Objective To establish the animal model for the study of children with moderate blood lead levels in young rabbits,for the study of the ideal therapy for moderate lead poisoning in children.Methods Sixteen 45-day-old male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control and lead-exposed group,8 in each group.Rabbits in the lead-exposed group were treated with 5 mg/(kg?d)lead acetate in their forage for 6 weeks to establish moderate lead poisoning animal model.The blood lead levels(BLLs)were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer(AAS),and the urine lead levels and the lead concentrations of tissue and organ were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Histopathology in tissue and organ was observed under the light microscope.Results The BLLs and the urine lead levels in lead-exposed group step up rapidly in primal weeks,then retained at a steady levels.The BLLs exhibited moderate level BLLs during the lead exposure period.Compared with control group,the body weight gain,testis and hippocampus wet coefficient of the lead-exposed group significantly decreased(P_a

Background::Intravertebral and general anesthesia (GA) are two main anesthesia approaches but both have defects. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of subarachnoid anesthesia combined with propofol target-controlled infusion (TCI) on blood loss and transfusion for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients in comparison with combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) or GA.Methods::Totally, 240 patients (aged ≥65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] I-III) scheduled for posterior THA were enrolled from September 1st, 2017 to March 1st, 2018. All cases were randomly divided into three groups to receive CSEA (group C, n = 80), GA (group G, n = 80), or subarachnoid anesthesia and propofol TCI (group T, n= 80), respectively. Primary outcomes measured were intra-operative blood loss, autologous and allogeneic blood transfusion, mean arterial pressure at different time points, length of stay in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), length of hospital stay, and patient satisfaction degree. Furthermore, post-operative pain scores and complications were also observed. The difference of quantitative index between groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, repeated measurement generalized linear model, Student-Newman-Keuls test or rank-sum test, while ratio index was analyzed by Chi-square test or Fisher exact test. Results::Basic characteristics were comparable among the three groups. Intra-operative blood loss in group T (331.53 ± 64.33 mL) and group G (308.03 ± 64.90 mL) were significantly less than group C (455.40 ± 120.48 mL, F = 65.80, P < 0.001). Similarly, the autologous transfusion of group T (130.99 ± 30.36 mL) and group G (124.09 ± 24.34 mL) were also markedly less than group C (178.31 ± 48.68 mL, F= 52.99, P < 0.001). The allogenetic blood transfusion of group C (0 [0, 100.00]) was also significantly larger than group T (0) and group G (0) ( Z = 2.47, P = 0.047). Except for the baseline, there were significant differences in mean arterial blood pressures before operation ( F= 496.84, P < 0.001), 10-min after the beginning of operation ( F = 351.43, P < 0.001), 30-min after the beginning of operation ( F = 559.89, P < 0.001), 50-min after the beginning of operation ( F = 374.74, P < 0.001), and at the end of operation ( F= 26.14, P < 0.001) among the three groups. Length of stay in PACU of group T (9.41 ± 1.19 min) was comparable with group C (8.83 ± 1.26 min), and both were significantly shorter than group G (16.55 ± 3.10 min, F = 352.50, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences among the three groups in terms of length of hospitalization and post-operative visual analog scale scores. Patient satisfaction degree of group T (77/80) was significantly higher than group C (66/80, χ 2= 7.96, P = 0.004) and G (69/80, χ 2 = 5.01, P = 0.025). One patient complained of post-dural puncture headache and two complained of low back pain in group C, while none in group T. Incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting in group G (10/80) was significantly higher than group T (3/80, χ 2 = 4.10, P = 0.043) and group C (2/80, χ 2 = 5.76, P = 0.016). No deep vein thrombosis or delayed post-operative functional exercise was detected. Conclusions::Single subarachnoid anesthesia combined with propofol TCI seems to perform better than CSEA and GA for posterior THA in elderly patients, with less blood loss and peri-operative transfusion, higher patient satisfaction degree and fewer complications.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pesticides ; poisoning ; Poisoning ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of the serious complications related with double-J ureteral stent placement following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

METHODSClinical data were reviewed for 272 patients treated with PCNL and indwelling double-J stents between January, 2014 and April, 2016. The risk factors of serious complications were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSSerious complications of double-J ureteral stenting occurred in 63 patients (23.1%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the ureter abnormalities (β=1.735, P=0.000, OR=5.670), stent indwelling duration (β=1.206, P=0.028, OR=3.340), gender (β=0.895, P=0.016, OR=2.446), preoperative urinary tract infection (β=0.849, P=0.020 , OR=2.338) and stent size (β=0.847, P=0.011, OR=2.333) were all risk factors of serious complications related with the procedure.

CONCLUSIONMale patients are exposed to a higher risk of serious complications following PCNL. Effective management of urinary tract infection and choice of appropriate stent size in cases of ureteral abnormalities help to reduce these complications. The double-J stent should be withdrawn as soon as possible in patients with good postoperative recovery.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Postoperative Period ; Risk Factors ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Ureter ; surgery ; Ureteral Obstruction ; surgery

OBJECTIVESTo explore intervention with electromagnetic noise for co-suppression effect on gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) induced or strengthened by low intensity magnetic field with carcinogen 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

METHODSFibroblast cells from NIH 3T3 mice were exposed to extremely low intensity magnetic field (MF) 0.2 mT, 0.2 mT + TPA or/and electromagnetic noise with the same intensity of MF for 24 h, and GJIC was determined using fluorescence recovery analysis after photobleaching (FRAP) with a laser-scanning confocal microscope (Leica, Germany).

RESULTSGJIC function could be co-suppressed by MF of 0.2 mT with TPA, with fluorescence recovery of (23 +/- 11)%, lower than that in the control group [(46 +/- 19)%] and in the group with TPA only [(34 +/- 17) %] (P < 0.01), indicating 0.2 mT MF plus TPA could co-inhibit GJIC (P < 0.01). Superposition of 0.2 mT noise MF could get a fluorescence recovery of (35 +/- 19)% and significantly antagonize its co-suppression by TPA.

CONCLUSIONElectromagnetic noise of 0.2 mT could block the intensifying effect of power frequency magnetic field on TPA-induced GJIC inhibition.

Animals ; Cell Communication ; drug effects ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Cell Line ; Electromagnetic Fields ; adverse effects ; Fluorescence Recovery After Photobleaching ; Gap Junctions ; drug effects ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Mice ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Noise ; adverse effects ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the appropriate producing area of Cistanche tubulosa by mean of TCMGIS-I.

METHODThe TCMGIS-I (Suitability evaluation geographic information system of traditional Chinese medicine producing area) was used to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. tubulosa basing on the optimum ecological factors of Sorth Sinkiang municipality which is the traditional producing area of C. tubulosa.

RESULTThe suitable producing areas of C. tubulosa include 56 counties with 190952.1 km2 total areas in Sinkiang municipality, Neimongd municipality and Gansu province; Sinkiang municipality, Gansu and Qinghai provinces have the second-suitable producing areas of C. tubulosa, with 46 counties and 41217.37 km2 total areas; Sinkiang municipality, Inner Mongolia municipality, Gansu province and Ningxia municipality have the third-suitable producing areas of C. tubulosa with 56 counties and 421145.2 km2 total areas.

CONCLUSIONIt is important to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. tubulosa by means of TCMGIS-I. The results are useful for development of C. tubulosa transplanting and cultivation.

China ; Cistanche ; growth & development ; Geographic Information Systems ; Geography

OBJECTIVESTo review the preliminary clinical experience with high-field-strength intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) suite with neuronavigation system in the pituitary adenoma operation with transsphenoidal approach.

METHODSFrom March 2009 to December 2010, 31 patients [range, 29 - 76 years, mean age (47 ± 11) years]of pituitary adenoma were operated with transsphenoidal approach and intraoperatively with a movable 1.5 T high-field-strength iMRI suite in combination with neuronavigation system. Tumor size was 1.8 - 7.3 cm, mean (3.5 ± 1.2) cm. Twenty-five cases were non-functional pituitary adenoma, 4 cases were prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma, 2 cases were growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma. Thirty patients' resection with transnasal transsphenoidal approach were performed, one patient with transoral transsphenoidal approach was performed.

RESULTSIn 12 cases of 30 patients who planed to totally remove tumor, iMRI had revealed residual lesions and resulted in the change of the surgical strategy, 2 invasive cavernous sinus cases no further resection of the tumor because of internal carotid artery encasement, the other 10 cases resected further, eventually. Finally, 8 cases were totally removed. The ratio of total removal tumor was enhanced to 86.7% (26/30) from 60.0% (18/30). There was no perioperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONSHigh-field-strength iMRI suite with neuronavigation system provides valuable information of tumor resection that allows intraoperative modification of the surgical strategy. It could be very helpful to maximize the resection of the pituitary adenoma and minimize the injury to neurological function.

Adenoma ; surgery ; Adult ; Aged ; Cavernous Sinus ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery

BACKGROUNDThe current diagnostic algorithms for chronic cough require the establishment of the primary presumptive causes followed by the confirmation of diagnosis with the specific therapies. The aim of the study was to investigate the discrepancy between presumptive and definite causes and its clinical implication.

METHODSA total of 109 patients with chronic cough underwent laboratory investigations to identify the cause of cough; including sinus computerized tomography (if needed), histamine bronchial provocation, induced sputum cytology and 24-hour esophageal pH or multi-channel intraluminal impedance combined with pH monitoring. The presumptive causes were confirmed by treating them sequentially. The difference between presumptive and definite causes of chronic cough was compared.

RESULTSSingle cause was more frequent in the definite diagnosis than in the presumptive diagnosis (78.9% vs. 54.1%, χ(2) = 15.01, P = 0.0001). In contrast, multiple causes were significantly fewer in definite diagnosis than in the presumptive diagnosis (15.6% vs. 37.6%, χ(2) = 13.53, P = 0.0002). There was a discrepancy between definite and presumptive causes in 30 patients (27.5%). Compared with the presumptive causes, definite upper airway cough syndrome (24.8% vs. 11.9%, χ(2) = 6.0, P = 0.01) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (6.4% vs. 0, χ(2) = 7.23, P = 0.007) was more frequent as a single cause of chronic cough while cough variant asthma plus gastroesophageal reflux disease (3.7% vs. 11.9%, χ(2) = 5.17, P = 0.02) and upper airway cough syndrome plus nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (0 vs. 9.2%, χ(2) = 10.48, P = 0.001) were fewer as multiple causes of chronic cough.

CONCLUSIONSA discrepancy was common between presumptive and definite causes of chronic cough. To treat presumptive causes sequentially may be a suitable solution for avoidance of erroneous multiple causes and possible over-treatment.

Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Cough ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo analyze the appropriate producing area of Cistanche desertiola.

METHODThe TCMGIS-I (suitability evaluation geographic information system of traditional Chinese medicine producing area) was used to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. desertiola basing on the optimum ecological factors of Aalashan, Inner-Mongolia autonomous region and North Xinjiang au-tonomous region, the traditional producing areas of C. desertiola.

RESULTThe results showed that the suitable producing areas of C. desertiola included 159 counties of 5 autonomous regions and provinces, i.e. Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia autonomous regions, and Gansu as well as Qinghai provinces. The total area was 675 354.9 km2 and distributed mainly in Aalashan of Inner Mongolia, eastern part of North Xinjiang, northern part of Gansu and in the middle of Ningxia.

CONCLUSIONThe suitable producing areas based on TCMGIS-I covered all areas registered in the 3rd national investigation of Chinese traditional medicine resource. And the results were also corresponding to the traditional producing area of C. desertiola recorded in ancient literature and the successful cultivation areas nowadays. It suggested the rationality and reliability of TCMGIS-I.

Breeding ; China ; Cistanche ; growth & development ; Climate ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Databases, Factual ; Ecosystem ; Geographic Information Systems ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Soil

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of prenatal exposure to stress and lead on spatial learning and memory development in rats.

METHODSAll 32 Sprague-Dawley (SD) pregnant rats were divided randomly into 4 groups, 8 per group in line with the Random Number Table. The four groups were: no maternal stress, no Pb exposure (NS/C); non-maternal stress, Pb exposure (NS/L), maternal stress, no Pb exposure (S/C), and maternal stress plus Pb exposure (S/L). The spatial learning and memory ability, the serum corticosterone level both pre and post-testing of 30-day old offsprings, and lead concentration in hippocampus were tested by means of Morris Water Maze, radioimmunoassay and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSThe residence time of male and female in NS/L was (16.08+/-3.41) s, (15.72+/-3.33) s, which were significantly shorter than NS/L (25.42+/-4.76) s, (24.55+/-4.43) s and S/C (20.96+/-3.45) s, (20.65+/-2.98) s, and significant difference was observed in the joint exposure effect (F=5.478, P<0.05). The effect of the joint exposure was significant on post-testing serum corticosterone. The hippocampus lead concentrations of NS/L and S/L were (0.4378+/-0.1041) microg/g and (0.4679+/-0.1243) microg/g without significant differences (F=0.298, P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONPrenatal joint exposure to restraint stress and lead might increase the effects of single exposure on the spatial learning and memory ability and serum corticosterone level of offsprings, and the joint influence on corticosterone level might be one of the reasons of further impairment of learning and memory.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Lead ; toxicity ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley