BACKGROUND:Age and dental age are shown to have some limitations in predicting skeletal maturity.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the mandibular length in boys and girls with Class I and Class II skeletal patterns by using the cervical vertebrae maturation, and to provide valid reference index for orthodontical treatment.
METHODS:The lateral cephalograms of the 160 cases of Class I (40 males and 40 females) and Class II (40 males and 40 females) skeletal patterns, aged 8-15 years, were taken before orthodontic treatment. The sample was grouped according to stages of the cervical vertebrae maturation (Hasse and Farman method), and the mandibular length was measured separately. The results were statistical y analyzed by the independent-sample t test.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:No matter you are a male or female, the mandibular length of Class I was greater than that of Class II at the early stages of growth and development. In the Class I pattern, the mandibular lengths of boys were greater than those of girls at accelerated, transition, and deceleration stages (P<0.05), whereas in the Class II pattern, the mandibular lengths of boys were greater than those of girls at accelerated, transition, and deceleration stages (P<0.05). The present results indicate a sexual dimorphism in the mandibular length at almost al stages of bone maturation, but the possibility of a later“catch up”growth period occurs on Class II girls. And this information has important orthodontic clinical implications.

BackgroundSmad4,a key intracellular mediator in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)signaling,plays a critical role in the normal development of many tissues/organs.However,its functional role in the development of lacrimal gland has rarely been reported.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the role that Smad4 may play in the development of lacrimal glands using Smad4 conditional knockout (CKO) mice( C57BL/6 mouse line),MethodsSmad4 in lacrimal glands,as well as in the lens,cornea and ectoderm of the eyelids,was conditionally inactivated by the Pax6 promoter-driven Cre transgenic mice and Smad4 conditional gene mice,LacZ reporter was used to visualize the developing lacrimal gland by X-gal staining,and standard histological approaches were used to reveal morphological changes.Six or more mice or embryos in each group were used for comparisons at the same stage.ResultsLacZ staining showed that E15.0,Smad4 CKO mice could still develop primary lacrimal bud,but much shorter than the wild-type ones.At E16.5,the primary lacrimal bud in wild-type mice began branching,but no branching was found in Smad4 CKO mice except that the primary lacimal bud became blunt at the tip.At E18.0,although Smad4 CKO mice develop some acini,the branching and size and number of acini were obviously less than ones in Smad4 wild-type mice.Based on histological findings,lacrimal glands in Smad4 CKO mice developed slowly,and the size was considerably smaller,and the numbers of lobes as well as the numbers of acini were much fewer than those of Smad4 wild-type mice lacrimal glands at various stages.Pigment and adipose tissue were also observed within the lacrimal glands starting from P7 in Smad4 CKO mice and increased with age growing.Lacrimal glands in mutant adult mice were eventually replaced by adipose tissue and accumulation of pigments.Conclusions These results support the notion that Smad4 is essential for the normal development and maintenance of the mouse LG and may be involved in the metabolism of pigment and adipose tissue in LG.

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Silicosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Talc ; adverse effects

Biodefense research based on modern information technology is an important supplement to traditional biode -fense capacity building and an important part of the national biodefense system in the 21st century.This article outlines the typical biodefense information systems developed in the last ten years and analyzes the development trends of this research field.It is hoped that more domestic research institutions or researchers can become interested in this field .

Objective To determine the influence of protein fusion on the biological characteris- tics of hymidine kinase(TK)and human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)Tat recombinant protein. Methods By utilizing polymerase chain reaction(PCR)technique,different fragments containing two,four or six glycines(Gly)were inserted between the HIV Tat gene and TK,and cloned into PBK vector.After testified by sequencing,the vectors were transfected into E coli.After induced by iso- propyl thiogalactose(IPTG),bacilli were collected and destructed by ultrasonic,the fusion proteins were determined by monoclonal antibody against HIV protein.HepG2 cells were incubated in DMEM supplement with 10?g/mL HIV-Gly(n)-TK(n=0,2,4,6)fusion protein,TK-HIV Tat and only HIV Tat.HepG2 cells in different groups were detected by immunofluorescence assay 24 hours after transduction with HIV Tat monoclonal antibody.The rate of apoptosis after cells were incubated with gencilovir(10?g/mL)for 3 days was determined by cell flow cytometry,while survival cell ratio was recorded by trypan blue.The data were analyzed by statistics(t-test).Results The Tat-Gly(n)-TK (n= 0,2,4,6)recombinant genes were constructed and inserted into PBK vectors,which were expressed in E coli and then purified.Cells in different groups,which were incubated with Tat-Gly (n)-TK(n=0,2,4,6)fusion proteins,Tat-TK fusion protein,TK-Tat fusion proteins or only Tat proteins respectively,were detected by immunofluorescence assay.The intensities of fluorescence in different groups were almost same,but the ratios of cell survival or apoptosis were different.The highest ratio of cells apoptosis(14.77%)was in the group that cellular culture medium was mixed with Tat-Gly(4)-TK fusion protein,followed by the groups containing 6,2 glycines or no TK gene in genes(4.30%,12.69% and 1.03%,respectively).There were significant differences between each 2 groups among the all groups(t-test,P

Objective To investigate the effect of local injection of Botulinum toxin type A(BTXA) on spasticity and function of the affected upper limb in stroke patients.Methods A total of 32 stroke patients were re- cruited and randomly divided into two groups:a BTXA group and a control group.All the patients had spasticity of upper limb muscles,which scored grade 2 to 3 with the Modified Ashworth Scale(MAS) ,and decreased elbow joint range of motion.The 16 patients in the BTXA group received BTXA injection in the biceps brachii muscles and flexor muscles of forearm on 10～15 points,while those in the control group did not.All the patients in both groups were treated with rehabilitation training techniques.The MAS,Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel In- dex were employed to evaluate the changes of muscle tone,upper limb function and activity of living (ADL)perform- ance of the patients before injection and at 1st,2nd,6th 12th weeks after injection.Results The therapeutic effect between the BTXA group anti control group was significantly different in terms of biceps muscle tone,the scores of Fugl-Meyer upper limb function assessment and Barthel Index.Compared with preinjection,muscle tone was de- creased significantly and ADL performance was improved after injection in BTXA group.The effects of BTXA lasted more than 12 weeks.Conclusion Intramuscular muhipoint injection of BTXA was useful in reducing muscle spas- ticity,and was helpful for increasing motor ability of the affected upper limb and ADL performance of the stroke pa- tients.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological features and influencing factors of human brucellosis in Qinghai province,and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of brucellosis.Methods From 2006 to 2010,select the high incidence areas of brucellosis in Qinghai province and five counties(Henan,Dari,Tianjun,Ping'an and Haiyan counties) included in the “Central Subsidies to Local Public Health Special Fund Human Brucellosis Prevention and Control Projects” for the survey point,as well as high-risk employees from Qinghai Biological Pharmaceutical Factory were investigated.Combined with epidemiological questionnaire investigation [done according to the “National Human Brucellosis Surveillance Program(Trial)”],clinical symptoms and signs,confirmed human brucellosis patient were tested by intradermal allergy test,rose bengal plate agglutination test(RBPT) and standard tube agglutination test (SAT),in accordance with “Diagnostic Criteria and Principles of Management of Brucellosis” (GB 15988-1995) and“Diagnostic Criteria for Brucellosis” (WS 269-2007).Results Of 8368 serum samples detected,347 were RBPT positive,and the positive rate was 4.15％;5346 serum samples were tested by SAT,180 were positive,and the positive rate was 3.37％.In June 2009,112 employees in Qinghai Biological Pharmaceutical Factory were investigated on a follow-up survey,83 were RBPT positive,the positive rate was 74.11％; 58 were SAT positive,the positive rate was 51.79％.Eight of them were new cases and 4 were chronic brucellosis.Twenty five new cases were reported between 2006 and 2010.The peak incidence was from March to July.Most of the cases were herdsmen.ConclusionStrengthening animal quarantine,strengthening public education,and improving protection awareness,can effectively control the disease brucellosis.

Objective To detect the sperm apoptosis rate and level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in seminal plasma and explore their correlation among infertile males. Methods Ninety-two inferitile males were divided into varicocele (VC) group (n=32), leukocytospermia group(n=30) and the other cause group (n=30), and another 24 in vitro fertilization sperm samples were sereved as controls. The routine sperm parameters including seminal pH, sperm viability and sperm density were examined by computer assisted sperm analysis, the sperm apoptosis rate was asseseed using Annexin V/PI staining, and the ROS level in seminal plasma was detected by TBA method. The differences in seminal parameters between three infertile groups and control group were compared, and the correlation of sperm apoptosis rate with level of ROS in seminal plasma was explored in each group. Results The sperm viability of three infertile groups was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.01). The sperm apoptosis rates and levels of ROS in seminal plasma in VC group and leukocytospermia group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The sperm apoptosis rate was positively correlated with the level of ROS in seminal plasma in leukocytospermia group(r=0. 573, P < 0.05). Conclusion The increased sperm apoptosis rate and level of seminal plasma ROS may be related to the infertility of patients with VC and leukocytospermia. The increased level of seminal plasma ROS may be one of the causes of increased sperm apoptosis rate in patients with leukocytospermia.

Due to the large population and relatively closed space environment , the subway system is vulnerable to bioterrorist attacks.This paper analyzes the technological response measures against subway bioterrorism in the United States, including Detect to Protect program of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and PROTECTS program of Depart-ment of Energy ( DOE) .We also put forward some proposals on how to improve China′s capability of prevention of and response to subway bioterrorism .

Modeling biosecurity events based on mathematical theories to reveal the inherent mechanism can shed light on the development of biosecurity events and offer accurate scientific support to emergency preparation and response , con-tributing much to national biodefense capability .This paper reviews the applications of mathematical theories as a research and analytic tool in biosecurity and discusses the trends of development in this field .