[Effects of nitrendipine on diastolic left ventricular function and hypertrophy in patients with hypertension]

To assess the effects of antihypertensive therapy on the heart, left ventricular mass and performance indices (determined by M-mode and pulsed Doppler echocardiography) were compared before and after 4-5 months of nitrendipine therapy in 19 primary hypertensive patients (stage I and II). MAP was reduced from 17.1 +/- 1.7 to 14.5 +/- 1.7 kPa (128.5 +/- 12.7 to 109.0 +/- 13.1 mm Hg), P less than 0.001. The heart rate increased from 68 +/- 8 to 70 +/- 8 beats/min (P greater than 0.05). None of the indices for systolic function (SV, SI, CO, CI, EF, FS) changed significantly (P greater than 0.05). But the indices for diastolic function (RFF, RFR, VLef, IRP, EFv, A/E) improved remarkably (P less than 0.001 or 0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the increasing rate of VLef and decreasing rate of MAP (r = 0.58, P less than 0.005) was noticed. Therefore, the decreasing in arterial pressure is considered as a major relative factor in the improvement of diastolic dysfunction. The patients were divided into two groups according to LVMI: group A, 11 patients with LVMI greater than or equal to 125 g/m2; while group B, 8 patients with LVMI less than 125 g/m2. The LV diastolic relaxation index IRP improved to a greater degree in group B (P less than 0.05), although the reduction of MAP was more markable in group A (P less than 0.05). This means that factors other than arterial pressure may influence the LV diastolic relaxation. In group A, the LVMI decreased from 155.1 +/- 29.9 to 144.4 +/- 33.0 g/m2 (a reduction of 7.0 +/- 9.0%). It suggests that LV hypertrophy can be "reversed" following nitrendipine therapy in some of the hypertensive patients.

[Effects of high carbohydrate and high fat diet on plasma apolipoproteins AI, AII, B100, CI, CII, CIII and E in normal and hypertriglyceridemic humans]

Effects of high carbohydrate (CHO) and high fat diet on plasma apolipoproteins (apo) AI, AII, B100, CI, CII, CIII and E were assessed in 10 healthy subjects and 10 patients with endogenous hypertriglyceridemia. High CHO diet consisted of 80% CHO, 5% fat and 15% protein of total calories, and high fat diet consisted of 40% CHO, 45% fat and 15% protein. After 5 days normal diet (60% of total calories from CHO, 25% from from fat and 15% from protein), the subjects studied received sequentially high CHO diet and normal diet for 5 days and high fat diet and normal diet for 5 days. Fasting blood samples were drawn on days 1, 3, and 5 of high CHO and high fat diet period, and 5 days after taking normal diet. Results showed that fasting plasma apo AI slightly decreased (P less than 0.01) on day 3 of the high CHO diet period and slightly increased (P less than 0.01) on day 3 of the high fat diet period, plasma apo AII increased after intake of high CHO diet, but no changes were observed after the subjects were placed on high fat diet. Fasting plasma apo B100 decreased (P less than 0.001) in hypertriglyceridemics on the 3rd day of the high CHO diet, but no differences were noted in normal subjects on the same diet. On the 3rd day of the high fat diet period, apo B100 increased (P less than 0.01) in normal subjects, but no changes were found in hypertriglyceridemics. Apo CII and CIII levels declined during the high CHO diet period but increased in normal subjects after intake of high fat died.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assessment of right ventricular function with nonimaging first pass ventriculography and comparison of results with gamma camera studies

A new technique has been developed for measuring right ventricular function by nonimaging first pass ventriculography. The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) obtained by non-imaging first pass ventriculography was compared with that obtained by gamma camera first pass and equilibrium ventriculography. The data has demonstrated that the correlation of RVEFs obtained by the nonimaging nuclear cardiac probe and by gamma camera first pass ventriculography in 15 subjects was comparable (r = 0.93). There was also a good correlation between RVEFs obtained by the nonimaging nuclear probe and by equilibrium gated blood pool studies in 33 subjects (r = 0.89). RVEF was significantly reduced in 15 patients with right ventricular and/or inferior myocardial infarction compared to normal subjects (28 +/- 9% v. 45 +/- 9%). The data suggests that nonimaging probes may be used for assessing right ventricular function accurately.

Structural and Electronic Role of Lead in (PbBi) 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8 Superconductors by STM

The structural and electronic effects of lead substitution in the high-temperature superconducting materials Pb(x)Bi(2-x)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8) have been characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Large-area STM images of the Bi(Pb)-O layers show that lead substitution distorts and disorders the one-dimensional superlattice found in these materials. Atomic-resolution images indicate that extra oxygen atoms are present in the Bi(Pb)-O layers. STS data show that the electronic structure of the Bi(Pb)-O layers is insensitive to lead substitution within +/-0.5 electron volt of the Fermi level; however, a systematic decrease in the density of states is observed at approximately 1 electron volt above the Fermi level. Because the superconducting transition temperatures are independent of x(Pb) (x </= 0.7), these microscopic STM and STS data suggest that the lead-induced electronic and structural changes in the Bi(Pb)-O layer do not perturb the electronic states critical to forming the superconducting state in this system.

New Taxanes from Taxus chinensis

Two new taxane diterpenes, decinnamoyltaxagifine ( 3) and decinnanioyltaxagifine acetate ( 2), have been isolated from the leaves and stems of TAXUS CHINENSIS. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Their (13)C-NMR chemical shifts were assigned.

Cystic echinococcosis in the Xinjiang/Uygur Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China. I. Demographic and epidemiologic data

Demographic and epidemiologic data on those factors potentially related to the prevalence and transmission of hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus were collected in 1987 from each household in 85 villages in the two communities of Yuanhucun and Ershilidian within Hutubi County in the Xinjiang/Uygur Autonomous Region, PRC, with additional questionnaire data collected from approximately 40 households randomly selected from each of 16 villages within those communities. Yuanhucun and Ershilidian represent a combined area of 522.7 square km, and have 4,853 households with 25,684 inhabitants. Of those households, 69.9% are of the Han ethnic group, 22.1% Hui, 5.3% Uygur, and 2.7% Kazak. The total number of animals censused included 4,169 dogs, 41,369 sheep, 3,673 goats, 2,639 cattle, 5,400 pigs, 1,472 horses, and 59 donkeys. Levels of infection of the causative organism of cystic hydatid disease in various hosts were: dogs harboring Echinococcus granulosus tapeworms - 63 (16.2%) positive of 390 examined in 16 villages; domestic animals with hydatid cysts - 1,593 (88.6%) sheep of 1,797 examined, 69 (56.1%) of 123 goats, and 47 (94.0%) of 50 cattle; and 15 surgeries in inhabitants from 85 villages during the last 16 months prior to completion of the survey (annual case rate of 43.8/100,000). Questionnaire data collected from inhabitants in 16 villages showed that about 82% of the families owned at least one dog and 78% owned sheep. Of those families with sheep, most (84%) killed sheep for meat at least periodically, 76% had seen hydatid cysts in liver or lungs of butchered animals, and 77% routinely gave raw offal to their dog.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cordyceps Sinensis-I as an immunosuppressant in heterotopic heart allograft model in rats

To investigate the inhibitory effects of Cordyceps Sinensis-I (CS-1) on the immune response responsible for the organ transplant rejection, we studied its effects of prolonging heterotopic heart allograft survival on rat model with heart graft; the effects of CS-1 were compared with those of cyclosporine A and glucocorticoid, and the possible pathological changes caused by CS-1 were observed. Our results showed that CS-1 can prolong the survival of grafted heart without causing infection, and it did not exert detrimental effects on vital organs. As a result, it proves to be a promising immunosuppressant in clinical organ transplantation in the future.

[Therapeutic effects of 9 antitumor drugs on stomach adenocarcinoma (MKN-28) in nude mice]

Therapeutic effects of 9 antitumor drugs were studied on nude mice inoculated with transplanted human stomach tumor (MKN-28). When cisplatin, cyclophosphamide, chlormethine, 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin C was given ip to nude mice bearing MKN-28 at respective dose of 3, 100, 40, 80 and 2 mg/kg once weekly for 3 wk, the tumor inhibition rates of the former 3 drugs were over 80%, while the later 2 were 70-77%. Cytarabine 200 mg/kg twice or thrice weekly for 3 wk gave an inhibition rate of 68-72%. Hydroxycamptothecin 20 mg/kg twice weekly for 3 wk showed a better therapeutic effect than that given at 40 mg/kg once weekly for 3 wk, the tumor inhibition rates were 65 and 32% respectively. No apparent effect of vincristine and methotrexate on MKN-28 was seen. Histopathological observation indicated that in cisplatin group, numerous necrotic areas of tumor cells as well as sparse infiltration of inflammatory cells were found.

Thromboxane B2 in cardiac lymph. Effect of superoxide dismutase and catalase during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion

Neutrophils have been implicated in the genesis of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and their mechanism of action has been linked to the production of reactive oxygen species, fatty acid-derived prostanoids, and leukotrienes. In this study, we examined the potential relation between production of reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase-derived autacoids by studying the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) on the rise in thromboxane formation observed with myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Immunoreactive thromboxane B2 was measured in cardiac lymph from conscious dogs during reperfusion after a 60-minute occlusion in the presence of infusions of SOD alone, CAT alone, and a combination of SOD and CAT. Reperfusion after 60 minutes of ischemia causes an immediate elevation in thromboxane B2. SOD and CAT infusion prevented this rise in thromboxane B2 as did infusion of SOD alone. The ability of SOD-CAT to suppress thromboxane B2 production dissipated within 3 hours after the cessation of infusion, at which time thromboxane B2 excretion increased. The modulation of fatty acid oxygenases by reactive oxygen species may be a very important pathogenic factor in considering the origin of the protective effect of antioxidants in the setting of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

[Pharmacological action of various processed Mylabris phalerata Pallas]

We have compared the acute toxicity, sub-acute toxicity and in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor action of the rude drug, stir-fried with rice, and alkali-processed drugs of Mylabris phalerata before and after removing the head, feet and wings. The results indicate that the toxicity of the processed drugs is lower than that of the rude ones; the toxicity becomes higher without head, feet, and wings; and the alkali-processing method is better than stir-frying with rice recorded in the pharmacopeia.

[Studies of the herbal and botanical origins of seman Cuscutae]

Herbalogical study shows that Seman Cuscutae originated from Cuscuta chinensis is one of the most commonly used drugs in ancient times. Survey of botanical origins indicates that there are 9 species in Genus Cuscutae and 4 of them are commodities. The Cuscuta chinensis specified in current Chinese Pharmacopoeia (1985) is not the principal one.

[Quantification of human serum apolipoprotein A II by radial immunodiffusion]

A radial immunodiffusion assay (RID) for human serum apolipoprotein A II (apo A II) was developed. Antisera to human apoA II were raised in goats with purified apoA II. The antibody-gel plate was prepared with 1% agarose. 5 microliters of each sample was added in a well. Diffusion was performed at 25 degrees C for 48 h. The minimum measurable concentration of apoA II was 58ng. The standard curve with a working range of 17.3-69 mg/dl was plotted. The coefficients of variation of within and between plates were 1.5-4.6% and 5.6% respectively. The recovery of the assay was 90.3-102.0%. The concentrations of apoA II for healthy men and women in Chengdu area were 26.7 +/- 4.4 mg/dl (n = 45) and 26.6 +/- 4.6 mg/dl (n = 31) respectively.

[Electron microscopic observation of the effects of Rhodiola kirilowii (Regel.) Maxim. in preventing damage of the rat viscera by a hypoxic high altitude environment]

This paper has shown that the pathologic damages done to rat's viscera due to hypoxic environment of altitude can be reduced significantly by oral administrations of Shengmaiyin, Danshen-Chuanxiong mixture and Rhodiola kirilowii. Shengmaiyin that maintains interior substances in the plate layer bodies proves more effective than Danshen-Chuanxiong mixture, while the latter excels in preventing capillary contraction, thus improving blood circulation. Rhodiola kirilowii has the effects of both Shengmaiyin and Danshen-Chuanxiong mixtures.

[Comparison of bacteriostatic ability of oleum of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt., Cinnamomum cassia Presl and Nipagin A]

A comparison of bacteriostatic ability has been carried out among oleum of Perilla frutescens and Cinnamomum cassia, benzoic acid and nipagin A. The result shows that the inhibiting effect of Perilla frutescens and Cinnamomum cassia on microorganisms inoculated and spontaneously contaminated is similar to or obviously superior to nipagin A and benzoic acid.

Gaussian beam spread in biological tissues

Flux density distributions were measured in large tissue sections illuminated with 633- and 1064-nm laser radiation delivered by an optical fiber. The results were modeled by solving the 2-D diffusion approximation for an incident Gaussian beam and fitting the data with nonlinear regression. It is shown that the radial average flux density is exponentially attenuated for an arbitrary incident irradiance profile.

The Cerium(IV)-Induced Decomposition of Peroxymonosulfate: Acid Dependence and Peroxydisulfate Formation

An improved rate law for the CeIV-induced decomposition of HOOSO3- in aqueous H2SO4 has been established by study of the rate as a function of acidity. In aqueous HClO4 the rate is much faster but a rate law could not be obtained. Peroxydisulfate, by a variant of the AsIII and FeII analysis of the redox system, has been shown to be formed in the amount of half of the CeIV lost. A free-radical chain mechanism is postulated.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple resection) in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis

The armamentarium of the pancreatic surgeon must include multiple operative techniques, to be adapted to the clinical and anatomical findings in the patient with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an essential component of this armamentarium. Its indications and limitations require continued refinement. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple operation) provides excellent results in the relief of the pain of chronic pancreatitis. The incidence of reoperation for control of pain after this procedure is less than after drainage procedures. The postoperative mortality rate in recent report is less than 2%. Whereas resection of pancreatic tissue diminishes pancreatic function, the metabolic deficits are partially compensated by the better nutritional status resulting from pain relief and discontinuation of narcotics. In experienced hands, pancreaticoduodenectomy would appear to be the procedure of choice in patients with small pancreatic ducts. In selected patients, it appears to be a good procedure and, possibly, the operation of choice when the disease is predominantly present in the head of the pancreas and/or the uncinate process, especially when strictures involve the common bile duct and duodenum. The authors prefer the procedure when a hard, chronically-inflamed mass is present in the head of the pancreas. In our experience, if the suspicion of malignancy of the head of the pancreas persists at operation, pancreaticoduodenectomy is the procedure of choice. Before undertaking resection, the individual surgeon must assess his/her own experience; a low risk is essential. The continuing alcoholic is not a candidate for pancreaticoduodenectomy. Those who will not stop drinking should seldom be accepted for resection. The same limitation exists for the narcotic addict, but few such patients are encountered today. In the authors' experience, the operation is excellent for the relief of pain. It is the lifestyle of the continuing alcoholic that poses the more significant problem.

A dual-frequency electrical impedance tomography system

An electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system has been constructed, operating at two frequencies, 40.96 and 81.92 kHz, for investigating the practicability of the dual-frequency imaging method discussed theoretically in a previous paper. For testing the system, a phantom with a frequency-dependent electrical conductivity was designed. The properties of the phantom can be adjusted to match the frequency dependence observed in a given type of tissue. Dual-frequency images were obtained from a phantom simulating liver and also from 200 g of porcine liver in a saline tank. Prior to image reconstruction, it was necessary to apply a correction to the data to cancel the effects of stray capacitance within the electronics.

Technetium-99m labeled p-aminohippuric acid analogues: renal function agents

A number of p-aminohippuric acid analogues were synthesized in order to develop clinically useful 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals for evaluation of renal function measurements. Stable 99mTc-labeled complexes were formed at pH 5.7 using a Sn(II) reduction method with all derivatives. The newly synthesized complexes were screened utilizing biodistribution studies in small animals. All complexes were excreted via the GU tract within 60 min post iv administration, with no significant activity in GI tract and liver. The [99mTc]methyl-PAHIDA complex showed optimal biodistribution among these analogues. Further investigation is needed to determine if these derivatives may be used to replace [131I]o-iodohippuric acid for the evaluation of renal function.

Applications of the 1-D diffusion approximation to the optics of tissues and tissue phantoms

Optical constants of animal and plant tissues were measured over a wide spectral range using an integrating sphere spectrophotometer. The data were analyzed with two formulations of the 1-D diffusion approximation differing in the phase function. The accuracy of the similarity transformation was examined with tissue phantoms incorporating known chromophores in light scattering media.

Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of acute pyrethroid poisoning

This article reviews 573 cases of acute pyrethroid poisoning reported in the Chinese medical literatures during 1983-1988. There were 325 cases of acute deltamethrin poisoning (occupational 158, accidental 167), 196 patients of acute fenvalerate poisoning (occupational 63, accidental 133, including 2 cases of ingestive fenvalerate-organophosphate mixture poisoning), 45 cases of acute cypermethrin poisoning (occupational 6, accidental 39) and 7 cases of other pyrethroid poisoning (occupational 2, accidental 5). The clinical manifestations have been reviewed and analysed. The diagnosis, gradation and differential diagnosis of occupational acute pyrethroid poisoning have been discussed.

Observation of high-order degenerate wave mixing in BaTiO(3)

We report for the first time to our knowledge some phenomena of high-order degenerate wave mixing observed in a BaTiO(3) crystal when self-pumped phase conjugation occurs. Applications of these phenomena are discussed.

Selective control of rat granulosa cell inhibin production by FSH and LH in vitro

We studied the role of luteinising hormone (LH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in regulation of rat granulosa cell inhibin production. Whereas pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) or purified rat follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulated inhibin accumulation in culture media up to 6-fold in a dose-dependent manner, hCG or LH alone were without significant effect. Concomitant addition of hCG or LH to cultures containing half maximal or maximal stimulating concentrations of PMSG did, however, result in a dose-dependent inhibition of PMSG/FSH-induced inhibin production. However, in the 2-step culture system a biphasic effect of hCG treatment on FSH-primed granulosa cell inhibin and progesterone production was evident. hCG was only inhibitory when the cells in the 2-step system were primed with PMSG. These data indicate that granulosa cell inhibin production is under direct control of both FSH and LH, and provide a possible explanation for alterations in inhibin activity around the time of ovulation in vivo.

Phosphorylation of platelet actin binding protein protects against proteolysis by calcium dependent sulfhydryl protease

When Actin Binding Protein (ABP) isolated from human blood platelets is phosphorylated in vitro with a cyclic AMP dependent kinase it becomes resistant to proteolysis by the Calcium Dependent Sulfhydryl Protease (CDSP). This protection against proteolytic cleavage is specific for CDSP since phosphorylation of ABP does not protect against proteolysis by trypsin, papain and thermolysin. Thus, there appears to be a distinct phosphorylation site on the ABP molecule which is essential for regulating the initial proteolytic degradation of ABP by CDSP.