The effects of apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside on reflux oesophagitis and gastritis in rats

1. This study evaluated the inhibitory action of apigenin-7-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (AGC), apigenin, and omeprazole on reflux oesophagitis and gastritis in rats. AGC was isolated from Clerodendron trichotomum leaves. 2. Oesophagitis and gastritis were induced by surgical procedure and the administration of indomethacin, respectively. The intraduodenal (i.d.) administration of AGC decreased the volume of gastric juice and increased the gastric pH compared with apigenin and omeprazole. The acid output was more inhibited by AGC in a dose-dependent manner than by apigenin and omeprazole. Compared with apigenin and omeprazole, AGC significantly decreased the size of gastric lesions, which were induced by exposure of the gastric mucosa to indomethacin. 3. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, which is the end product of lipid peroxidation, was increased significantly after the induction of reflux oesophagitis. The MDA content was decreased by AGC (i.d. 3 mg kg(-1)), but not by either apigenin or omeprazole. This suggests that AGC has an antioxidative effect. In the oesophagitis group, the mucosal levels of glutathione (GSH) were significantly lower than that in the normal group. However, the GSH levels were preserved after administering the AGC, suggesting that AGC possesses scavenging activity. 4. In summary, AGC is more potent than apigenin and omeprazole at inhibiting reflux oesophagitis and gastritis and may therefore be a promising drug for their treatment.

Influence of exposure to electromagnetic field on the cardiovascular system

1 We examined whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) affect the basal level of cardiovascular parameters and influence of drugs acting on the sympathetic nervous system. 2 Male rats were exposed to sham control and EMF (60 Hz, 20 G) for 1 (MF-1) or 5 days (MF-5). We evaluated the alterations of blood pressure (BP), pulse pressure (PP), heart rate (HR), and the PR interval, QRS interval and QT interval on the electrocardiogram and dysrhythmic ratio in basal level and dysrhythmia induced by beta-adrenoceptor agonists. 3 In terms of the basal levels, there were no statistically significant differences among control, MF-1 and MF-5 in PR interval, QRS interval, mean BP, HR and PP. However, the QT interval, representing ventricular repolarization, was significantly reduced by MF-1 (P < 0.05). 4 (-)-Dobutamine (beta1-adrenoceptor-selective agonist)-induced tachycardia was significantly suppressed by ELF-EMF exposure in MF-1 for the increase in HR (DeltaHR), the decrease in QRS interval (DeltaQRS) and the decrease in QT (DeltaQT) interval. Adrenaline (nonselective beta-receptor agonist)-induced dysrhythmia was also significantly suppressed by ELF-EMF in MF-1 for the number of missing beats, the dysrhythmic ratio, and the increase in BP and PP. 5 These results indicated that 1-day exposure to ELF-EMF (60 Hz, 20 G) could suppress the increase in HR by affecting ventricular repolarization and may have a down-regulatory effect on responses of the cardiovascular system induced by sympathetic agonists.

Anatomical study concerning the origin and course of the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk for the pectoralis major flap

The patterns of the feeding vessels to each muscle determine the extent of their safe transposition and the muscle's value as a pedicled flap in reconstructive surgery. This study aimed to demonstrate the point of origin and the intra- and submuscular course of the pectoral branch of the thoracoacromial trunk (TAT) for pectoralis major (PM) flap surgery. Seventy sides of the PM were dissected based on a clinical reference line that has been used for several decades. The branching point of the TAT from the axillary artery was located lateral to the midclavicular line on the right-sided specimens (100%) and medial to the midclavicular line on the left sides (86%). The branching patterns of the pectoral branch to the PM muscle from the TAT were classified into three types. In type I the pectoral branches originated directly from the TAT (55 cases, 78.6%). In type II (11 cases, 15.7%) and type III (4 cases, 5.7%) the pectoral branch divided from the medial and lateral pedicle of the TAT, respectively. The course of the pectoral branch from the TAT in the PM was categorized into three patterns according to the degree of proximity to the midclavicular line. In 49 cases (70%), the pectoral branch in the PM ran within 1 cm of the midclavicular line. The other cases ran 2 cm (20 cases, 29%) and 3 cm (1 case, 1%) from the midclavicular line, respectively. These results provide topographic data of the pectoral branch based on anatomical landmarks, and will be useful in surgical planning as well as the procedure for PM flap surgery.

Heavy metals in agricultural soils of the Pearl River Delta, South China

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils in China owing to rapid urban and industrial development and increasing reliance on agrochemicals in the last several decades. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils may not only result in environmental contamination, but elevated heavy metal uptake by crops may also affect food quality and safety. The present study is aimed at studying heavy metal concentrations of crop, paddy and natural soils in the Pearl River Delta, one of the most developed regions in China. In addition, some selected soil samples were analyzed for chemical partitioning of Co, Cu, Pb and Zn. The Pb isotopic composition of the extracted solutions was also determined. The analytical results indicated that the crop, paddy and natural soils in many sampling sites were enriched with Cd and Pb. Furthermore, heavy metal enrichment was most significant in the crop soils, which might be attributed to the use of agrochemicals. Flooding of the paddy soils and subsequent dissolution of Mn oxides may cause the loss of Cd and Co through leaching and percolation, resulting in low Cd and Co concentrations of the paddy soils. The chemical partitioning patterns of Pb, Zn and Cu indicated that Pb was largely associated with the Fe-Mn oxide and residual fractions, while Zn was predominantly found in the residual phase. A significant percent fraction of Cu was bound in the organic/sulphide and residual phases. Based on the 206Pb/207Pb ratios of the five fractions, it was evident that some of the soils were enriched with anthropogenic Pb, such as industrial and automobile Pb. The strong associations between anthropogenic Pb and the Fe-Mn oxide and organic/sulphide phases suggested that anthropogenic Pb was relatively stable after deposition in soils.

Heavy metals in agricultural soils of the Pearl River Delta, South China

There is a growing public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils in China owing to rapid urban and industrial development and increasing reliance on agrochemicals in the last several decades. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals in agricultural soils may not only result in environmental contamination, but elevated heavy metal uptake by crops may also affect food quality and safety. The present study is aimed at studying heavy metal concentrations of crop, paddy and natural soils in the Pearl River Delta, one of the most developed regions in China. In addition, some selected soil samples were analyzed for chemical partitioning of Co, Cu, Pb and Zn. The Pb isotopic composition of the extracted solutions was also determined. The analytical results indicated that the crop, paddy and natural soils in many sampling sites were enriched with Cd and Pb. Furthermore, heavy metal enrichment was most significant in the crop soils, which might be attributed to the use of agrochemicals. Flooding of the paddy soils and subsequent dissolution of Mn oxides may cause the loss of Cd and Co through leaching and percolation, resulting in low Cd and Co concentrations of the paddy soils. The chemical partitioning patterns of Pb, Zn and Cu indicated that Pb was largely associated with the Fe-Mn oxide and residual fractions, while Zn was predominantly found in the residual phase. A significant percent fraction of Cu was bound in the organic/sulphide and residual phases. Based on the 206Pb/207Pb ratios of the five fractions, it was evident that some of the soils were enriched with anthropogenic Pb, such as industrial and automobile Pb. The strong associations between anthropogenic Pb and the Fe-Mn oxide and organic/sulphide phases suggested that anthropogenic Pb was relatively stable after deposition in soils.

The influences of extremely low frequency magnetic fields on clonidine-induced sleep in 2-day-old chicks

1. It has been shown that magnetic fields (MFs) affect a variety of biological effects in animal brains. There have been few experiments on the effects of MFs on sleep. Therefore, we investigated whether extremely low frequency (ELF) MFs affect the sleep induced by clonidine, a central alpha(2)-adrenoceptor agonist. Clonidine produced dose-related increase of the sleeping time and dose-related decrease of the onset time in 2-day-old chicks. 2. Exposure of chicks to MFs (5, 10, 20 G; for 3, 6, 9, 12 h) significantly increased the clonidine-induced sleep time as a direct function of intensity and duration of MF application. Clonidine reduced noradrenaline or tyrosine in the brain, an effect which was not further changed in animals exposed to MF. 3. To determine whether the gamma amino butyric acid A (GABA(A))/benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor system is involved in the decrease in clonidine-induced sleep caused by activation of central alpha(2)-adrenergic systems, we examined exposure of chicks to the effects of the BZD receptor antagonist flumazenil (0.5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and GABA(A) antagonist bicuculline (0.1 mg kg-1, i.p.) on clonidine-induced sleep. Bicuculline and flumazenil inhibited the increase of clonidine-induced sleep time by MFs. Clonidine or MFs did not change GABA levels in the brain. 4. These results suggest that MFs can increase clonidine-induced sleep via a change of GABA(A) and BZD receptor system irrespective of the concentration of GABA or noradrenaline in the brain of 2-day-old chicks.

[A study on the contents of fat and fatty acids in five shellfishes]

The contents of fat and fatty acids in Callista erycina (Linnaeus), Paphia (Paratapes) undulata (Born), Meretrix meretrix (Linnaeus), Chlamys farreri (Jones et Preston) and Patinopecten yessoensis (Jay) were studied. Fat was extracted with Bligh & Dyer (B&D) method. The lipid classes were transesterified with potassium hydroxide in methanol. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were assayed with GC-MS and polar capillary column (HP-INNOWax 30 m x 0.25 mm i.d. x 0.25 micron). GC injector temperature was 220 degrees C. The column temperature was programmed from 150 degrees C (1 min) to 200 degrees C at 10 degrees C/min and then from 200 degrees C to 250 degrees C at 2 degrees C/min. FAMEs were identified by MS library, and part by their standards. Total identified fatty acids were over 99% for all samples. Fat contents of them were all over 1% by wet samples. And ratios between omega-3PUFA and omega-6PUFA were above 2 by and large. Patinopecten yessoensis (Jay) contains more fat and the valuable fatty acids, EPA and DHA. It is suitable to use it as the source of EPA and DHA.

A comparison of the stability of miniplate with bicortical screw fixation after sagittal split setback

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to decide whether use of bicortical screw fixation provides sufficient stability to dispense with intermaxillary fixation.

STUDY DESIGN

Thirty consecutive patients who had undergone surgical setback of the mandible by means of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomies were studied. Group 1 (15 patients) had miniplate fixation with intermaxillary fixation for 6 weeks, and group 2 (15 patients) had bicortical screw fixation and immediate postoperative function. The 2 groups were evaluated radiographically for postsurgical changes of pogonion in the early (6 weeks) phase.

RESULTS

The results showed that there were no significant differences between the 2 groups. Overall, there was good stability in both groups.

CONCLUSION

The use of bicortical screw fixation after sagittal split setback of the mandible provides sufficient stability to dispense with intermaxillary fixation.

[Stability of fatty acids in stored oyster]

The contents of twenty-three kinds of fatty acids in the lyophilized oyster that stored for 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days were studied. Oyster fat was extracted from the powder by means of SFE. The extraction was performed for 40 min at a pressure of 37 MPa and a temperature of 50 degrees C with supercritical carbon dioxide containing 8% (V/V) ethanol at a flow-rate of 2 mL/min as liquid carbon dioxide, and the recovery of oyster fat by extraction was over 99%. After being extracted, fat was esterified with potassium hydroxide and methanol. Methyl esters of fatty acid were separated and determined by 30 m x 0.25 mm i.d. x 0.25 micron HP-INNOWax capillary column and MS detector. The injector temperature was 220 degrees C. The column temperature was programmed from 150 degrees C (1 min) to 200 degrees C at 10 degrees C/min and then from 200 degrees C to 250 degrees C at 2 degrees C/min. Twenty-three peaks were identified with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and quantified with area normalization method. The variations of contents of them were shown. During storage, the contents of saturated fatty acids and mono-unsaturated fatty acids were getting higher, and those of polyunsaturated fatty acids were getting lower. The decrease of them was gradual, and there was no special period of stability. And the stability of fatty acids in oyster related to the degree of unsaturation of them. The higher the unsaturation the lower the stable it was. After being stored for 90 days, the content of EPA decreased from 16.94% to 5.43% and that of DHA from 9.25% to 2.86%.

Epitope specificity and T cell receptor usage in type II collagen induced autoimmune ear disease

An immune response directed against type II collagen (CII) has been reported in several autoimmune diseases including the animal models of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and collagen-induced autoimmune ear disease (CIAED). In this communication, we have found that T cells from type II collagen-immunized DBA/1-lac could transfer auricular chondritis to naive mice. The T cells from type II collagen-immunized H-2r and H-2q mice recognize different epitopes from the CB11 peptide of CII. The CII-specific T cells from H-2q background mice recognize peptide residues p121-147 (P1) but do not respond to residues p211-247 (P2). The T cells of H-2r mice immunized with CII respond better to P2 rather than P1. By altering certain amino acids within these epitopes, the response of CII-specific TCR to antigen has been increased or abolished. Our results suggest that the lysine residues at positions 129, 141, and 147 in P1, the arginine residue at position 227, and glutamic acid at position 230 in P2 might play an important role in the trimolecular interaction. Ten clonally distinct T cell hybridomas specific for CII have been established from H-2r B10.RIII mice and the beta chains of their TCR have been analyzed. Three subfamilies, V beta 1, V beta 6, and V beta 8, were utilized with dominant expression of V beta 8 (60%). This is quite similar to the pattern found in type II collagen-induced arthritis in H-2q mice. This preferential use of V beta 8 in CIAED implies that an immunotherapy may make it possible to control this autoimmune disease, even in a MHC-diverse situation.