Objective To study the relationship between the contents of arsenic, chromium and lead in the flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L and soil sown to them in urban area of Qingdao. Methods The flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L and soil, where they grew, were sampled for analysis in different quarters in urban area of Qingdao in May,2001. Results The sanitary qualities of the soil samples all maintained Grade 1, no one of the samples exceeded the related national sanitary standards for the contents of arsenic, chromium and lead in soil. Based on the national standards for As, Cr and Pb in food, the As contents in the sampled flowers of Robinia pseudoacacia L were all below the related national standard. The Cr contents in the flower samples exceeding the standard were only found in industrial quarter. The Pb contents in all flower samples exceeded the standard. Conclusion The low contents of Cr and Pb in flower samples were associated with those in the soil sown to Robinia pseudoacacia L and other environmental factors in a certain degree.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Neurocirculatory Asthenia ; therapy

Objective To discuss the video-urodynamic characteristics and management in infra-sacral cord injured patients. Methods The video-urodynamic finding and managements in 169 patients was reviewed. They were followed up for 2 years. Results Detrusor areflexia was found in 76.33% (129/169) patients, among them there were 27.22% (46/169) patients appeared hyper-compliance, and 7.10% (12/169) patients appeared reflux. The video-urodynamic characteristics showed over activity and low-compliance in 12.43% (21/169) patients, including reflux in 5 cases. Different management was chosen according to the video-urodynamic examination. No special complication was observed after 2 years follow-up. Conclusion The majority patients with infra-sacral cord injury appeared detrusor areflexia and hyper-compliance. Special management according to the video-urodynamic characteristics is important for protecting upper urinary tract and preventing urinary system infection.

The effects of dietary supplementation with Clostridium butyricum on growth performance and humoral immune response in Miichthys miiuy were evaluated. One hundred and fifty Miichthys miiuy weighing approximately 200-260 g were divided into five groups and reared in 15 tanks with closed circuiting culture system. The animals were fed 5 diets: basal diet only (control) or supplemented of the basal diet with C. butyricum at doses of 10(3) (CB1), 10(5) (CB2), 10(7) (CB3) or 10(9) (CB4) CFU/g. Compared with the control, the serum phenoloxidase activity was significantly increased by the supplementation (P<0.05), acid phosphatases activity was increased significantly (P<0.05) at the doses of 10(9) CFU/g. Serum lysozyme activity peaked at dose of 10(7) CFU/g and in the skin mucus at dose of 10(9) CFU/g. Immunoglobulin M level in the serum and skin mucus was increased except at dose of 10(3) CFU/g (P<0.05). The growth at the dose of 10(9) CFU/g was higher than that of the control (P<0.05). It is concluded that supplementation of C. butyricum can mediate the humoral immune responses and improve the growth performance in Miichthys miiuy.
Animal Feed ; microbiology ; Animals ; Antibody Formation ; physiology ; Clostridium butyricum ; immunology ; Dietary Supplements ; microbiology ; Fishes ; growth & development ; immunology ; Probiotics ; administration & dosage

Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUND: 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is universally used as an antineoplastic agent in gastrointestinal cancer, but the side effect of it confined further clinical application. OBJECTIVE: To determinate mice plasma concentration curves for 5-Fu and its chitosan (CS)-polyaspartic acid (Pasp) nanoparticles, and to investigate their primary pharrnacokinetics. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: Randomization control animal trials were performed in the Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University between October 2006 and June 2007. MATERIALS: Totally 180 female Kunming mice were obtained from the Department of Laboratory Animal, Fudan University. 5-Fu (purity 99%) was purchased from Shanghai Xudong Haipu Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd (Shanghai, China). Two kinds of CS-Pasp-5-Fu particles were offered by Department of Macromolecular Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers of Educational Ministry, Fudan University (Shanghai, China). METHODS: Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups and each group was administrated with 5-Fu or either type of its CS-Pasp-5-Fu nanoparticlos. The plasma concentrations of 5-Fu were evaluated by high performance liquid chromatography after 15 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours of the administration. The pharmacokinetic parameters were computed utilizing 3P97. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Relative recovery, absolute recovery and the stability of samples. RESULTS: The peak concentration of 5-Fu group occurred within 15 minutes and then decreased rapidly. The No.1 nanoparticles group's peak concentration occurred 6 hours after the administration and the effective concentration time lasted for about 14 hours. No.2 nanoparticles group's concentration curve was double-apex, the apexes occurred around the 2 hours and 16 hours, the concentration decreased at the 24 hours after the administration. Both of the two kinds of the nanoparticles groups' peak concentration of 5-Fu in plasma are lower than the 5-Fu group, The half-life times were prolonged and the areas under curve were higher. CONCLUSION: Compared to 5-Fu, the CS-Pasp-5-Fu nanoparticles are controlled released.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injection into detrusor to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods A total of 78 patients with SCI were treated with transurethral injection of BTX-A (300 IU dissolved in 15 ml of saline) into 30 different points of detrusor with 15 ml in every patients. Urodynamic parameters and voiding diary were assessed at baseline and 3 weeks and 3 months after the injections. Adverse events were recorded after the injection if present.Results After the first injection, 78 patients showed that the mean frequencies of incontinence decreased from 13.5 to 2.7 times per day, the mean volume of intermittent catheterization (IC) increased from 131 ml to 389 ml per time, the mean volume of incontinence decreased from 1 690 ml to 281 ml per day, the mean getting effect time was 7.6 days. 10 patients received second injection at 8.9 months after first injection, the results showed that the mean frequencies of incontinence decreased from 9.7 to 3.7 times per day, the mean IC volume increased from 108 ml to 387 ml. 6 patients received third injection at 5.8 months after second injection, the results showed that the mean frequencies of incontinence decreased from 9.2 to 3.9 times per day, the mean IC volume increased from 116 ml to 364 ml. No side effects were observed during the follow-up.Conclusion BTX-A injection into detrusor to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with SCI seems to be an effective, safe and miniinvasive solution.

Objective To assess epidemiological characteristics of metabolic syndrome(MS)and its attributing factors in a resident sample aged over 35 living in both rural and urban areas of Harbin in Heilongjiang province.Methods A cross-over sectional and cluster sampling was carried out in 5 984 residents aged over 35 years living in the rural and urban areas of Harbin.Height,body mass,waist circumference,blood pressure,fasting blood glucose,triglyeeride,and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined.In this survey,the prevalence of MS and its attributing factors were analyzed by logistic regression model according to the diagnostic criteria of international diabetes federation in 2005.Results The prevalence of MS in this sample was 24.60%(male 22.49%,female 26.29%),and the standardized prevalence rate was 23.31%(male 22.12%,female 25.19%).Compared to female population,male participants showed a much lower prevalence;and compared to urban area population,rural participants showed a much lower prevalence(26.70% vs 20.05%,P<0.05).The prevalence of MS rose progressively with age in females.The individuals with MS presented increased body mass index,hyperglycemia,and hypertriglyceridemia.Gender,age,employment,education,smoking or drinking habit,and family history of hypertension were identified as maior risk factors of MS.Conclusion The prevalence of MS in a sample of residents aged over 35 in Harbin Was 24.60%.It becomes an public health problem requiring urgent attention for prevention and treatment.

Objective To determine whether erythromycin-resistant propionibacteria isolated from patients with acne in Wuhan city harbor 23S rRNA gene mutations as well as the transposon Tn5432 carrying ermX genes.Methods Twenty-nine Propionibacterium strains isolated from outpatients with acne in Wuhan city were included in this study.The E-test method was used to determine the susceptibility of these strains to erythromycin and clindamycin.PCR was performed to amplify the 23S rRNA,ermX,ermX (cj),IS1249a and IS1249b genes from resistant strains followed by DNA sequencing and nucleotide alignment.Results Among the 29 Propionibacterium strains,19 were identified as P.acnes and 10 as P.avidum.All of these Propionibacterium strains were resistant to erythromycin (MIC ＞ 256 μg/ml) and clindamycin (MIC ＞ 256 μg/ml),except for 3 P.acnes strains sensitive to clindamycin.Seven P.acnes strains resistant to both antibiotics exhibited an A→G transition at a position cognate with Escherichia coli 23S rRNA 2058.An A→G transition at a position cognate with E.coli 23S rRNA 2059 was identified in one clindamycin-resitant and three clindamycin-sensitive P.acnes isolates.The ermX gene was found in the remaining 8 P.acnes isolates and 2 P.avidum isolates,with the sequence 100％ identical to the reference sequence of the ermX gene of P.acnes in Genbank.Meanwhile,the ermX (cj) gene was successfully amplified from the other 8 P.avidum isolates,which showed 99％ sequence homology with the ermX (cj) gene of Corynebacterium jeikeium,but 94％ homology with the ermX gene of P.acnes in Genbank.Both IS1249a and IS1249b genes were amplified in the 10 ermX gene-positive Propionibacterium strains,but not in the other ermX gene-negative strains.Conclusions The erythromycin resistance in Propionibacterium isolates from Wuhan city may be associated with the A→G transition at the E.coli equivalent bases 2058 and 2059 of the 23S rRNA gene,as well as the presence of the erm X (transferred through the transposon Tn5432) and ermX (c j) genes.

Objective To evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation after valve replacement.Methods Twenty one patients with tricuspid valve insufficiency after valve replacement were performed surgical treatment.Tricuspid valve-plasty was performed in 17 patients and tricuspid valve replacement was done in 4 patients.Three patients underwent edge-to-edge tricuspid valveplasty.DeVega procedure was performed in 5 patients.Cosgrove-Edward annuloplasty ring was used in 15 patients.Four patients' valve were replaced by SJM bileallet mechanical prostheses.Results There was 3 patients dead early after operation with a mortality of 14.3％(3/21).The causes of death including multiple organ failure,cardiac arrest and low cardiac output syndrome.The rate of early postoperative complications was 33.3％ (7/21),including pulmonary edema,arrhythmia,acute renal failure and low cardiac output syndrome.The patients were followed up 9-60 months.The rate of readmission was 23.8％ (5/21).Two patients went to hospital again for pleural effusion,1 patient for left ventricular dysfunction and 2 patients for right ventricular dysfunction.The other patients recovered well.Conclusions Surgical therapy is effective on severe tricuspid valve regurgitation after valve replacement.Preoperative aggressive treatment of heart failure,a reasonable grasp of surgical indications and timing of surgery,strict perioperative management are the keys to guarantee patients a smooth recovery.