Objective To evaluate the intervention effects of low-fluoride brick tea in the population, and to provide data for the prevention and control of the brick-tea type fluorosis. Methods Eighty-six Kazakh families with 5-12 years old children were selected and divided into two groups in the severe brick-tea type fluorosis areas of Akesai County of Gansu Province. Forty-six households were intervened by drinking low-fluoride brick tea as intervention group and another 40 households drank general brick tea as control group. The fluoride content in water, tea and urine was monitored and the total daily fluoride intake of adults and children was calculated by the fluoride content of the tea before and during intervention. The baseline prevalence of dental fluorosis was surveyed in all Kazakh school students aged 5 - 12 years before intervention, dental fluorosis prevalence were surveyed in two groups after the intervention. The fluoride content in water, urine,tea, and brick-tea samples was detected by iron electrode method, and dental fluorosis was diagnosed by Dean's method. Results The fluoride content of water were 0.36,0.50 mg/L respectively before and 42 months after intervention. The total daily fluoride intake of adults and children in the intervention group (being 4.39,5.12,5.38,4.49 mg in adults and 1.90,2.33 in children, 2.33, 1.94 mg for four calculations) were lower than those in control group (8.42,9.07,8.35,7.92 and 3.65,3.93, 3.62,3.43 mg). Except the second batch (530.4 mg/kg), the average fluoride content of the other 3 batches of low-fluoride brick tea(239.3,222.88,154.7 mg/kg) was lower than that of 4 batches of market brick tea(366.9,412.2, 286.0,379.6 mg/kg). The fluoride content of low-fluoride brick tea samples was in accordance with the national standard(< 300 mg/kg) in 16 of 21 samples in 4 the batches, and the qualifying rate was 76.19%(16/21). Only 5 of 21 market brick tea samples in 4 batches was qualified, accounting for 23.80%(5/21), both were significantly different(χ2= 11.52, P < 0.01). In 12, 36, 42 months after intervention, urine fluoride content in the intervention group of adult(1.84,1.23,1.77 mg/L) and children(1.55,0.65,1.10 mg/L) was less than that of the control group (adults: 3.37,3.68,3.02 mg/L, children: 2.64,1.64,2.62 mg/L), both being statistically significant (t value were 2.94,2.43,3.91,3.29,2.31,4.42, P < 0.01 or 0.05). The detective rate of dental fluorosis was 69.02%(127/184)at baseline among children. After the intervention, it lowered to [44.83% (13/29) in the intervention group, significantly lower than that in the control group[71.88%(23/32), χ2 = 4.60, P < 0.05]. Conclusion Low-fluoride brick tea can reduce the fluoride intake of the residents who drink brick tea, and alleviate excessive fluoride and the damage of high-fluoride.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effects of CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy for lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis.

METHODSFrom January 2002 to March 2013, 145 patients (84 males and 61 females) with lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis underwent failed conservative treatment were treated with CT-guided minimally invasive surgery. Their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 143 patients were followed up, aged from 2.5 to 81 years with an average of (42.60 +/- 17.14) years. Fourteen cases (6 cases with internal fixation and 8 cases without internal fixation) recurred and 32 cases complicated with paraspinal abscess after operation. Preoperatively 1 case complicated with lower limb weakness and superficial sensation worse, 1 case with muscle strength decrease, this 2 cases were grade D of Frankle, other cases were grade E. And 1 patient underwent fenestration operation and local chemotherapy, 144 cases with CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy. ESR and lumbar lordosis angle of all patients were observed preoperatively and final follow-up.

RESULTSThe mean follow-up time was 67 months (ranged, 21 to 149 months) in 143 cases, and 73 cases more than 5 years. All patients obtained clinical healing. ESR was (44.96 +/- 12.41) mm/h before operation and (7.25 +/- 3.43) mm/h at final follow-up, there was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative (t=35.06, P=0.000). Lumbar lordosis angle was (36.32 +/- 8.55) degrees before operation and (33.35 +/- 8.16) at final follow-up, there was significant difference between preoperative and postoperative (t=13.90, P=0.000).

CONCLUSIONWhen conservative treatment fails for 3 months or more, the patients have good spinal stabilization, nerve function is more than grade D of Frankel, CT-guided percutaneous puncture and local chemotherapy can get satisfactory outcomes for lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Debridement ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Sacrum ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Young Adult

Heavy metal wastewater poses a serious threat to the environment. In comparison to the existing methods of chemical precipitation, ion exchange and carbon adsorption, biosorption is an attractive alternative for the recovery of heavy metals from industrial effluents. However, nickel ion, different from other heavy metal ions, is a more recalcitrant pollutant and has low affinity to many metal tolerant microorganisms. In this study, Escherichia coli JM109 was genetically engineered to simultaneously express a Ni2+ transport system (the product of nixA gene) andoverexpress metallothionein (MT). NixA protein has a high affinity for Ni2+, and metallothioneins (MTs) are capable of binding a variety of heavy metals including Ni2+ . The Ni2+ bioaccumulation performance of the genetically engineered E. coli JM109 was evaluated. Time-course test showed that the bioaccumulation rate was rapid, and 95% of the accumulation was achieved within the first 10 minutes. The maximum Ni2+ bioaccumulation by genetically engineered E. coli cells was dramatically increased from 1.54 mg/g to 10.11mg/g, a more than five-fold increase than that of the original E. coli strain. The isotherm was of Langmuir type. Within the tested pH range (pH 4-10), the engineered cells displayed more resistance to pH variation, retaining up to 80% of the Ni2+ binding capacity at pH 4, while the original E. coli host cells lost 80% of Ni2+ binding capacity at pH 4. The presence of Na+ and Ca2+ affected Ni2+ bioaccumulation, but the effects were not serious, as 71% and 66% of the Ni2+ binding capacities were retained respectively at the concentrations of 1000 mg/L Na+ and 1000 mg/L Ca2+ . However, Mg2+ exerted a severe adverse effect on Ni2+ bioaccumulation, 83% of Ni2+ accumulating capacity was lost when Mg2+ concentration reached 200 mg/L. The effects of different kinds of heavy metals on Ni2+ accumulating were different. The genetically engineered E. coli cell lost less than 45% of its Ni2+ bioaccumulation activity in the presence of 50 mg/L lead or cadmium, 66% in the presence of 25mg/L mercury and 84% in the presence of 40 mg/L copper. The presence of glucose did not improve Ni2+ uptake. Our study suggests that the genetically engineered E. coli JM109 has potential application for effective and efficient recovery of nickel from aqueous solutions.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Metallothionein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nickel ; metabolism ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct a tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector containing human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) cDNA.

METHODSHuman HGF cDNA fragment was obtained by PCR from pUC-SRalpha/HGF plasmid and inserted into the restriction site between Mlu I and Sal I of the tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L. pBI-L-HGF was constructed by DNA recombination in vitro, and was identified by restriction endonucleases digestion and sequencing.

RESULTSThe fragment of pBI-L-HGF digested with restriction endonucleases well corresponded to expectation, and the sequence of inserted HGF cDNA was correct according to the GenBank.

CONCLUSIONThe tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector of human HGF pBI-L-HGF has been constructed successfully, which allows further study of HGF gene therapy with much safety and easy manipulation.

DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDTo study the predictive factors associated with clinical deterioration in SARS patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 60 SARS patients were analyzed by logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards analysis.

RESULTSIn logistic regression models, both older age (P=0.009) and severe lymphopenia (P=0.004) were significant predictors of clinical deterioration. In Cox's proportional hazard models, severe lymphopenia was significant predictor associated with prolongation of stay in hospital.

CONCLUSIONOlder age and severe lymphopenia seem to be statistically significant for predicting the clinical deterioration in SARS patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymphopenia ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Random Allocation ; SARS Virus ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; complications ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo construct a tetracycline-inducible eukaryotic expression vector of rat Smad7.

METHODSThe total RNA was extracted from normal rat kidney with Trizol agent. Rat Smad7 cDNA fragment was cloned by RT-PCR, and was inserted into the restriction site between Nhe I and Hind III of the inducible eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L by tetracycline. pBI-L-Smad7 was constructed by digestion and ligation, and detected by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing.

RESULTSThe recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pBI-L-Smad7 was constructed correctly as confirmed by restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing. The fragment of pBI-L-Smad7 digested with restriction endonucleases and the sequence of inserted Smad7 cDNA were consistent with the results of theoretical analysis.

CONCLUSIONThe tetracycline- inducible eukaryotic expression vector of rat Smad7, pBI-L-Smad7, is constructed successfully, which may facilitate further clinical study of Smad7 gene therapy for tissue and organ fibrosis.

Animals ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Eukaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smad7 Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate whether the rapid viral response (RVR) to combinational therapy with interferon and rabavirin can be used to predict the sustained viral response (SVR) in chronic hepatitis C patients.

METHODSAccording to their clinical characteristics, all patients in this study were given pegylated or conventional interferon injection and different dose of ribavirin according to their weight. Patients were injected Pegasys (pegierferon alpha-2a) 180 microg or 135 microg once a week, or pegyintron 50-80 microg once a week, or conventional interferon 3-5 MU every two days, in combination with a dose of 600-1500 mg/d ribavirin. The serum HCV RNA load was determined at 0, 4, 12 week, and then every 12 weeks. After the viral response obtained, the patients were treated for another 24-72 weeks and followed up 24 weeks. The main parameter to evaluate the efficacy was SVR rate. The influence factors associated with rapid viral response were investigated.

RESULTSRVR was obtained at week 4 in 84.2% of the 120 patients. The HCV RNA baseline of RVR group was (5.883+/-1.246) lg copies/ml, which was significantly lower than that of the group without RVR [(6.502+/-0.693) lg copies/ml, t=2.15, P=0.034]. 97 patients with RVR who finished treatment and follow-up, 90.7% of these patients obtained SVR, but the SVR rate in patients (82.4%) without RVR was lower than that in patients with RVR (x2=0.371, P=0.543). In this study, RVR rate was not associated with HCV genotype and the dose of interferon used. In the naive patients, the RVR to pegylated interferon was 87.8%, which was significantly higher than that in retreat patients (x2=4.651, P=0.031).

CONCLUSIONHigh RVR rate could be obtained in chronic hepatitis C patients treated combined with interferon and ribavirin. RVR rate is associated with the HCV RNA baseline load in both naive and retreat patients but not correlated to HCV genotype. RVR could predict the SVR.

Administration, Cutaneous ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Predictive Value of Tests ; RNA, Viral ; blood ; Recombinant Proteins ; Recurrence ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Viral Load ; Young Adult

AIMTo report a short-time result of three-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) implantation on treating patients with organic erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSThree-piece IPPs were implanted in 42 Chinese patients with ED refractory to systemic treatment between May 2002 and May 2004. The etiologies of ED were neurogenic (28 with paraplegia and seven with traumatic nervi-erigentes injury); congenital venous leakage (5 cases), fibrosis of corpus cavernosum (1case) and Klinefelter's syndrome (1 case). The follow-up period ranged from 24 to 57 months.

RESULTSImplantation procedures were successfully performed upon all 42 patients. The length of implanted prosthesis was from 13 cm to 18 cm, and the diameter was 1 cm. The implanted prosthesis was made by the Medical Instrumentation Company of Muping (Muping, Shandong, China). Localized infection occurred in only one patient and mechanical complications occurred in five patients. Coitus could be performed in 41 cases (97.6%). Three patients with congenital venous leakage made their spouses pregnant after implantation.

CONCLUSIONImplantation of three-piece IPP is an effective and safe modality for treating patients with ED. It can be well accepted by Chinese patients because of its efficacy.

Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Paraplegia ; rehabilitation ; Penile Prosthesis ; Postoperative Period ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Treatment Outcome

In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SYT-1, a new compound of tetrahydroisoquino-line, on tumor cell proliferation and underlying mechanisms. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect cell proliferation; clone formation experiment was used to detect cell clone formation ability; JC-1 probe was used to detect cell mitochondrial membrane potential; 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) probe was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species; Annexin V-FITC/PI (fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium) counterstaining method was used to detect apoptosis; Western blot assay was used to detect the expression level of related proteins. The experimental results show that SYT-1 has a significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of six human-derived cancer cells. Among them, the inhibitory effect on breast cancer MCF-7 cells is the strongest, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of SYT-1 of 48 h administration on MCF-7 cells is 5.87 μmol·L^-1, which is better than that of cisplatin (8.92 μmol·L^-1). Further studies have shown that SYT-1 can dose-dependently inhibit the monoclonal formation ability of MCF-7 cells, and can cause the mitochondrial membrane potential of the cells to decrease and the level of reactive oxygen species to increase. In addition, SYT-1 can significantly inhibit the activation of PI3K-Akt (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B) signaling pathway and induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. The above research results show that, as a new type of tetrahydroisoquinoline compound, SYT-1 has the potential to inhibit tumor cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical in-treatment results of congenital coronary artery fistulas (CAF) in adults.

METHODSFourteen patients (8 men, 6 women), aged from 18 to 60 years with a mean of 32 +/- 13 years, underwent surgical correction of CAF between March 1985 and April 2002. Eleven of the 14 patients (78.57%) were symptomatic. The diagnosis of CAF was made by echocardiography or angiocardiography preoperatively. The fistulae originated from the right, left and double coronary arteries in 10 (71%), 3 (21%) and 1 (7%) patient(s), respectively. The fistulae drained into the right ventricle (8 patients), left ventricle (4), right atrium (1) and pulmonary artery (1), respectively. The diameter of fistulae ranged from 0.30 to 1.80 cm with a mean of (1.16 +/- 0.49) cm. There were 6 CAF patients associated with coronary artery aneurysms and 4 CAF patients with other coexisting cardiac defects. The distal fistulae were closed in 10 patients with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and 4 patients without CPB. The coexisting defects were corrected simultaneously.

RESULTSThere was no early and late death. One patient had low cardiac output syndrome and cured during early postoperative period. Twelve patients (85.71%) were followed up for a mean period of 3.35 +/- 4.28 years without myocardial ischemia or infarction and recurrent fistulae. Heart function was improved to NYHA functional class I in 11 patients and class II in 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONSAll adult patients with CAF who have demonstrable hemodynamic and cardiovascular morphological changes should be surgically treated as early as possible. The appropriate surgical management and reliable myocardial protection are key points of good surgical results.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Fistula ; congenital ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged