New evaluation of the thermodynamics stability for bcc-Fe

The thermodynamic properties for bcc-Fe were predicted by combination of the first-principles calculations, the quasiharmonic approximation, the CALPHAD method and the Weiss molecular field theory. The hybrid method considers the effects of the lattice vibration, electron, intrinsic magnetism and external magnetic fields on the thermodynamic properties at finite temperature. Combined with experimental data, the calculated heat capacity without external magnetic fields was used to verify the validity of the hybrid method. Close to the Fermi level the high electronic density of states leads to a significant electronic contribution to free energy. Near the Curie temperature lattice vibrations dominant the Gibbs free energy. The order of the other three excitation contributions to Gibbs free energy from high to low is: intrinsic magnetism > electron > external magnetic fields. The investigation suggests that all the excitation contributions to Gibbs free energy are not negligible which provides a correct direction for tuning the thermodynamic properties for Fe-based alloy.

[Choices of emergency treatment and surgical method for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms]

Objective: To investigate the emergency management process of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAAA), and analyze the perioperative mortality factors of different surgical methods. Methods: The emergency data and hospitalization data of 91 patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from June 2010 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.Twelve of the patients died preoperatively due to excessive blood loss, and the remaining 79 patients were hospitalized for open surgery (OSR) or endovascular repair (EVAR).The differences in age, time to hospital arrival, emergency preparation time, first creatinine value, emergency infusion volume, preoperative drop in blood pressure, preoperative use of vasoactive drugs and iliac artery involvement were compared between preoperative death group (n=12) and preoperative survival group (n=79), OSR group (n=50) and EVAR group (n=29), postoperative death group (n=23) and postoperative survival group (n=56). Results: Seventy-nine patients received open surgery or endovascular repair, and 23 died after operation. Age, time to hospital arrival, first creatinine value and emergency infusion volume were (77±11) years, (18±5)h, (469±150) μmol/L, (4 140±1 743) ml in the preoperative death group and (70±10) years, (12±8) h, (228±174) μmol/L, (1 358±1 211) ml in the preoperative survival group, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in preoperative data, intraoperative treatment and postoperative perioperative mortality between the open surgery group and the endovascular repair group (all P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time and aortic occlusion rate in the endovascular repair group were 100 (50, 175) ml, (3.2±0.9) h, 13.8%, respectively, which were better than that in the open surgery group 1700 (600, 3425) ml, (5.2±1.1) h, 100%. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Age, emergency preparation time, first creatinine value, emergency infusion volume, blood pressure decline rate and vasoactive drug utilization rate in the death group were (77±8) years, (4.1±1.7) h, (456±172) μmol/L, (2 024±1 687) ml, 100%, 100%, respectively, and (68±10) years, (2.7±2.2) h, (135±26) μmol/L, (1 085±825) ml, 21.4%, 12.5% in the survival group, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Age, emergency preparation time, first creatinine value, emergency infusion volume, decreased blood pressure and use of vasoactive drugs are all associated with perioperative death in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. EVAR surgery is a better choice if conditions exist.

Author Correction: Magnetism and high magnetic-field-induced stability of alloy carbides in Fe-based materials

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.

Magnetism and high magnetic-field-induced stability of alloy carbides in Fe-based materials

Understanding the nature of the magnetic-field-induced precipitation behaviors represents a major step forward towards unravelling the real nature of interesting phenomena in Fe-based alloys and especially towards solving the key materials problem for the development of fusion energy. Experimental results indicate that the applied high magnetic field effectively promotes the precipitation of M₂₃C₆ carbides. We build an integrated method, which breaks through the limitations of zero temperature and zero external field, to concentrate on the dependence of the stability induced by the magnetic effect, excluding the thermal effect. We investigate the intimate relationship between the external field and the origins of various magnetics structural characteristics, which are derived from the interactions among the various Wyckoff sites of iron atoms, antiparallel spin of chromium and Fe-C bond distances. The high-magnetic-field-induced exchange coupling increases with the strength of the external field, which then causes an increase in the parallel magnetic moment. The stability of the alloy carbide M₂₃C₆ is more dependent on external field effects than thermal effects, whereas that of M₂C, M₃C and M₇C₃ is mainly determined by thermal effects.

[Lower airway abnormalities in patients with allergic rhinitis]

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of lower airway abnormalities in allergic rhinitis(AR) patients without asthma. Methods: Between June 2008 and December 2012, 377 consecutive AR patients and 264 healthy subjects were recruited. All subjects underwent meticulous history taking, nasal examination, allergen skin prick test, blood routine test, serum total immunoglobin E assay, induced sputum cell count and differentials, measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and bronchial challenge test. Results: The positive rates in AR patients was 12.2%(46/377) for bronchial provocation test, 49.2%(185/377) for FeNO, 39.0%(147/377) for sputum eosinophilia, 15.6%(40/377) for peripheral blood eosinophilia and 55.4%(209/377) for increased serum total IgE levels, which were consistently and statistically higher than those of healthy controls(P<0.01). The levels of FeNO [35.0 (21.8, 65.9)ppb], induced sputum eosinophil percentage [2.0 (0.0, 7.5)%], peripheral blood eosinophil percentage [2.9 (1.8, 4.5)%] and serum total IgE [178.4 (63.1, 384.0)kU/L] in AR patients were also higher(P<0.01). Compared with healthy controls, patients with AR demonstrated lower levels of FEV₁/FVC%, MMEFpred%, MEF₇₅ pred%, MEF₂₅pred% (all P<0.05). Statistical analysis showed that FeNO, ratio of induced sputum eosinophil percentage and peripheral blood eosinophil percentage had significant correlations with each other(P<0.01), the r value being 0.247, 0.235, 0.355 respectively. Conclusion: AR without asthma is characterized by lower airway inflammation, small airway impairment and bronchial hyperreactivity, features similar to those of asthma.

[Application of transoral robotic surgery in pharyngolaryngeal tumour resection]

Objective: To summarize clinical experience on application of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in pharyngeal tumour resection. Methods: Six patients underwent TORS with da Vinci^® surgical system in our department from November 2013 to July 2015 and their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: TORS was accomplished successfully in all 6 patients. The surgical field-exposed time ranged from 30 to 40 minutes with an average of 35 minutes. The operative time ranged from 30 to 130 minutes with an average of 72 minutes. The hospital stays ranged from 6 to 14 days with an average of 10 days, and recovery time for oral intake ranged from 2 to 10 days with an average of 6 days. During TORS, the mouth gag needed to be adjusted 2 to 5 times. Surgical blood loss ranged from 5 to 30 ml with an average of 15 ml. No complications occurred during or after operation. Postoperative pathological examination of incisal edge in patients with malignant tumors showed no residual tumor cell. The mean follow-up was 14 months with no recurrence. Conclusion: With proper indications, TORS possesses enormous value to the application in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Outcome analysis of benign vocal cord tumors treated by laryngeal endoscopy under low temperature-controlled radiofrequency

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of benign vocal cord tumors treated using a laryngeal endoscopy under low temperature-controlled radiofrequency and to elucidate the application of a dynamic laryngoendoscopy in the operation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

85 patients with benign vocal cord tumors were treated by laryngeal endoscopy under low temperature-controlled radiofrequency from September 2011 to October 2013. A XION electronic dynamic laryngoendoscopy (Germany) was used to observe curative effects 3 months after operation. Wave images were recorded with larynx-wave recording software to analyze tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

Among the 85 patients, 81 showed smooth surface of operation wounds without any residue. The mucosal wave was also basically normal. Sound was generally recovered after 1-3 months. Three cases presented improved pronunciation function after the operation, whereas 1 patient with residual tumor at the front of vocal chords underwent another operation after 6 months.

CONCLUSION

Low temperature-controlled radiofrequency exhibited many advantages, including minimal trauma, minimal bleeding, high safety, and few complications. Moreover, treatment of benign vocal cord tumors with a laryngeal endoscopy presented satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, this technology has broad application prospects.

Tradeoff between reproduction and resistance evolution to Bt-toxin in Helicoverpa armigera: regulated by vitellogenin gene expression

Evolution of resistance to insecticides usually has fitness tradeoffs associated with adaptation to the stress. The basic regulation mechanism of tradeoff between reproduction and resistance evolution to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin in the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Ha), based on the vitellogenin (Vg) gene expression was analyzed here. The full-length cDNA of the Vg gene HaVg (JX504706) was cloned and identified. HaVg has 5704 base pairs (bp) with an open reading frame (ORF) of 5265 bp, which encoded 1756 amino acid protein with a predicted molecular mass of 197.28 kDa and a proposed isoelectric point of 8.74. Sequence alignment analysis indicated that the amino acid sequence of HaVg contained all of the conserved domains detected in the Vgs of the other insects and had a high similarity with the Vgs of the Lepidoptera insects, especially Noctuidae. The resistance level to Cry1Ac Bt toxin and relative HaVg mRNA expression levels among the following four groups: Cry1Ac-susceptible strain (96S), Cry1Ac-resistant strain fed on artificial diet with Bt toxin for 135 generations (BtR stands for the Cry1Ac Bt resistance), progeny of the Cry1Ac-resistant strain with a non-Bt-toxin artificial diet for 38 generations (CK1) and the direct descendants of the 135th-generation resistant larvae which were fed on an artificial diet without the Cry1Ac protein (CK2) were analyzed. Compared with the 96S strain, the resistance ratios of the BtR strain, the CK1 strain and the CK2 strain were 2917.15-, 2.15- and 2037.67-fold, respectively. The maximum relative HaVg mRNA expression levels of the BtR strain were approximately 50% less than that of the 96S strain, and the coming of maximum expression was delayed for approximately 4 days. The overall trend of the HaVg mRNA expression levels in the CK1 strain was similar to that in the 96S strain, and the overall trend of the HaVg mRNA expression levels in the CK2 strain was similar to that in the BtR strain. Our results suggest that the changes in reproduction due to the Bt-toxin resistance evolution in the BtR strain may be regulated by the Vg gene expression. The down-regulation of HaVg at the early stages resulted in a period of delayed reproduction and decreased fecundity in the BtR strain. This performance disappeared when the Bt-toxin selection pressure was lost.

Reduced STMN1 expression induced by RNA interference inhibits the bioactivity of pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1

Increased expression of STMN1 has been observed in many tumor forms, but its expression and potential biological role in pancreatic cancer is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that STMN1 was expressed to a large extent in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines as compared to normal pancreatic tissues. Suppression of STMN1 expression via transfection with STMN1-specific siRNA could not only significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of Panc-1 cells, but also enhance the apoptosis of Panc-1 cells. In addition, downregulation of STMN1 obviously enhanced the acetylation level of α-tubulin. All these results indicated that STMN1 plays an important role in pancreatic cancer development, and might serve as a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

Association of XRCC1 genetic polymorphism (Arg399Gln) with laryngeal cancer: a meta-analysis based on 4,031 subjects

Several case-control studies on the relation between XRCC1 gene Arg399Gln polymorphism and laryngeal cancer do not have similar conclusions. To further evaluate the relation between the XRCC1 gene Arg399Gln polymorphism and laryngeal cancer, we selected seven case-control studies related to the XRCC1 gene Arg399Gln polymorphism and laryngeal cancer by searching MEDLINE, EMBase, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Chinese CNKI, and Wanfang database. We utilized Q test and I (2) test to test the heterogeneity between each study. The fixed effects model was utilized to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval. The present study included 1,654 patients with laryngeal cancer and 2,377 cancer-free control subjects. By meta-analysis, we did not find any association of XRCC1 gene Arg399Gln polymorphism with laryngeal cancer (OR = 1.13, 95 % CI 0.81-1.58, P = 0.47). Therefore, we concluded that XRCC1 gene Arg399Gln polymorphism was not associated with laryngeal cancer.

Comparative flight performance of three important pest Adelphocoris species of Bt cotton in China

The massive adoption of Bt cotton throughout China has been accompanied by outbreaks of secondary pests such as Adelphocoris spp. (Heteroptera: Miridae). The Adelphocoris group primarily consists of three species: A. suturalis, A. fasciaticollis and A. lineolatus, which greatly differ in geographical distribution and seasonal dynamics. However, the underlying drivers of these differences remain to be understood. The study of flight behaviour of these three species can yield important insight into their spatial and temporal dynamics and help explain their distribution. We examined flight propensity of the three Adelphocoris spp. under a range of biological and environmental conditions using a computer-monitored flight-mill. Gender and mating status only had minor effects on flight performance in these species, while age exerted great effects on it. Flight capacity was low for one-day-old adults and increased with age until day 10-13, then gradually decreased afterwards. Temperature and relative humidity affected flight propensity, with 20-23 degrees C and 64-68% RH considered optimal for flight of all three species. Between-species comparisons indicated that A. suturalis and A. fasciaticollis had similar flight distance and duration, which were significantly greater than for A. lineolatus. Our findings provide crucial information for understanding geographical distribution and seasonal occurrence and for developing regional forecasting and pest management protocols for Adelphocoris species.

Complexities of the herbal nomenclature system in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM): lessons learned from the misuse of Aristolochia-related species and the importance of the pharmaceutical name during botanical drug product development

Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have diverse cultural/historical backgrounds and are described based on complex nomenclature systems. Using the family Aristolochiaceae as an example, at least three categories of nomenclature could be identified: (1) one-to-one (one plant part from one species): the herb guan mutong refers to the root of Aristolochia manshuriensis; (2) multiple-to-one (multiple plant parts from the same species serve as different herbs): three herbs, madouling, qingmuxiang and tianxianteng, derived respectively from the fruit, root and stem of Aristolochia debilis; and (3) one-to-multiple (one herb refers to multiple species): the herb fangji refers to the root of either Aristolochia fangchi, Stephania tetrandra or Cocculus trilobus; in this case, the first belongs to a different family (Aristolochiaceae) than the latter two (Menispermaceae), and only the first contains aristolochic acid (AA), as demonstrated by independent analytical data provided in this article. Further, mutong (Akebia quinata) is allowed in TCM herbal medicine practice to be substituted with either guan mutong (Aristolochia manshuriensis) or chuan mutong (Clematis armandii); and mu fangji (Cocculus trilobus) by guang fanchi (Aristolochia fangchi) or hanzhong fangji (Aristolochia heterophylla), thereby increasing the risk of exposing renotoxic AA-containing Aristolochia species to patients. To avoid these and other confusions, we wish to emphasize the importance of a pharmaceutical name, which defines the species name, the plant part, and sometimes the special process performed on the herb, including cultivating conditions. The pharmaceutical name as referred to in this article is defined, and is limited to those botanicals that are intended to be used as drug. It is hoped that by following the pharmaceutical name, toxic herbs can be effectively identified and substitution or adulteration avoided.

The evolution of cotton pest management practices in China

The development of cotton pest management practices in China has followed a pattern seen for many crops that rely heavily on insecticides. Helicoverpa armigera resistance to chemical pesticides resulted in the unprecedented pest densities of the early 1990s. Transgenic cotton that expresses a gene derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been deployed for combating H. armigera since 1997. The pest management tactics associated with Bt cotton have resulted in a drastic reduction in insecticide use, which usually results in a significant increase in populations of beneficial insects and thus contributes to the improvement of the natural control of some pests. Risk assessment analyses show that the natural refuges derived from the mixed-planting system of cotton, corn, soybean, and peanut on small-scale, single-family-owned farms play an important function in delaying evolution of cotton bollworm resistance, and that no trend toward Bt cotton resistance has been apparent despite intensive planting of Bt cotton over the past several years.

Association between betel quid chewing, periodontal status and periodontal pathogens

The present investigation examined whether an association exists between betel quid chewing and signs of periodontal disease and determined the prevalence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis by polymerase chain reaction. The periodontal status of 34 betel quid chewers and 32 non-betel quid chewers were compared. A significantly higher prevalence of bleeding on probing was found in betel quid chewers than non-chewers among the subjects with higher plaque level, greater gingival inflammation, deeper probing depth or greater attachment loss. Also, the results suggested that betel quid chewers may harbor higher levels of infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis than non-betel quid chewers. The association persists after adjusting for severity of the clinical parameters. In conclusion, betel quid chewing was associated with a higher prevalence of bleeding on probing where higher clinical levels of disease existed, and with a likelihood of subgingival infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis.

Expression of human Fas ligand on mouse beta islet cells does not induce insulitis but is insufficient to confer immune privilege for islet grafts

Fas (CD95) and Fas ligand (FasL/CD95L) are involved in programmed cell death and the regulation of host immune responses. FasL has been shown to provide immune privilege, thus prolonging the survival of unmatched grafts in a variety of tissues, such as eyes and testis. In murine FasL (mFasL) transgenic mice, FasL provoked granulocyte infiltration and insulitis in the pancreas. We intended to study whether the expression of human FasL, instead of mFasL, on mouse beta islet cells could avoid granulocyte infiltration, and whether islet cells transgenic for FasL could be used in islet transplantation. We produced transgenic mice in which the human FasL transgene was driven by rat insulin promoter and was expressed exclusively in the pancreas islet cells in ICR mice. In contrast to mFasL transgenic mice, histochemical staining showed that the pancreas was intact in human FasL transgenic ICR mice. However, when human FasL transgenic islet cells were transplanted into allogeneic mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, human FasL appeared not to prolong graft survival. Intensive granulocyte infiltration into the islet grafts was observed in recipients (Balb/c mice) which received islet grafts from human FasL transgenic mice, but not from nontransgenic, allogeneic ICR mice on day 31. Our observations suggest that FasL alone is insufficient to confer immune protection, and that other environmental factors might contribute to the formation of immune privilege sites in vivo

Slow-onset, long-duration 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1-indanamine monoamine reuptake blockers as potential medications to treat cocaine abuse

A series of 3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-1-indanamine monoamine reuptake blockers have been synthesized in an effort to develop a compound that could be used as a maintenance therapy to treat cocaine abuse. Since the effects of cocaine on dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) transporters are important components of its pharmacological activity, the focus was on nonselective inhibitors of monoamine transport. To reduce or eliminate the abuse potential of a DA reuptake blocker, the compounds were designed to be slow-onset, long-duration prodrugs whose N-demethylated metabolites would have increased activity over the parent compound with the ideal being a parent compound that has little or no activity. To achieve this, pairs of compounds with different groups on the amine nitrogen and with and without an additional N-methyl group were synthesized. All of the synthesized compounds were screened for binding and reuptake at the cloned human DA, 5HT, and norepinephrine (NE) transporters. As previously found, trans isomers are nonselective blockers of DA, 5HT, and NE reuptake, cis isomers with small N-alkyl groups are selective blockers of 5HT reuptake, and tertiary amines of the trans compounds are less potent than the corresponding N-demethylated secondary amines as blockers of DA reuptake. Larger N-alkyl groups in both the trans and cis series were found to reduce activity for the 5HT and NE transporters with less effect at DA transporters. Selected trans compounds were also screened for locomotor activity in mice and generalization to a cocaine-like profile in rats. With intraperitoneal administration, all of the trans isomers showed a slow onset of at least 20 min and an extremely long duration of action in the locomotor assays. Several of the trans compounds also fully generalized to a cocaine-like pharmacological profile. An initial lead compound, the N,N-dimethyl analogue trans-1b, was resolved into chirally pure enantiomers. Surprisingly, both enantiomers were found to have significant affinity for the DA transporter and to cause locomotor activation. This is in contrast to the N-methyl compound in which only the (+)-enantiomer had significant activity. The absolute configuration of the more active enantiomer was determined by X-ray crystallography to be 3R,1S.

Novel human esophagus-specific gene c1orf10: cDNA cloning, gene structure, and frequent loss of expression in esophageal cancer

We have identified a novel human gene, designated C1orf10, using modified differential display PCR. The C1orf10 gene, which spans 5 kb in length, is composed of three exons. The deduced protein contains 495 amino acids with one transmembrane domain. The amino acid sequence of C1orf10 is characterized by the presence of a calcium-binding motif of about 90 amino acids at its N-terminal and a conserved consecutive repeat sequence of 60 amino acids that was identified previously only in bacterial ice nucleation proteins. In normal adult tissues, C1orf10 is highly expressed only in the esophagus and was undetectable in a total of 15 other tissues examined, suggesting its important role in esophageal cells. The expression of C1orf10 is either dramatically reduced or absent in esophageal cancer cell lines (3/3) as well as primary esophageal cancer tissues (35/37) compared with the corresponding normal esophageal mucosa. Using a radiation hybrid panel, C1orf10 was found to be located on chromosome 1q21. These findings suggest that expression of C1orf10 is unique to esophageal cells and that loss of its expression may play a role in the development of esophageal cancer.

Conformational preferences of the potent dopamine reuptake blocker BTCP and its analogs and their incorporation into a pharmacophore model

Molecular mechanics calculations using MM3-92 and ab initio quantum mechanical calculations using SPARTAN 5.0 were performed on the structurally similar PCP and BTCP, in which only the latter has a cocaine-like pharmacological profile as a dopamine reuptake blocker. Calculations were also performed on BTCP analogs with a methyl group in various positions of the cyclohexane ring. The results for the cis-2-methyl compound, which retains good pharmacological activity, allowed us to determine that an aryl-axial conformer is the biologically active form for at least some of the compounds in this series. However, an aryl-equatorial conformer presents the identical pharmacophore, as shown by superposition of the two conformers. X-ray crystallographic structures were also obtained for BTCP and related compounds with a 2-methyl group on the cyclohexane ring, with reasonable agreement between the computational and experimental results. Superposition studies were performed with two rigid analogs of cocaine which illustrate the optimal orientations of the ammonium hydrogen for monoamine transporters. There is excellent agreement between a 'back-bridged' cocaine analog that is optimal as a dopamine reuptake blocker and the previously proposed biologically active conformer of methylphenidate. However, BTCP is found to be a better fit to the 'front-bridged' cocaine analog that is optimal for a serotonin reuptake blocker.

Regulatory science: a special update from the United States Food and Drug Administration: Preclinical issues and status of investigation of botanical drug products in the United States

A recent survey was conducted across the therapeutic divisions within the CDER, U.S. FDA regarding the number of submissions related to botanical drug products over the past ten years. The overall number of botanical submissions as expressed in the parenthesis are as follows: 1990 (1), 1991 (4), 1992 (4), 1993 (5), 1994 (6), 1995 (5), 1996 (13), 1997 (16), 1998 (10). In the total of 64 counted, 50 of them are submitted in original IND and the rest (14) in pre-IND format. The therapeutic categories are focused on dermatological and topical (19), anti AIDS/antiviral (12), oncologic (13), neuropharmacologic (8), endocrine and metabolic (3), urologic (2), tobacco (2), and cardio-renal products (1). The regulatory actions taken on these submissions showed that 68% of them are evaluated as safe to proceed for the human trials, while the rest (32%) of submissions required agency's regulatory guidance. Among the submissions that required further guidance, 81% were deficient in preclinical pharmacology/toxicology information and the rest (19%) lacks information in other areas (chemistry, clinical protocols). Following agency's guidance, 93% of the submissions that were put on hold were allowed to proceed. In summary, a total of 94% of all the botanical INDs submitted to the agency were allowed to proceed without additional animal toxicity studies conducted. In conclusion, this survey indicates that the growing public interest in botanical supplements has prompted more formal evaluation of the efficacy/safety claims of these products.

Parallel hybridization analysis of multiple protein kinase genes: identification of gene expression patterns characteristic of human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the major causes of human cancer deaths worldwide. To identify alterations of the genetic program associated with human HCC, we designed a new protocol based on the high-density replica method to analyze protein kinase gene expression in normal liver, HCC, and HCC-derived cell lines. RNA was prepared for reverse transcription and cDNA was used for PCR amplification of the conserved catalytic domain of protein kinase genes. Initially, from a pair of HCC and the adjacent noncancerous tissues, we sequenced 228 samples and identified 26 genes that represent different tyrosine kinase subfamilies. High-density grid filters were then prepared to assist the identification, by hybridization, of genes that are differentially expressed in normal vs HCC samples. Eleven tyrosine kinase genes were tested, and positive signals were reliably scored by doubly offset duplicates and by two independent gene-specific probes. Of the 11 genes tested, PDGF receptor-beta, MEKK-3, axl, and FGFR-4 are preferentially expressed in tumor samples. Additionally, we analyzed protein kinase gene expression in five HCC cell lines and identified distinct kinase gene expression patterns in different cell lines. Our results suggest that multiple kinases are activated in different tumors and confirm that there is molecular heterogeneity in the mechanisms sustaining autonomous cell growth in liver tumor formation.

Persistent sodium currents induced by anthopleurin-A and their relationship to early afterdepolarizations in ventricular myocytes

Prolonged Na+ current inactivation was induced in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes by exposure to Anthopleurin-A (80-240 nM). In control whole-cell voltage clamp recordings, prolonged Na+ current inactivated mono-exponentially from peak with time constant, tau h, averaging 1.5 msec +/- 0.2 msec at -30 mV and peak current averaging 0.7 +/- 0.3 nA (n = 10). Steady state inactivation was complete at -50 mV and there was little or no overlap of prolonged Na+ current inactivation and activation processes. One to 3 minutes following exposure to Anthopleurin-A, the rate of inactivation slowed, with tau h increasing to 21 +/- 5 msec at -30 mV, and peak prolonged Na+ current increasing to 1.3 +/- 0.5 nA (n = 10). Steady state inactivation was shifted in a positive direction, and complete inactivation did not occur even at +10 mV. Persistent inward currents were thus induced by Anthopleurin-A. They were most prominent at depolarizations slightly above threshold for activation and were selectively blocked by lidocaine (60 microM). Action potentials were prolonged by Anthopleurin-A, especially at slow stimulation rates, and were accompanied by early afterdepolarizations. The correlation between persistent inward currents and early afterdepolarizations, in terms of voltage dependence, appearance and pharmacology, suggests a possible causal role for persistent Na+ currents in this model of early afterdepolarizations.

[Dento-facial structural characteristics in Angle Class II malocclusion associated with abnormal facial divergency]

Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 60 adult patients with Angle class 11 malocclusion associated with abnormal facial divergency were collected from the Orthodontic Department of the National Taiwan University Hospital. They were divided into a hyperdivergent group (35 cases) and a hypodivergent group (25 case), according to mandibular plane angle (SN-MP). The 19 landmarks on each cephalometric tracing were digitized into a computer, then computer-aided cephalometric analysis was performed to calculate the 17 skeletal measurements and 13 dentoalveolar measurements. The dento-facial structural characteristics of the hyperdivergent and hypodivergent groups were compared. It was found that the subjects of the hyperdivergent group revealed a greater tendency of divergency in the anterior cranial base plane, Frank-fort horizontal plane, palatal plane, occlusal plane, and mandibular plane. Hyperdivergent facial type, supposedly indicating an open bite or a tendency toward an open bite, has a longer lower anterior facial height, shorter posterior facial height, longer upper anterior and posterior dental height. While, the majority of dentofacial characteristics of the hypodivergent facial type observed in is study were directly opposite to those of the hyperdivergent facial type. The relationships of incisor overbite depth and other skeletal and dentoalveolar parameters were illustrated by Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis by means of the SPSS/PC statistic program. With the incisor overbite depth as the dependent variable, the independent variables included on the regression analysis were the 10 items of skeletal and dentoalveolar parameters. The compared parameters showed a statistically significant correlation with the incisor overbite depth (P < 0.001). By the stepwise method, the variables included on the regression equation were (1) N-Go-Gn, (2) A-Gn-Ar, (3) N-Ans/ans-Me, and (4) U1L1. The value of R square (R2) in the regression analysis was 0.543. It demonstrated that only a 54.3% variation in incisor overbite depth can be explained by variations in those skeletal and dentoalveolar variables.

Effects of ritanserin on transmembrane action potentials in canine Purkinje fibers

Ritanserin has been reported to be a potential antiarrhythmic. We studied the cellular electrophysiologic effects of ritanserin in canine Purkinje fibers. Ritanserin produced significant depressant effects on transmembrane action potentials elicited in canine Purkinje fibers. At concentrations of 10 and 40 mg/liter, ritanserin decreased Vmax (the upstroke velocity) of action potential in a dose-dependent fashion and shortened the duration of fast response action potential. These concentrations of ritanserin also reduced the amplitude and duration of the slow response action potentials induced in Purkinje fibers treated with isoproterenol (10(-5) M) and high K+ (22 mM). These in vitro results suggest that the cellular electrophysiologic actions of ritanserin may be due to its direct actions on cardiac sodium and calcium channels, which, in turn, may account for its antiarrhythmic effects.

A dual electrophysiologic test for atrial antireentry and ventricular antifibrillatory studies. Effects of bethanidine, procainamide, and WY-48986

We have developed a dual electrophysiologic test that allows measurement of both antireentry and antifibrillatory activities of potential antiarrhythmics in the same anesthetized dog. The reentry portion of the model was created surgically by a Y-shaped crushing around the tissue between the superior and inferior vena cava and tissue parallel to the AV groove. The pacing-induced tachycardia that results from circus movements around the tricuspid ring is very persistent in duration and regular in cycle length. The antifibrillatory activities were assessed by determination of the ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) using train-stimuli method. Control VFT was measured every 15-20 min in duplicate and followed by induction of atrial reentry. A drug was infused to intervene the atrial tachycardia. After the conversion of the arrhythmia (either by drug regimens or pacing), postdrug VFT was measured, again in duplicate. Bethanidine (20 mg/kg), procainamide (30 mg/kg), and WY-48986 (10 mg/kg), a Class III antiarrhythmic, were evaluated in this dual test. Bethanidine and procainamide prolonged the cycle length of atrial reentry to a greater extent than WY-48986. The atrial arrhythmias were consistently terminated by procainamide and WY-48986 whereas bethanidine converted the tachycardias in one of the five dogs studied. All three agents elevated VFT with bethanidine producing higher values than procainamide and WY-48986. In conclusion, the dual electrophysiologic testing system offers both economic and scientific advantages for the study of modes of action of antiarrhythmic agents.

Cardiovascular and respiratory effects of an opioid kappa agonist ethylketazocine and sigma agonist N-allylnormetazocine in acutely decerebrated dogs

Effects of opioid kappa agonist ethylketazocine (EKC), sigma agonist (+-)-N-allylnormetazocine (NANM), and naloxone alone and in combination on mean blood pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and minute volume (MV) were studied in acutely decerebrated dogs. EKC (0.5 mg/kg) decreased HR, MBP, RR and MV. Post-EKC NLX increased RR and MV and reversed the bradycardia and hypotension produced by EKC. NANM (1 mg/kg) produced respiratory depression and tachycardia without changing MBP. Post-NANM NLX antagonized tachycardia, increased MBP, however did not significantly change RR and MV. When decerebrate dogs were spinalized at the C-1 level, EKC decreased MBP and HR. These effects were antagonized by NLX. NANM did not change HR but raised MBP in spinalized decerebrate dogs. Since EKC- and NANM-induced cardiovascular and respiratory depression were not observed in conscious intact or chronic spinal dog, it is suggested that: 1) kappaergic system rostral to mesencephalon may play a role in counteracting these depressant effects of EKC; 2) sigma receptor-mediated tachypnea and tachycardia are dissociable; the tachypneic effect may be mediated through higher center while the medulla oblongata is involved in producing tachycardia. These results also suggest that (+-)-NANM probably has several mechanisms of action at several brain sites in producing its effects on respiration and cardiovascular function.

Effects of AHR-12234 on cardiac transmembrane action potentials, in situ cardiac electrophysiology and experimental models for arrhythmias

We studied the effects of AHR-12234, a new antiarrhythmic agent, on cardiac transmembrane action potentials, in situ cardiac electrophysiology and in several models for arrhythmias in the dog. AHR-12234 (5 x 10(-5)-2 x 10(-4) M) induced a dose-related and use-dependent decrease in dV/dtmax in canine Purkinje fibers and ventricular muscles. Action potential duration was shortened in Purkinje fibers but lengthened in ventricular muscle. In the anesthetized dog, AHR-12234 at a lower dose (2.64 mg/kg) increased AH intervals and effective refractory period of atrium, and AV node. At higher cumulative doses of 7.92 and 13.2 mg/kg, AHR-12234 increased the effective refractory period and conduction time in the atrium, AV node and ventricle. It also increased Purkinje system conduction time and sinus nodal recovery time. In the conscious dog model for reentrant atrial tachycardia, i.v. (effective doses: 12.3 +/- 4.2 mg/kg), or oral (20 to 60 mg/kg) administration of AHR-12234 prolonged the cycle length of the tachycardia and terminated the arrhythmia. The duration of action of oral AHR-12234 against this arrhythmia persisted for 24 hr. In the 1-day infarcted conscious dogs, AHR-12234 administered either i.v. (effective doses: 3.8 +/- 0.9 mg/kg) or orally (20 mg/kg), effectively converted the ventricular arrhythmia into sinus rhythm. AHR-12234 did not produce any adverse side effects in the above two conscious dog models. AHR-12234 was also effective in ablating ouabain-induced ventricular tachycardias in anesthetized dogs following an i.v. dose of 5 mg/kg. These results indicate that the structurally novel AHR-12234 is effective against arrhythmias due to abnormal automaticity, triggered activity and reentry.

A dual model for cardiac arrhythmias: coexistence of re-entry and abnormal automaticity and effects of antiarrhythmic agents

1. We have developed a dual model for arrhythmia anaesthetized dogs. The model consists of an inducible re-entrant atrial tachycardia and spontaneous ventricular ectopies in the same heart. 2. The model for re-entrant atrial tachycardia was created by crushing the right atrium longitudinally in the intercaval region and transversely in the front free wall parallel to the atrioventricular groove. Ventricular abnormal automaticity was produced by prior (20 approximately 24 h) left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. The ventricular arrhythmia was partially suppressed during rapid pacing-induced atrial tachycardia and resumed after atrial re-entry was terminated. 3. Mapping experiments indicate that the atrial tachycardia was due to circus movement occurring in the tissue around the tricuspid ring. This re-entrant circuit was identical to that induced in the model created by the incision method. 4. Clofilium (0.75 mg kg-1, n = 5) increased the cycle length of atrial re-entry by 14 +/- 4% from 139 +/- 12 to 159 +/- 18 ms (P less than 0.05). Flecainide (1.8 +/- 0.9 mg kg-1, n = 5) prolonged the cycle length of the tachycardia by 114 +/- 57% from 158 +/- 11 to 332 +/- 66 ms (P less than 0.05). 5. Both drugs terminated the atrial arrhythmia, but re-entry could be reinduced only in flecainide-treated dogs. Flecainide reduced ventricular ectopies by 89 +/- 19%, whereas clofilium did not change ventricular abnormal automaticity or maximum pacing cycle length that is necessary to overdrive the ventricle fully. 6. These data indicate that the dual model provides coexisting arrhythmias of different mechanisms in the same heart and that Class I and Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs may be differentiated from each other by the distinct patterns of pharmacological activities produced in this test system.

Spontaneous ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma. An appraisal of surgical treatment

Spontaneous rupture with bleeding is not an infrequent complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From May, 1972 to January, 1987, 56 symptomatic patients with ruptured HCC were managed by plication of the lesion (2 patients), ligation of either the common hepatic artery, CHAL, (39 patients), or selectively, the arterial branch supplying the tumor-bearing lobe of liver, SHAL, (8 patients), and hepatic resection, HR, (7 patients). Effective hemostasis was achieved in 68.1% of patients with the use of hepatic artery ligation (HAL). SHAL provides a comparable control of bleeding but no demonstrable reduction of postoperative organ failure when compared with CHAL. The operative treatment employed had no influence on either the postoperative rates of morbidity, mortality, or survival. However, the rate of hospital mortality was high among the four patients who had emergency anatomical lobectomy, despite the absence of severe cirrhosis. Hepatic artery ligation, either CHAL or SHAL, is a satisfactory definitive hemostatic measure for unresectable HCC when it ruptured. SHAL is probably preferred to routine emergency HR for patients with potentially resectable lesions. Nonetheless, for selected patients with easily accessible lesions, segmentectomy or subsegmentectomy could still be contemplated in the absence of severe cirrhosis.

[Differences in length and weight growth patterns between urban and rural infants]

Mixed longitudinal data of length and weight growth from 595 rural and 337 urban infants were analysed. Count models were fitted to the means of length and weight in different ages, sexes and feedings separately. The curve fitting to the data was rather satisfactory. Comparison of model parameters between urban and rural infants suggested that rural infants had a higher length level at birth but lower accelerative growth afterwards than urban ones, which was even more obvious in breast-fed infants. The difference in birth weight between them was not significant; and the urban infants had a faster linear growth velocity than rural ones. These results might be caused by the fact that food supplementing in urban infants was significantly earlier and better than in rural ones.

Monophasic action potentials during reentrant atrial flutter in the dog: effects of clofilium and acetylcholine

Monophasic action potentials (MAP) were recorded from canine atrium during reentrant flutter resulting from circus movement in atrial tissue above the tricuspid ring. A catheter and plaque contact electrodes were developed to record MAP from the epicardium or endocardium during sinus rhythm, paced rhythms, and flutter. The transmembrane action potential duration of tricuspid ring tissue also was studied in vitro. During flutter at cycle lengths of 140-160 ms, MAP showed incomplete repolarization. Pacing at comparable cycle lengths had a similar effect. Acetylcholine (10 micrograms/kg, i.v.) shortened MAP duration during pacing and, during flutter, decreased cycle length and increased MAP amplitude. Clofilium (500 micrograms/kg, i.v.) prolonged flutter cycle length by 18% and terminated the flutter within 30-120 s. During pacing at a cycle length of 300 ms, clofilium increased MAP duration and effective refractory period (ERP) by 30%. Transmembrane action potentials showed that clofilium (0.2 mg/L) modified only action potential duration. Conduction velocity was significantly decreased by clofilium during flutter but not during pacing at a cycle length of 300 ms. These data support the conclusion that in this model of flutter, the circus movement occurs in partially repolarized tissue. The circus movement can be accelerated by agents (acetylcholine) that reduce ADP, and slowed and terminated by agents (clofilium) that increase it.

Pharmacological characterisation of a re-entry model for atrial tachycardia in conscious dogs

We studied the effects of intravenously administered autonomic agents, the calcium channel blocker diltiazem, and Class I and III anti-arrhythmic agents on a re-entry model for atrial tachycardia in seven conscious dogs. The model was created by a Y-shaped incision in the intercaval region and front free wall of the right atrium. Acetylcholine (30 micrograms.kg-1) transiently but significantly shortened the cycle length of atrial tachycardia (CL) by 9 (SD 5)% while atropine (0.2 mg.kg-1) alone did not change or terminate the rhythm. Isoprenaline (4 micrograms.kg-1) briefly reduced CL, by 13(6)% whereas propranolol (1 mg.kg-1) alone significantly prolonged the CL and terminated the arrhythmia in 50% of the trials. Diltiazem (200 micrograms.kg-1) did not significantly change the CL. Class Ia agents procainamide (30 mg.kg-1) and quinidine (3.5 approximately 20 mg.kg-1, effective doses) increased CL by 60(30) and 43(28)% respectively and terminated the arrhythmias. Class Ib agents, phenytoin (5 and 10 mg.kg-1, cumulative doses), lignocaine (3.2 approximately 7 mg.kg-1), and mexiletine (6 approximately 20 mg.kg-1), prolonged CL by 31(14), 40(15), and 72(13)%; however, consistent conversion of the rhythm occurred only with mexiletine. Ic agents flecainide (0.5 approximately 3 mg.kg-1) and encainide (0.6 approximately 6.4 mg.kg-1) lengthened the CL by 58(17) and 75(43)% and converted the rhythm in all cases. Class III agents clofilium (0.5 mg.kg-1), d-sotolol (3.2 approximately 20 mg.kg-1), and N-acetylprocainamide (15 approximately 120 mg.kg-1) prolonged the CL by 14(4), 16(5), and 19(7)% and terminated the arrhythmia in all trials. The magnitudes of CL prolongation by the Class III agents were significantly smaller than those by the Class Ia, Ib, or Ic agents. These results show that in this re-entrant model for atrial tachycardia endogenous adrenergic but not cholinergic systems play a major role in maintaining impulse propagation and that calcium channel mediated slow inward currents do not participate in the impulse generation processes. Further, using CL as an index, the model serves as a useful tool for differentiating Class III from Class I anti-arrhythmic activities.

[The vector analysis of the anteroposterior relationship among the apical bases and the incisors]

Using the lateral cephalometric radiographs, the points A, B, maxillary incisor tip (U) and mandibular incisor tip (L) were projected onto the Frankfort horizontal plane and the projected points were defined as a, b, u and 1, respectively. According to the principle of the vector analysis, the vector formula ab - ul = au - bl can always stand irrespective of how the locations of the points a, b, u and 1 vary. The vectors ab, ul, au and bl represent the anteroposterior linear relationship between the upper jaw and the lower jaw, the upper incisor and the lower incisor (overjet), the upper jaw and the upper incisor, and the lower jaw and the lower incisor, respectively with reference to the FH plane. The lateral cephalometric radiographs taken from a total of 863 class I subjects, including 422 males and 441 females, were submitted for the study. The four vector values were obtained from the tracing of each radiograph and the mean values were computed according to sex and age. If a positive value was given to the vector ab, it denoted that point "a" was anterior to point "b", while a negative value denoted that "a" was posterior to "b". Both sexes of the subjects were divided according to their ages into junior primary (JP, 6-8 years), senior primary (SP, 9-11 years), junior high (JH, 12-14 years), and senior high (SH, 15-18 years) groups. No substantial or significant mean difference of each vector between the males and the females in each age group was noted. The mean values of the vector ab were 7.4, 6.8, 6.1 and 4.7 mm in JP, SP, JH and SH groups, respectively with the male and the female data pooled together. This indicates that there was a gradual catching up tendency of mandibular versus maxillary growth. The mean values of the vector ul were 1.4, 2.8, 2.9 and 2.8 mm in each successive age group, respectively showing that the overjet was rather constant with age except in the youngest group. The corresponding mean values were -0.4, -3.9, -5.2 and -6.1 mm for the vector au and -6.3, -8.0, -8.4 and -8.0 mm for the vector bl in JP, SP, JH and SH groups, respectively. The data indicate that both upper and lower incisors were relatively more upright in the youngest group when compared with the other age groups. In the remaining groups the upper incisors exhibited a tendency of gradual labial tipping with age, whereas the lower incisors kept stable in the procumbency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effect of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide on atrial flutter: studies in vivo and in vitro

We studied the effects of procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA) in a conscious dog preparation of atrial flutter resulting from circus movement around the tricuspid orifice. We also recorded transmembrane potentials of atrial tissues from the circus path in vitro. In 12 instrumented dogs, average flutter cycle length was 157 msec, the duration of the excitable gap was 73 msec, and conduction velocity was 0.75 m/sec. At 4 and 8 mg/kg, procainamide moderately prolonged cycle length, but did not terminate the flutter. At a cycle length of 300 msec procainamide increased effective refractory period (ERP) by 12% and 20% and conduction time by 8% and 19%. At 16 and 32 mg/kg procainamide prolonged cycle length, ERP, and conduction time by 60% to 80% and stopped the flutter in all trials. NAPA, at 16, 32, and 64 mg/kg, increased flutter cycle length by 16%, 16%, and 31%, ERP by 14%, 28%, and 41%, and conduction time by less than 15%. NAPA terminated the flutter in two of six dogs given 32 mg/kg, and three of five dogs given 64 mg/kg. The excitable gap was lengthened by both procainamide and NAPA. Transmembrane potentials showed that at a cycle length from 1000 to 300 msec procainamide (10 mg/liter) increased action potential duration and decreased the first time derivative of phase O of the action potential (Vmax), whereas NAPA (20 mg/liter) increased action potential duration without changing Vmax. These findings show the difficulty of relating drug effects on transmembrane potentials to efficacy in vivo since the former do not necessarily indicate which changes in cellular electrical activity are responsible for efficacy against a particular arrhythmogenic mechanism.

Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced alterations in levels of circulating thromboxane and prostacyclin: dissociation from granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary leukostasis

The role of thromboxane (Tx) A2 in Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary leukostasis is unclear. Rabbits were injected with 0.85% NaCl, nonviable pneumococci, or nonviable pneumococci after pretreatment with TxA2 synthetase inhibition. Blood was obtained immediately before and at times after injection for granulocyte and platelet counts and assays of TxB2 and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-ketoPGF1 alpha). Animals were evaluated for pulmonary leukostasis histologically and biochemically (myeloperoxidase activity). Pneumococcal challenge induced significant granulocytopenia (P less than .001), thrombocytopenia (P less than .001), and elevations in levels of both TxB2 (P less than .05) and 6-ketoPGF1 alpha (P less than .001) as well as pulmonary leukostasis (P less than .001). TxA2 synthetase inhibition blocked the pneumococcus-induced elevation in level of TxB2 without significantly altering levels of circulating granulocytes, platelets, or 6-ketoPGF1 alpha. Pulmonary leukostasis was not blocked. In another group of pneumococcus-challenged animals, no significant transpulmonary gradients of either TxB2 or 6-ketoPGF1 alpha were found.

Lung myeloperoxidase as a measure of pulmonary leukostasis in rabbits

Pulmonary leukostasis can be associated with acute lung injury. We studied lung peroxidase activity using myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a granulocyte marker to quantitate pulmonary leukostasis in rabbits. Lungs were homogenized in detergent, freeze-thawed, sonified, and centrifuged, and supernatants were assayed for MPO. Seven extractions were performed, and greater than 80% of cumulative MPO was found in the first three extractions. By use of a three-extraction procedure, the mean lung MPO (delta A X min-1 X g tissue-1) was determined in normal [20.9 +/- 5.2 (SE)], granulocyte-depleted (6.5 +/- 2.0), saline-injected (22.2 +/- 5.6), and pneumococcus (PNC)-challenged (69.7 +/- 10.6) animals. Lung MPO was significantly decreased in granulocyte-depleted compared with normal animals (P less than 0.005) and significantly increased in PNC-challenged compared with saline-injected animals (P less than 0.001). MPO extracted from granulocytes and lungs from normal as well as PNC-challenged animals were all biochemically identical. Lung extract did not inhibit MPO, and no MPO was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid obtained from leukostatic lungs. Lung MPO significantly (P less than 0.01) correlated with intravascular intrapulmonary granulocytes. Determination of lung MPO is a relatively simple quantitative method that can be used to detect pulmonary leukostasis.

An analysis of nicotinic and opioid processes in the medulla oblongata and nucleus ambiguus of the dog

Effects of opioids and nicotine on blood pressure and heart rate were studied by microinjections in the region of nucleus ambiguus of acutely decerebrated dogs. Nicotine (5 micrograms/0.5 microliter) microinjected into the region of nucleus ambiguus produced hypotension accompanied by either bradycardia or tachycardia. Both types of response were antagonized by mecamylamine (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter) but not by naloxone (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter). Fentanyl (5 micrograms/0.5 microliter) and ethylketazocine (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter) decreased blood pressure and heart rate after microinjection into the nucleus ambiguus. The actions of fentanyl were antagonized by naloxone (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter) and N-allylnormetazocine (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter), but not by mecamylamine (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter). Naloxone (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter) administered after ethylketazocine elevated blood pressure and tended to increase heart rate. Naloxone, mecamylamine or N-allylnormetazocine did not produce significant effect when microinjected alone. It is concluded that, under the present experimental conditions, nicotine and opioid mu, kappa but not sigma receptors are distributed in the region of nucleus ambiguus. No evidence for an interaction between nicotine and opioids in this nucleus was obtained. Furthermore, there was no detectable endogenous opioid or cholinergic nicotinic tone in the nucleus ambiguus of the acutely decerebrated dog.

Medullary kappa hyperalgesic mechanisms II. The effects of ethylketazocine administered into the fourth cerebral ventricle of the conscious dog

Ethylketazocine (EKC) (2 micrograms/100 microliter/min for 15 min) was infused into the fourth cerebral ventricles of conscious dogs. The drug produced hyperalgesia, respiratory depression, miosis, increased EEG electrogenesis and behavioral sedation. Hyperthermia and tremulousness were observed in some animals. These pharmacologic effects reflect the action of EKC on pontomedullary periventricular sites which control nociception, autonomic function and arousal.

Possible medullary kappa hyperalgesic mechanism. I. A new potential role for endogenous opioid peptides in pain perception

The kappa-agonist, ethylketazocine, produces hyperalgesia in the acutely decerebrated dog as indicated by a shortening of the skin twitch reflex latency whereas fentanyl is inactive. Naloxone produces analgesia and antagonizes the hyperalgesic effect of ethylketazocine. Spinal cord transection decreases the latency of the skin twitch reflex and allowed the analgesic effect of fentanyl and ethylketazocine on this nociceptive reflex to become manifest. These observations indicate that there is a non-opioid analgesic and kappa hyperalgesic mechanism present in the pontine-medullary region of the dog brainstem. It suggests that the hyperalgesic mechanism is mediated by an endogenous kappa-opioid peptide and that the analgesic effect of naloxone is in part related to antagonism of the activity of this hyperalgesia producing opioid peptide.

Pattern of reproductive hormone secretion and disappearance rates of LH and FSH in senile male rats

Old Long-Evans male rats (24-33 months of age) do show postcastration rise in serum LH but do not have postcastration LH rise in the pituitary both as expressed in content and concentration. The serum LH levels of intact and castrated rats of old age show a tendency of decrease, though not to the level of statistical significance. The pituitary FSH content and concentration of intact old rats are not different from those of young adults (3.5-5 months of age), whereas serum FSH level of intact old male rats is significantly higher than that of intact young adults. There is a postcastration rise in the pituitary FSH content as well as concentration and serum FSH level in both age-groups. The half-lives of endogenous and exogenous LH and FSH are not different between old male rats (24- to 31-month-old) and young adults (3- to 5-month-old). Blood testosterone levels begin to decline between the age of 12 and 18 months and remained low from 18 months of age on. These results indicate: (1) deficiencies in the LH regulatory mechanism in response to removal of gonadal steroids are easier to manifest than those of FSH control mechanism in old age in male rats; (2) the ability of clearing circulating LH and FSH of old male rats is not different from that o young adult males, if their molecular sizes are similar, and (3) high serum FSH level of old male rats is not due to prolonged half-life in the circulation.

Effects of naloxone and fentanyl in acutely decerebrated dogs

Cardiovascular, respiratory and analgesic effects of fentanyl and naloxone were studied in normotensive acutely decerebrated dogs. Naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.v.) increased skin twitch reflex latency, mean blood pressure, pulse pressure, respiratory rate and minute volume. Fentanyl (50 micrograms/kg, i.v.) decreased heart rate and blood pressure while the animals were artificially ventilated. The skin twitch reflex latency was not significantly altered. Nine minutes later, naloxone (1 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered and the fentanyl-induced cardiovascular depression was reversed above the control level. The skin twitch reflex latency remained unchanged. These findings give further evidence that the endogenous opioid system plays an important role in the brainstem control of circulation and respiration. The mechanism of the anomalous analgesic response of the acutely decerebrated dog requires further investigation.

Use of gastric fistula rats for the study of sedative, hypnotic and antianxiety drugs

A rat gastric fistula preparation has been developed for the ready and safe administration of water-insoluble drugs. Graded doses of five sedative hypnotics - pentobarbital, secobarbital, methaqualone, diazepam and chloral hydrate - were studied using this preparation and a behavioral scale. The effect of these drugs on respiratory rate was also studied. The rat gastric fistula preparation is a stable one which allows the execution of crossover studies lasting for several months. Valid assays were obtained in comparisons of pentobarbital, secobarbital and methaqualone using both total behavior scale scores (BSS) and depression of respiratory rate. Secobarbital was equipotent to and methaqualone one-fourth as potent as pentobarbital. The slope of the chloral hydrate BSS dose-response line was statistically significantly steeper than that of pentobarbital. The diazepam BSS dose-response line was not only significantly less steep than that of pentobarbital but a plateau was seen. Neither chloral hydrate nor diazepam produced a dose-related depression of respiratory rate. The rat gastric fistula preparation has thus proved useful in characterizing the pharmacologic profiles, dose-response relationship and relative potencies of sedative hypnotics.

Effects of stimulation of acupuncture loci Ta-Chuei (Go-14), Nei-Kuan (EH-6) and Tsu-San-Li (St-36) on thermoregulatory function of normal adults

The effects of acupuncture stimulation on the Ta-Chuei (Go-14), Nei-Kuan (EH-6), and Tsu-San-Li (St-36) loci on thermoregulatory function were assessed in normal adults. Stimulation of acupuncture locus Ta-Chuei produced hypothermia. The hypothermia was brought about by a decrease in metabolic rate, an increase in cutaneous circulation (the back region) and perspiration. On the other hand, acupuncture stimulation of either the Nei-Kuan or Tsu-San-Li loci produced a slight hyperthermia. The hyperthermia was due to a decrease in cutaneous circulation. The data indicate that each acupuncture locus may have its own function with special reference to body temperature regulation.

Elevating serotonin levels in brain with 5-hydroxytryptophan produces hypothermia in rats

The effect of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) on the thermoregulatory responses of unanesthetized rats were assessed at three different ambient temperatures (Ta) of 8, 22 and 31 degrees C. Intraperitoneal administration of either 5-HTP alone or 5-HTP plus R04-4602 (the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor) produced dose-dependent hypothermia at both Ta's of 8 and 22 degrees C. The hypothermia was brought about solely by a decrease in metabolic heat production at 8 degrees C Ta. At 22 degrees C Ta, the hypothermia was due to both a decrease in metabolic heat production and an increase in tail and footsole skin temperature. However, at 31 degrees C Ta, there were no changes in rectal temperature in response to either 5-HTP or 5-HTP plus R04-4602 application. The data suggest that an increase in 5-HT levels in brain decreases heat production and/or increase heat loss and leads to hypothermia in rats.