Objective To explore dynamic response of serum lipids and relationship with body mass index(BMI)after fat meal in obese children and adolescents. Methods The subjects were 31 obese children and adolescents (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and 30 controls (BMI

OBJECTIVEThe pathophysiology of beta-thalassemia is the imbalance of the alpha and non-alpha globin chain which leads to a series of clinical symptoms of hemolytic anemia. Scientists continuously try to explore gene-activated drugs to increase the level of non-alpha globin chain or decrease the level of alpha globin chain in the treatment of beta-thalassemia. To probe into the effects on globin-gene expression of meisoindigo (Me) in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood, so as to provide the theoretical basis for applying Me in the treatment of beta-thalassemia.

METHODSBy using the two-step liquid culture of erythroid progenitor cells and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and by using alpha mRNA as an inner control, the level of gamma mRNA and beta mRNA in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood of 11 patients with severe beta-thalassemia and 6 normal volunteers were measured under the effect of different concentration (2.5 micro mol/L, 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L) of Me.

RESULTS(1) No statistic significance was found in the ratio of beta/alpha mRNA by Me in cultured cells from both normal individuals and beta-thalassemia. (2) Me can significantly increase the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and (beta + gamma)/alpha mRNA (that is non-alpha/alpha mRNA) in cultured cells from normal individuals and beta-thalassemia. The ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA was increased 0.31 - 0.45 times and the ratio of non-alpha mRNA/alpha mRNA increased 0.21 - 0.32 times in Me induced cells from normal individuals. No significant result was observed among the different concentrations of Me (2.5 micro mol/L, 5 micro mol/L and 10 micro mol/L) in normal individuals. With the increasing of Me concentrations, the ratios of gamma/alpha mRNA and alpha/alpha mRNA were increased in cultured cells from beta-thalassemia. The ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA was increased 0.33 - 1.17 times and the ratio of non-alpha/alpha mRNA increased 0.25 - 0.89 times in Me induced cells from beta-thalassemia. There was no significant difference between the concentrations of 2.5 micro mol/L and 5 micro mol/L concentration in beta-thalassemia. However, there was significant difference between the concentrations of 10 micro mol/L and the concentrations of 2.5 micro mol/L and 5 micro mol/L in beta-thalassemia. (3) The increase of the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and non-alpha/alpha mRNA in beta-thalassemia was higher than that in normal individual with induction by Me with a higher concentration (10 micro mol/L).

CONCLUSIONMe can raise the ratio of gamma/alpha mRNA and non-alpha/alpha mRNA in cultured erythroid cells derived from peripheral blood of both normal individual and beta-thalassemia in the level of transcription, which can improve the imbalance of the alpha and non-alpha globin chain. So Me has a latent value in the therapy of beta-thalassemia.

Cells, Cultured ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Erythroid Precursor Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Globins ; genetics ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Infant ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo study a family with Bw subtype of ABO blood group system, and to review safety issues in relation with clinical transfusion.

METHODSThe molecular basis for the blood type was studied with serological assay, polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) and DNA sequencing, TA clone and haplotype analysis in one blood donor whose ABO blood group were difficulty typed and her family. The bioinformatics analysis was carried out by biological analysis software to investigate the change of structure and function of enzymes influenced by the change amino acid. A retrospective survey was carried out to investigate what is the actual position that the donor blood was used in the clinical transfusion.

RESULTSThree members from the family were found to have a Bw subtype. A substitution of nucleotide C by T at position 721 in exon 7 was discovered, which resulted in replacement of amino acid Arg to Trp. Review of clinical record suggested that there has been no significant abnormality association with past three blood transfusions.

CONCLUSIONA 721C>T mutation of the ABO gene probably underlies the Bw subtype. Further research is needed for understanding the clinical significance of this subtype in the blood transfusion.

ABO Blood-Group System ; classification ; genetics ; Adult ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blood Transfusion ; Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies

The application of thin layer chromatography(TLC) in Chinese Pharmacopoeia experienced from scratch to less to more,but the proportion of thin layer chromatographic scanning used in recent editions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia has decreased.With the further improvement of the quality standard system of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),the shortcomings of TLC identification methods have been gradually revealed,such as the low penetration rate of instrument,poor repeatability and stability of the results,lower identification speed than high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and so on.Thus it gradually became untimely.In the process of formulating quality standard control of TCM,researchers should not be conformist,and TLC identification should not be a necessary choice for the qualitative identification.And HPLC has the possibility to completely replace TLC,but TLC can be used as a supplement to HPLC.In order to fully lower testing cost,shorten testing cycle,improve the efficiency of identification,we suggested quality standard system of TCM should be sharply reduced TLC identification method and increased identification of HPLC characteristic spectrum;and try to do "one condition,one map".Unless absolutely necessary,national quality standards(such as Chinese Pharmacopoeia) should use TLC identification as a recommended method rather than a mandatory standard.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety of donors of right lobe graft.

METHODSWe retrospectively studied 13 living donors of right lobe graft from January 2002 to June 2005. The right lobe grafts were obtained by transecting the liver on the right side of the middle hepatic vein. Liver transection was done by using an ultrasonic dissector without inflow vascular occlusion. The standard liver volume and the ratio of left lobe volume to the standard liver volume were calculated.

RESULTSThe mean blood loss was 490 ml. The mean blood transfusion was 440 ml. In the perioperative period the mean albumin administered was 85 g. One donor had portal vein trifurcation, two had a right posterior bile duct and a right anterior bile duct draining into the left bile duct, respectively. One had bile ducts from left lateral and left internal segment and right duct draining into common hepatic duct. On postoperative day 1 the donors' liver functions were found impaired to some extent, but all the indices rapidly returned to the normal level at the end of the first week. Postoperative complications included 1 case of abdominal bleeding, 2 wound steatosis and 1 chyle leak. There was no donor mortality. All donors are well and have returned to their previous occupations.

CONCLUSIONSThe donation of right lobe graft for adult living donor liver transplantation is safe provided that the patency of the remnant hepatic vasculature and bile duct is ensured, the volume of the remnant liver exceeds 30% of the total liver volume, and there is no injury to the remnant liver.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; blood supply ; surgery ; Liver Function Tests ; Liver Transplantation ; methods ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of HBV genotypes on their response to adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) antiviral therapy.

METHODSHBV genotypes from 177 HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were identified and the patients were treated with ADV 10 mg per day for 48 weeks. The clinical data in terms of serum HBV DNA seroclearance, mean HBV DNA reduction (log value), HBeAg loss, anti-HBe seroconversion and serum ALT of those patients were analyzed against their HBV genotypes.

RESULTSGenotype B and genotype C were found in 102 and 65 cases, respectively. The mean HBV DNA reduction in patients with genotype B and genotype C at their treatment times of 12, 24 and 48 weeks was 2.2 log10copies/ml, 2.1 log10copies/ml (P more than 0.05), 2.7 log10copies/ml, 2.4 log10copies/ml (P more than 0.05) and 3.6 log10copies/ml, 3.1 log10copies/ml (P less than 0.05), respectively. At the end of the therapy (48 weeks), 43 (42.2%) patients with genotype B HBV infection and 22 (33.8%) patients with genotype C HBV infection had achieved HBV DNA seroclearance (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that genotype B HBV has a better virological response to ADV therapy in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients than that of genotype C. Longer terms of ADV treatment are needed to confirm this conclusion.

Adenine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective: To establish the grade evaluation standard for Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice by combining traditional morphology evaluation with modern intrinsic quality evaluation. Method: The morphological parameters and contents of intrinsic pharmacodynamic index components of 28 batches of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice were determined, and the relative quality constants were calculated. Assuming that the average relative quality constant was 100%, more than 120%of the samples were classified as the first grade, 60%to 120%as the second grade, the remaining as the third grade. Result: The relative quality constant of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice ranged from 0.09 to 1.78. The relative quality constant of the first grade was ≥ 0.64, the second grade was 0.32-0.64, while the third grade was ≤ 0.32. Conclusion: Relative quality constant combines external indexes of traditional morphology and internal indexes of pharmacodynamic components, which can objectively, reasonably and scientifically classify the grade of Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex processed with ginger juice, and provide reference for establishing and improving the grade evaluation standard of this decoction pieces.

Spermatogenesis is regulated by several Y chromosome-specific genes located in a specific region of the long arm of the Y chromosome, the azoospermia factor region (AZF). AZF microdeletions are the main structural chromosomal abnormalities that cause male infertility. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has been used to overcome natural fertilization barriers, allowing infertile couples to have children. However, these techniques increase the risk of vertical transmission of genetic defects. Despite widespread awareness of AZF microdeletions, the occurrence of de novo deletions and overexpression, as well as the expansion of AZF microdeletion vertical transmission, remains unknown. This review summarizes the mechanism of AZF microdeletion and the function of the candidate genes in the AZF region and their corresponding clinical phenotypes. Moreover, vertical transmission cases of AZF microdeletions, the impact of vertical inheritance on male fertility, and the prospective direction of research in this field are also outlined.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Prospective Studies ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/genetics* ; Oligospermia/genetics*

A new method was developed for simultaneous detection of total 19 kinds of organophosphate esters(OPEs)and their diester metabolites(di-OPEs)in human serum(1.0 mL)and urine(1.5 mL)with low volume of samples.The target compounds were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)after acetonitrile liquid-liquid extraction combined with purification using an ENVI-18 solid-phase extraction(SPE)column.OPEs and di-OPEs were separated using a Shim-pack GIST C18 column(100 mm×2.1 mm,2 μm)with a Shim-pack GIST-HP(G)C18 guard column.An electrospray ionization source(ESI)was employed in mass spectrometry analysis,with positive/negative ion mode using the multiple reaction monitoring(MRM).All target compounds were separated within 15 min,and exhibited good linear relationships in the concentration range of 2-100 ng/mL,with correlation coefficients(R2)above 0.994.The method detection limits(MDL)in serum ranged from 0.001 to 0.178 ng/mL and the MDL in urine ranged from 0.001 to 0.119 ng/mL.The recoveries of the analytes spiked in serum and urine matrices at two concentration levels were 30.5%-126.8%,with the relative standard deviations(RSDs)ranged from 1%to 23%.In addition,paired serum and urine samples from 11 patients were analyzed.For all samples tested,the internal standards of OPEs exhibited recoveries between 61%and 114%,whereas the internal standards for di-OPEs had recoveries ranging from 43%to 103%.OPEs and di-OPEs exhibited high detection frequencies in 22 serum and urine samples.Triethyl phosphate(TEP),tributyl phosphate(TBP),tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate(TEHP),tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate(TBEP),tris(1-chloro-2-propyl)phosphate(TCIPP),triphenyl phosphate(TPHP),tri-m-tolyl-phosphate(TMTP)and 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate(EHDPP)were universally detected in all serum samples.TCIPP was identified at the highest concentrations(median 0.548 ng/mL)in serum samples.In urine samples,the detection frequency for 12 kinds of target compounds reached 100%.Notably,TBP emerged as the predominant OPE in urine,demonstrating a median concentration of 0.506 ng/mL.Regarding di-OPEs,bis(2-chloroethyl)phosphate(BCEP)and bis(2-butoxyethyl)hydrogen phosphate(BBOEP)were the most abundant in urine,with median concentrations of 6.404 and 2.136 ng/mL,respectively.The total concentrations of OPEs and di-OPEs in serum and urine were 1.580-3.843 ng/mL and 5.149-17.537 ng/mL,respectively.These results not only confirmed the effectiveness of the method in detection of OPEs and di-OPEs in biological matrices,but also revealed the widespread presence of OPE compounds in human body and pointed to potential exposure risks.

The commodity specification and grade is a symbol of quality of Chinese medicinal materials,a standard to measure and evaluate the quality of Chinese medicinal materials,and an important part of the quality control system of Chinese medicinal materials.This article reviewed relevant research literature of commodity specification and grade of Chinese medicinal materials,including the formation and policy support of specification and grade.It analyzed the specific research examples of the commodity specification and grade of Chinese medicinal materials according to the classification of medicinal parts,and summarized the research conditions of the commodity classification at present stage.Aiming at the current research difficulties and the lack of unified standards in specification and grade of Chinese medicinal materials,some advice including research objects,methods,management,publicity,promotion and application are put forward,so as to provide references for the research on the commodity specification and grade of Chinese medicinal materials.