In this paper, the relationship between the deacetylating degree of chitin and chitosan content was discussed and explained. And put forward a calculating formula between them.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the linear regression equation between body height and combined length of manubrium and mesostenum of sternum measured by CT volume rendering technique (CT-VRT) in southwest Han population. METHODS: One hundred and sixty subjects, including 80 males and 80 females were selected from southwest Han population for routine CT-VRT (reconstruction thickness 1 mm) examination. The lengths of both manubrium and mesosternum were recorded, and the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum was equal to the algebraic sum of them. The sex-specific linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesosternum and the real body height of each subject were deduced. RESULTS: The sex-specific simple linear regression equations between the combined length of manubrium and mesostenum (x3) and body height (y) were established (male: y = 135.000+2.118 x3 and female: y = 120.790+2.808 x3). Both equations showed statistical significance (P < 0.05) with a 100% predictive accuracy. CONCLUSION CT-VRT is an effective method for measurement of the index of sternum. The combined length of manubrium and mesosternum from CT-VRT can be used for body height estimation in southwest Han population.
Asian People ; Body Height ; Female ; Forensic Anthropology ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Manubrium/anatomy & histology* ; Regression Analysis ; Sternum/anatomy & histology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of job psychological demands and job control on mental health and their interaction.

METHODS93 male freight train dispatchers were evaluated by using revised Job Demand-Control Scale and 7 strain scales. Stepwise regression analysis, Univariate ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis H and Modian methods were used in statistic analysis.

RESULTSKruskal-Wallis H and Modian methods analysis revealed the difference in mental health scores among groups of decision latitude (mean rank 55.57, 47.95, 48.42, 33.50, P < 0.05), the differences in scores of mental health (37.45, 40.01, 58.35), job satisfaction (53.18, 46.91, 32.43), daily life strains (33.00, 44.96, 56.12) and depression (36.45, 42.25, 53.61) among groups of job time demands (P < 0.05) were all statistically significant. ANOVA showed that job time demands and decision latitude had interaction effects on physical complains (R(2) = 0.24), state-anxiety (R(2) = 0.26), and daytime fatigue (R(2) = 0.28) (P < 0.05). Regression analysis revealed a significant job time demands and job decision latitude interaction effect as well as significant main effects of the some independent variables on different job strains (R(2) > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJob time demands and job decision latitude have direct and interactive effects on psychosomatic health, the more time demands, the more psychological strains, the effect of job time demands is greater than that of job decision latitude.

Humans ; Mental Health ; Occupational Diseases ; psychology ; Regression Analysis ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the occupational stress and cardiovascular disease risk factors.

METHODSThe subject was 93 male freight train dispatchers, the occupational stressors, personalities, and occupational strain response were measured by using questionnaires. Blood pressure, heart rate, the concentrations of the cholesterol, triglyceride, and glycosylated hemoglobin in blood serum were also measured.

RESULTSSocial support score were significantly positively related to systolic pressure (r = 0.22) and diastolic pressure (r = 0.30) (P < 0.05), while job satisfaction negatively related to them and concentration of triglyceride (r = -0.37, -0.47 and -0.28 respectively, P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and self-esteem negatively to systolic pressure (r = -0.21, P < 0.05). The differences in diastolic pressure [(78.5 +/- 13.1), (83.6 +/- 8.2), (88.1 +/- 12.3), (85.8 +/- 9.8) mm Hg, P < 0.05] among groups of social support score, body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.01) among groups of job difficulty the differences in systolic pressure [(124.9 +/- 14.4), (129.7 +/- 13.1), (118.4 +/- 16.4), (133.5 +/- 23.1) mm Hg] and diastolic pressure [(85.5 +/- 11.3), (87.0 +/- 9.8), (80.1 +/- 10.1), (88.9 +/- 12.0) mm Hg] and cholesterol level in serum [(4.96 +/- 1.18), (5.39 +/- 0.85), (5.00 +/- 1.15), (4.34 +/- 0.91) mmol/L] among groups of vulnerability to stress (P < 0.05), as well as the difference in systolic pressure and glycosylated hemoglobin level in serum among groups of competition score (P < 0.05) were all statistically significant. Stepwise regression analysis showed that job time demands and negative coping affected the change of cholesterol (R(2) > 0.05); the job relation decision latitude, social support, job difficulty, personality (self-esteem and anxiety trait) and negative coping were the predictors of smoking (R(2) > 0.05). Heart rate was related to home income and competition factor of Type A Behavior (R(2) = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONThe psychosocial stress aspects of work may be related to some cardiovascular risk factors.

Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; etiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Humans ; Occupational Diseases ; complications ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; complications

OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention timing of acupuncture in treatment of cerebral infarction and the relationship of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury with inflammatory cytokine receptor.

METHODSOne hundred and ten male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group (n=10), a sham operation group (n=10), a model group (n=10), an acupuncture at non-acupoint group (non-acupoint group, n=40), an acupuncture with regaining consciousness method group (regaining consciousness group, n=40). Four subgroups were set up 1 h ischemia reperfusion in 1 h group, 3 h group, 6 h group, 12 h group in the two acupuncture groups, 10 rats in each subgroup. Two acupuncture groups were treated with acupuncture at four time points (1 h, 3 h, 6 h and 12 h after ischemia reperfusion), and "Shuigou" (GV 26) and "Neiguan" (PC 6) were selected in regaining consciousness group, and the non-acupoints below the bilateral costal region were selected in non-acupoint group. At the corresponding time point, the tissues of the brain were removed and interleukin1 receptor (IL-1RI) and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR-I) mRNA and protein changes were detected by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot assay.

RESULTSThe expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in the model group were significantly higher than that in normal group, sham operation group, regaining consciousness group and non-acupoint group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in regaining consciousness group was weakest at 3 h after reperfusion followed successively by 6 h, 1 h, 12 h, and there was no significantly change of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein expression in non-acupoint group among different timing points, but which was decreased as compared with those in the model group at the same time point (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can reduce the expression of IL-1RI and TNFR-I mRNA and protein in rats with cerebral ischemia reperfusion, inhibit the excessive expression of proinflammatory cytokine receptor, block apoptosis signal transduction and extend time window for treatment of cerebral ischemia, so as to play the protective effect for brain. Within 3 h of ischemia is the best time for intervention of acupuncture treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; metabolism ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy

BACKGROUNDWilms' tumor (nephroblastoma) is a cancer of the kidneys that occurs typically in children and rarely in adults. Early diagnosis is very important for the treatment and prognosis of the disease. The aim of our study was to discover and identify potential non-invasive and convenient biomarkers for the diagnosis of Wilms' tumor.

METHODSNude mice were used to construct a Wilms' tumor model by injecting nephroblastoma cells into their bilateral abdomen. We collected 94 serum samples from mice consisting of 45 samples with Wilms' tumor and 49 controls. The serum proteomic profiles of the samples were analyzed via surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The candidate biomarkers were purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and validated using ProteinChip immunoassays.

RESULTSWe finally retrieved two differential proteins (m/z 4509.2; 6207.9), which were identified as apolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin, respectively. The expression of apolipoprotein A-II was higher in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group (P < 0.01). By contrast, the expression of polyubiquitin was lower in the Wilms' tumor group than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONApolipoprotein A-II and polyubiquitin may be used as potential biomarkers for nephroblastoma in children, and the analysis of apolipoprotein A-II may help diagnose and treat Wilms' tumor.

Animals ; Apolipoprotein A-II ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Polyubiquitin ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Wilms Tumor ; blood ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo report the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in postthoracotomy patients and to analyze current problems in this field.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to June 2002 we diagnosed and treated 5 patient who had pulmonary thromboembolism, 72-168 hours after thoracotomy (male 4, female 1, mean age 63 years). Symptoms include breathholding, chest pain, palpitation, coma and so on. Physical signs include tachypnea, hypotension and tachycardia. We utilized spiral CT pulmonary artery angiography (SCTPA) and Doppler echocardiography to judge PTE. Pulmonary artery interventional therapy was used in 3 cases and total body thrombolysis in 1.

RESULTS4 patients recovered with no complication and recurrence; 1 patient died from congestive heart failure and respiratory failure.

CONCLUSIONDeep venous thrombosis (DVT) and PTE are related to the surgical intervention, chest tumor and thoracotomy is high risk factors. Screenage examination is primary to used. Pulmonary artery interventional therapy is safe to the postthoracotomy patients. Preventive measures is very important in the high-risk group.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Thoracotomy ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of an ovarian mass which are most predictive of malignancy and assess the value of intravenous gadolinium administration in the characterization of an ovarian mass.

METHODSTotally 74 consecutive patients with a clinically or sonographically indeterminate adnexal mass underwent MR imaging, of whom 59 had subsequent surgical resection of 70 adnexal masses. These 59 patients formed the study population. MR imaging studies were prospectively and independently reviewed by a senior and a junior radiologist. The senior radiologist also reevaluated the studies in a blind fashion after a minimum 6 months interval. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging were evaluated.

RESULTSThe most predictive MR imaging findings for malignancy were presence of vegetations in a cystic lesion and presence of necrosis in a solid lesion. The odds ratio was even higher when the ancillary finding of peritoneal metastasis or ascites was present. Contrast media contributed significantly to lesion characterization. Total 70 ovarian masses were detected by contrast-enhanced MR imaging including 37 malignant ovarian masses and 33 benign ovarian masses with 87% (61/70) accuracy, 86% (32/37) sensitivity, 88% (29/33) specificity, 89% (32/36) positive predictive value, and 85% (29/34) negative predictive value, whereas 70 ovarian masses were detected by unenhanced MR imaging with 74% (52/70) accuracy, 73% (27/37) sensitivity, 76% (25/33) specificity, 77% (27/35) positive predictive value, and 71% (25/35) negative predictive value. There were significant differences in accuracy (P < 0.01), sensitivity (P < 0.01), specificity (P < 0.01) between contrast-enhanced and unenhanced MR imaging.

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced MR imaging is highly accurate in detection and characterization of complex adnexal masses.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Teratoma ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosis of classic fever of unknown origin.

METHODSA total of 27 consecutive patients with classic fever of unknown origin (FUO) (19 men, 8 women; aged 24-82 y) underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT scans. The images were interpreted by visual inspection and semiquantitative analysis(standardized uptake value, SUV). Final diagnosis was based on histopathology or clinical follow-up.

RESULTSThe cause of FUO was confirmed by followed investigations in 21 of 27 cases after PET/CT scan, including 10 cases of infection, 4 of noninfectious inflammation, 4 of malignancies and 3 of miscellaneous disorders; and remaining 6 cases were still confirmed FUO. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were 100.0 %, 83.3%, 83.3%, 100.0% and 96.3%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONFor patients with fever of unknown origin, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT can be a sensitive, reliable imaging modality. It is suggested that (18)F-FDG-PET/CT should be considered earlier in detecting the causes of FUO, which is difficultly diagnosed by conventional modalities.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fever of Unknown Origin ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Radiopharmaceuticals ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the whole plant of Lysimachia davurica.

METHODThe constituents were separated and purified by column chromatograph, and identified by spectral analysis and physical data.

RESULTSix compounds were isolated and identified as triacontanoic acid(I), palmitic acid(II), beta-amyrin(III), stigmasterol(IV), oleanolic acid(V), soya-cerebroside I (VI).

CONCLUSIONI, III, VI were isolated from this gene for the first time.

Cerebrosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Primulaceae ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification