Objective To study the relationship between Xsp Ⅰ restriction fregment length polymorphism (RFLP) in exon 4 of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene and hypercholesterolemia. Methods PCR-RFLP method was applied to determine the polymorphism of LDLR gene in 446 cases of hypercholesterolemia, 284 of borderline hypercholesterolemia and 187 normal control subjects. Results Three genotypes, X+X+, X+X- and X-X-, were found in the population. (1) The frequencies of the X+X+ genotype and X+ allele in the group with hypercholesterolemia were higher than those of the other 2 groups (P<0.05). (2) From X-X- to X+X+ genotype, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased gradually, while high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol decreased (all P < 0.05). (3) With logistic regression analysis, LDLR genotype was associated with hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion Polymorphism in Xsp I restriction site at the exon 4 of LDLR (X+ X+ genotype and X+ allele) may be a risk factor of hypercholesterolemia in Chinese population.

OBJECTIVETo explore the rhythm regulatory mechanism of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the process of moxibustion for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSA total of 144 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a moxibustion group, a sham operation group, an operation group, an operation+moxibustion group, 24 rats in each one. Each group was divided into 4 time points (0:00 am, 6:00' am, 12:00 am, 6:00 pm), 6 rats in each time point. The Light-Dark 12 : 12 was given in all rats for light-dark cycle. Except the blank group, rats in the remaining groups were treated with intracutaneous injection of freund's complete adjuvant at right-side foot to establish the model of RA. After the model establishment, bilateral adrenal, glands were removed in the operation group and operation + moxibustion group, while those in the sham operation group were not removed with identical operation procedure. Rats in the moxibustion group and operation + moxibustion group were treated with grain-sized moxibustion from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at "Shenshu" (BL 23) and "Zusanli" (ST 36) once everyday, 6 times were taken as one session and 3 sessions were required tatclly, while rats in the remaining groups received identical fixation without moxibustion. The general health state and foot volume of rats were measured before model establishment, after establishment and after treatment. After treatment, rats were sacrificed at each time point to collect the blood sample and measure the content of IL-6 by using enzymne-immunoassay method.

RESULTSCompared with the blank group, the foot swelling in the model group was obviously increased (P<0. 05); the IL-6 maintained circadian rhythm (P<0. 05), but the peak phase had a backward trend, famplitude had an increased trend and the median was significantly lifted (P<0. 05). Compared with model group, !the foot swelling in the moxibustion group was obviously decreased (P<0. 05); the IL-6 maintained circadian. rhythm (P<0. 05), and the peak phase had a forward trend, amplitude had a decreased trend and the median was significantly reduced (P<0. 05). Compared with the moxibustion group, the foot swelling in the operation--moxibustion group was obviously increased (P < 0.05); the IL-6 maintained circadian rhythm (P < 0.5), but the peak phase moved forwrd, and the median was significantly elevated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe IL-6 in plasma maintains significant pathological circadian rhythm in RA rats; with the complete hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, moxibustion is likely to regulate the circadian rhythm of IL-6 to play an important role of anti-inflammatory effect in RA rats.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Circadian Rhythm ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Male ; Moxibustion ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Time Factors

Objective To evaluate factors which maintain the stability of the ankle, and discuss indications for trans-syndesmotic fixation. Methods 12 freshly-frozen cadaver legs amputated below the knee were collected and divided into 2 groups. An ankle fracture model of unconstrained pronation-external rotation was then designed. Group A simulated the injury combined with medial malleolus fracture, and Group B the injury combined with deltoid tear. Ligaments were cut off sequentially to simulate the increasing severity of the injury. Fuji super low-pressure sensitive films and displacement transducers were used to measure the contact area of the tibiotalar articular surface and the width of the syndesmosis. The data were analyzed with SPSS to analyze the relationship of ligament injury and ankle stability. Results In Group A, the articular contact area and the syndesmotic width after section of the deltoid were significantly different from those before the section (P

Objective　To investigate the clinical feasibility of robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RARC) by da Vinci surgical system and to summarize the operative technique and outcomes.Methods　From December 2007 to March 2012,22 patients (20 males and 2 females) with the bladder urothelial carcinomas were enrolled.Patient age was from 37 -72 years (rnean 62 years) ; the body mass index was 22.5 - 30.1 kg/m2 ( mean 26.1 kg/m2 ) ; and the American Society of Anesthesiologists score was 1 -2. All patients were diagnosed preoperatively with muscle -invasive or high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder urothelial carcinomas in cystoscopic biopsy.There were no adjacent organ infiltration,pelvic lymph node involvement or dístant metastasis found on preoperative examinations.The clinical stage of all cases was under T2 N0 M0.Patients were under general anesthesia for RARC with urinary diversion.Extracorporeal urinary diversions (orthotopic ileal neobladder for 2 patients and ileal conduit urinary diversion for 13 patients)were performed on 15 patients and intracorporeal urinary diversions ( ileal conduit urinary diversion for 2 patientsand orthotopic ileal neobladder for 5 patients) were performed on 7 patients.　Results　All RARC procedure were completed on patients as planned.The operative time was 300 - 667 min ( mean 480 min)with estimated blood loss of 100 - 1200 ml (mean 550 ml),and the number of removed lymph nodes was 6 -25 (mean 15). All patients resumed ambulation on the 2nd to 3rd day postoperatively,and bowel function recovered on the 3rd or 4th day postoperatively.The length of hospital stay was 8 - 35 days ( mean 16 days).For patients underwent orthotopic ileal neobladder,the ileoureteral stents and the urethral catheter were removed 1 month after a cystogram confirming watertight healing.During the follow up of 4 -49 months (mean 32 months),2 patients had disease recurrence and 1 patient died of disease development and 2 patients had developed hydronephrosis.The other patients were with good urinary continence and normal renal functions.　Conclusions　RARC with urinary diversion are feasible and safe treatment option for bladder urothelial carcinoma.This technique will be more popular with more extensive surgical experiences and large randomized clinical trials.

Objective To investigate the roles of sphingosine kinasel (SPK1) in apoptosis,invasiveness and multidrug resistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-FU.Methods BEL-FU cells were infected with adenovirus carrying SPK1wT gene and SPK1siRNA (Ad-H1-SPK1) gene.Their effects on biological characteristics of BEL-FU cells were evaluated by MTT,cellular SPK enzyme activity assay,Transwell Migration Technology and Western-blot,respectively.Results AdSPK1wT significantly increased SPK activity but SPK1siRNA(Ad-H1-SPK1) decreased SPK activity.Over expression of SPK1 suppressed the apoptosis induced by DMS(Dimethyl sphingosine,DMS) and enhanced migration of BEL-FU cells.The cells infected with SPK1 siRNA( Ad-H1-SPK1)significantly increased the apoptosis induced by DMS and inhibited the migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.The expression of multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP1) of cells infected with SPK1siRNA (Ad-H1-SPK1) was suppressed significantly compared with the control group,while the expression of MRP1 infected with Ad- SPK1wT was enhanced.Conclusion SPK1 activity is closely associated with apoptosis、migration and multidrug resistance of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells,therefore,it may serve as a new target for HCC treatment.

Objective To explore the glomerular change of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) expression in ATIaR gene knockout mice and its effects on extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling under diabetic condition. Methods ATlaR knockout mice were generated previously. Hyperglycemia was induced by peritoneal injection of streptozotocin in ATIaR knockout mice and wild type mice. Normal AT1aR knockout mice and wild type mice were used as control group. Twelve weeks later, kidneys were harvested and frozen quickly in dry ice-acetone. Glomendi were collected by laser capture microdissection and total RNA was extracted, mRNA expression of AT1aR, AT1bR, AT2R, angiotensinogen, ACE, renin, and CYP11B2 was assessed by real-time PCR. ECM accumulation was evaluated by PAS staining. Protein levels of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1), type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI-1), monocyte chemotactie protein 1(MCP-1) and renin were semi-quantitated by immunostaining. Results Compared to the wild type, mRNA expression of AT1bR, angiotensinogen, renin, CYP11B2 within glomeruli was upregulated significantly in ATlaR knockout mice (P<0.05), but no change of ACE expression was found in these two groups. AT2R protein was poorly detected in AT1aR knockout glomeruli and downregulated in wild type glomemli. ECM accumulation was significanfly increased associated with the parallel increase in TGF-β1, PAI-1, MCP-1 and renin within glomendi (P <0.05). Conclusions AT1aR gene knockout cannot improve ECM deposition in diabetic nephropathy. The compensate change of RAS components may be involved in this scenario: upregulation of AT1bR, downregulation of AT2R. CYP11B2 and renin may function in a novel pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Esophageal Stenosis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nickel ; Stents ; Titanium ; Tracheal Stenosis ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the short-term clinical effectiveness of bone ring graft technique and to summarize the key points of related surgical operation to provide comprehensive clinical guidelines.

METHODSFifteen patients with severe alveolar bone absorption were selected to receive bone ring grafting and immediate dental implant. Final fixed prostheses were cemented five months after initial implantation. Cone beam CT scans were conducted on all subjects before the procedure, as well as four months post-operation to evaluate alveolar bone height and level of bone height and absorption around the implants. Four to six months after prosthesis installation, each implant's Jemt classification, gingiva attachment, and probing depth (PD) were analyzed. The difference of PD between implants and adjacent teeth, as well as the difference of the bone absorption between labial and lingual sides, was compared. The survival rate of the bone ring and the retention rate of implants were calculated. Complications and patient satisfaction were also investigated.

RESULTSBone graft survival rate was 94.4% and dental implantation retention rate was 100% four months post-operation. Average bone level increase was (6.06 +/- 1.06) mm, average bone absorption was (1.33 +/- 0.84) mm, and average bone thickness at the neck of the dental implant body was (6.94 +/- 0.73) mm. Approximately 4 to 6 months after crown restoration, average bone level increase was (5.62 +/- 1.03) mm, average bone absorption was (1.51 +/- 1.02) mm, and average bone thickness at the neck of the dental implant body was (6.77 +/- 0.72) mm. The PD around the implant body and the adjacent teeth was statistically insignificant. No major post-operative complication was observed, restorations were successful, and patient satisfaction level was high.

CONCLUSIONBone ring graft technique and immediate dental implantation are relatively simple to perform, and these techniques facilitate reduction in required treatment time. Short-term effect is reliable and satisfactory, whereas long-term outcomes require further follow up and study.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; Bone Transplantation ; Crowns ; Dental Implantation, Endosseous ; Dental Implants ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported ; Dental Restoration Failure ; Humans

Objective To develop an up-converting phosphor technology based lateral flow assay ( UPT-LF) to detect ricin toxin ( RT) quickly, accurately and quantitatively.Methods Ricin-monoclonal antibodies were prepared and their affinity was evaluated before four types of monoclonal antibodies with the highest titer were applied to couple with the up-converting phosphor nano-particles ( UCP-NPs) as the bio-conjugate and disperse on the analysis membrane as the test line, respectively.Following systematic optimization to establish the RT-UPT-LF strip, the sensitivity, precision, quantita-tive ability and specificity of RT-UPT-LF were evaluated.Results The detection could be accomplished within 15 min and the detection limit of the RT-UPT-LF assay could reach 0.5 ng/ml within the quantitative detection range of 0.5-1000 ng/ml.Other non-specific toxins at a concentration of 1000 ng/ml did not cause any non-specific reactions.Conclusion The developed RT-UPT-LF strip provides a new means for on-site quantitative detection of ricin toxin.

Objective To compare the virtual non-enhanced chest CT (VNCT)generated from spectral CT with conventional non-enhanced chest CT in patients with lung disease in terms of CT number accuracy and image quality.Methods A total of 30 patients with lung disease proved by pathology underwent the conventional non-enhanced thoracic CT and contrast enhanced CT with spectral imaging mode in arterial phase (AP)and venous phase (VP).The VNCT images were reconstructed based on the enhanced spectral CT imaging data.The mean CT number,signal to noise ratio (SNR)for the lesions and image quality score were obtained and compared between the true non-contrast CT (TNCT)and the VNCT (including AP and VP)with paired t test.Results The mean±standard deviation for CT number were (38.74±5.17)HU,(39.08±5.07)HU and (38.96± 5.18)HU for TNCT,VNCT at AP and VNCT at VP,respectively, with no statistical difference (P>0.05).All 3 sets of images demonstrated acceptable image quality,even though there were statistically significant differences in the SNR value and image quality score.The mean ± standard deviation values for SNR were 4.74±0.42 with TNCT, 3.79 ± 0.5 1 with VNCT at AP and 3.77 ± 0.39 with VNCT at VP (P <0.05),and the image quality scores were 5.00 ±0.00 with TNCT,4.17±0.65 with VNCT at AP and 4.17±0.53 with VNCT at VP (P<0.05).Conclusion In patients with lung disease,the vir-tual non-enhanced CT images generated from spectral CT provide accurate CT numbers for lesions and acceptable image quality com-pared with the true non-contrast CT.VNCT may be used to replace TNCT to improve work flow and reduce radiation dose.