BACKGROUND:The characteristics of condylar morphology should be first understood in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the bilateral condylar morphology in adult patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate. METHODS:This study included 25 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (study group), and 25 normal volunteers (control group). The upper condylar height, ramal height, condylar height and condylar width were measured on panoramic radiographs. The ratio of the upper condylar height to the ramal height and the ratio of the condylar height to the condylar width were calculated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, upper condylar height, condylar width, condylar height and the ratio of the upper condylar height to the ramal height were reduced in the study group between the normal and affected sides (P<0.05). Moreover, significant differences in condylar morphology were detected between the two groups. No significant difference in ramal height and the ratio of the condylar height to the condylar width was detected between the two groups (P>0.05). No significant difference in upper condylar height, ramal height, condylar width, condylar height, the ratio of the upper condylar height to the ramal height, the ratio of the condylar height to the condylar width, and condylar morphology was detectable between the normal and affected sides in the experimental group (P>0.05). These data show that adult patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate presented short condylar process and narrow neck, and the condylar process is shorter than ramus, which provides clinical evidence for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

0.05), respectively. The remnant index(%) in group 1,2,3 and 4 was 56.7, 56.7, 80 and 50 respectively. Conclusion: In vitro study indicates that there is no difference in production of shear strength and tensile strngth between teeth and the tow kinds of brackets.

Objective To analyse CT appearances of malignant neurilemoma in the thorax and abdomen,in order to improve the diagnostic accuracy of this disorder. Methods There were 9 cases(5 cases in thorax and 4 cases in abdomen) with malignant neurilemoma proved by pathology (7 cases by surgery and 2 cases by CT guided percutaneous puncture biopsy). CT both plain and enhanced scans were performed in all cases. Results Tumors were located in the mediastinum in 5, in abdominal wall and retroperitoneum in 2 respectively .7 cases were isolated masses,2cases were disseminated masses,in company with pleuritic fluid was in 4 and with osteogenic metastasis of vertabral body in one case.The isolated masses appeared as round or ellipse with low density in the centre,the CT value was 5~20 HU,6 cases had complete capsule.The disseminated masses in 2 cases appeared as homogeneous density.On contrast-enhanced scan,the solid parts of masses were enhanced in different degree. Conclusion The isolated thoracic and abdominal malignant neurilemoma is of certain CT characteristics, but the disseminated one is not.

A series of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyrate derivatives were designed and synthesized. All of the novel 12 compounds (7a-7k) were synthesized from gamma-aminobutyric acid (1) as starting material, and their structures were confirmed with IR, 1H NMR, EI-MS and elemental analysis. Preliminary pharmacological test in vitro showed that most of these title compounds possessed antiepileptic activity. Compounds 7i-7k displayed strong antiepileptic activity and are worth for further development. Compounds 4, 7d-7h showed moderate antiepileptic activity. The structure-activity relationship of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyrate derivatives is also discussed preliminarily.

To explore new agents of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives with more potent antiepileptic activity, a series of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyramide derivatives were designed and synthesized. All of the novel compounds (5a-51) were synthesized from GABA as starting material, and their structures were confirmed with IR, 1H NMR, EI-MS and elemental analysis. Preliminary pharmacological test in vitro showed that all target compounds displayed strong antiepileptic activities and were worth for further study. The structure-activity relationship of 4-(2-acetoxybenzoylamino) butyramide derivatives was also discussed preliminarily.

AIM: To explore the possible changes in cell adhesion molecules and composition of complement activation in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: The expression of leukocyte CD18, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular-cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and composition of complement activation (sC5b-9) concentrations of patients with AMI (67 cases), old myocardial infarction (OMI, 42 cases) and 38 healthy volunteers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). RESULTS: The expression of leukocyte CD18, sICAM-1,sVCAM -1 and sC5b-9 were significantly higher in AMI patients than that in normal controls and OMI patients(P

BACKGROUND: Bracket dropping is often seen in clinic. Can these shed brackets be used again; what should be done to treat these brackets; is the bond strength of these recycled brackets different from those new ones, these questions are often concerned by orthodontists in their clinic and are the purpose of our study as well.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the shear bond strength and compare two base-cure methods of recycled brackets. DESIGN: Grouping control study. SITTING: Department of Orthodontics, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University; Department of Materials, Dental School, Beijing University. MATERIALS: The teeth were collected from Oral Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University. The age was from 11 to 19 years. The gender was half male and half female. Intact enamel of the crown was required, but decayed, fracture, tetracycline pigmentation teeth or fluorosis teeth were excluded. Patients provided the confirmed consent for this experiment.METHODS: The experiment was carried out in Stomatology College of Peaking University in December 2005. Thirty ex vivo teeth were selected randomly from those prepared enamel surfaces, used as sample for rebounding. The edgewise brackets of swallow-tailed brackets were bonded on each tooth and rebonded after 24 hours. The teeth were cleaned and divided randomly into 3 groups. There were 10 teeth in each group. Group 1 was bonded with new brackets; group 2 with recycled brackets whose adhesive remnant were burned and got rid of; group 3 with recycled brackets whose adhesive remnant in the groove of the base were stored. Bracket was provided by Standard edgewise, Orsu Company, Hangzhou, China. After 24 hours, the shear bond strength was tested with material testing machine (Autogragh, Shimadzu, Japan). Adhesive remnant index (ARI) was added up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Shear strength of old metal bracket after rebonding and adhesive remnant.RESULTS: ① Shear bond strength: The shear bond strengths were (10.094±3.158 9) in group 1, (10.266±2.406 0) in group 2 and (8.898±1.365 9) in group 3. There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). ② ARI scores: ARI scores were 51.7%, 58.3% and 35.0% in the three groups, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between group 2 and 3. CONCLUSION: In vitro study indicates that the recycled metal brackets can reach good bond strength and that maybe there is chemical bond between new and old adhesive.

AIMTo further elucidate the role of agmatine on the pharmacological effects of opioids. METHODSThe effect of L-arginine and L-arginine decarboxylase(L-ADC) antibodies on pain threshold, morphine ntinociception and tolerance were investigated in mouse acetic acid writhing test, mouse radiant heat tail flick test and mouse hot plate test. RESULTSIn mouse acetic acid writhing test, intracerebroventricular injection of L-arginine dose-ependently inhibited the writhing of mice compared with saline control. L-arginine did not influence the tail flick latency itself in mouse radiant heat tail flick test, but enhanced antinociceptive effect of morphine in a dose-dependent manner. The possible maximal analgesia percentage of morphine 2.5 mg*kg-1 was increased from 23% to 71%. Furthermore, L-arginine inhibited acute tolerance induced by morphine 100 mg*kg-1in mouse radiant heat tail flick test. The effect of L-arginine as mentioned above could be antagonized by idazoxan (3 mg*kg-1, ip), which is a selective antagonist of imidazoline receptors. L-ADC specific antibodies inhibited morphine antinociception and promoted the development of tolerance to morphine in mouse radiant heat tail flick test and 55℃ hot plate test. CONCLUSIONL-Arginine and L-ADC play important roles in the formation of pain threshold, morphine antinociception and tolerance.

Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are the causative pathogens in more than half of viral upper respiratory tract infections. Currently, no antiviral agents that are active against HRVs are available for clinical use. Because only higher primates are susceptible to HRVs, the screening of new drug is most commonly based on the cell line model. In this study, isolated rabbit airway smooth muscles (ASM) tissue model has been established, and the airway responsiveness with different treatment has been examined. Relative to control tissues, the maximal constrictor (Tmax) response to ACh increased significantly 150% in ASM inoculated with HRV, and relaxation to isoproterenol has been attenuated to 63%. And the abnormal responsiveness can be inhibited in presence of pretreatment with several new compounds which have been exhibited effective anti-HRV activity on cell lines. The results demonstrate that the established ASM model will be applied to screening the anti-HRVs drugs.

Objective To investigate the signal pathway of platelet activation in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Methods Thirty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 6) and model group (n = 24). The model of ARDS was reproduced by intravenous injection of oleic acid (0.25 mL/kg), and the rats in control group were injected with the same amount of normal saline. The blood of abdominal aorta was collected at 2, 6, 24, and 72 hours after model reproduction, the platelets were separated, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation (pJNK) levels which was one of major protein kinases in the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signal pathway was determined by Western Blot. The rats were sacrificed, the lung tissues were harvested, and lung coefficient (lung weight/body weight ×100%) and lung wet/dry (W/D) ratio were calculated. Pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed with hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining in light microscope. Results Comp ared with the control group, platelet pJNK level in ARDS model group was significantly increased at 2 hours after model reproduction (gray value: 0.72±0.09 vs. 0.22±0.01), and peaked at 6 hours (gray value: 0.91±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.01), then it was decreased gradually. It was also significantly higher than that of control group till 72 hours after model reproduction (gray value: 0.39±0.06 vs. 0.22±0.01, all P < 0.05). Lung coefficient and lung W/D ratio in ARDS model group were significantly increased at 2 hours after model reproduction as compared with those of control group [(1.30±0.20)% vs. (0.60±0.10)%, 6.00±0.60 vs. 3.30±0.30], then they were decreased gradually. They were also significantly higher than those of control group till 72 hours after model reproduction [(0.90±0.10)% vs. (0.60±0.10)%, 4.80±0.70 vs. 3.30±0.30, all P < 0.05]. It was showed by light microscopy that lung tissue of rats in the control group had no significant pathological changes. At 2 hours after model reproduction in model group, clearly visible alveolar edema and interstitial edema, interstitial lung infiltration of inflammatory cells, small blood vessels dilation and congestion were found, and the re were a lot of protein exudates. The lesions of lung peaked at 24 hours. At 72 hours, absorption of most of fluid leaking in alveolar, alveolar space narrow, alveolar septum thickening, the reduction of inflammatory cells infiltration, fibrous tissue proliferation, and micro thrombosis formation were found. Conclusion In ARDS, in addition to pathological changes in the lung tissue, platelet activation occurs, and its activation process is related to the priming of JNK signal transduction pathways.