BACKGROUND: Rapid expansion of the dental arch is an effective way to rapidly expanse the jaw. Compared with rapid expansion, the slow expansion has higher stability and less recurrence, but the reports on the long-term stability of quad helix expansion are rare. OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the clinical effect of quad helix expansion in orthodontics. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects with dental arch stenosis in mixed dentition and early permanent dentition who experienced an expansion of at least 3 mm with quad helix appliance were selected for this study. Plaster dental casts and posteroanterior radiographs were evaluated at the beginning of the treatment (T1), at the completion of phase I quad helix expansion or ful treatment (T2), and approximately 2 years fol owing the completion of treatment (T3). The distance between two first molars was measured on the model. J point was drawn on the posteroanterior radiograph in order to measure the distance between the bilateral base bones and the molar inclination, as wel as to evaluate the corrective and orthopedic effects of dental arch expansion. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with that before expansion, the first permanent molar inclination and the distance between base bones on two sides were significant increased after quad helix expansion; there were no significant differences in the distance between two first permanent molars, first permanent molar inclination and the distance between bilateral base bones on two sides when compared after quad helix expansion and after 2-year fol ow-up (P > 0.05). The results indicate that the long-term effect of quad helix expansion is stable with orthopedic effect.

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Objective To explore the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) on heart and its conduction system in SARS patients. Methods Six specimens of heart tissue and one specimen of heart condunction system from patients who died from SARS were studied histologically, and by histochemical and in situ hybridization examinations. Results The pathological changes showed that a part of cardiomyocytes manifested slight vacuolar degeneration, atrophy and cytoplasmic lysis, stromal edema, mild mononuclear infiltration, and vasculitis. SARS-CoV was identified within some cardiomyocytes and specialized cardiomyocytes which belonged to the conduction system of the heart by in situ hybridization in combination with Macchiavello's viral inclusion stain. Conclusions The results showed that SARS-CoV could invade not only cardiomyocytes, but also the specialized cells of heart conduction system, thus resulting in mild viral myocarditis-like pathological changes. The results provided the evidence in explaining the clinical manifestations of cardiac dysfunction in patients with SARS.

Objective To explore the significance of cellular apoptosis induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome cronovirus (SARS-CoV) in the pathogenesis of SARS. Methods TdT-mediated biotinylated-dUTP nick end ladelling method (TUNEL), and the double immunochemical staining with cytokeratin and CD3, CD8, CD20 and CD68 monoclonal antibodies were used to study the cellular apoptosis in tissue specimens from six patients who died from SARS. Meanwhile, the expression of Fas, Fas ligand (FasL), P53 and Bcl-2 proteins was detected by immunohistochemical method. Results The number of cellular apoptosis was obviously increased in multiple organs from the six patients died from SARS. The cellular apoptosis occurred predominantly in cytokeratin-positive pneumoncytes, terminal bronchiolar epithelium, CD3 + and CD8 + lymphocytes, as well as a part of CD20 + lymphocytes and CD68 + macrophages. Fas protein was mainly expressed in the infiltrated mononuclear cells, while FasL was chiefly expressed in SARS-CoV target cells, especially in the apoptotic cells. In the lung and immune organs, down-regulation of P53 and Bcl-2 expression was found. Conclusion The occurrence of increased and rapid cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV might be the main cause of the injuries to the lung and immune system. That the activated lymphocytes which expressed Fas and FasL attack SARS-CoV target cells might be the underlying mechanism of cell apoptosis in SARS. Down-expression of Bcl-2 and P53 proteins might also participate in cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV.

The present study was designed to observe the protection of Grateloupia filicina polysaccharide (GFP) against hepatotoxicity induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L in mice and its underlying mechanism. GFP was intragastrically (ig) given to mice at various doses. After 6 days, the mice were treated with ethyl acetate extract of Dioscorea bulbifera L (EF, ig). Serum levels of alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) were measured, and liver histological evaluation was conducted. Furthermore, reductions of liver glutathione (GSH) amount and glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL) activity were tested. The expressions of GCL-c, GCL-m, and HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) in liver were observed by Western-blot. The results showed that GFP (600 mg x kg(-1)) decreased EF-induced the increase of serum ALT, AST and TB, and GFP (400, 600 mg x kg(-1)) inhibited EF-induced the increase of serum ALP. Liver histological evaluation showed that the liver injury induced by EF was relieved after treated with GFP. GFP further increased liver GSH amount and reversed EF-induced the decrease of GCL activity. The Western-blot result showed that GFP augmented EF-induced the increase of HO-1, and reversed EF-induced the decrease of GCL-c. In conclusion, GFP can act against the oxidative stress liver injury induced by Dioscorea bulbifera L in mice.

Objective To study the structural features and anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide isolated from Aeodes orbitosa.Methods Sugar composition analysis,methylation analysis and IR were used to characterize the structural features.The anticoagulant activity of the polysaccharide was evaluated by cutting tail and capillary methods.Results The polysaccharide was composed of 3,6-anhydrous-galactose,6-methyl-galactose,2-methyl-galactose,galactose,xylose and glucose in the molar ratios of 6.4∶0.9∶5.8∶1.6∶84.1∶1.2.The content of Sulfate group was 37.5%. The main linkage model of the polysaccharide were 1,3 and 1,4 linkages,branch point located at O-2 and 6 of galactose residues.Sulfate group located at 2 and 6 position of 1,4 linked galactose residue and 2 position of 1,3 linked galactose residue.The polysaccharide showed significant activities to extend bleeding time and coagulation time in mice.Conclusion The polysaccharide from Aeodes orbitosa was a sulfate galactan with strong anticoagulant activity.

Objective To explore an epicanthoplasty with good effect and small scar. Methods A V shape incision was designed in medial canthus and the two lines: point A is the top point of medial canthus and point A' is the top point of new medial canthus. The length of line AA' is about 4 to 8 mm according to the medial canthus and th incision is Y shape, and then Y-V epicanthoplasty is raised and enlarged. Results From January 2005 to December 2008, 98 cases were treated with this method to eliminate the medial epicanthal fold of the upper eyelid with simple procedures. Scarring of the medial canthal area had not been a problem with this technique because we designed incisions along the eyelashes and skin-mucosal junctions. By raising the point of new medial canthus to physiological position the angle of medial canthus was enlarged to reveal a lacrimal lake. Conclusion This technique is a simple, easy procedures with no visible scar.

Objective To explore the role of androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptor (ER) on male pattern baldness (MPB). Methods The contents of AR and ER in donor and recipient sites of scalps after hair autografting were determinated in 13 cases of MPB. Fluorescent steroid hormone conjugate technique was employed in this study. Results There was no statistical difference in the contents of AR and ER between donor site and grafted scalps in recipient site. Conclusion After the donor tissues are transplanted to the recipient site (the former baldness site), there is no change in contents of AR and ER. The abnormal change of the content of AR and ER in scalp plays an important role in MPB development.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of icariin on TNF-αexpression in periodental tissue during root resorption induced by ropid palatal expansion in rats.Methods:24 male Wistar rats were divided randomly into 3 groups(n =8)as group A(none-expansion control group),B(expansion group)and C(icariin and expansion group).In group B and C,an initial force of 50 g was applied to the area between the right and left upper first molars of the rats for 2 weeks for palatal expansion.The rats of group C were given intragastric administration of icariin at 2.5 mg/(kg·d)while the rats of group A and B were given the same dose place-bo.The centered buccal-lingual root and peridentium tissue slices were generated from the upper first molars of the rats.HE stai-ning of the slices was performed.The expression of TNF-αprotein at the compression sites was detected by irnmunohistochemistry. Results:The A values of TNF-αof group A,B and C were 0.030 2 ±0.001 7,0.241 0 ±0.002 4 and 0.088 6 ±0.002 8 respec-tively(B vs A or C,P <0.05).Conclusion:Icariin may inhibit TNF-αexpression in periodental tissue during root resorption in-duced by rapid palatal expansion.

Erythropoietic protoporphyria （EPP） is a rare inherited metabolic disease that often involves skin， blood， and nervous systems， and EPP with the main manifestations of severe liver damage and acute abdominal pain is extremely rare. By reviewing the clinical data and genetic testing results of a patient with EPP， this article discusses the clinical features and pathogenic genes of this disease， in order to improve the understanding of the disease among hepatologists and achieve early diagnosis and treatment.