Differences in serum steroid hormones concentrations in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) - an animal model of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Spontaneously hypertensive rats are the most common animal model used to study attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study investigated the levels of steroid hormones in the bloodstream of hypertensive rats and its normotensive control strain, Wistar-Kyoto rats, to check if there are any hormonal differences between both strains at the onset of ADHD. Plasma samples were collected from young (5-week-old) and mature (10-week-old) male hypertensive and normotensive rats to determine the serum level of testosterone, 17beta-estradiol, free estriol, progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol using ELISA kits. The results showed statistically significant increases in serum levels of testosterone and free estriol in 10-week-old hypertensive and normotensive rats when compared to 5-week-old animals. Moreover, the concentrations of progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol were significantly elevated in 10-week-old hypertensive rats when compared to 5-week-old animals of both strains as well as 10-week-old normotensive rats. Hormonal differences observed between 10-week-old hypertensive and normotensive rats were also accompanied by differences in the volumes of lateral ventricles as well as the third ventricle and cerebral aqueduct. In conclusion, elevated contents of progesterone, corticosterone and cortisol in hypertensive rats may be associated not only with ADHD but also with developing hypertension. This question needs further study.

NMR-based metabolomics for the environmental assessment of Kaohsiung Harbor sediments exemplified by a marine amphipod (Hyalella azteca).

Inflow of wastewater from upstream causes a large flux of pollutants to enter Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan daily. To reveal the ecological risk posed by Kaohsiung Harbor sediments, an ecological metabolomic approach was employed to investigate environmental factors pertinent to the physiological regulation of the marine amphipod Hyalella azteca. The amphipods were exposed to sediments collected from different stream inlets of the Love River (LR), Canon River (CR), Jen-Gen River (JR), and Salt River (SR). Harbor entrance 1 (E1) was selected as a reference site. After 10-day exposure, metabolomic analysis of the Hyalella azteca revealed differences between two groups: {E1, LR, CR} and {JR, SR}. The metabolic pathways identified in the two groups of amphipods were significantly different. The results demonstrated that NMR-based metabolomics can be effectively used to characterize metabolic response related to sediment from polluted areas.

Transparent Memory For Harsh Electronics.

As a new class of non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (RRAM) offers not only superior electronic characteristics, but also advanced functionalities, such as transparency and radiation hardness. However, the environmental tolerance of RRAM is material-dependent, and therefore the materials used must be chosen carefully in order to avoid instabilities and performance degradation caused by the detrimental effects arising from environmental gases and ionizing radiation. In this work, we demonstrate that AlN-based RRAM displays excellent performance and environmental stability, with no significant degradation to the resistance ratio over a 100-cycle endurance test. Moreover, transparent RRAM (TRRAM) based on AlN also performs reliably under four different harsh environmental conditions and 2 MeV proton irradiation fluences, ranging from 1011 to 1015 cm-2. These findings not only provide a guideline for TRRAM design, but also demonstrate the promising applicability of AlN TRRAM for future transparent harsh electronics.

Inhibition of melanogenesis by ß-caryophyllene from lime mint essential oil in mouse B16 melanoma cells.

OBJECTIVE: Volatile essential oils of mint species are used for cosmetics and in skin care products. In this study, we evaluated the main chemical components of the lime mint and the anti-melanogenic properties of its main components. METHODS: The essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anti-melanogenic effects of mint essential oil and ß-caryophyllene were investigated in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. RESULTS: The main components of lime mint essential oil were found to be D-limonene (41.10%), D-carvone (8.58%), δ-selinene (6.73%) and ß-caryophyllene (6.24%). The lime mint essential oil reduced melanin production in a dose-dependent manner in murine B16F10 cells. ß-Caryophyllene, one of the main compounds in lime mint essential oil, could reduce melanogenesis by down-regulating the expression of MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2 and tyrosinase, resulting in a decrease in melanin content decrease. CONCLUSION: These results reveal that lime mint essential oil and ß-caryophyllene are considered to be valuable as potential skin-whitening agents.

Salivary proteomics in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify differentially expressed salivary proteins in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) patients that could serve as biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Whole saliva obtained from 20 BRONJ patients and 20 controls were pooled within groups. The samples were analyzed using iTRAQ-labeled two-dimensional liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Overall, 1340 proteins were identified. Of these, biomarker candidates were selected based on P-value (<0.001), changes in protein expression (≥1.5-fold increase or decrease), and unique peptides identified (≥2). Three comparisons made between BRONJ and control patients identified 200 proteins to be differentially expressed in BRONJ patients. A majority of these proteins were predicted to have a role in drug metabolism and immunological and dermatological diseases. Of all the differentially expressed proteins, we selected metalloproteinase-9 and desmoplakin for further validation. Immunoassays confirmed increased expression of metalloproteinase-9 in individual saliva (P = 0.048) and serum samples (P = 0.05) of BRONJ patients. Desmoplakin was undetectable in saliva. However, desmoplakin levels tended to be lower in BRONJ serum than controls (P = 0.157). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple pathological reactions are involved in BRONJ development. One or more proteins identified by this study may prove to be useful biomarkers for BRONJ diagnosis. The role of metalloproteinase-9 and desmoplakin in BRONJ requires further investigation.

Neuroprotective effects of Hu-Yi-Neng, a diet supplement, on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is considered the potential risk to the development of dementia. Some medicines, vitamins, and diet supplements have been suggested to have possible benefits via the antioxidative effects to slow the decline of cognitive function in demented and non-demented individuals. However, few studies were conducted to examine their functions, especially in composite diet supplements. Hu-Yi-Neng is a composite diet supplement, including ginkgo biloba, extract of pine bark, phosphatidyl serine, docosahexaenoic acid, and folic acid, used extensively in Taiwan. Therefore, our aim is to investigate the potential protective effects of Hu-Yi-Neng on human neuron cells. MATERALS AND METHODS: H2O2-induced neuronal toxicity was characterized in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells by the decrease of cell viability using PrestoBlue™ assay and by the increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level using DCFH-DA (2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescin diacetate) assays. HO-1 mRNA expression was detected by real-time PCR. Akt and Erk 1/2 proteins were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: Pretreatment with Hu-Yi-Neng significantly reversed the decrease in cell viability induced by H2O2 in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, Hu-Yi-Neng dose-dependently suppressed the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Hu-Yi-Neng protected SH-SY5Y cells from oxidative stress may via the increase in mRNA expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant enzyme. In addition, Hu-Yi-Neng inhibited H2O2-induced phosphorylation of Akt kinase but further increased the phosphorylation of Erk 1/2. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that Hu-Yi-Neng has protective effect against oxidative stress-induced neuron cell loss and it could be an ideal composite diet supplement for preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

High-voltage thin-film GaN LEDs fabricated on ceramic substrates: the alleviated droop effect at 670 W/cm(2).

High-voltage thin-film GaN LEDs with the emission wavelength of 455 nm were fabricated on ceramic substrates (230 W/m · K). The high-voltage operation was achieved by three cascaded sub-LEDs with dielectric passivation and metal bridges conformally deposited on the side walls. Under the driving power of 670 W/cm(2), the high-voltage LEDs exhibit much alleviated efficiency droop and the operative temperature below 80 °C. The excellent performances were attributed to the improved current spreading within each sub-LED and the superior heat sinking of the ceramic substrate.

Changes of mucosal immunity and antioxidation activity in elite male Taiwanese taekwondo athletes associated with intensive training and rapid weight loss.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative effects of prolonged, intensive training and rapid weight loss on immunological parameters and antioxidation activity of elite male Taiwanese taekwondo athletes. DESIGN: 16 Elite male taekwondo athletes (mean age, 21.6 (1.3) years; mean height, 173.7 (5.5) cm) volunteered to participate in this study. Beginning at 30 days before a national competition, saliva samples were obtained during a 7-week training, the competition and the postcompetition period. Levels of salivary IgA, cortisol, lactoferrin and free-radical scavenging activity were measured at 30-, 14-, 7- and 1-day precompetition and 1-, 7- and 19-day postcompetition. Body weight and body fat were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean body weight was notably decreased during the week immediately before the competition. Results reveal that the levels of salivary IgA were differentially regulated during the training, competition and recovery period, while the salivary cortisol and lactoferrin concentrations and free-radical scavenging activity were not appreciably affected during the training and the competition period. Furthermore, the results of an upper respiratory tract infection incidence indicate that following the decreases of mucosal immunity, the risk of acquiring infection was significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that mucosal immunity in elite male taekwondo athletes is modulated by exercise and rapid weight reduction during the training, competition and recovery period. Cumulative effects of prolonged intensive training and rapid weight reduction suppressed mucosal immunity. Furthermore, because of the "open window" of impaired immunity during the precompetition period, the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection was significantly increased after the competition.

Impact of intense training and rapid weight changes on salivary parameters in elite female Taekwondo athletes.

The aim of this study is to examine the cumulative effects of prolonged intensive training with or without rapid weight changes (RWC) on salivary parameters of elite female Taekwondo (TKD) athletes. Ten elite female Taiwanese TKD athletes (ages: 21.3 ± 1.2 years of age, Ht 164.4 ± 5.6 cm) volunteered to participate in this study. Resting saliva samples were collected at 28-, 14-, 7-, and 1 day before and 1-, 7-, 21 days after a national competition. The levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA), cortisol, and lactoferrin were measured. In analyzing the anthropometric data, we found that a significant proportion (50%) of elite female TKD athletes had RWC shortly before and after a national competition. The participants were allocated either to the RWC or to the non-RWC group according to their weight change profiles. Our results showed that levels of sIgA and cortisol of athletes with RWC were significantly modulated during the study period. However, athletes without RWC only showed reduced lactoferrin after competition. The results presented here demonstrate that intensive training in combination with RWC affects the mucosal immunity and disrupts the cortisol stress response of elite female TKD athletes.

The differential effects of tamoxifen and ICI 182,780 on the reduction of Na+/K+ ATPase activity and spontaneous oscillations by 17beta-estradiol.

A prolonged treatment with 17beta-estradiol reduces the frequency of spontaneous oscillations and the Na+/K+ ATPase activity in rat uteri. Acute inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase activity by a Na+/K+ ATPase inhibitor, ouabain, decreases the frequency of oxytocin-induced oscillations in uteri. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether the prolonged inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase activity by 17beta-estradiol was estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent. The uterine explants from ovariectomized rats were cultured in vitro as our experimental model to compare the effect of two antiestrogenic compounds (ICI 182,780 and tamoxifen) on the Na+/K+ ATPase activity and the frequency of spontaneous oscillations. ATPase assay and a standard muscle bath apparatus were to measure the activity and the contraction. When compared with the control, a 2-day treatment with 17beta-estradiol in vivo or in vitro decreased the activity and the frequency. ICI 182,780 lowered the activity but tamoxifen did not. ICI 182,780 did not decrease the frequency but tamoxifen did. Even the reversal effects of these antiestrogenic compounds on the reduced activity and the frequency by 17beta-estradiol were different. Tamoxifen elicited a greater reversal effect on the reduced activity but ICI 182,780 did not. In contrast, ICI 182,780 elicited a greater reversal effect on the reduced frequency but tamoxifen did not. Prolonged inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase activity by K+-free solution suppressed the frequency with the elevation of basal tension. Addition of KCl at lower concentrations (0.3-1.2 mM) induced oscillatory contraction after reducing the basal tension. As our data suggest, the prolonged effect of 17beta-estradiol may decrease uterine the activity through ER dependent and independent pathways. The reduction of uterine Na+/K+ ATPase activity by estrogens may increase the basal tension after each oscillatory cycle, which, in part, contributes to the reduced frequency of spontaneous oscillations.

Clinical and electroencephalographic findings in early and late onset benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms.

Twenty-six patients were studied who had the clinical and electroencephalographic features of benign childhood epilepsy with occipital paroxysms (BCEOP) as defined by the Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Twelve patients were characterized as having early-onset benign childhood occipital seizures (EBOS) susceptible syndrome, as described by Panayiotopoulos, and 14 patients had late onset childhood idiopathic occipital seizures (LOS). Patients with symptomatic epilepsy and whose EEGs exhibited occipital spikes were excluded. The age of onset of the EBOS group ranged from 2.6 to 9.4 years (mean: 4.9+/-1.7 years), which was significantly younger than the LOS group (range: 4-12 years, mean:8.4+/-2.5 years). Both sexes were equally affected. The patients in the EBOS group had less frequent and longer seizures, ictal vomiting, more frequent deviation of the eyes, adversive seizures and more frequent nocturnal and secondary generalized seizures (P<0.05). By comparison, patients in the LOS group had a higher incidence of seizures, shorter duration of seizures and more frequent diurnal onset (P<0.01); also, although not statistically significant, the LOS group had more frequent visual hallucinations and headaches. The EEG topography in both groups showed at either side of occipital area typical paroxysms that were unilateral or bilaterally synchronous. Neither group had dipoles according to scalp voltage mapping. The clinical prognoses were favorable for both groups. To distinguish EBOS from LOS, detailed description of the age of onset, motor symptoms, visual symptoms, presence of eye deviation and diurnal or nocturnal occurrence are essential.

Effect of antenatal dexamethasone on the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the lungs of postnatal pups.

Activities of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are developmentally regulated and its presence at birth may play a role in the transition of cardiopulmonary circulation. Antenatal dexamethasone (Dex) therapy accelerates fetal lung maturation. We speculate that Dex therapy may enhance pulmonary eNOS protein expression in the newborn. This article examines whether antenatal Dex therapy affected the expression of eNOS in the lungs of rat pups in the postnatal period. Time-dated pregnant Wistar rats were subjected to 2 doses of Dex (0.8 mg/kg, intramuscularly, daily) or equivalent volume of normal saline at the 18th and 19th gestational day and delivered naturally. The newborn pups were randomly assigned to 4 groups by age: days 1, 3, 5, and 7. After homogenization, abundance of eNOS protein in lungs was determined by Western blot analysis. There were 7 dams in each group. Mean body weights of the pups in the Dex group were lighter than those in the control at birth and remained stunted up to day 7 (5.68+/-0.47 g v 6.34+/-0.47 g, P <.01). However, there were no differences in wet lung weights and lung/body weight ratios between both groups in the study period. Abundance of eNOS protein expression decreased in both the control and Dex groups (P < .01). Pups that received antenatal Dex had 39% more in abundance of eNOS protein expression in lungs when compared to the control on day 1 (P < .05) but there were no differences between both groups from day 3 to 7. We conclude that antenatal Dex therapy enhances the abundance of eNOS protein expression in the lung at birth and could be a factor in improving respiratory functions in infants who received antenatal steroid therapy.

The spectrum of postinfectious encephalomyelitis.

The medical records of 52 consecutive patients diagnosed with postinfectious encephalitis/encephalomyelitis during the period from 1980 to 1998, including 29 males and 23 females, were reviewed. These patients were divided into three groups according to their clinical and neurodiagnostic characteristics: (1) group I: postinfectious encephalitis, 38 patients; (2) group II: acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), 13 patients; (3) group III: multiphasic disseminated encephalomyelitis (MDEM), one patient. Fever, headache/vomiting, seizure and disturbance of consciousness were common clinical features in all patients, while pictures of pyramidal, extrapyramidal, brainstem, and spinal cord lesions were more often found in the group II and group III patients than in the group I patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed abnormal lesions in six (60%) of ten group I patients, but all group II (n=7) and group III (n=1) patients who received MRI study showed abnormal signals in various regions of the brain including the cerebral hemisphere, basal ganglia, brainstem and cerebellum. Patients with ADEM and MDEM had a longer clinical course and more neurological sequelae than group I patients. This study demonstrates the breadth of the clinical spectrum of postinfectious encephalomyelitis. Thorough clinical observations and appropriate neurodiagnostic studies such as MRI are crucial for the diagnosis.

The inhibitory effects of lead on steroidogenesis in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells.

Lead is an environmental and occupational pollutant. It has been reported that lead affects the male reproductive system in humans and animals. However, the cellular mechanism of the adverse effect of lead on Leydig cell steroidogenesis remains unknown. To clarify whether lead has a direct effect on Leydig cells and how lead affects Leydig cells, MA-10 cells, a mouse Leydig tumor cell line, were exploited in this study. Lead acetate significantly inhibited hCG- and dbcAMP-stimulated progesterone production in MA-10 cells at 2 h. Steroid production stimulated by hCG or dbcAMP were reduced by lead. The mechanism of lead in reducing MA-10 cell steroidogenesis was further investigated. The expression of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory (StAR) protein and the activities of P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) enzymes were detected. Cells were treated with dbcAMP, 22R-hydroxycholesterol or pregnenolone alone or in combination with lead acetate ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M for 2 h. The expression of StAR protein stimulated by dbcAMP was suppressed by lead at about 50%. Progesterone productions treated with 22R-hydroxycholesterol or pregnenolone were reduced 30-40% in lead-treated MA-10 cells. These data suggest that lead directly inhibited steroidogenesis by decreasing StAR protein expression and the activities of P450scc and 3beta-HSD enzymes with a dose-response trend in MA-10 cells. Moreover, cadmium, a calcium channel blocker, abolished inhibitory effect of lead on MA-10 cell steroid production. This indicates that lead might act on calcium channel to regulate MA-10 cell steroidogenesis.

Postinfectious encephalomyelitis: etiologic and diagnostic trends.

Fifty cases of postinfectious encephalomyelitis admitted to our Pediatric Department during the period 1980 to 1997 were consecutively collected and reviewed. There were 28 males and 22 females. The age of onset ranged from 9 months to 14 years. The antecedent infections included measles (6 cases), rubella (5 cases), mumps (4 cases), chicken pox (4 cases), Epstein-Barr virus infection (11 cases), mycoplasma infection (6 cases), and unknown etiology (14 cases). The cessation of measles, rubella, and mumps as causes for encephalomyelitis in our patients corresponds with the introduction of a measles-mumps-rubella nationwide vaccination program in Taiwan commencing in 1992. The main clinical symptoms were fever, headache, and/or vomiting, seizure, and motor weakness. The presenting signs included altered consciousness, meningeal signs, cranial nerve palsy, brainstem signs, involuntary movement, and cerebellar signs. Computed tomography scans were abnormal for 14 (56%) of 25 patients studied, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed lesions in 14 (82%) of 17 patients, with abnormal signals in various parts of the cerebral hemisphere, as well as in the basal ganglion, diencephalon, midbrain, brain stem, and cerebellum. Of the three patients with negative MRI findings, an abnormal finding on somatosensory evoked potential was noted for one patient, and a focal decrease in tracer uptake on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was found for the other two patients. This study demonstrates that the causative agents of postinfectious encephalomyelitis in Taiwan have changed from those of traditional exanthematous diseases to nonspecific respiratory infections and suggests that this may also be the case in other parts of the world. MRI remains the imaging method of choice, whereas other neurofunctional studies such as evoked potentials and SPECT are complementary for the diagnosis.

Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis in children.

Fourteen children with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis admitted to our pediatric department during the period 1988 to 1998 were collected and reviewed to characterize the clinical, laboratory and neuroradiological findings. There were 7 boys and 7 girls. The age of onset ranged from 10 months to 14 years. Among them, 5 patients belonged to Alice in Wonderland syndrome, 5 were diagnosed as acute viral encephalitis, 1 presented with acute meningoencephalitis followed by cerebellitis, the remaining 3 cases attributed to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. The main symptoms were fever (43%), seizure (36%), bizarre behavior (31%), headache (21%) and metamorphopsia (36%). The presenting signs included altered consciousness (50%), meningeal sign (14%), bulbar sign (14%), cerebellar sign (7%), and cranial nerve palsy (7%). Classic findings of infectious mononucleosis were obscure. The laboratory data showed the existence of atypical lymphocyte in only one case but positive serology for EBV infection in all patients. Pleocytosis was found in 3 (30%) of 10 patients examined. Eight (67%) of 12 patients had nonspecific electroencephalographic changes in the acute stage. Computed tomography (CT) scans were abnormal in 2 (40%) of 5 patients tested; while magnetic resonance image (MRI) disclosed lesions in 5 (56%) of 9 patients, with abnormal signals in various parts of the brain. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) brain scan showed abnormal perfusion lesions in 3 (75%) of 4 patients studied. The results demonstrate the diversity of neurological manifestations of EBV encephalitis. EBV should be considered in any acute neurological illness of uncertain etiology in the pediatric population. While MRI remains the image of choice in EBV encephalitis, SPECT detects the abnormal perfusion more precisely in a substantial number of patients.

Preferential reduction of Na+/K+ ATPase alpha3 by 17beta-estradiol influences contraction frequency in rat uteri.

One beta1 and two alpha (alpha1 and alpha3) isoforms of Na+/K+-ATPase exist in rat uteri. Previous immunocytochemistry studies have suggested that the alpha3 isoform may be involved in calcium regulation indirectly. Estrogens are known to both modulate Na+/K+-ATPase activities in non-uterine tissues and suppress spontaneous uterine contractions in rats. Thus the purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between estrogens-modulated uterine contraction and the expression of Na+/K+-ATPase alpha3 isoform in rats. After 1-, 2-, and 4- day treatments with 17beta-estradiol (E2, 5 microg/ml/kg, s.c., daily), the diameter of uterine horn was measured. The contraction force of uterine strips was measured by standard muscle bath apparatus. The protein abundance and enzyme activity of Na+/K+-ATPase in rat uteri were measured by Western blot analysis and ATPase assay, respectively. One day of E2 decreased both contraction frequency and alpha3-protein expression without the change in uterine diameter, enzyme activity or other isoforms. Two days of E2 reduced contraction frequency, the enzyme activity, as well as alpha3- and beta1- protein abundance but increased alpha1-protein and uterine diameter. Four days of E2 elicited similar effects as two days of E2, but did not affect alpha1-protein abundance. In conclusion, E2 elicits differential effects on isoform expression. After 1-day treatment with 17beta-estradiol, the decrease in the expression of alpha3 and beta1 without a change in Na+/K+-ATPase activity suggests that some isoform other than beta1 exist in rat uteri. The positive correlation between the reduction of alpha3-and the decrease of contraction frequency suggests the involvement of alpha3 isoform in uterine oscillation.

In vivo exposure to carbon disulfide increases the contraction frequency of pregnant rat uteri through an indirect pathway.

Exposure to CS2, an organic solvent, is associated with an increased rate of abnormal labor or dysmenorrhea. Contraction of quiescent uteri during pregnancy can cause preterm labor. We wish to know the effects of in vivo and in vitro exposures to CS2 on uterine contractions of mid-gestation rats. After 10-d exposure to 300 or 600 mg/kg CS2, uteri of pregnant rats were measured for contractile responses to various stimuli, such as KCl, oxytocin, carbachol or A23187, a calcium ionophore, using standard muscle bath apparatus. CS2 treatment significantly increased the contractile response to KCl, carbachol, and A23187. The increase to A23187 was the greatest. In contrast, in vitro exposure to CS2 immediately suppressed carbachol-induced contraction but did not affect spontaneous and KCl-induced contractions. Results showed the pregnant uterus of the rat is susceptible to CS2. The influence of in vivo exposure to CS2 on uterine contraction was opposite to that in vitro. The increased response of CS2-treated uteri to A23187 suggests that in vivo exposure to CS2 may sensitize contraction machinery to calcium through indirect pathways.

Effects of Fructus schizandrae on cycloheximide-induced amnesia in rats.

The effects of Fructus Schisandrae (Schizandra Chinensis, (FS) on cycloheximide (CXM)-induced amnesia by using a passive avoidance task were studied in rats. FS at 0.25 and 0.75 g/kg administered for 1 week significantly prolonged the CXM-shortened step-through latency (STL). Of the fractions (n-hexane, chloroform and water), only the water fraction at 25 mg/kg administered for 1 week prolonged the CXM-shortened STL. These results suggest that the water fraction is the main active fraction of FS.