Warm acupuncture therapy alleviates neuronal apoptosis after spinal cord injury via inhibition of the ERK signaling pathway

PURPOSE

Warm acupuncture (WA) therapy has been applied to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The current study attempted to explore the WA therapy on neuronal apoptosis of SCI and the relationship with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway.

METHODS

The rat SCI models were established by the impact method. SCI rat models were subjected to WA treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Jiaji points (T10), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Zusanli (ST36), and Ciliao (BL32). The rat SCI models were established by the impact method. WA and U0126 treatments were performed on the SCI rats. Motor function and neuronal apoptosis were detected. The relative mRNA of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), the phosphorylation level of ERK 1/2 and levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), BCL2-Associated X (Bax), and caspase-3 in spinal cord tissue were tested.

RESULTS

After WA treatment, the Basso, Beattie & Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB scale) of SCI rats in the WA treatment was significantly raised from 7 to 14 days after SCI. WA and U0126 treatment significantly diminished apoptotic cells and preserved the neurons in the injured spinal cord. WA and U0126 treatment alleviated the production of inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. The distinct increase of p-ERK 1/2 induced by SCI was reversed in WA and U0126 treatment groups. WA and U0126 treatment augmented the level of Bcl-2 and reversed the elevated cleaved caspase-3 protein level after SCI.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated that WA might be associated with the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway. In summary, our findings indicated that WA promotes the recovery of SCI via the protection of nerve cells and the prevention of apoptosis. Meanwhile, the anti-apoptotic effect of WA might be associated with the downregulation of the ERK signaling pathway, which could be one of the mechanisms of WA in the treatment of SCI.

Acupuncture combined with moxibustion promote the recovery of spinal cord injury in correlation with Shh/Gli-1 signaling pathway

Objective: Acupuncture combined with moxibustion (AM) therapy has been applied to treat spinal cord injury (SCI), but the underlying mechanism is unclear. The present study aimed to confirm the effect and mechanism of AM treatment on the recovery of SCI.Design: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish the SCI model by impact method. SCI rat models were subjected to AM treatment at Dazhui (GV14) and Jiaji points (T7-T12), Yaoyangguan (GV3), Zusanli (ST36) and Ciliao (BL32).Outcome measures: Motor function and cell apoptosis in rats after SCI. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Shh and Gli-1 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot and immunohistochemistry.Results: After AM treatment, the hindlimb motor function of SCI rats was significantly increased than the SCI group at 7, 9, 11, 14 days (P < 0.05). AM treatment 7 d and 14 d significantly preserved the nissl-stained positive neurons and significantly decreased number of apoptotic cells, compared to that of SCI 7 and 14 d groups (P < 0.05). AM treatment improved the mRNA protein levels of Shh and Gli-1 after 7 and 14 days treatment compared to the SCI group (P < 0.05).Conclusion: AM could improve the expression of Shh and Gli-1 in injured spinal cord of rats. That could be part of underlying mechanisms of AM treatment including recover motor function and preserve the neuron cells and alleviate the apoptosis of nerve cells in rats after SCI.

Ultrastructural analysis on the gland secretion in the extracellular ducts of the hypopharyngeal glands of the honeybee infected by Nosema apis

The hypopharyngeal glands of the honeybee secrete the larval food royal jelly, along with enzymes that are used in the production of honey from nectar. The composition of this secretion mixture varies with the physiological condition of the honeybee, and the final secretion mixture is conveyed through the extracellular ducts to the large excretory duct. The secretion products in the extracellular duct of both healthy and infected honeybees, was studied by transmission electron microscopy and image analysis. These products consisted of a densely packed, faintly visible granular substance. The granules were clearly defined by the computer enhanced image. The secretion products from the Nosema-infected honeybees exhibited the same granular structure, but were much less concentrated, thereby reducing the overall electron density of the secretion. These observations suggest that the composition of the secretion products from the hypopharyngeal glands in the Nosema-infected honeybees, was altered considerably.

Ultrastructural changes in the secretion granules of the hypopharyngeal glands of the honeybee infected by Nosema apis and after treatment with fumagillin

Electron-dense secretion granules were numerous in the hypopharyngeal glands of healthy honeybees. In the hyopharyngeal glands of honeybees infected by Nosema apis, these granules appeared to have increased in size and lost their electron density, possessing a core area that consisted of numerous smaller granules, and a slightly electron dense fringe area, which in some cases possessed a crystalline structure. In the hypopharyngeal glands of infected honeybees after treatment with fumagillin, the secretion granules were also large and slightly electron dense, but the granular content was homogenous. Some of these granules were also partially crystallized. These ultrastructural changes in the secretion granules of diseased and fumagillin treated bees, is probably associated with a change in secretory activity of the glands.

The relationship between acid-suppressing drugs and phytobezoar formation: a retrospective analysis and discussion of phytobezoar formation

OBJECTIVES

Although phytobezoars are a rare cause of gastrointestinal obstruction, they are most commonly found in patients with previous gastric surgery. It is well known that predisposing factors of phytobezoar formation are ingestion of fruits containing soluble tannin, presence of dilute hydrochloric acid in the stomach, and gastric stasis or delayed emptying. We investigated whether intake of acid-suppressing drugs that neutralize gastric acidity or inhibit gastric acid secretion to constitute a hypo-acidic condition, increases the risk of phytobezoar formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between September 1992 and October 2008, 32 patients (24 male and 8 female) with gastrointestinal phytobezoars were diagnosed either surgically or endoscopically at the Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China. The data were collected from hospital records and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Eighteen (56.25%) of all patients had previous gastric surgery and 6 (42.9%) of the 14 patients who had not undergone surgery had diabetes mellitus. The majority of admissions were during winter and spring (between October and March) (P < 0.01) and none of the patients had taken acid-suppressing drugs during the 6 months before detection of gastrointestinal phytobezoars.

CONCLUSIONS

In our study, intake of acid-suppressing drugs did not increase the risk of phytobezoar formation in patients with normal gastric motility. Moreover, we believe that the major factor in phytobezoar formation is gastric stasis or delayed emptying, which sufficiently prolongs the retention period of materials in the stomach, while dilute hydrochloric acid is a minor factor.

Stimulatory effect of paeoniflorin on the release of noradrenaline from ileal synaptosomes of guinea-pig in-vitro

The effect of paeoniflorin (an active principle of Paeoniae Radix, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine) on the release of noradrenaline (norepineprhine) from nerve terminals was investigated using guinea-pig isolated ileal synaptosomes. Release was determined as the amount of noradrenaline, quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection, from samples incubated with paeoniflorin or vehicle. Paeoniflorin stimulated the release of noradrenaline in a concentration-dependent manner without an effect on the level of lactate dehydrogenase in the bathing medium. Tetrodotoxin abolished the action of paeoniflorin at concentrations sufficient to block sodium channels. The depolarizing effect of paeoniflorin on the membrane potential was also illustrated by a concentration-dependent increase in the fluorescence of bisoxonol. Moreover, the effect of paeoniflorin on bisoxonol fluorescence in ileal synaptosomes seems more potent than that of 4-aminopyridine. That paeoniflorin causes influx of calcium ions via the depolarization of nerve terminals could be considered. The noradrenaline-releasing action of paeoniflorin was abolished by removal of calcium chloride from the bathing medium. This action of paeoniflorin was also attenuated by Rp-cAMP atconcentrations sufficientto inhibitthe action of cyclicAMP. Therefore, paeoniflorin could induce a calcium-dependent and cyclic-AMP-related release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve terminals of guinea-pig ileum. Guanethidine inhibited the noradrenaline-releasing action of paeoniflorin in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect of paeoniflorin on the increase of bisoxonol fluorescence was not modified by atropine. Release of noradrenaline by paeoniflorin from noradrenergic nerve terminals was characterized. These findings suggest that paeoniflorin can stimulate tetrodotoxin-sensitive depolarization of membranes to result in a calcium-dependent and cyclic-AMP-related release of noradrenaline from noradrenergic nerve terminals.

Large drug resistance virulence plasmids of clinical isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis

Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis generally causes systemic human salmonellosis without diarrhea, and therefore, antimicrobial treatment is essential for such patients. The drug resistance information on this organism is thus of high value. Serovar Choleraesuis usually harbors a virulence plasmid (pSCV) of 50 kb in size. Of the 16 clinical isolates identified to be serovar Choleraesuis, all except one harbored a pSCV and seven of them carried a pSCV of more than 125 kb in size. A pSCV was defined as a plasmid carrying spvC and characteristic deletions detected by PCR and by DNA-DNA hybridization (for the former criterion). The results of PCR, restriction fragment profiles, and Southern DNA-DNA hybridizations of the profiles all indicated that such larger pSCVs were derived from the 50-kb plasmid recombined with non-pSCVs found in some clinical isolates. Fifteen of the 17 strains, including a laboratory strain, were then tested for drug resistance against 16 antibiotics with E-test and the dilution method. The laboratory strain, which harbored a 50-kb pSCV and a 6-kb non-pSCV, was resistant only to sulfonamides (SUL), and its resistance gene, sulII, checked with PCR and DNA-DNA hybridization, was located on the 6-kb non-pSCV. All 14 clinical strains were resistant to multiple drugs. Of the 14, 7 were resistant to SUL, and the resistance gene was located on a plasmid. The sulII gene, but not bla(TEM-1), was carried only on the 6-kb non-pSCV. Of the remaining six large plasmids, three of 90 kb, two of 136 kb, and one of 140 kb, the last three were pSCVs and carried the other SUL gene (sulI) and the bla(TEM-1) gene. The six strains were also resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. None of the 50-kb pSCVs carried resistance genes. These drug resistance genes on the large pSCVs were apparently also acquired through recombination.

[Effect of berberine on intracellular free CA2+ concentration in cultured brain cells]

Intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was measured with Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator, Fura-2/AM, in cultured brain cells using AR-CM-MIC cation measurement system, and the effects of berberine (Ber) on the changes in [Ca2+]i induced by CaCl2, norepinephrine, KCl and H2O2 were studied. The results indicate that the resting [Ca2+]i was 35 +/- 8 nmol.L-1 in Ca(2+)-free Hank's solution. Ber showed no effect on the resting [Ca2+]i when the extracellular Ca2+ were 0.01-10 mmol.L-1. Ber 1-100 mumol.L-1 dose-dependently inhibited norepinephrine and H2O2 induced [Ca2+]i elevation. Ber at high concentration (10-100 mumol.L-1) inhibited K(+)-induced [Ca2+]i elevation. This suggests that the inhibitory effects of Ber on norepinephrine, K(+)-, and H2O2-induced [Ca2+]i elevation may be one of the mechanisms against cerebral ischemia.

Stimulatory effect of D-ephedrine on beta3-adrenoceptors in adipose tissue of rats

The effect of ephedrine on beta3-adrenoceptos (beta3-AR) was studied in the isolated adipose tissue of Wistar rat. Incubation with D-ephedrine (0.1-10 microM) induced a concentration-dependent decrease of uptake of [14C]-deoxy-D-glucose into white adipose tissues (WAT). The inhibitory effect of D-ephedrine was potentiated by BRL 37344, the agonist of beta3-AR and concentration-dependently inhibited by SR 59230A, the selective antagonist of beta3-AR. The action of D-ephedrine on beta3-AR was further blocked by the antibodies for beta3-AR, but not the immunoglobulin. in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, D-ephedrine increased glycerol release from the isolated brown adipose tissues (BAT) and this action was also abolished by SR 59230A at concentration sufficient to block beta3-AR. Thus, these results suggest that D-ephedrine has the ability to activate beta3-AR both in WAT and BAT of Wistar rats in vitro.

Effects of allitridi on intracellular Ca2+ concentration in isolated rat brain cells

AIM

To study actions of allitridi extracted from garlic on intracellular calcium in isolated rat brain cells.

METHODS

Brain cells were isolated from newborn rat brain with Fura 2-AM measurements of intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i).

