Hydrolytic amino acids were extracted by acid hydrolysis method, then derivatized with phenyl isothiocyanate (PITC). And the samples were analysed by HPLC on an Ultimate Prime C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column with gradient elution of 0.1 mol x L(-1) sodium acetate buffer solution (adjusted to pH 6. 5)-acetonitrile (93:7) (A) and acetonitrile-water (8:2) (B) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). Column temperature was 40 degrees C and the detected wavelength was 254 nm. Amino acids derivative solution remained stable in 36 hours. The response was linear for 16 amino acids with a correlation coefficient r > 0.999 5. The average recoveries were 98.01% -101.8%. The method is reliable with good accuracy and repeatability, which is useful for the determination of amino acids in Galli Gigerii Endothelium Corneum.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; Animals ; Chickens ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Reverse-Phase ; Endothelium ; chemistry ; Gizzard, Avian ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo study whether Chinese Medicine Yiqihuoxuetang(YQHXT) could inhibit antisperm antibodies in infertile men, and to explore the therapeutical mechanism of YQHXT.

METHODSThirty infertile men with antisperm antibodies took YQHXT continuously for 60 days. Indirect immuno-fluorescence technique (IFT) was used to detect the levels of CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD4/CD8 ratio before and after treatment.

RESULTSCD4 value and CD4/CD8 ratio after treatment were significantly lower than before treatment (P < 0.05); CD8 value became significantly higher(P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicated that YQHXT could inhibit antisperm antibodies by keeping the balance of T-lymphocyte subpopulation in immunoinfertile men.

Adult ; Autoantibodies ; immunology ; CD4-CD8 Ratio ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of necrostatin (Nec-1) on apoptosis induced by aluminum (Al), and approach the mechanism.

METHODSNeural cell death model was made by 4 mmol/L Al treated neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). Cell viabilities were detected at different concentrations of Al and/or Nec-1. Hoechst 33342/PI double staining was used to observe apoptosis and (or) necrosis that were quantified by flow cytometry using Annexin V/PI double staining. Apoptotic pathway was tested by activities of Caspase-3, Caspase-8 and Caspase-9. In addition, the expression of NF-kappa B and Cyt-c was measured by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTSCell viabilities were significantly decreased with the increasing concentrations of Al (P < 0.05), which could be significantly upregulated by 60 micromol/L Nec-1 (P < 0.05) and were correlated with the concentrations of Nec-1 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Apoptosis and necrosis were observed under fluorescent microscope and quantified by flow cytometry, which suggested an increasing trend of apoptotic and necrotic rates (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Whereas, Nec-1 could not only decrease the necrotic rate but also apoptotic rate as well (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Data of Nec-1 on caspases activities showed that Nec-1 could not affect Caspase-9 activity (P > 0.05) and Cty-c protein expression as well (P > 0.05). However, Nec-1 could reduce Caspase-8 activity significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and increase NF-kappa B protein expression (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and finally decrease Caspase-3 activity (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNec-1 could reduce cell apoptosis induced by Al, through Caspase-8 pathway, and up-regulate the expression of NF-kappa B protein.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neuroblastoma

Objective To establish a method performance verification project and experimental method for the clinical chemiluminescence immunoassay.Methods Referring to CLSI evaluation protocols and pertinent literature,and by combining our actual works,we designed a verification procedure and experimental method.By Using these above,the precision,accuracy,analytical sensitivity,analytical measurement range,clinical reportable range and biotic interval of AFP on the Bayer Centaur 240 chemiluminescence immunoassay system were verificated.Results would be compared with the declaration of the manufacturer or desirable specifications derived from biologic variation.Results The results showed that the between-day inaccuracy on AFP levels at 77.4 ng/ml and 168.0 ng/ml was 5.70% and 4.84% respectively,these were consistent with manufacturer's inaccuracy claimed.The relative bias between the results measured for calibrator at four levels and target value was less 5.0%,and the relative bias between the results measured for EQA control sample at five levels and target value was-3.4% to 11.9%.Lower limit of detection was 1.04 ng/ml,lower slightly manufacturer's analytical sensitivity claimed.Biologic limit of detection was 2.65 ng/ml-3.53 ng/ml,functional sensitivity was 3.53 ng/ml.Analytical measurement range was 3.53-912.00 ng/ml,within manufacturer's liner range claimed.Clinical reportable range was 3.53-182 400.00 ng/ml.Reference interval was 0.6-7.7 ng/ml,within manufacturer' s claimed.Conclusions The main performances of the detection system are accorded with the declaration of the manufacturer.The performance verification procedure and experimental method of our research ars simple and practical,which has important significations for building medical laboratory and laboratory accreditation, improving quality of the chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Fatigue is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined the relationship between T2DM fatigue and the skeletal muscle 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) system. In animal experiments, a T2DM model was established in mice by feeding a high-fat diet with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The mice were treated with the 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist sarpogrelate hydrochloride (SH) and the 5-HT synthesis inhibitor carbidopa (CDP) (separately and in combination). In cell culture experiments, C2C12 cells were stimulated with D-glucose, palmitic acid or 5-HT. 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation were inhibited by SH, CDP, or monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor. The animal experiments were in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of China Pharmaceutical University. The results showed that 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthase and MAO-A were expressed in mouse skeletal muscle and C2C12 cells. The expression of these proteins was significantly up-regulated in T2DM mice or when C2C12 cells were exposed to palmitic acid and D-glucose; palmitic acid was a stronger stimulant of their expression than D-glucose. Rotating rod experiments and biochemical index tests have shown that T2DM fatigue is associated with an increase in skeletal muscle 5-HT_2AR, 5-HT synthesis and 5-HT degradation. 5-HT_2AR mediates the expression of MAO-A and the synthesis of 5-HT, which indirectly regulates the degradation of 5-HT. MAO-A regulates cell inflammation, mitochondrial ROS production and membrane potential depolarization by mediating 5-HT degradation. MAO-A also inhibits the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC-1), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1) and ATP synthase-6 (ATP6), thus inhibiting mitochondrial functions such as fatty acid β oxidation and ATP synthesis. SH and CDP can effectively treat T2DM fatigue, and can also reduce blood glucose and blood lipid, and the combination of SH and CDP has a clear synergistic effect.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on capability of learning and memory and the content of amino acid neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats.

METHODSThirty-two healthy, male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups according to their weights after intubated into ventricles: the solvent control group, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L groups. 10 microl of B[a]P olive oil solutions, of different concentrations 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/L, were injected into rats' lateral ventricles, respectively. Rats in the solvent control group were injected into the same volume of olive oil as that in B[a]P group. Rats' capability of learning and memory was tested by Morris water maze. The content of amino acid neurotransmitters in rats' hippocampus were determined by high performance liquid chromatogram with a fluorescence detector.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the performances of learning and memory of rats decreased significantly in B[a]P treated groups (P<0.01). Levels of glutamate (Glu) were lower significantly in treated groups than that in controls (P<0.01). No significant differences were found in contents of aspartic acid (Asp), glycine (Gly) and aminobutyric acid (GABA) among the four groups.

CONCLUSIONB[a]P can damage rats' spatial learning and memory, and which could be related to decreased contents of excitatory amino acids in hippocampus.

Amino Acids ; metabolism ; Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDPopulation based epidemiologic study on the main diseases and birth status of liveborn neonates remains scarce in China, especially in rural areas where a large number of neonates are born. The aim of this study was to establish an epidemiological basis of live births in Julu County, a representative of the northern and mid-western parts of China in terms of demography, disease pattern and women and children's health care infrastructure.

METHODSThe perinatal data of all live births were prospectively collected in three participating county-level hospitals from September 1, 2007 to August 30, 2008.

RESULTSThere were 5822 live births in these hospitals. Among all live births, 53.7% were male and 4.5% were born prematurely. Mean (SD) birth weight (BW) was (3348 ± 503) g. The low (< 2500 g) and very low BW (< 1500 g) infants accounted for 3.8% and 0.5% of the total births, with 6.5% as small for gestational age and 2.8% as multi-births. Cesarean section rate was 30.2%, of which 68.6% were elective. There were 745 infants (12.8% of the live births) admitted to local neonatal wards within 7 days of postnatal life, in which 48.3% and 19.3% were due to perinatal asphyxia and prematurity, respectively. The incidences of perinatal aspiration syndrome, transient tachypnea and respiratory distress syndrome were 4.9%, 0.6% and 0.5%, respectively. Neonatal mortality was 7.6‰ (44/5822), with 16 in delivery room and 28 in neonatal ward before discharge.

CONCLUSIONSThis study provided a population-based perinatal data of live births and neonatal mortality in a northern China county with limited resources. Neonatal disorders related to perinatal asphyxia remain a serious clinical problem, which calls for sustained education of advanced neonatal resuscitation and improvement in the quality of perinatal-neonatal care.

Asphyxia Neonatorum ; epidemiology ; Birth Weight ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant Mortality ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Newborn, Diseases ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; epidemiology ; therapy

Objective To study the electric shock protection requirements of in vitro diagnostic equipment and to help manufacturers understand the relevant requirements in order to design products reasonably. Methods The requirements of IEC 61010-1:2010 were analyzed, the electric shock protection measures were explored, and the principles for protecting ground impedance against electric shock were described. An example was taken to study the electric shock protection measures for the sampling needle of the automatic bio-chemical analyzer, so that the existence of electric shock hazard could be determined. Results The sampling needle proved its rationality in structure design by avoiding the risk for being electriferous in case of failed basic insulation, although the requirements for protective earthing, double insulation or reinforced insulation were not met efficiently. Conclusion The requirements for electric shock protection can be determined based on comprehensive understanding of the standard, determination of electriferous components of the equipment as well as analysis on electric shock protection measures.

Adult ; Carrier State ; drug therapy ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; complications ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Secondary Prevention

OBJECTIVETo improve clinicians' ability of diagnosing testicular torsion.

METHODSWe reviewed the data of a case of testicular torsion that resulted in necrosis because of delayed presentation and repeated misdiagnosis, and analyzed its anatomic features, clinical manifestations, ultrasound results, the causes of misdiagnosis and relevant literature.

RESULTSThe patient presented 5 hours after the onset of symptoms, complaining of severe paroxysmal pain in the lower left abdomen, accompanied with nausea and vomiting, and was twice misdiagnosed as having enterospasm or ureteral calculus at two different hospitals. Fifteen hours later, surgical exploration revealed an about 900-degree testicular torsion in the spermatic cord, which necessitated orchiectomy for non viability of the testis. Postoperative pathological examination confirmed testicular necrosis and diffused hemorrhage in the testis and epididymis.

CONCLUSIONTimely presentation, correct diagnosis and proper treatment are keys to saving the affected testis. Color Doppler ultrasound is an ideal option for the definite diagnosis of acute scrotal diseases, and it offers a valuable guidance for related surgery as well.

Adult ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Male ; Necrosis ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; diagnosis ; Testis ; pathology