Objective To prospectively evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging with background signal suppression (DWIBS) in the detection and diagnoses of metastatic cervical lymph nodes. Methods Twenty patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas underwent conventional MRI and DWIBS. The ADC values were measured and compared between metastatic and benign lymph nodes. The abilities of DWIBS and conventional MRI in the evaluation of metastatic cervical lymph nodes were compared. Results Conventional MRI demonstrated 101 lymph nodes, in which 58 were diagnosed as metastatic nodes. When MRI criteria were used for discrimination between metastatic and benign nodes, the obtained sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value were 78% (47/60), 81%(44/54), 80% (91/114), 82% (47/57) and 77% (44/57), respectively. The mean ADC values of metastatic nodes (n =60) and benign nodes (n =54) were (0.945 ±0.122) × 10-3 mm2/s and (1. 210 ±0. 151 ) × 10-3 mm2/s ( t = - 10. 354 ,P ＜0. 01 ). When an ADC value of 1. 090 × 10 -3 mm2/s was used as the threshold for discrimination between metastatic and benign nodes, the obtained sensitivity, specificity,accuracy, positive and negative predictive value were 88% (53/60), 80% (43/54), 84% (96/114), 83%(53/64) and 86% (43/50), respectively. Conclusion DWIBS is helpful in diagnosing metastatic cervical lymph nodes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and is superior to conventional MRI in their detection.

Objective To investigate the current prevailing status of endemic fluorosis in the Yellow River basin of Shandong Province and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Nine counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation.The content of fluoride in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode and dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was diagnosed by Deans method.Results Water fluoride content was determined in 1761 fluorosis villages,among which 606 villages had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L,accounting for 34.41%(606/1761);1155 villages had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L,which accounted for 65.59%(1155/1761).The highest water fluoride content was 11.33 mg/L.Water fluoride content of 618 water-improving and defluoridation projects had been determined,among which 449 projects had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L and accounted for 72.65%(449/618),169 projects had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L and accounted for 27.35%(169/618),the highest water fluoride content was 5.85 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was 45.03%(25 579/56 804) and the index of dental fluorosis was 0.80. Conclusions In the Yellow River basin in Shandong Province,up to 50.00%in the villages the water fluoride content exceeds the county standard(≤1.00 mg/L).The prevalence of endemic fluorosis in the basin hasn't been effectively controlled.So the counterrneasures for endemic fluorosis should be carried out as soon as possible.

In order to investigate the mechanism, the correlation between the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and 5-HMF were studied. Required samples were retrieved from Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process. Statistical quality control (SQC) was used to analyze the response values acquired by the electronic nose. At the same time, the content of 5-HMF was detected by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the above two. Experimental results showed that SQC model established by response values of all samples could show the change law of odor in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and changes of 5-HMF content was dropped after the first increase. Correlation analysis showed that the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process and 5-HMF were significantly correlated (P < 0.05). Sugar degradation reaction and the Maillard reaction may be one of the mechanisms of the odor change in Crataegi Fructus stir-fried process.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Crataegus ; chemistry ; Furaldehyde ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Hot Temperature ; Odorants ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To study the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms of carboxylesterase 1 gene (CESI) and the susceptibility to antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (ATBDIH).Methods Genetic polymorphisms of CES1 in 473 tuberculosis patients with or without hepatotoxicity (200∶ 273) after antituberculosis chemotherapy were analyzed by PCR-MassArray.Results In4 tags of CES1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP),the frequency of the rs1968753 allele had statistical difference between the hepatotoxicity group and the no-hepatotoxicity group ( P =0.0236 ).The characteristics of anti-hepatotoxicity had been shown relationship with rs8192950 ( P =0.044,OR =0.649,95％ CI =0.426-0.989,AC/AA ) and rs1968753 ( P =0.048,OR =0.556,95％ CI =0.311-0.995,GG/AA).The diplotypes with ‘ CGC' haplotype exhibited significant protection against hepatotoxicity at one copy (P=0.048,OR=0.654,95％CI=0.430-0.996).Conclusions The genetic polymorphisms of CESI might have significant association with ATBDIH.SNP rs8192950 AC genotype and rs1968753 GG genotype might be the candidates for risk prediction of ATBDIH.

Objective To investigate the status on health‐related knowledge and skills among the patients in the Chongqing area and to provide basis for developing public health‐related knowledge and skills .Methods Seven hundred and sixty‐eight patients from 8 general hospitals were sampled ,using the stratified random sampling method .A cross‐sectional investigation on health literacy was conducted with questionnaire“ health awareness survey of patients”,and SAS8 .0 was used to statistically analyze the data .Results The awareness rate of health literacy in Chongqing was 4 .82% .As for the 3 health literacy related aspects including basic health concept and knowledge ,health lif‐estyle and behaviors ,and the health related skills ,the rates were 16 .28% ,2 .21% and 38 .41% respectively .Besides ,the rate of the 5 as‐pects including health conception ,the prevention of infection ,the prevention of chronic diseases ,the safety and the first aid ,the basic medical treatment of analysis were 10 .68% ,20 .31% ,8 .59% ,23 .57% ,10 .68% respectively .There noticed significant differences in different re‐gions ,education ,profession ,the condition of relatives engaged in medical ,medical insurance category(P<0 .05) .Profession and the condition of relatives engaged in medical were the main influencing factors on the level of health‐related knowledge and skills among the patients(P<0 .05) .Conclusion The prevalence of basic health‐related knowledge and skills is low in Chongqing city and we should make comprehensive interventions to improve health liter of patients .

BACKGROUND: Huperzine A is a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor extracted initially by China from huperzia serrata,a Chinese herb. Its mechanism in improving choline function and ameliorating cognitive state of patients with dementia is to increase acetylcholine (Ach) concentration in neural synapse through impeding the hydrolysis of acetylcholinesterase.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of huperzine A on the improvement of cognitive function of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).DESIGN: A randomized controlled study based on patients.SETTING: Second internal department of neurology in a general hospital of military area command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 69 AD patients hospitalized in the Second Department of Neurology,General Hospital of Jinan Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between March 2000 and December 2003 were allocated into huperzine A group( n = 38,male,aged between 68 and84 years old,average age of 76 years old) and control group( n = 31,male,aged between 68 and 80years old,average age of 74 years old) according to the wills of the patients.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive expression percentage of Fas,Apo2.7 and Bcl-2 on platelet membrane and the integral of mini-mental state examination(MMSE),Hasegawa' s dementia scale(HDS) and activities of daily living (ADL) of two groups after therapy.RESULTS: The positive expression of Fas,Apo2.7 or Bcl-2 on peripheral platelet membrane after therapy in huperzine A group were (2.23 ± 0.49)%,(2.37 ±0. 36)%,or(2.01 ±0. 32)% respectively,which was significantly lower than(3.12 ± 0. 74)%,(2. 83 ± 0.67)% or (2. 59 ± 0. 54)% of control group ( P ＜ 0.01). The prognostic integral of MMSE,HDS or ADL of huperzine A group was 20.45 ±4. 14,21.39 ±4.89,or 36. 15 ±5.11,which was significantly higher or lower than that of the control group(15.76 ± 3.23,17.32 ±2.09,4.26 ±7.21)(P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: HuperzineA actually can effectively improve the memory and cognitive function of AD,and effectively improve ADL as well.

Objective To evaluate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of parenehyma and necrosis in distinguishing among metastatic lymph nodes, lymphoma and tuberculous lymph nodes. Methods Thirty-six patients with cervical lymph nodes metastasis from the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas,19 patients with lymphoma and 23 patients with lymph nodes tuberculosis underwent diffusion-weighted imaging. The ADC values were measured and compared in parenchyma and necrosis of 177 lymph nodes confirmed by histopathology (n = 114) and clinical follow-up (n = 63). The means between two groups were compared by t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) was used to analyze the data among three or more groups. Results The mean ADC values of parenchyma in metastatic nodes, lymphoma and tuberculous nodes were (0.93±0.16) × 10-3mm2/s, (0.64±0.13) × 10-3mm2/s and (1.01±0.11) ×10 -3 mm2/s respectively (F = 82.928, P < 0.01) ; the ADC values of necrosis in metastatic and tuberculous nodes were (2.02 ± 0. 36) × 10-3 mm2/s and (1.25 ± 0.15) × 10-3 mm2/s respectively (t = 12.045, P <0.01). An ADC value of parenchyma lower than or equal to 0.77 × 10 -3mm2/s was used as the threshold for lymphoma, with a sensitivity 83% and specificity of 89%. An ADC value of necrotic area greater than or equal to 1.60 × 103mm2/s was used as the threshold for metastatic nodes, with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 100%. Conclusion The ADC value of lymph nodes, especially for their internal necrotic areas, can help judge the nature of the cervical lymph nodes.

Objective To discuss the significance of serum IgE before and after inhale glucocorticoid treat-ment of children's asthma. Methods 520 children with asthma were seleceted from the outpatient. Different type of fluticasone propionate were given to different age groups: Aerosol type by a spacer in less than 5 years old,and in-halant (Seretide) 5 years and the above. The dosage was between 200 μg/day to 375 μg/day. IgE was tested before and 3 months after the treatment. Results Serum IgE decreased significantly in 3 months treatment [ from (496.12±24.75) kU/L to (390.71±18.71) kU/L] (t=7.337,P<0.01). The change of IgE was related to clinical effect and age. The level increased in those less than 3 years [(307.05±34.71)kU/L vs (483.09±41.78) kU/L] (t=2.963,P=0.004),but decreased between 4 to 5 years old group [(543.46±51.03) kU/L vs (316.93±29.30) kU/L] (t=3.368,P=0.000) ,and decreased between 6 to 14 years old group[ (586.30±37.19)kU/L vs (387.61±27.60) kU/L] (t=4.827,P=0.000). In fluticasone group IgE level changed from (468.91±32.81) kU/L to (359.03±22.79) kU/L after treatment (t=5.988,P<0.01),which decreased from (586.30±37.19) kU/L to (387.6±27.60) kU/L in Salmeterol group (t=4.827,P<0.01). In 260 cases of IgE below 300 kU/L 109 cases (41.92%,109/260) increased while in 260 cases of IgE above 300 kU/L,total IgE lev-el increased in 45 cases (16.15% ,45/260) after treatment,with statistical significance(χ<'2>=37.789,P=0.000). Conclusion Inhale glucocorticoid can make the level of IgE decreased.

The traditional fermentation engineering experiment requires a reform on the experimental con-tents and teaching pattern. According to the production process of industrial enzymes, we set up a two-week comprehensive experiment. The students designed and prepared the experiment by themselves. Moreover, the pattern of self-management was used in the process and the experiment scores included the self-assess-ment and objective assessment. It was proved that the new teaching pattern increased the study interesting of students, inspired their initiative and trained their spirits of team cooperation. The teaching effect was im-proved markedly and good ideas are also put forward to solve the possible problem.

In order to reveal genetic diversity of domestic Andrographis paniculata and its impact on quality, genetic backgrounds of 103 samples from 7 provinces in China were analyzed using SRAP marker and SNP marker. Genetic structures of the A. paniculata populations were estimated with Powermarker V 3.25 and Mega 6.0 software, and polymorphic SNPs were identified with CodonCode Aligner software. The results showed that the genetic distances of domestic A. paniculata germplasm ranged from 0. 01 to 0.09, and no polymorphic SNPs were discovered in coding sequence fragments of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase. A. paniculata germplasm from various regions in China had poor genetic diversity. This phenomenon was closely related to strict self-fertilization and earlier introduction from the same origin. Therefore, genetic background had little impact on variable qualities of A. paniculata in domestic market. Mutation breeding, polyploid breeding and molecular breeding were proposed as promising strategies in germplasm innovation.
Andrographis ; classification ; genetics ; China ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide