Objective: To research the best processing method for ginger pinellia by orthogonal tests.Methods: The orthogonal tests included the soaking time, boiling water and cooking time as the influencing factors, an HPLC method was used for the determination of 4 nucleosides (uridine, guanosine, adenosine, inosine), and the alum limit and extract content were also studied.The results were evaluated by multi index comprehensive weighted score to optimize the processing technology of ginger pinellia.Results: The best processing technology of ginger pinellia was as follows: soaked for 60 hours, the proportion of boiling water and pinellia tuber was 15:1, and boiled for about 5 h.Conclusion: The optimum processing technology of ginger pinellia is reasonable, reliable and reproducible, which can be used as the reference for the processing standardization of Chinese crude drugs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) on the quality of life in aged patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). METHODS: Altogether 358 BPH patients were evaluated by International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the 5-Item Version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5),Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) questionnaires, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS),residual urine volume (RUV), and maximum flow rate(Qmax) before and at 3 months after they underwent TURP. RESULTS: The mean scores of IPSS, QOLS, SAS, and SDS, and mean RUV decreased, and mean Qmax increased significantly at 3 months after receiving operation compared with those before the treatment in aged patients with BPH. But no significant difference was found in the scores of IIEF-5 between post-operation and pre-operation. CONCLUSION TURP may alleviate BPH clinical symptoms and improve quality of life, but may not be helpful to the recovery of sexual function in aged patients with BPH.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; adverse effects ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the validity of criteria currently used in China for the classification of symmetric small for gestational age infants (SGA) as compared with its definition.

METHODSThis study included 417 inpatients diagnosed as SGA in authors' hospital from January 1998 to June 2002. Symmetric SGA was diagnosed by the following three criteria: (1) the Ponderal Index (PI), (2) the crown-heel length-to-head circumference ratio (BL/HC) issued in Chin J Pediatr (1988;26:164 - 165), as well as (3) the SGA definition. The definition criterion was considered as the "gold standard". The sensitivity, specificity, false positive and negative values, positive and negative predictive values, exact agreement ratio, diagnosis index, and Cohen's Kappa value were used to evaluate the validity and agreement of the methods of PI and BL/HC. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the validity of the diagnosis.

RESULTSOf 417 SGA infants, 376 (90.17%), 376 (90.17%) and 187 (44.84%) subjects were diagnosed as symmetric type with PI, BL/HC and the definition criteria, respectively. (2) The agreement rate and Kappa value between PI and BL/HC was 80.82% and -0.093 (SEM 0.026), respectively. And the agreement rates between PI or BL/HC and the definition criterion were 49.88% and 50.84%, respectively. As compared with the definition criterion, the PI and BL/HC methods had sensitivities of 91.8% - 96.4%, specificities of 9.3% - 25.9%, positive predictive values of 45.8% - 51.1%, negative predictive values of 72.7% - 82.8%, diagnosis indices of 4.9% - 17.7% and Kappa values of 0.070 - 0.167. (3) The areas under the ROC curves in full-term and preterm infants by PI method were 0.635 (95% CI, 0.573 - 0.697) and 0.698 (95% CI, 0.622 - 0.725), respectively. PI cutoffs at 2.47 in full-term SGA, at 2.43 in preterm SGA, and BL/HC cutoff at 1.43 produced the maximum diagnosis indices that were 24.7%, 39.6% and 33.7%, respectively. When the PI at 2.50 (full-term), PI at 2.31 (preterm) and BL/HC values at 1.46, the sensitivity closed mostly to the specificity. The sensitivities and specificities in full-term and preterm infants were 59.4% and 59.3%, 65.3% and 65.5%, and 66.3% and 65.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn the classification of SGA, the results showed a poor agreement between PI or BL/HC and the definition criterion. The results suggested that the current cutoffs of PI and BL/HC might not be appropriate for the diagnosis of symmetric SGA. Low AUC suggested that PI and BL/HC could not give a valid diagnosis at any cutoffs.

Anthropometry ; methods ; Birth Weight ; Body Height ; China ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sex Factors

OBJECTlVE To investigate the mechanism of verapamiI in the treatment of type 2 Iong QT syndrome(LQT2)using a rabbit Ieft ventricuIar myocardiaI wedge preparation. METHODS E-4031 (0.5 μmoI·L-1 )was used to induce the LQT2 modeI after rabbit Ieft ventricuIar wedge preparations were equiIibrated for 1 h,and verapamiI(0.5,1.0 and 2.5 μmoI·L-1 ,respectiveIy)was perfused in different groups. Data were coIIected for a period of 30 min starting 30 min after adding the respective drug. Transmembrane action potentiaIs of endocardiaI and epicardiaI myocardium were recorded simuItaneous-Iy at a basic cycIe Iength of 2000 ms(S1S1)together with a transmuraI ECG. The effect of verapamiI (0.5,1.0 and 2.5 μmoI·L-1 )on action potentiaI duration at 90% repoIarization(APD90 ),QT intervaI, transmuraI dispersion of repoIarization(TDR)and the deveIopment of earIy afterdepoIarization(EAD) and torsades de pointes(TdP)were evaIuated in the LQT2 myocardiaI wedge modeI. RESULTS E-4031 (0.5 μmoI·L-1 )markedIy proIonged endocardiaI and epicardiaI APD90 and QT intervaI( P﹤0.01),and dramaticaIIy increased TDR(P﹤0.01). Spontaneous or programmed eIectricaI stimuIation-induced EAD and TdP were aIso observed in the modeI. VerapamiI(0.5,1.0 and 2.5 μmoI·L-1 )dose-dependentIy abbreviated endocardiaI and epicardiaI APD90 and QT intervaI(P﹤0.01),significantIy decreased TDR(P﹤0.01),and suppressed EAD and TdP in the LQT2 modeI. Concordant but stronger effects on the eIectro-physioIogicaI properties of the LQT2 modeI were noticed when nifedipine was perfused. CONCLUSlON VerapamiI inhibits TdP in the LQT2 modeI by reducing TDR and suppressing EAD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changing of T4 5'-and 5-deiodinase within rat brain under various iodin-nutritional states.

METHODSAnimal model of iodine-deficiency rat was performed and the rats were divided into 4 groups by the intake of iodine-nutrition, and then killed at an age of 20 days. The thyroid hormones level in serum was measured by ELISA and the activity of T(4) 5'-and 5-deiodinase within brain was analyzed.

RESULTSIn less-iodine (LI) group,TT4 and FT4 were accounting for 3.5% of the neutral-iodine (NI) group's, and FT3 was 174.0% of NI group's (P < 0.05). In NI group,TT4 and FT4 were 114.5% and 127.7% of NI group's (P < 0.05). In high-iodine (HI) group, TT4 and FT4 were 61.86% and 62.0% of NI group's, and FT3 was 184.9% of NI group's (P < 0.05). In LI group, the activity of T4 5'-deiodinase tissue of per gram (1.95 +/- 0.32) ngT3.microgT4(-1).h was significantly higher than that of NI group (P < 0.05), and the activity of 5-deiodinase (1.38 +/- 0.21) ngrT3.microg T4(-1).h(-1) is significantly less than that of NI group (1.59 +/- 0.23) (P < 0.05). In HI group the activity of T4 5'-and 5-deiodinase tissue of per gram (1.12 +/- 0.19 and 1.73 +/- 0.36) ngrT3.microgT4(-1).h(-1)was significantly less than that of NI group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe activity of T4 5'-deiodinase in iodine deficiency heightens and that in iodine excess is debased, the activity of T4 5-deiodinase in iodine deficiency and in iodine excess is debased.

Animals ; Brain ; enzymology ; Female ; Iodide Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Iodine ; administration & dosage ; deficiency ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Thyroxine ; blood ; Triiodothyronine ; blood

Objective To investigate the characteristics of infecting pathogens,their changes and antimicrobial susceptibilities on CAPD related peritonitis in our peritoneal dialysis(PD) center in the past 15 years.Methods Two hundred and six CAPD related peritonitis episodes in 145 patients from 2000 to 2005 were analyzed and compared with 109 episodes from 1991 to 2000.The causative pathogens,their antimicrobial susceptibilities and outcomes on CAPD related peritonitis from the two periods were retrospectively reviewed and compared.Results Culture negative rate decreased from 60.6% in 1990 s to 47.6% in the last five years (P=0.031 ).Among culture positive peritonitis episodes,the incidence of gram positive bacteria (GPB) peritonitis increased from 25.6% to 39.8% (P=0.059).This was mainly due to a significant increase in coagulase-neagative staphylococcus peritonitis,which significantly increased from 4.7% to 26.9% (P=0.01).Gram negative bacteria (GNB) peritonitis decreased slightly (44.2% vs 34.3%,P=0.322).The incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae peritonitis significantly decreased (14.0% vs 3.7%,P=0.023),while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichis coli peritonitis rates slightly increased (4.7% vs 9.3%,P = 0.338;7% vs 18.7%,P=0.072).The decrease of fungal peritonitis rate was not significant (30.2% vs 17.6%,P= 0.123).The comparison of clinical outcomes showed an improvement of total recovery rate from 68.8% in 1990 s to 73.9% for 2000-2005 (P=0.09).The catheter removal rate decreased from 19.2% to 14.3% (P=0.238),and the mortality from 10.1% to 5.4% (P=0.118).In both periods,fungal peritonitis had the poorest results,which all the patients either withdrew from PD or died.Conclusions Compared with that in 1990 s,the culture positive rate for CAPD related peritonitis in 2000-2005 has been greatly improved.Coagulase-negative staphylococcus is the most common causative pathogen.The mortality and catheter removal rate have been markedly reduced in the last five years.Fungal peritonitis is the most important reason for patients' dropout.

Neospora caninum is the etiologic agent of bovine neosporosis, which affects the reproductive performance of cattle worldwide. The transmembrane protein, NcSRS2, and dense-granule protein, NcGRA7, were identified as protective antigens based on their ability to induce significant protective immune responses in murine neosporosis models. In the current study, NcSRS2 and NcGRA7 genes were spliced by overlap-extension PCR in a recombinant adenovirus termed Ad5-NcSRS2-NcGRA 7, expressing the NcSRS2-NcGRA7 gene, and the efficacy was evaluated in mice. The results showed that the titer of the recombinant adenovirus was 10(9)TCID50/ml. Three weeks post-boost immunization (w.p.b.i.), the IgG antibody titer in sera was as high as 1:4,096. IFN-gamma and IL-4 levels were significantly different from the control group (P<0.01). This research established a solid foundation for the development of a recombinant adenovirus vaccine against bovine N. caninum.
Adenoviridae/*genetics ; Animals ; Antibodies, Fungal/blood ; Antigens, Fungal/genetics/*immunology ; *Drug Carriers ; Fungal Proteins/genetics/*immunology ; Fungal Vaccines/administration & dosage/genetics/*immunology ; Immunoglobulin G/blood ; Interferon-gamma/blood ; Interleukin-4/blood ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neospora/genetics/*immunology ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics/immunology ; Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage/genetics/immunology

Objective In order to meet the national demand for training midwives with higher educational level,our research group aimed to establish cultivation mode of midwifery professional degree for graduate students based on core competence of midwifery.Methods Through literature review and self-designed questionnaire,our research group used the modified Delphi method to conduct two rounds of consultation among 31 experts from six provinces and cities.Results Recovery rates of two rounds of consultation were 88.6％ and 100％,authority coefficients were 0.765 and 0.835,Kendall coordination coefficients were 0.296 and 0.303 (P＜0.01),and the established cultivation mode of nursing professional degree for graduate students in midwifery contained 2 first-level indicators,9 secondlevel indicators,73 third-level indicators.Conclusion In this study,the experts showed high degree of enthusiasm and authority,reaching a consensus on this issue.The established cultivation system of nursing professional degree for graduate students in midwifery can provide references for training midwifery graduate students in the future.

OBJECTIVETo investigate cell apoptosis induced by survivin ASODN and clarify the precise mechanism of anti-apoptotic action of survivin.

METHODSCells of lung cancer cell line NCI-H446 were treated with survivin ASODN at different concentrations. The changes of survivin mRNA and protein expression were assessed by RT-PCR and Western blot assay. The apoptosis index (AI) and proliferation index (PI) were determined by flow cytometry (FCM). After 500 mmol/L survivin ASODN treatment, cells were stained with Rh123 to detect changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (deltapsim) by FCM. The concentration of cytoplasmic cytochrome c (cyt-c) was continuously determined by ELISA. Relative activities of caspase-9 and caspase-3 were assessed by colorimetric assay. The expression of caspase-8 protein was measured by Western blot assay. The apoptotic rates of lung cancer cells induced by survivin ASODN with or without mitochondrial permeability transition pole (MPTP) inhibitor CsA treatment were assessed by FCM.

RESULTSDown-regulated survivin mRNA was shown to be in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. Its maximal effect was achieved at a concentration of 500 nmol/L for 72 h, at which mRNA was down-regulated by 62.7%, the expression of survivin protein in NCI-H446 cells was also obviously decreased. After treatment with survivin ASODN at concentration of 500 mmol/L for 72 h, AI was 48.35%, higher than that of control, lipofectin, NSODN, survivin ASODN 100 mmol/L and 300 mmol/L groups (3.75%, 3.41%, 4.69%, 19.85% and 34.39%, respectively). PI was 24.38%, lower than that of control, lipofectin, NSODN, survivin ASODN100 and 300 mmol/L groups (75.74%, 73.12%, 71.76%, 51.03% and 38.94%, respectively). Deltapsim was decreased in 9.54% of NCI-H446 cells treated with survivin ASODN for 3 h and 97.06% for 24 h. Following it, release of cyt-c from mitochondria to cytosol and activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3 increased significantly. The above mentioned indicators changed with a time-dependent and time diversity relationship. In the presence of CsA, the apoptotic rate of lung cancer cells induced by survivin ASODN was decreased significantly. No up-regrulation and activation in caspase-8 protein was observed.

CONCLUSIONSurvivin inhibits apoptosis via regulation of mitochondrial-dependent pathway. survivin ASODN can not only induce apoptosis but also inhibit cell proliferation through blocking the expression of survivin mRNA and protein.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; physiology ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclosporine ; pharmacology ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Cytosol ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the epidemic situation,clinical symptom,diagnosis and epidemiological characteristics of human Fasciola gigantica infection in Dali,Yunnan province.It will also provide a scientific basis for fasciolosis control and prevention.Methods Epidemic data were collected and patient's clinical signs and symptoms were studied.Serum soluble antigen of Fasciola gigantica of patients and part of family members and health people in the same village was detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the eggs of Fasciola gigantica in stool were observed under microscope.Sequencing and PCR amplification of Fasciola gigantica eggs had been done.Sequencing results were analyzed using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) program of the U.S.National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the similarity of the two in the sequence of nucleic acid was compared.Furthermore,patients were experimentally given orally therapeutic doses of Triclabendazole 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 daily for 2 days,and kept in the hospital for observation for one week.Moreover,host and vector were investigated in the surrounding ditches of Dali prefecture and Limnaea peregra snail samples were collected.All the snails were squashed by glass sheet in order to detect the cercarie.Cow dung and sheep manure was collected in the Limnaea peregra distribution environment,and the eggs in the feces were checked by microscope after washing and precipitation.Results All the 26 patients had a continued hyperpyrexia with distinct alimentary system symptoms of nausea,vomiting,stomachache,abdominal distension as well as hepatomegaly,sensitive to percussion,different levels of liver damage detected by CT.All the patients had an eaten history of raw Herba Houttuyniae and other aquatic plants,and the course of the disease was similar,with the same epidemiological characteristics.ELISA detection was used in the 26 patients,family members and other healthy population,the results of all the 26 patients were positive(100.0％,26/26) ; the positive rates of the 57 family members and other health people of the same village were 31.6％ (18/57) and 17.1％ (6/35),respectively.The results of sequencing and BLAST program showed that the pathogen was Fasciola gigantica with the similarity between 99％-100％.PCR amplification also confirmed that the eggs were Fasciola gigantica eggs with an approximately 1000 bp band on agarose gel.After treatment with Triclabendazole,body temperature of the patients dropped to normal and symptoms improved markedly.Moreover,329 Limnaea peregra snails were collected including 5 ones with redia and one-tailed cercariae which were preliminary identified as the larva of Fasciola gigantica.There were also eggs of Fasciola gigantica detected in one stool of cattle and one of goat.Conclusions Eating raw food is the leading cause of the onset of the disease.Triclabendazole is the drug of choice to treat Fasciolasis.Health education should be strengthened by government and disease prevention and control departments in order to make the local residents to understand the potential hazard of eating raw aquatic vegetable and drinking unboiled water,which is the key to prevent the occurrence of the disease.