[Study on chromatographic peak identification by means of peak shape analysis]

A new method for chromatographic peak identification by means of peak shape analysis is presented in this paper. Directly measurable parameters, i.e. peak width and asymmetry factor are first utilized for peak shape analysis. It is showed from theoretical and experimental results that for a component having almost the same retention time with the standard, an overlapped peak can be obtained by injecting the mixture of analyte and standard. In comparing the peak shape of overlapped peak with the standard one, the component can be identified whether it is the same with the standard or not.

Benzenesulfonamide derivatives of 2-substituted 4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ones and benzthiazin-4-ones as inhibitors of complement C1r protease

A series of 2-sulfonyl-4H-3,1-benzoxazinones was prepared that inhibit C1r protease in vitro. Several compounds were found to be selective for C1r verses the related serine protease trypsin. Selected compounds demonstrated functional activity in a hemolysis assay.

Potent and selective bicyclic lactam inhibitors of thrombin: Part 3: P1' modifications

The synthesis and antithrombotic activity of a series of nonpeptide bicyclic thrombin inhibitors are described. We have explored the SAR around the P1' site. Modification of the P1' site has been found to affect potency and selectivity.

[Study on HCV genotypes in different clinical types of hepatitis C patients in Shenyang area]

OBJECTIVE

To study the distribution of HCV genotypes in different clinical types of hepatitis C in Shenyang area and its clinical significance.

METHODS

The HCV genotypes of 84 HC patients of different clinical types were detected by PCR assay with four kinds of type-specific primers.

RESULTS

In 84 patients with hepatitis C, the HCV-II and HCV-III genotypes and the II/III mixed genotype were 53.6%, 30.9% and 15.5% respectively. The distribution of HCV genotypes in different HC clinical types was not identical, P < 0.05. In acute hepatitis, in mild, moderate and severe degree of chronic hepatitis, and in liver cirrhosis, the infection rates of genotype II HCV were 55.6%, 36.2%, 75.0%, 85.7% and 88.9% respectively, but that of genotype III were 22.2%, 46.8%, 8.3%, 0% and 11.1% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Infection of geno type II HCV was predominant in Shenyang area followed by HCV-III and II/III mixed genotypes. The different genotypes of HCV were related to the severity of hepatitis C.

Interaction of Borrelia burgdorferi with peripheral blood fibrocytes, antigen-presenting cells with the potential for connective tissue targeting

BACKGROUND

Borrelia Burgdorferi has a predilection for collagenous tissue and can interact with fibronectin and cellular collagens. While the molecular mechanisms of how B. burgdorferi targets connective tissues and causes arthritis are not understood, the spirochetes can bind to a number of different cell types, including fibroblasts. A novel circulating fibroblast-like cell called the peripheral blood fibrocyte has recently been described. Fibrocytes express collagen types I and III as well as fibronectin. Besides playing a role in wound healing, fibrocytes have the potential to target to connective tissue and the functional capacity to recruit, activate, and present antigen to CD4(+) T cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rhesus monkey fibrocytes were isolated and characterized by flow cytometry. B. burgdorferi were incubated with human or monkey fibrocyte cultures in vitro and the cellular interactions analyzed by light and electron microscopy. The two strains of B. burgdorferi studied included JD1, which is highly pathogenic for monkeys, and M297, which lacks the cell surface OspA and OspB proteins.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrate that B. burgdorferi binds to both human and monkey (rhesus) fibrocytes in vitro. This process does not require OspA or OspB. In addition, the spirochetes are not phagocytosed but are taken into deep recesses of the cell membrane, a process that may protect them from the immune system.

CONCLUSIONS

This interaction between B. burgdorferi and peripheral blood fibrocytes provides a potential explanation for the targeting of spirochetes to joint connective tissue and may contribute to the inflammatory process in Lyme arthritis.

Potent and selective bicyclic lactam inhibitors of thrombin: Part 2: P1 modifications

The synthesis and antithrombotic activity of a series of nonpeptide bicyclic thrombin inhibitors is described. We have explored the SAR with modifications to the P1 site. The introduction of arginine mimetics at the P1 site led to potent and selective thrombin inhibitors.

[Study on the chemical components of Alpinia officinarum]

Four crystalline substances were isolated from rhizome of Alpinia officinarum Hance. They were identified as beta-Sitosterol (I), Galangin (II), Emodin (III) and Quercetin (IV), I and III were separated from this plant for the first time.

[Studies on hygienic standard for ozone in indoor air]

OBJECTIVE

To formulate a national hygienic standard for ozone in indoor air.

METHODS

Indoor air ozone concentrations at variety of places were detected at its peak level in the daytime. Also, animal experiments exposed to low-level ozone were conducted to study the contents of lipid peroxide in the lungs, the ultrastructure of the bronchial epithelium and the phagocyte function of peritoneal macrophage.

RESULTS

Safety of ozone concentration of 0.1 mg/m3 in indoor air and feasibility to use it as hygienic standard were tested and proved.

CONCLUSION

The national hygienic standard for ozone in indoor air is recommended at 0.1 mg/m3 based on the data and relevant criteria at home and abroad.

[Determination of anions in natural water with low pressure ion chromatography]

An application of low pressure ion chromatography to the analysis of natural water is described. Cl-, NO3- and SO4(2-) in the local tap water, lake, river and rain waters were separated and quantified. The limits of detection for Cl-, NO3- and SO4(2-) were 0.0136, 0.204, and 0.161 mg/L, respectively, and the recoveries were between 90% and 104%. The optimum condition is 1.44 mmol/L of Na2CO3 in eluent at a flow rate of 1.2 mL/min. The conductivity detector was used at 1.4 mu omega-1 and the sample volume injected was 20 microL. Similar chromatographic condition is also suitable for determination of NO2- and SO3(2-) in water samples. Furthermore, the limitations of the eluent composition used is also discussed.

Hindbrain herniation syndromes: the Chiari malformations (I and II)

Hindbrain hernias with or without hydrosyringomyelia were difficult diagnostic problems before the availability of magnetic resonance imaging. Today, the problem seems not to be in evaluating the anatomical extent of the caudal herniation of the cerebellum, but in determining which patient should be considered for operative intervention and the extent of the surgery. Chiari I patients are presenting at younger ages, occasionally with irritability as their only symptom. Should all of these children be submitted to an operation? Chiari II patients are now operated on with the first detectable symptom or evidence of a syrinx, and yet medullary dysfunction from the Chiari II malformation remains the leading cause of death in treated myelomeningoceles today. Our knowledge of the natural history of the untreated conditions and the increased safety of the operation has made surgical intervention a much more viable option for this group of patients.

An infection inhibiting urinary catheter material

Catheter associated bacteriuria is a common infection in hospitals and nursing homes. An infection inhibiting catheter material for fabricating urinary catheters is being developed. The material consists of silicone rubber elastomer compounded with chlorhexidene gluconate (CHG) matrix. The antibiotic is released in sustained fashion over at least 4 weeks. A method was established for adding CHG to silicone rubber. To protect the CHG, it is suspended in a water soluble wax that also modulates CHG release from the elastomer. It was found that CHG is randomly dispersed in the elastomer and that the primary release mechanism is by diffusion. The antibacterial activity of the material with a range of 0.1 to 5% CHG by weight was examined using in vitro zone inhibition testing. The new material demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against three pathogens tested (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus epidermidis.). The release rate of CHG was measured in vitro using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). With 5% CHG loading, the antibiotic was released at a steady rate of approximately 8.4 mg/cm2/day for periods extending beyond 4 weeks. This new material for urinary catheters has the potential to provide protection against infection and surface colonization.

[Role of pulmonary arterial angiotensin converting enzyme in development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of local pulmonary arterial renin-angiotensin system on hypoxic pulmonary hypertension(PAH).

METHOD

Normobaric hypoxic PAH animal model was adopted. Systolic pulmonary arterial pressure(PAPs), pulmonary arterial angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE) activity, collagen content(HP) were measured and ultrastructure of pulmonary smooth muscle cells (SMC) and was observed.

RESULTS

During hypoxia, PAPs, pulmonary ACE activity, HP increased significantly and SMC changed into secretive phenotype. Treatment with cilazapril, an ACE inhibitor, decreased ACE activity along with reversal of PAPs. HP and SMC phenotype.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary ACE participated in the modulation of changes of SMC phenotype and collagen metabolism during hypoxic PAH.

[Effects of fructus cnidii coumarins compared with nilestriol on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats]

AIM

To compare the total coumarins from dried fruits of Cnidium monnieri (TCCM) and nilestriol (Nil) against osteoporosis.

METHODS

SD rats (40, female, 3-month-old) were randomly divided into basal control, age control, ovariectomized (Ova), Ova + TCCM 67 mg.kg-1, Ova + TCCM 200 mg.kg-1, 6 times a week, and Ova + Nil 1 mg.kg-1, i.g. once a week. After 12 wk, sections (20 microns) of proximal tibiae were examined histologically.

RESULTS

Ova reduced markedly the trabecular bone mass due to bone resorption excessed bone formation (% Tb. Ar -59%). Treatment with TCCM 67 mg.kg-1 partly suppressed bone turnover, but did not inhibit bone loss in Ova rats (% Tb.Ar -43%). Treatment with TCCM 200 mg.kg-1 and Nil 1 mg.kg-1 increased the trabecular area (% Tb. Ar +100% and +274%).

CONCLUSION

Nil was more potent than TCCM in protecting against osteoporosis in Ova rats via supression of bone turnover.

Uterine fibronectin mRNA content and localization are modulated during implantation

Fibronectin mRNA and protein content were examined during embryonic implantation in the rat uterus. Content of total fibronectin mRNA at day 6 of pregnancy increased relative to the non-pregnant uterus. In contrast, fibronectin protein content of the subepithelial stroma was relatively decreased except in the region directly surrounding the lumen, and this fibronectin immunoreactivity was sensitive to hyaluronidase treatment. These changes are likely to reflect the degradation and subsequent remodeling of the previously stable uterine extracellular matrix in preparation for embryonic implantation. A+, B-, V + fibronectin mRNAs were present in both the non-pregnant and day 6 pregnant uterus with increased content of A+ and V+ fibronectin mRNAs in the latter. A + fibronectin mRNA was distributed throughout the endometrial stroma of the non-pregnant uterus and content of the subepithelial stroma increased by day 4 of pregnancy, coincident with progesterone action on the endometrium. On day 6 of pregnancy, fibronectin mRNAs encoding the V95 and A regions were preferentially localized to the mesometrial zone of the subepithelial stroma. Accumulation of these mRNA splicing variants at the mesometrial zone was dependent upon decidualization, but the embryo was not required. Thus, there are two major changes in uterine fibronectin gene expression as a result of pregnancy: increased fibronectin mRNA content and mesometrial localization. These changes suggest a key function for fibronectin in implantation and imply the operation of a regulatory program of fibronectin gene expression which depends on hormonal sensitization and a nidatory stimulus.