Agglutinins ; immunology ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Infant, Newborn

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of light intensity on photosynthetic characteristics and seedling growth of Prunella vulgaris under different light intensity.

METHODThe seedling of P. vulgaris was shaded with shading net, and relative parameters were measured. The data was statistically processed.

RESULTWith the reducing light intensity, the young plant stems became slender, the leaf long increased. The plant height and net growth under 42% full light condition were significantly higher than those under the other light intensity, chlorophy II and carotenoid contents increased, as well as Chl a/b decreased under low light. Photosynthetic indicators of P(n), T(r) decreased under low light, but CO2 concentration increased, and G(s) content decreases and then increased under 10% full light intensity.

CONCLUSIONP. vulgaris manifested the different plasticity and adaptability under different light intensities. The 42% light intensity was the best and the proper shading would promote the growth of seedlings.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Light ; Photosynthesis ; radiation effects ; Plant Leaves ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Plant Stems ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Prunella ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Seedlings ; growth & development ; radiation effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the mortality of the patients with severe burns.

METHODSIn a prospective multi-center randomized clinical trial, 207 adult patients with severe burns were enrolled in the study, and they were randomly divided into treatment (T, with subcutaneous injection of rhGH) and placebo control (C, with subcutaneous injection of same amount of isotonic saline) groups. The mortality, incidence of hyperglycemia and sepsis in the two groups were observed.

RESULTSThe mortality rate in T group was 0.89% as compared with 5.26% in the C group (P >0.05). Hyperglycemia (blood glucose level over 10 mmol/L) was present in 36.61% of patients in T group but 18.95% in C group (P <0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of sepsis between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of rhGH in appropriate dosage in adult patients with severe burns could be safe, but blood glucose level should be monitored during the administration.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; Burns ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the changes in serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) and blood sugar in severely burned patients, so as to validate the optimal time of rhGH administration.

METHODSForty severely burned patients were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into control (C), treatment 1 (rhGH given from 7 - 9 PBD, T1) and treatment 2 (rhGH from 10 - 14 PBD, T2) groups. The dynamic changes in serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and blood sugar on the 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 PBDs in all 3 groups of burn patients were determined, analyzed and compared with one another.

RESULTSThe serum IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and blood sugar levels in T1 and T2 groups were higher than those in C group after the use of rhGH, especially the IGFBP-3 and blood sugar (P < 0.05). There was no difference of all the indices between T1 and T2 groups.

CONCLUSIONIt might be optimal to give rhGH to severely burned patients during 7-9 PBDs.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Burns ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the mutations of leptin receptor gene exon 4, exon 6, exon9, and exon20 with the tumorigenesis of breast cancer.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from breast cancer tissues of 155 patients, benign lesions of 56 patients and normal tissues and blood samples from 100 health control subjects. The leptin receptor genes were assayed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and direct sequence analysis.

RESULTSNucleotide substitutions no mutations were found at exon 4, and nucleotide substitutions occurred at codon 1029 in exon 9, no significant difference among the three groups (P = 0.574). The nucleotide substitutions at codon 668 in exon 6 resulted in Gln223Arg polymorphisms. The occurring frequencies of GG, GA, AA in breast cancer, breast benign lesions tissues and health tissues control group were 70.9% and 17.4%, 12.3%; 80.4%, 14.3% and 5.4%; and 81.0%, 16.0%, and 3.0%, respectively. Alleles of G and A in the three groups were 79.1% and 20.8%, 87.5% and 12.5%, and 89.0% and 11.0%, respectively. Compared the Gln223Arg genotype with the three allele groups, there were significant differences (χ(2) = 16.11, P < 0.005 and χ(2) = 11.41, P < 0.01), respectively. The nucleotide substitutions at codon 3057 in exon 20 resulted in Pro1019Pro polymorphisms. The occurrence frequencies of GG, GA, AA in the breast cancer, benign disease and health control groups were 11.6%, 30.3% and 56.1%; 32.1%, 44.0% and 28.5%; and 32.0%, 45.0% And 23.0%, respectively. Alleles of G and A in the three groups were 26.8% and 73.2%, 51.8% and 48.2%, and 54.5% and 45.5%, respectively. There are significant differences among the three groups (χ(2) = 6.56, P < 0.03 and χ(2) = 5.45, P < 0.05), respectively. Nucleotide substitutions occurred at relatively high frequencies at exon 6 and exon 20 in obese and overweight breast cancer patients compared with those in normal weight breast cancer patients, there were significant differences (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings show that there is no relationship between the variations of leptin receptor gene exon 9 and tumorigenesis of breast cancer. The variation rate of leptin receptor gene exon 6 and exon 20 are significantly increased in the obese and overweight breast cancer patients.

Adenoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; etiology ; genetics ; Carcinoma ; etiology ; genetics ; Exons ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an adjuvant diagnostic index for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary tract and monitoring the state of disease.

METHODSUrinary samples were collected from 262 patients with transitional cell carcinoma, 198 non-transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract and 65 patients with benign diseases. Urinary NMP22 concentration was determined through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe urinary NMP22 concentration had significant difference among the three groups (Kruskal Wallis, chi(2) = 197.17 P < 0.001). The detection sensitivity and specificity of urinary NMP22 to transitional cell carcinoma were 71.37% and 87.69% respectively. The NMP22 concentration showed significant difference among three groups divided according to the pathological grade (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 34.06 P < 0.01). The NMP22 concentration was significant lower in the recovery patients after the operation than the peoples of pre-operation and recurrence (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 37.53, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONMP22 is a helpful tumor marker for the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma and monitoring the state of illness with increased efficacy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; urine ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; diagnosis ; urine ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Proteins ; urine ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; urine

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between serum level of leptin and leptin receptor gene (LEPR) polymorphism and patients with breast cancer.

METHODSLEPR G1n223Arg polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 94 patients with breast cancer and 128 healthy controls. The level of leptin were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSIn univariate regression analyses, we found serum level of leptin and LEPR Gin223Arg genotype polymorphism were significantly higrer than those of the controls (P < 0.05-0.001, respectively). Through multivariable analyses, we found that increased risk estimates for breast cancer were among those with leptin level (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.13-2.07, P = 0.006), LEPR Gin223Arg genotype (OR = 4.87, 95%CI:1.30-18.22, P = 0.019), WHR (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 1.34-10.11, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONResults from this study suggested that LEPR Gln233Agr polymorphism, the elevated WHR and serum level of leptin might be correlated with increased risk of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Leptin ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics ; Risk

OBJECTIVETo establish an FTIR method for the analysis of Dendrobium.

METHODUsing fourier transform infrared spectrometer to record the characteristic spectra of eleven samples of Dendrobium, and to compare the spectra by PCA (principal component analysis).

RESULTThe FTIR spectra of the upper part of the stem displayed significant differences between fresh and dried samples of Dendrobium. On the other hand, differences were observed in the spectra of the middle and lower parts of stems of D. guangxieuse when compared to other species.

CONCLUSIONThe method of applying PCA to FTIR analysis is a rapid and dependable method for comparing samples of Dendrobium.

Dendrobium ; chemistry ; classification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification ; Principal Component Analysis ; methods ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of water stress on physiological and the growth characters of Prunella vulgaris at the vegetative stage.

METHODThe plants were treated timely and quantitatively by weighting method, and the relevant index were measured under different water stress conditions.

RESULTWith the long time of water stress, the plants of SY2 and SY3 showed the quickest growth rate and the best of growth vigor. The protective enzyme and osmoregulation substance presented the trend of increase firstly and then decrease. Under the same time of water stress, with the increase of extent in treatment, the protective enzyme and osmoregulation substance presented the trend of increase firstly and then decrease, and SY2 and SY3 were the lowest.

CONCLUSIONThe protective enzyme and osmoregulation substance of P. vulgaris have a whole effect. The suitable water range of growth in P. vulgaris is 65%-80%.

Prunella ; growth & development ; physiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Water ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate suitable treatment method for contracture of inframammary scars.

METHODSNine female patients with contracture of inframammary sear hospitalized in our hospital from July 2000 to July 2007 were subjected to skin expansion around the breast. The sites of incisions were mainly located on the inframammary scars. The expanders were placed around the breast and middle chest near the sternum. On the lateral side of chest, the expander should be inserted at the site parallel to upper level of the breast. The expanders should be placed under deep fascia and superficial to the gland. At II stage of operation, the scars were excised and the subcutaneous tissues should be thoroughly loosened to assure that the soft tissue and mammary gland would be restored to its anatomical position. Expanded skin was then designed as advancement or transposition flaps to repair the defects, or effects were closed with suturing.

RESULTSBlood circulation disturbance occurred at the tip of a flap in one patient, with the size of 4.0 cm x 3.0 cm, and the resulting wound healed after skin grafting. Flaps in the other 8 patients survived, and the wounds healed satisfactorily. Nipples and mammary areola were successfully restored to the anatomical positions. Three patients were followed up for 6 months to 2 years, and the result was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSExpanded flap is feasible for repairing contracture of inframammary scar and with good result.

Adolescent ; Breast ; Child ; Cicatrix ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Expansion ; methods ; Young Adult