Objective To evaluate the predictive value of plasma levels of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1(VEGFR-1,also known as sFlt-1) in second-trimester for preeclampsia.Methods One hundred and forty-six pregnant women with normal blood pressure previously were prospectively included in the study.Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained between 20 and 26 gestational weeks.Plasma levels of sFh-1 were measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay.Results (1) Among 146 previously normotensive women,12 developed preeclampsia (preeclampsia group), 134 remained normal pregnant till the end (normal group).(2) The plasma levels of sFh-1 in preeclampsia group [(4135?699)ng/L] was significantly higher than that in normal group[(1490?1033)ng/L](P

13C metabolic flux analysis(13CMFA)have been the research hotspots of metabolic engineering internationally due to its accuracy and applicability.It is vital that the measurement of 13C labelling pattern of proteinogenic amino acids for 13C metabolic flux analysis.To acquire 13C-labelling proteinogenic amino acids,Pseudomonas denitrifican which products Vitamin B12 was firstly fed with mimimal culture medium contained 20% U-13C and 80% natural glucose,after the culture reached a steady state,then about 20 mg biomass was hydrolyzed by 1 ml of 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid for 24h at 110℃.Then amino acids was separated,concentrated,evaporated in a vacuum,and derivatized with MBDSTFA,TBDMS-derivatized amino acids can be observed by GC-MS last we get 13C labelling pattern of fifteen aminio acids through mass spectrum.The experimental methods and sample preparation offers referential value for the development of 13C metabolic flux analysis in our courtry.

The index system of comparative advantages was constructed for the pharmaceutical manufacturing in-dustry in different provinces , municipalities directly under the Central Government , and autonomous regions ac-cording to the integrated comparative advantage theory .The integrated comparative advantages in different provinces , municipalities directly under the Central Government , and autonomous regions were scored by principal component analysis and qualitatively analyzed by clustering analysis to reveal their spatial distribution , thus providing the deci-sion-making support for the policy makers, manufacturers, investors and staff of pharmaceutical manufacturing in-dustry.

Objective To introduce the mini-open anterior correction under video assisted thoracosco- py for thoracic idiopathic scoliosis and report its clinical results.Methods From July 2001 to 2006,37 ca- ses of right thoracic idiopathic seoliosis were surgically corrected with mini-open anterior instrumentation. There were 4 males and 33 females with average age of 14.1 years and average Cobb angle of 56?.Fourteen cases with Lenke I A 14 cases,IB ++-++++ 14 cases,IC 9 cases.The Risser sign was ++-++++. The operative time,blood loss,instrumented levels,correction rate and loss of correction were analyzed. Results The operative time averaged 220 miu.The intraoperative blood loss averaged 320 ml.The average number of instrumented levels was 7.8.The postoperative Cobb angle was 16.8?on average with correction rate of 70%.With a follow-up of 18-36 months,the loss of correction averaged 4.6%,but no hardware complications.Conclusion The clinical results of mini-open anterior correction under thoracoscopy for tho- racic idiopathic scoliosis were satisfactory.It may minimize the complications of classical thoracotomic anterior correcion and mav reduce the high requirement for anesthesia,long operative time and high cost of thoraco- scopic anterior instrumentation.

This article introduces the definition, classification, premarket admission and other administering specialities about In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents in the U.S.A. and China. And by analyzing manufacture and administration of In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents in our country, It is pointed out that a suitable administering model in accordance with the characteristics of In-Vitro Diagnostic Reagents should be adopted to perfect the administration.
China ; Device Approval ; Indicators and Reagents ; classification ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reagent Kits, Diagnostic ; classification ; standards ; United States ; United States Food and Drug Administration

Objective　In a RCT study, the safety and efficacy of sabot (a slow-release salbuteral) and volmax (controlled-release salbuterol) were compared in bronchial asthma. Methods　40 patients with moderate to severe asthma were randomly divided into two groups and treated by sabot or volmax for 2 weeks. The FEV1%, peak expiratory flow (PEF), symptom score and use of rescue ventolin were measured to evaluate the effect of treatment. Results　After treatment FEV1%, PEF and symptom score improved and the need for inhaling short-acting beta 2-agonis in both groups reduced significantly. There was no difference of these improvement between two groups. Conclusion　The safety and efficacy of sabot for treatment of asthma was similar to volmax.

OBJECTIVETo observe whether electroacupuncture (EA) at Zusanli (ST 36) reduces endotoxin-induced hepatic injury in rats and to explore the mechanism.

METHODSForty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, a endotoxin group, an EA group, a normal group and a non-acupoint group. Hepatic injury rat model was prepared by injection of endotoxin (5 mg/kg) into the caudal vein, the normal group received the injection of the equal amount of saline; for the EA group, EA (2-100 Hz, 2 mA, 1.5 h) was given at "Zusanli" (ST 36) half an hour after modeling, and for the non-acupoint group, acupuncture was given at the point 5 mm lateral to and 5 mm below "Zusanli" (ST 36), and other treatments were as same as those in the EA group.

RESULTSInjection of endotoxin into the caudal vein could significantly increase TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity (P<0.01), which were decreased by EA (P<0.01) and were not significantly changed in the non-acupoint group (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal increases of TNF-alpha content in the liver and plasma ALT activity induced by endotoxin can be decreased by EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36), protecting the organ, and the mechanism is possibly related with the decrease of TNF-alpha content in the liver.

Acupuncture Points ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Endotoxins ; toxicity ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical importance of titanium mesh cage (TMC) in anterior instrumentation for scoliosis.

METHODSThirty-six consecutive patients with thoracolumbar/lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis were treated with anterior derotation and instrumentation using autologous bone grafting and TMC for interbody fusion. The average age of patients was 17 years (ranged from 14 to 22 years), in which 5 cases were male and 31 cases were female.

RESULTSThe coronal Cobb angle before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery, and 13 months at the follow-up was measured as 56 degrees , 15 degrees , and 18 degrees respectively, while the thoracic kyphosis from T(5) to T(12) was 30 degrees , 33 degrees , and 37 degrees respectively, and the lumbar lordosis from L(1) to S(1) was 46 degrees , 56 degrees , 51 degrees . There were no death, infection, implant failures or collapse of intervertebral space. Intraoperative injury of lacteal occurred in one patient, but no postoperative complications happened. One of two patients who had pleural effusion was managed with close drainage. Exudative pleurisy occurred in one patient, the sympathectomy effect occurred in three patients who presented asymmetry of skin temperature and resolved in short term.

CONCLUSIONSCoronal and sagittal alignment can be well corrected and maintained with TMC in anterior scoliosis surgery, collapse of intervertebral space and lumbar kyphosis can be prevented.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Titanium

OBJECTIVETo analyze thoracic complications related to the convex thoracoplasty for the treatment of rib hump deformity in patients with thoracic scoliosis.

METHODSBetween December 2003 and September 2007, 548 patients with thoracic scoliosis underwent posterior spinal correction and the convex thoracoplasty. There were 167 male and 381 female, with an average age of 16.1 years (range, 12 to 38 years). The mean preoperative rib prominence was 35 degrees (range, 16 degrees to 50 degrees).

RESULTSThe mean number of resected ribs was 4.1. The mean rib prominence was 7 degrees (range 2 degrees to 17 degrees) after operation. No death happened. Thoracic complications related to the thoracoplasty consisted of respiratory insufficiency in 1 (0.2%) patient,intraoperative tear of parietal pleura in 29 (5.3%), with a subsequent pleural effusion in 6 and pneumothorax in 3. In the other patients, no obvious tear of parietal pleura was found during operation. However, 6 (1.1%) patients had pleural effusion after operati on.

CONCLUSIONThe thoracic complications related to convex thoracoplasty can be decreased by improving the surgical skill and using respiratory function monitoring.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; surgery ; Thoracoplasty ; adverse effects

AIMClinical studies stated that low molecular weight compounds (< 1.0 kd) extracted from the new born calf liver could effectively inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. In this report, we observed inhibition effects and their regulative mechanisms of taurine, ornithine, carnosine on the proliferation of HL-60 cells.

METHODSThree active ingredients, i.e., taurine, ornithine and carnosine were separated by ion-exchange chromatographic column and identified from the low molecular weight filtrate of new born calf liver. MTT assay was used to test the survival rate of HL-60 cells and normal lymphocytes treated by the three ingredients. The various effects of the three compounds on HL-60 cells were respectively evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis, ESR and immunohistochemical methods.

RESULTSThese compounds effectively inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells and induced apoptosis which was determined by apoptotic changes in morphology and nuclear DNA degradation. Whereas no inhibition effects on normal lymphocytes were observed. In addition, the results of ESR showed that the activity of oxygen radical within HL-60 cells treated with there compounds decreased to trace level. Furthermore, in the immunohistochemical experiments, we found that the level of p45/skp2 in HL-60 cells decreased while the level of p27/kip increased.

CONCLUSIONThe taurine, ornithine and carnosine compounds can selectively suppress tumor cells proliferation by regulating the level of cell cycle proteins.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carnosine ; pharmacology ; Cattle ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Liver ; chemistry ; Ornithine ; pharmacology ; Taurine ; pharmacology