Evaluation of the Chemical Composition of Dacryodes Edulis and Raphia Hookeri Mann and Wendl Exudates used in Herbal Medicine in South Eastern Nigeria

The phytochemical contents and medicinal values of Dacroydes edulis and Raphia hookeri exudates were investigated. Phytochemical screening of the plant showed that they contain the presence of bioactive compounds comprising saponins (2.08–3.98mg 100g⁻¹), alkaloids (0.28–0.49 mg 100g⁻¹), tannins (0.47–0.72 mg 100g⁻¹), flavonoids (0.26–0.39 mg 100g⁻¹), and phenolic compounds (0.01–0.05 mg 100g⁻¹). The carbohydrates, lipids and protein content were 77.42–78.90%, 2.02–4.185% and 16.63–18.38% respectively. The exudates are a good source of water soluble vitamins; ascorbic acid (7.04–26.40 mg 100g⁻¹), niacin (3.12–4.00 mg 100g⁻¹), riboflavin (0.14–0.54 mg 100g⁻¹) and thiamine (0.15–0.22 mg 100g⁻¹),). Both plants exudates are good sources of minerals such as Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn while Cr and Co were trace. These results indicate that exudates can be potential sources of feedstock for the pharmaceutical industry.     

Chemotherapie mit Cisplatin-Bleomycin und nachfolgende Strahlentherapie bei fortgeschrittenen Kopf-Hals-Tumoren

Summary 42 patients with advanced stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated with initial cisplatin and bleomycin chemotherapy and subsequent radiotherapy. 39 were evaluable for results, and 3 for toxicity only. 8 patients suffered from stage III and 31 from stage IV tumors, of these 10 with distant metastases. 5 patients underwent later a rescue operation. 27 were previously untreated (= group A) including 2 cases with localized relapses beyond the margins of surgical and/or radiotherapeutic treatment fields. 12 patients had a recurrence within pretreated areas (= group B). The induction chemotherapy alone showed the following results: In group A 4 (15%) CR, 10 (37%) PR, 7 (26%) MR; in group B 3 (25%) PR, 2 (17%) MR. The subsequent radiotherapy mostly consisted of a 65 Gy tumor dose given in 61/2 weeks. The results after completion of the combined modality therapy were: In group A 44% CR, 28% PR; in group B 10% CR and 30% PR. No patient resistant to the initial chemotherapy responded to the radiotherapy. The median survival time of stage III patients was 20 months but only 7 months in stage IV patients. 4 of all live with NED now between 30+ and 41+ months; 1 patient is alive with relapse. All the others are dead after a survival time of max. 32 months, included the 5 with rescue operation. In general, hematologic and renal toxicities were not severe, but nausea and vomiting were the worst tolerated side effects. 1 patient died from septic myocarditis having a WBC nadir of 2000/µl, probably due to additional immunologic deficiency because of inactive liver cirrhosis. The poor results concerning NED survival are discussed. We conclude, that an initial chemotherapy with CDDP and BLM gives good remission effects but its combination with radiotherapy at present fails to produce a NED survival benefit. Further efforts are necessary to improve the CR and the long time survivor rates.

Die Autoren danken folgenden Kollegen für ihre Mitarbeit: Drs. Garbea (HNO), B. Bienko, M. Danker, N. Birke, M. Klessing, K. Lottner, W. Palm     

人参复方对噪声所致小鼠某些脑递质和血浆皮质酮含量变化的影响

小鼠在纺织噪声104dB(A)环境下,每天暴露8小时,连续2周,脑皮层5-HT,间脑和脑干DA、血浆皮质酮含量都有较明显降低的趋势(0.1>P>0.05),而噪声刺激下服人参复方组小鼠,上述指标均保持在正常范围。上述两组间脑和脑干NA含量变化不明显。     

Viruses Infecting Marine Brown Algae

Viruses infecting algal hosts possess large double-stranded DNA as genomes. We have recently identified a family of viruses specific for filamentous brown algae. In contrast to the better known Chlorella viruses with their lytic infection cycle, marine brown algal viruses latently occur in their host cells and are induced to multiply in response to a variety of external stimuli such as change in light and temperature. Here, I summarize the known properties of this family of viruses and discuss their taxonomic classification.     

Three species of Philometra (Nematoda, Philometridae) from marine fishes off Corsica, France

Gravid or subgravid females of the following three species belonging to the nematode genus Philometra were collected from marine perciform fishes of the Bonifacio Strait Marine Reserve, Corsica, France: Philometra justinei sp. nov. (prevalence 1.5%, intensity 11) and Philometra sp. (prevalence 3%, intensity 2) from the abdominal cavity and gonads, respectively, of the striped red mullet Mullus surmuletus (Mullidae), and Philometra serranellicabrillae Janiszewska, 1949 (prevalence 27%, intensity 2–6) from the gonads of the comber Serranus cabrilla (Serranidae). The newly described species, P. justinei, is mainly characterized by the absence of an anterior bulbous inflation of the oesophagus, body length of the gravid female (196 mm), conspicuously large amphids, number and distribution of cephalic papillae, and the morphology of larvae. It is the second known species of Philometra parasitizing fishes of the family Mullidae and the ninth species of this genus reported from marine fishes of the Mediterranean region. P. serranellicabrillae, studied for the first time by SEM, is redescribed.     

血液灌流对硫线磷和硫酸阿托品的吸附作用

目的 定量研究血液灌流对有机磷农药硫线磷和其解毒药阿托品的吸附作用.方法 模拟临床血液灌流装置,对含硫线磷和硫酸阿托品的血样进行灌流吸附,分别用毛细管气相色谱法和高效液相色谱法测定硫线磷和硫酸阿托品的残留量.结果 吸附剂用量为0.5、1.0和1.5 g,包膜活性炭在灌流2.0 h后硫线磷的清除率均能达到90%以上,硫酸阿托品的清除率依次为61.9%、84.9%和88.9%;HA230树脂在灌流1.5 h后硫线磷清除率都达到90%以上,硫酸阿托品的清除率也依次高达88.0%、97.2%和98.4%;包膜活性炭灌流3.0h后,硫酸阿托品与硫线磷的比值最高为灌流前的10.1倍,而HA230树脂灌流后,此比值最高为灌流前的6.7倍.结论 包膜活性炭和HA230吸附树脂血液灌流1.5～2.0 h均能清除血中大部分硫线磷,而且均能增加血中硫酸阿托品和硫线磷浓度的比值.     

接触乙烯类或苯类对孕妇及新生儿姊妹染色单体交换和微核的影响

取因职业而接触乙烯类或苯类的孕妇静脉血和他们新生儿脐带血进行ＳＣＥ和ＭＮ测定。发现接触乙烯类或苯类的母血ＳＣＥ（８．５５±０．８４，９．４４±１．１２）均高于对照组（７．６８±１．４０），他们新生儿脐带血ＳＣＥ（８．９４±１．４３，８．７５±０．８８）也高于对照组（６．７１±１．２７）。接触乙烯类和苯类的母血微核率（０．８３３‰，０．７２７‰），高于对照组（０．２６７‰），他们新生儿脐血微核率（０．７５‰，０．８１８‰）也高于对照组（０．２６７‰）。我们还发现母亲孕期被动吸烟增强了这两类诱变剂对他们后代的遗传毒性。     

New computed radiography using scanning laser stimulated luminescence

Summary This short paper summarizes the basic concept and the technology of a new computed radiographic system which uses an energy-storage phosphorus panel called Imaging Plate as an image sensor. The Imaging Plate can be used to obtain radiographs in exactly the same way as the screen-film combination is used in conventional radiography. The system eliminates the drawbacks of conventional screen-film radiography by combining digital image processing and digitization of the x-ray energy pattern utilizing scanning laser stimulated luminescence.The major part of this paper was originally delivered at the 1984 AAPM Annual Summer School which was held on July 22–27 at University of Notre Dame, USA. Modified for the publication in the Neurosurgical Review.     

Micronutrients and Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Related to Cardiometabolic Health: Results from the EHES-LUX Study

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) characteristics include chronic inflammation and elevated oxidative stress. This study assessed associations between circulating concentrations of micronutrients/phytochemicals and inflammatory/oxidative stress markers with MetS and MetS components. Adults (N = 606) from the European Health Examination Survey in Luxembourg (2013–2015) were randomly selected. We performed a multivariable logistic regression model using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator to identify MetS-associated variables. Participants with MetS had higher concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, leptin, insulin, and vitamins E/A, but lower concentrations of adiponectin, beta-carotene, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. A one-unit increase in log-CRP was associated with 51% greater odds of MetS (OR = 1.51 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.98)). Adults with a one-unit increase in log-leptin were 3.1 times more likely to have MetS (3.10 (2.10, 4.72)). Women with a one-unit increase in vitamin A were associated with 3% increased odds of MetS (1.03 (1.01, 1.05)), while those with a one-unit increase in log-adiponectin were associated with 82% decreased odds (0.18 (0.07, 0.46)). Chronic inflammation best characterized adults with MetS, as CRP, adiponectin, and leptin were selected as the main MetS determinants. Micronutrients did not seem to affect MetS, except for vitamin A in women.