Objective To study the rationality and possibility of 64 slice spiral CT in the examination of the temporal bone at low dose.Methods The same CT technique and temporal bone mode as those for clinical CT were used,two cranium specimens(four ears)were scanned with Somatom Sensation 64-slice spiral CT at different mA(380,300,200,160,120,80),and muhi-planar reformation was performed.The CT dose index at different mA groups were measured by 10 cm pencil ionization chamber and head dose phantom.Four anatomic structures on axial images(subarcuate fossa,tendon of tensor tympani, facial recess,etc),four anatomic structures on coronal images(scute,crista transversa,fenestra cochleae, etc)and six anatomic structures on double oblique images(malleus,incus,stirrup bone,upper bony semicircular,etc)were chosen to evaluate and grade the reformation images among different mA groups,and to determine the minimum mA value.Ten ears of five patients were used to test the validity of the minimum mA value.Results CT radiation dose was significantly reduced from(47.8?2.7)to(20.1?2.0)raCy (P

Metabonomics is a new method to study on the metabolic network and the relationship between body and environment, which conforms to the way of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. In the study process of modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, effectively conjunction with metabonomics method will facilitate the integration of TCM with modern biological science and technology, and promote the modernization of TCM. This paper introduce the application of metabonomics in the research of toxicity mechanism of TCM, compatibility mechanism of TCM formula, pharmacology effect of TCM and processing mechanism of TCM. This paper summarize the problems in the TCM metabonomics research and prospect its bright future.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; analysis ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; trends ; Metabolomics ; methods ; trends

One kind of new cefazolin sodium hydrate crystal was obtained in the isopropyl alcohol - water system. There are two symmetry independent molecules in the asymmetric unit, both being well ordered in the lattice, and ten independent water positions but generally four to six (mean five) water molecules and one sodium ion present in the unit cell structure. Huge solvent tunnels can be found. Again there are two general regions of water molecules, those in the large solvent tunnels and those in proximity of the sodium ion and the tetrazole moieties of the drug molecule. The physical and chemical characteristics of the new cefazolin sodium hydrate crystal are similar to that of the alpha-form cefazolin sodium crystal, and the new crystal has better chemical stability than amorphous cefazolin sodium powder.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Cefazolin ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Drug Stability ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Sodium ; analysis ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of Rho-GDI in the decidual tissues of patients preeclampsia and explore its clinical implication.

METHODSReal-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of Rho-GDI in the decidual tissues from 30 normal women with full-term pregnancy, 30 patients with early-onset severe preeclampsia and 30 with late-onset severe preeclampsia.

RESULTSRho-GDI expression was found mainly on the cell membrane and in the cytoplasm and nuclei of the decidual cells, occasionally occurring in the stroma. Both the mRNA and protein expressions of Rho-GDI in the decidual tissues were significantly higher in the normal pregnancy group than in the two severe preeclampsia groups (P<0.05), and the patients with late-onset severe preeclampsia had the lowest expressions of Rho-GDI.

CONCLUSIONThe lowered expression of Rho-GDI in the deciduas might be involved in the pathogenesis and progression of preeclampsia.

Adult ; Decidua ; metabolism ; Female ; Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Young Adult ; rho-Specific Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitors

To prepare composite phospholipid liposomes containing total alkaloids of Strychnos nux-vomica with hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) and 1, 2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphacholine (DPPC), and compare with normal DPPC thermosensitive liposomes for thermosensitive release property. Total alkaloids were extracted from S. nux-vomica with the impregnation method and further purified. Liposomes containing total alkaloids, thermosensitive liposomes and conventional thermosensitive liposomes without thermosensitive release property were prepared by ammonium sulfate transmembrane gradients and stealth liposome technique. Their encapsulation efficiency (EE), grain size, zeta potential and drug release behavior were compared. Their EEs and zeta potentials were almost identical; but the grain sizes of composite phospholipid liposomes and thermosensitive liposomes were significantly smaller than conventional liposomes. After comparing release behaviors of the three liposomes at 37, 43 degrees C, we found that the release of composite phospholipid liposomes was significantly lower than that of thermosensitive liposomes at 37 degrees C, but higher than that of thermosensitive liposomes at 43 degrees C. Meanwhile, conventional liposomes, with a very high phase-transition temperature, showed only slight release behavior at both temperatures. The study results showed that composite phospholipid liposomes had a better thermosensitive release behavior when the dosage of lysophosphatidic was reduced by 2. 5 times.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Liposomes ; chemistry ; Phospholipids ; chemistry ; Strychnos nux-vomica ; chemistry

BACKGROUND: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), commonly known as bone cement, has been widely used in the orthopedic surgery. It ensures the immediate stability of prosthesis and the minimal micromotion at the cement-bone interface, allowing early weight-bearing after surgery. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biomechanical performance of Sanders type III fracture of the calcaneus by using PMMA bone cement as a treatment. METHODS: Eight adult cadaveric ankle and calcaneus specimens were selected and served as normal controls after detection of biomechanical properties. Another eight specimens were collected and randomized into experimental group and control group to make a model of Sanders type III fracture in the calcaneus. In the experimental group, PMMA bone cement was injected into the defect area. In the control group, the artificial bone was implanted in the defect area and a steel plate was used to fix the lateral calcaneus. Biomechanical properties of the specimens in the experimental and control group were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Strain and stress of the calcaneus: The stress distribution of the calcaneus in the normal control group was consistent with that in the experimental group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The stress of the calcaneus in the experimental group was similar to that in the control group with no significant difference. (2) Displacement and axial stiffness of the calcaneus: Compared with the normal control group, the calcaneal displacement in the experimental group only decreased slightly, and there was no significant difference between the two groups, and likewise, the calcaneal displacement in the control group increased slightly. In the experimental group, the axial compression strength was (21.98±1.88) MPa and the axial compression stiffness was (1 633±150) N/mm. Therefore, there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the normal control group (P > 0.05). (3) Contact strength of the subtalar joint: Fractures basically recovered with good outcomes after PMMA bone cement injection. To conclude, by using PMMA bone cement in the treatment of calcaneus fractures, the scientific validity and clinical utility can be ensured.

The paper is to report the establishment of an HPLC method for determination of the components of bitespiramycin and its products, and to evaluate the components profile of bitespiramycin and its related products. Liquid chromatography combined with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to identify the nine major components of the reference substance of bitespiramycins. The nine components of bitespiramycins and its products have been quantified by HPLC with gradients elution methods. The content of the component of 4"-O-isovalerylspiramycin III was not less than 35%, the content of the components of 4"-O-isovalerylspiramycin (I + II + III) was not less than 60%, and the contents of the nine components of bitespiramycin were not less than 80%, separately. In addition to the components mentioned above, there also exists some other impurities, however, with lower contents. This gradient elution HPLC method reported by this paper is considered to be suitable for the quality control of bitespiramycin.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Quality Control ; Spiramycin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

To explore the roles of regulatory peptides in the process of various anaphylactic inflammation of the airway, we observed the influence of four peptides, i.e., vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), epidermal growth factor (EGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), on the adhesion of eosinophil (EOS) to unstimulated and O(3)-stressed bronchial epithelial cells (BEC). From the experiments we observed that VIP and EGF decreased EOS adherence to O(3)-stressed BEC and downregulated airway inflammation; ET-1 and CGRP increased the adhesion of EOS to BEC in the inflammatory process; and CGRP aggravated O(3)-stressed reactions. The effects of ET-1 and CGRP were inhibited by W(7)and H(7). Anti-ICAM-1 antibody inhibited the adhesion of EOS to BEC, which brings to light that EOS adherence to BEC may be related to the expression of ICAM-1 of BEC.
Animals ; Antibodies ; pharmacology ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; physiology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; physiology ; Female ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; immunology ; physiology ; Male ; Rabbits ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution characteristics and influencing factors of mental workload of teachers in primary schools.

METHODSNational Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was used to assess the mental workload levels for 397 teachers of primary schools in a city.

RESULTSThe mental workload (64.34+10.56) of female teachers was significantly higher than that (61.73+ 9.77) of male teachers (P<0.05). The mental workload (65.66+10.42) of "-35" years old group was the highest. When age of teachers was younger than 35 years old, there was a positive correlation between the mental workload and age (r=0.146, P<0.05). When age of teachers was older than 35 years old, there was a negative correlation between the mental workload and age (r=-0.190, P<0.05). The teachers with higher education level felt higher mental workload (unstandardized coefficients B=1.524, standardized coefficients /=0.111, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the mental workload and working hours per day (unstandardized coefficients B =4.659, standardized coefficients/3 =0.223, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONMental workload of the teachers in primary schools is closely related to age, educational level and work hours per day. Work hours per day is an important risk factor for mental workload. Reducing work hours per day (8 hours) is an effective measure of alleviating the mental workload of teachers in primary schools.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Faculty ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Schools ; Stress, Psychological ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workload ; psychology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic association between the polymorphism of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) family genes and schizophrenia in the North Han Chinese.

METHODSMethod of polymerase chain reaction-based ligase detection reaction (PCR-LDR) was applied to genotype 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cPLA2 family genes among 201 pedigrees consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offsprings with schizophrenia. Haplotype relative risk (HRR) test, transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), haplotype transmission analysis and multiple locus analysis were conducted to analyze the genotyping data.

RESULTSThe genotypic frequency of cPLA2 gene did not deviate from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both case and control groups. HRR and TDT showed that the 10 SNPs were not associated with schizophrenia (P > 0.05). Analysis for haplotype transmission showed that no haplotype systems was associated with schizophrenia (P > 0.05). Results from COA and COG tests showed a disease association for the rs2162886-rs1668589, rs891014-rs1668589 and rs2307279-rs7542180 combinations (chi2 = 6.913, P = 0.032; chi2 = 8.393, P = 0.015; chi2 = 8.447, P = 0.038).

CONCLUSIONMany loci in the cPLA2 family genes were associated with schizophrenic.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Phospholipases A2, Cytosolic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Schizophrenia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Young Adult