Objective To investigate the effects of ultraviolet irradiation on the morphology, cell proli-feration, mutation frequency and level of expression of ATP mRNA in human fibroblasts. Methods The infant foreskin fibroblasts were cultured and irradiated with different doses of ultraviolet A or B (UVA or UVB). Light microscopy was used for observing the morphologic change and cell counting of cell proliferation, HPRT-mutagenesis assay for the mutation detection, and RT-PCR for the expression of ATP mRNA. Results Compared with the control group, the irradiated cultured fibroblasts were damaged, cell growth was retarded (MTT assay showed 2.4 fold increase in the control group but only 0.2 fold in the UVB group 72 h after irradiation). Mutation frequency in 106 colony forming cells was increased from 20.4 ? 6.7 at 20 mJ/cm2 to 97.7 ? 7.1 under 60 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation. The expression level of ATP mRNA was down-regulated after UV irradiation. There was an increase of mutation frequency which was UVB dose-dependenct, and decrease of ATP mRNA expression which was dose- and time-dependent. Conclusions After UV irradiation of the cultured fibroblasts, the cell damage and growth inhibition are induced, and the mutation frequency is increased in a UVB dose-depen-dent maaner. The expression of ATP mRNA shows down-regulation in both dose- and time-dependent manner.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy of continual needle knife treatment for cervical spondylosis and whether it increases adverse reactions and the number of treatments.MethodNinety-two patients with cervical spondylosis were randomly allocated to a treatment group of 47 cases and a control group of 45 cases. The treatment group received continual needle knife therapy once every day and the control group, interrupted needle knifetherapy once 10 days.ResultThere were no statistically significant differences in the number of treatments, the total efficacy rate and postoperative adverse reactions between thetwo groups (P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences inthe treatment period and cure rate between the two groups (P<0.05). The treatment period was significantly shorter in the treatment group than in the control group(P<0.05). The cure rate was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the controlgroup(P<0.05).ConclusionContinual needle knife therapy cannot increase postoperative adverse reactions and the number of treatments. It can significantly shorten the treatment period, avoid another injury and increase the cure rate in the patients.

To compare the responsiveness of a newly designed symptom scale, the Chinese Medical Symptom Rating Scale for Heart Failure (CMSRS-HF), with the Chinese version of Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-form 36 (SF-36), and provide basis for the selection of subjective outcome measures for clinical evaluation of treatment of chronic heart failure by integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Bel1, a transactivator of prototype foamy virus (PFV), plays pivotal roles in the replication of PFV. Previous studies have shown that Bel1 bears a nuclear localization signal (NLS), but its amino acid sequence remains unclear and the corresponding importins have not been identified. In this report, we inserted various fragments of Bel1 into an EGFP-GST fusion protein and investigated their subcellular localization by fluorescence microscopy. We found that the 215PRQKRPR221 fragment could direct nuclear localization, which accords with the consensus sequence K(K/R)X(K/R) of monopartite NLS. Point mutation experiments revealed that K218, R219, and R221 are essential for the nuclear localization of Bel1. The results of the GST-pulldown showed that the Bel1 fragment with residues 215-223, which bears the NLS, interacts with KPNA1, KPNA6, and KPNA7. This result suggests that KPNA1, KPNA6, and KPNA7 maybe involved in Bel1 nuclear translocation.
Cell Line ; Cell Nucleus ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Humans ; Nuclear Localization Signals ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Transport ; Retroviridae Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; Retroviridae Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Spumavirus ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Trans-Activators ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; alpha Karyopherins ; genetics ; metabolism

To study the chemical constituents of Artemisia lactiflora. The compounds were isolated by column chromatography with silica gel, C18 reverse-phase silica gel, semi-preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. Twelve compounds were isolated from alcohol extracts of A. lactiflora and identified as 7-hydroxycoumarin (1), 7-methoxycoumarin (2), balanophonin (3), aurantiamide (4), aurantiamide acetate (5), isovitexin (6), kaempferol-3-O-beta-D-rutinoside (7), rutin (8), caffeic acid ethyl ester (9), quercetin (10), methyl 3, 5-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (11) and methyl 3, 4-di-O-caffeoyl quinate (12), respectively. Compounds 3-12 were obtained from this plant for the first time.
Artemisia ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Recently, the Th17 cells and IL-17 have been shown to play a critical role in the immune-mediated liver injury in hepatitis B, while their functions in acute liver failure have not been well elucidated yet. In this study, we primarily investigated the role of IL-17 in the development of mouse hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3)-induced acute liver failure. IL-17 mRNA levels in liver tissue were quantified by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and cytokine IL-17 levels in liver tissue and serum were determined by using ELISA in MHV-3-induced murine fulminant hepatitis model. The IL-17 expression levels on CD4(+)T and CD8(+)T cells were determined by using flow cytometry. The correlation between IL-17 level and liver injury was studied. Th17 associated cytokines were also investigated by intracellular staining. Our results showed that the IL-17 expression was significantly elevated in the liver and serum of BALB/cJ mice infected with MHV-3. Moreover, a time course study showed that the percentage of both IL-17-producing CD4(+)T cells and IL-17-producing CD8(+)T cells was increased remarkably in the liver starting from 48 h and peaked at 72 h post-infection. There was a close correlation between hepatic or serum IL-17 concentration and the severity of liver injury defined by ALT level, respectively. Th17 associated cytokines, IL-6, IL-21 and IL-22, were also increased significantly at 72 h post-infection. It was concluded that IL-17 may contribute to the pathogenesis of MHV-3-induced acute liver failure.

OBJECTIVETo develop and evaluate the short version of patient reported outcomes (PROs) questionnaire for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients with modern test theory and technologies, hoping to provide testing tools for related clinical practice and scientific researches with higher quality and less administrative and response burdens.

METHODSUsing descriptive study design, clinical data were collected with sociological questionnaire and previous developed full items version of PROs instrument for gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients via field and online surveys between Sep 2011 and Mar 2012. The statistical analysis group identified the termination parameters firstly, and then selected items with discrimination, fitting residual, item information curve (IIC) , item characteristic curve (ICC), and the rank of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) select proportion, etc. After assumption evaluation of item response theory (IRT), IIC, ICC, difficulty coefficient distribution, items-response relation and thresholds, etc. were used for psychometric evaluation of instrument.

RESULTSA total of 331 patients [Ages: 31.99 +/- 10.29 yrs; Male: 186 (56.3%)] were enrolled in statistical analysis. The test termination criterion was Max SE = 0.2 or Max items number =16. After items selection, a 15-item short version of instrument, which contains symptoms facet (8 items) and impact facet (7 items) was generated. With good unidimensionality, local independence, and monotonicity, the IC and ICC in IRT analysis showed good working capability of the questionnaire. The difficulty coefficient distribution and items-response relation were also rational, as well as response thresholds.

CONCLUSIONSThe short version of PROs instrument for adult gastric stuffiness (Wei Pi) patients was successfully developed and assessed. The instrument with good methodological and reporting quality could be used in clinical and scientific evaluating their symptoms and impact.

Adult ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Psychometrics ; Stomach Diseases ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Young Adult

Animals ; Cardiomegaly ; Constriction ; Heart ; Mice

Objective To investigate the production and removal of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) by HaCaT cells after UVB irradiation, and the effect of baicalin in this process. Methods HaCaT cells were cultured and irradiated with given dosages of UVB, and the production and removal of CPD by HaCaT cells at given time points after UVB irradiation were assessed by immunohistochemical method. In parallel studies, HaCaT cells were preincubated with baicalin, and the effect on CPD was evaluated. Results The damage to HaCaT cells was dependent on the dosage of UVB radiation. After irradiation with 30 mJ/cm2 of UVB, CPD formation peaked at 0.5 h. CPD was removed rapidly from HaCaT cells during the first 4 h; the rate of removal decreased thereafter, and the removal was almost complete by 24 h after the irradiation. The amount of CPD decreased significantly in HaCaT cells that were preincubated with baicalin solution before UVB irradiation than that in those without the preincubation (U = 2.324, P

Objective:To introduce a novel ridge preservation technique with micro-titanium plate avoiding the use of bone grafting materials,and evaluate the potential horizontal bone preservation effect of this new technique,applied on single maxillary central incisors after tooth extraction for future implant restoration.Methods:Nine patients (six women and three men),mean age (26.0 ±5.7)years(from 1 8 to 34 years)referred to the Department of Oral Implantology,Peking University School and Hospital of Stomotology,were selected and diagnosed with unsalvageable single middle incisor with fine general con-ditions,no signs of acute local inflammation,no ongoing or previous periodontitis,healthy neighboring teeth and intact buccal bone walls.Tooth extraction,delayed implant placement and implant-supported single crown restoration were selected as treatment plan.The teeth were extracted atraumatically with lo-cal anesthesia,followed by a reflection of a minor flap to exposed 2-3 mm of the buccal bone plate.Af-ter that,a micro-titanium plate was trimmed and bended to fit the convexity of the labial bone and fixed by two mini pins with intent to support the labial soft tissue.The flap was then repositioned over the micro titanium plate and secured with two single sutures.No bone grafting materials or releasing incisions were needed.The sockets were left to heal without any intention of primary wound closure.Cone-beam compu-ted tomographic (CBCT)scans were obtained before and four months after tooth extraction.Horizontal ridge widths were measured with CBCT software,and the preservation effects were calculated and recor-ded by the percentage of horizontal ridge alteration.Results:The nine extraction sockets were healed un-eventfully.The average socket width before extraction was (7.51 ±0.48)mm (6.92-7.82 mm).The average alveolar ridge labial-palatal width at the control point of the edentulous area was (6.81 ±0.44) mm (6.04-7.38 mm)4 months after tooth extraction,the mean percentage of ridge width preserved was 90.87%±2.91%(87.28%-95.60%).Conclusion:This novel ridge preservation method by the usage of a micro-titanium plate did not interfere with the natural socket healing process,and at the same time,largely preserved the width of alveolar ridge without any bone grafting procedures.Long term results remain to be seen.