BACKGROUND: It is difficult to culture human dental pulp cells in vitro. Studies regarding effects of growth factors on proliferation and differentiation of dental pulp cells cultured in vitro have been reported. However, little is known about the Chinese herb rhizoma drynariae decoction on dental pulp cells cultured in vitro.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different concentrations of rhizoma drynariae decoction on the proliferation and differentiation of human dental pulp cells cultured in vitro.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A controlled observation was performed at the Scientific Resaarch Center, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University between March 2006 and May 2007.MATERIALS: Human dental pulp cells were sourced from the patients who acquired orthotherapy through pulling out impacted wisdom tooth at the Department of Stomatology, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University. Written informed content of sample collection was obtained from all patients. Rhizoma drynariae (place of production: Yunnan Province in China) was provided by the Dispensary of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fourth Hospital, Hebei Medical University.METHODS: Human dental pulp cells were cultured in vitro using method of tissue piece. The effective ingredients of rhizoma drynariae were extracted by alcohol deposition. 1 mL of physic liquor contained 1 g crude drug and diluted into 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 mg/L culture medium utilizing fetal bovine serum. Subsequently, the prepared culture medium was used to culture human dental pulp cells in vitro. Cells that were cultured using culture medium without rhizoma drynariae decoction were used as controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Primary culture and source identification of human dental pulp cells. ②Effects of different concentrations of rhizoma drynariae decoction on proliferation of human dental pulp cells by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. ③ Effects of different concentrations of rhizoma drynariae decoction on fibronectin expression in human dental pulp cells by immunohistochemistry. ④ Effects of rhizoma drynariae decoction on ultrastructure of human dental pulp cells utilizing scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.RESULTS: Primarily cultured human dental pulp cells displayed polygon- and shuttle-shaped appearance. Different concentrations of rhizoma drynariae decoctions, in particular 100 mg/L, exhibited proliferation-promoting effects on proliferation of human dental pulp cells, and could induce dental pulp cell synthesis and secrete fibronectin. Electron microscopy results revealed that following treatment of rhizoma drynariae decoctions, human dental pulp cells were found with abundant ridges on their surface, surround by extracellular matrix, cytoplasm full of abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and dissociative ribosome, as well as evenly dispersed nuclear euchromatin, and occasionally seen heterochromatin.CONCLUSION: 100 mg/L rhizoma drynadae decoction apparently promotes the proliferation of human dental pulp cells cultured in vitro.

according to the difference of femoral eccentricity on the affected and healthy sides. In the reduction group (30 cases), the difference value was <-5 mm. In the normal group (87 cases), the difference value was -5-5 mm. In the increased group (45 cases), the difference value was > 5 mm. Femoral stem and femoral prosthesis type were compared among different groups. SF-12 scale score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Harris score were evaluated and compared before and after replacement. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Standard eccentricity of femoral prosthesis mainly accounted for 77%, 63% and 73% in the reduction group, normal group and increased group, respectively (P > 0.05). No significant difference in average eccentricity was detected in each group between the affected and healthy sides (P> 0.05). WOMAC score was significantly higher after replacement than that before replacement in three groups (P < 0.05). No significant difference in WOMAC score was found among three groups before replacement (P > 0.05). No significant differences in pain and stiffness were detected among three groups after replacement (P > 0.05), and significant differences in physical function were found (P < 0.05). The physical function was highest in the normal group. No significant difference in SF-12 scale score was seen in the three groups before and after replacement (P > 0.05). The physical ability score was elevated after replacement in the three groups (P < 0.05). Mental scores were significantly elevated in reduction and normal groups (P < 0.05). The excelent and good rate of Harris score was significantly higher in the increased group (96%) than in the reduction group (70%) and normal group (87%) (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that the increased eccentricity contributed to the pain easement after total hip arthroplasty and promoted functional recovery. The decreased eccentricity could worsen patient’s pain, and was not conducive to the restoration of joint function after replacement.

Objective To analyze the safety and tolerability of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP) for elderly pa-tients in diagnose and therapy. Methods From Jan. 2010 to Dec. 2013, 1 560 patients were collected in our hospital for diagnosis and treatment, 1 116 cases were 60~69 years old, and the other 444 cases were over 70 years old. Retrospective data including clinical and bio-chemical characteristics, ERCP diagnosis and complications were analyzed. Results Using Logistic regression, the potential factors of com-plex multivariable were analyzed, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P=0. 039). The successful intubation, in-tubation difficulties and failed intubation in the examination and the treatment were of significantly difference between the two groups (P<0. 05). There were no significant difference between the two groups in common bile duct stones of bile duct obstruction and clinical di-agnosis (P>0. 05), but the ERCP diagnosis, postoperative complications and complications of acute pancreatitis were of certain difference (P<0. 05). Patients over 70 years old were of better tolerance, but their bile duct stones was about two times than that in patients of 60~69 years old (P=0. 004). Conclusion The results show that ERCP for elderly patients in diagnose and therapy is safe and well tolerated, and there were relatively less complications in patients over 70 years old.

Objective To investigate the evolution of cognitive function and its influence factors,so as to provide evidence for guiding treatment of cognitive impairment after stroke.Methods A total of 98 cases of patients with stroke admitted in the First and Second Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Xi'an Jiaotong University and Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital between April and September 2009 were enrolled and recruited.Mini-mental state examination(MMSE) and Montreal cognitive function rating scale (MoCA) were adopted to assess the evolution of cognition at acute phase( within 2 weeks),6 weeks,and 12 weeks after stroke among patients within 2 weeks after onset,questionnaire score≤56,without aphasia and consiousness disturbance and at least one side of upper extremities muscle force ≥ grade 3.Results When using MMSE scale as criteria,the incidence of cognitive impairment was 24.5% at acute phase,12.1% at 6 weeks and 9.9% at 12 weeks after stroke,while the incidence was 86.8%,68.2%,and 38.0% respectively when using MoCA scale as criteria.The scales of MMSE and MoCA were increased and the incidence of cognitive impairment was decreased within 12 weeks after stroke.Logistic regression analysis indicated that,advanced age( β = -0.124 ),hypertension ( β = -3.705 ),low education level ( β = 0.560 )and depression after stroke ( β =4.613 ) were related with cognitive impairment after stroke ( all P values ＜0.05 ); low education level ( β = 0.710 ),coronary heart disease ( β = -3.649 ),elevated total cholesterol (TC) ( β = -3.361 ) and low density lipid cholesterol (LDL-C) ( β = - 5.833 ),and depression ( β =-3.612) delayed recovery of cognition after stroke.Conclusions The cognitive function improves and the incidence of cognitive impairment lowers as the time goes on within 12 weeks after stroke.The factors that may affect the improvement of cognitive function include low educational level,coronary heart disease,elevated TC and LDL-C,and post-stroke depression.

OBJECTIVE: To explore. HRCT and MRI three-dimensional fast imaging employing steady state ac-quisition(3D-FIESTA) imaging features and clinical characteristics of bilateral large vestibular aqueduct syndrome(LVAS). METHOD: The imaging and clinical features of 14 cases of bilateral LVAS identified over a 5-year periodwere retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent HRCT and MRI 3D-FIESTA scanning of head and neck;MRI three dimensional reconstructions of internal acoustical meatus were also completed at the same time. RESULT: Audiogram showed mild to moderate hearing loss and was progressive. The cut-off values for the coronal midpointand operculum planes on the HRCT scan to diagnose an EVA were 1. 5 mm and 4. 3 mm respectively; the averagevalue was 2. 4 mm. VA expansion degree were not linked to the degree of hearing loss. MRI showed VA andlymph sac abnormalities. Concomitant image finding was cochlear hypoplasia. CONCLUSION HRCT and MRI 3D-FI-ESTA are important examinations for accurate diagnosis of LVAS. HRCT can acquire the specific size of reamedVA. MRI and 3D reconstructions of internal acoustical meatus can noninasive show more intuitive display ofLVAS and other inner ear malformations than HRCT.
Ear, Inner ; Head ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporal Bone ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vestibular Aqueduct ; pathology ; Vestibular Diseases ; diagnosis

Objective To investigate the incidence of radioactivity uptake in thymus combined with serum thyroglobulin (Tg) increase in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients after high-dose 131I treatments,in order to discuss the mechanism of thymus iodine uptaking and Tg increasing.Methods Retrospective analysis of the laboratory examinations and 131Iwhole body scan (131I-WBS) images in 316 DTC patients were performed.The radioactivity uptake in thymus and the Tg level were observed.Results Among 316 patients (total 735 case-times),4 patients of 5 cases-times 131I-WBS showed radioactivity uptake in thymus,accounting for 0.68％ (5/735).All the radioactivity uptake in thymus were found by posttreatment 131I whole body scan (Rx-WBS) and after the second radioactive iodine treatment.For 1 of 4 patients,Rx-WBS still showed thymic uptake 131I after the third radioactive iodine treatment.The serum Tg increased in 3 patients (4 caestimes Rx-WBS) of radioactivity uptake in thymus with the Tg level before Rx-WBS was 13.80 μg/L,＞300.00 μg/L,16.40 μg/L,20.60μg/L,respectively.Conclusion In order to avoid the inappropriate administration of radioiodine therapy,thymic uptake should be identified carefully in DTC patients whose radioactivity uptake is only found at the upper mediastinal and combined with serum Tg increase.

Background:To date,clinical studies on intravenous rabeprazole sodium for treatment of duodenobulbar ulcer bleeding are still lacking.Aims:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous rabeprazole sodium with different doses and times of administration in treating patients with duodenobulbar ulcer bleeding.Methods:A multicenter,randomized, double-blind,positive drug parallel-group controlled trial was performed.One hundred and five patients with duodenobulbar ulcer bleeding proved by gastroscopy were randomly divided into four groups.Patients in group A,B and C were treated with intravenous rabeprazole sodium 20 mg qd,40 mg qd and 20 mg bid for 5 days,respectively.Patients in control group received intravenous omeprazole sodium 40 mg bid for 5 days.Hemostatic rate was the primary endpoint,hemostatic time and amount of blood transfusion were the secondary endpoints.Results:Hemostatic rates in group A,B,C and control group were 96.2% (25 /26),92.6% (25 /27),100.0% (26 /26)and 100.0% (26 /26),respectively,no significant difference was seen between the four groups (P >0.05).Median hemostatic time in group A,B,C and control group were 24 (24,72)h,24 (24,72)h,24 (24,48)h and 24 (24,48)h,respectively,no significant difference was seen between the four groups (P >0.05).No patient need blood transfusion during the treatment course.Slight leucopenia was the exclusive adverse effect seen in one case in group C after accomplishment of treatment.Conclusions:Three intravenous rabeprazole sodium regimens with different doses and times of administration were all effective and safe for treatment of mild to moderate duodenobulbar ulcer bleeding.Administration with 20 mg bid seems more effective among the three regimens.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Fuzhenghuayu compound (FZHc) on expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in hepatocytes under conditions of hepatic fibrosis using a mouse model.

METHODSMice were randomly assigned to a control group and a hepatic fibrosis model group. The control group was further divided into three subgroups for use as normal controls (A1), mineral oil-treated controls (A2), and FZHc-treated controls (A3); the hepatic fibrosis model group was administered carbon tetrachloride (CC14 dissolved in mineral oil and injected intraperitoneally) and further divided into four subgroups for use as 6-weeks models (B1), 10-weeks models (B2), low-dose (L)-FZHc models (C1), and high-dose (H)-FZHc models (C2). The FZHc (capsule powder diluted with double-distilled water to 0.1 g/mL) was administered via gastric perfusion to groups A3, C1, and C2 starting at week 7 of the experiment. At the end of week 6 and 10, hepatic specimens were collected and evaluated for degree of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation using routine haematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to measure the hepatocyte expression of Nrf2, NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (Nqol), a-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) and fibronectin (FN). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to measure Nrf2 mRNA expression. Western blotting was used to detect Nrf2 and Nqol total protein expression and Nrf2 nuclear translocation. F test, LSD test and ridit test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTSCompared with the B2 group (ridit value: 0.09), the model groups treated with FZHc showed significantly lower degrees of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis for both the low (C1 group, ridit value: 0.32) and high doses (C2 group, ridit value: 0.40) (F =82.927, P less than 0.05). In addition, compared with the B2 group, the model groups treated with FZHc showed significantly decreased expression of a-SMA and FN proteins, with a dose-dependent trend (by immunohistochemistry: C 1 group at the end of 10 weeks, F =77.421, 118.262, P less than 0.05; C2 group, P =0.002, 0.013) and significantly increased expression of Nrf2 and Nqol proteins (by immunohistochemistry:C1 and C2 groups at the end of 10 weeks, F =182.537, 75.615, P less than 0.05 and by westen blotting: F =45.664, 127.673, P less than 0.05), which also showed a dose-dependent trend (C2 group, P =0.000, 0.014; 0.005, 0.014). Western blotting also indicated that the amount of nuclear transported Nrf2 was higher in the C1 and C2 groups at the end of 10 weeks (vs. B2 group, F =94.787, P less than 0.05), and the amount of nuclear transported Nrf2 was significantly higher in the C2 group (vs. C1 group, P =0.044). Nrf2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the C1 group than in the B2 group (F =3230.105, P less than 0.05), and the C2 group had more substantially increased expression (P =0.001); there was no statistical difference found between groups B1 and B2 (P =0.094).

