In our previous studies,a novel cortex-like TiO2 coating was prepared on Ti surface through micro-arc oxidation (MAO) by using sodium tetraborate as electrolyte,and the effects of the coating on cell attachment were testified.This study aimed to investigate the effects of this cortex-like MAO coating on osseointegration.A sand-blasting and acid-etching (SLA) coating that has been widely used in clinical practice served as control.Topographical and chemical characterizations were conducted by scanning electron microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer,X-ray diffraction,contact angle meter,and step profiler.Results showed that the cortex-like coating had microslots and nanopores and it was superhydrophilic,whereas the SLA surface was hydrophobic.The roughness of MAO was similar to that of SLA.The MAO and SLA implants were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand rabbits to evaluate their in-vivo performance through micro-CT,histological analysis,and fluorescent labeling at the bone-implant interface four weeks after surgery.The micro-CT showed that the bone volume ratio and mean trabecular thickness were similar between MAO and SLA groups four weeks after implantation.Histological analysis and fluorescent labeling showed no significant differences in the bone-implant contact between the MAO and SLA surfaces.It was suggested that with micro/nanostructure and superhydrophilicity,the cortex-like MAO coating causes excellent osseointegration,holding a promise of an application to implant modification.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a statistics analysis software that can be used in STR population genetics for the purpose of promoting and fastening the basic research of STR population genetics. METHODS: Selecting the Microsoft VBA for Excel, which is simple and easy to use, as the program language and using its macro function to develop a statistics analysis software used in STR population genetics. RESULTS: The software "Easy STR Genetics" based on VBA language, by which the population genetic analysis of STR data can be made, were developed. CONCLUSION The developed software "Easy STR Genetics" based on VBA language, can be spread in the domain of STR population genetics research domestically and internationally, due to its feature of full function, good compatibility for different formats of input data, distinct and easy to understand outputs for statistics and calculation results.
Algorithms ; Electronic Data Processing ; Genetics, Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Quality Control ; Software ; Software Design

OBJECTIVETo investigate hereditary susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD) in apolipoprotein E(apo E) and apo B polymorphisms of youths.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to analyze apoE, apoB Xba I, apoB 3' variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) genotypes for 244 healthy Han students (among them were 109 students with positive CHD family history).

RESULTSThe allele frequencies of apo e4, XbaI x(+), 3'VNTR-B(hypervariable element, HVE>38) in the positive group were obviously higher than those in the negative group(P<0.05), and were significantly correlated with the increase in TC, LDL-C, apoB100 levels (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe alleles for apo e4, XbaI x(+), 3'VNTR-B may be the important genetic markers of Han CHD.

Adolescent ; Alleles ; Apolipoproteins B ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Coronary Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of seminal plasma lipoprotein (a) in abnormal semen liquefaction and its clinical significance.

METHODSAccording to The WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen, we conducted semen routine analyses of 101 patients with abnormal semen liquefaction and 26 normal healthy controls. We added chymotrypsin to the semen for 30 minutes of incubation at 37 degrees C. When there were filaments, we centrifuged the semen and obtained the upper seminal plasma to determine the level of lipoprotein (a).

RESULTSThe level of lipoprotein (a) was significantly higher in the 101 patients ([526.2 +/- 243.5] mg/L) than in the 26 normal controls ([296.9 +/- 105.2] mg/L) (P < 0.01) .

CONCLUSIONLipoprotein (a) can inhibit fibrin dissolution, and delayed fibrin dissolution in semen liquefaction may be related to the increased level of seminal plasma lipoprotein (a). The seminal plasma lipoprotein (a) level should be taken into account in the clinical diagnosis of male infertility caused by abnormal semen liquefaction.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lipoprotein(a) ; analysis ; Male ; Semen ; metabolism ; Seminal Plasma Proteins ; analysis ; Young Adult

Administration of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine (CSA) after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) induces a systemic auto-immune syndrome resembling graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), this syndrome termed autologous GVHD has significant antitumor activity, it can reduce the incidence of tumor relapse after APBSCT. The antitumor effect of this auto-aggression syndrome can be enhanced by the administration of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN). Five consecutive patients who received APBSCT received therapy inducing autologous GVHD. Intravenous administration of CSA [1 mg/(kg.d) for 28 days] was begin on the day of transplantation. gamma-interferon (0.025 mg/m(2) qod) was administered sub-cutaneously from days 7 throngh 28 after transplatation. Results showed that four of five occured autologous GVHD-skin demage, five in control didn't occur autologous GVHD. The relapse rate of the treated cases was 20% (1/5) versus 60% (3/5) of the control, and the median survival time of the treated cases was 20 (4 - 30) months versus 10 (2 - 20) months of the control. The data indicates that autologous GVHD results in low relapse rate of the patients rececving APBSCT.

Sinisan is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating various diseases; however, the in vivo metabolic profile of its multiple components remains unknown. In this paper, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was applied to identify the metabolites of Sinisan extract in rat plasma, urine, feces and bile after intragastric administration. Using MS(E) and mass defect filter techniques, 41 metabolites of 10 parent compounds (naringin, naringenin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, glycyrrhizic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, saikosaponin a and saikosaponin d) were detected and tentatively identified. It was shown by our results that these compounds was metabolized to the forms of hydroxylation, glucuronidation, sulfation, glucuronidation with sulfation and glucuronidation with hydroxylation in vivo.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Flavanones ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hesperidin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Hydroxylation ; Male ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

OBJECTIVETo explore the signal transduction mechanisms of apoptosis in renal tubular epithelial cells in diabetic rats with fluctuant high blood glucose.

METHODSHealthy SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group (A), stable high blood glucose group (B) and fluctuant high blood glucose group (C). Diabetic rats were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 65 mg/kg), and the fluctuant high blood glucose animal model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of ordinary insulin and glucose at different time point every day. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the content of malonaldehyde (MDA) in renal tissue homogenate were detected with colorimetry. The protein expression of Nox4 and JNK were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL).

RESULTSAfter 12 experimental weeks, significantly increased cell apoptosis, up-regulation of Nox4 and P-JNK expression in renal tubular epithelial cells were observed in B and C groups compared with those in A group. The MDA content increased and SOD activity decreased in renal tissue in B and C groups. Above effects were more obviously shown in C group.

CONCLUSIONFluctuant high blood glucose induced more apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cell than stable high blood glucose in diabetic kidney, which might be related to the activation of JNK signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; NADPH Oxidase 4 ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

This paper explored the curative effect of combined modality therapy and extended field radiotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma. 104 cases of early-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma from Jan 1987 to Dec 2010 in PLA Hospital 307 were retrospectively analyzed, including 76 cases in combined modality therapy group and 28 cases in extended field radiotherapy group, and the long-term efficacy and toxicity of two therapy modalities were evaluated. The results showed that the median survival time of 104 cases was 85.42 months, the complete remission rates of combined modality therapy and extended field radiotherapy groups were 72.4 and 71.4 respectively (P = 0.924); the overall response rates of combined modality therapy and extended field radiotherapy groups were 97.4 and 96.4 respectively (P = 0.779); the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates in the 2 groups were 89.5 and 89.1 respectively, and the 8-year OS rates of the 2 groups were 81.3 and 70.6. No statistical difference was found in above-mentioned 2 groups. Moreover, the 5-year progression free survival (PFS) rates of these 2 groups were 84.2 and 69.0 (P = 0.04), and 8-year PFS rates of these 2 groups were 80.0 and 55.5 (P = 0.04) respectively, the 5-year relapse rates of these 2 groups were 28.1 and 45.6 (P = 0.023) respectively. It is concluded that the combined modality therapy can raise the PFS rate and reduce the relapse rate as compared with extended field radiotherapy for early-stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma, but there is no difference in the overall survival rate between the 2 groups.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Hodgkin Disease ; drug therapy ; radiotherapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

This study was aimed to investigate the differences of therapeutic efficiencies, side effects and recovery rates of immune function in refractory lymphoma patients treated with autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APBHSCT), autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) and combination of APBHSCT with ABMT (APBHSCT + ABMT) by retrospective analysis, and to evaluate the merits and demerits of 3 kinds of transplantation for treatment of refractory lymphoma. 68 patients with malignant lymphoma were treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. Out of 68 patients 10 cases were treated with autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT), 46 cases were treated with autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APBHSCT), and 12 cases were treated with autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cells transplantation combined with autologous bone marrow transplantation (APBHSCT + ABMT). The results indicated that the therapeutic response rates and survival rates at 1, 3, 5 years for each transplant regimen were 90% and 75%, 57.1%, 33.3%; 86.4% and 74.4%, 54.2%, 38.1%; 83.3% and 72.7%, 55.6%, 40%. The times of ANC > or = 0.5 x 10(9)/L were 13, 11 and 9 days, times of platelet >/= 20 x 10(9)/L were 17, 14 and 10 days. The recovery rates of T cell subtypes in patients received ABMT, APBHSCT and APBHSCT + ABMT on 3 months, 6 months, 1 year were (0%, 33.3%, 60%), (10.8%, 32%, 73.9%), (27.3%, 55.6%, 85.7%) respectively. In conclusion, the efficacy and side effects of APBHSCT + ABMT as compared with ABMT and APBHSCT are roughly the same, but ABMT + APBHSCT can result in more rapid hematopoietic reconstitution and less restrictions with contributes to widen choice of transplant regimen for patients with alder age and impaired hematopoietic functions.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific and non-specific cellular immunity that accompany viral load decline during adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) treatment in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B, and to explore the antiviral immunity mechanism underlying the treatment response.

METHODSSerial analysis of cellular immunological parameters was performed in HBeAg-positive patients (n = 20) throughout the 48-week course of ADV therapy (10 mg/d). HBV-specific T cell reactivity to HBV core antigen (HBcAg) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot assay and cell proliferation assay at pre-treatment (baseline) and post-treatment weeks 4, 12, 24, 36, and 48. Percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs), as well as activated peripheral natural killer (NK) cells (expressing the NKG2D receptor), was measured by flow cytometry. Comparisons of means were performed by the two-tailed t-test or the Mann-Whitney rank sum test.

RESULTSAfter 48 weeks of ADV therapy, HBeAg loss was observed in six of the 20 (30%) patients and 14 patients remained HBeAg-positive. In the patients with HBeAg loss, the viral load reduction was accompanied by a significantly enhanced response rate of HBV-specific interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing CD4+ T cells [measured as (spot forming cells/peripheral blood mononuclear cells); baseline: (661.25+/-281.97) *10(-6) vs. week 48: (280.75+/-104.33) *10(-6), P = 0.045]. In contrast, patients without HBeAg loss showed no significant differences in T cell response rates. The patient groups with and without HBeAg loss showed similar proportions of peripheral blood Tregs during the treatment course, which included a trend of gradual decrease from baseline to week 4 with steady levels thereafter. In addition, both groups showed a similar increase in NKG2D expression that began at week 12 and peaked at week 48.

CONCLUSIONHBV-specific T cell reactivity temporally increases in some ADV-treated chronic hepatitis B patients, and this trend is strongly associated with HBeAg loss. Furthermore, recovery of HBV-specific T cell reactivity promotes viral clearance and HBeAg seroconversion.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Viral Load ; Young Adult