Alterations in synaptic transmission and plasticity in hippocampus by a complex PCB mixture, Aroclor 1254

Developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) has been associated with a variety of neurological effects including cognitive dysfunction. The present study assessed the effects of acute in vitro exposure to a complex mixture of highly chlorinated PCBs, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), on synaptic transmission in the hippocampus of the rat. Increases in population spike (PS) amplitude were observed in field potentials recorded from the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 in response to 1.0-3 microg/ml of A1254. PS amplitude was increased by approximately 20% 5-10 min following the beginning of exposure to 3 microg/ml A1254, with some recovery towards baseline amplitudes occurring by 30 min, despite continuous perfusion. Longer exposures revealed that a maintained 10% increase in PS amplitude persisted beyond 90 min of exposure to 3 microg/ml A1254. A second recording electrode in the stratum radiatum revealed modest increases in EPSP slope (approximately 10%) that were transient. EPSP slope changes appeared within 5 min of exposure to A1254 (3 microg/ml), peaked at 10 min, and declined to baseline levels by 30 min, despite continued perfusion with A1254. Monitoring over a protracted period revealed relatively stable EPSP slope amplitudes following the return to baseline levels. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a model of synaptic plasticity believed to encompass the physiological substrates of memory. Neither magnitude or persistence of PS potentiation recorded from the stratum pyramidale was affected by 3 microg/ml A1254. LTP of the EPSP slope recorded in the stratum radiatum was also induced to a comparable degree in control and A1254-treated slices. However, the augmentation in the dendritic response was not maintained in the treated slices over the 60-min posttrain recording period. Acute effects of PCBs on calcium homeostasis, protein kinase C translocation, dopaminergic function, and hormonal action may contribute to the pattern of effects seen in synaptic transmission and plasticity in the hippocampus.

Cloning and characterization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from zebrafish, Danio rerio

We have cloned and sequenced a zebrafish (Danio rerio) Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (vegf) cDNA. It encodes a precursor protein of 188 amino acids with a putative 23 amino acids signal peptide. Sequence comparison analysis indicates that the zebrafish vegf cDNA corresponds to the human VEGF165 isoform and shows about 52% identity to human VEGF165 at the amino acid level. A 2.8 kb vegf message RNA was detected in adult zebrafish by Northern blot analysis. Expression of vegf165 is also detected by RT-PCR in adult fish and throughout the zebrafish embryonic development. Whole mount in situ hybridization of zebrafish embryos indicates strong expression in four areas of the 18-19 h post-fertilization (hpf) embryo: within the anterior central nervous system in the prospective optic stalk, in mesoderm overlapping the bilaterally located merging heart fields, in mesoderm underlying and flanking the hindbrain posterior to rhombomere 4, and in medial regions of the somites. The study of vegf function in zebrafish embryonic vascular development will contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of vertebrate endothelial cell differentiation and vasculature formation.

Comparison of sequences of RNAs 3 and 4 of rice stripe virus from China with those of Japanese isolates

The sequences were determined of RNAs 3 and 4 of a Chinese isolate (Y) of rice stripe tenuivirus (RStV) and were compared with those of two RStV isolates (M and T) from Japan. Both RNAs of the Y isolate were longer than those of the M and T isolates. There was almost complete conservation in the 5' and 3' non-coding regions for each RNA between the isolates. The analogous ambisense coding regions for each isolate were exactly the same size and the sequences were highly conserved. The major differences were in the intergenic regions, the sizes of which accounted for the differences in size of each RNA of the three isolates. There were no obvious patterns of differences in comparisons of the two RNA over the three isolates. The significance of the similarities and differences in sequences of isolates of RStV separated by more than 3500 km is discussed.

[Treatment of posterior urethral break caused by pelvic fracture and inflammatory urethral stricture via laying three silicone tubers into urethra]

We investigated a new approach for the treatment of posterior urethral break caused by pelvic fracture and inflammatory urethral stricture. 7-10 days after the operation of urethral realignment on patients with urethral break caused by pelvic fracture or after forced dilatation of inflammatory urethral stricture, three silicone tubers were laid into urethra and kept there for three months. In 66 cases of urethral break, the cure rate (58/66) was 87.9%, the improving rate (2/66) 3.0% and the failure rate (6/66) 9.1%. In 15 cases of inflammatory urethral stricture, the recovery rate was 100%. In this group of 81 cases, the cure rate was 92.6% and failure rate was only 7.4%. This new therapeutic approach proved to be simple, safe and effective. It could also dramatically reduce the infection or the stricture of urethra.

Molecular replacement studies on crystal structure of DesB1-B2 Despentapeptide (B26-B30) insulin

Using the crystal structure of Despentapeptide (B26-B30) insulin (DPI as the search model, the crystal structure of DesB1-B2 Despentapeptide (B26-B30) insulin (DesB1-2 DPI) has been studied by the molecular replacement method. There is one DesB1-2 DPI molecule in each crystallographic asymmetric unit. The cross rotation function search and the translation function search show apparent peaks and thus determine the orientation and position of DesB1-2 DPI molecule in the cell respectively. The subsequent three-dimensional structural rebuilding and refinement of DesB1-2 DPI molecule confirm the results by molecular replacement method.

[The incidence of retinal detachment after extracapsular cataract extraction in high myopia]

PURPOSE

A retrospective study was performed to determine the incidence of retinal detachment after extracapsular cataract extraction in high myopia and the risk factors associated with the occurrence of retinal detachment.

METHODS

Of the 463 patients (463 eyes) who had undergone extracapsular cataract extraction with or without intraocular lenses implant between July 1993 and January 1994, 90 patients companied with high myopia and the others were senior cataract. All patients had been followed up for 27 to 33 months.

RESULTS

One (1.11%) developed retinal detachment in the patients with high myopia, and no retinal detachment occurred in the patients with senior cataract. The difference of the incidence of retinal detachment between two groups were no significant (P > 0.05), More myopic patients underwent Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Comparing with intracapsular method, extracapsular cataract extraction decreased the risk of retinal detachment even in the high myopic patients. The risk factors for retinal detachment were young patients, long eye axis and posterior capsulotomy.

[Fluconazole versus ketoconazole in systemic fungal infection: a double-blind randomized study]

We carried out a multiple-center study, including a double-blined randomized clinical trial on fluconazole (Flu, group A) and ketoconazole (Keto, group B) and an open trial on Flu only for evaluating the efficacy and safety of Flu in treating deep and shallow fungal infection. 222 patients participated in the study and most of them had severe underlying diseases. The dosage and therapeutic duration were as follows: Flu 200-400 mg daily for 1-8 weeks in 34 patients with fungal infection and 150 mg as a single dose in 30 patients with fungal vaginitis; Keto 400 mg daily for 1-8 weeks in 30 patients with fungal diseases and for 5 days in 30 patients with fungal vaginitis. In the trial 124 patients were randomized to receive either Flu (64 patients) or Keto (60). The cure rate in group A and B was 81.3% (52/64) and 58.0% (35/60) respectively (P < 0.05). The fungal eradication rates of the two groups were 85.7% and 70.0% (P > 0.05) respectively. 98 patients entered the open trial. They included fungal infection of the respiratory tract and urinary tract, cryptococal meningitis, fungal sepesis and systemic dissemination of mycosis and fungal vaginitis. 84 (85.7%) were cured. The fungal eradication rate of this group was 92.9%. The side-effect rates of the three groups were 3.1% (2/64), 5.0% (3/60) and 6.1% (6/98) respectively. They were mild and transient vomiting, nausea, and anorexia. In group B and the open group however, there was one case of ALT elevation in each group (P > 0.05). This study suggests that Flu is a safe, effective and useful drug for the treatment of severe fungal infection.

Relation of donor age and preexisting coronary artery disease on angiography and intracoronary ultrasound to later development of accelerated allograft coronary artery disease

OBJECTIVES

This study assessed the influence of donor age and preexisting donor coronary disease on the later development of allograft coronary artery disease, ischemic events and overall survival.

BACKGROUND

The increasing demand for heart donors has led to a tendency to liberalize age criteria for donor acceptability.

METHODS

A total of 233 consecutive heart transplant recipients who had baseline, early postoperative and follow-up coronary angiograms, as well as a subset of 47 patients with baseline intracoronary ultrasound imaging recordings, were analyzed (mean 3.8 years of follow-up). Patients were subclassified according to the presence of donor coronary artery disease on the baseline angiogram and stratified at age 40 years.

RESULTS

patients without evidence of preexisting coronary artery disease on a baseline angiogram (n = 219) were significantly less likely to develop new disease than the 14 patients with preexisting coronary artery disease (p = 0.002). Although older donors exhibited earlier coronary artery disease than younger donors at 3 years of follow-up, there was no difference by 5 years (p = 0.25). There was no difference in survival or probability of developing ischemic events between the groups. Baseline ultrasound imaging revealed substantial disease in 7 of 9 older donated hearts, and in only 7 of 38 younger donated hearts (p = 0.002). Preexisting coronary artery disease, nonuse of calcium channel blocking agents, older donor age, posttransplantation cytomegalovirus infection, elevated very low density lipoprotein levels and previous ischemic heart disease in the recipient were significant predictors of allograft coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart donors with angiographic evidence of preexisting coronary artery disease and older donors are more likely to develop new allograft coronary artery disease by 3 years. However, there is no difference in survival or freedom from ischemic events between younger and older donors at a mean follow-up of 3.8 years.

Crystal structure of (L-Arg)-B0 bovine insulin at 0.21 nm resolution

The crystal structure of (L-Arg)-B0 bovine insulin has been determined, using data to 0.21 nm and atomic parameters of 2Zn porcine insulin as a starting model, by the difference. Fourier method, the restrained least square method and X-PLOR package, interspersed with careful review of the electron density, to a final R-factor of 0.182 and r.m.s. deviation of 0.002 2 nm for the bond lengths and 4.3 degrees for the bond angles. The electron densities of additional (L-Arg)-B0 residues to B-chain N-terminus of two monomers in each asymmetric unit are very clear. The crystallographic micro-environment of the N-terminus of the B-chain is different from that of rhombohedral 2-zinc insulin.

ERWIN: an E-region wind interferometer

A field-widened Michelson interferometer designed to measure upper atmospheric winds at three altitudes near the mesopause by using airglow emissions from O(1)S, OH, and O(2) is described. A very large path difference (11 cm) is used to suppress the fringes from the hot F-region emission of O(1)S and to facilitate accurate measurements. Field widening and thermal compensation are achieved over the large spectral range (557.7-866.0 nm) by the use of three types of glass in the interferometer's arms. The instrument was installed at Resolute Bay, Canada (74.3 N, 94.5 W), in November 1992 and has been operated remotely from Toronto for four winter seasons. Some examples of data are shown to illustrate ERWIN's performance.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of recombinant staphylokinase

Staphylokinase, a fibrin-specific plasminogen activator, was highly expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. The purified recombinant staphylokinase was fully active and readily crystallized against 1.2 M sodium citrate in 100 mM Tris-HCl buffer at pH 8.0 using the hanging-drop method. Crystals of staphylokinase diffract to better than 2.2 A resolution. The crystal belongs to the tetragonal space group P4(1)2(1)2 or its enantiomorph with unit-cell parameters a = b = 67.5, c = 150.1 A. There are two molecules in the asymmetric unit. In this paper, we described the first crystallization of a kind of plasminogen activator and present the results of preliminary X-ray diffraction data from the native protein.

Molecular replacement study on form-B monoclinic crystal of insulin

The form-B monoclinic insulin crystal was obtained from the sodium citrate buffer with 1% zinc chloride, keeping phenolic content between 0.76% and 1.25%. Its space group is P2(1), cell constants are: a = 4.924 nm, b = 6.094 nm, c = 4.818 nm, beta = 95.8 degrees. There are 6 insulin molecules which form a hexamer. The initial phase was obtained by using rotation function program of X-PLOR program package and molecular packing program of our laboratory. The molecular model was chosen from 4 zinc bovine insulin hexamer. After the preliminary refinement by using the macromolecular rigid body refinement technique, the molecular model was further refined and adjusted by using the energy-minimizing stereochemically restrained least-squared refinement on the difference Fourier maps. The final R-factor is 22.4% at 0.3 nm resolution, the r.m.s. deviations from standard bond length and bond angle are 0.0022 nm and 4.7 degrees, respectively.

[A multiple center clinical trial on fluconazole for deep-seated fungal infections]

A multiple center clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of domestic fluconazole in treating 913 cases of deep-seated fungal infections. Fluconazole was given 100-200 mg daily for 3 days to 8 months. The results showed that the cure rate and the total efficacy rate were 69.26% and 94.29% respectively. The fungal clearance rate was 93.83%. The main side-effects were nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain, but most of the patients could endure. The side-effect rate was 9.20%. This clinical trial indicated that domestic fluconazole was effective and safe in treating deep-seated fungal infections.

Influence of preexistent donor coronary artery disease on the progression of transplant vasculopathy. An intravascular ultrasound study

BACKGROUND

Transplant vasculopathy (TxCAD) limits longterm survival of allograft recipients. The possibility that preexistent donor coronary disease (PEDD) might accelerate this process is of concern. The serial progression of sites with and without PEDD as assessed by intravascular ultrasonic imaging is explored in this study.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty patients with baseline intravascular imaging within 3 weeks of cardiac transplantation who had at least one annual follow-up study were included in this study. Vessel luminal area (LA), total area (TA), intimal index (II = TA - LA/TA), mean intimal thickness (MIT), and Stanford classification were expressed for each image site and for each patient at each study. Progression of sites and of patients with and without PEDD on the baseline study was compared. Patients with PEDD (n = 9) still had significantly more intimal disease than those without PEDD (n = 21) at the first follow-up study (MIT = 0.35 +/- 0.13 versus 0.13 +/- 0.11 mm; II = 0.29 +/- 0.11 versus 0.11 +/- 0.1; class = 3.7 +/- 0.5 versus 2.2 +/- 0.94; P < .001 for all comparisons). However, the increase in intimal thickness during the 1- year interval was not significantly different between the two groups. In 4 patients in whom both types of sites were present, no difference in progression was found. Data were similar for patients and sites studied over > 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

PEDD does not accelerate the progression of TxCAD within the first few years after cardiac transplantation. The pathophysiology of TxCAD is most likely immune mediated and does not seem to be accelerated by native coronary artery disease.

The crystal structure of deshexapeptide (B25-B30) insulin at 0.25 nm resolution

The determination of deshexapeptide (B25-B30) insulin (DHI) was divided into two steps. At the first step, the rough structure model of DHI molecule was determined by using the molecular replacement method associated with the molecular close-packing method at 0.30 nm resolution based on the reflection data collected on four-cycle diffractometer. At the second step, the DHI model was adjusted and refined at 0.25 nm resolution based on the data collected on Area Detector. 40 water molecules were determined during the refinement, the final R-factor is 0.185 with R.M.S. deviation of 0.002 nm for bond lengths and 1.9 degrees for bond angles. The differences in conformation and function of DHI with other insulin analogues were compared and discussed.

[Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin injection in healthy volunteers]

The results of pharmacokinetic study of intravenous infusion ciprofloxacin in normal male volunteers were presented. Serum and urine concentrations of ciprofloxacin were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The single dose 200 mg iv concentration-time curve fitted to two-compartment open model in eight volunteers. Its main pharmacokinetic parameters were: C0 4.61 +/- 1.64 mg/L, t1/2 beta 3.86 +/- 0.67 h and AUC 7.06 +/- 1.21 mg/L.h. The urinary recovery rate of ciprofloxacin over 12 h after dosing was 60.85%.

[The relations of corneal, lenticular and total astigmatism]

PURPOSE

To determine the relations of corneal, lenticular and total astigmatism and the changes of the astigmatism with age.

METHOD

Out-patients with refractive errors were refracted with retinoscope after using cycloplegic drops and measured the radii of anterior corneal curvature.

RESULT

One hundred and ninety-four cases (382 eyes) with refractive errors were studied. Of the eyes 67.9% had regular corneal astigmatism, 68.1% irregular lenticular astigmatism and 60.7% regular total astigmatism, 88.5% of the corneal astigmatism has the same quality as the total astigmatism. The total astigmatism in 46% of the eyes included the summation of corneal and lenticular astigmatism, but in 41.3% of the eyes irregular lenticular astigmatism corrected the regular corneal astigmatism. The astigmatism of cornea, lens and total astigmatism changed from regular to irregular with the increase of age. The linear correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the power of horizontal corneal refraction and age, and a negative corrlation between the power of vertical corneal refraction and age.

CONCLUSION

The shape of cornea was the major cause of total astigmatism. The influence of lens on the total astigmatism was different. The reasons for the change of the total astigmatism from regular to irregular with the increase of age were the changes of the power of corneal refraction, particularly the increase of the power of horizontal corneal refraction and lenticular irregular astigmatism.

Application of chiral gas chromatography with electroantennographic detection to the determination of the stereochemistry of a cockroach sex pheromone

The coupling of an electroantennographic detector to a chiral capillary gas chromatographic system provides a highly sensitive technique for the determination of pheromone stereochemistry. Electronic modification of the usual electroantennographic detector enables the detector to respond to the relatively broad peaks produced by chiral gas chromatographic systems. By using this methodology, supellapyrone, a female sex pheromone of the brownbanded cockroach Supella longipalpa (Orthoptera: Blattellidae), is shown to be 5-(2'R,4'R-dimethylheptanyl)-3-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one.

Use of the four-and-a-half clearing technique to study gymnosperm embryology: Cunninghamia lanceolata

Since its introduction in 1971, the four-and-a-half clearing technique has been widely applied to the study of ovule and female gametophyte development in flowering plants as an alternative to the more arduous paraffin section methods. The technique has undergone several modifications that have broadened its application in studies of Angiosperm embryology. To date, however, the technique has not been successfully applied to embryological features of Gymnosperms. Dark coloration caused by naturally occurring substances and by-products of fixation render the clearing fluid ineffective, and special pretreatment methods used to remove dark substances in Angiosperm ovules have little or no effect on Gymnosperm material. In the technique reported here, paraffin sections of ovules and young seeds of Cunninghamia lanceolata 80-120 microns thick are cleared in benzyl benzoate-4 1/2 clearing fluid and examined with phase contrast optics. Observations of the mature female gametophyte in these cleared preparations are compared with those obtained from 10 microns sections, stained with safranin and fast green, and examined with bright-field optics. Although contrast and definition are more pronounced in stained sections than in cleared ones, the differences would not alter one's interpretation of characteristic structural features. The thick, cleared section offers an advantage over the thin, stained one in that many structural entities are contained within a single section rather than spread through several serial sections. The time required for clearing thick sections is much shorter than that required for making permanent stained preparations.

High-performance liquid chromatographic assay of cefazolin in rat tissues

A rapid, sensitive and reproducible high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay for cefazolin in rat tissues was developed. Tissue samples were homogenized in distilled water, acidified with 8.5% phosphoric acid, and centrifuged. Cefazolin was isolated from the supernatant by solid-phase extraction on C18 cartridges. The eluate containing cefazolin and internal standard, cephalexin, was injected onto a reversed-phase C18 column and eluted with a mobile phase of 23% methanol in 0.02 M sodium phosphate monobasic (pH 5.0) and detected with UV absorbance at 270 nm. Recoveries of cefazolin were 33.7 +/- 2.5%, 45.4 +/- 2.1%, and 42.9 +/- 1.0% from liver, spleen and lung, respectively. The calibration curves for cefazolin were established at 0.5-1500 micrograms/g in spleen, 0.1-250 micrograms/g in liver and 0.1-75 micrograms/g in lung. The assay was reproducible with within-day and between-day variations of 1-2 and 1-4%, respectively. Application of the assay for tissue distribution of cefazolin in liposomal targeting study was demonstrated.

Puncturing the empirical point shengen in treatment of 101 cases of apoplectic hemiplegia

By needling chiefly an empirical point Shengen with the penetration method, a total effective rate of 96.04% was obtained in 101 cases of apoplectic hemiplegia. In comparison with 38 controls, either the therapeutic effects and courses or other indices observed in the needling group were shown to be encouraging.

Parallel decrease of Na(+)-taurocholate cotransport and its encoding mRNA in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes

We investigated the molecular mechanism underlying the progressive loss of Na(+)-dependent bile salt uptake in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. A specific cDNA probe was used to quantitate the levels of mRNA encoding the Na(+)-taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide at various culture times. Hepatocytes were cultured on collagen in the presence of insulin (10(-7) mol/L), dexamethasone (10(-7) mol/L) and 10% fetal calf serum for up to 72 hr. During this time period the dissociation constant of Na(+)-dependent taurocholate uptake remained stable (19 to 39 mumol/L), whereas the maximum velocity values decreased from 100% at 3 hr to 55%, 22% and 4% at 24, 48 and 72 hr, respectively. Concomitantly the levels of the Na(+)-taurocholate-cotransporting polypeptide mRNA also decreased from 100% at 3 hr to 41%, 24% and 4% at the later time points. In contrast, Northern hybridization with complementary DNA probes for three common housekeeping gene products revealed a 1.8- to 3.4-fold increase in the levels of mRNA encoding the alpha-subunit of the Na+K(+)-ATPase, beta-actin and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. These data indicate that the loss of Na(+)-dependent bile salt uptake in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes is caused by decreased levels of its specific mRNA. Hence the studies further confirm that without specific measures (primary) cultured rat hepatocytes reverse their liver-specific phenotype to a more fetal pattern of gene expression.

Sex pheromone for the brownbanded cockroach is an unusual dialkyl-substituted alpha-pyrone

Female brownbanded cockroaches, Supella longipalpa, emit a sex pheromone that attracts males from a distance. This pheromone was isolated and identified as 5-(2,4-dimethylheptanyl)-3-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one (which we refer to as supellapyrone), and its structure was confirmed by synthesis. A racemic blend of the synthetic compound elicited behavioral and electrophysiological responses comparable to the natural pheromone across a range of doses. This compound is not only a very different type of cockroach pheromone but also makes up an additional class of natural products--namely, 3,5-dialkyl-substituted alpha-pyrones.

[Study on the relationship between appearance of autoantibodies and chest X-ray findings of asbestos plant employees]

Antinuclear factor (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined in 220 employees of an asbestos plant. The relationship of the appearance of the two factors to sex, age, smoking habit, duration of asbestos exposure and asbestos exposure level was studied. In 207 employees who had chest roentgenograms, the relationship of these two factors to pulmonary lesions and pleural lesions was examined. Of the 220 employees, 33 (15%) had ANA and 7 employees (3.2%) had RF. ANA positive rate in the asbestos plant employees was significantly higher than in the control. Factors significantly correlated to their appearance could not be demonstrated. With the progress of pulmonary lesions the ANA positive rate significantly elevated, but ANA positive rate was not significantly correlated with pleural lesions. RF did not show any significant correlation with any of the factors.

[Pharmacokinetics of ciprofloxacin in young healthy volunteers]

Pharmacokinetic studies on ciprofloxacin were carried out in 6 young healthy volunteers. Serum and urine levels of ciprofloxacin were measured by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The drug obeyed one-compartment model kinetics in serum. The mean peak serum concentration, time to peak concentration and the area under the curve were 4.17 +/- 1.05mg/L, 1.75 +/- 0.40h and 18.09 +/- 2.69mg/L.h respectively after oral administration of 500mg of ciprofloxacin tablet. The elimination half life was 2.34 +/- 0.81h and the apparent volume of distribution was 3.71 +/- 0.75L. The urinary rate of ciprofloxacin over 24h after dosing was 34.22 +/- 6.57%. These data indicate that ciprofloxacin is easily absorbed and its concentration reaches the peak level rapidly. There are high levels of drug both in serum and urine.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in alcoholic patients as assessed by breath analysis

Mitochondria of patients with alcoholic liver disease are morphologically abnormal, and mitochondria isolated from animals exposed to ethanol exhibit functional deficiencies in vitro. Because the functional consequences of the morphological alterations and the relevance of in vitro observations to mitochondrial function in alcoholic subjects are not clear, we assessed mitochondrial function noninvasively with a breath test. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring the exhalation of 14CO2 after administration of 1 microCi 2-keto[1-14C]isocaproic acid, the decarboxylation of which occurs in mitochondria. The results of the 2-keto[1-14C]isocaproic acid breath test in 17 alcoholic subjects were compared with the results in healthy controls and patients with nonalcoholic liver disease. The peak exhalation of 14CO2 and the fraction of the administered dose decarboxylated in 60 min were significantly lower in alcoholic patients than in healthy controls or patients with nonalcoholic liver disease. In alcoholic patients 2-keto[1-14C]isocaproic acid decarboxylation was impaired in the presence of normal conventional and quantitative liver function as assessed by aminopyrine breath test and galactose elimination capacity, indicating that 2-keto[1-14C]isocaproic acid decarboxylation does not simply reflect decreased functional liver mass. We conclude that mitochondrial function as reflected by 2-keto[1-14C]isocaproic acid decarboxylation is impaired in chronic alcoholic patients. The functional impairment is specific for excessive ethanol consumption and not a reflection of decreased global liver function or the presence of cirrhosis. 2-Keto[1-14C]isocaproic acid decarboxylation could thus be useful as a marker of excessive ethanol consumption.

[Determination of ciprofloxacin in human serum and urine by reversed-phase HPLC]

A sensitive and rapid method for the determination of ciprofloxacin using enoxacin as the internal standard was reported. High-performance liquid chromatograph model 344 (Beckman, USA) with a variable wavelength UV detector and reversed-phase Ultrasphere-ODS column (5 microns, 250 x 4.6 mm) was used. Serum or urine sample preparation involved addition phosphate buffer (pH 7.5) and aqueous solution of sodium lauryl sulfate, followed by chloroform extraction. The organic layer was removed and evaporated to dryness under an air stream in a 37 degrees C water bath. The residue was dissolved in 50 microliters mobile phase and 20 microliters injected. The mobile phase of 0.02 mol/L acetate buffer (pH 3.0) -acetonitril-dimethylformamide-10% aqueous solution of tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide (88:6.5:5:0.5) was pumped at 0.9 ml/min through the column. The detector operated at 0.01 aufs and the wavelength was set at 276 nm. The retention times for ciprofloxacin and enoxacin were 7.31 min and 5.59 min, respectively. In serum, standard curve was linear in the concentration range of 0.75 to 24 mumol/L, the detective limit was 0.2 mumol/L, extraction recovery was 69-74%, within-day CV was less than 5%, and inter-day CV was less than 6%.

[Effect of verapamil with renal disease basic-prescription on hemorheology indexes of type II nephrotic syndrome]

24 cases of type II nephrotic syndrome were studied and divided randomly into two groups. Group A: 12 cases treated with verapamil; Group B: 12 cases treated with verapamil plus Renal Disease Basic-prescription (RDBP). Hemorheology indexes were measured in the two groups before and 4 weeks after the treatment. The results showed hyperviscosity was obviously improved in group A after verapamil administration (P < 0.05), but the improvement in group B was much more significant than that in group A. The results mentioned above indicate that calcium channel blocker has an anticoagulant effect with inhibiting platelet aggregation, and Peach kernel, Safflower, etc of RDBP played a role in prohibiting platelets aggregation, anticoagulation and promoting microcirculation. However the combination of the two methods has better effect in improving the hypercoagulable state of nephrotic syndrome.

Protective effects of the calcium antagonists diltiazem and TA3090 against hepatic injury due to hypoxia

Recent work has shown that dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blockers such as nitrendipine protect against ischemic liver damage in the rat in vivo (Thurman RG, Apel E and Lemasters JJ, J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 12: S113-S116, 1988), suggesting that calcium antagonists may have clinical value in preventing ischemic and hypoxic hepatic injury. This study was designed to examine the effects of two benzothiazepine-type calcium channel blockers, diltiazem and TA3090, in the hypoxic perfused rat liver. Livers were isolated and perfused briefly with oxygen-saturated buffer, followed by perfusion for 80 min with nitrogen-saturated buffer with diltiazem or TA3090 (20-200 microM), and concluding with 20 min of perfusion with oxygen-saturated buffer. In control preparations, maximal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into effluent perfusate following hypoxia averaged about 1100 U/L. Diltiazem and TA3090 decreased LDH release at all concentrations studied; both drugs were most effective at the 100 microM concentration (71 and 73% inhibition, respectively). Oxygen uptake by control livers decreased 78% following hypoxia; diltiazem and TA3090 reduced this effect markedly, with maximal effectiveness again observed with 100 microM (O2 uptake was decreased by 22% with 100 microM diltiazem and by only 9% with 100 microM TA3090). Histological examination for nuclear uptake of the vital dye trypan blue revealed necrosis of parenchymal cells along with cell shrinking and consequent expansion of the sinusoids in control livers. Perfusion with diltiazem markedly reduced parenchymal cell death but did not alter the pattern of cell damage observed. In contrast, livers perfused with TA3090 during hypoxia had virtually no parenchymal cell damage, although moderate damage to nonparenchymal cells in the sinusoids occurred. The difference in mechanisms responsible for the phenomena which occur with diltiazem and TA3090 is not completely understood; however, these and other calcium antagonists clearly have powerful hepatoprotective effects against ischemia and hypoxia.

[Effects of adrenergic agonist on population spike in CA1 region of hippocampal slices from partial and full kindled rats]

Effects of adrenergic agonist on population spike (PS) amplitude were studied extracellularly at CA1 region of hippocampal slices from partial and full kindled rats with coriaria lactone (1-1.25 mg/kg, two days a time, i.m.) and compared with those from control rats. 5 mumol/L norepinephrine (NE) increased PS; 50 mumol/L NE decreased it slightly. 5 mumol/L isoproterenol (ISO) increased PS. 100 mumol/L phenylephrine (PE) decreased it. The effects of increasing and decreasing PS could be antagonised by beta and alpha adrenergic antagonists, respectively. The effects of NE and PE on PS amplitude showed no significant difference between the control and kindled rats. The effect of beta-adrenergic agonist ISO on PS amplitude in hippocampal slices from partial kindled rats was less than that of control (P < 0.01). The effect of ISO on PS of full kindled rats was partially recovered.

[A preliminary survey on Zhuang nationality medicinal crops at traditional herbs market of Jingxi County in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region]

This paper reports an investigation and study on the Zhuang nationality medicinal crops available on the traditional herbs market in Jingxi county of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. There are 380 species belonging to 129 families and 322 genus, among which notably Embelia parviflora, Malus doumeri, Panax notoginseng, Polygala fallax, etc. This study may serve as a reference for exploitation and utilization of the Zhuang nationality medicinal herbs resources.

[Determination of hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone in plasma by reversed-phase HPLC]

A sensitive and rapid method for the simultaneous measurement of both hydrocortisone (HC) and methylprednisolone (MP) using dexamethasone (DX) as the internal standard was presented. High-performance liquid chromatograph Model 344 (Beckman, USA) with a 254 nm wavelength UV detector and reversed-phase Ultrasphere ODS (5 microns) column was used. Sample was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer was evaporated to dryness under an air stream in a 37 degrees C water bath. The residue was dissolved in 30 microliters mobile phase and 20 microliters injected. The mobile phase of methanol and 0.01 mol/L acetate buffer (pH 3.0) (64:36) was pumped at 1.0 ml/min through the column. The detector was operated at 0.005 aufs. The retention time for HC, MP and DX was 5.43 min, 7.7 min and 11.5 min, respectively. Standard curve was linear in the concentration range of 0.02 to 1.28 mg/L for HC and 0.05 to 12.8 mg/L for MP. Sensitivity was 1 ng for HC and 1.5 ng for MP; extraction recovery 76-83%; within day CV less than 4%, and inter-day CV less than 6% for both steroids.

2-Ethylhexanol uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria

2-Ethylhexanol (70 microM), a non-genotoxic carcinogen and peroxisome proliferator, stimulated oxygen uptake in the perfused rat liver by about 10% during the first 10 min of infusion. Perfusion with a higher, hepatotoxic dose of ethylhexanol (3 mM) led to a transient increase in oxygen uptake followed by a rapid inhibition of respiration of over 50% in 10 min. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, indicative of irreversible cell death, was detected in the effluent perfusate after 20 min. After 10 min of perfusion with ethylhexanol, livers were freeze-clamped, acid extracts were prepared and adenine nucleotides were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Ethylhexanol decreased the ATP/ADP ratio from 2.5 to 0.9. Thus, marked decreases in hepatic energy state due to inhibition of respiration preceded cell death. To attempt to understand this phenomenon, the effect of ethylhexanol on isolated mitochondria was studied. Similar to classical uncoupling agents, ethylhexanol stimulated state-4 rates of respiration, diminished coupled rates of respiration, and decreased the P/O ratio in a dose-dependent manner in isolated mitochondria. Ethylhexanol also decreased uptake of radiolabeled 45CaCl2 by isolated mitochondria 4- to 5-fold. Therefore, we hypothesize that ethylhexanol initially uncouples oxidative phosphorylation leading to diminished ATP synthesis and collapse of ion gradients across the mitochondrial membrane.

[An approach to correcting scoliosis. Mechanism and operative procedure]

In the treatment of scoliosis, we found that soft tissue contracture on the concave side is the main force maintaining deformity, resisting correction and rejecting implants. So the release of contracture would get rid of the bow-string effect of the contractured tissues from the main curve, such as the capsules and ligaments around costo-transverse joints, the inter-transverse and intercostal muscles, together with the posterior section of the corresponding ribs would also be taken off by those shrunken tissues close to the main curve, like the capsules and ligaments around the costo-vertebral joints. Since 1982, 23 patients aged 6 to 16 years were treated operatively. The operation was done in 2 stages: contracture release on the concave side and fusion with bone grafting on both side laminae through body cast. Follow up for 1 to 8.5 years showed satisfactory results. The mechanism and effect of soft tissue contracture of idiopathic and congenital scoliosis are discussed in detail.

Ventricular function and contractile proteins in the infarcted overloaded rat heart

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The aim was to determine whether surviving myocardium in the infarcted rat heart retains the ability to respond to sustained increases in afterload.

DESIGN

Cardiac mass, ventricular function, and actomyosin ATPase activity were compared in animals subjected to coronary artery ligation to produce infarction, superimposed renal artery constriction 4 weeks after infarction, and in sham operated animals.

EXPERIMENTAL MATERIAL

Female Wistar rats obtained at 10 weeks of age (200-225 g) were used for the studies.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Four weeks after coronary artery ligation, infarcted hearts showed a 22% increase in heart weight and a significant reduction in peak systolic pressure and +/- dP/dt during acute volume infusion and aortic occlusion compared to sham operated hearts. Eight weeks after the initial surgical intervention, the infarct group showed significant impairment in ventricular performance compared to the sham operated group but no further decrement was observed between hearts with infarction and those with infarct and superimposed renal artery constriction for peak systolic pressure and +/- dP/dt during volume infusion and aortic occlusion. Actomyosin ATPase activity, however, was depressed and the shift to V3 myosin isoenzyme was greater in infarct and renal artery constriction compared to infarct alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Left ventricular myocardium following infarction does not retain the ability to increase cardiac mass and shows depressed levels of actomyosin ATPase activity when exposed to a superimposed chronic afterload from renal artery constriction. However, cardiac function in situ is maintained.

[The relationship between percutaneous rate of drug and its HPLC retention behavior]

A series of 13 p-aminobenzoate esters were selected as model drugs to study correlations between HPLC retention parameters and percutaneous rate. The octanol/water partition coefficient and solubility of these compounds were determined and their permeation through rat skin was measured using a Franz diffusion cell. Capacity factor and retention index were used as HPLC retention parameters and calculated from their retention times. The results indicate that for the p-aminobenzoate esters studied, the capacity factors and retention indices obtained in our experimental conditions are indicators of relative lipophilicity of drugs and can be used to predict their steady-state fluxes and permeation coefficients by using the Hansch equation. They are easy to obtain and reproducible enough to substitute for the more laborious and inaccurate partition coefficient values.

A study of molecular epidemiology of adenovirus of types 3 and 7 on infant pneumonia in northern China

This paper analysed 102 strains of adenovirus types 3(Ad3) and 7(Ad7) causing infant pneumonia from 1976 to 1988 in northern China. Two genotypes of Ad7, 7b and 7d, were identified by using restriction endonucleases, BamHI, BcLI, BgLI, SmaI, XbaI and HindIII. 3 genotypes of Ad3, 3I, 3II and 3III, were identified by using BgLII and BamHI. Of 56 Ad7 strains, 34 were 7b (76.8%) spread over last 10 years; 13 7d(23.2%) occurred from 1982, together with 7b. Of 46 Ad3 strains, 42 3I(91.3%) spread over the past 12 years. 3II and 3III scattered all over these years. Ad3I and Ad7b were the dominant genotypes. The results indicated that Ad7d tended to increase with time from 1982. It is possible that Ad7d will become dominant genotype and replace Ad7b.

Acetabuloplasty for congenital dislocation of the hip in children

A modified acetabuloplasty, which has been employed at our hospital since 1977, is described for the treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in children. The procedure has been performed on a total of 74 hips in 61 children (average age 6.7 years), with satisfactory results obtained in 87.8% of hips. The technique, its indications, and pre- and postoperative management are detailed. The procedure possesses the advantages of both the shelf and Pemberton procedures and has proved to be an effective operation for older children with poor acetabular development. Our results show that, when performed correctly, this procedure is simple, safe, and effective.

Primary osteogenic sarcoma of the kidney

We report a case of primary osteogenic sarcoma of the kidney. To our knowledge only 7 such cases have been described previously.

Clinical hepatotoxicity of isoniazid in children

A patient is presented with reversible clinical and biochemical hepatocellular injury secondary to isoniazid (INH). This apparently rare drug reaction in children is compared with the more common transient hypertransaminasemia induced by isoniazid. A review of the clinical literature and basic pharmacologic mechanisms of isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity has led to a rational plan for monitoring and managing children who are treated with INH.