Objective To investigate the oxidative stress caused by tri-n-butyltin (TBT) in mice. Methods 24 male NIH mice were chosen and the different doses of TBT were given per os for 24 h acute toxic test, meanwhile set the control group of 0.9% sodium chloride and 13% ethanol. The TOSC of heart, brain, lung, liver and kidney homogenates were detected by gas chromatography. Results After 24 h TBT exposure, TOSC of all viscera tissues was increased and this change was significant in the heart and brain, in every dose level, compared with the control (P

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical-pathological features, diagnosis and therapy of gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT) misdiagnosed as ectopic pregnancy. MethodsFrom 1999 to 2003, a total of 13 patients with GTT misdiagnosed as ectopic pregnancy were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe main symptoms were amenorrhea, abdominal pain, irregular vaginal bleeding. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotrop in(hCG) was measured in 10 patients. Eight had hCG values above 10 000 IU/L; 3 had hCG values above 50 000 IU/L. The lesions of GTT misdiagnosed as ectopic pregnancy were fallopian tube, horn of uterus, peritoneal cavity, greater omentum, recto-uterine pouch. According to standards of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO) the 13 patients were categorized as 6 of stage Ⅰ, 2 of stage Ⅱ, 3 of stage Ⅲ and 5 of stage Ⅳ. Histologically they included 10 cases of choriocarcinoma and 3 of invasise mole. All patients were treated by complete surgical resection combined with subsequent adjuvant chemotherapy. ConclusionsMisdiagnosis leads to delay in therapy with resultant increased morbidity of GTT.Analysis on serial hCG is helpful to differential diagnosis between ectopic pregnancy and GTT.

Objective To assess the differences in delineation of organs at risk (OAR) and dosimetry between junior and senior physicians during intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to evaluate the role of specific training in reducing the differences.Methods Sixteen patients newly diagnosed with NPC were selected in the study.The OAR was delineated separately by three junior physicians and three senior physicians,and the geometric and dosimetric differences were assessed relative to the reference OAR.Delineation was performed again for the two OARs with the biggest difference after specific training in the two groups of physicians,and the differences were evaluated again.The difference was determined by paired t test.Results The maximum dose differences (Dmax) of OAR in the junior and senior physicians were (2.33 ± 12.06) ％ (-48.06％-137.82％) and (0.09 ± 4.72) ％ (-49.54％-42.96％),respectively (P =0.039),and the difference in the optic chiasm was the greatest ((5.85 ± 19.63) ％ ∶ (1.36 ± 4.64) ％,P =0.042).The mean dose differences (Dmean) of OAR in the junior and senior physicians were (3.10 ± 8.07)％ (-46.76％-59.76％) and (-0.93 ± 2.03) ％ (-45.54％-35.69％),respectively (P =0.021),and the difference in the parotid gland was the greatest ((13.23 ± 13.39) ％ ∶ (3.20 ± 6.71) ％,P =0.002).In the secondary delineation after training,the Dmax of the optic chiasm in the junior and senior physicians was (1.68 ± 3.34)％ and (1.50 ± 1.87) ％,respectively (P =0.841),and the difference in junior physicians was reduced significantly compared with before training ((1.68 ± 3.34) ％ ∶ (5.85 ± 19.63) ％,P =0.048) ; the Dmean of the parotid gland in the junior and senior physicians was (2.46 ± 3.06) ％ and (1.35 ± 3.00) ％,respectively (P =0.2 7 4),significantly reduced compared with before training ((2.46 ± 3.0 6) ％ ∶ (13.23 ± 13.39)％,P=0.002; (1.35 ± 3.00)％ ∶ (3.20 ± 6.71) ％,P =0.033).Conclusions The differences in delineation of OAR lead to dose uncertainties during IMRT for NPC,and specific training can improve the accuracy of delineation.

Objective To compare genomic expression differences between androgenic complete hydatidiform mole (AnCHM) and normal first trimester villi with similar gestation weeks,and search for potential adjuvant diagnostic molecular markers.Methods Short tandem repeat (STR) detection was used to identify AnCHM,human oligonucleotide array U133 Plus 2.0 was used to measure genomic expression differences between AnCHM and normal villi,and quantitative fluorescent RT-PCR was used to verify array of several genes.Results Nine of 11 histologically diagnosed complete hydatidiform moles were found to be AnCHM by means of STR,and the other 2 were biparental complete hydatidifonn mole (BiCHM). Compared with villi,oligonueleotide array showed 279 genes (0.72%,279/38 500) were over expressed and 1710 genes (4.44%,1710/38 500) under expressed in AnCHM.Bioinformatics analysis found that differentially expressed genes were involved in multiple biological processes and pathways.Changes of imprinting genes,growth hormone genes and chorionie somatomammotropin hormone genes were especially remarkable.Conclusions Pathogenesis of AnCHM is a complex process involving multiple genes and pathways.Altered expression of imprint genes may play important roles in the process.

Objective To establish a specific fluorescence quantitative method for determining the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor3(TLR3)in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs).Methods Using the Beacon Designer 2.1 software,specific primers and Taqman-MGB probe were designed.The plasmid pMD18-T-TLR3 was constructed as calibrator and the amplified fragment was obtained by reverse- transcript-PCR(RT-PCR).RNA quantification based on cycle threshold values(Ct)was used to establish the standard curve.According to which,the TLR3 mRNA levels in 30 normal individuals,20 patients with primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)and 20 ones with chronic liver cirrhosis induced by HBV were calculated automatically by software after the fluorescence of PCR product was detected continuously during amplification.Results The linear detection range of the assay for TLR3 gene and ?-actin was 10~2-10~8(r= -0.9974)and 10~3～10~8(r=-0.9984),respectively.The coefficient of variation of both intra-and inter- assay reproducibility for high concentration sample were 6.7% and 8.7%,respectively,and those for low concentration sample were 12.3% and 14.0%.The TLR3 mRNA expression level ranges from 3.46?10~2- 4.51?10~3 copies/?g RNA,4.92?10~2-1.42?10~4 copies/?g RNA and 2.58?10~2-7.17?10~3 copies/?g RNA for 30 healthy individuals,20 PBC patients and 20 ones with chronic liver cirrhosis induced by HBV, respectively.Conclusion We have successfully set up a FQ-RT-PCR method for detecting TLR3 mRNA, which may be used as an excellent tool for the clinic and basic study on the expression of TLR3 gene.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and accuracy of length measurement of in vivo teeth by using cone beam CT (CBCT).

METHODSBefore orthodontic extraction, 109 vital premolars from 40 participants were scanned by using CBCT and reconstructed by using InVivoDental software. Buccal-lingual sectional images along the long axis of teeth were then acquired, and the crown, root, and tooth length were measured separately. After careful extraction and fixation, the corresponding length of the same tooth was measured by using a digital caliper. CBCT measurement accuracy was then verified by using physical measurements as reference.

RESULTSCBCT and the physical method did not obtain significantly different measurements of the root, crown, and tooth length of experimental teeth (P=0.790, P=0.621, P=0.657, respectively), and the measurements were found to be consistent. The 95% limits of agreement of root, crown, and tooth length were -1.10 mm to 1.13 mm, -1.00 mm to 0.96 mm, and -1.00 mm to 1.05 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe difference between CBCT and the physical method was not significant, and good consistency was shown. CBCT could be applied in noninvasive measurement of in vivo teeth.

