[Preliminary insights into the practice of hypoallergenic home visiting program]

Allergic diseases affect about 40% of the world's population. Environmental factors are important in the occurrence and development of allergic diseases. Dust mites are one of the most important allergens in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization proposes the "four-in-one, combination of prevention and treatment" treatment principle for allergic diseases, in which environmental control to avoid or reduce allergens is the first choice for treatment. Modern people spend much more time at home (including sleeping) than outdoors, and the control of the home environment is particularly critical. This practice introduces the hypoallergenic home visit program, which including home environment assessment, environmental and behavioral intervention guidance, and common household hypoallergenic supplies and service guidance for the patient's home environment. The real-time semi-quantitative testing of dust mite allergens, qualitative assessments of other indoor allergens, record of patients' household items and lifestyle, and precise, individualized patient prevention and control education will be conducted. The hypoallergenic home visit program improves the doctors' diagnosis and treatment data dimension, and becomes a patient management tool for doctors outside the hospital. It also helps patients continue to scientifically avoid allergens and irritants in the environment, effectively build a hypoallergenic home environment, reduce exposure to allergens in the home environment, and achieve the goal of combining the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.

[Diagnosis and treatment procedures and health management for patients with hereditary angioedema]

As a recognized rare and highly fatal disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to diagnose and characterized by recurrent edema involving the head, limbs, genitals and larynx, etc. Diagnosis of HAE is not difficult. However, low incidence and lack of clinical characteristics lead to difficulty of doctors on timely diagnosis and correct intervention for HAE patients. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the awareness of this disease and prevent its recurrence. for HAE patients. In view of absent cognition of doctors and the general public on HAE, patients often suffer from sudden death or become disabled due to laryngeal edema which cannot be treated in time. Thus, based on the Internet mobile terminal platform, the team set up an all-day rapid emergency response system which is provided for HAE patients by setting up "one-click help". The aim is to offer optimization on overall management of HAE and designed the intelligent follow-up management to provide timely assistance and specialized suggestion for patients with acute attacks.

Assembly of Ultralong Hydroxyapatite Nanowires into Enamel-like Materials

To develop dental restorative materials with enamel-like structures, ultralong hydroxyapatite (HA) nanowires were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, followed by functionalization with 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH-570). The mixture of HA nanowires, KH-570, and light initiator was stirred and centrifuged. The precipitate was vacuum filtered to remove excessive KH-570 and then pressured under cold isostatic pressing (10 MPa × 24 h). Finally, the block was polymerized by lighting. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that HA nanowires with aspect ratios >1,000 were assembled into enamel rod-like microstructures and evenly dispersed in the polymerized KH-570 silane matrix to form enamel-like structures. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated that the content of HA nanowires reached 72 wt% in the composite. The enamel-like composite showed a similar hardness, frictional property, and acid-etching property to those of enamel and a comparable or even better diametral tensile strength and compressive strength than some commercial composite resins in mechanical tests in vitro. In addition, the enamel-like composite had good cytocompatibility. Such enamel-like composites may have the potential to be used in biomimetic tooth restorations in the future.

The complete plastome of a cultivar of Lannea coromandelica

Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. is a deciduous tree in the family Anacardiaceae, which grows in lowland and hill forests; 100–1800 m. SW Guangdong, S Guangxi, S Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka; cultivated elsewhere in continental SE Asia, such as in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, where it is probably naturalized]. The length of the complete plastome is 162,460 bp, including 130 genes consisting of 85 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. The assembled plastome has the typical structure and gene content of angiosperms plastome, which includes two inverted repeats (IRs) regions of 26,877 bp, a large single copy (LSC) region of 89,599 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 19,107 bp. The total G/C content in the plastome of L. coromandelica is 37.7%. The complete plastome sequence of L. coromandelica will provide contributions to the conservation genetics of this species as well as to phylogenetic studies in Anacardiaceae.

Application of a non-target variable data independent workflow (vDIA) for the screening of prohibited substances in doping control testing

A non-target variable Data Independent Acquisition (vDIA) workflow based on accurate mass measurements using a Q Exactive OrbiTrap is presented for the first time for equine doping control testing. The vDIA workflow uses a combination of MS1 events (1 to 2) and multiple vDIA events to cover the analytes of interest. The workflow basically captures a digital image of a sample allowing all relevant MS1 and MS2 data to be recorded. In theory, the workflow can accommodate an unlimited number of analytes as long as they are amenable to the sample extraction protocol and fall within the mass limits of the workflow. Additional targets fulfilling the above requirements can be added without changing any settings. The performance of the vDIA workflow was illustrated by applying it to two screening methods in horse urine, with one workflow covering 331 basic drugs and the other covering 45 quaternary ammonium drugs (QADs). Both screening methods have good detection sensitivity with 84% of the basic drugs having Limits of Detection (LoDs) of ≤ 1 ng/mL and 84% of the QADs having LoDs of ≤ 0.4 ng/mL. Other method characteristics including retention reproducibility, method precision and false hit rate will also be presented.

[Clinical features and gene analysis of TBC1D24 gene mutation related early-onset focal myoclonic epilepsy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and genetic characteristics of patients with TBC1D24 gene mutation related early-onset focal myoclonic epilepsy. Methods: Clinical data of 3 patients with TBC1D24 gene mutation related early-onset focal myoclonic epilepsy of Xuanwu Hospital from November 2016 to June 2017 was collected and analyzed.Candidate gene mutations were screened by second generation sequencing. Results: Among the 3 patients, 1 was male and 2 were females.Seizure onset age was 4 months, 3 years and 5 years after birth respectively. Two patients had family history of epilepsy.They all had prolonged episodes of focal myoclonus. Two patients had mental retardation.Scalp electroencephalograms (EEG) was recorded in all 3 cases and myoclonic seizures were captured.The ictal EEGs were normal in all cases. In one patient, the ictal EEG of generalized seizure showed alpha rhythm originating from left fronto-central region. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal in 2 patients. Abnormal signal was found bilaterally in cerebellum in 1 patient. The gene screening showed that two patients carried compound heterozygous mutation of TBC1D24 gene and one carried homozygous mutation, all of which were de novo mutations.All the patients were treated with multiple antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and seizures were uncontrolled in 2 patients. One patient was followed up for 10 months without recurrence. Conclusions: TBC1D24 gene related early-onset focal myoclonic epilepsy is clinically characterized by early onset, prolonged focal myoclonus which relieved with sleep, mental retardation and poor response to AEDs.The interictal and ictal EEG usually show normal. Genetic analysis can assist in diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in diagnosing neonatal septicemia

Neonatal septicemia (NS) is a common cause of death of newborn infants, hence early diagnosis and treatment are of the utmost importance. However, lack of specific clinical symptoms and late detection delay a correct diagnosis. It is therefore of great importance to establish auxiliary indexes for the early diagnosis of NS. To evaluate the value of interleukin (IL-6 and IL-8) in the diagnosis of NS, a prospective study was carried out. Seventy-five newborns who developed septicemia and received treatment in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2014 were selected as research subjects; also, 50 healthy newborns were set as a control group. The levels of serum IL-6 and IL-8 were compared between the two groups. Results demonstrated that levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and IL-8 of the septicemia group were higher than those of the control group on admission, although the difference had no statistical significance (P less than 0.05); the septicemia group had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores but lower pediatric critical illness scores (PCIS) compared to the control group (P less than 0.05); levels of CRP, IL-6 and IL-8 were in positive correlation to the SOFA scores and in negative correlation to PCIS. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve demonstrated that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were 85.7%, 80.2% and 81.8%, respectively, when IL-6 level was set as 32 pg/mL, 78.1%, 64.2% and 66.9%, respectively when IL-8 level was set as 54 pg/mL, and 71.4%, 86.3% and 82.7% respectively, when detection of IL-6 and IL-8 were combined together. Hence it can be concluded that: IL-6 and IL-8 are involved in inflammatory reactions; levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were correlated to the severity of the infection; the value of IL-6 is higher than that of IL-8 in the diagnosis of neonatal septicemia and the combined detection of IL-6 and IL-8 can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of neonatal septicemia.

Mass mortality of pond-reared Carassius gibelio caused by Myxobolus ampullicapsulatus in China

From June to August 2009, allogynogenetic silver crucian carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch) pond-cultured at the Nanquan Experimental Station, China, were found to be heavily infected with myxosporeans, which caused mortalities ranging from 33% (13/40) to 90% (36/40) in the cages. The pharynxes of infected fish were swollen, nodular, and severely damaged. Based on morphological characters and 18S small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence similarity, the myxosporean was identified as Myxobolus ampullicapsulatus. This is the first report of M. ampullicapsulatus causing mass mortality of pond-reared C. gibelio.

[Routing reseach of vas deferens on anatomy and clinical application]

OBJECTIVE

Studying on the routes of vas deferens to provide anatomy basis for surgical operation, especially, reconstruction of long segment loss of vas deferens.

METHODS

The routes of vas deferens were observed and anatomic distances along epididymal, infrainguinal, inguinal, retroperitoneal and ampullar segments of vas deferens, the distances from external ring to extremity of vas deferens were measured respectively in 18 formalin fixed adult cadavers.

RESULTS

The vas deferens have a large curve from external ring to extremity in its route, draw it out from the external ring. Eliminating this curve will allow to shorten this segment of vas deferens for vasovasostomy by 6.1 - 12.9 (9.31 +/- 1.30) cm. The length of each segment of vas deferens, respectively, is epididymal: 3.2 - 5.6 (4.53 +/- 0.79) cm, infrainguinal: 4.5 - 9.5 (7.31 +/- 1.78) cm, inguinal: 4.4 - 7.5 (5.52 +/- 0.74) cm, retroperitoneal: 12.5 - 19.5 (16.75 +/- 1.87) cm and ampullar: 2.9 - 3.8 (3.63 +/- 0.23) cm. There was no significant differences in segment length and the distances from external ring to extremity of vas deferens between the right and left.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction of long segment loss of vas deferens can be performed by mobilization retroperitoneal vas deferens and draw it out from external ring. There were no significant differences in lengths of vas deferens and the distances from external ring to vassal extremity between the left and right in adults. The surgical operations of vas deferens are closely related each segment of vasa.

Analysis of insulin signalling by RNAi-based gene silencing

Using siRNA-mediated gene silencing in cultured adipocytes, we have dissected the insulin-signalling pathway leading to translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the plasma membrane. RNAi (RNA interference)-based depletion of components in the putative TC10 pathway (CAP, CrkII and c-Cbl plus Cbl-b) or the phospholipase Cγ pathway failed to diminish insulin signalling to GLUT4. Within the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway, loss of the 5′-phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate phosphatase SHIP2 was also without effect, whereas depletion of the 3′-phosphatase PTEN significantly enhanced insulin action. Downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate and PDK1, silencing the genes encoding the protein kinases Akt1/PKBα, or CISK(SGK3) or protein kinases Cλ/ζ had little or no effect, but loss of Akt2/PKBβ significantly attenuated GLUT4 regulation by insulin. These results show that Akt2/PKBβ is the key downstream intermediate within the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway linked to insulin action on GLUT4 in cultured adipocytes, whereas PTEN is a potent negative regulator of this pathway.

Endothelin-1 activates ET(A) receptors to increase intracellular calcium in model sensory neurons

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) induces endothelin-A (ETA) receptor-mediated pain and selective excitation of nociceptors. Here we studied ET-1-induced changes in intracellular calcium (Ca2+in) in Fura-2 loaded mouse neuroblastoma-rat dorsal root ganglion hybrid cells (ND7/104). ET-1 (1-400 nM) induced concentration-dependent, transient increases in Ca2+in, probably of intracellular source. Responses to repeated application declined with increasing ET-1 concentration, implying receptor desensitization. Treatment of cells with the selective ETA receptor antagonist, BQ-123, produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the response that was 20% of ET-1 alone (IC50 = 20 nM, KI = 7 nM). No inhibition of the calcium response was observed with the selective ETB antagonist, BQ-788 (10-1000 nM). These results demonstrate that ET-1 induces dose- and ETA receptor-dependent release of Ca2+in in nociceptor-like neurons, and permit further examination of the pathways that underlie ET-1-induced pain signaling.

[A comparison of chemical composition and bioactivity of polypeptides from velvet antlers of Cervus nippon Temminck and Cervus elaphus Linnaeus]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the chemical composition and bioactivity of polypeptides(PPs) isolated from velvet antlers of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck) and red deer (Cervus elaphus Linnaeus).

METHOD

The two kind of polypeptides were isolated from the above mentioned velvet antlers with same technology. The chemical composition was determined using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Stimulant activity of cells proliferation was measured by [3H] TdR incorporation into DNA.

RESULT

The graphs of SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPPs) from Chinese and New zealand red deer were very similar, but there were obvious difference in respect of graph between sika deer and red deer. VAPPs 25-50 mg.L-1 showed marked proliferation-promoting activity for rabbit costed chondrocytes, either sika deer or red deer. However, the activity of sika deer VAPPs 12.5 mg.L-1 for epidermal cells was weaker than that of red deer (12.5 mg.L-1).

CONCLUSION

The chemical property and bioactivity of VAPPs from sika deer and red deer are significantly different.

[Metabolism of ginsenoside Rb1 and panaxadiol saponins by fungi]

AIM

To study the metabolic process of ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1) and panaxadiol saponins (PDS) by fungi.

METHODS

Ten strains of fungi were incubated with G-Rb1 and PDS at a certain temperature with shaking. A portion was taken out at different time and mixed up with butanol. The butanol extract was analysed by thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionazition mass spectrometry (ESI-MS).

RESULTS

It was found that there were ginsenoside-Rd (G-Rd), ginsenoside-F2 (G-F2), compound K (CK) and 20(S) protopanaxadiol (Ppd) metabolites beside the prodrug G-Rb1 induced by fungi (No. 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9).

CONCLUSION

The six strains of fungi have different degrees of ability to metabolize G-Rb1 and PDS. The possible metabolic process could be as follows: G-Rb1 (or PDS)-->G-Rd-->G-F2-->CK-->Ppd.

[Studies on metabolism of oxymatrine by human intestinal bacteria]

OBJECTIVE

To study the oxymatrine metabolism induced by human intestinal bacteria and its absorbed metabolites in blood.

METHOD

TLC and HPLC were used to examine oxymatrine and its metabolites, and UV, IR, NMR and MS were used to confirm the chemical structures of the metabolites.

RESULT

Oxymatrine was transformed into matrine by human intestinal bacteria metabolism in vitro. Rats were given orally oxymatrine 100 mg.kg-1 and were decapitated 3 hours after administration, and their blood was taken to examine serum metabolites by TLC and HPLC, which revealed that oxymatrine and matrine were absorbed into blood.

CONCLUSION

Oxymatrine will be transformed into matrine when it is given orally and both of the alkaloids can be absorbed to blood.

The n-alcohol site in the nicotinic receptor pore is a hydrophobic patch

Alcohols and volatile anesthetics inhibit peripheral nicotinic acetylcholine receptors noncompetitively, primarily via an open-channel block mechanism. Analysis of hydrophobic mutations near the middle of the pore-forming M2 domains suggested that alcohols interact with the pore in this vicinity. To establish the extent of this inhibitory site, we created a series of hydrophobicity-altering mutations scanning most of the alpha subunit M2 domain. Using both single-channel and rapid patch perfusion electrophysiology, we measured how these mutations affect nAChR sensitivity to ethanol and hexanol. We find a near-contiguous series of amino acids in alpha-M2, extending from alphaL250 (8') to alphaV255 (13'), where mutagenesis strongly influences inhibition by alcohols. These results support the existence of a large inhibitory patch in the nAChR pore lining where interactions with alcohols are primarily due to hydrophobic forces. Ethanol appears to interact with deeper regions of this site than does hexanol. Because alcohols apparently act as open-channel blockers, we infer from our results that most of the residues between alphaL250 and alphaV255 are exposed to the aqueous environment of the pore when the channel is open. The location and extent of this site can explain why small alcohols occupy the nAChR pore at the same time as larger alcohols or charged blockers, while two large alcohols bind in a mutually exclusive manner.

[The protection of renal function in the ACEI treatment of renal hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the influence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) on plasma endothelin (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO) and renal function in renal-hypertension patients.

METHODS

Sixty renal-hypertension patients (Group II) were treated with ACEI (lotensin) for 10 weeks then we measure their blood pressure (BP), plasma ET-1, NO and renal functions (BUN, Scr and proteinuria) before and after the treatment. Thirty healthy persons (Group I) acted as control.

RESULTS

The level of plasma ET-1 was higher and plasma NO was lower in Group II than those in Group I. After the treatment of ACEI plasma ET-1 and proteinuria were decreased (P < 0.01), and NO increased in Group II significantly (P < 0.01), while BUN and Scr decreased in abnormal-renal function patients (Group II2) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The Study indicates that: ACEI is effective to renal hypertension; it decreases plasma ET-1 and increases NO in the renal hypertension patients; ACEI may play an important role in protection of renal functions and prolonging the chronic renal failure.

Endothelin-1 modulates insulin signaling through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells

Diminished insulin action in the vasculature may contribute to the development of cardiovascular diseases in diabetes. We have studied insulin's effects on the phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase pathway in arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and its inhibition by endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasoactive hormone reported to be elevated in insulin resistance and other vascular diseases. ET-1 increased the level of serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor beta subunit but increased both tyrosine and serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-2. Pretreatment of cells with ET-1 (10 nmol/l) inhibited insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity associated with IRS-2 by 50-60% and inhibited the association of p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase to IRS-2. The inhibition of insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity by ET-1 was prevented by BQ-123, a selective ET(A) receptor antagonist, but was not affected by pertussis toxin. Treatment of cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), reduced both insulin-stimulated PI 3-kinase activity by 57% and the association of IRS-2 to the p85 subunit of PI 3-kinase by 40%, whereas GF109203X, a specific inhibitor of PKC, partially prevented the inhibitory effect of ET-1 on insulin-induced PI 3-kinase activity. These results suggested that ET-1 could interfere with insulin signaling in SMCs by both PKC-dependent and -independent pathways.

Velvet antler polypeptides promoted proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors and fracture healing

AIM

To study the effects of velvet antler (VA) total polypeptides (VATP) and VA polypeptides, VAP-A, VAP-B, and VAP-C on proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precusors.

METHODS

Chondrocytes (rabbit and human fetus) and osteoblast precusors (chick embryo) were incubated in the culture medium containing VATP or VAP-A, VAP-B, and VAP-C. [3H]TdR incorporation into DNA was measured. Fracture healing-promoting action of VATP was determined in rats.

RESULTS

VATP 50-200 mg.L-1 and VAP-B 12.5, 25, and 50 mg.L-1 showed most marked proliferation-promoting activity for rabbit costed chondrocytes and increased incorporation of [3H]TdR from (73 +/- 9) Bq (control group) to (272 +/- 55), (327 +/- 38), and (415 +/- 32) Bq, respectively (P < 0.01). The activity of VAP-A was weaker than that of VAP-B, and VAP-C had no activity. VATP 10 and 20 mg.kg-1 by local injection into the cross-section fracture area accelerated healing of radial fracture. The healing rate of VATP-treated group was higher (75%) than that of control group (25%) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

VATP accelerated fracture healing by stimulating proliferation of chondrocytes and osteoblast precursors.

[The structure activity relationship of saikosaponins and glycyrrhizin derivatives for Na+, K(+)-ATPase inhibiting action]

The study on structure-activity relationship of saikosaponins and glycyrrhizin derivatives for Na+, K(+)-ATPase inhibiting action has been made in vitro. The results showed that the order of potency of inhibitory effect of saikosaponins on Na+, K(+)-ATPase is as follows: b1 > d > b2 > b4 > a > b3 > e > c. The chemical structure C23-OH, C16-OH and the C11, C13 conjugated double diene of saikosaponins are important for its inhibitory activity. The inhibitory potency of glycyrrhizin (GL), glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and carbenoxolone (CX) for Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity is as follows: GA > or = CX > GL. In addition, the inhibitory effect of saikosaponin d on Na+, K(+)-ATPase was found to be non-competitive.

[Studies on the synthesis and activities of RGD related peptides]

In the binding of Fgn to GP IIb/IIIa, RGD is the key sequence. In the present paper, RGDS, RGDV and RGDF were synthesized by use of solution method. Bioassay indicated that the C-terminal amino acid residues were very important for their antithrombosis effects. Conformational studies showed that their antithrombosis potency may depend on their total energies. The observation of their vasodilation effects suggests that this kind of function is worthy to be further studied.

Studies on the Constituents of Adelostemma gracillimum

The glycone portion of the glycoside of ADELOSTEMMA GRACILLIMUM Hook. f. (Asclepiadaceae) was investigated. Three known polyoxypregnane ester-type aglycones, penupogenin ( 1) (1, 2), kidjoranine ( 2) (1, 3), and gagamine ( 3) (4, 5), and one new compound named gracigenin ( 4) were isolated and their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic evidence, and that of ( 4) was determined by X-ray crystallography. It was found to possess an unprecedented 8,14- SECO-polyoxypregnane ester-type skeleton, and 4 is the first compound with this C (21)-steroid type skeleton to be found in nature.

Spirohydantoin inhibitors of aldose reductase inhibit iron- and copper-catalysed ascorbate oxidation in vitro

Transition metal-catalysed oxidations have been implicated in the complications of diabetes. We report here that some experimental inhibitors of the enzyme aldose reductase (implicated in diabetes mellitus via its ability to catalyse glucose reduction to sorbitol) are also potent inhibitors of transition metal-catalysed ascorbate oxidation. The inhibition appears to be dependent upon the presence of a spirohydantoin group. It is conceivable that the copper- and iron-binding capacity of these compounds may contribute to some of their observed biological effects and may provide a starting point for a new generation of experimental drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Effect of pre-flight treatment with constant magnetic field on development of Artemia eggs retrieved from Chinese Satellite "8885"

Dry winter eggs of Artemia salina were treated with a 30-60 mT inhomogeneous constant magnetic field for 113 h, and then carried by Chinese Satellite "8885" to its spaceflight for 8 days. Their early development rate and hatching ratio were observed on the 10th, 31st, 65th and 227th days after the accomplishment of the flight. Three main results were obtained as follows: (i) The treatment accelerated the development of the eggs not flown; (ii) it also enhanced the resistance of the flown eggs against unfavorable spaceflight effects (retarding early development and lowering the hatching ratio), and promoted the recovering ability of the flown eggs from the affected state; and (iii) the latent beneficial effect produced by treatment was found to be very durable, still appearing in the development of the treated eggs on the 318th day after treatment (the 227th day after the flight).

Two new antiepilepsy compounds--otophyllosides A and B

Two new C21 steroidal constituents, named otophylloside A(IV) and otophylloside B(V), have been isolated from the roots of Cynanchum otophyllum Schneid, whose structures have been analysed in this paper by using X-ray crystallography and spectrometric data (UV, IR, 1H- and 13C-NMR, MS) and chemical reaction. They were found to be active against epilepsy, IV and V can protect rats from audiogenic seizures (AS) and its ED50 = 10.20 mg/kg.