[Analysis of incidence characteristics and trend of pneumoconiosis in Ningbo City from 1967 to 2019].

Objective: To understand the incidence of pneumoconiosis in Ningbo city from 1967 to 2019, and to analyze the distribution characteristics and change trend of pneumoconiosis. Methods: In February 2021, the data of pneumoconiosis patients in Ningbo city from 1967 to 2019 were sorted out. The data from 1967 to 1987 were from historical case files of Zhejiang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the data from 1988 to 2005 were from the historical case files of Ningbo Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the data from 2006 to 2019 were from the pneumoconiosis report card in China Disease Prevention and Control Information System; Followed up and supplement relevant information, including basic information, basic information of employers and information related to pneumoconiosis diagnosis, and comprehensively analyze the composition and development trend, population characteristics and industry characteristics of pneumoconiosis. Results: From 1967 to 2019, a total of 1715 cases of pneumoconiosis were reported in Ningbo City, including 1254 cases of stageⅠpneumoconiosis, 258 cases of stageⅡpneumoconiosis, 172 cases of stage Ⅲpneumoconiosis. 1202 cases of silicosis (70.09%) , 296 cases of asbestosis (17.26%) , 40 cases of welder's pneumoconiosis (2.33%) , 32 cases of graphite pneumoconiosis (1.87%) were reported. There were 1296 male cases (75.57%) and 419 female cases (24.43%) were reported. Silicosis (91.15%, 1102/1209) and welder's pneumoconiosis (100.00%, 40/40) were the most common pneumoconiosis in males, while asbestosis (90.24%, 268/297) and graphite pneumoconiosis (87.50%, 28/32) were the most common pneumoconiosis in females. The average age was (49.71±10.90) years old and the average length of service was (10.98±6.96) years. The top three reported pneumoconiosis cases were construction industry (336 cases, 19.59%) , ferrous metal smelting and rolling industry (317 cases, 18.48%) and non-metallic mineral products industry (315 cases, 18.37%) . The top three reported pneumoconiosis cases were 414 cases (24.14%) in Ninghai County, 294 cases (17.14%) in Yuyao City and 272 cases (15.86%) in Yinzhou District. Conclusion: With the development of industries in Ningbo City, government departments should strengthen supervision and management of enterprises involving silica dust and welding fume to curb the high incidence of pneumoconiosis.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with delayed hepatolenticular degeneration].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical manifestations, metal metabolism, imaging characteristics and treatment response in patients with delayed Wilson disease (WD). Methods: Patients with untreated WD (40 with delayed onset and 40 with non-delayed onset) were enrolled. Twenty healthy people were included as normal controls. All patients were evaluated with modified Young scale neural symptom scores, grade of Child liver function and mental symptoms rating scale, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, magnetic sensitive imaging (susceptibility weighted imaging, SWI), metal metabolism. Corrected phase (CP) was measured at SWI. After 2 week treatment, neurologic symptoms, liver function, and metal metabolism were reviewed. Results: The total score of neurological symptoms in WD patients with delayed onset was lower than that of non-delayed onset (13.00±6.87 vs. 21.13±5.53, P=0.033). The scores of SCL-90 and HAMA depression scales in patients with delayed onset were lower than those of non-delayed onset. On T(2) weighted imaging, areas including substantia nigra and thalamus, the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, putamen presented high signal rate in patients with delated onset than those with non-delayed (P=0.022, 0.037, 0.022, 0.037, 0.029 respectively). The SWI CP values of cangbai sphere and shell nucleus in patients with delayed onset were lower than those with non-delayed onset. Patients with delayed onset had higher urinary copper than those with non-delayed onset before and after treatment (P=0.040, 0.036). After treatment, the score of abnormal tremor and gait in patients with delayed onset was decreased (P=0.037, 0.044), while as the occurrence of neurological symptoms was increased by 10%, and the liver function level in patients with delayed WD was decreased in 3 cases. Conclusions: The brain of WD patients with delayed onset is mainly composed of metal deposits, however the cell damage is not apparent. Clinical symptoms are characterized by significant liver injury, but relatively mild neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Patients with delayed WD have higher urinary copper excretion than those with non-delayed WD. Chelating agents improves the neurological symptoms in patients with delayed onset.

