Neurological Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

In recent years， the incidence of neurological diseases has been increasing year by year. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of neurological disorders， identify the breakthrough point of integrating TCM with western medicine， and further standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TCM， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized neurologists in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion on the neurological diseases responding specifically to TCM and integrated TCM and western medicine， such as stroke， headache， vertigo， multiple sclerosis， and epilepsy， aiming to formulate a well-recognized and integrated treatment protocol for TCM and western medicine and improve the efficacy of neurological disorders. Furthermore， the treatment suggestions of the corresponding diseases in TCM and western medicine were proposed to provide references for clinical practice and scientific research.

Upper urinary tract stone compositions: the role of age and gender

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the compositions of upper urinary tract stones and investigate their distributions in different gender and age groups. Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with upper urinary tract stone disease between December 2014 and March 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Patient's age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, stone event characteristics, and compositions were collected, and proportions of stone components in different gender and age groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 1532 stone analyses were performed (992 from males and 540 from females). The mean age was younger in males (p <0.001). Males included more cases with larger BMI, hyperuricemia, and obesity, while females had more urinary tract infections. Multiple components were present in 61.8% of stones. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) (67.0%) was the most common component, followed by uric acid (UA) (11.8%), infection stone (11.4%), calcium phosphate (CaP) (8.0%), cystine (1.1%), brushite (0.4%), and 2, 8-dihydroxyadenine (0.2%). Men contributed with more CaOx stones than women at age 30-49 years (all p <0.01) and more UA stones at 30-59 years (all p <0.05). Women contributed with more infection stones than men in age groups 30-49 and 60-69 years (all p <0.05), and more CaP stones at 30-49 years. The prevalence peak was 50-59 years in men and 60-69 years in women. Both genders had the lowest prevalence in adolescence. Prevalence of UA stones increased while that of infection stones decreased with aging in both genders. Conclusions: Age and sex had a strong association with distribution of stone compositions in this Chinese cohort.

Relationship of gender and age on thyroid hormone parameters in a large Chinese population

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to present the impact of age and gender on thyroid hormone levels in a large Chinese population with sufficient iodine intake. Subjects and methods A total of 83643 individuals were included and were stratified by age and gender. The median, 2.5th and 97.5th of thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and FT3/FT4 ratio were calculated for both genders for every decade from 18 to over 80 years. TSH, FT3, FT4, FT3/FT4 distribution in each age group was evaluated for females and males using smoothing splines in the generalized additive models (GAM). TSH concentrations were compared in the different age groups in gender. Results In the over 80s age group, the TSH level (median: 2.57 mIU/L, 2.5th-97.5th: 0.86-7.56 mIU/L) was significantly higher than other age groups, irrespective to gender (P<0.001). Females had a higher TSH value than males in all age groups (P<0.001). Results of the smoothing curves showed that TSH increased with age, FT3 concentration was higher in males than in females and the tendency of the FT3/FT4 ratio was basically similar to that of FT3. TSH concentration in the 50s age group (median 2.48 mIU/L for females versus 2.00 mIU/L for males) was significantly higher than that in the 30s age group (median 2.18 mIU/L for females versus median 1.85 mIU/L for males). Conclusions In accord with increasing TSH values during aging, females and older adults have lower FT3 values and lower FT3/FT4 ratios, while the FT4 values remain stable.

Determination of vanadium, chromium, nickel, selenium and arsenic in calcium based toothpastes by microwave digestion-ICP-MS/MS / 预防医学

Objective@#To establish analytical method for the determination of vanadium ( V ), chromium ( Cr ), nickel ( Ni ), selenium ( Se ) and arsenic ( As ) in calcium based toothpastes by microwave digestion-inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry ( ICP-MS/MS ).@*Methods@#The 21 calcium based toothpaste samples from supermarkets and shops in the urban areas of Hangzhou were digested by 6 mL HNO3 and 1 mL H2O2 in microwave digestion system. Then He-SQ mode and O2-MS/MS mode of ICP-MS/MS were respectively used for the determination of Ni and V, Cr, Se, As. Indium ( In ) was used as internal standard for calibration. @*Results@# Good linear relationships were obtained for these five elements from 1.0 to 32.0 μg/L, with the correlation coefficients ranged from 0.999 3 to 1.000 0. The detection limits of the method ranged from 0.000 25 to 0.006 08 mg/kg. The recovery rates of standard spiking were 80.7%-105.7% when set at 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 mg/kg, the recovery of standard reference material was 102.2%, and the relative standard deviations were 2.6%-4.8%. The concentrations of V, Cr, Ni, Se and As in 21 calcium based toothpaste samples were 0.024-1.935 mg/kg, 0.085-5.759 mg/kg, 0.090-3.673 mg/kg, <0.002 72-0.016 mg/kg and <0.006 08-0.321 mg/kg.@*Conclusion@#Microwave digestion-ICP-MS/MS can effectively reduce the interferences of polyatomic ions and doubly charged ions from the matrix, which is suitable for the determination of V, Cr, Ni, Se and As in calcium based toothpaste.

Comparison of single incision and double incision triple surgery for angle closure glaucoma with cataract / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To study and analyze the clinical effect of single incision and double incision phacoemulsification,foldable intraocular lens implantation combined with trabeculectomy triple surgery in the treatment of glaucoma with cataract.METHODS:The study was from January 2016 to February 2017 in our hospital including 68 patients (79 eyes) with glaucoma and cataract.All patients were divided into two groups (observation group and control group);the control group only take single incision surgery;the observation group was taken two incision triple operation method for treatment.The follicular formation,intraocular pressure (lOP) changes,visual acuity changes,anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber open degree were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:At 1mo after the surgery,functional follicular formation rate was 98％ in observation group,higher than the control group (71％) with significant difference (P＜0.05).The control group and the observation group the mean preoperative lOP,best corrected visual acuity,uncorrected visual acuity had no significant difference (P＞ 0.05).In observation group,postoperative mean lOP,best corrected visual acuity,uncorrected visual acuity was 12.45+3.01mmHg,0.17±0.03,0.19±0.02,significantly different compared control group (P＜ 0.05).Anterior chamber depth and anterior chamber open degree increased in the two groups at 1mo after operation.The changes of observation group were more than control groups (P＜0.05).In control group,there were 5 eyes with corneal edema,4 eyes with transient shallow anterior chamber,3 eyes with transient high lOP,3 eyes with inflammatory exudation.In observation group,there were 4 eyes with corneal edema,3 eyes with transient shallow anterior chamber,3 eyes with transient high lOP,2 eyes with inflammatory exudation.After one-week treatment,those side reaction recovered,without hyphema,pupillary capture or other severe complications.CONCLUSION:The two incision triple surgery in the treatment of glaucoma with cataract patients get better results,effectively reduce intraocular pressure,improve the patients' best corrected visual acuity and uncorrected visual acuity,more formation rate of function follicular,increase the anterior chamber depth,it is safe and reliable.

Risk factors associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome after percutaneous nephrolithotomy in China:A Meta-analysis / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To explore the risk factors of systemic inflammatory response syndrome crisis (SIRS) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in China. Methods Databases of CNKI, CBM, WanFan and VIP were searched to retrieve studies about systemic inflammatory response syndrome after percutaneous nephrolithotomy to October, 2016. Results 18 studies involving 5,323 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:a) univariate analysis indicated that renal insufficiency [O(R) =2.78, 95%CI (1.96 to 3.95), P = 0.000], preoperative positive urine culture [O(R) = 3.41, 95%CI (1.89 to 6.15), P = 0.000], preoperative routine urine leucocyte positive [O(R) = 3.78, 95%CI (3.02 to 4.72), P = 0.000], diabetes mellitus [O(R) = 2.14, 95%CI (1.33 to 3.45), P = 0.002], pelvic positive urine culture [O(R)= 5.14, 95%CI (2.46 to 10.73), P = 0.000] and operation time ≥120 min [O(R) = 2.31, 95%CI (1.40 to 3.82), P = 0.001] were the risk factors of SIRS; b) multivariate analysis showed that, preoperative positive urine culture [O(R) = 6.83, 95%CI (2.82 to 16.57), P = 0.000], preoperative routine urine leucocyte positive [O(R) = 5.43, 95%CI (3.51 to 8.41), P = 0.000], diabetes mellitus [O(R) = 2.85, 95%CI (1.45 to 5.58), P = 0.002], pelvic positive urine culture [O(R) = 4.30, 95%CI (1.30 to 14.21), P = 0.020] and operation time ≥120 min [O(R) = 2.72, 95%CI (1.62 to 4.59), P = 0.000] were the independent risk factors of MCAT. Conclusion The independent risk factors of SIRS for patients after PCNL are diabetes mellitus, preoperative positive urine culture, preoperative routine urine leucocyte positive, pelvic positive urine culture and operation time. However, due to the quantity and low quality of the included literature, the conclusion needs the support from high quality studies.

Effects of hepatitis B virus DNA mutation at 1762/1764 in the basic core promoter on metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepalobectomy / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective:To study the effects of hepatitis B virus DNA mutation at 1762/1764 in the basic core promoter (BCP) on metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepalobectomy.Methods:Two-hundred and eleven patients with HCC were included in this study after hepalobectomy.Initial demographic data,clinical history,physical examination,biochemical tests,imaging examination and serum HBV DNA level was recorded.The DNA sequences of the S region and BCP region of HBV was determined by direct sequencing following nested-PCR amplification.Prognostic factors were assessed using a univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.Results:Of the 187 HCC cases,119 experienced tumor metastasis or recurrence.The univariate analysis showed that a higher metastasis or recurrence rate was associated with larger tumor size,no intact capsule,positive portal vein tumor thrombosis,higher level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,higher level of HBV DNA and positive BCP mutation.The median metastasis or recurrence time for patients with positive BCP mutation was 9 months (95％ CI:7.922-10.078).Cox analysis indicated that larger tumor size,no intact capsule and positive BCP 1762/1764 double mutations were indepent risk factors for HCC recurrence or metastasis [OR (95％ CI),P:25.946 (2.819-57.149),0.007;8.741 (1.896-21.218),0.033 and 27.966 (8.167-58.132),0.003,repsectively].Conculsion:Infection with HBV carrying the positive BCP 1762/1764 double mutation,initial larger tumor volume as well as no intact capsule around the tumor independently predict the development of HCC metastasis or recurrence and ealier time for metastasis or recurrence after hepalobectomy.

Risk factors associated with systemic inflammatory response syndrome after percutaneous nephrolithotomy in China:A Meta-analysis / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To explore the risk factors of systemic inflammatory response syndrome crisis (SIRS) after percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) in China. Methods Databases of CNKI, CBM, WanFan and VIP were searched to retrieve studies about systemic inflammatory response syndrome after percutaneous nephrolithotomy to October, 2016. Results 18 studies involving 5,323 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:a) univariate analysis indicated that renal insufficiency [O(R) =2.78, 95%CI (1.96 to 3.95), P = 0.000], preoperative positive urine culture [O(R) = 3.41, 95%CI (1.89 to 6.15), P = 0.000], preoperative routine urine leucocyte positive [O(R) = 3.78, 95%CI (3.02 to 4.72), P = 0.000], diabetes mellitus [O(R) = 2.14, 95%CI (1.33 to 3.45), P = 0.002], pelvic positive urine culture [O(R)= 5.14, 95%CI (2.46 to 10.73), P = 0.000] and operation time ≥120 min [O(R) = 2.31, 95%CI (1.40 to 3.82), P = 0.001] were the risk factors of SIRS; b) multivariate analysis showed that, preoperative positive urine culture [O(R) = 6.83, 95%CI (2.82 to 16.57), P = 0.000], preoperative routine urine leucocyte positive [O(R) = 5.43, 95%CI (3.51 to 8.41), P = 0.000], diabetes mellitus [O(R) = 2.85, 95%CI (1.45 to 5.58), P = 0.002], pelvic positive urine culture [O(R) = 4.30, 95%CI (1.30 to 14.21), P = 0.020] and operation time ≥120 min [O(R) = 2.72, 95%CI (1.62 to 4.59), P = 0.000] were the independent risk factors of MCAT. Conclusion The independent risk factors of SIRS for patients after PCNL are diabetes mellitus, preoperative positive urine culture, preoperative routine urine leucocyte positive, pelvic positive urine culture and operation time. However, due to the quantity and low quality of the included literature, the conclusion needs the support from high quality studies.

Effects of hepatitis B virus DNA mutation at 1762/1764 in the basic core promoter on metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepalobectomy / 中国现代普通外科进展

Objective:To study the effects of hepatitis B virus DNA mutation at 1762/1764 in the basic core promoter (BCP) on metastasis or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepalobectomy.Methods:Two-hundred and eleven patients with HCC were included in this study after hepalobectomy.Initial demographic data,clinical history,physical examination,biochemical tests,imaging examination and serum HBV DNA level was recorded.The DNA sequences of the S region and BCP region of HBV was determined by direct sequencing following nested-PCR amplification.Prognostic factors were assessed using a univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model.Results:Of the 187 HCC cases,119 experienced tumor metastasis or recurrence.The univariate analysis showed that a higher metastasis or recurrence rate was associated with larger tumor size,no intact capsule,positive portal vein tumor thrombosis,higher level of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,higher level of HBV DNA and positive BCP mutation.The median metastasis or recurrence time for patients with positive BCP mutation was 9 months (95％ CI:7.922-10.078).Cox analysis indicated that larger tumor size,no intact capsule and positive BCP 1762/1764 double mutations were indepent risk factors for HCC recurrence or metastasis [OR (95％ CI),P:25.946 (2.819-57.149),0.007;8.741 (1.896-21.218),0.033 and 27.966 (8.167-58.132),0.003,repsectively].Conculsion:Infection with HBV carrying the positive BCP 1762/1764 double mutation,initial larger tumor volume as well as no intact capsule around the tumor independently predict the development of HCC metastasis or recurrence and ealier time for metastasis or recurrence after hepalobectomy.

Inhibitory effect of baicalein on mice tremor induced by oxotremorine and mechanisms / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To investigate the anti- tremor effect and mechanism of baicalein on oxotremorine- induced muscle tremor in mice. METHODS The acute model of muscular tremor was induced by intraperitoneal injection of oxotremorine, and the latency, duration and frequency of muscle tremor in mice were measured immediately; the saliva of mice was measured to reflect the correlation between tremor and peripheral nerve function; the aim of this study was to determine the content of MDA and the activity of GSH-PX, and to investigate the anti-oxidation of mice with tremor model. The activity of acetylcholinesterase (AchE) and acetylcholine transferase (ChAT) can indirectly reflect the level of acetylcholine in the brain. The level of monoamine neurotransmitters in brain tissue was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-ECD). RESULTS The animals in the model group appeared obvious tremoring, salivating and erecting and other symptoms. Compared to the model group, there was no obvious inhibitory effect on the administration of each dose. After 7, 14, 21 and 28 d of continuous administration, the latency, duration and tremor frequency of tremor mice were significantly shortened, the levels of acetylcholine were significantly decreased, the changes of DOPAC and DA neurotransmitters in the brain of model group were recovered, regulate the dynamic balance of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. CONCLUSION Long- term administration can improve the tremor behavior of mice, the mechanismmay be related to the regulation of neurotransmittersin brain.

Expressions of HO-2 and CO in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the expressions of HO-2 and CO in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats in order to further study the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We randomly divided 72 male SD rats into four groups: normal control, sham operation, castration, and castration + ZnPP. We detected intracavernous pressure (ICP) and penile erection in the basic condition and after apomorphine (APO) induction, determined the expression of the HO-2 protein in the corpus cavernosum by laser scanning confocal microscopy, and measured the level of CO by spectrophotometry during different periods of penile erection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ICP in the basic condition and that after APO induction and the rate of penile erection were decreased significantly in the castration group ([11.68 ± 0.69] mmHg, [54.81 ± 3.86] mmHg, and 33.3%) and the castration + ZnPP group ([11.20 ± 0.71] mmHg, [41.17 ± 5.41] mmHg, and 22.2%) as compared with the normal control ([22.83 ± 2.66] mmHg, [66.92 ± 7.77] mm-Hg, and 100%) and the sham operation group ([23.35 ±2.22] mmHg, [70.43 ?7. 22] mmHg, and 100%) (all P <0. 01). After APO induction, ICP in the castration + ZnPP group was remarkably reduced in comparison with that in the castration group (P < 0.01), and so was the expression of the HO-2 protein before and during penile erection in the castration (445.4 ± 23.7 and 847.4 ± 35.0) and the castration + ZnPP group (390.1 ± 29.7 and 526.0 ± 52.5) compared with the normal control (512.7 ±57.4 and 1145.2 ± 89.8) and the sham operation group (583.7 ± 8.0 and 1016.3 ± 79.8), the expression of the HO-2 protein significantly decreased in the castration group (445.4 ± 23.7 and 847.4 ± 35.0) (P < 0.05 or 0.01), markedly lower in the castration + ZnPP than in the castration group during penile erection (P < 0.01) but with no significant differences among the four groups after it. Before, during and after penile erection, the levels of CO were remarkably decreased in the castration ([20.59 ± 1.01], [32.53 ± 1.26], and [18.71 ± 1.22] x 10(-7) nmol/L) and the castration +ZnPP group ([12.52 ± 1.05], [21.90 ± 1.02], and [16.56 ± 0.55] x 10(-7) nmol/L) as compared with the normal control ([26.76 ± 1.41], [48.25 ± 1.01], and [27.10 ± 1.58 ] x 10(-7) nmol/L) and the sham operation group ([25.41 ± 2.09], [ 47.90 ± 1.22], and [25.67 ± 1.20] x 10(-7) nmol/L) (P < 0.05 or 0.01), significantly lower in the castration + ZnPP than in the castration group during penile erection (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased expressions of HO-2 and CO may correlate with erectile dysfunction in castrated rats.</p>

Pollen viability, stigma receptivity and fruiting characteristics of botanical origin of Jinxianlian / 中国中药杂志

The viability and life span of pollen were evaluated by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazlium chloride) and the peroxidase solution, the stigma receptivity were estimated by benzidine-H2O2 method and the fruiting characteristics were investigated. The results showed that (1) Anoectochilus roxburghii and A. formosanus appeared the same up-and-down trend of the pollen viability, increased and then decreased. The storage temperature and storage time had significant impact on the pollen viability. With the extension of storage time, the pollen activity decreased. 4 degrees C refrigerator storage may be extended the pollen vitality. (2) The stigma had receptivity in 1st day and reached the highest level in the 4th day after blooming. A. roxburghii lost receptivity in the 8th day while A. formosanus lost receptivity in the 10th day after blooming. (3) The different pollination had significant impact on seed setting rate. The seed setting rate of artificial cross-pollination was higher than that of the artificial self-pollination. Collecting pollen in the 3rd day and carrying out artificial cross-pollination in the 4th day after blooming can significantly improve seed setting rate. The results provided technical assurance for A. roxburghii and A. formosanus breeding of new varieties and seed breeding.

Knowledge and perception of sexual health education and condom use among STI patients in India.

Aims: To explore the knowledge of STI, HIV/AIDS and condom use behaviour among men and women who have been medically treated and not treated for STIs in relation to socio-demographic factors. Furthermore, the study will explore the perceptions of adolescent sexual health education at school in the aforementioned group. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in all Indian member states during 2005-2006. Methodology: Using nationally representative samples, a cross sectional study of 8924 women and 1644 men (2948 women & 745 men received medical treatment for STIs) were used to examine their knowledge, condom use behaviour and perception of adolescent sexual health education at school. Chi-square analysis was performed. Results: Gher proportions of respondents who were urban residents, higher educated and more affluent received medical treatment for STIs compared to their rural, less educated and poorer peers. More women (43%) who reported condom use during their last sexual intercourse received treatment vs. the group not using condoms (32%). Proportionally, more women and men who had heard about STIs and HIV/AIDS answered in favor of girl’s and boy’s sexual health education, condom use and HIV/AIDS education compared to their peers who did not hear about STIs and HIV/AIDS. Even after receiving treatment respondents reported not having enough information about STIs, or HIV/AIDS. STI patients suggested that sexuality education should be added to school curriculum for a better understanding of the diseases in the general population. Conclusion: Indian policy makers should place emphasis on providing necessary preventive information about STIs through different channels such as treatment centers, school curriculums and awareness campaigns.

Characterization of microbial community structure in a hybrid biofilm-activated sludge reactor for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

The microbial communities in a hybrid biofilm-activated sludge reactor (HY) for nitrogen and phosphorus removal were characterized by 16S rRNA-based clone libraries and phylogenetic analysis. The hybrid reactor removed over 90% of COD, 92% of total nitrogen (TN) and 95% of total phosphorus (TP) from the municipal wastewater, respectively. The mean removal rates of COD, TN, and TP in the conventional suspended activated sludge reactor were above 80%, 80% and 94%, respectively. Community structures were determined by phylogenetic analyses of six clone libraries (each nearly 100 clones). The dominant bacterial group with which clones were affiliated to the b subclass of the Proteobacteria (31%~77%), following the Bacteroidetes group (10%~34%). In addition, several clone groups affiliated with unknown bacterial assemblages were identified in the clone libraries. Acinetobacter sp., which was thought to had played an important role in phosphate removal systems, was scarcely represented by clone sequences in both libraries. Differences in community structure were observed between the hybrid reactor and activated sludge reactors. Such differences may account for the differing wastewater treating capabilities of the two different systems.

Clinical effectiveness and influential factors of maxillary rehabilitation with zygomatic implant following tumor resection

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and influential factors of maxillary rehabilitation with zygomatic implant and prosthesis after tumor resection. Thirty-six patients with maxillary defects were collected prospectively in this study and received zygomatic implant and prosthesis for maxillar rehabilitation in the Department of Stomatology of the Municipal Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China from March 2007 to May 2010. The speech intelligibility [SI] and masticatory efficiency of pre-rehabilitation and post-rehabilitation at one, 6, 12, and 24 months were measured. The relationships between the following factors [oro-nasal communication, hard-palate resection, soft-palate resection, retention teeth] and SI value were analyzed. The relationships between the following factors [oro-nasal communication, retention teeth, the extent of maxillary defect, tumor recurrence] and absorbance value were analyzed. The SI values and absorbance values of post-rehabilitation at one, 6, 12, and 24 months were higher than that of pre-rehabilitation values [p<0.05]. Linear regression analysis revealed that oro-nasal communication had a highly significant influence on the SI value of pre-rehabilitation [p<0.05], while soft-palate resection had a highly significant influence on that of post-rehabilitation [p<0.05]. Oro-nasal communication had a highly significant influence on the absorbance value of pre-rehabilitation [p<0.05], while maxillary defect had a highly significant influence on that of post-rehabilitation [p<0.05]. Zygomatic implant and prosthesis improved the near and long-term effectiveness of phonetic and masticatory function, and elevated life quality of patients with maxillary tumor resection. Zygomatic implant and prosthesis are an effective rehabilitation remedy for maxillary defects resulting from tumor resection

Evaluation of the estrogenic effects of Bisphenol-A on male freshwater prawn Macrobrachium asperulum.

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a known endocrine-disrupting chemical that is distributed world wide, is extensively employed in industry, dentistry and consumer household products. This study was conducted to explore the estrogenic effects of BPA on the male freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium asperulum, by examining the daily survival rate, molting frequency, hepatosomatic index (HSI), and levels of vitellogenin-like protein. Results revealed that BPA can elicit the expression of vitellogenin-like protein (0.09 and 0.09 mg P·(mg protein)-1, respectively) in male organisms exposed to 0.1 and 1 ng l-1 BPA at day 7. Moreover, prawns were perceived to be sensitive to estrogenic compounds. Hence, it can be concluded that M. asperulum can be used as a species for biomonitoring, and levels of vitellogenin-like protein in males are a useful biomarker for detecting estrogenic contaminations.

Alterations of biochemical parameters in malformed Indian rice frogs, Rana limnocharis, from Southern Taiwan.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that cause malformed frogs in upstream Kaoping river (KP site) and Tungkang river (T site) of Southern Taiwan. In this experiment, the activities of monooxygenase (MO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AchE) as well as the concentration of vitellogenin (Vg) in the liver were measured. Results show that activities of MO, GST and AchE, and Vg levels in normal frogs (male/female) were 0.09±0.02/0.09±0.01 DA min-1 mg-1 protein, 0.12±0.04/0.13±0.04DA min-1 mg-1 protein, 6.13±2.69/6.01±2.09 U mg-1 protein and 0.87±0.42/2.18±0.50 μg mg-1 protein, respectively. Activities of MO, GST and AchE, and Vg levels in malformed frogs (male/female) were 0.15±0.04/0.21±0.07DA min- 1 mg-1 protein, 0.27±0.08/0.30±0.12DA min-1 mg-1 protein, 4.59±2.71/5.19±3.74 U mg-1 protein and 1.46±0.61/ 3.15±0.88μg mg-1 protein, respectively in KP site, and were 0.16±0.69/0.18±0.07DA min-1 mg-1 protein, 0.21±0.07/0.24±0.08DA min-1 mg-1 protein, 5.13±4.58/3.94±1.33 U mg-1 protein and 2.23±1.47/4.11±1.63 μg mg-1 protein, respectively in T site. These results indicate that male and female malformed frogs in both rivers upstream are found with higher activities. No significant difference in AchE activity was found between normal and malformed frogs in this investigation. It is therefore reasonable to speculate that the organic chemicals released from agricultural activities are presumable the main factors that lead to the malformation of frogs.

Prevalence of malformed frogs in Kaoping and Tungkang river basins of southern Taiwan.

In this study, we found many amphibians with bizarre appearances, known as malformations in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan. For this investigation we collected frogs inhabiting the Kaoping and Tungkang river watersheds between February 2006 and June 2007. Among the total number of 10,909 normal frogs (i.e., anurans) collected during the investigation period, the Indian rice frogs (Rana limnocharis) account for the greatest number; next is the Chinese bullfrog (Rana rugulosa). Of all the 244 captured malformed frogs, the Indian rice frog account for the greatest proportion. These malformed frogs have their main distribution in upstream areas of these two rivers. Our result indicates that the appearance rate of malformed frogs is 1.8% in the upstream reaches of the Kaoping River and 2.6%, and 0.8%, respectively in the upstream and midstream reaches of the Tungkang river. The most-commonly-found malformation is the lack of palms, followed by the lack of appendages, exostosis, and a malformed appendicular. It is, therefore, reasonable to speculate that the causes for the malformation may be related to the increased organic pollutants and agricultural chemicals used in the upstream reaches of these two rivers.

Comparison of primary extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma with stage III-IV ovarian papillary serous carcinoma / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Extraovarian peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (EPSPC) is both histologically and clinically similar to stage III-IV ovarian papillary serous carcinoma (OPSC). The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical findings, treatment, and outcome of EPSPC patients compared with stage III-IV OPSC patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of 12 EPSPC patients and 45 stage III-IV OPSC patients were retrospectively reviewed, comparing the characteristics on clinical presentation and treatment, sensitivity to first-line chemotherapy agents and survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By analysis of patients' characteristics, presenting signs and symptoms, type and extent of surgery, tumor response to first-line chemotherapy, recurrence-free interval, recurrence site and serum CA-125 levels, no significant difference was observed between the EPSPC patients and stage III-IV OPSC controls. The prevailing presenting symptoms were abdominal mass and ascites. The mainstay of treatment was debulking surgery followed by adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy. The complete clinical response of stage III-IV OPSC was 91.8% compared with 25.0% for women with EPSPC (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The clinical and surgical characteristics of EPSPC are similar to those of stage III-IV OPSC. When the same treatment strategy is applied, similar response and survival are expected in either condition.</p>

Characterization of Orientia tsutsugamushi strains isolated in Shandong Province, China by immunofluorescence and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses.

In order to identify the characteristics of the Sta56 gene of the 23 isolates of Orientia (O.) tsutsugamushi isolated in Shandong Province, indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used to identify the gene type of 23 strains O. tsutsugamushi isolated from scrub typhus patients, chigger mites, and rodents. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was also used to analyze the restriction profiles of the Sta56 gene PCR amplification products of the 23 isolated strains of the O. tsutsugamushi; the results were compared with those acquired by nested PCR. By IFA, 21 of the 23 isolates belonged to the Gilliam type, and 2 to the Karp type. Using RFLP analysis, 21 strains had similar restriction profiles to the Japan Kawasaki strain, but they had no restriction site Hha I, and thus had some difference in gene sequence compared with the Japan Kawasaki strain. The other 2 strains had similar restriction profiles to Karp. These results were identical to that acquired by nested-PCR. In Shandong Province, the gene types of epidemic O. tsutsugamushi strains were similar to the Japan Kawasaki type, but had some differences in gene sequence. In addition, Karp also existed.