Objective To investigate the significance of thyroid function screening in high-risk pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM) in early pregnancy.Methods A total of 194 cases with GDM were selected as our subjects.The patients were divided into group A(three normal items,a total of 109 cases),group B (one abnormal item,a total of 57 cases) and group C (two abnormal items,a total of 28 cases).The levels of serum anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb),anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb),serum three triiodothyronine(TT3),thyroxine (TT4),free three triiodothyronine (FT3),free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) were screened.Results TSH levels in group A was (1.45 ± 0.43) mU/L,significantly lower than in group B and group C((1.77±0.53),(1.89±0.74) mU/L).FT4 levels in group A was (11.62±0.98) nmol/L,significantly higher in group B and group C((10.23±0.75),(9.87±0.88) nmol/L)).Proportion of TPOAb,TGAb positive in group A were 9.17％(10/109) and 21.05％(12/57),significantly lower than that of group B and group C((28.57％(8/28) and 3.67％(4/109),7.02％(5/57) and 17.86％(5/28)).And the differences were significant (P＜ 0.05).And TPOAb + TGAb in group A was 0.92％(1/109),significantly lower than that of group B and group C(7.02％ (4/57),17.86％ (5/28);P ＜0.05).Conclusion The importance of screening thyroid function in early pregnancy in women at high risk for gestational diabetes is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To provide a basis for further study and utilization of the functional gene family of Pht1 in Salviae miltiorrhizae, the Pht1 gene family members from S. miltiorrhizae genome should be explored, identified and functionally predicted. Methods By utilizing the bioinformatics methods, based on the genomic and NCBI database of S. miltiorrhiza, the sequences of Pht1 family candidate genes of S. miltiorrhiza were obtained firstly by screening, and then carried on the multiple sequence alignment, conserved structure lookup as well as phylogenetic tree construction. Finally, the characteristic analysis and biological function prediction were carried out. Results The results showed that 12 Pht1 candidate genes were extracted from the genome of Salvia miltiorrhiza, together with the reported Smpht1, there are 13 Pht1 members in total, their homology as high as 74.34%, and nine members of them could provide more reliable functional annotation. Among the gene family members, Smpht1 & Sm1, Sm4 & Sm6, Sm5 & Sm11, in which these three pairs may share similar function as well as coevolution relation between each other; Smpht1, Sm1, Sm3, Sm5, Sm7, and Sm11, all of the six members can be only expressed in the roots of S. miltiorrhiza. furthermore, except Sm7 induced by p-deficiency and Sm3 member unaffected by the phosphorus supply factor, the other four probably belong to the P-deficiency induced up-regulated expressive genotype, which play an important role in phosphorus absorption of S. miltiorrhiza; Moreover, both Sm7 and Sm16 are possible to expressed in the flower organs of S. miltiorrhiza and then participate in the regulation of phosphorus balance in the flowering stage of plants. In addition, Sm14 is likely to be a mycorrhizal-induced specific expressive gene with the function of phosphorus transfer in Pht1 family members. Conclusion The Pht1 gene family was screened and identified systematically from the genome of S. miltiorrhiza for the first time, in addition, the members with characteristic and biological function were found out, which will provide dependable background support and ideas reference for the further research on the role of Pht1 in the growth and development of S. miltiorrhiza.

Glaucoma is a group of diseases which can threaten and damage the optic nerve and its visual pathway, leading to visual impairment as a result. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is a chronic disease accompanied by apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells ( RGCs ) , visual field defect and cupping of optic nerve head. The gold standard in functional glaucoma evaluation is standard automated perimetry ( SAP) , but it is often limited to the subjective feelings of the patients. Still, visual electrophysiological techniques cannot replace the conventional inspection, but with its rapid development, it has provided a new strategy for the early diagnosis of glaucoma as a supplement because it can show changes in amplitude and latency before visual field defect. Here we review three special electroretinograms and multifocal focal visually evoked potentials in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.

Objective:To analyze the material basis, target and pathway of Chebulae fructus and Margarita in Mongolian medicine Garidi-13 Pill on stroke with the method of network pharmacology and molecular docking technology, so as to better understand its "detoxification" mechanism. Methods:TCMIP and BATMAN-TCM were used to predict the target of Chebulae fructus and Margarita composition, and GeneCards were used to search for the target of stroke. The overlapping targets of the two platforms were imported into the Metascape software for GO biological analysis and KEGG pathway analysis. The molecular docking of key molecules and targets was carried out with LEDOCK. Results:A total of 22 active components were collected and 217 targets related to stroke were predicted. Among them, 1-O-galloyl-glucose, cuprum, ellagicacid, arjungenin and corilagin were the key substances playing the role of "detoxification" of the Chebulae fructus and Margarita; IL6, TNF, HSP90AA1, PTGS2, CASP3, NR1I2, VKORC1 and ATP1A1 were the key targets playing the role of "detoxification" . These targets were significantly enriched in cell response, humoral level regulation, hemostasis, response to steroid hormones, steroid metabolism, coagulation and other biological processes, as well as nitrogen metabolism, IL-17 signaling pathway and other pathways. Molecular docking verified the accuracy of previous prediction results from computer simulation level. Conclusion:The process of Chebulae fructus and Margarita intervening strok is closely related to the elimination of harmful metabolites and calmingthe inflammatory reaction, which was not only consistent with the modern medicine on the pathological process of stroke, but also consistent with the interpretation of "evil and poison" with Mongolian medicine theory.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the application of airway secretions expurgation cluster manage-ment in oxygen-driven aerosol inhalation. METHODS:280 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the Respiratory Second Division of our hospital from Mar. 2012 to Dec. 2013 were randomly divided into group A,B,C and D,with 70 cases in each group.Group A and B were treated with compound isopropyl bromide 2 ml+nomal saline 5 ml,10 min/time,twice a day,and 6 L/min oxygen-driven aerosol inhalation for 7 days;group C and Dreceived Ambroxol hydrochloride injection 15 ml+normal saline 5 ml,10 min/time,twice a day,and 6 L/min oxygen-driven aerosol inhalatiom for 7 days. group A and C were treatment groups, group B and D were control groups. Two treatment groups inhaled compound medications while the application of airway secretions expurgation cluster management. Two control groups inhaled compound medications with single effective cough guidance. RE-SULTS:Compared with control groups,the patients in treatment groups eliminated more phlegm,had lower (PaCO2)and higher (PaO2),also had a shorter hospitalization period,with significant difference(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Airway secretions expur-gation cluster management technology is a simple,safe and effective method,especially in patients with chronic obstructive pulmo-nary disease in oxygen-driven inhalation therapy.

Biodiesel is renewable and environmentally friendly; however, there are still many challenges for its commercial production as an alternative of petroleum-based transportation fuels, particularly in China with very limited resources for its biofuels development. In this article, the update progress of biodiesel R & D and production is reviewed, with a focus on its feedstock supply, manufacturing processes, quality control and byproduct utilization. It is concluded that the strategy of biorefinery to ultimately explore feedstock potentials will make biodiesel production more economically competitive.
Biofuels ; economics ; Biotechnology ; trends ; Catalysis ; China ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Oils ; metabolism ; Plants ; chemistry ; genetics

Objective To evaluate the effect of ice-made compound drug liquid on serious oral ulcer caused by chemotherapy.Methods Selecting sixty cases of Ⅲ～Ⅳ degree oral ulcer caused by chemotherapy in our department,and randomly dividing them into a control group and an experimental group.In the control patients were offered an ice-made compound drug liquid to cue the oral ulcer.The effect of each of the therapy was divided into three degrees, i.e., ineffective, effective and excellent, and the effects of the two different ways were compared.Results In the control group, the number of patients that got ineffective, effective and excellent results was 4, 18 and 8, separately; and in experimental group, the number of patients that got ineffective, effective and excellent result was 1, 3 and 26, separately.The difference on the effect between the two groups was significant (u = 4.476,P＜0.01 ).Conclusions The therapeutic effect of ice-made compound compound drug liquid is easy to be made and rapidly come into effect.It is worthy of recommending widely.

OBJECTIVETuberculosis remains a severe public health issue, and the Beijing family of mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) is widespread in East Asia, especially in some areas in China, like Beijing and Tianjin. This study aimed at determining the mutation patterns of drug-resistant Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis isolated from Tianjin, China.

METHODSA total of 822 M. tuberculosis isolates were screened for drug resistance by an absolute concentration method and the genotype was identified by PCR. 169 drug-resistant isolates of the Beijing family were analyzed for the potential mutations in the rpoB, katG, inhA promoter region and in rpsL, rrs and embB genes, which are associated with resistance to rifampin (RFP), isoniazid (INH), streptomycin (SM) and ethambutol (EMB) respectively by PCR and DNA sequencing.

RESULTSFifty-eight out of 63 RFP-resistant isolates were found to carry the mutations within the 81-bp RFP resistance determining region (RRDR) of the rpoB gene and the most frequent mutations occurred at codon 531 (44.4%), 526 (28.6%), and 516 (7.9%) respectively. 16 mutation patterns affecting 12 different codons around the RRDR of rpoB were found. Of 116 INH-resistant isolates, 56 (48.3%) had the mutation of katG 315 (AGC-->ACC) (Ser-->Thr), 3 (2.6%) carried S315N (AGC-->AAC) and 27 (16.0%) had the mutation of inhA-15A-->T. 84 out of 122 SM-resistant isolates (68.9%) displayed mutations at the codons 43 or 88 with AAG-->AGG (Lys-->Arg) of the rpsL gene and 22 (18.0%) with the mutations at positions 513A-->C, 516C-->T or 905 A-->G in the rrs gene. Of 34 EMB-resistant isolates, 6 had mutation with M306V (ATG-->GTG), 3 with M306I (ATG-->ATT), 1 with M306I (ATG-->ATA), 1 with D328Y (GAT-->TAT), 1 with V348L (GTC-->CTC), and 1 with G406S (GGC-->AGC) in the embB gene.

CONCLUSIONThese novel findings extended our understanding of resistance-related mutations in the Beijing strains of M. tuberculosis and may provide a scientific basis for development of new strategies for diagnosis and control of tuberculosis in China and other countries where Beijing strains are prevalent.

Base Sequence ; China ; DNA Primers ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo evaluate an enzymatic method for determining serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-HB) with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) projects, and to discuss its clinical values in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

METHODSThe precision, accuracy, specificity, linearity and interference of the enzymatic method were analyzed. This method was used to determine serum beta-HB in 60 cases of normals, 50 cases of diabetes, and 34 cases of DKA by autochemistry analyzer.

RESULTSEnzymatic beta-HB assay was precise (within-run CV, day-to-day CV, and total CV < 5%). The linearity studies showed the method was linear up to 4 mmol/L. Recovery rate was 98.5%-104.1%. Hemolysis (Hemoglobin up to 18.2 g/L), icteric samples with total bilirubin up to 224 mumol/L, and lipemia up to triglyceride concentration of 2.28 mmol/L did not interfere with the beta-HB results in this method. Serum beta-HB levels were significantly elevated in DKA patients compared with DM patients and controls (P < 0.01). Positive rate of serum beta-HB in DKA patients was significantly higher than that of urinary ketone (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEnzymatic method is convenient and reliable, allows full automation, and is rapid enough to be used for both routine and urgent determinations of serum beta-HB. It can be used in diagnosing and monitoring treatment of DKA.

3-Hydroxybutyric Acid ; blood ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Autoanalysis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; blood ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; blood ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVEAnalyze the clinical characteristics of the mild cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 virus infection, as well as the relationship of clinical characteristics and patient genders.

METHODSA total of 245 influenza A (H1N1) patients confirmed by viral nucleic acid detection were included in the study. The patients' personal information, signs and symptoms, lab and iconography data, disease course, negative seroconversion duration of new influenza A (H1N1) viral nucleic acid after antiviral treatment and hospitalization stay were analyzed. Measurement data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) by software SPSS 11.5. P < 0.05 was defined as statistically significant.

RESULTS(1) Among the 245 patients, 130 were males and 115 were females, yielding a sex ratio of 1.13:1. Almost 52.0% (127/245) of the patients came from Australia, and 64.5% (158/245) were between 18 and 40 years old. (2) Clinical manifestations included fever (98.4%, 241/245), cough (80.8%, 198/245) and throat congestion (95.9%, 235/245), and lab findings were characterized by elevated C-reaction protein (CRP, 71.0%, 174/245) and neutrophil (52.2%, 128/245). (3) Female patients had significantly lower serum Prealbumin (pre-A) levels than male patients [(245.04 ± 75.3) vs (273.34 ± 92.18) mg/L, F = 5.55, P = 0.019]. (4) The patients' serum CRF levels significantly decreased after the treatment [(4.06 ± 3.47) vs (14.54 ± 14.68) mg/L, F = 6.18, P = 0.016], while the levels of CD3, CD4 and CD8 were significantly increased after treatment [(1451.23 ± 443.97) vs (819.97 ± 375.75) cell/µl, F = 32.61, P = 0.000; (771.33 ± 251.92) vs (435.36 ± 215.35) cell/µl, F = 44.43, P = 0.000; (593.16 ± 237.19) vs (342.47 ± 180.12) cell/µl, F = 28.518, P = 0.000, respectively]. (5) Approximately 30.6% (75/245) of the patients had abnormal signs on chest CT iconography, and 22.0% (54/245) had obvious signs indicating pneumonia. The average disease course was (3.9 ± 1.2) days, the average hospitalization stay was (5.0 ± 1.4) days, and the negative seroconversion duration of the mRNA after antiviral treatment was (3.8 ± 1.4) days.

CONCLUSIONThe influenza A (H1N1) virus was characterized by fever, cough and throat congestion, with elevated CRP and neutrophil being the most significant lab findings. The influenza A (H1N1) strain was able to affect multiple organs, including being able to affect hepatic synthesis of pre-A as well as immune functioning. The influenza A (H1N1) influenza virus strain was mild clinically, with short disease course and good prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Young Adult