[A new understanding of wound repair after surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases in elderly men. Transurethral resection of prostate (TURP), as an important BPH treatment, is also the most effective way to relieve prostatic obstruction. However, postoperative complications, such as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), infection, hematuria and bladder neck contracture, may still occur, which seriously impact the therapeutic effect and patients' quality of life. The wound healing after BPH surgery is closely associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications. Therefore, comprehensively understanding the influencing factors of wound healing and designing tailored interventions will be particularly important for reducing postoperative complications of BPH.

[Yin Chan Quan Shu, the Obstetrics and Gynecology Monograph by Wang Kentang].

Yin Chan Quan Shu (Obstetrics and gynecology monograph) is a monograph on obstetrics and gynecology compiled by Wang Kentang in the Ming Dynasty. It had four volumes and was published in the thirtieth year of Wanli (1602) in the Ming Dynasty after it was edited by Zhang Shoukong and others. It was found that Yin Chan Quan Shu has four versions remaining. They were the version printed by Shu Lin Qiao Shan Tang in the Ming Dynasty, held in the National Library of China and the Cabinet Library of Japanese Official Documents Library; the version revised according to the version of Shu Lin Qiao Shan Tang, held in the Library of Capital Medical University, Tianjin Medical College, Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the Library of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and the Cabinet Library of the National Archives of Japan; the version based on the version of Shu Lin Qiao Shan Tang in the Ming Dynasty, transcribed in the fourth year of Wen Hua (1807), collected in the Cabinet Library of the National Archives of Japan; the version transcribed according to the revised version in the Ming Dynasty, collected in the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. It was found that there was no evidence to support the existence of the so-called "version of Kangxi in the Qing Dynasty". This means almost all versions remaining came from the versions published in the Ming Dynasty. The references of Yin Chan Quan Shu came from Pulse Classic (Mai Jing), Chan Bao, Fu Ren Da Quan Liang Fang and other works with the supplement and development by Wang Kentang.Yin Chan Quan Shu was the main sources and foundation of the Criteria of Syndrome Identification and Treatment in Gynecology (Nv Ke Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng) by Wang Kentang.

Modeling improvements in ileal digestible amino acids by a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant in broilers.

Data from 13 datasets from 4 trials on the effect of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant (PhyG) on the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of amino acids (AA) in broilers were used to model AID AA responses. The datasets were obtained from 3 trial locations (New Zealand, Australia and United States) and collectively incorporated variations in diet composition (feedstuff composition, phytate-P (PP) level, limestone solubility), feed form (mash or pellet), bird genetics (strain), and age at sampling (11-35 d of age). In total, 384 observations were analyzed. First, the relationships between AID of AA (as coefficients) and increasing phytase dose level from 0 to 4,000 FTU/kg were evaluated across all datasets using exponential curve fitting. Second, the percentage unit change in AID of AA at each phytase dose level from baseline (basal diet [BD] without phytase) was calculated separately for each dataset and the data then modeled together using exponential curve fitting. The model-predicted mean coefficient of AID of total AA in basal diets was 0.76 (range 0.56 [Cys] to 0.83 [Glu]), which was increased by PhyG to 0.80 and 0.81 at 2,000 and 4,000 FTU/kg, respectively. Exponential increases in the percentage unit improvement in AID of 18 individual and of total AA with increasing phytase dose level were evident (P < 0.05). Improvements (vs. BD) at 2,000 FTU/kg and 4,000 FTU/kg, respectively, were greatest for Cys (+9.2 and +11.0% units), Met (after deduction of synthetic Met, +8.4 and +9.0% units), and Thr (after deduction of synthetic Thr, +6.2 and +7.3% units). The data demonstrated consistent improvements in the AID of AA by the phytase. The modeling results generated from data gathered from birds sampled at different ages and from different dietary settings with correction of synthetic AA for Lys, Met, Thr, and Trp, enabled a more accurate prediction of the digestible AA contribution from the diet by this novel phytase. This will allow diet-specific AA matrix recommendations to be made in commercial feed formulations.

Effect of increasing dose level of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant on phytate degradation in broilers fed diets containing varied phytate levels.

1. The effect of increasing the dose level of a novel consensus bacterial 6-phytase variant on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of phosphorus (P), phytic acid (inositol hexa-phosphate, IP6) and ileal IP6 degradation profile was studied in diets containing varying phytate-P (PP) levels.2. Ross 308, one-day-old males (n = 1,800) were allocated to cages (20 birds/cage, six cages/treatment) in a completely randomised design employing a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement (three PP levels: 2.45 (low) 2.95 (medium) and 3.45 g/kg (high); five dose levels of phytase (PhyG): 0, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 FTU/kg). Phased diets were based on wheat, corn, soybean meal, rapeseed meal and rice bran (d 0 to 10; 2.60 g/kg digestible P, 7.6 g/kg calcium (Ca); d 11 to 21; 2.10 g/kg digestible P, 6.4 g/kg Ca). Ileal digesta was collected on d 21 for determination of P, IP6 and IP-esters content. Data were analysed by factorial ANOVA; means separation was achieved using Tukey's HSD test.3. Increasing PP reduced AID of IP6 and sum of IP3-6 (%) (P < 0.05) but absolute P-release (g/kg diet) above NC was increased (P < 0.05) at high vs. low PP. Increasing phytase dose exponentially increased (P < 0.001) AID IP6, sum of IP3-6 (%) and digestible IP3-6-P g/kg diet (P < 0.001). AID P was increased but there was an interaction with PP level (P < 0.001). Ileal accumulation of IP5-3-P was universally low with PhyG at ≥1,000 FTU/kg (<0.06 g/100 g DM). At 2,000 and 4,000 FTU/kg, AID IP6 was 97.2, 92.7, 92.6% and 100, 97.2, 97.1%, respectively, at low, medium and high PP. At 2,000 FTU/kg, phytate-P release estimated as the increase (above NC) in ileal digestible sum of IP3-6-P in the diet was 2.26, 2.59 and 3.10 g/kg in low, medium and high PP, respectively.4. The data demonstrated that the novel phytase was effective in breaking down phytate to low IP-esters in diets with varied PP content but the optimal dose level for maximising P-release may differ in diets with varying PP content.

[The application of 99Tcm-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT in staging evaluation of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

Objective: To explore the application value of 99Tcm-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) orbital single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in staging evaluation of thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). Methods: A case-control study. A total of 40 patients with binocular TAO were recruited from May 2019 to December 2019 in the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University. According to the clinical activity score (CAS) standard, 40 TAO patients were divided into the active group (15 cases) and the inactive group (25 cases), and 10 healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group. All subjects underwent 99Tcm-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination, and each subject's CAS, reading results and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were recorded. The Kruskal-Walis H test was used for the CAS comparison among the three groups. The analysis of variance was used for the SUVmax comparison among the three groups. The comparison between CAS and SUVmax before and after treatment was performed by paired samples Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired-sample t test, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed between SUVmax and CAS. The Kappa test was used to check the consistency between the reading result and CAS's judgment of TAO activity. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of the reading results and SUVmax for TAO. Results: The age difference among the three groups was not statistically significant, and the gender difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The difference in CAS among the three groups was statistically significant (H=39.894; P<0.01). Patients with active TAO showed abnormal concentration and enhancement of nuclides in the orbital tissue, and the uptake of radionuclides was significantly increased, while patients with inactive TAO had a slight increase, and healthy volunteers had no significant or only mild uptake. The SUVmax of the active group (2.24±0.47) was highest, and that of the inactive group (1.57±0.43) was higher than the healthy control group (0.67±0.22). After pairwise comparison, there were statistical differences between groups (all P<0.05). According to Spearman correlation analysis, the SUVmax of all TAO patients was linearly, positively correlated with their CAS (r=0.753; P<0.05). In assessing the clinical activity of TAO, the reading results were consistent with CAS (Kappa value=0.737; P<0.05). Taking the reading results as the standard, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of SUVmax was 0.992, and the threshold of SUVmax to distinguish between active and inactive periods was 1.850, with a sensitivity of 86.70% and a specificity of 76.00%. Taking CAS results as the standard, the AUC of SUVmax was 0.853, and the threshold of SUVmax to distinguish between active and inactive periods was 1.850, with a sensitivity of 100.00% and a specificity of 87.50%. Five patients had inconsistent SUVmax and CAS. The CAS was ≥3, but the orbits did not show any inflammatory lesions in two of them; the CAS was<3, but the orbits showed inflammatory lesions in three of them. Thirteen active TAO patients with 99Tcm-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT showing significant accumulation of nuclides were given hormone shock therapy 12 times. After treatment, the CAS 2.00 (2.00) was lower than the pre-treatment 3.00 (1.50) score, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.100, P<0.01). The SUVmax after treatment (1.60±0.20) was lower than the pre-treatment value (2.17±0.34), and the difference was statistically significant (t=10.197, P<0.01). Conclusion: 99Tcm-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT can relatively accurately determine the state of orbital inflammation in patients with TAO, and can be used as a useful supplement to evaluate the clinical activity of TAO, helping to guide clinical treatment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 830-836).

[Effects and mechanisms of Xuezhikang on preventing contrast-induced acute kidney injury in diabetic rats].

Objective: To explore the effects and mechanisms of Xuezhikang on preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in diabetic rats. Methods: Streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to establish a diabetes model in 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. After 4 weeks of modeling, 24 diabetic rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group, CIN group, CIN+vehicle (Veh) group and Xuezhikang group. All animals were sacrificed at 24 hours after administration of contrast. Blood and kidney tissues were collected to detect biochemical, inflammation-related, oxidative stress-related and pathological indicators. Results: After administration of contrast agent, the renal function-related indicators were decreased in Xuezhikang group compared with CIN+Veh group [serum creatinine (SCr): (59.3±3.3) µmol/L vs (73.2±4.1) µmol/L; blood urea nitrogen (BUN): (13.8±0.5) mmol/L vs (16.3±0.6) mmol/L; serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (sNGAL): (41.4±2.0) ng/ml vs (54.9±4.4) ng/ml; urinary kidney injury moleculer-1 (uKIM-1): (11.1±0.5) ng/ml vs (16.6±0.5) ng/ml] (all P<0.05). Histological analysis showed that the severity of renal tubule dilatation, brush border loss and renal tubular cell necrosis in Xuezhikang group was better than that of CIN+Veh group. Additionally, the oxidative stress-related indicators of Xuezhikang group improved compared with those of CIN+Veh group [malondialdehyde (MDA): (12.1±0.7) nmol/mg vs (15.5±0.8) nmol/mg, superoxide dismutase (SOD): (35.0±2.2) U/mg vs (23.7±3.4) U/mg, renal nitrite: (1.7±0.1) nmol/mg vs (1.2±0.1) nmol/mg, all P<0.05]. Meanwhile, Xuezhikang pretreatment downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (both P<0.05). Conclusion: The current study suggests that Xuezhikang protects against CIN in diabetic rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation.

The ranked importance of dietary factors influencing the performance of broiler chickens offered phytase-supplemented diets by the Plackett-Burman screening design.

1.The objective of the present study was to rank the importance of the following dietary factors; canola meal, wheat, whole barley, digestible lysine, phytate-P, calcium, available P, sodium and three NSP-degrading feed enzymes. Their influence on growth performance, gastro-intestinal tract parameters, energy utilisation, ileal N digestibility and disappearance rates were determined via the Plackett-Burman design in broiler chickens offered phytase-supplemented diets. 2. The eleven dietary factors were assigned two levels in the Plackett-Burman design matrix. The resulting twelve dietary treatments were offered to six replicates per treatment (six birds per cage) with a total of 468 male Ross 308 broiler chicks from 7 to 28 d post-hatch. 3. Increasing digestible lysine levels improved weight gain by 15.6% (P < 0.001) and gain:feed by 9.36% (P < 0.001). Increasing calcium levels reduced weight gain by 6.36% (P < 0.001) and gain:feed by 2.60% (P < 0.001). The high calcium level increased gizzard pH from 2.78 to 3.01 (P < 0.005). Whole barley significantly increased relative gizzard weights and contents, pancreas weights and both ileal N digestibility coefficients (0.774 versus 0.803; P < 0.001) and ileal N disappearance rates (23. 3 versus 24.5 g/bird/day; P < 0.001). 4. Overall, digestible lysine level and calcium level were identified as the most influential dietary factors to influence growth performance of broilers offered phytase-supplemented diets, which hold implications for practical diet formulations.

Intra-articular injection of microRNA-140 (miRNA-140) alleviates osteoarthritis (OA) progression by modulating extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Disruptions of extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis are key events in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). MicroRNA-140 (miRNA-140) is expressed specifically in cartilage and regulates ECM-degrading enzymes. Our objective in this study was to determine if intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 can attenuate OA progression in rats. DESIGN: miRNA-140 levels in human normal and OA cartilage derived chondrocytes and synovial fluid were assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After primary human chondrocytes were transfected with miRNA-140 mimic or inhibitor, PCR and western blotting were performed to quantify Collagen II, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-5 expression. An OA model was induced surgically in rats, and subsequently treated with one single intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 agomir. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery, OA progression were evaluated macroscopically, histologically, and immunohistochemically in these rats. RESULTS: miRNA-140 levels were significantly reduced in human OA cartilage derived chondrocytes and synovial fluid compared with normal chondrocytes and synovial fluid. Overexpressing miRNA-140 in primary human chondrocytes promoted Collagen II expression and inhibited MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 expression. miRNA-140 levels in rat cartilage were significantly higher in the miRNA-140 agomir group than in the control group. Moreover, behavioural scores, chondrocyte numbers, cartilage thickness and Collagen II expression levels in cartilage were significantly higher, while pathological scores and MMP-13 and ADAMTS-5 expression levels were significantly lower in the miRNA-140 agomir group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular injection of miRNA-140 can alleviate OA progression by modulating ECM homeostasis in rats, and may have potential as a new therapy for OA.

[Efficacy and safety of endonasal phototherapy in the treatment of adult allergic rhinitis: A Meta-analysis].

Objective:To perform a systematic review of the efficacy and safety of endonasal phototherapy in the treatment of AR, and to provide evidence of evidence-based medicine for clinical application. Method:Databases were from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Academic Journal Full-text Database (CNKI) and Wanfang database. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) or clinical study literature on intranasal phototherapy for adult AR is available, and the deadline is March 2017. Based on the literature inclusion and exclusion criteria, the related literatures were selected and the quality was evaluated by using the Cochrane inclusion bias assessment table. Meta-analysis was performed with Revman 5.3 software. For continuous outcomes, the weighted mean difference (WMD) and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated, forest maps and funnel plots were drew. For uncontinuous outcomes, the odds ratio (OR) and its 95%CI were calculated, and forest maps and funnel plots were drew. The efficacy included total nasal symptom scores (TNSS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) and palate itching scores, and the safety was assessed by incidence rate of severe drying and mild drying of nasal mucosa. Result:A total of 12 articles were selected, including 5 RCT and 7 clinical studies, and there were 615 adult AR patients. The Meta-analysis shows that endonasal phototherapy significantly reduced the TNSS, RQLQ and palate itching scores, the incidence rate of mild drying of nasal mucosa was higher in comparison with pretreated values, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The rate of severe drying of nasal mucosa was higher, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). It also shows that endonasal phototherapy significantly reduced the TNSS, RQLQ and palate itching scores, and the rate of mild drying of nasal mucosa was higher in comparison with placebo and antihistamines groups, and the difference was statistically significant. The rate of severe drying of nasal mucosa was higher, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion:Endonasal phototherapy can improve the symptoms of TNSS, RQLQ and palate itching score in patients, and the safety is also confirmed.Patients who are not satisfied with symptom relief may choose to use it.

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Erysiphe macleayae on Torenia fournieri in China.

Torenia fournieri (Linderniaceae) is a common ornamental plant in China. It is also an important Chinese medicinal herb for its heart clearing and toxin removal properties. In October 2013, severe powdery mildew infections were observed on T. fournieri in Baihuayuan Garden (125.35°E, 43.88°N), China. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Mycology of Jilin Agricultural University under the accession number HMJAU02176. Whitish colonies covered the surface of leaves, petioles, sepals, and stems. The infected leaves became yellow and necrotic by advanced stages of the infection. Chasmothecia with a diameter between 63.5 and 95 µm were present singly or in groups, and bore dark brown mycelioid. The appendages were 0.5 to 4 times as long as the chasmothecial diameter, brown at the base and paler toward the apex. Asci were 2 to 6 per chasmothecium, short-stalked or sessile, 50 to 62 × 30 to 50.5 µm, and 2- to 4-spored. Ascospores were pale brown, oval to ellipsoid, 27 to 43 × 13 to 17 µm. Hyphae were flexuous to straight, branched, and septate. Appressoria were well-developed, lobed, and solitary or in opposite pairs. Conidiophores were unbranched, cylindrical, and 94 to 185 × 9 to 15 µm. Foot-cells were straight, cylindrical, 19 to 40 µm long, and followed by 1 to 3 cells shorter or nearly equal to the foot-cell. Conidia were singly produced, cylindrical or oval, 34 to 44 × 16 to 20 µm, and without distinct fibrosin bodies. Lobed germ tubes were produced at the tip of conidia. The morphological characteristics of sexual and asexual structures were consistent with Erysiphe macleayae (1,2). To confirm the identification, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of the pathogen was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced (3). The resulting 574-bp sequence (KJ600796) showed 100% similarity with E. macleayae (KF856294) and Oidium sp. isolated from Chelidonium majus (HQ286645 to 46) and one base different from M. microcarpa (JQ681217). Koch's postulate was completed by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto three young excised leaves of asymptomatic seedlings. Three non-inoculated leaves were used as controls. Inoculated leaves were incubated in separate petri dishes in a greenhouse at 20 to 25°C. Symptoms developed 5 days after inoculation, whereas the control leaves remained symptomless (voucher specimens HMJAU02176I). The morphology of the fungus on the inoculated leaves was identical to that observed on the originally diseased leaves. Powdery mildew on T. fournieri has only been reported as Golovinomyces sp. in Hungary (4). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew caused by E. macleayae on T. fournieri worldwide. Infection of Torenia by E. macleayae, a common powdery mildew on various hosts of the Papaveraceae, is very unusual and unexpected. It demonstrates a wider host range of this species beyond the limits of the Papaveraceae. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series 11. CBS, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 2012. (2) M. J. Park et al. Plant Dis. 96:1376, 2012. (3) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol. Res. 113:117, 2009. (4) P. Vági et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 117:89, 2007.

HPLC and GC-MS screening of Chinese proprietary medicine for undeclared therapeutic substances.

Traditional Chinese medicine includes raw medicinal materials and Chinese proprietary medicine (CPM). Despite being of natural origin, toxic effects, adulteration with synthetic therapeutic substances and even deaths had been associated with CPM. There is thus a need to develop analytical technique to rapidly screen for undeclared toxic and therapeutic substances in CPM. In this study, a high performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detection method was developed and used to screen for undeclared therapeutic substances in CPM. An ultraviolet (UV) library of 266 drugs had been compiled. Solute identification was performed by comparing the analytical data (UV spectra, retention time and relative retention time) with those of the 266 standards. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used as a confirmation method. These chromatographic methods had been shown to be selective and reproducible in screening for undeclared drugs in CPM. Using the method developed, 41 CPM samples in seven categories were screened for undeclared therapeutic substances. One anti-asthmatic CPM was found to contain codeine.

LC and LC-MS-MS analyses of undeclared codeine in antiasthmatic Chinese proprietary medicine.

This paper describes an accurate and sensitive reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method for the detection and quantification of undeclared codeine in a Chinese Proprietary Medicine (CPM) for asthma. A rapid and specific liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) method was applied to confirm the presence of codeine by selected reaction monitoring (SRM). Codeine was extracted from the capsules by dissolving in sodium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH = 2.2) and ethanol, then made alkaline (pH = 9) and extracted using chloroform. The amount of codeine in AsthmaWan was found to be 61.8 microg/capsule (R.S.D. = 7.9%, n = 9). Excellent resolution was obtained despite the complexity of the product which claimed to contain at least nine herbal ingredients, none of which will give rise to codeine. As a further confirmation method, LC-MS-MS is accurate and specific. The LC method has been validated for linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, accuracy and specificity. Greater awareness of and control over undeclared drugs in complementary medicine are necessary to ensure patients' safety.

Thermal analysis of bones from ovariectomized rats.

Thermal analyses [thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA)], X-ray diffraction, and infrared absorption analysis of bones from ovariectomized rats were carried out. The rats were divided into five groups: sham operated (Sham); ovariectomized (OVX); OVX given traditional Chinese (Kampo) medicine, Unkei-to; OVX given 17 beta-estradiol; and OVX given the estradiol vehicle, respectively. The activation energy (delta E), a kinetic parameter from TG data of OVX rats, increased by 57% from that in Sham rats. The administration of Unkei-to and 17 beta-estradiol to OVX rats clearly restored the delta E to the levels of Sham rats, while the vehicle for 17 beta-estradiol had no effect. DTA data from thermal analyses of rats from the Sham, OVX, and OVX given various compounds were almost the same except for OVX rats given 17 beta-estradiol. The X-ray diffraction pattern and infrared absorption spectrum of bone powders from Sham rats were not different from those of OVX rats or others. These results strongly suggest that kinetic parameter, delta E calculated from TG data, may be a useful method for assessing both experimentally induced osteoporosis and drug effects on it.

Preventive effects of traditional Chinese (Kampo) medicines on experimental osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in rats.

Preventive effects by traditional Chinese (Kampo) medicines, Unkei-to, Hachimi-jio-gan, and Juzen-taiho-to, on the progress of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats were investigated for a period of 49 days. The bone mineral density (BMD) of tibia in ovariectomized (OVX) rats decreased by 20% from those in sham-operated (Sham) rats, with the decrease completely inhibited by the administration of any one of these Kampo medicines or 17beta-estradiol. From scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analyses, the surface of a trabecular bone of tibia in OVX rats had a porous or erosive appearance, whereas that of the same bone in Sham rats was composed of fine particles. The administration of three Kampo medicines and 17beta-estradiol to OVX rats preserved the fine particle surface of the trabecular bone. These results strongly suggest that any of these three gynecological Kampo medicines is as effective as 17beta-estradiol in preventing the development of bone loss induced by ovariectomy in rats.

Heparin-binding properties of selenium-containing thioredoxin reductase from HeLa cells and human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Mammalian selenocysteine-containing thioredoxin reductase (TR) isolated from HeLa cells and from human lung adenocarcinoma cells was separated into two major enzyme species by heparin-agarose affinity chromatography. The low-affinity enzyme forms that were not retained on heparin agarose showed strong crossreactivity in immunoblot assays with anti-rat liver TR polyclonal antibodies, whereas the high-affinity enzyme forms that were retained by the heparin column were not detected. Both low and high heparin-affinity enzyme forms contained FAD, were indistinguishable on SDS/PAGE analysis, and exhibited similar catalytic activities in the NADPH-dependent DTNB [5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoate)] assay. The C-terminal amino acid sequences of 75Se-labeled tryptic peptides from lung adenocarcinoma low- and high heparin-affinity enzyme forms were identical to the predicted C-terminal sequence of human placental TR. These two determined peptide sequences were -Ser-Gly-Ala-Ser-Ile-Leu-Gln-Ala-Gly-Cys-Secys-(Gly). Occurrence of the Se-carboxymethyl derivative of radioactive selenocysteine in the position corresponding to TGA in the gene confirmed that UGA is translated as selenocysteine. The presence of cysteine followed by a reactive selenocysteine residue in this C-terminal region of the protein may explain some of the unusual properties of the mammalian TRs.

Selenophosphate synthetase: enzyme labeling studies with [gamma-32P]ATP, [beta-32P]ATP, [8-14C]ATP, and [75Se]selenide.

