[Selection of technology for processing steamed Garcinia hunburyi with high pressure]

The technology for processing steamed Garcinia hunburyi with high pressure was synthetically selected by using orthogonal experiment design, based on the indexes of anti-inflammatory, bacteriocidal, anti-tumour effects and gambagic acid content. The result shows that the best way is to steam for 0.5 h at 126 degrees C.

[Influence of different processes on bactericidal and tumoricidal effects of gamboges]

The different processes for preparing gamboge could influence its bactericidal activity and cytotoxicity. The gamboge processed with high pressure steam has been proved the most powerful in killing Staphylococcus aureus and tumor cells. The most suitable condition for processing gamboge is to steam it at 126 degrees C for 30 minutes.

Local electrogram changes in response to a high-voltage intracardiac shock in humans

INTRODUCTION

Transvenous defibrillators may have difficulty sensing ventricular fibrillation following an unsuccessful shock. This study was undertaken to characterize the changes that occur in intracardiac electrograms following a defibrillator shock that may contribute to the failure to redetect arrhythmias.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Unipolar and bipolar electrogram recordings were made during sinus rhythm before and following monophasic and biphasic test shocks delivered in random order through a single lead defibrillator system in 15 patients. An additional 14 patients received only a biphasic shock. Electrogram amplitude, dV/dt, and activation recovery time were determined. Following biphasic shocks, unipolar electrogram amplitude decreased by a mean of 19.6% and the bipolar amplitude by a mean of 20.8% (P = NS). The mean dV/dt in the unipolar recordings decreased by 30.7% and in the bipolar recordings decreased by 33.0% (P = NS). Time constants for recovery were approximately 60 seconds. Reduction in dV/dt was greater when the shocking coil was closer to the distal sensing electrode. There was no significant influence of shock waveform (monophasic vs biphasic), recording type (unipolar vs bipolar), or clinical variables on the change in electrogram characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Changes in intracardiac electrograms following defibrillator shocks through transvenous leads are seen with shocks delivered in sinus rhythm and may be related to the proximity of the shocking coil to the distal sensing electrode.

[Acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect of processed products of gamboge]

The acute toxicity and anti-inflammatory effect of processed and raw Gamboge were compared. The results showed that the acute toxicity of processed Gamboge was less than that of the raw one, while both had significant anti-inflammatory effect alike. Among the differently processed products, those boiled with lotus leaf juice and steamed by high pressure were better.

[Effect of ginger-processing on l-ephedrine contents in rhizoma Pinelliae]

The contents of l-ephedrine in Rhizoma Pinelliae have been determined to be approximately 3.44 x 10(-3). The contents vary with the five different processing methods in the following order, Pinellia boiled with ginger juice and alum > raw Pinellia > Pinellia dipped in ginger juice > Pinellia boiled only with ginger juice > Pinellia dipped in alum solution. The alum solution and the Pinellia boiled only with ginger juice bear most strongly on the l-ephedrine contents of Pinellia.

[Comparison of cytotoxicity of different processed products of gamboge on K562 tumor cells]

The cytotoxicity of different processed products of Gamboge on K562 tumor cell was observed. The result showed that the antitumor action of Garcinia hunburyi processed by steaming (0.15MPa, 126 C for 30 min) was the strongest.

[Effect of ginger-processing on beta-sitosterol and total alkaloid contents in Rhizoma Pinelliae]

The contents of beta-sitosterol of five processed products of Rhizoma Pinelliae we were determined by TLC. The result showed that the lowest content of beta-sitosterol was found in Rhizoma Pinelliae boiled with ginger juice (0.0180%), and the highest in raw Phizoma Panelliae (0.0572%). The contents of total alkaloid of five processed products of Phizoma Pinelliae were also determined by gravimetry and spectrophotometry with acid dye. The result showed that the highest content of total alkaloid was obtained in Rhizoma Pinelliae boiled with ginger juice and alum, and the lowest in Rhizoma Pinelliae boiled with ginger juice.

Evidence for para dechlorination of polychlorobiphenyls by methanogenic bacteria

When microorganisms eluted from upper Hudson River sediment were cultured without any substrate except polychlorobiphenyl (PCB)-free Hudson River sediment, methane formation was the terminal step of the anaerobic food chain. In sediments containing Aroclor 1242, addition of eubacterium-inhibiting antibiotics, which should have directly inhibited fermentative bacteria and thereby should have indirectly inhibited methanogens, resulted in no dechlorination activity or methane production. However, when substrates for methanogenic bacteria were provided along with the antibiotics (to free the methanogens from dependence on eubacteria), concomitant methane production and dechlorination of PCBs were observed. The dechlorination of Aroclor 1242 was from the para positions, a pattern distinctly different from, and more limited than, the pattern observed with untreated or pasteurized inocula. Both methane production and dechlorination in cultures amended with antibiotics plus methanogenic substrates were inhibited by 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid. These results suggest that the methanogenic bacteria are among the physiological groups capable of anaerobic dechlorination of PCBs, but that the dechlorination observed with methanogenic bacteria is less extensive than the dechlorination observed with more complex anaerobic consortia.

[Experimental comparison of the analgesic action of Aconitum and its processed products]

This paper deals with the effects of crude Aconitum and Aconitum processed by a new method of moistening and steaming, and by method of pharmacopoeial stipulation on the analgesic action with writhing test and hot plate test in mice. The result shows that the Aconitum processed by new method No 1, which applies moistening in water for 48h and then heating with high pressure steam (68.65kPa, 115 degrees C) for 2h has an advantage over that processed according to pharmacopoeial routine (P < 0.05).

Comparison of MADS box gene expression in developing male and female flowers of the dioecious plant white campion

The MADS box motif is common to genes that regulate the pattern of flower development. To determine whether MADS box genes also play a role in differentiation of the sexes in dioecious plants, we isolated cDNAs (SLM1 to SLM5, for Silene latifolia MADS) with MADS box homology from transcripts of male flower buds of the model dioecious species white campion and compared their expression in developing female and male flowers. SLM1 had extensive sequence similarity to the snapdragon MADS box gene PLENA, SLM2 to GLOBOSA, SLM3 to DEFICIENS, and both SLM4 and SLM5 were similar to SQUAMOSA. Each of the white campion MADS box genes was expressed in the same floral whorls as their respective most homologous snapdragon genes. The sex of the plant affected the pattern of SLM2 and SLM3 expression in the petal and stamen whorls, resulting in a smaller fourth whorl in male flowers than in female flowers. This was correlated with repressed gynoecium development in male flowers. The expression of SLM4 and SLM5 in both sexes differed from that of SQUAMOSA in one important aspect. Unlike SQUAMOSA, they were expressed in inflorescence meristems. This may reflect differences in growth pattern between white campion and snapdragon.

[Measurement of biting force of normal teeth at different ages]

The biting force value of normal teeth of 770 human subjects were measured by electric resistance strain gnathodynamometer. 365 were males, and 405 females. Their ages ranged from 13 to 49. The results showed that the biting force value of males is larger than that of the females (P < 0.01). In the males, the biting force value of those aged 13-16 gradually increased with age, and the maximal biting force values of incisor, bicuspid, and first molar of all the males were 43.3kg, 99.11kg, and 120.66kg respectively.

[Effect of yellow daphne on levels of plasma and decidual estradiol, prostaglandins, progesterone and its receptor in early pregnancy]

The changes of plasma concentration of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and prostaglandins (PG) and decidual level of prostaglandins and progesterone receptor (PR) after injection of Yellow Daphne for induction of abortion were observed. The results showed that the treatment with Yellow Daphne could induce degeneration and necrosis of decidual tissues as well as increase of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha concentration with lowering of PR level in the tissue. On the other hand, plasma level of PGE2 and PGF2 alpha remained unchanged and the levels of E2 and P declined. The data suggested that the contragestive mechanism of Yellow Daphne was mainly the involvement of decidual degeneration and the release of PG thus interfered the intrauterine environment for maintenance of pregnancy which subsequently led to abortion.