Quite recently,among new emerging contaminants,pharmaceutical and personal care products(PPCPs)and their active metabolites are an emerging environmental issue,due to their presence in the aquatic environment and potential for impacts on wildlife and humans.Carbamazepine is one of the most frequently and at the relatively high concentration levels detected pharmaceuticals in surface water and even in drinking water.Moreover,this drug has displayed high chronic ecotoxicity.A strain of carbamazepine-degrading bacterium was isolated from activated sludge treating pharmaceutical wastewater in Suzhou,China.It was identified as Acinetobacter sp.HY-7,based on biochemical test,16S rRNA and gyrB gene se-quence analysis.Strain HY-7 could grow in liquid mineral salt medium with carbamazepine as sole source of carbon,nitrogen and energy.HPLC analysis revealed the carbamazepine degradation percentage by HY-7 after 10 days was 48% at pH 6.0 and 25?C.Among carbamazepine and the similar structure compounds,in-dole,catechol,naphthalene,anthracene could also be utilized by strain HY-7 for growth,which exhibited a very broad substrate profile.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the features and treatment of male infertility induced by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and compare the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for infertile men with ADPKD and those with congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens (CBAVD).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 21 cases of ADPKD-induced infertility, 15 treated by ICSI (group A), and another 164 cases of strictly matched CBAVD-induced infertility (group B). We compared the two groups in the couples' age, the number of ICSI oocytes, and the rates of fertilization, transferrable embryos, good embryos, embryos implanted, clinical pregnancy, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, singleton and twins in the first cycle.

RESULTSAfter 28 cycles of ICSI, 10 of the 15 ADPKD-induced infertility patients achieved clinical pregnancy, including 7 cases of live birth, 1 case of spontaneous abortion, and 2 cases of pregnancy maintenance. No significant differences were observed between groups A and B in the couples' age, the wives' BMI, or the numbers of ICSI oocytes and embryos transplanted (P >0.05), nor in the rates of ICSI fertilization (72.64% vs 76.17%), transferrable embryos (51.28% vs 63.24%), quality embryos (38.46% vs 49.83%), embryo implantation (17.64% vs 38.50%), abortion (0 vs 9.23%), singleton (50% vs 81.54%) and twins (50% vs 18.46%). However, the rates of clinical pregnancy (13.33% vs 42.68%, P = 0.023 <0.05) and biochemical pregnancy (13.33% vs 39.63%, P = 0.032 <0.05) were significantly lower in group A than in B.

CONCLUSIONICSI is effective in the treatment of male infertility induced by either ADPKD or CBAVD, but the ADPKD cases have a lower success rate than the CBAVD cases in an individual cycle. The affected couples should be informed of the necessity of prenatal genetic diagnosis before embryo implantation and the inevitable vertical transmission of genetic problems to the offspring.

Abortion, Spontaneous ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; therapy ; Male ; Male Urogenital Diseases ; therapy ; Oocytes ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Dominant ; complications ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities

Objective To investigate the feasibility of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide- enhanced(USPIO)-enhanced MR imaging for monitoring synovitis of antigen-induced arthritis in rabbit model and explore the optimal MR imaging sequences.Methods Nine female white rabbits with antigen(0.5 ml mBSA,2 mg/ml)induced arthritis of the right knees were used in the study.The left knees of these rabbits and both knees of another 3 rabbits served as the control.Nine to 28 days(mean 21.3 d)after successful model induction,all knees were imaged before and 24 h after intravenously injection of USPIO (0.3 ml/kg),among which 2 rabbits were also imaged at 48 and 72 h after administration of USPIO respectively.The MR protocol included spin-echo(SE) T_1WI,fast spin-echo(FSE)T_2WI,gradient echo (GRE)T_2~* WI and short tau inversion recovery(STIR).Images were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively based on signal characteristics and patterns of the synovium.Paired t-test was used for the analysis of the signal intensity of inflammatory synovial membrane before and 24 h after injection of USPIO. MR findings were correlated with histopathology.Results Arthritis was successfully induced in all 9 right knees with intraarticular injection of mBSA.Pathological examination revealed hyperplasia of synovium with infiltration of USPIO-loaded-macrophages.MR depicted synovial thickening(thickness 2.07?0.97 mm) and joint effusion.Synovium and joint fluid appeared as slightly hypo- or iso-intense on T_1 WI and hyper- intense on T_2 WI or T_2~* WI.Twenty four hours after USPIO injection,significant T_1 enhancement(ASNR 41.91%?27.94%),negative T_2 and T_2~* enhancement(△SNR -34.92%?11.77% and -57.24%? 16.05%)were demonstrated in the region of synovial inflammation respectively.The signal at 48 h and 72 h changed less than that at hour 24.No signs of arthritis occurred in all left knees and in all knees of the artificial model group.Conclusion Iron oxide phagocytized into macrophages can be a root cause resulted in signal change on USPIO-enhanced MR images.The gradient echo sequence should be the optimal sequence to be used in USPIO-enhanced MR imaging in antigen-induced arthritis.

BACKGROUND:C2 transpedicle screw fixation for Hangman fractures has been paid more attention due to reliability and no loss of physiological function.However,there are lacks of biomechanical evidences for indication treatment because the fixation is single segmental.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biomechanical stability of C2 transpedicle screw fixation for Hangman fractures.DESIGN,TIME and SEITING:This was a contrast study which was performed at the General Key Laboratory of Biomechanics,First Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from May to August 2004.MATERIALS:AO-universal titanium alloy transpedicle screw of 18 25 mm in length and 3.5 mm in diameter was adopted in this study.Six fresh C1-C4 cervical vetebrae samples were ordiually made into type Ⅰ,ⅡA,and Ⅱ Hangman fracture models.METHODS:After transpedicle screw fixation.Hangman fracture models were measured by non-destroyed style with spinal anterior flexion/posterior extension,left/right lateral curvature,and left/right axial direction.Loading/unlonding circulation was performed three times during each testing.Kinematics indicators were measured on the 3rd circulation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Spinal motor images at zero load and maximal load were obtained with laser photoscanning(0.1% in precision),and the corresponding systematic software was adopted to calculate 3D range of movement.RESULTS:The relative stability of type Ⅰ Hangman fracture models after C2 transpedicle screw fixation was 100.62%(inflexion),96.91%(posterior extension),99.19%(lateral curvature),and 97.12%(rotation)as compared to control group (P＞0.05).The relative stability of type Ⅱ Hangman fracture models after C2 transpedicle screw fixation was 47.84%(inflexion),21.29%(posterior extension),65.98%(lateral curvature),and 41.69%(rotation)as compared to control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Biochemical evaluation suggests that type Ⅰ and Ⅱ A Hangman fractures do fit for C2 transpedicle screw fixation,and the fixation may generate well physiological fixation or stability.However,stability of type Ⅱ Hangman fracture is poor,so it is not suitably adopted single transpedicle screw fixation.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of trimebutine combined with Xiangsha Pingwei in the treatment of functional dyspepsia and its effect on gastrointestinal hormone.Methods One hundred and twenty cases of functional dyspepsia were randomly divided into the control group and observation group,60 cases in each group.The control group was treated with trimebutine 0.2 g,3 times/d and the observation group was treated with trimebutine 0.2 g,3 times/d and Xiangsha Pingwei 10 g,2 times/d.Both groups were treated for four weeks,a course of treatment.Clinical efficacy and the influence on gastrointestinal hormone levels were compared between the two groups.Results The symptoms scores in both groups all decreased significantly after treatment.While the postprandial fullness scores,early satiety scores and epigastric pain scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (0.62±0.12 vs.1.85±0.25,0.56±0.14 vs.1.46±0.21,0.48±0.15 vs.1.32±0.12,t=34.36,27.62,33.87,P<0.05).The total effective rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (90.00% vs.73.33%,χ2=5.57,P<0.05).MOT and GAS levels in both groups increased significantly.While MOT and GAS levels in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (MOT: (355.2±78.1) ng/L vs.(288.7±82.4) ng/L;GAS:(96.5±17.6) ng/L vs.(88.4±16.0) ng/L,t=4.54,2.64,P<0.05).The somatostatin (SS) level in both groups decreased significantly.While the SS level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group ((41.1±11.1) ng/L vs.(48.9±12.9) ng/L,t=3.55,P<0.05).Conclusion Trimebutine combined with Xiangsha Pingwei can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and gastrointestinal hormone in patients with functional dyspepsia.

