Objective To investigate the relationship between brain natriuretic peptide ( BNP)/ N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide ( NT-proBNP) and New York Heart Association ( NYHA) classification, left ventricular structure and function, and explore the value of BNP/ NT-proBNP in the diagnosis of heart failure in the elderly. Methods Fifty-five elder patients with heart failure were selected (NYHA II, n = 15; NYHA III, n = 25; NYHA IV, n = 15) (heart failure group), and another 16 elder people with NYHA I were served as control group. The plasma mass concentrations of NT-proBNP and BNP were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and immunofluorescence method, respectively, and the structure and function of left ventricle were examined by echocardiography. Results The levels of plasma BNP and NT-proBNP increased with NYHA grades, were negatively correlated with LVEF (P <0.001), and were positively correlated with LVST, LVEDD, LAD and LVMI( P < 0.05). The area under the curve of BNP in diagnosis of heat failure was 0. 879 (P < 0.001), and that of NT-proBNP was 0.914(P < 0.001). Conclusion Both plasma BNP and NT-proBNP can be used to evaluate the heart function of patients with heart failure, and are useful tools for diagnosis of HF in the elderly.

Objective To establish the method for fingerprint analysis of Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae(PCR) by HPLC, and to compare the quality of PCR from different places of Guangdong. Methods HPLC with Zorbax Esclipe XDB C18 column was used. The mobile phase was composed of methanol-2% acetic acid (gradient elution), the detection wavelength was at 283 nm, the column temperature was maintained at 25 ℃ , and the flow rate was 1.0 mL? min-1. Results Seven common peaks were obtained on HPLC fingerprint of PCR. There existed certain differences in fingerprints of PCR from the different samples, but the similarities of 25 batches of samples were higher. Conclusion The method is reliable and accurate, and provides a reference for the quality control of PCR.

As a kind of commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng has a high reputation at home and abroad. The research of ginseng has been expanded to medicine, pharmacy, biology, food science and other fields, with great achievements in recent years. Ginseng contains ginsenosides, volatile oil, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, inorganic elements and othser chemical constituents. Each component has extensive physiological activity, and is the base of ginseng's effect. After processing, the complicated changes are taken place in the constituents of ginseng, and some new substances produced. This paper aims to review the studies on chemical constituents and their mechanisms during ginseng processing, and the ideas, methods and the direction of the development of traditional Chinese medicine processing in the future.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

A method was established for identifying the chemical components of a traditional Chinese medicinal formula Baihe Zhimu Tang and its single herbs by combining high performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI-MS). The molecular ions of compounds in both negative and positive modes were observed for molecule mass information, and the potential structures were identified by attentive studying on the mass spectra of compounds and comparing with Reference data and some of standards. The results show that in MS detection, saponins in Baihe Zhimu Tang and its single herbs are easily to become positive ions in the electrospray ionization procedure, and they have strong responses, but the mass spectrometric signals of flavonoids and phenolic glucosides are week. 38 compounds in Baihe Zhimu Tang including 3 flavonoids, 4 phenolic glucosides and 31 saponins were identified through analyzing and comparing the total ion chromatograms(TIC) and mass spectra of Baihe Zhimu Tang and its single herbs. This method has the advantages of simple operation, rapid measurement and it is a powerful tool for identification of chemical components in Baihe Zhimu Tang.

Animals ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Campylobacter Infections ; complications ; microbiology ; Campylobacter jejuni ; isolation & purification ; Child, Preschool ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fatal Outcome ; Humans ; Male ; Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating ; etiology ; Swine

This paper describes the design of the printing output function for a multi-parameter patient monitor by using the graphic plot function of a Laser Printer. The ECG data are preprocessed with a notch filter and interpolation algorithm. A logical page is constructed in the extended memory for virtual page printing. This monitor is able to output a satisfied printing with ECG waveforms of high quality.
Automatic Data Processing ; methods ; Computer Graphics ; Diagnostic Equipment ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Humans ; Lasers ; Printing ; instrumentation ; methods ; Quality Control

Twenty eight polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients complicated with insulin resistance, whose testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels were normal, received metformin treatment (500 mg b.i.d) for 3 months.Blood anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, endocrine and metabolic parameters were measured before and after treatment.The mean levels of AMH were not significantly changed after 3 months of treatment [(8.4±3.2) vs.(8.5±3.2) μg/L, P=0.148].However, the BMI[(27.6±4.1) vs.(29.3±4.4)kg/m2], fast glucose[(5.32±0.47) vs.(5.55±0.71)mmol/L], fast insulin [(93.3±17.8) vs.(147.7±44.1)pmol/L] and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (3.17±0.71 vs.5.27±1.85) were significantly decreased after treatment (all P<0.05).The results indicate that metformin treatment may not significantly affect serum AMH levels, although it can improve the insulin resistance and reduce the BMI value in PCOS patients.

AIM: To explore the relationship between various mitochondrial (mt) DNA tRNA Leu (UUR) and ND1 gene mutations and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among Chinese in Hubei Province. METHODS: PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was used to screen point mutations of mtDNA ( 3 243, 3 256, 3 290, 3 316, 3 394, 3 421, 3 426, 3 460, 3 593) in 174 T2DM and 207 healthy controls. Then, DNA sequencing, reverse dot blot hybridization and Genchip were used to compare and confirm mutations. All mutations were analyzed by DNASTAR and Antherprot softwares. RESULTS: In diabetic group, there were 5 carriers (2.9%) of 3 316 G→A (Ala→Thr) mutation, 4 (2.3%) of 3 394 T→C (Tyr→His) mutation, 1 (0.6%) of 3 593 T→C(Val→Ala) mutation, and 1 (0.6%) of 3 618 T→C(Phe→Phe) mutation. Among 3 316 (G→A) mutations , there were more than 1 point mutations in 2 cases, one accompanied with 3 256 C→T(Arg→Arg) and 3 688 G→C (Ala→Pro) mutations, another accompanied with 3 606 A→G(Leu→Leu) mutation. 3 606 (A→G), 3 618 (T→C) and 3 688 (G→C) were novel mutations, GenBank accession number is DQ092356. In controls, only 3 316 (G→A) mutation was found in 1 subject (0.5%). There was significant difference between two groups for 3 394 (T→C) mutation frequencies (P

To explore and compare the response of the protease inhibitors or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-based therapeutic impact on metabolic indices in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) co-infected patients.A randomized,open,and control approach was performed to enroll 273 cases of HCV/HIV co-infected patients on their initial visits and to choose protease inhibitors(PIs group) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs group) based therapy treatments for one year.Laboratory results of metabolic indices before and after the treatment were collected.After treatment,the levels of triglyceride in NNRTIs and Pls groups were (1.93 ± 0.99) mmol/L and (1.62 ± 0.93) mmol/L respectively,high density lipoprotein-cholesterol were(1.28 ± 0.55) mmol/L and (1.08 ± 0.53) mmol/L,low density lipoprotein-cholesterol were (2.60 ± 1.44) mmol/L and (2.22 ± 1.16) mmol/L,fasting plasma glucose were (5.92 ± 1.21) mmol/L and (4.79 ± 0.47) mmol/L,serum creatinine were (70.5 ± 14.6) μmol/L and (56.6 ± 8.3) μmol/L,and serum amylase were(66.9 ± 27.5) U/L and(62.7 ± 33.8) U/L respectively.The difference between the two groups was statistically significant(all P＜0.01).There is a therapeutic impact on metabolic indices in patients wtih HCV / HIV co-infection after non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors-based regimen.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the ability of pleth variability index (PVI) in predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients under general anesthesia.

METHODSFrom August to November 2009, 25 patients were enclosed in this study following anesthesia induction. PVI was continuously displayed by the Masimo Radical 7. All patients were also monitored with Vigileo/FloTrac system. Haemodynamic data such as cardiac index (CI), stroke volume variability (SVV), mean arterial pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure, PVI, perfusion index were recorded before and after volume expansion (hetastar 6%, 7 ml/kg). Fluid responsiveness was defined as an increase in CI ≥ 15% (ΔCI ≥ 15).

RESULTSSVV and PVI were significantly higher in the responders (16.0% ± 2.6% and 20.5% ± 3.7%) than those in non-responders (11.6% ± 1.4% and 13.8% ± 2.6%) respectively (P < 0.05). The SVV threshold of 13.5% before volume expansion was able to discriminate the responders from the non-responders with a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 87.5%. The threshold for PVI was 15.5%, the same sensitivity of 88.2% and specificity of 87.5% were obtained. There was a significant relationship between PVI before volume expansion and change in CI after volume expansion (r = 0.683, P < 0.01), the same as the changes of SVV (r = 0.600, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPVI as a new dynamic indices can predict fluid responsiveness non-invasively in mechanically ventilated patients during general anesthesia.

Abdomen ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Female ; Fluid Therapy ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Respiration, Artificial