Objective · To establish a replicative senescence model of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs), investigate changes in aging related biological characteristics, and provide an efficient cell model for further study on the aging in periodontal diseases. Methods · hGFs were isolated from healthy gingival tissues and cultured with tissue block method in vitro. The tissue source was verified with immunofluorescence. hGFs were continuously cultured and cumulative population doublings (CPD) were calculated and used to draw the curves. Changes in the proliferative capacity of hGFs with CPDs of 10.82, 20.65, 29.52, 42.22, 60.79, and 70.03 were examined with CCK-8. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate changes in the mRNA expression of senescence-related genes p16INK4a and p21Cip1. Results · CPD curves showed that after continuous culture, the CPD value increased gradually and became stable after achieving 70.03. hGFs became flatter and more cell rocessesappeared with the increase of CPD value. The cell proliferative capacity declined and mRNA levels of p16INK4a and p21Cip1 significantly increased (P=0.000). Conclusion · A replicative senescence model of hGFs is established throughcontinuous culture. CPD curves can reflect the aging of hGFs.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect and medication safety of low-dose erythromycin treatment on intractable allergic rhinitis(AR) associated with bronchus asthma.Methods Totally 173 cases of children received outpatient treatment because of AR associated with asthma,their ages ranging from 3 to 14 years.Among them,78 cases developed intractable AR with symptoms of asthma having been controlled or satisfactorily controlled after 2 courses of conventional treatment.Seventy-six children with intractable AR received full follow-up and were randomly divided into observation group and control group.The control group was given different second-generation antihistamines,when necessary,supplemented by nasal glucocorticoids.In the observation group,the same treatment as it was done in control group was continued,plus oral treatment with erythromycin enteric-coated capsules(10 mg?kg-1?d-1,which were taken 3 times a day for 1 month) to the observation group.Both observation group and control group were in accordance with the norms of the treatment of asthma.Results The improvement rate,inefficiency and the total efficiency were different between observation group and control group,and the diffe-rence was statistically significant(?2=12.629,8.412,8.412,Pa0.05).Their liver function was also monitored and was found normal before treatment and after the replacement of drugs for 1 month,including alanine ami-notransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,albumin,globulin,and were found normal.Conclusions On the basis of conventional treatment,low-dose erythromycin treatment of intractable AR is effective and safe.However,the treatment must be limited to the refractory cases,and the appropriate indications must be strictly observed.

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the levels of HBV DNA loads and beth the clinical characteristics and 48-week prognosis in patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis B. Methods One hundred and forty-three patients with deeompensated cirrhosis of hepatitis B virus infection were divided into lowlevel HBV DNA group [HBV DNA < 105 copies/ml = (46 cases) and high-level HBV-DNA group(HBV DNA 105 copies/ml)(97 cases)]. 21 cases in low-level group and 52 cases in high-level group treated with nucleoside analog. Results There was no significant difference between the two groups on the demography and the baseline in ALT, ALB, TBil, CHE before treatment, while in AST and HBeAg were statistically different. At 48-week, there was no significant difference between the two groups on the liver function. The mortality rate in low-level group was similar to that in high level group. In the low-level HBV DNA patients, hepatocellular carcinoma, spontaneous peritonitis and gnstrointestiual hemorrhage were higer than that in the high-level HBV DNA patients. Conclusion In patients with decompensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis B, those who were in low-level HBV DNA had not got better than that in high-level HBV DNA, which indicated that earlier treatment was also needed in low-level HBV DNA patients.

The elucidation of vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the halogenated silane was necessary for the production of silicon derivatives, especially for methylvinyldichlorosilane, due to the lack of the relevant reports. Isobaric VLE for the system methyldichlorosilane-dimethyldichlorosilane-benzene and isobaric VLE of the three binary systems were measured with a new pump-ebulliometer at the pressure of 101.325 kPa. These binary compositions of the equilibrium vapor were calculated according to the Q function of molar excess Gibbs energy by the indirect method and the resulted VLE data agreed well with the thermodynamic consistency. Moreover, the experimental data were correlated with the Wilson, NRTL, Margules and van Laar equations by means of the least-squares fit, the acquired optimal interaction parameters were fitted to experimental vapor-liquid equilibrium data for binary systems. The binary parameters of Wilson equation were also used to calculate the bubble point temperature and the vapor phase composition for the ternary mixtures without any additional adjustment. The predicted vapor-liquid equilibrium for the ternary system was in a good agreement with the experimental results. The VLE of binary and multilateral systems provided essential theory for the production of the halogenated silane.

Objective To explore the social support, quality of life and coping style of elderly inpatients with different number of children and admission times. Methods 164 elderly inpatients were interviewed by social support assessment scale (SSAS), generic quality of life inventory (GQOLI) and coping style scale. Results One hundred sixty four patients were interviewed. Elderly patients that had less than 2 children scored lower(11.73 ± 2.25) on the objective support of SSAS than those had 2 more children (13.57 ±2.52). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0. 05). There was no difference on SSAS between the patients with 2 or less admissions and 3 or more admissions. Elderly patients that had less than 2 children scored lower on GQOLI mazerial life and mental health than those had 2 more children(P <0. 01). Elderly inpatients scored higher than norm in exploring, fantasy, escaping and negative coping score (P <0. 01). Patients who had no less than 2 children scored higher than norm in fantasy, escaping and negative coping score(P <0. 01),lower in family support than that of patient who had less than 2 children; score of exploring, fantasy, escaping and negative coping were higher than norm in patients who had less than 2 and no less than 2 times of admissions. Conclusions Elderly inpatients who has less than 2 children got less objective support, they get worse status of mental health than those who have no less than 2 children; High frequencies of hospitalization have negative impact on the mental health of elderly inpatients; The copying style is affected by number of children and admission times in elderly inpatients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the response rate and adverse reactions of exemestane (a new aromatase inactivator) in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer.

METHODSOne hundred and seventy-three patients with advanced breast cancer entered this study with two patients excluded because of postmenopausal time being less than one year. Therefore, 173 patients could be evaluated for adverse events and 171 patients could be evaluated for efficacy. Exemestane, 25 mg orally daily for 4 weeks as one cycle was given.

RESULTSIn the 171 patients evaluated for efficacy, 4 (2.3%) experienced a complete response (CR) and 40 (23.4%) a partial response (PR), with the overall response rate of 25.7%. Ninety patients (52.6%) had stable disease (SD), with 25 having SD for at least 24 weeks. The clinical benefit (CR + PR + SD > or = 24 weeks) was shown in 69 (40.4%) patients. Progressive disease (PD) was shown in 37 (21.6%) patients. The untreated patients had a higher objective response rate (33.8%) than the retreated ones (18.1%) with significant difference (P = 0.019 7). The response rates for soft-tissue, bone involvement and visceral metastasis were 32.8%, 23.9%, and 12.4% (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference in different ages, time of menopause, disease-free interval or receptor status (P > 0.05). Drug-related adverse events were gastric discomfort (17.9%), malaise (17.9%), nausea (13.9%), hot flushes (11.0%) and dysphoria (5.8%). Other side reactions and abnormal laboratory parameters were observed occasionally which were irrelevant.

CONCLUSIONExemestane can be used to treat postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer giving only mild adverse reactions which are well tolerated.

Adult ; Aged ; Androstadienes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Aromatase Inhibitors ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy and safety of standard or reduced doses of bortezomib combined with adriamycin and dexamethasone (PAD) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSEighty-two newly diagnosed or refractory/relapsed patients received bortezomib [either 1.2-1.3 mg/m(2) (standard dose) or 1.0-1.1 mg/m(2) (reduced dose) on day 1, 4, 8 and 11], and adriamycin (10 mg/m(2)) plus dexamethasone (40 mg/m(2)) on day 1-4 at 3-week intervals for 1 to 6 courses. The International Myeloma Working Group Criteria were used to evaluate the response. Adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (Version 3.0).

RESULTSTwo courses of standard dose of PAD resulted in a similar response rate of partial and very good partial complete remissions (PR) compared with reduced dose (80.0% vs 80.8%, P=0.728). Grade III- Ⅳ neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were higher with standard dose than that with reduced doses of PAD (21.1% vs11.1%, P=0.270; 10.5% vs 6.3%, P=0.619, respectively). Grade III-Ⅳ bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy, herpes zoster, fatigue or abdominal distention were significantly higher with standard dose than that with reduced dose of PAD (15.8% vs 1.6%, P=0.037; 26.3% vs 6.3%, P=0.028; 36.8% vs 14.3%, P=0.046; 15.8% vs 1.6%, P=0.037, respectively).

CONCLUSIONReduced dose of PAD appears to result in a similar overall response rate, but a better tolerance and safety compared with standard dose.

Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Boronic Acids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Bortezomib ; Dexamethasone ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Doxorubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; drug therapy ; Pyrazines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore possible mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) for regulating immune function in anxiety disorder (AD) rats by observing the effect of acupuncture on the histology of thymus and expressions of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and natriuretic peptide receptor type A (NPR- A) in thymus.

METHODSTotally 34 SD healthy rats were randomly divided into the blank control group (n = 10), the model group (n = 12), the EA group (n = 12). Anxiety model was established in rats of the model group and the EA group by using chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) stimulation. EA (15/25 Hz) at Neiguan (PC6) and Shenmen (HT7) was performed in the EA group, with 15-min needle retaining, once every other day, 15 days in total. Needle was fixed at same acupoints for 15 min without electric stimulus in the other two groups. Anxiety-like behavior was measured by elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Pathological changes of thymus tissue were observed by optical microscope. Expressions of ANP and NPR-A in thymus were measured by immunohistochemical assay.

RESULTSThe thymus tissue in the model group was severely atrophied, with unclear structure of thymic lobules, unclear margin of thymic medulla, loosely arranged lymphocytes ,and obviously enlarged volume of thymic corpuscle. The thymus tissue in the EA group was mildly atrophied, with existent structure of thymic lobules, clear margin of thymic medulla, densely arranged lymphocytes in cortical region, and widened medullary area. Com- pared with the blank control group, the percentage of open-arms entries (OE%) in the total QE times ob- viously decreased in the model group (P < 0.05), ANP expression obviously increased (P < 0.05), and NPR-A expression obviously decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, OE% was obviously elevated (P < 0.05), ANP expression obviously decreased (P < 0.05), and NPR-A expression obviously increased (P < 0.01) in the EA group.

CONCLUSIONEA not only could reduce anxiety of rats, but also could improve chronic stress induced thymus injury through intervening synthesis and secretion of ANP, as well as the expression of NPR-A (a specific receptor of ANP).

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Anxiety Disorders ; therapy ; Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Electroacupuncture ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Atrial Natriuretic Factor ; metabolism ; Thymus Gland ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the variation of specific antibody among convalescent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients through a three-year program.

METHODSSera samples were collected from SARS cases in the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset of the illness. The SARS-CoV specific antibody was detected for all of them by ELISA and neutralized test simultaneously. The titer of neutralizing antibodies was calculated using Reed-Muench method, and the comparison between different time groups was analyzed regarding the variance of data on repeated measures after logarithm conversion.

RESULTS13, 17 and 13 sera samples were collected in the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset. Results showed that despite the fact that the positive rates of ELISA antibody were 100%, 82.4% and 84.6% respectively,the neutralizing antibody was still positive for all the samples. The average neutralizing antibody titers were 1:43 (1:16-1:203), 1:36 (1:17-1:59) and 1:21 (1:10-1:39) on the 5th, 20th and 35th month after onset, and the differences were statistically significant (F = 60.419, P < 0.001). On the 35th month after the onset, 30.8% (4/13) of the patients were still having the neutralizing antibody level of above 1:36, but the neutralizing antibody level in another 30.8% (4/13) of the patients had decreased to as low as 1:10, when the cut-off level was set as 1:8.

CONCLUSIONResults of the study indicated that the neutralizing antibody of SARS cases could last for at least three years, but the sera specific antibody in SARS cases decreased gradually when time went by. However, neutralizing antibody in some of the cases decreased to a lower level on the 35th month. Further follow-up study was worthwhile to observe the long-lasting profile of antibody existence on SARS cases.

Antibodies, Neutralizing ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; immunology