According to Chinese medicine, the atlantoaxial joint is a composite joint composed of tendons and bones, and the stability of the joint depends on the 'tendon-bone balance' involving tendons, ligaments, atlas and axis. Multiple causes of 'tendon off-position, joint subluxation' will lead to joint 'tendon-bone imbalance', which will evolve into atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS), endangering human health. Chinese therapeutic massage (tuina) is a very effective treatment for AAS in adults, but conventional manipulations are prone to ineffectiveness or accidents due to neglect of the causal relationship of the 'tendon-bone imbalance' and inappropriate manipulations. Compared with conventional manipulations, the rational choice of modified manipulations under the guidance of 'tendon-bone balance' theory is more effective and less risky, and more worthy of clinical promotion. From the 'tendon-bone balance' theory, we considered the shortcomings of conventional manipulations, and introduced several modified manipulations that have their own strengths in 'tendon smoothing' and 'bone setting', in order to provide new ideas for treatment of AAS in adults.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the solid phase extraction (SPE) with GC/MS technology for fish poisoning cases to determine five pesticides in fishpond. METHODS: By three solid phase extraction column including Oasis HLB cartridge, Bond Elut C18 and SampliQ C18, the recovery rate was compared to extract and purify five pesticides in fishpond. The effects of different kinds and dosages of eluents on extract rate were also reviewed. RESULTS Using Bond Elut C18 as solid phase extraction column and 3 mL benzene as eluent, the linear range of mass concentration of five pesticides in fishpond was 1-50 μg/mL, and the correlation coefficient was 0.996 2-0.999 6. The limit of detection was 3.4-26 μg/L and the recovery was 61.49%-102.48%. The relative standard deviations was less than or equal to 3.01%. CONCLU-SION: With high sensitivity, good accuracy and precision, SPE-GC/MS has simple and quick operation and less solvent. It can be applied to determination of five pesticides in fishpond.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Pesticides/isolation & purification* ; Solid Phase Extraction ; Solvents ; Water Pollutants, Chemical/isolation & purification*

This paper describes, in detail, the basic principles, composition and specifications of JH-2000 heamodialyzer.
Equipment Design ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; therapy ; Renal Dialysis ; instrumentation ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of a valved stent on closure patent ductus arteriosus in a Chinese miniswine model.

METHODSSelf-expandable nitinol stents were made of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy (9 mm in diameter). Bovine pericardium was shaped and sutured onto the stents. Fluid passing test, pre-releasing test and static test of pressure in tube were performed in all devices before use. In eight Chinese miniswine, vascular grafts (PTFE vascular prosthesis) were surgically inserted between the descending thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery for establishment of patent ductus arteriosus model. Valved stents were deployed to occlude the patent ductus arteriosus. Echocardiography was performed two hours post operation. Aortic angiography was made 30 days post operation in survived animals. Animals were then sacrificed for autopsy and electron microscopy examinations.

RESULTSIn vitro testing showed that the closure of the valved stent leaflets was satisfactory and fluid flows were not restricted in the opposite direction. The valved stents could be released through catheter, expanded completely, rapidly fixed in the tube. Closure of patent ductus arteriosus was succeeded in 6 out of 8 animals. One animal died of respiratory failure 2 hours post operation, another one died of pulmonary embolism due to valved stent displacement. Resident shunt was not evidenced by echocardiography, aortic angiography and dissection examinations in the remaining 6 animals. The new endothelial tissue fully covered the pulmonary and aortic sides of patent ductus arteriosus in 4 and 3 animals respectively. The electron microscopic observation revealed endothelial coverage of dives.

CONCLUSIONThe valved stent could effectively close artificial patent ductus arteriosus in vivo with satisfactory new intima covering on both sides of patent ductus arteriosus.

Animals ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Materials Testing ; Stents ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

This study was purpose to examine the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and Tween 80 on the growth and viability of stromal cells (BMSC), colony-forming units for granulocytes and macrophages (CFU-GM) and bone marrow endothelial cell line (BMEC) from murine bone marrow in vitro, and to analyze the concentration-effect relationship. The colony yields of colony-forming units fibroblastic (CFU-F) and CFU-GM were assessed in the murine bone marrow cell cultures at various concentrations of DMSO or Tween 80 and in the control groups. The MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion were used to determine the cell viability and percentage of survival in BMSC and BMEC cultures with or without either of these organic solvents. The results showed that the colony yields of both CFU-F and CFU-GM were decreased significantly (p<0.05 or <0.01) at the concentrations (v/v final) of 2% DMSO or 0.005%-0.01% Tween 80 respectively, as compared with control. The cell viability and percentage of survival of BMSC and BMEC cultures were significantly reduced (p<0.05 or <0.01) at 0.5%-1.0% DMSO or 0.002%-0.005% Tween 80, as compared with control. With the increase of volume fractions of these solvents, the decreased percentages of corresponding measurements were increased by degrees. It is concluded that when the concentration of DMSO or Tween 80 goes to a certain level in cell culture medium, either of the organic solvents has an inhibitory action or/and cytotoxicity on the growth and viability of BMSCs, CFU-GM and BMECs. The growth inhibition and cytotoxic response are more significant at higher concentrations of these solvents.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Progenitor Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mice ; Polysorbates ; pharmacology ; Solvents ; pharmacology ; Stromal Cells ; cytology

This study was aimed to detect the mutations and microsatellite instability (mtMSI) in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop region in bone marrow cells of acute leukemia (AL) patients, and to analyze their relationship with the pathogenesis of AL. 19 cases of newly diagnosed AL were enrolled in this study. Through extracting mtDNA, the D-loop region was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the sequences of PCR products were detected by the pros- and cons-direct sequencing methods. The sequencing results were compared with the revised Cambridge reference sequence (rCRS) and the relevant database (MITOMAP database, GenBank database, mtDB database). The results showed that the mutation rate of mtDNA D-loop region in AL was 79% (15/19). 215 variations (35 mutations, 180 SNP) and a kind of mtMSI in the D-loop region were detected. A new type of mutation nt150 C-CT was found. Also, there was no significant difference in the number of mutations between patients with different ages and different types of AL (AML, B-ALL). It is concluded that there is high frequency of mutations in the mtDNA D-loop, and the mutations may be associated with the pathogenesis of AL.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Child ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Leukemia ; genetics ; Male ; Microsatellite Instability ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Prosthesis simulation is critical for maxillofacial defects caused by maxillofacial tumor and trauma. Few studies have been reported on the vermilion color, much less the correlation between facial skin color and vermilion color. OBJECTIVE: To collect thecolorimetric values of human vermilion and facial skin, so as to determine the colorimetric value range and its relevance.. METHODS: The colorimetric values of vermilion and facial skin in 202 volunteers were measured by Japanese Konica Minolta CM-700d spectrophotometer, L* (brightness), a* (from –a* (green) to +a* (red)), b* (from –b*(yellow) to +a* (blue)) values were surveyed and calculated, and then analyzed with CIELAB color system. The correlation betweencolorimetric values of the vermilion and cheek skin color was analyzed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: For the vermilion color in 202 volunteers, L* value was 53.25±3.42, a* value was 11.19±1.70, and b* valuewas 8.77±2.12; for the cheek skin color, L* value was 61.87±3.59, a* value was 7.21±1.29, and b* value was 12.98±1.64. L* value of thevermilion was negatively correlated with its a* value, positively correlated with its b* value, positively correlated with L* value of cheek skin andnegatively correlated with a* value of the cheek skin. a* value of the vermilion was positively correlated with a* value of the cheek skin. b*value of the vermilion was positively correlated with b* value of the cheek skin. L* value of the cheek skin was positively correlated with b*value of the vermilion, and negatively correlated with its a* value. a* value of the cheek skin was negatively correlated with b* value of thevermilion, and negatively correlated with its b* value. In summary, we preliminarily determine the colorimetric value range of the facial skin andvermilion, as well as their relevance, which provide a basis for prosthesis production and choice of colors in clinic.

The effect of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) on macrophage-derived foam cell formation and the underlying mechanism were studied. Macrophages isolated from C57BL/6 mice were co-cultured in vitro with different concentrations of TSLP or TSLPR-antibody in the presence of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). The effects of TSLP on macrophage-derived foam cell formation were observed by using oil red O staining and intracellular lipid determination. The expression levels of foam cell scavenger receptors (CD36 and SRA) as well as ABCA1 and TSLPR were detected by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. As compared with the control group, TSLP treatment significantly promoted lipid accumulation in macrophages, significantly increased protein expression of CD36 and TSLPR in a dose-dependent manner, and significantly reduced the expression of ABCA1 protein in a dose-dependent manner. No significant differences were noted between the TSLPR-antibody group and the control group. TSLP may down-regulate the expression of cholesterol efflux receptor ABCA1 and up-regulate scavenger receptor expression via the TSLPR signaling pathway, thereby promoting macrophage-derived foam cell formation.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; CD36 Antigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Cholesterol Esters ; metabolism ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Foam Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Receptors, Cytokine ; immunology ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Scavenger Receptors, Class A ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic etiologies in the 0- 3-years-old infants with hearing loss and to analyze the interaction between genetics and environmental factors.

METHODSTotal of 130 infants were performed detailed audiological evaluation as well as the detection of the popular deafness gene mutations in GJB2 gene, SLC26A4 and mtDNA12SrRNA. Of them, 84 cases were performed the computer tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examinations.

RESULTSOf the 130 cases, 54 infants were diagnosed as large vestibular aqueduct syndrome, while seven of 130 were as auditory neuropathy and the others were diagnosed as sensorineural hearing loss. Considering of the risks of etiologies for hearing loss, 85 of them had the experiences of the high risk factors at birth (65.4%, 85/130), while 23 of them had the exposure of aminoglycoside antibiotics, and 13 had the family history background as well as two cases were from the consanguineous families. In the causative genes screening, 42 infants were caused by the mutations of SLC26A4 gene (32.3%), but 14 infants found the mutations in GJB2 gene (4.6%), and no infants carried the mutation in mtDNA 12SrRNA 1555G and 1494T points in our studies.

CONCLUSIONSIn our studies, about 36.9% infants hearing loss cases can be found the mutations in SLC26A4 and GJB2 genes. It is essential to put the idea into the hearing evaluation combined with genetic testing for the diagnoses of hearing loss. It is also helpful for exploring the etiologies of hearing loss and performing the target genetic consulting for decreasing the prevalence of deafness in the future.

Child, Preschool ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Hearing Loss ; diagnosis ; etiology ; genetics ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration by puncturing the anulus fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and obliquus externus abdominis.

METHODSThe L(4/5) and L(5/6) intervetebral discs of 6 New Zealand white rabbits were punctured by an 18-gauge pin in the anterolateral annular fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis with the right transverse processes of L(5) and L(6) resected; the L(2/3) discs were used as the control without exposure or needle stab, and the L(3/4) discs were subjected to sham operation with the discs exposed but not punctured after resecting the right transverse process of L(4). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively and at the 4th week after puncture. At 4 weeks after the operation, histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the discs were carried out.

RESULTSX-ray of the punctured discs at 4 weeks after the operation presented a significant decrease of disc height, osteophytosis formation, and end-plate stiffness; an obvious decrease of signal intensity on T(2)-weighted images was found in the puncture group but not in the control or sham-operated groups. Gross morphological inspection showed atrophy of the nucleus pulposus, which became loose, soft, and fragile with a light yellow color. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses showed a significant decrease of notochordal cells and type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus in the puncture group as compared to the control and sham-operated groups.

CONCLUSIONPuncture through the approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis allows the establishment of a reliable animal model for studying intervertebral disc degeneration.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rabbits