Objective To investigate the expression of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in human peritoneum and its effect on peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with the different peritoneal transport characteristics.Methods Peritoneal biopsies were obtained from the PD patients (n =30) at catheter insertion.Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were used to investigate AQP1 expression in peritoneal tissues.After catheter insertion,4 week,peritoneal equilibrium test (PET) was used to decide peritoneal transport characteristics.Results Western blot revealed a major band at 28 kDa band.The expression of AQP1 index was 1.49 ±0.67 in the normal subjects,and 1.61 ±0.76 in the PD patients,and there was no significant difference.Positive deposition was distributed in mesothelial cells,endothelial cells of capillaries,and small veins.The index of AQP1 expression in endothelial cells of capillaries in normal subjects and PD patients were 2.12 ±0.18,and 2.50 ±0.81,respectively,and no significant difference was found.The index of AQP1 expression in mesothelial cells of capillaries in normal subjects and PD patients were 1.95 ± 0.67,and 2.23 ± 1.07,respectively,and no significant difference was found.Among PD patients,the level of AQP1 was significantly different.Conclusions The expression of AQP1 was different in the PD patients with different peritoneal transport characteristics.In the high and high average transport groups,the level of AQP1 was lower; the low transport group was higher.It reveals that AQP1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of transcellular water transport.

Multidetector computed tomography (CT) has transformed CT from an transaxial cross-sectional technique into a genuine 3D imaging that allows for arbitrary cut planes as well as excellent 3D displays of the volume data. Multidetector CT scanners contribute to reduced scanner time, decreased section collimation and increased scan length.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chest Pain ; therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To obtain the endophytic fungi which produce Huperzine A from four species in Hupziaceae and improve the culture conditions of screening endophytic fungi. Methods Plant materials were cultivated in culture medium after sterilization and their endophytic fungi were isolated. Hupzine A from metabolic was determined by HPLC, and the strains were identified by microscopic features. Results Thirty-two endophytic fungi were isolated from Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev, H. serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trev var. longipetiolata (Spring) H. M. Chang, H. appressa (Desv.) Love et D. Love, Phlegmariurus cryptomerianus (Maxim.) Ching ex L. B. Zhang et H. S. Kung. Two of these strains were isolated from P. cryptomerianus, HA15 (Blastomyces sp.) and HA23 (Botrytis sp.), which produced Huperzine A. Conclusions Endophytic fungi producing Hupzine A has been successfully isolated from P. cryptomerianus.

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a common complaint in patients presenting to the emergency room and that has various pathologic causes. This study investigate the clinical differences in dizziness between the central origin and the peripheral origin and to provides the clues far diagnosis and proper treatment. METHODS: We analysed 290 patients with dizziness during 12 months period prospectively, who visited in ED, Inha University Hospital from Jan. 1997 to Dec. 1997. We analysized sex ratio, characteristics of the dizziness, associated past illness, associated symptoms, severity, results of the special radiologic study, nystagmus type, and causes of central origin and peripheral origin dizziness. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1:1.4 in central origin(n=165) and 1:2.0 in peripheral origin(n=125). Most common age group was 11th decade in both groups. According to the characteristics of the dizziness, rotation sense was the main complaint of the peripheral origin dizziness. Most common past illness was hypertension in both groups. MRI has diagnostic priority than CT scan in central origin dizziness. Types of nystagmus has some significant differences between two groups. CONCLUSION: Dizziness may represented as a sign of significant pathological neurologic status especially in central origin. So we must precisely evaluate the patient history, neurologic examination of the inner ear and CNS, and special radiologic study incliding MRI.
Diagnosis ; Dizziness* ; Ear, Inner ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neurologic Examination ; Prospective Studies ; Sex Ratio ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: This study is to identify the factors that affect middle-aged workers' health promoting behaviors. METHODS: 214 middle-aged workers participated in surveys, and the data were collected from August to September 2012 and analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis with PASW 18.0 program. RESULTS: It was found that among the factors, the degree of job stress (t=7.69, p<.001) and depression (t=6.23, p<.001) were significantly high for type D individuals, while non type D showed meaningful degree of self-related health status (t=-3.66, p<.001) and health promoting behaviors (t=-4.71, p<.001). The notable variable that affected the health promoting behaviors of the middle-aged workers was depression for both type D (beta=-.357, p= .029) and non type D (beta=-.325, p<.001) individuals, and this variable accounted for 24.1% and 18.2% respectively. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the middle-aged workers showed high degree of job stress and depression that influenced on their health promoting behaviors. Thus, they are recommended to receive health management programs that offer treatment through consulting considering their individual personalities.
Depression ; Health Behavior

PURPOSE: This study was done to examine perioperative nurses' perception of the definitions and causes of nursing errors; the relationships among emotional distress, coping strategies, and changes in practice as a result of errors. METHODS: A descriptive, correlative design was used with a sample of 146 nurses working in the operating room of a university hospital. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire with 4 point Likert scales. For the analysis, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's post hoc test and multiple regression analysis were used. RESULTS: Most nurses recognized themajority of the items as perioperative nursing errors. Job overload was perceived as the cause of errors. Emotional distress was significantly related with nurses' age, position and years of work experience. The coping strategies used most frequently were 'accepting responsibility' and 'planful problem solving'. The coping strategies of 'accepting responsibility', 'planful problem solving', 'seeking social support', and 'using self-control' were significant predictors in constructive practice change. Defensive changes were related to the strategy of escape/avoidance and emotional distress. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that intervention strategies should be developed to decrease perioperative nurses'distress and improve their coping strategies resulting in constructive change in practice after committing an error.
Medical Errors ; Nursing* ; Operating Rooms ; Perioperative Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Weights and Measures

Nanotubes, Carbon ; adverse effects ; chemistry

Objective To investigate protective effects and mechanism of folic acid on brain neural cells in preeclampsia rat model.Methods Adult pregnant Wistar rats were randonly divided into 4 groups (n = 10 in each group).Rats in model group were injected intraperitoneally with homocysteine (Hcy,200 mg · kg-1 · d-1) daily and were injected subcutaneously every other day with monosodium glutamate (MSG,1 g · kg-1 · 48 h-1) from the 10th day of pregnancy to establish the model of preeclampsia. Lowdose folic acid (low dose group 10 ng · kg-1· d-1) and high-dose folic acid (high dose group 20 mg · kg-1 · d-1 ) were given intragastric administration with folic acid tablets dissolved in saline daily at the same time of establishing model.Rats in control group were injected or intragastric administration with the same dose of saline as above up to the 20th day of pregnancy.Brain tissue was fixed on the 20th day of pregnancy, so was that plasma folic acid was measured with automatic electro-chemiluminescence.Rats' immunohistochemical staining.bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression changes were observed by using reverse transcription(RT) -PCR and western blot.Results ( 1 ) Plasma folate concentrations were ( 39.5 ± 3.4 )nmol/L in low dose group and (40.1 ±5.4) nmol/L in high dose group, which were all significantly higher than (26.9 ± 6.7 ) nmol/L in model group( P ＜ 0.01 ).Plasma folate in low dose and high dose group did not show significant difference( P ＞ 0.05 ); ( 2 ) Apoptosis cell were 48.2 ± 9.1 in low dose group and 44.7 ±8.3 in high dose group, which were significantly lower than 75.8 ± 10.1 in model group (P＜0.01).However, apoptosis cell in low dose and high dose group did not show significant difference( P ＞0.05 ) ;(3 )significant difference( P ＞ 0.05 ); (4) bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression were 0.98 ± 0.49 and 0.89 ±0.52 in low dose group and 0.95 ± 0.38 and 0.92 ± 0.47 in high dose group which was significantly higher than 0.62 ± 0.20 and 0.45 ± 0.37 in model group ( P ＜ 0.01 ); bcl-2 expression in low dose and high dose group showed no significant difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions Folic acid has a protective role on neural activation and promoting bcl-2 gene and protein expression.