OBJECTIVETo compare the risk factors between preterm and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births.

METHODSA total of 1 270 newborns who had no obstetric risk factors or maternal diseases were enrolled in this study. Their mothers' stature, body weight, passive smoking, and history of abnormal pregnancy were investigated using the self-designed questionnaire. The infants were divided into four groups: preterm, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), SGA, and term infants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to compare the risk factors between preterm and SGA births.

RESULTSA weight gain less than 9 kg during pregnancy increased the risks of preterm (OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.12-2.07) and SGA (OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.56-2.58). The histories of abortion (OR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.09-1.93) and preterm birth (OR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.81-3.92) were independent risk factors for preterm births, while low pre-pregnancy body mass index (<18.5) (OR=2.16, 95% CI: 1.53-3.16), short stature (<1.55 m) (OR=2.46, 95% CI: 1.78-3.48), and passive smoking (OR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.65-2.98) were independent risk factors for SGA births.

CONCLUSIONSDue to different risk factors between preterm and SGA births, specific preventive measures should be taken pertinently to reduce the incidence of the two bad pregnancy outcomes.

Body Mass Index ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Small for Gestational Age ; Logistic Models ; Premature Birth ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

[Objective] To purify and characterize a novel factor X activator,Fve-1 from Daboia russelli siamensis (Myanmar) venom.[ Methods]F V e-1 was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration.The hemostatic activity of F V e-1 was determined based on chromogenic substrates.The fibrinogen-clotting activity of F V e-1 was also determined.Thermal stability, pH stability,enzyme activity,and inhibition of F V e- 1 were determined by its remaining procoagulant activity.N-treminal sequence was determined by the method of automated Edman degradation.[ Results ]F V e-1 was achieved by chromatography with a molecular weight of 13,808 and an isoelectric point of 4.6. The hemostatic activity of 0.5 mg Fve-1 was equal to that of 1.5625 u thrombin or that of 54.93 ng RVV X. F V e-1 primarily activated F X, but did not affect on prothrombin and fibrinogen. The suitable pH and temperature range of F V e-1 was 6.5-7.5 and 25-60 ℃,respectively.The activity of F V e-1 was enhanced by Ca2+ and inhibited by EDTA and DTT.The N-terminal sequence of F V e-1 was NH2-N-L-Y-Q-F-G-E-M-I-N.[Conclusion] F V e-1 is a factor X-activating enzyme,which could activate FX to FX a,but have minimal effect on prothrombin and fibrinogen.

Objective To explore the teaching effects of physiology lectures and students' attitude to lectures,their suggestions for contents,forms and other aspects of lectures.Methods Random sampling questionnaire survey was conducted among 500 students of 2008 grade and 2009 grade in Xiangya medical school of central south university.The percentage of the option in the questionnaire was calculated and the findings were directly described.Results All students thought that physiology lectures were necessary.Teachers should arrange lectures which students were interested in,pay attention to inspire thinking and enhance teacher-student interaction.67.6％ of students thought that the knowledge learned from lectures can be used in expanding scientific thinking.Conclusions The lectures are popular among most students,playing an important role in cultivating students' ability of strict scientific thinking.

Objective To observe the pathological changes of bone hydatid cyst of meriones meridianus after radiation therapy,and to investigate the clinical effect of radiotherapy on bone hydatid disease.Methods Ascus was dissected sterilely from sheep liver that naturally infected with Echinococcus granulomas,sheared and sac skin removed.Then it was washed and precipitated with 0.9％ sterile saline for 3 times,and scolex was HE stained and counted,from which a 20 ml suspension was made containing 12 × 106/L of scolex.Health meriones meridianus (referred to as gerbil) 140,male and female were in each half,aged 2 to 3 months,body weight(38 ± 6)g,were involved in the study.Gerbil was injected a 0.2 ml suspension containing Echinococcus granulomas scolex into hind tibial periosteum,and X-ray was taken 12 months after the injection.According to the bone destruction in the vaccination site,gerbil hindleg tibia with clear jagged bone destruction was treated as inclusion criteria,and 72 animal were selected as gerbil bone hydatid disease animal models,male and female were in each half.A tatal of 72 gerbils were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,40 beequerel(Gy) group,50 Gy group and 60 Gy group,18 rats in each group,male and female in each half.The model animals were treated with radiotherapy for 5 times,with 2 d interval,and radiation dose was 300 cGy/min.Each group of gerbils was sacrificed after radiotherapy,bone Echinococcus granulomas cysts was taken out sterilely,and observed by light and electron microscope.Intracapsular cyst fluid was extracted,washed and precipitated with 0.9％ sterile saline repeatedly,and and the pellet was HE stained for observation of scolex morphology and activity by light microscope.Results The morphology and activity ofEchinococcus granulomas in cystic fluid in control group were normal; the morphology and activity of Echinococcus granulomas were still normal in the 40 Gy group,and Echinococcus granulomas was not stained red; but those were abnormal,deformation and atrophy and stained red in the 50 Gy group; and were stained red,deformed,fractured and were wrapped by unknown in the 60 Gy group.By light microscope,the germinal layer,cuticle layer,brood capsule and histological structure of protoscolex were basically normal in irradiated region in the control group.The pathological changes of hydatid cyst in the 40 Gy group were mainly degeneration,structure of hydatid cyst was abnormal,stratum corneum was extensive edema,germinal layer became thinner and the fertile cyst was rare.The main pathological change of hydatid cyst in the 50 Gy group was that corneous layer was widely fractured,and the germinal layer was edema,buckling folds,cells decreased,rare seen brood capsule and scolex; the main pathological changes of hydatid cyst were mainly necrosis in the 60 Gy group,cuticle was extensive fault,stratum corneum and germinal layer was separated,germinal layer was atrophy and disorder,no brood capsule and scolex.By electron microscope,cuticle structure of Echinococcus granulomas cyst was clear,microvillus arranged neatly,morphology and structure of the cell and organelle in cytoplasm were normal in the control group.There were many inflammatory cells infiltrating germinal layer of Echinococcus granulomas cyst,microfilament and contents in microfilament were reduced in the 40 Gy group.Microvillus of Echinococcus granulomas disappeared,nuclear membrane was unclear,endoplasmic and mitochon eclasis,lymphocyte nuclear chromatin was clumping and edge set and in circular permutation in the 50 Gy group.Microvillus disappeared,perinuclear membrane indistinct and ruptured,parts of nucleoli were fragmented and marinated,endoplasmic reticulum was extensive expansion,mitochondria was pyknosis and obvious vacuolization,lymphocyte nuclear chromatin clumping and edge set,lysosomes and macrophage emerge in the 60 Gy group.Conclusions Radiotherapy can destroy the morphology and structure of bone hydatid cyst,radioactivity at 50 Gy has a lethal effect on hydatid cyst.Radiation treatment of bone hydatid disease has a good clinical effect.

AIM: To explore the effect of L-carnitine on nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) in cardiomyocytes under H2O2 stimulation.METHODS: Primary cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells were stimulated by H2 O2 at concentration of 200μmol/L for 12 h to induce oxidative stress injury.In treatment group, L-carni-tine and cyclosporin A ( CsA) , a specific inhibitor of calcineurin ( CaN) , were administered 30 min prior to H2 O2 stimula-tion.After treatment, total, cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 protein levels were determined by Western blotting.The method of immunofluoresence was used to evaluate the distribution of NFATc3.RESULTS: H2 O2 treatment produced no effect on the expression of total NFATc3, but caused its translocation from the cytosolic to nuclear compartment, which was greatly blunted by L-carnitine pretreatment.CONCLUSION:L-carnitine antagonized oxidative stress injury via alleviating NFATc3 nuclear translocation.

AlM:To study the relationship between JAK-STAT pathway and epithelial - mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells. Meanwhile, the function of AG490 as a JAK inhibitor was also demonstrated in this article.
METHODS:Human lens epithelial cells SRA01/04 ( LECs ) were treated by low concentration of glucose (5. 5mmol/L). High concentration of glucose (30. 5mmol/L) was used to treat the cells in order to form the high glucose model. According to adding AG490 or not, cells were divided into the control group and the experimental group, appropriate concentration 10ü mol/L and 50ü mol/L of AG490 were chosen and acting time of 6, 12, 24, 48h were selected. Effect of AG490 on cell migration was measured by wound healing test. The expression of TGF-β1 , FN,α-SMA mRNA were examined by RT-PCR.
RESULTS:With the prolonged acting time ( 6, 12, 24 and 48h), cell activity increased in the HG group, as well as more expression of TGF-β1 , FN,α-SMA mRNA were detected compared to the LG group (P<0. 05). ln AG490 group, the cell migration activity and expression of TGF-β1 , FN,α-SMA mRNA decreased compared to the HG group (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSlON:JAK-STAT pathway takes part in high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells. The mechanism is that it impacts the transcriptional expression of TGF- β1 and extracellular matrix. AG490, a JAK inhibitor, inhibits high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells, And the inhibition enhances with the increasing concentration of AG490.

Objective To evaluate the expression and significance of differential expression gene Hepsin in the prostate cancer (PC) screened by the cDNA microarray technique.Methods The techniques of semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of Hepsin. Specimens of 40 cases of PC, 15 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 6 normal prostate tissues were examined by the immunohistochemical stain.Results Hepsin was more expressed in PC tissue than normal prostate tissue (P=0.026) and was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical test confirmed this and demonstrated that Hepsin did not expressed in normal prostate but expressed in PC and BPH and there was a significant difference in Hepsin expression level between PC and BPH tissues ( P=0.000).Conclusion Hepsin high expressed in PC may be a new molecular marker in early diagnosis of PC and a new target for gene therapy of PC.

Objective To describe the clinical features of venous diethylene glycol poisoning and to identify factors correlating with such kind of poisoning.Methods Retrospective chart review was performed to analyze the epidemiology,clinical presentation,hepatorenal functions,bemodynam- ics and pathological characteristics of 64 patients with severe liver diseases who received intravenous diethylene glycol.Comparative analyses of correlating factors and causes of poisoning were based on the presence or absence of poisoning.Results Fifteen cases of poisoning were reported.After a 5 day incubation period,all poisoned patients displayed acute renal failure and 11 cases with digestive tract symptoms and(or) symptom exacerbations were noted.Neurological system impairment was observed in 10 cases after 2 weeks.Metabolic acidosis developed in 13 cases.Poisoned patients exhibited signif- icantly lower red blood celI(RBC)[(2.32?0.76)?10~(12)/L],hemoglobin(Hb) [(79.5?23.6)g/L] value and higher white blood cell(WBC)[(9.78?3.75)?10~9/L] count.Renal biopsy of poisoned patients revealed acute tubular necrosis and interstitial nephritis.Twelve poisoned patients died.Sig nifieant differences were found between groups regarding preexisting severe hepatitis,ascites,renal disease and diuretic therapy.Prior to diethylene glycol injections,mean values of neutrophil,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cr) and calcium and phosphorousions differed significantly between groups.Conclusions Features of venous diethylene glycol poisoning include oliguric acute renal fail- ure,metabolic acidosis,digestive symptoms,nervous system impairment and a high probability of anemia and WBC proliferation.Mortality is high.Correlative factors include preexisting severe liver disease,renal disease and infection.

OBJECTIVETo construct the acid-sensitive potassium hannel-3(TASK3) eukaryotic expression plasmid and to establish a stable SH-SY5Y cell line expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged TASK3.

METHODSTASK3 coding region was subcloned into pEGFP-N1 plasmid to construct a recombinant vector alled pEGFP-TASK3. The correct recombinant expressing plasmid was transfected with X-feet transfection reagent to SH-SY5Y cells. The cell line stably expressiing EGFP tagged-TASK3 gene was established by screening with antibiotic G418 and fluorescence microscope. The expression and localization of the EGFP tagged-TASK3 fusion protein was detected by Western blot and confocal microscope. Exposure of the SH-SY5Y cell line expressing stably TASK3-eGFP fusion proteins was exposed to different pH media (7.0, 6.7, 6.4, 6.1) for 24 h, the cell viability was assessed with cell counting Kit-8 (CCK-8).

RESULTSAll the results of identification by PCR, digestion with restriction endonuclease and sequencing indicated that the recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pEGFP-TASK3 was constructed correctly. The stable SH-SY5Y cell line expressing EGFP tagged-TASK3 fusion protein was successfully established. Exposure of the wild type SH-SY5Y cells and the stable SH-SY5Y-GFP tag-TASK3 cell line to different pH media (7.0, 6.7, 6.4, 6.1) for 24 h, the cell viability of two group cells significantly reduced with pH declining, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with wild type SH-SY5Y cells, the cell viability of stable SH-SYSY-GFP tag-TASK3 cell line increased significantly with the same pH media, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-TASK3 is successfully constructed and the cell line stably expressing TASK3-eGFP fusion is established which is important for their fundamental research and potential applications.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Potassium Channels, Tandem Pore Domain ; genetics ; Transfection

AIMTo establish the fundamentals for the design of scutellarin prodrug and formulation with feasible physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties by esterifying scutellarin, an active component with poor absorption extracted from Erigeron breviscapus of Chinese medicine.

METHODSWith the method of salifying followed by esterifying, ethyl and benzyl ester of scutellarin were synthesized. Glycolamide ester of scutellarin was also synthesized with an improved method. Their structures were confirmed by MS and 1H NMR. The solubility and partition coefficient of the prodrugs were determined and their degradations were investigated in various buffers and in human plasma. The emulsion and cyclodextrin complex of glycolamide ester were prepared and the protection of the ester from degradation was compared in the intestinal tract contents. Furthermore, the degradation of glycolamide ester in the homogenates of various intestinal segments was studied. Results Three prodrugs were synthesized successfully and their structures were confirmed. Glycolamide ester of scutellarin showed better stability in the aqueous solution (t(1/2) approximately =16 d, pH 4.2) and the shortest half-life in the human serum (t(1/2) approximately =7 min). Compared with scutellarin, the solubility of glycolamide ester was increased about ten times in pH 4.0 buffer, and about thirty five times in water. Partition coefficient of the glycolamide ester increased significantly from -2.56 to 1.48. However, the ester degradation in the homogenates of intestinal mucus would be an obstacle for its absorption. The degradation rates were in the order duodenum > ileum > or = jejunum > colon. The emulsion showed a better protection of glycolamide ester from the degradation than cyclodextrin complex.

CONCLUSIONGlycolamide ester of scutellarin shows better physicochemical properties than ethyl and benzyl eater of scutellarin, but its stability in intestinal tract needs to be improved. The emulsion or / and colon-targeted delivery may be selected as one of strategies to decrease the presystemic degradation.

Animals ; Apigenin ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Emulsions ; Erigeron ; chemistry ; Esters ; Flavones ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucuronates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucuronides ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Intestines ; metabolism ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Prodrugs ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley