0.10). However, for patients with positive cervical lymph nodes, neck dissection plus radiotherapy resulted in a better local control rate than radiotherapy alone (P

Objective To evaluate the application value of UF-1000i automated urine formed elements analyzer in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Methods 150 urine specimens were analyzed using the UF-1000i in parallel with detection of leukocyte, yeast-like fungus, and bacteria. These detection results were collected for evaluation of urinary tract infection and scatter grams were recorded. At the same time, these samples were cultured for bacterial identification, which results were compared with that of the UF-1000i. The clinical diagnose criteria of the UTI was performed as golden standard. As compare with results obtained with UF-1000i, the sensitivity and specificity of UF-1000i for diagnosis of urinary tract infection were evaluated, and the consistency were analyzed among scatter grams, bacterial culture and final diagnosis. Results The statistical results from 146 specimens showed that the positive rate of UF-1000i was 32. 9% (48/146), the positive rate of urine culture is 28. 8% (42/146). There was no significant statistical difference found (χ2 = 1.79 ,P = 0. 18 )and Kappa test showed a considerable consistency (K = 0. 775 6). The UF-1000i detection results showed the sensitivity 76. 0% ( 38/50 ), specificity 89. 6% ( 86/96 ), positive predictive value 79. 2% ( 38/48 ) and negative predictive value 87. 8% ( 86/98 ), respectively. The distribution of coccus and bacilli obtained from the UF-1000i testing was basically in accordance with the results of bacterial culture. Conclusion The "UTI-information" of UF-1000i is very important for the diagnosis of urinary tract infections.

Zinc(Zn) and copper(Cu) balance tests were conducted in patients with diabetes mellitus. The results revealed that the negative balance of Zn and excessive positive balance of Cu were much improved after the management of diabetes mellitus. In addition, a close relationship was found between serum glucose concentration and the disorder of Zn and Cu balance, i.e. serum Zn level, apparent intestinal absorption rate and balance status of Zn were reversely related to serum glucose concentration, whereas urinary Zn, serum Cu level and apparent intestinal absorption of Cu were positively correlated to serum glucose concentration. Poly-factor analysis suggested that hyperzincuria and malabsorption of Zn were the main factors concerning negative Zn balance.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to detect microRNA-17(mir-17) expression on the osteogenic differentiation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-stimulated hunman periodontal ligament stem cells (HPDLSCs) and to analyze the influence of these cells on this process.

METHODSHPDLSCs were isolated using limited dilution technique. After osteogenic differentiation occurred, different time points of mir-17 expression in the experimental groups were detected by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mir-17 overexpression and inhibition were evaluated using cell transfection technique. Differences in gene expressions were detected by real time PCR; differences in protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSThe mir-17 expression was reduced after osteogenic differentiation occurred at 3, 7, and 14 d compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of bone sialoprotein (BSP), Runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx-2)and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the experimental groups were lower than those in the mimic control group when mir-17 expression increased. In addition, the protein expression levels of Runx-2 in the experimental groups were lower than those in the control group. The expression levels of BSP, Runx-2 and ALP in the experimental groups were higher than those in the inhibitor control group when mir-17 expression decreased. Likewise, the protein expression levels of Runx-2 in the experimental groups were higher than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONAGEs inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of HPDLSCs by affecting mir-17 expression.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Differentiation ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells

Mean hemoglobin (Hb) concentration of about 3 500 subjects derived from 17 studies of Himalayan highlanders (Tibetans, Sherpas, and Ladakhis) was compared with lowlanders (Chinese Han, Indian Tamils) lived in the Himalayas, and European climbers during Everest expeditions as well as Andean natives. The results found that Hb concentration in Himalayan highlanders was systemically lower than those reported for Andean natives and lowland immigrants. These comparative data demonstrated that a healthy native population may successfully reside at high altitude without a significant elevation in Hb, and the lower Hb levels of Himalayan highlanders than those of migrated lowlanders and Andean natives are an example of favourable adaptation over the generations. In addition, excessive polycythemia has frequently been used as a marker of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). Altitude populations who have a higher Hb concentration also have a higher incidence of CMS. The low Hb in Himalayans suggested as showing adaptation over many generations in Tibetan stock. Recent work in Tibet, suggested that Tibetans there may have adapted to high altitude as a result of evolutionary pressure selecting for genes which give an advantage at altitude. All of the population genomic and statistical analysis indicated that EPAS1 and EGLN1 are mostly likely responsible for high altitude adaptation and closely related to low Hb concentration in Tibetans. These data supported the hypothesis that Himalayan highlanders have evolved a genetically different erythropoietic response to chronic hypoxia by virtue of their much longer exposure to high altitude.
Adaptation, Physiological ; Altitude ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Evolution, Molecular ; Hemoglobins ; genetics ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases ; genetics ; Tibet

Objective To investigate the factors associated with delay in decision to seek treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) in Beijing. Methods This prospective,cross-sectional,multicenter survey was conducted from November 1,2005 and December 31 ,2006. The participants consisted of 799 patients with STEMI admitted within 24 h of symptom onset to 19 hospitals in Beijing. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and medical records review. The patients were categorized into an early decision group and the a late decision group based on the 30 min cut-off. Results The median(25%,75%) decision delay in STEMI patients was 60(20, 180)min. Factors associated with late decision in an univariate analysis were age ≥65 years, retirement or unemployment, history of myocardial infarction,symptom onset at home and intermittent symptoms, whereas presence of bystanders such as friends,coworkers or even strangers,unbearable symptoms,dyspnea,sweating,syncope and attribution of symptoms to cardiac origin were related to early decision. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that history of myocardial infarction,absence of syncope, intermittent symptoms,bearable symptoms and attribution of symptoms to noncardiac origin were independent predictors of decision delay＞30 min. Patients in the early decision group had more chances to receive acute reperfusion therapies(P=0.001) and shorter time intervals from symptom onset to reperfusion therapies(P＜0.001). Conclusions To a great extent patients with AMI in Beijing delayed in decision to seek treatment. History of myocardial infarction, symptom characteristics and symptom attribution were associated with decision delay.

Obiective To study controUing method for curing time of the materials based on isocyanate, and perfect making means and operating rules of transmitting apparatus for the wounded, Methods According to the controlling principles of the rate of chemical reaction, the influencing factors' were studied such as catalyzer, ambient temperature, mixture level of materials and materials volume by experiment. Results By the results of experiments, ambient temperature hasn't an effector impact on eufing time of isocyanate, catalyzer and mixture level of materials only have a little effect or impact on initial reaction time, but materials volume is an important factor of all. Conclusion By the means of experiments, the curing time of isocyanate is only influenced by the volume of materials, and the character is very useful to transmitting apparatus for the wounded in field battle or on-site emergency rescue.

Objective To explore the causes of per-hospitalization high inpatient expenditure of a tertiary hospital in 2015,by analyzing the influencing factors.Methods We retrospectively studied 1 282 inpatient cases who cost more than 100 000 yuan per case at a tertiary hospital in 2015,analyzing statistically major influencing factors of such expenditure in variance analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis.Results The average days of stay of these cases were 27.6 days,and the average medical cost of those cases was 149 153 yuan per person.Costs for medicines and material made up a large proportion of medical costs,respectively accounting for 33.38% and 31.98% of the total.The days of stay,prognosis of the patient,complications as well as hospital infection,surgeries,gender of the patients constituted major factors on inpatient medical expenditure.Conclusions Reducing the average days of stay,guiding reasonable applications of drugs and medical materials,strengthening management on operations and controlling excessive medical services are effective approaches to reducing excessive growth of medical costs.

OBJECTIVEThe effect of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on the osteogenic differentiation of humanperiodontal ligament stem cells(hPDLSCs) was discussed. Changes in the Wnt signaling pathway during glycation were also determined.

METHODSIn vitro tissue explanting method was primarily applied. Limiting diluted clone was cultured to obtain hPDLSCs in vitro. The subjects were divided into two groups: the healthy group (N-hPDLSCs) and the AGEs-stimulating group (A-hPDLSCs). Osteoblast mineralization was induced in the experimental groups. The following processes were performed: alizarin red staining; alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining; real time polymerase chain reaction (real time PCR) for detecting osteogenic genes and Wnt classical pathway-related factors, DKK-1 and β-catenin; Western blot analysis. Bone protein and β-catenin were correlated in the nuclear expression.

RESULTSThe cells were osteogenically induced. ALP staining showed that the N-hPDLSCs displayed the deepest color. Alizarin red staining indicated that the A-hPDLSCs group had less calcified nodules than the N-hPDLSCs group. The real time PCR results suggested that the expression of relative osteogenic genes in A-hPDLSCs was quite low. Statistically significant differences in differentiation were found between groups (P < 0.05). The Western blot result was similar to that of real time PCR. Classical Wnt signaling pathway-related factor β-catenin was higher in A-hPDLSCs than in N-hPDLSCs. By contrast, DKK-1, which is an inhibitor in the Wnt pathway, had a significantly lower expression rate in A-hPDLSCs than in N-hPDLSCs. The Western blot result also showed that β-catenin expression in the nucleoprotein in A-hPDLSCs was notably higher than in N-hPDLSCs.

CONCLUSIONAGEs can inhibit hPDLSCs osteogenic differentiation. AGEs induce changes in the normal periodontal ligament stem cells classical Wnt pathway. Canonical Wnt pathway is reactivated because of AGEs stimulation.

Cell Differentiation ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells ; Wnt Proteins ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin