Tibetan medicine Liuwei Muxiang pills (LWMX pills) effectively protects mice from chronic non-atrophic gastritis

BACKGROUND

Chronic non-atrophic gastritis (CNG) is the most common type of chronic gastritis. If not actively treated, it may induce gastric cancer (GC). Western medicine is effective in CNG, but there are more adverse reactions after long-term medication, and it is easy to relapse after treatment, which affects patients' health and life. Tibetan medicine Liuwei Muxiang Pills (LWMX pills) is a traditional Tibetan medicine compound, which has a unique curative effect in the treatment of gastric inflammation, especially chronic non-atrophic gastritis. However, the mechanisms of LWMX pills for treatment CNG still remain poor known.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic intervention potential of Tibetan medicine LWMX pills on CNG and explore its potential mechanisms in mice models.

METHODS

The mice models was established to evaluate the therapeutic effect of LWMX pills on CNG. The main components of LWMX pills were analyzed by GC-MS. HE staining, immunohistochemistry, proteomics and Western Blot were used to analyze the potential mechanism of LWMX pills for CNG treatment.

RESULTS

In the present study, LWMX pills containing costunolide, dehydrocostuslactone and antioxidants were found. IF results showed that the expression of ALDH1B1 in the control group was significantly lower than that in the model group in the gastric mucosa tissue, and the expression of ALDH1B1 was significantly lower in the 25 mg/ml LWMX Pills group (one month) and 25 mg/ml LWMX Pills group (two months) than in the model group. IHC revealed that model group samples expressed higher levels of Furin than 25 mg/ml LWMX Pills group samples, as evidenced by very strong staining of Furin in gastric mucosal cells. However, AMY2 staining in gastric mucosal cells did not differ significantly between the treated and control groups. the protein expression levels of these proteins were decreased in 25 mg/mL LWMX pills. Meanwhile, we found that the CAM1 protein expression in the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (two mouths) was increased compared to the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (one mouths).Western blotting showed that the protein expression levels of Furin, AMY2A, CPA3, ALDH1B1, Cam1, COXII, IL-6, IL-1β were decreased in 25 mg/mL LWMX pills. Meanwhile, that the CAM1 protein expression in the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (two mouths) was increased compared to the in 25 mg/ml LWMX pills group (one mouths).

CONCLUSION

25mg/ml LWMX pill treatment for one month had better therapeutic effect on mice CNG. Further proteomic results showed that LWMX pills maintain gastric function by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress, and we also found that LWMX pills regulate the expression of proteins associated with cancer development (Amy2, Furin).

Age-growth relationships, temperature sensitivity and palaeoclimate-archive potential of the threatened Altiplano cactus Echinopsis atacamensis

The tall (>4 m), charismatic and threatened columnar cacti, pasacana [Echinopsis atacamensis (Vaupel) Friedrich & G.D. Rowley)], grows on the Bolivian Altiplano and provides environmental and economic value to these extremely cold, arid and high-elevation (~4000 m) ecosystems. Yet very little is known about their growth rates, ages, demography and climate sensitivity. Using radiocarbon in spine dating time series, we quantitatively estimate the growth rate (5.8 and 8.3 cm yr^-1) and age of these cacti (up to 430 years). These data and our field measurements yield a survivorship curve that suggests precipitation on the Altiplano is important for this species' recruitment. Our results also reveal a relationship between nighttime temperatures on the Altiplano and the variation in oxygen isotope values in spines (δ¹⁸O). The annual δ¹⁸O minimums from 58 years of in-series spine tissue from pasacana on the Altiplano provides at least decadal proxy records of temperature (r = 0.58; P < 0.0001), and evidence suggests that there are longer records connecting modern Altiplano temperatures to sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Atlantic Ocean. While the role of Atlantic SSTs on the South American Summer Monsoon (SASM) and precipitation on the Bolivian Altiplano is well described, the impact of SSTs on Altiplano temperatures is disputed. Understanding the modern impact of SSTs on temperature on the Altiplano is important to both understand the impact of future climate change on pasacana cactus and to understand past climate changes on the Altiplano. This is the best quantitative evidence to date of one of the oldest known cactus in the world, although there are likely many older cacti on the Altiplano, or elsewhere, that have not been sampled yet. Together with growth, isotope and age data, this information should lead to better management and conservation outcomes for this threatened species and the Altiplano ecosystem.

Old carbon reservoirs were not important in the deglacial methane budget

Permafrost and methane hydrates are large, climate-sensitive old carbon reservoirs that have the potential to emit large quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as the Earth continues to warm. We present ice core isotopic measurements of methane (Δ¹⁴C, δ¹³C, and δD) from the last deglaciation, which is a partial analog for modern warming. Our results show that methane emissions from old carbon reservoirs in response to deglacial warming were small (<19 teragrams of methane per year, 95% confidence interval) and argue against similar methane emissions in response to future warming. Our results also indicate that methane emissions from biomass burning in the pre-Industrial Holocene were 22 to 56 teragrams of methane per year (95% confidence interval), which is comparable to today.

miRNA-489 as a biomarker in diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer

miRNA-489 was shown to be a suppressor factor in many cancers, however, evidence on the effects and mechanism of miRNA-489 in progression of cervical cancer is limited. So we aimed to determine the function of miRNA-489 in cervical cancer proliferation and apoptosis in our present study. Interestingly, we found that miRNA-489 was significantly down-regulated in cervical cancer tissues. miRNA-489 overexpression inhibited the cell proliferation and improved the cell apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. Further, miRNA-489 over-expression suppressed the activation of PI3K and AKT, and stimulated P53 proteins expression. In conclusion, our results suggested that miRNA-489 may be considered as a biomarker in cervical cancer and had suppressed the cell proliferation and stimulated cell apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/P53 signaling pathway (Fig. 5, Ref. 26). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Development of a kinetic model for L-lysine biosynthesis in Corynebacterium glutamicum and its application to metabolic control analysis

A mathematical model describing intracellular lysine synthesis by Corynebacterium glutamicum in batch fermentation was developed. The model is based on material balance equations of the key metabolites, and includes mechanistically based, experimentally matched rate equations for individual enzymes. From the measurements of the levels of intra- and extracellular metabolites during cultivation, the kinetic parameters in the model were identified through the decomposition of the network of reactions. The model predictions and experimental observations were in reasonable agreement. Using the model developed, metabolic control analysis was carried out to identify the rate-limiting steps, by evaluating the control on the overall lysine synthesis flux exerted by individual enzymatic reactions, which suggested how the control on lysine synthesis changes from aspartokinase to lysine permease as fermentation proceeded and indicated that lysine production could be enhanced by improving aspartokinase activity of this strain through genetic manipulation.

Microtubule associated protein tau binds to double-stranded but not single-stranded DNA

Tau, a major microtubule-associated protein of the neuron, which is known to promote the assembly of and to stabilize microtubules, has also been seen associated with chromatin in neuronal cell lines, but its role in this subcellular compartment is still unknown. In this study, the binding of tau to DNA was investigated using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Using polynucleotide as probe, we found that tau bound to double-stranded but not to single-stranded DNA. Formation of tau-polynucleotide complex was disrupted by alkaline pH and a high concentration of NaCl, but was not affected by dithiothreitol. Electron microscopy revealed that the protein associated with the nucleic acid in a necklacelike manner. DNA-cellulose chromatography and radioimmunodot-blot analyses showed that calf thymus histones VI-S, VII-S and VIII-S could replace both recombinant human brain tau352 (tau-23) and tau441 (tau-40) from DNA. Thus, tau appears to bind to DNA reversibly in the presence of histones.

Integration of the information from gene expression and metabolic fluxes for the analysis of the regulatory mechanisms in Synechocystis

Synechocystis was grown under autotrophic, mixotrophic and heterotrophic conditions, and the gene expression patterns at the mRNA and protein levels were measured by using semi-quantitative RT-PCR and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE), respectively. Moreover, the intracellular metabolic flux distributions in Synechocystis grown under different trophic conditions were also determined using the carbon isotope labeling technique. By combining the information obtained from the transcript levels, protein abundance and metabolic fluxes, the regulatory mechanisms of some enzymes involved in the central metabolism of Synechocystis during growth in the different culture conditions were analyzed. It was found that depending on the energy source available to cyanobacterial cells, the enzymes required for central metabolism were differently regulated according to different mechanisms. The expression of several genes, such as rbcLS and gap2, was light-regulated transcriptionally, while the gene gnd was regulated in response to an apparent flux requirement but by an unknown mechanism. The expression of other genes was independent of the presence of light. The reactions catalyzed by G6PDH, Fbp, PfkA and FbaA were not regulated through enzyme synthesis but by a change in metabolite concentrations. The enzyme PrK was post-translationally regulated by light, probably through the operation of ferredoxin/thioredoxin system. For the enzyme RubisCO, both transcriptional and post-translational regulation was observed. These findings demonstrate that the information obtained from the analysis of mRNA expression, protein expression, and metabolic flux distribution is necessary to understand the regulatory events in complex cellular networks.

[Dynamic variance of intracellular metabolic energies under rhythmical control for dissolved oxygen in PHB mixed cultivation]

The mixed cultivation using cheaper carbon source-wasted food material contained glucose and lactate at the same time was conducted in 5L fermentor, within which glucose was converted to lactate by L. delbrueckii in anaerobic condition and the lactate was converted to PHB by R. eutropha in aerobic condition. Considering dissolved oxygen concentration may affect the level of intracellular ATP and NADPH of the metabolic pathways for R. eutropha in lactate under autotrophy or heterotrophy, rhythmical oscillated control for DO based on chaos control method was consequently presented. This method was employed to satisfy two strains for opposite oxygen preferences, moreover, excite the intracellular metabolic energy simultaneously. The values examined through spectrophotofluorimetry represented that both ATP and NADPH exhibited fluctuations in accordance with the DO rhythm. By means of this control design, the concentration of PHB can be doubled than the usual under stable DO control.

[The experimental study of intratemporal facial nerve regeneration in chitin chamber]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of intratemporal facial nerve regeneration in a chitin chamber.

METHODS

A left 6 mm intratemporal facial nerve gap was created in adult white rabbit, and a total of 48 animals were used. The proximal and distal stumps were bridged with chitin chamber (experimental group) and silicone chamber (control group). Regeneration of the nerve was assessed by gross observation, nerve electrophysiological test, histological examination and digital morphological analysis in both groups.

RESULTS

1. Three months after implantation, the proximal transected neural stump was connected with the distal stump in the chitin chamber. Five months after operation, the regenerated nerve exhibited a more nature fascicular organization and the chitin tubes were completely absorbed. 2. Nerve evoked potentials showed better conduction ability in the chitin chamber. There were no significant difference in electrophysiological indices between the two chamber groups. 3. Most of the regenerated nerve fibers were myelinated nerve fibers, and axons and myelins had similar histograms between the experimental and control groups. 4. Five months after operation, the mean percentage of recovery of the regenerated nerve fiber area, axonal area and axonal number were more than 71% in the experimental group. There was no significant difference between the control and experimental groups.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that intratemporal facial nerve could regenerate effectively within the chitin chamber in rabbits and such kind of chamber may be clinically useful.

Effects of glucose, vitamins, and DO concentrations on pyruvate fermentation using Torulopsis glabrata IFO 0005 with metabolic flux analysis

The effects of glucose, vitamins, and DO concentrations on efficient pyruvic acid fermentation were investigated using Torulopsis glabrata IFO 0005, and a novel biphasic culture method was developed on the basis of the metabolic flux analysis. T. glabrata requires the four vitamins nicotinic acid (NA), thiamine hydrochloride (B(1)), pyridoxine hydrochloride, and biotin for cell growth. The deficiency of these vitamins plays an essential role in pyruvate fermentation. In the present study, we considered the effects of the first two vitamins on the pyruvate fermentation. On the basis of several batch and fed-batch experiments, it was found that, as a result of glucose inhibition of cell growth, the initial glucose concentration should be around 30-40 g/L, and the glucose concentration during fermentation should be controlled at high level around 30 g/L. On the basis of an analysis of carbon flux distribution, a biphasic fermentation method was developed where the cultivation started with a high DO (at 40-50% of air saturation) for efficient cell growth and then was reduced to 5-10% for efficient pyruvate production. Since a fair amount of ethanol was formed when the DO concentration was decreased, the addition of NA turned out to be effective in reducing the ethanol formation. This may be due to a relaxing of the requirement for NADH oxidation by the alcohol dehydrogenase pathway. Since B(1) affects both the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and pyruvate decarboxylase, its initial concentration must be carefully determined by considering both the cell growth and pyruvate production phases.

[Clinical and experimental study on effect of Chanbei Kechuanping in treating bronchial asthma]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effect of Chanbei Kechuanping (CBKCP) on bronchial asthma and to explore its mechanism.

METHODS

Ninety-six patients of bronchial asthma were randomly divided into two groups, the CBKCP treated group and the control group (treated by Guilong Kechuanning). The changes on symptoms and signs of asthma, pulmonary function, T-lymphocyte subsets, plasma soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), thromboxane B2(TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha(6-keto-PGF1 alpha) were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTS

(1) The markedly effective rate and effective rate in the CBKCP treated group were higher than those in the control group. The pulmonary function, including 1 second forced expiratory volume, maximum expiratory flow rate and forced lung expiratory vital capacity were all improved in both groups, but the effect was more obvious in the CBKCP treated group. (2) As compared with the control group, CBKCP showed more obvious effect in lowering sIL-2R, T-lymphocyte subset and raising 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Experimental study of guinea pig with asthma model showed that CBKCP could markedly prolong the latent time of asthma attack, lower the percentage of mast cells in total cells in the alveoli lavage solution, blood acidophic cell count and degranulation rate of mast cells, and decrease IgE, IL-4 and TXB2 levels as well as increase the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha level.

CONCLUSION

CBKCP has favorable therapeutic effect on asthma attack, it might play the role partly by regulating the functional T-lymphocyte subsets, reducing the level of IgE, sIL-2R, IL-4 and TXB2, and increasing the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha.

Secondary structure and structure-activity relationships of peptides corresponding to the subunit interface of herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase

The interaction of the catalytic subunit of herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase with the processivity subunit, UL42, is essential for viral replication and is thus a potential target for antiviral drug discovery. We have previously reported that a peptide analogous to the C-terminal 36 residues of the catalytic subunit, which are necessary and sufficient for its interaction with UL42, forms a monomeric structure with partial alpha-helical character. This peptide and one analogous to the C-terminal 18 residues specifically inhibit UL42-dependent long chain DNA synthesis. Using multidimensional (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we have found that the 36-residue peptide contains partially ordered N- and C-terminal alpha-helices separated by a less ordered region. A series of "alanine scan" peptides derived from the C-terminal 18 residues of the catalytic subunit were tested for their ability to inhibit long-chain DNA synthesis and by circular dichroism for secondary structure. The results identify structural aspects and specific side chains that appear to be crucial for interacting with UL42. These findings may aid in the rational design of new drugs for the treatment of herpesvirus infections.

Metabolic control analysis for lysine synthesis using Corynebacterium glutamicum and experimental verification

Metabolic control analysis was carried out for the lysine biosynthetic pathway in Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC 21253 using mechanism-based kinetic models developed for enzymatic reactions for this pathway. The rate-limiting steps during lysine production were determined with the aid of flux control coefficients, which indicated that the lysine synthesis flux is governed mainly by both aspartokinase and permease activity in the export system. Analyses indicated that an increase in the activity of aspartokinase would significantly alleviate its effect on the overall flux, and the limiting step is expected to shift to permease and other lysine synthetic enzymes. The influences of many participating precursors and cofactors on lysine synthesis flux were also investigated through the calculation of response coefficients for individual parameters. Although most parameters were not found to exert significant influences on lysine flux, extracellular lysine concentration was found to have a substantial effect on lysine production, and detailed analysis indicated that a decrease in the external lysine concentration will enhance the metabolite synthesis considerably and shift the control from export step to other steps. Although a decrease in external pH (pH0) seems to increase lysine flux, consideration of the export carrier concentration in response to external pH confirmed the optimum pH0 to be 7.0. Two types of recombinant strains overexpressing aspartokinase and dihydrodipicolinate synthase were constructed to verify the results obtained from metabolic sensitivity analysis.

[Explanation for "Jin Shuo Yin Kai" in Ben cao gang mu shi yi (Supplements to compendium of materia medica)]

The entry of "Jin Shuo Yin Kai" included in volume 7 of Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi refers to Adiantum flabellulatum L. Fagopyrum cymesum Meisn, and polygenum penfoliatum L. respectively.

[Experimental study on carotid artery resection with vascular replacement by an autogenous vein graft]

OBJECTIVE

In order to observe the survival rate and the histologic changes of the reestablished common carotid artery system.

METHOD

A planned resection of the carotid artery was done and the common carotid artery system was reestablished by interposing an autogenous external jugular vein graft in 15 white rabbits.

RESULT

12 survived, the other 3 rabbits died from graft thrombosis, the survival rate was 80%. Histologic examination demonstrated the smooth internal tunic in the anastomotic part of the carotid-jugular and no graft thrombosis. Angiography demonstrated the free circulation of the blood and no aneurysm in the anastomotic vein.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that it is possible that in selected patients, a planned resection of the carotid artery with replacement by interposing an autogenous external jugular vein graft will be done.

Metabolic flux analysis for efficient pyruvate fermentation using vitamin-auxotrophic yeast of Torulopsis glabrata

The metabolism of a vitamin-auxotrophic pyruvate-producing microorganism, Torulopsis glabrata IFO 0005, was investigated by metabolic flux analysis. Particular attention was focused on the effect of culture conditions, such as dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and thiamine concentration, on specific pathway activities. The results of metabolic flux analysis indicate that the thiamine concentration significantly affected pyruvate dehydrogenase and pyruvate decarboxylase activities, and plays an important role in cell growth and pyruvate production. Metabolic flux analysis was also utilized to clarify the metabolism of this strain during pyruvate fermentation under different oxygen supply conditions, and the reason for the enhanced pyruvate production under conditions of 30-40% DO concentration was clarified from the viewpoint of intracellular flux distributions. Based on the analysis of the effect of thiamine concentration on the metabolic fluxes, we conducted a fed-batch experiment where the initial thiamine concentration was reduced to 30 microg/l and thiamine was added at 10 microg/l during fermentation when the cell growth rate decreased to 0.2 h(-1). With separate addition of thiamine, the overall pyruvate yield could be improved by 15% due to the decrease of ethanol production.

[The investigation of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in elderly people in Beijing]

The health status of 623 elderly people aged 60 years and over in different residential areas of Beijing was investigated. Among them 289 lived in the Xuanwu district, an urban area, 194 lived in a suburb area of Beijing, the Daxing county and 140 lived in a mountain area of the Huairou county. It was found that the prevalence rates of overweight (BMI 24-27) and obesity (BMI > or = 28), hyperlipidemia and diabetes in urban residents were much higher than that in the suburb and mountain residents (P < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively). The rate of obesity is higher in female than in male (P < 0.05). The rates of overweight and obesity decreased with increase of age (P < 0.001). In subjects with overweight and obesity the rates of hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes were higher than those in the subjects without (P < 0.001). The detected rates of coronary heart disease and calcified valvular heart disease between the four groups with different body weight did not differ significantly.

[Facial nerve regeneration through autologous non-nerve grafts]

This study investigated the rabbits facial nerve regeneration over a 8 mm transectional gap of the bucal branches through autologous degenerated skeletal muscle and autologous vein respectively. At 20 weeks following the implantation of the mentioned non-neural materials, all the nerve defects of the experimented animals were repaired. In the electrophysiologic indices and morphometeric analysis, the differences between the respective experimental group and the nerve autografts group had no statistical significance. The results indicated that the non-neural tissues could guide facial nerve regenerating effectively, which suggested that they can be clinically practicable.

Behçet's-like syndrome associated with idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia, opportunistic infections, and a large population of TCR alpha beta+ CD4- CD8- T cells

Herein we report a patient with Behçet's like syndrome, idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia, opportunistic infections, and a large polyclonal population of TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells. Microfluorimetric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells revealed CD4+ T-cell counts of 10 +/- 5/mm3. The CD3+ T cells were 99% TCR alpha beta +, of which 74 +/- 5% were CD4- CD8-. No clonal populations were detected by southern analysis for T-cell receptor V beta gene rearrangements. No evidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection was present, although nocardia, candida, pneumocystis, cytomegalovirus, and herpes infections were documented. The concomitant presence of opportunistic infections and a large population of TCR alpha beta + CD4- CD8- T cells suggests a pathogenic association and an intense immune response to microbial lipid or lipoglycan antigens presented in the context of CD1 molecules. This case demonstrates the potential for idiopathic CD4+ T-lymphocytopenia to occur in Behçet's-like syndrome with lethal consequences.

[Effects of aerobic exercise on regulation of activities of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor in hypercholesterolemic rats]

The present study is to determine the effects of exercise on the regulatory role in activities of hepatic low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) in experimental hypercholesterolemic (HC) rats. Using a specific assay for the binding of 125I-LDL receptor to homogenate, the activity of hepatic LDL-R were measured. It was observed that the activity of LDL-R in HC decreased by 37% as compared with the normal control (NC) rats. HC rats also had a higher levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), LDL-Cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B). The rats fed on high-cholesterol diet combined with exercise for 12 weeks (HE) had lower TC, LDL-C and Apo B levels than those of HC rats, and had a higher hepatic LDL-R activity which was 26% higher than that of HC rats. These finding suggested: (1) LDL-R activity may be regulated downward in cholesterol-loaded rats; (2) Exercise may enhance the utilization and degradation of intracellular cholesterol, and may have a feedback effect on the down-regulated synthesis of LDL-R, thus increase the uptake of LDL-C and lower plasma level of lipid.

[Tumours of the nose and sinuses presented as nasal polyp]

Twelve cases of tumours of the nose and sinuses misdiagnosed at the first time as nasal polyp are reported. Of them, 4 were benign and 8 malignant. The endoscopic technique is helpful to differential diagnosis of benign or malignant lesions and polyps in these areas.

CD44-anchored hyaluronan-rich pericellular matrices: an ultrastructural and biochemical analysis

The chondrocyte pericellular matrix is an essential zone for cartilage matrix assembly and turnover. Electron micrographs of native endogenous and composition-defined exogenous pericellular matrices, both preserved via ruthenium hexaminetrichloride fixation procedures, depict strikingly similar networks of hyaluronan and proteoglycan extending out from the cell surface. Biochemical and morphological analyses of matrix regrowth show that monoclonal antibodies directed against the hyaluronan receptor CD44 blocked chondrocyte pericellular matrix assembly. Immunoperoxidase electron microscopy was used to display regular repeating spacing patterns of hyaluronan/proteoglycan assembly at the cell surface. These patterns compared well with the ultrastructural immunolocalization of CD44 at the cell surface. All of these data suggest that the hyaluronan receptor CD44 retains and participates in the assembly of the chondrocyte pericellular matrix.

Evaluation of Doppler echocardiographic atrial pacing stress test in the detection of coronary artery disease

Doppler echocardiographic atrial pacing stress tests were performed in 23 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 35 normal subjects. It was found that the peak flow velocity (PFV) through the mitral valve decreased at 160 beats per minute (BPM) during pacing in the CAD group (P less than 0.01), but no significant variation was seen in the normal group. No differences between the two groups were observed in 1/3 filling fraction (1/3 FF), total diastolic filling period (DFP) and the ratio of early diastolic filling period (EDFP) to DFP before pacing. However, 1/3 FF and DFP decreased and EDFP/DFP increased immediately following rapid pacing in the CAD group but did not change in the normal group (P less than 0.05, 0.01, and 0.001 respectively). The peak flow velocity during atrial contraction (APFV), time velocity integral during atrial contraction (ATVI) and the ratio of ATVI to total TVI (ATVI/TTVI) increased immediately following pacing in the CAD group. Using two of three indices--ATVI/TTVI more than 0.35, ATVI increase and 1/3 FF decrease immediately following pacing--as diagnostic criteria for CAD, the sensitivity was 86% and the specificity was 77%. It may be concluded that the Doppler echocardiographic atrial pacing stress test is a feasible and reliable method for detecting CAD.

[Influence of cardiac structure, blood flow velocity and heart function on circulating atrial natriuretic peptide and renin-angiotension system]

Heart function and plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and angiotension II (Ang II) were examined with echocardiography and radioimmunoassay in 9 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), 41 with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), 29 with hyperthyroidism (Ht) and 24 normal subjects. ANP level was significantly increased as heart failure progressed (P < 0.01 and 0.001). There was negative correlation between ANP and left ventricular fractional shortening, and between ANP and ejection fraction in DCM and Ht groups. There was positive correlation between ANP and maximal left atrial diameter, right atrial area, and diastolic diameter or volume of left ventricle in DCM and RHD groups, and negative correlation between ANP and peak flow velocity in aorta or through mitral valve in DCM group (r = -0.608, P < 0.05 and r = 0.710, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the stronger the myocardial contractility and the faster the blood flow, the lower the plasma ANP level.

Internalization of hyaluronan by chondrocytes occurs via receptor-mediated endocytosis

Several studies have suggested that chondrocytes must have the capacity to internalize and degrade extracellular hyaluronan. In the present study we show direct evidence that hyaluronan is, in fact, endocytosed by chondrocytes and that the endocytosis is mediated via cell surface CD44/hyaluronan receptors. Cultures of bovine articular chondrocytes as well as rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes were incubated with either fluorescein- or 3H-labeled hyaluronan. Intense binding and accumulation of labeled hyaluronan was visualized by fluorescence microscopy or bright-field/dark-field microscopy following autoradiography. Cell surface hyaluronan was removed with either trypsin or Streptomyces hyaluronidase in order to distinguish and quantify intracellular endocytosed hyaluronan. Labeled hyaluronan was visualized within small discrete intracellular vesicles distributed throughout the cytoplasm. Binding and endocytosis of fluorescein- or 3H-labeled hyaluronan was totally blocked by the addition of excess unlabeled hyaluronan or hyaluronan hexasaccharides, competitive inhibitors of hyaluronan/hyaluronan receptor interactions. Binding and endocytosis was also blocked by the addition of anti-CD44 monoclonal antibodies. Characterization of endocytosed 3H-labeled hyaluronan demonstrated that a significant portion of the hyaluronan was degraded by both the bovine articular and rat chondrosarcoma chondrocytes. Interestingly, a higher proportion of bound hyaluronan was internalized by the bovine chondrocytes. Therefore, hyaluronan receptor-mediated endocytosis and degradation of hyaluronan may provide a critical link to the maintenance and homeostasis of cartilage tissue.

[Biological characteristics of Cryptoporus volvatus (peck) Hubb., a medicinal fungus]

Through ecological investigations and experimental studies, it has been shown that C. volvatus is a fungus growing on decaying matter; the carbon source of culture medium comes from glucose, honey, fructose, mannitol, etc; and its nitrogen source from peptone, yeast powder, etc. The best ratio of carbon to nitrogen (C/N) is 20-25: 1, optimum pH 5.5-6.5 and optimal temperature 25-30 degrees C.

[Evaluation of Doppler echocardiography stress test with transesophageal atrial pacing in detecting coronary artery disease]

Doppler echocardiographic transesophageal atrial pacing stress test was performed in 23 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 35 normal subjects. It was found that 1/3 filling fraction (1/3 FF) decreased and peak flow velocity of atrial contraction (APFV), time velocity integral of atrial contraction (ATVI) and the ratio of ATVI to total TVI (ATVI/TTVI) increased immediately after rapid atrial pacing in CAD group. No differences were found between before and after pacing in normal group. Using 2 of the 3 criteria ATVI/TTVI greater than 0.35, ATVI increases and 1/3 FF decreases after pacing as the criteria for diagnosis in CAD, the sensitivity was 86% and specificity was 77%. Thus, Doppler echocardiographic transesophageal atrial pacing stress test may be a feasible, reliable and noninvasive method in detecting CAD.

[Clinical effects of nifedipine on blood pressure and left ventricular performance in patients with isolated hypertension]

17 patients with isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) and 8 with diastolic hypertension (DH) were treated with 10 mg of nifedipine sublingually. In ISH group the blood pressure decreased on the average from 180.2/87.4 to 166.2/84.2, 161.9/82.6, 163.4/83.7 mmHg after 5.20 and 60 minutes, while in DH group the blood pressure decreased on the average from 139.2/102.0 to 138.0/100.0, 137.6/97.6, 134.4/97.2 mmHg. With pulsed Doppler echocardiography, we found that early diastolic time-velocity integral increased (P less than 0.001) and E time prolonged (P less than 0.01) after 20 and 60 minutes in ISH group; and 1/3 filling fraction increased (P less than 0.05) after 20 minutes in DH group. With M-mode echocardiography we found that cardiac index and ejection fraction were improved in both groups. No obvious side effects were noted. From above-mentioned findings we are of the opinion that sublingual nifedipine is effective in reducing blood pressure and improving left ventricular performance especially in ISH patients.