Objective To study changes of?-glutamyltransferase(GGT)and its isoenzyme in urine and renal cortex of rats with subacute cadmium exposure.Methods Sixty healthy SD male rats were chosen and divided randomly into control group,middle dose group and high dose group,which were orally dosed daily with feed containing0,5and10mg cadmium per kg for six weeks.The activities of GGT and its isoenzyme in urine and renal cortex of the rats were determined in the3rd and6th week respectively.Re sults During the whole experimental period,the body weights and kidney to body weight ratios of control group,middle dose group and high dose group showed no significant differences.The GGT activities of middle dose group and high dose group increased significantly with the prolongation of exposure to cadmium and the increase of cumulative exposure compared with those in the control group.Unusual bands of GGT isoenzyme in the urine and renal cortex homogenate were found in the3rd week and the incidence of unusual bands of GGT isoenzyme was100percent in the6th week in the cadmium-treated rats of middle dose group and high dose group.Con clusion The GGT activities and the unusual bands of GGT isoen-zymes in the urine and renal cortex could be used as sensitive indexes to identify the renal toxic effects induced by cadmium.

Objective To analyze the ultrasonic features of thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) and the causes of misdiagnosis. Methods The ultrasonic features including shape, margin, echogenecity, microcalcification, vascularity and lymphadenopathy were analyzed retrospectively in 26 pathologically-proven TMC patients. Results In 26 cases, 11 cases were diagnosed correctly before operation (11/26, 42.31%), 12 cases were misdiagnosed (12/26, 46.15%) as adenoma or benign nodule, and 3 cases were missed diagnosed (3/26, 11.54%). Among the 23 cases detected on ultrasound, 21 cases were solid and hypoechoic (21/23, 91.30%);19 cases were ill-defined (19/23, 82.61%);12 cases were taller than wide in shape (12/23, 52.17%); 14 cases had microcalcification (14/23, 60.87%); 7 cases showed central or peripheral blood flow signals (7/23,30.43%) with arterial resistance index>0.70 in 3 lesions and<0.70 in 4 lesions. Conclusions Several ultrasonographic features are helpful in identiifcation of TMC, including hypo/iso-echogenecity, ill-deifned margin, taller-than-wide shape, microcalciifcation, arterial signals with high resistance index, and abnormal lymphadenopathy. Moreover, for cases with multiple lesions, to the potential co-existence of benign and malignant lesions should be considered.

OBJECTIVETo study the preparation of phenols gastric floating tablet.

METHODThe tablets which were prepared using Eudragit IV, HPMC(K4M), MCC101 and Octadecanol as excipients were evaluated by vitro floatation and releasing performance. The pressure of preparationg was also study to select the optimal preparation.

RESULTThe tablets were successfully prepared in which the drug, Eudragit IV, Octadecanol were 31% respectively,and MCC101 was 7%. And 3-4 kg was found to be the eligible pressure.

CONCLUSIONThe study was found to be effective in the process of phenols gastric floating tablet.

Drug Carriers ; Excipients ; chemistry ; Gastrointestinal Agents ; chemistry ; Phenols ; chemistry ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; chemistry ; Tablets ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Stable isotope dilution mass spectrometry(ID-MS)is a quantitative method for determining the content of unlabeled compounds with stable isotope labeled compounds as internal standard. Stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(ID-LC-MS)has the advantages of high sensitivity, no quantitative separation of the analytes, and effective elimination of the biological matrices. The method has been widely used in quantitative analysis of biomarkers, drugs and their metabolites. In this paper, the mechanism and characteristics of ID-LC-MS are briefly introduced, and its medical applications are summarized.

Adult ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; Dimethylformamide ; adverse effects ; Formamides ; analysis ; Humans ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; physiopathology ; urine ; Kidney Function Tests ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Liver Diseases ; physiopathology ; urine ; Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of blood activating wind dissipating acupuncture (BAWDA) on blood pressure (BP) of prehypertension (PHT) patients.

METHODSTotally 60 PHT patients were assigned to the control group and the acupuncture group according to random digit table, 30 in each group. All patients were intervened by life style. BAWDA was additionally performed in patients in the acupuncture group for 6 weeks (30 times). The improvement of BP after intervened by acupuncture was observed. BP success rates and the proportion of PHT progressing to hypertension (HT) were also observed after 6-week intervention of acupuncture and at 1-year follow-up.

RESULTSSystolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased after 6-week intervention in the acupuncture. The BP control rate was 56.7% (17/30 cases) in the acupuncture group vs.10.0% (3/30 cases) in the control group with statistical difference (chi2 = 14.70, P < 0.01). At 1-year follow-up BP success rate was 36.7% (11/30 cases) in the acupuncture group, remarkably higher than that of the control group [13.3%, (4/30 cases)] (chi2 = 4.36, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBAWDA showed BP regulating roles in a gradually stable decreasing tendency. It also could elevate BP success rate of PHT, and reduce the risk of PHT progressing to HT.

