A new technique of brachytherapy for malignant gliomas with caesium-137: A new method utilizing a remote afterloading system

Failure of conventional treatment to cure malignant gliomas has stimulated interest in various forms of brachytherapy. We describe a new method of using intracranial radiation utilizing a remotely-controlled afterloading system with a modified endotracheal tube as the applicator. The system used is the Selectron LDM/MDR (Nucleotron) which is a sophisticated machine widely available at radiotherapy centres and primarily used to treat gynaecological malignancies. It uses Caesium-137 in the form of spherical pellets in a linear source train within a sealed system. The applicator is implanted at the time of surgical resection. The inflated balloon stabilises the applicator and allows a suitable dose distribution at a distance from the source train to be achieved. Details of the implantation and radiation procedures as well as the dosimetry calculation are presented. The advantages are simplicity of use, the elimination of radiation risk to personnel and the combination of cytoreduction and applicator implantation in one surgical procedure.     

Retardation in somatosensory cortex development induced by postnatal BrdU treatment in mice

Cerebral dysgeneses are in the background of several neurological and mental disturbances. The aim of the present study was to investigate structural and activity changes following disturbed postnatal neuronal development in mice. Newborn C57Bl6 mice were exposed to 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU: daily 50 μg/g body weight) during a period between postnatal days P0–P5 or P0–P11, respectively, and neuronal malformation and malfunctioning of somatosensory (barrel field) cortex was analyzed in adolescent animals. Alterations in histological architecture of interneuronal and glial elements were studied and correlated with electrophysiological modifications. Between P30 and P35 days litters underwent ex vivo electrophysiological experiments to examine the changes in basic excitability and in synaptic efficacy. Parallel immunohistochemistry was performed to detect BrdU, GABA and GFAP.     

Monoliths with chiral surface functionalization for enantioselective capillary electrochromatography

The state-of-the-art in CEC enantiomer separations with monolithic capillary columns is comprehensively reviewed. The various types of monolithic columns comprising in situ organic polymer monoliths, molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) monoliths, silica monoliths and monoliths made from particles are discussed with a focus on materials’ synthesis, chemistry and properties as well as column aspects. Monolithic MIP-type porous layer open-tubular (PLOT) columns are treated herein as well. From this survey of the literature, the authors come to the conclusion that monolithic silica capillaries appear to become the preferred column type for CEC enantiomer separations of low-molecular drugs and other chiral pharmaceuticals or chemicals.     

钙—钙调蛋白与蛋白激酶C在底物共享结构域中的聚集及其意义

本文从以下几个方面较为系统地阐述了钙-钙调蛋白（Ca^2 -CaM）和蛋白激酶C（PKCs）在底物的共享结构域中聚集现象的研究现状：①CaM贮存蛋白（如神经颗粒素NG、神经调节素NM）的分布；②CaM和PKCs到达共享结构域的相对时间；③突触后CaM和PKCs的竞争性聚集。     

The effect of extracts of Searsia species on epileptiform activity in slices of the mouse cerebral cortex

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Searsia dentata and Searsia pyroides are used in traditional South African medicine to treat convulsions and epilepsy. Previous studies have demonstrated that extracts of these plants comprise compounds that bind to the flumazenil-sensitive site on the GABA(A) receptor. However, their use as anticonvulsant medicinal plants cannot be adequately explained by these findings. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the possible involvement of the glutamatergic system of extracts from the plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mouse cortical wedge preparation was used for functional characterization of the extracts. The affinity towards the NMDA and the AMPA receptor was investigated using classical [(3)H]-GP39653 and [(3)H]-AMPA binding assays, respectively. RESULTS: The extracts of Searsia dentata and Searsia pyroides inhibited the spontaneous epileptiform discharges in mouse cerebral cortical slices with ED(50) of 0.62 and 1.67mg dry extract/mL, respectively. Both extracts displaced [(3)H]-GP39653 binding and significantly inhibited the NMDA-induced response during co-administration in cortical slices. CONCLUSION: In this study, the NMDA receptor antagonistic effect of the crude ethanolic extracts of these two South African medicinal plants was demonstrated.     

益气活血中药对放射性肺损伤大鼠血清转化生长因子-β_1和γ-干扰素的影响

目的观察益气活血中药对小剂量重复照射下不同时相大鼠血清转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、γ-干扰素（γ-IFN）的影响，探讨其对放射性肺损伤的防治作用及可能机制。方法12O只Wistar雌性大鼠随机分为照射加中药组30只、照射加氨溴索组30只、单纯照射组30只、正常对照组6只。用直线加速器对前3组大鼠右肺进行分次照射（5Gy／次，1次／周，累积剂量最高为30Gy），于照射开始后第4、6、8、12、26周5个时间点分别处死大鼠，取血清标本进行ELISA检测，观察各组大鼠不同时相血清TGF-β1、γ-IFN的动态变化。结果单纯照射组大鼠血清TGF-β1于照射第4周增高，第12周达高峰，第26周略下降；而γ-IFN在第4周开始降低，第12周下降加快，至26周逐渐恢复。照射加中药组各时相大鼠血清TGF-β1表达均低于单纯照射组，而γ-IFN均高于单纯照射组（P〈0．05）；各时相值与照射加氨溴索组近似，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论益气活血中药具有抑制TGF-β1分泌、促进γ-IFN分泌作用，提示其可能具有减轻早期放射性炎症反应和后期放射性肺纤维化的作用，对放射性肺损伤的防治具有-定作用。     

Involvement of the benzodiazepine system in the anxiolytic-like effect of Yokukansan (Yi-gan san)

The traditional Japanese Kampo medicine Yokukansan (YKS, Yi-gan san in Chinese) has been demonstrated to improve the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), such as anxiety, hallucinations, agitation and irritability. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of the anxiolytic-like effects of YKS and Chotoko, which is an active component of YKS. Oral treatment with YKS (300 and 1000 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of head-dipping behaviors in mice in the hole-board test. Head-dipping behavior in mice was also significantly increased by treatment with Chotoko (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, oral treatment with the water-extracted fractions from YKS (YKS-W; 250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) and Chotoko (Chotoko-W; 10 and 30 mg/kg) significantly increased the number of head-dipping behaviors in mice. On the other hand, treatment with the methanol-extracted fraction of YKS (YKS-Met; 15 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) did not affect head-dipping behavior. The total distance and number of rearing behaviors were not affected by treatment with any of these drugs. The increase in the number of head-dipping behaviors by treatment with YKS-W (500 mg/kg, p.o.) and Chotoko-W (30 mg/kg, p.o.) was inhibited by pretreatment with the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil (1 mg/kg, i.v.). In the elevated plus-maze test, the percentage of time spent in open arms was increased in YKS (1000 mg, p.o.) treatment. Based on these results, we suggest that YKS produces an anxiolytic-like effect mediated by the benzodiazepine system. Chotoko is an effective component of YKS for producing an anxiolytic-like effect. The effective compound(s) should be contained, at least in part, in the water-soluble fraction of YKS.     

PPAR-γ 过表达缓解肾缺血再灌注大鼠纤维化和炎性因子的 异常表达

目的 观察过氧化物酶体增殖物活化受体 γ (PPAR-γ) 过表达对大鼠肾缺血再灌注 (RI/ R) 损 伤的保护作用, 并探讨其作用机制。 方法 将 40 只 SD 大鼠随机分为对照组、 RI/ R 模型组、 RI/ R + LV 组 和 RI/ R + PPAR-γ 组, 10 只/ 组, 采用手术阻断双侧肾动脉血流构建 RI/ R 损伤模型; RI/ R + PPAR-γ 组于 恢复再灌注前经尾静脉注射 PPAR-γ 重组慢病毒载体, RI/ R + LV 组注射含有空质粒的慢病毒载体, RI/ R 模型组注射等量生理盐水。 再灌注结束后, 通过 HE 和 Masson 染色观察肾组织病理改变; 全自动生化分析 仪检测尿蛋白、 血肌酐 ( Scr)、 血尿素氮 ( BUN) 水平; ELISA 法检测血清和肾组织肿瘤坏死因子 α (TNF-α)、 白介素 6 ( IL-6) 含量; RT-PCR 检测肾组织 PPAR-γ mRNA 表达; 蛋白质印迹法检测肾组织 PPAR-γ、 转化生长因子 β (TGF-β)、 α 平滑肌肌动蛋白 (α-SMA)、 纤维连接蛋白 (FN) 以及凋亡相关蛋 白 Bax、 Bcl-2、 caspase-3、 Cleaved caspase-3、 caspase-9、 Cleaved caspase-9 表达。 结果 与对照组比较, RI/ R 模型组 PPAR-γ 水平降低 (P< 0. 05), 尿蛋白、 Scr、 BUN、 TNF-α、 IL-6、 Bax / Bcl-2、 Cleaved caspase-3 / caspase-3、 Cleaved caspase-9 / caspase-9、 TGF-β、 α-SMA、 FN 水平升高 (P< 0. 05)。 与 RI/ R 模型组比较, RI/ R + PPAR-γ 组 PPAR-γ 水平升高 ( P< 0. 05), 尿蛋白、 Scr、 BUN、 TNF-α、 IL-6、 Bax / Bcl-2、 Cleaved caspase-3 / caspase-3、 Cleaved caspase-9 / caspase-9、 TGF-β、 α-SMA、 FN 水平降低 (P< 0. 05)。 结论 过表 达 PPAR-γ 可通过减少促炎细胞因子释放, 改善肾纤维化而减少 RI/ R 损伤。     

Distribution de deux peptides de l'acide γ-aminobutyrique dans le liquide céphalo-rachidien et le cerveau humains

The distribution of two peptides of γ-aminobutyric acid, homocarnosine and α-(γ-aminobutyryl)-lysine, was studied in human brain and cerebrospinal fluid. Adult brain and cerebrospinal fluid α- (γ-aminobutyryl) -lysine levels and adult brain homocarnosine levels are higher than those found in children. On the other hand, it is known that the cerebrospinal fluid from children contains higher concentrations of homocarnosine than those observed in adults.