Animals ; Female ; Fetal Heart ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Objective To screen the arsenic content situation of drinking water in lower reaches of Yellow River and survey the amount of threatened people drinking high arsenic water and the condition of endemic arsenism.Methods Four counties of Yuncheng,Jiaxiang,Dongchangfu and Boxing were selected to colleft the water samples by CroOSS-sectional survey method.The water arsenic content wag determined by semi-quantitative rapid kit.All water samples having arsenic were re-determined by atomic fluorescence spectrometry.And the nurober of threatened people who drinking high arsenic water were investigated.Results In 4765 water wells screened,303 water samples had contained arsenic,arsenic content of 35 samples Was≥0.030 mg/L,12 samples were exceeding the international standard (arsenic content≥0.050 ms/L),they distributed in 3 counties of Dongchangfu,Yuncheng and Jiaxiang.The residents drinking water wells of arsenic content≥0.030 mg/L were surveyed by epidemiological investigation.And in the 28 villages 13 032 residents and 11 Bu8picious patient8 wlere checked out.Conclusion The wells with excesive water arsenic content are existing in the lower reaches of Yellow River and people suspicious of endemic arsenism need to be further identified.

Background Eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA)function as the critical lipid mediators involved in several biological events in human body and play important role in suppressing the genesis of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF),migration and proliferation of vascular endothelial cells.Many ocular diseases were proved to be associated with neovascularization.Objecfive The purpose of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of EPA on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) indueed by VEGF. Methods HUVEC strain was cultured and passaged,and difierent concentrations of EPA were added to the medium with and without VEGF.The cultured cells were identified by antiofactor Ⅷ polyclonal antibody.The suppressing role of different concentrations of EPA on the proliferation of VEGF-induced or-uninduced HUVEC was assessed by MTT method.The influence of difierent concentrations of EPA on the cellular cycle of VEGF-induced HUVEC was assayed using flow eytometry.The expression of Flk-1,a receptor of VEGF,in the HUVEC Was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Cultured HUVEC showed the ftlsiform in shape and presented with the cobblestone-like arrangement with the positive response for Ⅷ factor-related antigen.Various concentrations of EPA showed obviously inhibitory effect on VEGF-induced or-unindueed HUVEC at a dose-dependent manner (F=23.072.P=0.000).The inhibitory ability of EPA on VEGF-induced HUVEC was stronger than VEGF-uninduced HUVEC(F=41.417,P=0.000).In 24,48 and 72 hours,the action of EPA on the proliferation of HUVEC was gradually enhanced with the prolong of time(F=1.495,P=0.236).Cell cycle analysis indicated that EPA arrested VEGF-induced HUVEC in G0/G1 phase.The ratio of HUVEC in G0/G1 phase in EPA group was(75.83±1.56)%,and that in control groups was(68.62±1.44)%,showing a significant difference between them(t=-5.88,P=0.00),and no apoptosis of HUVEC was found in both groups.Flk-1 was strongly expressed in the cellular nucleus and cytoplasm in control group.However,the positive expressing intensity of Flk-1 in the HUVEC weakened,and the positive cell number was evidently less in EPA group. Conclusion EPA can inhibit the proliferation of VEGF induced HUVEC through arresting the synthesis of DNA of HUVEC and downregulate the expression of Flk-1 in HUVEC.These results suggest that EPA might exert an antiangiogenic effect.

Objective To develop a convenient method efficiently expands the frequency of specific CTLS.Methods We used different concentrations of CMV-speeific epitope peptides pp65 to stimulate PBMCs for expansion of CMV-specific CTLs.CMV-specifie CTLs were doubly labeled by tetramers-PE and CD_8-FITC for FACS analysis.Results The method expands CMV-speeific CTLs efficiently.CMV-specific CTLs were expanded from 1% to 20% of PBMCs quickly(namely 40% of CD_8~+ T cells).The method provided a large number of cells with tetramer staining of CD_8~+ T cells for FACS analysis from a single blood sampling.Conclusions Peptides stimulation methods are convenient,easy to operate and expanded CMV- specific CTLs efficiently.The increased frequencies of CMV-specific CTLs allowed the data of different individuals to be easily compared and sequentially evaluated.The methods lay the base for adoptive immunotherapy to prevent CMV disease.

Objective To investigate the current condition of Keshan disease(KD), and inner and outer environmental selenium (Se) levels in Shandong Province, in order to provide scientific evidence for the research, prevention and control work. Methods Inhabitants from 20 villages of 8 counties in KD endemic areas were selected as subjects undergoing general physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG). Suspicious cases were followed up by chest X-ray radiographs. Meanwhile the Se contents in hair, wheat, corn and sweet potato were measured. Results Ninety one patients with KD, including 82 with latent KD and 9 with chronic KD, were screened out of 2613 inhabitants. The total incidence of KD was 3.48% (91/2613), while the incidence of latent and chronic KD was 3.14%(82/2613) and 0.34%(9/2613) respectively. No new cases of acute or sub-acute KD were found. A total of 368 abnormal ECCs were discovered and the rate of abnormal ECG detected among surveyed population was 14.08% (368/2613). Out of 113 suspects who took X-ray, 57 cases had cardiomagaly. In 217 samples of hair, 228 samples of wheat, 214 samples of corn and 190 samples of sweet potato that were collected, the Se contents were determined by fluorescence. The average Se content in hair, wheat,corn and sweet potato were (0.406±0.090), (0.026±0.009), (0.023±0.010), (0.024±0.006)mg/kg respectively. Conclusions Current condition of KD in Shandong Province remains relatively stable. Se content was increased in the hair, nearly achieving the level in normal areas, but remains low in food.

OBJECTIVETo observe the serial changes of condition and related factors of Keshan disease (KSD) and provide the scientific basis for disease control and further research.

METHODSThe villages in KSD epidemic area of Juxian, Yishui, Pingyi, Zoucheng counties were selected. Since 1990, every five-year was counted as a stage. For the first to third stage, 3-14 year-old residents and over 14 year-old suspicious patients were selected as surveillance subjects. And in the fourth stage, all residents were selected as surveillance subjects. The same group of surveillance subjects in each stage were observed consecutively for 5 years. Surveillance contents included physical checkup, electrocardiogram (ECG) and Xray. At the same time, the selenium (Se) concentration in hair, wheat, corn and sweet potato was measured. The economic income and grain availability were also investigated.

RESULTSTotally, 14,510 cases were visited during 18 years. The incidence of KSD was 3.02% in the first stage, 2.31% in the second stage, 3.57% in the third stages and 3.65% in the fourth stage. Totally, 14,510 cases were examined by ECG, 809 cases showed the abnormal ECG and the total incidence of abnormal ECG was 5.49%. The incidence of abnormal ECG was 3.52% -5.24% from 1990 to 2004 but was 10.97%-10.91% from 2005 to 2007. 732 of hair samples, 701 of wheat samples, 615 of corn samples and 643 of sweet potato samples were collected and the Se concentration was determined by the fluorescent method. Se levels in hair samples had increased (P < 0.05) year by year but Se levels in food have not changed significantly. The economic income and grain availability had increased gradually from 535.8 yuan and 254.6 kg per person in 1990 to 2968.0 yuan and 602.0 kg per person in 2007.

CONCLUSIONThe condition of KSD was in a stable situation in Shandong Province. Related factors improvement should be an important environmental condition.

Adolescent ; Cardiomyopathies ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Hair ; chemistry ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Selenium ; analysis ; deficiency

AIM: To explore correlation,consistency and comfort between traditional tear film examination methods and Oculus Keratograph.METHODS: A retrospective study.Totally 101 cases (101 eyes) were diagnosed myopia and then accepted LASEK (laser epithelial keratomileusis).Non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT),lower tear meniscus height(LTMH) were measured with Oculus Keratograph,fluorescein tear film break-up time(fl-BUT) and Schimer Ⅰ test (SⅠt) were performed on all cases.The correlations analysis between NIBUT and fl-BUT,LTMH and SⅠt were performed by Spearman rank correlation,consistency check between NIBUT and fl-BUT by Bland-Altman analysis.Visual analogue scale(VAS) was applied on evaluating the comfort of two kinds of examination methods.RESULTS: LTMH and SⅠt showed positive correlation (rs=0.346,P=0.001).NIBUT and fl-BUT showed positive correlation (rs=0.393,P=0.001),95% consistency limits range-9.62 to 14.18 in Bland-Altman Figure.There was significant difference between VAS of NIBUT and VAS of fl-BUT(z=-2.324,P=0.020).There was significant difference between VAS of LTMH and VAS of SⅠt (z=-8.845,P=0.001).CONCLUSION: Oculus Keratograph can objectively measure NIBUT and LTMH,and was more comfortable than traditional tear film examination methods.It can effectively assess tear film function before corneal refractive surgery.

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of electroacupuncture (EA) on onset time and symptom improvement for treatment of different types of functional constipation.

METHODSThirty-eight cases of constipation were selected, including 9 cases of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), 10 cases of slow transit constipation (STC), 10 cases of pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) and 9 cases of inadequate defecatory propulsion (IDP). The electroacupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and so on in abdominal and lumbosacral area, 5 times per week, 10 times as a treatment course. The onset time, score of clinical symptoms of constipation and improvement of every symptom in each group were compared.

RESULTS(1) The onset time was (1.78 +/- 0.83) days in IBS-C type, (3.11 +/- 1.90) days in IDP type, (4.10 +/- 1.85) days in STC type and (4.30 +/- 2.00) days in PFD type, indicating statistical differences between IBS-C type and STC type, IBS-C type and PFD type (both P < 0.05). (2) Compared before the treatment, the total scores of symptoms on the onset day in each group were all improved (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and score of IBS-C type was superior to the rest 3 types (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) EA improved desire to defecate or frequency of defecation in each type (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), in which both were improved in STC type and PFD type, and the improvement of defecation frequency was more significant in STC type (P < 0.01). EA relieved unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling in each type (all P < 0.05), in which both were improved in IBS-C type (both P < 0.05). EA relieved abdominal distension and pain in IBS-C type, STC type and PFD type (all P < 0.05), while its effects were not obvious on defecation difficulty, defecation time and defecation texture (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture for treatment of 4 types of constipation is characterized by rapid onset; the improved symptoms are not identical in the electroacupuncture treatment plan for each type of defecation; the main improvement of symptoms are lied on desire to defecate and frequency of defecation, unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling and abdominal distension and pain. Meanwhile the improvements of defecation texture, defecation difficulty and defecation time were not signi-ficant.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor Disorders ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study glycyrrhizin's anticancer effect and its mechanism.

METHODS3-methylcholanthrene were injected into mice's submandibular glands to induce tumor, then transplanted the tumor pieces (1 mm3) to mice. The transplanted tumors were measured, and flow cytometry analysis and cytomorphology observation were conducted.

RESULTSGlycyrrhizin (GL) inhibited the transplanted mandibular gland fibro-sarcoma of mice and the suitable GL dose for inhibiting fibrosarcoma of mice was 1.61 mg per 20 g weight. The GL dose below 3.22 mg per 20 g weight didn't produce remarkable toxicity and side effects. GL induced cytomorphological changes of tumor cells and enhanced immunosuppression of macrophage on fibrosarcoma. The result of flow cytometry showed that tumor cell counts of GL1 and GL2 groups increased remarkably in DNA synthetic prophase, and decreased in DNA synthetic phase.

CONCLUSIONGL can inhibit transplanted mandibular gland fibro-sarcoma of mice. The anticancer mechanism of GL may be acting on related enzymes with phagocytosis. The result of flow cytometry showed that the shift of fibrosarcoma cells from G1 phase to S phase was blocked. This suggests that the anticancer action of GL is related to its inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase, a rate-limiting enzyme in DNA synthesis.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; DNA, Neoplasm ; biosynthesis ; Fibrosarcoma ; chemically induced ; pathology ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; physiology ; Male ; Methylcholanthrene ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Phagocytosis