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We explored pollution input-output of soil Cd and As for one growth cycle of vegetables in peri-urban vegetable soil along Xijiang river, preliminarily verified the input-output of IW, discussed source apportionment of Cd and As in PFs, RW and IW, systematically calculated Cd and As contents in local PFs, IW and RW. The conclusions were as follows, IW had the largest effect on Cd input to the vegetable soil, mean content was 0.1050 mg·(m2)-1 in the growth cycle, followed by PFs and RW. PFs had the largest effect on As input to vegetable soil, mean content was 2.300 mg·(m2)-1, followed by RW and IW. According to the input-output of IW and preliminary incomplete statistical analyses, Cd in IW fully showed input status and As fully showed output status to the vegetable soil, suggested to increase the risk monitoring of Cd in IW and As in PFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fragmentation of CH42+ dications following 55 eV, 75 eV, and 100 eV electron impact double ionization of methane was studied using a cold target recoil-ion momentum spectroscopy. From the measured momentum of each recoil ion, the momentum of the neutral particles has been deduced and the kinetic energy release distribution for the different fragmentation channels has been obtained. The doubly charged molecular ions break up into three or more fragments in one or twostep processes, resulting in different signatures in the data. We observed the fragmentation of CH42+ dications through different mechanisms according to the momentum of the neutral particles. For example, our result shows that there are three reaction channels to form CH2+, H+, and H, one synchronous concerted reaction channel and two two-step reaction channels. For even more complicated fragmentation processes of CH42+ dications, the fragmentation mechanism can still be identified in the present measurements. The slopes of the peak in the ion-ion coincidence spectra were also estimated here, as they are also related to the fragmentation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been reported to possess activity of inducing apoptosis in variety of tumor cells in preclinical models. Several mutational versions of TRAIL have been studied as promising agents for cancer therapy and the recombinant soluble human TRAIL mutant (DATR) is one of them. The objective of the present study was to provide possible toxic target organs and proposal non-toxic dose level of DATR for clinical usage. Rodents and crab-eating macaques were used to estimate potential adverse effects of DATR following a single dose administration. The median lethal dose (LD50) of intravenous injection to rats and mice was determined as 262.0 and 1018.0 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The LD50 of intraperitoneal administration to mice was found to be 1432.1 mg/kg b.w. The main changes in macaques were found in the following aspects. Hematology analysis revealed an obvious decrease of red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin (HB) and hematocrit (HCT) after injection. Serumbiochemical analysis showed an apparent increase of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Crea). Furthermore, inflammatory cell infiltrate in liver and kidney was found by microscope. All the disorders suggested that liver, renal and hematological systems might be the target effectors of toxic effect induced by DATR. Based on the results of this study, the no observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) and the lowest observed-adverse-effect level of DATR in macaques are 90.0 and 135.0 mg/kg b.w., respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We sought to determine the midtrimester prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium in women who had subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.Study Design: In a prospective study of lower genital tract infections, we identified 127 women who subsequently had spontaneous preterm birth. Vaginal samples were obtained between 21 and 25 weeks' gestation for pH, for bacterial vaginosis Gram stain, and cultures that yielded Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis. M genitalium was identified by using validated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, and the results were compared to pregnancy outcomes.Results: Of 124 women with spontaneous preterm births, only five (3.9%) had PCR assays positive forM genitalium. The mean +/- SD delivery gestational age was similar for women with a positive PCR (34.6 +/- 2.2 weeks) and a negative PCR (34.0 +/- 2.7 weeks) (P =.62). None of the women with positive PCR results tested positive for any other sexually transmitted disease, whereas 36 (30%) women with negative PCR results tested positive.Conclusions: The occurrence of M genitalium in the vagina at midtrimester is infrequent in women with subsequent spontaneous preterm birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the effect of a microscopic three-body force on the proton and neutron superfluidity in the 1S0 channel in β-stable neutron star matter. It is found that the three-body force has only a small effect on the neutron 1S0 pairing gap, but it suppresses strongly the proton 1S0 superfluidity in β-stable neutron star matter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare clinical syndrome that was first described in 1958. To date, whole-lung lavage (WLL) is still the gold-standard therapy for PAP. Herein, we report the case of a male patient who was diagnosed with PAP by open-lung biopsy 8 years prior to presentation at our clinic. The man underwent his first WLL in 2004 and showed marked clinical and radiological improvement after the operation. However, after his original presentation, proteinaceous material continued to accumulate in his lungs. Lavage was performed four additional times, but these attempts failed to arrest the decline in pulmonary function. Each lavage resulted in significant, although transient, clinical improvement.

Objective: In this study, we assessed the temporal trends and relative and attributable perinatal risks of maternal obesity over a 20-year period., Study Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort study between 1980 and 1999 by using a computerized perinatal database of all women who received prenatal care and delivered their infants within a regional health care system. The main outcome measures were as follows: (1) annual mean body weight and the percentage of women classified as obese at the first prenatal visit (primary definition > or = 200 lb; secondary definitions > or = 250 lb, > or = 300 lb, body mass index > 29 kg/m(2)); and (2) relative and attributable risks of obesity for selected maternal and perinatal morbidities in successive 5-year periods., Results: From 1980 to 1999, the mean maternal weight of women at the first prenatal visit increased 20% (144-172 lb), as did the percentage of women > or = 200 lb (7.3-24.4), the percentage > or = 250 lb (1.9-10.7), the percentage > or = 300 lb (0.5-4.9), and the percentage with a body mass index > 29 kg/m(2) (16.3-36.4), P < .01 for all. Controlling for maternal age, race, and smoking status, obese women were at increased risk at each period for cesarean delivery (range of adjusted relative risk, 1.5-1.8), gestational diabetes (range, 1.8-2.9), and large (> 90th percentile) for gestational age infants (range, 1.8-2.2). From the earliest 5-year period (1980-1984) to the most recent (1995-1999), the percentage of obesity-attributable cesarean deliveries more than tripled from 3.9 to 11.6. Similar percentage increases were observed for the obesity-attributable risks for gestational diabetes (12.8-29.6) and large for gestational age infants (6.5-19.1). Trends for secondary obesity definitions were similar, although the magnitude of the increased attributable risks was smaller., Conclusions: Efforts to reduce the frequency of certain perinatal morbidities will be constrained unless effective measures to prevent, or limit the risks of, maternal obesity are developed and implemented.

Preterm births remain a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality despite our efforts over the past several decades. Our improved understanding of the complex mechanisms surrounding preterm labor, however, has resulted in the development of numerous biologic and clinical predictors of spontaneous preterm births. These developments offer the exciting prospect for the creation of specific interventions that are directed toward the various pathways involved with preterm births.

Aim: To study the long-term toxicity of modified recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF-NC) in Macaca mulatta compared with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF)., Methods: rhTNF-NC 93, 9.3 GU/m2, and rhTNF 62 GU/m2 were injected i.v. daily to 16 Macaca mulatta for 1 month and 10 d, respectively. Hematologic, chemical, urinalysis values, ECG, specific antibody, bone marrow, and pathologic profile of organs were measured., Results: No more adverse effects of rhTNF-NC were found in spite of anorexia in 4 monkeys and palpebral edema in 2 monkeys of 93 GU/m2 group. Besides, in rhTNF group, the injury of liver and kidneys, the decrease of erythron, the phlebitis, and thrombosis at injection site occurred. Both drugs caused the production of specific antibody., Conclusion: No serious adverse effects of rhTNF-NC were found in Macaca mulatta. The toxicity of rhTNF-NC was much lower than that of rhTNF.

The effects of exogenenous monoaminergic neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, NE; epinephrine, E; dopamine, DA and 5-HT) and inhibin alpha N-terminal fragments P32 (1-32), P32-Tyr on P4 production by incubated rat CL cells were studied. The results demonstrated that: (1) alpha fragments caused significant inhibition on P4 production. (2) 0.1 mmol/L NE (or E) and 10 mumol/L DA produced a marked increase in both basal and hCG induced P4 production by CL cells (P < 0.001). The rank orders of potency of the catecholamines in stimulating P4 production were different, for basal P4 production, NE > E > DA; but for hCG induced P4 production, DA > E > NE, i.e. the order just reversed. Addition of P32-Tyr significantly neutrolized the stimulatory action of E, but only slightly increased the action of NE. (3) alpha receptor blocker phentolamine and beta receptor blocker propranolol were effective in decreasing basal and hCG-induced P4 production, the latter being more effective than the former. It was further shown that both blockers augmented the inhibitory effect of alpha-fragments on P4 production. (4) Unlike NE, E, and DA, 5-HT at 0.5 mumol/L exerted inhibitory effect on the basal and hCG-induced P4 production, but profoundly supressed the inhibitory effect of alpha-fragments on P4 production. The above results suggested: (1) Adrenergic, DA and 5-HT receptors are present in rat CL, where catecholamine might exert a stimulating effect on basal and hCG-induced P4 production via different pathways. (2) The inhibitory effect of P32, P32-Tyr on P4 production might be related to their inhibition by partial blocking alpha/beta receptors, which were antagnized by 5-HT. (3) The action of P32, P32-TYr on P4 production is brought on the participation of neurotransmitters NE, E, DA and 5-HT.

Aim: To study the acute and chronic toxicities of human recombinant interferon-gamma (Hu-rIFN-gamma) in mice, rats, and dogs., Method: Twenty mice were administrated Hu-rIFN-gamma (i.m. or i.v.) 4.4 x 10(9) IU m-2 to observe the acute toxicity. In chronic studies, 1 x 10(7), 5 x 10(7), 1 x 10(8) IU m-2 d-1 were given to 80 rats and 5 x 10(5), 5 x 10(7) IU m-2 d-1 were injected to 14 dogs i.m. for 3 months, treatment-related changes were measured in the hematologic, chemical, urinalysis values, ECG and pathologic profile of organs and tissues., Results: The maximal tolerance dose (MTD) i.m. or i.v. in mice was 4.4 x 10(9) IU m-2, 4400 times the recommended clinical dosage (1 x 10(6) IU m-2). No adverse effects were found in chronic toxicity studies., Conclusion: Human recombinant interferon-gamma did not produce toxic reaction in rats and dogs.

Twenty peptides containing hydroxy-amino acids have been synthesized manually by stepwise solid-phase procedure. The chloromethyl resin and MBHA resin were used as solid supports. A new reagent of 0.5 mol.L-1 DDSi/1.5 mol.L-1 phenol/DCM was applied for the removal of N alpha-Boc group. TFMSA was the cleaving reagent. After purification by C-18 column; all products were assayed according to amino acid analysis. The bioactivity of synthetic peptides was tested for the effect on progesterone production in vitro. Eight peptides, GlyTyrAlaLys, (SarSer)2Lys and its methyl ester, TyrLys, HisTyr-NH2, ThrProTyrLys-NH2 TyrThrProArgLys and AspHisProThrPheLys showed significant effect on inhibiting hCG-induced progesterone production, and first three of them could also inhibit basal progesterone secretion. However, peptide GlySerTyr exhibited stimulative activity on basal progesterone secretion. So far, no reasonable relationship between structure and bioactivity was found.

The porcine brain natriuretic peptide (BNP-26) and its analog, (Mpr4,D-Ala6,13) BNP(4-24)-NH2, were synthesized by solid phase method employing the Boc strategy. After HF cleavage to remove the protected groups, the crude linear peptide was air-oxidized under alkaline conditions to form the disulfide bridge. The synthetic peptides, purified by gel filtration and HPLC, were proved to have pharmacological spectra very similar to that of natural BNP such as natriuretic/diuretic, hypotensive and vaso-relaxant activities.

Six segments within the subunit beta-A of the follicular inhibin have been synthesized by an improved solid phase procedure on p-methyl-benzhydrylamine (1% divinylbenzene) resin. The courses of the syntheses were monitored by quantitative ninhydrin assays and amino acid analyses. Following the cleavage by HF-p-cresol (9:1 V/V), the peptides were extracted with anhydrous trifluoroacetic acid containing 1% dithiothreitol and precipitated with dry ethyl ether. The purification was achieved uniquely by reverse phase HPLC and final products were characterized by several TLC systems, analytical HPLC and amino acid analyses. Pituitary cell culture bioassays were performed to ascertain their biological activities. However, among these synthetic peptides, the small peptides Ib-beta A (37-39)NH2(I), Ib-beta A(34-39)NH2(II), and Ib-beta A(30-39)NH2(III) showed no significant suppression on the LHRH-induced FSH secretion; the large peptides Ib-beta A(23-39)NH2(IV), Ib-beta A(16-39)NH2(V), and Ib-beta A(14-39)NH2(VI) lack adequate solubility in neutral media, and other methods are to be sought to test their bioactivities.

An experimental study on circulating changes of left gastric vessels in schistosomiasis was done on animal models. The result favoured the theory of A-V shunt and local hyperdynamic status. It is important for not only understanding the pathogenesis of the disease but also for selecting the operative procedures. According to this theory, the coronary-caval shunt is a procedure of choice for some cases.