A novel nucleic acid amplification method,termed loop-mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP),which amplifies DNA with high specificity,efficiency,and rapidity under isothermal conditions,may be a valuable tool for the rapid detection of infectious diseases.This method employs a DNA polymerase that have activity of strand displacement DNA synthesis and a set of four specially designed primers that recognize a total of six distinct sequences on the target DNA.LAMP can amplify a few copies of DNA to 109 in less than an hour.The final products are stem-loop DNA with several inverted repeats of the target and cauliflower-like structures with multiple loops.A positive reaction would be shown as a ladder-like pattern in a gel electrophoresis analysis.Because of the advantage,the LAMP method will be widely applied to research of nucleic acid,clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases and detection of genetically modified organisms etc.

Objective To explore the relationships between cognitive emotion regulation and behavioral inhibition system(BIS)/behavioral activation system (BAS) of adolescents.Methods Seven hundreds forty-two adolescents were tested by Behavioral Inhibition/Activation System Scale(BIS/BAS Scale) and Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire Chinese version (CERQ-C).Results (1) Maladaptive emotion regulation,such as selfblame,rumination,catastrophizing and blame others were positively corrected with BIS (r =0.13 ～ 0.38,P ＜0.01).But adaptive ER had no significantly correlations with BIS (r =-0.05,P ＞ 0.05).Maladaptive emotion regulation was positively correlated with BAS (r =0.24,P ＜ 0.01),and adaptive emotion regulation was negatively correlated with BAS(r =-0.028,P＜ 0.01).(2)Except acceptance,BIS/BAS had significant effect on the other eight cognitive emotion regulation(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion BIS/BAS are closely related with cognitive emotion regulation,and have important influences on selection of adolescents'cognitive emotion regulation.

INTRODUCTIONCommunication between patients and physicians is crucial in the disclosure of cancer diagnosis. Although westernisation of Asian societies has resulted in increased awareness of patient autonomy, the family continues to play an important influencing role in the disclosure process. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to characterise the experience of physicians with the disclosure of cancer diagnosis in a westernised Asian population.

METHODSOncologists at a tertiary hospital were approached to participate in this study. Information pertaining to the extent and approach to disclosure was collated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to characterise factors pertaining to the willingness of physicians to fully disclose a diagnosis of cancer.

RESULTSIn all, 25 oncologists (mean age 38 years; 72% men) responded to the survey. A majority of oncologists disclosed a cancer diagnosis directly to the patient over the first few visits. The main reason behind partial or non-disclosure was family objection. Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that family resistance was the only significant predictor of reluctance to disclose a cancer diagnosis (p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIn this pilot study, contrary to previous reports, we found that oncologists were more likely to disclose a diagnosis of cancer to the patient first, that they do not accede fully to the family's request for non-disclosure and that family resistance was the only significant predictor of reluctance to disclose a diagnosis of cancer.

Adult ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Cross-Cultural Comparison ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Oncology ; ethics ; Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; psychology ; Physician-Patient Relations ; ethics ; Singapore ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Truth Disclosure ; ethics

OBJECTIVE:To optimize the decolorization condition for polysaccharide extract of Mongolian medicine Vicia amoena,and to establish the method for its extraction and content determination. METHODS:The water extract-alcohol precipita-tion was used to extract polysaccharide from Mongolian medicine V. amoena. Using decolorization rate as index,orthogonal test was designed to investigate the effects of the dosage of activated carbon,decolorization temperature,decolorization time on the de-colorization of polysaccharide,so as to optimize the conditions for the decoloration of polysaccharide. Using glucose as control, phenol sulfuric acid method was adopted,and the content of polysaccharide in crude polysaccharide was determined by UV spectro-photometry at 490 nm. RESULTS:The optimal decoloration condition was as follows as actived carbon of 3%,decoloration time of 40 min,decoloration temperature of 60 ℃. On this basis,the average decolorization rate reached 19.77%(RSD=1.85%,n=3) by the verification test of the decoloration. The average extraction yield for the crude polysaccharide was 4.56%(RSD=2.38%,n=3),of which the polysaccharide content was 1.98%(RSD=2.18%,n=4). CONCLUSIONS:This experiment has relatively good reproducibility in polysaccharide yield;established method for content determination of polysaccharide is stable and feasible.

