Objective:To study the effects of compound schisandra extracts (CSE) (schisandra,astragalus,acanthopanax,and rhodiola)on the exhaustive swimming time and the levels of blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum lactic acid(LD),liver glycogen and muscle glycogene,superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity,and malonaldehyde(MDA) level in the mice and to charify its anti-fatigue effect and the mechanism.Methods:Eighty male ICR mice were randomly divided into blank control group,50 mg·kg-1 CSE group,100 mg·kg-1 CSE group,and 200 mg·kg-1CSE group;there were 20 mice in each group.The mice were administered orally for 30 d.Then 10 mice were randomly selected for exhaustive swimming test in each group and the exhaustive swimming time of the mice was recorded.The remaining 10 mice in each group were used for 90 min swimming,then all the mice were sacrificed and the blood and tissue samples were taken for the measurement of the levels of BUN,LD,liver glycogen and muscle glycogen,the SOD activity and MDA level;the total inhibitory rate of oxidation of CSE in vitro was determined by linoleic acid-ferric thiocyanate method.Results:Compared with blank control group,the exhaustive swimming time of the mice in 50,100,and 200 mg·kg-1 CSE groups were significantly increased (P<0.01);the levels of BUN and LD of the mice in 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 CSE groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01);the levels of liver glycogen and muscle glycogen of the mice in 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 groups were significantly increased(P<0.05 or P<0.01);whereas the SOD activities were significantly increased and the levels of MDA were decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with 100 mg·kg-1 CSE group,the levels of serum BUN and LD of the mice in 200 mg·kg-1 CSE group were decreased (P<0.01),and the levels of liver glycogen and muscle glycogen were increased(P<0.05).The total inhibitory rate of oxidation of 5 g·L-1CSE was 76.94%.Conclusion:CSE has an anti-fatigue effect and the mechanism may be related to anti-oxidation effect.

OBJECTIVETo investigate excretion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus RNA (SARS-CoV) in stool of SARS patients.

METHODSSARS-CoV RNA was detected in stool specimens with fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reactions (FQ-PCR) in 101 SARS patients on the 10 to 55 days after onset, 27 non-SARS patients and 400 individuals with health check-up.

RESULTSSARS-CoV RNA was positive in stool specimens by FQ-PCR in 58 of 101 SARS patients (57.4%), and all negative in 27 non-SARS patients and 400 healthy individuals. Positive rate of SARS-CoV RNA was 100% (8/8), 67.7% (21/31), 47.4% (27/57) and 40.0% (2/5) on the 10 - 19, 20 - 29, 30 - 39 and 40 - 55 days after onset of fever, respectively, with values of logarithm of SARS-CoV RNA load of 6.06 +/- 2.05, 4.51 +/- 1.23, 3.82 +/- 1.44 and 3.57 +/- 1.25, respectively.

CONCLUSIONPositive rate and load of SARS-CoV RNA in stool of SARS patients was the highest at their acute phase, and decreased with the extension of its course.

China ; Feces ; virology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; SARS Virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; virology

BACKGROUNDDiffusion weighted imaging with background suppression (DWIBS) is potentially useful in detecting metastatic lymph nodes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of DWIBS at 3T magnetic resonance (MR) for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer.

METHODSThis retrospective study included 25 patients with cervical cancer who underwent MR examination and were treated by hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy. The metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were histologically proven by operation. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, long-axis diameters, short-axis diameters, ratio of short- to long-axis diameters of all the identifiable lymph nodes were measured and compared.

RESULTSTwenty-five primary tumor lesions, 17 metastatic lymph nodes and 140 non-metastatic lymph nodes were pathologically confirmed in 25 cases with cervical cancer. The difference of ADC values between primary tumor lesions, metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were statistically significant (F = 7.93, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between primary tumor lesions of cervical cancer and metastatic lymph nodes (t = -0.75, P = 0.456), and the difference between primary tumor lesions and non-metastatic lymph nodes was statistically significant (t = 4.68, P < 0.001). The ADC values, long-axis diameters, short-axis diameters, ratio of short- to long-axis diameters of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were (0.86 ± 0.36) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s vs. (1.12 ± 0.34) × 10(-3) mm(2)/s, (1.51 ± 0.41) cm vs. (1.19 ± 0.36) cm, (1.16 ± 0.35) cm vs. (0.77 ± 0.22) cm, 0.78 ± 0.17 vs. 0.68 ± 0.19 respectively, and statistically significant difference existed between two groups.

CONCLUSIONSDWIBS at 3T MR has the distinct advantages in detecting pelvic lymph nodes of cervical cancer. Quantitative measurement of ADC values could reflect the degree of restriction of diffusion of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. The combination of size and ADC value would be useful in the accurate diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes.

Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Pilot Projects ; Retrospective Studies ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology

Cardiac Catheterization ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; therapy ; Humans ; Prosthesis Implantation ; instrumentation ; Septal Occluder Device

AIMTo study the effects of emodin on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and L-type calcium current of the single ventricular myocytes from guinea pig.

METHODSEnzymatic dissociation was used to isolate single ventricular myocytes from adult guinea pig. They were loaded with Ca2(+)-sensitive fluorecent indicator Fluo-3/AM. [Ca2+]i represented by fluorescent intensity (FI) was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope. Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record ICa-L.

RESULTSAt resting status, [Ca2+]i was not affected by emodin (1-100 mumol.L-1). Emodin at the concentration of 1 mumol.L-1 was shown to increase the [Ca2+]i induced by 60 mmol.L-1 KCl. The peak value of fluorescent intensity was increased from 1,877 +/- 551 to 2,905 +/- 739 (n = 8, P < 0.05). Emodin at the concentration of 10 mumol.L-1 had no effect on the increase of [Ca2+]i induced by 60 mmol.L-1 KCl. However, the increase of [Ca2+]i induced by KCl was reduced to 1,214 +/- 335 (n = 8, P < 0.05) by 100 mumol.L-1 emodin. The density of ICa-L was increased from (-6.2 +/- 1.3) pA/pF to (-8.3 +/- 0.3) pA/pF (n = 6, P < 0.05) by 1 mumol.L-1 emodin at the test pulse of 0 mV. The current was not altered by 10 mumol.L-1 emodin. But it was inhibited from (-6.6 +/- 1.0) pA/pF to (-3.80 +/- 0.16) pA/pF (n = 6, P < 0.05) by 100 mumol.L-1 emodin at the test pulse of +10 mV.

CONCLUSIONEmodin has two-way regulation on [Ca2+]i and ICa-L of cardiomyocytes in guinea pig.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; drug effects ; Cell Separation ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Emodin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart Ventricles ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possibility of external ear reconstruction using expanded postauricular scar flap and Medpor framework in burn cases.

METHODSExternal ear reconstruction using expanded postauricular scar flap in combination with Medpor framework was performed in 17 cases whose ear had burn injury.

RESULTSOf the 17 cases, 15 cases achieved success; 2 cases experienced partial exposure of the framework due to inadequate wrapping of the subcutaneous fascia flap and later injury. The longest follow-up was three years, and the final result was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSExternal ear reconstruction using expanded postauricular scar flap in combination with Medpor framework is a reliable method for adult (over 25 years) who has ear defect from burn injury.

Adult ; Burns ; complications ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; etiology ; surgery ; Ear, External ; injuries ; surgery ; Fascia ; transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylenes ; Prosthesis Implantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Reoperation ; Stents ; Surgical Flaps

DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of SEN virus (SENV) infection in CHB patients in five cities of China.

METHODSA nest-polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used for detection of SENV-D and SENV-H in sera of 595 CHB patients from 5 cities of China and 96 normal individuals from Beijing. A total of 7 SENV strains were analyzed by direct sequencing.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of SENV in CHB patients and normal individuals were 61.3% and 62.5%, respectively (chi(2) = 0.047, P = 0.829). The prevalence rates of CHB patients between 5 cities were different. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that the homology between 4 SENV-D strains was 91% - 98% and 95% - 98% between 3 SENV-H strains isolated from 5 cities in China.

CONCLUSIONSENV-D/H were prevalent in CHB patients of China and their prevalence rates were similar to that in normal individuals.

China ; epidemiology ; Circoviridae ; isolation & purification ; Circoviridae Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; DNA Virus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; DNA Viruses ; isolation & purification ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; virology ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo study on the dynamics of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

METHODSUsing flow cytometry, the absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations in 240 SARS patients (696 specimens) and 51 individuals as controls, were counted and compared.

RESULTSThe absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations (CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8) were 1298 +/- 785, 897 +/- 606, 510 +/- 372, 362 +/- 263/mm(3), respectively, significantly lower in SARS patients as compared to the normal controls (2024 +/- 423, 1391 +/- 289, 795 +/- 129, 551 +/- 183/mm(3)). Of SARS patients, severe group (1095 +/- 740, 740 +/- 562, 419 +/- 346, 304 +/- 244/mm(3)) had lower counts than that of mild group (1404 +/- 788, 991 +/- 612, 564 +/- 378, 396 +/- 267/mm(3)), and in group with deaths (587 +/- 493, 369 +/- 371, 204 +/- 191, 150 +/- 130/mm(3)) was lower than that of recovery group (1355 +/- 776, 948 +/- 603, 539 +/- 375, 382 +/- 263/mm(3)). There were significant differences (P < 0.01) for CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8, but with no significant difference (P > 0.05) for CD4/CD8 ratio between severe and mild, recovery and death groups. The lymphocytes and their subpopulations (CD45, CD3, CD4, CD8) declined in the 1st week and to the lowest level (977 +/- 579, 641 +/- 466, 360 +/- 275, 270 +/- 216/mm(3)) in the 2nd week. Then the lymphocytes and their subpopulations gradually increased during the recovery of the disease.

CONCLUSIONThe absolute numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes and their subpopulations in SARS patients might be used as one of the methods for diagnosis on the severity and prognosis of the disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; classification ; immunology ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; blood ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo establish a simple, sensitive, specific and less-costly method for detecting genotypes of TT virus (TTV).

METHODSTTV DNA was tested by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) in sera from 180 patients with different types of viral hepatitis and 96 normal individuals in Beijing. TTV genotypes were determined in 40 sera collected from TTV DNA positive patients by heteroduplex mobility assay (HMA) and through sequencing.

RESULTSThe positive rates of TTV DNA in viral hepatitis patients and normal individuals were 22.2% (40/180) and 19.8% (19/96), respectively (chi(2) = 0.220, P = 0.639). TTV DNA positive rates of patients with hepatitis A, B, C, E and non-A to E were 20.0% (6/30), 16.7% (5/30), 23.3% (7/30), 36.7% (11/30) and 18.3% (11/60), respectively. Of 40 TTV DNA positive patients, 20 (50.0%) were TTV G1, 7 (17.5%) TTV G2, 10 (25.0%) coinfected with different genotypes of TTV, and 3 untyped by HMA. Twenty G1 and 7 G2 detected by HMA were confirmed by sequence analysis. Of 10 patients coinfected with different genotypes of TTV, 5 were G1 and G2, 2 G1 and G3, 1 G1 and G4, 1 G1 and G3, and 1 with G1, G2 and G3 coinfections.

CONCLUSIONHMA was recognized as simple, sensitive, specific and less-costly, thus could be used for genotyping of TTV.

DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Genotype ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; virology ; Heteroduplex Analysis ; methods ; Humans ; Phylogeny ; Torque teno virus ; classification ; genetics