Solar CO2 Reduction Enabled by Cascade Hole Migration

Solar-powered photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbon fuels represents an emerging approach to solving the greenhouse effect. However, low charge separation efficiency, deficiency of surface catalytic active sites, and sluggish charge-transfer kinetics, together with the complicated reaction pathway, concurrently hinder the CO2 reduction. Herein, we show the rational construction of transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) heterostructure CO2 reduction photosystems, wherein the TMC substrate is tightly integrated with amorphous oxygen-containing cobalt sulfide (CoSOH) by a solid non-conjugated polymer, i.e., poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), to customize the unidirectional charge-transfer pathway. In this well-defined multilayered nanoarchitecture, the PVA interim layer intercalated between TMCs and CoSOH acts as a hole-relaying mediator and meanwhile boosts CO2 adsorption capacity, while CoSOH functions as a terminal hole-collecting reservoir, stimulating the charge transport kinetics and boosting the charge separation over TMCs. This peculiar interface configuration and charge transport characteristics endow TMC/PVA/CoSOH heterostructures with significantly enhanced visible-light-driven photoactivity and CO2 conversion. Based on the intermediates probed during the photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction, the photocatalytic mechanism was determined. Our work would inspire sparkling ideas to mediate the charge transfer over semiconductor for solar carbon neutral conversion.

Maneuvering the Directional Charge Flow for Photoredox Organic Conversion

Transition-metal chalcogenide quantum dots (TMC QDs) show great promise in artificial photosynthesis for excellent light-harvesting capability. Nonetheless, TMC QDs have limitations of ultrafast charge recombination rate, sluggish carrier migration kinetics, and generic photocorrosion, retarding their widespread applications. To solve these obstacles, herein, we demonstrate the stimulation of charge migration over TMC QDs with the aid of nonconjugated insulating polymer and graphene (GR) for a versatile photoredox selective organic transformation. To this end, an ultrathin insulating polymer layer, i.e., poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH), grafted on the GR framework, is electrostatically intercalated at the interface of TMCs QDs and the GR framework via a self-assembly for constructing TMC QDs/PAH/GR three-dimensional spatially multilayered heterostructures. In this well-defined nanoarchitecture, TMC QDs function as a light-harvesting antenna, GR as a terminal electron reservoir, and PAH as an intermediate interfacial charge relay mediator. We ascertain that the ultrathin PAH interim layer unexpectedly fosters the photoelectron migration from TMCs QDs to the GR framework in a tunable fashion, boosting the charge separation of TMCs QDs and resulting in significantly improved photoactivities toward anaerobic reduction of aromatic nitro compounds to amino derivatives and oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes under visible light. Photoredox catalysis mechanisms of such TMC QDs/PAH/GR photosystems are elucidated, and the active species in these photoredox organic conversion reactions are comprehensively determined. Our work would open new frontiers to finely modulate the charge transport of TMCs QDs via nonconjugated insulating polymers for solar energy conversion.

Salvianolic acid B ameliorates retinal deficits in an early-stage Alzheimer's disease mouse model through downregulating BACE1 and Aβ generation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with subtle onset, early diagnosis remains challenging. Accumulating evidence suggests that the emergence of retinal damage in AD precedes cognitive impairment, and may serve as a critical indicator for early diagnosis and disease progression. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a bioactive compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD and Parkinson's disease. In this study we investigated the therapeutic effects of Sal B on retinopathy in early-stage AD. One-month-old transgenic mice carrying five familial AD mutations (5×FAD) were treated with Sal B (20 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 3 months. At the end of treatment, retinal function and structure were assessed, cognitive function was evaluated in Morris water maze test. We showed that 4-month-old 5×FAD mice displayed distinct structural and functional deficits in the retinas, which were significantly ameliorated by Sal B treatment. In contrast, untreated, 4-month-old 5×FAD mice did not exhibit cognitive impairment compared to wild-type mice. In SH-SY5Y-APP751 cells, we demonstrated that Sal B (10 μM) significantly decreased BACE1 expression and sorting into the Golgi apparatus, thereby reducing Aβ generation by inhibiting the β-cleavage of APP. Moreover, we found that Sal B effectively attenuated microglial activation and the associated inflammatory cytokine release induced by Aβ plaque deposition in the retinas of 5×FAD mice. Taken together, our results demonstrate that functional impairments in the retina occur before cognitive decline, suggesting that the retina is a valuable reference for early diagnosis of AD. Sal B ameliorates retinal deficits by regulating APP processing and Aβ generation in early AD, which is a potential therapeutic intervention for early AD treatment.

Self-Transformation of Atomically Precise Alloy Nanoclusters to Plasmonic Alloy Nanocrystals: Evaluating Photosensitization in Solar Water Oxidation

Atomically precise alloy nanoclusters (NCs) inherit the advantages of homometal NC counterparts such as atomic stacking fashion, quantum confinement effect, and enriched catalytic active sites and simultaneously possess the advantageous physicochemical properties such as significantly enhanced photostability, ideal photosensitization efficiency, and favorable energy band structure. Nevertheless, elucidation of the roles of alloy NCs and alloy nanocrystals (NYs) in boosting solar water oxidation has so far not yet been reported owing to the deficiency of applicable alloy NC photosystems. Herein, utilizing the generic thermal-induced self-transformation of alloy NCs to alloy NYs, we comprehensively explore the photosensitization properties of glutathione (GSH)-capped alloy NCs (AgxAu1-x@GSH and CuxAu1-x@GSH) and the corresponding alloy NY (AgAu and CuAu) counterparts in solar water oxidation reaction. The results imply that photoelectrons of alloy NCs surpass the hot electrons over plasmonic alloy NYs in stimulating the PEC water oxidation reaction. The photoelectrons of alloy NCs demonstrate lower interfacial charge-transfer resistance, longer carrier lifetime, and a more enhanced photosensitization effect with respect to the plasmonic alloy NYs, contributing to the significantly boosted photoelectrochemical water oxidation activities. Moreover, we found that our result is universal.

Amelioration of olfactory dysfunction in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease via enhancing GABAergic signaling

BACKGROUND

Olfactory dysfunction is among the earliest non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). As the foremost pathological hallmark, α-synuclein initiates the pathology in the olfactory pathway at the early stage of PD, particularly in the olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory bulb (OB). However, the local neural microcircuit mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunction between OE and OB in early PD remain unknown.

RESULTS

We observed that odor detection and discrimination were impaired in 6-month-old SNCA-A53T mice, while their motor ability remained unaffected. It was confirmed that α-synuclein increased and accumulated in OB but not in OE. Notably, the hyperactivity of mitral/tufted cells and the excitation/inhibition imbalance in OB were found in 6-month-old SNCA-A53T mice, which was attributed to the impaired GABAergic transmission and aberrant expression of GABA transporter 1 and vesicular GABA transporter in OB. We further showed that tiagabine, a potent and selective GABA reuptake inhibitor, could reverse the impaired olfactory function and GABAergic signaling in OB of SNCA-A53T mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our findings demonstrate potential synaptic mechanisms of local neural microcircuit underlying olfactory dysfunction at the early stage of PD. These results highlight the critical role of aberrant GABAergic signaling of OB in early diagnosis and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for early-stage PD.

[Comparison of adaptation and microstructure of titanium upper complete denture base fabricated by selecting laser melting and electron beam melting]

Objective: To fabricate Ti alloy frameworks for a maxillary complete denture with three-dimensional printing (3DP) technique, such as selective laser melting (SLM) and electron beam melting (EBM), and to evaluate the microstructure of these frameworks and their adaptation to the die stone models. Methods: Thirty pairs of edentulous casts were divided into 3 groups randomly and equally. In each group, one of the three techniques (SLM, EBM, conventional technique) was used to fabricate Ti alloy frameworks. The base-cast sets were transversally sectioned into 3 sections at the distal of canines, mesial of first molars, and the posterior palatal zone. The gap between the metal base and cast was measured in the 3 sections. Stereoscopic microscope was used to measure the gap. Three pieces of specimens of 5 mm diameter were fabricated with Ti alloy by SLM, EBM and the traditional casting technology (as mentioned above). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to evaluate the differences of microstructure among these specimens. Results: The gaps between the metal base and cast were (99.4±17.0), (98.2±26.1), and (99.6± 16.1) μm in conventional method; (99.4 ± 22.8), (83.1 ± 19.3), and (103.3 ± 13.8) μm in SLM technique; (248.3±70.3), (279.1±71.9), and (189.1±31.6) μm in EBM technique. There was no statistical difference in the value of gaps between SLM Ti alloy and conventional method Ti alloy group (P>0.05). There was statistical difference among EBM Ti alloy, conventional method Ti alloy and SLM Ti alloy group (P<0.05). The SLM Ti alloy showed more uniform and compact microstructure than the cast Ti alloy and EBM Ti alloy did. Conclusions: SLM technique showed initial feasibility to manufacture the dental base of complete denture. The mechanical properties and microstructure of the denture frameworks prepared by SLM indicate that these dentures are appropriate for clinical use. EBM technique is inadequate to make a complete denture now.

[Preliminary clinical efficacy of percutaneous transcystic papilla balloon dilation for removing common bile duct stones]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of percutaneous transcystic papilla balloon dilation for the common bile duct stones. Methods: A total of 11 patients with the common bile duct stones without dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts treated with percutaneous transcystic papilla balloon dilation in multiple center from April 2013 to May 2015 were analyzed retrospectively.In these 11 patients, there were 3 males and 8 females.And the average age was 68(52-91) years old.All patients had no obviously dilated intrahepatic bile duct, 6 patients were not suitable for endoscopic treatment or surgery, 4 patients refused endoscopic or surgical treatment and 1 patient had a history of failed endoscopic treatment.The white blood cell count, CA19-9, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, AST, ALT and serum amylase level were recorded before the procedure, 1 week, and 1 month later.Early complications, such as cholangitis, pancreatitis, hemorrhage, and perforation were evaluated. Results: Technical success was achieved in all the 11 cases.The level of CA19-9, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin decreased significantly 1 week and 1 month after the procedure.One patient suffered from biliary tract infection.No severe complications, such as perforation of biliary or gastrointestinal tract, occurred during the follow up.Common bile duct stone recurred in 1 patient 2 years after the procedure. Conclusions: For cases who are not suitable for endoscopic treatment, surgery, or percutaneous transhepatic approach to treat the common bile duct stones, percutaneous transcystic papilla dilation is technically feasible and safe, and seems to be an appropriate alternative strategy.

Segregation analysis of microsatellite (SSR) markers in sugarcane polyploids

No information is available on segregation analysis of DNA markers involving both pollen and self-progeny. Therefore, we used capillary electrophoresis- and fluorescence-based DNA fingerprinting together with single pollen collection and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to investigate simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker segregation among 964 single pollens and 288 self-progenies (S1) of sugarcane cultivar LCP 85-384. Twenty SSR DNA fragments (alleles) were amplified by five polymorphic SSR markers. Only one non-parental SSR allele was observed in 2392 PCRs. SSR allele inheritance was in accordance with Mendelian laws of segregation and independent assortment. Highly significant correlation coefficients were found between frequencies of observed and expected genotypes in pollen and S1 populations. Within the S1 population, the most frequent genotype of each SSR marker was the parental genotype of the same marker. The number of genotypes was higher in pollen than S1 population. PIC values of the five SSR markers were greater in pollen than S1 populations. Eleven of 20 SSR alleles (55%) were segregated in accordance with Mendelian segregation ratios expected from pollen and S1 populations of a 2n = 10x polyploid. Six of 20 SSR alleles were segregated in a 3:1 (presence:absence) ratio and were simplex markers. Four and one alleles were segregated in 77:4 and 143:1 ratios and considered duplex and triplex markers, respectively. Segregation ratios of remaining alleles were unexplainable. The results provide information about selection of crossing parents, estimation of seedling population optimal size, and promotion of efficient selection, which may be valuable for sugarcane breeders.

Effects of the multidrug resistance modulator HZ08 on the apoptosis pathway in human chronic leukaemia cell line K562/A02

ōancer falls to respond to chemotherapy by acquiring multidrug resistance in over 90% of patients. A previous study revealed that multidrug resistance modulator HZ08 had great multidrug resistance reversal effect in vitro and in vivo. It could enhance adriamycin (doxorubicin) induced intrinsic apoptosis pathway and rectify cell cycle and some apoptosis related proteins in human breast resistant cancer MCF-7/ADM cells. This study detected Rh123 accumulation to assess the effect of HZ08 on P-glycoprotein function in human chronic leukaemia cell line K562/A02. Moreover, mitochondria membrane potential, cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activity were analyzed for HZ08 treatment with or without vincristine. Since pretreatment with HZ08 could also reverse the multidrug resistance to vincristine in K562/A02 cells, the individual influence of HZ08 was further detected on apoptotic regulator like Bcl-2, Bax, p53, cell cycle checkpoints and proliferation regulatory factors like survivin, hTERT, c-Myc, c-Fos, c-Jun. Finally, it revealed that HZ08 increased vincristine induced activation in intrinsic apoptosis pathway by inhibition of P-gp mediated efflux. In addition, the outstanding reversal effect of HZ08 should also attribute to its individual effect on apoptosis and proliferation related regulatory factors. It renders HZ08 possibility of application in pretreatment to reverse multidrug resistance while avoiding unexpected drug interactions and accumulative toxicity.

Microbial population dynamics of granular aerobic sequencing batch reactors during start-up and steady state periods

This study investigates microbial population dynamics in granular sequencing batch reactors (GSBR). The experimental results of DGGE fingerprint of sludge demonstrated that the microbial community structure of sludge shifted significantly during granulation period and nutrient removal improvement period. After reactor performance and physical characteristics of sludge reached steady state, microbial population of sludge became relatively stable. The high similarity of microbial community structure between co-existed flocculated sludge and granular sludge in GSBR at different operation phases indicated that similar microbial consortium could exist in compact aggregated form or in amorphous flocculated form. Therefore, strong selection pressure was still required to wash out flocs to maintain the stability of reactor operation. In addition, it was found that substrate type had considerable impact on microbial species selection and enrichment in granular sludge. The clone library of granular sludge showed that microbial species in divisions of α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes existed within acetate-fed granule communities and Thauera spp. from β-Proteobacteria accounted for 49% of the total clones in the whole clone library. It is thus speculated that Thauera spp. are important for the formation of acetate-fed granules under the conditions used in this study, maintaining the integrity of granules or substrate degradation.

Efficacy and safety of telmisartan vs. losartan in control of mild-to-moderate hypertension: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind study

This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group study compared the efficacy and safety of telmisartan with those of losartan after 8 weeks' treatment. In total, 330 patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension (systolic blood pressure [SBP] <180 mmHg; diastolic blood pressure [DBP] 95-109 mmHg) were randomly assigned to receive once-daily treatment with telmisartan 40 mg (n = 164) or losartan 50 mg (n = 166). After 4 weeks' treatment, if a patient's DBP was > or = 90 mmHg, the dose was increased to telmisartan 80 mg or losartan 100 mg, respectively. The results show that mean trough seated blood pressure was reduced significantly more in the telmisartan group than that in the losartan group (SBP 12.5 mmHg vs. 9.4 mmHg, p = 0.037; DBP 10.9 mmHg vs. 9.3 mmHg, p = 0.030). The overall DBP response rate (reduction from baseline in mean seated DBP > or = 10 mmHg and/or a mean seated DBP <90 mmHg) at the end of the study in the telmisartan group was higher than that in losartan group (70.1% vs. 58.7%, p = 0.020). At both the low and high doses, the DBP response rates for telmisartan were significantly higher than those for losartan (telmisartan 40 mg vs. losartan 50 mg: 46.3% vs. 32.5%, p = 0.010; telmisartan 80 mg vs. losartan 100 mg: 79.3% vs. 65.3%, p = 0.008). Adverse events with the two treatments were comparable (telmisartan vs. losartan 23.2% vs. 22.9%, p = 0.952). Most events were mild in intensity and abated within 72 h. Thus, telmisartan 40 mg or 80 mg administered once daily can reduce SBP and DBP effectively and safely.

STATT: a titrate-to-goal study of simvastatin in Asian patients with coronary heart disease. Simvastatin Treats Asians to Target

BACKGROUND

Most published studies on the use of lipid-lowering agents to treat hypercholesterolemia have focused on Western populations, with few data on Asian populations.

OBJECTIVE

The Simvastatin Treats Asians to Target (STATT) study used a titrate-to-goal protocol to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of simvastatin 20 to 80 mg/d in the treatment of Asian patients with coronary heart disease.

METHODS

This was a multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled, 14-week study in patients with coronary heart disease and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of 115-180 mg/dL and triglyceride levels of < or = 400 mg/dL. The dose of simvastatin was titrated from 20 to 80 mg/d to achieve the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) LDL-C target of < or = 100 mg/dL. The primary efficacy measure was the percentage of patients achieving the NCEP target. Among secondary measures were the percentage of patients achieving European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society/European Society of Hypertension target LDL-C levels of < or = 115 mg/dL and the percentage change from baseline in lipid parameters. Tolerability was assessed in terms of the overall incidence of adverse experiences and the incidences of the most commonly reported adverse experiences.

RESULTS

The intent-to-treat analysis included 133 Asian patients (93 men, 40 women; mean age, 59.5 years), of whom 125 completed 14 weeks of therapy. Their mean blood pressure was 130.2/79.4 mm Hg. Overall, 104 (78.2%) patients treated with simvastatin achieved LDL-C levels < or = 100 mg/dL at week 14, and 125 (94.0%) achieved this target at some point during the study. Similarly, 122 (91.7%) patients achieved an LDL-C level < or = 115 mg/dL at week 14, and 130 (97.7%) achieved this target at some point during the study. Treatment with simvastatin had favorable effects on the lipid profile, producing significant percentage changes from baseline in all parameters (P < 0.001). Simvastatin was well tolerated across the dose range. Overall, 40 patients (30.1%) had > or = 1 clinical adverse experience. Only 14 (10.5%) had adverse experiences that were possibly, probably, or definitely related to study drug; none of these experiences were considered serious. The most common adverse experiences (> or = 3% incidence) were abdominal pain (6%); chest pain (5%); dizziness (4%); and asthenia/fatigue, fibromyalgia, headache, insomnia, and upper respiratory tract infection (3% each). No new or unexpected adverse experiences were seen at the higher doses.

CONCLUSIONS

Simvastatin was effective and well tolerated at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/d in Asian patients with coronary heart disease. Titration enabled the majority to achieve target LDL-C levels of < or = 100 mg/dL.

Effects of losartan and candesartan monotherapy and losartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination therapy in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Losartan Trial Investigators

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study was to compare the effects of losartan potassium (hereafter referred to as losartan), candesartan cilexitil (hereafter referred to as candesartan), and losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in patients with mild to moderate hypertension (sitting diastolic blood pressure [SiDBP] 95-115 mm Hg).

METHODS

A total of 1161 patients were randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to 12 weeks of treatment with losartan 50 mg QD, possibly titrated to 100 mg QD (n = 461); candesartan 8 mg QD, possibly titrated to 16 mg QD (n = 468); or losartan 50 mg QD, possibly titrated to losartan 50 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg QD (n = 232). At 6 weeks, the regimens of patients not reaching a goal SiDBP <90 mm Hg were titrated as described, whereas patients achieving this goal continued with low-dose monotherapy. The single primary end point at 12 weeks tested the equivalence of the 2 monotherapy regimens, predefined as a maximum between-treatment difference in the mean change from baseline trough SiDBP of 2.5 mm Hg.

RESULTS

At 12 weeks, changes in SiDBP/sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP) of -12.4/-14.4 mm Hg with losartan 50 mg/100 mg and -13.1/-15.8 mm Hg with candesartan 8 mg/16 mg demonstrated equivalence between the 2 monotherapy regimens (95% CI for difference in SiDBP, -1.6 to 0.2). At 12 weeks, the losartan 50 mg/50 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg regimen had reduced SiDBP/SiSBP significantly more (-14.3/-18.0 mm Hg) than either the candesartan 8 mg/16 mg (SiDBP, P = 0.045; SiSBP, P = 0.017) or losartan 50 mg/100 mg regimen (SiDBP and SiSBP, P = 0.001). During the last 6 weeks, patients whose regimen had been titrated to losartan 50 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg (n = 114) showed a greater reduction in SiDBP/SiSBP (-14.5/ -18.7 mm Hg) than did those whose regimen had been titrated to either losartan 100 mg (-10.5/-12.3 mm Hg; n = 211) or candesartan 16 mg (-11.5/-13.2 mm Hg; n = 206), representing a clinically meaningful > or = 2.5-mm Hg) difference. All 3 treatments were well tolerated, with few patients experiencing drug-related adverse events (6.9% losartan 50 mg/100 mg, 7.5% candesartan 8 mg/16 mg, 3.0% losartan 50 mg/ 50 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg). Candesartan 8 mg/16 mg increased serum uric acid levels (0.13 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.23), whereas losartan 50 mg/100 mg decreased them (-0.14 mg/dL; 95% CI, -0.24 to -0.04), and losartan 50 mg/50 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg left them unchanged (0.06 mg/dL; 95% CI, -0.07 to 0.20).

CONCLUSIONS

Losartan 50 mg/100 mg and candesartan 8 mg/16 mg were comparable treatments in terms of blood pressure reduction. After titration, losartan 50 mg plus HCTZ 12.5 mg was superior to either candesartan 16 mg or losartan 100 mg in reducing hypertension. Losartan, but not candesartan, lowered serum uric acid levels and attenuated the expected increase in uric acid levels with HCTZ 12.5 mg.

Recurrent swelling of parotid glands and Sjögren's syndrome

This study included 125 patients with chronic parotitis, and it presents in particular, a long-term clinical, laboratory, and sialographic study of 22 patients who were diagnosed as having adult recurrent sialadenitis of the parotid glands (ARSPG). Twelve of the 22 patients with ARSPG were shown to have Sjögren's syndrome (SS). These patients had recurrent parotid gland swelling for 1.5-14 years (mean, 5.2 years) before xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sicca occurred. Ten of the 22 patients with ARSPG did not develop SS, but did experience recurrent parotitis which extended from childhood into adulthood. The ARSPG underwent remission in seven of these patients. It is suggested that patients with ARSPG, but without a history of parotid gland swellings in childhood, should be diagnosed provisionally as having subclinical SS (SCSS).

