Objective To master iodine nutritional status of people after universal salt iodization in Xining that reached the stage goal of elimination iodine deficiency disorders. Methods In the 7 counties investigated of Xining in 2009, 5 towns were randomly selected in each county, and one school was randomly selected in each town, 80 children aged 8 to 10 were randomly selected in each school, and goiter were examined, urinary iodine and salt iodine were tested. Thyroid gland goiter of children was detected by thyroid palpation, children's urinary iodine was tested by As( Ⅲ )-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry, and salt iodine was tested by direct titration. Results A total of 2919 children aged 8 to 10 were examined, 31 goiter was detected, goiter rate was 1.06%(31/2919).One thousand and seventy-eight urine samples were detected, urinary iodine median was 205.3 μg/L, that lower than 20 μg/L accounted for 1.9% (20/1078), lower than 50 μg/L accounted for 4.5%(48/1078). Two thousand and seventy-nine salt samples were detected, median of salt iodine was 32.80 mg/kg, the rate of non-iodized salt was 0.87%(18/2079), the coverage rate of iodized salt was 99.13%(2061/2079), the qualified rate of iodized salt was 98.64% (2033/2061), the consumption rate of qualified iodized salt was 97.79% (2033/2079). Conclusions Prevention and control of iodine deficiency disorders has achieved remarkable results in Xining city, all indicators have reached the national standard to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Spearmint oil on inflammation, oxidative alteration and Nrf2 expression in rats with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).

METHODSCOPD model was induced by intratracheal instillation of Klebsiella pneumonia and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 12 weeks in rats, and COPD rats were treated with Spearmint oil for 3 weeks. After COPD was induced, the pathological changes, changes in leucocyte number in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), MDA in lung homogenate and Nrf2 expression were observed. The effects of Spearmint oil on these changes were determined.

RESULTSpearmint oil 100 mg*kg(-1)significantly reduced leucocyte numbers in BALF, and attenuated bronchiolitis, pulmonary interstitial inflammation and inflammation cell infiltration. Spearmint oil 30-300 mg*kg(-1)decreased the destruction of pulmonary alveolus and the thickness of bronchioles walls, and inhibited goblet cell proliferation. Spearmint oil significantly reduced MDA in lung homogenate, and decreased the expression of Nrf2 protein in lung tissues.

CONCLUSIONSpearmint oil has protective effect on lung injury in COPD rats, since it improves pulmonary inflammation,oxidative alteration, and enhances Nrf2 protein expression.

Animals ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Mentha spicata ; chemistry ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; metabolism ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of synthetic drug QTY06 on chronic airway inflammation and mucoprotein expression induced by intratracheal (i.t) instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

METHODSChronic airway inflammation was induced by i.t instillation of LPS in rats. Phospholipids content and the number of leucocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), pathological and immunochemical changes were examined 3 weeks after LPS instillation. The effect of QTY06 on chronic airway inflammation was observed.

RESULTAfter treatment with QTY06, phospholipids in BALF was significantly increased, and the percentages of neutrophils and lymphocytes were decreased as well as the total number of leucocytes. Compared with the model group, pathological examination showed that tracheitis, bronchitis and pulmonary interstitial inflammation in QTY06 groups were significantly attenuated; epithelial damage was alleviated, infiltration of inflammatory cells reduced and the number of goblet cells decreased. QTY06 significantly decreased MUC5ac expression in trachea and bronchiole epithelium, and reduced the optical density and mucins area (%) as detected by image analysis in rats with chronic airway inflammation.

CONCLUSIONQTY06 can reduce and inhibit the chronic airway inflammation induced by LPS in rats, and increase the content of phospholipids in pulmonary surfactant and inhibit the hypersecretion of airway mucins.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Bronchitis ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Mucin 5AC ; secretion ; Phospholipids ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Respiratory Mucosa ; drug effects ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression of Osterix (Osx) mRNA and protein after application of mechanical force on human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs), and to investigate the role of Osx in orthodontic alveolar bone remodeling.

METHODSHPDLCs were isolated and cultured in vitro with explant method. Approximately 2.5 x 10(5) cells were seeded onto six-well cell culture plates and then were exposed to centrifugal force for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 h at 631 r x min(-1). The expression of Osx mRNA and protein was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression and subcellular At the initial time point, Osx mRNA had a weak exlocalization of Osx protein by green fluorescence.

RESULTSpression and protein was not detected. Under the mechanical stimulation, both mRNA and protein levels of Osx were upregulated in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, Osx protein was translocated gradually from the cytosol into the cell nuclei.

CONCLUSIONThe expression and activation of Osx were enhanced by mechanical stress in HPDLCs, which indicates that Osx may play an important role in HPDLCs osteogenic differentiation and periodontal tissue remodeling induced by mechanical stress.

Bone Remodeling ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Periodontal Ligament ; RNA, Messenger ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of root canal taper and post on tooth stress distribution.

METHODSThree-dimensional finite element models of human mandibular first molar with root canals prepared with 35# K file, ProTaper and Profile were established. The tooth were restored with fiber-resin, stainless steel and silver amalgam posts respectively. A vertical load on tooth occlusal surface was simulated. Marc software was used to analyze and calculate the stress distributions in the tooth restored with three kinds of different root canal posts, especially the in the cervical part and root.

RESULTSDifferent tapered root canals had no obvious influence on stress distribution in all three different posts. Stress distribution of stainless steel post located at the cervical and middle part of distal root, the highest Von-Mises stress was about 45 MPa. Stress distribution of silver amalgam post located at the orifice of root canal and pulp fundus, the highest Von-Mises stress was about 16 MPa. Stress distribution of fiber-resin post had no obvious stress concentration.

CONCLUSIONSFiber-resin post is the most ideal root canal post. Stainless steel post causes remarkable stress concentration in the root, which may raise the possibility of root fracture.

Dental Amalgam ; chemistry ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; pathology ; Dental Restoration, Permanent ; Dental Stress Analysis ; methods ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Mineral Fibers ; Molar ; Post and Core Technique ; instrumentation ; Quartz ; chemistry ; Root Canal Preparation ; instrumentation ; Stainless Steel ; chemistry ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tooth Root ; physiology

BACKGROUNDStudies of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6 in the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of asthmatic patients are limited. This study was to determine the effect of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment on IL-4 and IL-6 in the EBC of asthmatic patients.

METHODSIn a prospective, open-label study, budesonide 200 μg twice daily by dry powder inhaler was administered to 23 adult patients with uncontrolled asthma (mean age 42.7 years) for 12 weeks. Changes in asthma scores, lung function parameters (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1], peak expiratory flow [PEF], forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity [FEF50], forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity, maximum mid-expiratory flow rate) and the concentrations of IL-4 and IL-6 in EBC were measured.

RESULTSBoth asthma scores and lung function parameters were significantly improved by ICS treatment. The mean IL-4 concentration in the EBC was decreased gradually, from 1.92 ± 0.56 pmol/L before treatment to 1.60 ± 0.36 pmol/L after 8 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05) and 1.54 ± 0.81 pmol/L after 12 weeks of treatment (P < 0.01). However, the IL-6 concentration was not significantly decreased. The change in the IL-4 concentration was correlated with improvements in mean FEV1, PEF and FEF50 values (correlation coefficients -0.468, -0.478, and -0.426, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSThe concentration of IL-4 in the EBC of asthmatic patients decreased gradually with ICS treatment. Measurement of IL-4 in EBC could be useful to monitor airway inflammation in asthmatics.

Administration, Inhalation ; Adult ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Breath Tests ; Budesonide ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; analysis ; Interleukin-6 ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peak Expiratory Flow Rate ; Prospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological characteristics of liver diseases in a rural population in Southern Guangxi, China.

METHODSThe enzyme immunoassays was used to detect of HBsAg and AFP. AFP positive serum samples were further examined for concentration of AFP by using a radio immunoassays. Liver morphological changes were measured with ultrasonography of type B.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBsAg in the studied population was 17.8% (2800/15,701). The prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, clonorchiasis, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease were 1.1% (173/15,701), 0.4% (63/15,701), 299.3 per 100,000 (47/15,701), 6.6% (1036/15,701), 4.8% (754/15,701) and 0.3% (47/15,701), respectively. The positive rates of HBsAg and the prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B, cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, clonorchiasis, fatty liver disease in male were significantly higher as compared with those in female (5.98 < or = chi(2) < or = 394.78, P < 0.01). No difference was observed in the prevalence rates of liver cavernous hemangioma and hepatic cysts between male and female. The prevalence rates of intrahepatic bile duct stones was significantly higher in female than in male (chi(2) = 30.80, P < 0.01). The positive rates of HBsAg and the prevalence rates of viral hepatitis B and clonorchiasis were decreased with age. But the prevalence rates of cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cavernous hemangioma, hepatic cysts and intrahepatic bile duct stones were increased with age.

CONCLUSIONThe rural areas in the southern Guangxi are high prevalence regions of liver illness, and the male resident are even at high risk.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatty Liver ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; epidemiology ; Liver Diseases ; epidemiology ; Liver Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Rural Population

Objective To explore the effects of PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone and inhibitor T0070907 on apoptosis and anti-tumor in renal carcinoma A498 cells.Methods A498 cells were divided into three groups and PBS, rosiglitazone (50 μmol/L) and T0070907 50 (μmol/L) were added respectively of 24 h incubation completely. each group of cell proliferation was determined by MTT method and Western Blot analysis and RT-qPCR were applied to detect the expression level of BAX, Caspase 3, Cyt C and Bcl-2. A498 cell morphological changes were observed under light microscope and fluorescence microscope. Results MTT experiment results showed that rosiglitazone and T0070907 could significantly inhibit A498 cell proliferation rate (P＜0.05), increased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Caspase 3, Cyt C and Bax in A498 cell, and decreased the protein and mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 (P＜0.05); Microscopic observation and Hochest staining also found that rosiglitazone and T0070907 could promote apoptosis of A498 cells. Conclusion Rosiglitazone and T0070907 can inhibit the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma A498 cells and induce apoptosis. The anti-tumor mechanism may be related to PPARγ mediation.

OBJECTIVETo characterize oncogenic KIT signaling mechanisms in gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST), and to determine which signaling pathway might be of potential relevance to imatinib acquired resistance.

METHODSThe mutations of KIT and PDGFRa gene were evaluated and KIT downstream signaling profiles were evaluated in 8 specimen from 5 GIST patients who were evaluated treated between 2003 and 2008 in our hospital. Biochemical inhibition of the expression of related proteins in Ras/Raf/MAPK and PI3-K/AKT pathways, such as KIT, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK),mammalian target of rapamycin(MTOR), AKT, Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and BCL-2, were determined by Western blotting for protein activation.

RESULTSThree cases who showed response to imatinib carried primary mutations in KIT gene, with 2 cases possessing mutation in exon 11, 1 case in exon 13. One case with imatinib-resistance developed KIT secondary mutation, but all the cases had no PDGFRa mutation. p-KIT and p-AKT expressions were higher in the samples of imatinib-resistant GIST than those of imatinib-responsive GIST. Total KIT, MAPK, p-MAPK, p-MTOR expressions were strong and comparable in all varied GISTs, which had no significant difference between imatinib-resistant and imatinib-responsive samples. PCNA and BCL-2 expression varied in samples of different therapy cycles and different location.

CONCLUSIONSRas/Raf/MAPK and PI3-K/AKT/MTOR pathways are essential to GIST pathogenesis. The KIT secondary mutation and PI3-K/AKT/MTOR pathway are particularly relevant for therapeutic targeting in imatinib-resistant GIST.

Benzamides ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; genetics ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Mutation ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Pyrimidines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of surgery and its long-term outcome in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) treated with imatinib preoperatively.

METHODSThirteen patients receiving imatinib therapy preoperatively, were retrospectively assessed for completeness of surgical resection and for disease-free and overall survival after resection.

RESULTSThirteen patients, including 3 patients with locally advanced primary GIST and 10 patients with recurrent or metastatic GIST, underwent surgery after preoperative treatment with imatinib. Complete resections were accomplished in 4 of the 5 responsive disease(RD) patients, and in 1 of the 8 progression disease(PD) patients (38.5%). The progression-free survival(PFS) time for patients with RD and PD were 24.8 months and 2.8 months respectively. The difference of PFS between patients with RD and those with PD was significant(P<0.01). Median overall survival(OS) was not reached in both patients with RD and PD. The difference of OS between patients with RD and those with PD was not significant(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSurgical intervention following imatinib is feasible and can be considered for patients with advanced GIST responsive to imatinib.

Antineoplastic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Benzamides ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Piperazines ; administration & dosage ; Prognosis ; Pyrimidines ; administration & dosage ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome