Objective To study the biological exposure limit in bone metabolism damage caused by coexposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning in exposed population.Methods One hundred and ninety-eight cases of fluoride and arsenic co-exposed people from Liuchang village,Qinzhen city,Guizhou province were enrolled in the study.Urinary fluorine (UF),urinary arsenic (UAs),urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP),ross-linked Ntelopeptides of type Ⅰ collagen(UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected.BMDS Version 2.1 software was used to calculate UF,UAs benchmark dose (BMD) and its lower confidence limit (BMDL) on the damage of bone metabolism caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning.Results The BMD and BMDL range of UF caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning were 0.68-1.35 mg/g Cr,0.57-1.11 mg/g Cr.The BMD and BMDL range of UAs caused by co-exposure to fluorine and arsenic from coal burning were 8.36-18.77 μg/g Cr,7.12-15.40 μg/g Cr.Conclusion The biological exposure limits of UF and UAs for bone metabolism toxicity are proposed as 0.57 mg/g Cr and 7.12 μg/g Cr in co-exposure to fluoride and arsenic from coal burning,respectively.

Objective To explore the effect of fluoride and arsenic pollution on bone metabolism in exposed population. Methods One hundred and fifty-two fluoride and arsenic exposed people were selected from Jiaole village, Yuzhang town, Xingron county, Guizhou province in 2006, and 59 not exposed people from Daguoduo village 13 km away from Jiaole village were selected as control. Urinary fluorine(UF), urinary arsenic (UAs), urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP), cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected. Results The main effect of fluoride on UHYP and UNTX were statistically significant (F = 9.785, 4.225, P < 0.01 ), but was not significant on STI(F = 0.183, P > 0.05). The main effect of arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F = 2.660, P < 0.05 ), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F = 2.012, 0.183,all P > 0.05). The interaction between fluoride and arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F= 2.429, P <0.01), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F= 1.218, 1.001, all P> 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride exposure can affect the metabolism of collagen and bone resorption, and Arsenic exposure main affect bone resorption, fluoride and arsenic co-exposure have more significant effect on bone resorption. UNTX may be used as biological biomarker of bone metabolism for population co-exposed to fluoride and arsenic in health monitoring.

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol on nNOS expression after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats and the possible mechanism of protective effect of propofol on brain. Method Seventy-eight male Wistar rats, weighting 250 ~ 300 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups:(1)Sham operation group (S group, n=6) was performed with scham operation; (2) Ischemia-reperfusion group (group I-R, n=36) was subjected to 2-hour right middle cerebral artery occlusion and then reperfusion was followed, saline (1 mg/kg) was injected into the right lateral cerebral ventricle using microsyringe before reperfusion;(3) Propefol group (group P, n=36) was injected with propofol (1mg/kg) into the right lateral cerebral ventricle using microsyringe right after ischemia. Group I-R and group P were divided into 3 subgroups according to the reperfusion time: 1 h, 3 h and 6 h. The neurological function of all rats were tested before reperfusion. The cerebral infarction area of the whole brain was calculated with TIC staining (n=6). The pathological change of brain was observed from HE staining (n=6) and the nNOS protein expression was obtained by immuno- histochemical method (n=6). Results Compared with I-R group, the neurological function was better in group P(P

OBJECTIVETo explore the application value of morphology assessment of sperm from fresh semen in routine in vitro fertilization (IVF).

METHODSWe analyzed the morphology of the sperm from fresh or optimized semen samples and, based on the sperm morphology of the raw semen, allocated 908 IVF cycles due to the pure tubal factor to different groups: morphologically normal sperm (MNS) ≤ 4%, > 4% - ≤ 15%, and > 15% in Trial 1 and MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, > 2% - ≤ 3%, and > 3%-- ≤ 4% in Trial 2. We compared the rates of fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, -blastocyst formation, and pregnancy among different groups.

