[Safety and efficacy of the early administration of levosimendan in patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and elevated NT-proBNP levels: An Early Management Strategy of Acute Heart Failure (EMS-AHF)].

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.

[Short-term efficacy of dapagliflozin in children with hereditary proteinuric kidney disease].

Objective: To explore the short-term efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin in children with hereditary proteinuric kidney disease. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. From August 2020 to December 2021, 23 children with hereditary kidney disease from Children's Hospital of Fudan University were enrolled. Patients received dapagliflozin 5 mg/d (weight≤30 kg) or initial dose 5 mg/d for 1 week, then 10 mg/d (weight>30 kg) and the dose of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was stable during treatment. Clinical data including demographic parameters, primary diagnosis, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), 24 h proteinuria and characteristics in the follow-up were collected. The primary outcome was the change in 24 h proteinuria at 12 (±2) weeks, secondary outcomes included changes of 24 h proteinuria at 24 (±2) weeks, eGFR at both 12 (±2) and 24 (±2) weeks. The data were analysed by using mixed linear model. Results: Totally 23 patients were enrolled, including 16 males and 7 females. The age was (10.8±2.9) years. The primary diseases were Alport syndrome (12 cases), Dent disease (5 cases), proteinuria (4 cases), and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (2 cases) respectively. Primary outcome showed that 24 h proteinuria decreased from baseline at 12 (±2) weeks during treatment (1.75 (1.46, 2.20) vs. 1.84 (1.14, 2.54) g/m2, P<0.05). Secondary outcomes showed that there was no significant difference in 24 h urine protein at 24 (±2) weeks (P>0.05). eGFR decreased slightly at 12 (±2) weeks ((107±21) vs. (112±28) ml/(min·1.73m2), P<0.05), and there was no significant difference at 24 (±2) weeks (P>0.05). Serum albumin increased at 12 (±2) and 24 (±2) weeks following the treatment ((39±8) vs. (37±8) g/L, (38±7) vs. (37±8) g/L, both P<0.05). No hypoglycemia event was reported during the treatment. Conclusion: The dapagliflozin had therapeutic effects on decreasing proteinuria and increasing serum albumin in short-term treatment in children with hereditary proteinuric kidney disease, no hypoglycemia or serious adverse events were observed.

[Establishment of mouse model and preliminary screening of serum biomarkers for Candidemia].

Objective: To establish mouse models of Candidemia, and investigates statistically significant polypeptide peaks to provide auxiliary diagnosis of this disease. Methods: A total of 170 specific pathogen free adult male ICR mice with body mass of 27-30 g were completely randomly divided into Candida albicans infection group (n=80), Candida parapsilosis infection group (n=80) and the normal control group (n=10), and the two kinds of Candidemia mouse models were established via tail vein injection. The serum samples were analyzed by Matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry and relevant software, and the polypeptide peaks with significant differences were screened to establish diagnostic models. Results: A total of 65 differential polypeptide peaks were obtained compared with the Candida albicans infection group and the normal control group. Combined with m/z 1 100.4, 1 581.0, 3 808.0 as differential polypeptide peaks to established the diagnostic model, the sensitivity was 95.24%(40/42), the specificity was 90.63%(29/32), the accuracy rate was 93.24%(69/74), and the AUC value of the ROC curve was 0.972(95%CI: 0.941-1.000). A total of 73 differential polypeptide peaks were obtained compared with Candida parapsilosis infection group and the normal control group. Combined with m/z 1 433.2, 1 148.5, 4 093.5, 4 522.2, 8 140.9, 8 234.6 as differential polypeptide peaks to established the diagnostic model, the sensitivity was 95%(38/40), the specificity was 81.25%(26/32), the accuracy rate was 88.89%(64/72), and the AUC value of the ROC curve was 0.953(95%CI: 0.903-1.000). A total of 78 differential polypeptide peaks were obtained compared with Candida albicans infection group and Candida parapsilosis infection group. Combined with m/z 2 736.9, 8 091.5, 8 153.7 as differential polypeptide peaks to established the diagnostic model, the accuracy of distinguishing C. albicans infection from C. parapsilosis infection was 98.78%(81/82). Conclusions: Successfully screened the differential polypeptides and established the related diagnostic models. Which is helpful to find serum biomarkers for the auxiliary diagnosis of Candidemia, and provides a basis for the early diagnosis and the rational use of drugs.

MiR-451a suppressed cell migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer through targeting ATF2.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of miR-451a in the migration and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the levels of miR-451a and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) in NSCLC. Transwell assay was employed to analyze the migratory and invasive abilities in NSCLC cells. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to confirm the binding condition of miR-451 and its target gene in NSCLC cells. RESULTS: MiR-451a was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and lung cancer cell lines A549 and NCI-H460, while ATF2 was upregulated. The mRNA level of miR-451a was negatively correlated to ATF2. Additionally, miR-451a regulated cell migration and invasion through targeting ATF2. Furthermore, ATF2 could reverse the inhibitory migration and invasion of A549 cells induced by miR-451a. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-451a inhibits the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells through ATF2 regulation. The newly identified miR-451a/ATF2 axis provides a novel insight into the pathogenesis ofNSCLC.

[Analysis of the characteristics of electrocardiogram in patients of different genders with pulmonary hypertension].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of ECG in patients with pulmonary hypertension(PH) and explore their correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance(PVR), mean pulmonary arterial hypertension(mPAP) and cardiac index(CI). Methods: A total of 186 patients with right heart catheterization were enrolled in the Department of Respiratory of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from August 2015 to October 2017. Patients with normal pulmonary artery pressure, incomplete clinical data and repeated examinations were excluded and there were 101 patients with pulmonary hypertension included. The results of ECG parameters and right heart catheterization were collected to analyze the ECG characteristics of patients with different genders and their correlation with PVR, mPAP and CI. Results: Among all PH patients, the duration of QRS axial in male group was significantly longer than that of the female group [(110.38±15.829) vs. (98.63±18.041) ms, P<0.001], and the S wave amplitude in V5 was significantly higher compared to female group [(1.304±1.356) vs. (0.648±0.663) mv, P<0.001]. Their heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc), QRS axis, S wave amplitude in Ⅰ, S and R wave amplitude in V1, R/S ratio in V1, S wave amplitude V5, all had a correlation with their PVR and the S wave amplitude in V1 was negatively correlated with PVR (r=-0.441, P<0.001). In the male group, PVR was not correlated with R/S ratio in V1 and S wave amplitude in V5. While PVR in the female group was significantly correlated with QTc, R wave amplitude in V1, R / S ratio in V1. In all PH patients, their P wave duration in Ⅱ, QRS axis and S wave amplitude in Ⅰ, S wave and R wave amplitude in V1, S wave amplitude in V5, QTc, R/S ratio in V1, all had correlations with mPAP (P<0.05). In male group, mPAP was not correlated with QTc, P wave duration in Ⅱ, and the S wave amplitude in V5 (P>0.05). The mPAP in the female group was only related to the S wave and R wave amplitude in V1, and S amplitude in Ⅰ and S wave amplitude in V5 (P<0.05). The CI was positively correlated with the S wave amplitude in V1 (r=0.34, P<0.001), and negatively correlated with the QRS axis (r=-0.219, P=0.04); CI in male group was not correlated with QRS axis(P=0.073), but correlated with QTc (r=-0.296, P=0.044). Conclusion: There were gender differences in QRS duration and S wave amplitude in V5 in patients with pulmonary hypertension. The QRS axis and the S wave amplitude in V1 were related to the heart index. There was a difference in the correlation between ECG and PVR, mPAP and CI in patients of different genders with pulmonary hypertension.

Statin therapy on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients: A network meta-analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Statins are the cornerstone of primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and are effective for the prevention of vascular events in diabetic patients. Diabetes mellitus is an important risk factor for CVDs .The majority of patients with diabetes mellitus benefits from statin therapy. According to the recent clinical guidelines of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association, moderate-intensity or high-intensity statin therapy should be used as the primary prevention for individuals with diabetes mellitus, aged between 40 and 75 years and with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from 70 to 189 mg/dL. The objective of this review was to compare the associations of individual statins with their adverse effects on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched from inception through March 2017. There were included randomized controlled trials comparing statins with placebo or active comparators in patients with T2DM. The endpoints of interest were glycated haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C ) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG). We performed a pairwise meta-analysis and a network meta-analysis within a frequentist framework. The standard mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-three trials were included. A significant increase in HbA1c was detected in the pairwise meta-analysis when statins as a class were compared with placebo (SMD: 0.11). Moderate-intensity pitavastatin lowered HbA1c compared with moderate-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: -0.16), high-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: -0.77), moderate-intensity rosuvastatin (SMD: -0.16) and low-intensity pravastatin (SMD: -0.15). Moderate-intensity simvastatin lowered HbA1c compared with high-intensity rosuvastatin (SMD: -0.45) and high-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: -0.77). High-intensity atorvastatin elevated HbA1c compared with placebo (SMD: 0.63), moderate-intensity rosuvastatin (SMD: 0.50), low-intensity pravastatin (SMD: 0.51) and moderate-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: 0.50). Moderate-intensity pitavastatin has lowered FPG compared with placebo (SMD: -0.55), moderate-intensity rosuvastatin (SMD: -0.65), moderate-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: -0.65) and high-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: -1.25). High-intensity atorvastatin has elevated FPG compared with placebo (SMD: 0.70), moderate-intensity atorvastatin (SMD: 0.60), moderate-intensity rosuvastatin (SMD: 0.60) and moderate-intensity simvastatin (SMD: 0.90). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Statins were associated with an increase in HbA1c compared with placebo. In patients with T2DM, moderate-intensity pitavastatin improved the glycemic control whereas high-intensity atorvastatin worsened it. Appropriate statins should be administered for patients with diabetes mellitus.

Molecular mapping and candidate gene analysis for resistance to powdery mildew in Cucumis sativus stem.

Powdery mildew (PM) of cucumber (Cucumis sativus), caused by Podosphaera xanthii, is a major foliar disease worldwide and resistance is one of the main objectives in cucumber breeding programs. The resistance to PM in cucumber stem is important to the resistance for the whole plant. In this study, genetic analysis and gene mapping were implemented with cucumber inbred lines NCG-122 (with resistance to PM in the stem) and NCG-121 (with susceptibility in the stem). Genetic analysis showed that resistance to PM in the stem of NCG-122 was qualitative and controlled by a single-recessive nuclear gene (pm-s). Susceptibility was dominant to resistance. In the initial genetic mapping of the pm-s gene, 10 SSR markers were discovered to be linked to pm-s, which was mapped to chromosome 5 (Chr.5) of cucumber. The pm-s gene's closest flanking markers were SSR20486 and SSR06184/SSR13237 with genetic distances of 0.9 and 1.8 cM, respectively. One hundred and fifty-seven pairs of new SSR primers were exploited by the sequence information in the initial mapping region of pm-s. The analysis on the F2 mapping population using the new molecular markers showed that 17 SSR markers were confirmed to be linked to the pm-s gene. The two closest flanking markers, pmSSR27and pmSSR17, were 0.1 and 0.7 cM from pm-s, respectively, confirming the location of this gene on Chr.5. The physical length of the genomic region containing pm-s was 135.7 kb harboring 21 predicted genes. Among these genes, the gene Csa5G623470 annotated as encoding Mlo-related protein was defined as the most probable candidate gene for the pm-s. The results of this study will provide a basis for marker-assisted selection, and make the benefit for the cloning of the resistance gene.

Screening of potential biomarkers for cholangiocarcinoma by integrated analysis of microarray data sets.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) continues to harbor a difficult prognosis and it is difficult to diagnose in its early stages. The molecular mechanisms of CCA oncogenesis and progression are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify candidate biomarkers for CCA. Integrated analysis of microarray data sets was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between CCA and normal tissues. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis were then performed to identify the functions of DEGs. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was constructed. The expressions of DEGs were validated in human CCA tissues by qRT-PCR. A set of 712 DEGs were identified in CCA compared with normal tissues, including 306 upregulated and 406 downregulated DEGs. It can be shown from the KEGG pathway analysis that some pathways may have important roles in pathology of CCA, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway, bile secretion, cell cycle, fat digestion and absorption. PPI network indicated that the significant hub proteins were PKM, SPP1 and TPM1. The abnormally overexpression PKM, SPP1 and TPM1 were closely related to oncogenesis and progression of CCA. PKM, SPP1, TPM1, COL1A1 and COL1A2 may serve as candidate biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of CCA.

Cross-priming amplification targeting the coagulase gene for rapid detection of coagulase-positive Staphylococci.

AIMS: To develop and evaluate cross-priming amplification (CPA) combined with immuno-blotting for the detection of coagulase-positive Staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four sets of cross and detection primers were designed according to four sequences of coagulase gene in Staph. aureus. The most specific primer pair was screened out for the next amplification and interaction. The specificity was evaluated in a total of 53 species of Staph. aureus and non-Staph. aureus. Two red lines indicating positive were always observed on the BioHelix Express strip for 12 subspecies of Staph. aureus. In contrast, only one signal line showing negative results was detected in all of non-Staph. aureus samples. The limit of detection (LOD) of CPA was 3·6 ± 2·7 fg for the genomic DNA, which is about 100 and 10 times sensitive than those of PCR and loop-mediated isothermal amplification respectively. For the pure culture of Staph. aureus and milk powders, the LODs of CPA were about 1·34 CFU per reaction and 5·2 ± 3·7 CFU per 100 g of milk powder respectively. The CPA method was also successfully applied to evaluate the contamination of Staph. aureus in 318 samples of daily food. CONCLUSIONS: CPA is a very sensitive and rapid method to detect Staph. aureus by simple laboratory instrument. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: It is the first report on the application of the CPA with immuno-blotting for detection of coagulase-positive Staphylococci including Staph. aureus.

Development and validation of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease screening questionnaire in China.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a brief, reliable screening questionnaire for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for use in primary care settings. METHODS: We developed a COPD Screening Questionnaire (COPD-SQ) using data collected from 19,800 subjects aged ≥40 years obtained from an epidemiological study of COPD in China in 2002 (Phase I). A stepwise logistic regression method was adopted for item reduction and scoring. We then assessed the COPD-SQ through a cross-sectional study (Phase II) among 3231 subjects aged ≥40 years. RESULTS: The final COPD-SQ consisted of seven items: age, smoking pack-years, body mass index, cough, dyspnoea, family history of respiratory diseases and exposure to biomass smoke from cooking. Using the questionnaire to screen for COPD in Phase II, we obtained high classification accuracy with an area under the curve of 0.812 (95%CI 0.786-0.838). The sensitivity, specificity and correct classification rates for COPD diagnosis were respectively 60.6%, 85.2% and 82.7% at a cut-off score of 16. CONCLUSIONS: The COPD-SQ can be used in first-level screening for COPD.

Spatial pattern and heterogeneity of soil organic carbon and nitrogen in sand dunes related to vegetation change and geomorphic position in Horqin Sandy Land, Northern China.

To assesses the effect of geomorphology, topography, and vegetation changes on spatial pattern of soil organic carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) in sand dunes, we used the quantitative methods to examine the spatial heterogeneity of vegetation cover, soil organic C, and total N in an 11-year naturally restored mobile dune (RMD11) and a 20-year naturally restored mobile dune (RMD20) that had been fenced to exclude grazing in Horqin Sandy Land, northern China. Our results showed that the vegetation cover, plant density, species number and diversity, soil organic C, and total N increased from RMD11 to RMD20 and increased from the 50 x 50-m plot (crest) to the 100 x 100-m plot (slope) in each dune. Geostatistical analysis showed that the spatial structural variance accounted for the largest proportion of the total sample variance in vegetation cover, soil organic C, and total N in each dune plot. Calculated spatial autocorrelation ranges of vegetation cover, soil organic C, and total N increased from RMD11 to RMD20, indicating that longer time since vegetation restoration results in a more homogeneous distribution of vegetation cover, soil organic C, and total N in sand dunes. In addition, the spatial continuity of vegetation cover, soil organic C, and total N decreased from the 50 x 50-m plot (crest) to the 100 x 100-m plot (slope) in each dune. These results suggest that the spatial distribution of soil organic C and total N in sand dunes is associated closely with geomorphic position related to the dune crest and slope, relative elevation of sampling site, and vegetation cover. Understanding the principles of this relationship between them may guide strategies for the conservation and management of semiarid dune ecosystems.

[Effects of Tremella polysaccharide on cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in murine splenocytes].

Effects of Tremella polysaccharides (TP) isolated from Tremella fuciformis Berk. on the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration in murine splenocytes were observed using Fura-2, a fluorescence indicator, technique. TP increased the cytoplasmic free calcium concentration of Fura-2-loaded murine splenocytes in a concentration-dependent manner and showed synergetic effect with Con A. No effect was found in the release of intracellular calcium without extracellular calcium. Verapamil (10 micrograms.ml-1), a calcium channel blocker, was shown to inhibit the effect of TP on cytoplasmic free calcium, indicating that TP can affect the influx of extracellular calcium.

[Protective effects of bepridil in combination with anisodamine on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats].

The effects of bepridil (Bep) in combination with anisodamine (Ani) on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury induced by ligating the left coronary artery were studied in rats. Administration of a combination of Bep and Ani was found to decrease the incidence of arrhythmia induced by myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, increase the myocardial superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and reduce the myocardial ultrastructural injury in rats. The effect of combination of Bep and Ani was shown to be better than either Bep or Ani alone.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding subunits I, II, and IX of Euglena gracilis mitochondrial complex III.

cDNA clones encoding subunits I, II, and IX of Euglena gracilis mitochondrial complex III have been isolated from a lambda gt11 cDNA expression library by immunoscreening with an antiserum against the complex of the organism. Determination of the nucleotide sequences and amino-terminal amino acid sequences of purified subunits revealed that subunits II and IX, respectively, consist of 432 and 70 amino acids as their mature forms and possess potential presequences of 42 and 30 amino acids. The amino-terminal parts of the presequences had typical structural features of the mitochondrial targeting signal. Such features were also found at the amino-terminal region of the predicted subunit I protein, which comprises 494 residues. However, the amino terminus of the purified subunit I could not be detected, possibly because of a post-translational modification. Euglena subunits I and II both showed similarities to the members of the protein family which comprises complex III core proteins, mitochondrial processing peptidases (MPP) and processing enhancing proteins (PEP). Namely, the Euglena subunit I could be assigned to core 1 protein and the subunit II to core 2 protein in the family. In contrast, the subunit IX seemed to be peculiar to Euglena complex III. At 5'-untranslated regions, the three cloned cDNAs for subunits I, II, and IX had a common poly(T)CG structure which has also been reported for other Euglena cDNAs of nuclear genes.

[Optimization of mobile phase composition for RP-HPLC separation and determination of long acting steroidal contraceptives].

The optimization of the reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic separation of six steroids of long acting contraceptives is described. A procedure is used to determine the design space, calculate the coefficients of a seven-term special cubic equation, and modify the model using the optimum experiment. Assisted with the computer, an optimum area could be predicted by overlapping the minimum resolution map with the analysis time map. It is likely that the method described in this paper will provide the basis or the simultaneous optimization of both separation and analysis time and prove to be a useful tool for the optimization of RP-HPLC of known compounds. We firstly utilized the time programming function to improve the detection sensitivities of estrogenic compounds. This method is successfully applied to the analysis of compound megestrol acetate injection and compound hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection. The method is sufficiently simple and rapid yet sensitive and accurate enough for the quality assurance of these types of pharmaceuticals.

Isolation and sequence studies of cysteinyl peptides from Spirulina glutathione reductase: comparison of active site cysteine peptides with those of other flavoprotein disulfide oxidoreductases.

The amino acid sequences of the cysteinyl peptides of Spirulina sp. glutathione reductase were determined. Spirulina glutathione reductase was covalently bound to Thiopropyl-Sepharose 6B in the presence of 8M urea through thiol-disulfide exchange. After tryptic digestion, 4 distinct cysteinyl peptides were finally isolated from NADPH-reduced glutathione reductase and 2 from oxidized glutathione reductase. The amino acid sequences of the two cysteinyl peptides which could not be isolated from the oxidized glutathione reductase were very similar to those around the active site disulfide of the other flavoprotein disulfide oxidoreductases and a unique replacement of asparagine and valine by isoleucine and arginine between the two cysteine residues was found. The other two peptides isolated from both oxidized and reduced glutathione reductase also show considerable homology to the corresponding parts of human and Escherichia coli glutathione reductases.