BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is one of those diseases that are significantly affected by meteorological factors. There is close relationship between asthma attack and meteorological factor. There have been some studies on the relationship between asthma and meteorological factors at home and abroad, but the results are various due to different area conditions.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between asthmatic attack and meteorological factors in children in Qingdao city.DESIGN: Observational experiment.SETTING: The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College.PARTICIPANTS: Altogether 445 inpatient children, 307 males, 138 females, aged ＜ 14 years, who were diagnosed of asthma attack definitely, of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical University, Qingdao Haici Hospital,Qingdao Children Hospital between January 1st 2000 and December 31st 2004 were retrieved.METHODS: The asthmatic attack time of 445 children patients with asthmatic attack of Qingdao city and concurrent month mean temperature, air pressure, relative humidity, wind speed and other meteorologic al data were collected.Seasonal rhythm of asthmatic attack in children and the relationship between asthmatic attack and meteorological factors were analyzed with circular distribution analysis and linear regression analysis, respectively.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Month attack information of 445 asthma patients. ② Circular distribution analysis results of asthmatic attack time. ③ Linear regression analysis results about the relationship between asthma attack and meteorological factors.RESULTS: ① Data revealed that asthmatic attack in Qingdao city focused on November, December, January and February, which took up 47.9% of total amount in that year. There were 307 male patients (incidence 3.12%)in a year,female patients only 138 cases (incidence 1.51%), which revealed that boys have a higher incidence of asthma attack than girls. ②The peak season of incidence of asthmatic attack was found in winter and peak season for male and female patients was in January and December, respectively (P ＜ 0.05). ③ Higher incidence of asthmatic attack of children was related with higher air pressure, lower temperature, lower relative humidity(r =0.435, -0.320, -0.296, all P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The incidence of asthma attack presents seasonal rhythm in Qingdao city and it is influenced by climate conditions. Therefore, enough consideration of meteorological factors should be paid on preventive works for asthma.

DMD/BMD is a X-linked recessive hereditary disease.It predominantly affects males.While female carriers do not have symptoms,due to their inactive X chromosome make it present mosaic.Recently,more and more papers reported that a clinically significant proportion of DMD/BMD female carriers have symptoms.They presented variable degrees of symptoms.But the mechanism of the pathogencity is still not clear.Most of the research considered that the dominating reason is the skewed X inactivation.It means that the predominant expression of the DMD mutant allele make the normal one have weak expression,thus no function dystrophin proteins could be generate,manifested as DMD/BMD.In this paper,we mainly summarized the relationship between skewed X inactivation and pathogenicity of the symptomatic DMD female carriers.

In this paper, the chloroplast psbK-psbI intergenic spacers of 18 species of Dendrobium and their adulterants were amplified and sequenced, and then the sequence characteristics were analyzed. The sequence lengths of chloroplast psbK-psbI regions of Dendrobium ranged from 474 to 513 bp and the GC contents were 25.4%-27.6%. The variable sites were 71 while the informative sites were 46. The inter-specific genetic distances calculated by Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) of Dendrobium were 0.006 1-0.058 1, with an average of 0.028 4. The K2P genetic distances between Dendrobium species and Bulbophyllum odoratissimum were 0.093 2-0.120 4. The NJ tree showed that the Dendrobium species can be easily differentiated from each other and 6 samples of the inspected Dendrobium species were identified successfully through sequencing the psbK-psbI intergenic spacer. Therefore, the chloroplast psbK-psbI intergenic spacer can be used as a candidate marker to identify Dendrobium species and its adulterants.
Chloroplasts ; DNA, Chloroplast ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

AIM and METHODS: To study the culture met ho d of human neural stem/progenitor cells, these cells derived from human fetal fo rebrains were maintained and expanded in serum-free defined medium containing ba sic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and B27. Whe n they formed neurosphere, these three factors and supplemented FBS were removed to induce differentiation. Cell were cultured for 12-14 d, then fixed for immun ocytochemistry examination. RESULTS: This period of expansion resulted in a 107-fold incre ase in this heterogeneous population of cells. Upon differentiation, they form n eurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, the three main phenotypes in the CNS. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the feasibility of long-t erm in vitro expansion of human neural progenitor cells. The advantages of s uch a population of neural precursors for allogeneic transplantation, including t he ability to provide an expandable, well-characterized, defined cell source, ca n form specific neuronal or glial subtypes.

Based on the teaching fact and feature of pharmacy specialty. In this article, curriculum location of general microbiology about object, character, function, content design for the higher vocational colleges were disscused. The result would provide some gist to reform teaching methods for microbiology course.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a multiplex STR genotyping method for autosomal STR and Y-STR loci in forensic biological practice. METHODS: Widely used autosomal STR loci and Y-STR loci were selected. A set of PCR primers was designed, and a 5-dye fluorescent labeled STR multiplex PCR reagent kit was developed. RESULTS: A kit was developed which can simultaneously detect 15 autosomal STR loci, 10 Y-STR loci, and an Amelogenin. CONCLUSION The 15 autosomal STR plus 10 Y-STR kit in combination with capillary electrophoresis method was used to STR genotyping with accurate and reliable results. The new one-step testing kit can potentially be widely used in forensic cases and DNA databank in the future.
Amelogenin ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA Primers ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of iodine among residents in Chongqing, and to facilitate scientific prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods Select 9 towns in each of the 40 districts (counties) in Chongqing, and collect 40 resident edible salt samples in each of the selected town to detect salt iodine by direct titrimetry. Select 5 towns on the site of the east, west, south, north and middle of every district (county), select 20 children aged 8 to 10 in each of the selected town to collect urine samples and detect urinary iodine by As-Ce catalytic spectrophotometric assay. Results The median of iodine of 14 217 salt specimens by household was 292 mg/kg with a coverage rate of qualified iodized salt of 98.90%( 14 061/14 217). The consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 95.59%( 13 590/14 217). The median of urinary iodine for 4050 children aged 8 to 10 was 247.20μg/L, of which < 50 μg/L accounted for 4.60%(186/4050), 50-99μg/L accounted for 7.28% (295/4050), 100 - 199 μg/L accounted for 26.44% (1071/4050), 200 - 299 μg/L accounted for 25.58% (1036/4050), 300 μg/L or more, accounted for 36.10% (1462/4050). However, no significant difference was observed between different age groups(x2 = 3.77, P > 0.05). At district (county) level, the median of urinary iodine in 10(25.00%) districts (counties) was 100 - 200 μg/L, that in other 23(57.50%) districts (counties) was 200 - 300 μg/L, and that in other 7(17.50%) districts/counties was greater than 300 μg/L, and statistical significance was observed between different districts/counties (x2 = 441.95, P < 0.01). Conclusions Current iodine nutrition among residents in Chongqing is adequate. While there is excess, need to reduce the amount of salt iodization.

Objective To analyze the classification,MR manifestations,and the pathological basis of solitary necrotic nodule of the liver(SNN)in order to evaluate MRI as a diagnosing tool Methods The MR appearances of 9 cases with pathologically proved SNN were analyzed and correlated with the classification and pathological appearances.Relevant literature was reviewed.Results(1)Simple coagulative necrosis type(5 cases):The signal of lesions was hypo-intense or iso-intense on both T_1-and T_2- weighted images.After Gd-DTPA administration,the internal part of the lesions showed no enhancement,while the thin capsule of the lesions demonstrated mild or moderate delayed enhancement. These lesions,proved by pathology,were composed of central coagulative necrotic core and a peripheral hyaline fibrosis capsule.(2)Coagulative necrosis aceompanied by liquefactive necrosis type(1 case):On T_1-weighted images,the signal of hypo-intensity was found within these lesions and even lower signal intensity was found in the central area of larger lesions.On T_2-weighted images,the lesions had a bright core and a peripheral hypointensive or isointensive area.After Gd-DTPA administration,the internal part of the lesions showed no enhancement,while the thin capsule of the lesions demonstrated mild or moderate delayed enhancement.These lesions had a central coagulative necrosis core interleaved by slit- like liquefactive necrosis foci,and peripherally a thin capsule of hyaline fibrosis proved by pathology.(3)Multi-nodular fusion type,(3cases):On T_1-weighted images,the lesions were of hypointensive or isointensive signal and had multiple septa of isointensive signal.On T_2-weighted images,the lesions were of hypointensive or isointensive signal and had multiple septa of hyperintensive or isointensive signal.After Gd-DTPA administration,No enhancement was found except mild or moderate delayed enhancement found in the thin capsule and septa.These lesions were composed of central coagulative necrosis area and a peripheral hyaline fibrosis capsule with multiple internal septa proved by pathology.Conclusion MRI apperances can reflect the classification and pathological features of solitary necrotic nodule of the liver.

OBJECTIVETo study correlation of brain hypoxia of different degrees with brain function and damage.

METHODSThe brain regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) was determined by using a non-invasive near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technique in 15 piglets; the piglets were subjected to inhale 3% - 11% oxygen-nitrogen mixed gas through mechanical ventilation for 30 min. The piglets were divided into groups according to the level of brain rSO2 (i.e. < 30%, 30% - 35%, 35% - 40%, and 40% - 50%), and the data were compared with those of the control group (rSO2 > 60%). Changes of brain function were detected through amplitude and frequency of EEG waves and signal complexity. The piglets were sacrificed via decapitation 72 h after brain damage, and then histopathological and ultrastructural examinations were performed on cerebral cortex and hippocampal CA1 area.

RESULTSIn the group with rSO2 > 40%, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) after hypoxia was (56 +/- 0.00) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa), the blood lactic acid (LA) was (2.3 +/- 1.2) mmol/L, the EEG findings were within normal range, and there was no change in brain tissue ultrastructure. In the group with brain rSO2 = 30% approximately 40%, the MAP was (73 +/- 8) mm Hg, the LA was (8.2 +/- 3.9) mmol/L, the EEG waves showed decreased amplitude, frequency and complexity, but restored to some extent after hypoxia. The brain tissue ultrastructure showed damages to the cerebral cortex and neuron mitochondria at hippocampal CA1 area. In the group with brain rSO2 < 30%, the MAP was (35 +/- 0) mm Hg, the LA was (12 +/- 2) mmol/L, the EEG showed decreased amplitude, frequency, and complexity of signals compared with those of the normal control group, and was difficult to restore after hypoxia in some of the piglets; the brain tissue ultrastructure appeared to be similar to the changes seen with high-degree swollen cerebral cortex and neuron mitochondria at hippocampal CA1 area.

CONCLUSIONDifferent degrees of hypoxia had different influence on brain function and brain damage. The lower the brain rSO2, the more severe the damages to the brain and its function. The rSO2 of brain tissues detected with noninvasive NIRS can reflect brain injury and its severity during cerebral anoxia.

Animals ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Cerebral Cortex ; physiopathology ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; physiology ; Electroencephalography ; Female ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hypoxia, Brain ; complications ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neurons ; pathology ; Oximetry ; instrumentation ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Oxygen Consumption ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; methods ; Statistics as Topic ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo establish a gas chromatographic method for determination of halogenated alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons including trichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene in the air of workplace.

METHODSAfter the air samples collected with activated carbon tubes and desorbed with CS(2), the target toxicants were separated with FFAP capillary columns and detected with flame ionization detector.

RESULTSThe coefficient of correlation was above 0.999 and the lowest detectable concentrations were 0.2 ∼ 3.6 mg/m(3) with the RSD of 1.2% ∼ 4.6%. The desorption efficiencies was 94.9% ∼ 100.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe method shows lower detection limit, high accuracy and precision. It is feasible for determination of the seven halogenated alkanes and aromatic hydrocarbons in the air of workplace.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Chromatography, Gas ; methods ; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; analysis ; Workplace