Acupuncture ; methods ; Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Prehypertension ; therapy ; Wind

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution features of tender points in knee of patients with knee osteoarthritis in order to provide evidences for the treatment and diagnosis.

METHODSFrom November 2011 to December 2012,86 patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited, including 21 males and 65 females, ranging in age from 45 to 85 years old, with an average of (59.98 +/- 8.23) years old. The course of disease ranged from 3 months to 15 years. The tender points and its distributions were determined by finger press carefully on their knees. Data of studying was analyzed by frequency statistics and Hierachical cluster analysis.

RESULTSThe distribution of tender points in the knee osteoarthritis was mainly in the interior region and anterior area such as in apex of patella, adductor tubercle and et al. According to the results of hierachical cluster analysis, the tender points could be divided into two categories the first cluster was in the interior region of knee, the second cluster was in the lateral region.

CONCLUSIONThe findings demonstrated that cluster analysis statistical method can be used for classification of the distribution of tender points. The distribution features of tender points in knee osteoarthritis are related to the anatomic site in knee.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cluster Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; complications ; Pain ; complications

OBJECTIVETo explore the normal aerification of paranasal sinuses in Chinese children with magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODSTwo hundred and eighty Chinese children aged from 17 days to 14 years without any symptoms related to sinusitis were statistically analyzed in MRI features, including counting the number of paranasal sinus pneumatization and the maximum axial and sagittal area of the left maxillary.

RESULTSThe pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 85% in children aged from 0 to 1 years. Until 3 years the pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus was 95% and there was no significant difference in boys and girls (χ(2) = 0.741, P = 0.389). The pneumatization rate of maxillary sinus reached 100% after 4 years old. The pneumatization rate of ethmoid sinus was 100% in this study. The pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus was 0 within 1 year old, 49% within 4 years old and 100% after 7 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of sphenoid sinus (χ(2) = 2.452, P = 0.117). The pneumatization rate of frontal sinus was 0 within 5 years old, 62% within 9 years old and 95% after 10 years old. There was no significant difference in boys and girls on the pneumatization rate of frontal sinus (χ(2) = 0.124, P = 0.724). The axial and sagittal maximum area of maxillary sinus was (689.28 ± 221.79) and (659.76 ± 263.31) mm(2) in girls and (668.13 ± 206.38) and (638.60 ± 207.67) mm(2) in boys. The differences were significant (t = -19.78, P < 0.001; t = -19.89, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe study of the development and normal aerification of paranasal sinuses of children can help radiologist make correct diagnosis of paranasal sinuses in children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paranasal Sinuses ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma on visual evoked potential (VEP).

METHODSVEP of 63 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were tested before, at the end of, half a year, one year, 2 years and 3 years after their radiotherapy.

RESULTSWithin the male group, one year after radiotherapy, the latency of VEP was significantly delayed than that before and at the end of radiotherapy, while the amplitude was decreased significantly. Two years after radiotherapy, the latency of VEP was significantly delayed more than that before radiotherapy. However there was no significant difference among VEP at the end of, half a year and 3 years after radiotherapy. Within the female group, 2 years after radiotherapy, the latency of VEP was significantly delayed than that before radiotherapy. Three years after radiotherapy, the latency of VEP was significantly delayed than that before, at the end of, half a year and one year after radiotherapy. There was no significant difference in VEP amplitudes before and after radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONWithin the male group, the abnormal delay of VEP latency mostly happens one or two years after radiotherapy. Within the female group, the significant delay of VEP latency happens at the end of radiotherapy and lasts for 3 years, while the VEP amplitude does not change significantly during the 3 years after radiotherapy. The result indicates that the sustained radiation damage within the female visual nerve system starts at the end of radiotherapy, but to a lesser degree. It was shown that radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma certainly damages the visual nerve system, though there is sex difference in the impairment.

Adult ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; radiation effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute cerebral inflammatory damage and the therapeutic effect of ginkgolide B (BN52021).

METHODSThirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10 for each group): Control group, Model group and Treatment group (treated with BN52021). LPS were injected into the fourth ventricle of rat to make a neuroinflammatory murine model. Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and memory ability of rats; changes of synapse number and subcellular ultrastructures were observed under a transmission electron microscope; OX-42 positive microglia in the brain was detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSThe average escape latency in the Treatment group were significantly shortened than that in the Model group; and the percentage of swimming distance traveled in platform quadrant accounting for total distance increased markedly. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes in the Treatment group were more than that in the Model group, but the number of synapses seemed to have no obvious change. The number of OX-42 positive microglia in the Treatment group decreased markedly than that in the Model group, and the grey density of OX-42-positive cells increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONLPS can induce inflammatory damages to the brain, but the damage could be antagonized by BN52021. Platelet activating factor receptor antagonist may offer an effective therapy for neurodegeneration diseases.

Animals ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Ginkgolides ; therapeutic use ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Immunohistochemistry ; Inflammation ; chemically induced ; pathology ; prevention & control ; Lactones ; therapeutic use ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Microglia ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Neurons ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Platelet Activating Factor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; antagonists & inhibitors