An embryo of 4.3 mm is described. It comes to the laboratory in 10 per cent for-malin as an intact chorion measuring 22 by 16 mm. The embryo is in the shape of theletter C, and its tail is curved. The limb buds are round in shape. There are 4pharyngeal pouches, the 4th being very small. Between the bases of the 1st and 2ndbranchial arches, in the floor of the pharynx, the tuberculum impar has developed. Theotic vesicles are slightly elongated sacs and no longer connected with the covering ecto-derm. The eyes are represented by the optic vesicles and the thickened ectodermal an-lage of the lens. Trachea is still largely a groove in the ventral wall of the pharynx andesophagus. The heart is still in the so-called S shaped stage; the atrium lies on the leftside of the bulb, and has not yet doubled; the sinus venosus is not completely out ofthe septum transversum; in the atrium, near the sinus venosus, the endothelial tube isclosely attached to the wall. There are 4 pairs of aortic arches: the lst pair breaks intocapillaries imbedded in the mandible. The other three join the dorsal aortae which runcaudal and finally unite to form one median dorsal aorta. The anterior cardinal, pos-terior cardinal, common cardinal and vitelline veins, etc. are all paired and symetricallyarranged. The embryo herein described falls in group Ⅷ of Streeter.

Deflazacort (DFZ, a prodrug) is well absorbed and rapidly metabolized into the active metabolite 21-hydroxydeflazacort (21-OH DFZ) after oral administration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers after a single and multiple oral administration of DFZ tablets under fed condition. Twelve volunteers (six males and six females) were administered a single dose of 6 mg or 12 mg or 24 mg of DFZ in three different periods separately, according to the 3 x 3 Latin square design. Between each administration period there was a washout period of one week. The multiple-dose study of 12 mg dose DFZ per day for 7 consecutive days was started after a 1 w washout period when the single-dose study completed. The pharmacokinetic parameters of 21-OH DFZ after the single oral administration of 6 mg, 12 mg and 24 mg DFZ tablets were as follows: (37.7 +/- 11.6), (61.5 +/- 17.7) and (123 +/- 23) ng x mL(-1) for C(max); (1.90 +/- 0.32), (1.96 +/- 0.27) and (2.13 +/- 0.34) h for t1/2; (96.6 +/- 25.9), (190 +/- 44) and (422 +/- 107) ng x h x mL(-1) for AUC(0-14 h), respectively. After the multiple dose administration, the mean plasma concentration at steady-state C(av) was (7.00 +/- 1.66) ng x mL(-1) and the degree of plasma concentration fluctuation DF was 7.7 +/- 1.2. The results showed that the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers were linear over the dose range of 6 to 24 mg. No significant gender differences were found in the pharmacokinetics of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers. After the multiple dose administration of 12 mg DFZ for 7 d, no accumulation of 21-OH DFZ in healthy Chinese volunteers was observed.

Humans ; Molecular Biology ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; genetics

Heart Valve Diseases ; therapy ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Humans

Objective To investigate the expressions of calcium sensitive receptor (CaSR) and tight junction protein (Claudin)-14 in renal calcium oxalate stone rat model. Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (n=15) and model group (n=15). The rat model of renal calcium oxalate stone was established by gavaging 1%glycol (2 mL/d) and 2% ammonium chloride. The expression of CaSR protein was detected using immunohistochemical assay. RT-PCR was used to detect the Claudin-14 mRNA expression. The expression levels of CaSR and Claudin-14 protein were de-tected by Western blot assay respectively. The full automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect rat renal function and changes of blood and urine biochemical indices. Results A large stone crystallization was observed under light microscope in model group. The serum levels of Cr, BUN, 24-h urine calcium and urine volume were significantly higher in model group than those of control group (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in serum calcium level and urinary pH value be-tween two groups. The expression levels of Claudin-14 mRNA and CaSR protein were significantly higher in model group than those of control group (P<0.01). The Claudin-14 protein expression was specifically higher in renal tissues of model group. There was no Claudin-14 protein expression in control group. There was a positive correlation between CaSR and Claudin-14 protein expression in renal tissues of model group. Also, CaSR and Claudin-14 protein expressions were posi-tively correlated with the 24-h urine volume. Conclusion The increased expressions of CaSR and Claudin-14 involved in the formation of kidney stone by increasing the urinary calcium excretion.

ObjectiveTo identify the differences in clinicopathological features between HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB). MethodsA total of 665 CHB patients who were admitted to Ningbo No. 2 Hospital during June 2002 and January 2010 were enrolled, in which 428 were HBeAg-positive and 237 were HBeAg-negative. HBV DNA loads, live histological inflammation grades and fibrosis stages were compared between two groups. SPSS 1 1. 5 was used for statistical analysis.For measurement data, t (for normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U (for skew distribution) was performed; for enumeration data, Chi-square test was performed; and Pearson correlation analysis was conducted. ResultsLiver inflammatory grade and fibrosis staging in HBeAg-negative CHB patients were more severe than those in HBeAg-positive patients (x2 = 7.92 and 10.35, P ＜ 0. 01 ). The ratio of serum HBV DNA levels ＜ 3, ≥3- ＜ 5 log10 copies/mL in HBeAg-negative CHB patients were significant higher than those in HBeAg-positive patients (x2 = 105.16 and 36.92 ,P ＜0.01 ) ; and the ratio of HBV DNA ≥7 log10 copies/mL in HBeAg-negative group was lower than that in HBeAg-positive group (x2 = 110. 18, P ＜0. 01 ). With the rising of serum HBV DNA levels, liver inflammatory grade and fibrosis staging in HBeAg-positive patients had a descending tendency (r =-0. 287 and-0. 224, P ＜0.01 ), while those in the HBeAg-negative group were ascending (r = 0. 360 and 0. 303, P ＜ 0. 01 ). ConclusionCompared with HBeAg-positive CHB patients, liver inflammation and tissue damage in HBeAg-negative patients are more severe, which need close monitoring.

Objective　To study the MRI signs in spinal cord injury. Methods　A tatal of 90 cases of spinal cord injury examined with magnetic resonance(MR)，40 underwent a GE 0.5T superconducting system and 50 with a SIEMENS Open 0.2T. With spine surface coil, all of them were examined with axial and sagittal spin echo sequences, while 10 given extra coronal sequence. MRI findings and its correlation with prognosis of patients were analyzed. Results　Among the 90 cases of spinal cord injury, incomplete and complete transection of spinal cord was found in 14 cases (13.2%), spinal cord edema in 11 (10.4%), intraspinal cord hemorrhage in 27 (25.5%), compression and dislocation in 27(25.5%), malacia in 16(15.1%), and atrophy in 11(10.4%). Conclusion　From the morphologic and pathological changes of spinal cord MRI can not only direct the option of treatment protocols, but may also evaluate the prognosis of spinal cord injuries. Demonstrated by MRI, it suggests that.

Objective To explore the correlation between phenotypes in female with X-linked Alport syndrome(XLAS) and X-inactivation of different tissues.Methods Thirty-six female diagnosed as XLAS were studied,and proteinuria was taken as a marker of the severity of clinical phenotypes.X-inactivation patterns were analyzed in peripheral blood cells of 36 XLAS female and in skin fibroblasts of 12 XLAS female.The X-inactivation analysis was performed by using Hpa Ⅱ predigestion of DNA followed by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) of the highly polymorphic CAG repeat of the androgen receptor gene.Results The average X-inactivation levels of the mutant allele decreased while the degree of proteinuria increased,so there was a negative correlation between the degree of proteinuria and the X-inactivation ratios of the mutant allele in blood cells(r=-0.543,P=0.002).However,there was no correlation between the degree of proteinuria and the X-inactivation ratios of the mutant allele in skin fibroblasts(r=-0.131,P=0.701).Conclusions X-inactivation ratios might explain partially the diverse phenotypes in XLAS female patients,which suggested that the prognosis of XLAS female might be predicted via analysis of the X-inactivation in peripheral blood cells.

Objective To investigate the suppression effect of RNA interference(RNAi) on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) of ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell line. Methods SKOV3 cells were transfected with synthetic EGFR sequence-specific dsRNA by lipofectamin 2000.The expression level of EGFR mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.The proliferation of transfected SKOV3 cells was detected by WST-1 cell proliferation assay.The abilities of adhesion,migration and invasion were detected by cell adhesion assay,cell migration assay and Matrigel invasion assay,respectively. Results The suppression rates on EGFR mRNA and protein by sequence-specific dsRNA-EGFR were 73.65% and 58.94%,respectively.The cell proliferation was inhibited by 22.54%,35.76% and 31.07%,respectively at 24,48 and 72 h after transfection.The adhesion of sequence-specific dsRNA transfected SKOV3 cells for 30 min and 90 min were reduced by 12.11% and 18.66%,respectively.The migration and invasion of SKOV3 cells were decreased by 25.47% and 22.08%,respectively. Conclusion The down-regulation of EGFR expression of ovarian cancer by sequence-specific dsRNA can lead to the suppression of proliferation,adhesion,migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells.

Objective To investigate the way of resection of high-sacrum tumors and the reconstruction way of the sacrum. Methods From October 2001 to October 2005,7 patients with high-sacrum tumors were enrolled. After resection, the pelviclring were recormtmcted with Chinese Great Wall pedicle screw system and fibulae graft,corresponding chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given after operation. Results The short-term results were satisfactory with the lumbosacral pain reduced and the neurological function improved in different degrees, however dysuria occurred in 1 ease and 1 case cerebrospinal fluid leakageand 1 case postoperative infection and delayedunion among the 7 eases in this group. In the follow-up period of 6 months to 3 years,4 eases died for tumor recurred or metastasis. Conclusions Surgical procedure,reconstruction of the sacrum and postoperative comprehensive treatment have important effects on the prognosis. Meanwhile,it is operative key to lessen operative hemorrhage,reserve the function of caudal equine and rebuild weight high post function of the pelvis after superior sacrum tumor is removed.