Objective To study the antagonistic effect of N-acetylcysteine(NAC)on the damage of hepatic mitochondria of rats induced by cadmium in vitro.Methods The mitochondria were prepared from the clean Wistar rats' whole liver by using differ ential centfifugation.The mitochondria were incubated in the assay buffer containing different concentration of CdCl_2 (10,100,1 000,10 000 ?mol/L)at 37 ℃ for 1 h.The effect of NAC(500 ?mol/L)was studied at a CdCl_2 concentration of 1 000 ?mol/L.The incubation buffer was collected and the level of GSH,cytochrome C and the activity of Mn-SOD were determined. Results Compared with the control group,the level of GSH and Mn-SOD in 100,1 000,10 000 ?mol/L CdCl_2 groups were significantly decreased,the content of cytochrome C in 1 000,10 000 ?mol/L CdCl_2 groups were significantly increased(P

Aim To establish a model of the vascular endothelial cell (VEC) injury in SDrats.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into the control and the modelgroups. The model rats were injected with adrenaline diluted to 2. 5 times 0. 05 mg?100 g-1 (tid) for 5 d continously. From the 4th d, they were irritated for 5 min in the0℃ cold-water in the middle between adrenaline injections.The control rats weregiven 0. 9% NS as above. At 6th d, blood samples were taken from carotid arteries ofthe rats and the CEC counts, t - PA、PAI activities, 6-keto-PGF1? concentrations andthe platelet aggregation rate(max) were detected respectively. Results In the modelgroup, as compared with those in the control group, t - PA activity and 6-keto-PGF1?concentration decreased significantly(P

Objective To investigate the typical value of gamma-radiation dose rate and its confidence interval in tank-transported copper ore by using bootstrap resampling techniques. Methods Bootstrap resampling method, coupled with kernel density estimation, introduced to acquire the typical value of gamma-radiation dose rate in copper ore. Results The typical value of gamma-radiation dose rate in copper ore was expressed as the central tendency of the means of resampling, and two kinds of confidence interval, empirical percentile and bias-corrected accelerated confidence interval, were provided as standard error. Conclusion It is clearly demonstrated that this method has an advantage to give a robust description in explanation of central tendency and variation range of gamma-radiation dose rate data profiles.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinicopathologic factors associated with prognosis in patients with rectal cancer.

METHODSClinicopathologic data of 2414 patients with rectal cancer, treated in the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University from May 1976 to December 2003, were analyzed retrospectively. Cox regression model was used to assess independent factors associated with prognosis.

RESULTSThe median survival time was 58 months and the 5-year overall survival rate was 45.1%. Tumors were stage I( in 75.2%, stage II( in 48.1%, stage III( in 21.3%, and stage Ⅳ( in 8.8% of the patients. The 5-year overall survival rates during the three study periods were 41.2%(1976-1986), 43.0%(1987-1996), and 49.1%(1997-2003)(P<0.01). On univariate analysis, age, time at diagnosis, histological type, distant metastasis, type of surgery, intent of surgery, gross morphology, pathologic T stage, lymphatic invasion, bowel obstruction, and TNM stage showed statistically significant association with survival. Independent prognostic factors on multivariable analysis were gross tumor morphology chi-squared value(CV):68.744, pT(CV:81.344), lymphatic invasion(CV:42.951), bowel obstruction(CV:37.856) and TNM stage(CV:85.329).

CONCLUSIONSSurvival in patients with rectal cancer is improved over time. TNM stage is the most important prognostic factor for survival in patients with rectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the clinical value of portable echocardiography system in diagnosis for acute paroxysmal dyspnea.Methods Clinical data of 81 patients with acute paroxysmal dyspnea recorded by a portable echocardiography apparatus at their bedside were retrospectively analyzed,and compared to those of 45 patients by conventional echocardiography.Results The 2D images in portable echocardiograph were similar to those of conventional echocardiograph.Diagnosis could be established in 74 (91.4%),corrected in six (7.4%) and not confirmed only in one (1.2%) of 81 patients with acute paroxysmal dyspnea by portable echocardiography system.And,portable echocardiography system could be used to diagnose pericardial effusion and to monitor perieardial puncturing and draining at bedside. Conclusions Portable echocardiography systems can provide rapid,accurate and valuable information on diagnosis and treatment for acute paroxysmal dyspnea,and make its clinical intervention accurate,scientific and effective,bringing echocardiography performed at bedside possible.

Objective To master iodine nutritional status of people after universal salt iodization in Xining that reached the stage goal of elimination iodine deficiency disorders. Methods In the 7 counties investigated of Xining in 2009, 5 towns were randomly selected in each county, and one school was randomly selected in each town, 80 children aged 8 to 10 were randomly selected in each school, and goiter were examined, urinary iodine and salt iodine were tested. Thyroid gland goiter of children was detected by thyroid palpation, children's urinary iodine was tested by As( Ⅲ )-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry, and salt iodine was tested by direct titration. Results A total of 2919 children aged 8 to 10 were examined, 31 goiter was detected, goiter rate was 1.06%(31/2919).One thousand and seventy-eight urine samples were detected, urinary iodine median was 205.3 μg/L, that lower than 20 μg/L accounted for 1.9% (20/1078), lower than 50 μg/L accounted for 4.5%(48/1078). Two thousand and seventy-nine salt samples were detected, median of salt iodine was 32.80 mg/kg, the rate of non-iodized salt was 0.87%(18/2079), the coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.13%(2061/2079), the qualified rate of iodized salt was 98.64% (2033/2061), the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.79% (2033/2079). Conclusions Prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders has achieved remarkable results in Xining city, all indicators have reached the national standard to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders.

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have revealed the important role of free radicals in renal damage induced by high-energy shock waves (HESW). This study aimed at investigating the effects of Astragalus membranaceus, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, on free radical-mediated HESW-induced damage to renal tubules in a live rabbit model.

METHODSForty-five healthy male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 15), sham group (n = 15), and herb-treated group (n = 15). Three days prior to HESW application, the controls received verapamil (0.4 mg/kg), the shams received physiological saline (20 ml), and the herb-treated animals received Astragalus membranaceus (2.4 g/kg) intravenously. HESW (1500 shocks, 18 kV) was applied to the right kidneys of all anesthetized rabbits. We measured superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels before and after shock treatment in blood and kidney homogenates. Histopathological changes were also observed.

RESULTSMDA levels increased and SOD activity decreased significantly in the sham group (P < 0.05 for both) after shock treatment. MDA levels showed a much less increase in the controls (P < 0.05) and did not increase to statistically significant levels in the group receiving Astragalus membranaceus (P > 0.05). SOD values were significantly higher in the controls than in the shams (P < 0.05). By contrast, SOD levels recovered rapidly in the rabbits receiving Astragalus membranaceus, reaching a nadir within 24 hours, and returning to baseline more quickly than in control and sham rabbits (P < 0.05). Histopathological examinations showed that renal tubular damage in the controls was less severe than in the shams, while damage in the Astragalus membranaceus group was even more mild, with rapid recovery in comparison with the controls.

CONCLUSIONThis study provides preliminary evidence indicating that Astragalus membranaceus has strong protective effects on free radical-mediated renal tubular damage induced by HESW and that these effects are superior to the effects of verapamil.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; Free Radicals ; toxicity ; High-Energy Shock Waves ; adverse effects ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Phytotherapy ; Rabbits ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological characteristics of liver diseases in a rural population in Southern Guangxi, China.

METHODSThe enzyme immunoassays was used to detect of HBsAg and AFP. AFP positive serum samples were further examined for concentration of AFP by using a radio immunoassays. Liver morphological changes were measured with ultrasonography of type B.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBsAg in the studied population was 17.8% (2800/15,701). The prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, clonorchiasis, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease were 1.1% (173/15,701), 0.4% (63/15,701), 299.3 per 100,000 (47/15,701), 6.6% (1036/15,701), 4.8% (754/15,701) and 0.3% (47/15,701), respectively. The positive rates of HBsAg and the prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, clonorchiasis, fatty liver disease in male were significantly higher as compared with those in female (5.98 < or = chi(2) < or = 394.78, P < 0.01). No difference was observed in the prevalence rates of liver cavernous hemangioma and hepatic cysts between male and female. The prevalence rates of intrahepatic bile duct stones was significantly higher in female than in male (chi(2) = 30.80, P < 0.01). The positive rates of HBsAg and the prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B and clonorchiasis were decreased with age. But the prevalence rates of cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cavernous hemangioma, hepatic cysts and intrahepatic bile duct stones were increased with age.

CONCLUSIONThe rural areas in the southern Guangxi are high prevalence regions of liver illness, and the male resident are even at high risk.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; epidemiology ; Liver Diseases ; epidemiology ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo explore therapeutic effects of bone setting manipulation for the treatment of over degree II supination-eversion fractures of ankle,and analyze manipulative reduction mechanism.

METHODSFrom 2005 to 2008, 95 patients with over degree II supination-eversion fractures of ankle were treated respectively by manipulation and operation. There were 43 cases [11 males and 32 females with an average age of (44.95 +/- 12.65) years] in manipulation group, and 2 cases were degree II, 11 cases were degree III, and 30 cases were degree IV. There were 52 cases [21 males and 31 females with an average age of (39.96 +/- 13.28) years] in operative group,and 6 cases were degree II, 18 cases were degree III, and 28 cases were degree IV. Bone setting manipulation and hard splint external fixation were applied to manipulative group. Operative reduction internal fixation was performed in operative group. X-ray was used to evaluate reduction of fracture before and after treatment, 2 months after treatment. Ankle joint function was evaluated according to Olerud-Molander scoring system after 6 months treatment.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up with good reduction. Three cases occurred wound complication in operative group, but not in manipulative group. In manipulation group, 19 cases got excellent results, 20 cases good and 4 cases fair; while in operative group, 30 cases got excellent results, 20 cases good and 2 cases poor. There were no significant differences in fracture reduction and ankle joint function recovery between two groups (P > 0.05). Efficacy of operative treatment was better than that of manipulative treatment at degree IV fracture (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBone setting manipulation is a good method for treating supination-eversion ankle joint fractures, which has advantages of simple and safe operation, reliable efficacy. For ankle join fracture at degree IV, manipulative reduction should be adopted earlier, and operative treatment also necessary

Adult ; Ankle Injuries ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Ankle Joint ; physiology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; methods ; Supination

OBJECTIVETo establish a method for evaluating the activity of von Willebrand factor cleaving protease (vWF-cp) and evaluate its clinical application.

METHODSPurified von Willebrand factor polymer was isolated by gel filtration from human fresh-frozen plasma as the enzyme substrate. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, and luminographic detection were used to evaluate vWF-cp activity of 60 healthy adults, 28 patients with cerebral infarction (CI) and 7 with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

RESULTSIn the subjects involved, the method for evaluating vWF-cp activity had intra- and inter-batch coefficient of variation(CV) of 4.81% (n=8) and 8.63% (n=6), respectively. According to this method, the plasma vWF-cp activity in the 60 healthy adults was significantly higher than that in the CI patients [(86.53-/+17.49)% vs (77.15-/+16.72)%, P<0.05]. In TTP patients before plasma replacement, the vWF-cp activity was (9.06-/+7.17)% and increased significantly to (47.00-/+6.27)% 24 h after plasma replacement, respectively, but still significantly lower than that of healthy adults (P<0.01), whereas in the convalescent stage, the activity approached the normal level [(83.18-/+8.83)%, P>0.05].

CONCLUSIONSAccording to the described method, which allows accurate vWF-cp activity measurement with good sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, vWF-cp activity is lower in CI patients and even more so in TTP patients than that of healthy adults. Plasma replacement can effectively increase the vWF-cp activity in TTP patients.

ADAM Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; ADAMTS13 Protein ; Adult ; Animals ; Cerebral Infarction ; blood ; enzymology ; Enzyme Assays ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; blood ; enzymology ; Reproducibility of Results ; Substrate Specificity