BACKGROUND: With excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity, bioglass and bioceramics have attracted more attention. However, the poor degradability limits their application in bone tissue engineering.OBJECTIVE: To observe the bioactivity and controllable degradation of a novel borosilicate glass.DESIGN: Single sample observation.SETTING: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University.MATERIALS: The experiment was performed at School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University from October 2005 to September 2007. Thee reagent grade chemicals such as carbonate, phosphate, boric acid and silicon dioxide were self-made; D/max2550VB3+/PC X-ray diffractometer and S-2360 scanning electron microscope (SEM) were products of Olympus, Japan.METHODS: Three-dimensional, highly porous scaffolds with interconnected pores similar to trabecular bone were fabricated using melt-derived borosilicate glass powder by polymeric sponge method. The composition of glass material was 25Na2O·30CaO·5P2O5·(40-x)SiO2·xB2O3 (x=0, 20, 26, 30, 40).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Hydroxyapatite formation on the surfaces of the samples and morphologies of the scaffolds were observed by X-ray diffractometer and SEM. ②Ion concentrations of the Na+, Ca2+, P5+ and B3+ in the solution of K2HPO4 were determined using atomic emission spectrum.RESULTS: ①The borosilicate glass made of 25Na2O·30CaO·5P2O5·(40-26)SiO2·26B2O3 showed better pore connectivity, and cells proliferated on the porous structure. ②In the borosilicate glass made of 25Na2O·30CaO·5P2O5·40SiO2, Na+ and B3+ release was less and their degradability was lower than other compositions.CONCLUSION: Hydroxyapatite formation on the surface and the degradation rate of scaffold materials could be controlled by changing the composition of the bioglass samples.

OBJECTIVE:To discuss the contradictions existing during the time when a drugstore pharmacist is doing his duty.METHOD:The existing contradictions were analyzed.RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS:Pharmacists should be educated to solve the contradictions and strengthen propaganda;The evaluating system should be strictly enforced,and the registered pharmacists should be strictly evaluated;Surveillance should be strengthened and the regular supervising system should be established.

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenolic compound. It possesses a variety of biological properties including neuroprotective effects, cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. In recent years, the anti-tumor effects of resveratrol have attracted a lot of attention. Its anti-tumor effects may be mediated by inhibiting tumor initiation, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, promoting tumor cell apoptosis and inhibiting tumor cell invasion.

Objective To investigate the change of surface molecules and cytokine expressions of dendritic cells (DC) stimulated with recombinant proteins Com1 and heat shock protein B (HspB) of Coxiella burnetii (Cb).MethodsThe DC cultured for 5 d were stimulated with 20 μg/mL recombinant protein Com1,20μg/mL HspB or 6 μg/mL E.coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS).Twentyfour hours later,the surface mature marker,CD83,and activation-associated markers of T lymphocytes,CD58,CD54,CD40,CD80 and CD86,and expression levels of interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12 of DC were detected by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS).Multiple comparisons were performed by using Student-Newman-Keuls test.ResultsCom1 could induce DC maturation efficiently in vitro.Human monocyte-derived DC exhibited significantly higher expression levels of surface molecules including CD83,CD54,CD58,CD80,CD86,and CD40,which were all ＞80％.CD83 expression induced by Com1 was similar with that induced by 1E.coli LPS,while CD54 and CD86 expressions were slightly higher than those induced by E.coli LPS,and expressions of other molecules were significantly higher than those induced by E.coli LPS (all P＜0.05).After Com1 stimulation,intracellular IL-12 level increased to 9 ％ from zero.HspB could not induce DC maturation in vitro.The intracellular IL-10 level was 6％ after HspB stimulation.DC pulsed with Com1 and HspB exhibited intracellular IL-12 level of zero and IL-10 level of ＜2％.Conclusion Com1 but not HspB can efficiently activate DC and Com1-activated DC can drive T cells toward Th1 cell development due to a high level of IL-12 production.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of atorvastatin combined with methylprednisolone on the liver function of ne-phrotic syndrome patients. METHODS:The data of 93 patients with primary nephritic syndrome were retrospectively analyzed and divided into atorvastatin group,methylprednisolone group and combination group by different medication. Atorvastatin group was orally given atorvastatin 20 mg at bedtime,once a day+aspirin;methylprednisolone group was orally given methylprednisolone 0.8 mg/kg in the early morning,once a day+aspirin;combination group was given atorvastatin+methylprednisolone+aspirin(the same usage and dosage with the above-mentioned groups). The course was 4 weeks. The clinic data was observed,including ALT,AST, GGT,TB and DB before and after treatment,the incidence of patients with drug-induced liver disease and prognosis of patients with drug-induced liver disease. RESULTS:After treatment,the ALT,AST and GGT in atorvastatin group and combination group were significantly higher than before,with significant difference(P<0.05);compared with other parameters and all indexes in methylprednisolone group before and after treatment,there were no significant differences(P>0.05). There was no significant dif-ference in the elevated rate of ALT among groups(P>0.05);the incidence of drug-induced liver disease in combination group was significantly higher than atorvastatin group and methylprednisolone group,with significant difference(P<0.05). ALT in combina-tion group was significantly decreased and returned to pretreatment levels after atorvastatin withdrawal and 2 weeks of hepatoprotec-tants treatment for 7 patients with drug-induced liver disease. CONCLUSIONS:Atorvastatin combined with methylprednisolone has high risk on liver function in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome. Pretreatment levels can be recovered by both drug withdrawal and symptomatic treatment.

We proposed a research of a heart sound envelope extraction system in this paper. The system was implemented on LabVIEW based on the Hilbert-Huang transform (HHT). We firstly used the sound card to collect the heart sound, and then implemented the complete system program of signal acquisition, pretreatment and envelope extraction on LabVIEW based on the theory of HHT. Finally, we used a case to prove that the system could collect heart sound, preprocess and extract the envelope easily. The system was better to retain and show the characteristics of heart sound envelope, and its program and methods were important to other researches, such as those on the vibration and voice, etc.
Heart Sounds ; Humans ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted

The sera of 206 cases with hydatid disease diagnosed by B-ultrasound and X-ray in survey scene had been examined by Dot-ELISA and IHA with Qinghai cystic hydatid antigen, ELISA With Xingjiang cystic hydatid antigen and Em18-EliB with alveolar hydatid antigen. The results showed that the sero-positive rates were 90. 37％ and 91.98％ in these cases with cystic hydatid disease by Dot EliSA and IHA with Qinghai cystic hydatid antigen respectively. The sero-positive rate was 75. 94％ in same cases by ELISA with Xingjiang cystic hydatid antigen. The sero-positive rateswere 77.27％ 81. 82％ and 65. 91 ％ in those cases with the whole calcific cystic hydatid disease by above three methods respectively, and the sero-positive rates were lower in whole calcific cystic hydatid than that in other cystic hydatid disease. The sero-negative cases belonged to cystic hydatid disease which located in lungs of livers alone. The results by EM18-ELIB with alveolar hydatid antigen showed that the sero-positive rates were 73. 68％ and 5. 88％ in those cases with alveolar hydatid disease and with cystic hydatid disease diagnosed by B-ultrasound and X-ray respectively,and the sero-positive rate was 15.91 ％ in whole calcific cystic hydatid disease. The ratio of the number of positive seras to that of negative seras was 1 to 7 approximately. The value and mean of different serological methods in diagnosis and judge diagnosis for cystic and alveolar hydatid disease had been discussed.

Objective To evaluate the prognostic values of leukocyte count,hemoglobin,biochemical parameters,erythrocyte sedimentation rate and immunoglobulin on mortality in patients aged 80 years and over.Methods Totally 342 patients(aged 85.6±4.0 years)were followed up for (82.0±36.9) months,and the cause and time of death were recorded.Results During the period of follow up,198 patients suffered from death.Compared with the survival group (132 cases),the death group had older age [ (86.5±4.4)years vs.(84.5±3.2)years,t=-4.86,P＜0.01 ],higher white blood cell [ (6.2± 1.7) ＞ 109/L vs.(5.5±1.3) × 109/L,t=-3.93,P＜0.01 ],lower hemoglobin [(134.4±14.4)g/L vs.(140.0± 12.6)g/L,t= 3.65,P＜0.01 ],slightly faster erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ 11 mm/h(15 mm/h) vs.9 mm/h (10 mm/h),U=- 3.31,P＜0.01 ],lower immunoglobulin M [ (0.9±0.5)mg/L vs.(1.1±0.8)mg/L,t =2.55,P＜0.05 ],slightly higher urea nitrogen [ (7.5±2.6) mmol/L vs.(6.8±1.6) mmol/L,t=2.81,P＜0.01]and creatinine [(113.0±32.5) μmol/L vs.(100.5±15.8) μmol/L,t=-4.65,P＜0.01 ].Cox multivariate analysis revealed that older age (RR=1.083,95％CI:1.040 1.127,P＜0.01),white blood cell count (RR=1.134,95％CI:1.021-1.260,P＜0.05),creatinine (RR=1.011,95％CI=1.0021.020,P＜0.05),hemoglobin(RR=0.835,95％CI:0.714-0.975,P＜0.05)andimmunoglobulin M(RR=0.710,95％CI:0.521-0.966,P＜0.03),aorticaneurysm(RR=2.144,95％CI:1.163-3.951,P ＜ 0.05 ) were the independent risk factors for death.Conclusions Aging,increased WBC count,decreased hemoglobin and immunoglobulin M,elevated creatinine and aortic aneurysm are the independent risk factors for death,which are powerful parameters for the prognostic evaluation in the elderly aged 80 years and over.

Objective To investigate the possible effects on radiosensitivity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after transfection of pcDNA3.1+Ape1 plasmid. Methods The expressing vector pcDNA3.1+ Ape1, the control vector pcDNA3.1+or non-transfection cells was irradiated by 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy photon beam at 48 h post-transfection. The value of initial and residual Oliver tail moment (OTM) under the alkaline single cell gelelectrophoresis assay and the colony forming test were utilized as the markers for the evaluaton of cells intrinsic radiosensitivity. The effect on radiosensitivity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after transfection of the expressing vector pcDNA3.1+Ape1 was analyzed according to the radio-dose, compared to the empty vecor control and non-transfection cells. Results The initial and residual OTM value of endothelial cells transfected by 3 μg pcDNA3.1+Ape1 plasmid was lower significantly than ones of endothelial cells untransfected at 2 Gy irradiation (P<0.01), but was no significant difference at 8 Gy (P>0.05), and SF2 was higher remarkably in transfected cells than one in untransfected cells (P<0.05), but SF4, SF6 and SF8 were no significant differences (all of P>0.05). Conclusions The transfection of pcDNA3.1+Ape1 plasmid could enhance radioresistance of endothelial cells to the low-dose irradiation.

Objective To investigate the willingness of hearing screening of non-hearing disease patients and analysis the hearing test result,in order to make people pay more attention to auditory healthy.Methods Patients clinical data including the willingness of hearing screening,gender,age,residence,hearing disease of someone important,long-term medicine usage,noise exposure were collected.Pure tone audiometry testing wereconducted for those who were willing to hearing screening;and a questionaire were conducted to those not.Results Among the 280 interviewers,only 72 patients were willing to hearing screening;frequent reason for refusing hearing screening were no self reported hearing loss and coming to doctor for non-hearing disease;60 years old or elders and have someone important were hearing diseases patients were more willing to hearing screening (P＜0.05);40.00％ longterm medicine usage patients weresuffering hearing loss(P＜0.05);self reported hearing loss was not the same as the test result (P＜0.05).Conclusion Hearing loss is common in patient who came to doctor for non-hearing diseases.More attention should be paid to those patients who are old,long-term medicine usage,people have no self reported hearing loss should pay attention to hearing loss.