Objective To investigate the clinic value of ultrasonographic fetal nasal bone examination as a screening marker for Down syndrome(DS).Methods The study was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from Oct 2004 to Mar 2007.Two-dimensional ultrasound was used to assess the fetal nasal bone of 1863 normal pregnancies(normal group)and 25 cases with DS fetus (study group)during their second and third trimesters.The incidence of nasal bone absence or short nasal bone in two groups was determined.The fetal nasal bone absence should be confirmed in three orthogonal planes of the fetal face.and the short nasal bone included the cases that the fetal nasal bone was shorter than the 2.5th percentile of normal according to the gestational week.The diagnostic test index was used for assessing the value of fetal nasal bone abnormality as a marker in prenatal screening for DS.Results (1)1761 fetuses of normal group were successfully examined for the nasal bone and the detection rate was 94.5%(1761/1863).102 fetuses failed examination because of inconvenient intra-uterine position.(2)The nasal bone length grew in a linear fashion throughout pregnancy and the growth pattern correlated well with gestational age(r=0.605,P＜0.05)in normal group.The nasal bone was absent in 3 normal fetuses (0.2%,3/1761)and short nasal bone was found in 44 normal fetuses(2.5%,44/1761).(3)The nasal bone was absent in 7 DS fetuses(28.0%.7/25)and short nasal bone was found in 15 DS fetuses (60.0%.15/25).(4)When the absence of nasal bone was used as a cut-off,the sensitivity for DS was 28.0%.the specificity was 99.8%,the positive likelihood ratio was 164.45(95%CI:45.11-599.60),and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.72(95%CI:0.57-O.92).When short nasal bone was used as a cut-off.the sensitivity was 60.O%,specificity was 97.5%.the positive likelihood ratio was 24.03(95%CI:7.15-80.71),and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.41(95%CI:0.29-0.59).Conclusion Fetal nasal bone hypoplasia at the second and third trimester scan is associated with a high risk for Down syndrome and it can be used as a screen marker for this chromosomal abnormality.

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Epiglottitis* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve* ; Paralysis*

Objective To determine the effect of calmodulin-dependent kinase Ⅱ (CaMK Ⅱ ) -ryanodinereceptor pathway signaling in rabbits with left ventricular bypertrophy (LVH) and triggered ventricular arrhythmia.Methods Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomized into four groups ( n =10 per group):the sham operation group,LVH group,KN-93 (CaMKⅡ inhibitor) group (LVH + KN-93),and the ryanodinegroup ( LVH + ryanodine).Rabbits in the LVH,KN-93,and ryanodinegroups were used to establish a left ventricular hypertrophy model by the coarctation of the abdominal aorta,while the rabbits in the sham operation group did not have the coarctation.After eight weeks,action potentials (APs) were recorded simultaneously in the endocardium and epicardium,and transmural electrocardiogram (ECG) was also recorded in the wedge shaped models of rabbits' left ventricular myocardium.Drugs were administered to animals in the KN-93 and ryanodinegroups respectively,and the frequency of triggered APs and ventricular tachycardia were recorded after isoprenaline ( 1 μmol/L),and high-frequency electrical stimulation were given to rabbits.Results The incidences (animals/group) of triggered APs were:sham,0/10 ; LVH,10/10; KN-93,4/10; and ryanodine,1/10.The incidences of ventricular tachycardia induced were 0/10,9/10,3/10,and 1/10,respectively.The incidences of triggered ventricular arrhythmias in the KN-93 group and ryanodine groups tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation were 0/10,7/10,2/10,and 1/10,respectively.The incidences of triggered ventricular arrhythmias in the KN-93 group and ryanodine groups were much lower than that in the LVH group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions KN-93 and ryanodinecan effectively reduce the occurrence of triggered ventricular arrhythmia in rabbits with LVH.The CaMK Ⅱ-ryanodine signaling pathway can be used as a novel target site of treating ventricular arrhythmia.

Objective To study the influence of walking exercise training on heart function, left heart ventricle structure and plasma brain natriuretie peptide (BNP) concentration in patients with chronic heart failure ( CHF), to explore the sense of exercise training.Methods A total of 223 CHF patients were randomly assigned to a guided rehabilitation group, a non-guided rehabilitation group and a control group.All patients were given basic medicine treatment, and the guided rehabilitation group was administered guided walking exercise training program, while the non-guided rehabilitation group was encouraged to do exercise freely but with no guidance.Blood pressure, 6 min walking distance test, plasma concentration of BNP and echocardiography were measured in all patients before and after exercise training.Results At entry to the study, there was no significant difference among the 3 groups with regard to blood pressure, 6 rain walking distance and BNP level as well as echocardiographic parameters including left ventrieular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd).A follow-up at the 6th month after intervention, the amount of readmission patients in guided rehabilitation group were significantly less than those in non-guided rehabilitation and control groups ( P < 0.05 ).It was also revealed that the plasma concentration of BNP decreased significantly ( P < 0.01 ) ; LVEF and 6 min walking distance improved significantly ( P < 0.01 ) in the guided rehabilitation group when compared with baseline and 6-month follow-up of the non-guided rehabilitation and control groups.However, there observed no significant change with regard to LVEDd.Conclusion Walking exercise training can improve exercise endurance in CHF patients and is safety; but has no influence on left heart ventricular structure in short time.

PURPOSE: The effect of intra-portal infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) solution on the energy metabolism during cold preservation was investigated using a small-animal liver transplantation model. METHODS: Fifteen white rats were divided into 3 groups: the group A (feeding group) were fed normally before experiment. The group B (fasting group) and group C (GIK group) were fasted from 3 days before experiment, by which acute nutritional deficiency state was induced. In group A and B, the whole liver was procured after intra-portal perfusion of HTK solution and serial liver biopsies were performed during the cold preservation period with 4degrees C HTK solution. In group C, intra-portal GIK solution infusion for 1 hour preceded liver graft harvest. From the liver tissues, the relative intracellular glycogen contents and the ATP concentration were measured. RESULTS: Relative glycogen contents in group A were 100% at 0 h, 64.6% at 2 h, 54.9% at 4 h, and 16.2% at 8 h; 10.3%, 8.3%, 4.9% and 0%, respectively in group B; 109.2%, 96.9%, 54.2% and 9.7%, respectively in group C. There was a temporary supercharge of ATP level in group C only at 0 h. Apoptosis was less expressed in group C comparing with group A and B. CONCLUSION: Rapid intra- portal infusion of GIK solution could make intrahepatic glycogen content fully restored to the normal level. Considering that intracellular glycogen is the main energy source during immediate post-transplant period, its restoration may contribute to improvement of post-transplant graft function.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Biopsy ; Cold Temperature ; Energy Metabolism ; Glucose ; Glycogen ; Humans ; Insulin ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Malnutrition ; Mannitol ; Perfusion ; Potassium ; Potassium Chloride ; Procaine ; Rats ; Transplants

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of detecting the concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA)in air of workplaces with high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC).

METHODSAccording to standards of methods for determining the chemical substances in workplace air, BPA in the air was collected by glass fiber filter, then dissolved by acetonitrile and determined by high performance liquid chromatography with FLD.

RESULTSThere was a linear relationship within the range of 0.01-10.0 pg /ml, and the detection limit was 0.005 pg/ml. The lowest detected concentration was 3.3x10-5 mg/m3. The relative standard deviation was 2.5-5.5%. The dissolution efficiencies were 95.0%-101.9% and the sampling efficiencies were 99.6%. The samples in glass fiber filter membrane could be stored for 7 days at room temperature.

CONCLUSIONThe present method could meet with the requirements of Guide for establishing occupational health standards-Part 4 Determination methods of air chemicals in workplace and be feasible for determination of BPA in workplace air.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Benzhydryl Compounds ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; standards ; Phenols ; analysis ; Workplace

BACKGROUNDLumbar spinal stenosis is a common problem that is receiving attention with the advent of novel treatment procedures. Prior positional MRI studies demonstrated lumbar canal diameter changes with flexion and extension. There have not been any studies to examine the amount of spinal canal diameter change relative to the amount of angular motion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the lumbar canal diameter change and the angular motion quantitatively.

METHODSPositional MRI (pMRI) images for 491 patients, including 310 males and 181 females (16 years-85 years of age), were obtained with the subjects in sitting flexion 40 degree, upright, and with extension of 10 degrees within a 0.6 T Positional MRI scanner. Quantitative measurements of the canal diameter and segmental angle of each level in the sagittal midline plane were obtained for each position. Then the diameter change and angular motion were examined for correlation during flexion and extension with linear regression analysis.

RESULTSThe lumbar segmental angles were lordotic in all positions except L1-2 in flexion. The changes of canal diameters were statistically correlated with the segmental angular motions during flexion and extension (P < 0.001). The amount of canal diameter change correlated with the amount of angular change and was expressed as a ratio.

CONCLUSIONSPositional MRI demonstrated the amount of spinal canal diameter change that was statistically correlated with the segmental angular motion of the spine during flexion and extension. These results may be used to predict the extent of canal diameter change when interspinous devices or positional changes are used to treat spinal stenosis and the amount of increased canal space may be predicted with the amount of angular or positional change of the spine. This may correlate with symptomatic relief and allow for improved success in the treatment of spinal stenosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Spinal Canal ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Cells are the basic units of all life activities. In order to grasp the law of life process, it is essential to explore intercellular interactions and cell behaviors. Most current biological assays in large cell populations ignore the effects of cell heterogeneity and lose important temporal data in the process of averaging cellular responses. High-throughput single-cell capture and arrangement are of great significance to the research on cell biology. However, to date, there has no systematic study and description of the methods for cell capturing and alignment in vitro . OBJECTIVE: To summarize the methods of microfluidics technology, surface topographical technology and various traps based on mechanics, magnetics, and electrophoretic sorting to spatially collect single cells so as to discuss the feasibility and the latest progress of cell shape control and cell alignment. METHODS: The authors performed a data retrieval of PubMed and Bailianyun databases to search the articles (1995-2017) addressing the single cell capture and alignment in vitro and reviewed the literatures systematically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total 241 articles were retrieved, and 35 articles were finally involved in the analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After summarizing and analyzing, the results indicated that microfluidics, micro-contact printing, micro-well arrays, micro-pore membrane, electrical stimulation and magnetic deflection are commonly used in cell capture and functional assay. With the development of micro-scale technologies and in-depth research of cell behavior, microfluidic technology and micro-contact printing technology have become a hot topic of research with certain improvement in the capture efficiency. In addition, some new materials are gradually developed and applied. Microfluidic technology has a leading advantage in cell capture rate, while the improved micro-contact printing technology mostly concerns subsequent cell spreading and alignment. Under the proper culture environment, precise cell capture and alignment are essential to guide cell spreading, fusion, and differentiation.

Members of prostaglandin (PG) E-series elicit cellular effects mainly through adenylyl cyclase-cAMP signaling. The role of PGE2-induced increase in cAMP has been shown to be compartmentalized in the cardiac myocytes: PGE2-induced increase of cAMP is not involved in the control of cardiomyocytic contraction. The purpose of the present study was to define the effect of PGE1 on the cGMP levels and the role of PGE1 in the atrial secretory function. Experiments were performed in perfused beating rabbit atria and atrial contractile responses, cGMP and cAMP efflux, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion were measured. PGE1 increased cGMP as well as cAMP efflux concentration in a concentration-dependent manner, however, no significant changes in atrial secretory responses were observed (with 1.0microM PGE1; for cGMP, 144.76+/-37.5%, n=11 versus -16.81+/-4.76%, n=6, control, p<0.01; for cAMP, 187.60+/-41.52%, n=11 versus 7.38+/-19.44%, n=6, control, p<0.01). PGE1 decreased atrial dynamics slightly but transiently, whereas PGE2 showed similar effects but with lower potency. Isoproterenol increased atrial cAMP efflux (with 2.0 nM; 145.71+/-41.89, n=5 versus 7.38+/-19.44%, n=6, control, p<0.05) and mechanical dynamics and decreased ANP secretion. The PGE1-induced increase in cGMP efflux showed a bell-shaped concentration-response curve. PGE1-induced increase of cGMP efflux was not observed in the presence of L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, or ODQ, an inhibitor of NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase. L-NAME and ODQ showed no significant effect on the PGE1-induced transient decrease of atrial dynamics. These data indicate that PGE1 increases cGMP levels via NO-soluble GC signaling in the cardiac atrium and also show that PGE1-induced increases in cGMP and cAMP levels are not involved in the regulation of atrial secretory and contractile functions.
Alprostadil* ; Atrial Function ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; Dinoprostone ; Guanylate Cyclase ; Isoproterenol ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Nucleotides, Cyclic*