Radioprotection of normal tissues in tumor-bearing mice by troxerutin

The flavanoid derivative troxerutin, used clinically for treating venous disorders, protected biomembranes and cellular DNA against the deleterious effects of gamma-radiation. The peroxidation of lipids (measured as thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances, or TBARS) in rat liver microsomal and mitochondrial membranes resulting from gamma-irradiation up to doses of 500 Gy in vitro was prevented by 0.2 mM troxerutin. The administration of troxerutin (175 mg/kg body weight) to tumor-bearing mice by ip one hour prior to 4 Gy whole-body gamma-irradiation significantly decreased the radiation-induced peroxidation of lipids in tissues such as liver and spleen, but there was no reduction of lipid peroxidation in tumor. The effect of troxerutin in gamma-radiation-induced DNA strand breaks in different tissues of tumor-bearing mice was studied by comet assay. The administration of troxerutin to tumor-bearing animals protected cellular DNA against radiation-induced strand breaks. This was evidenced from decreases in comet tail length, tail moment, and percent of DNA in the tails in cells of normal tissues such as blood leukocytes and bone marrow, and these parameters were not altered in cells of fibrosarcoma tumor. The results revealed that troxerutin could preferentially protect normal tissues against radiation-induced damages in tumor-bearing animals.     

Characterization of phenolic compounds in some Indian mango cultivars

Mangoes (Mangifera indica) are rich in phenolic acids as detected by high-performance liquid chromatography. The phenolics have prominent medicinal properties. Among six important commercial mango cultivars (Deshi, Langra, Chausa, Mallika, Dashahari and Amrapali) tannic acid was maximal in Mallika, while gallic acid was maximal in Chausa and all other varieties. Caffeic acid was maximal in Langra followed by Chausa and Amrapali. Many of the pharmacological properties attributed to mango might be due to the presence of phenolic acids in fairly significant amounts.     

中药石斛质量的化学模式识别

依据任一物质在一定波长下的吸收系数为常数这一基本事实,以每一波长与另一波长的吸收值比值作指标,用Shannon信息理论对全部样品(32个)计算每一波长通道的信息量,选取信息量最大的10个通道用作分类特征,采用主成分分析对中药石斛质量进行了研究,分类结果与植物形态学鉴定结果基本一致。本法不经分离直接以药材粉末氯仿浸出液的紫外光谱进行分类,简便、快速,为从化学成分角度研究中药质量提供了一种新方法。     

Scaphoid anatomy: evaluation with complex motion tomography

Complex motion tomography was used to study the normal orientation of the axes of the proximal and distal scaphoid poles as a basis for comparison with displaced or malunited scaphoid fractures. Biplanar tomograms of 10 normal wrists were evaluated by seven physicians with the use of two standardized measurement techniques. The reference planes used for the first technique were the volar cortical surface of the proximal scaphoid and the dorsal cortical surface of the distal scaphoid. The apparent angulation between the reference planes with this technique averaged 32 degrees +/- 5 degrees on the sagittal view and 40 degrees +/- 3 degrees on the coronal view. The second technique used the orientation of the proximal articular surface relative to the distal articular surface of the scaphoid. The angulation between the axes averaged 24 degrees +/- 5 degrees in the sagittal plane and 40 degrees +/- 4 degrees in the coronal plane.     

A Novel Neutrotrophic Property Of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1: A Promoter Of Nerve Growth Factor-Mediated Differentiation In PC12 Cells

The insulinotropic hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36)-amide (GLP-1) has potent effects on glucose-dependent insulin secretion, insulin gene expression, and pancreatic islet cell formation and is presently in clinical trials as a therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We report on the effects of GLP-1 and two of its long-acting analogs, exendin-4 and exendin-4 WOT, on neuronal proliferation and differentiation, and on the metabolism of two neuronal proteins in the rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line, which has been shown to express the GLP-1 receptor. We observed that GLP-1 and exendin-4 induced neurite outgrowth in a manner similar to nerve growth factor (NGF), which was reversed by coincubation with the selective GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin (9-39). Furthermore, exendin-4 could promote NGF-initiated differentiation and may rescue degenerating cells after NGF-mediated withdrawal. These effects were induced in the absence of cellular dysfunction and toxicity as quantitatively measured by 3-(4,5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide and lactate dehydrogenase assays, respectively. Our findings suggest that such peptides may be used in reversing or halting the neurodegenerative process observed in neurodegenerative diseases, such as the peripheral neuropathy associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Due to its novel twin action, GLP-1 and exendin-4 have therapeutic potential for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and these central nervous system disorders.     

Sonography of the internal capsule and basal ganglia in infants. Part II. Localization of pathologic processes in the sagittal section through the caudothalamic groove

Sagittal sonograms through the caudothalamic groove routinely display a gangliothalamic ovoid delimited by the lateral ventricle, the perimesencephalic cistern, and the radiations of the corpus callosum. The caudothalamic groove divides the superior surface of the ovoid into an anterior caudate arc and a posterior thalamic arc. The cerebral peduncle divides the inferior surface of the ovoid into an anterior ganglial arc, a middle peduncular arc, and a posterior thalamic arc. The genu of internal capsule constantly courses from the anterior end of the caudothalamic groove down to the peduncular arc and is easily identified. The gangliothalamic ovoid exhibits four obliquely oriented bands of increased and decreased echogenicity. The anteriormost hyperechoic band 1 corresponds to the head of the caudate nucleus. Hypoechoic band 2 corresponds to the globus pallidus, genu of the internal capsule, and cerebral peduncle. Hyperechoic band 3 corresponds to the ventral and lateral thalamic nuclei (exclusive of the pulvinar). Hypoechoic band 4 corresponds to the pulvinar. Lesions of the medial nucleus of the globus pallidus appear as hyperechoic foci that abut on the anterior surface of genu just above the peduncle and that have a narrow convex caudal margin. Lesions of the lateral nucleus of globus pallidus abut on the genu distant from the peduncle, spare the medial nucleus adjacent to the peduncle, and have a broad caudal border. Lesions of the head of caudate nucleus affect the anterior pole of the ovoid; those of the body affect the caudate arc superior to the caudothalamic groove. Thalamic lesions increase the echogenicity of bands 3 and 4.