Objective: To explore the association between the consumption of chemical fertilizers and the risk of low birth weight (LBW), to provide references for prevention programs on LBW and to improve the birth outcomes. Methods: Stratified multivariate logistic regression method was used in this study involving 153 preterm LBW infants, 179 term LBW infants and 204 normal control infants that were randomly selected from the birth monitoring data between October 2007 and September 2012 in Pingding county, Shanxi province. Associations between the risk of LBW and maternal exposure to chemical fertilizers during pregnancy were identified. A normal control group was set up to compare results between preterm and term LBW groups. Results: Totally, 18 749 infants were born between 2007 and 2012, with the total incidence rates of LBW as 48.5‰, preterm LBW as 19.4‰, and term LBW as 29.1‰. Concerning the case control study on preterm LBW, after adjustment for confounding factors, the risk of preterm LBW appeared 2.51 (95%CI: 1.05-5.99) times higher in villages with annual consumption of chemical fertilizer ≥100 tons than those villages that using chemical fertilizer less than 50 tons. No significant statistical associations were found between the amounts of household chemical fertilizer consumption and the risks of preterm LBW. Regarding the case control study on term LBW, after adjustment for confounding factors, in villages with ≥100 tons annual consumption of chemical fertilizers, the risk of term LBW was 4.03 (95%CI: 1.63-9.92) times of the risk in villages where the annal use of chemical fertilizers was less than 50 tons. There was no significant association between household consumption of chemical fertilizers and the risk of term LBW. Conclusions: Maternal exposure to chemical fertilizers during pregnancy was associated with the risk of LBW. Our findings suggested that the amount of chemical fertilizer consumption in rural areas seemed also associated with the risks of other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Women should avoid the chance of exposure to chemical fertilizers during pregnancy and the consumption of chemical fertilizers should be carefully managed.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Female ; Fertilizers/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Maternal Exposure ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth/epidemiology* ; Random Allocation ; Risk Factors

Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Mesentery/surgery* ; Ossification, Heterotopic/surgery*

This study was performed to explore the feasibility of antisense imaging with radiolabeled antisense oligonucleotides DNA in tumored nude mice in vivo. Two different tumor cell lines, KB-G2 and KB-31,were used; both antisense and control sense DNAs were administrated intratumorally. The hybridization activities analysis of MAG3 conjugated DNAs oligonucleotides was demonstrated by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. The whole body imaging was performed 22 h after administration of radiolabeled antisense and control sense DNAs at 1.0 microg DNAs (100 microCi) in 100 microl per animal. Then the animals were sacrificed at 24 h after administration and the organs and tissues were dissected and weighed; the radioactivity of each sample was detected by r-counter; injection dose percentage per gram tissue (%ID/g) was calculated and the biodistribution obtained. Both MAGS conjugated oligonucleotides DNAs and natural oligonucleotides DNAs have the same hybridization activities. The whole body images demonstrate improved targeting of antisense DNAs vs sense DNAs in the KB-G2 but not the KB-31 animals. Tumor levels in the KB-G2 animals were significantly higher for the antisense DNAs vs sense DNAs (14.7 vs 8.5% ID/g) while this difference (8.6 vs 4.3% ID/g) was insignificant in the KB-31 animals. Evidence for tumor targeting in vivo by an antisense in that mechanism has been obtained; statistically higher tumor accumulations of the 99mTc-antisense DNA were observed when compared to the control 99mTc-sense DNA. The successful localization of antisense DNA in tumor demonstrates that antisense tumor targeting in vivo is feasible even though improvement in tumor delivery and normal tissue clearance are needed for practical antisense imaging.
Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Dipeptides ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mouth Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; Organometallic Compounds ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The aim of this study is to explore the optimal labeling condition of technetium-99m labeled antisense oligonucleotides (ASON) DNA and sense oligonueleotides (SON) DNA against multi-drug resistance gene-1 (MIDR1) mRNA, to prepare its two-step icefrozen kits, and to perform the quality control of technetium-99m labeled ASON and SON DNAs and its two-step icefrozen kits. A 20 mer single-stranded ASON sequence and its SON sequence against MDR1 mRNA were synthesized respectively, both of the ASON and SON DNAs were uniform phosphorothioated for this investigation with a primary amine on the 5'-end via a six-carbon alkyl linker, and then were labeled with technetium-99m by conjugating with the bifunctional chelator S-Acetyl NHS-MAG3 to form ASON- and SON-MAC3 DNAs. The optimal labeling condition was explored by varying the amount of ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs, SnCl2.2H2O and buffer, the pH value in the reaction medium was also adjusted. The technetium-99m labeled ASON and SON DNAs' two-step icefrozen kits were developed. The radiochemical purities, labeling stability of ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs in vivo and vitro were measured, and stability of the two-step icefrozen kits were also studied. The recycled rates of ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs were over 70% (n >6), the two-step icefrozen kits of ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs were colourless ice crystal. The radiochemical purities of technetium-99m labeled ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs were over 92 %. The radiochemical purities were over 90% after stored at room temperature for 24 hours. The kits were stable within 6 months when stored at 0 degrees C, the radiochemical purities of technetium-99m labeled ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs were still over 90%. The two-step icefrozen kits of ASON- and SON-MAG3 DNAs were successfully developed. The radiochemical purities were all over 90%. The labeling method was simple, feasible and efficient with good stability.
Animals ; DNA, Antisense ; chemistry ; Isotope Labeling ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Random Allocation ; Technetium Tc 99m Mertiatide ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To assess the results of paediatric liver transplantation in our institution. Methods From September 1993 to November 1996, 10 living-related liver transplants (LRLT) and 3 reduced-size liver transplants (RSLT) were performed on 12 children at our hospital. The medical records of the patients were reviewed. All patients suffered from end-stage liver disease resulting from biliary atresia with failed Kasai's operations. Their ages at initial transplantation ranged from 8 months to 11 years. Excluding the 2 older children aged 7.5 and 11 years, the remaining patients were aged 10.5 months on the average and weighed 6 to 9.5 kg (mean: 6.8 kg) at the time of initial transplantation.Results All living donors were discharged on postoperative day 4 to 8 and resumed their previous normal activities. All recipients were alive with normal liver function and growing after a follow-up period of 3-40 months (mean: 21 months). The patient survival rate was 100%. One patient with RSLT had hepatitis of undetermined aetiology and underwent retransplant with a graft from her mother. The graft survival rate was 92%. Postoperative complications included: postoperative bleeding (n=3), hepatic vein stenosis (n=l), biliary-enteric anastomotic stenosis (n=3), intestinal perforation (n=l) and portal vein thrombosis (n=l). They were all treated promptly. In all patients, the hepatic artery (diameter ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 mm) anastomosis was achieved by microvascular technique. There was no hepatic artery thrombosis in our patients. Conclusion With technical refinements, early detection and prompt treatment of complications, and advances in immunotherapy, excellent results can be achieved in paediatric liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the roles of oxidative stress in the generation and development of aneurysms.

METHODSFive terminal aneurysms and 8 lateral aneurysms were rebuilt on rabbits, and 6 normal artery vessels were prepared as control. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and anti-reactive oxygen species unit (anti-ROS unit) were measured with chemical methods.

RESULTSThe levels of MDA in terminal and lateral aneurysms were (33.85 +/- 8.66) and (27.87 +/- 5.78) nmol/mg prot, respectively, which were significantly higher than (10.91 +/- 2.72) nmol/mg prot in control group (P < 0.01). The levels of SOD in terminal and lateral aneurysms were (28.30 +/- 3.58) and (33.00 +/- 8.09) U/mg prot, respectively, which were significantly lower than (127.27 +/- 38.72) U/mg prot in control group (P < 0.01). The levels of anti-ROS unit in terminal and lateral aneurysms were (47.86 +/- 5.00) and (62.64 +/- 13.87) U/ mg prot, respectively, which were significantly lower than (116.94 +/- 9.22) U/mg prot in control group (P < 0.01). No significant differences were shown between terminal aneurysm and lateral aneurysm in MDA and SOD except anti-ROS unit (P = 0.014). MDA had negative correlations with both SOD and anti-ROS unit, and the correlation coefficients were -0. 830 and -0. 852, respectively.

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress may play an important role in the development of aneurysms. Oxidative stress seems similar among various aneurysms.

Aneurysm ; classification ; metabolism ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

ABSTRAT:OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the efficiency of dispersing lung method in treating acute attack of bron-chial asthma.METHODS Relevant data were retrieved from Chinese Journal Full Text Database(CNKI),Chinese Science and Technology Journals Full Text Database(VIP),Wan Fang data online knowledge service platform,Chinese Biomedical Litera-ture Database(CBM),Cochrane Library,Medline and Embase.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)and semi-randomized con-trolled trials(CCTs) concerning acute attack of bronchial asthma treated with dispersing lung method were included,methodo-logical quality were assessed based on improved Jadad evaluation criteria and Stata10.0 software was used for statistical analy-sis.RESULTS A total of 1 1 18 subjects from 7 RCTs and 7 CCTs met the inclusion criteria.The Meta analysis showed that traditional Chinese medicine combined with conventional western medicine therapy in RCTs were superior to simple western treatment(OR =5.1 6,95% CI[2.67,9.97],P <0.05).Compared to control group,curative effects of traditional Chinese medicine group in CCTs were better(RR =1.1 5,95% CI[1.09,1.23],P <0.05).Publication bias was found in CCTs,not in RCTs.CONCLUSION Dispersing lung method has certain advantages over western medicine therapy in the treatment of bronchial asthma,and the quality of clinical research deserves further research.

OBJECTIVE To study the secondary metabolites of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp.TPXq isolated from Saussurea medusa .METHODS The strain was cultured in a large-scale by using the shaking incubator.The secondary me-tabolites were isolated by chromatography methods such as silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 columns,ODS flash column and HPLC,etc.The structures of these compounds were identified by their physico-chemical constants and the NMR data.RE-SULTS Eight Cyclodipeptides and one alkaloidwere seperated from secondary metabolites of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp.TPXq isolated were from Saussurea medusa .,and their stuctures were identified as 3-isobutylpyrrolopiperazine-2,5-dione (Ⅰ),3-isopropyl-pyrrolopiperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅱ),3-seco-butyl-pyrrolopiperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅲ),3-benzyl-pyrrolopiperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅳ),3-benzyl-6-(p-hydroxy benzyl)piperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅴ),3,6-dimethylpiperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅵ),3-isobutyl-6-isopropylpiperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅶ),3-isobutyl-6-benzylpiperazine-2,5-dione(Ⅷ),Chaetominine(Ⅸ),by analysis of physio-chemical and NMR data.CONCLUSION Among them,compounds Ⅳ ~ Ⅷ were isolated from Alterraria .sp for the first time.Compounds Ⅸ showed significant cytotoxic activity against A549 and MCF-7 tumor cells,the IC50 values are 0.18 μg/mL and 0.89 μg/mL,respectively.However,compoundsⅠ~Ⅷ exhibited very weak cytotoxicity(>50μg/mL)against these cell lines.

OBJECTIVE To explore the influence of different compatibility of Shuangshen Pingfei decoction on the decocting rate of mangiferin in Anemarrhena asphodeloides ,and ingredients to research influence on the mechanism of the solution rate. METHODS To disassemble formulas on the basis of the prescription of traditional Chinese medicine containing categories of ingredients.With decocting rate of mangiferin in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge as indexes,analyse different compatibility influence on mangiferin decocting rate.Based on these results of disassembled formulas,the representative alkaloid 1-Deoxyno-jirimycinand amino acid in different compatibility are used to research the influence of compositions of white mulberry on the decocting rate of mangiferin in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge and discuss the influence of the decocting rate mechanism with Anion and cation exchange resin processing of samples.RESULTS Research findings shows that the decocting rates of man-giferin in Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge decoction,prescription combined decoction,Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge-sapo-nins from Chinese herbal compound,Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge-phenolic acid from Chinese herbal compound are 97.33%,47.03%,94.08%,57.53%,34.31%,respectively;Further study shows that Morus alba L.combined with Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge have the most obvious effect on extraction yield of mangiferin.Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge decoting with total alkaloids of Morus alba L,DNJ,glycine,β-alanine,respectively.The decocting rate of mangiferin in each group was 1 6.64%,28.13%,40.75% and 48.56%,respectively.CONCLUSION Our results suggest that the decoc-ting rates of mangiferin are mainly influenced by Morus alba L.We also conjectured that alkaloids and amino acids of Morus alba L.form complexes with mangiferin.

Objective To examine whether tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) genes can be cotransduced into the same target striatal cells using adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors, and to determine whether the cotransduction would result in better biochemical change than the TH gene alone.Methods TH and AADC genes were cotransduced into cultured striatal cells with separate AAV vectors. Expressions of TH and AADC were detected by immunocytochemistry; intracellular catecholamine levels were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results TH and AADC genes were efficiently cotransduced into the striatal cells. Specifically, the coexpression of TH and AADC resulted in more effective dopamine production compared with the TH gene alone.Conclusion Using AAV vectors, coexpression of TH and AADC in the striatal cells might be a useful approach to gene therapy for Parkinson's disease.