Sodium 2-propenyl thiosulfate derived from garlic induces phase II detoxification enzymes in rat hepatoma H4IIE cells

There is evidence that onions and garlic protect against cancer in humans. It has been suggested that this effect is partly due to the organosulfur compounds in Allium vegetables and that these substances act through induction of phase II detoxification enzymes. Here, we hypothesized that alk(en)yl thiosulfates, sodium n-propyl thiosulfate (NPTS), and sodium 2-propenyl thiosulfate (2PTS), which were identified in onions and garlic, respectively, may induce phase II enzymes. Therefore, rat hepatoma cells (H4IIE) were cultured with 1 to 100 μmol/L of NPTS or 2PTS for 48 hours at 37°C; and the activities and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of phase II enzymes in H4IIE cells were investigated. The effects of diallyl trisulfide and tert-butylhydroquinone, known as phase II inducers, were also examined as positive controls and compared with the responses of NPTS and 2PTS. Quinone reductase (QR) activity and mRNA expression levels of QR and epoxide hydrolase 1 were significantly increased by 2PTS (P < .05-.005). In particular, QR activity was increased at a relatively low concentration of 2PTS (10 μmol/L). However, glutathione S-transferase activity and mRNA expression levels of glutathione S-transferase A5 and uridine diphosphate glucuronosyl transferase 1A1 were not changed by 2PTS. In contrast, NPTS did not affect the activities and mRNA expression levels of these phase II enzymes. These results show that 2PTS can induce phase II enzymes, and its inductive effect is comparable or superior to that of diallyl trisulfide and tert-butylhydroquinone.     

The origin of the genetic code and of the earliest oligopeptides

Reconstruction of the earliest proteins in the ancient binary alphabet [glycine family G, alanine family A] leads to repeats of G alternating with repeats of A. In addition, omnipresent motifs can be assembled in two of the earliest genes involved in energy supply, crucial for Life, i.e. ATP/GTP binding and ATPase activity. They are an almost perfect match to the alternating G and A and are complementary to each other.     

Estimation of the Biphasic Property in a Female’s Menstrual Cycle from Cutaneous Temperature Measured During Sleep

This paper proposes a method to estimate a woman’s menstrual cycle based on the hidden Markov model (HMM). A tiny device was developed that attaches around the abdominal region to measure cutaneous temperature at 10-min intervals during sleep. The measured temperature data were encoded as a two-dimensional image (QR code, i.e., quick response code) and displayed in the LCD window of the device. A mobile phone captured the QR code image, decoded the information and transmitted the data to a database server. The collected data were analyzed by three steps to estimate the biphasic temperature property in a menstrual cycle. The key step was an HMM-based step between preprocessing and postprocessing. A discrete Markov model, with two hidden phases, was assumed to represent higher- and lower-temperature phases during a menstrual cycle. The proposed method was verified by the data collected from 30 female participants, aged from 14 to 46, over six consecutive months. By comparing the estimated results with individual records from the participants, 71.6% of 190 menstrual cycles were correctly estimated. The sensitivity and positive predictability were 91.8 and 96.6%, respectively. This objective evaluation provides a promising approach for managing premenstrual syndrome and birth control.     

Mothers of young children cluster into 4 groups based on psychographic food decision influencers

This study explored how mothers grouped into clusters according to multiple psychographic food decision influencers and how the clusters differed in nutrient intake and nutrient content of their household food supply. Mothers (n = 201) completed a survey assessing basic demographic characteristics, food shopping and meal preparation activities, self and spouse employment, exposure to formal food or nutrition education, education level and occupation, weight status, nutrition and food preparation knowledge and skill, family member health and nutrition status, food decision influencer constructs, and dietary intake. In addition, an in-home inventory of 100 participants' household food supplies was conducted. Four distinct clusters presented when 26 psychographic food choice influencers were evaluated. These clusters appear to be valid and robust classifications of mothers in that they discriminated well on the psychographic variables used to construct the clusters as well as numerous other variables not used in the cluster analysis. In addition, the clusters appear to transcend demographic variables that often segment audiences (eg, race, mother's age, socioeconomic status), thereby adding a new dimension to the way in which this audience can be characterized. Furthermore, psychographically defined clusters predicted dietary quality. This study demonstrates that mothers are not a homogenous group and need to have their unique characteristics taken into consideration when designing strategies to promote health. These results can help health practitioners better understand factors affecting food decisions and tailor interventions to better meet the needs of mothers.     

基于调剂自动化和合理用药的临床药物配置系统软件的开发与应用

目的:应用信息技术促进住院药品调剂自动化和合理用药。方法:基于原有医院信息系统,采用Powerbuilder9.0系统前台数据库开发工具,结合条形码技术,开发和应用新的自动化单剂量调剂系统。结果:开发了临床医嘱审核和机器摆药发送2个子系统程序,建立了合理用药审查和报告系统,提高了临床摆药的效率,实现了摆药机药盒中药品库存数量的精确管理。结论:结合药学专业领域的发展趋势开发软件,可以更好地适应调剂业务流程变化的需求。     

医院药品管理中位置代码的设立与使用

为使医院药品管理更简便、更合理,设立和使用药品位置代码。提高了医院药剂科各部门的工作效率,避免差错的发生。结果表明,药品位置代码用于医院药品管理较其它代码更科学、更有效。     

利用手机短信实现HIS数据库后台任务的无人看守

本文介绍了利用手机短信控制HIS数据库后台任务的编码方法,实现数据库任务无人监控。此方法投资少,值得推广。     

疑难ICD-9疾病编码1例

正确掌握ICD-9编码，是病案管理人员的基本技能。对于个别疑难患者的编码，首先从掌握疾病名称的内涵着手，根据发病机理，反复进行推敲，直至得到正确编码，为临床从事医教研活动提供正确的医疗资料。     

PICKER PQ-2000型CT机常见错误码解决方案

PICKER PQ-2000型CT机是上世纪90年代初美国生产的单排螺旋CT产品,也是当时世界最先进的CT技术的代表。现将我院使用十多年来机器出现过的较常见错误码的产生原因和解决方案,供同行们参考。     

略论医用高值耗材条形码管理

从医用高值耗材的管理入手,立足于国内医院高值耗材管理的现状,深刻分析了高值耗材采用条形码管理的必要性。针对医院管理的需求,在高值耗材管理流程再造方面进行了探索,对于解决目前医院普遍存在的高值耗材管理的瓶颈问题具有深刻的现实意义,并为构建政府与医疗机构"零距离"的不良事件快速反应和危机追溯机制提供了基础。