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In this study, a proteomic analysis consisting of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry was accomplished to investigate the complex protein expression patterns in rat tibialis anterior muscle during postnatal 3-month period. We determined the time-dependent expression alterations of 107 protein spots, among which 53 protein spots were identified. These identified proteins included skeletal contractile proteins, metabolic enzymes, chaperone, intermediate filament, and signal transduction proteins. The time-dependent expression of three proteins, such as Mylpf, desmin, and RKIP, was confirmed by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The functional implication of these expression changes was also discussed. We further analyzed the linkage and interactions among the differentially expressed proteins (MAPK1, RKIP, AHSG, etc.). Collectively, the results might add to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating postnatal growth and development of rat tibialis anterior muscle.

Crystal TaS2 nanobelt arrays were fabricated on Ta wafers by a two-step method. Field-emission measurements show that the nanobelt arrays are decent field emitters with a turn-on field of approximately 0.7 V microm(-1), a threshold field of approximately 2.1 V microm(-1), and a field enhancement factor of approximately 4.33 x 10(4).

Iodine-doped TaS2 hierarchical nanostructures, for which nanorod arrays are vertically grown on the edge of nanosheets, were prepared and showed superconductivity below 5 K.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy in the treatment of Parkinson's disease., Methods: Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a sham-operation group, a model group and a point-through-point therapy group. 6-()HDA was injected into left striatum to made lateralization Parkinson's disease rat model. The point-through-point therapy group was treated with electroacupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20 )-through-"Taiyang" (EX-NH 5), once each day, 6 days constituting one course, for 2 courses, and the rats of other groups were not treated. HE staining method was used for observation of the histo-morphologic changes of the substantia nigra neurons, and RT-PCR for the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNAs., Results: The expressions of TH mRNA (1.22 +/- 0. 19) and DAT mRNA (0.62-0.11) in the point-through-point therapy group were significantly higher than (0.65 +/- 0.17) and (0.41 +/- 0.08) in the model group, respectively (all P < 0.05). As compared with the model group, the number of neurons in the substantia nigra increased and degeneration of the neurons relieved in the point-through-point therapy group., Conclusion: The electroacupuncture scalp point-through-point therapy can increase expressions of TH mRNA and DAT mRNA in the substantia nigra in the Parkinson's disease model rat, and promote synthesis and reuptake of dopamine, hence Parkinson's disease is cured.

Objective: To investigate general states of the work locus of control and explore the relationship between work locus of control and occupational stress in oil workers., Methods: 582 oil workers were investigated by using the General Questionnaire and Occupational Stress Measure Inventory., Results: There were significant differences in WCLS score between two age groups (= 30 years old group and < 30 years old group) (t = 2.093, P = 0.037). Values of interpersonal relationship, person responsibility, promotion, participation, autonomy, task consistency, challenge, job satisfaction, mental health, self-esteem and coping strategies were higher in the group of internal locus of control; values of role ambiguity, working prospect, depression and social support were higher in the group of external locus of control (P < 0.05). Work locus of control had positive relation with role ambiguity, working prospect, depression, and social support, and negative with interpersonal relationship, promotion, participation, task consistency, challenge, job satisfaction, mental health, self-esteem and coping strategies. In the regression analysis, work locus of control was the major predictive factor of work satisfaction., Conclusion: Work locus of control is associated with many occupational stress factors. The group of extrinsic work locus of control experience more stress in oil workers.

Dexras1, a brain-enriched member of the Ras subfamily of GTPases, as a novel physiologic nitric oxide (NO) effector, anchor neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) that increased after spinal cord injury (SCI), to specific targets to enhance NO signaling, and is strongly and rapidly induced during treatment with dexamethasone. It is unknown how the central nervous system (CNS) trauma affects the expression of Dexras1. Here we used spinal cord transection (SCT) model to detect expression of Dexras1 at mRNA and protein level in spinal cord homogenates by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. The results showed that Dexras1 mRNA upregulated at 3 day, 5 day, and 7 day significantly (P < 0.05) that was consistent with the protein level except at 7 day. Immunofluorescence revealed that both neurons and glial cells showed Dexras1 immunoreactivivty (IR) around SCT site, but the proportion is different. Importantly, injury-induced expression of Dexras1 was co-labeled by caspase-3 (apoptotic marker) and Tau-1 (marker for pathological oligodendrocyte). Furthermore, colocalization of Dexras1, carboxy-terminal PSD95/DLG/ZO-1 (PDZ) ligand of nNOS (CAPON) and nNOS was observed in neurons and glial cells, supporting the existence of ternary complexes in this model. Thus, the results that the transient high expression of Dexras1 which localized in apoptotic neurons and pathological oligodendrocytes might provide new insight into the secondary response after SCT.