Five compounds, huyouyisu (1), vomifoliol (2), isoferulic acid (3), 1,2,3-trihydroxyphenol (4) and p-hydroxy-phenol (5), were isolated from the peels of Citrus changshan-huyou Y. B. Chang for the first time by utilizing repeated column chromatography on silica gel. Among them, huyouyisu (1) is a new compound. The structure was elucidated by using 1D and 2D spectra.
Butanols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Cinnamates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Cyclohexanones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Phenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

A FAST (fluorescence of advanced Maillard products and Soluble Tryptophan) method for identification of reconstituted milk made from skim milk powder in the fresh milk was developed. Considering milk and skim milk powders variations from different seasons and countries, milk was collected from different dairy farms in different seasons and skim milk powders were collected from different countries to measure the Tryptophan (Trp), advanced Maillard products (AMP) fluorescence values. The results showed that there were differences (P<0.01) between raw and reconstituted milk. The plot of values in each mixed level of raw and reconstituted milk had a correlation coefficient >0.97. The FAST method is a simple, rapid, low-cost and sensitive method enabling the detection of 5% reconstituted milk in fresh milk. The measurement of the Trp, AMP fluorescence values and calculation of the FAST index is a suitable method for large-scale monitoring of fresh milk samples.
Animals ; Cattle ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Food Contamination ; prevention & control ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; analysis ; Maillard Reaction ; Milk ; chemistry ; classification ; Powders ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods ; Tryptophan ; analysis

Objective Electrical and structural remodeling are of importance for the occurrence and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. We observed association between atrial connexin protein expression and fibrosis in a canine model of prolonged rapid atrial pacing. Methods "J"-type electrodes were placed in the right atrial appendage under the guidance of X-ray in 16 dogs, Animals in model group ( n = 8) received fast pacing (400 beats/min ) for 10 weeks while animals in control group (n =8) maintained at sinus rhythm.Limb-lead ECGs were recorded at 2,4,6,8 weeks respectively. Burst stimulation was applied to induce atrial fibrillation in all animals after 10 weeks, animals were sacrificed thereafter and the left atrial tissues were taken for myocardial collagen measurement ( Masson staining) and myocardial ultrastructure examination and detection of protein expression of connexin ( Cx ) 40 and 45 ( immune staining). Procollagen type Ⅲ N-terminal peptide and type Ⅳ collagen in serum were also detected by radioimmunoassay. Results Two dogs died in model group due to atrial rupture induced cardiac tamponade or lung emboli. Spontaneously atrial fibrillation was not observed in all animals, but two dogs developed atrial flutter and atrial premature beats. Atrial fibrillation was induced by burst stimulation in 4 out of 6 dogs in model group and in none of the dogs in control group. Atrial myocardial collagen volume fraction was significantly increased in model group compared with the control group (P ＜ 0. 05). Ultrastructure examination in atrial tissue evidenced disorder,fracture,collagen fiber proliferation, mitochondrial swelling, blurred cristae, and intercalated disc distortion,expansion, part of gap junction disappears in model group. The serum levels of procollagen type Ⅲ N-terminal peptide and type Ⅳ collagen in model group were significantly higher than in the control group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The protein expression of Cx40 in atrial myocardium in model group was significantly higher than in control group (P ＜ 0. 05 ), while Cx45 protein expression was similar between two groups (P ＞0. 05). The left atrial CVF was positively correlated with Cx40 ( r = 0. 671, P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion Increased myocardial fibrosis is positively correlated with upregulation of myocardial Cx40 protein expression in left atrium in rapid atrial paced canine.

The growth characteristics and ginsenosides isolation of the suspension-cultured crown gall of Panax quinquefolium were studied. The result showed that the maximum biomass of cultures was 18.6 g/L (dry weight) and the content of ginsenosides reached its maximum level of 620.4 mg/L on the 27th day. The utilization rates of sugar, phosphorus, nitrogen in NH4+ and nitrogen in NO3- were 91.8%, 100%, 81% and 97%, respectively. Four compounds were isolated from the suspension-cultured crown gall and their structures were elucidated as pseudoginsenoside F11 (I), ginsenoside Rd (II), ginsenoside Rb1 (llI) and ginsenoside Rb3 (IV).
Culture Media ; Culture Techniques ; methods ; Ginsenosides ; biosynthesis ; isolation & purification ; Panax ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; metabolism