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Hui Li

Publications and source records attributed to Hui Li.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Chlorobium tepidum: insights into the structure, physiology, and metabolism of a green sulfur bacterium derived from the complete genome sequence.

Green sulfur bacteria are obligate, anaerobic photolithoautotrophs that synthesize unique bacteriochlorophylls (BChls) and a unique light-harvesting antenna structure, the chlorosome. One organism, Chlorobium tepidum, has emerged as a model for this group of bacteria primarily due to its relative ease of cultivation and natural transformability. This review focuses on insights into the physiology and biochemistry of the green sulfur bacteria that have been derived from the recently completed analysis of the 2.15-Mb genome of Chl. tepidum. About 40 mutants of Chl. tepidum have been generated within the last 3 years, most of which have been made based on analyses of the genome. This has allowed a nearly complete elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways for the carotenoids and BChls in Chl. tepidum, which include several novel enzymes specific for BChl c biosynthesis. Facilitating these analyses, both BChl c and carotenoid biosynthesis can be completely eliminated in Chl. tepidum. Based particularly on analyses of mutants lacking chlorosome proteins and BChl c, progress has also been made in understanding the structure and biogenesis of chlorosomes. In silico analyses of the presence and absence of genes encoding components involved in electron transfer reactions and carbon assimilation have additionally revealed some of the potential physiological capabilities, limitations, and peculiarities of Chl. tepidum. Surprisingly, some structural components and biosynthetic pathways associated with photosynthesis and energy metabolism in Chl. tepidum are more similar to those in cyanobacteria and plants than to those in other groups of photosynthetic bacteria.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Prospect for vaginal delivery of growth restricted fetuses with abnormal umbilical artery blood flow.

BACKGROUND: The best mode of delivery in cases of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) with umbilical artery blood flow changes is not well elucidated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcome in IUGR with umbilical artery blood flow changes planned for vaginal delivery after a negative oxytocin challenge test (OCT). METHODS: In 84 term singleton pregnancies with suspected IUGR and no unanimous indication for abdominal delivery, Doppler velocimetry and OCT were performed. Positive OCT cases were delivered by cesarean section, negative OCT cases planned for vaginal delivery. RESULTS: Umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry was normal in 51 cases (normal group) and abnormal in 33 cases (increased pulsatility index with maintained forward diastolic flow). Gestational age at delivery was shorter (p = 0.008), positive OCT more common (33% vs. 16%; p = 0.06), and vaginal delivery less common (40% vs. 63%; p = 0.04) in the abnormal blood flow group compared with the normal flow group. When in labor, 68% in the abnormal flow group and 76% in the normal flow group delivered vaginally (p = 0.6). One baby had a lethal malformation and another suffered meconium aspiration and pneumothorax, but was discharged home healthy. CONCLUSIONS: The vaginal delivery rate was significantly lower in the abnormal flow group compared with the normal flow group, but in cases finally destined for a trial of labor the vaginal delivery rates were similar. There was no indication that any fetus was exposed to detrimental hypoxia or distress.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Biochemical and functional analysis of CTR1, a protein kinase that negatively regulates ethylene signaling in Arabidopsis.

CTR1 encodes a negative regulator of the ethylene response pathway in Arabidopsis thaliana. The C-terminal domain of CTR1 is similar to the Raf family of protein kinases, but its first two-thirds encodes a novel protein domain. We used a variety of approaches to investigate the function of these two CTR1 domains. Recombinant CTR1 protein was purified from a baculoviral expression system, and shown to possess intrinsic Ser/Thr protein kinase activity with enzymatic properties similar to Raf-1. Deletion of the N-terminal domain did not elevate the kinase activity of CTR1, indicating that, at least in vitro, this domain does not autoinhibit kinase function. Molecular analysis of loss-of-function ctr1 alleles indicated that several mutations disrupt the kinase catalytic domain, and in vitro studies confirmed that at least one of these eliminates kinase activity, which indicates that kinase activity is required for CTR1 function. One missense mutation, ctr1-8, was found to result from an amino acid substitution within a new conserved motif within the N-terminal domain. Ctr1-8 has no detectable effect on the kinase activity of CTR1 in vitro, but rather disrupts the interaction with the ethylene receptor ETR1. This mutation also disrupts the dominant negative effect that results from overexpression of the CTR1 amino-terminal domain in transgenic Arabidopsis. These results suggest that CTR1 interacts with ETR1 in vivo, and that this association is required to turn off the ethylene-signaling pathway.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Increased endothelial monolayer permeability is induced by serum from women with preeclampsia but not by serum from women with normal pregnancy or that are not pregnant.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if endothelial monolayer permeability could be altered by serum from preeclampsia (PE). METHODS: Confluent normal endothelial cells (ECs) were incubated with 20% serum from nonpregnant females, normal and PE pregnancies or combined with antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) for 8 hr. Confluent PE ECs were incubated with 20% serum from normal pregnancies. EC barrier function of monolayer permeability was accessed by measuring EC electrical resistance (ER) and the leakage of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) passing through EC filters. Plasma concentrations of IL-8 and lipid peroxides by MDA were also measured. We determined 1) if serum from PE could affect EC permeable function; 2) if antioxidant and serum from normal pregnancies could preserve PE EC barrier function; 3) if lipid peroxides and cytokine IL-8 were increased in PE blood samples. Data are presented as mean+/-SE. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. A p level less than 0.05 was considered statistically different. RESULTS: 1) ER was significantly decreased and HRP passage was significantly increased in ECs incubated with serum from PE compared to serum from non-pregnant and normal pregnant females (ER: 36.30+/-2.60 vs. 51.30+/-4.00 and 53.90+/-5.80 Omega x cm2, p<0.01; HRP: 0.100+/-0.020 vs. 0.014+/-0.002 and 0.022+/-0.007 DeltaOD470 nm, p<0.01, respectively). 2) ER was improved in PE ECs incubated with serum from normal pregnancies compared to controls, 52.28+/-3.13 vs. 34.50+/-3.80 Omega x cm2, p<0.01. 3) SOD attenuated decreased EC ER induced by PE serum, 55.58+/-3.61 Omega x cm2 (SOD+PE serum) vs. 42.34+/-3.24 (control) and 35.46+/-2.44 (PE serum), p<0.01, respectively. 4) Both MDA and IL-8 concentrations were higher in plasma or serum samples from PE than those in samples from nonpregnancies and normal pregnancies, MDA: 28.65+/-1.45 vs. 22.40+/-1.47 and 25.53+/-0.89 micromol/mL, p<0.01; IL-8: 5.35+/-1.08 vs. 1.69+/-0.47 and 2.28+/-0.73 pg/mL, p<0.05, respectively. Conclusions. 1) Sera from PE but not from nonpregnant women or normal pregnancies increase EC monolayer permeability. 2) Increased lipid peroxides and IL-8 are candidates altering EC barrier function. 3) Antioxidant SOD preserves increased EC monolayer permeability induced by PE serum, suggesting that EC oxidative stress may be associated with altered EC barrier function in preeclampsia.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Molecular epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrheae isolates with plasmid-mediated tetracycline resistance in Canada: temporal and geographical trends (1986-1997).

Plasmid-mediated resistance to tetracycline in Neisseria gonorrhoeae (TRNG) isolates is caused by the acquisition of a 25.2-MDa conjugative, tetM-containing plasmid (TetM plasmid). The presence of the TetM plasmid is the leading cause of gonococcal resistance to tetracycline in most countries. Between 1986 and 1997, 6,306 TRNG isolates were isolated in different Canadian provincial laboratories and subsequently submitted to the national laboratory for further strain characterization. Because nonculture-based identification of N. gonorrhoeae was more widely used after 1995, this snapshot of the molecular epidemiology of TRNG in Canada, which is only possible if bacteria are cultured, represents a comprehensive data baseline that may no longer be achievable. Temporal trends indicate that TRNG isolations peaked in 1994 (18.9% of isolates tested). Antimicrobial susceptibilities (MIC) to tetracycline and penicillin were determined for 4,064 TRNG isolated between 1986 and 1994. The MICs of TRNG isolates ranged from 16 microg/ml to 32 microg/ml of tetracycline, although one isolate had an MIC of 8 microg/ml and the MICs of four isolates were 2 microg/ml. Penicillinase-producing TRNG (i.e., PP/TRNG) comprised 34.1% of all TRNG (n = 1,386) and 52 TRNG isolates exhibited chromosomal resistance to penicillin. Most of the PP/TRNG (94.1%) carried Africa type (3.2 MDa) beta-lactamase-producing plasmids; only 76 (5.5%) PP/TRNG carried Asia type (4.4 MDa) penicillinase-producing plasmids and three isolates carried Toronto type (3.05 MDa) plasmids. TRNG isolates were also retrospectively typed by auxotype (A), serovar (S), and plasmid (P) content analysis. Eleven auxotype/serovar (A/S) groups comprised the majority (93%) of 4,064 typed TRNG isolates with A/S classes NR/IB-2, NR/IB-3, and NR/IB-1 accounting for 75.1% of the strains characterized. Classification of 670 TRNG for tetM type demonstrated that the Dutch (n = 531) type TetM plasmids predominated over the American (n = 139) type TetM plasmids.

Canada↗
PubMed2003

High percentages of resistance to tetracycline and penicillin and reduced susceptibility to azithromycin characterize the majority of strain types of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates in Cuba, 1995-1998.

BACKGROUND: In many regions the susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates to antimicrobial agents is rarely tested. The Gonococcal Antimicrobial Surveillance Program (GASP) in Cuba was established as part of a larger regional GASP program to facilitate the collection and reporting of antimicrobial susceptibility data for N gonorrhoeae isolates. GOAL: The goal was to retrospectively determine the antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular epidemiology of 91 isolates of N gonorrhoeae isolated from 11 centers in Cuba. STUDY DESIGN: Isolates of N gonorrhoeae were collected and presumptively identified from 11 Cuban provincial health centers. They were then forwarded to the National Laboratory of Pathogenic Neisseria Havana for confirmatory identification and were subsequently analyzed at the Center for GASP in Ottawa. Isolates were tested for susceptibility to penicillin, tetracycline, spectinomycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin by the agar dilution method. To establish baseline data for molecular epidemiologic profiles, the auxotype (A), serovar (S), plasmid content (P), and TetM type of the isolates were determined. Certain A/S/P classes were further analyzed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). RESULTS: High percentages of the 91 N gonorrhoeae isolates were resistant to penicillin (68%) and tetracycline (83.5%), with 56% being penicillinase-producing (PPNG) and 64% carrying plasmid-mediated tetracycline resistance (TRNG; 50% were PP/TRNG). An additional 14% of the isolates carried chromosomal resistance (CMRNG) to either tetracycline or penicillin or both antibiotics. All isolates were susceptible to spectinomycin, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin. However, nine isolates were resistant to azithromycin (MIC, > or = 1.0 microgram/ml), and 43 other isolates displayed reduced susceptibility to this antibiotic (MIC, 0.25-0.5 microgram/ml). Although a total of 21 different A/S classes were identified, most of the isolates (61) belonged to three A/S classes: NR/IA-6 (35 isolates), NR/IB-1 (15 isolates), and P/IA-6 (11 isolates). Thirty-two of 45 PP/TRNG were A/S class NR/IA-6, and nine of the P/IA-6 isolates were TRNG. By contrast, most of A/S class NR/IB-1 (8) were CMRNG. PFGE analysis following digestion with NheI or SpeI further clustered the isolates into separate groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates high percentages of N gonorrhoeae isolates with penicillin and tetracycline resistance in Cuba. As has been noted in other studies in the Caribbean region and Latin America, resistance and reduced susceptibility to azithromycin are developing as emerging problems. Since penicillin and tetracycline continue to be widely used for the treatment of gonococcal infections in Cuba, this study indicates the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance so that effective antibiotics may be recommended for treatment of gonococcal infections.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2003

The AGE-RAGE system and diabetic nephropathy.

As is diabetes itself, diabetic vasculopathy is a multifactor disease. Studies revealed advanced glycation end products (AGE) as the major environmental account for vascular cell derangement characteristic of diabetes and the receptor for AGE (RAGE) as the major genic factor that responds to them. AGE fractions that caused the vascular derangement were proved to be RAGE ligands. When made diabetic, RAGE transgenic mice exhibited the exacerbation of the indices of nephropathy and retinopathy, and this was prevented by the inhibition of AGE formation. Extracellular signals and nuclear factors that induce the transcription of human RAGE gene were also identified, which would be regarded as risk factors of diabetic complications. Through an analysis of vascular polysomal poly(A)(+)RNA, a novel splice variant coding for a soluble RAGE protein was found and was named endogenous secretory RAGE. Endogenous secretory RAGE was able to capture AGE ligands and to neutralize the AGE action on endothelial cells, suggesting that this variant has a potential to protect blood vessels from diabetes-induced injury. The AGE-RAGE system, therefore, should be a candidate molecular target for overcoming this life- and quality-of-life-threatening disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Activation and binding of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma by synthetic cannabinoid ajulemic acid.

Ajulemic acid (AJA) is a synthetic analog of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) metabolite THC-11-oic acid; THC is a major active ingredient of the drug marijuana derived from the plant cannabis. AJA has potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity without the psychotropic action of THC. Unlike the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, AJA is not ulcerogenic at therapeutic doses, making it a promising anti-inflammatory drug. However, the mechanism of AJA action remains unknown. Here we report that AJA binds directly and specifically to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a pharmacologically important member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. Functional assay indicates that AJA activates the transcriptional activity of both human and mouse PPARgamma at pharmacological concentrations. Activation of PPARgamma by AJA requires the AF-2 helix of the receptor, suggesting that AJA activates PPARgamma through the ligand-dependent AF-2 function. AJA binding consistently enables PPARgamma to recruit nuclear receptor coactivators. In addition, we show that AJA inhibits interleukin-8 promoter activity in a PPARgamma-dependent manner, suggesting a link between the anti-inflammatory action of AJA and the activation of PPARgamma. Finally, we find that AJA treatment induces differentiation of 3T3 L1 fibroblasts into adipocytes, a process mediated by PPARgamma. Together, these data indicate that PPARgamma may be a molecular target for AJA, providing a potential mechanism for the anti-inflammatory action of AJA, and possibly other cannabinoids. These studies also implicate other potential therapeutic actions of AJA through PPARgamma activation in multiple signaling pathways.

Adipocytes↗
PubMed2003

Children's blood lead levels after the phasing out of leaded gasoline in Shantou, China.

Shantou, a city in the People's Republic of China, has a central urban population of approximately 700,000 and a large number of registered vehicles (motorcycles = 256,600; other motor vehicles = 261,000). Shantou is designated as 1 of the 5 Special Economic Zones in China. The use of leaded gasoline was prohibited in the city at the end of 1998. Blood samples for lead analysis were collected from children aged 1-5 yr during the summers of 1999-2001, and the samples were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In 1999, 44.3% (147/332) of the children had mean blood lead levels in excess of 100 microg/l. The percentage of children with blood lead levels that exceeded 100 microg/l was reduced to 35.8% (227/635) and 23.0% (105/457) in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Average blood lead levels declined from 104 microg/l, to 94 microg/l, and 79 microg/l during the 3-yr period, respectively; the respective concordant geometric means were 97 microg/l, 85 microg/l, and 71 microg/l. Mean blood lead levels for the children studied decreased significantly (p < 0.05) every year. Among all children tested during the 3-yr period, there were no significant differences by gender and no significant differences between children who were between the ages of 2 and 3 yr; however, those who were 4 yr of age had blood lead levels that were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than levels in those 2 and 3 yr of age.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed2003

[Influence of electro-acupuncture of Neiguan on plasmic concentrations of NO and TNFalpha in endotoxin shock rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture of Neiguan (PC 6) on mean systemic arterial blood pressure and plasmic concentrations of NO and TNFalpha in endotoxin shock rats. METHODS: The model of endotoxin shock was induced by lipopolysaccharide (1.5 mg/kg i.v.) and D-galactosamine (100 mg/kg i.p.). Aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg i.p.) and electro-acupuncture of bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) were administered. A catheter was inserted into the right subclavian artery to record the change of blood pressure and the blood was abstracted out and centrifuged to determine the NO and TNFalpha concentrations. RESULTS: Electro-acupuncture of Neiguan (PC 6) retrieved the blood pressure and reduced the plasmic NO and TNFalpha concentrations. CONCLUSION: Electro-acupuncture of Neiguan (PC 6) expresses an anti-endotoxin shock effect by repressing the plasmic NO and TNFalpha concentrations smoothly and retrieving the blood pressure stably.

Acupuncture Points↗
PubMed2003

Expression of e-cadherin and beta-catenin in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: relationships with prognosis.

AIM: To elucidate the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin correlating with its clinical outcome in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), by analyzing their interrelationship with clinicopathological variables and their effects on progress and prognosis. METHODS: Expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin was determined by SP immunohistochemical technique in patients with ESCC consecutively, their correlation with clinical characteristics was evaluated and analyzed by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The rate of expression of E-cadherin decreased to 66.03 % (70/106) in ESCC and the protein level was negative correlated with histologic grade, tumor size, clinical staging, lymph node metastasis and venous invasion. Whereas the expression rate of beta-catenin was reduced to 69.8 % (74/106) and the level of protein expression correlated only with histologic grade. There obviously existed inverse correlation between level of E-cadherin protein and survival, especially in stage I, IIa, IIb (P=0.0033), Patients with low-expressing tumors for beta-catenin and non-expressing tumors for E-cadherin/beta-catenin had lower survival period than those with normal-expressing ones (P=0.0501 and P=0.0080, respectively). Patients with diminished expression of E-cadherin as grade II or III had shorter survival period than those with normally expressing and grade I, no significance existed between grade I and grade II or III with respect to different status of E-cadherin expression. Furthermore, Correlation analysis showed level of E-cadherin correlated with that of beta-catenin (P=0.005). Cox proportional hazards model analysis suggested downregulation of E-cadherin was an important factor indicating poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: As a probable independent prognostic factor, it correlates with overall and disease free survival period, expression of E-cadherin but not beta-catenin may predict prognosis in patients with ESCC.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Pancreatic cancer mortality in China (1991-2000).

AIM: To describe the mortality rate of pancreatic cancer and its distribution in China during the period of 1991-2000. METHODS: Based on the data of demography and death collected through China's Disease Surveillance Point System (DSPS) over the period of 1991-2000, the distribution of death rate of pancreatic cancer was described in terms of age group, gender, calendar year, rural/urban residence and administrative district. RESULTS: A total of 1,619 death cases attributed to pancreatic cancer (975 men and 644 women) were reported by DSPS during 1991-2000. The reported, adjusted and age-standardized mortality rates increased from 1.46, 1.75, and 2.18 per 100,000 populations in 1991 to 2.38, 3.06, and 3.26 per 100,000 populations in 2000. The majority (69.62 %) of the deaths of pancreatic cancer were seen in the age group of 60 years and older. The mortality rate was higher in men than in women, but the male to female death rate ratios decreased during the 10 years. Our data also showed that the death rate of pancreatic cancer in urban areas was about 2-4 fold higher than that in rural areas, and in Northeast and East China, the death rates were higher than those in the other 5 administrative districts. CONCLUSION: The death rate due to pancreatic cancer was rising during the period of 1991-2000 and the peak mortality of pancreatic cancer might arrive in China.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2003

Morphology and morphogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-associated virus.

After infecting the Vero E6 cells by nasal/throat swabs collected from SARS patients, we studied the SARS-associated virus by electron microscopy and molecular biological technique. The results show that the diameter of newly isolated virus is about 50 nm without envelope or 100 nm with envelope. The virus was proved to be a new coronavirus by RT-PCR and it responded positively to convalescent-phase serum specimen from SARS patients, which is the evidence that this new virus is etiologically linked to the outbreak of SARS. The morphogenesis and distribution of the virus are also discussed in this article.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Evaluation on the disability weight of Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To formulate the classification criteria of disability weight for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) in China and to evaluate the disability weight of AD and PD in population over 60 years old in Beijing. METHODS: Based on the criteria of Global Burden of Disease (GBD), a seven-grade disability classification was used to develop a new disability classification criteria for AD and PD in terms of Delphi method in China. Using the data from epidemiological survey for AD and PD in Beijing in 1997 and new criteria, mean disability weights of AD and PD in population over 60 years old in Beijing were obtained. RESULTS: The mean disability weights of Alzheimer's disease was 0.40 in population over 60 years old who received treatment in Beijing and 0.52 in those without treatment while the mean disability weights of Parkinson's disease were 0.30 in the patient receiving treatment and 0.23 in those without treatment. CONCLUSION: Difference between the result of this study and the data of GBD study in the mean disability weight for AD and PD was noticed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

[Study on the relationship between some genetic factors and peak bone mineral density in Beijing young women].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the peak bone mineral density (PBMD) and vitamin D receptor (VDR), estrogen receptor (ER) allelic variants in Beijing young women. METHODS: From March, 2000 to July, 2001, one hundred and fifty-nine young healthy women (25 - 37 years old) in Beijing were voluntarily enrolled in the study. (1) BMD were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXEA) at lumbar and hip. (2) The polymorphism of VDR and ER genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). (3) The relationship between BMD and polymorphism of VDR and ER genes were examined. RESULTS: (1) Lumber BMD was positively correlated to height, weight and body mass index (BMI), whereas, the femoral neck BMD only to weight, and the other sites of hip BMD to BMI. (2) Although subjects with the VDR bb genotype had higher BMD than those with Bb genotype at lumber, femoral neck, inter and troch, no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). (3) In Ward triangle, subjects with ER PP genotype had significantly lower BMD than those in ER Pp and pp genotypes (P < 0.05). (4) Women with BbPP genotype combination had lower BMD levels at lumber and hip, and with bbPP and Bbpp genotypes combination significantly higher lumber BMD levels than BbPP genotype (P < 0.05). However, the differences of BMD among subjects with different VDR and ER genotypes became not significant after adjusting the confounder of body weight. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Body weight and BMI play important roles to PBMD of Beijing women. (2) There was no significant difference of BMD levels between VDR genotypes at any site. (3) PvuII polymorphism of ER gene was associated with low Ward triangle BMD. (4) There was significant relationship between the combination of ER and VDR polymorphisms at lumbar and hip BMD. Our data suggest that genetic variation at the ER locus, singly and in relation to the VDR locus, may influence the attainment and maintenance of peak bone mass in young women.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2003

[Psychological health status and personality of the recruits in relation with their injuries during military training].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship of the psychological status and personality to the injuries arising from military training among the recruits. METHODS: The Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) and Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) were used to evaluate the psychological health status of the recruits in an army force unit participating in the basic military training in 2002. RESULTS: The annual incidence of the injuries during the training was 9.6%. Before the training commenced, the scores of SCL-90 showed no significant difference between injured group and non-injured group (P>0.05), while measurement after the training revealed significantly higher score for psychosis in the injured group than non-injured group (P<0.01). The most frequent psychological problems before training were obsession, interpersonal relations and depression, while after training, interpersonal relations, obsession and psychosis were highlighted as the major problems. The number of recruits with the total score no less than 160 and personality type distribution were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The incidence of the injuries in relation to military training are significantly decreased after the implementation of the new training protocol, and no relations of psychological problems and personality was identified with the training.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Concentration of follistatin in maternal serum at term and its expression in placenta].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible origin and role of follistatin (FS) in pregnancy. METHODS: The maternal serum FS levels in menstrual cycle, first trimester (8 - 12 weeks) and term (38 - 41 weeks) were determined by a specific two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method was utilized to semi-quantitatively determine FS mRNA levels in the ovaries and placentas. RESULTS: Maternal serum FS level at term was significantly higher than that in the first trimester of pregnancy and that in normal women during the menstrual cycle (180 +/- 26) micro g/L, (4.4 +/- 2.1) micro g/L, (1.5 +/- 2.2) micro g/L, (respectively P < 0.001). Both placentas and ovaries expressed FS mRNA. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR showed that the expression levels of FS mRNA in placenta were higher than that in ovary of same period, but lower than that in ovary of menstrual phase (0.8 +/- 0.4, 0.4 +/- 0.3, 0.93 +/- 0.13, respectively P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Fetal-placental unit may be the major source of maternal serum FS. The relatively higher levels of FS in the placentas at term may reflect important roles in modulating the development of embryo and the function of placenta.

Adult↗