Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Phytoestrogens ; Plant Preparations ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry

Background Q-value is used to express the asphricity of the anterior corneal surface.As a optical surface,the optial morphology of cornea is composed of a series of tangential sections that cut-off through the optical axial.Therefore,tangential section could represent the true optical morphology of the corneal surface,and Q-value calculation by tangential radius can better represent the asphericity.Objective This study was to calculate Q-value of meridian section of the anterior corneal surface by tangential radius of the tangential topography and analyze the corneal asphericity in horizontal interval.Methods Ninety right eyes of 90 myopia subjects aged 16-30years and with mean spherical equivalent of (-5.45 ± 2.75) D received corneal topography examination using Orbscan Ⅱ system.The subjects were assigned to low myopia group,moderate myopia group and high myopia group based on their diopter and 30 eyes for each group.The tangential curvatures on meridian section at a 0.1 mm interval from apex to periphery of the anterior surface were accepted and the Q value of the semimeridian section was calculated by linear regression mathematical formulas of the tangential radius.Mydriatic optometry,intraocular pressure,keratometer and fundus examinations were performed on the subjects.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any medical examination.Results The coefficients of determination in all the semimeridians were over 0.5.The average calculated Q-values in the nasal and temporal horizontal interval were -0.32±0.11 and-0.30±0.12,with a significant difference between them (t =2.009,P＜0.05).The vertex radius of curvature was (7.78±0.27)mm and (7.72±0.25)mm respectively in the nasal and temporal horizontal interval,showing a significant difference(t=-1.016,P＞0.05).No significant difference was seen in Q values of both nasal and temporal areas among three myopic groups (nasal:F =0.192,P =0.825 ; temporal:F =0.912,P =0.406).The average Q value of the nasal and temporal principal meridian was-0.33±0.14 and-0.30±0.13 respectively,and the r0 was 7.76±0.30 and 7.74±0.24 respectively.A weak positive correlation was found between r0 and mean Q value of nasal meridian (r=0.320,P＜0.05),but no significant correlation was found between r0 and mean Q-value of temporal meridian (r=0.104,P＞0.05).No significant differenees were seen in the Q values between nasal meridian and nasal zone (t=0.349,P＞0.05) as well as between temporal meridian and temporal zone(t=-0.373,P＞0.05).Conclusions The study analyzes the calculated Q-value of the semimeridian section in borizontal area with myopia by linear regression mathematical formulas of tangential radius on tangential topography.The anterior surface of the cornea is proved to be prolate ellipse in shape in the subjects with myopia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular mechanisms of effective ingredients of Astragalus-Salvia compound (ASC) in increasing placental blood supply, to provide thought for establishing an effective prevention and treatment of insufficient placental blood supply caused complications of pregnancy.

METHODSThe effective ingredients of ASC was isolated and abstracted and the rat model of inhibited nitric oxide synthesis was established by using L-Arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in placental trophocyte and primordial micrangial endothelial cell was determined by using in situ hybridization at 12th day of pregnancy.

RESULTSThe VEGF mRNA expression was significantly lower in nitric oxide synthesis inhibited model rats than that in rats non-modeled, or in model rats treated by ASC abstracts or nitroglycerin (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEffective ingredients of ASC may improve VEGF mRNA expression in placental trophocyte and vascular endothelial cell in early pregnancy, and thus be favorable for placental vascular net formation, trophocyte infiltration and mother-placental circulation constitution for increasing placental blood supply to prevent and treat the insufficient placental blood supply caused diseases such as pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome.

Animals ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Placenta ; cytology ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry ; Trophoblasts ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the genetic polymorphisms of CYP3A5 and the clinical effectiveness of Bicyclol on patients with chronic hepatitis B to make individual medication possible.

METHODS34 cases of chronic hepatitis B were treated by bicyclol tablets for 24 weeks. Liver function indexes (ALT and AST) were determined before and after treatment. Blood CYP3A5 genotyping of each patient was determined by the PCR-RFLP analysis.

RESULTSAll subjects were genotyped for the CYP3A5*3 gene and divided into different group. The groups comprised subjects with CYP3A5*3 carriers (n=18) and CYP3A5*1 carriers (n=16) which include CYP3A5*1/*1 (n=2) and CYP3A5*1/*3 (n=14). Compared with pre-treatment, the serum ALT and AST levels were decreased obviously in all patients. The mean percentage reduction of serum ALT and AST levels were significantly greater in subjects with CYP3A5*3 carriers (79.73% and 74.76%) than in those with CYP3A5*1 carriers (65.90% and 49.63%; P < 0.05) The recovery rates of ALT and AST were significantly highter in CYP3A5*3 carriers than those in CYP3A5*1 carriers (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCYP3A5 genotype has an impact on the therapeutic effects of Bicyclol. The subjects with CYP3A5*3 carriers is more effective than the subjects with CYP3A5*1 carriers. CYP3A5 genotyping may be helpful in predicting therapeutic effects of Bicyclol especially in the terms of decreasing ALT and AST.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; genetics ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver ; drug effects ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVECleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a dominantly inherited skeletal dysplasia caused by mutations in the osteoblast-specific transcription factor-encoding gene, core binding factor α1 (CBFA1). Over 90 mutations in CBFA1 gene have been published to date in 500 independent cases of CCD, including missense mutations, deletions, insertions, frameshift, and splice mutations. However, mutational screening of the CBFA1 gene is still far from saturation, and more novel mutations will be identified to enrich the insights into the molecular basis for the pathogenesis of CCD. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical and image features and detect the mutations of CBFA1 gene in two CCD families.

METHODIn this study, the clinical features were investigated in two CCD families, radiological and CT examinations regarding osseous malformation were carried out over the entire body of these patients with CCD. Blood (2 ml) was drawn from all affected individuals, unaffected family members and one hundred unrelated normal controls, Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood with PureGene DNA extraction kit and PCR was performed with eight pairs of PCR primers for exons 0 to 7 of the CBFA1 gene. The mutations of CBFA1 gene were screened in these two CCD families.

RESULT(1) The clinical features of patients with CCD include delayed closure of fontanelles, frontal bossing, dysplasia of clavicles, late tooth eruption, and other skeletal anomalies. X-ray and CT examination showed the bulging calvarium, patent fontanelles, wide cranial sutures, multiple Wormian bones, dental dysplasia or aplasia of clavicles. (2) Two mutations were identified, one is novel missense mutation (c.1259C > T[p.T420I]) in CBFA1 gene exon 7, other (c.577C > T[p.R193X]) was reported in Chinese cases with CCD for the first time.

CONCLUSION(1) The clinical and image features of patients in two CCD families include delayed closure of fontanelles, frontal bossing, dysplasia of clavicles, late tooth eruption, and other skeletal anomalies. (2) The T420I and R193X mutations of CBFA1 were reported, expanding the spectrum of CBFA1 mutations causing CCD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleidocranial Dysplasia ; genetics ; pathology ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype

OBJECTIVETo investigate the levels and roles of serum growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

METHODSSerum GH and PRL levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 54 neonates with HIE (20 mild, 19 moderate and 15 severe HIE) at the acute and convalescence stages. Twenty normal neonates were used as controls.

RESULTSSerum GH levels were significantly lower, but PRL levels were significantly higher in moderate and severe HIE neonates at the acute stage compared with those of controls and mild HIE neonates (P < 0.01). There were noticeable differences in serum levels of GH and PRL between the moderate and severe HIE cases (P < 0.01). During the convalescence stage, serum GH levels increased and PRL levels decreased in moderate and severe HIE neonates compared with those at the acute stage (P < 0.01); serum GH and PRL levels in each sub-group of HIE restored to the levels of controls. There was a closely negative correlation between GH and PRL levels at the acute stage of HIE (r = -0.8759, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGH and PRL might be involved in the pathophysiological process of HIE. The levels of GH and PRL closely relate to the severity of HIE at the acute stage.

Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; blood ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Prolactin ; blood

In recent years, micro/nano-scaled separation technique has attracted increasing attention due to its inherent advantages. The porous layer open tubular ( PLOT) capillary column is an important microcolumn form. Comparied to wide-bore PLOT capillary columns ( inner diameter >25 μm ) , the PLOT capillary columns with a narrow inner diameter yield higher separation efficiency and lower reagent consumption. In this paper, the preparation methods for porous layer open tubular capillary columns with narrow inner diameter, less than or equal to 25 μm, are reviewed. Detection techniques combined with mass spectrometry and their applications in liquid chromatography are also disussed.

OBJECTIVETo study neck and shoulder work-related muscle fatigue of female sewing machine operators.

METHODS18 health female sewing machine operators without musculoskeletal disorders work in Beijing garment industry factory as volunteers in participate of this study. The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and 20% MVC of bilateral upper trapezium and cervical erectors spinae was tested before sewing operations, then the whole 20 time windows (1 time window = 10 min) sewing machine operations was monitored and the surface electromyography (sEMG) signals simultaneously was recorded after monitoring the 20%MVC was tested. Use amplitude analysis method to reduction recorded EMG signals.

RESULTSDuring work, the median load for the left cervical erector spinae (LCES), right cervical erector spinae (RCES), left upper trapezium (LUT) and right upper trapezium (RUT) respectively was 6.78 ± 1.05, 6.94 ± 1.12, 5.68 ± 2.56 and 6.47 ± 3.22, work load of right is higher than the left; static load analysis indicated the value of RMS(20%MVC) before work was higher than that value after work, the increase of right CES and UT RMS(20%MVC) was more; the largest 20%MVE of bilateral CES occurred at 20th time window, and that of bilateral UT happened at 16th.

CONCLUSIONSThe work load of female sewing machine operators is sustained "static" load, and work load of right neck-shoulder is higher than left, right neck-shoulder muscle is more fatigable and much serious once fatigued.

Adult ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Fatigue ; physiology ; Posture ; Shoulder ; physiology ; Textile Industry ; Work ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo determine the distribution of HCV genotypes among volunteer blood donors in Guangzhou.

METHODSSix-nine HCV RNA-positive samples were collected from volunteer blood donors in Guangzhou. NS5B fragments of HCV were amplified followed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTSHCV genotypes were determined for 67 samples. Among them, the subtypes 1b, 2a, 3a, 3b, 6a and 6n were detected at the frequencies of 37.31%, 4.48%, 7.46%, 4.48%, 44.78% and 1.49%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONHCV 1b and 6a are the most predominant two subtypes among volunteer blood donors in Guangzhou.

Blood Donors ; China ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To explore the best target position and range of lesion for magnetic resonance image (MRI)-guided stereotactic cingulotomy. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 71 patients underwent MRI-guided stereotactic cingulotomy, including 7 with chronic pain and 64 with psychiatric disorders. The cingulate gyrus target chose were 5 mm as X, 10-20 mm posterior tip of the lateral ventricle as Y, 2 mm above the roof of the lateral ventricle as Z. The target position and range of lesion were determined and revised by routine sagittal, axial and coronal stereotactic MRI scans. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation lesions were produced by inserting an electrode (1.6 mm diameter and 4 mm uninsulated tip) and heating them at a temperature of 75℃ for 100 seconds with a volume of lesion reaching 15 mm×10 mm×10 mm. Early postoperative MR or CT scans and long-term followed up examination were available for all cases. Results Postoperative images showed that the lesions were all in the anterior cingulate gyrus. Two patients reported transient urinary incontinence without permanent complications; significant pain relief appeared in all patients with chronic pain; In 64 with intractable psychiatric disorders, cure was showed in 3 obvious improvements in 35, improvement in 22, and no change in 4. Conclusion MRI-guided stereotactic cingulotomy offers substantial advantages by allowing direct visualization of the cingulate gyrus and surrounding structures and the best range of lesion is 10-25 mm from the anterior point of the corpus callosum, 10 mm above the bottle of cingulate gyrus and 10 mm in width.