RESULTSThe total fertilization rate was significantly lower in the MNS ≤ 4% than in the MNS > 4% - ≤ 15% and >15% groups (74.40% vs 78.61% and 80.03%, P < 0.01). Compared with the MNS ≤ 1%, > 1% - ≤ 2%, and > 2% - ≤ 3% groups, the MNS > 3% - ≤ 4% group showed remarkably increased rates of 2PN normal fertilization (77.23%, 78.97% and 78.99% vs 85.47%, P < 0.01), cleavage (95.71%, 96.01% and 97.27% vs 98.73%, P < 0.05), and blastocyst formation (53.85%, 49.01% and 49.55% vs 63.41%, P < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed in the rates of clinical pregnancy, implantation, early abortion, live birth, or malformation at birth among different groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMNS ≤ 4% affected the total rate of fertilization while MNS ≤ 3% reduced the rate of normal fertilization in IVF. However, even MNS ≤ 1% did not result in fertilization disorder or failure. Therefore, teratozoospermia alone was not an indicator of ICSI and sperm mor- phology assessment had no obvious value for predicting the rates of embryo quality, clinical pregnancy, and live birth in IVF.

Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Spermatozoa ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo explore evolution rules of phlegm and blood stasis syndrome ( PBSS) in hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis (AS) using NMR-based metabolic profiling and metabonomic approaches based on formulas corresponding to syndrome.

METHODSTotally 150 SD rats were divided into the normal group, the model group, the Erchen Decoction (ED) group, the Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XZD) group, the Lipitor group, 30 in each group. The hyperlipidemia and AS rat model was duplicated by suturing carotid artery, injecting vitamin D3, and feeding with high fat diet. ED and XZD were used as drug probes. Blood samples were withdrawn at week 2, 4, and 8 after modeling. Blood lipids, blood rheology, histopathology and metabolomics were detected and analyzed. Results Results of blood lipids and pathology showed hyperlipidemia and early AS rat models were successfully established. At week 2 after modeling, levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) significantly increased, which reached the peak at week 4 and maintained at higher levels at week 8. ED exerted obvious effect in improving TC and LDL-C levels of early models, while XZD could greatly improve levels of TC and LDL-C of late models. Rheological results showed at week 2, there was no significant difference in whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, or hematocrit between the model group and the normal group (P > 0.05). At week 4 partial hemorheological indicators (such as plasma viscosity) were abnormal. Till week 8 whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and hematocrit were significantly abnormal (P <0. 05, P < 0.01). As time went by, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and hematocrit showed gradual increasing tendency in the ED group, while they showed gradual decreasing tendency in the XZD group. Results of metabonomics showed significant difference in spectra of metabolites between the normal group and the model group. As modeling time was prolonged, contents of acetyl glucoprotein and glucose in the model group increased in late stage, which was in. line with results of blood lipids and hemorheology. ED showed more obvious effect in early and mid-term modeling (at week 2 and 4), and increased contents of partial metabolites (such as choline, phosphatidyl choline, glycerophosphocholine), but these changes in the XZD group were consistent with those of the model group. In late modeling (at week 8) XZD showed more obvious effect in improving contents of lactic acid, acetyl glycoprotein, LDL, creatine, choline, and glucose.

CONCLUSIONSED and XZD not only showed regulatory effects on lipid disorders, but also could improve dysbolism of Chos. In formulas corresponding to syndrome, damp-phlegm was main pathogenesis of hyperlipidema and AS in early and mid stages. Blood stasis syndrome began to occur along with it progressed. Phlegm can result in blood stasis and intermingles with stasis. Phlegm turbidity runs through the whole process.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Hemorheology ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipids ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metabolome ; physiology ; Metabolomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sputum ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDThere are few effective methods for treating injuries to the lower trunk of brachial plexus, and the curative effect is usually poor. The purpose of this study was to provide anatomic references for transferring the brachialis muscle branch of musculocutaneous nerve (BMBMCN) for selective neurotization of finger flexion in brachial plexus lower trunk injury, and to evaluate its clinical curative effects.

