OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of inward rectifier potassium channel blockers (BaCl2, CsCl) on the functions of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).

METHODSDensity gradient centrifugation-isolated rat hone marrow mononuclear cells were cultured in vitro. EPCs were harvested and seeded on six culture dish when cells grew to 3-5 passages. Before testing the EPCs were synchronized with M199, which contain 2% fetal calf serum. In the end, EPCs were treated with different intervention. The experiment mainly included two parts: (1) BaCl2 (100 micromol/L) and free BaC2 of Tyrodes solution; (2) CsCl (1 mmol/L) and control. Cell pretreated with blockers above mentioned for 12 h, then the gene expression of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), epoprotenol (PGI2) were assessed, beyond that the ability of adhesion, migration were assayed with different tests. In addition, the medium was collected when EPCs were treated for 3 days. The levels of SDF-1 were measured by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Going even further, EPCs were treated with the signal pathway blockers in advance, after repeat the above steps, in order to analyze the change of SDF-1 and then discuss its mechanism.

RESULTSCompared with control group, BaCl2, CsCl could increase EPC adhesion and migration to same extent. Moreover, the gene expression of SDF-1, PGI2 was significantly up-regulated and the production of SDF-1 increased evidently. Furthermore, the mechanism of SDF-1 secretion increasing mainly was associated with eNOS signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONBa2+ and Cs+ play important roles in increasing EPCs functions, such as adhesion, migration and secretion.

Animals ; Barium Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cesium ; pharmacology ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Chlorides ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Rats ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective To investigate the methylation status in the promoter region of Dickkopf-3 (Dkk3) gene in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS),and to initially explore the relationship between the methylation of this gene and survival time.Methods Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was applied to measure the promoter methylation of Dkk3 gene in 43 bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of MDS patients.As controls,70 normal peripheral blood samples from general outpatients were examined.Results In 43 patients with MDS,7 patients (16.3 ％) showed Dkk3 gene methylation.And 5 of them were semi-methylation status,2 of them were exhaustive methylation status.In 70 controls,1 showed Dkk3 gene semi-methylation.The frequency of methylation in MDS patients was significantly higher than that of controls (x2 =8.93,P =0.005).In the Dkk3 methylation group,2/7 were from bone marrow and 5/7 were from peripheral blood.Meanwhile,2 patients were RA,1 patient was RCMD,4 patients were RAEB.There was no significant difference between the different sample source (bone marrow or peripheral blood) for the results of the methylation status (x2 =0.051,P =0.821).Either between the different sex,age,type,chromosome and WPSS score (P ＞ 0.05).The progress of disease didn't influence the methylation frequency (P ＞ 0.05).The smvival analysis showed no relationship between the methylation of this gene and smvival time.Conclusions In this MDS group,there is high level of methyl-modification in Dkk3 gene.The methylation of Dkk3 might be one of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the progress of patients with MDS.The peripheral blood sample maybe a better substitute in detective of Dkk3 with MDS.

Objective To study the significance of the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF)lactate level in diagnosing neonatal bacterial meningitis(BM). Methods The CSF samples were collected from neonates admitted to Neonatal Ward of Children's Hospital of Fudan University between January 2014 and March 2015. CSF lactate and glucose con-centrations were measured with blood - gas analyzer. CSF and serum glucose levels were measured with glucometer. The enrolled neonates were divided into 2 groups based on CSF culture,CSF white blood cells(WBCs)and clinical presenta-tion:observation group(neonates with BM)and control group(neonates without BM). Statistical analysis of data was performed with Stata 12. 0. Results A total of 93 infants(16 assigned to observation group and 77 assigned to control group)met the inclusion criteria. Neonates in observation group had higher median CSF lactate level(4. 2 mmol/ L)and CSF lactate/ glucose ratio(L/ Gcsf)(2. 32 mmol/ L),than those in control group(1. 3 mmol/ L,0. 52),and there were significant differences(Z = - 6. 19,- 5. 92,all P ﹤ 0. 05). CSF glucose levels were lower in observation group(me-dian,1. 25 mmol/ L)than those in control group(median,2. 5 mmol/ L),and the difference was significant(Z = 4. 97, P ﹤ 0. 05);CSF/ serum glucose ratio(CSF/ Sglu)were lower in observation group(median,0. 44 vs 0. 81 in control group),and the difference was significant(Z = 4. 43,P ﹤ 0. 05). The optimal CSF lactate cutoff point of 2. 2 mmol/ L had a positive predictive value(PPV)of 72. 7% and negative predictive value(NPV)of 100. 0% for bacterial meningi-tis. The optimal L/ Gcsf cutoff point of 1. 24 had a PPV of 94. 1% and NPV of 100. 0% . The optimal CSF glucose cutoff point of 2. 0 mmol/ L had a PPV of 65. 0% and NPV of 95. 9% . The optimal CSF/ Sglu cutoff point of 0. 6 had a PPV of 60. 0% and a NPV of 96. 9% . Conclusion CSF lactate may be an excellent biomarker for early diagnosis of neo-natal BM.

Objective To research the curative effect of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine on Kashin-Beck disease(KBD). Methods According to Diagnosis for Kashin-Beck disease,80 patients of adult KBD were detected from Guanghui village Shangzhi city Heilongjiang province in July,2007,and they divided into treatment group and control group according to their condition,age and sex,40 person in each group. Treatment group was given chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate,and control group was given placebo(equivalent amount of starch). Bilateral knees X-ray films were shot before and after treatment (8th month),scale division magnifying glass was used to measure the width of joint space on X-ray films. Results The width of joint space respectively was (4.30±2.14) and (4.10±2.07)mm in control group before and after treatment,and treatment group respectively was (4.17±2.15),(4.16±2.11)mm. Medicine had no obviously role on joint space (F = 0.50,P > 0.05),Time and both of time and medicine had obvious role on joint space(F= 67.66,46.74,all P< 0.05). Joint space of treat group was thinner than control group(P < 0.05) before treatment,but thicker after treatment(P < 0.05). To compare with the width of before treatment,joint space width of control group became obviously narrow(P < 0.05). Conclusions Experimental group taking chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate alleviated knee joint space narrowing process of adults KBD patients compared with control group. It plays a protection role in articular cartilage and provides evidences for choosing drug and evaluating effect in the treatment of adults KBD.

Objective To investigate the etiology and epidemiological characteristics of diarrhea in Minhang District of Shanghai from 2014 to 2016, so as to provide scientific basis to monitor diarrhea disease and to control cluster epidemics. Methods The diarrhea cases in monitoring hospitals from 2014 to 2016 were analyzed by epidemiological methods.Stool specimens were collected using systematic sampling for etiological examination.All specimens were tested for cholera, Shigella, salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, rotavirus, norovirus and enteric adenovirus. Results Totally 11 742 cases of diarrhea were reported in Minhang District of Shanghai from 2014 to 2016.The majority of the patients were young and middle aged adults.885 stool samples were detected for pathogen, 454 cases (51.30%) were pathogen positive including 57 cases of bacterial and virus co-infection.The detection rates of bacteria and viruses were respectively 10.36%(92/454)and 34.46%(305/454).Three kinds of bacteria and five kinds of viruses were detected, that were mainly Vibrio parahaemolyticus (n=72), salmonella (n=19), norovirus (n=195) and rotavirus A (n=71).The positive rate of pathogens reached the peak from January to March.There was a significant difference in pathogen positive rate between different seasons, while no difference between different years, gender and age groups.The epidemic peaks of different pathogens were different, with bacteria in summer and virus in winter and spring. Conclusion The positive rate of pathogens that caused diarrhea in Minhang District shows a significant seasonal peak.Norovirus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and rotavirus A are the three main pathogens.It is necessary to take effective measures for diarrhea disease control according to the epidemiological characteristics.

Objective To determine the status of glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients in Jiangsu province. Methods Survey was conducted among outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus from 56 diabetes centers including 23 tertiary hospitals, 18 secondary hospitals and 15 primary hospitals, covering 13 cities in Jiangsu province. Data were obtained by patient interview and by reviewing medical records of the most recent laboratory assessment and clinical examinations. Blood samples were collected during patient′s visits for assessment of HbA1C. Results The mean HbA1Cof 2 966 patients was 7.18%±1.58%. Mean age of patients was(56.4±11.2) years, mean duration of diabetes was(6.3±5.7) years, and mean body mass index was(24.5±3.3) kg/m2. The proportion of good control was 40.2% defined as HbA1C＜6.5%. 42.2% of the patients in the tertiary hospitals, 36.5% of the cases in the secondary hospitals, and 36.2% of cases in the primary hospitals achieved that goal with HbA1C＜6.5%, while age, body mass index, and duration of diabetes revealed no difference among these 3 groups of patients. Conclusions The status of glycemic control in Jiangsu province has been improved as compared with the result from national survey performed 3 years ago. Patients from tertiary hospitals are better controlled than those from secondary and primary hospitals. Structural interventions to improve diabetes care in secondary and primary hospitals are needed.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of changes of processing time on the surface properties of titanium coating formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO).

METHODSForty-four disc-shaped pure titanium specimens with 10 mm diameter and 1 mm thickness were equally divided into 4 groups and processed by MAO technique in electrolytes containing 0.2 mol/L calcium acetate (CA) and 0.02 mol/L β-glycerol phosphate disodium salt pentahydrate (β-GP). The processing time were set at 1 min, 5 min, 10 min and 15 min respectively. The topograph of the MAO film surface and the film-substrate interface was observed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the composition was analyzed by an energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) incorporated in the SEM. The phase and the microstructure of the film were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The roughness of the film was measured using a roughness tester. The surface static contact angle was detected by a contact angle measurement instrument and the surface energy was calculated accordingly.

RESULTSWith the increase of processing time from 1 min to 15 min, the pore size increased from (1.30 ± 0.07) µm to (1.55 ± 0.09) µm, and film thickness increased from (10.2 ± 1.1) µm to (20.9 ± 2.9) µm. The content of the Ca in the film increased accordingly, and Ca/P increased from 1.99 to 2.45, and the surface energy increased from 24.62 mJ/m(2) to 39.49 mJ/m(2). Meanwhile, the XRD pattern indicated that rutile increased but anatase and titanium decreased gradually. At the time of 15 min, part of the MAO film peeled off.

CONCLUSIONSProcessing time has impact on the thickness, surface topography, crystal component and surface energy of titanium MAO coating. MAO film treated for 5 - 10 min demonstrated favorable surface properties.

Dental Implants ; Dental Materials ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the bond strength of total-etch or self-etch dentin bonding agents after using two different dentin desensitizers on exposed dentin and investigate the bond interface by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

METHODSThirty intact and non-carious human third molars were used. The occlusal enamel was removed with the use of a slow-speed saw under water cooling. These teeth were divided into three groups using a table of random numbers with 10 teeth each. These three groups were treated with water (Group C), UltraEZ (Group U) and MI Paste (Group M) respectively. Then 10 teeth from each group were divided into A subgroup (n = 5) bonded with Single Bond 2 adhesive system and B subgroup (n = 5) bonded with Xeno III adhesive system according to manufacturers' instructions. A block of composite resin was build up to 4-5 mm. All the teeth were sectioned occluso-gingivally to obtain bar-shaped specimens with bonded surface area about 0.9 mm x 0.9 mm. The tension of the sample was tested by a microtensile tester at 1 mm/min. The mean values of bond strength were compared using one-way ANOVA. Three samples were chosen randomly from each of six groups for SEM investigation.

RESULTSThere were no significant differences between Group U and Group C both in A and B subgroups. While there were significant differences between Group M and Group C in two bonding-agent subgroups. For SEM, the hybrid layer was thin and dense in six groups. Both total-etch and self-etch bonding systems could get fair resin tag infiltration in Group C and Group U. In Group M, the resin tags were relatively shorter and fewer than the anterior mentioned two groups.

CONCLUSIONSUltraEZ had no effect on bond strength of both kinds of dentin bonding agents, while MI paste could diminish bond strength.

Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate ; chemistry ; Dental Materials ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; chemistry ; Humans ; Materials Testing ; Molar, Third ; Nitrates ; chemistry ; Potassium Compounds ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDThe global outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) has led to the Ministry of Health of China listing it as one of the A-class infectious diseases. Pneumonia is the most serious complication of influenza A, commonly causing death. Populations are ordinarily susceptible to influenza A. This study aimed to investigate the imaging manifestation features of critical influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia and to improve its diagnostic techniques.

METHODSA total of seven death cases from critical influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed on their imaging manifestations and autopsy data. Pulmonary CT scanning was performed for five cases, with one receiving additional chest X-ray and chest CT scanning, and chest postero-anterior position X-ray examination was performed for other two. Autopsy was performed for five cases and postmortem examinations were performed for other two cases.

RESULTSThe seven cases of influenza A showed critical manifestations in 4 - 7 days after symptoms onset, with two having basic diseases of diabetes and one being pregnant. Extensive blurry high-density shadows of bilateral lungs were found in three cases, which were most obvious in middle and inferior parts of lungs. Pulmonary CT scanning revealed bilateral flaky parenchymal shadows in peripheral, dorsal and fundus segments of the middle-inferior parts of lungs, with one case of complicated pneumothorax, atelectasis and pleural effusion and another case of thin-walled cavity and dilated bronchi shadows in the superior parts of lungs.

CONCLUSIONSDiagnostic imaging is an important assessing tool for critical influenza A (H1N1) pneumonia. The imaging manifestations are characteristic instead of being specific. The definitive diagnosis can be made in combination with clinical examinations and laboratory tests.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; pathogenicity ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pregnancy ; Radiography ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Biomarkers, Tumor ; Bronchi ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Genes, p16 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Mucous Membrane ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sensitivity and Specificity