In order to investigate in greater detail the two methods based on Hertz model for analyzing force-distance curve obtained by atomic force microscopy, we acquired the force-distance curves of Hela and MCF-7 cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM) indentation in this study. After the determination of contact point, Young's modulus in different indentation depth were calculated with two analysis methods of "two point" and "slope fitting". The results showed that the Young's modulus of Hela cell was higher than that of MCF-7 cell,which is in accordance with the F-actin distribution of the two types of cell. We found that the Young's modulus of the cells was decreased with increasing indentation depth and the curve trends by "slope fitting". This indicated that the "slope fitting" method could reduce the error caused by the miscalculation of contact point. The purpose of this study was to provide a guidance for researcher to choose an appropriate method for analyzing AFM indentation force-distance curve.
Actins ; Elastic Modulus ; HeLa Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; cytology ; Microscopy, Atomic Force

BACKGROUND:Theex-vivo expanded autologous adipose-derived stem cels have the capability of multipotential differentiation and have a broad application prospect in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. OBJECTIVE:To observe the nasal mucosal structural repair and functional reconstruction usingex-vivo expanded autologous adipose-derived stem cels. METHODS:Ten patients with mucosal damage due to the physical or chemical factors were enroled, including six cases of mucosal scar and four cases of mucosal ulceration. Autologous adipose tissue was extracted forin vitro isolation, culture and expansion of adipose-derived stem cels. Before transplantation, quality safety testing was done. Al the patients were injected adipose-derived stem cels (1×107/cm2 0.1 cm mucosal tissue sample at 30 days before and after transplantation for hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson ) at an interval of 15 days, totaly for three times. Nasal volume, minimum cross-sectional area, and mucociliary clearance function were determined at 30, 90, 150 days after the final injection. Three of 10 patients were selected to take a 0.1 cm× trichrome staining, and AB-PAS staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Clinical symptoms were aleviated in al patients undergoing transplantation of adipose-derived stem cels. Compared with the baseline data, the nasal volume and minimum cross-sectional area were both decreased at 30, 90, 150 days after transplantation (P < 0.05), and the mucociliary clearance function was improved but not significantly (P > 0.05). Compared with the baseline data, the inflammation of the nasal mucosa was significantly reduced, colagen fibers arranged neatly, the deposition was decreased, and mucin secreted from goblet cels was increased in the selected three patients at 30 days after cel transplantation. These findings indicate thatex-vivo expanded autologous adipose-derived stem cels can be used to reconstruct the nasal mucosal structure and its function.

Objective A prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out to explore the best time of In-domethacin suppositories administration for the prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis in high-risk groups. Methods 81 patients were enrolled in the study finally. Patients were randomized into group A (100 mg rectal Indomethacin suppositories was administrated immediately after ERCP), group B (100 mg rectal Indomethacin suppositories was administrated half an hour after ERCP) and group C (ERCP alone group, which did not give Indomethacin supposito-ries). The level of serum amylase, urine amylase, serum CRP, serum IL-6, serum TNF-α were measured before, 3 h, 24 h and 48 h after ERCP, and the incidence of PEP and hyperamylasemia were analyzed. Results There was 1 case (4.00%) of PEP in group A, 2 cases (5.41%) of PEP in group B and 5 cases (26.31%) of PEP in group C;the incidences of PEP of group A and group B were significant lower than that in group C (P < 0.05). There was 1 case (4.00%) of hyperamylasemia in group A, 5 cases (13.51 %) of hyperamylasemia in group B and 6 cases (31.6 %) of hyperamylasemia in group C, and the incidences of hyperamylasemia of group A and group B were significant lower than that in group C ( P< 0.05). Conclusion Administration of 100 mg Indomethacin suppositories immediately or half an hour after ERCP can effectively reduce the incidence of PEP and hyperamylasemia.

OBJECTIVETo map the high myopia gene in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant high myopia.

METHODSA family with autosomal dominant high myopia in three generations was collected. Eighteen short-tandem-repeat markers on previously reported loci linked to high myopia were chosen for genotyping and two-point linkage analysis was carried out.

RESULTSThe spherical equivalent of affected individuals ranges from -6.00D to -20.00D and the genetic pattern is autosomal dominant. The LOD score was less than -1 in all 18 microsatellite markers, indicating that there was no linkage between these markers and the high myopia related genes in this family.

CONCLUSIONA novel myopia locus for high-grade myopia may exist in the kindred. Genome-wide scan will be needed to determine this novel locus.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Genetic Linkage ; Humans ; Lod Score ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Myopia ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Refraction, Ocular ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVESTo evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, outcome, and incidence of complications after combined clear corneal phacoemulsification (PEA) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and vitreoretinal surgery.

METHODSCombined operations of PEA and PPV were performed on 52 eyes of 52 patients with cataract and vitreoretinal diseases.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up time was (10.3+/-2.8) months. Postoperatively, visual acuity improved in 46 eyes (88.5%); was unchanged in 6 eyes (11.5%). The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were the following: 20/40 or better (9 eyes), 20/50 to 20/100 (24 eyes), 20/200 (5 eyes), 20/400 (10 eyes), and fingers counting (FC) to light perception (LP) (4 eyes). In 38 eyes BCVA was 20/200 or better, and in 9 eyes it was 20/40 or better postoperatively. Postoperative complications included posterior capsual opacification (7 eyes); secondary glaucoma (1 eye); and retinal detachment (2 eyes).

CONCLUSIONAlthough further studies are indicated, our study suggests that the combined operation of PPV, PEA and IOL implantation is safe and effective for patients. The visual outcome and complications depended primarily on underlying posterior segment pathology and were not related to the combined procedure technique.

Adult ; Aged ; Cataract ; Female ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; methods ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Light ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perception ; Phacoemulsification ; methods ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Vision, Ocular ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the relationship between nodular goiter and hepatitis C virus infection.

METHODSNinety-seven cases of early treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C were collected for analysis.Data on patient age,sex,hepatitis duration and other general information were collected.In addition, data on clinical measures of thyroid function (including T3, t4, tSH) and thyroid autoantibodies (thyroid peroxidase antibody TPO-Ab, thyroglobulin antibody Tg-Ab), as well as findings from thyroid dimensional ultrasonography were collected. One hundred and eleven cases of early treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B and 106 eases of females 40 years old or older with high risk of nodular goiter were collected for use as controls.The relationship between nodular goiter with thyroid function, thyroid autoantibodies levels,sex,age,and hepatitis C virus infection were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe prevalence rates of nodular goiter in the chronic hepatitis C group, the chronic hepatitis B group and the more than or equal to 40 year-old women with high risk of nodular goiter were 53.6%,36.9% and 59.4% respectively.The prevalence rates of nodular goiter in the chronic hepatitis C group and the more than or equal to 40 year-old women with high risk of nodular goiter were significantly higber than that in the chronic hepatitis B group (x² values: 5.820 and 10.996, P < 0.05). The average age of patients with chronic hepatitis C combined with nodular goiter was significantly higher than their counterparts without goiter (F=6.408, P < 0.05),and the prevalence rate in the more than or equal to 40 year-old women with high risk of nodular goiter was significantly higher than that of their counterparts who were less than 40 years-old (60.0% vs. 23.5%; x² =7.499, P less than 0.05). The prevalence of nodular goiter in patients with chronic hepatitis C was significantly greater for females than for males (62.1% vs. 41.0%; x 2 =4.152, P < 0.05).The prevalence of nodular goiter in patients with chronic hepatitis C was also significantly higher for females more than or equal to 40 years old than for males (70.2%, 33/47 vs. 45.5%,15/33; x² = 4.952, P < 0.05).The duration of hepatitis, thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies were similar between the patients in the chronic hepatitis C group with or without nodular goiter.

CONCLUSIONSThe patients with chronic hepatitis C had a higher prevalence of nodular goiter,with an average of up to 53.6%, than the patients with chronic hepatitis B,and the women the more than or equal to 40 years old had even higher prevalence, at 70.2%, suggesting that patients with chronic hepatitis C should be routinely examined by thyroid ultrasound. Thyroid function and thyroid autoantibodies were not correlated with prevalence of goiter among the chronic hepatitis C patients.

Autoantibodies ; Female ; Goiter, Nodular ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of hepatic flare and evaluate efficacy of antiviral treatment in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Methods: A single-center, open-label, prospective study was conducted, and pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA of pregnant women with chronic HBV infection were reviewed during every 4 to 12 weeks of gestation period. The proportion and clinical characteristics of hepatitis flare during pregnancy were observed. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict hepatic flare in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. Antiviral therapy with telbivudine (LdT) or tenofovir dipivoxil (TDF) was used to treat hepatic flare during pregnancy. Sequential entecavir (ETV) or TDF was applied after the delivery. Treatment course and drug withdrawal in pregnant women with hepatic flare was the same as those of the general patients with chronic hepatitis B. Liver function, HBV serum markers and HBV DNA were measured in pregnant women with hepatic flare at different time points (4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks). A t-test was used to compare the hepatic flare in pregnant women with and without hepatitis group. HBsAg and HBeAg were used to quantify the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy. Area under the ROC curve was used to calculate the optimal cut-off value corresponding to the maximum sensitivity and specificity of the ROC curve. Results: Of the 220 pregnant women with chronic HBV infection, 55 (25%) had hepatitis flare during pregnancy and received antiviral treatment. Among the 55 women with hepatic flare during gestation, 47 (85.46%) had hepatic flare in the mid-second trimester (12-24 weeks); average peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 220.62 U/L, and the average peak value of ALT in 32 cases (58.18%) of pregnant women with hepatic flare was between 2–5 × ULN. HBsAg and HBeAg quantification were significantly lower in pregnant women with hepatic flare during pregnancy than with non-hepatitis (t = -3.745, P < 0.001; t = -2.186, P = 0.030). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women with HBeAg < 3.065 log10 s/co were 7.576 times more likely to have hepatic flare during pregnancy (95% confidence interval: 3.779-15.190). ALT normalization, undetectable HBV DNA levels, HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion in 55 pregnant women with hepatic flare at 52-week treatment was 100% (55/55), 74.55% (41/55), 47.27% (26/55) and 41.82% (23/55), respectively. HBsAg quantification at 52 weeks was significantly lower than baseline HBsAg quantification (3.32 + 0.37) log₁₀ IU/ml and (3.95 + 0.40) log₁₀ IU/ml; t = 8.465, P < 0.001). Conclusion Hepatic flare often occurs in the second trimester of pregnancy in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection and baseline HBeAg quantification is an independent predictor of hepatic flare. HBeAg seroconversion rate increased at 52 weeks after antiviral therapy.

OBJECTIVETo study the association between the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the high-temperature requirement A-1 (HTRA1) gene and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Chinese Han population.

METHODSFive SNPs in the HTRA1 gene (rs2014307, rs2248799, rs2300433, rs714816 and rs2268356) were genotyped by ABI Snapshot method in Han Chinese cohort composed of 344 patients with RA and 288 healthy controls. The serum rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP) of the patients were determined by endpoint nephelometry method.

RESULTSGenotypes of all the five SNPs in the HTRA1 gene were not significantly different between the RA patients and controls (P> 0.05). Haplotypes generated by these five SNPs did not show significantly difference between the two groups either (P> 0.05). Serum RF levels in the RA patients had no significant difference among the genotypes for four SNPs (rs2014307, rs2248799, rs714816, and rs2268356) in the HTRA1 gene, while RF levels in the RA patients with genotypes AA+AG of the rs2300433 locus were significantly higher than that in genotype GG carriers (P< 0.05). Serum CRP levels in the RA patients had no significant difference among the genotypes for all the five SNPs.

CONCLUSIONAuthor's results suggested that although the five SNPs in the HTRA1 gene were not associated with RA in Chinese Han population, RF levels in the RA patients with genotypes AA and AG in the rs2300433 locus were significantly higher than the GG carriers. The HTRA1 role in RF regulation needs to be further investigated.

Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; High-Temperature Requirement A Serine Peptidase 1 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Serine Endopeptidases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the factors regarding the recovery of postoperative blood pressure of aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) patients.

METHODSSixty-eight patients with APA were recruited and their data including retinal blood vessel by Doppler sonography, urinary trace albumin, pathological changes of renal biopsy and the adrenal tissues around the adenoma were analyzed in order to determine the correlation between these data and postoperative durative hypertension.

RESULTSPostoperative durative hypertension occurred in 14 cases (41.2%) with increased resistance of unilateral or bilateral central artery of retina, in 16 cases (66.7%) with increased level of urinary trace albumin. Fifteen cases underwent renal biopsy and all of them showed different pathological alterations, 11 cases (73.3%) of which presented with postoperative durative hypertension. The pathological changes of the adrenal tissues around the adenoma is either atrophy or non-atrophy (normal or hyperplasia), 8 cases (40%) and 10 cases (22.2%) of which showed postoperative durative hypertension, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe renal pathological changes and increased resistance of retinal blood vessel are the main reasons leading to postoperative hypertension in patients with APA.

Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Adrenal Glands ; pathology ; Adrenocortical Adenoma ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Hypertension ; etiology ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Retinal Artery ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Resistance ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo describe the status of nutrition and health related indices in the Chinese population.

METHODSA stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. The survey was done in 2002, including data gathered from questionnaires, interviews, physical examinations, measurement of biochemical indices, and dietary investigation.

RESULTSCereals accounted for 48.5% of all the sources of energy in urban and 61.4% in rural populations. Daily mean percentages of calories for total fat were 35.0% in urban and 27.5% in rural areas. The prevalence rates of stunting and underweight were 14.3% and 7.8% respectively in young children under 5-year-old. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency was 9.3% in Chinese children aged 3-12 years old. The total prevalence of anemia was 15.2% in general population of all ages. The prevalence of anemia in young adults was significantly higher in women than in men. The total prevalence rates of overweight and obesity were 17.6% and 5.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesteremia, hypertriglyceridemia, or low serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol were 18.8%, 2.6%, 2.9%, 11.9%, 7.4% respectively in Chinese adults aged 18 and over. The rates of awareness, treatment, and under control among hypertensives were 30.2%, 24.7%, and 25.0%, respectively. Significant regional and age differences were revealed in the dietary habit and the prevalence of various diseases. The prevalence of diseases associated with malnutrition were higher in rural than in urban areas. In contrast, the prevalence of conditions associated with overconsumption and inappropriate dietary patterns were higher in urban than in rural populations.

CONCLUSIONChinese people were currently suffering from both problems on nutrition related issues and burdens of diseases which were characterized in nutrient deficiencies and overconsumption, malnutrition and noncommunicable conditions associated with overconsumption and inappropriate diet. The difference of nutrition and health status between rural and urban people was also seen.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anemia ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Chronic Disease ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Diet ; statistics & numerical data ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Growth and Development ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Infant ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Pregnancy ; Vitamin A Deficiency ; epidemiology ; Young Adult