RESULTS

Allitridi 1-100 mumol.L-1 concentration-dependently blocked increases of [Ca2+]i caused by potassium chloride and sodium glutamate (Glu) with IC50 of 59.7 and 69.9 mumol.L-1 respectively. Allitridi 100 mumol.L-1 blocked norepinephrine (Nor)-induced [Ca2+]i elevation.

CONCLUSION

Allitridi is an effective agent for blocking the [Ca2+]i increase caused by potassium chloride, Nor and Glu.

Comparative physical and genetic maps of the virulence plasmids of Salmonella enterica serovars typhimurium, enteritidis, choleraesuis, and dublin

Using fragment profiling, PCR, and Southern hybridization, we found that Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis harbored virulence plasmids of various sizes, whereas serovars Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Dublin carried a plasmid of a unique size. Also, the virulence plasmid of Typhimurium contained genes in the same order detected in the other three plasmids, all of which contained deletions.

Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder: results of surgery--a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The development of hepatobiliary imaging modalities has resulted in earlier detection of gallbladder cancer. This is a retrospective evaluation of surgical resection of gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

Records of 58 patients with gallbladder carcinoma who underwent surgical resection in the past 14 years were examined. Patients were staged according to the Nevin system: six had Nevin stage I disease; 10, stage II; 9, stage III; four, stage IV; and 24 had stage V cancer. Forty-three patients were thought to have resectable lesions. Of these, 14 had extended cholecystectomy, 21 simple cholecystectomy, seven simple cholecystectomy with biliary drainage and one patient had radical cholecystectomy with pancreaticoduodenectomy. Prognoses were analyzed in relation to pathologic staging and surgical procedures.

RESULTS

The overall one-year and five-year survival rates were 50% and 19.2%, respectively. The five-year survival rate for Nevin stage I was 100%; for stage II, 60%; stage III, 33%; stage IV, 25% and for stage V, 0%. Radical surgery led to a better cumulative survival rate for Nevin stages III and IV (p < 0.01) than did simple cholecystectomy. Five Stage II cases were treated with simple cholecystectomy but two patients had early metastasis. Four stage III patients underwent simple cholecystectomy and three had metastasis within one year.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, stage III and IV tumors require extended procedures for better survival. A high index of suspicion for the disease, careful intraoperative examination of the gallbladder specimen and earlier, more aggressive treatment may improve patient survival.

8-(N,N-diethylamino)-n-octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate reduced [Ca2+]i elevation induced by histamine, serotonin, and glutamate in cultured calf basilar artery smooth muscle cells

AIM

To study the effects of 8-(N,N-diethylamino)-n-octyl-3,4,5- trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) on intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cultured calf basilar artery smooth muscle cells.

METHODS

[Ca2+]i was examined by a system of measurement of AR-CM-MIC, using Fura 2-AM as a fluorescent indicator.

RESULTS

In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ 1.3 mmol.L-1, histamine (His), serotonin (5-HT), and sodium glutamate (Glu) markedly increased the [Ca2+]i which was attenuated by TMB-8. In Ca2+ free Hanks' solution containing egtazic acid 0.1 mmol.L-1, TMB-8 not only reduced the resting [Ca2+]i, but also inhibited the elevation of [Ca2+]i evoked by His and 5-HT.

CONCLUSION

TMB-8 reduced the resting [Ca2+]i and attenuated His-, 5-HT-, and Glu-induced increases of [Ca2+]i in basilar artery smooth muscle cells.

A putative iridovirus from the honey bee mite, varroa jacobsoni oudemans

Copyright

Huge splenic epidermoid cyst: a case report

A case is reported of splenic epidermoid cyst discovered in a 21-year-old female. The lesion was shown by abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography to be 14 x 12 x 8 cm in size and to contain serous fluid in the lumen. The spleen was easily removed by surgery. Histopathologically, the epidermoid cyst was composed of a loosely fibrous wall and a single layer interior lining of flattened or low-cuboidal epithelium, without skin appendages. The remaining splenic tissue showed mild congestive change with thickened sinusoidal stroma. Most splenic cysts have presented with symptoms related to both the size of the mass and compression of an adjacent organ. Potential complications include hemorrhage, infection, and rupture of the splenic cyst. Splenectomy is recommend to eradicate symptoms produced by the cyst and to prevent potential complications.

[High performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of ipriflavone in serum and its pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers]

A sensitive and rapid high performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of ipriflavone in human serum. The average recovery of ipriflavone was 85% with relative standard deviation of 3.8%-5.4%. The calibration curve was linear in the range from 8 ng.ml-1 to 400 ng.ml-1 with gamma = 0.9981. The detection limit of the method was 3 ng.ml-1 (S/N > or = 3). The serum drug concentration-time curve exhibited a 2-compartment model and the mean T1/2 beta was 12.00 +/- 1.89 h (for ipriflavone made in Japan) and 9.05 +/- 0.80 h (for ipriflavone made in China). The AUC0-->infinity of the two kinds of ipriflavone were 804.99 ng.h.ml-1 and 807.40 ng.h.ml-1, respectively. The relative bioavailability of ipriflavone made in China vs that made in Japan was 1.003.

[Pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli in Taiwan]

From July 1994 through June 1996, 28 strains of Escherichia coli were isolated from 1,260 patients with acute diarrhea. These strains were further differentiated with serotypes and virulence factors. Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) were accounted for 53.6 (15 of 28 strains), 28.6 (8 of 28), 10.7 (3 of 28) and 7.1% (2 of 28), respectively. Therefore, ETEC and EPEC are playing an important role in food-borne illness in Taiwan. Escherichia coli O157:H7, a new emerging pathogen of food-borne disease, has not been isolated in this study.

Influences of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 on reversible focal brain ischemia in rats

AIM

To study the influences of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 (active components of the total saponins of Panax ginseng) on the brains against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Rat focal cerebral ischemia was induced by reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) without craniectomy. The influences of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 on infarct size (IS), neurologic deficit (ND) and the contents of calcium and potassium in the infarct were observed.

RESULTS

In a 2-h ischemia, Rb1 10-40 mg.kg-1 i.v. 30 min before MCAO decreased IS by 20%-49% and ND score from 5.1 to 4.1-2.3, and inhibited Ca accumulation and K loss by 22%-50% and 18-37%, respectively; Rb1 10-40 mg.kg-1 i.v. immediately after MCA was recanalized decreased IS by 12%-35% and ND score from 5.2 to 4.3-3.3, and inhibited Ca accumulation and K loss by 10%-40% and 17%-30%, respectively. In permanent ischemia, Rb1 40 mg.kg-1 i.v. reduced IS, ND, Ca accumulation and K loss. However, Rg1 40 mg.kg-1 i.v. did not show effect on both permanent and 2-h MCAO.

CONCLUSIONS

Rb1 protected brain from ischemic and reperfusion injuries.

Tetrandrine vs nicardipine in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion damages in gerbils

AIM

To study the effects of tetrandrine (Tet) vs nicardipine (Nic) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion damages.

METHODS

Cerebral ischemia was produced by 10-min occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries followed by 5-min reperfusion in gerbils. The changes in electroencephalogram (EEG), calcium and water contents, lipid peroxide (LPO) content and ultrastructure in gerbil brains were compared.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with Tet (15 mg.kg-1, i.v.) and Nic (0.25 mg.kg-1, i.v.) enhanced the recovery of EEG amplitude, reduced the calcium (151.2 +/- 1.1 and 155.3 +/- 2.4 mg/kg dry wt in Tet and Nic groups vs 193 +/- 8 mg/kg dry wt in ischemia-reperfusion group, P < 0.05) and water contents, attenuated the increase in LPO content (293 +/- 29 and 276 +/- 23 mumol.kg-1 wet wt in Tet and Nic groups vs 427 +/- 24 mumol.kg-1 wet wt in ischemia-reperfusion group, P < 0.01), and diminished the ultrastructural abnormalities of cortex and hippocampus in gerbil brain during ischemia and reperfusion.

CONCLUSION

Tet and Nic had protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion brain damages in gerbils. The effects of Tet were similar to, but less potent than those of Nic.

Coexisting sharp ductal angulation with intrahepatic biliary strictures in right hepatolithiasis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics of a coexisting sharp ductal angulation (< 90 degrees) with biliary stricture and to evaluate the difficulties it imposes in the management of retained or recurrent hepatolithiasis.

DESIGN

Case-controlled study.

SETTING

A referral center.

PATIENTS

Eighteen consecutive patients having right-sided hepatolithiasis and a coexisting sharp ductal angulation associated with biliary stricture (group 1) were compared with 84 patients matched with sex, age, and conditions of hepatolithiasis and intrahepatic biliary stricture(s) but no sharp angulated duct (group 2).

INTERVENTION

Postoperative cholangioscopic management (electrohydraulic lithotripsy or other lithotripsy, lithotomy, balloon dilation, biopsy, etc, via T-tube tract or percutaneous transhepatic route).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sessions of manipulations, incidence of complications associated with interventions or disease, and mortality were compared.

RESULTS

Patients of group 1 needed more sessions of postoperative manipulation of stones and strictures (13.7 +/- 4.2 vs 8.0 +/- 2.3; P < .001). During management, there was a significantly increased vulnerability of severe and/or recurrent cholangitis (66.7% vs 9.5%; P < .001), septic shock (77.8% vs 11.9%; P < .001), liver abscess (55.6% vs 7.1%; P < .001), or massive hemobilia (33.3% vs 7.4%) in group 1 than in group 2. Their risks of coexisting secondary biliary cirrhosis (55.6% vs 9.5%; P < .001) and/or cholangiocarcinoma (16.6% vs 2.4%; P < .04) and mortality (27.8% vs 4.8%; P < .01) were also significantly higher in group 1.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the coexisting sharp ductal angulation with biliary strictures in right-sided hepatolithiasis is a distinct difficult clinical entity in the field of biliary tract calculi.

[Uterus, fallopian tube and ovary within a sliding hernia: a case report]

Sliding hernias of the tube, ovaries and uterus occur occasionally in newborn female infants, but are rare in older women. This report entails a case of a sliding inguinal hernia which contains the organs of the female genital tract in a 56-year-old multipara woman. Under diagnosis of incarcerated inguinal hernia preoperatively, the operative intervention was performed, but it appeared the organs of uterus, ovary and fallopian tube there instead of the intestine. After operation, wound recovery was good. At follow-up six months later, there was no recurrence nor lower abdominal discomfort.

Intussusception of mucocele of the appendix: a case report

A 63-year-old man had had repeated episodes of ileo-caecal intussusception, and a pre-operative barium enema revealed appendiceal mucocele as a leading cause. Resection of appendix and part of the caecum were undertaken through exploration. The post-operative course was smooth. This unusual etiology is reported and discussed.

Malignant duodenocolic fistula: a case report

A 65 year-old female presented with diarrhea, body weight loss, malnutrition, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and electrolyte disturbances. A series of examinations showed colon cancer with a malignant duodenocolic fistula. Patient received extended right hemicolectomy with wide local excision of the duodenum (en bloc resection of the tumor). Recovery was smooth without local recurrence or metastasis after a six-month follow-up. Wide en bloc resection provides the only hope of cure in such cases. Treatment with extended right hemicolectomy with Whipple's procedure, or extended right hemicolectomy with extended local wide excision of duodenum, should be chosen, depending upon the extent of tumor invasion.

Effects of tetrandrine on free intracellular Ca2+ in isolated rat brain cells

Using Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator, Fura-2/AM, intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) was measured. Resting [Ca2+]i was 221 +/- 18 nmol.L-1 in the presence of Ca2+ 1.3 mmol.L-1 in Hank's solution. Tetrandrine (Tet) 30 mumol.L-1 had no effect on the resting [Ca2+]i when the extracellular Ca2+ were 0-2 mmol.L-1. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+ 1.3 mmol.L-1, Tet (1-100 mumol.L-1) concentration-dependently inhibited the high extracellular K(+)-induced [Ca2+]i elevation, with an IC50 value of 8.2 mumol.L-1 (95% confidence limits: 1.9-32.9 mumol.L-1). Low concentrations of Tet (1-10 mumol.L-1) did not alter the norepinephrine-induced [Ca2+]i elevation. Tet 30 mumol.L-1 depressed norepinephrine 10 mumol.L-1 induced [Ca2+]i elevation by 42%. The results suggested that Tet inhibited the Ca2+ influx through voltage-dependent ionic channels and, at high concentrations, through receptor-operated ionic channels in the brain cells.

Effects of tetrandrine on action potentials and afterhyperpolarization potentials in toad dorsal root ganglia

Intracellular recordings were obtained from the cytosome of type A primary afferents in the isolated toad dorsal root ganglia (DRG) preparations. Bath application of Ca2+ 8.0 mmol.L-1 led to prolong action potential duration of repolarization 100% (APD100) by 23%, afterhyperpolarization potential duration of depolarization 50% (AHPD50) by 46%, and increase afterhyperpolarization potential amplitude (AHPA) by 40%. Verapamil 3 mumol.L-1 shortened the APD100 by 7% and the AHPD50 by 13%, and reduced the AHPA by 17%. The effects of Tet 3-100 mumol.L-1 consisted of APD and AHPD50 shortening and AHPA reduction in concentration-dependent manner. Tet 100 mumol.L-1, APD100 was shortened by 16%, AHPD50 by 18%, and AHPA was reduced by 20%. The results suggested that the effects of Tet may be related to its Ca2+ channel blockade in DRG.

Frequency-dependent depression of Vmax in K(+)-depolarized guinea pig papillary muscle by tetrandrine

The effect of tetrandrine (Tet), a calcium antagonist, on the maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax) of depolarization in K(+)-depolarized guinea pig papillary muscles was studied by standard microelectrode method with computer. The results showed that: (1) the resting block of Tet on Vmax was concentration dependent; (2) the drug (50 or 100 mumol.L-1) caused a marked frequency-dependent block of Vmax, which accounted for 65 +/- 8% of total block at a concentration of 100 mumol.L-1 and the pacing frequency of 0.3 Hz; (3) the recovery kinetics of Vmax could be characterized as a biexponential function, of which the second phase was prolonged by the drug; (4) compared with verapamil, nitrendipine, and diltiazem, the above-mentioned effects of Tet on Vmax were similar to those of diltiazem. These results suggest that Tet can block calcium channel in both frequency-dependent and frequency-independent manner, mainly the former.

Thyroglossal duct cyst: an analysis of 92 cases

From 1983 to 1989, ninety-two in hospital cases of surgically treated thyroglossal duct cysts were reviewed. 4 patients (4%) were found to have metaplastic changes of the lining epithelium. Recurrence and the potential for malignancy are two main problems in the treatment of thyroglossal duct cyst. We advocate the Sistrunk procedure to be the choice of surgical treatment for thyroglossal duct cyst.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of 2-fluoro-beta-alanine in rats. Potential relevance to toxicity pattern of 5-fluorouracil

Clinical pharmacokinetic studies in our laboratory demonstrated that 2-fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL), the major catabolite of fluorouracil (FUra), has a prolonged elimination with an approximately 150-fold longer half-life than that of the unchanged drug in humans [Heggie et al.: Cancer Res. 47, 2203-2206 (1987)]. Recent studies have suggested that FUra catabolites, such as FBAL, may have a role in neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity that may occur during FUra chemotherapy [Okada et al.: Acta Neuropathol. 81, 66-73 (1990)]. This study was undertaken to determine the kinetics and tissue distribution of FBAL in rats following iv bolus administration of radiolabeled FBAL. Plasma disappearance curves for FBAL could be described by the sum of three exponentials, with half-lives of 0.26, 12.1, and 8426 min. Radioactivity, consisting mainly of FBAL-bile acid conjugates, was excreted in bile within 30 sec of iv bolus administration of FBAL and continued throughout the experimental period at concentrations 10-100-fold higher than that of the corresponding plasma level. Urinary excretion, consisting mainly of free FBAL, represented the major pathway of elimination of FBAL, with 40% of the administered dose excreted within 24 hr and approximately 70% over 192 hr. Fecal excretion was a minor pathway of elimination of FBAL, with approximately 10% of the administered dose excreted over 192 hr. During the initial 30 min, the highest levels of tissue radioactivity were found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, lungs, and heart. Radioactivity was retained over longer time periods in the enterohepatic circulation, central nervous system, heart, and skeletal muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pharmacokinetics and immune response of 131I-chimeric mouse/human B72.3 (human gamma 4) monoclonal antibody in humans

Chimeric B72.3, composed of the V-regions of murine B72.3 and the constant regions of human immunoglobulin G4 heavy and kappa light chain, was administered as a 131I-labeled conjugate to 12 patients with metastatic colon cancer. Seven of these patients had an antibody response after initial infusion, and the immune response was primarily directed to the murine V-region, although a small proportion of the antibody response was directed to topographical epitopes requiring the presence of both murine V-region and human CH-1 and kappa constant regions (neo-epitopes). The pharmacokinetics included a plasma disappearance curve best fit by a two-compartmental model with an alpha t 1/2 of 18 +/- 7 h and a beta t 1/2 of 224 +/- 66 h. A second infusion of the same dose of 131I-chimeric B72.3 was administered to four of these patients 8 wk after the first infusion. Two patients who had a high antibody response to initial infusion had an anamnestic antibody response, and the infused ch-B72.3 rapidly disappeared from the circulation with associated immune complexes and free 131I in the plasma. One patient with no initial antibody response had no antibody response and identical pharmacokinetics on second infusion. One patient with a modest transient antibody response to initial infusion had no antibody response on second infusion and a modest shortening of plasma circulation. Thus, the human immunoglobulin G4 isotype chimeric B72.3 monoclonal antibody has a plasma half-life 6 to 8 times as long as murine B72.3 and retains considerable immunogenicity in some patients which can adversely affect repetitive infusions.

Rate-dependent depression of maximal rate of depolarization in guinea pig papillary muscle action potentials by changrolin

The rate-dependent block (RDB) of changrolin on the maximal rate of depolarization (Vmax) of action potentials was studied in guinea pig right ventricular papillary muscles. The result was compared with that of class IA (quinidine), IB (mexiletine) and IC (lorcainide) drugs to approach the subclassification of changrolin, by using standard microelectrode techniques with computer. Mexiletine exhibited the fastest response in the onset rate of RDB. Vmax reached 61% of its final value by the second beat during a train of stimuli. In response to a similar train of stimuli, quinidine, lorcainide and changrolin produced exponential falls of Vmax with the constants of -0.143, -0.085 and -0.051 AP-1 (AP = action potentials), respectively. Time constants of recovery for mexiletine, quinidine, lorcainide and changrolin were estimated as 1.58, 9.06, 13.37 and 55.16 s. These suggest that the kinetics of RDB of changrolin are similar to those of IC drugs.

Inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and Rb1 on rat brain microsomal Na+,K(+)-ATPase activity

Rat brain microsomal Na+, K(+)-ATPase activity was inhibited significantly and rapidly by ginsenoside Rb1. The IC50 of Rb1 for Na+,K(+)-ATPase was 6.3 +/- 1.0 mumol/L. The inhibition was enhanced with increasing the concentration of Rb1 or decreasing that of Na+ and K+. Kinetic analysis revealed that ginsenoside was an uncompetitive inhibitor with respect to ATP. The inhibitory effect of Rg1 on rat brain microsomal Na+,K(+)-ATPase was much weaker than that of Rb1.

Ultrastructural analysis of the freeze-etched spore envelope of the microsporidian, Nosema apis Zander

The outer limiting layer of the spore coat of Nosema apis is relatively smooth. The inner limiting layer shows two fractured faces, the concave face carrying many stud-like projections, 120 nm long and 50 nm high, while the convex face carries numerous depressions which are complementary to the projections. In addition, the convex face bears 7 nm particles. In between the outer and inner limiting layers lies the thick homogeneous portion of spore coat which is comprised of numerous microfibres, each 9 nm in diameter. These microfibres resemble those in the freeze-etched host endocuticle. Next to the inner limiting layer of the spore coat are double spore membranes. The convex faces of these spore membranes have a dense population of particles, each 7 nm in diameter.