A direct neuronal connection between the telencephalic nucleus robustus arcopallialis and the nucleus nervi hypoglossi, pars tracheosyringealis in Bengalese finches (Lonchura striata var. domestica)

Bird species with vocal learning possess a projection from the telencephalic nucleus to the nucleus nervi hypoglossi, pars tracheosyringealis (XIIts) in the medulla, where a final common pathway that controls the vocal organ, i.e., the synrinx, originates. The anatomical basis of this projection has not been well investigated in one species of songbird, the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica). The present study used anterograde and retrograde tracing experiments to examine and describe this projection in Bengalese finches. Following iontophoretic injections of biotinylated dextran amine into the telencephalic nucleus robustus arcopallialis (RA), we detected anterograde-labeled terminations in the XIIts. In addition, labeled terminals were seen in other vocal-respiratory-related nuclei, such as the dorsomedial nucleus of the nucleus intercollicularis, nucleus infraolivaris superior, nucleus of the rostral ventrolateral medulla, nucleus parambigualis, nucleus ambiguous, and nucleus retroambigualis. Furthermore, following injections into the XIIts, we detected retrograde-labeled cell bodies scattered throughout the ipsilateral RA. The present results revealed that the direct projections of the RA to the XIIts in male Bengalese finches are similar to those in other songbirds with vocal learning abilities.     

甘草次酸衍生物配体18-GA-Ala介导脂质体的制备及肝靶向性研究

目的:合成制备甘草次酸衍生物配体丙氨酸丁二酸甘草次酸十八烷酯(18-GA-Ala),并修饰包埋药物丹酚酸B(Sal B)和丹参酮ⅡA(TSN)的脂质体,探讨该脂质体对小鼠的肝靶向作用。方法:采用薄膜分散-高压乳匀法制备18-GA-Ala配体修饰的TSN-Sal B脂质体及未修饰配体的脂质体,考察粒径、电位、包封率、多分散系数和配体结合率;尾静脉给药后不同时间点获取血浆样本及小鼠心、肝、脾、肺、肾组织样本,超高效液相色谱法测定各样本中Sal B和TSN的含量,评价18-GA-Ala配体的肝靶向效果。结果:配体18-GA-Ala修饰后的脂质体中,Sal B在肝脏的药时曲线下面积(AUC)分别是脾、肺和肾的1.19、1.39、63.67倍,TSN在肝脏的AUC分别为脾、肺、肾的4.64、0.36、14.12倍。结论:甘草次酸衍生物配体18-GA-Ala修饰后的脂质体可增加Sal B和TSN在肝脏中的峰浓度,表现出一定的肝靶向作用。     

HLA serological cross-reactivity: HLA-B15 has two public antigens

On the basis of their serologic cross-activity, HLA antigens can be organized into cross-reactive groups of CREG's. We have recently defined immunochemically two public alloantigenic determinants X and Y which can account for the serological cross-reactivity of the B7-CREG and B5-CREG, respectively. One of the smaller of these CREG's consists of HLA-B15 and B17. Using microcytotoxicity testing, a fluoresceinated Protein A binding assay, and chemical immunoprecipitation techniques, we have defined a new public alloantigenic determinant, tentatively designated “Z,” which is present on the 44,000 dalton glycoprotein chains of HLA-B15 and HLA-B17, but distinct from the B15 and B17 determinants. Since HLA-B15 is also a member of the B5-CREG, and therefore bears allodeterminant Y, this report constitutes the first immunochemical demonstration of two public determinants. Y and Z, on a single HLA-B molecule, HLA-B15.     

Biological effects of toosendanin, a triterpenoid extracted from Chinese traditional medicine

Toosendanin (TSN) is a triterpenoid extracted from Melia toosendan Sieb et Zucc, which was used as a digestive tract-parasiticide and agricultural insecticide in ancient China. TSN was demonstrated to be a selective presynaptic blocker and an effective antibotulismic agent. By interfering with neurotransmitter release through an initial facilitation followed by a subsequent depression, TSN eventually blocks synaptic transmission at both the neuro-muscular junction and central synapses. Despite sharing some similar actions with botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), TSN has a marked antibotulismic effect in vivo and in vitro. Studies suggest that the antibotulismic effect of TSN is achieved by preventing BoNT from approaching its enzymatic substrate, the SNARE protein. It is also found that TSN can induce differentiation and apoptosis in several cell lines, and suppress proliferation of various human cancer cells. TSN inhibits various K(+)-channels, selectively facilitates Ca(2+)-influx via L-type Ca(2+) channels and increases intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)). The TSN-induced [Ca(2+)](i) increase and overload could be responsible for the TSN-induced biphasic effect on transmitter release, cell differentiation, apoptosis as well as the cytoxicity of TSN.     

A public antigenic determinant in the HLA-B5 cross-reacting group--a basis for cross-reactivity and a possible link with Behcet's disease

Serologic cross-reactivity among allelic gene products commonly occurs in the HLA complex, but the molecular basis of these serologic phenomena is incompletely characterized. Because of strong cross-reactivity among antigens comprising the B5 cross-reactive group (i.e., HLA-B5, B15, B18, and Bw35), we initiated a study of the chemical basis of cross-reactivity among this group of antigens. Using classic serologic procedures, an 125I-Protein A binding assay, and chemical immunoprecipitation techniques, we have defined a new antigenic determinant, tentatively designated "Y," which is present on certain HLA-B molecules. By a series of sequential immuno-precipitation experiments, Y was shown to be a "public" antigenic determinant distinct from the "private" determinants B5, B15, B18, and Bw35, but present on the same 44,000 dalton glycoprotein molecules. Although B5 is most highly associated with Behcet's disease, other members of the B5 cross-reactive group have also been associated with Behcet's, albeit to a lesser extent. These associations suggest that determinant Y may play a role in predisposition to Behcet's disease.     

糖肾宁治疗气阴两虚、络脉瘀滞型早期糖尿病肾病临床研究

目的:观察糖肾宁治疗气阴两虚、络脉瘀滞型早期糖尿病肾病的疗效。方法:采用随机双盲对照实验方法,观察尿微量白蛋白排泄率、内生肌酐清除率、血液流变学及血小板功能等指标。结果:该药可减少尿白蛋白,改善肾小球高滤过,改善血流变,抑制血小板聚集。结论:糖肾宁对气阴两虚、络脉瘀滞型早期糖尿病肾病有保护作用。