[A case control study on the relationship between trace elements and human neural tube defects].

Objective: To explore the relationship between multi-trace elements levels in hair and human neural tube defects as well as other risk factors.

Methods: Using 88 paired cases and controls, an 1:1 matched case control study was carried out. The study subjects were collected from the China-U.

Effect of magnesium lithospermate B on calcium and nitric oxide in endothelial cells upon hypoxia/reoxygenation.

Aim: To investigate the effect of magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) on hypoxia/ reoxygenation (H/R)-induced elevation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and nitric oxide (NO) release in endothelial cells.

Methods: The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECV304) were exposed to hypoxia for 30 min under 95 % N2 and 5 % CO2, then reoxygenation for 30 min under air and 5 % CO2. Cell injury was evaluated by dye exclusion test, superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay, and molondialdehyde (MDA) assay.