Immunogene therapy of tumors with vaccine based on Xenopus homologous vascular endothelial growth factor as a model antigen

Overcoming immune tolerance of the growth factors associated with tumor growth should be a useful approach to cancer therapy by active immunity. We used vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a model antigen to explore the feasibility of the immunogene tumor therapy with a vaccine based on a single xenogeneic homologous gene, targeting the growth factors associated with angiogenesis. To test this concept, we constructed a plasmid DNA encoding Xenopus homologous VEGF (XVEGF-p) and control vectors. We found that immunogene tumor therapy with a vaccine based on XVEGF was effective at both protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity in several tumor models in mice. VEGF-specific autoantibodies in sera of mice immunized with XVEGF-p could be found in Western blotting analysis and ELISA assay. The purified immunoglobulins were effective at the inhibition of VEGF-mediated endothelial cell proliferation in vitro, and at antitumor activity and the inhibition of angiogenesis by adoptive transfer in vivo. The elevation of VEGF in the sera of the tumor-bearing mice could be abrogated with XVEGF-p immunization. The antitumor activity and production of VEGF-specific autoantibodies, significantly elevated IgG1 and IgG2b, could be abrogated by the depletion of CD4(+) T lymphocytes. The observations may provide a vaccine strategy for cancer therapy through the induction of autoimmunity against the growth factors associated with tumor growth in a cross reaction with single xenogeneic homologous gene and may be of importance in the further exploration of the applications of other xenogeneic homologous genes identified in human and other animal genome sequence projects in cancer therapy.

[Case-control study on sexual coercion and related risk factors in China]

OBJECTIVE

To find out the determinants of sexual coercion among adolescent abortion seekers in China.

METHODS

Case-control study was adopted. Women seeking for abortion and ever having experienced sexual coercion were taken as case group and those who had never experienced sexual coercion as control group. Case-control study was carried out in 11 large hospitals in Beijing city from January 2000 to April 2000.

RESULTS

The number of subjects in case group was 512, comparing to 517 in the control group. The mean age of subjects was 20.25 years with monthly income 881.2 RMB Yuan. The difference between case group and control group in income, occupation and age showed no statistical significance. The results of the study indicated that the factors which were more likely to be related to sexual coercion include lower educational level (chi(2) = 15.27, P < 0.01, OR: 1.71), not living with parents (chi(2) = 10.18, P < 0.01, OR: 1.50), mobile nature (chi(2) = 20.60, P < 0.01, OR: 1.78), experienced battery by partner (chi(2) = 6.79, P < 0.01, OR: 2.72), abused by her partner (chi(2) = 4.22, P < 0.05, OR: 1.71) multi-partners (chi(2) = 19.08, P < 0.01, OR: 2.17), sex after being drunk (chi(2) = 34.22, P < 0.01, OR: 5.04), and larger gaps of in age between male and female partners (chi(2) = 11.04, P < 0.01, OR: 2.17).

CONCLUSION

Factors as, poor-educated, not living with parents, floating population, multi-partners, the inequality between male and female were more likely to increase the risk of sexual coercion.

Intrathecal administration of endothelin-1 receptor antagonist ameliorates autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats

The role of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was studied by the blocking the action of ET-1 with a receptor antagonist, BQ-123. Intrathecal administration of BQ-123 significantly ameliorated EAE progression at the peak stage of EAE (p<0.05). By immunohistochemistry, ED-1-positive macrophages in EAE lesions were identified as major producers of ET-1, whereas the immunoreactivity of ET-1 on brain cells, such as astrocytes, was dramatically increased in accordance with the progression of EAE. This study points to a putative pro-1nflammatory role for ET-1 in the pathogenesis of EAE. One possible application for the ET-1 receptor antagonist might be helpful in the therapy of autoimmune neurological disorders.

Inhibition of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and calcium channels by clozapine in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells

The effects of clozapine on the activities of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs) were investigated and compared with those of chlorpromazine (CPZ) in bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. [(3)H]Norepinephrine ([(3)H]NE) secretion induced by activation of nAChRs was inhibited by clozapine and CPZ with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) of 10.4 +/- 1.1 and 3.9 +/- 0.2 microM, respectively. Both cytosolic calcium increase and inward current in the absence of extracellular calcium induced by nicotinic stimulation were also inhibited by clozapine and CPZ, but the greater inhibition was achieved by CPZ. In addition, [(3)H]nicotine binding to chromaffin cells was inhibited by clozapine and CPZ with IC(50) values of approximately 19 and 2 microM, respectively. On the other hand, [(3)H]NE secretion induced by high K(+) was inhibited by clozapine and CPZ with similar IC(50) values of 15.5 +/- 3.8 and 17.1 +/- 3.9 microM, respectively. Our results suggest that clozapine, as well as CPZ, inhibits nAChRs and VSCCs, thereby causing inhibition of catecholamine secretion, and that clozapine is much less potent than CPZ in inhibiting nAChRs.

Prolonged exposure to hyperbaric oxygen induces neuronal damage in primary rat cortical cultures

While seizure attack is one of the serious complications during the hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy, there is still no direct evidence showing that HBO can induce neuronal damage in the brain. The objective of this study was first to investigate whether HBO would lead to neurotoxicity in the primary rat cortical culture. Second, since alterations in neurotransmitters have been suggested in the pathophysiology of central nervous system (CNS) oxygen toxicity, the protective effects of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism and nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition on the HBO-induced neuronal damage were examined. The results showed that HBO exposure to 6 atmosphere absolute pressure (ATA) for 30, 60, and 90 min increased the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the culture medium in a time-dependent manner. Accordingly, the cell survival, measured by the 3,(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, was decreased after HBO exposure. Pretreatment with the NMDA antagonist MK-801 protected the cells against the HBO-induced damage. The protective effect was also noted in the cells pretreated with L-N(G)-nitro-arginine methyl ester, an NO synthase inhibitor. Thus, our results suggest that activation of NMDA receptors and production of NO play a role in the neurotoxicity produced by hyperbaric oxygen exposure.

Immunotherapy of tumors with xenogeneic endothelial cells as a vaccine

The breaking of immune tolerance against autologous angiogenic endothelial cells should be a useful approach for cancer therapy. Here we show that immunotherapy of tumors using fixed xenogeneic whole endothelial cells as a vaccine was effective in affording protection from tumor growth, inducing regression of established tumors and prolonging survival of tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, autoreactive immunity targeting to microvessels in solid tumors was induced and was probably responsible for the anti-tumor activity. These observations may provide a new vaccine strategy for cancer therapy through the induction of an autoimmune response against the tumor endothelium in a cross-reaction.

Virulent strains of Helicobacter pylori demonstrate delayed phagocytosis and stimulate homotypic phagosome fusion in macrophages

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric epithelium of approximately 50% of the world's population and plays a causative role in the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers. H. pylori is phagocytosed by mononuclear phagocytes, but the internalized bacteria are not killed and the reasons for this host defense defect are unclear. We now show using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy that H. pylori employs an unusual mechanism to avoid phagocytic killing: delayed entry followed by homotypic phagosome fusion. Unopsonized type I H. pylori bound readily to macrophages and were internalized into actin-rich phagosomes after a lag of approximately 4 min. Although early (10 min) phagosomes contained single bacilli, H. pylori phagosomes coalesced over the next approximately 2 h. The resulting "megasomes" contained multiple viable organisms and were stable for 24 h. Phagosome-phagosome fusion required bacterial protein synthesis and intact host microtubules, and both chloramphenicol and nocodazole increased killing of intracellular H. pylori. Type II strains of H. pylori are less virulent and lack the cag pathogenicity island. In contrast to type I strains, type II H. pylori were rapidly ingested and killed by macrophages and did not stimulate megasome formation. Collectively, our data suggest that megasome formation is an important feature of H. pylori pathogenesis.

Oral tolerance by a high dose OVA in BALB/c mice is more pronounced and persistent in Th2-mediated immune responses than in Th1 responses

Oral administration of antigen induces an antigen-specific immunologic tolerance and many studies are being carried out to apply this phenomenon to the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated long-term Th1 and Th2 tolerance in mice given a high dose of orally administered Ovalbumin (OVA). Feeding OVA to BALB/c mice suppressed OVA-specific IgG response and the degree of inhibition was dose-dependent in the range of 2.5-250 mg. Moreover, the state of tolerance established by prior feeding of high dose of OVA was present after 26 weeks. Interestingly, even though both Th subsets were tolerized significantly for a short period, the tolerizing effect was more pronounced and persistent in Th2-mediated immune responses. Thus we speculate that oral administration of a single high dose of OVA induces Th1- and Th2-tolerance by different mechanisms. Our findings could be important in the development of therapeutics for the treatment of autoimmune disease and allergy.

g-matrix based on configuration interaction and Stone's perturbation theory

Stone's formula, which has usually been applied to the calculation of the g-matrix, is based on a single-configuration treatment. Here a limited configuration interaction is included to obtain the expressions of the principal g values for an orbitally nondegenerate molecule with spin S = 12. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

The g values of some halomolybdenyl, -vanadyl, and -chromyl complexes

The principal g values of a series of [MOXn]m- (M = VIV, CrV, MoV; X = F-, Cl-, Br-; n = 4, 5; m = 1, 2, 3) complexes are calculated by the INDO-CI-Stone method. The results agree well with the experimental data and reveal that the traditional models have some limitations in calculating g values for some complexes of this type.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and ceramide induce cell death through different mechanisms in rat mesangial cells

It has been proposed that ceramide acts as a cellular messenger to mediate tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis. Based on this hypothesis, it was postulated that resistance of some cells to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity was due to an insufficient production of ceramide on stimulation by TNF-alpha. The present study was initiated to investigate whether this was the case in mesangial cells, which normally are insensitive to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. Our results indicate that although C2 ceramide was toxic to mesangial cells, the cell death it induced differed both morphologically and biochemically from that induced by TNF-alpha in the presence of cycloheximide (CHX). The most apparent effect of C2 ceramide was to cause cells to swell, followed by disruption of the cell membrane. It is evident that C2 ceramide caused cell death by necrosis, whereas TNF-alpha in the presence of CHX killed the cells by apoptosis. C2 ceramide did not mimic the effects of TNF-alpha on the activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB transcription factor. Although mitogen-activated protein kinase [extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)] was activated by both C2 ceramide and TNF-alpha, such activation appeared to be mediated by different mechanisms as judged from the kinetics of ERK activation. Furthermore, the cleavage of cytosolic phospholipase A2 during cell death induced by C2 ceramide and by TNF-alpha in the presence of CHX showed distinctive patterns. The present study provides evidence that apoptosis and necrosis use distinctive signaling machinery to cause cell death.

Resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity can be achieved through different signaling pathways in rat mesangial cells

We reported previously that Ro-318220 blocked expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and subsequently caused apopotosis in mesangial cells (Y.-L. Guo, B. Kang, and J. R. Williamson. J. Biol. Chem. 273: 10362-10366, 1998). These data support our hypothesis that a TNF-alpha-inducible phosphatase may be responsible for preventing sustained activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal protein kinase (JNK) and consequent cell death in these cells (Y.-L. Guo, K. Baysal, B. Kang, L.-J. Yang, and J. R. Williamson. J. Biol. Chem. 273: 4027-4034, 1998). In this study, we investigated the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulation of MKP-1 expression in mesangial cells together with effects on viability. Although originally characterized as a PKC inhibitor, Ro-318220 inhibited TNF-alpha-induced MKP-1 expression through a mechanism other than blocking the PKC pathway. Furthermore, inhibition of the PKC pathway neither significantly affected TNF-alpha-induced MKP-1 expression nor made cells susceptible to toxic effect of TNF-alpha. Thus PKC activation is not essential for cells to achieve the resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity displayed by normal mesangial cells. However, activation of PKC by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) dramatically increased cellular resistance to the apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha. Coincidentally, PMA stimulated MKP-1 expression and suppressed JNK activation. Therefore, PMA-induced MKP-1 expression may contribute to the protective effect of PMA. These results provide a mechanistic explanation for previous documentation that PKC activation can rescue some cells from apopotosis.

Inhibitory effects of cyproheptadine on pituitary-thyroid axis and pancreatic beta cells in rats

AIM

To study the influences of cyproheptadine (Cyp) on the endocrine functions of pituitary-thyroid axis and pancreatic beta cells in rats.

METHODS

The effects of Cyp on functions of pituitary-thyroid axis and pancreatic beta cells were observed by radioimmunoassay, biochemical analysis, and electron microscope.

RESULTS

Cyp 2.3 mg.kg-1 ig for 10 d decreased serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from control groups (5.3 +/- 0.9) to (4.2 +/- 0.9) mU.L-1 and insulin levels from (64 +/- 8) to (50 +/- 9) kIU.L-1 (P < 0.05 and 0.01). Cyp 4.6 mg.kg-1 decreased serum TSH (3.8 +/- 0.5) mU.L-1, T3 (1.2 +/- 0.2) mmol.L-1, T4 (62 +/- 7) mmol.L-1, and insulin levels (42 +/- 8) kIU.L-1 decreased (P < 0.05 or 0.01). The retrograde changes of ultrastructure of pituitary TSH cells and pancreatic beta cells.

CONCLUSION

Cyp has an inhibiting action on endocrine functions of pituitary-thyroid axis and pancreatic beta cells in rats.

Sonographic diagnosis of bone tumors

This paper presents the results of sonographic and radiographic examinations in 48 patients clinically diagnosed as having bone tumors. Sonography revealed bone destruction in all 48 cases, elevated periosteum in 26 cases and soft tissue mass in 34 cases. The results obtained in this series demonstrate that most bone tumors have their characteristic sonographic features such as giant cell tumors, malignant bone tumors, bone cysts, as well as metastatic lesions. Study showed that sonography has equally high accuracy in the diagnosis of these tumors compared with radiography.

Inhibition of the expression of mitogen-activated protein phosphatase-1 potentiates apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat mesangial cells

Previously we showed that rat mesangial cells are normally resistant to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis. They are made susceptible to the apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha when pretreated with actinomycin D, cycloheximide or vanadate. A sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) activation was closely correlated with the initiation of apoptosis under these conditions. We proposed that a TNF-alpha-inducible phosphatase was responsible for preventing a sustained activation of JNK and consequent apoptosis in these cells (Guo, Y.-L., Baysal, K., Kang, B. , Yang, L.-J., and Williamson, J. R. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 4027-4034). In the present study we provide further evidence to support this hypothesis. Ro318220, although originally identified as a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C, was subsequently found to be a strong inhibitor of MKP-1 expression. In rat mesangial cells, pretreatment of the cells with Ro318220 blocked expression of MKP-1 induced by TNF-alpha. This treatment also prolonged JNK activation and caused apoptosis. Taken together, our results support the currently controversial hypothesis that the JNK pathway is involved in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. In addition, we provide a mechanistic explanation for how mesangial cells in primary culture achieve resistance to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity. Specifically, induction of MKP-1 by TNF-alpha appears to be responsible for protection of the cells from apoptosis by preventing a prolonged activation of JNK.

Correlation between sustained c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase activation and apoptosis induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rat mesangial cells

Rat mesangial cells are normally resistant to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis. In this report we show that the cells can be made susceptible to the apoptotic effect of TNF-alpha when pretreated with actinomycin D, cycloheximide, or vanadate. c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) has been thought to mediate apoptotic processes elicited by some stimuli, but its involvement in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis has been controversial. JNK activation was investigated under conditions where the mesangial cells were either resistant or susceptible to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. TNF-alpha alone stimulated a single transient JNK activity peak. However, when the cells were pretreated with actinomycin D or cycloheximide, TNF-alpha stimulated a second sustained JNK activity peak. When the cells were pretreated with the phosphatase inhibitor vanadate, TNF-alpha-induced JNK activation was greatly prolonged. In all three cases, a sustained JNK activation was associated with the initiation of apoptosis. Our data suggest that a sustained activation of JNK induced by these reagents may be associated with blocking the expression of a phosphatase that inactivates JNK. Further studies reveal that the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) was induced by TNF-alpha, indicating that MKP-1 may be involved in protecting the cells from apoptosis by preventing a prolonged activation of JNK under normal conditions. Additional studies showed that extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase activation stimulated by TNF-alpha was unlikely to contribute to the resistance of mesangial cells to TNF-alpha cytotoxicity.

Inhibition of thrombin-stimulated cell proliferation by ceramide is not through inhibition of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase

Activation of the thrombin receptor provides a strong mitogenic signal in CCL39 cells. Ceramide was found to inhibit thrombin-mediated mitogenesis in these cells while dihydroceramide had no effect. Many growth inhibitors exert their effect by inhibiting extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. However, neither ceramide nor dihydroceramide blocked the thrombin-induced activation of ERK. In contrast, both agents potentiated ERK activity. The expression of c-fos, c-jun and cyclin D1, which are downstream of ERK in the mitogenic pathway were stimulated by thrombin but this stimulation was not affected by ceramide or dihydroceramide. Therefore, the ceramide inhibition of thrombin-stimulated cell growth in CCL39 cells does not appear to be mediated by an effect on the activation of ERK. Furthermore, the data also suggest that the separate effects of ceramide on thrombin-stimulated cell growth and ERK activity are mediated by different mechanisms.

Abolition of anaphylactic shock by Solanum lyratum Thunb

We investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of Solanum lyratum THUNB. (Solanaceae) (SLAE) on the anaphylactic reactions. SLAE inhibited compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock 100% with a dose of 1.0 mg/g body weight (BW). When SLAE was pretreated at concentration ranging from 0.0001-1.0 mg/g BW, the serum histamine levels were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis also inhibited to 69.3% by oral administration of SLAE (0.05 mg/g BW). Moreover, SLAE dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80. The level of cAMP in RPMC, when SLAE was added, significantly increased compared with that of normal control. These results indicate that SLAE possess strong antianaphylactic activity.

Effects of Phentolamine on Responses to PAMP in the Hindquarters Vascular Bed of the Rat

BACKGROUND: Responses to proadrenomedullin NH(2)-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP), a novel hypotensive peptide formed from preproadrenomedullin, and the effects of inhibition of adrenergic vasomotor tone with the alpha-receptor antagonist, phenolamine, on responses to PAMP were investigated in the systemic and hindquarters vascular bed of the rat. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intravenous injections of PAMP decreased systemic arterial pressure and in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat under conditions of controlled hindquarters blood flow, intra-arterial injections of PAMP decreased perfusion pressure in a dose-related manner. Following administration of the alpha receptor blocking agent, phenotlamine, systemic depressor and hindquarters vasodilator responses to PAMP were not significantly decreased, whereas phentolamine significantly decreased systemic and hindquarters pressor responses to norepinephrine. Phentolamine had no significant effect on vasodilator responses to bradykinin, albuterol, or to nitroglycerin. CONCLUSIONS: The present data show that PAMP has significant systemic vasodepressor and vasodilator activity in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat and suggest that vasodepressor and hindquarters vasodilator responses to PAMP are not dependent upon the presence of adrenergic vasomotor tone.

Analysis of responses to bradykinin in the rat hindquarters vascular bed

The mechanism by which bradykinin (BK) decreases vascular resistance was investigated in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat. Under conditions of controlled blood flow, BK produced dose-related decreases in hindquarters perfusion pressure when injected into the perfusion circuit in doses of 0.1-1.0 pg. Responses to BK were reproducible with respect to time, and HOE-140 (D-Arg, [Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8] -BK), a kinin B2 receptor antagonist, decreased hindquarters vasodilator responses to the peptide. HOE-140 had no significant effect on responses to vasodilator agents, which act by a variety of pharmacologically distinct mechanisms. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitors N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine benzyl ester did not decrease responses to BK in doses that decreased hindquarters vasodilator responses to acetylcholine. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors meclofenamate and indomethacin had no effect on responses to BK in doses that attenuated vasodilator responses to the prostaglandin precursor, arachidonic acid. Clotrimazole or 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA), cytochrome P-450 arachidonic acid metabolism inhibitors, in doses that attenuated vasodilator responses to arachidonic acid, had no effect on responses to BK. Glybenclamide or U-37883A (4-morpholinecarboximidine-N-1-adamantyl-N'-cyclohexyl), K+-ATP channel antagonists, in doses that attenuated responses to lemakalim, had no significant effect on responses to BK. Finally, des-Arg9-BK, a reported kinin B1 receptor agonist, decreased hindquarters perfusion pressure when injected in doses of 3-30 microg, and responses to the B1 agonist were attenuated by HOE-140. The observation that des-Arg9-BK, in high doses, induces modest HOE-140-sensitive responses suggests that kinin B1 receptors are not normally expressed in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat. The present results indicate that BK dilates the hindquarters vascular bed by a kinin B2 receptor mechanism that is independent of the release of nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase, or P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid or the activation of K+-ATP channels.

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of hemangiomas of soft tissue

Presented in this paper are the results of ultrasonic examination in 29 cases of hemangiomas of soft tissue. Out of the 29 cases, 20 lesions were revealed as heterogeneous echoic masses; 6 as anechoic areas and 3 as solid masses. Hyperechoic foci of calcifications or phlebolithes were detected in 16 cases. Intramuscular hemangiomas were sonographically diagnosed in 15 patients; hemangiomas of soft tissue in 8, pseudoaneurysm in 3; deformity of the arteriovenous fistula in 1 and hemangiosarcoma in 2. The diagnosis in 28 patients were surgically and pathologically confirmed and the remaining one was confirmed by aspiration and cytological examination. The diagnostic accuracy of the ultrasound was 100%.

Effects of captopril on responses to bradykinin in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat

The effects of captopril, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on responses to bradykinin (BK), to angiotensin (Ang) I and II, and to other agonists were investigated in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat. Under conditions of controlled flow, intra-arterial (i.a.) injections of BK in doses of 0.1-1.0 microgram, produced dose related decreases in hindquarters perfusion pressure and evoked decreases in systemic arterial pressure. Intra-arterial injections of Ang I and II produced dose-related increases in hindquarters perfusion pressure. Following administration of captopril in a dose of 2 mg/kg i.v., vasodilator responses to i.a. injections of BK were only slightly enhanced in the hindquarters vascular bed, whereas the evoked systemic vasodepressor responses to i.a. injections of BK were markedly enhanced by the ACE inhibitor. Captopril significantly reduced vasoconstrictor responses to i.a. injections of Ang I, whereas vasoconstrictor responses to i.a. injections of Ang II were significantly enhanced. The ACE inhibitor did not significantly alter vasodilator responses to i.a. injections of acetylcholine, nitroglycerin, nitric oxide, albuterol, or pinacidil. The present data show that BK has potent vasodilator activity in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat and suggest that the site of action is most likely upstream from the site of inactivation, whereas the site of action of Ang I is at or near the site of conversion to Ang II in the hindquarters vascular bed. The observation that the evoked systemic vasodepressor responses to i.a. injections of BK were greatly enhanced, suggest that the lung is the major site of inactivation of BK.

[Clinical study of shuizhi-dahuang mixture in treating schizophrenics with blood stasis syndrome]

A clinical study of 67 female schizophrenics was conducted. Thirty two patients of them treated with the Shuizhi (leech)-Dahuang (rhubarb) mixture mainly with low dosage of antipsychotic drugs (combined therapy group), while other 35 cases were treated with antipsychotic drugs only (control group). The result showed that their overall therapeutic effects were similar and the combined therapy group could reduce the dosages of antipsychotic drugs and its side effects, and tended to normalize the hemorheologic indices.

Analysis of vancomycin in the hindlimb vascular bed of the rat

Previously, studies have demonstrated that the effects of both a laboratory-produced vancomycin and a clinically available vancomycin were mediated, in part, by activation of both H(1) and H(2) receptors; however, other mechanisms may play a role in the vascular changes associated with vancomycin, since neither H(1) and H(2) receptor blockade has completely abolished the vasodilator responses to vancomycin in any model system. To study the mechanisms of vancomycin interactions in the hindlimb vascular bed of the rat, responses of two types of vancomycin preparations were studied. Vancomycin prepared for either clinical or laboratory use produced an initial short-lived period of vasoconstriction followed by a prolonged period of vasodilation in the hindlimb vascular bed. Responses to both the vancomycins and histamine on systemic arterial vasodilation were significantly decreased after administration of both the H(1)-receptor antagonist diphenhydramine and the H(2)-receptor antagonist famotidine. Verapamil, an L-type calcium channel blocker, significantly reduced the vasopressor responses to clinical vancomycin but not the vasopressor responses to laboratory vancomycin. Enalaprilat, and angiotensin-converting enzyme blocker, significantly reduced the vasodilator responses but not the vasoconstrictor responses of clinical vancomycin and significantly reduced the vasoconstrictor responses but not the vasodilator responses to laboratory vancomycin. Meclofenamate, a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, and N(omega)-L-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor, had no significant effect on the biphasic responses with either vancomycin preparations. Atropine, an anticholinergic-antimuscarinic receptor antagonist, and propranolol, a beta adrenergic blocker, had no significant effect on vancomycin responses. Finally, ondansetron, a serotonin receptor blocker, and HOE 140, a bradykinin receptor blocker, also had no significant effect on vancomycin responses. These data suggest that both vancomycin preparations (clinically available and laboratory prepared) caused biphasic responses that differed from the dose-dependent vasodilation elicited by histamine. Both vancomycin preparations' vasodilator responses appear to be modulated, in part, by a histamine receptor--sensitive mechanism, while vancomycin-induced vasoconstrictor responses appear to be modulated, in part, by angiotensin-converting enzyme and L-type calcium channel--sensitive mechanisms in the rat hindlimb vascular bed. These data also suggest that the vascular responses of vancomycin are preparation dependent.

Sonographic diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in the early stage

This article presents sonographic diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in early stage. 24 children with clinically suspected acute hematogenous osteomyelitis were detected to have subperiosteal abscesses by ultrasound during four to fourteen days after onset. The mean length and anteroposterior distance of the subperiosteal abscesses were 86.4 mm and 10.7 mm, respectively. Of 24 cases of subperiosteal abscesses, aspiration performed under ultrasound guidance revealed purulent fluid in all and 23 were verified surgically. The results obtained indicate that ultrasound can be used in diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis in the early stage. The earliest case was diagnosed by ultrasound 4 days after onset. By use of ultrasound, differentiation diagnosis of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis from other diseases such as cellulitis, soft tissue abscess, acute septic arthritis and malignant bone tumors is also discussed.

L-NAME modulates responses to adrenomedullin in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat

Responses to synthetic human adrenomedullin (ADM), a novel hypotensive peptide recently discovered in human pheochromocytoma cells, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a structurally related peptide, were investigated in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat. Under conditions of controlled hindquarters blood flow, intraarterial injections of ADM (0.01-0.3 nmol) and of CGRP (0.03-0.3 nmol) caused dose-related decreases in hindquarters perfusion pressure and decreases in systemic arterial pressure. Following administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), hindquarters vasodilator and systemic depressor responses to ADM were significantly decreased, whereas L-NAME did not significantly decrease the vasodilator response to CGRP in either the hindquarters or systemic vascular beds. Following administration of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, meclofenamate, vasodilator responses to ADM and to CGRP were not significantly decreased. When the relative vasodilator activity of the two peptides was compared on a nmol basis, responses to ADM were similar to responses with CGRP in the hindquarters vascular bed, whereas ADM was 30-100 fold less potent than CGRP in decreasing systemic arterial pressure. The present data demonstrate that ADM has significant vasodilator activity in the hindquarters vascular bed of the rat, that hindquarters vasodilator and systemic vasodepressor responses to ADM, but not to CGRP, are dependent upon the release of nitric oxide from the endothelium.

Sonographic diagnosis of intramuscular hemangiomas

This article reports 10 cases of intramuscular hemangiomas diagnosed by ultrasound. The results obtained demonstrated that the intramuscular hemangiomas were revealed sonographically as a spindle-shaped or ellipse-shaped mass with a mixed echo structure in the skeletal muscle, and usually with small calcifications. The solid parts of the tumor most commonly have a medium echogenicity, but few hyperechogenicity. The cavity or sinus containing blood has a hypoecho or echo-free structure.

Ultrasound diagnosis of effusion of the hip

This paper reports on two prospective studies of ultrasound examination of the hip in 150 healthy subjects and 50 patients with hip joint diseases. The sagittal distance of the anterior recess of the hip was measured on the sonogram of the sagittal section. The normal value in adults, teenagers and children was 4.54 mm +/- 0.99 mm, 4.27 mm +/- 1.26 mm and 3.40 mm +/- 0.93 mm, respectively. Ultrasound examination of both hips in 50 patients with hip joint diseases showed that the sagittal distance of the anterior recess was significantly widened in the symptomatic side, and the mean value in the symptomatic side and normal side was 12.02 mm +/- 3.68 mm, and 4.12 mm +/- 1.15 mm, respectively. Ultrasound showed echo-free area in anterior recess in 42 hips, hypoecho and medium echo area in 8 hips. Of 50 patients undergoing plain radiography, 33 showed bony changes of the hip, and the remaining 17 no change whatever. The results obtained demonstrated that ultrasound can accurately detect effusion of the hip, what is more, it is easy to operate, inexpensive, noninvasive, convenient for follow-up and without radiation damage.

[Effect of suo quan pill for reducing clozapine induced salivation]

40 Schizophrenic inpatients with clozapine induced salivation were divided into two groups randomly. They were treated with Suo Quan pill and a control study of the placebo (neutral pill) for reducing clozapine induced salivation. These cases were also classified by TCM Syndrome Differentiation and laboratory examinations were performed.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in effect on salivation between the therapeutic group (21 cases) and the controlled group (19 cases), P < 0.01. According to their TCM subtypes two subtypes (Stagnation of Phlegm-Dampness and Yin Deficiency) showed the best results. No correlation between the peripheral clozapine level and salivation was found. No side effect was recorded.

Histochemical localization of mushroom tyrosinase in whole tissue sections on nitrocellulose

Mushrooms were cut into vertical and horizontal sections. These sections were blotted onto nitrocellulose sheets and the sheets were then stained for tyrosinase using L-dopa. Tyrosinase was localized throughout the mushroom tissues but more enzyme was located in the epidermis of the cap, the gill region, and the stipe. Preincubation of the nitrocellulose sheets in specific inhibitors of tyrosinase completely blocked enzyme staining, suggesting that the enzyme stained areas on the nitrocellulose blots were regions of tyrosinase activity. Immunochemical localization of tyrosinase was similar to that observed by histochemical staining. Nitrocellulose blotting of mushrooms allows localizations of enzyme at the whole tissue level and may be useful for other enzymes in mushrooms as well.

Anion carrier in the human erythrocyte exists as a dimer

The in situ state of assembly of the human erythrocyte anion carrier (band 3) has been investigated by applying target size analysis on the radiation-induced inactivation of anion flux and degradation of polypeptide band 3. Irradiation with a high energy electron beam resulted in inactivation of carrier-mediated anion flux in intact cells, in inside-out vesicles devoid of cytoskeletal and cytoplasmic proteins, and in inside-out vesicles whose band 3 protein has been partially proteolyzed, with little change in leak pathway. The inactivation showed a single exponential function of radiation dose from which the target size of the anion carrier was estimated to be 210,000, 220,000, and 98,000 daltons in intact cells, in the inside-out vesicles, and in the vesicles after a limited proteolysis, respectively. Irradiation also resulted in degradation of the band 3 of the inside-out vesicles, as detected on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, with a dose dependence characteristic of a target size of 220,000 daltons. It is suggested that the human erythrocyte anion carrier exists in situ as a dimer of band 3.

Successful treatment of far-advanced progressive systemic sclerosis by D-penicillamine

A 52-yr-old man had chronic recurrent pseudo-obstruction of the colon, along with multisystem disease secondary to progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). D-Penicillamine treatment reversed the PSS, which involved the duodenum, small and large intestines, lungs, myocardium, and proximal and peripheral skin. The improvement was documented by electrocardiogram pulmonary function studies, roentgenography of gastrointestinal tract, and by repeated skin biopsies. Hand blood-volume studies using 99m Tc also revealed improvement of PSS in both hands. A variable degree of improvement was documented in seven additional patients with PSS. Follow-up periods were 18 mo to 4 yr. The most common side effect of the drug was transient hypogeusia, and no patient showed a serious side effect. This article includes a review of the literature on penicillamine therapy for PSS.

Cockroach cause of allergic asthma. Its specificity and immunologic profile

To assess the etiologic role of cockroach antigen in bronchial asthma, 46 asthmatic subjects were studied using in vitro assays for total and cockroach-specific IgE antibodies (IgEcr) and the responsiveness of the skin and bronchial tree to the antigen challenge in vivo. Asthmatic subjects were divided into skin test-positive (PCR) and skin test-negative (NCR) groups according to immediate skin response to cockroach antigen. The 28 in the PCR group showed high total IgE (1,901 ng/ml) and a high cockroach-specific IgE antibody level (329%) in the serum compared to the 10 in the NCR group (IgE: 915 ng/ml, IgEcr:84%) (p less than 0.001). Bronchial challenge with the antigen revealed immediate asthmatic reaction (30/33) and late asthmatic reaction (16/33) in the PCR asthmatics, whereas the NCR asthmatics showed neither immediate asthmatic reaction (2/13 showed questionable decrease in FEV1) nor late asthmatic reaction (p less than 0.001). A marked increase in peripheral eosinophils (758% vs 121%) was noted following antigen inhalation in the skin test-positive asthmatics (p less than 0.025). The results indicate that cockroach antigen causes antigen-specific IgE-mediated bronchial asthma and peripheral eosinophilia in specifically sensitized asthmatic subjects.

A comparative study of prevalence of skin hypersensitivity to cockroach and house dust antigens

Allergy skin tests with cockroach antigen along with various common inhalant allergens were performed on 222 atopic and on 63 non-atopic subjects. The most prevalent allergen producing a positive skin test was house dust antigen with a positive response of 72%, 78% and 57% in atopic adults, atopic children and non-atopic children, respectively. The next prevalent positive skin test was to cockroach antigen with 50%, 60% and 27%, respectively, of the three groups tested. The differences between positive cockroach hypersensitivity and house dust hypersensitivity in all three groups tested were statistically significant. Next in order of prevalence of positive skin test to common inhalants were western weeds, ragweeds and cats. Incidence of cockroach hypersensitivity was 58% among asthmatic adults and 69% among asthmatic children. The results indicate that cockroach hypersensitivity is highly prevalent and that cockroach antigen is an independent agent from house dust as a cause of immediate hypersensitivity reaction.