealed that high quality 99mTc-CPI myocardial perfusion images were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity of 99mTc-CPI planar images in detecting CAD was 92% and 80% respectively. There was no significant difference in sensitivity for detecting CAD between planar and SPECT. However, the specificity of SPECT was much better than that of planar imaging.

Measurements of the effects of percutaneous nitroglycerin on left ventricular performance in patients with coronary artery disease with a cardiac probe

Left ventricular function was measured after percutaneous nitroglycerin in ten patients with coronary artery disease under double blind random control. The elevation of LVEF after percutaneous nitroglycerin paste (containing 10 mg nitroglycerin) was 8.3% +/- 1.3% (P less than 0.001) at 30 min, 8.5% +/- 1.8% (P less than 0.001) at 60 min, 10.1% +/- 1.8% (P less than 0.001) at 90 min and 8.7% +/- 2.2% (P less than 0.01) at 120 min respectively, but the change of LVEF after nitroglycerin ointment (containing 5 mg nitroglycerin) was not significant. The elevation of ER and RCO after nitroglycerin paste were 0.448 +/- 0.088 (EDV/s) (P less than 0.001), 6.73 +/- 1.47 (EDV/s) (P less than 0.01) at 30 min, 0.376 +/- 0.078 (P less than 0.001), 6.64 +/- 1.36 (P less than 0.001) at 60 min, 0.456 +/- 0.089 (P less than 0.001), 8.02 +/- 2.11 (P less than 0.001) at 90 min and 0.358 +/- 0.076 (P less than 0.01), 6.18 +/- 2.05 (P less than 0.01) respectively. It was demonstrated that percutaneous nitroglycerin paste (10 mg nitroglycerin) can improve the left ventricular function of patients with coronary artery disease.

Monitoring effects of alpha-human atrial natriuretic polypeptide (alpha-hANP) on left ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension with a cardiac probe

The effects of alpha-hANP on left ventricular function were studied with a cardiac probe in ten patients with essential hypertension. Our data showed that intravenous administration of alpha-hANP significantly elevated left ventricular function. At 5 min, the elevation of EF, RCO, ER, RSV, PFR were 13.23% (P less than 0.02), 12.7 (P less than 0.02), 0.618 (P less than 0.02), 0.133 (P less than 0.05), 0.283 (P less than 0.01), respectively. At 10 min, the increase of EF, ER, were 11.07% (P less than 0.02) and 0.233 (P less than 0.01), respectively. Atriopeptin significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure from 2 min to 20 min (P less than 0.001-0.05).

Clinical evaluation of the 99mTc-labeled myocardial imaging agent, hexakis (t-butylisonitrile)-technetium

99mTc-TBI myocardial perfusion imaging has been studied in 7 normal subjects and 24 patients with coronary artery disease. Scintigraphic data revealed that 99mTc-TBI myocardial perfusion imaging is more sensitive than ECG in detecting myocardial infarction. In comparing 99mTc-TBI imaging with contrast angiography, its' sensitivity for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease was 91.7%.

Measurement of effects of the Chinese herbal medicine higenamine on left ventricular function using a cardiac probe

The effects of the Chinese herbal medicine higenamine on left ventricular function were studied by means of an external radiation detector in 15 patients with heart disease. Higenamine, administered intravenously, markedly increased the ejection fraction of LV, as well as the ejection rate. The LVEF increased from 46% +/- 9% to 60% +/- 15% and 61% +/- 12% (P less than 0.005) after a 30- and 60-min infusion of higenamine, respectively. The percentage increase in LVEF paralleled the increase in the heart rate. The effects of higenamine on LV function were similar to the response obtained with isoproterenol. These results document the pharmacologic effect of the Chinese herbal medicine, higenamine, on heart function.