METHODSMicroanatomy and measurement were done on 50 limbs from 25 adult human cadavers to observe the origin, branch, type of the BMBMCN and median nerve, as well as their adjacent structures. Internal topographic features of the fascicular groups of the median nerve at the level of the BMBMCN were observed. In addition, the technique of BMBMCN transfer for selective neurotization of finger flexion of the median nerve was designed and tested in 6 fresh adult human cadavers. Acetylcholinesterase (AchE) staining of the BMBMCN and median nerve was done to observe the features of the nerve fibers. This technique was clinically tried to restore digital flexion in 6 cases of adult brachial plexus lower trunk injury. These cases were followed up for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. Recovery of function, grip strength, nerve electrophysiology and muscle power of the affected limbs were observed and measured.

RESULTSThe brachialis muscle was totally innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN). Based on the Hunter's line, the level of the origin of the BMBMCN was (13.18 +/- 2.77) cm. AchE histochemical staining indicated that the BMBMCN were totally made up of medullated nerve fibers. At the level of the BMBMCN, the median nerve consistently collected into three fascicular groups as shown by microanatomy in combination with AchE stain. The posterior fascicular group was mainly composed of anterior interosseous nerves and branches to the palmaris longus. The technique was tested in six fresh cadavers successfully, except that stoma split occurred in one case. Five of the six cases recovered digital flexion 12 months after operation, and at the same time grip strength, muscle power, and nerve electrophysiology also recovered markedly.

CONCLUSIONSThe technique of transferring the BMBMCN for selective neurotization of finger flexion is anatomically safe and effective, with satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Acetylcholinesterase ; analysis ; Adult ; Brachial Plexus ; anatomy & histology ; injuries ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; surgery ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculocutaneous Nerve ; transplantation ; Nerve Transfer ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) is widely applied for the treatment of end-stage painful hip arthrosis. Traditional THA needed a long incision and caused significant soft tissue trauma. Patients usually required long recovery time after the operation. In this research we aimed to study the feasibility and clinical outcomes of minimally invasive two-incision THA.

METHODSFrom February 2004 to March 2005, 27 patients, 12 males and 15 females with a mean age of 71 years (55 - 76), underwent minimally invasive two-incision THA in our department. The patients included 9 cases of osteoarthritis, 10 cases of osteonecrosis, and 8 cases of femoral neck fracture. The operations were done with VerSys cementless prosthesis and minimally invasive instruments from Zimmer China. Operation time, blood loss, length of incision, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were observed.

RESULTSThe mean operation time was 90 minutes (80 - 170 min). The mean blood loss was 260 ml (170 - 450 ml) and blood transfusion was carried out in 4 cases of femoral neck fracture (average 400 ml). The average length of the anterior incision was 5.0 cm (4.6 - 6.5 cm) and of the posterior incision 3.7 cm (3.0 - 4.2 cm). All of the patients were ambulant the day after surgery. Nineteen patients were discharged 5 days post-operatively and 8 patients 7 days post-operatively. The patients were followed for 18 months (13 - 25 months). One patient was complicated by a proximal femoral fracture intraoperatively. No other complications, including infections, dislocations, and vascular injuries, occurred. The mean Harris score was 94.5 (92 - 96).

CONCLUSIONSTwo-incision THA has the advantage of being muscle sparing and minimally invasive with less blood loss and rapid recovery. However, this technique is time consuming, technically demanding, and requires fluoroscopy.

Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; methods ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

AIMTo study the metabolic kinetics of MN9202 in Beagle dog liver microsome.

METHODSBeagle dog liver microsomes were prepared by using ultracentrifuge method. After incubating 0.4 micromol x L(-1) MN9202 with 1 g x L(-1) microsomes for 30 min at 37 degrees C, the reaction was terminated by adding 0.5 mL alkalization. The RP-HPLC was used to determine the drug in the incubation mixture. The Michaelis-Menten parameters Km, and Vmax in Beagle dog liver microsomes were initially estimated by analyzing Lineweave-Brurk plot. Various selective CYP inhibitors were used to investigate their inhibitory effect on the metabolism of MN9202.

RESULTSThe Km, Vmax and CLint of MN9202 were (22.6 +/- 8.0) micromol x L(-1), (0.54 +/- 0.17) micromol x g(-1) x min(-1) and (0.0242 +/- 0.0009) L x g(-1) x min(-1), respectively. The metabolism of MN9202 was significantly inhibited by ketoconazole (Ket) and troleandomycin (Tro) in Beagle dog liver microsomes. Tranylcypromine (Tra) could inhibit the metabolism of drug as well. While other inhibitors showed little inhibitory effect on the metabolism of MN9202.

CONCLUSIONIt was shown that CYP3A and CYP2C19 were involved in MN9202 metabolism. The inhibitors of human CYP3A and CYP2C19 may have potential interaction with MN9202, and this can reduce the metabolism rate and increase the toxicity of MN9202.

Animals ; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inhibitors ; Dihydropyridines ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Dogs ; Ketoconazole ; pharmacology ; Microsomes, Liver ; metabolism ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Nitrobenzenes ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Tranylcypromine ; pharmacology ; Troleandomycin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effects of antisense bicistronic recombinant adenovirus vector of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas) on polyamine biosynthesis,proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells.

METHODSAdenovirus-mediated gene transduction efficiency was assessed with counting GFP-positive cells using trypan blue. Western Blot and HPLC were used to detect ODC and S-AdoMetDC expression and polyamine content in A-549 cells respectively. Viable cell counting and cell cycle analysis were adopted to evaluate cell growth and cell cycle distribution, and A-549 cell invasion in vitro was detected with Matrigel invasion assay.

RESULTSApproximate 75% of A-549 cells were infected with Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas when multiplicity of infection reached 50. Our study demonstrated that Ad-ODC-AdoMetDCas vector-mediated gene transfer inhibited tumor cell growth through the blockade of polyamine synthesis pathway. The tumor cells were arrested at cell cycle G1 phase after gene transfer. Gene transferred tumor cells were shown to possess markedly decreased invasiveness.

CONCLUSIONAd-ODC-AdoMetDCas has significant inhibitory effects on lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion and bears therapeutic potential for the treatment of lung cancer.

Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Ornithine Decarboxylase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polyamines ; metabolism ; RNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of puerarin on the neural function and the histopathological changes after ischemic spinal cord injury in rabbits.

METHODSThirty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups as follows: puerarin group (n=10) receiving intravenous infusion of 30 mg/kg puerarin for 10 minutes, control group (n=10) receiving intravenous infusion of the same volume of normal saline as puerarin for 10 minutes, and sham operation group (n=10) undergoing only the surgical exposure of the abdominal aorta. Temporary spinal cord ischemia was induced by infrarenal aortic occlusion for 20 minutes and followed by reperfusion. The neural status was scored with the Tarlov criteria at 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion. All the animals were killed at 48 hours after reperfusion and the spinal cords (L5) were removed immediately for histopathological study.

RESULTSThe neural function scores at 8, 12, 24 and 48 hours after reperfusion were higher in the puerarin group and sham operation group than those in the control group (P<0.05). More normal motor neurons in the anterior horn of spinal cord were present in the puerarin group and sham operation group than those in the control group (P<0.01). There was a strong correlation between the final neural function scores and the number of normal motor neurons in the anterior horn of spinal cord (r=0.839, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSPuerarin can significantly ameliorate the neural function and the histopathological damages after transient spinal cord ischemia in rabbits.

Animals ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Motor Neurons ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Spinal Cord Ischemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology