[Periconceptional maternal homocysteine and birth weight outcomes in offspring: a prospective cohort study].

Objective: To quantify the associations between periconceptional maternal homocysteine (HCY) and offspring's birth weight and risk of small for gestational age (SGA) infant. Methods: The 19 984 mother-child pairs in this prospective cohort study were recruited from the Shanghai preconception cohort; the infants were delivered from 1st September 2016 to 11th November 2022. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect the mothers' demographic information, medical history, dietary supplement use, and maternal complications during pregnancy, and their serum samples were collected. Serum HCY, folate, and vitamin B12 were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay based on serum sample drawn at enrollment. Birth weight data were obtained from medical records. Multiple imputation methods were applied to handle missing data in key variables. Multivariable linear regression and Poisson regression models were used to analyze the relationship between maternal HCY concentration during the periconceptional period and the birth weight and SGA risk of the offspring. Results: A total of 9 452 pairs were enrolled preconceptionally and the remaining 10 532 pairs were enrolled in early pregnancy. The proportion of mothers whose pregnancy age was greater than 35 years was 9.2% (1 832/19 984), the proportion of primiparous women was 76.5% (15 283/19 984), the proportion of pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity was 14.0% (2 804/19 984), the proportion of using folic acid supplements before pregnancy was 21.4% (4 272/19 984), and the proportion of those who supplemented with folic acid during early pregnancy was 85.2% (8 976/10 532); gestational diabetes mellitus was in 6.2% (1 245/19 984), gestational hypertensive syndrome in 3.6% (711/19 984). The birth weight of the offspring was (3 297±468) g, and there were 1 962 SGA children (9.8%). The HCY concentration in the overall population in appropriate for gestational age during the periconceptional period was (7.9±3.2) µmol/L, with (8.3±3.7) µmol/L in the preconception subgroup and (7.3±2.4) µmol/L in the early pregnancy subgroup. After adjustment for the covariates of perinatal demographic information, adverse pregnancy outcomes, serum folate and vitamin B12, increased maternal periconceptional HCY was significantly associated with lower offspring birth weight (ß=-2.30, 95%CI -4.43--0.16, P=0.035). Only the early pregnancy subgroup was significantly associated with lower offspring birth weight (ß=-7.39, 95%CI-11.50--3.21, P<0.001). No association was found between peripregnancy HCY and offspring SGA risk. However, elevated HCY in early pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of SGA in the offspring (RR=1.05, 95%CI 1.01-1.08, P=0.002). Periconceptional vitamin B12 was a mediator of the association between HCY and offspring birth weight, accounting for 16.5%, 41.2% and 5.4% of its total effect in the overall periconceptional population, the pre-pregnancy subgroup and the early pregnancy subgroup, respectively. Conclusions: Maternal periconceptional HCY level is associated with lower birth weight in offspring, but not with the risk of SGA. Elevated maternal HCY in early pregnancy subgroup may be associated with increased risk of SGA in offspring.

Neuropathic pain generates silent synapses in thalamic projection to anterior cingulate cortex.

ABSTRACT: Pain experience can change the central processing of nociceptive inputs, resulting in persistent allodynia and hyperalgesia. However, the underlying circuit mechanisms remain underexplored. Here, we focus on pain-induced remodeling of the projection from the mediodorsal thalamus (MD) to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a projection that relays spinal nociceptive input for central processing. Using optogenetics combined with slice electrophysiology, we detected in male mice that 7 days of chronic constriction injury (CCI; achieved by loose ligation of the sciatic nerve) generated AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-silent glutamatergic synapses within the contralateral MD-to-ACC projection. AMPAR-silent synapses are typically GluN2B-enriched nascent glutamatergic synapses that mediate the initial formation of neural circuits during early development. During development, some silent synapses mature and become "unsilenced" by recruiting and stabilizing AMPARs, consolidating and strengthening the newly formed circuits. Consistent with these synaptogenic features, pain-induced generation of silent synapses was accompanied by increased densities of immature dendritic spines in ACC neurons and increased synaptic weight of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the MD-to-ACC projection. After prolonged (∼30 days) CCI, injury-generated silent synapses declined to low levels, which likely resulted from a synaptic maturation process that strengthens AMPAR-mediated MD-to-ACC transmission. Consistent with this hypothesis, viral-mediated knockdown of GluN2B in ACC neurons, which prevented pain-induced generation of silent synapses and silent synapse-mediated strengthening of MD-to-ACC projection after prolonged CCI, prevented the development of allodynia. Taken together, our results depict a silent synapse-mediated mechanism through which key supraspinal neural circuits that regulate pain sensitivity are remodeled to induce allodynia and hyperalgesia.

Update of Guidelines for laparoscopic treatment of ventral and incisional abdominal wall hernias (International Endohernia Society (IEHS)): Part B.

In 2014 the International Endohernia Society (IEHS) published the first international "Guidelines for laparoscopic treatment of ventral and incisional abdominal wall hernias". Guidelines reflect the currently best available evidence in diagnostics and therapy and give recommendations to help surgeons to standardize their techniques and to improve their results. However, science is a dynamic field which is continuously developing. Therefore, guidelines require regular updates to keep pace with the evolving literature. METHODS: For the development of the original guidelines all relevant literature published up to year 2012 was analyzed using the ranking of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based-Medicine. For the present update all of the previous authors were asked to evaluate the literature published during the recent years from 2012 to 2017 and revise their statements and recommendations given in the initial guidelines accordingly. In two Consensus Conferences (October 2017 Beijing, March 2018 Cologne) the updates were presented, discussed, and confirmed. To avoid redundancy, only new statements or recommendations are included in this paper. Therefore, for full understanding both of the guidelines, the original and the current, must be read. In addition, the new developments in repair of abdominal wall hernias like surgical techniques within the abdominal wall, release operations (transversus muscle release, component separation), Botox application, and robot-assisted repair methods were included. RESULTS: Due to an increase of the number of patients and further development of surgical techniques, repair of primary and secondary abdominal wall hernias attracts increasing interests of many surgeons. Whereas up to three decades ago hernia-related publications did not exceed 20 per year, currently this number is about 10-fold higher. Recent years are characterized by the advent of new techniques-minimal invasive techniques using robotics and laparoscopy, totally extraperitoneal repairs, novel myofascial release techniques for optimal closure of large defects, and Botox for relaxing the abdominal wall. Furthermore, a concomitant rectus diastasis was recognized as a significant risk factor for recurrence. Despite still insufficient evidence with respect to these new techniques it seemed to us necessary to include them in the update to stimulate surgeons to do research in these fields. CONCLUSION: Guidelines are recommendations based on best available evidence intended to help the surgeon to improve the quality of his daily work. However, science is a continuously evolving process, and as such guidelines should be updated about every 3 years. For a comprehensive reference, however, it is suggested to read both the initially guidelines published in 2014 together with the update. Moreover, the presented update includes also techniques which were not known 3 years before.

Update of Guidelines for laparoscopic treatment of ventral and incisional abdominal wall hernias (International Endohernia Society (IEHS))-Part A.

In 2014, the International Endohernia Society (IEHS) published the first international "Guidelines for laparoscopic treatment of ventral and incisional abdominal wall hernias." Guidelines reflect the currently best available evidence in diagnostics and therapy and give recommendations to help surgeons to standardize their techniques and to improve their results. However, science is a dynamic field which is continuously developing. Therefore, guidelines require regular updates to keep pace with the evolving literature. METHODS: For the development of the original guidelines, all relevant literature published up to year 2012 was analyzed using the ranking of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. For the present update, all of the previous authors were asked to evaluate the literature published during the recent years from 2012 to 2017 and revise their statements and recommendations given in the initial guidelines accordingly. In two Consensus Conferences (October 2017 Beijing, March 2018 Cologne), the updates were presented, discussed, and confirmed. To avoid redundancy, only new statements or recommendations are included in this paper. Therefore, for full understanding both of the guidelines, the original and the current, must be read. In addition, the new developments in repair of abdominal wall hernias like surgical techniques within the abdominal wall, release operations (transversus muscle release, component separation), Botox application, and robot-assisted repair methods were included. RESULTS: Due to an increase of the number of patients and further development of surgical techniques, repair of primary and secondary abdominal wall hernias attracts increasing interests of many surgeons. Whereas up to three decades ago hernia-related publications did not exceed 20 per year, currently this number is about 10-fold higher. Recent years are characterized by the advent of new techniques-minimal invasive techniques using robotics and laparoscopy, totally extraperitoneal repairs, novel myofascial release techniques for optimal closure of large defects, and Botox for relaxing the abdominal wall. Furthermore, a concomitant rectus diastasis was recognized as a significant risk factor for recurrence. Despite insufficient evidence with respect to these new techniques, it seemed to us necessary to include them in the update to stimulate surgeons to do research in these fields. CONCLUSION: Guidelines are recommendations based on best available evidence intended to help the surgeon to improve the quality of his daily work. However, science is a continuously evolving process, and as such guidelines should be updated about every 3 years. For a comprehensive reference, however, it is suggested to read both the initial guidelines published in 2014 together with the update. Moreover, the presented update includes also techniques which were not known 3 years before.

Blood Pressure Is Associated with Tea Consumption: A Cross-sectional Study in a Rural, Elderly Population of Jiangsu China.

OBJECTIVES: Tea has long been hypothesized to possess hypotensive effects. However, there is uncertainty regarding the association of tea consumption with arterial blood pressure (BP). We aimed to examine the association between tea consumption and BP components including systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). DESIGN: Community-based, cross-sectional study of Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China. SETTING: Tea consumption has protective influence on BP and presence of hypertension. PARTICIPANTS: 4579 older adults aged 60 years or older from the Weitang Geriatric Diseases study. MEASUREMENTS: Detailed information regarding tea consumption was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. BP components were measured at least 3 times with a minimum 5-minute interval, by well-trained research nurses. METHODS: Data of 4579 older adults (response rate: 82%) aged 60 years or older from the Weitang Geriatric Diseases study were included in the analysis and we estimated the relationship of tea consumption and BP using linear regression models and the association between tea consumption and risk of hypertension using logistic regression models. RESULTS: In linear regression models, higher tea consumption frequency was found to be associated with lower systolic BP values, after adjusting for the effect of age, sex, education level, lifestyle-related factors, and cardiometabolic confounding factors in overall (coefficient =-1.49, P=0.0003), normotensive (coefficient =-0.91, P=0.017) and participants without anti-hypertensive treatment (coefficient =-1.26, P=0.027). Significant inverse association between diastolic BP and frequency of tea consumption was also observed in the overall subjects (coefficient =-0.74, P=0.003). In multivariate logistic analyses, habitual tea drinking was inversely associated with presence of hypertension [odds ratio (OR)=0.79, P=0.011] , and there was a progressive reduction in risk associated with higher frequency of tea consumption (P for trend=0.011). CONCLUSION: Habitual tea consumption was found to be associated with lower values of components of BP and a reduced likelihood of having hypertension in older adults. Given the widespread consumption of tea throughout China and the world, together with the major cardiovascular disease risk, our findings have important implications for human health.

Effect of a carbohydrate-containing late-evening snack on energy metabolism and fasting substrate utilization in adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure due to Hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the effects of a carbohydrate (CHO; lotus-root starch) predominant, late-evening snack (LES), containing 200 kcal (50 g CHO) on fasting resting energy expenditure (REE) and nutrient oxidation in hospitalized adults with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults with ACLF were randomized to receive daily LES (treatment; n=35) or standard care (n=35; non-supplemented control) for 14 days. REE and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured by indirect calorimetry, nutrient oxidation (CHO, protein and fat), intake and biochemical parameters were measured in both groups at baseline and after 14 days using validated techniques. Disease severity was measured using the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD). RESULTS: No significant differences in macronutrient intake, anthropometric, demographic characteristics or MELD scores were observed between groups at baseline (P>0.05). Fasting RQ was significantly higher in the LES supplemented verses the control group after 2 weeks (P=0.02). CHO oxidation was significantly higher (P=0.001) and fat oxidation (P=0.02) was lower in the LES-supplemented group when compared with controls after 2 weeks. Fasting RQ and REE in the LES-supplemented group increased significantly (0.83 verses 0.88; P=0.007/1301±409 vs 1687±718 kcal/day; P=0.02) in patients with MELD scores 30 when compared with patients with MELD scores >30 (0.82 verses 0.84; P=0.27/ 1361±405 vs 1437±429 kcal/day; P=0.67) after supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: A carbohydrate-predominant LES is associated with increases in fasting carbohydrate oxidation, REE and reductions in fat oxidation in adults with ACLF. Therapeutic strategies utilizing LES may promote improved nutritional status in adults with ACLF.

Efficacy of phototherapy devices and outcomes among extremely low birth weight infants: multi-center observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy of phototherapy (PT) devices and the outcomes of extremely premature infants treated with those devices. STUDY DESIGN: This substudy of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network PT trial included 1404 infants treated with a single type of PT device during the first 24±12 h of treatment. The absolute (primary outcome) and relative decrease in total serum bilirubin (TSB) and other measures were evaluated. For infants treated with one PT type during the 2-week intervention period (n=1223), adjusted outcomes at discharge and 18 to 22 months corrected age were determined. RESULT: In the first 24 h, the adjusted absolute (mean (±s.d.)) and relative (%) decrease in TSB (mg dl(-1)) were: light-emitting diodes (LEDs) -2.2 (±3), -22%; Spotlights -1.7 (±2), -19%; Banks -1.3 (±3), -8%; Blankets -0.8 (±3), -1%; (P<0.0002). Some findings at 18 to 22 months differed between groups. CONCLUSION: LEDs achieved the greatest initial absolute reduction in TSB but were similar to Spots in the other performance measures. Long-term effects of PT devices in extremely premature infants deserve rigorous evaluation.

Protective effect of ginsenoside against acute renal failure and expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in the locus coeruleus.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is mainly characterized by acute tubular necrosis. No significant change was found for mortality rates over the past few decades despite significant advances in supportive care. In recent years, great effort has been focused on traditional and herbal medicine, which is much less toxic than those agents conventionally used and which is nowadays considered as a novel therapeutic agent for ARF. However, the effect of ginsenosides (GS) administered orally on ARF has not been reported yet and little is known about its cellular and molecular mechanism. The purpose of the study is to investigate the protective effect of ginsenoside in rats with ARF on the changes of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity (TH-IR) as well as on the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in the locus coeruleus. In our assay, glycerol-induced acute renal failure in rats was employed to study the protective effects of ginsenoside. Our results indicated that the treatment of ARF rats with ginsenosides for 48 h significantly reduced the serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine level, and lipid peroxidation, restored the GSH level and the normal renal morphology. Immunohistochemistry showed that an obvious increase of TH-IR was further enhanced in ARF+GS group. The same effect was also observed in the changes of p-ERK1/2-IR in the locus coeruleus. Our results suggest that ginsenoside administered orally may have a strong renal protective effect against glycerol-induced ARF, and ginsenoside can also activate the brain catecholaminergic neurons in the locus coeruleus. Our future attention will be focused to the question whether there is a correlation between the renal protective effect of ginsenosides against acute renal failure and the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the locus coeruleus.

Reverse cholesterol transport and cholesterol efflux in atherosclerosis.

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a pathway by which accumulated cholesterol is transported from the vessel wall to the liver for excretion, thus preventing atherosclerosis. Major constituents of RCT include acceptors such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), and enzymes such as lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP), hepatic lipase (HL) and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP). A critical part of RCT is cholesterol efflux, in which accumulated cholesterol is removed from macrophages in the subintima of the vessel wall by ATP-binding membrane cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) or by other mechanisms, including passive diffusion, scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1), caveolins and sterol 27-hydroxylase, and collected by HDL and apoA-I. Esterified cholesterol in the HDL is then delivered to the liver for excretion. In patients with mutated ABCA1 genes, RCT and cholesterol efflux are impaired and atherosclerosis is increased. In studies with transgenic mice, disruption of ABCA1 genes can induce atherosclerosis. Levels of HDL are inversely correlated with incidences of cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with HDL or apoA-I can reverse atherosclerosis by accelerating RCT and cholesterol efflux. On the other hand, pro-inflammatory factors such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), endotoxin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1beta), can be atherogenic by impairing RCT and cholesterol efflux, according to in vitro studies. RCT and cholesterol efflux play a major role in anti-atherogenesis, and modification of these processes may provide new therapeutic approaches to cardiovascular disease. Further research on new modifying factors for RCT and cholesterol efflux is warranted.

[Biotransformation of (+)- and (-)-clausenamide in rats].

AIM: To study the metabolic pathway of chiral clausenamide in the rat and understand its stereoselectivity. METHODS: The urine, feces and blood of rat were gathered after the drug was administered, the known metabolites were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and one unknown metabolite was elucidated by using LC-MS analysis. Metabolic stereoselectivity was determined by comparing the metabolic results of (+)- and (-)-clausenamide. RESULTS: Six known metabolites were determined and one unknown metabolite was elucidated as N-demethylclausenamide. The metabolic stereoselectivity was shown distinctly. CONCLUSION: Chiral clausenamide was mainly metabolized by hydroxylation in liver and the biotransformation exhibited pronounced substrate stereoselectivity.

[Study of effect of zhichuan capsule on airway remodeling in experimental animal model of asthma].

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect and possible mechanism of Zhichuan Capsule (ZCC), a Chinese herbal preparation for reinforcing Kidney and invigorating Spleen, on airway remodeling when it was used in treating asthma. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups: the normal control group, the model group, the high-dosage ZCC group, the low-dosage ZCC group and the Becotide (Beclomethasone Dipropionate) group, 10 rats in each group. The chronic asthma model was established by repeated inhalation of ovalbumin. The changes of collagen and fibronectin (Fn) content in airway wall, inner and outer diameter as well as area of respiratory tract cavity in lung slices were measured by computerized image analysis system. RESULTS: The wall contents of collagen and Fn in airway were higher (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), while the ratio of inner diameter/outer diameter (ID/OD) and ratio of area of airway cavity/total area of airway (CA/TA) were significantly lower (P < 0.01) in the model animals than those in the normal controls. As compared with the model group, collagen and Fn contents were lower, ID/OD and CA/TA ratio were significantly higher in high-dosage ZCC group, close to normal range. In the low-dosage ZCC group, although collagen content, ID/OD and CA/TA were not different to those in the model group, but the content of Fn was significantly lower (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: ZCC could inhibit the remodeling of airway in chronic asthma by way of reducing the precipitation of collagen and Fn, thus help the prevention and treatment of chronic bronchial asthma.

[Inhibitory effect of panicoin on platelet activation and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the inhibitory pathway and the possible mechanism of panicoin on platelet activation. METHODS: The effect of panicoin on platelet aggregation, thromboxane B2 release, P-selectin (GMP-140) count, levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP induced by ADP, epinephrine, arachidonic acid (AA) or thrombin were observed. RESULTS: (1) Panicoin significantly inhibits platelet aggregation induced by ADP, arachidonic acid and epinephrine in a dose-dependent manner; (2) It reduces the P-selectin number on platelet surface which was stimulated by thrombin; (3) It inhibits TXB2 release induced by AA and increases the platelet cyclic AMP level, while cyclic GMP level was not changed. CONCLUSION: Panicoin shows a potent inhibition on platelet activation and antithrombotic effect. The mechanisms seem to be related with the elevation of platelet cyclic AMP.

[Metabolic transformation of (-)-clausenamide in rat liver microsomes].

The metabolic transformation of (-)-clausenamide, isolated from the leaves of Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels, was studied in vitro with phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomal incubate containing the NADPH-generating system. The constitution of the incubation system was optimized and a RP-HPLC-DAD method was developed for the on-line analysis of (-)-clausenamide and its metabolites. The major metabolites were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC and HPLC and their structures were determined as 6-OH clausenamide (CM1) and 5-OH clausenamide (CM2) by 1HNMR and MS.

[Chemical constituents of Phyllanthus urinaria L. and its antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus].

Studies on the chemical constituents of Phyllanthus urinaria and its antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus were completed. Eleven compounds have been isolated. Two of them are new compounds methyl ester dehydrochebulic acid and methyl brevifolin carboxylate. Antiviral experiments on HBsAg in vitro and liver damage caused by CCl4 have shown that. Phyllanthus urinaria possesses antiviral activities against HBV.

[Effect of tripchlorolide (T4) of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook on the production of endothelin-1 by endothelial cells of human umbilical vein].

Tripchlorolide (T4), a single active ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook was shown to possess both anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive actions in experimental animals. The paper reports the effect of T4 on the production of endothelin-1 (ET-1) by endothelial cells of human umbilical vein. The cells were incubated with different doses of T4 (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 ng/ml) for 24 hours. By radioimmunoassay the results showed that T4 at concentration of 5 ng/ml significantly inhibited the production of ET-1 by endothelial cell in a dose dependent trend. The significance of T4 action was discussed.

[Effects of tripchlorolide (T4) of Tripterygium wilfordii hook on the production of prostaglandin E2 by synovial cells of rheumatoid arthritis].

The effects of tripchlorolide, an active ingredient (T4) of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook on the production of prostaglandin E2(PGE2) by synovial cells of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were investigated. Six cases of definite RA (female 5, male 1, mean age 45 with an average course of disease of 9 years) were selected. Surgically obtained synovium specimen were dissociated into digested synovial single cells (DSSC). The cells were incubated with various concentrations of T4 for 48 hours. Using radioimmunoassay T4 was found to significantly inhibit the production of PGE2 (control 6.10 +/- 2.30 vs T4 treated 0.58 +/- 0.47 x 10(-5) mol.L-1) by short-term cultured DSSC of RA patients. The results of this study suggests that T4 may be useful in the forthcoming treatment of RA due to its inhibition of production of PGE2 by synovial cells.

[Chemical studies on the constituents of Phyllanthus urinaria L].

Two new phenolic compounds (crystal VI and crystal IX) have been isolated from Phyllanthus urinaria L. (Euphorbiaceae). Their structures were determined by analysis of their UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, 13C-1H COSY, long range 13C-1H COSY, DEPT, EIMS and HREIMS spectral data. Crystal VI was determined as methyl brevifolincarboxylate. Crystal IX was elucidated as trimethyl ester dehydrochebulic acid. All of the signals of the 13C-NMR of these two new compounds have been assigned mainly according to DEPT, 13C-1H COSY and long range 13C-1H COSY. Accompanying these two new compounds, 8 known compounds have been isolated. By using chemical reactions, UV, IR, 1H-NMR, MS, their structures were elucidated as n-octadecane(I), beta-sitosterol(III), ellagic acid(IV), daucosterol(V), kaempferol(VII), quercetin(VIII), gallic acid(X) and rutin(XI). Crystal II is an aldehyde, its structure elucidation is in progress.

Inhibition of crystallins-induced inflammation in rabbit eyes with five phytogenic compounds.

Ocular inflammation was induced by injection of crystallins (lens protein) intracamerally and endotoxin intravitreously into rabbit and rat eyes, respectively, and was measured with fluorophotometry by quantitating the amount of fluorescein which entered into the globe. Five compounds isolated from anti-inflammatory Chinese herbs were studied for their effects on ocular inflammation. It was found that lens protein-induced inflammation was inhibited significantly by the topical instillation of pulegone (0.5%), friedelin (0.5%), and sabinene (1%), but not by dihydrojasmon or naringin at concentrations up to 1%. However, none of these compounds inhibited endotoxin-induced posterior uveitis.

[Screening studies on anti-inflammatory function of traditional Chinese herb Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and its possibility in treating soft tissue injuries in animals].

This paper reports the study of six fractions and one chemical constituent isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Gardenia jasminoides. The results showed that two fractions (G5.G6,), alcohol extract (G1) and genipoiside(A) had obvious anti-inflammatory effects and were comparatively effective in treating soft tissue injuries in animals.

[Microwave processing method of semen Armeniacae Amarum].

This paper reports the microwave processing method of Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Prunus armeniaca var. ansu). The experimental results showed that amygdalase was completely inactivated and the contents of amygdaloside were not reduced at all. The time and temperature of the processing method have also been studied.