Effects of Arecoline on Calcium Channel Currents and Caffeine-induced Calcium Release in Isolated Single Ventricular

The cholinergic system plays an importantrole in the control of heart rate and myocardialcontractility[1] .The inotropic and chronotropic ef-fects are partly regulated by the cytosolic Ca2 + lev-el( [Ca2 + ]i) .Muscarine receptor agonist,Arecol-ine ( Are) ,is a kind of alkaloid extracted from theseeds of areca.It had been reported that Are hadnegative inotropic and negative chronotropic effectson isolated guinea pig atria[2 ] ,but its effects oncalcium mobilization was unclear. In order to i…     

Efficacy and tolerability of pantoprazole 40 mg versus 80 mg in patients with reflux oesophagitis.

BACKGROUND: Pantoprazole is a substituted benzimidazole which is a potent inhibitor of gastric acid secretion by its action upon H+, K+- ATPase. METHODS: Pantoprazole 40 mg and 80 mg were compared in a randomized double-blind study in 192 out-patients with stage II or III (Savary-Miller classification) reflux oesophagitis. Patients received either pantoprazole 40 mg (n = 97) or pantoprazole 80 mg (n = 95), once daily before breakfast for 4 weeks. Treatment was extended for a further 4 weeks if the oesophagitis had not healed. RESULTS: After 4 weeks complete healing of the reflux oesophagitis was seen in 78% of protocol-correct patients given pantoprazole 40 mg daily (n = 86), and in 72% in the 80 mg (n = 87) group. The cumulative healing rates after 8 weeks were 95 and 94%, respectively (P > 0.05, Cochran-Mantel- Haenszel), and time until healing of oesophagitis comparable in both groups. Differences between doses were also not significant in an intention-to-treat analysis. Both dosing schedules were well tolerated and the patients experienced remarkable symptom relief. No adverse event or changes in laboratory values of clinical significance could definitely be ascribed to the trial medication. CONCLUSION: The 40 mg pantoprazole dosage is comparable to 80 mg in reflux oesophagitis, both in efficacy and tolerability.     

The use of herbs in malaria treatment in parts of Imo State, Nigeria

Persistence of malaria symptoms after treatment with over the counter available antimalarial drugs has resulted in a gradual loss of faith in orthodox drugs. There is thus an increased tendency towards the use of herbs in the treatment of malaria in Imo State, Nigeria. In this study we report activities of two herbalists in the treatment of malaria as well as the effectiveness of the herbal treatment. The study covered two areas namely, Umuneke Ugiri in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area (LGA) and Odummara Obi-Orodo in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State, Nigeria. A participant-observation technique was used. Finger prick blood samples were collected from patients who visited the herbalists complaining of malaria, and blood smears were stained with Field's B stain. Blood smears were taken again one-week post-treatment. A total of 75 patients from Umuneke Ugiri and 265 patients from Odumara Obi-Orodo were involved in the study. All the 75 patients (100%) from Umuneke Ugiri and 163 (61.51%) patients from Odummara Obi-Orodo were positive for malaria parasites. Only 13 (17.3%) patients from Umuneke Ugiri and 149 (56.23%) from Odummara Obi-Orodo returned for the post-treatment blood parasite analysis. From Umuneke Ugiri 4 (31%) were still positive for malaria parasite while 9 (69%) were negative. All 149 patients from Odummara Obi-Orodo were negative. This indicates that the herbal treatment was effective. However, there is need for further studies into the efficacy of herbal concoctions, their effective life span, as well as possible toxic effects.     

黏液瘤病毒对大鼠体内胶质瘤作用的研究

目的 探讨黏液瘤病毒对大鼠动物模型体内胶质瘤细胞的作用.方法 采用立体定向法向SD大鼠颅内注射C6细胞建立大鼠额叶胶质瘤模型,明确成瘤后,随机分组,以立体定向方法往瘤腔内注射黏液瘤病毒(MV),5-FU,MV+ 5-FU及灭活黏液瘤病毒(DV),观察不同组别间大鼠体重、肿瘤大小、GFAP表达、Akt表达情况.结果 SD大鼠注射C6细胞后,额叶可见胶质瘤生长.成瘤后瘤腔内注射MV、5-FU及MV+ 5-FU,肿瘤的生长较注射DV减慢,并有缩小趋势,GFAP表达较少.MV组及MV+ 5-FU组PI3k、Akt及mTOR表达较DV组及5-FU组下降.结论 立体定向法注射C6细胞可以建立稳定的胶质瘤模型.MV可以通过调节PI3K-Akt-mTOR通路相关基因的表达,从而增加化疗药物对动物模型体内肿瘤细胞的生物学活性.