Measurements of the magnetic properties and total contents of Cu, Cd, Pb and Fe in 30 automobile emission particulate samples indicated the presence of magnetic particles in them. The values of frequency dependent susceptibility (chi(fd)) showed the absence of superparamagnetic (SP) grains in the samples. The IRM(20 mT) (isothermal remanent magnetization at 20 mT) being linearly proportional to SIRM (saturation isothermal remanent magnetization) (R(2)=0.901), suggested that ferrimagnetic minerals were responsible for the magnetic properties of automobile emission particulates. The average contents of Cu, Cd, Pb and Fe in automobile emission particulates were 95.83, 22.14, 30.58 and 34727.31 mg/kg, respectively. Significant positive correlations exist between the magnetic parameters and the contents of Pb, Cu and Fe. The magnetic parameters of automobile emission particulates reflecting concentration of magnetic particles increased linearly with increase of Pb and Cu content, showed that the magnetic measurement could be used as a preliminary index for detection of Pb and Cu pollution.
Algorithms ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Feasibility Studies ; Magnetics ; Metals, Heavy ; analysis ; chemistry ; Statistics as Topic ; Vehicle Emissions ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of vibration response imaging (VRI) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSSixty-three COPD patients received lung function test (LFT) and VRI examination before and after inhalation of bronchodilator. As the control group, 66 healthy volunteers received LFT and VRI examinations. We defined VRI results as quantitative lung data (QLD), crack counts, and image grade.

RESULTSThe results of control group were: QLD of right lung (45.1 +/- 5.9%), mean crack counts 0.1, and mean image grade 0.9. After inhalation of bronchodilator, the VRI results of COPD group were: QLD of right lung (51.0 +/- 12.1)%, mean crack counts 2.7, and image grade 4.2 +/- 1.9. The results between control group and COPD group were significantly different (P < 0.01). The VRI results were similar before and after inhalation of bronchodilator in COPD group (P > 0.05). After inhalation of bronchodilator, there was a linear relationship between VRI image grade and FEV1% (r = 0.31, P = 0.01). The model of the linear regression was: y = 63.85 -2.95 x (y: 100 x FEV1%, x: VRI image grade).

CONCLUSIONSThe VRI results differ between COPD patients and healthy people. The VRI results are stable after inhalation of bronchodilator in COPD patients, which may be helpful in the diagnosis of COPD. The VRI image grade after inhalation of bronchodilator is useful to assess the degree of obstruction.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnostic Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; diagnosis ; Vibration

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem with high prevalence and mortality. A simple and effective tool for COPD assessment is urgently needed in clinical practice. The COPD Assessment Test is a newly developed questionnaire for assessing and monitoring COPD. This simple, highly sensitive, and highly reliable in assessing the patients quality of life and providing information concerning the severity of disease, and therefore can be widely applied.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo improve the understanding of thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma (TNC) by retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 21 cases.

METHODSThe clinical data of 21 patients with TNC treated in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1998 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 12 males and 9 females, with onset age ranging from 13 to 67 years and the mean age of 43 years. The clinical manifestation was diverse, in which the malaise of chest and back accounted for 57.1% (12/21), Cushing's syndrome 33.3% (7/21), multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 accounted for 4.8% (1/21), pharyngeal malaise 4.8%, superior vena cava syndrome 4.8% (1/21) and asymptomatic patients accounted for 4.8% (1/21). Eighteen of them demonstrated metastasis, in which 13 had metastasis to lymph nodes and local vascular invasion, 9 to lung or pleura, 5 to bone, 1 to liver and 1 was recurred in situ. Twenty of them were treated by surgical resection. Eleven of them received radiotherapy and 9 chemotherapy after surgery. One patient was too severe to endure surgery, and was a treated by chemotherapy only.

CONCLUSIONTNC is rare, and its clinical features are complex, with a high level of malignancy. The first choice of treatment is resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy may be applied in patients with metastasis.

Adolescent ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Neoplasms ; secondary ; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; therapy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cushing Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1 ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymectomy ; Thymus Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo detect the in-vitro effects of arbidol hydrochloride against 2009 new influenza virus A (H1N1).

METHODSThe activity of arbidol hydrochloride against 2009 new influenza virus A (H1N1) was determined in MDCK cell cultures. Hemagglutination assay, observation of cytopathic effects, RT-PCR and quantitative RT-PCR tests were performed for determination of virus titers. Inhibition concentration 50% and cytotoxic concentration 50% were calculated with Chou's Menu of Dose-Effect Program.

RESULTSArbidol hydrochloride showed low cytotoxicity (cytotoxic concentration 50%>100 μmol/L)and significant anti-2009 new influenza virus A (H1N1) activity in cell cultures. Inhibition concentration 50% were (5.5 ± 0.9), (3.4 ± 0.8), and (1.5 ± 0.2) μmol/L in hemagglutination assay, cytopathic effect test, and quantitative RT-PCR assay, respectively.

CONCLUSIONArbidol has low cytotoxicity and high anti-virus activity and can effectively trigger the activities of interferon and immune response, and therefore can be a valuable anti-influenza virus drug.

Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; drug effects ; Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells ; Virus Replication ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo improve the diagnosis and treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).

METHODSThe clinical data of four cases of lymphangioleiomyomatosis diagnosed in our hospital were analyzed and corresponding literature was reviewed.

RESULTSLymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare disorder of unknown cause that occured almost exclusively in women of child bearing ages, was characterized microscopically by atypical smooth muscle proliferation. It could occur as a sporadic diseases or as a part of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). LAM was associated with progressive dyspnea, recurrent spontaneous pneumothoraces, chylous effusions, and hamartomas.

CONCLUSIONClinicians should be familiar with the characteristics of LAM so that diagnosis and treatment can be made earlier to improve the prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biopsy, Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Lymphangioleiomyomatosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

METHODSBronchial biopsies and blood specimens were obtained from 8 smokers with stable COPD (COPD group) and 8 nonsmokers with normal lung function (control group). The expressions of NF-kappaB and GCR in nucleus protein of bronchial biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocyte from these two groups were examined by Western blot.

RESULTSThe expressions of GCR in nuclear protein of peripheral blood lymphocyte and the bronchial biopsies, especially in bronchi, were significantly lower in COPD group than in control group (P<0.05, P <0.01). Also, the expressions of NF-kappaB in nuclear proteins of the bronchial biopsies and peripheral blood lymphocyte were significantly higher in COPD group than in control group (P<0.05). The expressions of NF-kappaB and GCR were significantly higher in bronchial biopsies than in peripheral blood lymphocyte in both groups (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONChronic inflammation, especially airway inflammation, still exists in patients with stable COPD, as suggested by the different expressions of GCR and NF-kappaB between COPD patients and normal controls.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; metabolism ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; metabolism

S1 nuclease (from Aspergillus oryzae) is a specific enzyme to degrade single stranded DNA or RNA molecules. It has been reported to be able to convert superhelical circular DNA molecules into open circle or linear forms under certain conditions, but this function has not been well explored. In order to use the action of S1 nuclease to linearize circular DNA and develop a novel way of cloning microcircular DNAs, the pUC19 was used to investigate the relationship between the linearization efficiency of S1 nuclease and the amount of enzyme used. By this way the optimal conditions for linearization of circular DNAs by S1 nuclease would be determined. 0.3u to 17u S1 nuclease per 100ng pUC19 DNA was added into a 25 microL system, respectively, to perform the reaction. The effectiveness of enzyme digestion was realized by electrophoresis in a 1.2% agarose gel. The results showed that along with the increase in enzyme amount from 0.3u to 17u a gradual decrease in the superhelical form, a gradual increase in the linear form and then in the circular form was obvious. The conversion from superhelical form to linear and circular form was directly related to the enzyme amount used. A higher proportion of linear DNA molecules was achieved by using 5 to 17u S1 nuclease per 100ng DNA. Besides, electrophoretic mobility of the S1 nuclease-linearized pUC19 was the same as that of the linear form produced by restriction enzyme digestion. According to the result of phiX174 digested by S1 nuclease it has been proposed that the enzyme cleaves first randomly on one site of one strand, thus converting the superhelical molecules into open circle form, and then on the same site of the complementary strand to produce the linear form. Therefore, the S1 nuclease-linearized DNA molecules are intact in the sense of their length and can be used for cloning. The plasmid-like DNA pC3 from cucumber mitochondria is a double stranded circular DNA molecule with about 550bp and the smallest known plasmid-like DNA in eukaryotic mitochondria. Many attempts have been made to linearize the molecule by using restriction enzymes but failed. Therefore, S1 nuclease was used to linearize pC3 based on the results obtained with pUC19. The linearized pC3 DNA molecules formed a very sharp band in a 2.5% agarose gel after electrophoresis. They were then recovered from the gel, added an "A" tail and ligated with T-vector. After transformation into E. coli JM109 cells, the positive clones were, screened by the blue-white selection. The insert was then cut using restriction enzymes EcoRI and Pst I. The result of electrophoresis shows that the electrophoretic mobility of the insert is just the same as that predicted. A 32 P-labled probe was synthesized using pC3 as the template and Southern blot analysis was carried out. The result shows that the inserted DNA is hybridized to the probe, which indicates that the cloned DNA fragment is from pC3. The sequence information of the insert shows that the plasmid-like DNA pC3 was 537bp in length. The nucleotide sequence was deposited in the GenBank (the accession number is AF522195).
Blotting, Southern ; Cloning, Molecular ; methods ; DNA, Circular ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fungal Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Single-Strand Specific DNA and RNA Endonucleases ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDAmyloidosis is a collection of diseases in which different proteins are deposited. Amyloid deposits occur in systemic and organ-limited forms. In both systemic and localized forms of the disease, lung can be involved. The aim of this study was to explore the different respiratory manifestations of amyloidosis.

METHODSChest radiology, clinical presentations, bronchoscopic/laryngoscopic findings and lung function data of 59 patients with amyloidosis involving respiratory tract collected during January 1986 to March 2005, were analysed.

RESULTSOf the 16 cases with localized respiratory tract amyloidosis, 8 had the lesions in the trachea and the bronchi, 2 in the larynx and the trachea, 5 in the larynx and/or the pharynx, and 1 in the lung parenchyma. Of 43 systemic amyloidosis with respiratory tract involvement, 3 had the lesions in bronchi, 13 in lung parenchyma, 33 in pleura, 8 in mediastina, 1 in nose and 1 in pharynx. Chest X-rays were normal in most cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis. CT, unlike chest X-rays, showed irregular luminal narrowing, airway wall thickening with calcifications and soft tissue shadows in airway lumen. Localized lung parenchymal amyloidosis presented as multiple nodules. Multiple nodular opacities, patch shadows and reticular opacities were the main radiological findings in systemic amyloidosis with lung parenchymal involvement. In pleural amyloidosis, pleural effusions and pleural thickening were detected. Mediastinal and/or hilar adenopathy were also a form of lung involvement in systemic amyloidosis. The major bronchoscopic findings of tracheobronchial amyloidosis were narrowing of airway lumen, while nodular, 'tumour like' or 'bubble like' masses, with missing or vague cartilaginous rings, were detected in about half of the patients.

CONCLUSIONSLocalized respiratory tract amyloidosis mostly affects the trachea and the bronchi. Chest X-rays are not sensitive to detect these lesions. Systemic amyloidosis often involves lung parenchyma and the pleura. Open lung biopsy or pleural biopsy should be performed for the diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Amyloidosis ; complications ; Bronchoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Tract Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo investigate the apoptosis of cortical neurons induced by beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta(1-40)) and the protective effect of panoxadiol.

METHODSThe Abeta(1-40) induced damage of primarily cultured mouse cortical neurons was examined with morphological observation, MTT assay, DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and Western-blot.

RESULTAfter 48 h treated with 12 mumol/L Abeta(1-40), the cortical neurons showed apoptotic characteristics: including decreased OD570 value in MTT assay, DNA cleavage fragment in electrophoresis and increased apoptotic cells. Western-blot showed that the expression of bcl-2 reduced significantly (P<0.05). Cell apoptosis was significantly attenuated in 40 mg/L panoxadiol treated group.

CONCLUSIONPanoxadiol can protect cultured cortical neurons from apoptosis induced by Abeta(1-40) in mice.

Amyloid beta-Peptides ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cerebral Cortex ; cytology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Fetus ; Ginsenosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Neurons ; cytology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Peptide Fragments ; toxicity ; Pregnancy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism