[A cross-sectional survey on the types of antiviral treatment plans for patients with chronic hepatitis B]

Objective: To understand the current antiviral treatment status and various clinical types of treatment plans in Xiamen City so as to explore ways to improve and optimize the diagnosis and treatment standards for chronic hepatitis B. Methods: A cross-sectional survey method was used to study the antiviral treatment status and treatment plans for chronic hepatitis B patients who visited and were diagnosed in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology of all tertiary hospitals in Xiamen City at 0:00~23:59 on May 25, 2022. Results: A total of 665 cases were surveyed in this study, with an antiviral treatment rate of 81.2%(540/665). The antiviral treatment rate of patients who accorded with the current guidelines for antiviral treatment indications was 85.8%(507/591). The antiviral treatment rate for 362 outpatients was 72.9%(264/362). Among them, the antiviral treatment rates were 80.1%, 89.3%, and 25.0%(226/282, 25/28, 13/52), respectively, for patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B, hepatitis B cirrhosis, and hepatitis B surface antigen-carrying status. The treatment plan for all outpatient patients was mainly oral nucleos(t)ide analogues, accounting for 59.1%(214/362). The antiviral treatment rate for 303 inpatients was 91.1%(276/303). The various clinical types of antiviral therapy rates among all patients were 70%~95%. The antiviral treatment plan for inpatients was mainly based on pegylated interferon alpha treatment, accounting for 72.6%(220/303). Conclusion: Antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis B in Xiamen City can still be strengthened to meet the current demand for expanding antiviral treatment indications. Antiviral treatment rates and various types of treatment plans differ between outpatients and inpatients; thus, further awareness and acceptance of the goal of improving antiviral therapy, especially in outpatients, and the possibility for a clinical cure based on pegylated interferon alpha treatment are needed to maximize the benefit to more patients.

[The association of intra-aortic balloon pump with prognosis of cardiogenic shock based on Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions classification]

The study aimed to evaluate whether an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) could improve the prognosis of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) of Stage C (Classic), Stage D (Deteriorating), and Stage E (Extremis) based on Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) classification. The hospital information database was searched, and the patients who met the diagnostic criteria of CS were included and treated following the same protocol. The association between IABP and the survival of patients at 1 month and 6 months were analyzed separately in SCAI stage C of CS, and stages D and E of CS. The multiple logistic regression models were used to separately evaluate whether IABP was independently associated with increased survival in stage C of CS, and stages D and E of CS. A total of 141 patients with stage C of CS and 267 patients with stages D and E of CS were included. In stage C of CS, IABP was significantly associated with improved survival of patients at 1 month [adjusted OR (95%CI)=0.372 (0.171-0.809), P=0.013] and survival at 6 months [adjusted OR (95%CI)=0.401 (0.190-0.850), P=0.017]. However, when percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting (PCI/CABG) was introduced as an adjusted factor, there was a significant association between survival rates and PCI/CABG rather than IABP. In stages D and E of CS, IABP was significantly associated with an improved survival at 1 month [adjusted OR (95%CI)=0.053 (0.012-0.236), P=0.001]. Therefore, IABP could assist patients with stage C of CS in the perioperative period of PCI/CABG and improve survival rates, and IABP might prolong short-term prognosis of patients with stages D and E of CS.

Cadinane-Type Sesquiterpenoids with Cytotoxic Activity from the Infected Stems of the Semi-mangrove Hibiscus tiliaceus

Eight new cadinane sesquiterpenoids (1-8), along with two known compounds (9 and 10), were isolated from infected stems of the semi-mangrove plant, Hibiscus tiliaceus. The structures of compounds 1-8 were elucidated through the analysis of their 1D and 2D NMR and MS data, and their absolute configurations were determined by comparing their experimental and calculated ECD spectra and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two confused known compounds (9 and 10) were resolved using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-3 have novel norsesquiterpene carbon skeletons arising from a ring contraction rearrangement. All obtained isolates were evaluated against the HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines, and compounds 1b, 2b, 4, 6, and 8 showed cytotoxic activity toward both cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.5 to 6.8 μM.

Evaluation of luteinizing hormone regulation of maturation and apoptosis, expression of LHR and FSHR in cumulus-oocyte complexes in Lanzhou fat-tailed sheep

The present study aimed to assess LH effects on in vitro maturation (IVM) and apoptosis and also to explore the gene expressions of LHR and FSHR in cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of the sheep. COCs were in vitro matured 24h in the IVM medium supplemented with varying concentrations of LH (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 μg/mL). They were allocated into LH-1 (control group), LH-2, LH-3, LH-4 and LH-5 groups, respectively. FSH (10 IU/mL) addition was as a positive control (FSH group). COCs apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL. The qPCR and Western blotting were utilized to detect mRNA and protein expressions of FSHR and LHR, respectively. The results showed maturation rates of oocytes improved as LH concentration increased from 0 to 10 μg/mL (IU/mL), reaching a peak value of 44.3% in the LH-3 group. Maturation rate of LH-5 group was lower than that of LH-3 and FSH-treated groups. The lowest apoptosis rate was found in LH-3 group. The germinal vesicle break down (GVBD) rates of LH-2, LH-3 and LH-4 groups were also increased in comparison with that found in LH-1 group (control group). GVBD rate of LH-5 was lower than that in LH-3 group. The germinal vesicle (GV) rates in LH-3 and LH-4 groups were lower than those in LH-1 and LH-5 groups (p<0.05, or p<0.01). The lowest GV rate was found in LH-3 group. GV rates in LH-2, LH-4 and LH-5 groups were higher than that in FSH group (p<0.05). At hours 20, 22 and 24 after oocytes IVM, caspase-3 concentrations in four LH-treated groups were decreased in comparison with that in LH-1 group. At 24h, caspase-3 concentrations of LH-2 and LH-3 groups were lower than that in LH-1 group (p<0.05). Expression levels of FSHR and LHR mRNAs rose when LH concentrations in IVM medium increased. The greatest expressions of FSHR and LHR mRNAs were found in LH-5 and LH-3 groups (p<0.01) in comparison with those in the control group (LH-1). Meanwhile, FSHR mRNA expressions in LH-2, LH-3 and LH-4 groups were lower than that in FSH group (p<0.01 or p<0.05). Expression levels of FSHR proteins revealed no significant differences among all groups. Expression levels in LHR proteins were increased. LHR protein level in LH-2 group was higher than that in LH-1 group. In conclusion, LH treatment could promote the maturation rate and GVBD rate. LH reduced apoptosis rate, GV rate of sheep oocytes, and caspase-3 concentrations in IVM medium fluids and additionally enhanced expressions of FSHR and LHR mRNAs of sheep COCs.

Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Tuber indicum from Different Geographical Regions of China

Tuber indicum, an endemic truffle species in eastern Asian, is an edible mushroom that is both an important export and widely distributed across China. Many existing studies on truffles focus on analyzing their taxonomy, population genetics, volatile organic compounds and artificial cultivation of the truffles, while little information is available about their nutrient composition and pharmacological activity, especially the relationship between chemical composition in ascocarps and their geographic distributions. This study presents a comprehensive investigation of the chemical composition of T. indicum, including free sugars, fatty acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, and tracks the antioxidant activity of T. indicum ascocarps collected from five geographical regions of four provinces in P. R. China: Hebei, Tibet, Yunnan, and Liaoning province. Our results showed that T. indicum collected from Qujing, Yunnan province, possessed the highest amount of free sugars (23.67 mg/g dw), total flavonoids (2.31 mg/g dw), total phenolics (4.46 mg/g dw) and the highest DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging activities. The amount of water-soluble polysaccharides was the highest (115.24 mg/g dw) in ascocarps from Tibet, the total organic acids was the highest (22.073 mg/g dw) in ascocarps from Gongshan, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were most abundant in those from Hebei province. This study reveals that the quantity of chemical compounds in T. indicum varies by geographical origin. Detecting differences in chemical composition may provide important data for understanding the relationship between environmental factors and truffle formation, as well as quality evaluation of the commercial species T. indicum throughout China.

Two new tetracyclic triterpenoids from the endophytic fungus Hypoxylon sp. 6269

Two new tetracyclic triterpenoids, integracide E (1) and isointegracide E (2), as well as three known secondary metabolites (i.e. integracide A (3), 2-deoxyintegracide A (4) and 2-deoxyintegracide B (5)), were isolated from mycelium of the endophytic fungus Hypoxylon sp. 6269. Structures were determined by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. All of the compounds were tested for their anti-HIV-1 integrase activities.

Diversity and taxonomy of endophytic xylariaceous fungi from medicinal plants of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae)

Dendrobium spp. are traditional Chinese medicinal plants, and the main effective ingredients (polysaccharides and alkaloids) have pharmacologic effects on gastritis infection, cancer, and anti-aging. Previously, we confirmed endophytic xylariaceous fungi as the dominant fungi in several Dendrobium species of tropical regions from China. In the present study, the diversity, taxonomy, and distribution of culturable endophytic xylariaceous fungi associated with seven medicinal species of Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) were investigated. Among the 961 endophytes newly isolated, 217 xylariaceous fungi (morphotaxa) were identified using morphological and molecular methods. The phylogenetic tree constructed using nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), large subunit of ribosomal DNA (LSU), and beta-tubulin sequences divided these anamorphic xylariaceous isolates into at least 18 operational taxonomic units (OTUs). The diversity of the endophytic xylariaceous fungi in these seven Dendrobium species was estimated using Shannon and evenness indices, with the results indicating that the dominant Xylariaceae taxa in each Dendrobium species were greatly different, though common xylariaceous fungi were found in several Dendrobium species. These findings implied that different host plants in the same habitats exhibit a preference and selectivity for their fungal partners. Using culture-dependent approaches, these xylariaceous isolates may be important sources for the future screening of new natural products and drug discovery.

Sclerotial formation of Polyporus umbellatus by low temperature treatment under artificial conditions

BACKGROUND

Polyporus umbellatus sclerotia have been used as a diuretic agent in China for over two thousand years. A shortage of the natural P. umbellatus has prompted researchers to induce sclerotial formation in the laboratory.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDING

P. umbellatus cultivation in a sawdust-based substrate was investigated to evaluate the effect of low temperature conditions on sclerotial formation. A phenol-sulfuric acid method was employed to determine the polysaccharide content of wild P. umbellatus sclerotia and mycelia and sclerotia grown in low-temperature treatments. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, expressed as the fluorescence intensity of mycelia during sclerotial differentiation was determined. Analysis of ROS generation and sclerotial formation in mycelia after treatment with the antioxidants such as diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI), apocynin (Apo), or vitamin C were studied. Furthermore, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of sclerotial differentiation were observed. Sclerotia were not induced by continuous cultivation at 25°C. The polysaccharide content of the artificial sclerotia is 78% of that of wild sclerotia. In the low-temperature treatment group, the fluorescent intensity of ROS was higher than that of the room temperature (25°C) group which did not induce sclerotial formation all through the cultivation. The antioxidants DPI and Apo reduced ROS levels and did not induce sclerotial formation. Although the concentration-dependent effects of vitamin C (5-15 mg mL(-1)) also reduced ROS generation and inhibited sclerotial formation, using a low concentration of vitamin C (1 mg mL(-1)) successfully induced sclerotial differentiation and increased ROS production.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

Exposure to low temperatures induced P. umbellatus sclerotial morphogenesis during cultivation. Low temperature treatment enhanced ROS in mycelia, which may be important in triggering sclerotial differentiation in P. umbellatus. Moreover, the application of antioxidants impaired ROS generation and inhibited sclerotial formation. Our findings may help to provide new insights into the biological mechanisms underlying sclerotial morphogenesis in P. umbellatus.

Three new saponins from Tribulus terrestris

Three new steroidal saponins 1-3, together with five known steroidal saponins, L-mannitol and an inorganic salt were isolated from Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae). The structures of the new steroidal saponins were elucidated as hecogenin 3-O-beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-galactopyr anoside (1), hecogenin 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-glucopyranosyl(1-->4)- beta-galactopyranoside (2) and 3-O-[beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta- glucopyranosyl(1-->4)-[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-beta-galactopyranos yl]- 26-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-(3 beta,5 alpha,25R)-furostan-3,26-diol (3). Structure elucidation was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR spectra (13C-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, and NOESY), mass spectrometry (FABMS, ESIMS) and chemical methods.

Serum lipid concentrations correlate with the progression of chronic renal failure

OBJECTIVE

To explore the distribution pattern for serum lipid concentrations among patients with different degrees of chronic renal failure; to study the characteristics of abnormal lipid metabolism for chronic renal failure patients when the disease progress further.

SETTING

No. 255 Hospital of PLA, Tangshan, Hebei, China; No. 281 Hospital of PLA, Beidanhe, Hebei, China; and the General Hospital of Beijing Military Region, Beijing, China.

PRACTICE DESCRIPTION

A total of 240 serum/urine samples from 50 healthy volunteers and from 190 patients with different degrees of chronic renal failure, which fall into four groups according to their glomerular filtration rates, were measured for serum levels of triglyceride, lipoprotein(a), lipoprotein(a) cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B100, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and for urine albumin concentrations; the levels of these criteria were compared between the control group and diseased groups; the mean concentrations of different lipid variables were paired and subjected to linear regression analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Glomerular filtration rates were estimated by the iohexol clearance method, in which plasma content of iohexol was measured with high performance liquid chromatography; concentrations of triglyceride, lipoprotein(a), lipoprotein(a) cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B100, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and albumin were assayed according to standard protocols.

RESULTS

Serum levels of triglyceride, lipoprotein(a), lipoprotein(a) cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B100, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and urine albumin contents were significantly higher, whereas those of high density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower, in diseased groups than that of the control (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). When the disease progressed, concentrations of these criteria increased or decreased further (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between a few lipid criteria for their mean concentrations in diseased groups.

CONCLUSION

The study demonstrates a correlation between abnormalities of lipid metabolism and the degrees of kidney insufficiency, and a correlation within certain kinds of lipid criteria in patients with different degrees of renal damage. The results suggest the existence of multi-correlations in vivo in catabolism and metabolism of lipid, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein, and protein in the patients. The exact mechanism responsible for the association and correlation remains to be clarified.

Ascorbic acid recycling in Nb2 lymphoma cells: implications for tumor progression

Analysis of cultured rat "Nb2 lymphoma" cell lines, showing different degrees of malignant progression, can lead to identification of phenotypic changes associated with this phenomenon in T-cell cancers. In the present study we have compared the metastatic sublines, Nb2-11 and Nb2-SFJCD1, with regard to ascorbate and glutathione recycling, important processes in cellular protection from oxidative stresses. Whereas the Nb2-11 subline is prolactin (PRL)-dependent, the genetically related Nb2-SFJCD1 subline is growth factor-independent and shows more chromosomal alterations, indicative of more advanced progression. The Nb2-SFJCD1 cells, compared to the Nb2-11 cells, were less sensitive to toxic effects of dehydroascorbate, a potentially toxic oxidation product of ascorbate. Results were consistent with a significantly higher production of reducing equivalents (e.g., NADPH, GSH) and an accelerated reduction of dehydroascorbate by homogenates of Nb2-SFJCD1 cells. However, the increased resistance was apparently not directly related to the cellular uptake and reduction of dehydroascorbate by whole cells, which was similar in both cell lines. Observations indicate that Nb2 lymphoma cells, in their progression to malignancy, can acquire an enhanced capability to protect themselves from oxidative damage assisting them in withstanding the oxidative stress that anti-neoplastic drugs can cause. The adaptation may also be a mechanism that is utilized by tumor cells in suppressing apoptosis and other protective cellular functions facilitating, or potentiating, a tumor cell's ability to become more metastatic. However, the mechanism leading to this augmented capacity of Nb2 lymphoma cells to resist oxidative stress in not known and is the subject for further study.

Changes in glutathione redox cycling and oxidative stress response in the malignant progression of NB2 lymphoma cells

Differential analysis of closely related Nb2-lymphoma cell lines can be used for identification of changes in biochemical properties associated with the malignant progression of certain T-cell cancers. As tumors progress, they tend to show metabolic alterations such as an increased resistance to oxidative stress, a characteristic that may be correlated with changes in intrinsic antioxidant levels (e.g., glutathione) and in activities of associated enzymes such as the glutathione redox pathway. Whether increases in malignancy of Nb2 cells were associated with changes in cellular glutathione levels and activities of glutathione-metabolizing enzymes was addressed. To evaluate this relationship, 3 cell lines, showing increased malignancy, were used: Nb2-U17 (hormone-dependent, non-metastatic), Nb2-11 (hormone-dependent, metastatic), Nb2-SFJCD1 (growth factor-independent, metastatic). Compared to Nb2-U17 and Nb2-11 cells, the highly progressed Nb2-SFJCD1 lymphoma cells maintain low basal glutathione levels. However, the Nb2-SFJCD1 cells display an enhanced capacity to produce glutathione when challenged with an oxidative stress and show a significantly higher resistance to H2O2-induced apoptosis.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Polygala arillata buch-ham]

Two new compounds were isolated from the roots of Polygala arillata Buch-Ham. On the basis of chemical reactions and spectral (UV, IR, MS, 1HNMR, DIFNOE, 13CNMR) analysis, they were identified as 1,3-dihydroxy-2-methoxyxanthone(I) and 7-hydroxy-1-methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxyxanthone(II). Pharmacological study indicated that I and II have inhibitory effect on aldose reductase activity.

Remodelling of reconstituted high density lipoproteins by lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase

Discoidal reconstituted high density lipoproteins (rHDL) with a diameter of 7.9 nm, a molar ratio of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC): unesterified cholesterol (UC): cholesteryl esters (CE): apolipoprotein (apo) A-I of 33:7:0:1 and containing two molecules of apoA-1 per particle were incubated with lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in the presence of low density lipoproteins as a source of additional UC and PC for the LCAT reaction. After 24 h of incubation, the rHDL had a diameter of 8.8 nm, a molar ratio of PC:UC:CE:apoA-I of 16:3:23:1 and contained three rather than two molecules of apoA-I per particle. The fact that there was no change in the concentration of rHDL-associated apoA-I indicated that the increase from two to three molecules of apoA-I per particle was achieved at the expense of a one-third reduction in the number of rHDL particles in a process that must have involved particle fusion. When the incubations were repeated in the presence of exogenous, lipid-free apoA-I, the resulting rHDL were identical in size and composition to those generated in its absence. Under these conditions, however, the increase from two to three molecules of apoA-I per rHDL particle coincided with a 50% increase in the concentration of rHDL-associated apoA-I. Thus, when lipid-free apoA-I is available, the LCAT-mediated increase in number of apoA-I molecules per rHDL particle is achieved by a direct incorporation of lipid-free apolipoprotein without any need for particle fusion and therefore without a reduction in the number of rHDL particles.

Cycling of apolipoprotein A-I between lipid-associated and lipid-free pools

It has been shown previously that the reduction in particle size of HDL which follows incubation with the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plus very-low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is accompanied by the dissociation of lipid-free apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) from HDL. In the present study, we demonstrate that this dissociation of apo A-I is reversible in a process dependent on the activity of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). The lipoprotein fraction (d < 1.21 g/ml) of human plasma was mixed with CETP and incubated under conditions such that the HDL decreased in size and there was a dissociation of about 30% of the apo A-I. Following this incubation, the d < 1.21 g/ml fraction was reisolated, supplemented with lipid-free apo A-I and reincubated in the presence and absence of LCAT, either as a component of lipoprotein-deficient plasma or as purified enzyme. In the absence of LCAT, HDL size did not increase and there was no incorporation of lipid-free apo A-I into the HDL density range. In contrast, when LCAT was present, the particle size of HDL increased and lipid-free apo A-I was incorporated into the HDL such that the HDL apo A-I content was comparable to that of the original, unmodified particles. The incorporation of lipid-free apo A-I into the HDL density range was dependent on both the presence of pre-existing HDL and an increase in their size. Thus, just as a reduction in HDL size is accompanied by the dissociation of lipid-free apo A-I, we have now shown that a subsequent increase in HDL size is accompanied by the reincorporation of lipid-free apo A-I into the particle.

Dissociation of lipid-free apolipoprotein A-I from high density lipoproteins

Conditions under which apolipoprotein (apo) A-I dissociates from human high density lipoproteins (HDL) during incubation in vitro have been investigated. Dissociation of apoA-I was demonstrated by non-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting for apoA-I and by size-exclusion chromatography. It was quantitated after ultracentrifugation as the loss of apoA-I from the fraction of d < 1.25 g/ml. ApoA-I did not dissociate from HDL when they were incubated alone at 37 degrees C for up to 24 h. Nor was there dissociation of apoA-I when the HDL were incubated either with the cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in the absence of other lipoprotein fractions or with other lipoproteins in the absence of CETP. However, when mixtures of HDL and CETP were incubated for 24 h in the presence of physiological concentrations of either very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) or low density lipoproteins (LDL), there was a dissociation of up to 36% of the apoA-I from the HDL fraction that was linear with time. The dissociation of apoA-I coincided with a time-dependent reduction in HDL particle size. The percentage of apoA-I that dissociated from HDL correlated positively with the concentrations of VLDL, LDL, and CETP in the incubation but negatively with the concentration of HDL. When lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase was added to mixtures at the completion of 24 h of incubation with CETP, the size of the HDL increased and the dissociated apoA-I returned to the fraction of d < 1.25 g/ml. analysis of the lipoprotein-deficient fraction of d > 1.25 g/ml isolated by ultracentrifugation and of the lower molecular weight fractions recovered after size-exclusion chromatography revealed that the dissociated apoA-I was not associated with significant quantities of either cholesterol, phospholipids, or other apolipoproteins. When the dissociated apoA-I was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, it migrated to a prebeta position comparable to that of purified, lipid-free apoA-I. This contrasted with the original HDL that exhibited alpha migration. Thus, CETP-mediated transfers of cholesteryl esters from HDL to VLDL and LDL are accompanied not only by a reduction in HDL size but also by the progressive dissociation from HDL of a pool of prebeta-migrating, essentially lipid-free apoA-I.

[Protective action of blumeatin against experimental liver injuries]

Blumeatin (Blu, 5,3',5'-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-dihydro-flavone) was first isolated from Blumea balsamifera DC by Department of Chemistry, Sunyatsen University of China. Blu ip inhibited the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase (AAT) and liver triglyceride and increased serum triglyceride, beta-lipoprotein, and liver glycogen content in CCl4-intoxicated rats. Histological lesions of liver were less severe than those of hepatic injury control. Blu ip 0.65 and 3.25 mg.kg-1 inhibited the increase of serum AAT and hepatic TG in thioacetamide (TAA)-intoxicated mice. Blu ip shortened the pentobarbital sleeping time in CCl4-intoxicated mice. It suggested that Blu could protect liver against injury induced by CCl4 and TAA.

Relationship between the size and phospholipid content of low-density lipoproteins

In studies performed in vivo and in vitro, it has been found that the Stokes' diameter of human low-density lipoproteins (LDL) correlates positively and significantly with the molar ratio of phospholipid/apo B in LDL but not with the LDL molar ratios of either cholesterol/apo B or triacylglycerol/apo B. It has been concluded that the phospholipid content of LDL is an important determinant of LDL size.

[Chemical studies of Strobilanthes cusia]

Seven compounds have been isolated from the whole plant of Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) O. Ktze. Three of them are triterpenes (I-III), two are indole alkaloids (IV, V), two are quinazolinone alkaloids (VI, VII). On the basis of spectral analysis and physicochemical properties, their structures were established as lupeol (I), betulin (II), lupenone (III), indigo (IV), indirubin (V), 4(3H)-quinazolinone (VI), 2,4(1H,3H)-quinazolinedione (VII). VI and VII were found from natural plant for the first time. The results of the pharmacological tests demonstrate that compound V has anticancer activity and compound VI has hypotensive action. Compound VII can be quantitatively determined by HPLC, which may serve as a quality control standard for materia medica and its preparations. Compounds VI and VII have been confirmed by means of synthesis.

[Effects of trilobine on platelet aggregation, thromboxane A2, and prostacyclin formation in rats]

Using turbidimetry we found that trilobine inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation both in vitro and in vivo. Incubated with TrL 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 mg.ml-1, platelet aggregation was inhibited by 38.2%, 68.2%, and 94.0% respectively. The inhibitory rates were 47.6% and 84.0% with TrL 20 and 40 mg.kg-1 ip respectively in vivo. The formation of platelet TXB2 was inhibited by 40% with TrL 20 mg.kg-1 ip in vivo, while the formation of carotid artery wall PGI2 was not affected. The production of TXA2-like substance was inhibited by 37%, 53%, and 78% with TrL 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg.ml-1 respectively.

Titration of variant DNA sequences differing by a single point-mutation by selective dot-blot hybridization with synthetic oligonucleotides

A dot-blot hybridization procedure with synthetic oligonucleotide probes is reported, which allows the quantitative titration in genomic DNA of variant forms of repeated genes differing by a single nucleotide change. It involves the utilization of a pair of 22-base long oligonucleotides matching the two variant sequences and the choice of an hybridization temperature very close to the Td of the oligonucleotide/DNA duplexes. The selectivity is achieved through a competition between the cognate labeled and the non-cognate unlabeled probes in the hybridization mixture.