AlM: To investigate the relationship between the anterior ischemic optic neuropathy ( AlON ) and the carotid artery change using doppler ultrasound.METHODS:Fifty-four cases of AlON patients and 54 cases of healthy control were observed, atherosclerotic spots were detected by the application of color ultrasound.RESULTS:ln AlON group of 54 patients, 38 cases appeared carotid atherosclerosis, accounting for 70%. The number of cases with hard plaque, soft plaque and mixed plaques were 18, 13, and 7 respectively, accounting for 33%, 24% and 13%. ln the control group, 20 cases were detected atherosclerotic change, accounting for 37%. And the number of cases with hard plaque, soft plaque and mixed plaques were 12, 5 and 3 respectively, accounting for 22%, 9%, 6%. Significant stenosis and velocity change were showed in neither AlON group nor control group. Compared with the control group, AlON group had more cases of atherosclerotic plaque, the difference was statistically significant (χ2=12. 836, P=0. 005)CONCLUSlON: The incidence of AlON is correlated with carotid atherosclerosis, and carotid ultrasonography is significantly valuable for AlON etiology and diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of immediate and delayed post space preparation on the integrity of the apical seal.Methods Seventy extracted human single-rooted human teeth were biomechanically prepared using the step-back technique.They were randomly assigned to 2 experimental groups of 35 teeth each and filled with two root canal sealants (AHplus and Cortisomol) separately.Thirty teeth in each group were prepared and the other five served as negative controls.Apical microleakage was evaluated with ink dye penetration.Results Cortisomol group showed better apical sealing effect than did other groups when teeth were prepared immediatlly,and microleakage values showed no statistically significant difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ),Vitapex group generated more microleakage than did the other Two groups with delayed preparation ( 2.03 ± 0.33 mm),the difference was statistically significant ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Cortisomol group had a greater microleakage than other groups did when prepared immediately,but the difference was not statistically significant.The other two groups showed significantly greater microleakage with delayed preparation than they did with immediate preparation group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Immediate post space preparation creates less microleakage than delayed preparation does.

Airway remodeling is an important pathological feature of asthma and the basis of severe asthma. Proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is a major contributor to airway remodeling. As an important Ca(2+) channel, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) plays the key role in the cell pathological and physiological processes. This study investigated the expression and activity of TRPV1 channel, and further clarified the effect of TRPV1 channel on the ASMCs proliferation and apoptosis in order to provide the scientific basis to treat asthmatic airway remodeling in clinical practice. Immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of TRPV1 in rat ASMCs. Intracellular Ca(2+) was detected using the single cell confocal fluorescence microscopy measurement loaded with Fluo-4/AM. The cell cycles were observed by flow cytometry. MTT assay and Hoechst 33258 staining were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of ASMCs in rats respectively. The data showed that: (1) TRPV1 channel was present in rat ASMCs. (2) TRPV1 channel agonist, capsaicin, increased the Ca(2+) influx in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50=284.3±58 nmol/L). TRPV1 channel antagonist, capsazepine, inhibited Ca(2+) influx in rat ASMCs. (3) Capsaicin significantly increased the percentage of S+G2M ASMCs and the absorbance of MTT assay. Capsazepine had the opposite effect. (4) Capsaicin significantly inhibited the apoptosis, whereas capsazepine had the opposite effect. These results suggest that TRPV1 is present and mediates Ca(2+) influx in rat ASMCs. TRPV1 activity stimulates proliferation of ASMCs in rats.

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of zearalenone (ZEA) on the proliferation of SK-N-SH human neuroblastoma cells in vitro and its possible mechanism.

METHODSSK-N-SH cells were cultured in estrogen-free improved minimum essential medium and divided into 5 groups based on different treatments: group 1, without treatment; group 2, treated with 17beta-estradiol (E(2)); group 3, treated with ZEA; group 4, treated with both E(2) and ICI 182780; group 5, treated with both ZEA and ICI 182780. Absorbance value (AV) was determined at the time point of 0, 24, 48 and 72 hours, and DNA proliferation index (PI) at 72 hours. Flow cytometer, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) were employed to monitor cell apoptosis.

RESULTSAt 24, 48 and 72 hours, the AV of group 3 were 1.39, 1.32, and 1.22 times to those of group 1, respectively. PI in group 3 was 1.43 times of that in group 1 at 72 hours. The results of group 2 were similar to those in group 3. At the same time, the growth of cells was inhibited by ICI 182780 despite the presence of E(2) and ZEA. Apoptosis cells were abundant in group 1 and ICI 182780 groups, but little in E(2) and ZEA groups.

CONCLUSIONZEA might promote the proliferation of SK-N-SH cells to a level similar to that of E(2), which might probably be brought about via estrogen receptor pathways and depressing apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neuroblastoma ; Receptors, Estrogen ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Zearalenone ; toxicity

ObjectiveTo compare the efficacy of intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine and midazolam for premedication in children.MethodsNinety-two ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ children (46 cases aged 1-3 yr and 46 cases aged 4-6 yr) scheduled for elective general or urologic surgeries,were enrolled in this study.The children were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =46 each):midazolam group (group M) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).The children accompanied by their parents were admitted to the anesthesia preparation room at about 20 min before induction of anesthesia,and midazolam 0.1 mg/kg òr dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg was infused intravenously over 10 min.Anesthesia was induced with proporol-rocuroniume-remifentanil,and maintained with sevoflurane-remifentanil-rocuroniume.Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS) score,sedation score,HR,mean arterial pressure (MAP),respiratory rate (RR) and SpO2 were recorded before premedication (T1),before separation from their parents (T2) and when entering the operating room (T3).The incidence of sleep (a sedation score of 4) was recorded at T2,3.The end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane,infusion rate of remifentanil,laryngeal air way removal time,emergence time,duration of stay at the recovery room,incidence of delirium during recovery period,the percentage of patients requiring rescue analgesic,and adverse effects were also retorded.ResultsCompared to that at T1,the mYPAS score was significantly decreased at T2,3,and the sedation score was significantly increased at T2,3 in both groups ( P ＜ 0.05),HR at T2 and MAP at T2,3 were significantly decreased in group D,and HR at T3 was significantly increased in group M ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Compared to group M,the sedation scores and the incidence of sleep were significantly increased at T2,3,and the HR was significantly decreased at T2 in group D ( P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in the mYPAS score,RR,MAP,SpO2,end-tidal concentration of sevoflurane,infusion rate of remifentanil,laryngeal air way removal time,emergence time,duration of stay at the recovery room,incidence of delirium during recovery period,the percentage of patients requiting rescue analgesic,and incidence of adverse effects between D and M groups ( P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionThe sedative efficacy of iv dexmedetomidine is superior to that of iv midazolam when infused for premedication in children,but it exerts much influence on hemodynamics,and the changes in hemodynamics should be noted.

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the SEPT4 protein in the pathogenesis of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

METHODSSamples of ejaculated sperm from idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients and normozoospermic men were separated and purified by Percoll discontinuous density gradients, the distribution and expression of SEPT4 in the sperm samples were determined by immunocytochemistry, and the expressions of SEPT4 mRNA and SEPT4 protein were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSImmunocytochemistry showed that the expression of SEPT4, located in the annulus, was significantly reduced in the sperm of the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients (t = 3.452, P < 0.01). RT-PCR revealed that the expression of SEPT4 mRNA was significantly lower in the sperm of the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients than in those of the normozoospermic men (t = 3.521, P < 0.05). Western blot confirmed the results of RT-PCR (t = 5.872, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of SEPT4 is significantly decreased in the ejaculated sperm of idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients, which might be one of the causes of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Septins ; metabolism ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of the TEKT4 protein in the pathogenesis of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

METHODSWe separated and purified the ejaculated sperm from idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients and normozoospermic men by Percoll discontinuous density gradients, and detected the distribution and the expressions of TEKT4 mRNA and TEKT4 protein by RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTSRT-PCR revealed that the expression of TEKT4 mRNA was significantly lower in the sperm of the idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients than in those of the normozoospermic men (0.59 +/- 0.13 vs 0.75 +/- 0.15, t = 4.325, P < 0.05), and Western blot confirmed the results of RT-PCR (0.48 +/- 0.14 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, t = 5.939, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of TEKT4 is significantly decreased in the ejaculated sperm of idiopathic asthenozoospermia patients, which might be one of the causes of idiopathic asthenozoospermia.

Adult ; Asthenozoospermia ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism

Airway remodeling is an important pathological feature of asthma and the basis of severe asthma. Proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) is a major contributor to airway remodeling. As an important Ca(2+) channel, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) plays the key role in the cell pathological and physiological processes. This study investigated the expression and activity of TRPV1 channel, and further clarified the effect of TRPV1 channel on the ASMCs proliferation and apoptosis in order to provide the scientific basis to treat asthmatic airway remodeling in clinical practice. Immunofluorescence staining and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of TRPV1 in rat ASMCs. Intracellular Ca(2+) was detected using the single cell confocal fluorescence microscopy measurement loaded with Fluo-4/AM. The cell cycles were observed by flow cytometry. MTT assay and Hoechst 33258 staining were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of ASMCs in rats respectively. The data showed that: (1) TRPV1 channel was present in rat ASMCs. (2) TRPV1 channel agonist, capsaicin, increased the Ca(2+) influx in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50=284.3±58 nmol/L). TRPV1 channel antagonist, capsazepine, inhibited Ca(2+) influx in rat ASMCs. (3) Capsaicin significantly increased the percentage of S+G2M ASMCs and the absorbance of MTT assay. Capsazepine had the opposite effect. (4) Capsaicin significantly inhibited the apoptosis, whereas capsazepine had the opposite effect. These results suggest that TRPV1 is present and mediates Ca(2+) influx in rat ASMCs. TRPV1 activity stimulates proliferation of ASMCs in rats.
Animals ; Antipruritics ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Bronchi ; cytology ; metabolism ; Calcium Signaling ; drug effects ; physiology ; Capsaicin ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; TRPV Cation Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Objective To study the long-term trend of injury related deaths, the distribution of causes of injuries as well as disease burden in Macheng city, Hubei province, in 1974-2008.Methods Data was gathered from vital statistics and registration system of Macheng city which was established in 1974. Data related to Cause Eliminated Life Expectancy(CELE), years of potential life lost(YPLL)and proportion of YPLL on total deaths were calculated. Results The injury death rates varied between 62.64/100 000 and 154.97/100 000 during that 35 years. In males and females, injury death rates varied between 69.16/100 000-163.86/100 000 and 55.34/100 000-157.35/100 000,respectively. Death rates on injury in males exceeded those of females. The average infant injury mortality was 770.13/100 000, stayed the highest in all of the age groups. In terms of geographic region, death rate showed the highest in the hilly area(37.03/100 000), followed by mountainous area (33.66/100 000)and the rate was lowest in the plain area(31.43/100 000). In terms of causes of deaths, suicide, drowning, suffocation, traffic accident and fall were the five top causes of injury,accounting for 84.26% of all the injury mortality. The mortality of suicide showed highest in the injury mortality accounting for 48.14% of all the injury mortality. Injury was the main causes of death among children and youths. The mortality of injury was the highest in people aged from 15 to 29 years, with 59.38% in males and 62.26% in females. Injury eliminated life expectancy increased while the YPLL due to injury decreased, annually. Conclusion Although the trends of mortality rates on injuries were declining over the past 10 years, it remained high in figures. The main causes of injury shifted around, but suicide had always been the main cause over the years, in different age groups, sex or terrains. The death rate of traffic accident was increasing. Effective control strategies should be formulated based on the caused of death related to injuries and among the high-risk populations.