Protection by pyroglutamic acid and some of its newly synthesized derivatives against glutamate-induced seizures in mice

The protection by pyroglutamic acid (CAS 98-79-3) and derivatives Ia-i (injected i.p.) against glutamate- and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) (i.c.v.) induced seizures in mice has been studied in comparison with known antiepileptics and antagonists of excitatory aminoacids. The potency of pyroglutamic acid and some derivatives (Id,f,g,h) against glutamate-induced convulsions was similar to that shown by glutamic acid diethylester and by valproic acid. Interestingly, pyroglutamic acid did not affect NMDA-induced convulsions which were well antagonized by both 2-amino-5-phosphono valeric acid and by diazepam. Thus, pyroglutamic acid may represent the starting for synthesis of excitatory aminoacid antagonists acting at non NMDA receptors.     

Ethical Reasoning Among Registered Nurses Experienced in Dementia Care

Abstract. Registered nurses regarded as “experienced and good” in dementia care were interviewed about the feeding of a severely demented patient who showed refusal-like feeding behaviour. Not one of the twenty nurses could see herself using force against her patients. Most interviewees justified their decisions to feed a severely demented patient and answered questions about whether they would change their minds if there were certain circumstances in terms of words that could be interpreted as referring to the ethical principle of beneficence. The nurses stressed the difficulty to understand the meaning of severely demented patients' feeding behaviour and decide when force-feeding occurs. When asked to rank ethical principles of importance for the decision, however, the most common answer was that they would give priority to the ethical principle of autonomy. The nurses did not see the ethical principles as separate entities, that could be applied one by one, but tried to integrate them into a whole. The findings of this study were interpreted as indicating that principled ethics is not an adequate model to describe experienced nurses' ethical reasoning.     

人胎儿雪旺氏细胞的体外培养及其纯化研究

本实验用酶消化法从孕１４～１９周人胎儿周围神经中分离培养雪旺氏细胞，结合差速贴壁和阿糖胞苷处理进行纯化，根据Ｓ－１００蛋白免疫细胞化学染色和形态学特征，分析不同时期雪旺氏细胞的纯化程度。实验结果显示：培养４ｄ，倒置相差显微镜下观察，雪旺氏细胞呈典型的双极或三极形，端对端或旋涡状排列，Ｓ－１００蛋白免疫细胞化学染色呈阳性反应，其比例约占９８％；在２～３周内，雪旺氏细胞的纯度维持在８５％～９０％；培养３５ｄ，雪旺氏细胞约占８０％；单纯采用阿糖胞苷或差速贴壁处理，培养３５ｄ，雪旺氏细胞约占７０％；原代培养９２ｄ，传代１１代细胞生长良好。实验结果表明，多种方法联合使用较单一方法所得的纯度高。本方法快速、简便，能为雪旺氏细胞作为移植材料提供足够的来源。     

Pharmacodynamic profile of isbufylline, a new antibronchospastic xanthine devoid of central excitatory actions.

1,3-Dimethyl-7-isobutylxanthine (isbufylline, TE/06; CAS 90162-60-0) is a newly synthetized xanthine derivative. This compound exhibits remarkable antibronchospastic properties both in in vitro and in vivo (after oral or intravenous administration) experimental models. Isbufylline is significantly more effective than theophylline in antagonizing bronchospasms elicited by spasmogens (capsaicin, arachidonic acid, PAF and antigen) which mainly act by a local release of biologically active substances proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. Isbufylline, unlike theophylline, possesses little or no CNS excitatory properties. This reduced neuroexcitatory action is probably related to the poor affinity of isbufylline, as compared to theophylline, to A1 purinoceptor. Indeed, isbufylline is ineffective in antagonizing 2Cl-adenosine-induced EEG synchronization. In normotensive and hypertensive rats oral administration of isbufylline resulted in small and transient positive chronotropic and hypotensive response, markedly lower than those elicited by theophylline or enprofylline. Finally isbufylline exhibits phosphodiesterase inhibitory properties, although at concentration 50-100 times higher than those exerting spasmolytic effects in isolated bronchial tissues. As a whole the pharmacodynamic profile of isbufylline is promising and, in the clinical setting, this compound might exert enhanced antiasthma effects coupled to a low incidence of central and cardiovascular adverse effects.     

中国西部城市和农村开展面粉营养素强化的可行性分析

目的通过对甘肃农产区居民的饮食习惯、营养知识和态度的调查,从需方的角度对开展面粉营养素强化的可行性进行探讨。方法采用定性和定量调查相结合的方法,对4个地区的城市和农村的男性和女性分别进行现状和原因的调查分析。结果被调查地区多数城市(92.7%)和农村(60.7%)家庭日常饮食以面食为主,94.7%的城市家庭购买面粉,而在农村地区,多数家庭自己种植或购买小麦。城市居民较农村对营养和维生素有更多的了解和关注。农村男性对面粉营养素强化持怀疑态度,女性更加关注孩子的营养,认为目前的饮食单一,孩子可能营养不足。结论与农村地区相比,城市地区的社会经济条件和知识基础较利于开展面粉强化工作。