Objective To investigate the role of CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody in the acute rejection of pancreaticoduodenal transplantation model of rats.Methods Pancreaticoduo- denal transplantation model was established from the donor F344 rats to the Lewis recipients(diabetes models).The models were divided into 4 groups:groups A,B,C and D with 12 rats in each group. Two days after transplantation,recipients were injected intraperitoneally with saline,CTLA4-Ig(200?g),anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody(200?g),CTLA4-Ig(200?g)combined with anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody(200?g)respectively.On the day 1,4,7,10 after transplantation,the grafts were harvested for histopathological examination and RT-PCR to determine the levels of interleukin (IL)-2,interferon(IFN)-?,IL-4 and IL-10;The blood CD3~+,CD4~+and CD8~+ T cells were detected by flow cytometry.On the day 4 after transplantation,the CD4~+ CD25~+ T cells in the grafts were de- tected by flow cytometry.Results As compared with group A,the severity of the rejection of grafts in groups B,C and D were depressed;Down-regulation of IL-2 was observed in the groups B,C and D, and the levels in group D were lowest.Down-regulation of IFN-7 was detected in the groups B,C and D,but there was no significantly difference between groups D and B or groups D and C.Up-regulation of IL-4 was observed in the groups B and C,and the levels in group D were lower than in groups A,B and C.Up-regulation of IL-10 was observed in groups B and C,and there was significant difference between groups D and B or groups D and C.The CD3~+,CD4~+ and CD8~+ T cells in groups B,C and D were less,but more CID4~+ CD25~+ T ceils in transplanted pancreas were observed,more notably in group D than in group C.Conclusions Combined use of CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD40L monoclonal anti- body can remarkably diminish the severity of the rejection,which might be mediated by altering the balance in Th1/Th2 and increasing the number of CD4~+ CD25~+ regulatory T cells.Co-stimulation blockade with CTLA4-Ig and anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody induction seems to be an attractive strategy to control allograft rejection.

OBJECTIVETo compare the difference in the efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern between electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy and moxibustion box therapy.

METHODSForty-one cases of low back pain of cold-damp pattern were randomized into an electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy group (group A, 26 cases) and a box moxibustion therapy group (group B, 15 cases). In the group A, the electric-thermal Bian-stone was placed over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The temperature of stone was adjusted in accordance with patient's comfort. In the group B, moxibustion box was used over Shenshu (BL 23) and Weizhong (BL 40). The treatment was given once every day or every two days. Ten treatments made one session. The symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were observed before and after treatment in the patients.

RESULTSThe symptom and physical signs score of low back pain and the score of cold-damp syndrome were all improved in the two groups (all P < 0.01). The changing rate of symptom and physical signs and syndrome were (37.04 +/- 32.68)% and (22.85 +/- 29.95)% in the group A, and were (47.29 +/- 22.08)% and (23.89 +/- 22.53)% in the group B, respectively, without significant difference in comparison between the two groups (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe efficacy on low back pain of cold-damp pattern treated with the electric-thermal Bian-stone therapy is similar to that of moxibustion box therapy. This therapy is characterized as more convenient, safer operation and less pollution.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effect of magnetron sputtered niobium nitride (NbN) on the bonding strength of commercially pure cast titanium (Ti) and low-fusing porcelain (Ti/Vita titankeramik system).

METHODSSixty Ti specimens were randomly divided into four groups, group T1, T2, T3 and T4. All specimens of group T1 and T2 were first treated with 120 microm blasted Al2O3 particles, and then only specimens of group T2 were treated with magnetron sputtered NbN film. All specimens of group T3 and T4 were first treated with magnetron sputtered NbN film and then only specimens of group T4 were treated with 120 microm blasted Al2O3 particles. The composition of the deposits were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A universal testing machine was used to perform the three-point bending test to evaluate the bonding strength of Ti and porcelain. The microstructure of NbN, the interface of Ti-porcelain and the fractured Ti surface were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy depressive spectrum (EDS), and the results were compared.

RESULTSThe XRD results showed that the NbN deposits were cubic crystalline phases. The bonding strength of Ti and porcelain in T1 to T4 group were (27.2+/-0.8), (43.1+/-0.6), (31.4+/-1.0) and (44.9+/-0.6) MPa. These results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and differences between groups were compared using least significant difference test. Significant inter-group differences were found among all groups (P<0.05). The results of SEM showed that with treatment of Al2O3 or NbN, alone, pre-cracks were found in the interface of Ti-porcelain, while samples treated with both Al2O3 and NbN had better bond. EDS of Ti-porcelain interface showed oxidation occurred in T1, T2 and T3, but was well controlled in T4.

CONCLUSIONSMagnetron sputtered NbN can prevent Ti from being oxidized, and can improve the bonding strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system. Al2O3 blast can also improve the bonding strength of Ti/Vita titankeramik system.

Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Magnetic Fields ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Niobium ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the effect of silicon coating (SiO2) by solution-gelatin (Sol-Gel) technology on bonding strength of titanium and ceramics.

METHODSSixteen pure titanium specimens with the size of 25 mm x 3 mm x 0.5 mm were divided into two groups (n=8), test group was silicon coated by Sol-Gel technology, the other one was control group. The middle area of the samples were veneered with Vita Titankeramik system, the phase composition of two specimens were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The bonding strength of titanium/porcelain was evaluated using three-point bending test. The interface of titanium and porcelain and fractured titanium surface were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy depressive spectrum (EDS).

RESULTSContents of surface silicon increased after modification with silicon coated by Sol-Gel technology. The mean bonding strength of test group and control group were (37.768 +/- 0.777) MPa and (29.483 +/- 1.007) MPa. There was a statistically significant difference (P=0.000) between them. The bonded ceramic boundary of test group was wider than control group.

CONCLUSIONSilicon coating by Sol-Gel technology was significant in improving bonding strength of titanium/Vita Titankeramik system.

Ceramics ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Silicon ; Silicon Dioxide ; Surface Properties ; Titanium

OBJECTIVESTo examine the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in primary lung carcinoma tissue, and to investigate the relationship between EBV infection and tumorigenesis of lung cancer.

METHODSFormalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded lung tissue specimens from surgically resected lung carcinoma tissues of 108 cases treated in Tanshan area from 2001 to 2006, which were confirmed further by histopathological examination after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, were used to observe the EBV encoded RNA-1 (EBER1) using in situ hybridization (ISH).

RESULTSEBER1 was detected in 36 of the 108 primary lung carcinoma cases, and in 1 of the 22 normal lung tissues. The positive rates of EBV infection in squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma were 35.9%, 31.6% 31.0%, 1/2, respectively. Gender, age and clinicohistopathological type were not found to have any correlation with EBER1 expression, but EBER1 expression in groups of cases with poorly and moderately differentiated carcinomas was significantly higher than those in the group of cases with well differentiated carcinoma, and the EBER1 expression in the right lung was higher than in the left lung.

CONCLUSIONSThe frequency of EBV infection in this series of patients from Tangshan area was 33.3%, the results suggest that there is a relationship between EBV infection and the occurrence of the primary lung carcinoma, EBV infection might be one of the potential causes to induce lung cancer.

Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; diagnosis ; virology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; methods ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, the expression of EBV latent membrane protein 1 ( LMPl) and oncogene bcl-2 in lung cancer patients.

METHODSEBERI in 108 cases of lung cancer were detected with in situ hybridization. EBV positive and negative lung cancer tissues were analysed for the expression of LMP1 and Bcl-2 by immnohistochemistry. The average area (AA) and integral optical density (IA) of each sample was measured with the digital medical image analyzing system.

RESULTSIn 108 cases of lung cancer, 36 cases were EBER1 positive and 7 cases were LMP1 positive. The expression of Bcl-2 was higher in EBV positive lung cancer tissues than that in EBV negative. The AA value was 58014.23 +/- 6918.45 and 38156.22 +/- 4096.79, while the IA value was 11.00 +/- 1.48 and 8.03 +/- 0.78 respectively. No statistic difference was fund in the expression of Bcl-2 betwen LMP1 positive and negative lung cancer tisssues.

CONCLUSIONEBV infection in lung cancer increased the expression of bcl-2, which may play a role in the occurrence or development of lung cancer. The increased expression of Bcl-2 may not be induced by LMP1. The exact mechanism need further study.

Adult ; Aged ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Viral Matrix Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To study the value of DSA for hepatic vascular anatomy,and to evaluate the efficacy of portal vein occlusion in rabbits with hepatic VX2 tumor.Methods Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with 10 in each group,including test group A and positive control group B of ham operation.For the test group A,portal branch ligation(PBL)was performed for the left external branch after 3 weeks of the tumor implantation to the left external lobe.Two weeks later,the DSA of hepatic artery and portal vein were performed in all of the rabbits.Results The total displaying effectiveness of the branches of hepatic artery by DSA was better than that by vascular perfusion.There was hypovascular blood supply to hepatic artery implantation of the tumor in the test group A,comparing with that of the group B.Conclusion DSA can clearly display spacial details of the hepatic vascular anatomy in rabbits,and play an important role in post-procedual evaluation of the portal vein occlusion in rabbits.

Objective To investigate the state of drinking water defluorination project in Dagang district and study urinary fluoride levels and detect dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of fluorosis. Methods Five defluorination projects in rural streets (towns) with highfluoride water and 2 urban water supply projects were choosen to investigate the running status in Dagang district Tianjin in 2009. Five rural and 2 urban schools were choosen to select 100 children aged 8 to 12 (for gender, age matched) in each primary school to study urinary fluoride levels and detection of dental fluorosis. Results A total of 66 defluorination projects in 73 villages were surveyed, among which 61 projects actually worked normally with using rate 92.4%(61/66). Water qualification of all projects could not be ensured due to direct project managers'lack of necessary expertise. In 2009, water qualification rate were 39.3%(24/61 )among the project normally used,with highlighted problem of biological pollution. A total of 490 children aged 8 - 12 in 5 rural towns were surveyed,dental fluorosis rate were 90%(441/490), and dental fluorosis index were 1.82. A total of 207 children aged 8 - 12in 2 urban areas were surveyed, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 49.8%(103/207), and dental fluorosis index were 0.86. The urinary fluoride level of 230 children aged 8 - 12 in the 5 villages were surveyed. The Range of geometric mean of urinary fluoride were 1.82 - 2.70 mg/L. The urinary fluoride of 102 children aged 8 - 12 in the 2 urban area were surveyed. The Range of geometric mean of urinary fluoride were 1.53 - 1.72 mg/L. Conclusions There was phenomenon of high coverage, low utilization rate and less water consumption in the villages of Dagang district, Tianjin drinking water defluoridation projects, thus the health effects of the projects was minimum.Significant health effects is found in the defluorination projects in the urban areas with high coverage and high utilization rate. Studying new water improvment methods and new forms of water supply system is urgent for solving the problems met in the ineffective water defluorination project.

BACKGROUNDThis study evaluated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation in patients with spinal osteoid osteoma.

METHODSTwo patients suffered spinal osteoid osteoma were treated with CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation under local anesthesia. Lesions located in sacral vertebrae and cervical vertebrae, which were adjacent to nerve root and spinal canal respectively. Tumors were treated under 90°C radiofrequency temperature lasting 4 minutes by an electrode placement. Visual analog scale was used to evaluate the pain improvement.

RESULTSNo complications were observed pre- and post-operation. Patients recovered to normal activities immediately and achieved complete pain relief in 24 hours. No symptoms were recurrent in 5 months and 4 months follow up. Mild scoliosis has been recovered in case 2.

CONCLUSIONSCT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of spinal osteoid osteoma is safe, effective and has more clinical benefits. The long-term outcome needs further observation.

Adult ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoma, Osteoid ; therapy ; Spinal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods

AIMTo establish an analytical method for determination of guanfu base A (GFA) concentration in plasma and to study its pharmacokinetic profile in dogs.

METHODSSix dogs were given a 7.56 mg.kg-1 dose intravenously. Blood samples were collected at various time-points after drug administration. Analytical method based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was established to determine the plasma concentration of GFA. Pharmacokinetic evaluation was carried out using the 3P87 program.

RESULTSThe calibration curves were linear over the concentration range from 0.42 microgram.mL-1 to 21.2 micrograms.mL-1 (gamma = 0.9994). The intra-day and inter-day precisions were generally good (< 15%) at low, medium and high concentrations. The overall recovery of the analytes was more than 80%. Six dogs were given an i.v. dose of 7.56 mg.kg-1 of GFA hydrochloride, an open three compartment model best described the concentration-time profiles for GFA. The half-lives for the rapid and slow distribution phase and terminal elimination phase (T1/2 pi, T1/2 alpha and T1/2 beta) were 0.07 h, 1.5 h, and 13.5 h, respectively. The total area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), the volume of the central compartment (Vc), and plasma clearance (CLs) were 61.43 micrograms.h.mL-1, 0.37 L.kg-1 and 0.14 L.kg-1.h-1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe analytical method was shown to be sensitive, specific, rapid and reproducible, and was suitable for pharmacokinetic studies of GFA.

Aconitum ; chemistry ; Alkaloids ; blood ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, Liquid ; methods ; Dogs ; Female ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ; Male ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry