The first cavernicolous Leuctridae (Insecta: Plecoptera) nymph from Guizhou, China.

In this study, the first cavernicolous stonefly of China is reported from Guizhou Province, southwestern China. The morphological characteristics show that this species is a member of the genus Rhopalopsole Klaplek, 1912 (Plecoptera: Leuctridae). The pale coloration and the reduced compound eyes indicate that this species could be an obligate troglobitic taxon. The mtDNA COI barcode fragment of this species supports its assignment to Rhopalopsole and suggests it a distant relative to Rhopalopsole longispina Yang Yang, 1991.

Correlation Between Conditional Approval and Customized Bone Implant Devices.

This report aims to summarize key concerns regarding customized devices and conditional approval during the premarket evaluation of bone implants, and to explore the correlation between them. Based on the experience of approval of the first domestic custom-designed bone implant, we consider the process of gaining conditional approval for urgently-needed medical devices and medical devices for rare diseases, as well as the guidance available for clinical investigation. We also streamlined the scientifically administrative concept of this unique device, from the design and development of premarket technical evaluation to continuous post-market study. The present study found that those two aspects have certain connections, but they are not directly correlated to each other. In contrast to the USA, Canada, Australia and the EU, where regulations and guidelines have been established for the use of customized devices, in this regard, China is still it its infancy. Thus, there is considerable potential for China to develop and perfect the policies relating to customized devices and to develop relevant strategies to ensure their efficacy with the aid of conditional approval. Appropriate scientific conditional approval for mass production of individualized anatomy-matching bone implants could become a valuable approach for precision medicine.

Enhancement of l-phenylalanine production in Escherichia coli by heterologous expression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin.

l-Phenylalanine is an important amino acid that is widely used in the production of food flavors and pharmaceuticals. Generally, l-phenylalanine production by engineered Escherichia coli requires a high rate of oxygen supply. However, the coexpression of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin gene (vgb), driven bya tac promoter, with the genes encoding 3-deoxy-d-arabinoheptulosonate-7-phosphate synthetase (aroF) and feedback-resistant chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase (pheAfbr ), led to increased productivity and decreased demand for aeration by E. coli CICC10245. Shake-flask studies showed that vgb-expressing strains displayed higher rates of oxygen uptake, and l-phenylalanine production under standard aeration conditions was increased. In the aerobic fermentation process, cell growth, l-phenylalanine production, and glucose consumption by the recombinant E. coli strain PAPV, which harbored aroF, pheAfbr , and tac-vgb genes, were increased compared to that in the strain harboring only aroF and pheAfbr (E. coli strain PAP), especially under oxygen-limited conditions. The vgb-expressing strain PAPV produced 21.9% more biomass and 16.6% more l-phenylalanine, while consuming only approximately 5% more glucose after 48 H of fermentation. This study demonstrates a method to enhance the l-phenylalanine production by E. coli using less intensive and thus more economical aeration conditions.

Social Psychological Factors and Suicidal Intent Among Suicide Attempters in Rural China: A Path Analysis.

This study explores the effects of social psychological factors on suicidal intent among suicide attempters in rural China. Suicide attempters were identified by the county-level Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) and interviewed by the research team. A path analysis was conducted with physical illness, social support, and negative life events as exogenous variables, and life satisfaction, depressive emotions, and suicidal intent as endogenous variables. Beginning with a saturation model, a best model was obtained after removing the paths that were not significant. In the final model, depressive emotions and life satisfaction were directly associated with suicidal intent, and the standardized effect estimates were 0.3007 (p < 0.001) and -0.1182 (p = 0.0368). Physical illness, social support, and negative life events did not directly affect suicidal intent but had indirect effect. Depressive emotions may be the most important and direct predictor of suicidal intent; physical illness, negative life events, and social support affect suicidal intent through life satisfaction and depressive emotions.

Nationwide prevalence of human papillomavirus infection and viral genotype distribution in 37 cities in China.

BACKGROUND: Type-specific high-risk HPV (hrHPV) infection is related to cervical carcinogenesis. The prevalence of hrHPV infection varies geographically, which might reflect the epidemiological characteristics of cervical cancer among different populations. To establish a foundation for HPV-based screening and vaccination programs in China, we investigated the most recent HPV prevalence and genotypic distributions in different female age groups and geographical regions in China. METHODS: In 2012, a total of 120,772 liquid-based cytological samples from women enrolled for population- or employee-based cervical screening in 37 Chinese cities were obtained by the Laboratory of Molecular Infectious Diseases of Guangzhou KingMed. A total of 111,131 samples were tested by Hybrid Capture II and the other 9,641 were genotyped using the Tellgenplex™ HPV DNA Assay. RESULTS: The total positive rate for hrHPV was 21.07 %, which ranged from 18.42 % (Nanchang) to 31.94 % (Haikou) and varied by region. The regions of Nanchang, Changsha, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Fuzhou, Guangdong, and Guiyang could be considered the low prevalence regions. Age-specific prevalence showed a "two-peak" pattern, with the youngest age group (15-19 years) presenting the highest hrHPV infection rate (30.55 %), followed by a second peak for the 50-60-year-old group. Overall, the most prevalent genotypes were HPV16 (4.82 %) and HPV52 (4.52 %), followed by HPV58 (2.74 %). Two genotypes HPV6 (4.01 %) and HPV11 (2.29 %) were predominant in the low-risk HPV (lrHPV) type, while the mixed genotypes HPV16 + 52 and HPV52 + 58 were most common in women with multiple infections. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that HPV infection in China has increased to the level of an "HPV-heavy-burden" zone in certain regions, with prevalence varying significantly among different ages and regions. Data from this study represent the most current survey of the nationwide prevalence of HPV infection in China, and can serve as valuable reference to guide nationwide cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs.

Inaccuracy of Self-reported Low Sodium Diet among Chinese: Findings from Baseline Survey for Shandong & Ministry of Health Action on Salt and Hypertension (SMASH) Project.

This study was aimed to evaluate the agreement between the self-reported sodium intake level and 24-h urine sodium excretion level in Chinese. The 24-h urine collection was conducted among 2112 adults aged 18-69 years randomly selected in Shandong Province, China. The subjects were asked whether their sodium intake was low, moderate, or high. The weighted kappa statistics was calculated to assess the agreement between 24-h urine sodium excretion level and self-reported sodium intake level. One third of the subjects reported low sodium intake level. About 70% of the subjects had mean 24-h sodium excretion>9 g/d, but reported low or moderate sodium intake. The agreement between self-reported sodium intake level and 24-h urine sodium excretion level was low in both normotensive subjects and hypertensive subjects. These findings suggested that many subjects who reported low sodium intake had actual urine sodium excretion>9 g/d. Sodium intake is often underestimated in both hypertensive and normotensive participants in China.

[Study on anti-alcohol mechanism of soybean peptide].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-alcohol mechanism of soybean peptide. METHODS: The effect of soybean peptide on sleep latency (disappear of righting reflex)and sleep time on drunkenness (Polysomnography)mice induced by alcohol was observed. The concentration of ethanol in serum was measured by GC, and the content of GSH, MDA and ADH in liver homogenate were also determined. RESULTS: The latency was increased significantly and the drunken sleep time was reduced significantly in drunkenness experiment(Polysomnography) models of alcohol with high-dose group of soybean peptide. Besides,the concentration of ethanol in serum was reduced significantly. At the same time, the content of GSH and ADH in liver were increased markedly, but the content of MDA increasing was inhibited on high-dose group mice of soybean peptide. CONCLUSION: The soybean peptide can markedly dispel the effect of alcohol,which may be attributable to the antioxidation such as increasing the content of GSH and ADH in liver as well as inhibiting the content increasing of MDA.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associations with blood pressure among children and adolescents in Shandong, China.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and high blood pressure (BP) are public health problems all over the world. Some studies have reported a positive association between them in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity and their associations with BP among school children and adolescents in Shandong, an important province in eastern China. METHODS: In 2011, we conducted a cross-sectional population-representative survey in Shandong, China. A total of 4 898 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years were randomly selected from 140 counties/districts using a multistage random cluster sampling. Weight, height and BP were measured by a trained physician or pediatrician, and information about age, gender and place of residence was obtained using questionnaires. Obesity and high BP were defined according to age- and gender-specific Chinese reference data for children. RESULTS: A total of 4 898 (100%) children and adolescents provided complete information. The prevalence of overweight, obesity and overweight plus obesity were 10.9%, 8.7% and 19.6%, respectively. Boys were more likely to be overweight or obese than girls (P < 0.05 for overweight; P < 0.001 for obesity). The prevalence of overweight plus obesity was highest among children aged 6-11 years (22.3%). BP and the prevalence of high BP increased with increasing body mass index (BMI). With age and sex adjusted, odds ratios (ORs) for high BP were [OR 2.2;95% CI 1.7-2.8) in overweight and [OR 3.6;95% CI 2.6-4.9] in obese children. CONCLUSION: The representative survey confirms high prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Shandong. Childhood obesity is a strong risk factor for high BP. Intervention programs should be implemented to combat the growing obesity epidemic.

Estimating daily salt intake based on 24†h urinary sodium excretion in adults aged 18-69†years in Shandong, China.

OBJECTIVE: 24 h urinary sodium extretion was used to estimate the daily salt intake of shandong residents aged from 18 to 69 years in China. SETTING: 20 selected counties/districts in Shandong stratified by geographic region (Eastern, Central Southern and North Western) and residence type (urban vs rural). PARTICIPANTS: Among 2184 randomly selected adults, 2061 provided usable 24 h urine samples. Urine volume <500 mL or male creatinine <3.81 (female creatinine <4.57) are not included in the analysis. RESULTS: The mean sodium level excreted over 24 h was 237.61 mmol (95% CI 224.77 to 250.44) mmol. Overall, the estimated mean salt intake was 13.90 g/day (95% CI 13.15 to 14.65). The mean salt intake among rural residents was higher than that among urban residents (14.00 vs 13.68 g; p<0.01). Salt intake in men was higher than that in women (14.40 vs 13.37 g; p<0.01). Approximately 96% of the survey participants had a dietary salt intake of ≥6 g/day. CONCLUSIONS: The salt intake in Shandong is alarmingly higher than the current recommended amount (6 g/day). Thus, effective interventions to reduce salt intake levels to combat the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases need to be developed and implemented.

Dietary sodium intake and its impact factors in adults of Shandong province.

Dietary sodium intake and its impact factors in 2 140 adults aged 18-69 years were analyzed. The mean daily sodium intake was 5745.0 (5427.6-6062.5) mg per day, which was higher in males than in females (P<0.01). After having been adjusted for gender, age and urban/city areas, the mean daily sodium intake was significantly higher in participants with a lower education level, drinkers and smokers than in those with a higher education level, nondrinkers and nonsmokers (P<0.01). The dietary sodium intake in adults of Shandong Province is higher than the recommended standards.

[The changes of inducible nitric oxide synthase activity and apoptosis-related gene expression in endotoxemia-induced rat diaphragm].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and apoptosis-related genes Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 mRNA expressions in endotoxemia-induced rat diaphragm injury and analyze the related apoptosis mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8): control group (saline 0.5 ml ip), endotoxin 24 h, 48 h and 96 h group (endotoxin 12 mg/kg ip, animals were killed either 24, 48 or 96 h after injections). Body weight were measured, the ratio between diaphragm weight and body weight, activities of constitutive nitric oxide syntheses (cNOS), iNOS and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) were also measured. The expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: Endotoxin induced significant reductions in diaphragm mass in endotoxin 96 h group (P < 0.05). Endotoxin increased diaphragm cNOS or iNOS activities, and they were significantly higher in endotoxin 96 h group than those in endotoxin 24 h and 48 h groups, diaphragm SDH activity was reduced, and it was lower in endotoxin 96 h group than that in endotoxin 24 h and 48 h groups (P < 0.01). Endotoxin significantly increased Bax and caspase-3 mRNA expressions, and they were higher in endotoxin 48 h and 96 h groups than those in endotoxin 24 h group (P < 0.01). Endotoxin significantly reduced Bcl-2 mRNA expression and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, and they were lower in endotoxin 48 h and 96 h groups than those in endotoxin 24 h group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: iNOS is activated in endotoxemia-induced rat diaphragm injury. It damages mitochondria, upregulates Bax expression and downregulates Bcl-2 expression, then induces caspase-3 related apoptotic pathway. These changes may cause diaphragm injury and atrophy.

Dietary sodium intake: knowledge, attitudes and practices in Shandong Province, China, 2011.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) for dietary sodium intake among adult residents of Shandong Province, China. METHODS: In 2011, we conducted a cross sectional survey among a representative sample of 15,350 adults aged 18 to 69 years using a standardized questionnaire to assess their KAP for sodium. Variation in the KAPs by gender, and residence location were compared using the Chi-square tests. Predictors for the 'intention to' and 'currently taking action to' reduce sodium intake were determined by multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for confounding factors. RESULTS: KAPs for dietary sodium intake among urban residents was generally more favorable than among rural residents. Women were likely to have more favorable KAPs than men. About four fifth of subjects reported that they favored a low sodium diets. However, 31% reported that consumption of less sodium results in less physical strength. Overall, 70% indicated their intention to reduce sodium intake, although only 39 % reported that they had taken action to reduce sodium. Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that favorable actions to dietary sodium reduction were more likely to occur among those who were aware of the link between sodium and hypertension, and less likely among those who had unfavorable attitudes towards dietary sodium reduction. CONCLUSION: Increasing knowledge levels about the benefits of sodium reduction will be a key success factor for effective sodium reduction initiatives and is linked to favorable behavioral change. Emphasis should be placed on the rural area.

[The status of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adult population in Shandong province in 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the status of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adult population in Shandong province in China. METHODS: A total of 15 350 representative subjects aged 18 to 69 in Shandong province were selected with multistage stratified and clustered sampling design. Questionnaire investigation and physical examination including measurement of blood pressure, height and weight, were taken for all of them. The prevalence was estimated by weighted SURVEYFREQ model. RESULTS: In Shandong province, 34.5% of the hypertensive patients were aware of their high blood pressure (31.1% in male, 38.5% in female), 27.5% of them were taking antihypertensive medications (24.1% in male, 31.7% in female), and 14.9% of them (13.7% in male, 16.4% in female) were under control for their blood pressure (<140/90 mm Hg). CONCLUSION: The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in adult hypertensive population in Shandong province, China were low, and it is urgently needed to take steps for intervention and control for hypertension prevention, particularly in rural areas.

In vitro chondrogenesis of the goat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells directed by chondrocytes in monolayer and 3-dimetional indirect co-culture system.

BACKGROUND: Cartilage injury has a very poor capacity for intrinsic regeneration. The cell-based treatment strategy for the cartilage repair using differentiated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is, however, a promising approach to the chondral repair. This study was aimed to explore the chondrogenic potential of the goat BMSCs in the Transwell co-culture system and the poly-laetide-co-glycolide (PLGA) scaffolds. METHODS: The BMSCs were isolated from the goat iliac crest while the chondrocytes were obtained from the goat's last costal cartilage. In the Transwell co-culture system, the BMSCs co-cultured with chondrocytes were designed as group A, whereas the goat's BMSCs induced with the chondrogenic medium were group B. Both groups A and B were the experimental groups, while group C that only contained BMSCs was the control group. In the PLGA scaffolds co-culture system, BMSCs were seeded into the PLGA scaffolds, which were suspended in the 24-well plate, and the control group was established by presence or absence of chondrocytes at the bottom of the 24-well plate. Toluidine blue staining, Alcian blue staining, collagen II immunofluoresence, collagen II immunochemical staining, collagen I, collagen II, COL2a Q-PCR and osteopontin Q-PCR were used to examine the chondrogenic conditions as well as the expressions of chondrogenic and osteogenic genes. RESULTS: Cells isolated from the aspirates of the goat bone marrow proliferated rapidly and gained characteristics of stem cells in Passage 4. However, the differentiations of chondrocytes were not apparent in Passage 3. The results from Toluidine blue staining, collagen II immunofluoresence and PCR showed the transformation of BMSCs to chondrocytes in the Transwell co-culture system and PLGA scaffolds. Although the cartilage gene expressions were upgraded in both chondrogenesis group and co-culture system, the osteopontin gene expression, which represents osteogenic level, was also up-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: The Transwell co-culture system and the PLGA scaffolds co-culture system can promote the chondrogenic differentiation of the goat's BMSCs, while up-regulated osteopontin gene expression in the Transwell co-culture system implies the osteogenic potential of BMSCs.

[Burden of disease on road traffic injuries in Penglai city, Shandong province, in 2006 - 2007].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the burden of road traffic injury (RTI) from perspectives both on the health of population and on social economic status so as to provide scientific evidence for policy making. METHODS: The status of mortality and disability caused by traffic accident in Penglai county was estimated, based on data from death registration and a sampling survey from 2006 to 2007. Together with the disability weights gained from global burden of disease (GBD), health burden (DALY) was measured with GBD formula. The economic burden of RTI was evaluated. RESULTS: Average loss of the health life years (HLY) related to RTI was 31 373.04 per year. 70.59 HLY were lost per 1000 persons. Loss among the males was higher than females. The loss of DALY among the age group 15 - 44 years ranked the first place (39 209.71 HLY) which accounted for 62.42% of the total DALY. 79.45% of the total DALY were caused by disability. In 2006 and 2007, the economic loss caused by RTI was as high as 2.19 billion RMB, which accounted for 4.89% of the total amount of GDP while the indirect economic costs (2.15 billion RMB) accounted for 98.45% of the total costs in Penglai city. The economic loss of the males was obviously higher than the females and the loss by the group aged 15 - 59 years old accounted for 97.65% of the total. CONCLUSION: RTI had severely influenced the health of the residents in Penglai city and brought heavy burden to the individuals, families as well as the society.

[Field observation on the effect of low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitute on blood pressure in the rural community-based population in China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of commercial low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitutes on blood pressure in the rural community-based population in China. METHODS: We conducted a quasi-experiment on 411 adults, who were 30 to 60 years of age, in 2 rural communities from Laiwu city in Shandong province of China on data from blood pressure screening. The subjects were divided into 2 groups: high blood pressure (HBP) and non-HBP (NHBP). Both groups and their family members took a low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitute for 3 months to replace the normal salt in their bodies. Blood pressure (BP) and 24-hour urinary sodium and potassium were measured regularly in the 2 groups. RESULTS: There was a continuously decreasing trend for BP at the end of the first month. Three months later, the mean BP decreased by 7.4 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa, t = 10.096, P = 0.000) for SBP and 3.8 mm Hg (t = 8.017, P = 0.000) for DBP in the HBP group, when compared to a 1.2 mm Hg (t = 2.507, P = 0.007) decrease on SBP and 1.0 mm Hg (t = 2.987, P = 0.002) on DBP in the NHBP group. The mean urinary sodium had a decrease of 15.5 mmol/24 h (t = 1.803, P = 0.037), but the urinary potassium increased by 4.2 mmol/24 h (t' = 2.132, P = 0.018). The result of urinary sodium appeared to be as follows: potassium ratio (Na(+)/K(+)) decreased by 1.2 (t = 2.786, P = 0.003) in the HBP group. However, in NHBP group, the mean urinary sodium decreased by 1.7 mmol/24 h (t = 0.211, P = 0.417) and urinary potassium increased by 3.7 mmol/24 h (t' = 2.207, P = 0.015), together with the decrease of Na(+)/K(+) by 0.7 (t = 1.818, P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Results from our study clearly demonstrated that the intake of low-sodium and high-potassium salt substitute could effectively reduce the BP with good compliance among adults in the rural community-based population in China. This was an effective but non-medical method to prevent and control the high blood pressure.

[Evaluation on the effectiveness of community intervention on hypertension related knowledge in mid-western rural area of Shandong province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intervention effect of health education on hypertension knowledge in mid-western rural area of Shandong province. METHODS: A project was launched on chronic disease control in mid-western rural area of Shandong province from 2007 to 2010. The baseline survey was performed using multi-stage random sampling method in 8 counties of mid-western rural area of Shandong province in April, 2007. A total of 20 087 participants aged 25 and above were recruited in the survey to study the relationship between awareness of hypertension and diet, smoking, obesity. Health education focusing on balance diet, physical activity promotion and tobacco control was performed among intervention population. The final evaluation survey using same questionnaire was performed in 2010, classified in intervention (4071 participants) and control (2145 participants) group. Control group was selected from non-intervention town in same county. Intervention and control group shared the same baseline data in 2007 for evaluation. By comparing the changes of hypertension knowledge before and after intervention, the intervention effect was evaluated. RESULTS: Awareness of the relationship between hypertension and diet rose from 34.0% (6830/20 087) at baseline in 2007 to 69.3% (2821/4071) (χ(2) = 1757.30, P < 0.01) of intervention group and 44.8% (961/2145) (χ(2) = 99.30, P < 0.01) of control group in 2010. Awareness of hypertension associated to smoking rose from 25.6% (5142/20 087) at baseline in 2007 to 55.2% (2247/4071) (χ(2) = 1396.59, P < 0.01) in intervention group, 30.9% (662/2145) (χ(2) = 27.83, P < 0.01) in control group in 2010. Awareness of hypertension related to obesity rose from 37.2% (7472/20 087) of the baseline in 2007 to 68.3% (2780/4071) (χ(2) = 1339.27, P < 0.01) in intervention group, 45.1% (967/2145) (χ(2) = 51.14, P < 0.01) in control group in 2010. CONCLUSION: Community comprehensive intervention showed significant effects on hypertension related knowledge improvement in mid-western rural area of Shandong province.

[Estimation on disease burden related to hepatitis B virus infection in Shandong province of China].

OBJECTIVE: To comprehensively measure the burden of hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in Shandong province, using disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) to estimate the disease burden attribute to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. METHODS: Based on the mortality data of hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer derived from the third National Sampling Retrospective Survey for Causes of Death during 2004 and 2005, the incidence data of hepatitis B and the prevalence and the disability weights of liver cancer gained from the Shandong Cancer Prevalence Sampling Survey in 2007, we calculated the years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs) and DALYs of three diseases following the procedures developed for the global burden of disease (GBD) study to ensure the comparability. RESULTS: The total burden for hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer were 211,616 (39,377 YLLs and 172,239 YLDs), 16,783 (13,497 YLLs and 3286 YLDs) and 247,795 (240,236 YLLs and 7559 YLDs) DALYs in 2005 respectively, and men were 2.19, 2.36 and 3.16 times as that for women, respectively in Shandong province. The burden for hepatitis B was mainly because of disability (81.39%). However, most burden on liver cirrhosis and liver cancer were due to premature death (80.42% and 96.95%). The burden of each patient related to hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer were 4.8, 13.73 and 11.11 respectively. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer caused considerable burden to the people living in Shandong province, indicating that the control of hepatitis B virus infection would bring huge potential benefits.

[Comparing the dissolution of Rb1 from the micropowder and common powder of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the dissolution of Rb1 from the micropowder and common powder of Radix Panacis Quinquefolii in vitro. METHODS: The contents of Ginsenoside Rb1 in micropowder (99% over 0-30 microm) and common powder (180 microm) with and without the barrier of dialytic membrane were determined at different time by HPLC. RESULTS: The speed and degree of dissolution of Ginsenoside Rb1 in micropowder were better than those in common powder (15-45 min, P < 0.05; 45-60 min, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The dissolution of effective components in Radix Panacis Quinquefolii can be improved by SFCT.

[Muscle atrophy of hand as an initial sign in a patient with protoplasmic astrocytoma: a case report and literature review].

We reported a rare case of protoplasmic astrocytoma presenting small muscle atrophy of the right hand as an initial sign. A 39-year-old male was admitted to hospital complaining of chronic muscle atrophy and subtle headache. Electromyography (EMG) showed brief small denervation and no signs of sensory-motor conduction impairment. CT and MRI revealed multiply expansive intracranial lesion in left hemisphere, which was highly suspected of cerebral echinococcus or Balo disease. The patient underwent surgical excision and pathological report was protoplasmic astrocytoma, with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP, +++) of immunohistochemical method. We reviewed clinical features, radiological manifestations and pathology of protoplasmic astrocytoma with medical literature documents.