[Objective To explore the effect of problem-based learning(PBL) in biochemistry teaching in medical college. Methods Totally 128 students(2011 grade) of medical laboratory major were derived into experiment group(n=64)and control group(n=64). Lecture-based learning(LBL) was used in control group and PBL was used in experiment group.In control group,teachers did teaching design according to the needs of curriculum standards,employed multimedia courseware,explained the basic content of each chapter,class exercises and homework after class. In experimental group,PBL was conducted through establishing biochemistry teaching website based on school's teaching platform. Teach-ing process in experiment group included:grouping-selecting appropriate cases-consulting data-group discussing-summarizing by teachers. Theory test was carried out after the course and questionnaire was conducted for students in experiment group . Data were analyzed using the independent sample t test . Results Average test scores were higher in PBL group than in traditional group,with statistically signif-icant differences[(83.15±11.87)vs. (76.15±12.48)]. Questionnaire survey showed that more than 90.0%students in experiment group were interested in the PBL teaching method and thought that the PBL teach-ing method can enhance the enthu-siasm of learning, independent learning ability and comprehensive analysis ability. Conclusions PBL teaching method can improve the quality and the effect of biochemi-stry teaching and culture students' comprehensive ability. It is worthy of further study and popularization.

Exosomes, small vesicles of endocytic origin, have attracted attention in bone regeneration field. The vesicles travel between cells and deliver functional cargoes like proteins and RNAs, thereby regulating targeted cells dif-ferentiation, commitment, function, and proliferation. Exosomes directly regulate MSCs into the osteoblastic lineage, stimulate bone regeneration by directly regulating osteoblast proliferation and activity, regulate osteoclast maturation and activity and stimulate bone growth and regeneration by increasing vessel formation. Meantime, exosomes resolves toxicity and immunogenicity problems caused by biomaterial treatment. Furthermore, compared with living cell trans-plantation, exosomes present a lower risk for severe complication(such as tumors, emboli formation).

Objective To assess the feasibility of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for monitoring the phagocytic activity in the brain tissue of rats following focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups, namely 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining group (n=4), sham-operated group (n=6), and 3 cerebral IR injury groups with reperfusion time of 24, 48, and 72 h (n=10). USPIO was intravenously injected after focal cerebral IR injury, and MRI was performed at 24, 48, and 72 h after the reperfusion. The rats were sacrificed at 24, 48 and 72 h, and frozen sections of the local brain tissues were prepared to observe the cell death with HE staining, iron particle distribution with Prussian blue staining and the activity of the macrophages by CD68 immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescent labeling. Results The ischemic lesions were identified as hyperintense area on T2-weighted images (T2WI) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). The accumulation of USPIO appeared as hyperintense areas on T1WI and hypointense area on T2WI. The maximum signal change was observed at 24 h on T1WI (1.60±0.28) and at 48 h on T2WI (0.92±0.17) (P<0.05), and at each of the time points, the enhancement was significantly greater on T1WI than on T2WI (P<0.05). No obvious signal changes were found in the control group. Prussian blue staining detected iron oxide particles in both the peripherals of the ischcmic region and the necrotic area. A similar distribution pattern of the macrophagcs or activated microglia was found by CD68 immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescent labeling. Conclusion USPIO-cnhanced MRI allows dynamic monitoring of the inflammatory reaction in the local brain tissues aftcr focal cerebral IR injury.

Tardive tremor is an infrequently form of tardive syndrome that is developed from prolonged treatment with dopamine receptor blocking agents. This condition presents as a prominent tremor that may cause significant distress but currently lacks effective treatment. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been applied to treat tardive syndrome. In this study, we report a 74-year-old female patient with major depressive disorder, whose tardive tremor and depressive symptoms showed remarkable improvement after receiving 10 sessions of ECT treatment.

AIMTo discover new drugs which may be applied to diseases of the immune system, hemogenesis system diseases and tumors, several high-throughput drug screening cell models based on JAK-STAT signal pathway have been established.

METHODSFour repeats of STAT DNA binding conserved sequences were synthesized, subcloned into pGL-Luc reporter vector and stably transfected into cell lines in vitro. Cell clones with high copy numbers of STAT binding sites and reporter genes were chosen as high-throughput drug screening cell models. The cell models were tested with known anti-allergic drugs and anti-tumor drugs by determining luciferase activity. The reaction was performed in 96 well micro-plates with a final volume of 50 microL.

RESULTSThe cell models by performing rapid fluorescence assay were shown to be highly sensitive and stable after testing with cytokine and drugs. The modification of the expression plasmid simplified this method and made it more practical. It also provided good linear correlation, wide range of assay, highly sensitive and good reproducibility.

CONCLUSIONThe method can be performed by high-throughput drug screening for effective extraction of Chinese traditional herbs.

Anti-Allergic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Janus Kinase 2 ; Jurkat Cells ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Luciferases ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured