Objective To study the decomposition kinetics of omethoate in blood.Methods The acetonitrile precipitated protein was added into the blood, with the chromatographic column of a Waters BEH C18column (2.1 mm×50 mm, 1.7μm), the mobile phase of 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate aqueous solution-methanol, and the gradient elution with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min and injection volume of 2μL.With electrospray ionization (ESI) source and positive ion detection, qualitative and quantitative analyses were taken using multi-reaction monitoring mode.Omethoate standard was added into blank human blood to the mass concentrations of 0.78, 1.40, 2.30, 4.50, and 7.20μg/mL, and each mass concentration was preserved at 3 temperatures of-20℃, 4℃, and 20℃, respectively.The content of omethoate was detected at different time points (0, 1, 3, 4, 7, 11, 15, 24, 32, 40, 48, 64, 80, 96, and 120 d).Results Different concentrations of omethoate all showed a descended trend in human blood under different temperature conditions.The decomposition in storage environment of-20℃, 4℃, and 20℃was fit to a one-compartment open model with a first-order kinetic process, which could be expressed as Ct=Coe-αt, with the calculated theoretical values of omethoate concentration close to the measured values.Conclusion All concentrations of omethoate are decomposed in the blood, which vary a lot in different preservation conditions.It is suggested that blood samples should be frozen and detected timely in suspected omethoate poisoning cases.

Carnosic acid (CA) is the main phenolic diterpenoid active ingredient in plants such as rosemary and sage, and has antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and so on, however, its antiviral activity against influenza virus infections was not reported. In this study, antiviral activities against influenza A virus infections of three main bioactive ingredients from rosemary, including rosmarinic acid, CA and ursolic acid, were evaluated using virus titer titration assay, and CA showed remarkable inhibition on influenza H5N1 replication in A549 cells. The antiviral activity of CA was further confirmed and its mechanism of action was investigated using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantification polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) of CA against influenza H5N1 in A549 cells and MDCK cells were 4.30 and 3.64 μmol·L^-1, respectively. Meanwhile, CA also showed inhibition on influenza virus 2009panH1N1 (EC₅₀: 10.1 μmol·L^-1) and H3N2 (EC₅₀: 12.8 μmol·L^-1) replications in A549 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that antiviral activity of CA is related to its induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in A549 cells and suppression on production of reactive oxygen in H5N1-infected cells.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early outcomes of children with congenital scoliosis treated by one-stage transpedicular hemi-vertebra resection.

METHODSFrom July 2005 to June 2006, 27 consecutive cases of congenital scoliosis managed by one-stage transpedicular hemi-vertebra resection with instrumentation were investigated retrospectively. There were 11 girls and 16 boys, with a mean age of 5.5 years at surgery (range 1.3 - 10.0 years). Location of the hemi-vertebra was in the thoracic spine in 12 cases and in the lumbar spine in 15 cases. Radiographic evaluations were performed on the preoperative, postoperative, and latest follow-up standing posteroanterior and lateral radiographs.

RESULTSThe average operation time was 4 hours (range 3-6 hours), and the mean blood loss during operation was 750 ml (range 300 - 2200 ml). The mean fusion level was 2 to 7 segments, average 4.4 segments. The average follow-up period was 16 months (range 12 - 34 months). Mean Cobb angle of the total main curve was 40.0° before surgery, 12.6° after surgery, and 15.2° at latest follow-up. Mean Cobb angle of the segmental main curve was 35.6° before surgery, 11.6° after surgery, and 12.1° at latest follow-up. The trunk shift was improved from 16.5 mm before operation to that of 7.5 mm after the operation and 7.6 mm at the latest follow-up. Compensatory cranial curve improved from 19.4° before surgery to 8.9° after surgery, and compensatory caudal curve improved from 26.3° to 12.8°. The angle of segmental kyphosis was 26.4° before surgery and 14.6° after surgery in cases with thoracic hemivertebrae, and averaged 11.2° before surgery and 3.9° after surgery in cases with lumbar hemivertebrae. Peri-operative complications included two pedicle screws malpositioning and one case with pelvic tilt. There was no neurological complication.

