Characterization of trace elements in Casearia medicinal plant by neutron activation analysis.

Leaves of Casearia sylvestris, Casearia decandra and Casearia obliqua plant species, collected at the Atlantic Forest in Brazil, were analyzed by using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Short and long irradiations using thermal neutron flux of the IEA-R1 nuclear reactor were carried out for these analyses. Concentrations of Ca, K and Mg were found in these samples at the percentage levels, Br, Cl, Fe, Mn, Na, Rb and Zn at the microg g(-1) levels and Co, Cr, Cs, La, and Sc at the microg kg(-1) levels. Comparisons were made among the element concentrations obtained in these three Casearia species and significant differences were found for the elements Cl, Co, Cs, Cr, La, Mn, Na and Sc. The precision and the accuracy of the results were evaluated by analyzing the certified reference materials NIST-1515 Apple Leaves and NIST-1573a Tomato Leaves.

Atelectasia cronica infectada do lobo inferior esquerdo tratada cirurgicamente: relato de tres casos / Left lower lobe chronic atlectasis treated surgically: description of three cases

Os autores descrevem três casos de atelectasias cronicas do lobo inferior esquerdo que evoluiram com infecçöes e destruiçäo lobar, necessitando ressecçäo cirurgica. As atelectasias de duas das crianças nao foram reconhecidas e tratadas na fase aguda, o que pode ter influido na evoluçäo desfavorável destes casos. Os autores ressaltam a dificuldade no diagnostico clinico e radiografico da atelectasia cronica do lobo inferior esquerdo e a eventual necessidade de terapeutica cirurgica

[Surgical treatment of aortic dissection (Stanford type A) using hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion in patients older than 70 years of age].

Since 1991, 27 consecutive patients with aortic dissection (Stanford A) have been operated on using deep hypothermic retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP). There were no differences in ECC time (247 +/- 15 vs 307 +/- 22 min), and RCP time (47 +/- 2 vs 47 +/- 3 min) between the aged (> or = 70 y.o., n = 11) and non-aged (< 70 y.o., n = 16) group. Although the aged group showed the higher incidences of postoperative neurological complications of prolonged emergence (2 cases) and delirium (3 cases), respiratory disorder (3 cases), and renal dysfunction (3 cases), there was no significant difference in hospital mortality (18% in the aged vs 13% in the non-aged). We concluded that RCP is well acceptable procedure for surgical treatment of the aged patients with aortic dissection.

Suppression of glucose absorption by some fractions extracted from Gymnema sylvestre leaves.

Extracts containing gymnemic acids, which were extracted from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre (GS) as nine fractions, were evaluated for their effects on a high K(+)-induced contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscles, on glucose transport mediated by the difference of glucose-evoked transmural potential difference (delta PD) in the inverted intestine of guinea-pig and rat, and on blood glucose in rat. Among nine fractions obtained by high performance liquid chromatography from the extract, f-2 and f-4 strongly suppressed the high K(+)-induced contraction of the ileal muscle, f-3 and f-5 did so moderately, and f-8 and f-9 did so weakly, whereas the other fractions did not affect it. The degree of suppression of high K(+)-induced contraction by f-2 at 74% was almost the same as that of f-4 at 67%, at concentrations of 0.1 mg/ml. The suppressed contraction by f-2 or f-4 was recovered by adding 5.5 mM pyruvate. The delta PD increased by 5.5 mM glucose in the inverted intestines of guinea-pig and rat were equally suppressed by 0.1 mg/ml of f-2 or f-4 to 40%. In a rat sucrose tolerance test, f-2 and f-4 suppressed the elevation of blood glucose level. Both f-2 and f-4 suppressed the contraction of guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle, interfered with the increase in delta PD induced by glucose in the inverted intestines of guinea-pig and rat, and inhibited the elevation of blood glucose level. In conclusion, it is suggested that some of the extracts containing gymnemic acids from GS leaves suppress the elevation of blood glucose level by inhibiting glucose uptake in the intestine.

[Inhibitory effects of glucose utilization by gymnema acids in the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle].

Two substances identified as ((3 beta, 4 alpha, 16 beta, 21 beta, 22 alpha)-21-tigloxy-16, 22, 23, 28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-3-yl-beta D-glucopyranosiduronic acid) (GA1) and ((3 beta, 4 alpha, 16 beta, 21 beta, 22 alpha)-21-(2-methylbutyroxy)-16, 22, 23, 28-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-3-yl-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid) (GA2) identified among the gymnemic acids are triterpene glycosides extracted from Gymnema sylvestre leaves. We examined the effects of GA1 or GA2 on high K(+)-induced contraction in the guinea-pig longitudinal muscle. A sustained muscle contraction induced by hyperosmotically added 65.4 mM KCI (H-65K+) was suppressed by GA1 or GA2 (7.7 x 10(-5) M). Simultaneous measurements of reduced pyridine nucleotide (PNred) or oxidized flavin protein (FPox) by the fluorescence technique and of contractile force revealed that GA1 and GA2 reduced the increase of PNred fluorescence and contractile force induced by H-65K+, whereas FPox fluorescence induced by it further increased. Reduced muscle contraction induced by GA1 or GA2 was restored by 5.5 mM pyruvate. Simultaneous measurements of intracellular Ca2+ [Ca2+]1 level and contractile force indicated that [Ca2+]1 level, which increased by H-65K+, hardly changed with GA1 and GA2. In summary, both GA1 and GA2, which are among the gymnemic acids, suppressed high K(+)-induced contraction in the guinea-pig ileal longitudinal muscle. The difference between these two gymnemic acids was not significant. The inhibitory effect of GA1 and GA2 on smooth muscle were assumed to be a result of inhibiting glucose uptake, which is an energy source of the muscle, whereas the inhibitory mechanisms were probably not mediated by Ca2+.

Changes in pulmonary circulation during the early postoperative period following single lung transplantation.

This study examines the pulmonary hemodynamics during reimplantation and rejection following unilateral lung transplantation in dogs. Nineteen mongrel dogs were divided into three groups according to the method of treatment used: group 1 (n = 6) underwent modified autotransplantation of the left lung; group 2 (n = 6), allotransplantation without immunosuppression; and group 3 (n = 7), allotransplantation with immunosuppression. The pulmonary arterial blood flow and ventilation scores, assessed by chest X-rays, were measured for 2 weeks postoperatively. Pulmonary blood flow to the transplanted lung decreased slightly in group 1, whereas in group 2, it decreased sharply from the 3rd postoperative day (POD) and was almost completely absent by the 14th POD. In group 3, it decreased by 28% on the 1st POD but recovered gradually to 37% by the 14th POD. Ventilation scores were the same among the three groups on the 1st POD but in group 2, they decreased rapidly from the 3rd POD. This change correlated well with that of the pulmonary arterial (PA) flow, although the ventilation score changed after the PA flow did. In conclusion, rejection was reflected earlier and more distinctly by the changes in PA flow than by chest X-rays.

[Successful 24-hour pulmonary preservation in the use of hyperbaric oxygen].

24-hour lung preservation with modified Euro-Collins (E-C) solution under hyperbaric oxygen (OHP) was studied in the canine single lung transplantation model. A prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) was administered before cardiac arrest by St. Thomas solution. Lungs were flushed with modified E-C solution, then heart and lungs were excised en-bloc and immersed in 4 degrees C modified E-C solution for 24 hours in control group (N = 5). In OHP group (N = 5), heart and lung block were preserved similarly in the control group but placed in hyperbaric chamber (mixed gas 95% O2, 5% CO2) under 2 atmospheres absolute pressure. In the hyperbaric chamber, the lungs were expanded continuously by pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the lung. The left lung was transplanted into recipient dog and reperfused for 3 hours. Pulmonary function was assessed serially by measuring oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions in arterial blood and pulmonary vascular resistance by clamping the right pulmonary artery for 5 minutes. ATP before and after preservation was measured. In the control group, PaO2, after 24 hours preservation followed by reperfusion, was 177 +/- 88 mmHg, but decreased to 75 +/- 34 mmHg at 3 hours of reperfusion and bloody foamy sputum appeared in 4 dogs. Alternatively, PaO2 was 256 +/- 58 mmHg at 3 hours of reperfusion and foamy sputum did not appear in OHP group. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups (p < 0.05). PaCO2 at 3 hours of reperfusion was 41 +/- 3 mmHg in the control group, and 31 +/- 2 mmHg in the OHP group (p < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Experimental studies on the effects of superoxide dismutase on warm ischemic-reperfusion injury of the lung].

Transient impairment of the transplanted lung in early postoperative period is one of difficult problems in lung transplantation. It is likely that reperfusion injury of the warm ischemic lung is contributory. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of superoxide dismutase (SOD) on reperfusion injury of warm ischemic lung. Thirty mongrel dogs were divided into four groups. In group I (n = 6), the left lung with complete hilar stripping was placed in warm ischemic state under deflation for 1 hour. In group II (n = 9), the left lung with complete hilar stripping was kept in warm ischemic condition under inflation. Group III (n = 6) animals with same manipulation as group I received superoxide dismutase (SOD 20 mg/kg) before reperfusion. Group IV (n = 9) animals underwent same manipulation as group II and received SOD (20 mg/kg) before reperfusion. Before warm ischemia, immediately after reperfusion, and 1 and 2 hours, blood gases, left pulmonary vascular resistance were measured under the occlusion of right pulmonary artery. Extra vascular lung water content (EVLW) was measured at autopsy and lung was processed for histology. In group II, III and IV, blood gases and EVLW showed significantly better values than group I. In group I and III, left pulmonary vascular resistance increased prominently after reperfusion, however did not change in group II and IV. From these results, we concluded that inflated lung reduced the extent of pulmonary edema after reperfusion and SOD was effective in preventing warm ischemic damage even in deflated lung.