Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Maple Syrup Urine Disease ; diagnosis ; therapy

AlM: To analyze personality traits in preoperative patients who undergolaser in situ keratomileusis ( LASlK) and to provide psychological basis for the selection of refractive surgery.
METHODS: Eligible patientswere seeking customized LASlK (group A n=53), conventional LASlK(group B n=75)and non-operation patients with ametropia (group C n=71 ) , who completed 16 personality factor questionnaires (16PF). Statistical analyses were performed with one-way ANOVA by SPSS11. 0 software package.
RESULTS: Compared to group C, patients in group A scored high on dominance and tension levels, and low on emotional stability level(P<0. 05), while patients in group B were more venturesome and more experimenting, but were less vigilant ( P<0. 05 ). Additionally, there were statistical differences between group A and group B on dominance, gallantry and vigilance respectively(P<0. 05). CONCLUSlON: The data indicates that personality profiles of LASlK patients with refractive error influence their decision for correction. Patients need suitable psychological assessment before surgery who actively chose customized LASlK seem to be more assertive and suspicious.

In order to obtain the fungicides with minimal impact on efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis, the effect of five fungicides including polyoxins, jinggangmycins, thiophanate methylate, chlorothalonil and carbendazim on the growth of medicinal plant and efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis were studied. Pot cultured Glycyrrhiza uralensis was treated with different fungicides with the concentration that commonly used in the field. 60 d after treated with fungicides, infection rate, infection density, biomass indexes, photosyn- thetic index and the content of active component were measured. Experimental results showed that carbendazim had the strongest inhibition on mycorrhizal symbiosis effect. Carbendazim significantly inhibited the mycorrhizal infection rate, significantly suppressed the actual photosynthetic efficiency of G. uralensis and the most indicators of biomass. Polyoxins showed the lowest inhibiting affection. Polyoxins had no significant effect on mycorrhizal infection rate, the actual photosynthetic efficiency of G. uralensis and the most indicators of biomass. The other three fungicides also had an inhibitory effect on efficiency of mycorrhizal symbiosis, and the inhibition degrees were all between polyoxins's and carbendazim's. The author considered that fungicide's inhibition degree on mycorrhizal effect might be related with the species of fungicides, so the author suggested that the farmer should try to choose bio-fungicides like polyoxins.
Fungi ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Fungicides, Industrial ; pharmacology ; Glycyrrhiza uralensis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; microbiology ; physiology ; Mycorrhizae ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Symbiosis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo probe into a better therapy for primary trigeminal neuralgia.

METHODSEighty-six cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 46) and a control group (n = 40). The observation group were treated with the three-combination needling method, i. e. acupuncture, acupoint-injection and fire-needle therapy, and the control group with acupuncture and acupoint-injection. After treatment of 2 courses, their therapeutic effects were assessed.

RESULTSThe total effective rate of 93.5% and the cured rate of 60.9% in the observation group were better than 65.0% and 22.5% in the control group, with significant differences (both P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe three-combination needling method has obvious clinical therapeutic effect on primary trigeminal neuralgia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trigeminal Neuralgia ; diagnosis ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of cis-combretastatin-A1 phosphate (cis-CA1P) on tumor cell proliferation, and its effects on the blood vessel formations.

METHODSMTT and IC50 values were used to assess the inhibitory effects of cis-CA1P on tumor cell proliferation. Chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane and thoracic aorta annulations isolated from rats were used to investigate the effects of cis-CAIP on the blood vessel formation.

RESULTSCis-CA1P concentration-dependently inhibited the proliferations of several cancer cell lines, including human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC-803, human leukemic monocyte lymphoma cell line U937, human melanoma cell line A375, human colon cancer cell line HCT116, human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-231, and human leukemia cell line K562. Cis-CAIP significantly decreased the formation of blood vessels in chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane and in thoracic aorta annulations.

CONCLUSIONCis-CA1P inhibits cancer cell proliferation and prevents blood vessel formation.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chick Embryo ; Chorioallantoic Membrane ; blood supply ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; prevention & control ; Phosphates ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Stilbenes ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of two kinds of anti-cancer bioactive peptide (ACBP) on proliferation and cell cycle in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma strain CNE.

METHODSCell culture was used in vitro, CNE cells were exposed to different concentration ACBP, in all groups, contrast groups were set up. And 24, 48, 72 hours later, growth characteristics of CNE cells were studied by morphological observation and MTT assay . Cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM).

RESULTSIn normal contrast group, CNE cells grew intensively and contacted with each other. However, cells which were treated with ACBP were inhibitory greatly in higher dose ACBP group, necrosis could be found. MTT assay showed that ACBP inhibited growth of CNE cell. FCM showed that ACBP (20.0 microg/ml) could raise cell ratio of S phase and induce apoptosis of CNE cells. CNE cells were treated by two kind of ACBP (5.0 microg/ml) for 24 h, FCM showed that early apoptosis rate were (11.8 +/- 0.3)% and (8.1 +/- 0.2)% respectively, which showed statistical significance in comparison with control group (t = 42.535, 47.300 respectively, P = 0.000). Under light microscope, some sings of cell apoptosis including coagulation of chromatin, fragmentation of nuclei and apoptotic body could be found.

CONCLUSIONSTwo kinds of ACBP inhibited human nasopharyngeal carcinoma strain CNE proliferation and arrested the cells to S phase, also induced the cells to apoptosis. Nasopharyngeal neoplasms;

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Peptides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEGas-containing encephalo-meningitis is very rare. There have only been a few cases reported in the literature. The majority of neonatal cases reported in literature died. We report a case of a 5-day-old neonate who developed diffuse pneumocephalus from Enterobacter cloacae septicemia and intracranial infection.

METHODThis neonate was initially treated with penicillin and mezlocillin. He also received phototherapy, intravenous infusion, correction of acidosis and other supportive therapy. Complete blood count, C-Reactive protein, cranial CT scan, blood culture, cerebrospinal fluid culture and biochemistry were tested repeatedly.

RESULTSThis neonate's condition deteriorated after admission. He developed respiratory distress, increased muscle tone and decreased level of consciousness. His WBC and C-reactive protein were elevated, while blood gas, electrolytes, liver enzymes and renal function were within normal range initially. Cranial CT scan was done which demonstrated diffuse pneumocephalus. He was transferred to a higher level hospital for further management at the request of the family. Blood culture done in our hospital subsequently showed growth of Enterobacter cloacae. The infant developed seizures and further deterioration in level of consciousness after transfer. Antibiotics were switched to penicillin and ceftizoxime. Cranial CT scan repeated 2 days after transfer showed hydrocephalus and some resolution of pneumocephalus. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was aspirated from the lateral ventricles two weeks after admission. CSF culture also showed growth of Enterobacter cloacae. Antibiotic was switched to imipenem according to antibiotic sensitivity. His general condition was improved. Blood and CSF cultures were negative 1 month after admission. His head circumference at discharge was 34.6 cm. Repeat cranial CT scan at 4 month of age demonstrated severe hydrocephalus, diffuse leukomalacia and calcification. This infant suffered significant neurodevelopmental deficit. Muscle tone was diffusely increased. Head circumference at 9 month of age was 48.4 cm.

CONCLUSIONThis case suggests the importance of Enterobacter cloacae infection in the newborns. Our analysis of 34 cases of Enterobacter cloacae infection showed that 93.75% - 100% were sensitive to quinolones, 94.12% were sensitive to imipenem, 73.33% were sensitive to gentamicin, 50% were sensitive to piperacillin-tazobactam. Enterobacter cloacae is generally not sensitive to penicillin, first and second generation cephalosporins (0 - 21.4%). Enterobacter cloacae septicemia and intracranial infection in neonates have a high mortality rate and can result in severe neurodevelopmental deficit in survivors.

Enterobacter cloacae ; Enterobacteriaceae Infections ; pathology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis ; microbiology ; Pneumocephalus ; microbiology

AIMTo establish chromatographic fingerprint of Carthamus tinctorius L. by RP-HPLC in order to control the quality of Carthamus tinctorius L.

METHODSThe gradient elution mode was applied in chromatographic separation, and data were analysed by "Computer Aided Similarity Evaluation" software to compare the quality of Carthamus tinctorius L. samples from different habitats.

RESULTSSamples from different habitats were of high similarity, though a few samples showed evident difference in fingerprint graphics.

CONCLUSIONThe RP-HPLC fingerprint method is repeatable, feasible in analysis of Carthamus tinctorius L. and can be used in quality assessment of Carthamus tinctorius L. Chemical components in Carthamus tinctorius L. samples from various habitats are similar, and their ratios between each other are stable.

Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chalcone ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Quinones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

Factor VII Deficiency ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pedigree ; Phenotype

BACKGROUNDThis meta-analysis was to determine the association of the cumulative dose of 130/0.4 or 0.42 (hydroxyethyl starch [HES] 130/0.4*) or delta daily fluid balance (i.e., daily fluid balance in HES group over or below control group) with the heterogeneity of risk ratio (RR) for mortality in randomized control trials (RCTs).

METHODSThree databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane) were searched to identify prospective RCTs reporting mortality in adult patients with sepsis to compare HES130/0.4* with crystalloids or albumin. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects. Sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were used to examine the heterogeneity sources of RR for mortality.

RESULTSA total number of 4408 patients from 11 RCTs were included. The pooled RR showed no significant difference for overall mortality in patients with administration of HES130/0.4* compared with treatment of control fluids (RR: 1.02, 95% confidence interval: 0.90-1.17; P = 0.73). Heterogeneity was moderate across recruited trials (I2 = 34%, P = 0.13). But, a significant variation was demonstrated in subgroup with crystalloids as control fluids (I2 = 42%, P < 0.1). Sensitivity analysis revealed that trials with high risk of bias did not significantly impact the pooled estimates for mortality. Meta-regression analysis also did not determine a dose-effect relationship of HES130/0.4* with mortality (P = 0.298), but suggested daily delta fluid balance being likely associated with mortality in septic patients receiving HES130/130/0.4* (P = 0.079).

CONCLUSIONSInappropriate daily positive fluid balance was likely an important source of heterogeneity in these trials reporting HES130/0.4* associated with excess mortality in septic patients.

Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sepsis ; mortality ; therapy