Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Bilevel non -invasive positive air pressure ventila-tion(BiPAP)in the treatment of stable COPD patients with typeⅡrespiratory failure.Methods 36 patients had stable COPD with typeⅡrespiratory failure was treated with BiPAP.And observed the changes of clinical symptoms and arte-rial blood gases before and after the treatment.Results The Blood gas index[(7.28 ±0.04)vs (7.37 ±0.06)], heart rate[(116 ±11)times/min vs (85 ±10)times/min],breath rate[(26 ±4)times/min,(17 ±3)times/min], frequence of hospitalization[(3.50 ±0.89)times vs (0.23 ±0.11)times],and hospital days[(22.3 ±8.8)d vs (11.4 ±4.6)d]significantly changed after treatment(all P <0.01),the symptoms,including the shortness of breath, and chest distress improved greatly,and also the exercise tolerance were much better than patients did before treatment.Conclusion BiPAP is an efficient treatment method,and valuable for stable COPD patients with type Ⅱrespiratory failure.

AIM　To study the chemical constituents of the seeds from Artabotrys hexapetalus (L.f.) Bhandari (Annonaceae). METHODS　Various chromatographic techniques were used to separate and purify the constituents. Their structures were elucidated on the physico-chemical properties and spectral data. RESULTS Eight compounds were isolated from the seeds of A.hexapetalus. They were identified as four neolignans: isoamericanin A (1), isoamericanol A (2), americanin B (3) and artabotrycinol (4), a semiterpenoid: (R)-artabotriol (5) and others: palmitic acid (6), β-sitosterol (7) and daucosterol (8). CONCLUSION Artabotrycinol (4) and (R)-artabotriol (5) are new compounds. Three other neolignans were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Objective To evaluate the influence of smoking on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in patients with hypertension.Methods Two hundred and three patients with hypertension were consecutively enrolled with smoking or without smoking.They were divided into two groups:smoking group (84 patients) and no smoking group (119 patients).Carotid IMT was measured.Results Carotid in smoking group was (0.1118 ± 0.0234) cm,which was thickened compared with that in no smoking group [(0.098 ± 0.0249) cm] (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Smoking has significant influence on carotid IMT in patients with hypertension.

Object To study the effects of active fraction L.F04 from the ground part of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. var. hirtus Reg. on platelet aggregation and thrombosis formation and investigate its mechanisms of promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. Methods The effects of L.F04 on platelet aggregation induced by ADP in vivo, thrombosis of artery vein side road and thrombus formed in rotary loop in vitro were examined, the rat model of blood stasis made by injecting high molecular weight dextran (HMWD) was used. Results L.F04 0.408 and 0.204 g/kg evidently inhibited the ADP induced increase of platelet maximum aggregation rate in vivo in HMWD model, with a concentration dependent manner. Compared with the control group, the thrombus weight in rat model of blood stasis was increased significantly and the length of thrombus was shown an increasing trendency. L.F04 0.408 and 0.204 g/kg both shown the anti thrombosis effect. L.F04 0.408 g/kg showed better effects of lessening the thrombus dry weight and wet weight. Both L.F04 0.408 and 0.204 g/kg could inhibit the thrombosis of artery vein side road, the inhibition rates are separately 27.41% and 27.14%. Conclusion L. lucidus var. hirtus F04 could significantly inhibit platelet aggregation and thrombosis formation.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been distributed in environment and human body worldwide. Due to their bioaccumulative and multiple organ toxic, these compounds have raised more and more attention in recent years. The precursors of PFASs can be metabolized to PFASs both in environment and human body, which makes an important contribution to human body burdens. Apart from transformation into PFASs, some of these precursors themselves or their metabolic intermediates also have toxicity effects, such as estrogen-like properties, protein binding, cytotoxicity and so on, and there might be a potential harmful impact on human health. In this paper, the toxicity and biotransformation of PFASs and their precursors were introduced briefly.
Environment ; Environmental Pollution ; Fluorocarbons ; toxicity ; Health ; Humans ; Risk

OBJECTIVEWe established a method of UPLC-MS/MS that was to detect fifteen precursors of perfluoroalkyl sulfonates (PFSA) and perfluoroalkyl carboxylates (PFCA) in serum.

METHODSBriefly, TBAS solution was added to sera, then the mixed solution was extracted with aliquots of MTBE. The MTBE aliquots were combined, evaporated to dryness under nitrogen, and reconsituted in 0.25 ml of methanol and water (1:1). Then the reconstituted solution through 0.2 µm nylon syringe filter was collected. Chromatographic separation was performed using a Waters ACQUITY (TM) BEH ¹⁸C column (50 mm × 2.1 mm × 1.7 mm). Analyte quantitation was performed in the negative electrospray ionization mode and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).

RESULTSThree target substances, 6: 6PFPi, 6: 8PFPi, 8: 8PFPi, were externally confirmed by standard addition. Rates of recovery for these three chemicals were from 41.01% to 112.13% in two standard levels. And the relative standard deviations (RSD) were lower than 11.63% and higher than 1.80%. The other twelve substances were quantified with internal standard. Moreover in two standard levels, rate of recovery for these chemicals ranged from 70.25% to 127.51%. And RSD were more than 1.23% and less than 15.45%. And the corresponding limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) for all target substances were 0.1-5.0 pg/ml and 0.2-10.0 pg/ml. Then we detected these target substances in ten different human serum samples. The levels of few substances were higher than LOD. And the ranges of FOSA-M, N-EtFOSA-M, N-MeFOSAA, N-EtFOSAA were respectively < LOD-0.94 pg/ml, < LOD-10.08 pg/ml, < LOD-6.74 pg/ml, < LOD-1.04 pg/ml.

CONCLUSIONThe method, with high sensitivity and accuracy, could meet the actual testing requirements.

Caprylates ; Fluorocarbons ; Humans ; Limit of Detection ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVEParticulate samples from the atmosphere in an electronic waste dismantling area were collected to investigate the levels and sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs).

METHODSParticulate samples including total suspended particulates (TSP) and particulate matter <2.5 μm diameter (PM(2.5)) were collected on selected non-rainy days in summer (Jul 10-12, 2006) and winter (Jan 11-13, 2007) from Fengjiang (FJ), an electronic waste (e-waste) dismantling area in eastern China, and an adjacent area Luqiao (LQ). The samples were analyzed by isotope dilution - high resolution gas chromatography / high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS).

RESULTSIn FJ, the mean PCDD/F concentrations (mean TEQ values) were 280.6 pg Nm(-3) (3.432 pg WHO-TEQ Nm(-3)) for the TSP samples and 223.3 pg Nm(-3) (3.180 pg WHO-TEQ Nm(-3)) for the PM(2.5) samples. The total PCDD/F concentrations and TEQs in the PM(2.5) samples were about 66.8%-108.0% of the TSP samples, indicating that the fine particles contained higher levels of PCDD/Fs than coarse particles. The PCDD/F levels in FJ were much higher than those detected in common urban areas around the world, suggesting that the study area was heavily polluted by PCDD/Fs. Furthermore, the total average daily PCDD/F intake in FJ was estimated at 62.11 pg WHO-TEQ kg(-1)·day(-1) for adults and 110.11 pg WHO-TEQ kg(-1)·day(-1) for children, which greatly exceeds the WHO (1998) tolerable daily intake of 1-4 pg of WHO-TEQ kg(-1)·day(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe PCDD/F homologues and congener profiles confirmed that the PCDD/Fs in FJ originated from crude e-waste recycling activities. The severe dioxin pollution present in FJ has also substantially influenced the adjacent area of LQ through atmospheric transport. Open burning of medical waste was another source of PCDD/Fs identified in LQ.

Air Pollutants ; chemistry ; Atmosphere ; Benzofurans ; chemistry ; China ; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated ; Electronic Waste ; Environmental Exposure ; Humans ; Inhalation Exposure ; Occupational Exposure ; Particulate Matter ; chemistry ; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Refuse Disposal ; methods ; Seasons

Objective To investigate the predictive effect of serum CDH13 methylation for the progression after TURBT in the patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Methods Ninety-eight patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated by TURBT in this hospital from January 2010 to January 2012 were selected.The methylation specific PCR was used to detect the methylation status of serum CDH13.Then its correlation with the clinicopathological data as well as postoperative progression situation was analyzed.Results Serum CDH13 methylation was detected in 52 cases (53.1％),moreover serum CDH13 methylation was closely correlated with tumor size,grade and number (P＜0.05).During follow-up,20 cases (20.4％) appeared the tumor progression.The Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test found that the patients with serum CDH13 methylation had shorter progression-free survival rate than the patients without serum CDH13 methylation,and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.007).The Cox regression analysis showed that serum CDH13 methylation was an independent risk factor for the progression after TURBT in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Conclusion Serum CDH13 methylation can serve as a predictive indicator of the progression after TURBT in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Objective To explore the prevalence and clinical characteristics of food allergy in bronchial asth-matic children less than 14 years old in China. Methods A case - controlled study was designed. The questionnaires were given to children,who were diagnosed to be asthmatic during the national epidemiological survey of asthma in chil-dren in 31 cities from September 2009 to August 2010. Non - asthmatic children,matched with the cases in age and gender,were selected during the same survey as control subjects if they were matched with the cases in age and sex. In-formation regarding the food allergen and symptom of food - induced anaphylaxis was analyzed. The difference in food allergy was compared between children with or without bronchial asthma. Results As a result,9235 asthmatic children and 11391 control subjects were enrolled in the case - control study. There were 14. 66％(1354 / 9235 cases)of the asthmatic children who had food allergy,compared to 3. 99％(455 / 11391 cases)of the non - asthmatics children, and the findings showed a significant difference (χ2 = 725. 25,P < 0. 001). The most common food allergens were fish and shrimp in both groups,and the difference was not significant [44. 09％ (597 / 1354 cases)vs. 42. 20％ (192 / 455 cases),χ2 = 0. 50,P > 0. 05]. The rate of peanut allergy was 4. 58％ (62 / 1354 cases)and 1. 54％ (7 / 455 cases) (χ2 = 8. 58,P < 0. 05),respectively. And the rates of fruit allergy in the asthmatic group and the non - asthmatic group were 14. 03％(190 / 1354 cases)and 27. 69％(126 / 455 cases)(χ2 = 44. 01,P < 0. 05),respectively. Cutaneous and nasal symptoms were common clinical manifestations. The rates of rash,pruritus,and swelling sympions were 47. 27％(640 / 1354 cases)and 61. 32％(279 / 455 cases)(χ2 = 26. 90,P < 0. 001),respectively for asthmatic group and non -asthmatic group. Rates of nasal symptoms were 17. 13％(232 / 1354 cases)and 10. 55％(48 / 455 cases)(χ2 = 11. 29, P = 0. 001),respectively in the asthmatic group and the non - asthmatic groups. Respiratory symptoms,such as cough and wheezing,were 25. 33％(343 / 1354 cases)and 5. 49％(25 / 455 cases)(χ2 = 80. 72,P < 0. 001)in 2 groups. Twenty cases of 1354 asthmatic children had severe food allergy,while such severe conditions occurred only 1 child without asthma (455 cases)occurred severe condition (1. 48％ vs. 0. 22％,χ2 = 4. 96,P < 0. 05). Conclusion The-rate of food allergen sensitization is highly prevalent in the children with asthma. Compared to those without asthma, and their types of food allergen and clinical symptoms are different from the latter.

OBJECTIVETo explore the level of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) precursors in Chinese human milk samples.

METHODSThe human milk samples were collected during the performance of Stockholm convention on survey of human milk in China in 2007. Based on the geographical location and dietary habits, China was divided into the south area and north area which 6 provinces were chosen from each area and there were 12 provinces in all. In each province, one urban site and two rural sites were selected to collect 80-110 samples. Mothers were randomly selected in each site to collect their breast milk. There were 1 237 individual human milk samples in all. For each province, the individual samples from the urban areas and the rural areas were pooled separately resulting in 24 pooled human milk samples. 11 PFAS precursors were measured in pooled samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadruple mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The dietary exposure assessment of newborns was made.

RESULTSThree PFAS precursors were found above the detection limits, namely, 6:2 FTS, FHUEA, and 6:2 diPAP. Their concentration ranges were < Limit of determination (LOD) -47.46 pg/ml, < LOD -70.68 pg/ml and < LOD -35.08 pg/ml, respectively. The highest total PFAS precursor concentration 77.70 pg/ml was found in urban area samples from Shannxi Province. Rural area samples from Hubei had the lowest total PFAS precursor concentration, which was below the LOD. There were significant differences between rural and urban areas in many provinces, such as Shannxi (rural: 1.51 pg/ml; urban: 77.70 pg/ml), Shanghai (rural: 1.13 pg/ml; urban: 71.88 pg/ml), Jiangxi (rural: 65.39 pg/ml; urban: 0.55 pg/ml) and so on. The ranges estimated daily intake of 6:2 FTS, FHUEA and 6:2 diPAP of the samples from 12 provinces were 0.05-4.51, 1.13-6.72 and 1.15-3.34 ng · kg⁻¹ · d⁻¹.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested the human exposure of PFAS precursors in China and the potential health impact of postnatal exposure through breastfeeding to infants. The level of PFAS precursors showed differences in regions, rural and urban places.

Breast Feeding ; China ; Female ; Fluorocarbons ; Food Contamination ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Limit of Detection ; Milk, Human ; Rural Population ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Urban Population