Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of Typodont-based table clinic competition (TCC) on undergraduate orthodontic education. Methods Students who have finished basic orthodon-tic courses made diagnosis,treatment strategy and performed orthodontic treatment for malocclusion cases on Typodonts. A self-design questionnaire was employed to investigate their perception to this pedagogy. Results The majority of participants(82.2%-92.9%) highly evaluated Typodont-based TCC. Conclu-sions Typodont-based TCC course is conducive to arousing students' study internets and to promoting association between theory and practice.

Objective To evaluate the performance of transfection with a complex plasmid encoding green fluorescent protein tagged CatD (GFP-CatD)in researches on chronic photodamaged fibroblasts. Methods Human dermal fibroblasts (HSFs)were irradiated with ultraviolet A (UVA)at 25 J/cm2 once a day for 21 consecutive days to establish a chronic photodamaged cell model. A plasmid encoding GFP-CatD was constructed and transfected into some chronic photodamaged fibroblasts (experimental group). The photodamaged HSFs receiving no treatment served as the blank control group, and those transfected with the negative plasmid encoding GFP only as the negative control group. After additional culture, fluorescence microscopy and Western-blot analysis were performed to observe and measure the expression of GFP-CatD in HSFs respectively, flow cytometry and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT)assay to evaluate the apoptosis and proliferation of chronic photodamaged fibroblasts respectively. Results Fluorescence microscopy showed the expression of GFP-CatD in cytoplasm of chronic photodamaged fibroblasts at 96 hours after transfection with the GFP-CatD-encoding plasmid. Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression of CatD in the experimental group was 1.28 times that in the blank control group. There were no significant differences in the apoptosis rate(4.29% ± 1.30%vs. 3.03% ± 1.70% , P > 0.05)or proliferative rate (45.20% ± 4.70% vs. 43.60 ± 3.90% , P > 0.05)between the experimental group and blank control group. Conclusion CatD could be traced in chronic photodamaged fibroblasts with no changes in biological activity or cell cycle after transfection with the GFP-CatD-encoding complex plasmid.

Objective To provide valid data and useful genetic counseling in the clinical application of non‐invasive prenatal test (NIPT) ,fetal chromosomal disorder were screened by massive parallel sequencing and made a follow‐up study .Methods Preg‐nant women with Down screening in high‐risk were screened by NIPT ;NIPT verified high‐risk individuals were suggested for kary‐otyping ;and we follow up on whoever showed low risk by NIPT before and after their deliveries .Results (1)Totally 1 676 cases of pregnant women were tested by NIPT ,25 cases prompted to be abnormal ,with an abnormal rate of 1 .49% ,karyotype analysis re‐sults in 12 cases of abnormalit ,the accuracies of NIPT for T21 ,T18 ,XO ,XXY ,and XYY were 99 .93% ,100 .00% ,99 .66% , 100 .00% ,100 .00% respectively ;the accuracy of NIPT for women with advanced paternal age and twins were both 100 .00% ;kary‐otyping positive individuals underwent abortion ,which gives a prenatal intervention rate of 100 .00% .(2)Out of 1 651 cases of NIPT low risk testers ,1 468 cases were successfully followed up ,with a 88 .91% success rate .We found chromosome abnormality with one case of inversion of chromosome 9 (maternal) .(3)Ultrasound‐detection possessed 98 .17% accuracy and 7 .69% in detec‐tion rate;in high‐risk pregnant woman ,Down screening had an accuracy of 0 .88% and false positive rate of 99 .12% ;98 .71%women were avoided prenatal diagnosis via NIPT .Conclusion Compare to ultrasound and maternal plasma screening ,NIPT is a far more accurate prenatal screening approach .To build effective follow‐up and service systems of NIPT is necessary to reduce birth de‐fects in medical institutions .

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It has been reported that taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may increase the risk of atherosclerosis. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the carotid artery intima-media thickness (CA-IMT) as a surrogate factor for atherosclerosis in epileptic patients. METHODS: We searched NCBI (PubMed), ISI Web of Knowledge, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases for studies of the association between AEDs and CA-IMT in epileptic patients. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool results across studies. RESULTS: Fifteen studies involving 1,775 epileptic patients were included in the analysis. The overall CA-IMT was significantly larger among users of AEDs [mean difference (MD)=0.09 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.06–0.12 mm). When stratified by age, the MD was similar in adult patients (MD=0.09 mm, 95% CI=0.06–0.13 mm), but no significant difference was observed in children (MD=0.03 mm, 95% CI=0.00–0.07 mm). Regarding specific AEDs, monotherapy with carbamazepine (CBZ) or valproic acid (VPA) was associated with a larger CA-IMT, while phenytoin monotherapy was not and the result for lamotrigine was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that using AEDs is associated with the CA-IMT in patients with epilepsy, particularly for adult patients. In particular, CBZ and VPA may be related to a significant increase in CA-IMT.
Adult ; Anticonvulsants* ; Atherosclerosis ; Carbamazepine ; Carotid Arteries* ; Child ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Phenytoin ; Valproic Acid

AIMTo evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of chitosan-coated and sodium alginate-coated insulin liposomes after oral administration in mice.

METHODSInsulin-liposomes were prepared by reverse-phase evaporation. Chitosan and alginate coating was carried out by mixing liposomal suspension with chitosan and sodium alginate solutions, followed by incubation. The particle size and morphology of insulin-liposomes were determined using laser light scattering instrument and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The entrapment efficiency was analyzed using HPLC and ultracentrifuge. The protection of insulin from peptic and tryptic digestion was studied with HPLC. The hypoglycemic effects of polysaccharide-coated insulin liposomes were investigated using the glucose oxidase method after oral administration in mice.

RESULTSThe particle size of uncoated, chitosan-coated and alginate-coated insulin-liposomes was (138 +/- 31) nm, (230 +/- 20) nm and (266 +/- 19) nm, respectively. All insulin-liposomes were of spherical or ellipsoidal shape. The entrapment efficiencies were 81.6%, 73.5% and 68.7%, respectively. Insulin was protected from tryptic digestion by chitosan-coated liposomes and protected from peptic digestion by alginate-coated liposomes. The hypoglycemic effects of insulin-liposomes, coated with 0.1% chitosan and 0.1% sodium alginate, were observed.

CONCLUSIONChitosan-coated and sodium alginate-coated liposomes were shown to reduce peptic or tryptic digestion on insulin, and enhance enteral absorption of insulin.

Administration, Oral ; Alginates ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Chitin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; Chitosan ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Glucuronic Acid ; Hexuronic Acids ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Liposomes ; Male ; Mice ; Particle Size ; Random Allocation ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective To investigate the role of cathepsin G in photoaged fibroblasts. Methods Human fibroblasts were cultured and induced to premature senescence using UVA + MOP methods. Senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) stain was used to evaluate the positive rate of aged cells. The mRNA and protein expression of cathepsin G in photoaged fibroblasts were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot techniques. Results Over 98 % induced cells presented a positive SA-β-gal straining. The expression of cathepsin G, detected by Western blot, was increased to (1. 70±0. 028) times of the control. And RT-PCR revealed that the synthesis of cathepsin G mRNA was also up-regulated to 1. 42±0. 09. Conclusion The results of our study demonstrates a significant correlation between photoaged fibroblasts and cathepsin G. The up-regulation of cathepsin G may play an important role in the damages of extracellular matrix and activation of MMPS in photoaged human skin.

Objective To investigate the expression changes of aspartic proteinase (cathepsin D) and cysteine proteinase (cathepsin K) in photoaged fibroblasts. Methods The senescence of human fibroblasts was induced via culture in the presence of 8-methoxypsralen (MOP) of 50 mg/L in darkness for 24 hours followed by irradiation with UVA of 80 kJ/m~2. Then, aged fibroblasts were confirmed by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blot were carried out to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of cathepsin D and cathepsin K in photoaged and normal control fibroblasts, respectively. Results Western blot showed a significant difference between photoaged and control fibroblasts in the grey scale of cathepsin D and cathepsin K (3.25 ± 0.33 vs 14.18 ± 2.25, f = 30.61, P < 0.01; 2.39 ± 0.66 vs 29.38 ± 4.62, t = 12.63, P< 0.01). The △Ct values for cathepsin D and cathepsin K mRNA were 2.79 ± 0.17 and -0.92 ± 0.06, respectively, in photoaged fibroblasts, significantly lower than those in the control fibroblasts (4.54 ± 0.34, 2.57 ± 0.13, t = 20.78, 28.50, respectively, both P < 0.01). According to the value of 2~(-△△Ct), the expression of cathepsin D and cathepsin K mRNA decreased 0.24 ± 0.021 and 0.09 ± 0.005 folds, respectively, in photoaged fibroblasts compared with the control fibroblasts. Conclusion The expression of cathepsin D and cathepsin K is decreased in photoaged fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the characteristics of hypopharyngeal carcinoma detected by narrow band imaging(NBI)endoscopy and evaluate the value of NBI in the early diagnosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. METHODS Between December 2008 and July 2009,a total of 46 consecutive patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled in this study. High performance endoscopic system equipped with the white light mode and NBI mode was introduced in the examination of pharynx and larynx. The quality of visualization of morphologies of epithelial capillary and demarcation line of each lesion under NBI view was evaluated in comparison with conventional white light endoscopy. RESULTS Among the 46 patients,a total of 86 lesions were detected. The notable characteristic of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is the well demarcated brownish area and scattered brown dots. The NBI laryngoscope could provide better visualization of morphologies of epithelial capillary and demarcation line in superficial carcinoma of hypopharynx than the white light mode(P

BACKGROUNDThe role of epigenetics in gene expression regulation and development significantly enhances our understanding of carcinogenesis. All the tumor related genes may be the target of epigenetical or genetic regulation. We selected some epigenetically regulated genes for cDNA array analysis and observed variability in the expression of the DICER1 gene in distinct stages of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the expression of DICER1, an epigenetically regulated gene, and gastric cancer.

METHODSTo detect the expression of 506 tumor-associated genes, including DICER1, in the matched cancerous mucosa, pre-malignant lesion (adjacent mucosa), non-cancerous gastric mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesion in 3 cases of gastric cancers using cDNA array. DICER1 mRNA expression and DICER1 protein expression were further analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blot in 32 cases of progressive gastric cancer. DICER1 protein expression was also detected in 33 early and 30 progressive gastric cancers by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) method.

RESULTSIn 3 cases of gastric cancer cDNA array showed dramatically decreased expression of DICER1 in pre-malignant lesion, cancerous mucosa and distant lymphocyte metastatic lesions compared with matched noncancerous gastric mucosa, pre-malignant lesion and cancerous mucosa. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression level of DICER1 mRNA in gastric cancer was significantly down-regulated compared to normal gastric tissue (P < 0.05). The IHC assay also showed that the expression of DICER1 was significantly decreased in progressive gastric cancer. Among the 63 cases of gastric cancers, 13/33 early (39.4%) and 19/30 (63.3%) progressive cancers showed negative expression of DICER1 (50.8%). The difference in expression of DICER1 between early and progressive gastric cancers was significant (P < 0.01). The result of Western blotting showed that DICER1 protein was down-regulated significantly in advanced gastric cancer (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDICER1 expression is decreased during the progression of gastric cancer, especially in progressive gastric cancers, which indicating DICER1 may play an important role in the development of cancer and the epigenetical regulation involved.

Blotting, Western ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Endoribonucleases ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ribonuclease III ; Stomach Neoplasms ; chemistry ; etiology ; genetics

BACKGROUNDHaikou locates in tropical island with unique mite propagation. The aim of this stuy is to determine mite allergens levels in Haikou, and to investigate the prevalence of mite specific IgE-sensitization and IgE cross-reactivity between house dust mites.

METHODSAllergen and antigen concentrations against six mite species were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Specific IgE concentrations and cross-inhibitions were measured with ADVIA Centaur(®).

RESULTSAllergen or antigen Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1), Blomia tropicalis (Blo t) and Tyrophagus putrescentia (Tyr p) were detected in dust samples. Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1), Lepidoglyphus destructor (Lep d 2), and Acarus siro (Aca s) were found in very few samples. Specific IgE tests showed high prevalence of sensitizations against all tested mites with high IgE levels to Der p, Der f, and Blo t. Storage mites, Blo t, Tyr p, Lep d, and Aca s, could inhibit Der p from 0 to 50%. Storage mites could inhibit Der f between 30% and 100%. Der p IgE could be inhibited by Der f with up to 90%, and vice versa. Der p could inhibit Blo t from 40% to 80%. Blo t was able to fully inhibit IgE binding to Lep d, Tyr p, and Aca s compared to partial inhibition by Der p.

CONCLUSIONSDer p is the dominating mite and has the highest specific IgE prevalence among asthmatic children. Blo t represents an important source of storage mite sensitization and some patients may be independently sensitized to both Der p and Blo t. High prevalence of sensitization to Der f may be due to IgE-mediated cross-reactivity with Der p and Blo t.

Adolescent ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; Arthropod Proteins ; analysis ; Asthma ; immunology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Cross Reactions ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; analysis ; Dust ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; immunology ; Mites ; immunology