Diversification of the downy mildew resistance gene pool by introgression of a new gene, Pl35, from wild Helianthus argophyllus into oilseed and confection sunflowers (Helianthus annuus L.).

KEY MESSAGE: We have mapped a new downy mildew resistance gene, Pl35, derived from wild Helianthus argophyllus to sunflower linkage group 1. New germplasms incorporating the Pl35 gene were developed for both oilseed and confection sunflower Sunflower downy mildew (DM), caused by the oomycete pathogen Plasmopara halstedii, is an economically important and widespread sunflower disease worldwide. Non-race-specific resistance is not available in sunflower, and breeding for DM resistance relies on race-specific resistance to control this disease. The discovery of the novel DM resistance genes is a long-term task due to the highly virulent and aggressive nature of the P. halstedii pathogen, which reduces the effectiveness of resistance genes. The objectives of this study were to: (1) transfer DM resistance from a wild sunflower species Helianthus argophyllus (PI 494576) into cultivated sunflowers; (2) map the resistance gene; and (3) develop diagnostic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for efficient targeting of the gene in breeding programs. The H. argophyllus accession PI 494576 previously identified with resistance to the most virulent P. halstedii race 777 was crossed with oilseed and confection sunflower in 2012. Molecular mapping using the BC2F2 and BC2F3 populations derived from the cross CONFSCLB1/PI 494576 located a new resistance gene Pl35 on linkage group 1 of the sunflower genome. The new gene Pl35 was successfully transferred from PI 494576 into cultivated sunflowers. SNP markers flanking Pl35 were surveyed in a validation panel of 548 diversified sunflower lines collected globally. Eleven SNP markers were found to be diagnostic for Pl35 SNP alleles, with four co-segregating with Pl35. The developed oilseed and confection germplasms with diagnostic SNP markers for Pl35 will be very useful resources for breeding of DM resistance in sunflower.

Effects of threonine supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, oxidative status, intestinal integrity, and barrier function of broilers at the early age.

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of L-threonine (L-Thr) supplementation on the growth performance, immunity, antioxidant status, and intestinal health of broilers at the early age. One hundred and forty-four 1-day-old male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres Plus) were allocated into 3 treatments with 6 replicates of 8 birds each, and fed a basal diet (analyzed Thr content, 7.87 g/kg) supplemented with 0 (control diet), 1 and 3 g/kg L-Thr for 21 d, respectively. Treatments did not alter growth performance of broilers. Compared with control, 1 g/kg Thr supplementation increased relative weight of spleen (P = 0.013). A higher level of Thr (3 g/kg) increased relative weight of thymus (P = 0.003). The supplementation of 3 g/kg Thr reduced Escherichia coli (P = 0.040) and Salmonella colonies (P = 0.015), whereas increased Lactobacillus colonies (P < 0.001) in the cecal contents. Thr supplementation increased intestinal villus height (P < 0.05), and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.001), and the values for these parameters were intermediate with 1 g/kg Thr. Goblet cell density was increased by Thr supplementation (P < 0.001). The jejunal immunoglobulin G content was increased by the inclusion of Thr (P = 0.002). Broilers fed diet supplemented with 1 g/kg Thr exhibited increased concentrations of jejunal immunoglobulin M (P = 0.037) and secretory immunoglobulin A (P = 0.018). Likewise, 3 g/kg Thr inclusion increased ileal secretory immunoglobulin A content (P = 0.023). The jejunal malondialdehyde accumulation was reduced by Thr inclusion (P = 0.012). A higher level of Thr inclusion also reduced malondialdehyde content in the serum (P = 0.029). The high level of Thr inclusion (3 g/kg) upregulated mucin-2 mRNA expression (P = 0.034), whereas downregulated the mRNA abundances of interferon-γ (P = 0.036) and interleukin-1ß (P = 0.031) in the ileum. In conclusion, L-Thr supplementation can improve immunity, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health of broilers at an early age.

Age-Related Response of Rumen Microbiota to Mineral Salt and Effects of Their Interactions on Enteric Methane Emissions in Cattle.

Mineral salt bricks are often used in cow raising as compensation for mineral losses to improve milk yield, growth, and metabolic activity. Generally, effects of minerals are partially thought to result from improvement of microbial metabolism, but their influence on the rumen microbiota has rarely been documented to date. In this study, we investigated the response of microbiota to mineral salt in heifer and adult cows and evaluated ruminal fermentation and enteric methane emissions of cows fed mineral salts. Twelve lactating Holstein cows and twelve heifers fed a total mixed ration (TMR) diet were randomly allocated into two groups, respectively: a treatment group comprising half of the adults and heifers that were fed mineral salt and a control group containing the other half fed a diet with no mineral salt supplement. Enteric methane emissions were reduced by 9.6% (P < 0.05) in adults ingesting a mineral salt diet, while concentrations of ruminal ammonia, butyrate, and propionate were increased to a significant extent (P < 0.05). Enteric methane emissions were also reduced in heifers ingesting a mineral salt diet, but not to a significant extent (P > 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were not significantly altered in heifers (P > 0.05). Based on these results, we performed high-throughput sequencing to explore the bacterial and archaeal communities of the rumen samples. Succiniclasticum and Prevotella, two propionate-producing bacteria, were predominant in samples of both adults and heifers. At the phylotype level, mineral salt intake led to a significant shift from Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae populations in adults. In contrast, reduced abundance of Succiniclasticum and Prevotella phylotypes was observed, with no marked shift in propionate-producing bacteria in heifers. Methanogenic archaea were not significantly abundant between groups, either in adult cows or heifers. The shift of Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae in adults suggests a response of microbiota to mineral salt that contributes to higher propionate production, which competes for hydrogen utilized by methanogens. Our data collectively indicate that a mineral salt diet can alter interactions of bacterial taxa that result in enteric methane reduction, and this effect is also influenced in an age-dependent manner.

Effects of Palygorskite Inclusion on the Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Antioxidant Ability, and Mineral Element Content of Broilers.

The present study was conducted to investigate different levels of palygorskite supplementation on the growth performance, meat quality, muscular oxidative status, and mineral element accumulation of broilers. One hundred ninety-two 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were allocated to four dietary treatments with six replicates of eight chicks per replicate. Birds in the four treatments were given a basal diet supplemented with 0, 5, 10 and 20 g/kg palygorskite for 42 days, respectively. Compared with the control group, neither 5 g/kg nor 10 g/kg palygorskite inclusion affected growth performance of broilers during the 42-day study (P > 0.05). However, the highest level of palygorskite supplementation at 20 g/kg increased feed/gain ratio (F/G) of broilers (P < 0.001). Yellowness (P < 0.001) and redness (P = 0.003) of breast muscle and yellowness of leg muscle (P = 0.001) were decreased by palygorskite supplementation at the levels of 10 g/kg and especially 20 g/kg. In addition, redness of leg muscle was also reduced by the inclusion of 20 g/kg palygorskite (P = 0.009). In contrast, malonaldehyde (MDA) accumulation in the breast muscle was significantly increased by 20 g/kg palygorskite supplementation (P < 0.001). Supplementation of palygorskite at either 10 or 20 g/kg significantly decreased lead (Pb) accumulation in the breast (P = 0.001) or thigh (P = 0.045) and copper (Cu) accumulation in the breast (P = 0.022). In conclusion, growth performance, meat color, and antioxidant capacity of meat would reduce with the increasing level of palygorskite supplementation, whereas a higher level of palygorskite (10 or 20 g/kg) can alter mineral element accumulations in muscles as evidenced by reduced muscular Cu and Pb contents.

An evaluation of zinc bearing palygorskite inclusion on the growth performance, mineral content, meat quality, and antioxidant status of broilers.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc (Zn) bearing palygorskite (ZnPal) inclusion on the growth performance, mineral content, meat quality, and antioxidant status of broilers. A total of 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 5 dietary treatments with 6 replicates of 8 chicks. Broilers in the 5 treatments were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 mg/kg Zn diet in the form of ZnPal for 42 d, respectively. Birds exhibited similar average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and feed/gain ratio (F:G) among groups during the 42-day study (P>0.05). ZnPal supplementation linearly increased iron (Fe) (P=0.031) and magnesium (Mg) (P=0.002) content in the pectoralis major muscle. Similarly, the inclusion of ZnPal tended to increase Zn content in the thigh (P=0.072) and linearly increase Zn content in the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.055). The concentration of copper (Cu) in the thigh was linearly decreased by ZnPal inclusion (P=0.011). Meanwhile, a quadratic trend for reduced Cu content was observed in the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.074) and thigh (P=0.082), respectively. The supplementation of ZnPal linearly reduced cooking loss in the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.013), and linearly (P=0.029) and quadratically (P=0.034) decreased cooking loss in the thigh. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the thigh was linearly (P=0.020) and quadratically (P=0.017) reduced by ZnPal inclusion. Additionally, ZnPal supplementation tended to linearly enhance total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activity of the pectoralis major muscle (P=0.083). The results obtained in the current study indicated that ZnPal inclusion could alter muscular mineral accumulation, improve meat quality, and enhance the muscular antioxidant capacity of broilers, and Zn supplementation in the form of ZnPal at the dosage of 20 mg/kg would be sufficient in improving meat quality and muscular oxidative status.

[Refractory allergic rhinitis serum levels of vitamin D and vitamin D calcium chewable therapeutic value].

Objective:To survey clinical efficacy of vitamin D calcium chewable tablets in the treatment of adults with refractory allergic rhinitis and investigate the level of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the patients' serum.Method:Sixty cases who were dignosed with adult refractory moderate to severe allergic in our hospital outpatient were admitted in our study from May 2014 to November 2015.Sixty cases of healthy people in our hospital medical center were selected as the control group,serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were detected in all patients and normal controls before the treatment.The control group were treated using fluticasone propionate nasal spray and left cetirizine while the experimental group were added with vitamin D calcium chewable tablets on the basis of the control group. Before treatment and after 2 or 4 weeks of treatment,a visual analog scale of the overall classification of nasal symptoms were used of and clinical symptoms evaluation.Result:Compared with healthy controls,the incidence of serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 content is:(17.46±4.94)µg/L and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.0).The symptom scores of the treatment group and control group were significantly decreased before treatment and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).After four weeks of treatment,the experimental group of the symptom scores were lower than that of control group.The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Serum 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 deficiency is a widespread phenonmenon in refractory allergic rhinitis.Vitamin D calcium chewable tables adjuvant treatment of allergic rhinitis is one of methods with safe,effective,and simple treatment.

Effects of acupotomylysis on basic fibroblast growth factor and CD34 levels in rabbits with third lumbar vertebral transverse foramen syndrome.

This study observed the local tissue homogenates in rabbits with third lumbar vertebral transverse foramen syndrome and explored the mechanism of acupotomylysis in local tissue revascularization. Thirty Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into the following 5 groups of 6 rabbits each: normal, model, acupotomy, electroacupuncture (EA), and acupotomy-EA groups. All except the normal group were comprised of animal models of third lumbar vertebral transverse foramen syndrome prepared by embedding sponge in the left third lumbar transverse process. The rabbits in the acupotomy and EA groups underwent bilateral acupotomylysis intervention; those in the acupotomy-EA group underwent acupotomylysis and EA interventions. On the 28th day after modeling, the double-antibody ELISA was used to detect b-FGF and CD34 levels in the serum and homogenates of a muscle tissue sample from the left side of the third lumbar transverse process. The b-FGF levels in local muscle homogenates were significantly higher in the modeled rabbits than in the normal rabbits (P < 0.01), and the CD34 levels in the modeled group were significantly lower than in the normal group (P < 0.01). The b-FGF and CD34 levels in the EA, acutopomy, and acutopomy-EA groups were significantly lower than those in the modeled group (P < 0.01); the CD34 levels were significantly higher in the acupotomy-EA group than in the model group (P < 0.05); and the differences among the EA, acupotomy, and acupotomy-EA groups were not significant (P > 0.05). In conclusion, acupotomylysis regulates the levels of b-FGF and CD34 levels in serum and muscle tissue as well as local tissue revascularization.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract sensitizes MG63 cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis.

Marsdenia tenacissima extract (MTE) is a new plate-derived biotechnology product that is frequently used, but occasionally reported, in the field of chemotherapy. In this study, we assessed the antitumor activity and related mechanisms of MTE by various biotechnological methods. The survival rates of MG63 osteosarcoma cells treated with MTE and doxorubicin were measured, individually or jointly, and the changes in cellular shape, apoptotic rates, and Fas expression were observed. The results indicated that combination of MTE and doxorubicin up-regulated Fas expression and induced apoptosis. The survival rate of combined application of 50 mg/mL MTE and 1 µg/mL doxorubicin was significantly lower than that of the individual application (P < 0.01). Other biotechnology methods also showed an apoptosis-inducing effect of combined application that was much stronger than individual application. All of these results suggested that MTE may promote the effects of doxorubicin chemotherapy, perhaps related to the up-regulation of Fas expression in tumor cells.

Genetic dissection of embryo sac fertility, pollen fertility, and their contributions to spikelet fertility of intersubspecific hybrids in rice.

The partial sterility of hybrids has been a major barrier for utilization of the strong heterosis expressed in hybrids between Oryza sativa ssp. indica and O. sativa ssp. japonica. Wide-compatibility varieties, comprising a special class of germplasm, are able to produce fertile hybrids when crossed to both indica and japonica varieties. However, all the work on wide compatibility and majority of studies on indica/japonica hybrid sterility reported so far were based only on spikelet fertility; thus, it is not known to what extent male and female gamete abortions influence hybrid sterility. In this study, we investigated pollen fertility, embryo sac fertility, and spikelet fertility in an F1 population of 202 true hybrid plants derived from a three-way cross ('02428'/'Nanjing 11'//'Balilla'). A partial regression analysis showed that the pollen and embryo sac fertility contributed almost equally to spikelet fertility. QTL analysis based on a linkage map of 191 polymorphic marker loci identified two QTLs for pollen fertility, one QTL for embryo sac fertility, and three QTLs for spikelet fertility. The S5 locus, previously identified as a locus for wide compatibility by spikelet fertility analysis, is a major locus for embryo sac fertility, and a QTL on chromosome 5 had a major effect on pollen fertility. These two loci coincided with the two major QTLs for spikelet fertility. The study also detected a QTL on chromosome 8, showing a large effect on spikelet fertility but no effect on either pollen or embryo sac fertility. Very little interaction among the QTLs was detected. The implications of the findings in rice breeding programs are discussed.

[Experimental study on functional rehabilitation of peripheral nerve with electric acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the functional rehabilitation of injured peripheral nerve with electric acupuncture. METHODS: Sciatic nerve injury model was established by transection of left sciatic nerve in 60 Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was treated with electroacupuncture, no treatment in the control group. Change of nerve electrophysiological, power of muscle and sciatic functional index (SFI) were observed. RESULTS: Nerve muscle-action potential (MAP) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) in the experimental group were better than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The single muscle twitch and tetanization of gastrocnemius muscle were higher in the experimental group too (P < 0.05). SFI were significantly higher in the experimental group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electric acupuncture therapy can improve functional rehabilitation of injured peripheral nerve.

Stimulatory effect of oral administration of green tea or caffeine on ultraviolet light-induced increases in epidermal wild-type p53, p21(WAF1/CIP1), and apoptotic sunburn cells in SKH-1 mice.

Pretreatment of SKH-1 mice with p.o.-administered 0.6% green tea (6 mg of lyophilized tea solids/ml) or 0.044% caffeine (0.44 mg/ml; concentration present in 0.6% green tea) for 2 weeks enhanced UV-induced increases in the number of p53-positive cells, p21(WAF1/CIP1)-positive cells, and apoptotic sunburn cells in the epidermis. These effects of p.o.-administered green tea or caffeine on early adaptive responses to UV provide the first demonstration of in vivo up-regulation of a tumor suppressor gene by a chemopreventive agent. The stimulatory effect of green tea and caffeine on UV-induced increases in the number of p53-positive cells, p21(WAF1/CIP1)-positive cells, and apoptotic sunburn cells may play a role in the inhibitory effects of tea and caffeine on UV-induced carcinogenesis.

[Clinical observation on aplastic anemia treated with Chinese herbal medicine combined with cord blood infusion].

Forty-eight cases of aplastic anemia (AA) were divided into two groups: the treated group (30 cases) were treated with Chinese herbal medicine and cord blood infusion, the control group (18 cases) were treated with cord blood infusion solely. The total effective rate in the treated group and the control group was 93.3% and 72.2% respectively, the difference between two groups was significant (P < 0.05). Cultures of bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units (CFU-GM) in vitro were measured also in both groups. Results showed that 3 months after treatment, the elevation of CFU-GM in the two groups were similar to each other, but after 6 months' treatment, level of CFU-GM in treated group elevated persistently and steadily, while in control group, it decreased slightly as compared with level at 3 months' treatment, suggesting the recovery of bone marrow hematopoiesis of treated group was more stable than that of control group. This study indicated that combined treatment of Chinese herbal medicine and cord blood infusion is an effective method in treating AA.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Rhodiola fastigita].

The root and rhizoma of Rhodiola fastigita S. H. Fu. is a traditional Tibetan medicine used for promoting blood circulation and relieving cough. In recent years, it was generally used as a tonic. So, its chemical constituents were studied. A new flavonoid and six known compounds were obtained. The known compounds were: 4'-methoxyl herbacetin (I), rhodiolin (II), dihydrokaempferol (III), daucosterol (IV), tyrosyl (V) and salidroside (VI). The structure of the new flavonoid was elucidated as herbacetin-8-O-alpha-D-lyxopyranoside (VII), by means of UV, IR, MS, 1H and 13C-NMR spectral data and chemical methods.

[Study of treating experimental ulcerative colitis of spleen deficiency type with "guben yichang tablet" in guinea pigs].

Guinea pigs were perfused with the extract of senna (20%). 3 days later glacial acetic acid (5%) was given intra-anally so as to replicate the animal model of Spleen Deficiency (SD) and ulcerative colitis which is the disease of Western medicine combined with the Syndrome in TCM. The model animals showed the symptoms of SD such as loose stool, anorexia, wasting, aversion of cold, laziness and loss of hair luster and the symptoms of ulcerative colitis such as abdominal distension and mucous bloody stool. The colonic lesion were observed by eyes that the mucosa were edematous, congestive with ulcerative foci. The pathological examinations showed edema and congestion in submucous layers; large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; and the scaling and ulcer formation of epithelium mucosae. The above-mentioned symptoms and pathological changes were the same as SD and ulcerative colitis in clinical practice. The new medicine "Guben Yichang Tablet" against ulcerative colitis was given to guinea pigs for 7 days could abate their symptoms, increase their body weights and decrease the size of colonic ulcer and edema.

[Effects of rhizoma zedoariae on nickel sulfide induced unscheduled DNA synthesis of human lymphocytes].

The study was designed to investigate the toxic effects of Rhizoma Zedoariae (RZ) and nickel sulfide, and the effect of RZ on nickel sulfide induced unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) of human lymphocytes using an UDS assay of human lymphocytes. The results showed that TZ did not induce UDS, it could inhibit 3H-TdR incorporation with intracellular DNA when its' dose was 1 g/ml, that nickel sulfide and ultraviolet could largely induce UDS, that might be inhibited by RZ with a dose dependent relationship. These suggested that nickel sulfide induced damage of DNA might be inhibited by RZ, RZ was not mutagenic and DNA synthesis might be inhibited when the RZ dose amounted to 1 g/ml.

Flavonoids from Koelreuteria henryi and other sources as protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

The EtOH extract of Koelreuteria henryi was investigated in a search for natural products with potential protein-tryrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitory activity. The PTK inhibitory activity of the crude fractions was determined by measuring their inhibition of p56lck partially purified from bovine thymus using angiotensin I as a substrate. Analysis of those fractions that exhibited significant activity led to the isolation of kaempferol and quercetin, in addition to two kaempferol glycosides, kaempferol-O3-alpha-rhamnopyranoside [1] and kaempferol-O3-alpha-arabinopyranoside [2]. This study represents the first report on the isolation of flavonols and their PTK inhibitory activities from the genus Koelreuteria. Eight other flavonoids were also examined to study the role of the hydroxy groups on the B ring on PTK inhibitory activity.

Rapid screening for taxanes by tandem mass spectrometry.

A highly specific and sensitive method is described for determining taxol, cephalomannine, and baccatin III in crude plant extracts. Radical anions of the taxanes are formed by desorption chemical ionization, and a parent tandem mass spectrometric scan is used to recognize these compounds by their characteristic dissociations. The limit of detection of the individual taxanes in typical plant matrices is less than 500 pg when all three species are screened simultaneously. Because of the sensitivity of the method, extraction times can be shortened to 30 min and crude extracts can be examined at the rate of 6/h. Detection of all three taxanes extracted from a single Taxus cuspidata needle in a combined extraction/analysis time of less than 1 h is demonstrated.