Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the change of left ventricular mass and arterial stiffness in the aged patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: The pulse wave velocity (PWV) and left ventricular mass index(LVMI)were used to estimate the left ventricular mass and arterial stiffness. The relationship between LVMI and PWV and other influencing factors were evaluated with univariate analysis and stepwise regressive analysis in 105 patients with diabetes mellitus. The value of PWV was compared in the subjects of the left ventricular hypertrophy and the non- left ventricular hypertrophy groups. Results: LVMI was positively correlated with PWV, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure,medical history and body mass index (the values of r were 0.821, 0.792, 0.799, 0.664 and 0.241 respectively,P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05). A stepwise regression analysis was used to assess the combined influence of variables on left ventricular hypertrophy. The model included the following variables: PWV, systolic blood pressure and diabetes mellitus medical history. PWV value was significantly higher in patients with left ventricular hypertrophy than that of the patients without left ventricular hypertrophy(t = 9.109,P < 0.01). Conclusion: The increased arterial stiffness is one of the important factors which lead to the increased left ventricular mass index in aged patients with diabetes mellitus.

Objective To summarize the contrast enhanced ultrasonographic (CEUS) features of benign focal liver lesions, on and to investigate the value of contrast enhanced ultrasound techniques in the diagnosis of benign focal liver lesion. Methods The contrast enhanced ultrasonographic performance of 68 benign focal liver lesions cases which were dififcult for routine ultrasound diagnosis and conifrmed by pathology or follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. Chi-square test of four-fold table were used to compare the diagnostic coincidence rate of conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Results The 68 cases of benign focal liver lesions included complex cysts (n=7), liver hydatids (n=2), liver abscess (n=15), focal nodular hyperplasia (n=8), angiomyolipoma (n=2), hepatocellular adenoma (n=4), focal fat accumulation (n=16), inlfammatory pseudotumor (n=12), solitary necrotic nodule (n=1), intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma (n=1). There were no enhancement among 7 complex cysts, 2 liver hydatids and 1 solitary necrotic nodule. Isoenhancement was detected in focal fat accumulation (n=16);hypoenhancement during the arterial phase and sustained enhancement during the portal or late phase was found in focal nodular hyperplasia (n=8) and angiomyolipoma (n=2). Grid-like enhancements during the arterial phase and isoenhancement or hypoenhancement during the portal phase, and hypoenhancement during the late phase was presented in liver abscess (n=15). Hyperenhancement during the arterial phase were detected in 4 cases of hepatocellular adenoma, 3 of which showed isoenhancement or hyperenhancement during the portal and delayed phase, one case showed hypoenhancement during the portal phase. Eight cases of all the inlfammatory pseudotumor showed no enhancement during all phases;3 cases showing grid enhancement during the arterial phase and the enhancement washed out rapidly;1 case showed mild edge enhancement during the arterial phase and hypoenhancement during the delayed phase. The solid part of the intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma showed hyperenhancement during the arterial phase and hypoenhancement during the portal and late phase.The central area showed no enhancement during all phase. The coincidence rate between pathology and conventional ultrasound diagnosis was 61.8%(42/68). The coincidence rate between pathology and contrast- enhanced ultrasound diagnosis was 92.6%(63/68). The coincidence rate of contrast-enhanced ultrasound diagnostic was higher than that of conventional ultrasound, with a statistically signiifcant difference (χ2=8.17, P < 0.01). Conclusion Real-time gray-scale contrast-enhanced sonography can improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and differential diagnosis for benign focal liver lesions.

Natural products are valuable resources for discovering new drugs. So far, screening bioactive compounds from organism extracts is still an important and challenging task. Traditional biometric guided method involves repeated fractionation steps and bioactivity tests, which are time-consuming, labor-consuming, and inefficient. Ligand fishing is a bioanalysis method for screening ligands from complex organism extracts based on intermolecular affinity interactions. It has the characteristics of strong specificity, high efficiency, and less requirement for sample pretreatment. In this review, we summarize the classification of ligand fishing strategy and its application in enzyme inhibitors screening. Finally, the development prospects of this technology are forecasted.

Some of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) contain arsenide, such as realgar. The total amount of arsenic in the TCM exceeds the limits according to related regulations. But the roles of arsenic in TCM or its side-effects depend on its species existed in those therapies, not the total amount of arsenic. Therefore, in recent years, the analysis of arsenic in TCM focuses on the species of arsenic. The present paper summarized some methods and techniques in the speciation analysis of arsenic in TCM, in order that optimal methods can be chosen and the roles of arsenic could be evaluated properly.
Arsenicals ; analysis ; Chromatography ; methods ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Materia Medica ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic ; methods

Objective To discuss the role of non-fusion without decompression in surgical treatment of unstable AO type A thoracolumbar fractures. Methods A retrospective study was performed on 42 patients with AO type A thoracolumbar fractures (T11-L2) treated with short segment pedicle screw fixation from February 2004 to February 2008. Patients were divided into two groups, ie, Croup A (treated with short segmental pedicle screw fixation without decompression or fusion) and Group B (treated with short segmental pedicle screw fixation without decompression but with fusion). The pre-operative, postoperative and follow-up local kyphotic angle, vertebrae compression rate were compared between two groups. Results In Croup A, average local kyphotic angle and average vertebrae compression rate were 19.1° (15. 4°-29. 8°) and 46% (30%-63%) respectively before operation, but 5. 0° (0. 3°-10.3°) and 10% (0-28%) respectively after operation. Twenty-one patients were followed up for average 21.2 months (12-46 months), which showed average local kyphotic angle of 7° (1.8°-10.7°) and average vertebrae compression rate of 10% (2% -22%) at final follow-up. In Croup B, average local kyphotic angle and average vertebrae compression rate were 25.8° (15.9°-34.5°) and 55% (30%-76%) respectively before operation, but 7.1° (1.5°-19. 1°) and 15% (0-28%) respectively after operation. Fifteen patients were followed up for mean 17.9 months (12-31 months) , which showed mean local kyphotic angle of 8.3° (0.7°-19.2°) and average vertebrae compression rate of 15% (l%-26%) at final follow-up. There was no pseudarthrosis, implant breakage, pedicle screw pull-out or severe back pain. There was statistical difference in local kyphotic angle and vertebrae compression rate between two groups.Conclusion Unstable AO type A thoracolumbar fractures with minor neurological deficit can be treated with pedicle screw fixation only without decompression or fusion.

AIM: To observe the changes of AC activity and content of cAMP at different time point in hypothalamus of rats with fever and hypothermia. METHODS: Radioisotope method was used to measure the enzymatic activity of AC and the content of cAMP. RESULTS:(1)The fresh yeast caused fever after making model 4 h( P

To study the chemical constituents from the the deep-sea fungus Alternaria sp. F49. Seven compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract by using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and HPLC methods. Based on the spectroscopic analysis, their structures were identified as (8R)-5-O-methyl-orcinotriol (1), orcinotriol (2), α-acetylorcinol (3), 3'-hydroxyalternariol 5-O-methyl ether (4), altenusiol (5), altenusin (6), and 5'-methoxy-6-methyl-biphenyl-3,4,3'-triol (7). (8R)-5-O-Methyl-orcinotriol (1) is a new phenolic compound which has never been reported in the literature. Compounds 4-7 showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity; whereas compounds 1-7 showed strong ABTS free radical scavenging activity.

Mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of about 3 500 subjects derived from 17 studies of Himalayan highlanders (Tibetans, Sherpas, and Ladakhis) was compared with lowlanders (Chinese Han, Indian Tamils) lived in the Himalayas, and European climbers during Everest expeditions as well as Andean natives. The results found that Hb concentration in Himalayan highlanders was systemically lower than those reported for Andean natives and lowland immigrants. These comparative data demonstrated that a healthy native population may successfully reside at high altitude without a significant elevation in Hb, and the lower Hb levels of Himalayan highlanders than those of migrated lowlanders and Andean natives are an example of favourable adaptation over the generations. In addition, excessive polycythemia has frequently been used as a marker of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Altitude populations who have a higher Hb concentration also have a higher incidence of CMS. The low Hb in Himalayans suggested as showing adaptation over many generations in Tibetan stock. Recent work in Tibet, suggested that Tibetans there may have adapted to high altitude as a result of evolutionary pressure selecting for genes which give an advantage at altitude. All of the population genomic and statistical analysis indicated that EPAS1 and EGLN1 are mostly likely responsible for high altitude adaptation and closely related to low Hb concentration in Tibetans. These data supported the hypothesis that Himalayan highlanders have evolved a genetically different erythropoietic response to chronic hypoxia by virtue of their much longer exposure to high altitude.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Altitude ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Hemoglobins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases ; genetics ; Tibet

AIM: To observe the changes of adengl cyclase(AC) and phosphodiesterase(PDE) activities of at different time point in hypothalamus of rats with fever and hypothermia. METHODS: Radioisotope method was used to measure the activity of AC and PDE. RESULTS:The fresh yeast caused rats fever after subcutaneous injection 4h( P

Objective To construct the recombinant plasmid pYES6-S and express and purify spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome(SANS)coronavirus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Methods DNA fragments of SANS coronavirus were obtained by reverse transeription.Four over- lapped fragments of spike protein genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and ligated into an integral spike protein gene by restriction enzyme digestion.The spike protein gene recombined with pYES6 and cloned into E.coll.The recombinant plasmid pYES6-S was induced and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae(INVScl)by galactose.Results The recombinant plasmid pYES6-S was confirmed that inserted fragment was right in length,direction and base matching by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing.The purified protein encoded by the whole spike protein gene was about Mr 110?10~3 identified by electrophoresis.Conclusion The whole spike protein gene of SARS coronavirus is cloned into E.coli and the protein is expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae successful ly.which can be helpful in SARS vaccine research.