Objective To explore the causes and treatment of repeated vulvovaginitis in girlhood in order to improve its prevention and treatment.Methods Fifty-one girls with repeated vulvovaginitis(age≤10 years)admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from Jan.1990 to Nov.2004 were reviewed retrospectively.Results We found 28 girls(55%)suffering from non-specific vulvovaginitis and 14 ones(27%)suffering from posterior recto-vaginal fistula with in 51 patients.Five girls(10%)were smitten with vulval ulcer and 3 ones(6%)had been were found with vaginal foreign bodies.One girl(2%) was smitten with adhesion of labia minora.The vaginal discharges taken from 21 girls were cultured. Seventeen cases found bacteria.The positive rate of bacteria culture in the 21 cases reached 81%,in which, E.coli accounted for 5 cases(24%),staphylococcus and streptococcus accounted for 3 cases(14%) respectively.Patients suffered from non-specific vulvovaginitis and vulval ulcer accepted external lotion, antibiotic ointment or combining with antibiotics.Patients suffered from posterior recto-vaginal fistula accepted fistulectomy.Three girls who found vaginal foreign bodies took out of foreign bodies by hysteroscopo.Fifty-one girls all were cured after appropriate therapy.Conclusions Vulvovaginitis is the most common gynecologic diagnosis in girlhood.The principal cause of repeated invasion is non-specific vulvovaginitis and the secondly one is posterior recto-vaginal fistula.It need overhaul during the diagnosis.It is very availability to use hysteroscopy and do bacteria culture+antibiotic sensitivity test for repeated pediatric vulvovaginitis.

Objective To explore the effects of modified tubo-uterine implantations performed on women with proximal tubal occlusive infertility after femal sterilization with mucilago phenol.Methods Two hundred and eight infertile women who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between 1986 and 2004 were included.They all accepted modified tubo-uterine implantation after occlusion of fallopian tubes with mucilago phenol.Results It was found that the occlusions were all located in the interstitial portion or isthmic portion of the fallopian tubes.Different degrees of pelvic adhesions were found in 65 cases.Fifty-seven cases were slightly adhesive,seven cases were of moderate degree and one case was severe.One hundred and ninety-nine cases were followed up after operations(95.7%).One hundred and ninety-three women accepted hydrotubation in the following month just after the operation and 185 women were found to be unobstructed(95.8%).One hundred and forty-three women became pregnant, the pregnant rate being 71.9%(143/199).One hundred and twenty-five women had term deliveries (87.4%),three women were in early pregnancy and two in midtrimester pregnancy.Eleven women had spontaneous abortion(7.7%).Two women had tubal pregnancy(1.0%).None of the 199 cases had any signs of endometriosis.Conelusions Modified tubo-uterine implantations are quite effective for proximal tubal occlusive infertility.It may be a favorable method for such kind of tubal occlusions.

20 normal full term newborns have been fed with 15% concentration of Maeil Drymilk G for 7 days at the department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Hospital. Feeding results was obtained as follows. 1. General condition was good. They lost approximately 2% of their birth weight during the 1st day and were beginning to regain birth weight on the 4th days of age. (Fig.2) Feeding amounts were increased day by day and were sufficient. (Fig.3) 2. During the first week, they usually passed 2.8~5.5 stools per day. (Fig.4) Yellow stlools were appeared at the 5th days of his age. 95% of stools was the normal consistency and 5% was loose stool. 3. Calories and protein requirements were sufficient, but mean values of water requirement between 2nd and 6th days of age was 1.39ml/cal and it was slightly less than Recommended Dietary Allowance. (Fig.5) 4. Urine concentrations between 78 and 350mOsm/L have been observed. Mean value was 167mOsm/L. (Fig.6) 5. Stool pH between 4.9 and 6.85 have been observed. Mean value was 6.85. (Fig. 6) 6. Total protein, A/G ratio, blood glucose, BUN, Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, WBC and platelet count have been observed within normal range (Fig.6) 7. Mean values of electrolytes were as follows; Na: 142mEq/L, K:5.4mEq/L, Cl:108mEq/L, Ca:9.0mg/dl, P:7.6mg/dl. Na and K closely approximates lowest level of normal range, and P closely approxim-ates highest level of normal range (Fig. 6).
Birth Weight ; Blood Glucose ; Electrolytes ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant, Newborn* ; Pediatrics ; Platelet Count ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Reference Values ; Seoul ; Water

