Isolation of a renal function-facilitating constituent from the Oriental drug, salviae miltiorrhizae radix

An attempt was made to isolate the active component which exhibits an improving effect on renal function from Salviae Miltiorrhazae Radix (Chinese crude drug). Systematic isolation from aqueous extract of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix was carried out, and Compound 1 was found to be more effective than any of the other constituents in improving renal functional parameters; that is, a marked reduction of glomerular filtration rate following adenine ingestion was improved by administration of this substance. The renal plasma flow and renal blood flow were also increased in renal failure rats. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data, Compound 1 was shown to be identical with magnesium lithospermate B.     

Inhibitory effect of activated protein C on platelet aggregation induced by the prothrombin-converting reaction

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the effect on platelet aggregation of the prothrombin-converting reaction on platelets with or without activated protein C (APC). A reaction mixture of washed platelets from human individuals, Factor Xa and prothrombin markedly induced platelet aggregation; maximum aggregation rates, 31.3–92.5%, and times to reach to maximum aggregation, 11.6 to 20.1 min. This aggregation was inhibited by the addition of APC with 50% inhibition concentration (IC₅₀) value of 14.4 U/ml. APC also inhibited thrombin generation in the reaction mixture in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 value of 0.96 U/ml. However, APC did not inhibit the thrombin (0.1 CU/ml)-induced platelet aggregation at concentrations of up to 30 U/ml. These findings suggest that APC has no direct inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation and that APC inhibits platelet aggregation through inhibition of thrombin generation.     

A new Le Fort I internal distraction device in the treatment of severe maxillary hypoplasia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to test a new Le Fort I internal distraction device. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A new internal Le Fort I distraction device designed by 1 of the authors was used in 3 patients with cleft lip and palate and severe maxillary hypoplasia who needed maxillary advancements in excess of 12 mm. Presurgical planning used CASSOS (SoftEnable Technology, Ltd, Hong Kong SAR, China) prediction tracing software and a stereolithographic model to calculate the distraction vector. The distractors were pre-bent and installed on the stereolithographic model and activated to advance the maxilla. Surgery was performed in a conventional manner, and distraction was started after a 7-day latency phase at the rate of 1 mm/day and continued until the presurgical plan was achieved. The distractor was removed after a 3-month consolidation phase. Cephalometric radiographs were taken at the completion of each phase. RESULTS: This new Le Fort I internal distraction device successfully distracted the maxillae as planned in all 3 patients. At the end of the distraction phase, the maxillary advancement was measured at 15.8 mm, 15.8 mm, and 13.5 mm, respectively. In each patient, a clockwise rotation of the maxilla was observed with a tendency to a posterior open bite. Postoperative radiographs also showed that the actual distraction vectors differed from the planned vectors. After the consolidation phase, radiographs showed a relapse of 2.6 mm, 0 mm, and 5.0 mm, respectively. There was no further relapse on 3-month follow-up radiographs. Each case showed radiographic evidence of excellent new bone formation at the osteotomy sites. CONCLUSION: The new Le Fort I internal distraction device produced the necessary advancement in all 3 patients. The study also showed that the actual distraction vector differed from the planned vector. This discrepancy was caused by a clockwise rotation of the maxilla during the distraction. Finally, the study showed a variable relapse rate not previously reported in maxillary distraction.     

Renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B

Renal responses to magnesium lithospermate B isolated from Salviae miltiorrhizae radix were examined in normal rats. Urinary sodium, potassium, prostaglandin E2 and kallikrein excretion was significantly increased after magnesium lithospermate B administration, whereas excretion of urinary 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 was unchanged. Rats administered with the drug also revealed a slight elevation of plasma renin activity and the levels of angiotensins I and II. Plasma aldosterone was decreased slightly. No significant changes were observed in angiotensin-converting enzyme or blood pressure.     

Renal function and urinary prostaglandins in rats given an adenine diet

The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF) and renal blood flow (RBF) were all markedly decreased in rats given an adenine diet as the period of adenine administration lengthened. Concurrently, the urinary excretions of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha(6-keto-PGF1 alpha) decreased gradually in parallel with the renal function parameters, whereas the urinary excretion of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) increased markedly. These findings suggest the involvement of prostaglandin in the renal circulation.     

The effects of personal relationships on facial displays

Previous studies have suggested that facial displays in the presence of others are influenced by the relationship with accompanying persons. In these studies, subjects participated with friends or strangers, without any focus on social interactions between partners. In the current study, pairs of friends or strangers viewed film clips expected to elicit positive and negative affects; the control group participated without partners. We measured synchronous smiles between partners as a social interactive display, in addition to the duration and the frequency of smiles and frowns. Subjective emotion and social motive were also measured. Smiles were facilitated by the presence of a friend than a stranger or the condition of lone participation, regardless of stimulus valence. Synchronous smiles and the communication motive were also enhanced with a friend than with a stranger. These results suggested that the expression of smiles was facilitated by the communication motive and social interactions between partners.     

Chymase participates in chronic dermatitis by inducing eosinophil infiltration

An epicutaneous application of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) to a mouse ear caused a transient skin swelling, and the repetition of the challenge enlarged the contact dermatitis. The repeated challenge with DNFB also induced eosinophil infiltration on the application site. Administration of a chymase inhibitor significantly inhibited the ear swelling as well as eosinophil accumulation. An intradermal injection of human chymase to the mouse ear also elicited transient skin swelling and eosinophil infiltration, both of which were augmented in proportion to the number of injections. Human serum albumin and heat-inactivated chymase failed to induce such skin reactions, suggesting the participation of proteolytic activity of the enzyme. In addition, chymase stimulated eosinophil migration in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, these observations suggest that mast cell chymase may contribute to development of the DNFB-induced dermatitis, probably by promoting eosinophil infiltration. It is therefore possible that chymase plays a role in pathogenesis of chronic dermatitis such as atopic dermatitis.     

Primary carcinosarcoma of the vagina

Primary carcinosarcoma of the vagina is a very rare tumor, with only eight cases diagnosed as carcinosarcoma in the literature that we are aware of. We recently encountered a case of primary carcinosarcoma of the vagina in a 75-year-old woman. The patient had a history of hysterectomy and bilateral ovariectomy for uterine corpus cancer at 55 years of age. Recurrence of the cancer was suspected 17 years after the operation and irradiation therapy was performed, but the patient died 3 years after the recurrence. Autopsy revealed a mass lesion in the pelvic cavity that originated in the vagina. Histological examination showed that the tumor contained anaplastic carcinoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and chondrosarcoma components, and it was diagnosed as carcinosarcoma. The histological diagnosis of the uterine corpus cancer was well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and there was no sarcomatous component. The carcinosarcoma occurred 17 years after the hysterectomy, and it was concluded to be a primary carcinosarcoma of the vagina. This is the first case of primary vaginal carcinosarcoma in which the epithelial and sarcomatous components were clearly identified histologically and immunohistochemically.     

Localization of two cholinergic markers, choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter in the central nervous system of the rat: in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry

Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) are proteins that are required for cholinergic neurotransmission. Present knowledge concerning the organization of cholinergic structures has been derived primarily from immunohistochemistry for ChAT. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of mRNAs and the corresponding proteins for ChAT and VAChT by in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. The patterns of distribution of perikarya containing ChAT mRNA, ChAT protein, VAChT mRNA and VAChT protein were similar in most regions, and co-localization in the same neuron of mRNAs for ChAT and VAChT, that of ChAT mRNA and ChAT protein, and that of VAChT mRNA and VAChT protein were demonstrated. However, in the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, ChAT-immunoreactive perikarya were present, but they did not contain mRNAs for ChAT and VAChT, and VAChT protein. On the other hand, in the cerebellum, Purkinje cell bodies contained VAChT mRNA and VAChT protein, but they did not contain either ChAT mRNA or ChAT protein. Axon bundles were clearly revealed by immunohistochemistry for ChAT, but they were not detected by that for VAChT. Both ChAT and VAChT antibodies revealed preterminal axons and terminal-like structures. In the forebrain, they were present in the olfactory bulb, nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract, olfactory tubercle, lateral septal nucleus, amygdala, hippocampus, neocortex, caudate-putamen, thalamus and median eminence of the hypothalamus. In the brainstem, they were localized in the superior colliculus, interpeduncular nucleus and some cranial nerve motor nuclei, and further in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. These results indicate strongly that ChAT and VAChT are expressed in most of the cholinergic neurons, and that immunohistochemistry for VAChT is as useful to detect cholinergic terminal fields as that for ChAT.