Objective To investigate the fulfillment of improved water measures for endemic fluomsis and to find out the trend of prevalence in Qinghai Province in order to provide scientific basis and technical support for the government to formulate control strategies for endemic fluorosis.Methods Usage and management of reforming water facilities in Huzhu County were generally surveyed.Yanya Village,Caijiabu Town,Huzhu County was chosen as the surveillance spot.The household drinking water was surveyed.The dental fluorosis and urine fluoride content of children aged 8-12 years and adult above 16 years were examined.Skeletal fluorosis of adult was checked.The fluomsis content in drinking water and urine was determined with F-ion selective electrode method.The dental fluowsis was examined with Dean index.Skeletal fluorosis was diagnosed according to eountry standard(GB 16396-1996.WS 192-1999).Results The rate of water-improving was 60%(36/60)in Huzhu County.The mean of fluoride content in drinking water Was 1.25 mg/L The prevalence rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years was 90.20%(46/51);that of adult was 88.89%(48/54).The dental fluorosis index of children was 1.77,that of adult was 2.95.The prevalence rate of skeletal fluorosis was 98.15% indicated by clinical data,18.87% by X-ray.The ufine fluorosis content of children was 2.27 mg/L,that of adult was 2.00 mg/L.Conclusion The disease condition of endemic fluorosis in Qinshai is serious,defluofidation is slow in effect.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.

Background: Bone cancer pain (BCP) is not adequately addressed by current treatment methods, making the exploration of effective management strategies a topic of significant interest. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) seem to be a potential way for managing BCP, yet little is known about the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of this potential treatment. Methods: We established the male C57BL/6 mice BCP models. Behavioral tests, X-ray, bone histology, western blotting, and immunofluorescence were used to verify the analgesic effect of BMSCs. Results: Intramedullary injection of Lewis lung carcinoma cells into the femur successfully generated the mice BCP models. The number of c-Fos-positive neurons and phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins in the spinal dorsal horn of the BCP mice increased. Intrathecal injection of BMSCs temporarily improved the BCP mice’s mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to inhibiting spinal microglia and p-p38 MAPK activation. The analgesic effect of BMSCs may be related to the homing effect mediated by CXCR4. Conclusions Intrathecal injection of BMSCs can temporarily inhibit mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in BCP mice without affecting motor function. This effect may be related to the inhibition of p-p38 protein expression and the inhibition of microglia but not to p-ERK and p-JNK.

Objective To investigate the main components of inner ear antigens inducing autoimmune Meniere's disease(AIMD) in guinea pigs. Methods The guinea pigs were immunized with isologous crude inner ear antigens (ICIEAg). Then, the hearing function was measured with auditory brainstem response (ABR), the vestibular function was measured with electronystagmography (including spontaneous nystagmus and caloric test), and inner ear histopatholoical changes were observed by inner eareelloidin section with haematoxylin-eosin staining and observed under light microscope. According to these results, the AIMD-model animals from non-AIMD-model ones were distinguished. The special antibodies against ICIEAg in sera were measured with ELISA. The antigen-antibody reactions against different components of ICIEAg were detected by Western blotting with sera of AIMD and non-AIMD guinea pig srespectively. Then, we analysed the contrast between them and found the main components of the ICIEAgthat were positive reaction in AIMD guinea pigs and negative reaction in non-AIMD guinea pigs. Results The result of ELISA demonstrated that the sera of both the AIMD and non-AIMD guniea pigs contained thespecial antibodies against ICIEAg after immunized with ICIEAg. The difference of the amount of antibodyagainst ICIEAg between AIMD guinea pig group and non-AIMD guinea pig group was not significant. Western blotting assay showed only the sera of AIMD guinea pig contained the antibodies against the specific antigens with the molecular of 68 000, 58 000, 42 000 and 28 000. Conclusions ICIEAg contain many different components, the AIMD might only happen in the guinea pigs in which the special immunization against themain components that could induce this kind of disorder appeared. The inner ear antigens with molecular of68 000, 58 000, 42 000 and 28 000 might be the main components inducing AIMD in guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVETo elucidate the effect of inflammation and coronary atherosclerotic plaque destabilization in the pathogenesis of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

METHODSTwenty-eight patients with ACS and 13 patients with stable angina pectoris (SA) were examined by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). Coronary plaque morphology and areas in culprit lesions were analyzed. The serum levels of hs-CRP, MMP-9, TIMP-1, sCD40L were also measured.

RESULTSSoft plaques were dominant in culprit lesions of ACS patients (71.4%, 20/28), and hard plaques were dominant in culprit lesions of SA patients [76.9% (10/13), P = 0.004]. At the culprit site, plaque area, plaque burden and remodeling index were all significantly larger in culprit lesions of ACS patients than those of SA patients (all P < 0.05). Positive remodeling was more frequent in ACS patients than in SA patients, whereas negative remodeling was more frequent in SA patients (P < 0.05). The serum levels of hs-CRP, MMP-9, sCD40L were higher in ACS group compared with SA group (P < 0.05, respectively). Moreover, hs-CRP level was positively correlated with MMP-9 (r = 0.671, P = 0.000) and sCD40L (r = 0.494, P = 0.008), respectively, in ACS patients. There was no difference in TIMP-1 between two groups (P = 0.234).

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that structurally vulnerable plaques are essential element in the pathogenesis of ACS and inflammation might play an important role in plaque vulnerability.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Aged ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; CD40 Ligand ; blood ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

BACKGROUNDAnomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) is a rare congenital heart anomaly. We aimed to illustrate the clinical features and long-term prognosis of patients with ALCAPA.

METHODSTwenty three patients (13 males and 10 females, ages ranging from 2.5 months to 65 years) identified as ALCAPA in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from April 1984 to June 2009 were divided into two groups, based on the age of onset: group 1 (≤ 12 months, n = 16) and group 2 (> 12 months, n = 7).

RESULTSFifty six point three percent of patients in group 1 had been misdiagnosed as endocardial fibroelastosis (9/16), 18.8% as dilated cardiomyopathy (3/16) and 6.3% as myocardial infarction (1/16). Patients in group 2 were usually diagnosed as coronary heart disease, myocarditis, or patent ductus arteriosus. Electrocardiography in group 1 revealed abnormal Q waves with T wave inversion in leads I, avL, V(4)-V(6), especially in lead avL (deep and wide Q wave); but no specific manifestations in group 2. A higher percentage of patients in group 1 had cardiomegaly on chest radiograph (86.7% vs. 33.3%, P = 0.031), while pulmonary artery protrusion was more common in group 2 (26.7% vs. 83.3%, P = 0.046). Lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was present in group 1 than in group 2 ((48.5 ± 11.5)% vs. (65.0 ± 6.1)%, P < 0.001). Apical ventricular aneurysm (62.5% vs. 0%, P = 0.007), enhanced echogenicity of papillary muscles (87.5% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.011) and endocardial thickening (93.8% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.001) were more frequent in group 1 than in group 2. The ratio of the proximal right coronary artery (RCA) diameter to the aortic root diameter exceeded 0.14 in all cases, more prominent in group 2 (0.26 ± 0.05 vs. 0.33 ± 0.03, P = 0.009). Increased coronary artery collaterals within the interventricular septum were detected in 18 patients (78.3%) by Doppler imaging. Twenty one patients underwent cardiac surgery, including left coronary artery (LCA) ligation (1/21), LCA ligation plus coronary artery bypass grafting (1/21), Takeuchi operation (7/21), and LCA reimplantation surgery (12/21). Four patients underwent concomitant mitral valve repair and one received mitral valve replacement. Aneurysm resection was performed in 3 cases. Six patients died in hospital after surgery, and the rest of the cohort had no overt symptoms during a follow-up period of 6 to 166 months. Their abnormal Q waves gradually regressed or disappeared, and the LVEF and left ventricle size returned to normal range with alleviation of mitral insufficiency.

CONCLUSIONSThe accurate diagnosis of ALCAPA can be made with serial diagnostic methods. ALCAPA can be successfully treated with several types of cardiac surgery, and surgeries of establishing two-coronary-artery circulation are the preferred operations nowadays, with good long-term prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnosis ; mortality ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Artery ; abnormalities

Objective To study the risk factors of human cystic echinococcosis (CE) in Hobukesar Mongolian Autonomous County of Xinjiang (HMACX) and to discuss the related strategies for prevention and control. Methods A randomized sampling method was used to screen local residents for human CE in HMACX. CE related risk factors including ethnicity,age,sex,occupation and personal status on hygiene etc. were analyzed under multi-factor logistic regression. Results The prevalence rates of CE and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) were 3.7% (23/627) and 0.16%(1/627) respectively,with the seropositive rate as 12.4% (76/613). The main risk factors that significantly associated with CE were age (OR=7.6,95% CI: 2.481-23.579) and slaughtering livestock in the households (OR=3.2,95%CI: 1.297-7.809). Herdsmen had the highest prevalence of CE in all of the occupations in this study. Conclusion HMACX had been a highly endemic area for human CE,with age and family slaughtering-livestock-behavior appeared to be the main possible risk factors.