Cluster dynamics simulation of deuterium retention behaviors in irradiated beryllium

The long-term dynamics evolution behaviors of deuterium in beryllium under different irradiation conditions are investigated using the cluster dynamics model.

Effects of estradiol-drospirenone on menopausal symptoms, lipids and bone turnover in Chinese women

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of a hormone replacement preparation containing 1 mg estradiol plus 2 mg drospirenone on menopausal symptoms, blood lipids, and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

A prospective, self-controlled trial was conducted in 64 Chinese postmenopausal women aged 45-60 (mean 52.5 ± 3.37) years who were treated with estradiol-drospirenone for at least 6 months. The Kupperman index, blood lipid concentrations, bone mineral density, and bone turnover markers were measured before (baseline) and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment.

RESULTS

In comparison with baseline, the Kupperman index score was significantly improved at 1, 3, and 6 months after estradiol-drospirenone treatment (20.57 ± 6.52 vs. 16.37 ± 5.19, 13.34 ± 4.52, and 12.70 ± 4.42, respectively; all p < 0.01). After 6 months of treatment, concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were significantly decreased, high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased (all p < 0.05), and bone mineral densities of the lumbar spine and hip were significantly improved (both p < 0.001 compared with baseline). At both 3 and 6 months after treatment, bone alkaline phosphatase concentrations were significantly decreased compared with baseline (61.14 ± 12.38 IU/l and 58.77 ± 11.35 IU/l, respectively, vs. 65.81 ± 14.75 IU/l; p < 0.05), as were tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase concentrations (5.99 ± 2.98 IU/l and 4.90 ± 2.90 IU/l, respectively, vs. 6.15 ± 3.02 IU/l; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Estradiol-drospirenone effectively alleviates menopausal symptoms and also has beneficial effects on blood lipids and bone metabolism.

Conceptual design of a fast-ion D-alpha diagnostic on experimental advanced superconducting tokamak

To investigate the fast ion behavior, a fast ion D-alpha (FIDA) diagnostic system has been planned and is presently under development on Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak. The greatest challenges for the design of a FIDA diagnostic are its extremely low intensity levels, which are usually significantly below the continuum radiation level and several orders of magnitude below the bulk-ion thermal charge-exchange feature. Moreover, an overlaying Motional Stark Effect (MSE) feature in exactly the same wavelength range can interfere. The simulation of spectra code is used here to guide the design and evaluate the diagnostic performance. The details for the parameters of design and hardware are presented.

Drosophila casein kinase 2 (CK2) promotes warts protein to suppress Yorkie protein activity for growth control

Drosophila Hippo signaling regulates Wts activity to phosphorylate and inhibit Yki in order to control tissue growth. CK2 is widely expressed and involved in a variety of signaling pathways. In this study we report that Drosophila CK2 promotes Wts activity to phosphorylate and inhibit Yki activity, which is independent of Hpo-induced Wts promotion. In vivo, CK2 overexpression suppresses hpo mutant-induced expanded (Ex) up-regulation and overgrowth phenotype, whereas it cannot affect wts mutant. Consistent with this, knockdown of CK2 up-regulates Hpo pathway target expression. We also found that Drosophila CK2 is essential for tissue growth as a cell death inhibitor as knockdown of CK2 in the developing disc induces severe growth defects as well as caspase3 signals. Taken together, our results uncover a dual role of CK2; although its major role is promoting cell survive, it may potentially be a growth inhibitor as well.

Significance of postoperative changes in hemodynamics and biochemical indices in pediatric recipients of live-donor liver transplants

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative changes in hemodynamics and biochemical indices in pediatric recipients of live-donor liver transplants (LDLT).

METHODS

Hemodynamics and biochemical indices (coagulation function, electrolytes, kidney function, liver function, and blood analysis) were monitored on the day before and the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days after the procedure in 20 children who underwent LDLT from June 2006 to January 2009.

RESULTS

Compared with preoperative measurements, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure increased and prothrombin time was prolonged significantly during the first 7 days after LDLT (P < .05). Fibrinogen, platelet count, total protein, globulin, and blood magnesium decreased significantly (P < .05). Liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase [AST], alanine transaminase [ALT]) and blood sodium increased significantly; serum potassium and calcium declined on the first postoperative day (P < .05). On the 7th day, AST returned to nearly normal (P < .05) and ALT returned to the preoperative levels. Blood urea nitrogen fluctuated within the normal range (P < .05). Total and direct bilirubin decreased on the 1st day but returned to near normal levels on the 7th day (P <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrated postoperative changes in hemodynamics, electrolytes, and biochemical indices in pediatric LDLT recipients. The changes in clotting factors and platelet count did not result in severe coagulation function disorder; kidney function was normal. Changes in liver enzymes and bilirubin compared with the preoperation indices were within the regulatory scope of liver and did not result in severe complications. These preliminary postoperative trends suggest that further prospective evaluation is needed.

Nested polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing analysis of the light-chain and heavy-chain variable regions in the influenza A H1N1 virus hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody gene

The nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used for the amplification of the influenza A H1N1 virus hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody light-chain and heavy-chain genes. Sequence analysis of the obtained genes was then used to identify common cloning methods of the mouse immunoglobulin-kappa (Igκ) light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions. Twenty-two pairs of amplification primers for the mouse Igκ light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions were designed, and 6 mouse anti-human H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin monoclonal antibody light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions were cloned and sequenced. Comparative analysis was conducted between our results and the mouse Ig sequences published in the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI). The nested PCR method effectively avoided cloning the pseudogenes of the monoclonal antibody, and the amino acid sequence obtained was consistent with the characteristics of the mouse Ig variable region. A general method of cloning the mouse Ig light-chain and heavy-chain variable gene regions was established, which provides a basis for further cloning of mouse monoclonal antibody variable gene regions. This study also provides data for further studies of H1N1 influenza virus hemagglutinin antibody binding sites.

Treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome with insulin resistance by insulin-sensitizer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to observe clinical curative effects of combination application of dimethylbiguanide and pioglitazone and single application of pioglitazone in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) complicated with insulin resistance (IR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty cases of patients with PCOS complicated with IR were investigated, and 20 cases of infertile women without PCOS were taken as the control group. PCOS group was divided into group A and group B according to body mass index (BMI) to detect glucose and lipids metabolism indicators, C reactive protein (CRP), etc. There were 20 cases in group A (Pioglitazone) and 20 cases in group B (dimethylbiguanide and pioglitazone). After treatment for 12 weeks, changes of the above various indicators were compared.

RESULTS

After treatment, insulin resistance index and serum testosterone (T) of two groups patients with PCOS significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Compared to before treatment, BMI of group B significantly reduced (p < 0.05). For INS at two hours after treatment, group B reduced more significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of dimethylbiguanide and pioglitazone was more effective for the treatment of PCOS complicated with IR than simple pioglitazone; chronic inflammation occurrence was possibly one of reasons for insulin sensitivity reduction of patients with PCOS.

Acceptability and psychometric properties of Brøset Violence Checklist in psychiatric care settings in China

Short-term risk assessment instrument owns great importance for psychiatric nurses in China; however, the lack of a standardized violence risk assessment instrument has disadvantaged them in clinical practice. The Brøset Violence Checklist (BVC), a behavioural observation tool, is the most frequently cited instrument available for evaluating violence risk in psychiatric inpatients, then worth to be tested in Chinese culture. This study, conducted in two closed wards in a psychiatric hospital in Beijing, revealed that the instrument has favourable reliability, validity and predictive accuracy in Chinese population. BVC provides nurses with a quick and easily administered method to screening out patients with violence potential, thus allowing for early intervention. Feedback from the nurses was quite encouraging and the further use of BVC seems promising. The lack of standardized violence risk assessment instrument has disadvantaged nurses in clinical practice in China, where violent behaviour is an increasing problem. This study conducted a validation of the Brøset Violence Checklist that has proven effective in violence risk prediction in other countries. A sample of 296 patients consecutively admitted to two wards of a psychiatric hospital in Beijing was recruited. These patients were assessed on day shift and evening shift for the first seven days of hospitalization. Violence data and preventive measures were concurrently collected from nursing records and case reports. A total of 3707 assessments for 281 patients were collected revealing 93 episodes of violence among 55 patients. Receiver operating characteristics yielded an area under the curve of 0.85. At the cut-off point of one, its sensitivity/specificity was 78.5%/88.2% and the corresponding positive/negative predictive value was 14.6%/99.4%. In some false positive cases, intense preventive measures had been implemented. Positive feedback from the nurses was gained. The Brøset Violence Checklist was proved as an easy-to-use and time-saving instrument, therefore, regarded as a promising tool to determine if the psychiatric users are potentially violent in the short term.

Focal seizures after instillation of cyclomydril to a neonate with congenital CMV infection

We present the case of a term neonate who underwent a diagnostic eye examination on day one for possible genetic disorders. Five minutes after Cyclomydril (0.2% clyclopentolate and 1% phenylephrine) eye drops were instilled, a focal seizure lasting for approximately one hour occurred. The electroencephalograph (EEG) was normal but the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed calcifications in the bilateral periventricular regions. Urine CMV-DNA and maternal serum CMV-IgM were both positive. Auditory brainstem testing suggested severe sensoneural hearing loss. The baby was treated for congenital CMV infection and did not have further seizures. In this case the congenital CMV infection may have been the predisposing factor to central nervous system (CNS) toxicity induced by cyclopentolate. The exact mechanism is unknown but severe neurological impairment may be considered a contraindication for cyclopentolate eye drops in the neonate. To our knowledge, this is the first report of seizures occurring within the first week of life secondary to cyclomydril eye drops in a term neonate.