BACKGROUND:We have designed and manufactured a novel artificial cervical vertebra and intervertebral complex (ACVC) which combines the cervical titanium cage with the artificial cervical disc, and also developed the ACVC with a hydroxyapatite biocoating (ACVC-HA). OBJECTIVE:To evaluate biomechanical properties of the joint system, and the role of HA coating in promoting osseointegration and long-term stability. METHODS:Twenty-four goats were randomly divided into three groups and underwent the anterior C2/3 and C3/4 discectomy, and C3 subtotal corpectomy, fol owed by ACVC implantation (group 1) and ACVC-HA implantation (group 2), and given no intervention (black control group), respectively. group. At 12 weeks after surgery, C1-5 samples were col ected to undergo biomechanical tests and histological staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Prior to the fatigue test, compared with the blank control group, the range of motion and neural zone of groups 1 and 2 in the directions of flexion-extension and lateral bending showed no significant differences, but the above indicators were significantly increased in the direction of rotation (P<0.05). Additional y, the stiffness in al three directions was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the range of motion and neural zone in al directions between groups 1 and 2. Similar results were found after the fatigue test. The histological staining showed that both two implants had good biocompatibility and abradability, but more new bone formed on the ACVC-HA. These results suggest that ACVC can effectively reconstruct the motor function of the cervical spine after decompression. Furthermore, HA coating can markedly improve bone-implant interface to promote osseointegration.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a multiplex STR genotyping method for autosomal STR and Y-STR loci in forensic biological practice. METHODS: Widely used autosomal STR loci and Y-STR loci were selected. A set of PCR primers was designed, and a 5-dye fluorescent labeled STR multiplex PCR reagent kit was developed. RESULTS: A kit was developed which can simultaneously detect 15 autosomal STR loci, 10 Y-STR loci, and an Amelogenin. CONCLUSION The 15 autosomal STR plus 10 Y-STR kit in combination with capillary electrophoresis method was used to STR genotyping with accurate and reliable results. The new one-step testing kit can potentially be widely used in forensic cases and DNA databank in the future.
Amelogenin ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA Primers ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; Forensic Genetics/methods* ; Genotype ; Genotyping Techniques/instrumentation* ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI)for the differential diagnosis of the adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma of the head and neck.Methods Thirty-one pa-tients with histopathologically proved adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma were examined with DCE-MRI,in which 10 cases were benign and 21 cases were malignant.The data of the conventional 3.0T DCE-MRI were improved by the 3D fast spoiled gradient-echo sequence (FSPGR)method.Z-test was performed on the quantitative parameters for benign and malignant le-sions,including volume transfer constant (Ktrans ),rate constant (Kep )and extravascular extracellular space fraction (Ve ).The re-ceiver operating characteristic (ROC)curves were plotted to investigate the diagnosis.Results The mean Ktranss of the adenoid cystic carcinoma group and pleomorphic adenoma group were (0.266 ± 0.103 )min-1 and (0.1 55 ± 0.080)min-1 respectively,and the difference between them were statistically significant (Z =-2.699,P < 0.05).The difference between the keps of the aforementioned two groups was of statistical significance (Z =-2.263,P < 0.05),while that of the ves is without statistical significance (Z =-1.132, P >0.05).The areas under the ROC curves of the Ktrans and kep were 0.813 and 0.763 respectively.Choosing the optimal diagnostic cut-off points corresponding to the maximum Youden indexes 0.173 min-1 and 0.818 min-1 ,the sensitivities of Ktrans and kep for identifying the adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma were 90.9% and 81.8%,and the specificities were 77.8% and 66.7%.Ktrans was of the highest sensitivity and specificity for the identification of the adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma.Conclu-sion The dynamic contrast-enhanced parameter Ktrans plays a certain role in the differential diagnosis of the adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma of the head and neck.

Saccharmyces cerevisiae 220 has certain resistance to Pb2+ was found through the test of it's cultured on media containing lead cation. Sacchannyces cerevisiae 220 cultured was put into the media cotaining lead cation and it's biosorp-tion to lead cation was studied. The results show this strain has maximum biosorption ratio (96.6%) to 6mg/L lead cation, biosorption-equilibrilium period is 25-30min, biosorption kinitics equation is q-26.318C/ (1 + 0.437C) . Acetic acid is benefit to de-biosorption, glucose and KH2PO4 can improve biosorption ratio to lead cation.

Objective To investigate the comprehensive prevention strategy in the prevention of oral mucositis (OM) during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods A total of 721 patients who received HSCT from January 2010 to December 2011 at the Institute of Hematology, Peking University were enrolled. All the patients received the comprehensive prevention strategy of OM. Results A total of 315 patients (43.7 percents) suffered from OM during HSCT, the median time from HSCT to OM occurrence was 5 days. There were 173 (54.9 percents), 91(28.9 percents), 37(11.7 percents), and 14(4.4 percents) patients suffered from gradeⅠ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ, and IV OM, respectively. Tongue OM was most common. A total of 111 patients suffered from multiple OM (≥2 locations). Multiplicity showed that duration of agranulocytosis≥15 days was the only independent risk factor of OM in HSCT [ hazard ratio (HR) value 1.5, P<0.05 ]. Neutrophil engraftment time≥12 days was significantly associated with prolonged OM (≥8 days) (HR=2.1, P<0.05). Patient age ≥20 was independent risk factor for occurrance of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ OM (HR=2.7, P<0.05). Conclusions Comprehensive prevention strategy can overcome the risk factors of OM and prevent the occurrence of OM during HSCT.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the regulatory effects and mechanism of autophagy on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). Methods The experiment was divided into two group: control group and experimental group(IPF group, autophagy induction group, autophagy inhibition group). A549 cells were cultivated by the conventional method in control group. The A549 cells of the experimental group were induced by TGF-β1(5 ng/mL). Then, no further treatment was given to IPF group. Rapamycin(10 μg/L) or 3-Methyladenine(10mmol/L) was given to autophagy induction group or autophagy inhibition group respectively. The hydroxyproline content of lung tissue was measured, and the mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA, LC3-Ⅱ or LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin1, E-cadherin and Vimentin were tested by Realtime PCR and Western blot. Results At each time point, the hydroxyproline content of lung tissue and the mRNA and protein levels of α-SMA and Vimentin in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group（all P<0.05）. The above detections in autophagy induction group or autophagy inhibition group were significantly lower or higher than those in the IPF group（all P<0.05）. The mRNA and protein levels of LC3-Ⅱor LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin1 and E-cadherin in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group（all P<0.05）. Moreover, the same detections in autophagy induction group or autophagy inhibition group were significantly higher or lower than those in the IPF group（all P<0.05）. Conclusion The autophagy and EMT played an important role in IPF. Induction of autophagy might inhibit the development of IPF by inhibiting EMT, and Inhibition of autophagy could promote the development of IPF by activating EMT.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the treatment of the scrotal vein malformation in teenagers and clinical efficacy.

METHODS32 cases with the local and diffuse scrotal vein malformation were retrospectively analyzed. 31 cases underwent local injection with 40% urea before resection. The urea was injected locally into tumor through multi-points within 30 seconds, 2-6 ml every time, one time a day. The injection was performed for 5-12 days. The treatment was refused in one case. The therapeutic effect and cosmetic result were recorded.

RESULTSThe tumors were removed radically in 28 cases including one operation in 25 cases and secondary operation in 3 cases. The patients were followed up for 1-3 years with no recurrence. Cosmetic result with bilaterally symmetric scrotum was satisfactory. The tumors in 3 severe cases were partially resected with improvement.

CONCLUSIONSCombined treatment with urea injection and surgical procedure can effectively treat the scrotal vein malformation with satisfactory result.

Adolescent ; Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum ; blood supply ; Urea ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Vascular Malformations ; therapy ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of selective moderate head cooling therapy on maximum length sequences brainstem auditory evoked potential (MLS-BAEP) in newborn piglets with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage.

METHODSSixteen newborn piglets aged 5-7 day old were randomly divided into three groups: normothermic control (n=4), HI (n=6) and mild hypothermia-treated (n=6). HI was induced through temporary occlusion of both carotid arteries, followed by mechanical ventilation with low concentration of oxygen (FiO2=0.06) for 30 minutes. Mild hypothermia was induced by equipment via circulating water. MLS-BAER was recorded before HI and at 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 60 hours, 72 hours, 4 days, 7 days, 10 days, 13 days and 15 days after HI.

RESULTSCompared with the normothermic control group, all latencies and intervals tended to increase significantly at 72 hours in the HI group and reached peak values on day 7. From day 10, all latencies and intervals tended to decrease, but apart from wave I latency, still differed significantly from those of the normothermic control group. MLS-BAER variables did not reach normal values until day 15. Ⅲ latency, Ⅰ-Ⅲ interval and Ⅰ-Ⅴ interval were significantly reduced in the hypothermia-treated group between 60 and 7 days after HI compared with the HI group (P<0.05). V latency and Ⅲ-Ⅴ interval in the hypothermia-treated group were also reduced compared with the HI group between 72 hours and 7 days after HI (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth peripheral and central auditory systems are disturbed by HI, which shows as a significant increase in MLS-BAER variables (all latencies and intervals) in newborn piglets. Involvement in central brainstem auditory system reaches a peak on day 7 after injury. MLS-BAER variables still cannot reach to normal values until day 15. Selective moderate head cooling therapy can significantly reduce brainstem damage induced by HI.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Hypoxia, Brain ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the trend of total cancer mortality in Linqu County Shandong Province from 1980 to 2002.

METHODSA retrospective survey on all causes of death in 1980 - 1982, 1990 - 1992 and 2000 - 2002 was conducted in Linqu County, a high risk area of gastric cancer in Northeast of China, respectively.

RESULTSThe cancer death, was found the third leading cause of death in 1980 - 1982 in Linqu County, and the second to that of vascular disease in 2000 - 2002. The cancer mortality (standardized mortality) was 108.97/100,000 (111.48/100,000), 132.38/100,000 (127.94/100,000) and 148.48/100,000 (105.53/100,000) in 1980 - 1982, 1990 - 1992 and 2000 - 2002, respectively. The trend of cancer mortality was significantly increased (Z = 13.42, P < 0.0001). The added cancer-eliminated life expectancy in three periods was 2.46 years, 3.29 years and 3.76 years in male (F = 13.99, P < 0.0001), and 1.67 years, 2.30 and 2.33 years in female (F = 13.61, P < 0.0001), respectively. The standardized mortality of gastric cancer (percentage in all cancer death) was 44.93/100,000 (40.29%), 41.37/100,000 (32.34%) and 27.73/100,000 (26.90%) in 1980 - 1982, 1990 - 1992 and 2000 - 2002, respectively. The trend of gastric cancer standardized mortality was significantly reduced (Z = 6.35, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe mortality of cancer in Linqu County has been increased from 1980 to 2002, but no such trend was found after adjusting ages. However, there was a decreased trend on standardized mortality of gastric cancer in the past 20 years.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; trends ; Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between Gln223Arg variant in leptin receptor (LEPR) gene and obesity.

METHODSThe subjects were from Yu county, Shanxi province, China. Data on cardiovascular risk factors was collected with questionnaire and their Gln223Arg variants in LEPR gene were genotyped. The relation between Gln223Arg variant in LEPR and obesity was analyzed.

RESULTSThe genotype frequencies of G. G, G. A and AA were 0.7679, 0.2171 and 0.015 respectively and the allele frequencies of G and A were 0.8764 and 0.1236. The distribution of genotype was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.934). The results of single factor analysis showed that the carriers with the Arg223 alleles had higher weight (63.2 kg vs. 61.9 kg; P= 0.0307) and body mass index (24.4 kg/rn vs. 24.1 kg/m2; P = 0.0898) than those noncarriers of these alleles. Results from multivariate analysis indicated that the carriers with the Arg223 alleles had higher body mass index (24.5 kg/m2 vs. 24.1 kg/m ;P= 0.0396) and prevalence of obesity (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 0.957-1.767; P= 0.0935).

CONCLUSIONThese data indicated that Gln223Arg variant in LEPR gene was possibly associated with obesity, respectively.

Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; China ; Genotype ; Humans ; Obesity ; genetics ; Receptors, Leptin ; genetics ; Risk Factors