CONCLUSIONFuzhenghuayu compound increased the expression of Nrf2 mRNA and protein under conditions of hepatic fibrosis in mice and stimulated Nrf2 nuclear transport, as well as increased expression of the Nrf2 target gene Nqol that is known to suppress activation of hepatic stellate cells and decrease the deposition of FN. Therefore, Fuzhenghuayu compound may ameliorate hepatocyte injury in hepatic fibrosis in mice by exerting an antihepatic fibrosis effect.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone) ; metabolism ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism

Objective To identify abnormal cerebral glucose metabolism characteristics in patients with corticobasal degeneration (CBD) using 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET imaging. Methods From January 2014 to January 2017, resting-state brain 18 F-FDG PET imaging was performed in 10 CBD patients (5 males, 5 females; average age: (63.4±6.2) years) and 20 age-matched healthy subjects (8 males, 12 female; average age: (63.6±6.2) years). Voxel-based statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used to analyze images to obtain the CBD-related brain metabolic characteristics. The regional cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (rCMRglc) was compared between 2 groups by two-sample t test. Results Compared with healthy controls, CBD group demonstrated asymmetrically decreased glucose metabolism mainly in the cere-bral hemisphere opposite to the more clinically affected body side, including the superior, middle and inferi-or frontal gyrus, the precentral gyrus, the superior and inferior parietal lobule, the angular gyrus, the supra-marginal gyrus, the precuneus, the middle occipital gyrus, the middle and inferior temporal gyrus, Heschl gyrus, the fusiform gyrus, the insula and the thalamus. And relatively increased glucose metabolism was present in ipsilateral precentral and postcentral gyrus, hippocampus, insula and putamen, bilateral cerebel-lum, paracentral lobules and pontine. The rCMRglc in those regions was significantly different between CBD patients and healthy controls (t values: 4.236-9.044, all P<0.01). Conclusion The asymmetric cerebral glucose metabolism features in CBD based on 18 F-FDG PET imaging contribute to the differential diagnosis between CBD patients and healthy subjects.

Objective:To validate the feasibility of a deep learning-based clinical target volume (CTV) auto-segmentation algorithm for cervical cancer in clinical settings.Methods:CT data sets from 535 cervical cancer patients were collected. CTVs were delineated according to RTOG and JCOG guidelines, reviewed by experts, and then used as reference contours for training (definitive 177, post-operative 302) and test (definitive 23, post-operative 33). Four definitive and 6 post-operative cases were randomly selected from the testing cohort to be manually delineated by junior, intermediate, senior doctors, respectively. Dice coefficient (DSC), mean surface distance (MSD) and Hausdorff distance (HD) were used for test and comparison between auto-segmentation and RO delineation. Meantime, auto-segmentation time and manual delineation time were recorded.Results:Auto-segmentation models of dCTV 1, dCTV 2 and pCTV 1 were trained with VB-Net and showed good agreement with reference contours in the testing cohorts (DSC, 0.88, 0.70, 0.86 mm; MSD, 1.32, 2.42, 1.15 mm; HD, 21.6, 22.4, 20.8 mm). For dCTV 1, the difference between auto-segmentation and all three groups of doctors was not significant ( P>0.05). For dCTV 2 and pCTV 1, auto-segmentation was better than the junior and intermediate doctors (both P<0.05). Auto-segmentation time consumption was considerably shorter than that of manual delineation. Conclusions:Deep learning-based CTV auto-segmentation algorithm for cervical cancer achieves comparable accuracy to manual delineation of senior doctors. Clinical application of the algorithm can contribute to shortening doctors′ manual delineation time and improving clinical efficiency. Furthermore, it may serve as a guide for junior doctors to improve the consistency and accuracy of cervical cancer CTV delineation in clinical practice.