Responses of antioxidant systems in the hepatocytes of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) to the toxicity of microcystin-LR.

The freshwater, bloom-forming cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) Microcystis aeruginosa produces a peptide hepatotoxin, which causes the damage of animal liver. Recently, toxic Microcystis blooms frequently occur in the eutrophic Dianchi Lake (300 km2 and located in the South-Western of China). Microcystin-LR from Microcystis in Dianchi was isolated and purified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and its toxicity to mouse and fish liver was studied (Li et al., 2001). In this study, six biochemical parameters (reactive oxygen species, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxide and glutathione S-transferase) were determined in common carp hepatocytes when the cells were exposed to 10 microg microcystin-LR per litre. The results showed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents increased by more than one-time compared with the control after 6 h exposure to the toxin. In contrast, glutathione (GSH) levels in the hepatocytes exposed to microcystin-LR decreased by 47% compared with the control. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxide (GSH-Px) increased significantly after 6 h exposure to microcystin-LR, but glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity showed no difference from the control. These results suggested that the toxicity of microcystin-LR caused the increase of ROS contents and the depletion of GSH in hepatocytes exposed to the toxin and these changes led to oxidant shock in hepatocytes. Increases of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities revealed that these three kinds of antioxidant enzymes might play important roles in eliminating the excessive ROS. This paper also examined the possible toxicity mechanism of microcystin-LR on the fish hepatocytes and the results were similar to those with mouse hepatocytes.     

Ortho-substituted PCBs kill thymocytes.

The effects of exposure of acutely dissociated rat thymocytes to various polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were examined using flow cytometry. Non-planar, ortho-substituted congeners caused a rapid cell death at low micromolar concentrations, while coplanar, dioxin-like congeners at the same concentration were without significant effect. The most potent of the congeners studied was PCB 52 (2,2',5,5'-tetrachlorobiphenyl), which had an IC50 of 3.96 microM at 20 min. Prior to loss of viability there was a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential Delta Psi m, an accumulation of intracellular calcium, and a progressive leakiness of the plasma membrane. Application of PCB 52 in calcium-free medium reduced the calcium accumulation, but did not reduce cell death. Agents that depolarized mitochondria also did not induce the same degree of cell death caused by PCB 52. Cyclosporin A, which prevents opening of the mitochondria permeability transition channel, protected against cell death but did not protect against mitochondrial depolarization or calcium accumulation. Rapamycin and FK 506 at high concentration provided partial protection against cell death. These observations indicate that the ortho-substituted PCB 52 disrupts plasma, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum membranes. We hypothesize that PCB 52 incorporates into lipid bilayers and with its bulky, three-dimensional ortho-substituted congener structure disrupts membrane function to a greater degree than coplanar congeners.     

Classification of metaphyseal change with magnetic resonance imaging in Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease

Seventy-eight patients (85 affected hips and 71 unaffected hips) with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease were included in this study to evaluate the metaphyseal change in radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to define the type of the metaphyseal cyst according to presence or absence of the epiphyseal involvement. The content of the metaphyseal cyst was evaluated by using T1,T2, proton, and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI scans. Among 85 hips, there were no changes in 32 hips, marrow edema in 13 hips, false cyst with epiphyseal involvement in 28 hips, and true cyst without epiphyseal involvement in 12 hips. Granulation tissue was found in the false cysts and water-rich fibrotic tissue was found in the true cysts based on the MRI scans. The metaphyseal change in MRI scans was shown in 71% of groups 3 and 4 and in 35% of groups 1 and 2 according to the Catterall classification, and 52% of group A, 56% of group B, and 86% of group C according to the Herring classification. Of the 30 hips at the avascular stage, 33% showed metaphyseal cyst in MRI scans. Of the 53 hips at the fragmentation stage, 60% showed the metaphyseal cyst.     

针灸配合药物治疗周围性面瘫合并无症状性脑梗塞33例

目的 对33例周围性面瘫合并无症状性脑梗塞患者，观察针灸配合药物治疗的临床效果。方法 采用针刺加艾灸配合脉络宁静脉滴注等治疗。结果 5个疗程后，痊愈18例，显效11例，有效4例。总有效率为100％，愈显率为87．88％。结论 针灸配合药物治疗周围性面瘫合并无症状性脑梗塞效果显著。建议临床诊治周围性面瘫时，须防同时合并无症状性脑梗塞，以免漏诊而漏治。     

中医药科研管理应实行知识产权全程管理制度

社会的发展和技术的进步，迫切需要在科研管理活动中实行知识产权全程管理制度。中医药行业在技术开发等科研活动中，由于大多涉及到应用型科研项目，更应当实行知识产权全程管理制度。知识产权全程管理制度主要包括专利技术信息检索、知识产权可行性分析报告、技术保密方案、委托或联合科研中的知识产权分享等项管理内容和制度。     

中医对延缓衰老的认识

衰老是生命运动的必然规律，但怎样使衰老推迟，让生命延长却可人持之。现社会是一个安定、物质可满足的社会，追求长寿延缓衰老是每个人都在追求的目标，生活中都把它摆在第一位。中医工作者长寿者多，已成不争的事实，何也?因摄生在中医文献中占很大比例，生气通天、法于自然、恬儋虚无、精神内守是中医延缓衰老的准则。人体是通过气血运行来维持生命活动的，精神是气血的外在表现，是养生要解决的一个问题。     

Treatment of 116 cases of facial pigmented spots by auricular needle-embedding method

以耳穴子宫、神门、内分泌、肺为主穴,根据辨证选取配穴,埋针治疗面部色素斑患者116例,全部治愈.     

Dr. YIN Ming＇s Experience in Treating Pediatric Diseases

Dr. YIN Ming is skilled at the pediatric diseases and wins the trust from her patients and their families. I learned a lot from the clinical practice with her and now the experience is as follows.     

Observation on therapeutic effect of cold moxibustion on rheumatoid interphalangeal arthritis

目的:观察冷灸对类风湿性指间关节炎的临床疗效.方法:将576例类风湿性指间关节炎随机分为冷灸组290例和对照组286例,治疗时间为2个月.结果:两者总有效率差异不明显,但在第2个疗程末前者完全缓解率达77.2%,后者仅23.4%,两者差异有显著意义(P＜0.005).结论:冷灸治疗类风湿性指间关节炎效果优于西药抗炎剂.