Objective To study the effects of sample digestion conditions on measurement results of urinary iodine determined by As(Ⅲ)-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry with ammonium persulfate digestion,and to promote the application of newly revised (the 2012 edition) national standard method for determination of urinary iodine.Methods According to the newly revised national standard method,various digestion conditions,such as ammonium persulfate concentration (0.8-1.3 mol/L,group interval 0.1),digestion instruments (heating block and drying oven) and standing time after digestion(0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0 and 22.0 h),were studied.The samples included 3 standard materials,which were GWB09108k,GWB09109f and GWB09110m containing iodine of (68.2 ± 9.0),(138.0 ± 10.0) and (221.0 ± 10.0) μg/L,and 5 urine samples with iodine concentration of 100-300 μg/L.Results Measurement results among the three groups of 0.9,1.0 and 1.1 mol/L ammonium persulfate digestion fluid showed no significant difference(P ＞ 0.05).The digestive effect showed no significant difference between heating block and drying oven (P ＞ 0.05) except one standard material in low concentration (GBW09108k).After digestion,samples were placed 0.5-22.0 h,the measurement results between groups showed no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Appropriate concentrations of ammonium persulfate are from 0.9 mol/L to 1.1 mol/L.Heating block is recommended for the digestion,however,when absent,drying oven can be used alternatively.The standing times from 0.5 h to 22 h after digestion have not affected the measurement results.

The paper described the rationality of traditional and modern application of prepared decoction pieces of herbal medicine on basis of application, statistics and comparison analysis of three forms of drugs of traditional Chinese herbal pieces prepared for decoction, prepared decoction pieces in small packing and granules; and illustrated different opinions correlative to the three forms of drugs; put forward the counter-measures and proposals for the problems facing the traditional Chinese herbal pieces for decoction; the paper stated clearly that the traditional Chinese herbal pieces for decoction should not be replaced, instead, the viewpoint and the reasons on its application must be holding on; and the trend of development and expectations of the Chinese herbal pieces for decoction were predicted as well.
Dosage Forms ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Phytotherapy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Yijing Huoxue Cuyun Decoction (YHCD) in adjusting hypoestrogenemic response induced by clomiphene.

METHODSInfertile patients caused by ovulation disturbance were randomly divided into 2 groups. The 60 patients in the observed group were treated with clomiphine plus YHCD, and the 58 patients in the control group were given clomiphine plus estradiol valerate.

RESULTSBy scoring on the cervical relaxation and improvement of cervical mucus, 38 patients (63.3%) in the observed group had Insler score of more than 8 points, while that in the control group was only 25 (43.1%), comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.05). The endometrium thickening in the observed group was 0.98 +/- 0.19 cm, significantly different to that in the control group (0.85 +/- 0.21 cm, P < 0.01). Twenty-five patients in the observed group (41.7%), and fourteen patients in the control group (24.1%), respectively got pregnancy, the pregnant rate in the former was obviously higher than that in the latter (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONYHCD can ameliorate hypoestrinemia induced by clomiphene and increase the pregnant rate in patients.

Adult ; Clomiphene ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estrogens ; blood ; deficiency ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Ovulation Induction ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of SiO(2) on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) in human alveolar macrophages (AMs) associated with the pathogenesis of silicotic fibrosis.

METHODSAMs were collected from a silicotic patient by bronchoalveolar lavage, and exposed to SiO(2) (50 microg/ml), and cultured in DMEM without serum for different time (2, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 h). Immunocytochemical method was used to detect the level of expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in AMs.

RESULTSThe expression of MMP-9 in AMs exposed to silica was up-regulated, and reached the peak at 18 h [average optical density: (0.440 +/- 0.021) vs (0.390 +/- 0.011), P < 0.05]. After that, the expression reduced markedly. However, the expression of TIMP-1 of AMs were not significantly different from the control group [average optical density: (0.175 +/- 0.019) vs (0.162 +/- 0.044), P > 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSiO(2) could induce up-expression of MMP-9 in AMs. Degradation of basement membrane by MMP-9 produced by AMs at early stage of lung injury may associate with the immigration of various cells including lung fibroblasts into the injured region.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Silicon Dioxide ; pharmacology ; Silicosis ; pathology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis

The effect of zinc on the damage of primary cultured hippocampal neurons induced by corticosterone (CORT) was studied. Neuronal injury and expression of NMDA receptor subunits (NR1,NR2A,NR2B) mRNA were detected by using in situ staining and RT-PCR, respectively. Neurons treated with 5 micromol/L CORT for 24 h showed decreased survival rates and increased apoptotic rates compared with the controls; co-application of CORT and 10 or 100 micromol/L Zn(2+) attenuated apoptotic rates while 250 micromol/L Zn(2+) worsened CORT-induced neuronal injury. Expression of NR1, NR2B mRNA in neurons treated by 5 micromol/L CORT for 24 h was significantly increased, while those concurrently added with 10 or 100 micromol/L Zn(2+) showed no changes. No statistic difference in NR2A mRNA was obtained under any treatment. These results suggest that zinc can bilaterally regulate neuronal injuries induced by CORT, among while NMDA receptors probably play an important role.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Corticosterone ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; pathology ; Neurons ; pathology ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; biosynthesis ; classification ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Zinc ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the maltose clearance in plasma and urine of healthy volunteers with high-performance liquid chromatography.

METHODSMaltose solution was infused to 12 healthy volunteers during a 4-hour period at an infusion rate of 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 g/(kg x h), Plasma and urine specimens were collected at different time points before and after infusion, and then analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSThe coefficients of variation of the precision and accuracy of the analysis method ranged 3.68%-4.58% and 0.44%-4.83% for plasma, respectively, and 2.91%-7.62% and 0.95%-8.27% for urine, respectively. The plasma maltose concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner (r > 0.99). The plasma maltose concentrations returned to the baseline levels 12 hours later. Two hours after injection, the urinary excretion of maltose increased, reached the peak value within 2-4 hours, began to decrease 6 hours later, and became zero 24 hours later.

CONCLUSIONSAn infusion rate of 0.2-0.5 g/(kg x h) of maltose will not remarkably increase the blood glucose level in healthy people. The routine infusion rate should below 0.3 g/(kg x h), unless an emergency exists.

Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Maltose ; blood ; urine

OBJECTIVETo explore seroepidemiological status and vaccine coverage of hepatitis B in children aging under 15 years old in Chaoyang district of Beijing.

METHODSA total of 1602 children aging under 15 years old, residents or floating population who had lived here more than six months, were randomly selected by multistage cluster sampling, from Chaoyang district of Beijing in year 2010. The demographic information and vaccine coverage of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) were collected by self-designed questionnaire.5 ml blood was collected from each subject and the serum HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected by Abbott microparticle enzyme-linked immunoassay. Those whose HBsAg was positive were then tested HBeAg and anti-HBe. The positive rate of hepatitis B indicators and coverage rate of HepB in different population were compared.

RESULTSThe positive rate of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were 0.56% (9/1602), 64.17% (1028/1602) and 2.12% (34/1602), respectively; while the age standardized rates were separately 0.57%, 66.36% and 1.98%; and the gender-adjusted rates were 0.56%, 64.23% and 2.12% respectively. The positive rate of anti-HBs was statistically significant (χ(2) = 165.445, P = 0.000). The positive rate of anti-HBs was up to 90.73% (235/259) among 1-2 years old children, followed by 76.22% (141/185) among 13 - 15 years old children, 67.21% (166/247) among 3 - 4 years old children, 61.22% (150/245) among 9 - 10 years old children, 60.68% (142/234) among 11 - 12 years old children, 49.05% (103/210) among 5 - 6 years old children and 40.99% (91/222) among 7 - 8 years old children. The average coverage rate of HepB was 90.44% (1371/1516), separately 93.76% (661/705) in residents and 87.55% (719/811) in floating population. The difference was statistically significant (χ(2) = 16.829, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONHBsAg positive rate in children under 15 years old in Chaoyang district of Beijing dropped to less than 1% and the coverage rate of HepB had reached over 90%. It is suggested that we should pay more attention to increase the coverage rate of HepB among floating children under 15 years old.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Vaccination ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo explore the family aggregation and risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission in Chaoyang district of Beijing.

METHODSA total of 5266 families were randomly selected for the multi-stage cluster sampling study in Chaoyang district of Beijing in 2010. The family members who aged between 1 and 70 years old and lived constantly in Beijing for over half a year, were recruited as subjects. There were 14 491 subjects in total, including temporary residents who did not have Beijing household account, except foreigners. 5 ml venous blood was drawn from every subject. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect the basic information of the population and the risk factors of the hepatitis B transmission. Microparticle enzyme-linked immunoassay was applied to test five indicators of hepatitis B. Negative binomial distribution test was used among the HBsAg positive families to calculate the family aggregation rate of hepatitis B. Single factor analysis and multi-factor logistic regression model were used to analyze the risk factors of HBV transmission.

RESULTSIn all, 308 out of 5266 families had HBsAg positive members, accounting for 5.85%.383 out of 14 410 subjects were HBsAg positive, rating at 2.66%. The HBsAg positive rate among subjects under 14 years old was the lowest, at 0.56% (9/1603); and the positive rate among subjects aging between 35 and 44 years old was the highest, at 4.27% (47/1029). Negative binomial distribution test showed that the family aggregation rate of HBV infection was 7.66% (χ² = 15.10, P < 0.05). The analysis of family aggregation of HBsAg positive showed that 17.39% (8/46) of the transmission was from father to child, 13.04% (6/46) was from mother to child, 30.44% (14/46) was between couples, and another 39.13% (18/46) was between siblings or other relatives. Both single factor analysis and multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that hepatitis B positive family members (OR = 5.40, 95%CI: 5.24 - 5.55), hepatitis B positive friends and colleagues (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.11 - 1.99) and blood donation and transfusion history (OR = 1.96, 95%CI: 1.76 - 2.15) were the risk factors of HBV infection.

CONCLUSIONHBV transmission showed family aggregation in Beijing, however, the risk factors needed further studies.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carrier State ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

AIMTo observe the effects of stress on Glu uptake and NMDAR of hippocampus synaptosome in rats with different zinc status.

METHODSStress model was established by photoelectric stimulus. The behaviors of rats were tested in open-field case. 3H-L-Glu was taken as radioligand to detect the NMDAR binding. Glu uptake was determined with radioimmunoassay.

RESULTSCompared with CT rats, ZD rats performed less movement in open-field test, both Bmax of NMDAR and 3H-L-Glu uptake of hippocampus in these rats were significantly decreased. Compared with corresponding non-stressed groups, the stressed groups appeared longer latency and less movement in open-field test. Increased Bmax of NMDAR and decreased 3H-L-Glu uptake were observed in all stressed rats, but only in SZD rats these indices showed statistical difference.

CONCLUSIONAbnormal behaviors of rats induced by photoelectric stress were observed in open-field test, which was more serious in zinc deficiency rats. It is supposed that the Glu-NMDAR pathway is involved in the process of stress reaction. As it shows in our experiment, the changes of Bmax of NMDAR and 3H-L-Glu uptake of hippocampus synaptosome seems to be a part of the mechanisms of stress action.

Animals ; Glutamic Acid ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; Zinc ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation of thyroid function with hashimoto thyroiditis (HT, an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) receiving treatment with pegylated-interferon-alpha (Peg-IFNa) based on the observation that HT is common among individuals undergoing IFN-based therapy.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-seven patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled for study between January 2008 and December 2010. Thyroid function was assessed by electrochemiluminescence assays to detect serum levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (A-TPO) antibodies, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and free thyroxine (FT4) prior to initiation of the IFN-based therapy. The treatment strategies (drugs, doses, schedules) were designed according to HT status (CHC with HT, or CHC without HT). Patients were monitored during the 24 weeks of treatment (including measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TSH, and FT4 every two to four weeks, and HCV RNA every four weeks) so that the IFNa dose could be adjusted and thyroid medications (levothyroxine sodium or methimazole) added as necessary. The response rate at end of treatment (week 24) was assessed.

RESULTSTwenty-one of the CHC patients were diagnosed with HT, and the incidence of thyroid dysfunction among the CHC patients with HT was 71.4% (15/21); among the CHC patients with no HT, the incidence of thyroid dysfunction was significantly lower (30.2% (26/86), X2 = 12.1995, P less than 0.01). In the CHC patients with HT, 90.5% (19/21) had serum levels of A-TPO antibodies that were more than or equal to 2-times higher than the normal value at the end of treatment. Of the 15 CHC patients with HT and thyroid dysfunction, 73.3% (11/15) continued to show thyroid dysfunction at the end of treatment. Hypothyroidism was the most common form of thyroid dysfunction observed (4/11), and all of those patients responded to levothyroxine sodium treatment. The virological response rates of the two groups (CHC with HT and CHC without HT) were not significantly different at any time point examined (treatment week 4, 12, and 24, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of thyroid dysfunction is significantly higher among CHC patients with HT than among CHC patients without HT. If suspected, these patients should be carefully monitored because the clinical symptoms of thyroid dysfunction are not obvious and the drug therapy should be carefully adjusted to minimize the thyroid dysfunction while maximizing the antiviral effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; complications ; drug therapy ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult