Self-ligating brackets have been developed for decades. Now more and more orthodontists are using self-ligating appliance systems, because they have the following advantages over conventional orthodontic brackets: less friction between the archwires and the brackets;simple clinical operation;comfortable for patients. This review introduces the self-ligating brackets' feature, classification and several self-ligating brackets applied in clinic.

Self-ligating brackets have been developed for decades.Now more and more orthodontists are using self-ligating appliance systems,because they have the following advantages over conventional orthodontic brackets:less friction between the archwires and the brackets;simple clinical operation;comfortable for patients.This review introduces the self-ligating brackets' feature,classification and several self-ligating brackets applied in clinic.

Objective To investigate the level change of interleukin-4(IL-4) and IL-12, and their effect on airway inflammation in rat asthma. Methods Rat model of asthma was set up by ovalbumin sensitization. Total cell count and eosinophil count in branchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were performed, and levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in BALF were measured by ELISA. Results After ovalbumin sensitization, airway occurred obvious inflammation. Eosinophil count began increasing at 1 hour after sensitization, obviously increased at 8 hours, reached a maximum at 24 hours, started declining at 96 hours, and decreased to near normal range at 7 to 14 days. The changes of total cell count had the same tendency as eosinophil count changes. The level of IL-4 in BALF elevated at 1h after sensitization, reached a maximun at 8 to 96 hours, and reduced to near normal level at 7 to 14 days. The changes of IL-12 in BALF had the same tendency as IL-4 level changes. Eosinophil count was positively related with IL-4 level(r=0.74,P0.05). There was a close correlation between IL-4/IL-12 ratio and eosinophil count (r=0.85,P

Objective To explore the influence of retinoic acid (RA) on the expressions of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-Ⅱ,type 2 IGF receptor (IGF-2R) and IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-2 mRNA and polypeptides in lungs of hyperoxia-exposed premature rats and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods On the 2nd postnatal day, 260 Sprague-Dawley(SD)preterm rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group Ⅰ: air + normal saline (NS) group; Group Ⅱ: hyperoxia(85% O_2) + NS group; Group Ⅲ: air+ RA group; Group Ⅳ: hyperoxia(85% O_2) + RA group. RA was injected to group Ⅲ, Ⅳ intraperitoneally (500 ?g/kg) since the 3rd day after birth, while NS was given to group Ⅰ,Ⅱ daily at the same time as group Ⅲ and Ⅳ. On day 4, 7, 10, 14 and 21 after birth, 8 rats in each group were killed. The mortality of preterm rats was recorded and lung radical alveolar counts (RAC) were examined. The mRNA analysis (RT-PCR) and polypeptides analysis (Western Blot) of IGF-Ⅱ, IGF-2R and IGFBP-2 were performed. Results 1. On the 4～7th day of exposure, the survival rate in all groups were similar. After 7 days of 85% O_2 exposure, the survival rate in group Ⅱ, Ⅳ dropped sharply and there was a significant difference comparing to group Ⅰ, Ⅲ( P

Objective To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of dexamethasone in hyperoxia-induced lung injury. Methods Use bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) method to gain alveolar macrophages (AM) from newborn SD rats. AM were adherence purified for 24 hours, then randomly assigned to four groups: Ⅰ. hyperoxia group, Ⅱ. hyperoxia plus LPS group, Ⅲ. hyperoxia plus dexamethasone group, Ⅳ. hyperoxia plus LPS plus dexamethasone group. Every group contains 7 samples. After cultured for 48 hours, supernatants were harvested. L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity? hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) and IL-8 contents of supernatants were examined in all groups. Results (1)48 h after culture, the content of IL-8 in groupⅠandⅡwas (46?15)pg/ml?(145?27)pg/ml respectively, in groupⅢandⅣwas(29?4)pg/ml?(39?8)pg/ml respectively, IL-8 content was decreased in group Ⅲ and Ⅳcompared with group Ⅰand Ⅱ(P

Objective To explore the role of prevention and treatment of Yishentongfei decoction in COPD by measuring the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue.Methods 36 male Wistar rats of rat model with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was established by exposure to cigarette smoke daily for 30 days and injection of LPS in trachea twice.The rats were randomly separated into three groups,the normal group,the model group and the treatment group.Total cell counts and neutrophil counts in BALF were examined.The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue was measured by means of immunohistochemistry(SP).Lung tissue section stained by HE was observed to study the morphological alternations.Result The expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in lung tissue of the model rats significantly increased compared with the normal rats(P

Objective To evaluate the effect of sequential intrahepatic arterial FAM for the treatment of metastatic gastric cancer to the liver. Methods 14 patients with multiple hepatic metastases from gastric cancer were treated with sequential intrahepatic arterial FAM using the hepatic artery infusion port. Results Of 14 patients, CR, PR, NC and PD were observed in 1, 7, 4 and 2 cases respectively. The overall median survival was 15 months. The survival rate at 1, 2 and 3 years was 80.0%; 57.1% and 14.3% respectively. No severe complication was observed. Conclusions Sequential intrahepatic artery FAM is effective to increase the survival rate in patients with hepatic metastases from gastric cancer.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of FAP combined intrahepatic artery with intravenous infusion chemotherapy in the treatment hepatic metastatic carcinoma. Methods 23 patients with metastatic hepatic carcinoma were diagnosed with CT or MRI. EPI 40mg/m 2, CDDP 60mg/m 2 were given intrahepcic arterial by means of one shot infusion and 5-FU 500mg/m2 (d1, d8) intravenously respectively. All patients were reexamined by with CT or MRI after 2～4 weeks. Results The total response rates was 74%. The survival rates at 1 year, 2 year and 3 year were 88 8%?7 9%;66 9%?12 3% and 24 6%?23 4% respectively. The median survival time was 25 months. Conclusions FAP was a traditional regimen,combined intrahepatic arterial and intravenous chemotherapy can improve response rate and prolong median survival to metastatic liver cancer .

Objective To explore the value of center vein catheter thoracostomy in the chemotherapy of malignant pleural effusion. Methods Carboplatin and ?-2b Interferon were infused into pleural cavity by implanted center vein catheter in the group observation (n=17). After repeated thoracocentesis, the same drugs were introduced into pleural cavity in the group control (n=29). At the end of the 1st, 3rd and 6th month after drug administration, follow-up was carried out to assess the response rates. Results At the end of the 1st, 3rd and 6th month after intrapleural therapies, the number of intrapleural therapies in the group observation was (2.2?1.9) times and in the group control (5.3?1.3)times, with statistically significant difference between the two groups (t=5.924, P=0.00). Numbers of complete remission (CR) in the group observation was 10 of 16, 11 of 16 and 10 of 15, respectively and in the group control 9 of 29, 11 of 29 and 5 of 19, respectively, producing significant difference (P=0.043, 0.050, 0.020, respectively). Overall response rates in the group observation were 87.5%, 87.5% and 80.0%, respectively, while in control were 62.5%, 68.7% and 66.7%, respectively, without significant difference (P=0.356, 0.114, 0.178, respectively). Compared with the control, long-term follow-up (six months) showed higher response rates in the group observation: 10 of 15 patients remained CR at 6th month after therapies. No significant difference was seen in respect to adverse effects(?2=2.491,P=0.114). Conclusions Intrapleural chemotherapy by center vein catheter may increase CR and decrease application times of Carboplatin and ?-2b Interferon in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion, with fewer side effects.

Objective:To investigate the pathophysiological mechanism,clinical menifestation and radiographic diagnosis of cholesterol granuloma following chronic supperative otitis media.Method:Six cases of CG following chronic suppurative otitis media, confirmed by surgery and pathology,were reviewed and analyzed.Result:CG frequently accompanied with other middle ear diseases，and was shown as a high signal intensity on both T1-and T2-weighted images in magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Conclusion:It was postulated that the obstruction of pneumatized temporal bone air cells,caused by other middle ear diseases such as cholesteatoma and tympanosclerosis,might be the pathophsiological mechanism of CG.The evaluations of computed tomography(CT) and clinical manifestation were limited to distinguish CG from cholesteatoma or other neoplasm,while the MRI can be of great value to characteristic diagnosis.