Objective: To investigate the job satisfaction and its influential factors in oil production workers., Methods: 423 oil production workers were investigated using the Occupational Stress Instrument., Results: The job satisfaction, job organization satisfaction, job itself satisfaction in the workers aged < 30 years old (45.69 +/- 10.98, 22.63 +/- 6.16, 23.07 +/- 5.39 respectively) were lower than those in workers aged > or = 30 years old (49.34 +/- 10.12, 24.60 +/- 5.40, 24.74 +/- 5.36 respectively) (P < 0.01). The job satisfaction in the groups of different service length was significantly different. The job satisfaction in the workers of service length 5-10 years was the lowest compared with those of service length < 5 years and > 10 years (P < 0.05). The gender, education, marriage did not show obvious influence on the job satisfaction. The relationship between psychological health, work locus of control, coping strategies, affective balance and social support showed a statistical significance difference (P < 0.01). Regression was analyzed by taking job satisfaction as strain and personal characters, occupational stress factors, coping as independent variables. Five variables entered regression equation. They were work locus of control, affective balance, social support, psychological health and coping strategies., Conclusion: The job satisfaction of oil production workers is affected by multiple factors such as the age, work length and social support.

A new bufadienolide named 16beta-acetoxy-bufarenogin (1), together with six known bufadienolides, namely, 11alpha,12beta-dihydroxy-bufalin (2), bufotalin (3), hellebrigenin (4), desacetylbufotalin (5), gamabufotalin (6), and resibufagin (7) were isolated from Chan'Su. Of these, 2 was a new natural product. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods. The cytotoxic activities in vitro of these compounds have been assayed against HeLa cell line. They all showed strong cytotoxic activities.

Objective: To investigate the health and work status of traffic policemen in a city, and analyze the effect of the occupation on health of them., Methods: The prevalent investigation was used to investigate the health status of on-the-job traffic policemen and the effect of the occupation on the health of traffic policemen was studied., Results: Among 4486 traffic policemen, 1604 working outside. The average time of working outside was (12.0 +/- 7.9) years and the average time of standing was (7.0 +/- 1.7) hours/day. The incidence of naso-pharyngitis, arthropathy, photosensitive dermatitis, heat stroke and chilblain, noise-induced deafness in the outside-traffic policemen were higher than that of the policemen working indoors. Eye diseases were higher in those who worked outside for 20-25 years. The varicosis of the lower extremity was higher in those who stood outside over 4 hours every day. The average period of onset of disease was 7-8 years., Conclusion: The occupational stress of outside-traffic policemen was bigger in the city. The environmental pollution and the bad condition are the risky factors of 8 kinds of diseases among traffic policemen. The average period of onset of the disease is 7-8 years.

The short-circuit current (I(SC)) technique was used to examine the effects of cAMP-evoking agents, forskolin/IBMX, and a Chinese medicinal formula, Huoxiang-zhengqi liquid (HZL) on HCO(3)(-) secretion by intact porcine distal airway epithelium. The freshly isolated airway epithelial tissue displayed a transepithelial basal current of (94.9±8.2) μA/cm(2), 16.6% and 62.7% of which was inhibited by amiloride (epithelial Na(+) channel blocker, 100 μmol/L) and NPPB (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator Cl(-) channel blocker, 100 μmol/L). Substitution of Cl(-) with impermeable gluconate(-) in the K-H bath solution resulted in a basal current of (54.0±6.7) μA/cm(2), which could be abolished by further removal of HCO(3)(-) in the solution, indicating HCO(3)(-) secretion under unstimulated conditions. Application of forskolin/IBMX (10 μmol/L/100 μmol/L) stimulated an increase of (13.8±1.9) μA/cm(2) in I(SC) which could be blocked by Cl(-) channel inhibitor DPC. With Cl(-) and Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) substitution, forskolin/IBMX evoked an increase of (7.3±0.5) μA/cm(2) in HCO(3)(-)-dependent, DPC-inhibitable I(SC) (I(HCO(3))). Noticeably, basolateral application of HZL (10 μL/mL) in normal K-H solution evoked an I(SC) of (15.9±2.4) μA/cm(2). The EC(50) of this I(SC) was (6.1±1.4) μL/mL. When substituting Cl(-), HZL stimulated an increase of (7.4±1.9) μA/cm(2) in I(HCO(3)), suggesting HZL-induced HCO(3)(-) secretion. After pretreating the epithelial tissues with forskolin/IBMX in Cl(-)-free K-H solution, HZL induced a further increase of (8.4±0.9) μA/cm(2) in I(HCO(3)), and pretreating tissues with HZL did not significantly affect the subsequent forskolin/IBMX-induced I(HCO(3)) response, indicating that HZL- and forskolin/IBMX-induced I(HCO(3)) responses appeared to be independent and be most likely mediated via different cellular mechanisms. Our results suggest that HCO(3)(-) can be secreted by porcine distal airway epithelium under unstimulated and stimulated conditions, and the stimulatory effect of HZL on HCO(3)(-) secretion in the distal airway epithelium shows HZL to be a hopeful new agonist for distal airway HCO(3)(-) secretion that could be of therapeutic significance.

The adaptor protein, carboxy-terminal PDZ ligand of nNOS (CAPON), regulates the distribution of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) that increased after spinal cord injury (SCI) and produces the key signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO). But little is known about the role of CAPON in the pathological process of SCI. The main objective of the present study was to investigate expression of CAPON and nNOS in a spinal cord contusion model in adult rats. Real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis revealed that mRNA and protein for CAPON increased at 2 h after SCI and reached the peak at 8 h, gradually recovered to the baseline level at 14 days. The expression of nNOS mRNA and protein was similar to that of CAPON. During the peak expression, CAPON mRNA was found in the ventral horn, mediate zone, dorsal horn, and white matter by in situ hybridization. Immunofluorescence showed that CAPON was colocalized with nNOS in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and some astrocytes of spinal cord tissues within 5 mm from the epicenter. Interaction between CAPON and nNOS was also detected by co-immunoprecipitation. Thus, the transient expression of high levels of CAPON may provide new insight into the secondary response after SCI.

beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase I (beta-1,4-GalT I) plays an important role in the synthesis of the backbone structure of adhesion molecules involved in leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction. The expression of beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA increased in primary human endothelial cells after exposure to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In the central nervous system (CNS), astrocytes play a pivotal role in immunity as immunocompetent cells by secreting cytokines and inflammatory mediators, there are two types of astrocytes. Type-1 astrocytes can secrete TNF-alpha when stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), while the responses of type-2 astrocytes during inflammation are unknown. So we examined the expression change of beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA in type-2 astrocytes after exposure to TNF-alpha and LPS. Real-time PCR showed that TNF-alpha or LPS affected beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR analysis revealed that TNFR1 and TNFR2 were present in normal untreated type-2 astrocytes, and that TNF-alpha, TNFR1 and TNFR2 increased in type-2 astrocytes after exposure to TNF-alpha or LPS. Immunocytochemistry showed that TNFR1 was expressed in the cytoplasm, nucleus and processes of normal untreated type-2 astrocytes, and distributed mainly in the cytoplasm and processes after exposure to LPS. TNFR2 was mainly expressed in the nucleus of normal untreated type-2 astrocytes, and distributed mainly in the processes of type-2 astrocytes after exposure to LPS. Both anti-TNFR1 and anti-TNFR2 antibodies suppressed beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA expression induced by TNF-alpha or LPS. From these results, we conclude that TNF-alpha signaling via both TNFR1 and TNFR2 translocated from nucleus to cytoplasm or processes is sufficient to induce beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA. In addition, we observed that not only exogenous TNF-alpha but also TNF-alpha produced by type-2 astrocytes affected beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA production in type-2 astrocytes. These results suggest that an autocrine loop involving TNF-alpha contributes to the production of beta-1,4-GalT I mRNA in response to inflammation.

Objectives: Neovascular proliferation of a tumor's blood supply is an important precursor of malignant growth. Evaluation of blood volume may provide useful information for the characterization, prognosis and response of tumors to therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the blood volume of tumor tissue measured noninvasively by MRI and microbubble contrast ultrasound imaging., Materials and Methods: Twenty-two rabbits injected with VX2 tumors were studied. The blood volume fraction in tumor and muscle tissue was obtained from MRI T(1)-weighted images using a blood-pool agent, Clariscan, and by ultrasound using Definity and pulse inversion imaging., Results and Conclusions: Similar results were obtained from MRI and ultrasound. Estimation of the blood volume in tissue in the rim of a VX2 tumor 1.5 to 5.0 cm in diameter relative to that in the surrounding muscle was (mean+/-S.D.) 3.31+/-1.43 by MRI and 2.99+/-1.83 by ultrasound. The blood volume in the tissue relative to the total tissue volume (relative blood volume fraction) measured by MRI was 13+/-4.1% in tumor versus 4+/-1.4% in muscle (P<.01). Our data also suggested that, compared to the distribution volume of an extracellular contrast agent, Gd-DTPA, Clariscan as an intravascular agent demonstrated high-quality depictions of vascular structure of the tumor.

Objective: To compare therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment and medication on acute gouty arthritis (AGA), so as to search for a therapeutic method for treatment of gout with renal insufficiency., Methods: Ninety cases of AGA were randomly divided into an EA group, an allopurinol group and a probenecid group, 30 cases in each group. The EA group were treated by EA at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Fenglong (ST 40), Yinlingquan (SP 9), once a day; the allopurinol group by oral administration of Allopurinol, twice a day, 100 mg each time and the probenecid group by oral administration of Probenecid, twice daily, 0.25 g each time. Contents of blood uric acid (BUA) and urinary uric acid (UUA) in each group were detected., Results: In all groups, there were significant differences in BUA and UUA levels before and after treatment (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the EA group and the allopurinol group in blood uric acid level after treatment (P > 0.05) and there was no significant difference between the EA group and the probenecid group in the urinary innary uric acid level (P > 0.05). Comparison of therapeutic effects among the 3 groups indicated that the mean rank was 56.23 in the EA group, 43.17 in the allopurinol group and 37.10 in the probenecid group, indicating that the therapeutic effect in the EA group was better than that in the allopurinol group, and the allopurinol group was better than that in the probenecid group., Conclusion: EA can reduce the production of uric acid and promote the excretion of uric acid and has a better treatment effect. And there are no harmful effects on renal function. EA is an effective therapeutic method for treatment of gout with renal insufficiency.

A new sesquiterpene lactone with an unusual sulfonic acid group, 13-sulfo-dihydrodehydrocostus lactone (1), was isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa C. (Compositae), together with a known lignan (2). The structure of 1 was characterized on the basis of spectral evidence including 2DNMR studies. Compound 2 was obtained from this plant for the first time.

Cunninghamella elegans has been employed for the biotransformation of cinobufagin to afford 5 metabolites. The structures of the transformation products have been characterized as 12alpha-hydroxybufagin, 11alpha-hydroxybufagin, 12beta-hydroxy-desacetylcinobufagin, 3-oxo-12alpha-hydroxybufagin and 12beta-hydroxybufagin. Products 12alpha-hydroxybufagin and 11alpha-hydroxybufagin are new compounds. In vitro both the biotransformation products and cinobufagin all showed cytotoxic activities against HeLa cells.

To investigate the status of the trace elements (TEs) and related metalloenzymes activities in the injury and repair process after severe trauma, we established a rabbit model of severe trauma whose Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 22. Concentrations of blood selenium (Se) and serum copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and ferritin were measured on D0 (before injury), and day (D) 1, D2, D3, D6, D9, D14, D21, D28 after trauma, respectively. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), the contents of lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum biochemical profile were detected synchronously. In addition, the morphologic changes of major organs were observed at different time intervals. Results showed that blood Se and serum Zn, Fe contents decreased significantly within 2 weeks after injury. Serum Cu concentration was significantly reduced on D1 but normalized quickly. Serum ferritin level increased during the first week while following an obvious decrease thereafter. The blood GPx activity dropped markedly from D1 to D6, the serum Cu/Zn-SOD activity decreased on D1 and then increased significantly within 2 weeks, and the blood MPO-positive stained cells increased within a week after trauma and followed by a decrease from D14 to D21. The serum MDA increased significantly on D6. Seven of 34 rabbits died in 4-6 days after injury. Biochemistry values and pathological features revealed these rabbits died of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Our experiment suggested that the circulating TEs status is dramatically modified in response to trauma, which might be a factor in MODS.

Objective: To observe analgesic effect of scalp acupuncture on labor., Methods: Seventy primiparae with term pregnancy and monocyesis were randomly divided into scalp acupuncture group treated by acupuncture at the Shengzhi area of scalp, and control group by no treatment. Pain grades before and after scalp acupuncture were evaluated with the pain 4-grade rating criteria stipulated by WHO, and the active stage and the second birth process, the Apgar scores of new-born and postpartum hemorrage amount were compared between the two groups., Results: The labor pain with 1 to approximately 2 grades was found in 33 cases in the scalp acupuncture group, and 2 cases in the control group with very significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.01); the active stage was (130.70 +/- 74.16 ) min and the second birth process was (40.70 +/- 21.65) min in the scalp acupuncture group, and (166.15 +/- 62.65) min and (53.30 +/- 26.93) min in the control group, respectively, with significant differences between the two groups (all P < 0.05); and there were no significant differences in Apgar score of new-born and postpartum hemorrhage amount., Conclusion: Scalp acupuncture has a better analgesic effect in vaginal delivery with no adverse effect on the mother and infant.

To have a better insight into the molecular events involved in denervation-induced atrophy and reinnervation-induced regeneration of skeletal muscles, it is important to investigate the changes in expression levels of a great multitude of muscle proteins during the process of denervation-reinnervation. In this study, we employed an experimental model of rat sciatic nerve crush to examine the differentially expressed proteins in the rat gastrocnemius muscle at different time points (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks) after sciatic nerve crush by using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), collectively referred to as the modern proteomic analysis. The results showed that 16 proteins in the rat gastrocnemius muscle exhibited two distinct types of change pattern in their relative abundance: (1) The relative expression levels of 11 proteins (including alpha actin, myosin heavy chain, etc.) were decreased either within 1 or 2 weeks post-sciatic nerve injury, followed by restoration during the ensuing days until 4 weeks. (2) The other 5 proteins (including alpha enolase, beta enolase, signal peptide peptidase-like 3, etc.) displayed an up-regulation in their relative expression levels within 1 week following sciatic nerve injury, and a subsequent gradual decrease in their relative expression levels until 4 weeks. Moreover, the significance of the changes in expression levels of the 16 proteins during denervation-reinnervation has been selectively discussed.

A theoretical study on the polyamic acid (PAA) and its derivatives with different side chain (GPAA1-4) by semi-empirical PM3 is presented in this paper. After optimization, the authors get their balanceable geometric configurations. For all optimal geometric configurations, there is no imaginary frequency in vibrational analysis, which proves that the geometric configurations are stable. On this basis, the electronic spectra have been calculated by a single-excitation configuration interaction (CIS) method. Tie calculated results are consistent with experimental values on the whole. The authors found that the fluorescence intensity of polyamic acid (PAA) with p-pi conjugation side chain is enhanced obviously, and the longer the alkyl side chain the more intense the fluorescence will be. This will help us to design and synthesize the polymer fluorescence material.

Objective: To characterize the differential expression of SLP-2 in endometrial cancer, and to study the effect of human SLP-2 gene on human endometrial cancer cell line., Methods: The expression of SLP-2 gene in 32 cases of endometrial cancer and 28 cases of normal endometrial tissues was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Eukaryotic expression vectors of sense and antisense SLP-2 were constructed and transfected into HEC-1B cell line using lipofectamine 2000 respectively. The morphological changes of the cell were observed by phase contrast microscopy. The cell growth was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the cell cycles were analyzed by flow cytometry., Results: The expression of SLP-2 mRNA in endometrial cancer tissues was higher than that in normal endometrial tissues (1.6 +/- 0.7 vs 0.7 +/- 0.3, P < 0.05). Sense and antisense human SLP-2 constructs were transfected into HEC-1B cell line respectively. After being transfected with sense SLP-2, the expression of SLP-2 mRNA in HEC-1B cell line was increased by about 2.4 times that of the control group, the cell growth was accelerated, and the number of cells in G(1) phase was decreased by 12.5%, S phase was increased by 8.0%. After being transfected with antisense SLP-2, the expression of SLP-2 mRNA was declined 50%. The transfected cells showed slower growth, and the number of cells in G(1) phase was significantly increased by 10.5%, and S phase was declined by 9.8%., Conclusion: SLP-2 mRNA shows up-regulation in endometrial cancer tissues, and it may have some relationship with carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer.

Mechanism and influence factors of resonance light scattering (RLS) spectra of 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol (PAR) aqueous solution were studied. In weak acidic solutions, strong RLS of PAR can be observed. The spectral feature of RLS is related to the absorption spectra of PAR. Acidity of the solutions influenced the acid-base equilibrium of PAR and its existing state, thereby influenced the RLS intensity. At pH 3.1 to pH 6.2, PAR exists as neutral molecule, which may assemble into molecular aggregates by hydrophobic force giving a light scattering enhancement. By a light polarization experiment, the RLS of PAR was demonstrated to be complete polarized light. The relationship between RLS intensity and PAR concentration was examined to be linear at a given set of experimental conditions.

Two new sesquiterpene lactones with the unusual sulfonic acid group, 13-sulfo-dihydrosantamarine (1) and 13-sulfo-dihydroreynosin (2), have been isolated from the roots of Saussurea lappa C. Their structures, including the absolute configurations, were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Albstract The authors synthesized ZnO nanorods by calcining the precursor composed of PVP and Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O at 300 degrees C. In order to investigate the growth process of ZnO nanorods, the precursor was calcined for different time (0.5, 3, 12, 24 h) and the corresponding products were measured by TEM, HR-TEM (high-resolution transmission electron microscopic), SAED (selected-area electron diffraction pattern) and XRD. The result showed that there were ZnO crystallites in the precursor of PVP and Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O, which was dried at 110 degrees C. When the precursor was calcined at 300 degrees C for 0.5 h, ZnO nanorods could be observed with diameter of 50 nm and the nanorods consisted of two parts. One was compact nanorod with diameter of about 30 nm and the other part was ZnO crystallites attaching around the nanorod. This phenomenon indicated that there might be a transverse growth direction of ZnO nanorods at early time of crystal growth. When the precursor was calcined for 3 h, the products were direct and smooth single crystal ZnO nanorods. Further increasing the calcining time at 300 degrees C could improve the length of the ZnO nanorods in a certain extent while the diameter changed a little. The HR-TEM results showed that the growth direction of ZnO nanorods was along c axis.

Objective: The purpose of this prospective study was to measure in vivo blood oxygen saturation (%O2) by MRI in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) using population-based values for T2O (T2 signal decay of fully oxygenated blood) and K (a parameter representing the deoxyhemoglobin effect) and compare the %O2 with direct cardiac catheterization measurements., Background: MRI can determine %O2 using in vivo measurement of signal decay (T2) and an in vitro calibration curve relating T2 and %O2, based on the equation: 1/T2 = 1/T2O + K(1-%O2/100)2. Recent studies have correlated the T2/%O2 in children with CHD with the adult calibration statistics., Methods: A total of ten children (five male, five female) with single ventricle CHD (median age 4.8 months, range 2 months to 4.4 years) undergoing cardiac catheterization were included in the study. The blood T2 measurements for each patient were performed in a 1.5 T GE CV scanner. The %O2 was then calculated based on the equation using values of T2O determined from individual hematocrits, and a population average value of K derived for children. The %O2 values were compared with direct %O2 measurements from cardiac catheterization., Results: The %O2 values by MRI were strongly correlated with direct cardiac catheterization measurements (R = 0.825; P < 0.001)., Conclusion: The study indicates that the noninvasive measurement of %O2 by MRI can accurately measure oxygen saturation in children with complex CHD.

Both zhenbao pills II and III are Mongolian medicine of a kind. Zhenbao pill II was the artificial syntheses and zhenbao pill III was made from natural materials. In this paper, the flavonoids of Mongolian medicine zhenbao pills II and III were extracted by Soxhlet apparatus with methyl alcohol as extracting agent, the colorimetric method was applied to the determination of flavonoids, and the experimental procedure was studied with zhenbao pill II as the test sample. The result showed that the linear range of quantitative determination was 8.05-48.28 microg x mg(-1). The standard addition recovery (SAR) was 99.49%-100.50%. The RSD (n = 3) was 0.54%. The range of contents of flavonoids was 1.47-1.55 mg x g(-1) in zhenbao pill II and was 2.88-3.00 mg x g(-1) in zhenbao pill III. This method was simple and accurate with good reproducibility, and is suitable for the determination of flavonoids in all kinds of pills. The contents of flavonoids can be used to prove whether zhenbao pill is artificial syntheses or natural material.

Objective: To study the relationship of the long-term incidence rate of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) after vasectomy to age and time after operation., Method: Questionnaire survey, physical examination, and ultrasonography were conducted among 850 healthy males, aged 55 - 76 who underwent vasectomy more than 20 years before and 390 healthy males, aged 53 - 75, who had not undergone vasectomy in Yichang, Hubei province, selected by randomized cluster sampling. The data such as international prostate symptom scoring (IPSS), quality of life (QOL) index, maximum urine flow rate (MFR), and average flow rate (AFR), digital rectal examination (DRE), volume of prostate gland (V), and residual urine (R) were analyzed., Results: The general BPH incidence rate of the vasectomy group was 10.8%, significantly lower than that of the control group (40.8%, P < 0.01). The age-specific BPH incidence rates in the vasetomy group were all significantly lower than those of the control group, especially that of the subjects aged over 70 (10.8% vs. 56.5%, P < 0.001). The BPH incidence rate of those who had undergone vasectomy 25 years or over before was 7.8%, significantly lower than that of those who had undergone vasectomy 20 years before (13.2%, P < 0.05), but not significantly difference from that of those who had undergone vasectomy 30 years or over before (5.5%, P > 0.05). The volumes of prostate gland in all age subgroups were significantly smaller in the vasectomy group than in the control group., Conclusion: Vasectomy reduces the incidence rate of BPH significantly.

Resonance light scattering (RLS), absorption and fluorescence spectra of aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) were studied. In solutions with pH 3.7 to pH 11.0, the RLS signal was very weak, but increased sharply with a decrease in pH when pH < 3.7 and reached a maximum at pH 2.7. This enhancement effect of RLS occurred because the negative charged species of ATA were transformed into neutral molecules when pH decreased, and the neutral molecules assembled into supermolecular aggregates. Two peaks at 260 nm and 340 nm, respectively, and a valley at 300 nm, appeared in the RLS spectrum, whereas an absorption peak appeared at 300 nm in the absorption spectrum. This spectral feature reveals that the RLS spectrum was related to the absorption spectrum of ATA. The change in RLS intensity with the wavelength was not accordant with Rayleigh scattering law. The fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of ATA do not overlap, so resonance fluorescence was not involved in the RLS spectrum. Under a given set of experimental conditions, the RLS intensity increased with the increase in ATA concentration, which, however, was not a strictly linear relationship.

The human aristaless-related homeobox ( ARX) gene is mutated in several patients with X-linked mental retardation and/or other neurologic pathologies. We report the isolation and expression pattern of a Xenopus arx gene. Similar to other vertebrate arx genes, Xenopus arx is expressed in the developing telencephalon, diencephalon, and floor plate.

From the roots of Ligularia macrophylla, a bisesquiterpene, ligumacrophyllal (1), and an eremophilane sesquiterpene, ligumacrophyllatin (2) were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by 2D-NMR herein. Additionally, seven known compounds (3-9) were afforded from the plant, and compound 3 was found as natural product for the first time.