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.

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 .

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.

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression levels of the type Ⅰ IFN system in muscle and lung of experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM) model and to evaluate whether the type Ⅰ IFN system associates with the pathogenesis of the EAM model in rats.MethodsThe EAM model was established to determine creatine kinase (CK) in blood serum.The pathology of muscle and lung tissue was examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining.The concentration of type Ⅰ IFN system mRNA in muscle and lung tissue was detected by real-time PCR.ResultsThe concentration of CK in model group [(209.17 ±91.95) IU/L]was significantly higher than that of two control groups(P ＜0.05).The scores of muscle and lung in EAM model were significantly higher than that of control groups (all P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of the type Ⅰ IFN system in muscle of EAM model were significantly higher than that of control groups(all P ＜0.05).The expression levels of the type Ⅰ IFN system in muscle with EAM model were positively correlated with CK and the scores of muscle (all P ＜ 0.05).The expression levels of IFNα, IFNβ, IFNαR1, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MX1) in lung of EAM model were significantly higher than those of control groups(P ＜ 0.05), but not seen in INF-induced protein with tetratricopetide repeats 1 (IFIT1) and IFN-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15).The expression levels of IFNα, IFNβ, IFNαR1, STAT1 and MX1 in lung with EAM model were positively correlated with the scores of lung pathology (all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionThe type Ⅰ IFN system probably played a crucial role in the pathogenesis and the pathology of muscle and lung of EAM modeL

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.

Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Male ; Mucous Membrane

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy difference in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome of Sev-damp-heat stagnation pattern between acupoint catgut embedding therapy and western medication.

METHODSenty cases were randomized into a catgut embedding group (40 cases) and a western medication group (30 cases) at the ratio of 4 : 3. In the catgut embedding group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied to Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Quchi (LI 11), Huiyin (CV 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongji (CV 3), Shenshu (BL 23), etc. The treatment was given once every two weeks, the treatment for 4 weeks was as one session and totally 2 sessions were required. In the western medication group, tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules 0. 2 mg, oral administration, once a day, and Indometacin sustained release tablets, 75 mg, once a day, 3 tablets each time were prescribed. The symptom score of TCM, score of NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI), lecithin body number in prostatic fluid, (SAS) score of Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and score of Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were compared before and after treatment in the patients of the two groups. The efficacy was evaluated in the two groups.

RESULTS(1)The total effective rate was 91. 9% (34/37) in the catgutembedding group and was 86. 2% (25/29) in the western medication group. The efficacy in the catgutembedding group was better than that in the western medication group (P<0. 05). (2) The symptom score of TCM was all reduced significantly after treatment in the two groups (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut embedding group was superior to the western medication group (6.42 +/-2. 81 vs 10. 99+/-3. 11 ,P<0. 01). (3) Lecithin body number was increased apparently in the two groups after treatment (both P<0.01), and the result in the catgut-embedding group was superior to the western medicine group (33.56+/-5.88 vs 29. 78+/-7. 06,P<0. 05). (4) Total score of NIH-CPSI, score of pain, score of SAS and score of SDS were all improved apparently after treatment in the two groups (all P<0. 01), and the results in the catgut embedding group were superior to the western medication group (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy achieves the superior efficacy on chronic pelvic pain syndrome of damp-heat stagnation pattern as compared with conventional western medicine. This therapy relieves clinical symptoms, improves the states of anxiety and depression and increases lecithin body number obviously.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Chronic Disease ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; therapy ; Prostatitis ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Adenoma ; pathology ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cytokines ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Ear Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endolymphatic Sac ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Vimentin ; metabolism