Malignant germ cell tumour in an infant vagina.

The mother of a 9-month-old female infant complained that her child was unable to pass urine at the same time noticing a mass protruding from the vaginal orifice.The infant had a single episode of vaginal bleeding.The primary concern of the mother was the inability of the daughter to micturate. Malignant germ cell tumour arising from an infant vagina is rare and accounts for about 3% of all paedriatic malignancies. These are also referred to as endodermal sinus tumours or yolk sac tumours, and are mostly the commonest form of infant vaginal malignancies encountered. A diagnosis of endodermal sinus tumour was established based on the histology and raised α-fetoprotein levels.These tumours had Schiller-Duval bodies which are primarily blood vessels surrounded by primordial germ cells and were periodic acid shift (PAS) positive diastase resistant hyaline globules which also stain positive with α- fetoprotein which is an important diagnostic feature. Tumours with high α-fetoprotein levels have a poorer prognosis. However, they respond satisfactorily to chemotherapy.

Single-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure of inguinal hernia using "two-hooked" core needle apparatus in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the surgical outcomes of single-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure of inguinal hernia using "two-hooked" core needle apparatus in children. METHODS: This study was conducted at Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine between January 2016 and June 2018. Five hundred and eighteen patients under the age of 12 years with inguinal hernias were subjected to single-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SPLPEC) using non-absorbable suture by "two-hooked" core needle apparatus. Description of the technique is as follows: Under general anesthesia, a 0.5-0.8 cm trans-umbilical skin incision was done for insertion of a 0.5 cm port. A "two-hooked" core needle apparatus was used for insertion of a non-absorbable suture around internal ring. The suture knot was tied extracorporeally. RESULTS: Among 518 child patients with inguinal hernias, there were 406 males and 112 females with a mean age of 4.6 ± 3.5 years. One hundred and six cases were subjected to bilateral surgery including 91 cases of contralateral patent processus vaginalis (PPV). Three cases converted to open surgery and additional 0.5 cm port was done in five cases. The mean operative time was 13.2 ± 3.5 min for unilateral hernia repair and 16.9 ± 4.6 min for bilateral cases. All patients achieved full recovery without complications such as surgical site infection (SSI), testicular atrophy, or iatrogenic ascent of the testis. At the mean follow-up time of 18.72 ± 5.27 months, two cases had recurrences (0.39%) and one case had postoperative hydrocele (0.19%). CONCLUSION: SPLPEC of inguinal hernia using "two-hooked" core needle apparatus in children is a feasible and reliable minimal invasive procedure. It has the advantages of short operating time, low complication rate, low recurrence rate and better cosmetic result.

Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 used as a starter modulates the bacterial community and metabolome profile during fermentation of Chinese cabbage.

The effects of Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 on the bacterial community and metabolome profile during the fermentation of pickled Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) were investigated using high-throughput sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HD1.7-inoculated samples showed a consistently higher acidity and larger colony forming units until the middle stage of fermentation. The operational taxonomic units and bacterial richness and diversity declined. Lactobacillus was consistently the most abundant followed by Lactococcus, while Lactococcus was initially dominant and then replaced by Lactobacillus in control samples. The HD1.7 starter significantly promoted the growth of more acid-resistant Lactobacillus, inhibited the growth of pathogens and accelerated and enhanced the consumption of free sugars. Eleven categories and 109 kinds of metabolites were identified using GC-MS. Esters and aldehydes were the most abundant categories. Principal component analysis plots showed a similar metabolome shift route but a faster fermentation process due to HD1.7 inoculation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pickled Chinese cabbage is a very traditional and popular food in Asia and where Asians migrate. High-throughput sequencing and GC-MS have been used to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 as a starter on the bacterial community and metabolome during pickled Chinese cabbage fermentation. Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 accelerated acidification and resulted in server acidity. Lactobacillus dominated the entire fermentation process. Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7-inoculated fermented cabbage had several advantages over naturally fermented cabbage, including a shorter fermentation process, fewer pathogens and more plentiful flavours. This research suggested that L. paracasei HD1.7 would be a desirable starter in the fermentation of other vegetables.

Bacterial diversity and community structure during fermentation of Chinese sauerkraut with Lactobacillus casei 11MZ-5-1 by Illumina Miseq sequencing.

The bacterial diversity and community structure involved in Chinese sauerkraut is one of the most important factors shaping the final characteristics of traditional foods. In this research, Lactobacillus casei 11MZ-5-1 was applied in Chinese sauerkraut fermentation as a starter culture. Illumina Miseq sequencing analysis was used to reveal the bacterial diversity and community structure during Chinese sauerkraut fermentation. A total of 177 283 high-quality reads of 16S rRNA V4 regions were obtained. The inoculation of L. casei 11MZ-5-1 decreased considerably the bacterial richness and bacterial diversity. This inoculum led to the replacement of Lactococcus by Lactobacillus. The levels of Pseudomonas and Enterobacter bacteria decreased. These findings reveal the evolution of important bacterial groups that are involved in fermentation and will facilitate improvements in the Chinese sauerkraut fermentation process. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This research thoroughly revealed the effects of Lactobacillus casei 11MZ-5-1 starter cultures on bacterial communities during Chinese sauerkraut fermentation. Illumina Miseq sequencing was effective technique to monitor the bacterial diversity and community structure. The inoculation of L. casei 11MZ-5-1 led to the decline of bacterial richness and diversity together with a consistent predominance of Lactobacillus during spontaneous fermentation. The result collectively suggested L. casei 11MZ-5-1 is a promising starter in Chinese sauerkraut manufacturing.

Forty-one cases of round ligament varicosities that are easily misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the benefit and safety of conservative therapy for round ligament varicosities (RLVs) that are easily misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical materials of 41 consecutive cases of RLVs diagnosed by ultrasound in a single hospital from January 2011 to December 2015. Misdiagnosis rate, clinical and sonographic features, management after diagnosis and prognosis were recorded. RESULTS: All forty-one cases were pregnant females in their second or third trimester. Twenty-eight cases were first misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias (68.3%). Thirty cases presented as reducible swelling in the inguinal area (73.2%), and twenty-five of which were painful (61.0%). Four cases only felt pain in the inguinal area without swelling (9.7%). Seven cases had no obvious discomfort (17.1%). All cases were diagnosed as RLVs by gray-scale and color Doppler ultrasonography and justified a wait-and-see strategy. Thirty-seven cases were followed until total recovery after delivery (follow-up rate 90.2%). Swelling with or without pain disappeared spontaneously postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: RLVs are easily misdiagnosed as inguinal hernias and color Doppler of the inguinal area is the best examination for making the correct diagnosis. Conservative therapy for RLV is beneficial and safe when assured by color Doppler.

[Study of spatial stratified sampling strategy of Oncomelania hupensis snail survey based on plant abundance].

Objective To optimize and simplify the survey method of Oncomelania hupensis snails in marshland endemic regions of schistosomiasis, so as to improve the precision, efficiency and economy of the snail survey. Methods A snail sampling strategy (Spatial Sampling Scenario of Oncomelania based on Plant Abundance, SOPA) which took the plant abundance as auxiliary variable was explored and an experimental study in a 50 m×50 m plot in a marshland in the Poyang Lake region was performed. Firstly, the push broom surveyed data was stratified into 5 layers by the plant abundance data; then, the required numbers of optimal sampling points of each layer through Hammond McCullagh equation were calculated; thirdly, every sample point in the line with the Multiple Directional Interpolation (MDI) placement scheme was pinpointed; and finally, the comparison study among the outcomes of the spatial random sampling strategy, the traditional systematic sampling method, the spatial stratified sampling method, Sandwich spatial sampling and inference and SOPA was performed. Results The method (SOPA) proposed in this study had the minimal absolute error of 0.213 8; and the traditional systematic sampling method had the largest estimate, and the absolute error was 0.924 4. Conclusion The snail sampling strategy (SOPA) proposed in this study obtains the higher estimation accuracy than the other four methods.

[Dynamic change of population structure of Oncomelania hupensis].

Objective To understand the successive dynamic change of population structure of Oncomelania hupensis during a one-year period, so as to provide the evidence for snail control. Methods A river beach and a ditch infested with O. hupensis snails were selected and longitudinally investigated in the midmonth during one year. The snail survey indices included the survival status, gender, number of whorls, length and width of shell, and gonad development status (measured by the color depth of gonad and the length ratio of gonad to liver), and the monthly snail eggs in the soil were collected and counted simultaneously. In addition, the temperature and humidity of the soil and the daily data of air temperature and precipitation were measured or collected during the study period (every month). Results Both survival rate of snails and live snail density at the two environments were positively correlated with the temperatures of air and soil. With a slight bimodal distribution, the snail survival rate peaked from May to June, and in September. The living snail densities got the highest level in July and September in the river beach, and from April to May in the ditch. The regression equations of snail length (L) and width (W) were Lbeach = 2.355 + 1.678W (F = 2 989.43, P < 0.01) and Lditch = 0.478 + 2.091W (F = 2.989.43, P < 0.01), respectively. The snails were the ones with 4.07-11.81 mm in the length (8.98 ± 0.92) mm in the river beach, and the snails were the ones with 3.63-9.92 mm in the length (7.03 ± 0.82) mm in the ditch. The main snails were the ones with five to eight whorls of shell in the river beach and four to seven whorls of shell in the ditch. The proportions of snails with less than or equal to five whorls (in the river beach) and four (in the ditch) were the highest in May and September, about 20%. The ratios of male and female snails were 1.66 in the river beach and 1.22 in the ditch, respectively. The gonad development status of male and female snails was basically synchronous and had a bimodal abundance period - from April to May and September to October. The numbers of snail eggs in the soil among months were significantly different, reaching the highest in June in the river beach (100.8/0.1 m2), and May in the ditch (82.5/ 0.1 m2). Conclusion The principal periods of breeding and alternation of generations of snails are April-May and SeptemberOctober every year, which should also be the optimal time for mollusciciding in schistosomiasis susceptible zones.

Mutation-based selection and analysis of Komagataeibacter hansenii HDM1-3 for improvement in bacterial cellulose production.

AIMS: A low yield of bacterial cellulose (BC) always results from an excessive accumulation of organic acids. Screening and the selection of bacterial mutants with a low accumulation of organic acids is an efficient approach for improving BC production. METHODS AND RESULTS: In combination with the proton suicide method (medium containing NaBr-NaBrO3 ), diethyl sulphate chemical mutagenesis coupled with 60 Co-γ irradiation treatment were performed for the screening and selection of desired mutant lines with a high yield of BC. Two high-yield strains, Br-3 and Co-5, as well as a low-yield strain, Br-12, were obtained. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was applied to explore the differences between the mutant lines and the wild type. For the Br-12 line, three specific fragments were verified, corresponding to TonB-dependent transport (TBDT), exopolysaccharides output protein (PePr) and an unknown gene. For Co-5, two specific fragments were matched, acsD and UDP-galactose-4-epimerase. In addition, metabolic analysis for the mutant lines indicated that BC production may be limited by excessive accumulation of organic acids in the fermentation. The limitation would be resolved by the cross-talk of genes involved in BC biosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced organic acid by-products from glucose in bypasses were found to be responsible for the high-yield BC synthesis in Komagataeibacter hansenii mutant strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The metabolic process was varied by mutagenesis-induced gene disruption of the metabolic products. A new idea was provided for the targeted screening and characterization of mutants in the future.

Dental undergraduate students' participation in research in China: current state and directions.

PURPOSE: It is not until the recent 10 years, when an increasing number of dental undergraduate students in China have gradually participated in scientific research. However, few studies have analysed the current status of this new wave. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate dental undergraduate students' participation in research and to explore possible options for refining or reforming the existing teaching and research system in dentistry. METHODS: The authors constructed a questionnaire that was completed by a sample of students from a high-ranking dental school in China. The data were processed with SPSS software. RESULTS: Of all the 250 questionnaires distributed, 191 were returned, 186 of which were complete and suitable for analysis. Over a half of the respondents had participated in research programmes. There were diversified motives for undergraduate participation in scientific research. DISCUSSION: These findings have led us to speculate on the current state of undergraduate participation in scientific research and the underlying problems. This preliminary investigation yielded intriguing findings: (i) the distribution of scientific resources influences scientific production. (ii) lack of interest in science has a negative impact on the reserve of the future scientific workforce. (iii) diverse motives for participation in undergraduate research reveal lack of understanding of the essence of science. CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that the current education and research system in dental higher education should be systemically reformed.

Gene expression of the p16(INK4a)-Rb and p19(Arf)-p53-p21(Cip/Waf1) signaling pathways in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell aging by ginsenoside Rg1.

The elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of traditional Chinese medicines in clinical practice is a key step toward their worldwide application, and this topic is currently a subject of intense research interest. Rg1, a component of ginsenoside, has recently been shown to perform several pharmacological functions; however, the underlying mechanisms of these effects remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether Rg1 has an anti-senescence effect on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and the possible molecular mechanisms driving any effects. The results showed that Rg1 could effectively delay tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced senescence and inhibit gene expression in the p16(INK4a)-Rb and p19(Arf)-p53-p21(Cip/Waf1) signaling pathways in HSCs. Our study suggested that these two signaling pathways might be potential targets for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of the Rg1 anti-senescence effect.

Seeing the whole person: feasibility of using the Omaha System to describe strengths of older adults with chronic illness.

A promising strategy for enhancing care and self-management of chronic illness is an integrative, whole-person approach that recognizes and values well-being. Assessment tools are needed that will enable health care professionals to perceive patients as whole persons, with strengths as well as problems. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of using a standardized terminology (the Omaha System) to describe strengths of older adults with chronic illness. The Omaha System assessment currently consists of identifying signs/symptoms for 42 health concepts. Researchers mapped self-reported strengths phrases to Omaha System concepts using existing narratives of 32 older adults with 12-15 comorbid conditions. Results demonstrated the feasibility of describing strengths of patients with chronic illness. Exploratory analysis showed that there were 0-9 strengths per patient, with unique strengths profiles for 30 of 32 patients. Given that older adults with multiple chronic illnesses also have strengths that can be classified and quantified using the Omaha System, there is potential to use the Omaha System as a whole-person assessment tool that enables perception of both problems and strengths. Further research is needed to enhance the Omaha System to formally represent strengths-based as well as a problem-focused perspectives.

PPARα agonist prevented the apoptosis induced by glucose and fatty acid in neonatal cardiomyocytes.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of peroxisome proliferator activator receptors α (PPARα) on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by glucose and fatty acid, and if high glucose levels could increase fatty acid-induced apoptosis. METHODS: Cardiomyocytes were maintained in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium and divided into 5 groups: Group N (control Group); Group G (exposed to 25.5 mmol/l glucose); Group L (exposed to 5 mmol/l glucose, fatty acid); Group H (exposed to 25.5 mmol/l glucose and fatty acid); Group I (exposed to 25.5 mmol/l glucose, fatty acid and Wy14643). Apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling. Immunocytochemistry staining detected PPARα's expressing, and western blotting detected PPARα and nuclear factor κB's (NF-κB) protein level. RESULTS: Exposure to fatty acid resulted in a significant increase of cardiomyocytes apoptosis, with the extension of NF-κB formation, whereas exposure to 25.5 mmol/l glucose had no influence on the apoptosis rate. However, combination with fatty acid and high glucose concentration had induced more apoptosis with the up-regulation of NF-κB formation. The fatty acid and glucose-induced effects were improved by Wy14643, with down-regulation of NF-κB formation. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that in neonatal cardiomyocytes, fatty acid and glucose in combination with fatty acid induced apoptosis via NF-κB formation and activation of apoptosis pathways; glucose in combination with fatty acid induce more apoptosis rate for the more NF- κB formation, activation of the PPARα can reverse such apoptosis effect. The results also suggest that gluco-lipotoxicity may play a central role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy, and PPARα-agonist may be an effective drug in treating the diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Eutopic or ectopic pregnancy: a competition between signals derived from the endometrium and the fallopian tube for blastocyst implantation.

Embryo retention in the fallopian tube is thought to lead to ectopic pregnancy, which is a significant cause of morbidity. This pathological condition does not occur in laboratory rodents. Moreover, incidences of tubal pregnancy after assisted reproduction (ART) are continuously increasing. What are the factors that need to be considered responsible for this condition? Ectopic pregnancies occur because of conflicting signals to the blastocyst from the two epithelia (uterine and fallopian). The signals consist of cytokines, chemokines and adhesion molecules that mediate both blastocyst adhesion to the uterine (and fallopian) epithelium and leukocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium and, presumably, the fallopian epithelium. Chronic inflammation in the fallopian tube caused by infections or misplacements of the blastocyst (in the case of ART) can alter expression (upregulate) of the signals emanating from the fallopian tube and thereby can compete with the uterine (normal) site of implantation. That is, in ectopic pregnancy, a blastocyst may receive stronger signals from the tubal epithelia, migrate to the fallopian tube, and be implanted at that site.

Aspergillus niger var. taxi, a new species variant of taxol-producing fungus isolated from Taxus cuspidata in China.

AIMS: To characterize and identify a new taxol-producing fungal strain HD86-9 isolated from Taxus cuspidata in China. METHODS AND RESULTS: Taxol extracted from strain HD86-9 was identified by HPLC and MS analyses. Strain HD86-9 was cultured and its morphology and phenotypes were described. HD86-9 displayed morphology most similar to that of Aspergillus niger but presented differences in the shape and size of the conidia. The growth evaluation showed that the maximal tolerable temperature of the new strain was 43 degrees C, higher than that of the model Aspergillus niger. The 18S rDNA and the internal transcribed spacer region including the 5.8S rDNA of HD86-9 were amplified by PCR; molecular analysis of these sequences revealed their high similarity of 98% to those of Aspergillus niger. CONCLUSIONS: The morphology and molecular analysis identified HD86-9 as a new variant of taxol-producing endophytic fungi, and it was named Aspergillus niger var. taxi D.P. Zhou, K. Zhao and W.X. Ping, var. nov. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: As the first report of a taxol-producing variant of Aspergillus niger species, this study offers important information and a new resource for the production of an important anticancer drug by endofungus fermentation.

HBV genes induce cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response upon adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector delivery into dendritic cells.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been an increasing problem throughout the world and remains difficult to treat. But immunotherapeutic approaches offer new, effective treatments. Three recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 vectors, carrying one of the HBV S, C or X gene, were used to load (transduce) professional antigen-presenting dendritic cells (DC) for the purpose of stimulating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in vitro. It was found that all three recombinant AAV/HBV antigen virus loaded DC at approximately 90% transduction efficiency. Most importantly, all three AAV-loaded DC stimulated rapid, antigen-specific and major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restricted CTL. In vitro, these CTL killed (30-50%) synthetic antigen-positive autologous targets as well as HepG2 liver cell targets. In comparing the three antigens, it was found that AAV/HBV-C-derived CTL consistently had the highest killing efficiency. CTL derived from AAV/HBV-C-loaded DC also showed significantly higher killing of targets than that from bacterially generated C-protein-loaded DC. Further studies showed that AAV/HBV-C-derived CTL had higher interferon (IFN)-gamma. These data suggest that AAV/HBV antigen gene-loading of DC may be useful for immunotherapeutic protocols against HBV infection and that the HBV C antigen may be the most useful for this purpose.

A novel microphysiometer based on MLAPS for drugs screening.

This paper presents a novel microphysiometer for simultaneous measurements of several extracellular ions concentrations in living cells based on MLAPS (multi-light addressable potentiometric sensor). In the microphysiometer, different sensitive membranes are illuminated in parallel with n light sources at different frequencies, the response amplitudes of each frequency component can be measured on-line by parallel processing algorithm. By the experiments, we can analyze the relations of the extracellular environmental H(+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) under the effects of western medicines (dilantin, phenobarbital sodium, penicillin sodium) and Chinese drugs (scutellaria, medlar, hemlock parsley), and estimate the effects of several drugs. As the novel microphysiometer works under regular cell culture conditions, cells can be repeatedly simulated with drugs to complete dose-response curve within a few hours. With the detection of a general parameter (extruded protons and ions), the system can be used to monitor the real-time process of the cells' metabolism, observe the functional responses of different kinds of membrane-bound receptors, evaluate the drugs.

Serological and epidemiological effects and influence factors of primary immunization with current live attenuated measles vaccine (Hu191) among infants aged 6-15 months.

A study of the serological and epidemiological effects of primary immunization with current live attenuated measles vaccine (Hu191) among 503 children aged 6-15 months, was conducted in Jingzhou, Hubei province, China from 1991 to 1998. The results showed that the positive conversion rate of measles IgG was 91.65%, geometric mean titer (GMT) was 1:266.74 and its ratio reaching protective titer was 46.52% at 1 month after first immunization. As time goes on, the above-mentioned indexes reduced rapidly. Short-term and long-term efficacy of 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 ml measles vaccine was similar. The positive conversion rate, GMT and ratio of protective titer of IgG of different potency measles vaccine were not significantly different, however, latter two indexes showed a tendency to increase gradually with the rise of vaccine potency. The age for primary immunization was a main factor influencing immune response to measles vaccine. Immune efficacy of 6 months old group by primary vaccination was significantly lower than those of > or = 8 months old group. The result indicated it is practicable that infant aged 8 months be vaccinated with measles vaccine in China. Twenty-nine suspected measles cases were reported, out of them, 26 cases were negated in time from December 1991 to November 1998. The study showed that the short-term positive conversion rate of the enzyme immune assay IgG antibody of the Hu191 is higher, but its serological endurance isn't ideal, and its epidemiological effect should be evaluated further.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis in an elderly outpatient population in the city of São Paulo.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze in out clinic elderly patients of both sexes for the prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis and study their association with the complications of atherosclerosis. METHODS: Five hundred and sixteen outpatients, 152 men and 364 women, 60 years or older, were studied. The prevalences of hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking and obesity were determined in both sexes and compared using the chi-square test. The association between these factors and the presence of atherosclerotic complications was analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: The comparative analysis of the factors in both sexes showed that hypertension, total cholesterol > or = 240 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol > or = 160 mg/dL, and body mass index > 27.5 were more frequent among women, but HDL-cholesterol < 35 mg/dL and cigarette smoking were more frequent among men, and no difference occurred between sexes in relation to the frequency of triglycerides > or = 250 mg/dL and diabetes mellitus. After adjustment of the variables in the regression model, we observed that in the total of elderly patients, risk factors for complications of atherosclerosis were: triglycerides > or = 250 mg/dL, hypertension, and male sex. Among men, the risk factors were: LDL-cholesterol > or = 160 mg/dL, diabetes mellitus, HDL-cholesterol < 35 mg/dL and hypertension. Among women, the risk factors were: triglycerides > or = 250 mg/dL and hypertension. CONCLUSION: The results showed that, in the elderly, the risk factors for atherosclerosis persist, but with different behaviors between men and women. The study suggests that the relative importance of the risk factors can change with the aging process.

Endogenous heme oxygenase/carbon monoxide system mediates lipopolysaccharide-induced intussusception in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of endogenous heme oxygenase (HO)/carbon monoxide (CO) system in regulating the process of intussusception (IN) induced by administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats. METHODS: IN model of rats were induced by lipopolysaccharide. HO activity was determined by the amount of bilirubin formation which was measured with a double-beam spectrophotometer, and HbCO formation was measured by CO-oximeter. RESULTS: The results showed that LPS (10 mg/kg) caused IN in up to 40% of the rats at 6 h after each treatment of LPS. The incidence of IN were significantly increased by 50% (P < 0.05) and by 83.2% (P < 0.01) in HO substrate (heme-L-lysinate)-treated rats and in exogenous CO-treated rats, respectively; but it was sigificantly decreased by 41.8% (P < 0.05) after administration of ZnDPBG, an inhibitor of heme oxygense (HO) activity. Furthermore, LPS increased HO activity, HbCO formation cGMP content within colic smooth muscle and the plasma level of cGMP, and these parameters were significantly elevated by 62.6% (P < 0.01), 40.0% (P < 0.01), 49.3% (P < 0.05) and 38.9% (P<0.05), respectively, compared with LPS-non-IN rats. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that endogenous HO/CO system plays an important role in the process of IN induced by LPS, and inhibition of HO activity may decrease the formation of IN.

A study on electrochemistry of histidine and its metabolites based on the diazo coupling reaction.

The diazo coupling reaction of diazotized p-aminoacetophenone (DPAAP) with histidine and its metabolites form the basis of the differential pulse adsorption stripping voltammetry (DPASV) method for determination of histidine and its metabolites. The adsorption and electrochemical reaction mechanism of the coupling products were studied in detail by structure analysis, cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, control potential electrolysis, electrocapillary curves, UV spectroscopy and the effect of temperature and surfactants. The adsorption of azo-histidine was found to obey Frumkin adsorption isotherm. The calculation results of the maximum surface excess (Gamma(m)=3.08x10(-11) mol cm(2)), diffusion coefficient (D=2.27x10(-6) cm(2) s(-1)), adsorption coefficient (beta=1.06x10(7)) and interactive factor (gamma=0.9900) showed that the azo-histidine conjugation molecules adsorbed on the mercury electrode surface were attracted each other and the electrode process was adsorption controlled.