Objective To investigate and evaluate the polymorphism distribution of arsenic(+3 oxidation state)methyhransferase(AS3MT)5'-UTR VNTR in Chinese populations.Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood anti-coagulated with ACD of 1440 individuals in a standard phenol-chloroform protocol.The phenotypes of AS3MT 5'-UTR VNTR were determined by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)associated with agarose gel electrophoresis.Results Of the 1440 individuals,771(53.5%),426(29.6%),211(14.7%),16(1.1%)and 16(1.1%)were carriers of the V2/V3(AB/A2B),V3/V3(A2B/A2B),V2/V2(AB/AB),V2/V4(AB/A3B)and V3/V4(A2B/A3B)genotype,respectively.The AB(V2),A2B(V3)and A3B(V4)allele frequency was 41.9%,57.0%,1.1%respectively.The differences of AB(V2)and A2B(V3)allele frequency were all significant between the northern and southern populations respectively(χ2=23.39,χ2=33.28,P＜0.007).Conclusions In different regions the AB(V2)and A2B(V3)allele frequency is different,the AS3MT 5'-UTR VNTR polymorphism can be used to evaluate the susceptivity of arsenieosis.

Objective To investigate subacute exposure of airborne particulate matter (PM) on pregnancy and fetal development in female mice. Methods Forty female and forty male ICR adult mice group (A), small (B) , middle (C) , large (D) or overdose (E) PM challenge groups (n = 8 - 11), and were administered with 30 μl of phosphate buffered solution (A) or resuspended standard PM SRM 1649a at 0.09 (B), 0.52 (C), 1.85 (D) or 69.2 (E) μg/μl, once per trid from d 0 till d 19 of pregnancy via instillation onto the base of the tongue. Fetal mice were harvested by cesarean section at the time when spontaneous delivery occurred. Body weight of the pregnant mice, gestational days, intrauterine survival and growth, hepatic and pneumonic histopathological changes of the fetal mice were investigated. Lung/body and liver/body weight ratios were calculated. Expressions of mRNA and protein of CYP1A1 in the fetal lung and CYP1 A2 in the fetal liver were assayed. Results (1) All of the pregnant mice survived pregnancy throughout the entire experiment. Body weight of the pregnant mice was not significantly different among all the groups at gestational d 1 and 7 (P ＞ 0.05), but significantly lower in group E [(41.8 ± 5.8) and (48.9 ± 8.9) g] than in group A [(45.9 ± 1.8) and (56.2 ± 4.9) g] at gestational d 14 and 18 (P ＜0.05). The gestational days were significantly decreased in group E [(19.3 ± 1.3) d] when compared with group A [(20.5 ± 0.7) d; P ＜ 0.05] and were not significantly different among groups A, B, C and D (P ＞ 0.05). Lung/body and liver/body weight ratios of the fetal mice were significantly increased in group E [(1.21 ±0.18) and (4.68 ±0.21)%] as compared with groups A, B, C and D (P＜0.05). (2)Mortality rates of the fetuses were significantly higher in group E (23.0%) than in groups A (0.8%), B (0.9%), C (1.7%) and D (3.7%) (P ＜ 0.05), but were not significantly different among groups A,B, C and D (P ＞ 0.05) despite of an increasing tendency. (3) Pathological changes in the liver and lung of the fetuses were conspicuous in group E. The fetal liver injury was histopathologically evidenced by deranged tissue structure, degenerated parenchyma of hepatic cells, and mildly stained cytoplasm. Adipose degeneration was represented by clear-boundary intracytoplasmic vacuoles in most of the liver cells, and cell pyknosis with heavily stained cytoplasm was observed in some of the liver cells. Inflammatory cell infiltration and focal necrosis were occasionally found in the hepatic tissue. The fetal lung exhibited bronchiole with narrow lumina, vascular engorgement in the submucosal layer, interstitial and alveolar edema, thickened alveolar septum, granulocyte and lymphocyte infiltrations within the pulmonary alveoli and around the bronchioles. The above pathological changes were lesser in groups C and D, and were not or least found in groups A and B. (4) Protein expressions of CYP1A1 in the fetal lung and CYP1A2 in the fetal liver were significantly increased in group E (1.20 ± 0.40 and 2.55 ± 0.89) when compared with group A (0.77 ±0.36 and 2.08 ±0.31) (P ＜ 0.05). mRNA expressions of CYP1A1 in the fetal lung were significantly increased in groups C (0.36 ±0.12), D (0.41 ±0.08) and E (0.43 ±0.11) compared with group A (0.21 ±0.10), and significantly increased in groups D and E compared with group B (0.28 ±0.10,P＜0.05). mRNA expressions of CYP1 A2 in the fetal liver were significantly increased in groups C (0.37 ±0.13), D (0.36 ±0.14) and E (0.43 ±0.16) compared with group A (0.21 ±0.03), and significantly increased in group E compared with group B (0.24± 0.11, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusions PM elicited embryotoxigenicity and resulted in adverse pregnancy outcomes in mice by intrauterine exposure of overdose PM. The expressions of cancer-related genes CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 were up-regulated in organs after the middle- and large-dose subacute exposure of PM, which may have a potential role on the future development.

OBJECTIVETo identify the Cynomorii Herba and its analogues species using DNA barcoding technique.

METHODTotal genomic DNA extracted from all materials using the DNA extraction kit. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and purified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner 3.7.1. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances and GC content were computed using MEGA 5. 0. Species identification analyses were conducted through the species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and neighbor-joining (NJ) trees.

RESULTThe ITS2 sequence lengths of Cynomorii Herba were 229 bp. The average intra-specific genetic distances of Cynomorii Herba were 0.003. The average inter-specific genetic distances between Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species were 0.760. The results showed that the minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence. The species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and NJ trees results indicated that Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species can be easily identification.

CONCLUSIONThe ITS2 region is an efficient barcode for identification of Cynomorii Herba, which provide a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Cynomorium ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

Adenoma, Villous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Mullerian Ducts ; pathology ; Papilloma ; pathology ; Vaginal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Objective: To compare the prompt fixation strength and antifatigue strength of the locking and non-locking anterior cervical plating systems. Methods:AO Cervical Spine Locking Plate (CSLP), Danek Orion plate and AcroMed Acroplate were used on the lamb cervical spines. The CSLP and Orion were tested with screws locked and unlocked, and the Acroplate with unicortical and bicortical purchase. The fixation strength and pull-off strength of the screw-plate constructs were performed initially and after fatigue. Results: Locked CSLP and Orion constructs were more rigid than all unlocked unicortical systems initially and after cyclic loading. After fatigue testing, the strength of all unlocked constructs decreased significantly. There was no significant difference in pull-off strength between the CSLP, the Orion and the unicortical Acroplate. Conclusion: The locking mechanism significantly increases the prompt fixation strength and antifatigue strength of the tested screw-plate systems.

Objective: To investigate the long-term outcome of anterior decompression and bone graft fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM) and factors affecting the outcome. Methods: Two hundred and forty-five patients with CSM were treated with anterior cervical decompression and auto iliac bone graft fusion, of whom 31 had a second operation between 4 months and 2 years after operation. Follow-up studies were carried out within 5 to 15 years after operation, averaging 6.8 years. Results: Function evaluation: excellent in 118 cases (48.16%), good in 71 (28.98%), passable in 35 (14.29%) and poor in 21 (8.57%). According to the 40 points score method, there was an average of 8 point increase in all cases, of which 101 were between 36 to 40 points, 54 between 31 to 35 points. Conclusion: The long-term outcome of surgical treatment for CSM is definite. Significant factors affecting the outcome include timing of operation, degree of pathology and technique of surgery.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; complications ; mortality ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; mortality ; Male ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; Prognosis ; Thrombosis ; etiology ; Vena Cava, Inferior

OBJECTIVESTo study the diagnosis and treatment for the injury of cervical disc and longitudinal ligament.

METHODSFrom 2001 to 2005, the clinical data of sixty-three patients with cervical disc and longitudinal ligament injury were studied. Early treatment was done based on spinal cord injuries and spinal stabilities by X rays and MRI. Early operation was done in fifty-four cases and early non-operation in nine cases.

RESULTSThe follow-up time was six to forty-one months in all patients. The neurological recovery was found in two of eight complete SCI post-operation, thirty-one in thirty-nine incomplete SCI. Cervical collar or plaster orthotic were used in nine cases with four to six weeks. Evidence of instability was noted in four patients, who were operated with anterior decompression fusion. Neck chronic pain was found in two patients, anterior decompression and fusion was done in one with cervical spinal cord compression.

CONCLUSIONSMRI examination is the most value measure for the diagnosis of cervical disc and longitudinal ligament injury. Early anterior decompression and fusion was an important approach for cervical disc and longitudinal ligament injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; injuries ; surgery ; Longitudinal Ligaments ; injuries ; surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Spinal Injuries ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo improve the understanding of acute obstructive anuria at upper urinary tract in order to cope properly with corresponding clinical problems.

METHODSThe clinical problems of acute obstructive anuria at upper urinary tract in 55 patients was summarized and analysed. Anuria, lumbago, edema and progressive increase of blood creatinine and ureal nitrogen were the main bases of diagnosis. B-typed ultrasonography and plain film of abdomen (KUB) were the first choice in examinations. The treatment principles lied in prompt removal of obstruction as well as effective prevention and treatment of infection to protect renal function to maximum extent.

RESULTSForty-three cases (78.2%) recovered normal renal function. Ten cases (18.2%) still had azotemia three months after treatment. Two cases gave up treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe reason of tumor for anuria should be paid attention to. The first choice in treatments is ureteral intubation by cystoscope. Diuretic should be used cautiously.

Acute Disease ; Adult ; Aged ; Anuria ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Obstruction ; complications ; therapy