Objective To understand the e ffect of physical and intellectual development of children with intrauterine inf ection of Toxoplasma gondii. M ethods With matching method, 167 children born betw een 1990 and 1996 were selected, whose umbilical cord blood with antibodies of [WT5”BX ]Toxoplasma gondii as positive group, while 160 childr en whose umbilical cord blood without antibodies of Toxopla sma gondii were selected as the contrast. Their physical index a nd IQ were examined with routine method and Binei or WISP. The measurement numbe rs of nine cities of China were as the standard. The relationship between infect ion of Toxoplasma gondii and the intellectual a nd physical development was analyzed. Results I ntellectual development of children with intrauterine infection of [WT5” BX]Toxoplasma gondii[WT5”B Z] was obviously slow and their eyesights were poor. However, the infection of [ WT5”BX]Toxoplasma gondii had no effect on their height an d weight. Conclusion The children with intrauter ine infection of Toxoplasma gondii should be sy stematically treated after birth so as to lower the harm to the brains and eyes, raise their intellectual levels and improve their healthy development. [

Oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis plays a vital role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders;while at present its regulation pathways mainly include the NF-κB pathway;p53 pathway;MAPK path-way;PI3 K/Akt pathway;Nrf2 pathway;as well as other signaling pathways.Research findings suggest that the active components in Chinese materia medica exert significant biological activities in the treatment of oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis.In the present paper;we review the recent research advances on the relative mechanisms of active components in Chinese materia medica against oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis;so as to provide some references or clues for the clarification of possible mechanisms of active components in Chinese materia medica and the treatment of related neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective: To propose the best pharmacovigilance plan in Japan by comparing post marketing safety studies in Japan and the U.S.
Method: Among all of the newly approved medicines in Japan in 2010, 12 marketed products in the U. S. are selected. First, to examine the U. S. system, post-marketing safety concerns over those drugs at the time of approval in the U. S. were collected as well as its postmarketing requirements (PMR) which are studies or clinical trials that sponsors are required to conduct under one or more statutes of regulations. Then, the same drugsʼ safety issues discussed as special cautions listed during the approval process in Japan and the corresponding postmarketing safety studies were reviewed.
Result: Both countries have many safety concerns in common, however, in Japan, ongoing studies are only conventional studies, such as post-marketing surveillance studies or all-cases studies, while the U. S. conducts studies to meet each individual requirement need. Ideal post-marketing safety study designs proposed by the task force, seemed beyond sponsors capabilities, particularly with regard to conduct studies with control group, and require involvement of academia external research organizations, or establishment of the national registry system for cancer and other major diseases.
Conclusion: In Japan, Risk Management Plan (RMP) will soon be implemented in 2013, and that is expected to secure patientsʼ safety by the scientific pharmacovigilance plan with the international standard. It is an urgent task to discuss what plan is feasible in Japan and how to make the corporation of industry-government-academia a reality. (Jpn J Pharmacoepidemiol 2012; 17 (1): 55-66)

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the ultra-filtration extract mixture from Hedysarum Polybotrys (UEMHP) on the radiosensitivity of HepG2 cells, and to explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODSThe proliferation inhibition effects of UEMHP on HepG2 cells was detected by CCK-8 assay. The colony formation assay was used for the survival fraction (SF) analysis. The distribution of the cell cycle and the apoptosis rate were detected using flow cytometry (FCM). The survivin mRNA expression level was detected using reverse transcription-PCR assay.

RESULTSThe inhibition of UEMHP on HepG2 cells was time-and dose-dependent at the concentration ranging between 5 -50 mg/L (P < 0.05). The parameters of the two curve for SF (P < 0.05) showed statistical difference between the irradiation group and the UEMHP irradiation group. UEMHP could inhibit the clone formation of HepG2 cells and enhance the radiosensitivity of HepG2 cells. The results of FCM showed that UEMHP could induce G2/M phase arrest. The apoptosis rate in the UEMHP irradiation group (21.42% +/- 3.74%) was higher than that in the control group (5.35% +/- 0.41%), the only UEMHP group (10.36% +/- 1.75%), or the irradiation group (10.58% +/- 2.01%) (P < 0.01). RT-PCR showed that the survivin mRNA expression level was lower in the UEMHP irradiation group (0.31 +/- 0.02) than in the control group (0.82 +/- 0.06) and the irradiation group (0.58 +/- 0.04) respectively, showing statistical difference (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONUEMHP can enhance the radiosensitivity of HepG2 cells, and its possible mechanisms might be correlated to down-regulating the survivin mRNA expression and promoting the apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Radiation Tolerance ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of breast duct endoscope for plasma cell mastitis.

METHODSBreast duct endoscope was performed on 250 patients with nipple discharge. The characters of 95 cases of plasma cell mastitis under the breast duct endoscope were analyzed and studied.

RESULTSAmong the 95 cases with plasma cell mastitis, 21 were in type I, 43 in type II, 18 in type III and 13 in type IV. Eighty-three cases were treated with no-operation treatment, and 45 completely released, 38 partly released. There were 5 cases with middle to serious atypical hyperplasia in 12 cases treated with operation, that were all confirmed by pathological examination.

CONCLUSIONIn patients with plasma cell mastitis, clear diagnosis can be made through breast duct endoscope, and the breast duct with lesions could be positioned. It is a necessary assistant method for patients to avoid biopsy or decrease the biopsy range.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Breast ; pathology ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Mastitis ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Plasma Cells ; pathology

BACKGROUNDMany studies have suggested that angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptors may be involved in the development of asthma. However, the expression of angiotensin II receptors (AGTR) is not clear in the lung tissue of chronic asthmatics. This study was designed to determine the relationship between airway remodeling, dysfunction and the expression of AGTRs in a rat model of asthma.

METHODSRats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) for 2 weeks. Sixty minutes before an inhalation challenge, the rats were pretreated either with valsartan (15, 30, 50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or saline intragastrically. Then the rats received an OVA challenge for 30 alternative days. Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced bronchoconstriction was measured after the final antigen challenge. White cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and morphological changes in the airways were then assessed. The levels of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta(1)) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in BALF were detected by ELISA. The levels of AGTR1 and AGTR2 mRNA and protein in lung tissues were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSAGTR1 mRNA and protein levels in repeatedly OVA-challenged rats were significantly increased as compared with negative controls. The AGTR1 mRNA expression versus white cell counts of BALF and airway wall thickness (mainly in small airways) in lungs of chronic antigen-exposed rats were positively correlated. Valsartan decreased the level of AGTR1 in repeatedly OVA-challenged rats. However, AGTR2 mRNA and protein levels in the OVA-challenged rats and high-dose valsartan-treated rats (50 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were also increased. Valsartan significantly decreased inflammatory cell accumulation and attenuated Ach-evoked bronchoconstriction in repeatedly antigen-challenged rats. Valsartan also decreased allergen-induced structural changes in rat airway (including total airway wall thickness and smooth muscle area) and the levels of TGF-beta(1) and PDGF in BALF.

CONCLUSIONSAGTR1 expression is potentially associated with airway remodeling and dysfunction in asthma. Ang II and AGTR1 may participate in airway inflammation and airway remodeling of chronic antigen-exposed rats. Valsartan, a AGTR1 antagonist, could inhibit AGTR1 expression and partially inhibits structural airway changes as well as airway inflammation in chronic OVA-exposed rats.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; pharmacology ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Animals ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan

OBJECTIVETo discuss surgical skills,precautions and complications of using titanium elastic intramedullary nails in the treatment of adult midshaft clavicular fractures and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.

METHODSFrom June 2006 to January 2009, 28 patients with completely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures (15 simple fractures, 8 wedge fractures and 5 comminuted fractures) were enrolled in the study,included 19 males and 9 females with a mean age of 39.0 years (range 19-67 years). The injury was on the left side in 14 cases and on the right side in 14 cases. The mean course of disease was 2.9 days. The shoulders of the patients were swollen, deformed and disabled before operation. X-rays revealed complete displacement of the clavicle. The mean clavicular shortening after injury was 6.76% vs. that measured after bone healing. The Constant-Murley Shoulder Scoring System was used to assess shoulder function, and the DASH Score was used to assess the disability degree of the upper arm.

RESULTSClosed operation with titanium elastic intramedullary nails was undertaken in 26 cases, and open reduction was performed in the remaining two cases. Satisfactory reduction was achieved in all patients, who were followed up for a mean of 10 months (range 6-15 months). The mean union time was 11.5 weeks. No severe complication occurred in any patient. The mean clavicular shortening after bone healing was 3.38%, which was significantly different as compared with the mean clavicular shortening after injury. Constant-Murley Shoulder Score was (97.0 +/- 4.2), and DASH score was (3.4 +/- 4.8). Anatomical reduction, functional recovery and appearance were satisfactory in all patients.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of adult midshaft clavicular fractures with titanium elastic intramedullary nails is advantageous and may prove to be an alternative option for nonsurgical treatment and plate osteosynthesis of midshaft clavicular fractures in adults.

Adult ; Aged ; Clavicle ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of the complications in patients after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedure.

METHODSRetrospectively analyze the data of the 23 patients who received the LAGB procedure from June 2003 to November 2004.

RESULTSOf the 23 LAGB operations, 3 (13%) cases of vomiting and nausea, 1 (4.3%) case of access-port infection and 5 (21.4%) cases of food intolerance occurred. One band (4.3%) and one injection reservoir (4.3%) displaced and were removed by laparoscopy. No death and thrombo-embolism occurred.

CONCLUSIONSThe diagnosis and treatment of complications after LAGB in morbid obesity was special, if managed properly, the result would be satisfactory.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroplasty ; adverse effects ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Morbid ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of standard rescue procedure (SRP) in improving severe trauma treatments in China.

METHODSThis study was conducted in 12 hospitals located in geographically and industrially different cities in China. A standard procedure on severe trauma rescue was established as a general rule for staff training and patient treatment. A regional network (system) efficiently integrating prehospital rescue, emergency room treatments, and hospital specialist treatments was built under the rule for information sharing and improving severe trauma treatments. Treatment outcomes were compared between before and 1 year after the implementation of the SRP.

RESULTSThe outcomes of a total of 74,615 and 12,051 trauma cases were collected from 12 hospitals before and after the implementation of the SRP. Implementation of the SRP led to efficient cooperation and information sharing of different treatment services. The emergency response time, prehospital transit time, emergency rescue time, consultation call time, and mortality rate of patients were 24.24 ± 4.32 min, 45.69 ± 3.89 min, 6.38 ± 1.05 min, 17.53 ± 0.72 min, and 33.82% ± 3.87% (n = 441), respectively, before the implementation of the standardization and significantly reduced to 10.11 ± 3.21 min, 22.39 ± 4.32 min, 3.26 ± 0.89 min, 3.45 ± 0.45 min, and 20.49% ± 3.11%, separately (n = 495, P < 0.05) after that.

CONCLUSIONSStaff training and SRP can significantly improve the efficiency of severe trauma treatments in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Emergency Medical Services ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Wounds and Injuries ; Young Adult