Humans ; Papillon-Lefevre Disease

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxic effect of fluoride on the human thyroid cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) and its mechanism.

METHODSNthy-ori 3-1 cells were exposed to 0.0, 0.1, 1.0, 3.0 mmol/L of sodium fluoride (NaF) in vitro. After 24 hours incubation, 3 (4,5-Dimethylthiazol-z-yl)-3, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay were used to measure cell viability and the LDH leakage rate. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, constituent ratio of the cell cycle, and apoptosis rate were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSComparing to viability of control group (set as 100.00%), the cell viability of the 1.0, 3.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated groups (76.64 +/- 9.13)%, (64.04 +/- 6.32)% were significantly decreased (all P values <0.01). LDH leakage rate and ROS level of the 3.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated group ((48.66 +/-7.15)%, (29993.50 +/- 1786. 86) FI) were significantly increased (all P values <0.01) compared to control group ((35.24 +/- 3.02)%, (13021.33 +/- 1067.55) FI). The G0/G1 phase cells of the 1.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated group ((40.76 +/- 5.65)%) were lower than control group (60.09 +/- 1.76)% (P < 0.01), yet the percentage of cells in S phase ((54.05 +/- 4.59)%) were higher than the control group (32.59 +/- 2.43) % (P < 0.01). Comparing to control group ((9.64 +/- 3.44)%), the percentage of apoptosis cells increased in the 3.0 mmol/L fluoride-treated group ((20.09 +/- 3.22)%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTo Nthy-ori 3-1 cells, fluoride under experimental concentrations decreases cell viability, improve the LDH leakage rate, and ROS level. It blocks the cells in S phase and induce cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Division ; Cell Line ; Fluorides ; toxicity ; Humans ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; analysis ; Thyroid Gland ; cytology ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDDetection of coronary microembolization is of clinical importance for patient management and prediction of long-term outcome. However, there are few studies of the changes of magnetic resonance imaging after coronary microembolization. This study was designed to investigate the imaging of the left ventricle using delayed contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as well as the left ventricular ejection fraction after coronary microembolization in animal models.

METHODSEight miniswine, of either sex (body weight 21-25 kg), were used to make the coronary microembolization model. After coronary angiography, a 2.8F infusion catheter was placed in the left anterior descending artery with the tip located between the second and third diagonal branches. Microspheres with the diameter of 42 microm and mean dosage of 1.2 x 10(5) were selectively infused into the left anterior descending artery. First pass and stressed first pass perfusion scan were performed after cine images were acquired. Then a second bolus of 0.15 mmol/kg gadolinium DTPA was given at a rate of 2 ml/s. Ten minutes later, delayed contrast enhanced magnetic resonance images of the left ventricular wall were evaluated. Serum changes of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSHypoenhancement was not observed at first pass perfusion at the anterior wall of the left ventricle. Hyperenhancements of the anterior-septal and anterior wall of the left ventricle was in evidence on delayed enhancement images 6 hours after microembolization and disappeared one week later. The characteristic change of coronary microembolization on delayed contrast enhanced magnetic imaging was non-enhanced regions within the hyperenhancement zone. Left ventricular ejection fraction measured by magnetic resonance imaging decreased significantly from 0.451 +/- 0.063 at baseline to 0.362 +/- 0.070 at the sixth hour (P < 0.01), and recovered to 0.431 +/- 0.053 one week later (P < 0.01 vs 6th hour). Compared with baseline values, the left ventricular end systolic volume enlarged significantly at 6th hour and at one week after microembolization (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). Serum TNF-alpha increased significantly at 6th hour (22.62 +/- 6.96) pg/ml compared with baseline (16.83 +/- 3.45) pg/ml (P < 0.05) and it further increased to (27.44 +/- 3.97) pg/ml at one week after coronary microembolization and was significantly higher than that at baseline (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOn delayed contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, hyperenhancement of the anterior-septal and anterior wall of the left ventricle show at 6th hour but not at one week after coronary microembolization. This might represent the characteristic imaging after coronary microembolization. The left ventricular ejection fraction decreased at 6th hour and recovered one week later after coronary microembolization. Although impairment of left ventricular function could be recovered at 1 week after coronary microembolization, the left ventricular remodeling process still continued in concert with continuously elevation of serum TNF-alpha.

Animals ; Contrast Media ; Coronary Angiography ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Swine ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVEIn this study, human bronchial epithelial cells were inoculated with positive sputum specimens of HBoV. After four days' infection, cytopathic effects (CPE) were observed by inverted microscopy. These viruses all cause typical cell damages such as rounded and shrivelled, fusion and fallout. These damages got quick following increased future degenerations. The other assay result of CPE within the infected cells were observed by inverted microscopy, have typical "owl's eye" plaque and above 90 percent hemadsorption within the infected cells by erythrocytes for hemadsorption technique. The typical fluorescence lump of nucleus within the infected cells was found by indirect immunofluorescence technique.

CONCLUSIONIsolation and identification of HBoV could be done in the human bronchial epithelial cell, and we found some characterizing CPE in the human bronchial epithelial cell after HBoV infection. The above studies pave a way for studying pathogenicity of human bocavirus.

Bocavirus ; physiology ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Death ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; virology ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Microscopy, Fluorescence

OBJECTIVESTo observe the role of PPARgamma during the activation process of hepatic stellate cells (HSC).

METHODSBy morphology and RT-PCR, we study the changes of expression of PPARgamma in culture-activated HSC or in vivo activated HSC induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).

RESULTSIn vitro, the expression level of PPARgamma in freshly isolated HSC (0.72+/-0.01) significantly reduced to 0.48+/-0.03 on the third day of culture (t = 19.8372, P<0.01), and reduced 70% on the seventh culture-day and could not be detected after the second passage. In vivo, HSC freshly isolated from normal control rats expressed PPARgamma (0.76+/-0.01). During the development of rat liver fibrosis induced by DMN, the expression level significantly reduced to 0.46+/-0.02 after the third injection of DMN (t = 29.5318, P<0.01), and reduced 66% on the end of first week and could not be detected on the end of second and third week.

CONCLUSIONThe expression of PPARgamma might play an important role on the maintenance of resting-form of HSC, and the reduction of expression of PPARgamma might be an early event during the activation process of HSC.

Animals ; Liver ; cytology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; physiology ; Transcription Factors ; physiology

BACKGROUNDSoft tissue rheumatism is a group of common rheumatic disorders reported in many countries. For investigating the prevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism in different population in China, we carried out a population study in Shantou rural and Taiyuan urban area.

METHODSSamples of 3915 adults in an urban area of Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, and 2350 in a rural area of Shantou, Guangdong Province were surveyed. Modified International League of Association for Rheumatology (ILAR)-Asia Pacific League of Association for Rheumatology (APLAR) Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) core questionnaire was implemented as screening tool. The positive responders were then all examined by rheumatologists.

RESULTSPrevalence rate of soft tissue rheumatism was 2.0% in Taiyuan, and 5.3% in Shantou. Rotator cuff (shoulder) tendinitis, adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and digital flexor tenosynovitis (trigger finger) were the commonly seen soft tissue rheumatism in both areas. Tatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and De Quervain's tenosynovitis were more commonly seen in Shantou than that in Taiyuan. Only 1 case of fibromyalgia was found in Taiyuan and 2 cases in Shantou. The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism varied with age, sex and occupation.

CONCLUSIONSSoft tissue rheumatism is common in Taiyuan and Shantou, China. The prevalence of soft tissue rheumatism was quite different with different geographic, environmental, and socioeconomic conditions; and varying with age, sex, and occupation. The prevalence of fibromyalgia is low in the present survey.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Bursitis ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Rheumatic Diseases ; epidemiology ; Sex Distribution ; Tendinopathy ; epidemiology ; Tenosynovitis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo design transoralpharyngeal atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP), evaluate its biomechanical performance and observe its preliminary clinical effect.

METHODSA brand-new TARP system was designed, including butterfly titanium alloy plate, self-locking screws, atlantoaxial reductor and other operation instruments. Twelve fresh occipital bone-C(3) specimen were designed for biomechanical test including range of motion (ROM) (n = 6) and screw pull-out strength (n = 12). Preliminary clinical application of TARP was reported.

RESULTSThe reduction mechanism of the TARP system was designed cleverly. TARP had equal effect with Magerl + Brooks and it was more stable than the other three clinically widely used atlantoaxial fixators: Magerl, Brooks and anterior transarticular screw fixation through C(2) vertebral body. TARP's C(1) and C(2) screws were strong enough for atlantoaxial arthrodesis and their antipull-out performance was excellent. Clinical application on irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation proved that TARP had the function of instant reduction, the operation was feasible and the operation effect was significant.

CONCLUSIONTARP's design is novel and it has excellent biomechanical performance. The operation procedure is simple and reasonable. Furthermore, instant reduction could be completed during the operation and the fixation is strong. Above all, TARP is creative and will have excellent prospect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Equipment Design ; standards ; Equipment and Supplies ; adverse effects ; standards ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Pharynx ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo design a clinically applicable transoralpharyngeal atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP), introduce the operation procedure, and evaluate its preliminary clinical effects.

METHODSA novel TARP system, including butterfly titanium alloy plate, self-locking screws, atlantoaxial reductor and other operational instruments was developed. This system was applied clinically on five patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation of congenital or traumatic origin. During operation, the reduction was completed by the combined action of the plate and the atlantoaxial reductor after transoral joint release and cord decompression. Bone graft granules were implanted between the bilateral atlantoaxial joints and TARP was used to immobilize subsequently the atlas and axis.

RESULTSClinical application demonstrated that TARP could induce instant reduction and that the method was operationally feasible and its postoperational effect was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe design of TARP is novel. The operational procedure is simple and easy to use. Furthermore, instant reduction can be completed during the operation and the fixation is relatively stable. TARP is an ideal alternative for irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation and may have excellent prospects for further clinical applications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Female ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study relevant anatomical features of the structures involved in transoral atlanto-axial reduction plate (TARP) internal fixation through transoral approach for treating irreducible atlanto-axial dislocation and providing anatomical basis for the clinical application of TARP.

METHODSTen fresh craniocervical specimens were microsurgically dissected layer by layer through transoral approach. The stratification of the posterior pharyngeal wall, the course of the vertebral artery, anatomical relationships of the adjacent structures of the atlas and axis, and the closely relevant anatomical parameters for TARP internal fixation were measured.

RESULTSThe posterior pharyngeal wall consisted of two layers and two interspaces: the mucosa, prevertebral fascia, retropharyngeal space, and prevertebral space. The range from the anterior edge of the foramen magnum to C(3) could be exposed by this approach. The thickness of the posterior pharyngeal wall was (3.6+/-0.3) mm (ranging 2.9-4.3 mm) at the anterior tubercle of C1, (6.1+/-0.4) mm (ranging 5.2-7.1 mm) at the lateral mass of C(1) and (5.5+/-0.4) mm (ranging 4.3-6.5 mm) at the central part of C(2), respectively. The distance from the incisor tooth to the anterior tubercle of C(1), C(1) screw entry point, and C(2)screw entry point was (82.5+/-7.8) mm (ranging 71.4-96.2 mm), (90.1+/-3.8) mm (ranging 82.2-96.3 mm), and (89.0+/-4.1) mm (ranging 81.3-95.3 mm), respectively. The distance between the vertebral artery at the atlas and the midline was (25.2+/- 2.3) mm (ranging 20.4-29.7 mm) and that between the vertebral artery at the axis and the midline was (18.4+/- 2.6) mm (ranging 13.1-23.0 mm). The allowed width of the atlas and axis for exposure was (39.4+/-2.2) mm (ranging 36.2-42.7 mm) and (39.0+/-2.1) mm (ranging 35.8-42.3 mm), respectively. The distance (a) between the two atlas screw insertion points (center of anterior aspect of C(1) lateral mass) was (31.4+/-3.3) mm (ranging 25.4-36.6 mm). The vertical distance (b) between the line connecting the two C(1) screw entry points and that connecting the two C(2) screw entry points (at the central part of the vertebrae, namely 3-4 mm lateral to the midline of C(2) vertebrae) was (21.3+/-2.7) mm (ranging 19.4-24.3 mm), with an a/b ratio of 1.3-1.5. The screws of TARP had a lateral tilt of 12.2 degrees+/-0.4 degrees(ranging 10.2 degrees-14.6 degrees) at C(1) and a medial tilt of 7.3 degrees+/-0.3 degrees (ranging 5.1 degrees-9.4 degrees) at C(2) relative to the coronal plane.

CONCLUSIONSAn atlanto-axial surgery through transoral approach is safe and feasible. This approach is suitable for an anterior TARP internal fixation, and the design of the internal fixation system should be based on the above anatomical data.

Atlanto-Axial Joint ; anatomy & histology ; surgery ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Cadaver ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Mouth ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Vertebral Artery ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate pave a way for studying pathogenicty of HBoV.

METHODSIsolation and cell culture of HBoV by human bronchial epithelial cell line, which was founded in our laboratory. The morphology of the virus were primarily studied with a transmission electron microscope. In addition, transcript mRNA was detected in human bronchial epithelial cells, which was passaged and infected within HBoV, using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amplified products nucleotide sequence of HBoV were sequencing and sequence analysis.

RESULTSCytopathic effect (CPE) was observed after the aseptic residue of filtration of 2 case sputum specimens with HBoV, which was inoculated to the human bronchial epithelial cell line. The virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm, which were hexagonal or spherical in shape and 18-26 nm in diameter,bulk was 20 nm. cDNA amplicon obtained 295 bp fragment results of electrophoresis bands as same as NS1 region of the conserved matrix gene of publish sequence of HboV. PCR products nucleotide sequence of HboV were compared with corresponding HboV GeneBank sequences. The comparison/alignment and construction of phylogenetic trees also point to an affiliation of the parvovirus to the species HBoV.

CONCLUSIONIsolation and identification of HBoV could be done in the human bronchial epithelial cell, and we found some characterizing CPE in the human bronchial epithelial cell after HBoV infection. The above studies pave a way for studying pathogenicty of human bocavirus.

Bronchi ; cytology ; virology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epithelial Cells ; virology ; Human bocavirus ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Parvoviridae Infections ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Virus Cultivation