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 study biomechanical changes of newly formed bones 24 weeks after repairing large defects of long bones of goats using heterogeneous deproteinated bone (DPB) prepared by modified methods as an engineering scaffold.

METHODSAccording to a fully randomized design, 18 goats were evenly divided into three groups: normal bone control group (Group A), autologous bone group (Group B) and experimental group (Group C). Each goat in Groups B and C were subjected to the periosteum and bone defect at middle-lower part of the right tibia (20% of the whole tibia in length), followed by autologous bone or DPB plus autologous MSCs + rhBMP2 implantation, respectively and semi-ring slot fixation; while goats in Group A did not perform osteotomy. At 24 weeks after surgery, biomechanical tests were carried out on the tibias.

RESULTSAt 24 weeks after surgery, the results of anti-compression test on tibias in three groups were recorded by a functional recorder presented as linear pressure-deformation curve. The shapes of the curves and their change tendency were similar among three groups. The ultimate pressure values were 10.74 MPa+/-1.23 MPa, 10.11 MPa+/-1.35 MPa and 10.22 MPa+/-1.32 MPa and fracture compression rates were 26.82%+/-0.87%, 27.17%+/-0.75% and 28.22%+/-1.12% in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Comparisons of anti-compression ultimate pressures and fracture compression rates among three groups demonstrated no significant difference (P(AB) equal to 0.415, P(BC) equal to 0.494). Three-point anti-bend test on tibias was recorded as load-deformation curves, and the shapes of the curves and their change tendency were similar among three groups. The ultimate pressure values of the anti-bend test were 481.52 N+/-12.45 N, 478.34 N+/-14.68 N and 475.62 N+/-13.41 N and the fracture bend rates were 2.62 mm+/-0.12 mm, 2.61 mm+/-0.15 mm and 2.81 mm+/-0.13 mm in Groups A, B and C, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (P(AB) equal to 0.7, P(BC) equal to 0.448). The ultimate anti-torsion torque values were 6.55 Nm+/-0.25 Nm, 6.34 Nm+/-0.18 Nm and 6.42 Nm+/-0.21 Nm and fracture torsion rates were 29.51 degree+/-1.64degree, 28.88 degree+/-1.46 degree and 28.81 degree+/-1.33 degree in Groups A, B and C, respectively. There was no significant difference between groups (P(AB) equal to 0.123, P(BC) equal to 0.346).

CONCLUSIONSThe biomechanical characteristics of newly formed bones from heterogeneous DPB for repairing large segmental long bone defect are comparable to those of normal bones and autologous bones. DPB has the potential for clinical usage as bone graft material.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female ; Goats ; Male ; Proteins ; Tibia ; physiology ; surgery ; Tissue Engineering ; Torsion, Mechanical

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 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 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

Adult ; Aged ; Carbon Dioxide ; blood ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; surgery ; Lung Volume Measurements ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; blood ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; mortality ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Survival Rate ; Total Lung Capacity

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 ; analysis ; Young Adult