Putative Chemosignals of the Ferret (Mustela furo) Associated with Individual and Gender Recognition

Quantitative stir bar sorptive extraction methods, both in the aqueous and headspace modes, followed by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to investigate individual variations in the volatile components of male and female ferret (Mustela furo) urine. The urinary profiles were further compared with volatile profiles of anal gland secretions of breeding male and female ferrets. Thirty volatile compounds were quantified in male and female urine. Among them, 2-methylquinoline was unique to male urine. Four ketones (4-heptanone, 2-heptanone, o-aminoacetophenone, and a dimethoxyacetophenone) and several nitrogen compounds (e.g., 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, quinoline, 4-methylquinazoline) and low levels of three unidentified nonsulfur compounds were significantly more abundant in males than in females. Quantitative comparison of 30 volatile urinary compounds showed several statistically significant differences between the sexes and individuals of the same sex. These findings suggest that ferrets may use urine marking for sex and individual recognitions. Ten of the 26 compounds identified in anal gland secretions from females and males were also found in urine. However, most of the major compounds (thietanes, dithiolanes, and indole) in anal glands were not present in urine. This suggests that urine may convey specific signals that differ from those of anal glands. Additionally, 10 volatiles (two aldehydes, five ketones, benzothiazole, 2-methylquinoline, and 4-methylquinazoline), not previously identified, were found in ferret anal gland secretions. Among the new compounds, o-aminoacetophenone was found only in males, while only traces of this compound were found in females. Similar results were previously obtained in anal glands of three other Mustela species. These findings provide new information about the constituents of urine and volatile components of anal gland secretions in ferrets.

Structural, interfacial and optical characterization of ultrathin zirconia film grown byin situthermal oxidation of sputtered metallic Zr films

High dielectric constant ZrO₂gate dielectric thin films have been prepared by means ofin situthermal oxidation of sputtered metallic Zr films. XRD reveals that the as-oxidized samples are amorphous, but can be made polycrystalline with a highly ()-preferential orientation by increasing the annealing temperature. AFM measurements confirm that high temperature annealing results in increase of the roughness root mean square value of the films. The growth and properties of the interfacial SiO₂layer formed at the ZrO₂/Si interface are observed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It has been found that the formation of the interfacial layer depends on the post-deposition annealing temperature. On the basis of a parametrized Tauc-Lorentz dispersion model, the optical properties of the as-oxidized and annealed films related to the annealing temperature are systematically investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The increase in the refractive index and decrease in extinction coefficient with increase of the annealing temperature are discussed in detail.

Molecular Detection of Apiosporina morbosa, Causal Agent of Black Knot in Prunus virginiana

A specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed to detect Apiosporina morbosa, the causal agent of black knot disease on chokecherry, Prunus virginiana (including the cultivar 'Shubert Select'). A pair of A. morbosa-specific forward and reverse primers (AMF and AMR) was designed from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of A. morbosa, preamplified by universal ITS primers ITS1 and ITS4, and compared with the ITS region sequences of Fusarium, Alternaria, Phoma, and Cladosporium species associated with black knots. The primers were tested for their specificity to A. morbosa detection in the PCR assays using DNA derived from 64 pure cultures, including 42 single-spore isolates of A. morbosa and 22 isolates of other fungi, as well as healthy and diseased plant branches collected from the field. A product of ~400 bp was amplified from DNA of all isolates belonging to A. morbosa. No product was amplified from DNA of other fungal species, confirming the specificity of the newly designed primers. Within plant tissues, the pathogen was detected at further distances from the edges of knots on thicker branches bearing larger knots compared with thinner branches bearing smaller knots. The PCR assay has shown high sensitivity, needing only 100 fg of the A. morbosa DNA for a reliable PCR amplification with the AMF and AMR primers.

Attention to the hiding iodine deficiency in pregnant and lactating women after universal salt iodization: A multi-community study in China

BACKGROUND

Monitoring of iodine nutrition depends chiefly on the urinary iodine concentration in representative samples from the population. International groups have recommended school-age children as a convenient group for surveys, because of their accessibility and young age, but the relevance of this group to others, especially pregnant women, is not well established.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose was to compare different approaches to assessing iodine nutrition within communities, especially for pregnant and lactating women.

DESIGN

In an urban and a rural site from each of the 11 Chinese provinces, covering a wide geographic and socioeconomic range, we measured the iodine content of household salt and drinking water, the thyroid volume in school children, and the urinary iodine concentration in five population subsets; in some sites we also assessed iodine in breast milk and thyroid size in adult women.

RESULTS

The median urinary iodine concentrations for pregnant and lactating women were well below those of the schoolchildren from the same community in most study sites, the difference between medians, at overall level, being about 50 microg/l for the pregnant and 40 microg/l for the lactating, respectively. When ranked by median urinary iodine concentrations at overall level, the order of the groups was: all infants, schoolchildren, women of childbearing age, lactating women and pregnant women in both urban and rural sites. This relative distribution was constant among the study sites. From it, we derived a relationship to predict the median values for other groups, based on the data of schoolchildren. The median iodine content of salt was 30.9 ppm in urban sites and 31.3 ppm in rural sites, respectively, close to the nationally mandated 35 mg/kg. Water had low iodine content (3.7 microg/l) in both urban and rural sites except in a rural site from Tianjin. Ultrasonography showed that 6.5% of 1329 children in urban sites and 5.3% of 1431 children in rural sites had thyroid enlargement. Breast milk had a median iodine content of 135.9 microg/l in the urban and 157.5 microg/l in the rural. The goiter prevalence by palpation was low (2.0%) among all women examined (3367), but higher in pregnant women (2.7%) than in lactating women or other adult women.

CONCLUSIONS

An effective iodized salt program has brought iodine sufficiency to most of China, but pregnant women in some areas may still risk deficiency and need further supplements. We suggest other countries and international agencies pay more attention to pregnancy, where iodine deficiency has its worst consequences.

In vitro and in vivo studies of cyclosporin A-loaded microspheres based on copolymers of lactide and ɛ-caprolactone: Comparison with conventional PLGA microspheres

A hydrophobic peptide, cyclosporin A (CyA), was incorporated in microspheres based on poly(lactide-b-epsilon-caprolactone) (P(LA-b-CL), LA/CL (in molar ratio): 78.7/21.3 and 48.1/51.9) and poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA, LA/GA: 80/20) using oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion solvent evaporation method. The microspheres were characterized by SEM, DSC and X-ray diffraction, and CyA release rate was determined by HPLC. It was revealed that CyA can be efficiently loaded into all the microspheres (exceed 96%). Compared to PLGA microspheres, P(LA-b-CL) microspheres liberated CyA more rapidly. Within the first day, about 75, 50 and 12% of CyA released from P(LA-b-CL) (48.1/51.9), P(LA-b-CL) (78.7/21.3) and PLGA microspheres, respectively, which can be attributed to the partial crystallization occurring in P(LA-b-CL) microspheres. CyA levels in whole blood were also tested. In comparison with PLGA microspheres, P(LA-b-CL) microspheres provided a higher blood level of CyA. The maximum CyA concentration in whole blood (approximately 520, 450 and 400 ng ml(-1) for P(LA-b-CL) (48.1/51.9) P(LA-b-CL) (78.7/21.3) and PLGA microspheres, respectively) was reached at the second day post administration. And then P(LA-b-CL) microspheres showed a constant CyA level (about 100-200 ng ml(-1)) for extended periods of time (several weeks). Such CyA-loaded P(LA-b-CL) microspheres displaying higher CyA concentration during the first few days and similar constant blood CyA level thereafter showed more advantages than those prepared with PLGA and could meet clinical needs more efficiently.

Vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy with intramuscular injections of plasmid DNA enhances the survival of random pattern flaps in a rat model

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the naked plasmid DNA encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the survival of random flaps on rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats whose random flaps were elevated on the back were randomised into three groups of 10 animals each. In the experimental group, the naked plasmid DNA encoding VEGF was injected directly into the panniculus carnosus of the flap. In the two control groups, either control plasmid DNA or physiologic saline was injected. After 7 days, the flaps were evaluated with the following devices: RT-PCR for the expression of VEGF gene, immunohistochemistry for the expression of VEGF protein, histology for vascular density, single photon emission computerised tomography for RBC in the flap, and image analysis for flap survival area. Notably increased expressions of VEGF mRNA and VEGF protein were found in the treatment group. Vascular density was markedly more increased in the treatment group than those in the two control groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the two control groups, the flap treated with VEGF plasmid DNA showed a more significantly enhanced tissue viability: 87 +/- 5 versus 47 +/- 6% for the control plasmid DNA group and 46 +/- 5% for the saline group (P < 0.01). Our results indicated that the VEGF gene therapy was able to enhance the survival of random pattern flaps by inducing angiogenesis.

Hypothermic machine perfusion of rat livers preserves endothelial cell function

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of starch in the preservation solution during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) on endothelial cell and hepatocyte functions in an isolated perfused rat liver model. Livers isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused with the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution (HMP + starch group); modified UW solution (starch omitted) (HMP - starch group) at 0.4 mL/min per g liver; or simply stored in the UW solution (SCS group) at 4 degrees C for 24 hours. Following preservation, livers from HMP + starch, HMP - starch, SCS, and control group (without preservation) were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit Buffer solution at 37 degrees C for 30 minutes. Samples were taken every 10 minutes during 30-minute warm perfusion to assess hepatocyte and endothelial cell function and damage. After 24 hours of hypothermic preservation and 30 minutes rewarming, livers in the HMP + starch group displayed significantly lower lactate dehydrogenase levels and higher bile production. Endothelial cell function was also improved as indicated by hyaluronic acid uptake and shorter transient time for albumin observed in a multiple indicator dilution study. Liver wet and dry ratio and histological findings confirmed reduced edema formation in the tissue of the HMP + starch group livers compared with that of the HMP - starch and SCS group livers. These results suggest that HMP with the UW solution containing starch improve endothelial cell function and induce less hepatocellular damage following 24-hour preservation compared to SCS and HMP with the starch-free UW solution. These results also suggest that oncotic support may be an important component in preserving hepatic microcirculation in HMP.

Effects of meal frequency and high-fibre rye-bread diet on glucose and lipid metabolism and ileal excretion of energy and sterols in ileostomy subjects

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a rye, high-fibre diet (HFD) vs a wheat, low-fibre diet (LFD), meal frequency, nibbling (Nib, seven times a day) or ordinary (Ord, three times a day), and their combined effects on blood glucose, insulin, lipids, urinary C-peptide and ileal excretion of energy, cholesterol and bile acids in humans.

DESIGN

LFD period with Nib or Ord meal frequency followed by an HFD diet with Nib or Ord meal frequency in randomized, crossover design.

SETTING

Outpatients of ileostomy volunteers were called for an investigation in research word.

SUBJECTS

A total of 10 subjects (two female subjects, age 34 and 51 y; eight males, mean age 54.4 y, range 43-65 y) participated in the experiment. All subjects were proctocolectomized for ulcerative colitis (mean 16.0 y, range 8-29 y before the study).

INTERVENTION

In total, 10 ileostomy subjects started with LFD for 2 weeks, the first week on either Nib (five subjects) or Ord (five subjects) and the second week on the other meal frequencies, in a crossover design, followed by a wash-out week, and continued with HFD period for 2 weeks in the same meal frequency manner. All foods consumed in both Nib or Ord regimens were identical and a high-fibre rye bread was used in the HFD period and a low-fibre wheat bread in the LFD period.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Day-profiles of blood glucose, insulin and lipids, blood lipids before and after dietary intervention, and excretion of steroids in the effluents and C-peptide in the urine.

RESULTS

During the Nib regimen, plasma glucose and insulin peaks were lower at the end of the day with HFD compared with LFD. Urinary C-peptide excretion was significantly higher in the day-time on LFD compared with HFD (LFD-Ord vs HFD-Ord, P < 0.01; LFD-Nib vs HFD-Nib, P < 0.01). Plasma free-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids were significantly higher (P < 0.05) after LFD than after HFD with the Nib regimen. A higher excretion of energy (P < 0.05) and chenodeoxycholic acid (P < 0.05) were observed with HFD compared with LFD regardless of meal frequency. A higher daily excretion of cholic acid, total bile acids, cholesterol, net cholesterol and net sterols (P < 0.05) was observed on HFD compared with LFD with the Nib regimen.

CONCLUSIONS

An HFD decreased insulin secretion measured as a decreased excretion of C-peptide in urine and as decreased plasma insulin peaks at the end of the day during a Nib regimen. The smoother glycaemic responses at the end of the day during a Nib regimen may be a consequence of a second meal phenomenon, possibly related to the nature of dietary fibre complex.

Preparation and in vitro release behaviour of 5-fluorouracil-loaded microspheres based on poly (L-lactide) and its carbonate copolymers

A modified oil-in-oil (o/o) emulsion solvent evaporation technique was adopted to prepare 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu)-loaded poly (L-lactide) (PLLA) or its carbonate copolymer microspheres. The disperse phase was a drug:polymer solution using a solvent mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and acetonitrile and the continuous phase was liquid paraffin containing 1-10% (w/v) Span 80(R). The effects of preparative parameters, such as the composition of the inner oil phase, drug:polymer ratio, polymer concentration and agitation rate, on 5-Fu entrapment efficiency and microsphere characteristics were investigated. By introducing 25% (v/v) DMF into the inner oil phase, microspheres with high drug entrapment efficiency and an ameliorated burst effect were achieved. Using this modified method, microspheres with various particle sizes could be produced with a high 5-Fu entrapment efficiency (about 80%). In vitro drug release tests showed a burst release of 5-Fu from PLLA microspheres, followed by a sustained release over 50 days. In the case of poly (L-lactide-co-1,3-trimethylene carbonate) (PLTMC) and poly (L-lactide-co-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-trimethylene carbonate) (PLDTMC), the drug release could be continued for over 60 days.

[Inductive effect of hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system on lambda prophage]

Hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HX-XO) system is a classical system that can generate superoxide anions. The inductive effect of the HX-XO system for lambda prophage has been investigated in this study. The results showed that the system can induce lambda prophage from lysogenic state to lytic growth. The inductive effect was directly proportional to the concentration of HX and XO and inversely related to the time of preliminary incubation of HX with XO. The cell density of the lysogenic bacteria also greatly affected the inductive effect. The maximal PFU number of 2.9 x 10(4) PFU/ml was recorded at 0.86 mM HX, 1.6 x 10(-2) U/ml XO, and a cell density of 10(8) cells/ml. The inductive effect of the HX-XO system was inhibited in the suspensions by glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase. The results provide evidence that free radicals are the primary factors in the induction of lambda prophage in lysogenic bacteria.

Virulence and Genetic Variability Among Isolates of Mycosphaerella pinodes

Fifty-eight isolates of Mycosphaerella pinodes, collected from western Canada, New Zealand, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, were analyzed for pathogenic and genetic variation according to their virulence on six differential cultivars of field pea (AC Tamor, Bohatyre, Danto, Majoret, Miko, and Radley) and amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. The 56 isolates were classified into 15 pathotypes. Pathotype 1 consisted of 31 isolates that were virulent on all six pea differential cultivars. Pathotypes 14 and 15 consisted of eight isolates that were avirulent on all six differential cultivars or virulent on one of six differential cultivars. The analysis of molecular variance showed that 57.2% of the total variation was caused by differences among populations, and 42.8% was due to molecular diversity within populations. Phylogenetic analysis of molecular variation of isolates showed that most of the Canadian isolates and four Australian isolates formed two clustered groups, respectively, regardless of virulence on the six differential cultivars. Isolates from New Zealand were geographically clustered into two groups. However, the isolates from France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom were clustered with the Canadian isolates.

[Analysis on karyotypes of ANKA strain of Plasmodium berghei]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the molecular karyotypes of ANKA strain of Plasmodium berghei and demonstrate the size and number of chromosomes.

METHODS

To isolate the genome DNA of P. berghei ANKA strain and analyze molecular karyotypes through CHEF-III pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

RESULTS

The number of chromosomes was found to be 14, and their size ranged from 0.6 Mb to 3 Mb. Chromosomes number 5 to 7 and 9 to 12 appeared co-migrated in the gel.

CONCLUSION

PFGE technique is useful for analyzing the molecular karyotypes and may be also useful for further study to locate the special gene on chromosomes and carry out the genetic characters and mechanism of drug resistance.

Randomised controlled short-term intervention pilot study on rye bran bread in prostate cancer

The short-term effects of rye bran bread intake in prostate cancer were investigated. Ten men with conservatively treated prostate cancer were randomised to a daily supplement of 295 g of rye bran bread and eight men to 275 g of wheat bread (control) with similar fibre content for three weeks. Blood samples, ultrasound-guided core biopsies of the prostate, and urine samples were taken. In the rye group, there was a significant increase in plasma enterolactone, and the apoptotic index increased significantly from 2.1% (SD 1.3) to 5.9% (SD 1.8), P<0.005 as measured by a TUNEL index in four cases in the rye group and seven cases in the control group. Besides a significant decrease in weight in both groups, only small changes were observed in plasma concentrations of prostate specific antigen (PSA), circulating sex hormones, excreted oestrogens, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and in the endothelial fibrinolytical system. High intake of rye bran bread is suggested to increase apoptosis in prostate tumours.

Effects of lentinan on broiler splenocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 production, and signal transduction

Lentinan (LEN) is an intensively studied beta-glucan that has been shown to have immunostimulating and antitumor functions. However, it currently is not used in veterinary practice and animal production. This study was conducted to investigate the impacts of LEN on broiler splenocyte proliferation, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, and to explore its effects on receptor signal transduction by determining signaling molecules, including nitric oxide (NO), cytosolic-free Ca2+, cytosolic cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The results showed that compared to the control all three measured doses, including 40, 80, and 160 microg/mL LEN, increased splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production (P < 0.05). Lentinan increased splenocyte NO production and cytosolic-free calcium concentration in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.001). After incubating splenocytes for 20 min, LEN increased intracellular cAMP and cGMP concentrations at a dose of 80 and 160 microg/mL, respectively. However, after incubating the splenocytes for 60 min, LEN had no effect on cytosolic cAMP and cGMP concentration irrespective of the LEN dosage. Those results indicated that LEN had immunostimulatory effects on splenocytes by increasing splenocyte proliferation and IL-2 production and by activating splenocyte receptor signal transduction.

Consumption of vegetables, fruit and other plant foods in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohorts from 10 European countries

OBJECTIVE

To describe and compare the consumption of the main groups and sub-groups of vegetables and fruits (V&F) in men and women from the centres participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis. Dietary intake was assessed by means of a 24-hour dietary recall using computerised interview software and standardised procedures. Crude and adjusted means were computed for the main groups and sub-groups of V&F by centre, separately for men and women. Adjusted means by season, day of the week and age were estimated using weights and covariance analysis.

SETTING

Twenty-seven centres in 10 European countries participating in the EPIC project.

SUBJECTS

In total, 35 955 subjects (13 031 men and 22 924 women), aged 35-74 years, randomly selected from each EPIC cohort.

RESULTS

The centres from southern countries had the highest consumption of V&F, while the lowest intake was seen in The Netherlands and Scandinavia for both genders. These differences were more evident for fruits, particularly citrus. However, slightly different patterns arose for some sub-groups of vegetables, such as root vegetables and cabbage. Adjustment for body mass index, physical activity, smoking habits and education did not substantially modify the mean intakes of vegetables and fruits.

CONCLUSIONS

Total vegetable and fruit intake follows a south-north gradient in both genders, whereas for several sub-groups of vegetables a different geographic distribution exists. Differences in mean intake of V&F by centre were not explained by lifestyle factors associated with V&F intake.

Scent, social status, and reproductive condition in rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton)

This study investigated the interrelations among scent glands, social status, and reproductive conditions in male rat-like hamsters (Cricetulus triton), along with differential attraction of estrous females to conspecific males with different social status and reproductive condition. First, there were positive correlations between testes weights and flank glands and midventral glands. Second, castrated males were dominated by both intact males and castrated males treated with testosterone. Third, estrous females were less attracted to the scents from flank glands and midventral glands of castrated males. Moreover, dominant males had heavier testes and higher levels of circulating testosterone, and estrous females were more attracted to dominant males' scents. Our results indicated that estrous females were able to discriminate between the odors of two strange males with differences in reproductive conditions or social status.

Identification of the epitopes on HCV core protein recognized by HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes

AIM

To identify hepatitis C virus(HCV) core protein epitopes recognized by HLA-A2 restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL).

METHODS

Utilizing the method of computer prediction followed by a 4h(51)Cr release assay confirmation.

RESULTS

The results showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from two HLA-A2 positive donors who were infected with HCV could lyse autologous target cells labeled with peptide "ALAHGVRAL (core 150-158)". The rates of specific lysis of the cells from the two donors were 37.5% and 15.8%, respectively. Blocking of the CTL response with anti-CD4 mAb caused no significant decrease of the specific lysis. But blocking of CTL response with anti-CD8 mAb could abolish the lysis.

CONCLUSION

The peptide (core 150-158) is the candidate epitope recognized by HLAA2 restricted CTL.

Altered endothelin receptor expression in prehepatic portal hypertension predisposes the liver to microcirculatory dysfunction in rats

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Endothelin (ET) is one of the most active vascular regulators in the liver. It is unknown how partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) induced prehepatic portal hypertension influences the response of the liver to ET and its agonists. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the expression of ET receptors and its functional significance after PPVL.

METHODS

Competitive receptor binding study and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed using liver homogenates after 2 weeks of PPVL or sham operation in rats. Hepatic microcirculation was evaluated in vivo using intravital microscopy.

RESULTS

Although there was no significant difference in dissociation constant (Kd) and total amount of receptors (Bmax) between sham and PPVL, the proportion of ET(B) receptor was significantly increased in PPVL. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the up-regulation of ET(B) receptors demonstrated by the competitive receptor binding assay. In the functional study, infusion of ET(B) agonist (IRL 1620) in a low dosage did not change the hepatic microcirculation in sham but strongly constricted the sinusoids leading to a reduction of sinusoidal perfusion in PPVL.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that prehepatic portal hypertension may predispose the hepatic microcirculation to dysregulation in stress conditions where ET is upregulated.

In vivo assessment of endothelin-induced heterogeneity of hepatic tissue perfusion

Specific vasoactive substances such as endothelin (ET) have been proposed to induce heterogeneity of tissue perfusion and thus the oxygen delivery at the sinusoidal level in the liver, but a direct method for testing this hypothesis has not been available. Our objective was to develop a method to test the hypothesis that functional heterogeneity of blood flow can be induced at the sinusoidal level by mediators such as endothelin-1, which act at the sinusoidal level. We constructed oxygen-sensitive membranes using tris (1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium (II) chloral hydrate, a dye whose fluorescence is quenched by oxygen incorporated into a silicon rubber membrane. The membrane (less than 40 microm thick) was formed on a glass coverslip that served as the viewing window of the system for in vivo fluorescence microscopy and allowed determination of the PO2 distribution in rat liver acini during intraportal infusion of ET or phenylephrine (PE) in vivo. Heterogeneity was quantified by comparing the coefficient of variation (CV) of the fluorescence intensity within the zone 1 before, during, and after drug infusion. PE and ET doses were matched to produce a similar increase in portal pressure. PE caused a gradient of PO2 across zones, but within zone 1 no significant increase in CV was observed. In contrast, ET produced a patchy pattern of both an increase and decrease in PO2 resulting in doubling (P < 0.01) in CV of fluorescence intensities within zone 1. These results indicate that PE, which acts at presinusoidal sites, results in a homogeneous decrease in tissue PO2 within a zone, while ET, which additionally acts at sinusoidal sites, induces significant microheterogeneity of tissue PO2. The oxygen-sensitive membrane provides a useful tool for oxygen mapping in vivo.

New diterpene alkaloids from the roots of Spiraea japonica

Chemical investigation on an ethanol extract from the roots of Spiraea japonica var. acuta resulted in the isolation of three new diterpene alkaloids named spiramide (1) and spiratine A (2) and spiratine B (3). Structures of 1-3 were elucidated primarily on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments.

Validation of the screening strategy in the NIAAA "Physicians' Guide to Helping Patients with Alcohol Problems"

OBJECTIVE

This study was undertaken to determine the diagnostic test characteristics of the alcohol screening strategy recommended in the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) "Physicians' Guide to Helping Patients with Alcohol Problems."

METHOD

A research interview was performed on patients who presented to one urban emergency department (N = 395; 61% women). It asked three alcohol consumption questions, the CAGE questionnaire, and about past alcohol problems. The NIAAA-recommended screen was considered positive for alcohol consumption in excess of 14 drinks per week or 4 drinks per occasion for men, or 7 drinks per week or 3 drinks per occasion for women, or a CAGE score of 1 or greater. A sample of patients (n = 250) received the Composite International Diagnostic Interview substance abuse module, a gold standard interview, to determine lifetime or prior 12-month alcohol abuse or dependence; results were adjusted for verification bias.

RESULTS

The prevalence of lifetime:alcohol abuse or dependence was 13%, for which the NIAAA strategy was 81% sensitive and 80% specific. The prevalence of alcohol abuse or dependence in the prior 12 months was 10%, for which the strategy was 83% sensitive and 84% specific. Its positive likelihood ratio exceeded that of the CAGE, augmented CAGE or consumption questions alone, and its negative likelihood ratio was the lowest.

CONCLUSIONS

The screening strategy combining alcohol consumption and CAGE questions recommended in the NIAAA "Physicians' Guide" is valid, and has superior test characteristics compared to the CAGE alone, in this predominantly black (86%) emergency department population. Its brevity and simple interpretation recommend wider dissemination of the NIAAA "Physicians' Guide," although future research should examine its test characteristics in other clinical settings and with other populations.

Hepatic neovascularization after partial portal vein ligation: novel mechanism of chronic regulation of blood flow

The present study was undertaken to investigate hepatic microcirculatory response following partial portal vein ligation (PPVL) in rats. Portal pressure was markedly increased 2-6 wk after PPVL, but no significant reduction in sinusoidal perfusion and hepatocellular injury were detected. However, marked neovascularization was observed in PPVL rats using intravital microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extremely high red blood cell velocity (2,000-4,900 microm/s) was seen in these vessels. Injection of fluorescein sodium via the carotid artery revealed that the neovessels originated from the hepatic arterial vasculature. This was further confirmed by clamping the common hepatic artery and phenylephrine injection from the carotid artery. These vessels maintained sufficient flow after massive sinusoidal shutdown elicited by the portal infusion of endothelin receptor B agonist IRL-1620. SEM also showed extensive neovascularization at the hilum. Additionally, clamping the portal vein decreased sinusoidal perfusion only by 9.5% in PPVL, whereas a 71.2% decrease was observed in sham. These results strongly suggest that the liver maintains its microcirculatory flow by vascular remodeling from the hepatic arterial vasculature following PPVL.

[Methodological studies on quantitative determination of beta-eudesmol in Atractylodes lancea (thunb.) DC]

OBJECTIVE

To establish methodologically a method for quantitative determination of beta-eudesmol in Atractylodes lancea.

METHOD

GC, column: 3 mm x 2 m; stationary phase; 15% QF-1; support: Chromosorb WAW(60-80 mesh); detector: hydrogen flame ionization detector; injection chamber temperature: 210 degrees C; column temperature: 174 degrees C; carrier gas: N2:50 ml.min-1, air: 49 kPa, H2:58.8 kPa; sensibility range: 10(2) x 64; chart speed: 2.5 mm.min-1.

RESULT

Average recovery ratio is 100.7% (n = 5).

CONCLUSION

This method can be used to control the quality of A. lancea.

[Effects of different training methods on cardiovascular autonomic regulation during bedrest]

Objective. To investigate the effects of different training methods on cardiovascular autonomic regulation under bedrest. Method. 15 healthy male volunteers aged 19-22 participated tests in head-down tilt (HDT) -6 degrees bedrest in order to observe the changes of cardiovascular system under simulated weightlessness. They were divided into control (5 men), hypoxia training (5 men) and Fangsong training (5 men) groups. 24 h dynamic ECG were recorded on the 2nd day of pre-bedrest, on the 3rd, 14th and 18th day of bedrest and on the 7th day of the post- bedrest. All spectra were estimated from entire 24 h HRV, before, during and after Fangsong and hypoxia training by autoregressive (AR) modeling method. Normalized low-frequency (LF%) was a quantitative marker of cardiac sympathetic activity, normalized high-frequency (HF%) reflected the changes in cardiac vagal activity, and LF/HF was considered to be related to sympathovagal balance or sympathetic activity. Result. In control group, LF% and HF% were all significantly reduced (P<0.05), LF/HL showed no significant changed during bedrest. In Fangsong group, HF% increased markedly (P< 0.05), while in hypoxia group, LF% increased markedly (P< 0.05). Conclusion. Fangsong training counteracted markedly the reduction in vagal activity, while hypoxia training counteracted markedly the decrease in sympathetic activity. It was possible that HRV indices could be used to evaluate the efficiency of countermeasures counteracting the adverse effects of weightlessness.