Humans ; Water ; Rivers ; Skull/anatomy & histology* ; Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Forensic Medicine ; Forensic Anthropology

This paper introduces an 16-lead digital EEG signal acquisition system, which applies MCU MSP430 as central control unit with high performance analog devices and high speed multi-channel, multi-bit analog-to-digital converter as peripheral to retrench analog circuit. Data is transferred to PC by USART interface. Software on PC based on virtual instrument technology realizes real-time detection, display and storage. The system has many advantages such as high precision, stable performance, small volume and low power dissipation, thus provides a new means for digital EEG signal acquisition.
Analog-Digital Conversion ; Electroencephalography ; instrumentation ; Equipment Design ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; instrumentation ; Software

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE2 Gene in lung of paraquat poisoning rats and the protection of sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (Na-DMPS).

METHODSOne hundred SD male rats were randomly equally divided into 4 groups:normal control group (10 rats), drug control group (40 rats), paraquat poisoning group (40 rats) and drug intervention group(40 rats). The paraquat poisoning and drug intervention group rats were injected intraperitoneally by paraquat (20 mg/kg). The rats in drug intervention group rats were protected by intraperitoneal injection with Na-DMPS (200 mg/kg) 15 min before exposure of paraquat. Behavioral changes of the rats and histological changes of lung tissues under light microscope were observed. And the expression of ACE and ACE2 mRNA in lung tissues of rats both in paraquat poisoned group and drug intervention group were measured by RT-PCR at different time of 6 h, 24 h, 3 and 7 d after poisoning.

RESULTSThe poisoning symptoms of shortness of breath, cramps appeared and deteriorated progressively in rats after paraquat exposure and the protection of NA-DMPS could delay and reduce these symptoms significantly. Histological appearance of disorganization of pulmonary capillary and alveolus, exudation in alveolar space, pulmonary edema, severe bleeding, and inflammatory cells infiltration were obvious in lungs of rats after paraquat poisoning, whereas the histological changes were extenuated by protection of NA-DMPS. As compared with normal control group (NC group), the expressions of ACE, ACE2 mRNA in lung tissue decreased, and the lowest level of ACE mRNA expressions appeared at 24 h (0.457 +/- 0.262), on 3 d (0.385 +/- 0.179) after Paraquat exposure (P < 0.05), while lowest level of ACE2 mRNA expressions appeared on 3 d (0.415 +/- 0.247), 7 d (0.365 +/- 0.215) (P < 0.05). As compared with paraquat poisoned group, the expressions of ACE mRNA in lung tissue of rats in NA-DMPS protected group increased significantly at 24 h (0.739 +/- 0.558) and 3 d (0.749 +/- 0.414) (P < 0.05), while the expressions of ACE2 mRNA increased markedly on 3 d (0.584 +/- 0.345) and 7 d (0.493 +/- 0.292) (P < 0.05). But the expression of ACEmRNA and ACE2 mRNA in lungs had no statistical significance between normal control group and drug intervention group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of ACE and ACE2 mRNA in lung tissue of the rats with paraquat poisoning are decreased. Na-DMPS can effectively improve the balance of RAS in local lung tissue and reduce the pathological changes of lung tissue, delay the poisoning symptoms and show protective effects for acute lung injury induced by paraquat.

Animals ; Lung ; drug effects ; enzymology ; Male ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Unithiol ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEto study the oxidative stress of rats with acute paraquat poisoning and the intervention of Sodium Dimercaptopropane Sulfonate (NA-DMPS).

METHODSEighty male SD rats were randomizedly divided into: the normal control group (n=8), NA-DMPS control group (n=8), the PQ group (n=32, the rats were intraperitoneally injected with 1% PQ solution at the dosage of 20 mg/kg) and the NA-DMPS protected group (n=32). The rats in the groups of normal and NA-DMPS control were sacrificed 1d after administration of NS or NA-DMPS. And the rats in the PQ group and the NA-DMPS protected group were sacrificed at 6h, 1, 3, 7d after poisoning. Samples of serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were gathered. The MDA and CAT in serum, BALF and lung homogenate, the glutathione (GSH) in serum and BALF were measured. And the expression of Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) mRNA in lung was tested with RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the activities of MDA and CAT in serum, BALF and lung homogenate are higher in both groups of PQ and NA-DMPS protected. And compared with the PQ group, the activities of MDA in serum, BALF and lung homogenate of the NA-DMPS protected group decreased significantly at 6h, 1d after poisoning, whereas the activities of CAT are higher at 6h, 1, 3d in serum and 1, 3d in BALF and lung homogenate (P<0.05 or P<0.001). The serum GSH at 6h, 3d of the NA-DMPS protected group [(730.07 +/- 16.23), (793.66 +/- 7.40)] were higher than those in the PQ group. And the BALF GSH at 1, 3d of the NA-DMPS protected group [(609.75 +/- 6.74), (631.83 +/- 12.03)] were also markedly higher than the PQ group (P<0.05 or P<0.001). The expression of NRF2 mRNA of the lung at 1, 3, 7d in the PQ group [(0.71 +/- 0.061), (1.023 +/- 0.158), (0.969 +/- 0.046)] and the NA-DMPS protected group [(1.005 +/- 0.06), (1.464 +/- 0.166), (1.066 +/- 0.191)] were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Compared with the PQ group, the expression of NRF2 mRNA of the lung increased markedly in the NA-DMPS protected group at 1, 3d (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONNa-DMPS decreases the activity of MDA and increases the activity of CAT, GSH and the expression of Nrf2 mRNA. NA-DMPS can protected rats from PQ intoxication by improving the balance of redox reaction.

Acute Disease ; Animals ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Paraquat ; poisoning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Unithiol ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of polymorphisms of metabolic and DNA repair enzyme genes and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in coke-oven workers.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-four coke-oven workers and 50 controls were recruited in this study. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels were measured as the internal dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure. DNA damage was detected by alkaline comet assay, and the value of 1.74 was used as the cut-off value to determine whether the individual's DNA damage was positive. The genotypes of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTP1, NQO1, mEH and XRCC1 were determined by PCR-based methods. With adjustment for urinary 1-OHP, age, sex, multiple analysis of covariance was used to study the association between genotypes and the ln-transformed olive TM and multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the adjusted OR and the 95% CI for the risk of DNA damage.

RESULTSIn 144 coke-oven workers, with adjustment for urinary 1-OHP, coking history and sex, the olive TM was significantly higher with XRCC1 280His allele than those with Arg allele (5.6 vs. 2.8, P < 0.01). The subjects with XRCC1 280His allele also have significantly higher risk for DNA damage than subjects with Arg allele (adjusted OR = 2.66, 95% CI = 1.00-7.14, P = 0.05) and the subjects with GSTP1 104Val allele have higher risk for DNA damage than subjects with Ile allele (adjusted OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 0.94-3.85, P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONXRCC1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms might influence the susceptibility of DNA damage in occupational PAH-exposed coke-oven workers.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Coke ; poisoning ; Comet Assay ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; genetics ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; genetics ; DNA Damage ; DNA Ligase ATP ; DNA Ligases ; genetics ; DNA Repair Enzymes ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; genetics ; Occupational Exposure ; adverse effects ; analysis ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether or not administration of folic acid and resveratrol have preventive effects on cleft palate formation as well as the comparison of the two drugs' s effects.

METHODSPregnant mice were randomly divided into 9 groups, with 8 mice in each group. The TCDD group mice were dosed with TCDD 28 microg/kg body weight on gestation day 10 (GD 10) animals in folic acid group were respectively dosed with folic acid 15, 10, 5 mg/kg and TCDD 28 microg/kg; resveratrol treated mice were divided into 3 groups: resveratrol 50 mg/kg were orally administered for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day GD 8 to GD13 in resveratrol (GD8-13 ) group; resveratrol 50 mg/kg were orally administered for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day GD 8 to GD13, followed hy an oral administered with TCDD on GD10 in resveratrol (GD8-13) + TCDD group; resveratrol 50mg/kg and TCDD 28 microg/kg were used by gavage administration at GD10 in resveratrol (GD10) + TCDD group. Control mice were treated with the same volume of water for 6 consecutive days from GD8 to GD13 and were given a single dose of corn oil on GD10. The pregnant mice weight and embryos, the number of live, cleft palate, dead and resorption fetal mice were recorded on GD 17.5. The coronal sections of the fetal mice heads were prepared at GD 17.5 and observed by microscopy.

RESULTSTotal frequency of clefts was 92.86% in TCDD group, 84.00% (15 mg), 73.08% (10 mg), 84.00% (5 mg) in folic acid + TCDD groups, 0% in resveratrol (GD10) group, 74.51% (GD10), 57.78% (GD8-13) in resveratrol + TCDD groups. The frequency of cleft was 0% in the control group. Compared with the control and the TCDD groups, there were significant differences in the number of live, dead and resorption fetal mice in TCCD + resveratrol (GD8-13) group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in embryonic weight, live fetuses weight, the number of live, dead and resorption fetal mice were found in the other groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTest dose of folic acid and resveratrol both had certain antagonistic effect on cleft palate in mice induced by TCDD, with folic acid 10 mg/kg, resveratrol 50 mg/kg GD8-13 doses having stronger antagonistic action. Effects of both the two drugs have no significant difference, but resveratrol (50 mg/kg, GD8-13) significantly affects the fetal mice's growth and development under TCDD exposure in utero.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Cleft Palate ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Female ; Fetus ; Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pregnancy ; Random Allocation ; Stilbenes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Teratogens

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the possibility for removal of resinifying agent, time required for removal and the working length loss by Resosolv or Chloroform.

METHODS40 human teeth (80 root canals) obturated with FR phenolaldehyde agent were divided into four groups, 20 root canals per group. Group A: Resosolv with K file; group B: chloroform with K file; group C: Resosolv with Ultrasonic K file; group D: Chloroform with ultrasonic K file. Calculating the pereentage for removal of resinifying agent, time required for removal and the working length loss.

RESULTSThe effectiveness of Resosolv for removing resinifying agent was better than chloroform. 87.5% of canals could be negotiated by Resosolv; 45% of canals be negotiated by chloroform.

CONCLUSIONResosolv is an effective solvent for canals obturated with resinifying agent.

Chloroform ; chemistry ; Humans ; Retreatment ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; chemistry ; Root Canal Obturation ; methods ; Solvents ; chemistry

Objective To describe the survival state and to investigate the risk factors of death on patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods Age, past history, number of encephalic region suffering SAH, laboratory examination indexes, therapeutic measures, complications and prognosis of 174 patients with SAH were followed-up and investigated. The survival states and risk factors of death of the patients with SAH were identified by both Kaplan-Meicr survival analysis and Cox proportional risk model. Results There were 10 patients (5.75%) losing follow-up investigation and 164 patients with SAH completed the follow-up investigation. 66 patients died and the longest follow-up invcstigation time was 5.64 years. The survival rates of 28 days, 1 year and 3-5 years were 70.60%,63.40% and 57.20% respectively. The treatment of nimotop, aneurysm occlusion treatment and aneurysm embolotherapy could decrease the death of SAH. At the same time, advanced age, the long time smoking, hyponatremia, the rising of leucocyte in acute stage, repeated hemorrhage and cerebral angio spasm were the independent risk factors to the death of patients. Conclusion Prognosis of patients with advanced age, the rising of leucocyte in acute stage, gastrointestinal blooding, hyponatremia, repeated hemorrhage and cerebral angio spasm were unfavorable. When giving patients with aneurysm, the aneurysm occlusion and embolotherapy and nimotop treatment, the death risk could be reduced.

BACKGROUND: Yaotu Granules have been proved to protect human nucleus pulposus cells and delay their degeneration. Notably, Yaotu Granules for lumbar disc herniation has achieved good clinical results.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of the herbal compound formula Yaotu Granules on the Fas/FasL expression in a rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration, and further elucidate the underling mechanism of preventing and treating lumbar disc degeneration.METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were enrolled and the models of lumbar disc degeneration were established by minimally invasive puncture and rotation cutting, followed by randomized into normal saline, low-, middle-,and high-dose groups (n=5 per group). 10 mL of normal saline, 10, 20, and 40 mL of water decoction of Yaotu Granules were administered intragastrically into the normal saline, low-, middle-, and high-dose drug groups for 21 days, twice daily, respectively. Subsequently, the expression level of Fas/FasL in the rabbit nucleus pulposus cells in each group was detected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The signal intensity of the rabbit lumbar disc on MRI was decreased, and ruptured annulus and posterior herniated disc were visible at 12 weeks after modeling. Masson staining showed that the nucleus pulposus cells arranged in disorder, and even ruptured. Additionally, safranin O staining found that the number of nucleus pulposus cells was decreased obviously. The order of the relative expression levels of Fas and FasL mRNA in the nucleus pulposus cells was as follows: normal saline group > low-dose drug group > middle-dose drug group > high-dose drug group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that Yaotu Granules delay the rabbit lumbar disc degeneration by downregulating the expression level of Fas/FasL.