Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease which manifests with heart enlargement, myocardial contractile dys-function and arrhythmia. The disease cause is unknown. And the disease prognosis is not good with high fatality rate. There is no specific treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in modern medicine. Currently, a large amount of clinical researches have been conducted by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scholars with relatively satisfied therapeutic effects. This article made a review on the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment method (including syndrome differentiation and treatment, modern application of ancient prescription, self-made prescription, and Chinese patent medicine liq-uid) and TCM treatment progress of dilated cardiomyopathy in order to show that TCM has certain advantages in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy.

The tolerance of tumor cells to treatment factors is the main reason to limit the therapeutic effect.The high expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) is an important factor in the development of therapeutic resistance in tumor cells.As an effective pro-apoptotic protein,the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) can significantly enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemoradiotherapy and promote the apoptosis of tumor cells.However,exogenous Smac protein and its active groups can not enter the tumor cells and play their functions.Therefore,the researches on Smac mimics and their functional mechanism have become the focus of attention of researchers.In this paper,the research progress of Smac mimics and their anti-tumor mechanisms were reviewed.

Objective To investigate the correlations of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level and the C677T methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism with vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods A case control study in 64 AD patients (AD group),72 VaD patients (VaD group) and 56 healthy controls (control group) was under taken.Plasma tHcy level was determined by enzymatic cycling assay.The MTHFR677C/T polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).Results tHcy levels were significantly higher in AD and VaD groups than in control subjects(P＜ 0.05).VaD patients also showed increased levels of tHcy as compared to AD patieuts,but no statistic significance was found(P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that tHcy level was a risk factor for dementia (including AD and VaD together)[(OR=1.15),VaD (OR=1.23),AD (OR=1.328)].MTHFR677 TT genotype represented higher plasma tHcy concentrations than CC and CT genotypes(both P＜0.05).The distribution frequency of the T allele of MTHFRC677T was 45.3 ％ (58/128)in AD group,49.0％(51/104)in VaD group and 33.0％(37/112)in control group,and it had significant differences between the three groups (P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in distribution frequency of the T allele of MTHFRC677T between VaD and control group (P＜0.01).The distribution frequency of MTHFR677 genotype (CC/CT/TT) had a significantly difference between the VaD group and the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusions High plasma level of tHcy is closely correlated with AD and VaD.tHcy level is the risk factor for dementia (including AD and VaD together).The polymorphism of MTHFR677C/T affects the plasma tHcy level.The T allele of MTHFRC677T may correlate with VaD,while has no direct correlation with AD.

OBJECTIVEThe effect of sandblasting on the bond strength between 3mol% yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconium polycrystal (3Y-TZP) zirconia framework and veneering porcelain was evaluated.

METHODSA total of 21 specimens [(25 ± 1) mm x (3 ± 0.1) mmx (0.5 ± 0.05) mm] were prepared according to ISO 9693. The specimens were then randomly divided into 3 groups. Sandblasting was performed on 2 meshes of Al₂O₃ particles: group A with mesh 110 and group B with mesh 80. Group C, which was not sandblasted, was the control group. The surface roughness of the zirconia framework, as well as the bond strength between 3Y-TZP zirconia framework and veneering porcelain, was measured. The interface microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and elemental distribution was detected by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

RESULTSSurface roughness values were (1.272 ± 0.149) μm for group A, (0.622 ± 0.113) μm for group B, and (0.221 ± 0.065) μm for group C. Statistical significance were found among groups (P < 0.05). The bond strength values were (28.21 ± 1.52) MPa for group A, (27.71 ± 1.27) MPa for group B, and (24.87 ± 3.84) MPa for group C. Statistical significance was found between group A and group C (P < 0.05), whereas the other groups had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Interface adhesion failure was the primary performance. SEM images showed the close interface bonding, and EDS showed that the interface had no obvious element penetration.

CONCLUSIONAl₂O₃ sandblasting can slightly enhance the bond strength between zirconia framework and veneering porcelain.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dental Veneers ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Shear Strength ; Surface Properties ; Yttrium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the effect of CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/T single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) on expression of luciferase reporter gene and its association with susceptibility to cervical cancer. Methods The luciferase gene expression vectors containing CDH1 3'-UTR +54C/T SNP C or T allelotype were constructed. The effect of CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/T SNP on expression of luciferase reporter gene in 293 T cells were tested by daul lucfferase reporter assay system. The CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/ T SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 280 cervical cancer patients and 330 healthy controls. Results The lucfferase activity analysis showed that the relative luciferase activity (RLA) of 293T cells with C allelotype was 1.46, which was significantly lower than that of the 293 T cells with T allelotype (3.01; t=2. 94, P =0. 042). There was no significant difference in age distribution between the cervical cancer patients and the healthy controls. The genotype frequency distribution of CDH1 3 '-UTR + 54C/T SNP in healthy controls did not significantly differ from that expected by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). The C allelotype frequency of CDH1 in cervical cancer patients was 80. 7%, which was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (74. 5%;χ2 =6.59, P=0.010). The T/T, T/C and C/C genotype frequencies of cervical cancer patients and healthy controls were 4. 3%, 30. 0%, 65. 7% and 5. 8%, 39. 4%, 54. 8%, respectively, which were significandy different (χ2=7.45, P =0.024). Compared with individuals with T/T or T/C genotypa, individuals with C/C genotype had significantly higher risks of developing cervical cancer (OR = 1. 578,95%CI=1.136 -2.191). Conclusion The C allelotypa of CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/T SNP might decrease the expression of lucfferase reporter gene and the C/C genotypa might be a potential risk for cervical cancer development.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the color stability of ceromer with different thicknesses and different types of resin adhesive materials after accelerated aging and provide references for clinical application and selections.

METHODSNine groups of experimental samples were used, and each group contained five samples. We made joint samples with ceromer having three different thicknesses (1.00, 0.75, 0.50 mm) combined with three different resin adhesive materials (RelyX Veneer, RelyX Unicem, Filtek Z350 Flow), respectively. All samples were placed into Xenon Lamp Aging Instrument to implement accelerated aging. Spectrophotometer was used to measure the lightness (L*), red green color value (a*), and blue yellow color value (b*) of all samples before and after accelerated aging. The change of lightness (ΔL), red green color value (Δa), blue yellow color value (Δb), and color variation (ΔE) were also calculated. We investigated the influence of ceromer veneer thicknesses and resin adhesive material types on color variation by two-factor analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe thickness and type factors showed significant influence on ΔE values, and exhibited interactions (P < 0.05). The ΔE values of all experimental groups were lower than 3.3. After the accelerated aging process, all L*, a*, and b* values of the experimental groups decreased and the ΔL values were lower than 2.0.

CONCLUSIONCeromer veneer thickness and resin adhesive material types could affect the color stability of ceromer veneer and resin adhesive materials. The changes in lightness and color in ceromer veneer and resin adhesive materials are considered clinically acceptable after accelerated aging.

Ceramics ; Color ; Composite Resins ; Dental Cements ; chemistry ; Light ; Resin Cements

Objective To investgate the value of various parameters obtained from monoexponential, biexponential, and stretched exponential diffusion?weighted imaging models in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions. Methods A retrospective study performed in 54 patients with pathologically confirmed malignant tumors(n=30), benign lesions(n=34) and normal fibroglandular tissues (n=30). All patients underwent T1WI, T2WI, dynamic enhancement and diffusion weighted MRI with multi?b values at a 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging unit. All parameters were measured at a workstation. ADC was calculated by using monoexponential analysis(b=0, 800 s/mm2). Slow apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC?slow), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC?fast), and perfusion fraction (f) were calculated using the biexponential model. Distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC) and water molecular diffusion heterogeneity index (α) were obtained from diffusion?weighted images using the stretched exponential model. All parameters were statistically compared among normal fibroglandular tissues, benign lesions and malignant tumors using Kruskal?Wallis rank sum test. Mann?Whitney U test were used for further comparisons between specific group pairs. ADC values were compared with ADC?slow and DDC for different groups by paired Wilcoxon test. Correlations between ADC?value, ADC?slow and DDC were assessed by using Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze and compare the ability of these parameters in differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Results The ADC, ADC?slow, f, DDC and α values were significantly different among the normal fibroglandular tissues, benign tumors and malignant tumors (P<0.05). Further differential comparisons of the four parameters between each pair showed that the ADC, ADC?slow, f, DDC and α values were significantly lower in malignant tumors than both in normal fibroglandular tissues and benign tumors(P<0.016 7). The ADC values of normal fibroglandular tissues, benign tumors and malignant tumors were significantly higher than ADC?slow and DDC (P<0.05). The f and DDC had higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.688 and 0.657 respectively). The optimal cutoff values for ADC, ADC?slow, f, DDC and α were 1.235 × 10-3mm2/s, 0.428 × 10-3mm2/s, 57.8%, 1.175 × 10-3mm2/s and 0.721, respectively. Theαvalue showed higher specificity (65.5%) and the f value had higher sensitivity (82.9%). Conclusion The parameters derived from biexponential and stretched exponential DWI could be helpful for differentiation between benign and malignant breast tumors.

Objective To investigate the relationships between the neck circumference and cardiovascular risk factors of middle-aged and elder people in a community. Methods Altogether 9 665 community residents ( age≥40 years) were enrolled in the present study. The height, weight, neck circumference, waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C) , blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and fasting insulin were measured, and documented in the questionnaire along with other basic information. After adjusted for age, Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the neck circumference and the binary variables of cardiovascular risk factors. SPSS16.0softwarewasusedforstatisticalanalysis. Results (1)Theneckcircumferenceswere(37.11±2.79)cm in male and (32. 79 ± 2. 31) cm in female;which were higher in males than females. In both males and females, after adjusted for age, the neck circumference was positively correlated to waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, plasma glucose, LDL-C, triglycerides, and insulin resistance, the neck circumference was negatively correlated to HDL-C(all P<0. 05);The neck circumference of males was positively correlated to total cholesterol(P<0. 01);The neck circumference of females was not correlated with total cholesterol(P>0. 05). (2) After adjusted for body mass index and the waist circumference, the neck circumference of males increased with the risk of diabetes ( OR=1. 14, 95% CI 1. 02-1. 28);while the higher neck circumference of females increased the risk of hypertension (OR=1.17,95% CI1.08-1.27),diabetes(OR=1.24,95% CI1.13-1.37),dyslipidemia(OR=1.17,95%CI 1.09-1.27),andinsulinresistance(OR=1.15,95% CI1.06-1.26). Theneckcircumferenceexertedhigher impact on women than it did on men. Conclusion The neck circumference is associated with the cardiovascular risk factors. This association in females is stronger than that in males. The neck circumference seems to be an independent indicator for the cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE To construct a lentiviral vector of RNA interference (RNAi) of MMP-9 gene and observe its inhibitive role on the invasion of laryngeal cancer cells.METHODS The effective sequence of siRNA targeting MMP-9 gene was confirmed.Both sense and antisense Oligo DNA of the targeting sequence was designed,synthesized and cloned into the pLVTHM vector,which contained H1 promoter and green fluorescent protein (GFP).The resulting lentiviral vector containing MMP-9 shRNA was called LV2 shMMP-9,and it was confirmed by PCR and sequencing.After that,MMP-9 shRNA was transfected into Hep-2 cells and western blot was used to test the expression of MMP-9.At last,Boyden Chamber was used to observe the invasion of the Hep-2 cells. RESULTS PCR and DNA sequencing demonstrated that the lentivirus RNAi vector of MMP-9 (LV2shMMP-9) producing MMP-9 shRNA was constructed successfully. The titer of concentrated virus was 8?1010TU /L. Western blot showed that the expression of MMP-9 was negative in the MMP-9 siRNA transfected Hep-2 cells. And Boyden Chamber showed the invasive capability of Hep-2 cells transfected MMP-9 siRNA were obviously decreased.CONCLUSION The lentivirus RNAi vector of MMP-9 was constructed successfully,and MMP-9 silence can inhibit invasion of laryngeal cancer in vitro.

Objective To investigate the application effect of nasal gastrointestinal double lumen catheter tube placement with air insufflation in mechanically ventilated patients with intra-abdominal hypertension.Methods A total of 20 patients with intra-abdominal hypertension were randomly divided into control group and observation group (n=10 in each group).Patients in control group received indwelling nasogastric tube for decompression and indwelling nasal intestine tube by air insufflation for enteral nutrition support .Patients in observation group received the dual lumen gastrointestinal tube for decompression and enteral nutrition support.The time required for catheterization,changes in intra-abdominal pressure before and after air insufflation,catheter success rate at one attempt,pain scores of patients to catheter operation, duration of decompression,enteral nutrition start time and the duration of mechanical ventilation were compared between two groups.Results The time required for catheterization,catheter air insufflation volume in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P <0.01);pain scores of patients to catheter operation were significantly lower in observation group than those in control group (P <0.01);There was no significantly difference in once catheter success rate,changes in intra-abdominal pressure before and after catheterization,abdominal high pressure relief time ,enteral feeding start time, and duration of mechanical ventilation between the two groups (P >0.05 ).Conclusions The technique of air insufflation has higher success rate for Indwelling nasal intestine tube in mechanically ventilated patients with intra-abdominal hypertension,and this method is safe and reliable,dual lumen gastrointestinal tube can improve patients'comfort,shorter catheterization time and reduce catheter air insufflation volume.