[Value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in predicting microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma and the prognostic significance].

Objective: To investigate the combined value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting pathological microvascular invasion (pMVI) preoperatively, and to determine the relationship between prediction results and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods: A total of 181 newly diagnosed HCC patients were enrolled in this study. Imaging characteristics and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of DWI were analyzed. The differences of imaging characteristics and ADC values between different pMVI groups were analyzed.Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to analyze the value for pMVI prediction by using significant parameters. The patients were grouped based on MRI predicted MVI (mrMVI), and the relationship between mrMVI and recurrence free survival time (RFS) was analyzed. Results: Fifty-one patients were pMVI positive and 130 patients were pMVI negative. The ADC value in pMVI positive group were (1.10±0.17)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, significantly lower than (1.27±0.22)×10(-3) mm(2)/s of pEMVI negative group (P<0.001). The incidence rates of incomplete enhancing "capsule" , non-smooth tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, mosaic architecture and peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase (HBP) in pMVI positive group were significantly higher than those of negative group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and ADC value were independently associated with pMVI. ROC analysis showed that the area under curve, sensitivity and specificity of pMVI predicted by combined parameters were 0.830, 76.5% and 81.5%, respectively. The median RFS of mrMVI positive group was 23.6 months, significantly lower than 38.2 months of mrEMVI negative group (P=0.004). Conclusion: Tumor margin, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and ADC value are independent predictors of pMVI in HCC, and mrMVI is related with RFS.

[Analysis on tissue-related biomarkers in patients with acute aortic dissection].

Objective: To explore the clinical implication of tissue-related biomarkers in patients with acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Ten Stanford Type A AAD patients, who were diagnosed and surgically treated in the Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, from December 2018 to August 2019, were selected as the case group. Meanwhile, 10 patients with atherosclerotic heart disease, who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), were selected as control group. The ascending aorta tissue specimens from patients of the two groups were collected during the operation. Four-dimensional non-standard quantitative proteomics technology (4D-LFQ) was used to detect the protein profile of ascending aorta tissue specimens of the two groups and to screen out differentially expressed proteins and analyze their biological functions. Precise quantification of the selected target proteins was achieved by parallel response monitoring (PRM). Results: A total of 3 985 proteins were identified by 4D-LFQ technology, among which 3 350 proteins could be quantified. There were 39 proteins were significantly upregulated and 47 proteins were significantly downregulated in AAD group. The results of biological function analysis showed that most of the differentially expressed proteins were located in the extracellular, and their functions were mainly involved in cell migration and proliferation, inflammatory cell activation, cell contraction, and muscle organ development. The 15 selected proteins underwent precise quantification by PRM, and the results showed that integrin α-Ⅱb (ITGA2B), integrin α-M (ITGAM), integrin ß-2 (ITGB2), integrin ß-3 (ITGB3) were significantly upregulated in the ascending aorta tissue of AAD patients. Conclusion: ITGA2B, ITGAM, ITGB2, and ITGB3 are highly expressed in aortic tissues of patients with AAD, which may be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of AAD patients.

Identification of novel candidate autoantibodies in Alzheimer's disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Accumulated failures in Alzheimer's disease (AD) clinical trials have highlighted an urgent need to identify additional biomarkers involved in AD. Recently, mounting evidence reported that autoantibodies are ubiquitous in human sera. However, it is unknown whether autoantibodies are upregulated in amyloid-tau biomarker-confirmed AD. METHODS: A total of 40 subjects with mild dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating = 1) were stratified into AD (n = 16) and non-AD (n = 24) groups according to their cerebrospinal fluid levels of tau and Aß42 . Their sera were collected and analyzed using a microarray containing > 1600 potential human autoantigens. Autoantibodies that were present exclusively in the AD group were identified and selected using the penetrance-based fold change method with the following criteria: penetrance fold change(AD)  ≥ 2, frequency(AD)  ≥ 15% and frequency(non-AD)  = 0%. RESULTS: All controls and samples passed the quality control criteria and were further used for biomarker analysis. Six autoantibodies with elevated responses to the following autoantigens were found exclusively in the AD group: nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 3 (31.3%, 5/16 subjects) and microtubule-associated protein 4, pantothenic acid kinase 3, phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1, protein tyrosine phosphatase type IVA member 1 and SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 15 (all 18.8%, 3/16 subjects). CONCLUSIONS: Although some identified autoantigens are linked to AD and cognitive dysfunction, the increased autoantibody levels have not been reported in AD. Autoantibodies may provide deeper insights into the pathogenesis of AD and serve as diagnostic biomarkers; their corresponding antigens can be further studied to assess their potential as therapeutic targets.

[Regional distribution and clinicopathological characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer].

Objective: To investigate regional distribution and clinicopathological features of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC). Methods: Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER)was detected in 4 081 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences by using in situ hybridization. EBVaGCs were identified and their proportions in different provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities were compared. The correlation between EBVaGC and clinicopathological features was also analyzed. Results: A total of 3.0% (123/4 081) patients with gastric adenocarcinoma are EBVaGCs. Among the areas with cases more than 90, the highest proportion of EBVaGC was found in Jilin province, accounting for 7.6%, and then followed by 5.4% in Liaoning province, 4.1% in Anhui province, 3.9% in Beijing, 3.7% in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, 3.4% in Shanxi province, 3.0% in Heilongjiang province, 2.1% in Shandong province, 1.6% in Hebei province, and no EBVaGC was found in Henan province. EBVaGC proportions are significantly different in these provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities (P<0.05). Multivariate analysis of logistic regression revealed that gender (OR=2.231, 95%CI: 1.290~3.858), WHO classification (OR=2.338, 95%CI: 2.051~2.664) and N stage (OR=0.420, 95%CI: 0.284~0.621) were independent impact factors for EBVaGC. The proportion of EBVaGC was higher in males, gastric carcinomas accompanied with lymphoid stroma and patients without lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: The proportion of EBVaGC in gastric adenocarcinoma displays area distribution disparity in China. The gender, WHO classification and N stage are closely associated with EBVaGC.

[Predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients].

Objective: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we collected and analyzed data form 133 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Eastern District) from January 30 to February 18, 2020. Patients were divided into myocardial injury group (n=29) and non-myocardial injury group (n=104) according the presence or absence of myocardial injury. The general information of patients was collected by electronic medical record database system. All patients were followed up for 30 days, the organ injury and/or dysfunction were monitored, the in-hospital death was compared between the two groups, and the disease progression was reevaluated and classified at 14 days after initial hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC of NLR was calculated, and the AUC was determined to estimate the optimal cut-off value of NLR for predicting myocardial injury in severe cases of COVID-19. Results: There was statistical significance in age, respiratory frequency, systolic blood pressure, symptoms of dyspnea, previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease history, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, platelet counting, aspartate transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, CD3+, CD4+, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of CO2, blood oxygen saturation, other organ injury, clinical outcome and prognosis between patients with myocardial injury and without myocardial injury (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was a risk factor for myocardial injury (OR=1.066，95%CI 1.021-1.111，P=0.033). ROC curve showed that NLR predicting AUC of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients was 0.774 (95%CI 0.694-0.842), the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 5.768, with a sensitivity of 82.8%, and specificity of 69.5%. Conclusion: NLR may be used to predict myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients.

Identifying the superior measure of rapid fibrosis for predicting premature cirrhosis after liver transplantation for hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence post liver transplant is universal, with a subgroup of patients developing rapid hepatic fibrosis. Various clinical definitions of rapid fibrosis (RF) have been used to identify risks for rapid progression, but their comparability and efficacy at predicting adverse outcomes has not been determined. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis was conducted on 100 adult patients with HCV who underwent liver transplantation at a single center. We measured year 1 fibrosis progression (RF defined as METAVIR F score ≥ 1 at 1-year liver biopsy), time to METAVIR F2-stage fibrosis, and fibrosis rate (calculated using liver biopsies graded by METAVIR scoring F0-4; fibrosis rate = fibrosis stage/year post transplant). RF was defined as ≥ 0.5 units/year. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that donor age and peak HCV viral load were significant risks for RF, when fibrosis rate was used to define RF. Advanced donor age was a risk for rapid progression to F2-stage fibrosis, whereas genotype 2 or 3 HCV infection was protective. Fibrosis rate had the strongest correlation with time to cirrhosis development (P < 0.0001, r = -0.76) and was the most accurate predictor of rapid graft cirrhosis (P < 0.0001, area under the curve 0.979, sensitivity 100%, specificity 94%). CONCLUSION: Different measures of RF progression identify different risks for RF and are not directly comparable. Fibrosis rate was the most accurate predictor of rapid graft cirrhosis.

Helicobacter pylori infection and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins p53, ASPP2 and iASPP in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions.

AIMS: There has been limited information about the relations between Helicobacter pylori infection and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins p53, ASPP and iASPP in gastric cancer and precancerous lesions. METHODS: H. pylori in gastric mucosa were identified by W-S staining and rapid urease test. Expression of apoptosis-related proteins P53, ASPP2 and iASPP in the gastric tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The concentrations of H. pylori and expressions of p53 and iASPP in gastric carcinoma group and precancerous lesion group were higher than in benign gastric diseases group (P<0.05). The expressions of ASPP2 in gastric carcinoma and precancerous lesion group were lower than in benign gastric diseases group (P<0.05). The expressions of p53 and iASPP in H. pylori positive group were higher than in H. pylori negative group (P<0.05), whereas ASPP2 in H. pylori positive group were lower than in H. pylori negative group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a higher rate H. pylori infection, an increased expression of apoptosis inhibitor iASPP, and decreased expression of apoptosis stimulator ASPP2 in gastric cancer or precancerous tissues. These results suggest that H. pylori may cause gastric cancer by up-regulating iASPP and down-regulating ASPP2.

[ALPK3 gene-related pediatric cardiomyopathy with craniofacial-skeletal features: a report and literature review].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and mutation spectrum of ALPK3-related pediatric cardiomyopathy and craniofacial-skeletal abnormalities in children. Methods: The clinical data during a follow-up of 11 years including clinical features, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, cardiac magnetic resonance, genetic testing, and other data of a child firstly diagnosed with ALPK3 gene-related cardiomyopathy and craniofacial-skeletal abnormalities in China were collected retrospectively. The literatures containing the keyword of "ALPK3 gene" published in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang database and PubMed were collected up to November 2020. Then, the clinical features and gene mutations of ALPK3 gene-related pediatric cardiomyopathy with craniofacial-skeletal features were summarized. Results: A female patient aged 10 months who presented with an enlarged heart for 2 months, was admitted to the hospital and initially diagnosed with endocardial elastic fibrosis. The echocardiography showed features of dilated left ventricle (LV) and LV systolic dysfunction. Low-set ears, webbed neck, a grade 2/6 systolic murmur at lower left sternal area and bilateral absent flexion creases of dig were observed. After treatment, the size and function of the heart recovered to normal at age 13 months. However, the ventricular septum and LV wall were thicker than normal values. Then, the diagnosis was revised to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM) and suspected congenital malformation syndrome. LV hypertrophy (LVH) progressed slowly before the age of 8 years and then progressed rapidly. At age 9 years, compound heterozygous ALPK3 mutations (c.721dup, p.Y241Lfs*42(exon 1) and c.4840C>T, p.R1614*(exon 10)) were detected in the proband and the mutations had not been reported previously. Then, the final diagnosis of ALPK3 gene-related pediatric cardiomyopathy with craniofacial-skeletal features was made. During the follow up of 11 years, regular follow-up echocardiographic images showed progressive LVH. At age 11 years, electrocardiogram showed LVH, ST-T changes in multiple-lead, T wave inversion, and prolonged QT intervals. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed biventricular hypertrophy and late gadolinium enhancement showed non-uniform enhancement of left and right ventricular myocardium. A total of 7 articles published in English were retrieved, and no Chinese literature was found. Twenty-eight cases were reported in the articles plus the patient in this study. Twenty-four mutations were reported worldwide, 18 patients carried homozygous mutations and 10 patients compound heterozygous mutations. Eleven patients showed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) at early stage of disease, and 10 of them transitioned to HCM at the disease progression stage. Eight patients presented with HCM at early stage of disease. Nine patients initially exhibited a mixed phenotype of DCM and HCM, and 6 of them eventually progressed to HCM. Electrocardiogram showed prolonged QT interval. Extracardiac features included short stature, special face, cleft palate, webbed neck, joint contracture, and scoliosis, etc. Conclusions: Progressive myocardial hypertrophy is a major feature of ALPK3 gene-related cardiomyopathy with craniofacial-skeletal malformations. Precise diagnosis depends on molecular genetic techniques. More cases should be accumulated for further analysis on the genotype-phenotype correlation and prognosis assessment.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase confers transgenic tobacco with elevated tolerance to salt stress.

Polyamines play an important role in stress response. In the pathway of polyamines synthesis, S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC) is one of the key enzymes. In this study, a full length cDNA of SAMDC (AhSAMDC) was isolated from peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Phylogenetic analysis revealed high sequence similarity between AhSAMDC and SAMDC from other plants. In peanut seedlings exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl), the transcript level of AhSAMDC in roots was the highest at 24 h that decreased sharply at 72 and 96 h after 150 mM NaCl treatment. However, the expression of AhSAMDC in peanut leaves was significantly inhibited, and the transcript levels in leaves were not different compared with control These results implied the tissue-specific and time-specific expression of AhSAMDC. The physiological effects and functional mechanism of AhSAMDC were further evaluated by overexpressing AhSAMDC in tobaccos. The transgenic tobacco lines exhibited higher germination rate and longer root length under salt stress. Reduced membrane damage, higher antioxidant enzyme activity, and higher proline content were also observed in the transgenic tobacco seedlings. What's more, AhSAMDC also led to higher contents of spermidine and spermine, which can help to scavenge reactive oxygen species. Together, this study suggests that AhSAMDC enhances plant resistance to salt stress by improving polyamine content and alleviating membrane damage.

[Dynamic path analysis on life course epidemiology].

In the studies of modern epidemiology, exposure in a short term cannot fully elaborate the mechanism of the development of diseases or health-related events. Thus, lights have been shed on to life course epidemiology, which studies the exposures in early life time and their effects related to the development of chronic diseases. When exploring the mechanism leading from one exposure to an outcome and its effects through other factors, due to the existence of time-variant effects, conventional statistic methods could not meet the needs of etiological analysis in life course epidemiology. This paper summarizes the dynamic path analysis model, including the model structure and significance, and its application in life course epidemiology. Meanwhile, the procedure of data processing and etiology analyzing were introduced. In conclusion, dynamic path analysis is a useful tool which can be used to better elucidate the mechanisms that underlie the etiology of chronic diseases.

Association between interleukin-17 genetic polymorphisms and tuberculosis susceptibility: an updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the genetic polymorphisms of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: Relevant case-control studies published up to July 2017 were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to estimate the association. RESULTS: Eleven articles involving 4961 TB patients and 5435 healthy controls were selected. Four polymorphic sites were identified: IL-17A rs22275913, rs3748067 and rs3819024; and IL-17F rs763780. We found that the rs2275913 polymorphism was associated with reduced TB risk in Caucasians under the allelic model (A vs. G, OR 0.69, 95%CI 0.49-0.96; P = 0.03), heterogeneous model (AG vs. GG, OR 0.67, 95%CI 0.47-0.93; P = 0.02) and domain model (AA+AG vs. GG, OR 0.64, 95%CI 0.44-0.93; P = 0.02); rs3748067 was associated with increased TB risk in Asians under the homogeneous model (TT vs. CC, OR 1.36, 95%CI 1.03-1.79; P = 0.03) and recessive model (TT vs. CT+CC, OR 1.35, 95%CI 1.02-1.78; P = 0.03). Other genetic variants were not associated with TB risk. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the TT genotype of IL-17A rs3748067 might be a risk factor for TB in Asians; the A allele, as well as the AG and AA+AG genotypes of the rs2275913 polymorphism, might be protective against TB in Caucasians. Future studies with a large sample size are needed.

[Conservative treatment and surgical treatment of cervical cellulitis combineing mediastinal pleural abscess].

Objective:To explore the diagnosis, treatment and curative effect of cervical cellulitis combineing mediastinal pleural abscess. Method:Clinical data of 37 patients with the cervical cellulitis and mediastinal pleural abscess were analyzed, all patients were confirmed using ultrasond, X-ray, CT, puncture and microbiology examination. The result will analysis the diagnosis, treatment and curative effect through the comparison of conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Result:Twenty-three cases of patients were underwent tracheotomy because of difficulty in breathing and successfully extubated after treatment. Nine cases of patients were given anti-infection treatment and recovered after conservative treatment. Twenty-one cases of neck multiple pus cavity were underwent cavity incision, full removal of necrotic tissue and pipe flushing; 7 cases of patients with neck and mediastinal abscess and within which 2 cases were with toxic shock were underwent adequate drainage of lavage and abscess incision through jugular joint path; the companion of pyothorax in 2 cases were underwent the chest closed drainage. All patients were giving sensitive antibiotic after drug sensitive test, anti-shock treatment and supportive treatment. All the patients were recovered and discharged. The average hospitalization days with conservative treatment of these patients were 15.7 days, and the average hospitalization days with surgical treatment of patients were 25.3 days. Conclusion:The condition of cervical cellulitis is complex, a few case can be cured with conservative treatment. The others progress rapidly when merging mediastinal pleural abscess can cause serious complications, surgical treatment is risky, fully abscess incision, lavage drainage and combine with sensitive antibiotics and supportive treatment are the keys to therapy.

Renal transplantation between male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The higher blood pressures of male compared with female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are the result of the inheritance of different sex chromosomes, although the pathophysiology has not been defined clearly. The reported hypertensive effect of kidneys transplanted from male SHR raises the possibility of a sex-specific renal abnormality, but the effects of transplanting female SHR kidneys have not been studied. To test this hypothesis, single kidneys were transplanted from male SHR into female SHR recipients and vice versa, followed by removal of the native kidneys of the recipients. Male and female SHR that had undergone uninephrectomy were used as controls. After surgery at 14 weeks of age, systolic blood pressures were measured each week until 30 weeks of age. The replacement of a SHR female kidney with a SHR male kidney was not associated with any significant rise in blood pressure, and the replacement of a SHR male kidney with a kidney from a female SHR was not associated with any reduction in blood pressure. These results indicate that the sexual dimorphism of SHR blood pressure is not the result of intrinsic renal differences between males and females and that nonrenal factors would be more likely to explain the blood pressure differences between the sexes.

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase and human cancer chemotherapy.

Two kinds of human tumor cell strains having different activity of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (O6-MT) were transplanted into nude mice. Mice were then injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with the bifunctional agent 1-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-pyrimidinyl) methyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-3-nitrosourea hydrochloride(ACNU). The tumors with low O6-MT activity were quickly suppressed or cured. This result suggests that some tumors, if determined to have low O6-MT activity, might be cured if the host is treated with ACNU. This observation may open a new approach to experimental cancer chemotherapy. Treatment with ACNU of experimental animals bearing HeLaMR tumors (which have low O6-MT activity and are Mer-), resulted in the regression of the tumors or their disappearance. In animals bearing HeLaS3 tumors (which have high O6-MT activity and are Mer+) the tumors were hyperplastic.

Medicinal protection with Chinese herb-compound against radiation damage.

Experiments were carried out on mice and the subjects irradiated for cancer therapy to evaluate the protective efficacy of a Chinese medicinal herb-compound (CMHC). The lethality and the degree of leucopenia caused by radiation in mice medicated with CMHC were significantly less in comparison with control mice (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001, respectively). CMHC significantly improved the WBC and the thrombocytes in irradiated workers (p less than 0.01 and p less than 0.001, respectively). The WBC count of 40 patients under radiotherapy while treated with CMHC recovered from 3450 +/- 77/c.mm to 5425 +/- 264/c.mm (p less than 0.001); whereas, in the control group, without any medication, the WBC count dropped significantly (p less than 0.001). Our results revealed the applicabilities of CMHC in protection against radiation damage in spaceflight and in other fields.

[Microvascular changes in the pyloric ring and duodenal invasion in carcinoma of the gastric antrum].

In this study, vascular perfusion of surgically removed specimen was carried out in 45 middle or late staged gastric antrum carcinomas and 5 gastric ulcers to observe the morphology of the microvasculature at the juncture of the stomach and the duodenum. It was found that: 1) The microvasculature on both side of the pylorus and the duodenum communicated through small arteriole and the morphology of the microvasculature varied with tumor-infiltrated depth. 2) The duodenum was found to be invaded by the tumor in only 2 cases in which the tumor was within 1.5 cm from the pyloric ring. 3) The mechanism by which the tumor invaded the duodenum was most likely resulted from direct extension through the interstitium when the microvasculature, the physiological and anatomical intact of the pyloric ring were destroyed by the tumor. 4) Based on the aforementioned observations, the authors propose that in gastric antrum carcinoma, the safe resection length of the duodenum is less than 3 cm when the tumor is 1.5 cm away from the pyloric ring, otherwise, more than 3 cm of the duodenum should be removed.

[Studies on chemical constituents in the roots of Rabdosia japonica (Burm.f). Hara var. glaucocalyx (Maxin) Hara].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents in the roots of Rabdosia japonica. METHOD: The constituents were extracted by ether and isolated by chromatography on silica gel and ODS. The structures were determined by IR, H NMR, 13C NMR and MS spectra respectively. RESULT: Four compounds were elucidated as glaucocalgxin A, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and daucosterol. CONCLUSION: Oleanolic acid and daucosterol were isolated from this plant for the first time.

[Counteracting effect of Chinese herbs on "insufficiency of spleen qi" induced by simulated weightlessness].

Objective. To observe the counteracting effect of a Chinese herb-compound on "insufficiency of spleen qi" induced by simulated weightlessness. Methods. Animal and human experiment were carried out to the Chinese herb-compound (Dangshen, Baizhu, Fuling etc). Result. This compound protected the tail suspended rats from atrophy of spleen, thymus, soleus and gastrocnemius muscles, prevented excessive decrease of body weight effectively; at the same time it relieved the symptoms of the subjects greatly. Conclusion. It demonstrated that the compound decreased the "insufficiency of spleen qi" of both animals and human subjects.

[Comparison between two anti-motion sickness drugs].

Objective. To test the validity of an animal model in selecting anti-motion sickness drugs, and compare the effects of two drugs. Method. Anti-motion sickness effects of two drugs (Cyclizine and Scopolamin-d-amphetamin compound) were observed in rats with motion sickness (MS) induced by rotatory stimulation and the amount of Kaolin ate by rats was taken as an evaluation criterion. Result. The consumption of Kaolin by the rats decreased significantly after administration of both drugs, and the effect of Scopolamin-d-amphetamin compound was better than those of Cyclizine under the same condition. Conclusion. It suggests that the rat model of motion sickness is practical and useful in studying anti-motion sickness drugs.