Objective To investigate the significance of metallothionein (MT) expression in the placenta of women exposed to low level lead during pregnancy. Methods Sixty-seven pregnant women with blood lead level ranging from 1.5 ?mol/L to 4.8 ?mol/L were randomly selected from the Department of Obstetrics of Qingdao Municipal Hospital between Mar 2005 and Mar 2006. Among them, 35 were with blood lead level less than 2.9 ?mol/L(group A) and 32 more than 2.9 ?mol/L(group B). Immunohistochemical streptavidin-peroxidase-biotin methods were used to observe the expression of MT in the placental tissue. Results (1)Among the 67 pregnant women,the highest level of blood lead was 4.7 ?mol/L , and the lowest level was 1.6 ?mol/L .The blood lead level of groups A and B was (1.7?0.3) ?mol/L, and (3.1?0.4) ?mol/L, with a significant difference between them(P

This study was aimed to investigate the distribution of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-308 gene polymorphism and its correlation with asthma in TCM syndromes between Han and Uyghur People in Xin-jiang. The polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was applied in the detection of TNF-alpha-308 gene polymorphism among 160 bronchial asthma cases and 40 healthy con-trols. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome differentiation standard on bronchial asthma was applied in the syndrome differentiation of 160 bronchial asthma cases. And gene distributions of TCM syndrome differentia-tion were compared. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the genotypes (wild-type and mutant) and allele distribution between the asthma group and the normal control group, the Uyghur asthma group and Uyghur normal control group, the Han asthma group and Han normal control group, Uyghur normal control group and Han normal control group (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference on the TNF-alpha-308 genotype distribution among different TCM syndromes. There was no significant difference on TCM syndrome distribution between Han asthma patients and Uyghur asthma patients. It was concluded that bronchial asthma in Xinjiang may be nothing to do with ethnic group, TNF-alpha-308 gene polymorphism. And the bronchial asthma syndrome differentiation type may be nothing to do with the TNF-alpha-308 genotype distribution.

Methods Acute attack of asthma patients with 84 patients, divided into virtual Asthma Group, the other card-based group, another non-choice of 63 patients with asthma, as a control group. Detection of all selected in the peripheral blood TXA2; TPA, PAI; blood coagulation. Results ①asthma group and control group case-control study results: OR=2.950, 95% CI (1.504, 5.785) exposure risk of the disease as non-exposed group of 2.95 times. ②Asthma group and the control group between the various indicators of hemorheology, in addition to TPA (P＞0.05) no significant difference. Ms indicators are significant differences (P＜0.05), suggested that asthma in the blood change detection indicators relative to the control group have changed significantly. Conclusion ①"Stasis" and asthma-related, "Stasis" Asthma is a major cause of morbidity. ②From stasis treatment of asthma, Huoxue Huayu Prescription provide the basis for the treatment of asthma.

Objective To compare the X-ray features between Hirschsprung alied disease (HAD)and Hirschsprung disease ( HD), and analyze the differentiations. Methods From December 2004 to December 2009, nineteen cases of HAD, aged from 30 days to 10 years (median, 14 months), received barium enema examinations in our institution. Other 19 cases with HD, also received barium enema examinations, were chosen randomly. They were aged from 42 days to 8 years ( median, 8 months). The imaging features of HAD and HD were analyzed retrospectively. The incidence rate of colon stenosis,"truncation sign" and spasm notch and R/C ratio (the longest diameter of rectum/colon) were calculated and compared between these two groups. In all these cases, diagnosis was confirmed by postoperative histopathology. The position of barium retained was also evaluated. These parameters of both groups were compared by x2 and Fisher test. Results There was statistical significance in the incidence rate of colon stenosis between HAD (9/19) and HD (18/19) (x2 = 10.364, P ＜0.01). However, there was no statistical significance in "truncation sign" and spasm notch between HAD (4/19 and 3/19, respectively)and HD ( 1/19 and 1/19, respectively) (P ＞0. 05 for both). R/C ratio was 0. 42 ±0. 15 in HAD group and 0.29±0. 12 in HD group, and there was statistical significance between them (t =2.892,P＜0.01). In HAD group, barium retained in distal sigmoid colon in 1 case (1/19), in distal descending colon in 7 cases (7/19), in distal transverse colon in 1 case (1/19), in total colon in 6 cases (6/19); However, in HD group, barium retained in distal rectum in 3 cases (3/19), in distal sigmoid colon in 13 cases ( 13/19), in distal descending colon in 3 cases (3/19). Conclusions There were some differences in the imaging features between HAD and HD though they presented similar clinic experience. HAD cases presented a lower incidence rate of colon stenosis and a higher R/C ratio than HD cases. In HAD cases, the most common site of barium retained is distal descending colon, while in HD cases, it is distal sigmoid colon.

This study was aimed to observe the clinical effect of Ping-Ai GranulesⅠin the treatment of HIV/AIDS . A total of 107 AIDS cases were divided into Ping-Ai GranulesⅠgroup and Ping-Ai GranulesⅠunited with HAART group. The results showed that there was significant difference between Ping-Ai GranulesⅠgroup and Ping-Ai GranulesⅠunited with HAART group in aspects of symptoms, physical signs, Karnovsky Score and changes of CD4+ T lymphocyte . It was concluded that Ping-Ai GranulesⅠhad the function of improving patient's symptom and increasing patient's immunity and living quality .

Objective:To optimize the challenge scheme for establishing a stable mouse model of Artemisia annua pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. Methods:BALB/c mice were subcutaneously injected with 0.1 ml allergen extract containing 20 μg/ml Art a1 from Artemisia pollen on 1 d, 4 d and 7 d. One week after the sensitization, these mice were divided into three groups and intranasally challenged with Artemisia annua pollen allergen extract containing 500 μg/ml Art a1 for 7 (7 d group), 10 (10 d group) and 14 (14 d group) consecutive days, respectively. The first challenge was followed by another 7 days of challenge every four weeks. Blank control group was set up through sensitizing and challenging BALB/c mice with normal saline. Behavioral changes and nasal pathological changes were observed. The changes in humoral and cellular responses were also detected. After the first challenge cycle was decided, the challenge frequency was further optimized. Results:After the first challenge, the allergic symptoms of mice in 10 d group were significantly severe than those in 7 d and 14 d groups, and the levels of serum specific IgE antibody in 10 d and 14 d groups were significantly higher than that in 7 d group. After the second challenge, the mice in the three model groups still had obvious allergic symptoms as compared with the blank control group. There were obvious pathological changes in the nose, including epithelial cell proliferation, turbinate enlargement and inflammatory cell increase. Moreover, the level of serum specific IgE antibody increased significantly and the proliferation of antigen-specific IL-4 and IL-6 lymphocytes was significantly up-regulated, especially in 10 d and 14 d groups. The frequency of challenge had a great impact on the stability of the allergic model. The allergic symptoms of sensitized mice challenged every two weeks were significantly severe than those of mice challenged every four weeks and the level of serum antigen-specific antibody was also higher.Conclusions:This study optimized the first challenge cycle and challenge frequency for establishing a mouse model of Artemisia annua pollen-induced allergic rhinitis, which provided reference for the establishment of drug efficacy evaluation system for desensitization therapy.

Objective:Based on the questionnaire, to analyze the current status of children′s bone age assessment in China, especially the application of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted bone age assessment system in the clinic.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was adapted by ourselves through the literature method and expert interview method, and the whole volume included 22 questions, which were released in the form of WeChat applet questionnaire star to the physician groups of several associations and entrusted to the radiology and paediatricians with senior titles. The results of the different types of questions were summarised and analyzed, and the chi-square test was used to compare the count data.Results:A total of 450 valid questionnaires were collected from 162 medical institutions in 26 provinces and cities and autonomous regions, of which 232 (51.6%) were from 87 (53.7%) tertiary hospitals and 218 (48.4%) from 75 (46.3%) secondary hospitals. Of the respondents, 115 (25.6%) were senior, 137 (30.4%) middle and 198 (44.0%) junior. Child bone age measurement was performed at 75.9% (66/87) of tertiary care organizations and 26.7% (20/75) of secondary care organizations, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=39.10, P<0.001). Left wrist radiographs were predominantly used for bone age assessment (76.0%, 123/162), with 72.8% (118/162) of sites using the ATLAS method of assessment and 17.9% (29/162) using the scoring method. A total of 98.4% (443/450) of respondents agreed that AI technology should be used to assist in bone age assessment, but only 9.3% (15/162) of healthcare organizations used AI-assisted technology. Conclusion:At present, bone age assessment is widely used in medical institutions, but there are problems with non-standardized examination methods, inconsistent assessment standards, and imprecise assessment results. Expectations for AI technology-assisted diagnosis exist among a wide range of physicians, but there are fewer users.

OBJECTIVETo study the degradation of oxidized regenerated cellulose absorbable hemostatic products.

METHODSThe morphology of the oxidized regenerated cellulose hemostatic products before and after degradation was observed by FTIR and SEM. The degradation products were determined by GPC and HILIC-ELSD.

RESULTSIn the initial stage of degradation, there was a great change in morphology. GPC determined its degradation end point was 10 d; it was determined that its degradation products contained glucose (0.13%) and cellobiose (0.17%) and other components.

CONCLUSIONSA method was established for determining the end point of degradation of oxidized regenerated cellulose, which provided a new idea and reference for the study of the degradation end point.

BACKGROUNDLead exposure during pregnancy contributes to fetal abortion and/or teratogenesis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) apoptosis can be induced by various pathological conditions when ER function is disturbed. However, it is unclear whether ER stress and apoptosis play a role in the etiology of lead-exposed disease status. We aimed to investigate whether lead induced placental apoptosis and subsequent toxicity is initiated by ER apoptosis via caspase-12.

METHODSSixty-three female Wistar rats were exposed to lead in drinking water during various gestational periods. Blood lead level was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Placental cytoplasmic organelles were examined by electronic microscopy. Placental caspase-12 mRNA expression was evaluated by qRT-PCR. TUNEL assay was used to determine the placental apoptosis.

RESULTSLead exposure significant induced ER apoptosis compared to that of the controls (P < 0.05), accompanied with increased caspase-12 mRNA expression. Significant differences of caspase-12 mRNA expression levels were observed among the four groups (F = 13.78, P < 0.05). Apoptotic index (AI) was significantly increased in experimental groups compared to that of the controls (F = 96.15, P < 0.05). In lead-exposed groups, trophoblast cells underwent degeneration and fibrin deposition; Mitochondria were swollen and decreased in number; ER swelling, expansion, and vacuolization were observed.

CONCLUSIONLead exposure contributes to placental apoptosis, as well as increased caspase-12 mRNA expression, which in turn promoted ER stress.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Female ; Lead ; toxicity ; Placenta ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar