OBJECTIVEThis study investigates the effect of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) on different stages of condylar three-dimensional position and provides a theoretical basis for clinical application.

METHODSThe cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 108 TMJOA patients were analyzed and divided into four stages based on the stage standard of osteoarthrosis X-ray performance proposed by Xuchen Ma in 2005. A total of 28 defect-free temporomandibular joint disorders were used as the control group. Differences in condylar position and condylar axis horizontal angle were evaluated and compared.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in terms of sagittal relationship, but condylar axis horizontal angle showed a significant difference (F = 3.872, P = 0.005). The horizontal angle values of stage 1 in the TMJOA group were lower than those in stages 2 and 3 (P = 0.027, P = 0.000), whereas the horizontal angle values of stage 2 and control groups were lower than those of stage 3 group (P = 0.004, P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONCondylar horizontal angle differed in each stage of TMJOA, but no significant difference between the parasagittal positions of the condyles was observed in each stage.

Case-Control Studies ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Mandibular Condyle ; Osteoarthritis ; diagnostic imaging ; Temporomandibular Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; diagnostic imaging

Objective: To evaluate the effect of pure titanium modified by bioadhesive RGD peptide on the early attachment, growth and proliferation of osteoblasts. Methods: The titanium samples were hydroxylated by alkali/hot water aging and sol-gel layer-by-layer deposition technique. Afterwards, the terminal -NH_2 group was introduced to the titanium surface by organosilane APTMS self-assembled monolayers and the functional group -NH_2 was further reacted with EDC/NHS by which RGD peptides was covalently immobilized to titanium. The efficiency of this bioreactive surface in promoting cell attachment and the competitive inhibition effect of RGD peptide with different concentrations were observed by calculating the amount of osteoblasts attached on the modified titanium. The growth and proliferation were observed by MTT method and scanning electronic microscopy. Results: The cell adhesion percentage of the RGD modified titanium group was much higher than that of the other groups. The RGD peptide solutions with higher concentration had stronger inhibitory impact on the cell adhesion onto the titanium surface. The cell growth, morphology and proliferation on the RGD peptide modified titanium were better than other groups. Conclusion: Bioadhesive peptide can be chemically grafted onto the titanium surface by means of self-assembled monolayers technique. The cells′ biological behaviors on the surface of RGD immobilized titanium are greatly improved in vitro.

Accurate prediction of the translation initiation site (TIS) is an important issue for prokaryotic genome annotation. However, it is still a challenge for the existing methods to predict the TIS in the genomes over a wide variety of GC content. Besides, the existing methods have not yet undergone a comprehensive evaluation, leaving prediction reliability as a largely open problem. A new algorithm MED-StartPlus, a tool that predicts TIS in prokaryotic genomes with a wide variety of GC content was presented. It makes several efforts to model the nucleotide composition bias, the regulatory motifs upstream of the TIS, the sequence patterns around the TIS, and the operon structure. Tests on hundreds of reliable data sets, with TISs confirmed by experiments or having annotated functions, show that the new method achieves a totally high accuracy of TIS prediction. Compared with existing TIS predictors, the method reports a totally higher performance, especially for genomes that are GC-rich or have complex initiation mechanisms. The potential application of the method to improve the TIS annotation deposited in the public database was also proposed.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of expression of MG7-Ag diflferentiation and guidance of follow-up mucosal biopsy in the patients with suspected malignanct gastric ulcer.Methods The expression of MG7-Ag in 58 patients who were suspected as having malignant gastric ulcer under routine endoscopy was studied by immuno-histochemical staining.The follow-up endoscopy was pefformed 1 to 72 weeks(mean 7 weeks)later and biopsy was taken.Results There were 19 cases of gastric carcinoma in 30 patients with positive MG7-Ag expression(63.3%)and only 5 in 28 patients with negative MG7-Ag expression(P＜0.01).Conclusion The positive expression of MG7-Ag is correlated with gastrie carcinoma in patients with suspected malignant gastric ulcer.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy and mechanism of Feiyangqin Rectum Condensed Liquid (FRCL) in treating children syncytial viral pneumonia. Methods Seventy-two patients were randomly divided into two groups, the 36 patients in the treated group were treated with FRCL, and the other 36 patients in the control group simply treated with Western medicine. Efficacy of treatment on clinical condition and some immune function (IgA, IgG, CD3, CD4) were observed.

RESULTSIn the treated group, 28 patients were cured (77.8%), treatment was markedly effective in 4 patients (11.1%), effective in 2 (5.5%) and ineffective in 2 (5.6%), with the total effective rate of 94.4%. The corresponding number in the control group was 20 (55.6%), 7 (19.4%), 6 (16.7%), 3 (8.3%) and 91.7%, respectively. The cure rate in the treated group was obviously superior to that in the control group (P < 0.05). FRCL could improve serum IgA, IgG, CD3, CD4, and CD4/CD8, lower serum IgE, these indexes in the treated group were significantly different to those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFRCL had the action in treating children syncytial viral pneumonia without any adverse reaction, one of its mechanisms might be related to its regulation on immune function.

Administration, Rectal ; Anti-Infective Agents ; therapeutic use ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; drug therapy ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of high glucose, angiotensin II (AngII) and Losartan on the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mRNA in cultured mesangial cells (MCs).

METHODSMCs of SD rats were isolated and cultured. High glucose (30 mmol/L) and AngII (10(-9), 10(-7), and 10(-5) mol/L) were added to the medium for 72 hours to observe the influence on CTGF mRNA expression. Losartan of 10(-5) mol/L and AngII of 10(-5) mol/L were added to the medium to observe the effects of Losartan on CTGF mRNA expression stimulated by AngII. The expressions of CTGF mRNA were detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSRT-PCR showed that high glucose and AngII up-regulated the expression of CTGF mRNA, and AngII stimulated the expression in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of CTGF mRNA induced by AngIIwas partially suppressed by 10(-5) mol/L Losartan (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSHigh glucose and AngII can enhance the expression of CTGF mRNA and thus be involved in the process of renal fibrosis. Losartan can have a partial fibrogenesis-inhibiting effect, with implications for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Glomerular Mesangium ; metabolism ; Glucose ; pharmacology ; Immediate-Early Proteins ; genetics ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Losartan ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Alectinib, an inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we investigated the reversal effect of alectinib on multidrug resistance (MDR) induced by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which is the primary cause of chemotherapy failure. We provide the first evidence that alectinib increases the sensitivity of ABCB1- and ABCG2-overexpressing cells to chemotherapeutic agents in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, alectinib increased the intracellular accumulation of ABCB1/ABCG2 substrates such as doxorubicin (DOX) and Rhodamine 123 (Rho 123) by inhibiting the efflux function of the transporters in ABCB1- or ABCG2-overexpressing cells but not in their parental sensitive cells. Furthermore, alectinib stimulated ATPase activity and competed with substrates of ABCB1 or ABCG2 and competed with [125I] iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) photolabeling bound to ABCB1 or ABCG2 but neither altered the expression and localization of ABCB1 or ABCG2 nor the phosphorylation levels of AKT and ERK. Alectinib also enhanced the cytotoxicity of DOX and the intracellular accumulation of Rho 123 in ABCB1-overexpressing primary leukemia cells. These findings suggest that alectinib combined with traditional chemotherapy may be beneficial to patients with ABCB1- or ABCG2-mediated MDR.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Resistance, Multiple* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques* ; Leukemia ; Lymphoma ; Parents ; Phosphorylation ; Phosphotransferases ; Rhodamine 123 ; United States Food and Drug Administration

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is a serious, life-threatening motility disorder that is often related to bacterial overgrowth. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) results in restoration of the normal intestinal microbial community structure. We investigated the efficacy of FMT in the treatment of CIPO patients. METHODS: Nine patients (age 18–53 years) with CIPO were enrolled in this prospective, open-label study. Patients received FMT for 6 consecutive days through nasojejunal (NJ) tubes and were followed up for 8 weeks after treatment. We evaluated the rate of clinical improvement and remission, feeding tolerance of enteral nutrition, and CT imaging scores of intestinal obstructions. Lactulose hydrogen breath tests were performed before FMT and 8 weeks after FMT to evaluate for the presence small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). RESULTS: FMT significantly alleviated bloating symptoms, and symptoms of pain were relieved 2 weeks after FMT. Enteral nutrition administered through a NJ tube after FMT was well-tolerated by 66.7% (6/9) of patients. CT scores of intestinal obstructions were significantly reduced after FMT (P = 0.014). SIBO was eliminated in 71.0% (5/7) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrated the safety of using FMT. FMT may relieve symptoms in selected patients with CIPO. FMT may also improve patient tolerance of enteral nutrition delivered via a NJ tube.
Breath Tests ; Enteral Nutrition ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation* ; Humans ; Hydrogen ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction* ; Lactulose ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for gastrointestinal disorders.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of the clinical data of 406 patients who underwent FMT from May 2014 to April 2016 in the Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Centre of Nanjing General Hospital was performed, including patients with constipation(276 cases), recurrent Clostridium Difficile infection (RCDI, 61 cases), ulcerative colitis(44 cases), irritable bowel syndrome (15 cases) and Crohn's disease(10 cases). Donors were completely unrelated, 18- to 50-year-old non-pregnant healthy adult, with healthy lifestyle and habits, without taking antibiotics, probiotics and other probiotics history within 3 months. There were three routes of FMT administration: patients received 6 days of frozen FMT by nasointestinal tube placed in the proximal jejunum under gastroscope (319 cases); patients received capsules FMT per day for 6 consecutive days (46 cases) or once 600 ml of treated fecal liquid infusion into colon and terminal ileum by colonoscopy(41 cases).

RESULTSClinical cure rate and improvement rate of different diseases receiving FMT were respectively as follows: RCDI was 85.2% (52/61) and 95.1%(58/61); constipation was 40.2%(111/276) and 67.4%(186/276); ulcerative colitis was 34.1%(15/44) and 68.2% (30/44); irritable bowel syndrome was 46.7% (7/15) and 73.3% (11/15) and Crohn disease was 30.0%(3/10) and 60.0%(6/10). RCDI had the best efficacy among these diseases(P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the three routes of FMT administration(P=0.829). The clinical cure rate and improvement rate of different routes were 43.3%(138/319) and 58.6% (187/319) respectively in nasogastric transplantation group, 41.5%(17/41) and 61.0%(25/41) in colonoscopy group, 37.0%(17/46) and 63.0% (29/46) in the capsule transplantation group. There was no serious adverse event during the follow-up. The most common side effects were respiratory discomfort (27.3%, 87/319) and increased venting (51.7%, 165/319) in nasogastric transplantation group. Diarrhea was the most common complication in colonoscopy group (36.6%, 15/41). The main symptoms were increased venting (50.0%, 23/46) and nausea(34.8%, 16/46) in oral capsule group. Side effect symptoms disappeared after the withdraw of nasogastric tube, or at the end of treatment, or during hospitalization for 1-3 days.

CONCLUSIONSFMT is effective for many gastrointestinal disorders. No significant adverse event is found, while the associated mechanism should be further explored.

Adult ; Clostridium Infections ; drug therapy ; Clostridium difficile ; drug effects ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; drug therapy ; Colonoscopy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Constipation ; drug therapy ; Crohn Disease ; drug therapy ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Fecal Microbiota Transplantation ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Flatulence ; chemically induced ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; drug therapy ; Gastroscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Intubation, Gastrointestinal ; adverse effects ; methods ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; chemically induced ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of periodic fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for refractory constipation.

METHODSClinical data of 49 patients with refractory constipation undergoing FMT through standard transplantation path of nasojejunal tube between April 2015 and April 2016 in Intestinal Microenvironment Treatment Centre of Nanjing General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Of 49 patients, 25 received single FMT for only 6 days (single group), and 24 received periodic FMT with another 6 days FMT 1 month after the first 6 days FMT (periodic group). The follow up was at 12 weeks after treatment. Autonomous defecation frequency, Wexner constipation score, gastrointestinal quality of life index and related adverse reaction were evaluated and compared at 4-, 8- and 12-week after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed on the difference after treatment at each time point, and the greater difference indicated the better improvement.

RESULTSThere were no statistically significant differences in general characteristics between the two groups (all P<0.05). Before treatment, Wexner constipation score was 17.32±2.66 and 16.25±2.47, gastrointestinal quality of life index was 81.84±8.73 and 83.25±7.87, autonomous defecation frequency was (1.64±0.57) time/week and (1.42±0.65) time/week in single group and periodic group respectively, whose differences were not significant (all P>0.05). Compared with before FMT treatment, the autonomous defecation frequency, Wexner constipation score, gastrointestinal quality of life index were obviously improved at the 4-, 8-, 12-week (all P=0.000). At the 4-week after FMT treatment, the improvement degree of autonomous defecation frequency, Wexner constipation score, gastrointestinal quality of life index was compared between two groups, and no statistically significant differences were found (all P>0.05). While at 8-week and 12-week after FMT treatment, as compared to single group, periodic group had greater Wexner constipation score (at 8-week: 7.29±2.05 vs. 5.96±2.30, t=2.135, P=0.038; at 12-week: 7.21±1.98 vs. 5.80±2.43, t=2.218, P=0.031), greater gastrointestinal quality of life index (at 8-week: 25.71±8.91 vs. 20.20±8.53, t=2.211, P=0.032; at 12-week: 24.16±8.99 vs. 18.92±8.28, t=2.127, P=0.039) and better autonomous defecation frequency [at 8-week: (2.42±0.93) time/week vs. (1.72±0.61) time/week, t=3.110, P=0.003; at 12-week: (1.37±0.88) time/week vs. (0.84±0.62) time/week, t=2.454, P=0.018].

CONCLUSIONPeriodic FMT has better efficacy than single FMT in the treatment of refractory constipation.