Adult ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Occupational Exposure ; Vanadium ; toxicity

BACKGROUND: Similar to other prosthesis, metal-metal prosthesis would produce plenty of wear particles and metal ions, mainly presented as cobalt (Co~(2+)) and chromium (Cr~(3+)), which can lead to osteolysis, eventually, result in aseptic loosening. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Co~(2+) and Cr~(3+) ions on the cells viability and expression of RANK in rats m0nocyte-macrophage cells (RAW264.7) in vitro. METHODS: Monocyte-macrophage cells (RAW264.7) were cultured in vitro, and then the cells were exposed to Co~(2+) and Cr~(3+) ions. The cell viability was assured by MTT test and the level of RANK Mrna was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR at different times. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared to the control group, MTT test demonstrated that Co~(2+) and Cr~(3+)ions could decrease the cell activity of monocyte-macrophage cells obviously. When the cells were exposed to Co~(2+) Cr~(3+) ions, compared to the control group, the Mrna expression of RANK of the metal ions group was increased at 12 hours (P < 0.05), reached its peak level at 24 hours (P < 0.05), and decreased at 48 hours than that of 24 hours (P < 0.05). The results revealed that metal ions have a cytotoxic effect on monocyte-macrophage cells, stimulate the expression of RANK, and have the potential of facilitating monocyte-macrophages cells transform into osteoclast-like cells.

Objective　To study the effects of systemic irradiation and conglutinant drug W11-a12 on the number and some functions of wound nentrophils (Neu). Methods　Wound Neu was collected from sponges which were implanted in rat's dorsum incision. The number of Neu, as well as the phagocytic function and motility of wound Neu were measured. Results　After 4,6,8 Gy systemic irradiation, the number of white blood cells and Neu in wound, as well as the phagocytic function and chemotactic motility of wound Neu, were significantly decreased at 24 h, 48 h after wounding. W11-a12 markedly increased the number of wound Neu, improved the phagocytic function and chemotactic motility of wound Neu at 24 h, 48 h after wounding despite the rats were radiated or not. Conclusion　The results indicated that the decreased number and function of wound Neu in the early stage of wound healing contributed to the impairment of repair after systemic irradiation. W11-a12 accelerated normal and irradiation-impaired wound healing partly by increasing the number of wound Neu and improving the Neu function.

AlM: To investigate the effect of endocapsular phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens (lOL) implantation with a 1. 8mm or 3. 0mm clear corneal incision on total root mean square ( RMS ) value of the cornea, corneal astigmatism, spherical aberration, coma, trefoil and tear film.
METHODS:ln a prospective study, 156 age- related patients ( 196 eyes ) were randomly distributed into two groups. 1. 8mm-group comprised 94 eyes that had a silicone lOL inserted through a 1. 8mm sutureless clear corneal incision, while, 3. 0mm- group comprised 102 eyes through a 3. 0mm clear corneal incision. Postoperatively, the changes in the total RMS value of the cornea, corneal astigmatism, spherical aberration, coma, trefoil and tear film at 1wk, 1 and 3mo were determined respectively.
RESULTS:ln both groups, postoperatively at 1wk,there were statistically significant differences ( P<0. 05 ) in the total RMS value of the cornea, corneal astigmatism, spherical aberration, coma, trefoil and tear film, while, there were statistically minimal differences ( P< 0. 05 ) between 1. 8mm-group and 3. 0mm-group at 1mo, but were not statistically significantly different ( P > 0. 05 ) between two groups at 3mo postoperative.
CONCLUSlON:This study confirms that incision size has strong impact on the corneal higher-order aberrations, especially, 3. 0mm incision caused significant differences in the total RMS value of cornea, corneal astigmatism, spherical aberration, coma, trefoil and tear film compared with 1. 8mm micro-incision, therefore, micro-incision is very beneficial for clinical use in phacoemulsification.

Objective To investigate health-related quality of life of the empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou and its influencing factors.Methods A total of 1000 empty-nest elderly were selected to participate the questionaire survey, using a stratified cluster sampling method,and the five-dimensional European quality of health scale(EQ-5D)was used to measure the health status of the empty-nest elderly. Chi square test and univariate ANOVA analysis were used to identify potential influencing factors.Results A total of 992 participants were involved in this study. The proportions of participants who had difficulties or problems in mobility,self-care,usual activities,pain/discomfort,and anxiety/depression were 16.13%,11.09%,19.76%,48.49% and 29.84% respectively. In terms of usual activities, pain/discomfort,and anxiety/depression,the proportions of empty-nest elderly who had difficulties or problems in those three dimensions were significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas(P<0.05). The range of EQ-5D utility value was -0.11 to 0.85,with an average value of 0.75±0.13. The study showed that the elderly without chronic diseases, tending to pour out their feelings or ask for help when they were in trouble,participating activities held by political parties or communities,with lower personal incomes,and depending on children to support their life after retirement were more likely to have higher EQ-5D utility values(all P<0.01).Conclusion The health-related quality of life of empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou is at a low level,and is influenced by several soci-demographic factors. Encouraging the elderly to ask for help,improving the management of chronic diseases and providing more social supports could improve the health-related quality of life of the elderly.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between polymorphisms at -14 bp and zinc finger protein(ZNF) sites of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) gene promotor and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level and coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSPolymorphisms of Bme13901 restriction site at -14 bp and an insertion/deletion site of ACCCC in variable number of tandem repeats-zinc finger protein(VNTR-ZNF) of ABCA1 gene were detected using PCR in 260 CHD patients and 220 healthy subjects from a Chinese population in Tianjin.

RESULTSCT genotype was most common in both groups with no differences found in between (P> 0.05). No differences were found in the frequencies of the rare T allele for -14 bp (P> 0.05). For the -14 bp site, subjects with CT/TT genotype had a lower serum mean concentration of HDL-C compared with those with the CC genotype (P< 0.05). Genotypic frequencies of VNTR-ZNF were 6.2% for the inserted form, 43.8% for the deleted form and 50.0% for the inserted/deleted form. No significant difference was found in the distribution of allele and genotype, or in the levels of HDL-C between the two groups (P> 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe genotypes at -14 bp of ABCA1 gene are associated with the plasma level of HDL-C. HDL-C levels in T allele carriers were significantly lower (P< 0.05). No association was found between variations in ABCA1 VNTR-ZNF and plasma levels of HDL-C, or between the ABCA1 -14 bp and VNTR-ZNF polymorphisms and susceptibility for CHD.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 ; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; genetics ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Cholesterol, HDL ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic

AIMTo investigate the influence and the mechanism of SK on the contractility of cultured cardiomyocytes of rats.

METHODSThe primary cultured single myocardial cell was treated with SK and the contraction frequency and size of cardiomyocyte were determined by a computer image analysis system. At the same time the effects of propranolol (a beta receptor antagonist), phentolamine (a alpha receptor antagonist), DSP (a tachykinin receptor antagonist) on the action of SK were investigated.

RESULTSSK increased contractive extend of the cardiomyocyte, in which a dose-response relationship of SK at 1.78 x 10(-8) - 1.78 x 10(-5) mol/L exists. But the frequency of contraction did not change, pretreatment with propranolol, phentolamine had no action on the effect of SK, but DSP markedly attenuated the effects of SK.

CONCLUSIONSK may directly enhance the contractility of single cardiomyocyte, which may be related with the tachykinin receptor.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Benzylamines ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Myocardial Contraction ; drug effects ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neurokinin A ; pharmacology ; Phentolamine ; pharmacology ; Propranolol ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Tachykinin ; antagonists & inhibitors

Objective　To observe some biological features of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and explore the best conditions for isolatin g and culturing in vitro. Methods　Common cell culture techn ique, light and electron microscopy were used to study the effects of the growth , proliferation, morphology of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in differe nt adherent time, concentration of serum and cell density. Results　The best culture condition in vitro for growth was 4-24 hours adherent time, 5%-10% fetal bovine serum, (4-8)×104/ml cell density. The cells were sp indle in shape and had a strong ability of proliferation. The time for cell duplication was 3 to 4 days. The cells showed the characteristics of stem cell s in electron microscope. Conclusion　The best condition for iso lation and culture of bone marrow mesemchymal stem cells was successfully establ ished and some biological features were obserred. It found a base for further in vestigation and using of mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective To learn the pension willingness and influencing factors of empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou City. Methods A total of 1000 empty-nest elderly in Hangzhou, taking a formal hosusehold registration, living≥1 year, age≥ 65 years old, were selected from two urban districts and three suburbs by multi-stage simple random sampling, and were surveyed with questionnaires. The data was analyzed by logistic regression model to study the influencing factors of pension willingness. Results A total of 992 valid questionnaires were collected and the effective rate was 99.20%. There were 407 (41.03%) , 365 (36.79%) , 208 (20.97%) and 12 (1.21%) people in the 992 empty-nest elderly, choosing their children's support, social pension insurance, personal pension and other old-age methods. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, the empty-nest elderly who worried about pension costs (OR=3.007, 95%CI:1.751-5.155), and the greatest wish was physical health (OR=4.404, 95%CI:1.461-13.276), family harmony (OR=7.724, 95% CI: 2.158-27.646), children work smoothly (OR=4.811, 95%CI: 1.203-19.246) . The lower health score (OR=0.982, 95% CI: 0.965-0.999), choosing their children's support as their pension willingness were relatively high, and the empty-nest elderly who worried about pension costs (OR=2.058, 95%CI: 1.267-3.344), the original occupation for the staff (OR=2.353, 95% CI: 1.091-5.078) , city household registration (OR=0.546, 95% CI:0.349-0.856) . The lower the health score (OR=0.979, 95%CI: 0.966-0.993) choose social pension insurance as their pension willingness would be relatively high pension. Conclusion The influencing factors of the pension willingness of the empty-nest elderly were worried about pension costs, the greatest wish, and health status, urban and rural household registration.

OBJECTIVETo explore better therapy and reduce the rate of re-relapse of primary nephritic syndrome in children who had been treated with corticosteroids but relapsed.

METHODSEighty relapsers were enrolled from Jan. 1994 to Apr. 2000, who were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n=39) had been treated with tripterysium glucosides for three months, with the control group (n=41) members were treated with cyclophosphmide (CTX) by intermission intravenous pulse, with total dose of CTX not being more than 150 mg/kg. Prednisone, meanwhile, was given to both groups. The total treatment period of prednisone was prolonged by 12-18 months.

RESULTSAfter following up for 3-7 years, the re-relapse rates of both groups were observed. The re-relapse rate of the treatment group was 28.2% to 29.3% in the CTX-controlled group. The re-relapse rates between two groups were almost similar, and with no observed significant difference (P>0.05). The side effect of tripterysium glucosides was less than that of CTX.

CONCLUSIONFor the treatment of relapsing nephritic syndrome in children, the combination of tripterysium glucosides and prolonged corticosteroid therapy is as effective as the regimen of CTX plus prolonged use of prednisone.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Child, Preschool ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; administration & dosage ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; diagnosis ; prevention & control ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Secondary Prevention ; Treatment Outcome