The volatile oils of endophyte isolates R1 (Acremonium sp.) and R2 (Acremonium sp.) from Aqui-laria sinensis were extracted by solvent method. Twenty and sixteen ingredients were identified from the volatile oils of R1 and R2 by GC-MS, respectively. Fatty acids, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, hexa-decanoic acid etc., were the main components, whereas terpenoids like 1,8-cineole, zingiberene, ar-curcumene were also found in both oils. It’s the first report about the volatile oil constituents of endophyte isolates from A. sinensis.

Seventy-two strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the healthy bark, branches and leaves of Cephalotaxus hainanensis L.. Sixty-eight of them were morphologically classified into Fungi Imperfecti, thirty-three sporulated were identified to five genera. For those did not sporulate, one was identified to Rhizoctonia sp., the rest were tentatively classified into Mycelia Sterilia. Four were identified to Basidiomycetes. The result indicated the endophytic fungi of C. hainanensis show a degree of tissue specificity. There were significant differences about the quantity, genera and composition between the fungi isolated from bark and those from branches and leaves.

The hexane extract from marine actinomycetes 124092 showed potent inhibition on B16 cell line by MTT assay. The hexane extract was fractionationed on silica gel column by vacuum liquid chromatography to afford 6 fractions(Fr1~Fr6), and Fr6 showed cytotoxic activity. To determine the bioacitve components of hexane extract, Fr6 was analyzed by GC/MS. The main components were identified as palmitic acid (11.76%), oleic acid (12.16%), linoleic acid (14.77%), and lactobacillic acid (61.31%). It have been reported that palmitic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid possess cytotoxic activity on rat ascites tumor cells and linoleic acid have suppressive effect on human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

OBJECTIVEWhat is the best suitable position for neonates who were weaned from mechanical ventilation has not been identified. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the supine and prone positions on oxygenation in neonates within 6 hrs after weaning from mechanical ventilation.

METHODSSixty neonates who were weaned from mechanical ventilation were randomly given prone or supine position (n=30 each). They all received oxygen inspiration and SPO2 was maintained in a normal range by adjusting the oxygen flow rate (FiO2). Blood PaO2 and PaCO2 levels were measured 1 and 6 hrs after weaning and then the alveolodouble ended arrowarterial oxygen partial pressure difference (A-aDO2), respiratory index and oxygenation index were calculated.

RESULTSMean FiO2 used in the prone position group was significantly lower than that in the supine position group 1 and 6 hrs after weaning (P<0.01). The value of A-aDO2 in the prone position group 1 hr (171.06+/-86.55 vs 253.62+/-71.56; P<0.01) and 6 hrs after weaning (105.85+/-78.18 vs 208.48+/-86.80; P<0.01) were significantly lower than that in the supine position group. The respiratory index in the prone position group 1 and 6 hrs after weaning (2.16+/-1.24 and 1.35+/-1.11) was also reduced compared to 3.74+/-1.68 and 3.65+/-1.28 in the supine position group (P<0.01). In contrast, PaO2 in the prone position group 1 hr (88.70+/-32.65 vs 73.43+/-17.68; P<0.01) and 6 hrs (84.10+/-13.95 vs 70.20+/-20.27; P<0.01) after weaning was significantly higher than that in the supine position group. The oxygenation index in the prone position group 1 and 6 hrs after weaning (213.49+/-88.96 and 275.23+/-108.83) increased significantly compared to 141.54+/-43.25 and 160.62+/-63.03 in the supine position (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe prone position is better than the supine position for the improvement of oxygenation within 6 hrs after weaning from mechanical ventilation in neonates.

Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Posture ; Respiration, Artificial

Objective To investigate the incidence of Keshan disease(KSD) in Shandong province and to supply evidence for scientific control of the disease.Methods According to the scheme of KSD monitoring in Shandong province,the KSD cases were searched in 7 counties,and representative 3 counties and 6 villages were selected as key monitoring sites.In each site,about 420 residents were checked by asking detailed disease history,physical examination,and electrocardiography (ECG) tracings.Suspected cardiac abnormalities were taken chest posteroanterior X-ray film.At the same time,residents hair and food samples were collected to detect selenium levels in internal and external environments,and residents' income and per capita share of grain and other basic information were collected.Results ①Two hundred and fifty-nine medical units were searched,1132 cases of myocardial disease were found out and 638 suspected cases were identified and 142 chronic KSD cases were diagnosed.②In the 6 monitoring sites,2538 residents were surveyed and 91 cases of KSD were detected(of which 77 cases of potential,14 cases of chronic),the detection rate was 3.58％.A total of 2127 residents were traced ECG and the incidence of abnormal ECG was 24.5％ (521/2127),of which ST-T changes,T-wave changes,sinus bradycardia,sinus arrhymia,sinus tachycardia,and atrial premature beats et al were more common.Of the 75 X-ray films,39 cases had enlarged heart(in which 21 of mild,13 of moderate,5 of severe).③A total of 406 hair and grain samples were collected,respectively,and the selenium content of hair was approaching the level of appropriate,and the selenium content of food was still low.The annual per capita incomes of each site were between 3000 - 5900 Yuan,and residents main staple food was flour.Conclusions KSD in Shandong province is in a relatively stable situation.But latent and chronic KSD cases can still be detected.The internal environment selenium levels are elevated since the local living standards and dietary nutrition are improved.

Objective To observe the electrocardiogram changes of threatened crowds in Keshan disease (KSD) endemic area in Shandong province. Methods In 2008,inhabitants from 21 villages of Zoucheng,Sishui,Tengzhou, Yishui, Pingyi, Wulian, Juxian and Qingzhou regions were selected as subjects undergoing electrocardiogram. No less than 100 people were chosen from each village and the examination rate was not lower than 85%. Results Among the 3378 inhabitants investigated,460 cases showed abnormal electrocardiogram and the total incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram was 13.62% (460/3378). The relatively high incidence was T-wave changes,QRS low voltage and ST-T changes,the detection rate being respectively 2.69% (91/3378), 1.92% (65/3378) and 1.72% (41/3378). The highest incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram (26.76%,55/213),the intermediate(21.50%,43/200) and the lowest(5.50%,12/218) was respectively found in Pingyi,Qingzhou and Sishui. Conclusions The threatened crowds in KSD endemic area in Shandong province are still in a state of high abnormal electrocardiogram detection,and electrocardiogram is of great value in the evaluation of KSD patients.

Colectomy ; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Colonoscopy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between intra-hepatic levels of regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and the disease severity and liver inflammatory degrees in patients with chronic hepatitis B and the possible mechanism of the changes of intra-hepatic levels of RANTES.

METHODSThe expression of RANTES of the livers was studied using immunohistochemical stainings and morphometric quantitative measurements in liver specimens from 10 normal subjects and 64 patients with chronic hepatitis B with different degrees of liver inflammation and different clinical severity. The expressions of RANTES protein and mRNA in cell line HepG2, HepG2.2.15 and HepG2 treated with 10 ng/ml TNFa at different times were quantified by ELISA and one-step RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of RANTES of the livers in patients was significantly higher than that in the normal controls. Hepatic RANTES levels increased significantly and the increases were parallel to the increases of the severity of the hepatitis, from mild, moderate to severe hepatitis (the positive units were 3.7+/-1.5, 15.6+/-6.9, 24.0+/-4.0, 37.9+/-11.1, respectively) and from G0 degree to G4 degrees of liver inflammation (the positive units were 3.7+/-1.5, 15.0+/-5.7, 21.6+/-5.9, 30.3+/-8.2, 40.9+/-12.3, respectively). The expressions of RANTES protein and mRNA of HepG2.2.15 were higher than that of HepG2. RANTES protein and mRNA were induced in HepG2 by TNFa.

CONCLUSIONRANTES may have an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B. The elevation of hepatic RANTES may be caused by hepatitis B virus and TNFa.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chemokine CCL5 ; metabolism ; Female ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of P53, Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in rat liver after exposed to microcystin LR.

METHODSSD rats received microsystin LR by gastric perfusion. The expression of P53, Bax and Bcl-2 in liver was detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe expression of P53 and Bax in each treatment group increased significantly compared with that in control group(P<0.05), with the exception of 0.1 microg/kg LR exposure group. Moreover, with exposure levels increasing the expression of P53 and Bax increased gradually; while no changes of the expression of Bcl-2 were observed.

CONCLUSIONP53 and Bax may play important roles in microcystin LR induced apoptosis, but Bcl-2 seems not be involved in this process.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bacterial Toxins ; toxicity ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Marine Toxins ; toxicity ; Microcystins ; Peptides, Cyclic ; toxicity ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein

BACKGROUNDTrichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) belongs to a common sexually transmitted disease pathogen causing genitourinary trichomoniasis in both sexes. We investigated the pathogenetic mechanism of genitourinary trichomoniasis.

METHODSCultured T. vaginalis bodies were injected into the vaginas of rats, or incubated with genitourinary epithelial cells of female subjects, male subjects, and sperm. The ultrastructural and microscopic changes were observed via transmission and scanning electron microscopy and through microscopic histochemistry.

RESULTSGroups of T. vaginalis adhered to PAS positive columnar cells at the surface of stratified epithelium in the middle and upper portions of the vaginas. They also traversed under these cells. The parasites were shown to be PAS, cathepsin D, and actin positive, and they could release hydrolase into the cytoplasm of adhered epithelial cells. In the amebiform T. vaginalis, microfilaments were arranged into reticular formation. Similar phenomena were found during the interaction of T. vaginalis with host cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Usually several protozoa adhered to an epithelial cell and formed polymorphic pseudopodia or surface invaginations to surround and phagocytize the microvilli or other parts of the epithelial cytoplasm. Adhesion and phagocytosis of sperm by the protozoa occurred at 15 - 30 minutes of incubation. Digestion of sperm was found at 45 - 75 minutes and was complete at 90 - 105 minutes.

CONCLUSIONST. vaginalis tends to parasitize at the fornix of the vagina, because this is the site where columnar cells are rich in mucinogen granules and their microvilli are helpful for adhesion and nibbling. T. vaginalis possesses some invading and attacking abilities. Shape change, canalization, encystation, phagocytosis, digestion, the cell coat, cytoskeleton, and lysosome all play important roles in the process of adhesion. They have two methods of phagocytosis: nibbling and ingestion. Genitourinary epithelium may be injured directly by the digestive action of hydrolases, phagocytosis, and the mechanical action of pseudopodia.

Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; physiology ; Humans ; Hydrolases ; metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Phagocytosis ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trichomonas vaginalis ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Urogenital System ; cytology