Carcinoma ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; radiotherapy ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; methods ; Phytotherapy

Aged ; Endocarditis ; etiology ; therapy ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Guizhi Decoction plus Yupingfeng Powder for chronic urticaria and its effect on serum total IgE level.Methods One hundred and twenty patients were randomly divided into treatment group,control group 1 and control group 2,40 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with Guizhi Decoction,Yupingfeng Powder and Loratadine Tablets orally,the control group 1 was given intramuscular injection of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin polysaccharide nucleic acid and oral use of Loratadine Tablets,and the control group 2 was only given oral use of Loratadine Tablets.The course of treatment covered 5 weeks.The levels of serum total IgE in the three groups were determined before and after treatment,and the therapeutic effect was evaluated after treatment.Results (1) The total effective rate was 85.0％ in the treatment group,80.0％ in the control group 1,and 55.0％ in the control group 2.The effect of control group 1 and the treatment group was superior to that of the control group 2 (P＜ 0.05),but the difference was insignificant between the treatment group and control group 1 (P＞ 0.05).(2)Before treatment,the serum total IgE level of the three groups was higher than that of the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the serum total IgE level of the three groups was obviously decreased (P ＜ 0.05 compared with that before treatment);the inter-group comparison results showed that the effect of the treatment group and control group 1 on decreasing the serum total IgE level was superior to that of the control group 2(P ＜ 0.05),while the effect of the treatment group was similar to that of the control group 1 (P ＞0.05).(3) During the treatment,blood routine examination indexes and hepato-renal function of the three groups showed no abnormal changes,neither adverse reaction was shown.Conclusion Guizhi Decoction plus Yupingfeng Powder exerts certain therapeutic effect for the treatment of chronic urticaria,and can decrease the serum total IgE level,thus to stabilize the curative effect and reduce the recurrence.

Objective The objective of this study was to explore the expression of miRNA-124(miR-124)and its correlation with E-cadherin and androgen receptor(AR)in triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC).Methods The expression of miR-124 was detected by RT-PCR in TNBC tissues and adjacent normal breast tissues.The expression of E-cadherin and AR in TNBC was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The expression of miR-124 in TNBC tissues was significantly correlated with histological grade and the expression of E-cadherin(P<0.05),and the expression of miR-124 in TNBC tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent normal breast tissues.No correlation was found between miR-124 and AR in TNBC tissues(P>0.05).Conclusion In TNBC,miR-124 may play an anti-tumor effect by modulating the expression of E-cadherin.

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to observe the tissue tolerance of Ti-HA functionally graded-material (FGM) and the form of the material-bone interface.

METHODSThe sintered Ti -HA FGM, pure HA and pure Ti were respectively implanted into the parietal bone of rabbits. The specimens were observed by SEM at 2, 4, 8 postoperative weeks.

RESULTSIn the early stage, the new bone surrounding the Ti -HA FGM formed earlier with larger amount and better maturity than the pure Ti. The condition was similar to the pure HA. Two months after the operation, direct bonding of material-bone interface was formed between the Ti -HA FGM and the new bone as an integral body. However, there was a little space left between the new bone and the pure Ti.

CONCLUSIONSThe Ti -HA FGM has good tissue tolerance. Its early integration with bone is similar to pure HA and better than pure Ti.

Animals ; Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Female ; Hydroxyapatites ; chemistry ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Osseointegration ; Rabbits ; Titanium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) on the proliferation and osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLC) under three-dimensional (3D) culture system.

METHODSHuman periodontal cells were isolated from the ligament of surgically extracted human teeth, and through the limiting dilution assay, got mono-clone of the cell, hPDLCs were isolated from MesenPRO RS medium. Rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was enrolled to set 3D environment. Control group and experiment groups were assigned according to the concentration of IGF-I. There were 5 level of experiment groups (0.1, 1, 10, 50, 100 µg/L). Proliferation was tested with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), and alkine phosphatase (ALP) level was assayed by spectrophotometer to analyze the osteogenesis of hPDLCs. Gene expression of ostetocalcin (OCN) and type I collagen (Col I) were assayed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn 3D culture system, the effect of IGF-I on cell proliferation was significantly different between control group and experiment groups (P < 0.05), and there showed significant differences between the group of 0.1 µg/L (0.219 ± 0.021) IGF-I and the groups of 50, 100 µg/L (0.287 ± 0.011, 0.293 ± 0.012). However, there showed no significant differences among other groups. Significant differences of ALP activity were observed between the control group and experiment groups, and between the groups of 1, 10 µg/L (0.304 ± 0.020, 0.310 ± 0.013) and that of 50, 100 µg/L (0.347 ± 0.011, 0.344 ± 0.010) (P < 0.05). While no significant differences were detected between the group of 1 µg/L and that of 10 µg/L, nor between the group of 50 µg/L and that of 100 µg/L. Expressions of Col I and OCN in mRNA and protein level both showed dose-dependent increase.

CONCLUSIONSIn 3D culture system, in the scale of 0.1 - 100 µg/L, the effect of IGF-I on the proliferation of hPDLCs increased dose-dependently. 100 µg/L IGF-I promotes osteogenesis of the cells significantly.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; pharmacology ; Osteocalcin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Osteogenesis ; drug effects ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo elucidate association between the mutation of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATC1) gene in IPT-NFAT region and simple congenital heart disease (CHD) in children.

METHODWe used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the sequencing reaction to detect the mutations on the patients and their parents and (or) siblings.

RESULTSPCR amplification of the exon 7 region showed that 2 bands are obtained in 58% of patients with CHD and in 74% of their healthy parents and (or) siblings. Sequencing of the 2 bands revealed that both are amplicons of the exon 7 region, and that the additional band harbors an additional 44 nucleotides segment in the intronic region. The homozygous form of this allele was only present in patients with ventricular septal defect (2/24), atrial septal defect (3/18) and bicuspid aortic valve (1/4) in which G to A transition at nucleotide 17 of the third 44 bps was found. Neither the unrelated non-CHD individuals nor the ones with other CHD showed positive presence for the homozygous form of this allele.

CONCLUSIONSThere is a differential amplification of a tandem repeat region in intron 7 of NFATC1 and homozygous form of this allele in patients with ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and bicuspid aortic valve. NFATC1 gene may be an a susceptibility marker for ventricular septal defect, atrial septal defect and bicuspid aortic valve.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genetic Testing ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; NFATC Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Pedigree ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF- I) on the proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) under three-dimensional (3D) culture system.

METHODSThe hPDLCs were cultured from periodontium of human teeth by the outgrowth method. Rotary cell culture system (RCCS) was enrolled to set 3D culture system. Samples were set to four groups: Negative control group, positive control group (3D group, IGF-I group), and experimental group (3D with IGF- I group). Proliferation was tested with methylthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), and ALP activity was assayed by spectrophotometer at 1, 3, 5, 7 d respectively.

RESULTSCompared with that of negative control group, cell proliferation increased significantly in 3D with IGF-I group since 3 d (P < 0.05). Besides, the cell proliferation of 3D with IGF-I group was significantly higher than that of 3D group (P < 0.05). ALP activity of 3D with IGF- I group was significantly higher than that of negative control group, and 3D group at 3, 5, 7 d (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIGF-I significantly promotes the proliferation and ALP activity of hPDLCs under 3D culture system.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Periodontal Ligament ; Somatomedins

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of European system for cardiac operative risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) in predicting quality of life in patients post coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

METHODSA total of 387 patients underwent CABG in our institute from December of 2002 to December of 2007 were assessed by EuroSCORE before operation. Health-related quality of life (QoL) was estimated postoperatively with Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ), Nottingham healthy profile (NHP) and Duke activity status index (DASI) in order to evaluate the value of EuroSCORE for predicting quality of life in patients post CABG.

RESULTSThere were statistically significant but weak correlations between postoperative QoL score and preoperative EuroSCORE score (r: 0.010 - 0.276). Emotional and psychological experience subgroup analysis showed better predictive value of EuroSCORE score on postoperative QoL score in improved physical functioning subgroups (r > 0.2). Linear regression analysis showed that EuroSCORE score was significant but weakly (r(2) < 0.1) correlated with postoperative QoL score (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPreoperative EuroSCORE score is weakly correlated with postoperative QoL score in patients post CABG.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Quality of Life ; Risk Assessment ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo obtain dental restorations by machining PMMA-ZrO2 organic-inorganic composites with the dental CAD/CAM system.

METHODSPartially sintered Zirconia compacts (PSZC) were prepared via isostatic pressing and partially sintering, with Zirconia nanopowder as raw materials. PMMA-Zirconia organic-inorganic composites were prepared by vacuum infiltrating the prepolymerized MMA into the PSZC, followed by in-situ polymerization. The mechanical properties and machinability of composites were studied. The composites were machined on the dental CAD/CAM system to obtain dental restoration.

RESULTSAt 71.44% TD of PSZC, the composite had a 3-point bending strength of (202.56 +/- 3.09) MPa, fracture toughness of (4.30 +/- 0.16) MPa.m(1/2), elasticity modulus of (58.71 +/- 1.98) GPa, and Vickers hardness of (3.82 +/- 0.34) GPa, respectively. A premolar crown was fabricated by CAD/CAM system in 16 mins, and was verisimilitude, without any cracks.

CONCLUSIONSThe composite at 71.44% TD of PSZC has good mechanical properties and dental restorations can be manufactured by PMMA-Zirconia composites via dental CAD/CAM system.

Computer-Aided Design ; Dental Materials ; Dental Prosthesis ; Materials Testing ; Polymethyl Methacrylate ; therapeutic use ; Zirconium ; therapeutic use