A series of experiments designed in accordance with the biogeochemi-cal hypothesis on the etiology of Keshan disease was performed. It was shown that the pathogenic factors of Keshan disease existed in the grains cultivated in the endemic regions ("endemic regions" mean those localities where Keshan disease has been prevalent). These factors had an ability to elicit a metabolic derangement of calcium in the myocardium and indu- ce some latent damages in myocardial cells. Furthermore, there were definite relations between these factors and the nitrite. With the aid of nitrite, more serious myocardial necroses were produced by these pathogenic factors. It was also proved that the addition of ammonium molybdate to the grains from the endemic regions produced some prophylactic effect in reducing the myocardial injury in expermental animals. After an observation on fertilizing the soil in endemic region with ammonium molybdate for four years, the preliminary result showed that this measure seemed to be effective in preventing Keshan disease.Based on the results cited above, we considered that molybdenum deficiency and nitrite excess might play an important role in the occurrence of Keshan disease, but the exact pathogenic factors in the grains remained to be studied further.

0. 05). Conclusion Chronic fluorosis has no obvious effect on myocardial collagen metabolism of rats and myocardial collagen is not likely the main target of fluoride.

Objective To explore the clinical characters, diagnosis and treatment methods of placenta accreta. Methods A retrospective analysis was made of 47 cases of placenta accreta admitted during May 1997 to May 2007 into Peking Union Medical College Hospital. They included 17 cases in the second trimester and 30 cases in the third. Results Among all the patients, the incidence of placenta accreta was 0. 262% ( 47/17 918 ). Most of these cases ( 81%, 38/47 ) experienced a uterine procedure.30% (14/47) of the cases were found with placenta previa and 11% ( 5/47 ) with myoma in the current pregnancy. 11% (5/47) of all the cases suffered postpartum hemorrhage. In the 17 cases in the second trimester, 12 were diagnosed by uhrasonography and 5 by clinical evidence . While in the 30 cases in the third trimester, 8 were diagnosed by biopsy, 2 by uhrasonography, and 20 by clinical evidence. 45 cases were cured by conservative treatment, which included dilatation and curettage, uterine artery embolization (UAE) with or without methotrexate (MTX), tamping B-lynch suture, singly with MTX, and mifepristone. Only 2 cases received cesarean hysterectomy. Conclusions The incidence of placenta accreta seems on the rise. The incidence in the second trimester is higher than that in the third. In the second trimester, most cases can be diagnosed by uhrasonography after labor, and presently UAE is the best conservative management. While in the third trimester clinical evidence is the most frequent diagnostic approach. A majority of the cases could be cured by conservative therapies, which help them avoid a hysterectomy.

Objective To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Methods BMSCs from 3-month-old New Zealand rabbits were isolated and cultured by the density gradient centrifugation combined with adherent method. The cultured BMSCs were divided into three groups: normal control, H2O2 treatment (100μmol/L), and PNS pretreatment (0.1g/L). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels as the index of oxidative stress were measured by using 2'7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Flow cytometry was used to observe the apoptosis of BMSCs by staining with annexinV-FITC/PI. The protein expression of Bax in BMSCs was analyzed by Western blotting. Activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometry. Results Pretreatment with PNS significantly decreased intracellular ROS level induced by H2O2 (P<0.01). PNS markedly attenuated H2O2-induced apoptosis rate from 38.68% to 19.24%(P<0.01). PNS reversed H2O2-induced augmentation of Bax expression. Furthermore, PNS markedly reduced the altered in activity of caspase-3 enzyme induced by H2O2(P<0.01). Conclusion PNS has a protective effect on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit BMSCs by scavenging ROS and decreasing Bax expression and caspase-3 activity.

Objective To evaluate the contraception efficacy, mode of bleeding, side effects and other positive effects of drospirenone-ethinylestradiol (Yasmin) in healthy Chinese women. Methods This was a multicenter, randomized, control study of 768 healthy Chinese women who consulted about contraception. The subjects were randomized into Yasmin group (30 μg ethinylestradiol plus 3 mg drospirenone, 573 cases) or desogestrel group (30 μg ethinylestradiol plus 150 μg desogestrel, 195 cases) with the ratio of 3: 1. Each individual was treated for 13 cycles. Further visits were required at cycle 4, cycle 7, cycle 10 and cycle 13 of treatment. Weight, height, body mass index were evaluated at each visit. The menstrual distress questionnaire (MDQ) was given to the women at baseline, visit 3 (cycle 7) and visit 5 (after cycle 13). Results The values of basal features were similar between two groups (P> 0.05). The Pearl index (method failure) of Yasmin was 0. 208/hundred women year which was lower than that of desogestrel (0. 601/hundred women year). The mode of bleeding was similar between two groups after trial without showing any significant difference. According to MDQ subscale, the improvement of water retention and increasing appetite during inter-menstrual period and water retention and general well-being during menstrual period in the Yasmin group ( -0. 297, -0. 057, 0. 033, 0. 150 respectively) was more obvious than that in the desogestrel group ( - 0. 108, 0. 023, 0. 231, - 0. 023 respectively) with a significant difference (P < 0. 05 ). Some other values which improved in beth two groups, especially the improvement of breast tenderness and pain and skin abnormality in Yasmin group (18.0%, 89/494; 12. 6%, 62/494) was more distinct than that in desogestrel group (11.3%, 19/168; 5.4%, 9/168). The mean weight increased in desogestrel group (0. 57 kg) while it decreased in Yasmin group ( -0. 28 kg) with a significant difference (P < 0. 01 ). Conclusions Both Yasmin and desogestrel have good efficacy on contraception and similar modes of menstrual bleeding. Yasmin is better than desogestrel in terms of weight control and premenstrual syndrome of oral contraceptive.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the diagnosis of and conservative management for lower uterine segment pregnancy with placenta increta complicating first trimester abortion.

METHODSFour patients with previous caesarean section and severe hemorrhage in induced abortion in the first trimester were studied. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) was used to control bleeding and preserve the uterus.

RESULTSUAE controlled heavy uterine bleeding satisfactorily. One of the four patients asked for a hysterectomy after UAE, and her pathology report confirmed "lower uterine segment pregnancy with placenta increta".

CONCLUSIONPrevious caesarean section is a risk factor for lower uterine segment pregnancy with placenta increta. UAE is one of the best conservative management methods for heavy hemorrhage, especially for women who desire future fertility.

Abortion, Induced ; adverse effects ; Adult ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Humans ; Placenta Accreta ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Uterine Hemorrhage ; etiology ; therapy ; Uterus ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,bleeding profile and safety of low-dose levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS 8) in Chinese healthy women of childbearing age.Methods A multi-center,open-label,single-arm clinical trial conducted at 16 centres in China enrolled 773 healthy women of childbearing age (mean age 31.6 years old,range 18 to 40 years old),who demanded contraception,from April 2006 to June 2013.All women placed LNG-IUS 8 for 3 years and then been followed up at 3,6,9,12,18,24,30,36 months.The efficacy variables including pregnancy rate and expulsion rate were analyzed using life table,while observing adverse events (AE) to evaluate the safety.The bleeding profile happened during the study was assessed using 90-day reference intervals (World Health Organization criteria).Results Eight pregnancies occurred among 773 women,resulting in a overall Pearl index of 0.42 per 100 women years.The 3-year cumulative pregnancy rate was 0.37 per 100 women years and the 3-year cumulative expulsion rate was 1.99 per 100 women years.The number of women with bleeding/spotting reduced and the bleeding/spotting days declined over time.Totally 219 AE were reported related to LNG-IUS 8 placements.The most common AE were vaginal bleeding (8.2％,63/773)and the ovarian cyst (6.2％,52/773).LNG-IUS 8 had an improving effect on dysmenorrhea that the percentage of women with dysmenorrhea as well as the days of dysmenorrhea decreased over time.The percentage of women satisfied or very satisfied with LNG-IUS 8 was 87.2％ (622/713).Conclusion LNG-IUS 8 is highly effective and safe for Chinese healthy women of childbearing age.