Selenophosphate synthetase catalyzes a reaction in which ATP and selenide are converted to H3SeP03, H3P04, and AMP in a 1:1:1 ratio. Selenophosphate is derived from the gamma phosphoryl group and orthophosphate from the beta phosphoryl group of ATP. In the absence of selenide, a slow reaction in which ATP is converted quantitatively to 2 H3P04 and AMP occurs. Labeling experiments carried out to detect a putative enzyme-bound pyrophosphate intermediate in the overall reaction showed that up to 0.6 equivalent of the 32P label from [gamma-32P]ATP was bound to protein under enzyme turnover conditions, but only a negligible amount of 32P from [beta-32P]ATP was present. Thus, no Enz-PP intermediate was present in a detectable amount under the experimental conditions used. Isolated enzyme samples contained 75Se from 75Se-labeled selenide and [14C]AMP from [8-14C]ATP in amounts similar to the bound 32P from [gamma-32P]ATP, suggesting that two of the final products, selenophosphate and AMP, were the radioactive compounds detected in these experiments.

Anthraquinones in Rheum palmatum and Rumex dentatus (Polygonaceae), and phorbol esters in Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) with molluscicidal activity against the schistosome vector snails Oncomelania, Biomphalaria and Bulinus.

Hot water extracts of Rheum plamatum and Rheum dentatus (from China) showed molluscicidal activity against the snails Oncomelania hupensis, Biomphalaria glabrata and Bulinus globosus, which are vectors of Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium, respectively. Activity was correlated with antraquinones which were identified by HPLC: rhein and chrysophanol-anthron were most active (> 50% dead snails after 2 days in a 0.03% solution). Molluscicidal activity was intermediate with Rheum-emodin and physcion and was not detectable with cinnamic acid or Aloe-emodin. The snail O. hupensis tended to be more sensitive for several compounds than B. glabrata. Extracts of Jatropha curcas seeds (from Mali) showed molluscicidal activity against both B. glabrata and O. hupensis, the latter being the more sensitive snail. The activity was associated with phorbol esters extracted from Jatropha oil. Of the pure phorbol esters tested, 4 beta-phorbol-13-decanoate killed both snail species at a concentration of 0.001% (10 p.p.m). As Jatropha is locally grown in Mali for other purposes, it might potentially be exploited for schistosomiasis control.

A non-radioactive and two radioactive assays for selenophosphate synthetase activity.

Selenophosphate synthetase catalyzes the formation of monoselenophosphate (SePO3(3-)) from ATP and selenide (reaction 1). [formula: see text] In one assay frequently used, [8-14C]AMP formation from [8-14C]ATP is estimated after separation of the nucleotides by thinlayer chromatography. An alternative non-radioactive assay in which the AMP product is estimated using AMP deaminase is described. The highly oxygen-labile selenophosphate product can be estimated in an assay employing [gamma-32P]ATP. The 32P-labeled selenophosphate is converted to [32P]orthophosphate by treatment with iodine and estimated after removal of residual [32P]ATP on charcoal.

Effects of a rhubarb (Rhei rhizoma) solution and its fractions on the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates.

Inhibitory effects of a rhubarb (Rhei rhizoma) solution and its fractions on the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates were studied. The rhubarb solution inhibited both the amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) formation and the rate of hydroxyapatite (HAP) transformation, and extended the induction time. When the solution was fractionated using membrane filters, a filtrate with the molecular weight between 3 and 10 kDa (with 2/3 recovery of polyphenols) was found to be responsible for both the ACP formation and the extension of the induction time. Another filtrate with the molecular weight below 3 kDa (with 1/3 recovery of polyphenols) may be responsible for the inhibition of both the ACP formation and the rate of HAP transformation, and the extension of the induction time. When the extract of rhubarb was fractionated using a Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, fraction IV greatly inhibited the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates, while fractions I, II and III slightly inhibited that reaction. Our finding suggests that fraction IV may contain useful substance(s) for the prevention of oral calcium phosphate precipitation (calculus formation). However, strong calcium chelating properties would limit the concentration that could be safely employed.