Objective To evaluate the fetal cardiovascular function in selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR)in monochorionic diamniotic(MCDA)twins by using 2D and color Doppler ultrasonography. Methods Twenty - four sIUGR pregnancies and 20 normal MCDA twins pregnancies were enrolled at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat - Sen University from December 2013 to September 2014,and cardiac structure of fetus and Doppler patterns of the umbilical artery(UA),umbilical vein(UV),pulsatility index of ductus venosus(DV - PI),atrioventricular valve, semilunar valve,tricuspid annulus systolic displacement(TAPSE),fractional shortening of left ventricle short axis(FS) and myocardial performance index(Tei index)of both ventricles were assessed. Results Cardiothoracic ratio,heart rate,DV - PI,FS,TAPSE,Tei index of the left ventricle(0. 34 ± 0. 03,0. 34 ± 0. 04),Tei index of the right ventricle (0. 35 ± 0. 03,0. 35 ± 0. 03)were not significantly different compared with those of the normal MCDA twins(all P ﹥0. 05). Cardiothoracic ratio,ventricular wall thickness,isovolumetric relaxation time( IRT),isovolumetric contraction time(ICT),TAPSE and tricuspid regurgitation(TR)in the larger twins of sIUGR were significantly bigger than those in the smaller twins of sIUGR(all P ﹤ 0. 05),Tei index of both ventricles in the larger twin of sIUGR was significantly higher than that in the smaller twins of sIUGR(Tei index of left ventricle:0. 43 ± 0. 06 vs 0. 35 ± 0. 04,Tei index of right ventricle:0. 43 ± 0. 06 vs 0. 34 ± 0. 04,P ﹤ 0. 05),the peak E in early diastolic / the peak A in atrial contraction (E/ A),the percentage of inflow during of cardiac cycle length(inflow/ CCL)in larger twin of sIUGR were significantly lower than those in smaller twin of sIUGR(all P ﹤ 0. 05). Conclusions There was no difference of cardiac function in normal MCDA twins,at the beginning of the diagnosis of sIUGR,cardiac dysfunction were found in larger twin,follow -up examination are helpful to clinical decision.

The adventitious root of Tripterygium wilfordii was used as experiment material to study effects of various concentration of aspartic acid, isoleucine, cysteine and arginine in MS medium on the growth and triptolide, wilforgine, wilforine contents of the adventitious roots. The results showed that compared with the control, supplemented with 0.25 mmol x L(-1) aspartic acid at 3rd week, the growth of the adventitious roots only accounted for 80%, but the content of triptolide of the adventitious roots and the medium was 1.36, 1.30 times, the content of wilforgine was 1.16, 1.37 times, the content of wilforine was 1.22, 1.63 times, respectively. At 3rd week 0.05 mmol x L(-1) isoleucine, the growth of adventitious roots was 97.3%, wilforgine of adventitious roots and medium 1.02, 1.27 times, wilforine 1.36 times and 1.15 times. At 1st week 0.25 mmol x L(-1) cysteine, the growth of the adventitious roots comprised 77.5% of the control, while content of triptolide of adventitious roots reached 1.87 times. At 2nd week 1.00 mmol x L(-1) cysteine, the growth of adventitious roots was 44.6% of the control, the content of wilforine in medium was 2.97 times. At 3rd week 0.50 mmol x L(-1) arginine, the growth of adventitious roots was 124.2%, the content of wilforgine and wilforine was 1.3, 1.4 times, respectively.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; analysis ; Epoxy Compounds ; analysis ; Lactones ; analysis ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Pyridines ; analysis ; metabolism ; Secondary Metabolism ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism

Objective Currently , the targeted therapy is the first-choice treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, but few studies have been reported on the relationship between immunohistochemical markers and the EGFR mutation.The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship of the EGFR mutation with the ex-pressions of thymidylate synthetase (TS), excision repair cross-com-plementation group 1 ( ERCC1 ) , β-tubulin-III, and ribonucleofide reductase large subunit-l ( RRM1) in NSCLC. Methods We retro-spectively analyzed 336 cases of NSCLC treated in the Department of Medical Oncology , the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, from June 2014 to December 2015 and examined 29 EGFR mutations.We divided the patients into a mutation and a non-mutation group, performed immunohistochemical staining of the TS, ERCC1,β-tubulin-III and RRM1 proteins and compared their expressions in the NSCLC tissue between the two groups . Results EGFR mutations were found in 138 ( 41.07%) of the 336 NSCLC patients but not in the other 198 ( 58.93%) .The expression of TS was significantly lower in the mutation than in the non-mutation group (9.42%vs 39.39%, P<0.05), and so was that of β-tubulin-III (44.2%vs 60.1%, P<0.05).EGFR mutations were correlated with decreased expressions of TS (r=-0.332, P<0.05) andβ-tubulin-III (r=-0.157, P<0.05).Multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk of EGFR mutations was 2.109 times higher in the fe-male patients than in the males (OR=2.109, 95%CI:1.268-3.509), 24.265 times higher in the adenocarcinoma than in the adeno-squamous carcinoma patients (OR=24.265, 95%CI:3.508-167.845), 15.2 times higher in the squamous carcinoma than in the ade-nocarcinoma patients (OR=15.200, 95%CI:4.480-51.569), 2.364 times higher in the lung biopsy specimens than in the surgically treated patients (OR=2.364, 95%CI:1.266-4.413), and 6.171 times higher in the patients with lowly expressed than in those with highly expressed TS (OR=6.171, 95%CI: 3.145-12.109). Conclusion The decreased expressions of TS and β-tubulin-Ⅲ in NSCLC indicate the mutation of the EGFR gene.

Objective To explore the effect of Melatonin(MT) on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell (CD4+CD25+Tr)and airway inflammation in asthmatic rat.Methods Thirty-two SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,8 rats in each group.Asthmatic group:rats were immunized on day 1 and 7 by intraperitoneal inject of mixture of ovalbumin(OVA) and aluminumhydroxide.From day 14,the animals were allenged with aerosolized OVA for 20 min per day for 7 consecutive days.MT group:OVA-sensitized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.1 mg/kg MT 30 min before each OVA challenge.Dexamethasone group:OVA-sensitized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 0.5 mg/kg Dexamethasone 30 min before each OVA challenge.Control group:OVA for inhalation and MT for intraperitoneal injection was replaced with saline.After the last challenge,peripheral blood was stained to count the percentage of eosinophil(EOS).Then the rats were lavaged and total leukocytes counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were performed after staining with Wright-Giemsa staining.The EOS counts around the airway was counted after the histological section of lung staining with hematoxylin and eosin staining.The serum level of immunoglobulin E(IgE) was detected by immunoenhancement.The change of CD4+CD25+Tr was assessed with flow cytometry.SPSS 10.0 software was applied to analyze data. Results In asthmatic rats,the CD4+CD25+ Tr/ CD4+T cells ratio had significant negative relationship with the EOS counts around the airway and the total leukocytes counts in BALF (r=-0.73 P0.05).There was a significant decrease in the percentage of the eosinophils in peripheral blood,the eosinophil counts around the airway,the total leukocytes counts in BALF and the serum level of IgE in MT group compared with asthmatic group (Pa

The study investigated the burden of smear-positive pulmonary TB and its infectivity, using DALY (Disability-Adjusted Life Year) as an indicator. An assumed cohort of 2000 cases was set up based on the age-specific incidence of 794 newly registered smear positive cases of TB in Beijing in 1994. Prognostic trees and model diagrams of infectivity under natural history and DOTS (Direct Observed Treatment, Short-course) strategy were established according to the epidemiological evidence. The results show that 29.6% of DALYs would be neglected if the burden caused by the infectivity was not considered. The results also show that DOTS strategy may reduce 97.3% of the number of potential cases infected, 92.9% of DALYs related to TB-patients themselves, and 99.9% of DALYs caused by TB's infectivity as well.

The cost-effectiveness of DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, short course) and non-DOTS strategies for smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Beijing was evaluated. Cost calculation was based on the expenses of drugs, chest X-ray films, sputum smears and cultures for the patients. Effectiveness of the intervention was assessed in two aspects: direct benefits to the patients treated and indirect benefits to the others through reduced transmission of tuberculosis; disability adjusted life of year (DALY) was used as an index. The results showed that one DALY could be saved with 45.7 Yuan by DOTS and 471.4 Yuan by non-DOTS. DOTS is a good control strategy for smear-positive tuberculosis.

AIMTo establish chiral separation method for donepezil hydrochloride (E2020) enantiomers by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and determine the two enantiomers in plasma.

METHODSAlkalized plasma was extracted by isopropanol-n-hexane (3 : 97) and L-butefeina was used as the internal standard. Enantioresolution was achieved using 2.5% sulfated-beta-cyclodextrin as chiral selector in 25 mmol x L(-1) triethylammonium phosphate solution (pH 2.5) on the uncoated fused-silica capillary column (70 cm x 50 microm ID). The feasibility of the method to be used as quantitation of E2020 enantiomers in rabbit plasma was also investigated.

RESULTSE2020 enantiomers were separated at a baseline level under the above condition. The linearity of the response was evaluated in the concentration range from 0.1 to 5 mg x L(-1). The linear regression analysis obtained by plotting the peak area ratio (A(s)/A(i)) of the analyte to the internal standard versus the concentration (C) showed excellent correlation coefficient (r = 0.999 2 for R(-)-E2020, r = 0.999 7 for S(+)-E2020) and the equations were A(s)/A(i) = 0.024 2 + 0.289 2C and A(s)/A(i) = 0.010 8 + 0.273 7C, respectively. The low limit of detection was 0.05 mg x L(_1). The inter- and intra-day precision (RSD) were all less than 20% .

CONCLUSIONCompared with CSP by HPLC, the CE method is simple, reliable, inexpensive and suitable for studying the stereoseletive pharmacokinetics in rabbits.

Animals ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; analysis ; blood ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Female ; Indans ; analysis ; blood ; chemistry ; Male ; Piperidines ; analysis ; blood ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Stereoisomerism ; beta-Cyclodextrins

Tomatoes ( Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) are the principal dietary source of Lycopene which is one of carotenoid and is highly beneficial in preventing some diseases such as the cancer and the heart disease. Suppressing the expression of Lcy gene, the main gene regulating the transformation of the lycopene, is a convenient and effective way to enhance the content of lycopene. The primers were designed according to the gene sequence(U46919)and (X86452) in GenBank. The fruit-specific promoter--phytoene desaturase gene(Pds) promoter and the DNA segment of the Lcy gene were isolated from the genome DNA of tomatoes. The 3'end of Lcy DNA segment was connected together by an intron to inform the RNA interferential segment then which was inserted in the expression vector with the Pds promoter to inform the fruit-specific expression vector. The vector was transformed into the tomatoes through the Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Five transformants were obtained. And the PCR proved that the extra-gene was integrated into the tomato genome. The lycopene in the transgenic tomatoes fruit was increased significantly through analysing the contents of lycopene. These results show that regutating biosynthetic enzyme in carotenoid pathway by RNAi can improve the lycopene content of plant-derived products.
Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; genetics ; Carotenoids ; metabolism ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Fruit ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Intramolecular Lyases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; Transformation, Genetic

OBJECTIVE: A systematic study of Laggera pterodonta was performed in order to identify its bioactive compounds. METHODS: Solvent partition and column chromatography used to isolate and purify Laggera pterodonta compounds. The isolated compounds were further elucidated by high field NMR spectroscopy. RESULTS: Fifty-two compounds were separated and the structures of 39 compounds were elucidated. Twenty-four compounds have not been previously reported. For example, the structure of compound 19, a previously undetected compound was elucidated as 4gamma, 9alpha,11-triol-enantio-eudesmane using both 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Major secondary metabolites of the Laggera pterodonta included eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes and flavone derivatives. CONCLUSION: A systematic study of a yunnan herbal medicine Laggera pterodonta resvealed several novel compounds that may have clinical significance. Further in vivo animal studies should be performed to assess their bioactive role.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of a novel blockade technique for gastric cancer on blood-borne metastasis of gastric cancer cells to portal vein.

METHODSTwenty-three cases of gastric cancer were divided into routine operation group (8 cases intraoperatively without blockade technique) and blockade group (15 cases with blockade technique). Blood samples from portal vein pre- and intraoperatively, as well as gastroepiploic vein limited within the blockade area were obtained to detect CK19 mRNA expression by using RT-PCR technique.

RESULTSBefore the dissection of gastric lesion, the overall positive rate of CK19 mRNA expression in portal vein blood is 34.7% (9/23), including 37.5% (3/8) in routine operation group and 33.3% (5/15) in blockade group. While the course of tumor resection, those positive rates were 87.5% (7/8) in routine operation group and 6.7% (1/15) in blockade group respectively (P < 0.05). CK19 mRNA expression in the right gastroepiploic venous blood limited within the blocking area was all positive in 15 cases of blockade group.

CONCLUSIONThis blockade technique can be used effectively to block the intraoperative spread of gastric cancer cells, thus prevent blood-borne metastasis due to operative manipulation.

Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; blood ; genetics ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Keratins ; blood ; genetics ; Ligation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Neoplastic Cells, Circulating ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; blood ; pathology ; surgery ; Vascular Surgical Procedures ; methods