Effect of taurine on ATP-dependent calcium transport in guinea-pig cardiac muscle

The effect of taurine on ATP-dependent calcium transport was examined in guinea-pig cardiac ventricle homogenates and in microsomal preparations enriched in sarcoplasmic reticulum. Taurine (5?50 mM) did not affect ATP-dependent calcium binding or uptake in either of these preparations or alter the rate of decay of calcium uptake activity. Taurine (20 mM) also did not affect the oxalate-dependent calcium uptake stimulation noted in the presence of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and cyclic AMP. The mechanism by which taurine alters cardiac function remains to be elucidated.     

Collagenolytic activity of rabbit V2-carcinoma growing at multiple sites.

Interaction between lanosterol and cytochrome P-450 purified from microsomes of anaerobically-grown Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. Lanosterol (4,4,14α-trimethyl-5α-cholesta-8,24-dien-3β-ol) stimulated the oxidation of NADPH by molecular oxygen in the presence of cytochrome P-450 and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase both purified from S. cerevisiae microsomes. Lanosterol stimulated the reduction of cytochrome P-450 by NADPH with the cytochrome P-450 reductase, and induced Type I spectral change of cytochrome P-450. These observations suggest that lanosterol interacts to the substrate region of cytochrome P-450 of S. cerevisiae. Based on these facts, possible role of cytochrome P-450 in lanosterol metabolism in yeast cell is discussed.     

Studies on enzymatic reduction of aliphatic nitro compounds: Reductive dimerization of β-nitrostyrene and 1-nitro-4-phenylbutadiene

Enzymatic reduction of aliphatic nitro compounds, β-nitrostyrene (I), 1-nitro-4-phenylbutadiene (II), 1-nitro-4-phenyl-1-butene (III), 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (IV), and nitrophenylethane (V) was investigated in a xanthine oxidase-hypoxanthine system. I and II were easily reduced by the enzyme system under anaerobic conditions, but III, IV, and V resisted to the enzymatic reduction. The reduction products of I and II were isolated from the reaction mixtures and were identified as dimolecular compounds, 1,4-dinitro-2, 3-diphenylbutane and 1,4-dinitro-2,3-distyrylbutane, respectively, by mass, nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectrometries, and by elementary analyses.     

Antiglycation,comparative antioxidant potential,phenolic content and yield variation of essential oils from 19 exotic and endemic medicinal plants

The antioxidant potential, antiglycation, and total phenolic content of essential oils (EOs) extracted from 19 medicinal plants were assessed. The variation in yield of the EOs with respect to altitude and season was also studied. The antioxidant potential of Pimenta dioica (L.) Merr., Psiadia terebinthina A.J. Scott, Laurus nobilis L., Piper betle L., and Citrus hystrix DC. showed IC₅₀ values less/equivalent to the positive controls. Weak correlations were observed between the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) assays as well as between the DPPH and nitric oxide radical scavenging (NO) assay and between the XO and 2,2 azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay. Cupressus macrocarpa Hartw., L. nobilis, Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees, and Psidium guajava L. successfully inhibited in vitro glycated end-products (IC₅₀: 451.53 ± 3.00, 387.04 ± 1.53, 348.59 ± 3.34 and 401.48 ± 2.86 µg/mL respectively) compared to aminoguanidine (IC₅₀: 546.69 ± 3.57 µg/mL). Some of the EOs had a high content of phenolic compounds. EOs such as P. dioica, P. terebinthina, L. nobilis, P. guajava, and C. hystrix were found to be rich in eugenol and other phenolic compounds. The EOs evaluated in the present study may have applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.     

Methyl-testosterone induces male-typical ventilatory behavior in response to putative steroidal pheromones in female round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus)

Male round gobies (Neogobius melanostomus) transiently increase their rate of ventilation when exposed to nanomolar concentrations of three putative steroidal pheromones (etiocholanolone, ETIO; estrone, E1; estradiol-glucuronide, E2-3g), whereas females exhibit this response only to ETIO. In this study we implanted females with Silastic capsules that were empty (Blank) or filled with methyl-testosterone (MT) to determine whether androgen induces a male-typical pattern of ventilatory response. As with untreated females in our previous studies, Blank females increased ventilation only in response to ETIO. In contrast, MT females tested 2-3 weeks postimplant responded not only to ETIO, but also to E1 and E2-3g. These results provide the first demonstration of an androgen inducing a male-typical behavioral response to a steroidal pheromone in adult female fish. Together with our previous findings of sexually isomorphic sensory responses to steroid odorants, the present results also suggest that a central action of androgen is responsible for sexually dimorphic behavioral responses to putative pheromonal steroids in Neogobius.     

The Mouse Round-window Approach for Ototoxic Agent Delivery: A Rapid and Reliable Technique for Inducing Cochlear Cell Degeneration

Investigators have utilized a wide array of animal models and investigative techniques to study the mammalian auditory system. Much of the basic research involving the cochlea and its associated neural pathways entails exposure of model cochleae to a variety of ototoxic agents. This allows investigators to study the effects of targeted damage to cochlear structures, and in some cases, the self-repair or regeneration of those structures. Various techniques exist for delivery of ototoxic agents to the cochlea. When selecting a particular technique, investigators must consider a number of factors, including the induction of inadvertent systemic toxicity, the amount of cochlear damage produced by the surgical procedure itself, the type of lesion desired, animal survivability, and reproducibility/reliability of results. Currently established techniques include parenteral injection, intra-peritoneal injection, trans-tympanic injection, endolymphatic sac injection, and cochleostomy with perilymphatic perfusion. Each of these methods has been successfully utilized and is well described in the literature; yet, each has various shortcomings. Here, we present a technique for topical application of ototoxic agents directly to the round window niche. This technique is non-invasive to inner ear structures, produces rapid onset of reliably targeted lesions, avoids systemic toxicity, and allows for an intra-animal control (the contra-lateral ear). Results stemming from this approach have helped deeper understanding of auditory pathophysiology, cochlear cell degeneration, and regenerative capacity in response to an acute injury. Future investigations may use this method to conduct interventional studies involving gene therapy and stem cell transplantation to combat hearing loss.     

植物多糖分离提取技术的研究进展

植物多糖具有提高免疫、抑制肿瘤、延缓衰老和保护肝脏等重要生理作用,多糖的高纯度分离提取是多糖产业中极其关键的环节.本文对植物多糖的分离提取技术研究进展进行了概述,以期为植物多糖的产业化开发提供更有益的指导.对植物多糖的分离纯化工艺的发展趋势进行了展望.     

Evaluation and implementation of strategies to reduce the intravenous admixture returns

Background and objectivesPharmaceutical sterile wastes are not only environmental hazard but an economical loss. There are many strategies employed in various parts of the world for minimizing the parenteral admixture returns in hospitals, however, they are not practiced in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study was done to assess the impact of a) intravenous (IV) pharmacy round and b) twice daily batching, as reduction strategies on the number of IV admixture returns and the associated cost of medication wastage.MethodThis study was conducted at the central IV room of the in-patient pharmacy unit at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for general intensive care unit (ICU) IV returns. Phase 1 of the study was intended to measure the baseline parameters, while the Phase 2 and 3 were measured with the application of IV pharmacy round plan, and twice-daily batching strategies, respectively. Comparison of IV returns were done in each of the phases and economical loss was calculated.ResultsOut of number of IV admixtures prepared and supplied to ICU during a month, 4.85% of the items were deemed wasted during baseline phase with as estimated cost of IV wasted items to be 2,128.02 USD. In the IV pharmacy round and twice-daily batching strategies, the percentage of the wasted items decreased to 4.27% and 3.73%, respectively. Moreover, there is 13.84% and 42. 48% reduction in the estimated cost in the wasted items in, pharmacy round and twice-daily batching strategies, respectively, compared to baseline phase.ConclusionImplementation of interventions caused reduction in total recycled, wasted items and the associated cost of medication wastage of sterile pharmaceutical preparations. Twice daily batching strategy has better effect in decreasing the IV returns and its associated cost.     

The introduction of chlorpromazine in Belgium and the Netherlands (1951-1968); tango between old and new treatment features

The introduction of chlorpromazine in Belgium and the Netherlands demonstrates an intriguing tango between old and new treatments. Chlorpromazine, marketed by the French company Rhône Poulenc entered psychiatry as an adjunct to existing therapies. Instead of promoting chlorpromazine as a revolutionary therapy, we see early efforts to market Largactil as a supplement to the armoury of psychiatric treatments. These marketing efforts matched the idiosyncrasies of national and local styles and cultures. Despite continuities with earlier therapeutic developments, we support the notion of a therapeutic revolution. In the early sixties supply and demand provoked a turn towards more standardized therapeutic regimes.