A HPLC-MS/MS multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) quantitative analysis was made to establish a determination method for drug concentrations of costunolide (Co) and dehydrocostuslactone (De) in blood samples in the positive ion mode, with diazepam as the internal standard substance, in order to study the pharmacokinetic process of sesquiterpene lactones costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone after the oral administration of Weichang'an pills, and provide an theoretical basis for further studies on the substance basis for the anti-diarrhea effect of Weichang'an pills. In the blood samples, Co and De showed a good linearity within concentration ranges 0.700 0-769.7, 2.510-956.0 μg x L(-1), respectively. The results of precision, stability and recovery experiences proved the stability and reliability of the plasma concentration determination method. After the oral administration, the concentrations of Co and De in plasma increased with the increase in dose, with T(max) between 10.65-12.98 h, indicating a long time to reach peak plasma concentrations; C(max) of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone ranged between 3.750-5.450,15.34-44.52 μg x L(-1), respectively. The in vivo adsorption of Co and De conformed to the one-compartment model, with a longer time to attain the peak plasma concentrations. These results provided an experimental basis for revealing the active substance basis and clinical medication of Weichang'an pills.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Lactones ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the value of child oral health for Chengdu parents, their intentions, and factors influencing their decision to acquire oral insurance coverage for their childrens.

METHODSA total of 562 Chengdu parents were interviewed using questionnaires by convenient sampling, and the results were analyzed using SPSS 20.0.

RESULTSThe age of children (B = -1.741, P = 0.004), age of parents (B = 2.031, P = 0.003), level of oral discomfort (B = 0.569, P = 0.000), incurring/not incurring oral care expenses in the previous year (B = 1.897, P = 0.014), the last time parents' had teeth cleaned (B = 0.777, P = 0.006), and acquiring/not acquiring commercial insurance coverage (B = 1.632, P = 0.031) significantly influenced the intention of acquiring child oral insurance.

CONCLUSIONChild oral health, health and insurance awareness of parents, and other factors influenced the intention of parents to purchase oral insurance coverage for their children, which were significant to establish pediatric dental insurance.

Child ; China ; Dental Care ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Insurance, Dental ; economics ; Oral Health ; economics ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

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.

OBJECTIVETo study the oxidative stress induced by consumption of mercury-contaminated rice in rats, and to assess the possible public health risk of mercury contamination in Wanshan mining area.

METHODSSprague Dawley rats were fed the mercury-contaminated rice produced from Wanshan area for 90 days. The antioxidant status and the free radicals in rat serum were evaluated.

RESULTSHigh mercury accumulation in organs of rats fed the mercury-contaminated rice confirmed the server pollution of mercury in Wanshan mining area. The intensity of electron spin resonance (ESR) signal increased by 87.38% in rats fed the rice from Wanshan compared with that in the control rats fed the rice from Shanghai, suggesting that chronic dietary consumption of rice from mercury mining area could induce an aggravation of free radicals. Feeding the mercury-contaminated rice was associated with significant decreases in the antioxidant enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and concentration of serum nitric oxide (NO), but it had no effect on serum nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Feeding the mercury-contaminated rice raised the level of serum malonyldialdehyde (MDA), indicating the occurrence of oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONThe long-term dietary consumption of mercury-contaminated rice induces the aggravation of free radicals and exerts oxidative stress.

Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; China ; Environmental Pollutants ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Free Radicals ; blood ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; Industrial Waste ; adverse effects ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Mercury ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Methylmercury Compounds ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; blood ; Oryza ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

Objective To explore the incidence rate of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) which transferred to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to study the related influencing factors. Methods 600 MCI aged people were experienced screening test which was conducted by WHO-BCA, MMSE and DCR. A three-year follow-up study was conducted to get the information on the aged people with MCI. Data related to demography, behavior, chronic diseases and perception of the elderly with MCI were collected through face to face interview. Characteristics of the elderly with MCI aged people were tested by 16PF. The content of Apoe was tested by PCR.People with NC were investigated by telephone to get the progression and the time to AD.Methodologies on statistics were log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression model.Results The incidence rate of MCI to AD was 6.53% person-years. The incidence rate of the normal people to AD was 1.24% person-years. The hazard of MCI to AD was 5.27 times (95%CI: 3.01-9.82)of the normal people to AD. The result of Cox proportional hazards regression model displayed that: older age (RR=3.14, 95% CI: 2.98-7.46) , hypertension (RR=3.28, 95% CI: 3.02-8.48) ,hyperlipermia (RR = 2.22,95%CI: 1.29-3.82), diabetes (RR=4.87,95%CI: 2.56-9.25), lack of sports (RR=2.02, 95%CI: 1.29-3.14), anxiety (RR=4.46, 95%CI: 3.07-8.14), dread fulness (RR=4.08,95% CI: 3.52-5.25), loneliness (RR= 1.89,95% CI: 1.13-3.16), characteristics of anxiety (RR= 5.07,95%CI: 2.56-10.04, introvert characteristics (RR=2.05,95%CI: 1.33-3.15) and ApoE4 (RR= 1.73,95% CI: 1.15-2.63) were the risk factors of MCI to AD. Higher education (RR=0.29, 95% CI:0.07-0.43), intellectual work(RR=0.14,95%CI: 0.05-0.32), often reading books(RR=0.30,95%CI:0.15-0.58), often taking part in recreational activities (RR=0.41,95%CI: 0.23-0.75) seemed to be the protective of MCI to AD. Conclusion The rate of the elderly with MCI that developing to AD was high, suggesting further study on the cognitive situation among the MCI aged people should be carried out.

Objective To investigate and analyze consistency in attitudes toward advance directive and life sustaining treatments between cancer patients and their family members.Methods Totally 242 pairs of cancer patients and family members were involved in the research through convenience sampling from two tertiary hospitals.We investigated consistency in attitudes toward advance directive and life sustaining treatments between cancer patients and their family members using questionnaire of attitudes toward advance directive.Results After explanation of advance directive,51.65％ of cancer patients would like to make advance directive.Most of the family members(89.26％) said they would like to follow patients' wishes if they made advance directive.The consistency in attitudes toward advance directive between cancer patients and their family members were "willing" accounting 48.35％,and "not willing" accounting for 1.65％,with weak consistency(Kappa value was 0.05,P＞0.05).The consistency in attitudes toward life sustaining treatments between cancer patients and their family members were "willing" accounting for 16.94％～38.84％,"not willing" accounting for 1.65％～4.96％,and "never considered" accounting for 9.92％～17.77％,with weak consistency(Kappa value was 0.09-0.18,P＜0.05).Conclusion Cancer patients and their family members show positive attitudes toward advance directive without too many differences.Family members' choices on life sustaining treatments cannot fully represent patients' wishes.

Objective To investigate the effects of tumor necrosis-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), mevastatin, or their combinations on the proliferation and apoptosis in glioma SWO-38 cells and their mechanisms. Methods The human glioma cell line SWO-38 was treated with human recombinant soluble TRAIL (rsTRAIL) and mevastatin, respectively, or their combinations. The proliferation of SWO-38 cells was analyzed with MTT assay; the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (Annexin V-FTTC-PI assay); the expressions of TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 on the cell surface were determined by indirect fluorescence staining and flow cytometry analysis; the mRNA expressions of TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results The rsTRAIL and mevastatin, used alone or in combination, inhibited the cell proliferation of SWO-38 cells and induced their apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The combination of rsTRAIL and mevastatin remarkably inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis as compared with the rsTRAIL or mevastatin alone (P<0.05). Seventy-two hours after treatment, the expressions of TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 in the treatment groups were significantly higher as compared to those in the normal control group, and so was their mRNA expression level (P<0.05). Conclusion Both rsTRAIL and mevastatin can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of SWO-38 cell; their combinations have a synergistic effect probably through the up-regulation of TRAIL R1/DR4 and TRAIL R2/DR5 expressions and their mRNA expressions on cell surface.

AIM To establish an HPLC method for the simultaneous content determination of gallic acid,protocatechuic acid,morroniside,loganin,sweroside,paeoniflorin,hypericin,astragalin,salvianolic acid B,salvianolic acid A,epimedin C and icariin in Bushen Huoxue Sanjie Capsules.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 30℃thermostatic Agilent 5 TC-C18 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid flowing at 1.0 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 240 nm.RESULTS Twelve constituents showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(r≥0.999 8),whose average recoveries were 97.11%-101.14%with the RSDs of 0.60%-2.65%.CONCLUSION This simple,accurate and reproducible method can be used for the quality control of Bushen Huoxue Sanjie Capsules.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between RASSF1A gene expression and DNA methylation or histone modification in laryngeal carcinoma tissues.

METHODSChromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and realtime quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (realtime RT-PCR) were used to analyze RASSF1A gene promoter region histone H3 lysine 9 methylation, H3 lysine 4 methylation, H3 lysine 9 acetylation, DNA methylation, and RASSF1A gene expression in laryngeal carcinoma tissue of 50 cases.

RESULTSDNA methylation rate of gene RASSF1A was 62% in 50 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, but no DNA methylation was found in normal control group, with a significant difference (χ(2) = 15.381, P < 0.05). DNA methylation had no correlation with age, gender, differentiation degree, T stage, pathological type and lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). The affection of DNA methylation group was more than unmethylation group to expression of gene RASSF1A (t = -3.108, P < 0.01). There was positive correlation between RASSF1A deletion and gene hypermethylation or between H3 lysine 9 methylation of RASSF1A gene promoter and DNA methylation in laryngeal carcinoma tissue(r = 0.816, P < 0.05), but there was negative correlation between H3 lysine 4 methylation of RASSF1A gene promoter and DNA methylation (r = -0.837, P < 0.05) and no correlation between H3 lysine 9 acetylation and DNA methylation (r = -0.383, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLaryngeal tumor suppressor gene RASSF1A promoter methylation is a key factor down-regulating the gene expression, and histone modifications also plays an important role in tumor development.

Adult ; Aged ; CpG Islands ; DNA Methylation ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Histones ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics

OBJECTIVELeft ventricular diastolic dysfunction is common in cardiovascular diseases. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM) is a typical disease with diastolic dysfunction. We analyzed the association between the left ventricular flow propagation velocity (FPV), quantified by color M-mode Doppler and as an indicator for diastolic dysfunction, and clinical outcome in patients with HCM.

METHODSStandard echocardiography including FPV was performed in 43 cases with HCM and 22 control cases without a clear history of heart disease. All eligible cases were followed up to more than 1 year.

RESULTSHospitalization rate due to emerging atrial fibrillation/flutter was 21%, due to emerging ventricular tachycardia was 16%, due to heart failure was 26%, and due to other events was 14% in HCM patients. FPV [(31.6 ± 11.5) cm/s vs. (68.3 ± 18.3) cm/s, P < 0.01] and FPV/E (0.49 ± 0.20 vs. 1.18 ± 0.41, P < 0.01) were significantly lower in HCM group than in control group. PV/E was an independent predictor for atrial fibrillation/flutter and heart failure, IVST was independent predictor for VT (χ(2) = 5.181, P = 0.0228), LAD (χ(2) = 6.172, P = 0.0130) and FPV/E (χ(2) = 3.932, P = 0.0474) were independent risk factors for total cardiac events.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of atrial fibrillation and heart failure were closely related with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in HCM patients and FPV/E was independent predictor for clinical cardiovascular events.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; physiopathology ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color ; Female ; Heart Failure ; physiopathology ; Heart Ventricles ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult