Cricothyroid Muscle Dysfunction Affects Aerodynamic Performance in Patients with Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis

BACKGROUND

Emerging evidence has revealed that cricothyroid (CT) muscle dysfunction in unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) further impairs patients' voices. Given that CT muscle dysfunction does not influence vocal fold position, the mechanism of voice dysfunction induced by dysfunction of CT muscle in UVFP patients remains controversial. This study compares aerodynamics between UVFP patients with and without CT muscle involvement.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study recruited patients with UVFP manifesting dysphonia, and UVFP was confirmed with videolaryngoscopy and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). Voice analysis and aerodynamic tests were further performed. Patients with (CT+ group) and without (CT- group) CT muscle involvement were compared.

RESULT

A total of 175 patients (40 in the CT+ group and 135 in the CT- group) with UVFP were analyzed. The CT+ group showed lower maximal sound pressure level (SPL) (P=0.039), mean SPL (P=0.042), peak air pressure (P<0.001), mean peak air pressure (P<0.001) and aerodynamic power (P=0.004) than the CT- group.

CONCLUSION

The decrease in SPL, peak air pressure, and aerodynamic power in UVFP patients with CT muscle dysfunction suggests that the effect of CT muscle dysfunction is mediated by a change in aerodynamics.

[Treatment efficacy of dietary supplement Licofor for dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of dietary supplement Licofor in the treatment of dry eye associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). Methods: This was a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Sixty patients [25 males, 35 females, aged (42±13) years] who had dry eye associated with MGD were recruited in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from December 2018 to October 2019. The patients were equally divided into two groups: 30 cases (60 eyes) in the experimental group and 30 cases (60 eyes) in the control group. All subjects were treated with eye hot compress, artificial tears and antibiotic ointment. After that, the experimental group and control group were received dietary supplementary Licofor or placebo daily for 12 weeks. The symptoms and signs of dry eye, morphology and function of meibomian gland, and inflammatory response were assessed at the beginning, 4^th, 8^th and 12^th week of treatment. Results: After 12 weeks of treatment, statistically significant improvements in ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores, tear break-up time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), the morphology of eyelid margin, meibomian gland orifice, meibomian gland expressibility, meibum quality, and periglandular inflammatory cell density were determined in both groups (all P<0.05). In the Licofor group, the improvement of OSDI scores [16.7 (12.5, 20.8) vs 20.8 (18.8, 22.9), P<0.001], the morphology of eyelid margin, meibomian gland orifice and periglandular inflammatory cell density [443 (318, 513) vs 553 (415, 676)/mm², P=0.002] were more significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The combined treatment of licofor and conventional treatment can significantly improve symptoms of dry eye, the morphology of eyelid margin, meibomian gland orifice, meibum quality, and eyelid inflammation response of dry eye associated with MGD.

Comparing critical speed modelling approaches and exploring relationships with match-play variables in elite male youth soccer players

Background

A novel bi-exponential method has emerged to estimate critical speed (CS) and D-prime (D') from a 3-min all-out test (3MT).

Objectives

To compare CS analysis methods to determine whether parameter estimations were interchangeable. Reference values and relationships with key soccer match-play variables were explored.

Methods

Thirteen elite male youth (14-15 years old) players completed a 30 m shuttle run 3MT to estimate CS, D', rate of speed decline time constant, maximal speed (S _max), time to S _max (t _max), and fatigue index (FI), using the traditional method and bi-exponential model on average (Bi-Exp_Average) and max speed settings (Bi-Exp_Max-Speed). High-speed running (HSR) and sprinting distances and counts, and the number of accelerations were collected from two matches. Magnitude-based inferences (p < 0.05) with smallest worthwhile change of 0.2 effect sizes were used to analyse differences. Pearson's and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to measure associations between CS model variables and match-play parameters.

Results

There were significant differences between the traditional method and both bi-exponential models for CS and D', as well as between the bi-exponential models for all variables except t _max. Using the Bi-Exp_Average model, strong correlations (r = 0.70-0.73; p < 0.05) were observed for D' and FI with the number of standardised and individualised HSRs, respectively. With the Bi-Exp_Max-Speed model, there were strong correlations (r/ρ = 0.64-0.68; p < 0.05) between D' and the number of standardised HSRs and sprints, and the number of individualised sprints.

Conclusion

There is a lack of interchangeability between analysis methods. It appears that D' and FI from the bi-exponential models could be associated with high-intensity actions in soccer match-play.

Low-Frequency Vibration Facilitates Post-Exercise Cardiovascular Autonomic Recovery

It is important to use short breaks to accelerate post-exercise recovery in sports. Previous studies have revealed that vibration can reduce post-exercise muscle soreness. However, there is still high heterogeneity in the effects of vibration on cardiovascular autonomic activities, and most studies to date have focused on high-frequency vibration. This study aimed to investigate the effect of low-frequency lower-body vibration (LBV) on post-exercise changes in heart rate variability and peripheral arterial tone. Ten men and 9 women aged 20 to 25 were recruited for this study. Each subject visited the testing room three times with at least 2 days in between. Each time, the subject received one of the three different vibration frequencies (0, 5, and 15 Hz) in a random order in the sitting position for 10 minutes. LBV was performed immediately after a static standing (control) test and 3-min-step test. Heart rate variability and digital volume pulse wave were recorded during the vibration phase (V1: vibration 0-5 minutes; V2: 6-10 minutes) and the recovery phase (Rc1: recovery phase 11-15 minutes; Rc2: 16-20 minutes). The result of digital pulse wave analysis showed that the reflection index (RI) under 15 Hz decreased during V1. Heart rate of the 15-Hz group also decreased during Rc1 and Rc2. According to the analysis of heart rate variability, low-frequency power/high-frequency power (LF/HF) decreased and normalized high-frequency power (nHF) increased during V2, Rc1 and Rc2 under 15 Hz and, during Rc2 under 5 Hz vibration. This study confirmed that the application of low-frequency LBV after exercise can reduce peripheral vascular tone, accelerate heart rate recovery, decrease cardiac sympathetic nerve activity, and promote parasympathetic nerve activity. The effect was more pronounced at 15 Hz than at 5 Hz. The findings provide a method to accelerate cardiovascular autonomic recovery after exercise.

Noninvasive prediction of Blood Lactate through a machine learning-based approach

We hypothesized that blood lactate concentration([Lac]_blood) is a function of cardiopulmonary variables, exercise intensity and some anthropometric elements during aerobic exercise. This investigation aimed to establish a mathematical model to estimate [Lac]_blood noninvasively during constant work rate (CWR) exercise of various intensities. 31 healthy participants were recruited and each underwent 4 cardiopulmonary exercise tests: one incremental and three CWR tests (low: 35% of peak work rate for 15 min, moderate: 60% 10 min and high: 90% 4 min). At the end of each CWR test, venous blood was sampled to determine [Lac]_blood. 31 trios of CWR tests were employed to construct the mathematical model, which utilized exponential regression combined with Taylor expansion. Good fitting was achieved when the conditions of low and moderate intensity were put in one model; high-intensity in another. Standard deviation of fitting error in the former condition is 0.52; in the latter is 1.82 mmol/liter. Weighting analysis demonstrated that, besides heart rate, respiratory variables are required in the estimation of [Lac]_blood in the model of low/moderate intensity. In conclusion, by measuring noninvasive cardio-respiratory parameters, [Lac]_blood during CWR exercise can be determined with good accuracy. This should have application in endurance training and future exercise industry.

Cardiovascular Autonomic Response to Orthostatic Stress Under Hypoxia in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Huang, Shu-Chun, Kuo-Cheng Liu, Alice M.K. Wong, Shih-Chieh Chang, and Jong-Shyan Wang. Cardiovascular autonomic response to orthostatic stress under hypoxia in patients with spinal cord injury. High Alt Med Biol. 19:201-207, 2018.

AIMS

Determining whether systemic hypoxia aggravates the severity of autonomic cardiovascular dysfunction in orthostatic stress among patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs).

METHODS

Twenty-four male patients with chronic SCI whose neurological levels were above T6 were recruited. Twenty-five healthy men were enrolled in the control group. Five-minute supine rest (SR) and head-up tilt (HUT) at 60° were performed in normoxia and after 1 hour, 13.5% fraction of inspired O₂ exposure. A noninvasive cardiac output (CO) monitor was used to measure stroke volume (SV), CO, total peripheral resistance (TPR), and blood pressure (BP), whereas heart rate variability (HRV) was performed to determine cardiac autonomic activity. Digital volume pulse analysis was applied to measure arteriolar tone.

RESULTS

In normoxia from SR to HUT, systolic and diastolic BPs declined, SV decreased, and heart rate increased, whereas CO and TPR showed a declining trend in the SCI group. Sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal were also disclosed in the HRV analysis. In hypoxia, the change of these cardiovascular responses from SR to HUT exhibited no difference to normoxia in the SCI group. No significant difference in arterial desaturation was observed between the two groups (82.9% vs. 80.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular adaptation to orthostatic stress is not affected by subacute steady-state hypoxia in chronic SCI patients with neurological levels higher than T6.

Auditory and Visual Attention Performance in Children With ADHD: The Attentional Deficiency of ADHD Is Modality Specific

OBJECTIVE

This study explored auditory and visual attention in children with ADHD.

METHOD

In a randomized, two-period crossover design, 50 children with ADHD and 50 age- and sex-matched typically developing peers were measured with the Test of Various Attention (TOVA).

RESULTS

The deficiency of visual attention is more serious than that of auditory attention in children with ADHD. On the auditory modality, only the deficit of attentional inconsistency is sufficient to explain most cases of ADHD; however, most of the children with ADHD suffered from deficits of sustained attention, response inhibition, and attentional inconsistency on the visual modality. Our results also showed that the deficit of attentional inconsistency is the most important indicator in diagnosing and intervening in ADHD when both auditory and visual modalities are considered.

CONCLUSION

The findings provide strong evidence that the deficits of auditory attention are different from those of visual attention in children with ADHD.

Preoperative embolization of intracranial meningiomas: efficacy, technical considerations, and complications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Preoperative embolization for intracranial meningiomas offers potential advantages for safer and more effective surgery. However, this treatment strategy has not been examined in a large comparative series. The purpose of this study was to review our experience using preoperative embolization to understand the efficacy, technical considerations and complications of this technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing intracranial meningioma resection at our institution (March 2001 to December 2012). Comparisons were made between embolized and nonembolized patients, including patient and tumor characteristics, embolization method, operative blood loss, complications, and extent of resection. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors predictive of operative blood loss and extent of resection.

RESULTS

Preoperatively, 224 patients were referred for embolization, of which 177 received embolization. No complications were seen in 97.1%. There were no significant differences in operative duration, extent of resection, or complications. Estimated blood loss was higher in the embolized group (410 versus 315 mL, P=.0074), but history of embolization was not a predictor of blood loss in multivariate analysis. Independent predictors of blood loss included decreasing degree of tumor embolization (P=.037), skull base location (P=.005), and male sex (P=.034). Embolization was not an independent predictor of gross total resection.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative embolization is a safe option for selected meningiomas. In our series, embolization did not alter the operative duration, complications, or degree of resection, but the degree of embolization was an independent predictor of decreased operative blood loss.

Utility of intraoperative angiography during subaxial foramen transversarium decompression for bow hunter's syndrome

Bow hunter's syndrome is an uncommon cause of vertebrobasilar insufficiency resulting from rotational compression of the extracranial vertebral artery. While positional compression of any portion of the extracranial vertebral artery has been reported to result in bow hunter's syndrome, the most common site of compression is the V2 segment as it passes through the foramen transversarium of the subaxial cervical spine. A 43-year-old woman presented with increasingly frequent pre-syncopal and syncopal episodes upon leftward head rotation. Pre-operative angiographic studies with the neck rotated to the left demonstrated occlusion of the left vertebral artery by a C4-5 osteophyte arising from the C4 uncinate process. The patient underwent microsurgical decompression of the vertebral artery at C4-5 through a standard anterior transcervical retropharyngeal approach. Selective vertebral artery intraoperative angiography performed with the head passively rotated to the left before and after left vertebral artery decompression showed marked improvement in the luminal diameter and blood flow. The patient's symptoms resolved post-operatively. This case illustrates the second instance of intraoperative angiography used to confirm adequate vertebral artery decompression for bow hunter's syndrome. Intraoperative angiography can be safely used to decrease the extent of vertebral artery decompression in order to minimize the risk of operative complications.

Evaluation of the impact of HIV serostatus, tobacco smoking and CD4 counts on epidermoid anal cancer survival

Tobacco smoking and HIV infection increase the risk of epidermoid anal cancer (EAC). No published studies have examined smoking and EAC outcomes, and the literature is discrepant regarding outcomes of HIV-positive patients with EAC. The goal of this study was to examine smoking history, HIV status and outcomes in EAC patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of adults with invasive EAC treated in the University of Washington hospital system from 1 January 1994 to 31 December 2008. Sixty-three patients were included. Forty-seven patients (75%) had primary chemoradiation, of whom 42 (89%) completed therapy. Two patients (3%) received radiotherapy alone. Fourteen patients (22%) underwent primary surgery, of whom 11 (79%) underwent tumour excision and three (21%) abdominoperineal resection (APR). We analysed smoking history, HIV status and CD4 count (≥200 cells/μL/<200 cells/μL for HIV-positive patients) versus outcomes. Forty-five patients (71%) were in remission, and 44 (70%) were alive at last follow-up. Overall survival was significantly better for never-smokers than for ever-smokers. There were no differences in outcomes according to HIV status or CD4 counts. Patients with anal cancer who smoke have worse overall survival than non-smoking patients. HIV infection does not appear to affect anal cancer outcomes.

Drug eluting stents for symptomatic intracranial and vertebral artery stenosis

The use of bare metal stents (BMS) to prevent recurrent stroke due to stenosis of the cerebral vasculature is associated with high rates of restenosis. Drug-eluting stents (DES) may decrease this risk. We evaluated the performance of DES in a cohort of patients treated at our institution.Consecutive patients treated with DES were identified by a case log and billing records; data regarding procedural details, clinical outcome and angiographic follow-up was obtained by retrospective chart review.Twenty-six patients (27 vessels; 14 vertebral origin (VO); 13 intracranial) were treated. Stenosis was reduced from mean 81% to 8% at the VO and 80% to 2% intracranially. No strokes occurred in the first 24 hours after stenting or at any time point in the VO group during a mean follow-up period of nine months. Among patients with intracranial stents, stroke with permanent disability occurred within 30 days in 1/12 (8%) and after 30 days in 1/11 (9%) with clinical follow-up (mean follow-up, 14 months). Follow-up catheter angiography was obtained in 14/14 (100%) in the VO group at mean eight months and in 8/11 surviving patients (73%) at a mean of ten months after stenting in the intracranial group. The restenosis rate was 21% at the VO (3/14) and 38% (3/8) for intracranial stents. Restenosis at the VO was less frequent than might have been expected from reports utilizing BMS, however, overall restenosis rates appeared higher than previously reported for patients with intracranial DES and comparable with restenosis rates for intracranial BMS.

A perceptually tuned watermarking scheme for color images

Transparency and robustness are two conflicting requirements demanded by digital image watermarking for copyright protection and many other purposes. A feasible way to simultaneously satisfy the two conflicting requirements is to embed high-strength watermark signals in the host signals that can accommodate the distortion due to watermark insertion as part of perceptual redundancy. The search of distortion-tolerable host signals for watermark insertion and the determination of watermark strength are hence crucial to the realization of a transparent yet robust watermark. This paper presents a color image watermarking scheme that hides watermark signals in most distortion-tolerable signals within three color channels of the host image without resulting in perceivable distortion. The distortion-tolerable host signals or the signals that possess high perceptual redundancy are sought in the wavelet domain for watermark insertion. A visual model based on the CIEDE2000 color difference equation is used to measure the perceptual redundancy inherent in each wavelet coefficient of the host image. By means of quantization index modulation, binary watermark signals are embedded in qualified wavelet coefficients. To reinforce the robustness, the watermark signals are repeated and permuted before embedding, and restored by the majority-vote decision making process in watermark extraction. Original images are not required in watermark extraction. Only a small amount of information including locations of qualified coefficients and the data associated with coefficient quantization is needed for watermark extraction. Experimental results show that the embedded watermark is transparent and quite robust in face of various attacks such as cropping, low-pass filtering, scaling, media filtering, white-noise addition as well as the JPEG and JPEG2000 coding at high compression ratios.

Arthrobacter globiformis and Its Bacteriophage in Soil

Bacteriophages in soil for Arthrobacter globiformis were rarely detected unless the soil was nutritionally amended and incubated. In amended soil, phage were continuously produced for at least 48 h, and this did not require the addition of host cells. Rod and spheroid stage host cells added to the amended soil encountered indigenous bacteriophage, but added phage did not encounter sensitive indigenous host cells for some time, if at all. The indigenous phage in nonincubated soil seemed to be present in a masked state which was not merely a loose physical adsorption to soil materials but required growth conditions other than lysogeny for them to increase their titers. The possibility is discussed that the indigenous host cells in nonamended soil are present in a nonsensitive spheroid state, with the cells becoming sensitive to the phage in a rate-limiting fashion as nonsynchronous outgrowth occurs for a portion of the spheroid cells.

Femoral artery complications associated with the Mynx closure device

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Devices to close a femoral arteriotomy are frequently used after catheterization for interventional radiology and cardiac procedures to decrease the time to hemostasis and ambulation and, potentially, to decrease local complications. The Mynx vascular closure device uses a sealant designed to occlude the access tract, resulting in hemostasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed all cases in which the Mynx device was used and for which follow-up angiography was available. A total of 146 devices were deployed in 135 patients. A follow-up vascular study visualizing the femoral artery was performed in 26 patients (27 studies).

RESULTS

There were 5 (5/27, 18%) cases of intravascular Mynx sealant on follow-up vascular imaging. Three pseudoaneurysms (3/27, 11%) were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

In this small study, intravascular sealant and pseudoaneurysms were found frequently after femoral arterial closure with the Mynx vascular closure device.

The porphyrin-fullerene nanoparticles to promote the ATP overproduction in myocardium: 25Mg2+-magnetic isotope effect

This is a first case ever reported on the fullerene-based low toxic nanocationite particles (porphyrin adducts of cyclohexyl fullerene-C(60)) designed for targeted delivery of the paramagnetic magnesium stable isotope to the heart muscle providing a sharp clinical effect close to about 80% recovery of the tissue hypoxia symptoms in less than 24 h after a single injection (0.03-0.1 LD(50)). A whole principle of this therapy is novel: (25)Mg(2+)-magnetic isotope effect selectively stimulates the ATP overproduction in the oxygen-depleted cells due to (25)Mg(2+) released by the nanoparticles. Being membranotropic cationites, these "smart nanoparticles" release the overactivating paramagnetic cations only in response to the metabolic acidic shift. The resulting positive changes in the heart cell energy metabolism may help to prevent and/or treat the local myocardial hypoxic disorders and, hence, protect the heart muscle from a serious damage in a vast variety of the hypoxia-caused clinical situations including both doxorubicin and 1-methylnicotineamide cardiotoxic side effects. Both pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug proposed make it suitable for safe and efficient administration in either single or multi-injection (acute or chronic) therapeutic schemes.

Cyclopeptide alkaloids from stems of Paliurus ramossisimus

Three 13-membered cyclopeptide alkaloids, paliurines G, H and I, together with six known alkaloids, nummularine H, daechuine-S3, paliurines A-C and F, were isolated from the stem of Paliurus ramossisimus by a combination of centrifugal partition chromatography and preparative TLC. Their structures were characterized and established on the basis of spectral analysis. A preliminary study indicated that nummularine H could shorten the methohexital induced sleeping time.

Characterization of the murine Lbx2 promoter, identification of the human homologue, and evaluation as a candidate for Alström syndrome

The murine Lbx2 gene is a member of the ladybird family of homeobox genes, which is expressed in the developing urogenital system, eye, and brain. Using transgenic mice, we demonstrate that 9 kb of the 5' flanking region of mouse Lbx2 is able to direct expression of a reporter gene in a tissue-specific manner recapitulating the endogenous expression pattern. This regulatory region provides a novel reagent allowing for transgenic expression in the developing urogenital ridge. In addition, we describe the identification of the human homologue, LBX2. Comparison of the human LBX2 and mouse Lbx2 sequences upstream of the coding regions reveals sequence conservation suggesting conserved regulatory regions. Both the human LBX2 and the mouse Lbx2 genes have similar genomic structures and are composed of two exons separated by an intron. We mapped the mouse Lbx2 gene to 35 cM on chromosome 6 and the human LBX2 gene to a homologous region of chromosome 2p13. This is a candidate region for several inherited disorders, including Alström syndrome, a disorder that includes ocular, urogenital, and renal abnormalities. Given the expression pattern of Lbx2, the chromosomal location in humans, and the potential function of mammalian ladybird genes, we have begun to analyze patients with ocular disorders and those with Alström syndrome for mutations in LBX2. Although polymorphisms were identified, our results indicate that mutations in the coding region of LBX2 do not account for Alström syndrome in the six kindreds analyzed.

Cyclopeptide alkaloids from Paliurus ramossisimus

Seven zizyphine A-type cyclopeptide alkaloids were isolated from the roots of Paliurus ramossisimus by the combination of centrifugal partition chromatography and conventional separation methods. The novel structures of paliurines A-F (1-6) were characterized and established on the basis of MS and elaborate NMR spectral analyses. Terminal dipeptide stereochemistry was confirmed by correlation with the synthetic dipeptides via comparison of their (13)C NMR data.

Transgenic rescue of congenital heart disease and spina bifida in Splotch mice

Pax3-deficient Splotch mice display neural tube defects and an array of neural crest related abnormalities including defects in the cardiac outflow tract, dorsal root ganglia and pigmentation. Pax3 is expressed in neural crest cells that emerge from the dorsal neural tube. Pax3 is also expressed in the somites, through which neural crest cells migrate, where it is required for hypaxial muscle development. Homozygous mutant Splotch embryos die by embryonic day 14. We have utilized the proximal 1.6 kb Pax3 promoter and upstream regulatory elements to engineer transgenic mice reproducing endogenous Pax3 expression in neural tube and neural crest, but not the somite. Over expression of Pax3 in these tissues reveals no discernible phenotype. Breeding of transgenic mice onto a Splotch background demonstrates that neural tube and neural crest expression of Pax3 is sufficient to rescue neural tube closure, cardiac development and other neural crest related defects. Transgenic Splotch mice survive until birth at which time they succumb to respiratory failure secondary to absence of a muscular diaphragm. Limb muscles are also absent. These results indicate that regulatory elements sufficient for functional expression of Pax3 required for cardiac development and neural tube closure are contained within the region 1.6 kb upstream of the Pax3 transcriptional start site. In addition, the single Pax3 isoform used for this transgene is sufficient to execute these developmental processes. Although the extracellular matrix and the environment of the somites through which neural crest migrates is known to influence neural crest behavior, our results indicate that Pax3-deficient somites are capable of supporting proper neural crest migration and function suggesting a cell autonomous role for Pax3 in neural crest.

Lbx2, a novel murine homeobox gene related to the Drosophila ladybird genes is expressed in the developing urogenital system, eye and brain

We describe the cloning, expression pattern, and genomic organization of Lbx2, a murine homologue of the Drosophila and mammalian ladybird genes. Lbx2 includes a homeodomain motif most closely related to those of Lbx1 and the Drosophila ladybird proteins. Lbx2 transcripts are first detected at E10.5 when they are located in the gonadal component of the urogenital ridge. Expression of Lbx2 dramatically increases by E11.5 in the urogenital ridges, and in the cranial surface ectoderm. At later stages, Lbx2 transcripts are expressed in the brain and organs derived from the urogenital ridge, including the gonadal tubercle, kidneys, and adrenal glands. From E14.5 to birth, Lbx2 expression is evident in the developing retinal neuroepithelium and the vibrissa.

Antiviral tannins from two Phyllanthus species

Seven ellagitannins isolated from Phyllanthus myrtifolius and P. urinaria (Euphorbiaceae) have been shown, for the first time, to be active against Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase (EBV-DP) at the microM level. All these compounds have the same moiety of a corilagin, and differ from each other by different substitutions at C-2 and C-4 of the glucose core. SAR analysis and molecular modeling reveal that the essential pharmacophore of these tannins resides in the corilagin moiety. The outer complex carboxylic acid moieties appear to act only as auxopharmacore.

APC in the regulation of intestinal crypt fission

The functional effects of APC (adenomatous polyposis coli gene) germ-line mutations on crypt fission and cell proliferation were investigated in the normal intestine of human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and multiple intestinal neoplasia (MIN) mice. Compared with controls, there was a 19-fold increase in the proportion of crypts in fission in FAP colon [95 per cent confidence interval (CI): 11-32, P < 0.0001], and a 75 and 61 per cent increase in MIN colon (95 per cent CI: 1.08-2.82, P < 0.02) and small bowel, respectively (95 per cent CI: 1.31-1.99, P < 0.001). In marked contrast, no significant differences in intra-cryptal epithelial cell proliferation or mitotic distribution were seen. Furthermore, 10.9 per cent of crypts in FAP were in asymmetrical fission as opposed to only 1 per cent in controls (P = 0.001). The largest relative increases in MIN crypt fission were in the colon (proximal and distal colon:190 per cent, P = 0.02 and 83 per cent, P = 0.01), suggesting that Apc mutations exert their maximal influence site-specifically. However, sites with the highest relative increases were also those with the largest eventual tumour sizes, but not the highest polyp counts. Three-dimensional serial section reconstruction analysis corroborated that FAP adenomas enlarge by crypt fission, which was frequently both asymmetrical and atypical. It is proposed that the absence of an increase in intestinal cell division infers that APC regulates intestinal crypt differentiation, specifically through the crypt cycle. This role appears analogous to the control of axis re-duplication in embryonic development, when downstream targets of APC are over-expressed. It is concluded that in vivo, the major defect in pre-neoplastic intestine harbouring APC mutations is elevated rates of crypt fission, and that this is also the mode by which micro-adenomas enlarge.

Brittle-1, an adenylate translocator, facilitates transfer of extraplastidial synthesized ADP--glucose into amyloplasts of maize endosperms

Amyloplasts of starchy tissues such as those of maize (Zea mays L.) function in the synthesis and accumulation of starch during kernel development. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is known to be located in chloroplasts, and for many years it was generally accepted that AGPase was also localized in amyloplasts of starchy tissues. Recent aqueous fractionation of young maize endosperm led to the conclusion that 95% of the cellular AGPase was extraplastidial, but immunolocalization studies at the electron- and light-microscopic levels supported the conclusion that maize endosperm AGPase was localized in the amyloplasts. We report the results of two nonaqueous procedures that provide evidence that in maize endosperms in the linear phase of starch accumulation, 90% or more of the cellular AGPase is extraplastidial. We also provide evidence that the brittle-1 protein (BT1), an adenylate translocator with a KTGGL motif common to the ADP-glucose-binding site of starch synthases and bacterial glycogen synthases, functions in the transfer of ADP-glucose into the amyloplast stroma. The importance of the BT1 translocator in starch accumulation in maize endosperms is demonstrated by the severely reduced starch content in bt1 mutant kernels.

APC in the regulation of intestinal crypt fission

The functional effects of APC (adenomatous polyposis coli gene) germ-line mutations on crypt fission and cell proliferation were investigated in the normal intestine of human familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and multiple intestinal neoplasia (MIN) mice. Compared with controls, there was a 19-fold increase in the proportion of crypts in fission in FAP colon [95 per cent confidence interval (CI): 11-32, P < 0.0001], and a 75 and 61 per cent increase in MIN colon (95 per cent CI: 1.08-2.82, P < 0.02) and small bowel, respectively (95 per cent CI: 1.31-1.99, P < 0.001). In marked contrast, no significant differences in intra-cryptal epithelial cell proliferation or mitotic distribution were seen. Furthermore, 10.9 per cent of crypts in FAP were in asymmetrical fission as opposed to only 1 per cent in controls (P = 0.001). The largest relative increases in MIN crypt fission were in the colon (proximal and distal colon:190 per cent, P = 0.02 and 83 per cent, P = 0.01), suggesting that Apc mutations exert their maximal influence site-specifically. However, sites with the highest relative increases were also those with the largest eventual tumour sizes, but not the highest polyp counts. Three-dimensional serial section reconstruction analysis corroborated that FAP adenomas enlarge by crypt fission, which was frequently both asymmetrical and atypical. It is proposed that the absence of an increase in intestinal cell division infers that APC regulates intestinal crypt differentiation, specifically through the crypt cycle. This role appears analogous to the control of axis re-duplication in embryonic development, when downstream targets of APC are over-expressed. It is concluded that in vivo, the major defect in pre-neoplastic intestine harbouring APC mutations is elevated rates of crypt fission, and that this is also the mode by which micro-adenomas enlarge.

Antiplatelet effects of some aporphine and phenanthrene alkaloids in rabbits and man

Two aporphines (boldine and laurolitsine) and five phenanthrene alkaloids (litebamine, secoboldine, N-cyanosecoboldine, N-methylsecoglaucine and N-methylsecopredicentrine) were evaluated in-vitro for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation. All seven alkaloids inhibited aggregation of rabbit platelets and inhibited the release of ATP induced by arachidonic acid and collagen in rabbit platelets. Those aggregations induced by platelet-activating factor (PAF), thrombin, U46619 and ADP were inhibited by the three N-substituted secoboldine derivatives only. Thromboxane B2 formation caused by arachidonic acid was also suppressed by these compounds. They did not affect the generation of [3H]inositol monophosphate caused by collagen, PAF and thrombin in the presence of indomethacin. Platelet cyclic AMP level was unaffected by litebamine, but was increased by N-methylsecoglaucine. Litebamine suppressed the secondary aggregation, but not the primary aggregation, induced by ADP and adrenaline in platelet-rich plasma from man, whereas N-methylsecoglaucine inhibited both primary and secondary aggregation. It is concluded that the antiplatelet effect of these seven aporphine and phenanthrene alkaloids is mainly a result of inhibition of thromboxane A2 formation; N-methylsecoglaucine has additional antiplatelet activity as a result of increasing the levels of platelet cyclic AMP.

Six lignans from Phyllanthus myrtifolius

Six lignans comprising phyllamyricins D (1), E (2), and F (3) and phyllamyricosides A (4), B (5), and C (6) were isolated in a continuing study of Phyllanthus myrtifolius. Compounds 1 and 2 are 2a-methoxy-4-aryl-2,3-naphthalides. Compounds 3-6 belong to the 4-arylnaphthalene class, with compounds 4-6 being O-beta-glucosides. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. Compound 4 increased the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase by 65% at a concentration of 1.89 microM.

Mechanical and electrophysiological effects of a hydroxyphenyl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline, SL-1, on isolated rat cardiac tissues

The mechanisms of the positive inotropic action of a new synthetic tetrahydroisoquinoline compound, SL-1, were investigated in isolated rat cardiac tissues and ventricular myocytes. SL-1 produced a rapidly developing, concentration-dependent positive inotropic response in both atrial and ventricular muscles and a negative chronotropic effect in spontaneously beating right atria. The positive inotropic effect was not prevented by pretreatment with reserpine (3 mg/kg) or the alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin (1 microM), but was suppressed by either the beta-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (3 microM) or the K+ channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4AP, 1mM). In the whole-cell recording study, SL-1 increased the plateau level and prolonged the action potential duration in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased the maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) and amplitude of the action potential in isolated rat ventricular myocytes stimulated at 1.0 Hz. On the other hand, SL-1 had little effect on the resting membrane potential, although it caused a slight decrease at higher concentrations. Voltage clamp experiments revealed that the increase of action potential plateau and prolongation of action potential duration were associated with an increase of Ca2+ inward current (ICa) via the activation of beta-adrenoceptors and a prominent inhibition of 4AP-sensitive transient outward K+ current (Ito) with an IC50 of 3.9 microM. Currents through the inward rectifier K+ channel (IK1) were also reduced. The inhibition of Ito is characterized by a reduction in peak amplitude and a marked acceleration of current decay but without changes on the voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation. In addition to the inhibition of K+ currents, SL-1 also inhibited the Na+ inward current (INa) with an IC50 of 5.4 microM, which was correlated with the decrease of Vmax. We conclude that the positive inotropic effect of SL-1 may be due to an increase in Ca2+ current mediated via partial activation of beta-adrenoceptors and an inhibition of K+ outward currents and the subsequent prolongation of action potentials.

Differential inhibition of reverse transcriptase and cellular DNA polymerase-alpha activities by lignans isolated from Chinese herbs, Phyllanthus myrtifolius Moon, and tannins from Lonicera japonica Thunb and Castanopsis hystrix

Two lignans, phyllamycin B and retrojusticidin B isolated from Phyllanthus myrtifolius Moon have been demonstrated to have a strong inhibitory effect on human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase activity (HIV-1 RT), but much less inhibitory effect on human DNA polymerase-alpha (HDNAP-alpha) activity. Fifty percent inhibitory concentrations of phyllamycin B and retrojusticidin B were determined to be 3.5 and 5.5 microM for HIV-1 RT, and 289 and 989 microM for HDNAP-alpha, respectively. The mode of inhibition was found to be non-competitive inhibition with respect to template-primer and triphosphate substrate. Several tannins such as caffeoylquinates (CQs) isolated from Lonicera japonica Thunb, galloylquinates (GQs) and galloylshikimates (GSs) purified from Castanopsis hystrix were shown to have a much less selective inhibitory effect on HIV-1 RT.

Antimalarial activity of Artemisia annua flavonoids from whole plants and cell cultures

Cell suspension cultures developed from Artemisia annua exhibited antimalarial activity against Plasmodium faldparum in vitro both in the n-hexane extract of the plant cell culture medium and in the chloroform extract of the cells. Trace amounts of the antimalarial sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin may account for the activity of the n-hexane fraction but only the methoxylated flavonoids artemetin, chrysoplenetin, chrysosplenol-D and cirsilineol can account for the activity of the chloroform extract. These purified flavonoids were found to have IC50 values at 2.4 - 6.5 × 10(-5)M against P. falciparum in vitro compared with an IC50 value of about 3 × 10(-8)M for purified artimisinin. At concentrations of 5 × 10(-6)M these flavonoids were not active against P. falciparum but did have a marked and selective potentiating effect on the antiplasmodial activity of artemisinin.

Sugar uptake and starch biosynthesis by slices of developing maize endosperm

(14)C-Sugar uptake and incorporation into starch by slices of developing maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm were examined and compared with sugar uptake by maize endosperm-derived suspension cultures. Rates of sucrose, fructose, and d- and l-glucose uptake by slices were similar, whereas uptake rates for these sugars differed greatly in suspension cultures. Concentration dependence of sucrose, fructose, and d-glucose uptake was biphasic (consisting of linear plus saturable components) with suspension cultures but linear with slices. These and other differences suggest that endosperm slices are freely permeable to sugars. After diffusion into the slices, sugars were metabolized and incorporated into starch. Starch synthesis, but not sugar accumulation, was greatly reduced by 2.5 millimolar p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid and 0.1 millimolar carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone. Starch synthesis was dependent on kernel age and incubation temperature, but not on external pH (5 through 8). Competing sugars generally did not affect the distribution of (14)C among the soluble sugars extracted from endosperm slices incubated in (14)C-sugars. Competing hexoses reduced the incorporation of (14)C into starch, but competing sucrose did not, suggesting that sucrose is not a necessary intermediate in starch biosynthesis. The bidirectional permeability of endosperm slices to sugars makes the characterization of sugar transport into endosperm slices impossible, however the model system is useful for experiments dealing with starch biosynthesis which occurs in the metabolically active tissue.

Production of canthin-6-one alkaloids by cell suspension cultures of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr

Cell suspension cultures of Brucea javanica (L.) Merr. were used to determine culture growth characteristics and production of canthin-6-one alkaloids. The major alkaloids produced were canthin-6-one, 11-hydroxycanthin-6-one, 5-methoxycanthin-6-one and 11-methoxycanthin-6-one. Alkaloids were synthesised throughout the 36 day growth cycle of the cells with maximum amounts within the cells occurring between days 20 to 28; approximately 10% of the alkaloids were in the medium at day 24 rising to 45% at day 32.

Stomal recurrence: a separate entity?

Uncertainty exists concerning the exact aetiology of stomal recurrence following laryngectomy, although it is generally agreed that, when present, the prognosis is very poor. Fourteen cases of stomal recurrence were compared with 15 cases of other types of aggressive recurrence in the neck, for factors implicated in stomal recurrence. Similarities exist between the two groups and, although stomal recurrence has a greater association with subglottic tumour, this difference is not statistically significant. The possible mechanisms of recurrence are discussed, particularly in relation to aggressiveness, and it is concluded that factors involved in aggressive recurrences are similar. Stomal recurrence can be considered part of a group of aggressive neck recurrences associated with more advanced disease prior to laryngectomy.

[Epidemiological study on ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the cervical spine--comparison of the prevalence between Japanese and Taiwanese]

The etiology of OPLL still remains obscure. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether OPLL in the cervical spine occurs more often in the Japanese than in the Chinese and the Takasago tribe (native tribe) in Taiwan. Lateral X-ray films of the cervical spine in these inhabitants over the age of 30 years were studied. Results were as follows. The prevalent rate of OPLL in the cervical spine was significantly lower in the Chinese (p less than 0.01) and in the Takasago tribe (p less than 0.05) as compared to the Japanese in Kagoshima. OPLL was found in 2 out of 1,004 Chinese (0.2%), in 2 out of 529 Takasago tribe (0.4%), and in 9 out of 514 Japanese in Kagoshima (1.8%). The incidence of ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, Barsony's disease and posterior osteophyte was significantly higher in the Chinese, while there was no significant difference of their incidence between the Takasago tribe and the Japanese in Kagoshima. This study suggests that the difference in the prevalence of cervical OPLL exists between Japanese and Taiwanese. However, further epidemiological survey is needed to ascertain this point.

Assessment of permanent hearing impairment following radical megavoltage radiotherapy

Twenty patients who had received unilateral radical megavoltage radiotherapy to the temporal bone had their hearing assessed by pure tone audiometry between 2 and 16 years after completion of treatment. Hearing loss was not detected in the irradiated ear when compared with the non-irradiated ear of each patient.

Enzyme activities associated with maize kernel amyloplasts

Activities of the enzymes of gluconeogenesis and of starch metabolism were measured in extracts of amyloplasts isolated from protoplasts derived from 14-day-old maize (Zea mays L., cv Pioneer 3780) endosperm. The enzymes triosephosphate isomerase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, phosphohexose isomerase, phosphoglucomutase, ADPG pyrophosphorylase, UDPG pyrophosphorylase, soluble and bound starch synthases, and branching enzyme were found to be present in the amyloplasts. Of the above enzymes, ADPG pyrophosphorylase had the lowest activity per amyloplast. Invertase, sucrose synthase and hexokinase were not detected in similar amyloplast preparations. Only a trace of the cytoplasmic marker enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase could be detected in purified amyloplast fractions. In separate experiments, purified amyloplasts were lysed and then supplied with radioactively labeled glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-1-phosphate, fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, glucose, fructose, sucrose, and 3-0-methylglucose in the presence of adenosine triphosphate or uridine triphosphate. Of the above, only the phosphorylated substrates were incorporated into starch. Incorporation into starch was higher with added uridine triphosphate than with adenosine triphosphate. Dihydroxyacetone phosphate was the preferred substrate for uptake by intact amyloplasts and incorporation into starch. In preliminary experiments, it appeared that glucose-6-P and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate may also be taken up by intact amyloplasts. However, the rate of uptake and incorporation into starch was relatively low and variable. Additional study is needed to determine conclusively whether hexose phosphates will cross intact amyloplast membranes. From these data, we conclude that: (a) Triose phosphate is the preferred substrate for uptake by intact amyloplasts. (b) Amyloplasts contain all enzymes necessary to convert triose phosphates into starch. (c) Sucrose breakdown must occur in the cytosol prior to carbohydrate transfer into the amyloplasts. (d) Under the conditions of assay, amyloplasts are unable to convert glucose or fructose to starch. (e) Uridine triphosphate may be the preferred nucleotide for conversion of hexose phosphates to starch at this stage of kernel development.

Serial immunologic and histopathologic studies in the treatment of necrotizing fasciitis with combined immunodeficiency by a bovine thymic extract (thymostimulin)

A 25-day-old Chinese female baby developed necrotizing fasciitis (NF) with indurated erythematous patches with superficial necrosis over two thirds of the back. Skin cultures of the lesions yielded Streptococcus pyogenes, enterococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida species. The patient had lymphopenia with low T cells and T cell subsets. The lymphoproliferative response to mitogen and macrophage migration (MIF) production were also poor. Her lymphocytes were unable to produce IgG in vitro. Also, IgG bearing cells were not demonstrable. The initial lymph node biopsy demonstrated an absence of follicular formation and depletion of lymphocytes in both thymic-dependent and thymic-independent areas. Five weeks after bovine thymic extract (Thymostimulin) treatment, a second lymph node biopsy demonstrated germinal centers containing IgG bearing cells. Three weeks later, a third lymph node biopsy showed germinal centers with cuffs of lymphocytes. Differentiation of the cortex and medulla of the node was demonstrated. IgG was also detectable in an in vitro Ig synthesis study. The total T cells, T cell subsets, lymphoproliferative response MIF production also increased gradually after Thymostimulin treatment. This investigation demonstrated the therapeutic effectiveness of Thymostimulin in NF with underlying combined immuno-deficiency, both serious and frequently fetal diseases, by the histologic and immunologic reconstitution of T and B cell function.

The biological properties of black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) sperm and its cryopreservation

This paper describes the general biology of the testes, milt and spermatozoa of the black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli and reports some preliminary results in which the techniques for cryopreservation of spermatozoa were investigated. During the spawning season from December to February, the gonadosomatic index ranged from 2.0 to 3.5. The milt had an average pH value of 7.4 and osmotic pressure of 385 mOsm/kg. The head of the spermatozoon was apple-shaped and averaged at 1.6 microns in diameter. The best quality of milt was obtained only in the early spawning season. Good motility of spermatozoa could be maintained for up to 10 days in vials hanging in a water bath at 4 degrees C. For cryopreservation, an extender containing 5% glucose mixed with glycerol, serving as the cryoprotective agent (CPA), at a 4:1 ratio was used and the black porgy milt was diluted with the extender at a 1:1 ratio. After an equilibration period no longer than 10 minutes, straws containing this mixture were submerged in isopropanol at -10 degrees C and then frozen at a rate of 2 degrees C/min until the temperature reached -80 degrees C or were held in liquid nitrogen (LN) vapor (-90 to -100 degrees C) for 10 to 20 minutes. A total 720 of 0.5 ml straws were stored in LN at -196 degrees C for long term preservation. Between 50 and 90% of the post-thawed sperm were motile. After being cryopreserved for 1, 7, 7 and 342 days, sperm showed fertilities of 99.0, 93.2, 91.9 and 91.5% respectively.

Are there differences in the cell cycle of normal and malignant cells? An approach to the analysis of the clonal expansion of cells in malignant epithelial proliferations in situ

The Williams-Bjerknes model for clonal expansion of transformed cells in epithelia was used to examine a series of related questions about the growth of in situ proliferations in epidermis. Bowens disease, actinic keratosis and lentigo maligna lesions were reconstructed on a three-dimensional basis, and all were found to behave differently: the evidence supported the proposal that the 'carcinogenic advantage' enjoyed by transformed cells was proliferative in nature, and indeed varied between the three lesions. We conclude that the clonal expansion of a single cell, with different proliferative carcinogenic advantage, can explain the three-dimensional appearances of these in situ proliferations; furthermore, the well-known 'multifocality' of in situ epidermal proliferations can also be explained by the clonal expansion of a single transformed cell.