[Follow-up analysis of sex hormone levels and prognosis in women after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the levels of sex hormone and fertility in female patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), as well as their correlation with conditioning regimens, and analyse the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in young women after HSCT. Methods: Retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 147 women who underwent HSCT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2010 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The sex hormone levels were measured and followed-up, and the survival, menstrual fertility and the use of HRT of the patients were also followed-up. The sex hormone levels were measured after transplantation, and the ovarian function was evaluated. Independent sample t test and χ2 test were used for comparison between the two groups. Results: The median age of the 147 patients was 26 (range, 10-45) years. Of them, 135 patients received allogeneic HSCT and 12 patients received autologous HSCT. Furthermore, 129 patients received myeloablative conditioning, and 18 patients received reduced conditioning dose. The median follow-up time was 50 months (range, 18-134 months). Five patients died of disease recurrence during follow-up. Of the 54 patients with subcutaneous injection of zoladex, three recovered menstruation spontaneously after transplantation, and all of them were myeloablative conditioning patients, one patient gave birth to twins through assisted reproductive technology. Ninety-three patients did not use zoladex before conditioning, two patients with aplastic anemia with non-myeloablative transplantation resumed menstruation spontaneously, and conceived naturally. The level of follicle stimulating hormone after transplantation in patients receiving myeloablative conditioning regimen was significantly higher than that in patients receiving reduced-dose conditioning regimen [(95.28±3.94) U/L vs. (71.85±10.72) U/L, P=0.039]. Among 147 patients, 122 patients developed premature ovarian failure, 83 patients received sex hormone replacement therapy after transplantation, and 76 patients recovered menstruation and improved endocrine function. Conclusions: The incidence of premature ovarian failure is high in female patients after HSCT, and patients have a chance at natural conception. Reducing the dose of conditioning regimen and the application of zoladex before transplantation can reduce ovarian of conditioning drugs. HRT after transplantation can partially improve the endocrine function of patients.

[A combined regimen based on bortezomib and glucocorticoids for 6 patients with recurrent/refractory immune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura].

Objective: To observe the efficacy and adverse reactions of a combination therapy regimen based on bortezomib and glucocorticoids in recurrent/refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) . Methods: Six patients with recurrent/refractory TTP were included and treated with a glucocorticoid and two courses of bortezomib-based regimen. The clinical remission status of patients, changes in ADAMTS13 activity/ADAMTS13 inhibitor, and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse reactions were observed. Results: Of the 6 patients, 2 were males and 4 were females, with a median age of 21.5 (18-68) years. Refractory TTP was found in 1 case and recurrent TTP in 5 cases. Glucocorticoids were administered with reference to prednisone at 1 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), and gradually reduced in dosage after achieving clinical remission. Bortezomib is subcutaneously administered at 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 with a 28-day treatment course consisting of 2 courses. Six patients achieved clinical remission after receiving bortezomib as the main treatment. ADMATS13 activity returned to normal in all patients with TTP after treatment, and the ADAMTS13 inhibitor turned negative. Thrombocytopenia is the most common adverse reaction after treatment, with other adverse reactions, including peripheral neuritis and abdominal pain, but ultimately all patients returned to normal. In a median follow-up of 26 (9-41) months, 5 patients maintained sustained remission, and 1 patient relapsed after 16 months of bortezomib treatment. Conclusion: Combination therapy of bortezomib and glucocorticoids has a satisfactory therapeutic effect and controllable adverse reactions for recurrent/refractory iTTP.

[Efficacy and safefy of Polymyxin B treatment for neutropenic patients suffering from refractory Gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection].

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of polymyxin B in neutropenic patients with hematologic disorders who had refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection. Methods: From August 2021 to July 2022, we retrospectively analyzed neutropenic patients with refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infection who were treated with polymyxin B in the Department of Hematology of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Soochow University between August 2021 to July 2022. The cumulative response rate was then computed. Results: The study included 27 neutropenic patients with refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections. Polymyxin B therapy was effective in 22 of 27 patients. The median time between the onset of fever and the delivery of polymyxin B was 3 days [interquartile range (IQR) : 2-5]. The median duration of polymyxin B treatment was 7 days (IQR: 5-11). Polymyxin B therapy had a median antipyretic time of 37 h (IQR: 32-70). The incidence of acute renal dysfunction was 14.8% (four out of 27 cases), all classified as "injury" according to RIFLE criteria. The incidence of hyperpigmentation was 59.3%. Conclusion: Polymyxin B is a viable treatment option for granulocytopenia patients with refractory gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections.

[The establishment and multicenter application of internal quality control system for real-time quantitative PCR detection of BCR-ABL (P210) transcript level].

Objective: The study aims to establish a perfect BCR-ABL (P210) internal quality control system and ensure the long-term stability and comparability of the detection results between laboratories and to popularize and apply it in the three hospitals. Methods: The Qilu Hospital of Shandong University (H1) prepared a set of the BCR-ABL (P210) quality control substances to establish and improve internal quality control system. We went to other three participating hospitals (H2, H3, and H4) to inspect quality control before the measurement. In addition, we mailed 25 sets of quality control substances to each of the hospital for detection. The slope and intercept of the standard curve of each hospital and the detection results were analyzed and statistically judged using the Levey-Jennings quality control chart combined with the Westgard multirule theory. Then, we made a quality control evaluation. Results: ①An internal quality control system for the BCR-ABL (P210) transcript levels monitoring was successfully established for the quality inspection before the measurement, statistical judgment during the measurement, and evaluation after the measurement. ② Both the slope and intercept of the standard curve of the four hospitals was under control. ③The multicenter quality control substance judgment results were as follows: for H1 hospital, two times of "1(2s)" warning were found in the middle-level quality control substance, which was judged as being under control; for H2 hospital, one time of "1(2s)" warning was found for each quality control substance, which was judged as being "2(2s)" out of control; for H3 hospital, its high-level quality control substance violated the "1(3s)" rule, and low-level quality control substance appeared "1(2s)" warning, which was judged as "1(3s)" out of control; and all quality control substances were under control in H4 hospital. ④The quality control evaluation and correction were as follows: two hospitals were under control, and the other two hospitals had an "out of control." We found out the reason for the out of control and corrected them. ⑤The comparisons of the original values of the multicenter quality control substance were as follows: there were statistical differences in the results of high-level quality control substance among the four hospitals, and no significant difference was found in the results of the medium-level and low-level quality control substance. ⑥The comparisons of the IS values of the multicenter quality control substance were as follows: the IS values of the three quality control substance in H2 and H3 hospitals were significantly higher than those of H1 hospital, and H2 hospital was significantly higher than H3 hospital. Conclusion: A perfect and stable internal quality control system for the BCR-ABL (P210) transcripts has been established, which can effectively ensure the accuracy and stability of the clinical detection results. This internal quality control system has been successfully popularized and applied in other hospitals.

[Clinical features and survival analysis in non-M(3) acute myeloid leukemia patients with ASXL1 gene mutation].

Objective: To examine the survival rates and clinical characteristics of people with newly discovered non-M(3) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who carry the ASXL1 gene mutation. Methods: From January 2016 to April 2021, the clinical information of patients with newly diagnosed non-M(3) AML at Shandong University's Qilu Hospital was retrospectively examined, and their clinical characteristics and survival were compared and analyzed. Gene mutation was detected by next-generation sequencing. Results: ① The study included 256 AML patients who were initially diagnosed and had complete data, including 47 cases of ASXL1 gene mutation-positive (ASXL1(+)) patients and 209 cases of ASXL1 gene mutation-negative (ASXL1(-)) patients. All patients were divided into three groups: elderly (≥60 years old, n=92) , middle-aged (45-59 years old, n=92) , and young (≤44 years old, n=72) . ②WBC, and age were higher in patients with ASXL1 mutations compared to ASXL1(-) patients, while complete response after the first round of treatment (CR(1)) was lower (P<0.05) . In the elderly group, WBC and the proportion of aberrant cells in nuclear cells in ASXL1(+) patients were higher than those in ASXL1(-) patients (P<0.05) . In the young group, the WBC of ASXL1(+) patients was higher than that of ASXL1(-) patients (z=-2.314, P=0.021) . ③IDH2 mutation and ASXL1 mutation was related (P=0.018, r=0.34) . In ASXL1(+) patients, the proportion of peripheral blasts in the high VAF group (VAF>40% ) was higher than that in the low VAF group (VAF<20% ) , and the proportion of aberrant nuclear cells was higher in the duplication and replacement mutation patients than in the deletion mutation patients (P<0.05) . ④The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of ASXL1(+) patients were shorter than those of ASXL1(-) patients (median, 10 months vs 20 months, 10 months vs 17 months; P<0.05) . The proportion number of aberrant cells in nuclear cells (≥20% ) , complex karyotypes, and TET2 mutation were all independent risk variables that had an impact on the prognosis of ASXL1(+) patients, according to multivariate analysis (P<0.05) . Conclusion: ASXL1-mutated non-M(3) AML patients have higher WBC in peripheral blood, a higher proportion of aberrant cells in nuclear cells, lower CR(1) rate, and shorter OS and PFS. Additionally, a poor prognosis is linked to higher VAF, duplication, and substitution mutations in the ASXL1 gene, as well as the high proportion of aberrant cells in nuclear cells, complex karyotype, and TET2 mutation.

[The prostate cancer precision screening program: a preliminary report after recruitment of 2 159 men].

Objective: The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association Genitourinary Cancer Committee Prostate Cancer Working Group released Consensus of prostate cancer (PCa) screening in 2017. This program aims to evaluate the methods and significance of prostate cancer precision screening in high risk population. Methods: A total of 2 159 eligible males enrolled from 13 community centers and 3 screening centers received PSA test from April 2017 to August 2018. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) determination in serum with a cut-off of ≥4.0 ng/ml was the main screening test and indication for biopsy. The interviewer-administered questionnaire covered demographic characteristics and environmental exposure factors. The associations between these factors and prostate cancer risk were determined by multivariable unconditional logistic regression models. Results: Altogether, 271 cases (12.6%) had a confirmed PSA increase ≥ 4.0 µg/L (median 9.1, range 4.0-25.0). Subsequently, 57 subjects (21.0%) out of the 271 PSA-suspicious men underwent prostate biopsy, and 34 (59.6%) were confirmed as prostate cancer. Until now, the overall prostate cancer incidence in the first screening round was1.57%. There were no statistical differences in the distributions of PSA-suspicious and prostate cancer incidence between community centers and screening centers (P=0.578 and 0.735). Age (OR: 2.63; 95%CI: 1.84-3.75, P<0.001) and chronic prostatitis history (OR: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.55-2.63, P<0.001) were significantly associated with PSA level. After adjustment for these factors, older age (OR: 4.04; 95%CI: 1.71-9.59, P=0.002) and statins use (OR: 3.09; 95%CI: 1.25-7.69, P=0.015) were associated with an elevated risk of PCa. Conclusions: It is of substantial significance to screen prostate cancer in high risk population. Both community centers and screening centers methods are effective. Although largely underestimated, the incidence of PCa in the targeted Chinese population is higher than expected. Older men have a high risk of harboring PCa. Our study suggests a decreased risk of PCa in men with statins use. Prostate Cancer Precision Screening is promising to improve prostate cancer survival in China.

Chemically specific termination control of oxide interfaces via layer-by-layer mean inner potential engineering.

Creating oxide interfaces with precise chemical specificity at the atomic layer level is desired for the engineering of quantum phases and electronic applications, but highly challenging, owing partially to the lack of in situ tools to monitor the chemical composition and completeness of the surface layer during growth. Here we report the in situ observation of atomic layer-by-layer inner potential variations by analysing the Kikuchi lines during epitaxial growth of strontium titanate, providing a powerful real-time technique to monitor and control the chemical composition during growth. A model combining the effects of mean inner potential and step edge density (roughness) reveals the underlying mechanism of the complex and previously not well-understood reflection high-energy electron diffraction oscillations observed in the shuttered growth of oxide films. General rules are proposed to guide the synthesis of atomically and chemically sharp oxide interfaces, opening up vast opportunities for the exploration of intriguing quantum phenomena at oxide interfaces.

[Relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in female patients].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH) D] levels and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in female patients. Methods: A total of 67 women diagnosed with idiopathic BPPV were selected as the study group between January and December 2016 in Ningbo No.2 Hospital, and 95 healthy women without a history of vertigo or dizziness were selected as the control group. The data of height, weight, histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were collected, and serum 25(OH) D levels were measured. The number of the recurrence and canalith repositioning maneuvers were recorded during the one-year follow-up. Results: No significant differences of age, body mass index, histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus between patients with BPPV and healthy controls (all P>0.05) .The serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly lower in patients with idiopathic BPPV than in healthy controls [(50.56±13.36) nmol/L vs (56.55±16.21) nmol/L, t=-2.485, P=0.014]. BPPV patients with low level of 25(OH) D showed a significant increase in the number of canalith repositioning maneuvers required and the recurrence rate. The regression analyses demonstrated that 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with BPPV with an odds ratio of 2.054 (95% CI: 1.088-3.877, P=0.026). Conclusion: 25(OH) D deficiency may be a risk factor of BPPV.

[Study on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo].

Objective: To analyze the bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels in postmenopausal women with idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Methods: A total of 64 postmenopausal women with idiopathic BPPV were selected as the study group, and 98 postmenopausal healthy women were selected as the control group. Bone mineral density and serum osteocalcin levels were analyzed and compared between the groups.χ(2) test was used for numeration data and t test was used for measurement data. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis or osteopenia in BPPV group 67.2% (43/64) was significantly higher than that in the control group 51.0% (50/98) (χ(2)=4.139, P=0.042). Among BPPV subjects, there was a negative correlation between osteocalcin and bone density T (r=-0.469, P<0.001). Osteocalcin was found in normal bone mass subgroup (13.61±4.32)µg/L, decreased bone mass subgroup (17.49±7.61)µg/L, and osteoporosis subgroup (20.83±6.72)µg/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (F=5.39, P=0.007). Conclusions: Bone mineral density in BPPV group is lower than that in control group. The lower the bone mineral density of the patients, the higher the osteocalcin in BPPV group.

[Association between polymorphism in Vav3 genes and risk of primary prostatic cancer in Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To study the associations between genetic variations of Vav3 gene and prostate cancer susceptibility. METHODS: Data were collected in a hospital-based and case-control study of 1 015 prostate cancer cases and 1 068 cancer-free controls collecting from a period of time between 2008 and 2012. Based on the online database, NCBI dbSNP (http: //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/SNP) and SNPinfo (http: //snpinfo.niehs.nih.gov/snpfunc.htm). Functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Vav3 were screened and genotyped, and assessed their associations with risk of prostate cancer by using logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the associations between SNPs of Vav3 and some clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the two SNPs investigated, only Vav3 rs12410676 G>A was associated with decreased prostate cancer risk [additive model, OR=0.80 (0.69-0.93), P=0.003; dominant model, OR=0.81 (0.68-0.97), P=0.022; recessive model, OR=0.54 (0.36-0.82), P=0.004]. The combined effect of Vav3 rs8676 G>A and rs12410676 G>A was found as a decreased prostate cancer risk along with the increased variant alleles (P<0.05). Specifically, participants carrying Vav3 rs12410676 AA/AG genotypes were more likely to be at lower prostate cancer risk, compared with participants carrying GG genotypes, in groups of BMI≤25 kg/m(2,) smoking, Gleason>7(4+ 3), and higher invasive prostate cancer. Finally, some positive findings were evidently significant with false positive report probability values at different prior probability levels (0.25, 0.1 and 0.01). CONCLUSION: Vav3 SNPs may contribute to the risk of prostate cancer in Eastern Chinese men, but the effect is weak and needs further validation by larger, multicenter and ethnic-based studies.

[Strategy of the diagnosis and treatment for hydrocephalus associated with acoustic neuroma].

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the strategy of the diagnosis and treatment for acoustic neuroma associated with hydrocephalus. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed in 29 patients with hydrocephalus associated with acoustic neuroma form Apr. 2004 to Apr. 2015. The patients' clinical information, the types of the hydrocephalus, the treatment and the prognosis of the hydrocephalus were recorded. RESULTS: There were 20 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus and 9 patients with communicating hydrocephalus preoperatively. Among the 29 cases, 3 patients had ventriculoperitoneal shunts, 5 patients had external ventricular drains, the remaining 21 patients had no further managements for hydrocephalus; after removing the acoustic neuroma, the hydrocephalus improved in 10 cases, the ventricle unchanged in 10 cases among the obstructive hydrocephalus group, the ventricle unchanged in all 9 cases among the communicating hydrocephalus group. Nineteen cases were diagnosed with communicating hydrocephalus and 10 cases with obstructive hydrocephalus postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients of acoustic neuroma associated with hydrocephalus, communicating hydrocephalus is more common than obstructive hydrocephalus. The optimal management of acoustic neuroma associated with hydrocephalus is complete removal of the tumor, with treatment only for patients with persistent hydrocephalus.

Sequence and phylogenetic analyses of the M and N genes of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains in Anhui Province, China.

To assess the homology and phylogenetic relationship between porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) Anhui strains and other PEDV strains, molecular homology and phylogenetic analyses of Anhui PEDV field strains were compared with those of reference strains. The results revealed that the M and N genes of PEDV were 681 and 1326 bp long, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the N genes of Anhui PEDV strains were 95.9-99.9% homologous with each other, and the deduced amino acid sequences were 92.5-99.8% homologous. Compared with the PEDV reference strains, the Anhui PEDV field strains had 94.1-99.5% nucleotide sequence homology in the N gene and 91.2-97.5% amino acid mutation homology in the N protein. The nucleotide sequences of the M genes of Anhui PEDV were 98.3-100% homologous, and the deduced amino acid sequences were 96.5-99.6% homologous. Compared with the PEDV reference strains, the Anhui PEDV field strains had 96.9-100% nucleotide sequence homology in the M gene and 96.5-99.6% amino acid homology in the M protein. The Anhui strains were genetically similar to USA strains (USA/Iowa/16465/2013 and USA/Indiana/17846/2013) but different from European (CV777;Br1/7), Korean (Chinju99), and Japanese (83p-5) strains.

Polymorphisms at long non-coding RNAs and prostate cancer risk in an eastern Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: Controversial data on the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs3787016G>A and rs10773338G>A) in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) with prostate cancer risk were emerged. Considering possible genetic differences among populations, we conducted the present study to clarify these discrepancies and re-validate these results in an eastern Chinese population and thus provide clues for new therapeutic targets of prostate cancer. METHODS: Genotypes of these two SNPs from 1015 ethnic Han Chinese patients with prostate cancer and 1032 cancer-free controls were determined by Taqman assays. Logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk associations. RESULTS: The association of rs3787016 A variant genotypes with a significantly higher prostate cancer risk were found (adjusted OR = 1.418, 95% CI = 1.090-1.844 for AA vs GG). Stratification analysis indicated that the risk of rs3787016 variant AG/AA genotypes was more evident in younger subjects, ever smoking, patients with Gleason score ⩾ 7(4+3) and highly aggressive status. All these risks were not present for rs10773338G>A. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that lncRNA SNPs may contribute to prostate cancer risk in an eastern Chinese population. Larger and well-designed studies with different ethnic populations are warranted to validate our findings.

The effect of dilution and prolonged injection time on dexamethasone-induced perineal pruritus.

Dexamethasone has been widely used before general anesthesia induction. However, previous studies have found that a pre-induction bolus dose of dexamethasone sometimes causes perineal pruritus. We hypothesized that an appropriate prolongation of the injection time might suppress dexamethasone-induced perineal pruritus. Four hundred patients requiring general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into four groups: group I receiving 2 ml dexamethasone (5 mg/ml); group II receiving 4 ml dexamethasone (2.5mg/ml); group III receiving 10 ml dexamethasone (1 mg/ml); and group IV receiving 20 ml dexamethasone (0.5 mg/ml). Dexamethasone was diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride. The injection time of dexamethasone was 5s in groups I, II and III; while the injection time of dexamethasone was 30s in group IV. Occurrence of perineal pruritus was significantly reduced in Group IV (0% vs 38%, 32% and 12% in Groups I, II and III, respectively, p < 0.05). The incidence was higher in females than in males (p < 0.05). The duration of perineal pruritus was longer in females than in males in groups I, II and III (p < 0.05). We conclude that the dilution of dexamethasone to 0.5 mg/ml with 0.9% sodium chloride combined with prolonged injection time to 30 s eliminates dexamethasone-induced perineal pruritus.

Risk factors for acute hepatitis B and its progression to chronic hepatitis in Shanghai, China.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The major risk factors for acute hepatitis B (AHB) in China and the viral factors determining the progression from acute to chronic hepatitis B remain largely unknown. METHODS: Epidemiological studies within a population-based surveillance for AHB in adults were performed in Shanghai, China, including 294 patients, 588 matched controls and 572 family members of the patients. RESULTS: Invasive medical procedures, household contact with hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, body care and beauty treatments, and lack of HBV vaccination were independently associated with AHB. Among those risks, pedicure in bath centres emerged. Sixty-eight of 128 patients with AHB were genotyped including 33 with HBV B2 and 35 with HBV C2. Twenty-five (8.50%) of the 294 patients, including 20 with HBV C2 and 5 with HBV B2 (p = 0.013), progressed to chronic infection. Multivariate analysis showed that HBV C2 was independently associated with chronicification of AHB. Patients with HBV B2 were younger and there was a higher proportion of women than those with HBV C2. The prevalence of HBV B2 was higher in the patients than in neighbourhood chronic carriers. The chronic carriers with HBV B2 showed higher viral loads, higher hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seropositivity, and with higher proportion in men than those with HBV C2, implying that sexual contact plays a role in the transmission of HBV B2. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HBV C2 was frequently involved in transmissions within households. CONCLUSIONS: Despite lower viral load and HBeAg status in the chronic carriers, HBV C2 was more prone to causing chronic infection than was HBV B2.

[Protective effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) on lysophosphatidylcholine induced damages of vascular endothelial cells in vitro].

Effects of EGb on cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) damaged by lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) were investigated. When endothelial cells were incubated with LPC (2.5 micrograms.ml-1) for 24 h, the endothelial cells turned round pyknotic, exfoliated and broken, and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) were markedly increased and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was inhibited. Treatment with EGb at concentrations of 125 and 250 micrograms.ml-1, caused a reduction in MDA, LDH and PAI contents, while the SOD activity in the medium was increased and the morphologically damaged BAECs were alleviated. These results suggest that EGb afforded protection against BAECs damages induced by LPC and that the protective effect of EGb may be due to anti-lipid peroxidation via free-radical scavenging activity.

[Cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women and perinatal infants].

Perinatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was studied, using method of CMV-IgM ELISA, in 256 pregnant women at different periods and in the cord blood of 84 babies born by CMV positive mothers. Results showed that in 42 cases at early and midtrimester pregnancy, 17 were CMV-IgM positive with an infection rate of 40.48%. Among the 214 women at late pregnancy, 84 were positive (39.25%). There was a higher prevalence of perinatal morbidity, neonatal asphyxia, malformation, intrauterine death, and poor obstetrical outcome in the CMV positive mothers as compared with the CMV negative group (P < 0.01). This study showed that the presence of CMV-IgM indicated a recent or recurrent CMV infection during pregnancy and the babies should be carefully monitored.