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 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

Objective To investigate the prevalence rate of thalassemia among children of 0-7 years old,from six ethnic groups in Xishuangbanna and Dehong.Yunnan province.Methods 4973 blood samples from children under 7 years old were automatically undergone blood cell count,red cell osmotic fragility and hemoglobin electrophoresis testings.Results The incidence rates of thalassaemia,β-thalassemia was 37.4%,and α-thalassaemia were 22.6%and 14.7% respectively.The thalassaemia incidence rates were significantly different among age groups but not in gender. The incidence of α-thalassaemia was decreasing along with the increase of age.while the incidence of β-thalassaemia was increasing along with the increase of age.Xishuangbanna had the higher incidence than in Dehong and the differences were significant between counties.The incidence of thalassemia of Mengla ranked the first(52.2%)in Xishuangbanna,The difierences between different regions and different nationalities were significant,with β-thalassemia of Achang ranked the first(40.6%),The incidence of α-thalassemia among Han ranked the first as 45.5% while α-thalassaemia and β-thalassemia were different in regions.α-thalassaemia and β-thalassemia were significantly different between different ethnic people in the same regions.Multiple factor analysis showed that region seemed to be a risk factor and the mother's ethnicity was a protective factor and dependent variable on thalassaemia.Conclusion The incidence of thalassaemia in Yunnan Xishuangbanna and Dehong was high among children under the age of 7 and were related to ethnic and regional differences in the areas.Specific genes were proliferated along with the extension of time.Our data provided valuable information on prevention and genetic studies on thalassaemia in the minorities of Xishuangbanna and Dehong in Yunnan province.

Objective To observe protective effects on rat serum cardiac enzymes and the antioxidant capacity of selenium and vitamin E.Methods According to body weight and 2 × 2 factorial design,eighty male Wistas rats were randomly divided into four groups:low selenium and low vitamin E group(feed containing 23.42％ of the low selenium yeast,excluding vitamin E),low selenium and adequate vitamin E group (feed containing 23.42％ of the low selenium yeast and vitamin E 160 mg/kg),adequate selenium and low vitamin E group(feed containing 46.84％ of the low selenium yeast and sodium seleni 0.25 mg/L in water,excluding vitamin E),adequate selenium and adequate vitamin E group(feed containing 46.84％ of the low selenium yeast,vitamin E 160 mg/kg and sodium selenite 0.25 mg/L in water),20 rats every group.Rats were feed with synthetic feed,and given intraperitoneal anesthesia after 26 weeks of feeding.Blood was collected to observe the impact of selenium and vitamin E on rat cardiac enzymes and myocardial antioxidant capacity and their interactions.Serum creatine kinase (CK) was measured using the continuous monitoring method,creatine kinase isozymes (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH ) using the immune suppression method,the whole blood GSH-Px assay using the dithiobis nitrohenzoic acid(DTNB) method,serum superoxide dismutase(SOD) using the xanthine oxidase method,total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) using the complex colorimetry method,the content of propylene glycol (MDA) using the thiobarbituric acid colorimetric method,and reactive oxygen species(ROS) using the colorimetric method.Results Group differences of serum CK,CK-MB,LDH,whole blood GSH-Px activity,serum T-AOC vitality,MDA and ROS content were statistically significant(F=9.797,17.041,48.399,3.744,224.900,49.384,5.045,all P＜ 0.05).Compared with the two low selenium groups and one adequate selenium group,the vitalities of CK,CK-MB,LDH and the contents of MDA[(1577.75 ± 451.87),(1239.15 ± 344.99),(884.25 ± 133.84)U/L,(5.688 ±1.169) × 103 nmol/L; (1474.21 ± 398.38),(1014.84 ± 215.40),(523.00 ± 98.05)U/L,(4.035 ± 0.487 ) × 103 nmol/L and (1180.10 ± 245.51),(948.75 ± 173.68),(676.70 ± 193.63)U/L,(3.406 ± 0.146) × 103 nmol/L]increased significantly in adequate selenium and adequate vitamin E group[( 1056.80 ± 250.98),(721.70 ±129.98),(404.65 ± 72.49)U/L,(3.010 ± 1.270) × 103 nmol/L,all P ＜ 0.05) ].The activity of GSH-Px was obviously increased in the two adequate selenium groups[ (96.611 ± 8.238) × 103,(103.024 ± 8.217) × 103 U/L,all P ＜ 0.05],compared with the two low selenium groups[ (60.356 ± 8.179) × 103,(63.117 ± 8.281) × 103 U/L].Selenium affected the activities of CK,CK-MB and LDH(F =27.09,31.58,29.66,all P＜ 0.01 ),and vitamin E affected the activities of CK-MB and LDH(F=18.9,11.2.all P＜ 0.01 ),but both selenium and vitamin E had no interactions on the activities of CK,CK-MB and LDH (F=0.02,0.001,2.22,all P＞0.05).Selenium affected the activity of GSH-Px and the content of MDA(F=6.74,95.68,all P＜ 0.05),vitamin E affected the activity of T-AOC,the contents of MDA and ROS(F=6.42,36.73,8.43,all P＜0.05),but selenium and vitamin E had interactions only on the content of MDA(F =13.82,P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Long-term selenium or vitamin E deficiency,can reduce the body's antioxidant capacity,leading to the occurrence of myocardial injury.Selenium and vitamin E can improve the body's oxidation capacity,playing a role in myocardial protection.

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