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious and fatal disease of sheep and goats. PPR virus (PPRV) infection induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated unfolded protein response (UPR). The activation of UPR signaling pathways and their impact on apoptosis and virus replication remains controversial. Objectives: To investigate the role of PPRV-induced ER stress and the IRE1-XBP1 and IRE1-JNK pathways and their impact on apoptosis and virus replication. Methods: The cell viability and virus replication were assessed by 3-(4,5-Dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assay, immunofluorescence assay, and Western blot. The expression of ER stress biomarker GRP78, IRE1, and its downstream molecules, PPRV-N protein, and apoptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) and STF-083010 were respectively used to inhibit ER stress and IRE1 signaling pathway. Results: The expression of GRP78, IRE1α, p-IRE1α, XBP1s, JNK, p-JNK, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax and PPRV-N were significantly up-regulated in PPRV-infected cells, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly down-regulated. Due to 4-PBA treatment, the expression of GRP78, p-IRE1α, XBP1s, p-JNK, caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, and PPRV-N were significantly downregulated, the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly up-regulated. Moreover, in PPRV-infected cells, the expression of p-IRE1α, p-JNK, Bax, and PPRV-N was significantly decreased, and the expression of Bcl-2 was increased in the presence of STF-083010. Conclusions PPRV infection induces ER stress and IRE1 activation, resulting in apoptosis and enhancement of virus replication through IRE1-XBP1s and IRE1-JNK pathways.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the sonographic findings of plantar fasciitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both feet of 30patients(mean age, 44years) in whom plantar fasciitis had been clinically diagnosed, and those of healthyvolunteers(mean age, 34years) were evaluated with ultrasound(US) using a 7.0MHz linear array transducer. Heel painwas unilateral in 26 patients and bilateral in four. Sagittal sonograms were obtained in the prone position, andthe thickness of the plantar fascia was measured at its proximal end near its insertion into the calcaneus. Wealso evaluated hypoechoic fascia, perifascial fluid collection, fiber rupture, calcaneal spur and calcifications. RESULTS: Plantar fascia thickness was significantly greater in the heels of patients with plantarfasciitis(3.2-8mm; mean, 5.1 +/-1.12) than in their asymptomatic heels(1.3-5mm; mean, 3.5 +/-0.78)(p<0.0001), inwhich it was similar to that of heels of patients in the control group(1.8-5mm; mean, 3.0 +/-0.71)(p<0.0001). Theproximal plantar fascia was hypoechoic in 31 symptomatic heels(91.2%), in four asymptomatic heels(15.4%), and innone of the patients in the control group. Calcaneal spurs were identified in sixteen symptomatic heels(47.1%),and in two which were asymptomatic(7.7%). Perifascial fluid collection was identified in only two symptomaticheels(5.9%). CONCLUSION: In plantar fasciitis, sonography demonstrates that the fascia is thicker as well ashypoechic. For the clinical diagnosis of planter fasciitis, US can therefore be used as an adjunct to clinicaldiagnosis.
Calcaneus ; Diagnosis ; Fascia ; Fasciitis ; Fasciitis, Plantar* ; Foot ; Heel ; Heel Spur ; Humans ; Prone Position ; Rupture ; Transducers ; Ultrasonography*