Objective To analyse the personality characteristics of medical undergraduate and graduate newcomers. Methods Cattell 16 Personality Factor Questionnaires (16PF) were employed to assess the personality of 675 undergraduate newcomers (306 males and 369 females) and 155 graduate newcomers (76 males and 79 females),and the results were compared with the established findings of the country. Results Compared with male undergraduate newcomers,the scores of rule-consciousness,self-reliance and environmental adaptation of male graduate newcomers were higher,while those of sensitivity,openness to change,tension,cowardice and bravery were lower (P

Ten isoflavonoids were isolated from the heartwoods of Caragana changduensis Lion f. by means of various column chromatographic techniques. Based on the detailed spectral data analysis (MS and NMR), as well as comparison with the literatures, their chemical structures were determined as 7,2'-dihydroxy-8,4'-dimethoxyisoflavone (1), 4'-hydroxy-7,3'-dimethoxyisoflavone (2), 5, 7, 4'-trihydroxy-2',5'-dimethoxyisoflavone (3), prunetin (4), afrormosin (5), odoratin (6), genistein (7), texasin (8), pratensein (9), and 6,7,3'-trihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone (10). Among them, compounds 1-3 and 9-10 were isolated from the Caragana genus for the first time. All the compounds were obtained from this species for the first time. In the preliminary assays, compounds 1, 2, 6, and 7 possessed significant inhibitory effects on NO production, with IC50 values of 48.12, 25.32, 62.71, 43.59 μmol x L(-1), respectively.
Animals ; Caragana ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Structure ; Nitric Oxide ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; RAW 264.7 Cells

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of hydraulic residence time (HRT) on the performance and stability, to treat dilute wastewater at different operational temperatures in a carrier anaerobic baffled reactor (CABR), and hence to gain a deeper insight into microbial responses to hydraulic shocks on the base of the relationships among macroscopic performance, catabolic intermediate, and microcosmic alternation.

METHODSCOD, VFAs, and microbial activity were detected with constant feed strength (300 mg/L) at different HRTs (9-18 h) and temperatures (10 degrees C-28 degrees C) in a CABR.

RESULTSThe removal efficiencies declined with the decreases of HRTs and temperatures. However, the COD removal load was still higher at short HRT than at long HRT. Devastating reactor performance happened at temperature of 10 degrees C and at HRT of 9 h. HRTs had effect on the VFAs in the reactor slightly both at high and low temperatures, but the reasons differed from each other. Microbial activity was sensitive to indicate changes of environmental and operational parameters in the reactor.

CONCLUSIONThe CABR offers to certain extent an application to treat dilute wastewater under a hydraulic-shock at temperatures from 10 degrees C to 28 degrees C.

Anaerobiosis ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; Biomass ; Bioreactors ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; metabolism ; Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Sewage ; chemistry ; microbiology ; Temperature ; Time Factors ; Waste Disposal, Fluid

OBJECTIVE We have recently reported that cysteinyl leukotriene (CysLT) signaling plays an important role in microglial interleukin (IL)-1β secretion and subsequent neurotoxicity. The present study aimed to examine microglial morphological changes and the upstream molecular underlying IL-1βproduction in CysLT receptor agonist leukotriene D4 (LTD4)-treated BV2 microglia in vitro. METHODS Twenty-four hours after murine microglial BV2 cells were stimulated with LTD4 (1-100 nmol·L- 1), the cell proliferation and morphology were observed. The expression level of cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 1 (CASP1) protein was measured by Western blotin BV2 cells. In addition, BV2 cells were pretreated with or without CysLT1 receptor antagonist montelukast for 1 h and the effects of monte-lukaston LTD4-stimulated microglial activation and CASP1 expression were evaluated. RESULTS The number of BV2 cells had an increasing tendency after 24 h treatment with LTD4, but no significant differences were observed between the control and LTD4-treated cells (P>0.05). Under basal and resting conditions, BV2 microglial cells displayed a ramified morphology. However, LTD4 at 100 nmool · L- 1 drove microglial morphological changes from a ramified towards an amoeboid shape. The expression of CASP1 protein was significantly upregulated in 100 nmool·L-1 LTD4-treated BV2 microglia (P<0.01). Furthermore, pretreatment with CysLT1 receptor antagonist montelukast prevented cell morphological changes and suppressed the increased CASP1 expression in LTD4-treated BV2 cells (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CysLT receptor agonist LTD4 induces morphological changes and CASP1 expressionin BV2 microglia, which can be inhibited by CysLT1 antagonist. These results suggest the involvement of CysLT signaling in microglial morphological changes and CASP1 expression.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of oral propranolol in the treatment of periorbital proliferating phase infantile hemangioma.

METHODSA retrospective review of patient medical records was performed. 12 patients (9 female, 3 male; 1.5-8.5 months, average 3.3 months) with periorbital proliferating phase infantile hemangioma underwent oral propranolol therapy. The dosage was slowly increased to 2 mg/kg daily in divided doses for a mean duration of 16 weeks (range 4 weeks-41 weeks). Therapeutic outcomes and safety were established by evaluating colour, size of lesion, duration of treatment and side-effects of treatment before and after treatment.

RESULTSOf these, 9 had a signification reduction in colour and size of the lesions, 2 had no further growth. 1 is stopped therapy due to hypotension after drug administration. 11 other patients, although mild adverse effects were noted, no symptoms were severe enough to discontinue treatment.

CONCLUSIONSPropranolol appears to be a safe and effective treatment in the management of periorbital proliferating phase infantile hemangioma.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hemangioma ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Orbital Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Propranolol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of 24-hour blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for evaluating the treatment outcome of nerve-mediated syncope (NMS) in children.

METHODSTwenty-eight children with NMS confirmed by a head-up tilt table test (HUTT) (12 males and 16 females, aged 6-13 years) and with a chief complaint of unexplained syncope or pre-syncope between February 2010 and August 2012, were included in the study. These children received health education combined with therapy using oral rehydration salts solution and were then reexamined for clinical symptoms as well as HUTT and ABPM results.

RESULTSOf 28 NMS cases, 22 were vasodepressive type, 5 were mixed type, and 1 was cardioinhibitory type. The follow-up showed that 27 (96%) of all cases had improved clinical symptoms, and 18 (64%) had improved HUTT results. The ABPM follow-up revealed no significant changes in 24-hour mean systolic pressure, 24-hour mean diastolic pressure, daytime mean systolic pressure, daytime mean diastolic pressure, nighttime mean systolic pressure, nighttime mean diastolic pressure, day-night difference of systolic pressure, and day-night difference of diastolic pressure after treatment (P>0.05). The percentage of children with a dipper blood pressure pattern increased from 29% (8/28) before treatment to 50% (14/28) after treatment; the percentage of children with a non-dipper blood pressure pattern decreased from 71% (20/28) before treatment to 50% (14/28) after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSAs an effective, objective and non-invasive monitoring means, ABPM is of some clinical significance for evaluating the treatment outcome of NMS in children.

Adolescent ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Child ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Rehydration Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Syncope ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Tilt-Table Test ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery for general anesthesia.

METHODSForty adult patients scheduled for abdominal surgery were randomly assigned into 2 groups to receive propopol via the common carotid artery (IC group, n=20) or via the median cubital vein (IV group, n=20). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous administration of drugs and maintained with continuous propofol infusion via the common carotid artery or the median cubital vein, with the CSI stabilized at 40-/+5 till the end of the operation. During the anesthesia, intravenous injection of fentanyl (3 microg.kg(-1).h(-1)) and vecuronium (50 microg.kg(-1).h(-1)) were given intermittently to maintain the analgesia and muscular relaxation. The dose of propofol used, hemodynamics and recovery of the patients were observed.

RESULTSThe dose of propofol used during the surgery to maintain a CSI of 40-/+5 was significantly lower in group IC and than in group IV (2.57-/+0.67 vs 5.72-/+1.37 mg.kg(-1).h(-1), P<0.01). In group IC, the blood pressure was elevated in more than half of the patients and in some cases, the elevation exceeded one third of baseline value and needed intervention with hypotensive drugs. In the IV group, the patients' blood pressure remained stable and varied within the amplitude of 15% of the baseline level. Recovery of spontaneous breathing and consciousness was more quickly in group IC than in group IV (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONLoss of consciousness and nervous reflex can be achieved with propofol infusion via the common carotid artery, which reduces propofol dose by about 50% in comparison with intravenous infusion and allows more rapid recovery of spontaneous breath and consciousness.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Analgesics, Opioid ; administration & dosage ; Anesthesia, General ; methods ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Female ; Fentanyl ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nicotinic Antagonists ; administration & dosage ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; Treatment Outcome ; Vecuronium Bromide ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo study the time-dependent heart rate (HR) variability in the head-up tilt test (HUTT) in children with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and to explore the HR diagnostic criteria for POTS in children.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 105 children diagnosed with POTS with HR≥120 beats per minute (bpm) within the first 10 minutes of HUTT between January 2007 and December 2014. Their HR variability within the first 10 minutes of HUTT was analyzed.

RESULTSThe HR of children with POTS increased gradually from the supine position to a 60° head-up tilt position, and the increase in HR was 24±12 bpm at the beginning of HUTT, 30±14 bpm at 3 minutes of HUTT, 32±13 bpm at 5 minutes of HUTT, and 38±12 bpm at 10 minutes of HUTT. The average maximal HR increase within the first 10 minutes of HUTT was 43±10 bpm.

CONCLUSIONSIn children with POTS, the HR variability gradually increases with time, and therefore, it is suggested that HR increase ≥40 bpm is more suitable for diagnosis of POTS in children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Tilt-Table Test

OBJECTIVETo discuss the experiences of diagnosis and treatment for vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting-tumors (VIPoma) by summarizing clinical informations of 15 patients with VIPoma.

METHODSTo analyze Clinical manifestations, laboratory examinations, imaging features, operation, pathological findings and follow up survey of 15 patients, among them 1 case from our hospital and the other 14 cases were searched in chinese biological and medical literature database from Jan 1987 to Dec 2002.

RESULTSThe main clinical manifestation include periodical secretory watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, achlorhydria, in addition, periodical backache, skin rash, and polyps of colon were presented in the case in our hospital. The immunohistochemical expression of many kinds of digestive hormone including VIP presented positive; All clinical symptoms of which except polyps disappeared after operation, elevated VIP data in serum also markedly decreased. Part resection of superior mesenteric vein was performed in the same patient.

CONCLUSIONSVIPoma is rare. Typical symptoms and the serum value of VIP were keys to diagnosis, the operation is the most effective means for treatment. Resection of tumor, Radiofrequency tissue ablation, liver transplantation can be selected for metastatic VIPoma in the liver.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; secretion ; Vipoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical significance of changes in T wave and ST segment amplitudes on electrocardiogram (ECG) from supine to standing position in children with unexplained chest tightness or pain in resting stage.

METHODSA total of 122 6-14-year-old children with a chief complaint of unexplained chest tightness or pain (resting stage) underwent head-up tilt test (HUTT). According to HUTT results, these children were divided into HUTT-positive (n=61) and HUTT-negative groups (n=61). They underwent 12-lead ECG in the supine and standing positions, and heart rate and T wave and ST segment amplitudes in II, III, aVF and V5 leads were measured.

RESULTSIn the HUTT-negative group, heart rates were significantly higher in the standing position than in the supine position (P<0.05), T wave amplitudes in II, III, aVF, and V5 leads were significantly lower in the standing position than in the supine position (P<0.05), and ST segment amplitudes in II, aVF and V5 leads were significantly higher in the standing position than in the supine position (P<0.05). In the HUTT-positive group, heart rates were significantly higher in the standing position than in the supine position (P<0.05), T wave amplitudes in II, III, aVF and V5 leads were significantly lower in the standing position than in the supine position (P<0.05), and ST segment amplitude in V5 lead was significantly higher in the standing position than in the supine position (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to ST segment amplitude and T wave amplitude in II, III and aVF leads of the supine or standing position (P>0.05). Compared with the HUTT-negative group, the HUTT-positive group had significantly greater T wave amplitude differences in II, III, aVF and V5 leads, and heart rate difference from supine to standing position (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAmong the children with unexplained chest tightness or pain in resting stage, T wave amplitude differences in II, III, aVF and V5 leads and heart rate difference from supine to standing position are greater in the HUTT-positive group than in the HUTT-negative group. This suggests that the changes in T wave amplitude on ECG from supine to standing position can indicate autonomic nervous system dysfunction.

Adolescent ; Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Chest Pain ; physiopathology ; Child ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Posture ; Supine Position ; Tilt-Table Test