Objective To observe the metabolism and distribution of arsenic in liver and brain of offspring rata by exposure to arsenic of pregnant rats or lactation dams and weaned pups,and explore if arsenic could penetrate the placental barrier,lactation barrier and blood brain barrier. Methods The Wistar female rots were randomly divided into four groups according to body weights,12 in each group,and were fed with drinking water that contained arsenic(NaAsO_2) 0,10,50,100 mg/L beginning from the gestafional day 6 until pups 42 days old. Pups were separately sacrificed on postnatal day(PND) 0,15,28,42. Arsenic in liver and brain of offspring rots and in breast milk was examined by atomic absorption speetrophotometer with an arsenic speeiation pretreatment system. Results Concentration of iAs,MMA,DMA of brain in 50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[0,0,0,(7.3±6.6),0,(44.2±27.4)ng/g]on PND 0,42[iAs: (120.0±46.0),(195.5±125.3),(216.5±278.4),(176.6±151.8) ng/g; M MA: (47.2±18.1),(199.6±389.1),(47.4±55.2),(82.7±79.2) ng/g; DMA: (984.3±377.4),(2222.1±1433.2),(998.1±368.3),(1781.3±715.7)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of DMA of brain in 50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(13.9±18.1),(50.6±98.3)ng/g]on PND 15,28 [(270.3±73.1),(323.9±72.7),(758.7±245.9),(1020.6±383.6) ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of iAs,DMA of liver in 10,50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group [(1.4±3.5),(49.7± 47.1),0,(100.4±30.2)ng/g]on PND 28,42 [iAs: (37.5±28.1),(268.8±246.4),(307.2±339.9),(15.4±9.4),(479.1±161.1),(408.4±51.9)ng/g;DMA: (594.5±148.8),(3181.9±519.0),(4834.2±2568.4),(1061.8± 85.2),(3697.1±553.7),(4120.0±732.8) ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of DMA of liver in 10,50,100 mg/L groups were higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(13.2±20.5)ng/g]on PND 15[(182.0±60,2),(637.6±90.0),(1458.7±196.3)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. Concentration of arsenicals of liver and brain showed a dose-dependent increase. The concentrations of DMA of breast milk in 50,100 mg/L groups were also higher than that of 0 mg/L group[(9.8±13.4),0 ng/g]on PND 0,15 [(182.3±85.9),(372.2±203.9),(124.2±33.1),(244.4±196.5)ng/g,all P < 0.05]. In the analysis of the change of arsenic on different postnatal day,we found the concentration of iAs,MMA,DMA,TMA in liver and brain of pups all decreased on postnatal day 15,and was lower than that on PND 0,28 and 42. Conclusions The distribution of arsenic and methyl-metabolism in liver and brain of pups is related with arsenic exposure dose. Arsenic can penetrate the placenta and blood brain barrier easily and lactation can hinder arsenic intake in some extent.

Objective To determine the long term outcomes of laryngomalacia infants with anomalies and to determine the clinical practice guideline for these infants.Methods The charts of infants with moderate to severe laryngomalacia,who were admitted to our hospital between January 2013 and December 2015,were retrospectively reviewed.These infants were divided into two groups,anomaly(A) group(n=37) and non-anomaly (NA) group(n=19).Results Fifty-six cases were enrolled.Infants in A group were older at symptom relief than those in NA group[(10.00±3.56) months vs.(7.89±3.03) months,P＜0.05],and the weight percentiles of infants in A group were lower at 3,6 and 12 months than those in NA group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups on the weights percentiles in infants at 24 months after diagnosis.Five of 37 cases in A group and 3 of 19 cases in NA group had supraglottoplasty.One infant in A group had tracheotomy.Conclusion Both breathing difficulty and development retardations of infants with moderate or severe laryngomalacia could gradually improved with age.There is not enough evidence to support the aggressive supraglottoplasty for infants with anomalies and laryngomalacia.

Objective To investigate changes in CD_4~+ CD_(28)~(null)T cell numbers of peripheral blood and the expression of perforin in patients with coronary heart disease.Methods Sixty-eight patients with acute coronary syndromes,56 with stable angina and 65 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study.CD_4~+ CD_(28)~(null)T lymphocytes were measured by flow cytometric analysis.Results The numbers of CD_4~+ CD_(28)~(null)T lymphocytes in patients with acute coronary syndromes were higher than those in patients with stable angina and in the control subjects(11.6 % vs 2.84% and 0.59%,P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ultrastructure and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity changes of NIH3T3 cells incubated with secretive human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (hBMP-2) that is induced by gene transfection through transwell system.

METHODSEukaryotic expression vector (pcDNA3.1-B2) was transduced into NIH3T3 cells by Sofast, a positive compound transfection agent. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The cytoplasmic and extracellular expression of BMP-2 in the NIH3T3 cells were determined by immunohistochemical and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). NIH3T3 cells were co-cultured with hBMP-2 gene transfecting cells through transwell system, and the ultrastructure and ALP activity (the markers of osteogenetic differentiation) changes were observed.

RESULTSThere were cytoplasmic and extracellular expression of BMP-2 in transfecting NIH3T3 cells. The ultrastructure changes and the high expression of ALP suggested the osteogenetic differentiation tendency of NIH3T3 cells co-cultured with transfecting NIH3T3 cells.

CONCLUSIONSSecretive BMP-2 that is induced by gene transfection could promote the osteogenetic differentiation of fibroblast cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; genetics ; Coculture Techniques ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Humans ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Osteogenesis ; Transfection

The objective of this study was to investigate the prognosticating value of multiparameter flow cytometry in detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) and relapse risk of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Multiparameter flow cytometry (MPFC) analysis was used to detect the leukemia-associated aberrant immunophenotype (LAIP) of the pretreated patients with AML and to assess the levels of MRD after remission induction (Post-Ind MRD) and consolidation therapy (Post-Cons MRD). The results showed that the definite LAIP could be detected in 94.3% of the patients (115/122) with AML (except APL). Among 115 cases only one LAIP was identified in 15 cases (13.0%), but two or more LAIP were identified in other 100 cases (87.0%). The most frequent LAIP identified was cross-lineage antigen expression (40.9%). The percentages of asynchronous antigen expression, antigen over-expression and antigen lack expression were 20.9%, 27.0%and 34.8% respectively. MRD frequency was monitored in 41 AML patients with CR after remission induction chemotherapy and 2 or more cycles of consolidation chemotherapy. 24 patients were Post-Ind MRD(+) and 17 patients were Post-Ind MRD(-). The percentages of relapse in cases of Post-Ind MRD(+) and Post-Ind MRD(-) were 75.0% (18/24) and 29.4% (5/17) respectively after consolidation chemotherapy. The relapse free survival (RFS) times of the patients with Post-Ind MRD(+) and Post-Ind MRD(-) were 49.06 +/- 6.53 months and 11.92 +/- 1.64 months (p < 0.0001) respectively. 18 patients were Post-Cons MRD(+) and 23 patients were Post-Cons MRD(-). The percentages of relapse in cases of Post-Cons MRD(+) and Post-Cons MRD(-) patients were 100% (18/18) and 21.7% (5/23) respectively after consolidation chemotherapy. The RFS times of the patients with Post-Cons MRD(+) and Post-Cons MRD(-) were 41.74 +/- 5.52 months and 10.06 +/- 1.72 months (p < 0.0001) respectively. It is concluded that the levels of post-Ind MRD and post-Cons MRD identified in the patients with AML was highly associated with their RFS. The detection of MRD by MPFC provides prognostic information in AML patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Young Adult

The objective of study was to evaluate the clinical values of multiparameter flow cytometry (MPFC) and cytomorphology of bone marrow aspiration(BMA) in detecting bone marrow involvement in patients with B cell Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). 96 bone marrow samples from the patients with B-NHL were measured by MPFC using CD45/SSC and CD20/SSC gating strategy combined with anti-kappa and anti-lamda monoclonal antibodies, and then compared with results acquired by cytomorphologic analysis of BMA. The results showed that the bone marrow involvement was confirmed by MPFC in 38 cases (39.6%), while it was detected by cytomorphologic analysis of BMA only in 12 cases (12.5%). There was a significant difference between the two methods (p<0.05). 12 positive cases detected by cytomorphologic analysis of BMA were also positive by MPFC. There was no difference of 3-year overall survival rate between negative and positive cases detected by MPFC, but their 4-year overall survival rate was 73.18+/-6.65% and 44.13%+/-19.55% respectively (p<0.05). It is concluded that the MPFC is a more sensitive method for detecting bone marrow involvement in patients with B-NHL than cytomorphologic analysis of BMA. The 4-year overall survival rate of the patients without bone marrow involvement was significant higher than those of patients with bone marrow involvement. Bone marrow involvement in B-NHL detected by MPFC can be useful for clinical evaluation and prognosis prediction.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and serum ferritin (SF) in patients with pneumoconiosis and their relationship with the onset of pneumoconiosis.

METHODSThe serum NSE and SF levels in the peripheral blood of patients with pneumoconiosis were measured by electrochemical fluorescence immunoassay.

RESULTSThe patients with first-stage pneumoconiosis and second-stage pneumoconiosis had significantly higher serum NSE and SF levels than the control group (23.0264±14.0410 and 44.9776±26.5208 ng/ml vs 8.1480±3.7512 ng/ml, P < 0.05; 267.2515±186.5809 and 579.1371±433.9326 ng/ml vs 120.8613±74.2809 ng/ml, P < 0.05), and the patients with second-stage pneumoconiosis had significantly higher serum NSE and SF levels than those with first-stage pneumoconiosis (P < 0.05). After treatment, the serum NSE level decreased significantly in the patients with pneumoconiosis (21.1675±17.5942 ng/ml vs 33.4490±21.6948 ng/ml, P < 0.05), but it was still significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The treatment did not produce significant changes in SF level among these patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPatients with pneumoconiosis have elevated serum NSE and SF levels, which may be related to the onset and progression of this disease.

Adult ; Ferritins ; blood ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; Pneumoconiosis ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between copper speciation and microbial features (microbial communities and copper tolerance level) in order to determine the adverse effect of different forms of Cu on microorganisms.

METHODSTessier's sequential extraction procedure was used to qualify the different Cu forms (exchangeable, carbonate bound, Fe/Mn oxide bound, residue and organic matter bound), and the copper tolerance level (expressed as IC50, influence concentration) was measured by the plate-count method.

RESULTSBy simple correlation analysis, the IC50 was positively correlated with the concentration of exchangeable Cu (R2 = 0.8204), while weakly correlated with other forms of Cu.

CONCLUSIONThe bacterial community tolerance increases in the copper-contaminated soil while sensitive bacteria decrease in the copper-contaminated soils. The exchangeable Cu exerts high toxicity to microbial communities.

Bacteria ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; China ; Copper ; analysis ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Environmental Monitoring ; Fungi ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Soil Microbiology ; Soil Pollutants ; chemistry ; toxicity

BACKGROUNDBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), which belong to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily, are powerful regulators of cartilage and bone formation. This study investigated the biological changes of NIH3T3 cells incubated with secretive BMP2 that was induced by gene transfection through transwell.

METHODSEukaryonic expression vector (pcDNA3.1-B2) was transfered into NIH3T3 cells with Sofast, a positive compound transfection agent. The positive cell clones were selected with G418. The cytoplasmic and extracellular expressions of BMP2 were determined by immunohistochemical stain and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NIH3T3 cells were co-cultured with hBMP2 gene transfecting cells through transwell, and the ultrastructure, alkaline phosphatase activity and the expression of osteocalcin (the marker of osteogenetic differentiation) changes were observed.

RESULTSThere were cytoplasmic and extracellular expressions of BMP2 in transfecting NIH3T3 cells. The ultrastructural changes, the high activity of alkaline phosphatase and the positive stain of osteocalcin suggested the osteogenetic differentiation tendency of NIH3T3 cells co-cultured with transfecting NIH3T3 cells.

CONCLUSIONSecretive BMP2 that is induced by gene transfection could promote the osteogenetic differentiation of fibroblast cells.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Osteocalcin ; analysis ; Osteogenesis ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; genetics

To figure out the stability and intestinal bacteria metabolites of rats in vitro of astragaloside IV ( AST), this research was done to explore the stability of AST in the artificial gastric juice. artificial intestinal juice and rat liver homogenate and the metabolism in rat intestinal in vitro. HPLC was used to calculate the remaining rate of AST in biological samples by measuring the content of AST, while metabolites were determined by combining the methods of TLC, HPLC and LC-MS/MS. It turned out that AST was difficult to metabolize in the artificial gastric juice, artificial intestinal juice and rat liver. Also, the metabolic pathway of AST was stepped by deglycosylation. Firstly, AST was converted to its secondary etabolites (6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- cycloastragenol, CMG) by removal of xylose moiety at C-3, then transformed into cycloastragenol (CAG) after hydrolytic removal of the glucose moiety at C-6. All the results suggested that the metabolism of AST in vivo occurs mainly in the intestinal by hydrolysis of glycosyl. In conclusion, hydrolysis of intestinal flora is the main reason that AST metabolizes.
Animals ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Stability ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; metabolism