[Pharmacokinetics of moracizine and moracizine sulfoxide in healthy volunteers]

The pharmacokinetics of moracizine (Mor) and moracizine sulfoxide (Mor-SO) determined by reversed phase HPLC was reported. The data in 6 volunteers after a single oral dose (600 mg) showed an one-compartment open model. The peak concentration in plasma (2.1 +/- 0.4 micrograms.ml-1) of Mor reached within 1-2 h. The Mor-SO concentration in plasma was much lower (0.19 +/- 0.06 micrograms.ml-1) than that of Mor, but its elimination T1/2 (2.3 +/- 1.0 h) was similar to that of Mor (1.5 +/- 1.0 h). The recoveries of Mor, Mor-SO, moracizine sulfone (Mor-SO2) in urine within 48 h were 0.07%, 0.25%, and 0.06% of the total dose, respectively. The Mor and Mor-SO concentration ranges in plasma for 9 arrhythmic patients after 2-wk therapeutic trial were 0.09 +/- 0.07 to 0.9 +/- 0.5 microgram.ml-1 and 0.040 +/- 0.023 to 0.15 +/- 0.06 micrograms.ml-1, respectively. These results suggested that cumulative doses would not result in accumulation of the drug and the anti-arrhythmic effect of Mor-SO might not be realized.

Chronic obstructive parotitis. Report of ninety-two cases

Clinical, sialographic, and sequential quantitative scintigraphic characteristics of 92 cases of chronic obstructive parotitis (in 117 diseased parotid glands) are reported, and the treatment investigated. The cardinal feature of this disease is obstruction or retarded salivary flow resulting in recurrent swellings and retrograde infection. The main characteristic seen in sialograms is irregular dilation of the main and branching ducts. On the basis of sialographic findings, the ducts are classified into four types. This classification reflects the severity of the disease and can also be used as a guide to treatment.

Recurrent parotitis in children. A report of 102 cases

This article presents 102 cases of recurrent parotitis in children with studies of clinical findings, sialographic manifestations, dynamic functions of the parotid gland examined with radionuclide, laboratory findings and follow-up studies of 28 cases with sialography. The following conclusions are reached: 1. Retrograde infection induced by the mumps virus and upper respiratory infection seem to play a major role in the etiology of recurrent parotitis. Familial abnormalities are potential factors. Incomplete immune functions of the children are factors related to the pathogenesis, and following growth and development of the immune system, this disease will undergo remission; 2. Sequential scintigraphy shows normal uptake and retarded excretion function of the parotid; 3. Long-term follow-up studies demonstrate that the patients are free from symptoms for many years, but the punctate dilatation in sialography may diminish, disappear, or be unchanged; and 4. If the disease is not cured in childhood, it may continue into adulthood and healing will take place eventually. Relationship with Sjogren's syndrome has not been revealed.

Effect of Astragulas membranaceus on natural killer cell activity and induction of alpha- and gamma-interferon in patients with Coxsackie B viral myocarditis

The patients suffering from Coxsackie B viral myocarditis with depressed natural killer (NK) activity were treated with Astragulas membranaceus (AM) intramuscularly for 3-4 months. After the treatment, the NK activity was increased significantly from 11.5 +/- 11.9% before therapy to 44.9 +/- 15.0%. Another 6 patients of Coxsackie B viral myocarditis with depressed NK activity were treated with conventional therapy. The NK activity remained unchanged in 12.9 +/- 6%. The general condition and symptoms improved in all patients with AM therapy, while the titers of neutralizing antibody remained at the same level. Two days after AM treatment, the mean titers of alpha- and gamma-interferon (IFN) markedly increased in comparison with those before therapy and 3 weeks after AM therapy in 16 patients with Coxsackie B viral myocarditis, with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 65% and/or weak ventricular wall motion assayed by radionuclide angiocardiography. Whereas, in 12 patients treated with conventional therapy, there was no statistical difference among the results before and 2 days and 3 weeks after treatment. The results indicate that AM could partly regulate the lost of control of cellular immunity in patients with viral myocarditis.