A novel method for the determination of metallic elements in environmental samples was developed based on the matrix-assisted plasma surface sampling atomic emission spectrometry ( AES system) . A piece of filter paper was used as sample substrate. By direct interaction of the plasma tail plume with the filter paper surface, the filter paper absorbed energy from the plasma source and released combustion heating to the analytes originally present on its surface, thus to promote the atomization and excitation process. Surface sampling was performed in both cases of liquid and solid state analytes. Therefore, no flow injection system was required and sample pretreatment process was simplified. The proposed method provides several advantages, including fast analysis speed ( about 240 samples/h ) , little sample consumption (μL or μg level) , simplicity in instrument design, and also ease of system operation. These advantages made it attractive as a potential miniaturized AES system for in situ and high-throughput elemental analyses. Quantitative analysis of metal ions were achieved in this study for elements Ag, Au, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Eu, La, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr and Y. Under optimal conditions, the LOD values of the 13 elements ranged from 1. 0 to 88 μg/L. The repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation ( RSD) from 10 replicates, ranged from 2. 3% to 6. 8%. To validate the proposed method, the system was employed to determine metal elements in standard reference materials of environmental samples. The content of each element was well in agreement with the certified values.

Objective To study whether the mechanism of mifepristone in treating adenomyosis is suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1(MMP-9/TIMP-1). Methods Thirty-five patients in the mifepristone treated group(19 cases of adenomyosis) and the control group(16 cases of adenomyosis,non-drug treated) underwent hysterectomy.Endometrium was looked as eutopic endometrium and adenomyosis as ectopic endometrium.Expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in eutopic and ectopic endometrium were measured by immunohistochemical techniques. Results The ectopic endometrium of the mifepristone treated group expressed lower level of MMP-9,higher level of TIMP-1 and lower ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 than the ectopic endometrium of the control group(P

China ; Developed Countries ; Insurance, Health ; Occupational Health

ObjectiveTo observe and quantify the effec ts of respiration on hemodynamics in patients with pericardial effusion (PE) and to verify our new proposed hypothesis about the mechanism of respiratory effects on cardiac function from clinical point of view. MethodsPulsed-wave Doppler spectra of the four cardiac valves were recorded with Acuson Sequoia 512 and 128 XP/10 in 10 patients with PE and 18 healthy control subjects with no apparent cardiac and pulmonary abnormalities. Electrocardiogram and respiratory tracing by a nasal thermistor were recorded simultaneously with the echocardiograms. The blood flow velocities of each valve during inspiration and expiration were averaged separately and those were again averaged for 5 consecutive respiratory cycles, and the respiratory variation indices (RVI) were calculated both in the patients and the control groups. ResultsThe peak E velocity across the mitral valve and that across the aortic valve significantly increased during expiration and decreased during inspiration, while that across the tricuspid valve and that across the pulmonary valve increased remarkably during inspiration and decreased during expiration in all of the subjects. The RVI of the velocities across the mitral and the aortic valves increased significantly in the patients with PE compared with the control subjects [MV: ( 14.57 ? 7.89 )% vs ( 9.71 ? 3.39 )%, P

0.05). Conclusions Ultrasound contrast agent Levovist improves signal of blood flow obviously. It increases the diagnostic accuracy for intracranial aneurysms and the level of confidence.

Objective To observe characteristic imaging of traumatic arteriovenous fistulas(TAVF) and to evaluate the methods of differential diagnosis of TAVF by Doppler ultrasonography. Methods Eleven patients suffering from TAVF were selected to have the examination of Doppler ultrasonography. The blood flow of arteriovenous fistulas, diameter, morphology and blood flow character of affected vessels were observed. Spectral of fistula and affected vessels were analyzed and compared with the healthy side. Results Localization of arteriovenous fistulas was observed directly in eight patients, which presented as intercepted wall of the affected vessels and irregular mosaic flashes flowing towards enlarged vein from artery. Pulsed wave Doppler showed unilateral continuant spectral with maximum velocity 300-390 cm/s when sampled in the fistula. Spectral analysis of proximal arteries of the fistula revealed high velocity and low resistance. Arterialized flow pattern was observed in affected veins. Proximal veins of the fistula revealed arterialized spectral with high velocity and low resistance. Reversed centrifugal blood flow was observed in the distal veins of the fistulas in 4 cases. Conclusions Unilateral shunt in both diastole and systole in the fistula and arterialized flow with high velocity in veins are characteristic presentation of TAVF. Color Doppler ultrasonography has great value in confirming diagnosis and differential diagnosis of TAVF.

Abstract: A new selaginellin derivative named as selaginellin S (1) was isolated from the whole plants of Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim. (Selaginellaceae), together with a known one (selaginellin M, 2). Compounds 1 and 2 were separated and purified by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis including IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as ECD calculations. Compound 1 is a key intermidiant in the biosynthesis pathway of selaginellins. Compound 2 is first reported in this plant.

Currently, medical ultrasound teaching focuses on the delivering the image infor-mation itself, while its connection with basic medicine and clinical medicine is neglected. Such a teaching method is not good for students to establish a systemic view. To conduct the ultrasound medi-cine education effectively in undergraduate students, we have tried some reforms, including: perform-ing diseases or problem based teaching, integrating basic medicine, ultrasound medicine and clinical medicine throughout the whole teaching process, providing as many practice opportunities as possible for the graduates and integrating the ultrasound imaging with other medical imaging modalities. The practice shows that with the reform, the students have a better understanding of ultrasonic knowledge itself, a better grasp of the whole medical knowledge structure, and also have a preliminary impression on how to diagnose the disease through reasonable application of different treatments. In addition, students have more passion for study.

Objective To compare the effect of dopamine and norepinephrine in the treatment of shock and the effect on renal function.Methods 100 shock patients were randomly divided into norepinephrine group and dopamine group,50 cases in each group.On the basis of other anti-shock treatment,norepinephrine or dopamine was used in group A and group B.The mortality of the 7th day and urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine values (CRE) 12h,72h after treatment were observed.Results There was no significant difference between two groups in the 7th day mortality (x2 =0.765,P ＞ 0.05).However,the proportion of arrhythmia in dopamine group was 34％,which was significantly higher than the norepinephrine group(16％) (x2 =3.84,P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the BUN and CRE levels in both two groups recovered,the norepinephrine group recovered better than the dopamine group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Norepinephrine and dopamine in the treatment of shock has similar clinical effect,but norepinephrine is more effective in the improvement of renal function compared with dopamine.