OBJECTIVE: To verify the delayed process of fracture healing in osteoporosis rats, as well as to investigate the effect of simvastatin on osteoprotic fracture healing. METHODS: Fouty 12-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups with 8 animals in each group. All rats except those in group A and C rats received bilateral ovariectomy. The rats in group A received sham operation. The rats in group C, D and E underwent an operation 4 weeks after ovariectomy to establish the midshaft femur fracture model all fractured rats were treated with simvastatin (group E, 20 mg · kg-1 · d-1) or vehicle (group C, D) as control. Femurs from the A and B group rats sacrificed 4 weeks after ovariectomy operation were harvested for the bone mineral density assessment. The fractured rats were sacrificed 6 weeks after fracture. Radiographic evaluation (CR film) were taken to observe the fracture healing, a scoring system for CR film and bone mineral density were used to evaluate fracture healing quantitatively, and the femurs were then undecalcified for HE staining and subsequent histological observation. RESULTS: Four weeks after the ovariectomy operation, the BMD of rats in group B were significantly lower than those of group A(P < 0.05); In contrast to group C, a significant decreased BMD were observed in group D and E(P < 0.05); the rats in group E and D showed more clear fracture gap by CR films in most examples, indicating a delayed fracture healing process compared to group C, in which the rats showed more progressed callus consolidation, accordingly, the scores for evaluation of fracture healing in group C was significantly higher than those of group E and D (P < 0.05); the rats in group C showed more mature callus with partially lamellar bone formation, while a delayed fracture healing process was observed in group D and E characterized by more cartilage callus but no lamellar bone formation group. CONCLUSION: Compared to normal rats, osteoporotic rats show a delayed process of fracture repair. Though simvastatin shows potential ability to prevent bone loss and thereby to promote fracture healing, the contribution is so limited that more study of simvastatin on osteoporotic fracture healing is required.

Osteoarthritis,characterized by joint subchondral bone injury,articular cartilage degeneration and aggravation of synovial inflammatory response,is a common chronic and degenerative disease.At present,the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is still not clear.Some studies have found that the incidence of osteoarthritis in postmenopausal women is significantly higher,which may be related to the decrease of estrogen in postmenopausal women.Therefore,we reviewed the effects of oestrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulator on osteoarthritis,including the pathological mechanism of cartilage,cartilage and synovial lesions.

OBJECTIVEThe best approach for blood pressure (BP) measurement in children remains controversial, especially on the choice of Korotkoff phase 4 (K4) vs. Korotkoff phase 5 (K5) for diastolic BP (DBP) and to compare the differences between K4 and K5 in school-aged children and their predictions to hypertension in adult.

METHODSThe "Beijing children and adolescents BP study" cohort population consisted 2505 school-aged children aged 6 to 17 at baseline survey in 1987, when datum of systolic BP (SBP), DBP measured using K4 and K5, were collected respectively. Among them, 412 individuals with 220 males and 192 females at age of 23-37 years old, were successfully followed up and invited to take part in a clinical examination including anthropometric measurements, SBP and DBP recordings, and a questionnaires in 2005. Method for the BP measurements at both baseline and followed-up was by auscultation with a standard sphygmomanometer. Child hypertension at baseline was diagnosed according to the age-specific cutoffs recommended by the World Health Organization in 1996 (WHO 1996). Adult hypertension was diagnosed according to the China Guideline for Hypertension Prevention and Control issued in 2005. Partial correlation coefficients were calculated to describe the association of K4 and K5 in childhood with SBP and DBP level in adulthood. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of choice of K5 and K4 as DBP in childhood on prediction to the hypertension in adulthood. Potential confounders such as gender and adult-height were controlled for.

RESULTSAt baseline, the prevalence rates of hypertension were 5.0% with DBP measured using K4, and 2.4% with DBP measured using K5, respectively. The geometric mean difference value of K4 minus K5 (K4 - K5) was (10.1 +/- 1.7 mm Hg) (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) for the 2505 school-aged children, and decreased as age increased. There was no significant difference regarding the values of K4 - K5 between males and females in all age groups except for children who at pubertal stage. The distribution of K4 - K5 value across age groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001), 59.6%, 60.5%, 56.3% and 45.1% of children who aged 6-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16-17 years with their K4 - K5 value over 10 mm Hg. K4 in childhood was better correlated to both SBP and DBP in adulthood than K5. In general, K4 seemed to be superior to K5 in predicting hypertension in adulthood. The odds ratios of hypertension in adulthood were 1.69 (95% CI: 1.11-2.00), 1.45 (1.05-2.02), 2.18 (1.37-3.47), and 1.66 (1.07-2.59) with each 5 mmHg increasing of K4 measured in children aged 6-9 years, 10-12 years, 13-15 years, and 16-17 years, respectively. The agreement diagnosis between child hypertension and adult hypertension was higher for childhood DBP measured using K4 (20.2%) than that using K5 (12.8%).

CONCLUSIONThere was significant difference between K4 and K5 in Chinese children and adolescents. Choice of diastolic Korotkoff blood pressure could affect DBP tracking from childhood into adulthood. K4 seemed superior to K5 when using auscultator technique to measure DBP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Male

Using cDNA from Rehmannia glutinosa leaf as template, a 972 bp fragment of expansin gene which containing a 762 bp ORF that encoded 253 amino acids, was cloned, named RgEXPA10, which GenBank accession number for this gene is KF011918. A 1 207 bp genomic sequence of RgEXPA10 was amplified by PCR with leaf DNA as template, sequencing analysis revealed that three exons and two introns in RgEXPA10 genomic sequence, and which GenBank accession number is KF011919. Molecular and bioinformatic analyses indicated that RgEXPA10 protein have DPBB_1 and Pollen_allerg_1 domain, also including a 26 aa nuclear localization signal and a 19 aa transmembrane region. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that RgEXPA10 showed the highest homology with AtEXPA8 among the 26 α-expansins in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the RgEXPA10 indicated the highest homology with the expansin from Solanum lycopersicum among 22 plant species. Expression patterns using qRT-PCR analysis showed that RgEXPA10 mainly expressed in unfolded leaf, followed by the tuberous root at stage of expanding period, and rarely expressed in senescing leaf. And RgEXPA10 showed higher expression level in tuberous root at 60 and 90 days after emergence. The transcription level of RgEXPA10 significantly reduced under all the three stresses including continuous cropping conditions, salinity and waterlogging. This study will lay foundations for molecular function in development and regulation of different stresses for R. glutinosa.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genes, Plant ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plant Roots ; Rehmannia ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility and authenticity of repairing alveolar defects in alveolar cleft patients with osteoinduction active material (OAM) in clinic.

METHODSTwenty-seven cases of alveolar defect chosen from clinic were divided into two groups (test group and control group). For test group (12 cases), OAM was transplanted to repair the alveolar cleft. For control group (15 cases), autogenous ilium cancellous bone were transplanted into the defect region to repair alveolar cleft. At 6 months after operation, CT and three-dimensional reconstruction were used to observe alveolar appearance, and the effect and clinical success rate of recover alveolar cleft by using different repair material were compared.

RESULTSIn the 27 cases, all the maxillary continuity was restored except two of test group and two of control group. There was no significant difference between test group and control group regarding the clinical success rate of the alveolar cleft repair (P = 1.000).

CONCLUSIONOAM was used to repair the alveolar cleft that can result in new bone formations and the burgeon of canines from the bone grafted areas. There is no significant difference between OAM and autogenous ilium cancellous bone regarding the effect of the alveolar cleft repair.

Alveolar Process ; pathology ; surgery ; Biocompatible Materials ; therapeutic use ; Bone Regeneration ; Bone Transplantation ; Cleft Palate ; surgery ; Humans ; Ilium ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of HSGJ on chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) using standard rat model of CAN.

METHODRenal transplantation was performed with Fisher rats as donors and Lewis rats as recipients. All the recipients were randomly divided into control group and medication groups (high and low dosage of HSGJ, fed every other day). After 16 weeks of treatment, renal function and the histological alteration of CAN were measured. The expression of the TGFbeta1 mRNA in the allograft was evaluated by real-time PCR.

RESULTThe content of 24 h urine protein and the level of serum creatinine in the medication groups were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) as compared with control group, whereas the creatinine clearance was increased (P < 0.01). The degree of glomerular sclerosis and the Banff score of medication groups were lower than the control group respectively (P < 0.01), in consistent with decreased expression of the TGF 1mRNA.

CONCLUSIONHSGJ can prevent the chronic allograft nephropathy and the mechanism may be related with its influence on the expression of the TGFbeta1.

Animals ; Chronic Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Glomerulonephritis ; etiology ; immunology ; prevention & control ; Graft Rejection ; drug therapy ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level and distribution characteristics of anemia of the minority ethnic group children in Yunnan.

METHODThe cases with anemia were surveyed from 13 336 samples of 15 minority ethnic groups and Han children in Yunnan by Taking the method of random cluster sampling.

RESULTThe prevalence of anemia among the children under 7 years of age of 15 ethnic groups of minority in Yunnan was 13.6%. There are differences among the different ethnic groups (χ(2) = 716.33, P < 0.01), the highest was 26.6% in Jingpo, the lowest was 3.5% in Bai. There were differences among the different regions, the prevalence of anemia was high in the border regions City, the highest was 23.8% in Dehong; the prevalence of anemia was low in inland cities, the lowest was 2.7% in Fugong, and was higher in border areas. The prevalence of anemia was higher in boys (13.6%) than in girls (12.1%). There were differences among the different age in the different ethnic groups (6 months to 1 years old: χ(2) = 70.52, P < 0.01; 1 - 2 years old:χ(2) = 185.86, P < 0.01; 2 - 5 years old: χ(2) = 296.12, P < 0.01; 5 - 6 years old:χ(2) = 107.11, P < 0.01; 6 - 7 years old:χ(2) = 185.02, P < 0.01), the highest was 59.0% of Deang in 1 to 2 years old children. The trend of change was that the highest prevalence was seen in 6 months to 1 year old children, the prevalence gradually declined among older children, but rose again in children 6 years of age or older.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of anemia was 13.6% among the children of 15 ethnic minority under 7 years of age in Yunnan. There were differences among different ethnic groups of minority in different prefectures. There were differences among different ethnic groups of different age groups, but it was highest in 6 months to 1 year old children, it declined among older children, and rose in children 6 years of age or older. The prevalence of anemia was related to the ethnic and geographic factors.

Age Distribution ; Altitude ; Anemia ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; analysis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Minority Groups ; statistics & numerical data ; Prevalence ; Sampling Studies ; Sex Distribution

In order to investigate the transmission risk of H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV) from sewage in Changsha poultry markets, the evolution relationship and molecular characteristics of non-structural (NS) genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage were analyzed. Nine H5N1 AIV environmental sewage specimens were collected from Changsha poultry markets. The NS genes were amplifyed by PCR and then sequenced with TA cloning. Amino acid(aa) sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were conducted by Lasergene and Mega5 software. Eight NS genes TA cloning were constructed successfully. Phylogenetic tree indicated that they were belonged to the allele A subgroup. Aa homology analysis showed 90.1% 92.5% identity in NS1 proteins and 91.0% - 92.6% identity in NS2 proteins compared with reference viruses of the allele A (A/chicken/ Hubei/ w h/ 1999). The homologies of the amino sequences of NS1 and NS2 in this study were 93.8%-100.0% and 98.4%-100.0%, respectively. The C terminal of all eight H5N1 NS1 proteins from sewage in poultry markets carried a ESEV of PL motif and the 92 amino acids were E, furthermore, the 80 to 84aa were missed which were the characteristics of highly pathogenic AIV. The NS genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage in poultry markets have molecular characteristics of highly pathogenic and have the potential risk of H5N1 virus spreading.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; transmission ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sewage ; virology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the carrier rate of thalasaemia among the children of 10 minority ethnic groups in 3 border states (Xishuangbanna, Dehong and Nujiang) of Yunnan Province.

METHODSA total of 6562 samples of children under 10 years old were analyzed by blood cell automatic analysis and hemoglobin electrophoresis.

RESULTSThe overall carrier frequency of thalasaemia was highest (46.2%) in Dehong, and lowest (30.6%) in Nujiang. The carrier frequency of beta-thalasaemia was the highest (40.6%) in Achang, and lowest (2.5%) in Dulong. The carrier frequency of alpha-thalasaemia was the highest (22.1%) in Dai from Xishuangbanna, followed by Dulong (19.1%).

CONCLUSIONThalasaemia carrier rates were high among the children of 10 minority ethnic groups in Yunnan. There were regional differences in their incidences. The results provide a valuable basis for thalasaemia prevention in Yunnan minorities in the three border states.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Hemoglobins, Abnormal ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Minority Groups ; Prevalence ; Thalassemia ; ethnology ; genetics ; alpha-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; genetics ; beta-Thalassemia ; epidemiology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influencing factors for lymphocyte subsets in children 0 to 6 years of age.

METHODSUmbilical artery blood samples from 45 healthy full-term infants and venous blood samples from 79 healthy children between 0 and 6 years were collected. According to the methods of delivery, the full-term infants were divided into vaginal delivery group (n=22) and cesarean section group (n=23). Healthy children were divided into different age groups: 28 days to 12 months (n=25), 1-3 years (n=26), and 3-6 years (n=28). Lymphocyte subsets were examined by flow cytometry. The influencing factors including delivery method, sex, and age, which might have an effect on the lymphocyte subsets, were analyzed.

RESULTSThere were significant differences in T and Ts cell counts, percentage of B cells, and percentage and count of natural killer (NK) cells between the full-term infants of vaginal delivery and cesarean section (P<0.05). The absolute counts and percentages of different lymphocyte subsets showed no significant differences between males and females in healthy children (P>0.05). The counts of all lymphocyte subsets except Ts and NK cells varied significantly between different age groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLymphocyte subsets in children under 6 years of age are more profoundly affected by age. Delivery method is also a contributing factor in newborn infants. The reference range of lymphocyte subsets in children should be established for different age groups.

Age Factors ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Male ; Reference Values ; Sex Characteristics