Objective To explore the clinical significance of serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and plasma D-dimer (D-D) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods The clinical data of 76 patients with AECOPD (AECOPD group) and 68 patients with stable COPD (stable COPD group) were analyzed retrospectively.Serum NT-proBNP,plasma D-D levels and arterial blood gas analysis were measured and compared.Results The levels of serum NT-proBNP and plasma D-D in AECOPD group were (918 ± 271) ng/L and (0.269 ±0.048) mg/L,in stable COPD group were (264 ± 32) ng/L and (0.223 ± 0.042) mg/L.The levels of serum NT-proBNP and plasma D-D in AECOPD group were significantly higher than those in stable COPD group (P ＜ 0.01).The levels of serum NT-proBNP and plasma D-D were negatively correlated with arterial blood oxygen partial pressure (r =-0.181,P =0.030;r =-0.166,P =0.047),and were positively correlated with arterial blood carbon dioxide partial pressure (r =0.763,P ＜ 0.01;r =0.424,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Combined detection of serum NT-proBNP and plasma D-D has important clinical significance in evaluating severity of COPD,and may indicate AECOPD.

This article systematically introduces the basic conception,classification and physiological significance of anterior guidance for anterior prostheses.A customized incisal guidance table was introduced to record and transfer the individual value of the patient to a virtual full-adjustable articulator system.The clinic effects of the individual value and average value were also compared.

BACKGROUND:Pyrroloquinoline quinone is found to accelerate Schwann cel proliferation and growth factor secretion, but there is no report addressing its role in articular cartilage and chondrocytes.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of pyrroloquinoline quinone in chondrocyte proliferation and interleukin-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis in the articular cartilage of knee joints and to verify the protective mechanism involved.
METHODS: Chondrocytes were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits (1 month of age), digested under aseptic conditions, and cultured in DMEM/F12 in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum to alow for proliferation until passage 2. Adherent chondrocytes were cultured in serum-free DMEM/F12 medium with 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, 50.0 and 100.0 μmol/L pyrroloquinoline quinone, separately. Proliferation activity was determined by MTT at 48 hours of pyrroloquinoline quinone administration. Cel cycle was determined by flow cytometry at 30 hours after pyrroloquinoline quinone administration. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry folowing 24 hours of pyrroloquinoline quinone pretreatment and 15 hours of interleukin-1β induction.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Pyrroloquinoline quinone enhanced chondrocyte proliferation activity, increased percentage of S phase and G2/M phase in a dose dependent manner and reached the peak when the concentration of pyrroloquinoline quinone was 12.5-25.0 μmol/L (P< 0.05). Pyrroloquinoline quinone also inhibited interleukin-1β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis in early and late stage, and 25.0 μmol/L pyrroloquinoline quinone had the best effects (P < 0.05). These findings suggest pyrroloquinoline quinone can promote chondrocyte division and proliferation, and protect the cels from interleukin-1β-induced apoptosis.

Fast-track recovery emphasize applicating a series of effective measures confirmed in the perioperative care of patients,the optimized combination generates synergy effect to maximize alleviating various physical and mental stress reaction in order to expedite patient recovery.Most successful example is the application of fast track colon surgery program.Its safety and effectiveness have been widely confirmed,but the report on pancreas surgery is limited.FTRP is aiming to improve medical and health work efficiency,reduce hospitalization time and hospitalization expenses,improve life quality of patients.Based on the application of FTRP in pancreatic cancer,the relation of morbidity,re-admission and peri-operative mortality rates and clinical significance are reviewed.

Objective:To develop a perioral force measurement system for the infants with cleft lip and palate.Methods:The peri-oral force measurement system of infant with cleft lip and palate is composed of hardware and software.The sensor is metal cantilever. The measurement ranges are 0 -20 and 0 -1 00 g/cm2 ,and the precision is 0.1 g/cm2 .The system was used in 4 cases of infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate before and after cheiloplasty.The results were analyzed by SPSS 1 9.0 software.Results:Before cheilo-plasty the perioral force of labial frenum area was (1 .79 ±0.94)g/cm2 ,that of angulus oris area of normal side and cleft side was (5. 41 ±1 .01 )g/cm2 and (3.1 2 ±1 .55)g/cm2 (P <0.05);after cheiloplasty:the perioral force of labial frenum area was (1 2.73 ±3. 51 )g/cm2 ,that of angulus oris area of normal side and cleft side was (7.64 ±1 .64)g/cm2 and (7.27 ±1 .89)g/cm2 .Conclusion:The perioral force measurement system can be used to measure the perioral force of the infants with cleft lip and palate.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunosuppressive strategy of leflunomide (LEF) combined with calcineurin inhibitor and prednisone in Chinese renal transplant recipients.Methods Prospective clinical study was performed in 16 stable renal transplant recipients treated with calcineurin inhibitor, prednisone and either mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (Aza), and MMF or Aza was replaced by LEF afterward. The loading dose of LEF was 50 mg/day for 3-5 days, and the maintenance dose was 20 mg/day. Prednisone was maintained 10 mg/day. The doses of CsA were adjusted according to its blood concentration.Results One patient dropped due to economic reason 1 mouth later, and continued to take Aza. Another one patient switched back to MMF due to a slight increase of serum creatinine (from 130 ?mol/L to 143 ?mol/L) 6 months after conversion. The remaining 14 patients were still on LEF. The mean observation time under LEF was (8.7?7.2) months (1～18 month). The mean serum creatinine was (103?24) ?mol/L before conversion, (95?26) ?mol/L at 6th month, and (108?27) ?mol/L at one year post-conversion. There was one episode of biopsy proved reversible acute rejection. The observed side effect was tolerable alopecia in 2 cases and rash in 1 case, but there were no significant increases in liver function, decrease of blood WBC count, deterioration of anemia, or any serious infection in any of the patients.Conclusion Immunosuppressive strategy of LEF+calcineurin inhibitor and prednisone is effective and safe in stable Chinese renal transplant recipients.

Objective To observe the effects of calcitonin on osteoclast activity and expressions of osteoprotegrin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-?B ligand (RANKL) in vitro. Methods Osteoclasts and their precursors were mechanically isolated from long bones of SD rats and incubated on bone sheet in MEM with different concentration of calcitonin. Number, morphology of the osteoclasts were detected with tartrate-resistance acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. Image-Pro Plus counted the resorption pits and areas on slices, stained by toludine blue. RT-PCR was used to examine the expressions of OPG and RANKL of osteoclast. Results Number of osteoclasts were decreased with increasing CT concentrations. After incubation for 5 days, resorption pits were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (P

Objective To study the change of mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin(MR-proADM) level in patients with chronic heart failure and its significance.Methods Randomly selected 330 patients with chronic heart failure,including 120 cases of grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ,90 cases of grade Ⅳ,90 cases were selected.,Within 24 h after the entry of the group and 7 d after symptom relieved,serum N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),MR-proADM,cardiac ultrasound(left ventricular diameter(LVEDD) and left ventricular function(LVEF)) were measured.Ninety physical examination in the same period as healthy control during the same period.The change of MR-proADM level in patients with chronic heart failure and its significance were analyze.Results Compared with the healthy control group,the level of MR-proADM in patients with chronic heart failure(grade Ⅱ:(641.55±106.34) pmol/l;grade Ⅲ:(684.46±101.33) pmol/l;grade Ⅳ:(737.81±479.37) pmol/l) was significantly higher than that in the control group(610.22±60.84) pmol/l),the difference was statistically significant(F=5.33,P=0.001).At the same time,the level of MR-proADM was increased with the aggravation of heart failure,after drug treatment will decline((608.09±100.81),(617.64±94.32),(642.22±163.53) pmol/L).And MR-proADM levels were significantly positively correlated with NT-proBNP levels and NYHA classification in patients with heart failure(r=0.194,P=0.003;r=0.206,P=0.000).Conclusion MR-proADM has important guiding significance in the diagnosis,classification of patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective To detect mutation of mitochondrial DNA in a chinese pedgree with maternally inherited aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced deafness. Methods The mutation of mitochondrial DNA from all 18 family members of a chinese pedigree with maternally inherited aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced deafness was detected by PCR and DNA sequencing. Results Nine individuals in this pedigree carried A→G mutation at the 1555th bp of mitochondrial 125 rRNA, and the others did not have this mutation. Conclusion Mitochondrial DNA mutation may be one of major factors resulted in aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced deafness in this pedigree.

Objective To study the effects of angiogenesis inhibitor SU5416 on the growth and metastasis to the liver of gastric cancer and to investigate its effect on the apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. Methods Metastatic model simulating human gastric cancer was established by orthotopic implantation of histologically intact human tumor tissue into gastric wall of nude mice. Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (saline solution), 5 FU group (fluorouracil 30 mg?kg -1 ?d -1 i.p.), SU5416 group (SU5416 15 mg?kg -1 ?d -1 i.p.), and combined treatment of both 5 FU and SU5416 group. Eight weeks after implantation, the tumor weight, inhibition rates, intratumoral microvessel density (MVD), apoptotic index (AI), and the presence of metastasis were evaluated respectively after the mice were sacrificed. Results Compared with the control group, the growth of the orthotopically implanted tumor was significantly inhibited due to the reduced weight and the inhibition rate of tumor was 44.5%, 79.3%, and 84.4% respectively in mice treated with 5 FU, SU5416 and both. The incidences of liver metastases were also significantly decreased in the 5 FU group, SU5416 group, and combined group compared with those in control group (36.4%, 25.0%, and 0% vs 90.0%). The MVD was decreased significantly in the treated mice ( 14.6 ? 5.8 vs 13.1?4.7, 3.9? 1.8 , and 2.1?1.5). The AI was increased significantly in the treated mice [(3.76?2.25)% vs (6.81? 4.92 )%, (9.82?3.76)% and (17.65?9.85)%]. The growth and liver metastasis of human gastric cancer implanted in nude mice were more significantly inhibited in the SU5416 group and combined group than in control group and 5 FU group ( P