[Laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery in the treatment of stomach neoplasms]

With the rapid development of medical technology and the improvement of people's health awareness, the detection rate of benign gastric tumors and early gastric cancer has increased significantly. Under the premise of ensuring the safety of oncology, challenges for surgeons present is how to adopt precise and reasonable treatment plans according to the characteristics of gastric tumors to minimize surgical trauma and complications, improve postoperative quality of life, and achieve individualized and precise treatment. Laparoscopic surgery and digestive endoscopy are currently the two main methods for treating gastric tumors. However, they both have advantages and shortcomings. The combination of laparoscopy and digestive endoscopy for the treatment of gastric tumors has become a new way to treat gastric tumors. This operation not only fully exploits the advantages of laparoscopy and digestive endoscopy, but also complements the shortcomings of each. This article reviews the surgical technique categories, indications, technical improvements, and perspectives of laparoscopy combined with digestive endoscopy in the treatment of gastric tumors.

Whole-brain mapping of long-range inputs to the VIP-expressing inhibitory neurons in the primary motor cortex

The primary motor cortex (MOp) is an important site for motor skill learning. Interestingly, neurons in MOp possess reward-related activity, presumably to facilitate reward-based motor learning. While pyramidal neurons (PNs) and different subtypes of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons (INs) in MOp all undergo cell-type specific plastic changes during motor learning, the vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing inhibitory interneurons (VIP-INs) in MOp have been shown to preferentially respond to reward and play a critical role in the early phases of motor learning by triggering local circuit plasticity. To understand how VIP-INs might integrate various streams of information, such as sensory, pre-motor, and reward-related inputs, to regulate local plasticity in MOp, we performed monosynaptic rabies tracing experiments and employed an automated cell counting pipeline to generate a comprehensive map of brain-wide inputs to VIP-INs in MOp. We then compared this input profile to the brain-wide inputs to somatostatin-expressing inhibitory interneurons (SST-INs) and parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory interneurons (PV-INs) in MOp. We found that while all cell types received major inputs from sensory, motor, and prefrontal cortical regions, as well as from various thalamic nuclei, VIP-INs received more inputs from the orbital frontal cortex (ORB) - a region associated with reinforcement learning and value predictions. Our findings provide insight on how the brain leverages microcircuit motifs by both integrating and partitioning different streams of long-range input to modulate local circuit activity and plasticity.

[Y-box-binding protein 1 mediates sorafenib resistance via the extracellular signal regulated-protein kinase pathway in hepatoma cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Y-box-binding protein 1 (YB-1) on sorafenib resistance in hepatoma cells. Methods: Lentiviral vectors with YB-1 overexpression and knockdown were constructed, respectively, to stimulate human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and Huh7) alone or in combination with sorafenib.The overexpression part of the experiment was divided into four groups: overexpression control group (Lv-NC), YB-1 overexpression group (Lv-YB-1), overexpression control combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-NC+sorafenib), YB-1 overexpression combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-YB-1 + sorafenib). The knockdown part of the experiment was also divided into four groups: knockdown control group (Lv-shNC), YB-1 knockdown group (Lv-shYB-1), knockdown control combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-shNC + sorafenib), YB-1 knockdown combined with sorafenib resistance group (Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib). The occurrence of cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. The protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-ERK and ERK, key proteins in the extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, were detected by Western blot and quantified by ImageJ software. Subcutaneous tumorigenesis experiments were performed in nude mice. The effect of YB-1 on the efficacy of sorafenib was verified in vivo. The comparison between the two sets of data was carried out by an independent sample t-test. One-way ANOVA was used for comparisons between the three groups of data above. Results: Sorafenib had accelerated the occurrence of apoptosis in hepatoma cells, while YB-1 overexpression had inhibited cell apoptosis, and at the same time also inhibited the apoptosis-accelerating impact of sorafenib. On the contrary, YB-1 knockdown accelerated cell apoptosis and amplified the induction effect of sorafenib on apoptosis. Furthermore, sorafenib resistance had down-regulated p-ERK levels (HepG2: Lv-NC 0.685 ± 0.143, Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.315 ± 0.168, P < 0.05; Huh7: Lv-NC 0.576 ± 0.078, Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.150 ± 0.131, P < 0.01), whereas YB-1 overexpression had inhibited sorafenib resistance p-ERK reduction (HepG2: Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.315 ± 0.168, Lv-YB-1 + sorafenib 0.688 ± 0.042, P < 0.05; Huh7: Lv-NC + sorafenib 0.150 ± 0.131, Lv-YB-1 + sorafenib 0.553 ± 0.041, P < 0.05). YB-1 knockdown further increased sorafenib-induced p-ERK downregulation (HepG2: Lv-shNC + sorafenib 0.911 ± 0.252, Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib 0.500 ± 0.201, P < 0.05; Huh7: Lv-shNC + sorafenib 0.577 ± 0.082, Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib 0.350 ± 0.143, P < 0.05), which was further verified in naked mice (Lv-shNC + sorafenib 0.812 ± 0.279, Lv-shYB-1 + sorafenib 0.352 ± 0.109, P < 0.05). Conclusion: YB-1 mediates the occurrence of sorafenib resistance via the ERK signaling pathway in hepatoma cells.

Functionally distinct NPAS4-expressing somatostatin interneuron ensembles critical for motor skill learning

During motor learning, dendritic spines on pyramidal neurons (PNs) in the primary motor cortex (M1) undergo reorganization. Intriguingly, the inhibition from local somatostatin-expressing inhibitory neurons (SST-INs) plays an important role in regulating the PN plasticity and thus new motor skill acquisition. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Here, we identified that the early-response transcription factor, NPAS4, is selectively expressed in SST-INs during motor learning. By utilizing in vivo two-photon imaging in mice, we found that cell-type-specific deletion of Npas4 in M1 disrupted learning-induced spine reorganization among PNs and impaired motor learning. In addition, NPAS4-expressing SST-INs exhibited lower neuronal activity during task-related movements, and chemogenetically increasing the activity of NPAS4-expressing ensembles was sufficient to mimic the effects of Npas4 deletion. Together, our results reveal an instructive role of NPAS4-expressing SST-INs in modulating the inhibition to downstream task-related PNs to allow proper spine reorganization that is critical for motor learning.

[Analysis the influence factors of treatment free remission outcome with chronic myeloid leukemia patients who discontinued tyrosine kinase inhibitors]

Objective: To explore the related factors affecting the outcome of treatment free remission (TFR) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Methods: Clinical data of CML patients with automatic discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) from the CML cooperative organization of Henan province between June 2, 2013 to March 27, 2021 and the follow-up time was ≥ 6 months were retrospectively analyzed. Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis and Cox proportional risk regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: A total of 135 patients were enrolled, and 69 patients (51.1%) were femal and 66 patients (48.9%)were male. Median age was[M(Q₁,Q₃)] 49 years (38, 58)at discontinuation.Before discontinuation, 72 patients (53.3%) were on treatment with second-generation TKI, 63 patients (46.7%) were on treatment with IM, 17patients (12.6%) had a history of TKI reduction/withdrawal;median duration of treatment was months 84 (68, 108) for all patients;median time of TKI treatment to DMR was months 12(8, 26);median duration of DMR was months 65 (54, 84), and 9 patients (6.7%) had unsustained DMR.The median follow-up time was months 16(6-96), 35 patients (25.9%) lost MMR at a median months 3(1-22), overall estimated TFR was 74.1%.The univariate analysis results showed that:second-generation TKI was used, the time of TKI treatment to DMR was ≤12 months, DMR duration time ≥48 months, had sustained DMR, without TKI reduction/withdrawal history were favorable factors affecting of TFR in patients with TKI discontinuation (all P<0.05).The TFR rate of the second-generation TKI therapy group was significantly higher than the IM therapy group (81.9% vs 65.1%, P=0.019).The multivariate analysis results showed that second-generation TKI treatment[RR=0.451, 95%CI (0.227-0.896), P=0.023] and had sustained DMR [RR=0.120, 95%CI (0.053-0.271), P<0.001] were the protective factors of TFR in patients with TKI discontinuation. Conclusions: Treated with second-generation TKI and had sustained DMR are the protective factors of TFR in patients with TKI discontinuation.The CML patients who had sustained DMR more≥48 months before TKI discontinuation showed a better TFR.

Evaluating the efficacy of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 in the treatment of alveolar clefts with autologous bone grafting using computer-aided engineering techniques

Recent studies have indicated the use of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to be a viable adjunctive to alveolar cleft reconstruction owing to its osteoinductive capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of rhBMP-2 in the treatment of alveolar cleft with autologous bone grafts by precise volumetric analysis. Twenty-six patients (aged 8-14) with unilateral alveolar clefts were enrolled in this comparative study. Patients were divided into two groups: the iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) was placed at the side of the cleft in the control group (ICBG group), and rhBMP-2 was mixed with the ICBG in the rhBMP-2 group (BMP group). Helical computed tomographic images were obtained preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. The datasets were reconstructed as three-dimensional (3D) images using Mimics software and processed using Geomagic Wrap. The newly formed bone of the alveolar cleft was segmented by identifying the differences between preoperative and postoperative 3D images. In the ICBG group, the volume of newly formed bone ranged from 0.25 to 0.88 cm³, and the mean (SD) bone formation percentage was 42.01% (15.57%). In the BMP group, the volume of newly formed bone ranged from 0.34 to 1.09 cm³, and the bone formation mean (SD) percentage was 55.79% (11.84%). There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the postoperative percentage of bone formation (p = 0.022). Thus, rhBMP-2 combined with an autologous bone graft is a promising technique to improve the results of secondary alveolar bone grafting.

Light Up the Brain: The Application of Optogenetics in Cell-Type Specific Dissection of Mouse Brain Circuits

The exquisite intricacies of neural circuits are fundamental to an animal’s diverse and complex repertoire of sensory and motor functions. The ability to precisely map neural circuits and to selectively manipulate neural activity is critical to understanding brain function and has, therefore been a long-standing goal for neuroscientists. The recent development of optogenetic tools, combined with transgenic mouse lines, has endowed us with unprecedented spatiotemporal precision in circuit analysis. These advances greatly expand the scope of tractable experimental investigations. Here, in the first half of the review, we will present applications of optogenetics in identifying connectivity between different local neuronal cell types and of long-range projections with both in vitro and in vivo methods. We will then discuss how these tools can be used to reveal the functional roles of these cell-type specific connections in governing sensory information processing, and learning and memory in the visual cortex, somatosensory cortex, and motor cortex. Finally, we will discuss the prospect of new optogenetic tools and how their application can further advance modern neuroscience. In summary, this review serves as a primer to exemplify how optogenetics can be used in sophisticated modern circuit analyses at the levels of synapses, cells, network connectivity and behaviors.

[Analysis of 9 cases of nodular type of pulmonary cryptococcosis with coexisting lung cancer confirmed by pathological examinations]

Objective: To describe the characteristics of the nodular type of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) with coexisting lung cancer. Methods: A total of 9 cases of PC with coexisting lung cancer, admitted to Fuzhou Pulmonary Hospital of Fujian from 1st January 2009 to 31th December 2016, and confirmed by pathological examinations, were studied and the related literature were reviewed. Results: The patients consisted of 1 male and 8 females, with a mean age of (53±10) years (range, 38 to 68 years). Four patients (44.4%) had underlying diseases, 3 with diabetes mellitus and 1 with gastric cancer surgery. The main clinical manifestations of most cases were cough and phlegm. The lesions of PC on chest CT were mostly solitary or multiple nodules with a diameter < 1 cm, and the lesions of carcinoma were shown as solitary nodules with a variety of signs suggestive of malignancy. All the patients were confirmed to have concomitant PC and lung adenocarcinoma by pathological examinations. Lung cancer stage was early (Tis and Ⅰ-Ⅱ) in 88.9 % (8 cases) of the cases. All the patients received surgery and postoperative medical therapy. The prognosis was relatively good in most of them except 1 case with death due to lung cancer metastasis and 1 case with lung cancer recurrence. Conclusions: Coexistence of PC and lung cancer is rare and the clinical symptoms are not specific. When PC coexists with carcinoma and manifests as pulmonary nodule, it mimics malignant lesions and is extremely easy to be misdiagnosed. Therefore PC must be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules.

NGF promotes mitochondrial function by activating PGC-1α in TM4 Sertoli cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF), which is required for the survival and differentiation of the nervous system, has been proved to play important roles in male reproductive physiology. Several studies have focused on the roles of NGF in the testes. However, no study has reported on the mechanism of paracrine and autocrine actions of NGF in Sertoli cells. This study showed that NGF stimulated mitochondrial activity and biogenesis in TM4 Sertoli cells. Moreover, our results demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α is a possible downstream key target of the NGF signalling pathway. In a 3-nitropropionic acid cell model, NGF treatment attenuated mitochondrial activity defect and depolarisation. This NGF-triggered signalling may help in discovering new therapeutic targets for certain male infertility disorders.

Screening and identification of cucumber germplasm and rootstock resistance against the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita)

Root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp) are destructive agricultural pests that reduce the productivity of cultivated vegetables worldwide, especially when vegetables are cropped continuously in greenhouses. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), in particular, suffer extensive damage due to root-knot nematodes, and only a few wild species are known to be resistant. Grafting of cultivated plants to rootstocks of known resistant germplasms could be an effective method to resolve this problem. In this study, 21 cucumber germplasms and seven rootstocks were evaluated for resistance based on the growth of cucumber seedlings and resistance indexes to Meloidogyne incognita, which were surveyed 25 days after inoculation with M. incognita. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to investigate the resistance of 21 cucumber germplasms and seven rootstocks based on their growth and resistance indexes after inoculation with M. incognita. These analyses showed that the 21 germplasms and seven rootstocks could be divided into three groups based upon their resistance levels: moderately resistant, susceptible, and highly susceptible to M. incognita. All 21 cucumber germplasms exhibited susceptibility or high susceptibility to M. incognita and most rootstocks exhibited moderate resistance. The PCA results were consistent with those of the clustering analysis. The Jinyou No.1 cultivar had the highest resistance to M. incognita among the 21 cucumber germplasms, and Huangzhen No.1 cultivar had the highest resistance among the seven rootstock cultivars.

Assessment of genetic diversity of cucumber cultivars in China based on simple sequence repeats and fruit traits

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important crop grown worldwide. In this study, the genetic diversity of 42 cucumber cultivars in China was analyzed using 51 pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. These primers identified 129 polymorphic loci, 95.6% of which were polymorphic. The mean effective number of alleles, mean Nei's gene diversity, and mean Shannon's information index were 0.36, 0.16, and 0.21, respectively. A cluster analysis demonstrated that the 42 cultivars could be divided into three groups, a result that was largely consistent with those of a principal component analysis (PCA). The PCA indicated that the three groups displayed significant variation in fruit traits. The cultivars of group 1 tended to have longer fruits (>30 cm), longer fruit ends (>4 cm), larger fruit diameters (>5 cm), a sharp strigose fruit spine, and the same fruit end shape. The basal color of the fruit in group 2 was dark green. Group 3 cultivars have no wax or mottling on the fruit surface. Our study demonstrates the value of our SSR primers for assessing genetic diversity in cucumber.

Allopregnanolone enhances the neurogenesis of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in APPswe/PSEN1 mice

An earlier study has demonstrated that exogenous allopregnanolone (APα) can reverse the reduction of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of 3-month-old male triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease mouse (3xTgAD). This paper is focused on further clarifying the origin of these new-born TH-positive neurons induced by exogenous APα treatment. We performed a deeper research in another AD mouse model, 4-month-old male APPswe/PSEN1 double transgenic AD mouse (2xTgAD) by measuring APα concentration and counting immunopositive neurons using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and unbiased stereology. It was found that endogenous APα level and the number of TH-positive neurons were reduced in the 2xTgAD mice, and these reductions were present prior to the appearance of β-amyloid (Aβ)-positive plaques. Furthermore, a single 20mg/kg of exogenous APα treatment prevented the decline of total neurons, TH-positive neurons and TH/bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) double-positive neurons in the SNpc of 2xTgAD mice although the decreased intensity of TH-positive fibers was not rescued in the striatum. It was also noted that exogenous APα administration had an apparent increase in the doublecortin (DCX)-positive neurons and DCX/BrdU double-positive neurons of subventricular zone (SVZ), as well as in the percentage of neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN)/BrdU double-positive neurons of the SNpc in the 2xTgAD mice. These findings indicate that a lower level of endogenous APα is implicated in the loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the 2xTgAD mice, and exogenous APα-induced a significant increase in the new-born dopaminergic neurons might be derived from the proliferating and differentiation of neural stem niche of SVZ.

Identification of markers tightly linked to tomato yellow leaf curl disease and root-knot nematode resistance by multiplex PCR

Seven different commercial F₁ hybrids and two F₂ populations were evaluated by multiplex PCR to identify plants that are homozygous or heterozygous for Ty-1 and Mi, which confer resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl disease and root-knot nematode, respectively. The Ty-1 and Mi markers were amplified by PCR and identified by digestion of the amplicons with the TaqI enzyme. The hybrids E13 and 288 were found to be Ty/ty heterozygous plants with 398-, 303-, and 95-bp bands, and B08, 314, 198, and A10 were found to be ty/ty homozygous plants with a 398-bp band; whereas 098 did not give any PCR products. The hybrids E13 and 198 were found to be Mi/Mi homozygous plants with 570- and 180-bp bands, and 288 and A10 were found to be Mi/mi heterozygous plants, with 750-, 570- and 180-bp bands, and B08, 109 and 314 were found to be mi/mi homozygous plants with only a 750-bp band. We additionally developed a multiplex PCR technique for JB-1 and Mi, which confer resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl disease and root-knot nematode. The JB-1 marker identified the genotype of the Ty gene, and the plants that produced the 400-bp band were ty/ty homozygous plants, whereas the plants that produced 400- and 500-bp bands were resistant to tomato yellow leaf curl disease. We conclude that multiplex PCRs can be used to reproducibly and efficiently detect these resistance genes.

RNAi-mediated knockdown of pituitary tumor- transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) suppresses the proliferation and invasive potential of PC3 human prostate cancer cells

Pituitary tumor-transforming gene-1 (PTTG1) is a proto-oncogene that promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis in numerous cell types and is overexpressed in a variety of human tumors. We have demonstrated that PTTG1 expression was up-regulated in both human prostate cancer specimens and prostate cancer cell lines. For a more direct assessment of the function of PTTG1 in prostate tumorigenesis, RNAi-mediated knockdown was used to selectively decrease PTTG1 expression in PC3 human prostate tumor cells. After three weeks of selection, colonies stably transfected with PTTG1-targeted RNAi (the knockdown PC3 cell line) or empty vector (the control PC3 cell line) were selected and expanded to investigate the role of PTTG1 expression in PC3 cell growth and invasion. Cell proliferation rate was significantly slower (28%) in the PTTG1 knockdown line after 6 days of growth as indicated by an MTT cell viability assay (P < 0.05). Similarly, a soft agar colony formation assay revealed significantly fewer (66.7%) PTTG1 knockdown PC3 cell colonies than control colonies after three weeks of growth. In addition, PTTG1 knockdown resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1 as indicated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The PTTG1 knockdown PC3 cell line also exhibited significantly reduced migration through Matrigel in a transwell assay of invasive potential, and down-regulation of PTTG1 could lead to increased sensitivity of these prostate cancer cells to a commonly used anticancer drug, taxol. Thus, PTTG1 expression is crucial for PC3 cell proliferation and invasion, and could be a promising new target for prostate cancer therapy.

Fluoroscopically guided nose tube drainage of mediastinal abscesses in post-operative gastro-oesophageal anastomotic leakage

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the technical success rates and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided nose tube drainage of mediastinal abscesses and a nasojejunum feeding tube in post-operative gastro-oesophageal anastomotic leakage (GEAL).

METHODS

From January 2006 to June 2011, 18 cases of post-operative GEAL with mediastinal abscesses after oesophagectomy with intrathoracic oesophagogastric anastomotic procedures for oesophageal and cardiac carcinoma were treated by insertion of a nose drainage tube and nasojejunum feeding tube under fluoroscopic guidance. We evaluated the feasibility of two-tube insertion to facilitate leakage site closure and complete resolution of the abscess, and the patients' nutritional benefit was also evaluated by checking the serum albumin level between pre- and post-enteral feeding via the feeding tube.

RESULTS

The two tubes were placed successfully under fluoroscopic guidance in 18 patients (100%). The procedure time for two-tube insertion ranged from 20 to 40 min (mean 30 min). 17 patients (94%) achieved leakage site closure after two-tube insertion and had a good tolerance of two tubes in the nasal cavity. The serum albumin level was significant, increased from pre-enteral feeding (2.49 ± 0.42 g dl(-1)) to the post-enteral feeding (3.58 ± 0.47 g dl(-1)) via the feeding tube (p<0.001). The duration of follow-up ranged from 1 to 49 months (mean 19 months).

CONCLUSION

The insertion of nose tube drainage and a nasojejunum feeding tube under fluoroscopic guidance is safe, and it provides effective relief from mediastinal abscesses in GEAL after oesophagectomy. Moreover, our findings indicate that two-tube insertion may be used as a selective procedure to treat mediastinal abscesses in post-operative GEAL. Advances in knowledge Directive drainage of mediastinal abscesses in post-operative GEAL may be an effective treatment.

Effect of somatic cell count in goat milk on yield, sensory quality, and fatty acid profile of semisoft cheese

This study investigated the effect of somatic cell count (SCC) in goat milk on yield, free fatty acid (FFA) profile, and sensory quality of semisoft cheese. Sixty Alpine goats without evidence of clinical mastitis were assigned to 3 groups with milk SCC level of <500,000 (low), 500,000 to 1,000,000 (medium), and 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 (high) cells/mL. Thirty kilograms of goat milk with mean SCC levels of 410,000 (low), 770,000 (medium), and 1,250,000 (high) cells/mL was obtained for the manufacture of semisoft cheese for 2 consecutive weeks in 3 lactation stages. The composition of milk was analyzed and cheese yield was recorded on d 1. Cheese samples on d 1, 60, and 120 were analyzed for total sensory scores, flavor, and body and texture by a panel of 3 expert judges and were also analyzed for FFA. Results indicated that milk composition did not change when milk SCC varied from 214,000 to 1,450,000 cells/mL. Milk with higher SCC had a lower standard plate count, whereas coliform count and psychrotrophic bacteria count were not affected. However, milk components (fat, protein, lactose, casein, and total solids) among the 3 groups were similar. As a result, no significant differences in the yield of semisoft goat cheeses were detected. However, total sensory scores and body and texture scores for cheeses made from the high SCC milk were lower than those for cheeses made from the low and medium SCC milks. The difference in milk SCC levels also resulted in diverse changes in cheese texture (hardness, springiness, and so on) and FFA profiles. Individual and total FFA increased significantly during ripening, regardless the SCC levels. It is concluded that SCC in goat milk did not affect the yield of semisoft cheese but did result in inferior sensory quality of aged cheeses.

Modified cow-hitch suture fixation of transscleral sutured posterior chamber intraocular lenses: long-term safety and efficacy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of a new technique using a modified cow-hitch knot for transscleral suture fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs).

SETTING

Public hospital in Brisbane, Australia.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted of consecutive patients who had transscleral sutured PC IOL implantation from March 2000 to June 2006 using the new technique, which was modified to eliminate free suture ends and minimize the risk for knot slippage. Data collected included demographic data, ocular history, preoperative and final best corrected visual acuities (BCVAs), preoperative and postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Eighty-two eyes of 79 patients (51 men, 28 women) with a mean age of 62.5 years+/-18.9 (SD) were included in the study. The mean follow-up was 22.9+/-21.2 months (range 5 to 76 months). The BCVA was 20/40 or better in 45 eyes (54.9%) and 20/200 or worse in 10 eyes (12.2%). The final BCVA was largely determined by the preoperative underlying ocular pathology. Postoperative complications included temporary increased IOP in 14 eyes (17.1%), escalated glaucoma in 7 eyes (8.5%), temporary hypotony in 7 eyes (8.5%), and retinal detachment, hyphema, and irregular astigmatism in 1 eye (1.2%) each. The PC IOLs remained well centered and without tilt in all eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The technique provided excellent PC IOL centration in the presence of no adequate capsule support. It was effective and safe for transscleral suturing of PC IOLs.

SmartPlug in the Management of Severe Dry Eye Syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term efficacy and safety of the SmartPlug in the management of severe dry eye syndrome.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent SmartPlug insertion from June 2003 to December 2005. The clinical data collected included sex and age of the patients, indications for plug insertion, Schirmer tear function test with anesthesia, frequency of lubricant eye drop use before and after plug insertion, fluorescein staining at baseline and at last follow-up, and complications.

RESULTS

There were 91 eyes of 54 patients (44 women and 10 men) in the study group. The average follow-up period was 13.0 +/- 6.0 months, with a minimum of 6 months. Thirty patients (55 eyes, 60.4%) reported a decreased use of lubricant eye drops after SmartPlug insertion, including 9 patients (14 eyes, 15.4%) who were free of supplementary lubricant eye drops. Forty-one patients (69 eyes, 75.8%) reported subjective symptom improvement after SmartPlug insertion. The corneal fluorescein staining showed overall reduction. Complications included canaliculitis (6 eyes, 6.6%), epiphora requiring plug removal (5 eyes, 5.5%), and spontaneous plug loss (2 eyes, 2.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

SmartPlug can be effective in the management of severe dry eye syndrome. However, long-term follow-up is needed for potentially serious complications such as canaliculitis.

Measurement errors in line transect surveys where detectability varies with distance and size

When using bivariate line transect methods to estimate the biomass density of a tightly clustered biological population, it is generally assumed that both the perpendicular distance from the trackline to the cluster and the cluster size, or biomass, are measured without error. This is unlikely to be the case in practice. In this article, assuming additive mean zero errors in distance and multiplicative errors in size, we develop an estimator of density that corrects for these errors. We use the method of moments for the case of gamma cluster size, randomly placed transect lines, and the generalized exponential detection function. We derive results that show that it may not be necessary to correct for errors in distance or size when the distance and size estimates are not biased. When the size estimates are biased, the biomass density estimate has approximately the same bias as the size estimates. The work is illustrated in the context of annual aerial surveys for juvenile southern bluefin tuna in the Great Australian Bight.

[Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 3-hydroxy-6-O-methylerythromycin-9-O-substituted oxime derivatives]

AIM

To study the antibacterial activity against erythromycin-resistant organisms of 3-hydroxy-6-O-methylerythromycin-9-O-substituted oxime derivatives, a new route of synthesis with 6 steps was designed.

METHODS

The starting material, erythromycin A (1), was reacted with NH2OH.HCI to give 2, which reacted with BzBr to give 3. Selective methylation of C-6 hydroxy group using iodomethane afforded 4, which was hydrolyzed with loss of the 3-cladinosyl to give 5. Compound 5 was reduced by H2 to provide 6, which was treated with substituted benzyl chlorides to provide 7 and 8.

RESULTS

Four unreported compounds (5-8) were synthesized. The antibacterial activity of the new compounds were tested in vitro against both erythromycin-susceptible and erythromycin-resistant organisms. The compounds 5 (MIC = 1 microgram.mL-1) and 6 (MIC = 1 microgram.mL-1) showed significant activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis 26,069 compared with erythromycin (MIC = 4 micrograms.mL-1). Compounds 5 (MIC = 16, 4 micrograms.mL-1), 7 (MIC = 32, 64 micrograms.mL-1) and 8 (MIC = 64, 32 micrograms.mL-1) showed better activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae 64 and Staphylococcus aureus 9525 than erythromycin (MIC > 128, 128 micrograms.mL-1).

CONCLUSION

3-hydroxy-6-O-methylerythromycin-9-O-substituted oxime derivatives have stronger antibacterial activity against some erythromycin-resistant organisms than erythromycin A.

Regulation of type II phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase by tyrosine phosphorylation in bovine rod outer segments

Type II phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase (PIPKII) is an enzyme responsible for the synthesis of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PI-4,5-P(2)) from phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate (PI-5-P). In this study, we demonstrate the presence of PIPKII alpha in bovine photoreceptor rod outer segments (ROS) and the involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of its activity. PIPKII activity in bovine ROS was verified by the preferential conversion of synthetic dipalmitoyl PI-5-P to PI-4,5-P(2), lack of effect of phosphatidic acid, inhibition by heparin, immunoreaction with an anti-PIPKII alpha antibody on Western blots, and immunocytochemical localization in bovine and rat ROS by anti-PIPKII alpha. Immunoprecipitates of bovine ROS with the anti-PIPKII alpha antibody possessed PIPK enzymatic activity and preferentially used PI-5-P as substrate for PI-4,5-P(2) biosynthesis. The activity of PIPKII was greatly increased under conditions favoring tyrosine phosphorylation in ROS, and PIPKII activity was immunoprecipitated with anti-phosphotyrosine (anti-PY) antibodies from tyrosine phosphorylated ROS. Preincubation of ROS with tyrosine kinase inhibitors almost abolished the kinase activity in the anti-PY immunoprecipitates. Immunoblot analysis showed that PIPKII alpha was present in anti-PY immunoprecipitates from phosphorylated ROS but not from nonphosphorylated controls. We conclude that PIPKII alpha is present in ROS and that its activity is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation.

A comparison of ischemic preconditioning versus terminal warm cardioplegia with controlled reperfusion in open heart operation

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three different methods of cardioprotection in patients undergoing valve replacement.

METHODS

Ninety patients undergoing elective valve replacement were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (n=30), the patients received intermittent cold blood cardioplegia. In group 2 (n=30) they received terminal warm cardioplegia and controlled reperfusion, and in group 3 (n=30), the patients received two cycles of ischemia (2 minutes) and reperfusion (3 minutes) before heart arrest induced by cold blood cardioplegia. The parameters of cardiac function, creatine kinase MB, and clinical outcomes were recorded to assess the effects of experiment.

RESULTS

The major preoperative and intraoperative variables are comparable within the three groups. The number of patients requiring the support of inotropic agents was 70% (21/30), 33% (11/30) and 40% (12/30) in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.05). The doses of inotropic agent in groups 2 and 3, were significantly lower than in group 1 (1.5+/-0.3 and 1.8+/-0.4 versus 4.5+/-0.8 microg x kg x min(-1), p<0.01) during the first 24 hours after operation. Two deaths (30 day-hospital mortality) occurred, one in group 1 and one in group 2. The cardiac index at 2 hours after bypass discontinuing were 2.2+/-0.04, 3.0+/-0.1 and 2.8+/-0.05 L/m(2) in group 1, 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.01). The left ventricular stroke work index were 24.8+/-1.3, 34.5+/-1.6 and 31.6+/-1.2 g/m x m(2) in group 1, 2, 3, respectively (p<0.01). The release of CK-MB in group 2 and 3 were lower than in group 1 (68+/-7, 81+/-9 versus 116+/-10 IU/L, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Terminal warm cardioplegia with controlled aortic root reperfusion and ischemic preconditioning equally improve cardiac function and reduce the requirement of inotropic agents in patients undergoing valve replacement.

[Delayed cardioprotection of captopril in patients undergoing open heart surgery]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether there is delayed cardioprotection of captopril pretreatment in open heart surgery.

METHODS

Twenty patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) undergone open heart surgery were randomly divided into captopril group (CAP group) and control group. In the CAP group, patients were pretreated with captopril (1 mg.kg-1, oral) at 48 hours before operation, No special treatment was given at the same time in the control group. Release of creatine phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB) and myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content was studied. Heart shock protein 70 (HSP70) in myocardum was examined using Western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was found in release of CK-MB between control group and CAP group. ATP depletion was (1.40 +/- 0.56) mumol.g-1, (2.06 +/- 0.72) mumol.g-1 in CAP group and control group respectively (P < 0.05). Western blotting analysis showed that both group had HSP70 expression. In CAP group, HSP70 expression was higher than that in control group.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that captopril pretreatment 48 hours before operation could reduce ATP depletion in pediatric patients of VSD during open-heart surgery, and HSP70 might be involved in the delayed cardioprotection induced by captopril.

[Clinical study of ischemic preconditioning on isolated lung perfusion with chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of unresectable lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of ischemic preconditioning on isolated lung perfusion (ILP) with chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of unresectable lung cancer.

METHODS

Eight patients with unresectable cancer or metastatic sarcomas in lungs underwent isolated single lung perfusion with doxorubicin. Eight patients were randomly divided into two groups: control group (Group C) and ischemic preconditioning group(Group IP). Group C was only performed isolated lung perfusion with doxorubicin; Group IP was performed isolated lung perfusion with doxorubicin after ischemic preconditioning (in ischemic preconditioning procedure, right or left pulmonary artery was clamped for 10 minutes, then released for 15 minutes).

RESULTS

The mean pulmonary artery pressure (MpaP) after ILP in Group IP was much lower than that in Group C (P < 0.05). The PaO2 after ILP in Group IP was much higher than that in Group C(P < 0.01). The lung histologic examination after ILP showed that pulmonary edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, mild focal hemorrhage and alveolar disruption in Group C were significantly serious than those in Group IP, but there was no hospital death in Group C or in Group IP. The complications included hypovolemia shock and acute lung injury. Following up 2 months to 10 months, no death was observed, and the tumours diminished in various degrees or disappeared in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Isolated lung perfusion with chemotherapy can be done safely and effectively in patients with unresectable lung malignancies and metastatic sarcoma in the lung, and ILP can cause lung injury, but lung ischemic preconditioning can reduce the lung injury after isolated lung perfusion.

[Protective effects of low dose nitric oxide inhalation on lung ischemia/reperfusion injury during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery]

OBJECTIVE

Out aim is to study the effects of inhaling nitric oxide(NO) on the pulmonary ischemia/reperfusion injury during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

METHODS

Cardiac valve replacement was performed on twenty patients with chronic rheumatic heart valve disease under cardiopulmonary bypass, and they were randomly divided into two groups: control group(n = 10) and NO group(n = 10). We monitored the following: mean pulmonary arterial pressure(MPaP), pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR), peak airway pressure (PAP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP), inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), xanthinoxidase (XOD), malondialdehyde(MDA), PaO2 and the duration of post-operative mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS

The PAP, MPaP and PVR in the control group were much higher than those in NO group after reperfusion(P < 0.05). The durations of postoperative mechanical ventilation in NO group were shorter than those in the control group(P < 0.01). The cGMP and PaO2 after reperfusion in NO group were higher(P < 0.01), and the ICAM-1, XOD, MDA were lower(P < 0.05) than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

1. If aortic clamp time is over 1 h, lung ischemia/reperfusion injury may occur during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery. 2. Inhaling 20 ppm NO in the early phase of reperfusion has protective effects on the lung ischemia/reperfusion injury during cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery. 3. The mechanisms of the protective effects may be related with the increase of cGMP and the decrease of ICAM-1, XOD, MDA.

Purification of alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor from human plasma fraction IV-1 by ion exchange chromatography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Alpha-proteinase inhibitor (PI) protects the lungs from proteolytic damage caused by elastase and can be used to treat congenital emphysema. We describe an improved method of purification of alpha 1 PI from redissolved fraction IV-1 paste.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The process used dimethylaminoethyl anion exchange chromatography, sulfopropyl cation exchange chromatography, virus inactivation by dry heat, and tri-n-butyl-phosphate/cholate treatment, followed by a second strong cation exchange chromatography. Optimizations of loading conditions for ion exchange chromatography at small scale (20-60 ml of suspension) are described. Virus inactivation was adjusted to provide the best yield of alpha 1 PI consistent with effective inactivation. The process has been effectively scaled up.

RESULTS

The final product was approximately 90% pure by SDS-PAGE, with a 60-70% yield from starting fraction IV-1 paste. The process has been characterized by methods including nonreduced SDS-PAGE, alpha 1 PI inhibition assay, and biuret protein assay.

CONCLUSION

The method described is an effective way of preparing large quantities of alpha 1 PI from fractionated plasma.

[Ischemic preconditioning decrease the release of cardiac troponin T during heart valve replacement]

Using cardiac troponin T(cTnT), a highly sensitive and specific marker of myocardial injury, we evaluated the effects of ischemic precondition on ischemic reperfusion myocardial injury. Thirty two patients were randomly divided into control group(n = 16) and ischemic preconditioning group(n = 16). The marker cTnT was measured in each group before operation, and 4 h, 24 h and 72 h after operation. The results showed that the peak value of cTnT was lower, and more quickly recovered in the preconditioning group than that in the control. It is suggested that ischemic preconditioning exert an evidently protective effect on ischemic reperfusion myocardial injury.

A new cytotoxic polyhydroxysterol from soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum

A new cytotoxic polyhydroxysterol, 23,24-dimethylcholest-16(17)-E-en-3beta,5alpha,6beta,2 0(S)-tetraol (2), together with nine known compounds was isolated from the soft coral Sarcophyton trocheliophorum. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 showed potent growth inhibitory activity against human HL60 leukemia, M14 skin melanoma, and MCF7 breast carcinoma cells with EC50 values of 2.8, 4.3, and 4.9 microg/ml, respectively, and exhibited minimal toxicity to normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Identification of a locus for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis at chromosome 12q23.2-24.1

Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis is an autosomal dominant cutaneous disorder characterized by many uniformly small, minimal, annular, anhidrotic, and keratotic lesions. The genetic basis for this disease is unknown. Using a genomewide search in a large Chinese family, we identified a locus at chromosome 12q23.2-24. 1 responsible for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis. The fine mapping study indicates that the disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis gene is located within a 9.6 cM region between markers D12S1727 and D12S1605, with a maximum two-point LOD score of 20.53 (theta = 0.00) at D12S78. This is the first locus identified for a genetic disease where the major phenotype is porokeratosis. The study provides a map location for isolation of a gene causing disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis.

[Study on continuous synthesis of galacto-oligosaccharide by immobilized Bacillus stearothermophilus]

The galacto-oligosaccharide was synthesized continuously by immobilized Bacillus stearothermophilu producing beta-galactosidase in fibrous bed reactor. The effect of substrate concentration, pH, reaction temperature and retention time on production of GOS was investigated. The optimal reaction conditions were determined. Substrate concentration were 450 g/L; Reaction temperature was 55 degrees C; pH was 7.0; Residence time was 100 min. The product yield reached up to 50.7%. GOS synthesis was promoted by feeding 1.5% D-glactose after 24 h. The immobilized cell reactor can work stably for 120 h.

Bioactivities of methyl allyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide from essential oil of garlic to two species of stored-product pests, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Two of the major constituents of the essential oil of garlic, Allium sativum L., methyl allyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide, were tested against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) for contact toxicity, fumigant toxicity, and antifeedant activity. The contact and fumigant toxicities of diallyl trisulfide were greater than that of methyl allyl disulfide to the adults of these two species of insects. These two compounds were also more toxic to T. castaneum adults than to S. zeamais adults. Older T. castaneum larvae were more susceptible to the contact toxicity of the two compound, whereas younger larvae were more susceptible to the fumigant toxicity of these compounds. Both compounds reduced egg hatching of T. castaneum and subsequent emergence of progeny. Diallyl trisulfide totally suppressed egg hatching at 0.32 mg/cm2, and larval and adult emergence at 0.08 mg/cm2. Methyl allyl disulfide significantly decreased the growth rate, food consumption, and food utilization of adults of both insect species, with feeding deterrence indices of 44% at 6.08 mg/g food for S. zeamais and 1.52 mg/g food for T. castaneum. However, it did not affect any nutritional indices of T. castaneum larvae. Diallyl trisulfide significantly reduced all of the nutritional indices in all of the insects tested. Feeding deterrence indices of 27 and 51% were obtained in S. zeamais adults and T. castaneum larvae, respectively, at the concentration of 2.98 mg/g food, whereas feeding deterrence of 85% was achieved in T. castaneum adults at a much lower concentration of 0.75 mg/g food. Hence, diallyl trisulfide is a more potent contact toxicant, fumigant and feeding deterrent than methyl allyl disulfide.

Estimation in independent observer line transect surveys for clustered populations

This paper introduces a framework for animal abundance estimation in independent observer line transect surveys of clustered populations. The framework generalizes an approach given in Chen (1999, Environmental and Ecological Statistics 6, in press) to accommodate heterogeneity in detection caused by cluster size and other covariates. Both parametric and nonparametric estimators for the local effective search widths, given the covariates, can be derived from the framework. A nonparametric estimator based on conditional kernel density estimation is proposed and studied owing to its flexibility in modeling the detection functions. A real data set on harbor porpoise in the North Sea is analyzed.

A condition for designing bus-route type access site surveys to estimate recreational fishing effort

A theoretical framework for using bus-route surveys to estimate recreational fishing effort has been established by taking into account the arrival and departure distributions of the fishing parties. Properties of a fishing effort estimator proposed by Robson and Jones (1989) are investigated. It is found that the estimator is not automatically unbiased; rather, a condition on the survey design has to be satisfied in order to be unbiased. The condition is simple and can be easily implemented.

Hydroxyl-radical production in physiological reactions. A novel function of peroxidase

Peroxidases catalyze the dehydrogenation by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) of various phenolic and endiolic substrates in a peroxidatic reaction cycle. In addition, these enzymes exhibit an oxidase activity mediating the reduction of O2 to superoxide (O2.-) and H2O2 by substrates such as NADH or dihydroxyfumarate. Here we show that horseradish peroxidase can also catalyze a third type of reaction that results in the production of hydroxyl radicals (.OH) from H2O2 in the presence of O2.-. We provide evidence that to mediate this reaction, the ferric form of horseradish peroxidase must be converted by O2.- into the perferryl form (Compound III), in which the haem iron can assume the ferrous state. It is concluded that the ferric/perferryl peroxidase couple constitutes an effective biochemical catalyst for the production of .OH from O2.- and H2O2 (iron-catalyzed Haber-Weiss reaction). This reaction can be measured either by the hydroxylation of benzoate or the degradation of deoxyribose. O2.- and H2O2 can be produced by the oxidase reaction of horseradish peroxidase in the presence of NADH. The .OH-producing activity of horseradish peroxidase can be inhibited by inactivators of haem iron or by various O2.- and .OH scavengers. On an equimolar Fe basis, horseradish peroxidase is 1-2 orders of magnitude more active than Fe-EDTA, an inorganic catalyst of the Haber-Weiss reaction. Particularly high .OH-producing activity was found in the alkaline horseradish peroxidase isoforms and in a ligninase-type fungal peroxidase, whereas lactoperoxidase and soybean peroxidase were less active, and myeloperoxidase was inactive. Operating in the .OH-producing mode, peroxidases may be responsible for numerous destructive and toxic effects of activated oxygen reported previously.

Effects of tannins from Geum japonicum on the catalytic activity of thrombin and factor Xa of blood coagulation cascade

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract of the whole plant of Geum japonicum led to the isolation of seven known tannins. They were identified by spectroscopic methods as penta-O-galloyl-beta-glucoside (1), pedunculagin (2), 2, 3-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-D-glucose (3), tellimagrandin II (4), 2, 6-di-O-galloyl-D-glucose (5), casuariin (6), and 5-desgalloylstachyurin (7). Compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 showed potent anticoagulant activity by significantly prolonging the clotting of rabbit plasma. The inhibitory effect of 2 was competitively directed against thrombin. Its IC50 values for inhibition of the enzymatic activity of thrombin on synthetic substrate and fibrinogen were 0.18 and 0.15 microM, respectively. On the other hand, compounds 1, 4, 6, and 7 are mixed noncompetitive inhibitors of thrombin. Their IC50 values for inhibition of fibrinogen hydrolysis were twofold to sevenfold lower than those for the inhibition of synthetic substrate hydrolysis. Factor Xa was competitively inhibited by compounds 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7. The phenolic hydroxyl groups of the active tannins appear to play an important role in their inhibitory effect on the enzymes.

Chromatographic purification of human alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor from dissolved Cohn fraction IV-1 paste

A novel chromatographic process for purification of alpha 1 proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) from Cohn fraction IV-1 paste is described. This process has been successfully scaled up to 50-1 columns. It involves DEAE chromatography, sulfopropyl (S) cation chromatography, tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP)-cholate treatment, a second S cation chromatography, freeze-drying and dry-heat. The process has been optimized for purity, yield, lipid removal, chemical usage and water consumption. Filtration after TNBP-cholate treatment plays a key role in ensuring a low lipid content in the final product. Pre-equilibration with high salt buffer is necessary to reduce the water consumption significantly during the ion-exchange chromatography equilibration step. The final product is approximately 95% pure by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, with a 64% to 70% yield from IV-1 paste.

Preconditioning enhances myocardial protection in patients undergoing open heart surgery

To date, ischemic preconditioning is regarded as the most powerful form of endogenous myocardial protection. For the purpose of surgical myocardial protection, a few clinical studies have investigated the effects of ischemic preconditioning in conjunction with hypothermia or blood cardioplegia during open heart surgery, but the results were controversial. We now tested the hypothesis that preconditioning improves myocardial protection in patients undergoing cold crystalloid cardioplegic arrest. 36 patients needing mitral prosthetic valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease were studied. Patients were evenly divided into two groups at random. Preconditioning was elicited by two cycles of 3 minutes ischemia by occlusion of vena cava and aortic cross-clamping followed by 2 minutes reperfusion under cardiopulmonary bypass. All hearts were arrested using 4 degrees C St. Thomas' Hospital solution before the intracardiac operative program. Myocardial protective effects were mainly assessed by electrocardiac activities, leakage of myocardial enzymes, myocardial contractility, and early postoperative recovery. The results indicated that there was a significant reduction of ST-segment shifting (ST-segment elevation, 0.07 +/- 0.02 vs 0.22 +/- 0.07 mV, p < 0.05, at 4 hours post reperfusion) and smaller release of creatine kinase-MB (87 +/- 11.5 vs 143 +/- 17.2 IU/L, p < 0.05, at 12 hours post reperfusion) in the preconditioning group. Preconditioning also enhanced myocardial contractility (dp/dtmax = 1490 +/- 75 vs 1280 +/- 88 mmHg/sec, at 30 minutes post reperfusion, p < 0.05) and promoted early postoperative recovery. The present study suggests that ischemic preconditioning reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury in human hearts even when combined with cold crystalloid cardioplegia.

A new antiplatelet diarylheptanoid from Alpinia blepharocalyx

A new diarylheptanoid, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-hydroxy-1,3-heptadien-5-one (1), along with seven other known compounds, were isolated from the seeds of Alpinia blepharocalyx. Of these, compounds 1 and 3 showed strong inhibition of collagen-induced, arachidonic acid-induced, and adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation of human whole blood. Compound 3 also strongly inhibited ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. Structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical means.

Preconditioning improves myocardial preservation in patients undergoing open heart operations

BACKGROUND

Our previous work has shown that preconditioning can promote the recovery of cardiac function in patients having an open heart procedure. Because preconditioning is regarded as the most powerful form of endogenous myocardial protection, we tested the hypothesis that preconditioning protects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing prolonged cold crystalloid cardioplegic arrest.

METHODS

Thirty patients who had rheumatic heart disease and required both aortic and mitral valve replacement were studied. Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups. Preconditioning was accomplished using two cycles of 2-minute occlusion of the vena cava and aorta followed by 3 minutes of reperfusion under cardiopulmonary bypass. All hearts were arrested with 4 degrees C St. Thomas' Hospital cardioplegic solution. Myocardial protective effects were assessed by changes in myocardial levels of adenosine triphosphate, electrocardiographic activity, leakage of myocardial enzymes, and myocardial contractility.

RESULTS

The adenosine triphosphate content in ischemic myocardium was higher in the preconditioning group than in the control group (p < 0.05 90 minutes after ischemia), and there was a significant reduction in release of the myocardial-specific isoenzyme of creatine kinase in the preconditioning group. Preconditioning improved the recovery of myocardial contractility (first derivative of left ventricular developed pressure, 1,490 +/- 102 mm Hg/s versus 1,250 +/- 97 mm Hg/s 30 minutes after reperfusion; p < 0.05), and there was also a protective effect on electrocardiographic activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that ischemic preconditioning protects the myocardium in humans from the severe ischemia-reperfusion injury produced after prolonged arrest with cold crystalloid cardioplegia.

[Effects of tetramethylpyrazine on platelet functions of advanced cases of lung carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the role of hypercoagulation in the metastasis of carcinoma.

METHODS

The effect of Tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) on platelet functions among the 25 advanced cases of lung carcinoma, and 26 matched control subjects were investigated in the study. Their ages varied from 31-86 years (mean 58.2) in lung carcinoma group (13 male, 12 female) and 36 to 61 (mean 52.9) in the control group (16 male, 10 female). The pathologic types were as follows: 7 cases of squamous cell cancer, 12 adenocarcinoma, 2 small cell carcinoma and 4 undistinguished type. The TNM stage revealed 14 cases in stage IIIa, 3 in stage IIIb and 8 in stage IV. The site of metastasis included mediastinal lymph node, pleura, supraclavicular lymph node, brain, spine, costa, skin and pericardium. The levels of plasma TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, VIII:C, vWF, AT-III:a, AT-III:Ag, Fg and blood PAdT, PAgT were measured before and after the intravenous infusion of 80 mg TTMP in patients with lung carcinoma.

RESULTS

The levels of TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, VIII:C, vWF and Fg in lung carcinoma group were significantly elevated, while the levels of PAdT was greatly decreased, compared with the control group, no significant differences in levels of PAgT, AT-III:a and AT-III:Ag were found between the two groups. After the infusion of TTMP the levels of PAdT, PagT, VIII:C, dWF and Fg were decreased significantly, while TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, AT-III:a and AT-III:Ag remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

TTMP inhibits the adhesion and aggregatory functions of blood platelet and the activity of coagulation factors. It might be one of the mechanisms of TTMP's antimetastasis of lung carcinoma.

Maintaining a near zero-order drug delivery from minidose reservoirs: simultaneous drug diffusion and binary vehicle evaporation

The purpose of this study was to develop a new design for transdermal system that provides a nearly constant drug delivery rate for the desired period of time in the absence of a large excess of drug in the donor reservoir. Simultaneous drug diffusion and aqueous binary vehicle evaporation has been investigated as a means of maintaining constant drug delivery from minidose reservoirs. Benzocaine was used as the model drug and water-ethanol mixtures as the binary vehicles. Benzocaine is much more soluble in ethanol than in water. Simultaneous diffusion-evaporation experiments were conducted using the water-ethanol mixture saturated with benzocaine as the minidose-reservoir. The reservoir vehicle was allowed to evaporate through a permselective membrane so as to maintain drug saturation in the vehicle even though the drug mass in the donor reservoir was constantly decreasing. Saturation activity of drug is maintained during donor depletion of drug by the selective loss of alcohol from the donor solvent, which concomitantly lowers the solubility. The superiority of the evaporable binary vehicle over a conventional sealed system was demonstrated by achieving near zero-order drug delivery with minimum drug remaining. A theoretical model was developed to predict drug flux, drug amount delivered, reservoir solvent volume and composition, and drug solubility during the two simultaneous processes of drug release and preferential solvent evaporation. Experimental data are in good agreement with theoretical calculations.

[Therapeutic effect of kangke injection on viral myocarditis and its anticoxsackie virus mechanism]

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of Kangke Injection in treating viral myocarditis.

METHODS

Kangke Injection is the effective ingredient extracted from Radix Sophora flavescens (RSF). Seventy-six cases of virus myocarditis suffering from the continuous positive Coxsackie B virus ribose nucleic acid-polymerase chain reaction (CBVRNA-PCR) in blood, their peak value in blood was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and compared with 50 cases treated by glucose-insulin-potassium chloride (GIK).

RESULTS

The clearance rate of CBVRNA-PCR and RSF was dose-dependent. The effective rate of RSF on palpitation, chest distress, dispnea was 96.02%, and that of arrhythmia was 100%, all of them were better than those of control. After RSF therapy, the parameters of heart function of ejection fraction (EF), stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO), and cardiac index (CI) elevated significantly (P < 0.01), left ventricular mass (LVM) and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were decreased statistically significantly, while after 5 month therapy, the anti-Coxsackie group B virus neutralizing antibodies of RSF group was returned to normal titer, natural killer (NK) cell activity elevated, P < 0.01.

CONCLUSION

RSF was an effective substance for regressing the "Pathologic status" of viral myocarditis.

Active constituents against HIV-1 protease from Garcinia mangostana

The ethanol extract of Garcinia mangostana L. (Guttiferae) showed potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. The activity-guided purification of the extract resulted in the isolation of two active, known compounds. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established by spectroscopic analyses as mangostin (IC50 = 5.12 +/- 0.41 microM) and gamma-mangostin (IC50 = 4.81 +/- 0.32 microM). The type of inhibition by both compounds is noncompetitive.

[Identification of the origin of 7q+ marker chromosome in a mental retard patient]

The present chromosome-specific and chromosome-band-specific probe pools constructed by the technique of human chromosome microdissection and PCR were taken as painting probes. Using the forward chromosome painting and chromosome screening method, we had identified a chromosome additional fragment of a 7 q+ marker chromosome in a patient originated from 3 q 26-->3 qter, and ascertained the patient's karyotype was 46, XX, -7, + der (7) t (7;3) (7 pter-->7 q 32::3 q 26-->3 qter). Applying this strategy, we can identify the origin of marker chromosomes fastly and effectively.

[Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of slow release tablet of diltiazem in hypertensive patients with various renal functions]

Twenty hypertensive patients were equally divided into 2 groups: A) with normal renal function (NRF) and B) with impaired renal function (IRF) according to creatinine clearance, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of diltiazem (Dil, 90 mg, bid x 7 d, p.o.) were studied. The pharmacokinetic parameters in IRF patients (Ka 0.7 +/- 0.2 h-1, T 1/2e 3.7 +/- 0.7 h, Cmax1 45 +/- 4 ng.ml-1, Tmax1 3.1 +/- 0.4 h) did not differ from those in NRF patients (0.7 +/- 0.5 h-1, 4.1 +/- 1.3 h, 41 +/- 5 ng.ml-1 and 3.4 +/- 0.4 h, P > 0.05). Antihypertensive efficacy of Dil in patients with IRF was similar to that in those with NRF, and the hypotensive effect lasted over 24 h. The plasma Dil concentrations were strongly correlated with a decrease in BP in both groups. It was concluded that IRF did not affect the disposition of slow release Dil tablet under a steady state. No dosage adjustment of Dil is necessary in hypertensive patients with IRF.

Purification and characterization of beta-structural domains of beta-lactoglobulin liberated by limited proteolysis

Incubation of beta-lactoglobulin with immobilized trypsin at 5-10 degrees C results in a time-dependent release of several fragments of the core domain in yields approaching 15%. Digests were fractionated by ion-exchange chromatography with a Mono Q HR 5/5 column and analyzed after disulfide reduction by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulfate. Three fragments with approximate molecular weights of 13.8, 9.6, and 6.7 kD were identified. The fraction from ion-exchange chromatography yielding the 6.7 kD fraction after disulfide reduction was further characterized because it was most homogeneous and gave the highest yield. The C-terminal cleavage site of the 6.7 kD core fragment appeared to be Lys100 or Lys101 as determined by C-terminal amino acid analysis. The exact masses, after reduction with dithiothreitol, are 6195 and 6926 as determined by laser desorption mass spectrometry, corresponding to residues 48-101 and 41-100. Prior to reduction, beta-lactoglobulin C-terminal residues 149-162 are connected to these core domain fragments as shown by C-terminal analysis and mass spectrometry. Structural studies indicate that these 7.9 and 8.6 kD core domain fragments released by immobilized trypsin retain much of their native structure. CD spectra indicate the presence of antiparallel beta-sheet structure similar to the native protein but the alpha-helix is lost. Spectra in the aromatic region indicate the existence of tertiary structure. Moreover, structural transitions in urea are completely reversible as measured by CD spectra, although the extrapolated delta GDH20 and the urea concentration at the transition midpoint are lower than for the native protein. The core domain fragments also display a pH-dependent binding to immobilized trans-retinal as does intact protein. A single endotherm is obtained for both core domain fragments and native protein upon differential scanning calorimetry, but again, the domain is less stable as indicated by a transition peak maxima of 56.9 degrees C as compared with 81.1 degrees C for native protein.