CONCLUSIONOne-stage transpedicular hemi-vertebra resection with instrumentation has a good capability of correcting deformity on the frontal and sagittal planes, which is available in children with middle or lower thoracic or lumbar hemivertebrae.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; congenital ; surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

We undertook a series of studies to evaluate the role of microenvironment during embryonic stem cell (ESC) proliferation and differentiation. In this paper, cell microencapsulation technology was employed, which allows the free exchange of nutrients, oxygen and biologically active products between the entrapped cell and culture medium. We analyzed the feasibility of mouse ESCs in microcapsules and evaluated the growth, metabolic activity and differentiation of ESCs once enclosed in alginate-Ca(2+) microbead, solid or liquefied core alginate-poly-lysine-alginate (APA) microcapsule, respectively. We found that ESCs grew gradually in both types of microcapsules, but the appearance of cells was distinctive for each type of capsule. In the case of unliquefied microcapsules, cells created multiple spherical or lens-shaped aggregates. In contrast, the liquefied alginate core allowed the enclosed ESCs to grow together in a clump at the periphery of the capsule. Combined with cell viability and activity of glucose/lactic acid metabolism, the liquefied core of APA might provide more suitable culture conditions for the ESC growth in comparison with the unliquefied type or alginate-Ca(2+). For better evaluating the nature of ESC growth in APA microcapsules in vitro (that is whether or not encapsulated ESCs maintained undifferentiated state while they kept the ability for proliferation), the expression of the typical markers for undifferentiated, dividing ESCs, such as the stage specific embryonic antigen (SSEA-1) and alkaline phosphatase (AP), was detected by immunochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that cell aggregates formed in the microcapsule still expressed the marker proteins at a higher level on day 22 in vitro. The expression of gene Oct-4, a transcription factor necessary for maintaining ESCs in an undifferentiated state, was also detected when RT-PCR assay was employed (on day 22 in vitro). In addition, cell aggregates were released from the microcapsules by mechanical disruption and induced into insulin-producing cells. These findings further indicate that most of the ESCs in APA microcapsule maintain their multi-potential even though the culture time prolonged as long as 22 d in vitro. Taken together, APA microcapsule provides a suitable microenvironment that promotes ESCs to maintain their stemness. Therefore, the microenvironment plays an important role in the process of ESC proliferation and differentiation.
Alginates ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Capsules ; pharmacology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Polylysine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Stem Cell Niche ; physiology

PURPOSE: Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychostimulant. It is often adopted as a tool to modulate brain activations in fMRI studies. However, its pharmaceutical effect on task-induced deactivation has not been fully examined in fMRI. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of caffeine on both activation and deactivation under sustained attention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Task fMRI was acquired from 26 caffeine naive healthy volunteers before and after taking caffeine pill (200 mg). RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed an increase in cognition-load dependent task activation but a decrease in load dependent de-activation after caffeine ingestion. Increase of attention and memory task activation and its load-dependence suggest a beneficial effect of caffeine on the brain even though it has no overt behavior improvement. The reduction of deactivation by caffeine and its load-dependence indicate reduced facilitation from task-negative networks. CONCLUSION: Caffeine affects brain activity in a load-dependent manner accompanied by a disassociation between task-positive network and task-negative network.
Brain ; Caffeine* ; Eating* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Memory ; Memory, Short-Term*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms with low bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) girls.

METHODSBlood samples were obtained from 146 AIS girls and 146 healthy girls. Anthropometric parameters of AIS group including age, body height, weight and Cobb angle were all recorded. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to detect and analyze VDR gene distributions of AIS group and control group. BMD of the lumbar spine (L(1)-L(4)) and proximal femur were measured using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in AIS group.

RESULTSThe frequency of Bb genotype was significantly higher in patients than that in controls (P < 0.05). There was no distinction among the lumbar spine and proximal femur BMD of each genotype in AIS group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVDR gene polymorphisms have no association with the low spine lumbar and proximal femur BMD in AIS girls.

Adolescent ; Bone Density ; genetics ; Child ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Scoliosis ; genetics ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine for treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.

METHODSBy using multi-central randomized controlled method, 186 cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture combined with cupping and western medicine group (group A), an acupuncture combined with cupping group (group B) and a western medicine group (group C) and treated continuously for 4 weeks. The treatment of acupuncture combined with cupping was produced by acupuncture at five mental points and moving cupping on the Hechelu of the back, once evrey other day, thrice each week, and the western medicine therapy by oral administration of Amitriptyline, once each day. The scores of McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), the amount of tenderness point and the time of producing effect were compared and the therapeutic effects were assessed with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD).

RESULTSThe cured and markedly effective rate was 65.0% (39/60) in the group A, which was superior to 15.9% (10/63) in the group B and 16.1% (9/56) in the group C (both P < 0.001). After treatment, the scores of MPQ and HAMD and the amount of tenderness point all decreased in the three groups, group A being significantly better than group B and group C, and the time of producing effect in the group A was more earlier than those in the group B and the group C.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of combination of acupuncture, cupping and medicine on fibromyalgia syndrome is superior to that of the simple acupuncture combined with cupping or the simple medicine.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Amitriptyline ; therapeutic use ; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic ; therapeutic use ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Fibromyalgia ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze the misplacement patterns of the pedicle screws in surgical correction of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

METHODSFor this study, 70 consecutive cases of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis treated by posterior instrumented spinal fusion with pedicle screws were investigated from July 2008 to September 2008. Postoperative CT scans were performed in all cases. The patients included 58 girls and 12 boys, with a mean age of 14.5 +/- 2.7 years at surgery (range 12 - 19 years). Pedicle screws were inserted using anatomic landmark with free hand technique. A number of parameters were measured using PacsClient software (PACS) on workstation, which included distances of the penetration of medial, lateral pedicle cortex and anterior vertebral cortex. The distance between edge of aorta and tip of screw should be measured if left pedicle screw penetrated lateral pedicle cortex or anterior vertebral cortex. Misplacement screws with > 2 mm of either pedicular cortex perforation and grievous screws with >4 mm of medial pedicle perforation or contour of aorta were defined. The influencing factors for misplacement screws were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 1030 pedicle screws were inserted, 773 in thoracic pedicle and 257 in lumbar pedicle. There were 108 (10.5%) misplacement screws, 35 of which penetrated lateral pedicle cortex, 56 of which penetrated medial pedicle cortex, 33 of which penetrated vertebral anterior cortex. Misplacement screw rate of apical vertebra, 5 segments above apical vertebra (AV-5s) and 4 segments below apical vertebra (AV + 4s) were higher than other levels. Most of grievous screws were placed in apical vertebra region.

CONCLUSIONSThe risk factors for misplacement screws included Cobb angle > 90 degrees and vertebrae rotation extent up to III-IV. Care should be exercised during pedicle screw instrumentation in the apical region of the main thoracic curve, AV-5s region and AV + 4s region.

Adolescent ; Bone Screws ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Scoliosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; instrumentation ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

The study was aimed to investigate the incidences and risk factors of acute and chronic graft-versus-host diseases (GVHD) and to clarify their effects on relapse and survival of recipients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The clinical data of 100 cases of allo-HSCT were retrospectively analyzed. The incidences and risk factors of aGVHD and cGVHD, relapse and survival were studied. The results showed that 31 cases developed aGVHD of II - IV grade (34.4%) and 14 cases developed aGVHD of III - IV grade (17.7%). HLA matched or mismatched did not show significant difference in the development of aGVHD of II - IV grade (p > 0.05). Previous occurrence of aGVHD was the risk factor for cGVHD (HR = 2.303, p = 0.088). The female was a favorable factor for cGVHD (HR = 0.401, p = 0.055). The relapse rate was lower in patients who developed cGVHD. The development of aGVHD of II - IV grade was the risk factor for overall survival (p < 0.05). The mortality of patients with aGVHD of III - IV grade and mortality of patients with aGVHD of 0 - I grade were 81.0% and 35.7% respectively, there was very significant difference between them (p = 0.000). In conclusion, till now GVHD and graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect can not be separated. The positive effect of GVL could be counteracted by GVHD-related mortality. It is necessary to prevent and control the development of severe aGVHD. The development of local cGVHD may be beneficial to the long-term disease-free survival of patients after allo-HSCT.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; etiology ; mortality ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; adverse effects ; mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment of primary amyloidosis with high-dose melphalan and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to further examine the survival, hematologic response, and improvement of amyloid-related organ dysfunction.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of 20 patients with primary amyloidosis treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The status of major organ function before transplantation, mobilization programs and conditioning regimen as possible risk factors for survival were also investigated.

RESULTSOf 20 cases, 11 out of 15 evaluable cases achieved hematologic response, among them, 6 got complete remission (CR, 40%) and 5 partial remission (PR, 33%). The median onset time was 3.0 months (1.5 - 4.0 months) and 4 months (3 - 5 months), respectively after transplantation. The overall hematologic response was 73%. The 11 hematologic responders also had kidney responses. The median time to achieve kidney response was 3 months (2 - 6 months). The 3-year overall survival of the cohort of cases was 71.4%. The major causes of death were heart failure, renal dysfunction and gastrointestinal bleeding. G-CSF alone could obtain satisfactory mobilization results and most of patients well tolerated to the conditioning regimen of melphalan doses from 140 mg/m(2) to 200 mg/m(2).

CONCLUSIONTreatment of primary amyloidosis with high-dose melphalan followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation produced high efficacy. The cardiovascular system involvement, renal dysfunction and the abnormality of coagulation function before transplantation may be the risk factors for survival.

Adult ; Aged ; Amyloidosis ; drug therapy ; mortality ; surgery ; Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; physiopathology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Melphalan ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome