Objective To discuss the strategy and intervention measures of the iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)control in coastal salt.producing areas so as to shoot the problem of non-iodized salt causing IDD.Methods Accordinng to different areas,periods and crowds,eomplicatd measures and strategies were taken such as supply of iodized salt to peopie in special need while universalizaion of iodized salt,health promotion,private salt factory censu8 and close.iodized salt quality monitoring and promotion of technology of iodized salt producion in Xiamen, where the probiem of non-iodized salt Was serious since 1995.Results Iodized salt manufactured Was qualified in a increased rate from 89.50% in 1995 to 96.17% in 1997,stablized at 99.00%since 2000.Qualified iodized salt sold in the shops waft increased from 87.33%in 1996 to 96.33%in 1998.Popularization covered by iodized salt in urban areas increaased from 0.92%in 1 995 to 100.00%in 2000,and it Was increased from 0 to 99.00%in suburban area8 and increased from 0 to 89.00%in rural areas.Since 2001 iodized salt covered up 93.00%of the people.The rate of child goitre in urban,suburban and rural areas respectively Wag 16.44%(228/1387), 20.57%(266/1293) and 24.93%(651/2611).Moreover,beginning from 1996,it reduced tO below of 5.00%respectively in 1999,2001 and 2005.The median of urinary iodine of children in urban,suburban and rural areas respectively was 137.50, 102.12,94.66 μg/L in 1995,since 1997 it reached 100.00μg/L and kept at 120.00μg/L In 2007 the median of urinarv iedine of children respectively was 271.10,240.40,198.10μg/L in urban,suburban and rural areas.The pereentage of awareness of IDD knowledge was 74.00%(444/600)in students in 1997 and reached 95.00% since 2000.Conclusion The paRern of eliminating iodine deficiency dis ease in Xiamen has successful established,which works efficiently and sets an example for iodized salt supplement in non-iodized salt areas and continually eliminating the iodine deficiency disease.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the human cord blood adult stem cells (ASCs) to differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro induced by combined stimulation with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stem cell factor (SCF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The adult stem cells were obtained through density gradient centrifugation and magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). The adult stem cells were cultured in DMEM with HGF (10 ng/ml)+SCF (10 ng/ml)+LIF (10 ng/ml) in induced group I. In induced group II the enriched cells were cultured in DMEM with SCF (10 ng/ml)+LIF (10 ng/ml) and the undifferentiated cells acted as the control group without the factors. The morphology of cells was observed by the inverted phase contrast microscopy; the expression of albumin (Alb), human hepatocyte cytokeratin (CK18) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR assay in the 21-day culture. Alb secreted by hepatocytes in the medium was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at day 7, 14, 21, 23 and 25. The results showed that the shapes of ASCs changed and their sizes and number increased in the course of culture in group I. After being induced for three weeks, the cells turned round and resembled hepatocyte-like cells. The mRNA for Alb could be detected by RT-PCR in the differentiated adult stem cells in group I, and the mRNA for AFP was poorly detected by RT-PCR at day 21. Alb and CK18 were positive through immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry at day 21, compared with group II and the control group. In group I, Alb in the medium significantly increased, compared with control group, and reached the highest level at day 21, then decreased at day 23. It is concluded that under some definite inducing conditions, human cord blood adult stem cells can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells and HGF plays a critical role during the course.
Adult Stem Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Humans ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEThis prospective study was to observe the correlation between the mesial papilla's height of single implant-supported maxillary central incisor and the distance from the base of the contact point to the alveolar bone crest.

METHODS56 patients involved in single implant-supported maxillary central incisor were included in this study. The distances from the base of the contact point to the alveolar bone crest in the digital periapical film of maxillary central incisor were measured using the software Planmeca Dimaxis Version 3.3.2. The time of measurements were as follows: The pre-surgical and post-surgical periods, before and after the crown installation, the follow-up examination of more than 0.5 year. To analyze the factor of influencing distance, and the correlation between the distance and the height of gingival papilla during the whole restored period. Correlation analysis between the distance and the height of gingival papilla during the whole restoration was done by the statistical software SPSS 12.0.

RESULTSThe results demonstrated that the ratio of esthetic papilla can achieve 54.5% at the crown installation and 95.5% at the follow-up examination when the distance was between 3 mm and 5 mm. When the distance was between 5 mm and 6 mm, they dropped to 30.0% and 75.0%, respectively. However, when the distance increased to above 7 mm, the papilla could hardly be in an esthetic outcome. There was a significant change of the distance was found during the periods from the post-surgery to pre-restoration, and the scope of the changes was between -0.13 mm and 0.46 mm. A negative correlation was found between the distance and the index of papilla. The correlation coefficient r was -0.715 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIt is proposed that the pre-surgery distance of maxillary central incisor from the base of the contact point to the alveolar bone crest can be used as one of the important reference indexes to assess and predict the height conditions of gingival papilla.

Alveolar Process ; Anodontia ; Crowns ; Esthetics, Dental ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Incisor ; abnormalities ; Maxilla ; Prospective Studies

To investigate the effect of S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), a nitric oxide donor, on platelet production from megakaryocytes differentiated from cord blood CD34(+) cells in vitro, the CD34 (+) cells from eight fresh umbilical cord blood samples by a high-gradient magnetic cell sorting (MACS) system were cultured in serum-free medium for 14 d with thrombopoietin (TPO) 50 ng/ml, IL-3 10 ng/ml, stem cell factor (SCF) 50 ng/ml and rHuGM-CSF 20 ng/ml. Then, CD61 (+) cells were purified by MACS system from these CD34 (+) cells, and were cultured in serum-free medium supplemented with TPO 50 ng/ml, IL-3 10 ng/ml and SCF 50 ng/ml in the presence (treatment group) and absence (control group) of GSNO for 30 min or 2 h. Platelet-sized particles were counted by flow cytometry; megakaryocyte structure was detected by scanning electron microscope. Aggregation of the thrombin-induced platelet particle was observed under inversion microscope. cGMP was assessed by commercial ELISA kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the number of platelet-sized particles significantly increased (P<0.05) in the treatment group, in which megakaryocytes presented significant pseudopod formation and extensive membrane blebbing. The platelet particle aggregation could be observed under microscope after thrombin induction. cGMP activity was significantly increased after treatment with GSNO (P<0.05). These results propose that GSNO can facilitate platelet production from megakaryocyte, and it may be partly through cGMP pathway.
Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Blood Platelets ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cyclic GMP ; blood ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; S-Nitrosoglutathione ; pharmacology

This paper is aimed to develop a rapid and sensitive HPLC-fluorescence detection (FLD) method for the determination of tetrahydropalmatine (TET) in rats' plasma. The influence of combinations of Extractum Angelicae Dahuricae Siccum (coumarin and volatile oil) and total alkaloids (TA) from Rhizoma Corydalis (TA) on pharmacokinetics of TET in rats was studied. Plasma samples were treated with hexane-isopropanol (95:5) to precipitate the protein, and were determined by HPLC-fluorescence detection. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 2.096-167.68 microg L(-1). The limit of quantification was 2.096 microg L(-1). The method recovery of TET was 94.0%-100.0%. The extract recovery was 72.0%-81.5%. RSDs ofintra- and inter-day precisions were all less than 7.0%. Pharmacokinetics of TET in rats was fitted to two compartments open model after oral administration of TA, TA-volatile oil (VO), TA-coumarin (Cou) and TA-VO-Cou. Compared with TA, AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), MRT(0-t), and MRT(0-infinity) of TET had significant deviation when combined with VO and/or Cou. The determination method is sensitive, specific, accurate, and appropriate for determination of TET in vivo. Coumarin and/or VO combined with TA can prolong the resistance time of TET significantly, delay elimination and enhance bioavailability of tetrahydropalmatine.
Alkaloids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Angelica ; chemistry ; Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; pharmacokinetics ; Corydalis ; chemistry ; Coumarins ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Oils, Volatile ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo report our primary experience with immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap after breast-conserving surgery. The safety, feasibility, and clinical effect are also evaluated.

METHODSFrom Jun. 2010 to Jan. 2011, 5 cases who underwent immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap after breast-conserving surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The operative duration, postoperative days in hospital, complication and therapeutic effect were reviewed.

RESULTSAll the patients were treated successfully without laparotomy. The average operative duration was 310 min, including 60 min for harvesting the omental flap. The median postoperative days in hospital was 8 days (ranged, 5-9 days). One case complained of slight pulled feeling in upper abdomen. No other complication happened. The cosmetic result of reconstructed breasts was satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe immediate breast reconstruction using laparoscopically harvested omental flap is safe and feasible with less morbidity in donor sites and good cosmetic effect. It is one of the ideal methods for immediate breast reconstruction.

Adult ; Breast Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Middle Aged ; Omentum ; transplantation ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Treatment Outcome

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of angiotensin II on differentiation of cord blood CD34+ cells into megakaryocytes in vitro. The CD34+ cells from eight fresh umbilical cord blood samples sorted by a high-gradient magnetic cell sorting system (MACS) were cultured in serum-free culture medium containing thrombopoietin (TPO) 50 ng/ml, IL-3 10 ng/ml, stem cell factor (SCF) 50 ng/ml and different concentrations of angiotensin II (0, 50, 100, 1000 microg/ml) for 14 days. Mononuclear cells (MNC) were counted by automatic cell analyzer. Cultured CD41+ cell and platelet counts in cultured system, and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. CD41 specific monoclonal antibody staining was observed by immunofluorescence microscopy. The results showed that as compared with the control group, the number of MNC not increased significantly (P > 0.05), but the number of CD41+ cells and platelets increased significantly in treatment group (P < 0.05). Cell cycle analysis revealed that the amounts of 4N cells increased and apoptosis cells obviously existed in treatment group (P < 0.05). After fluorescence staining, more CD41+ cells of different sizes were observed by means of fluorescence microscopy in both groups. It is concluded that angiotensin II can induce the cord blood CD34+ cells to differentiate towards megakaryocyte, and enhance the function of megakaryocyte to produce platelet.
Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Humans ; Megakaryocytes ; cytology ; Stem Cell Factor ; pharmacology ; Thrombopoietin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between p53 gene mutations and STK15 abnormal expression in the development of human laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (LSCC).

METHODSLSCC tissues and matched normal tissues were taken during operation from 55 patients without previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Following polymerase chain reaction amplification direct sequencing single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) combined with silver staining were used to detect mutations of p53 gene in exons 7 and 8 (p53E7 and p53E8) using genomic DNA from 110 specimens including 55 LSCC tissues and 55 matched normal tissues. STK15 expression were evaluated by RT-PCR with beta-actin as internal control.

RESULTSThe mutation rate of p53E7 was 30.9% (compared to normal tissues, chi(2) = 8.66, P < 0.01). There was no mutation in p53E8. In 38 of the 55 cases (69.1%), the STK15 mRNA expression level was higher than that of the paired normal tissue. The STK15 to beta-actin ratio of average density value was 1.22 +/- 0.49 in the cancer tissue, and 0.99 +/- 0.54 in the normal tissues (t = 4.539, P < 0.01). In 14 of the 17 cases (82.4%) with p53E7 mutations, the STK15 expression was higher than that of normal tissue. In the 38 cases with STK15 over-expression, p53E7 mutation was found in 14 cases (36.8%). The rate of concurrence of p53E gene mutations and STK15 over-expression (25.5%) was higher than that of only p53E gene mutations (chi(2) = 26.025, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThere is significant association between p53 gene mutation and STK15 over-expression in laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma.

Actins ; metabolism ; Aurora Kinase A ; Aurora Kinases ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; metabolism ; Exons ; Frameshift Mutation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genes, p53 ; genetics ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation, Missense ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of aildenafil citrate, an oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

METHODSIntegrated analyses were made of 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trials involving 250 men with mild-to-severe erectile dysfunction of various etiologies who received aildenafil citrate 30 or 60 mg (n = 167) or placebo (n = 83).

RESULTSThe statistic results of International Index of Erectile Function, Patient Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP) diaries and Global Assessment Question (GAQ) were significantly higher in the aildenafil citrate patients than in the placebo controls. The main drug-related adverse events were flushing, headache, dizziness and naupathia, which were mild and could be self-relieved.

CONCLUSIONThe aildenafil citrate therapy significantly ameliorated erectile function and was well tolerated by a wide range of patients with erectile dysfunction.

Administration, Oral ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Piperazines ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Sulfones ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Background: A patient’s infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. Methods: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients’ oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. Results: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0–62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients’ inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0–11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients’ stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0–16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0–4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients’ urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F=2.669, P=0.044, and adjusted R²=0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients’ stools (t=-2.699, P=0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs 8.0 days, respectively; t=2.550, P=0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs 11 days, respectively; t=4.631, P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P >0.05). Conclusions In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients’ stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.