OBJECTIVEThis study aims to explore the effect of Notch signaling depression on the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells.

METHODSMice RAW264.7 cells were cultured and differentiated into osteoclasts with the induction of RANKL. The expressions of Notch1, Notch2, Deltal, Jagged1, Hes1, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and Cathepsin K genes during osteoclastogenesis were analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Osteoclast formation was analyzed using TRAP assay with suppression of Notch receptors by a selective γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI).

RESULTSNotch1, Notch2, Delta1, Jagged1, and Hes1 expressions in RAW264.7 cells were upregulated following 50 ng · mL-RANKL stimulation for 3 d, concomitant with the expression of the osteoclast differentiation markers TRAP and Cathepsin K. Notch2 and Jagged1 had the most remarkable increase in the Notch family members. GSI inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells and Hes1 expression dose-dependently.

CONCLUSIONNotch signaling activation may promote RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells.

Animals ; Cathepsin K ; Cell Differentiation ; In Vitro Techniques ; Mice ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; RANK Ligand

Objective To investigate the effects of Tongmai Tang on the production of nitric oxide(NO) and the balance of fibrinolysis system in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) injured by oxidized low density lipoprotein(oxLDL). Methods The herbage-contained serum of Tongmai Tang and oxLDL were prepared, then the human HUVEC-304 cells were divided into 4 groups: ⑴control group; ⑵bovine serum control group; ⑶oxLDL group: 100mg/L oxLDL, and ⑷Tongmai Tang group: 5% herbage-contained serum of Tongmai Tang and 100mg/L oxLDL. After 24h incubation, the morphology of the endothelial cells was observed under the inversion microscope, while the concentrations of NO, t-PA and PAI-1 in the culture medium were measured. Results ⑴The endothelial cells in oxLDL group were seriously injured, while those in Tongmai Tang group got better; ⑵the concentrations of NO and t-PA in the oxLDL group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P

Objective To investigate the imaging features of pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma (PACC),and to assess the role of CT and MRI in the diagnosis of the disease.Methods CT and MRI data of 7 cases with PACC confirmed by surgery and pathology were reviewed retrospectively.Plan and dynamic contrast-enhanced CT were performed in 4 cases.MRI with T1 WI,T2 WI,and dy-namic contrast-enhanced series were performed in 3 cases.Results All of the PACC lesions were manifested as a single solitary mass.1 lesion was located in the pancreatic head,and the other 6 in the pancreatic body-tail.On plan CT,all of the 4 lesions ap-peared hypodense and 3 lesions had irregular more hypodense region in the lesions.On the contrast-enhanced CT,the tumor paren-chyma showed mild to moderate enhancement with non-enhanced hypodense region in the arterial phase,and lower enhancement than that of the surrounding normal pancreatic tissue in the portal and delayed phase.All of the 3 cases were heterogeneous hypointensity on T1 WI and hyperintensity on T2 WI.The manifestations of the tumors on contrast-enhanced MRI were similar with that on the contrast-enhanced CT.Dilation of the pancreatic duct was seen in 4 cases.Liver metastasis was seen in 1 case.Surrounding tissues were invaded in 4 cases.Conclusion CT and MRI can display the features of PACC and help to improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy ; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Aged ; Heart Failure ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) has been proved to evaluate general and local function of heart but less reported on adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy following bone marrow stromal cell (BMS) transplantation.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate myocardial function of an adriamycin-induced cardiomyopathy rabbit model following BMS transplantation using TDE.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized animal control study was performed at Laboratory of Ultrasound, Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from September 2002 to December 2003.MATERIALS: A total of 28 male adult Japanese rabbits weighing (2.0+0.2) kg were used in this study. Adriamycin was used to induce cardiomyopathy model in 20 rabbits.METHODS: Twenty-eight male Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: cell transplantation group (n=10),PBS group (n=10), and sham operation group (n=8). BMSs were isolated from cell transplantation group at the 8th day. On the 12th week, cells were labeled with 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and then epicardial directly injected into the myocardium of the same rabbits in thoracotomy surgery. Non-cell only culture fluid PBS was injected in PBS group. Sham operation group underwent thoracotomy surgery with the same volume of saline injection.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Left ventricular function was assessed by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography before and 4 weeks after surgery. Histological examination including apotisis study and DAPI fluorescent were assessed after sacrificed.from (4.0+1.1) cm/s to (5.3+1.2) cm/s (P ＜ 0.05) around the inject site, but the improvement of global myocardial function was not found by conventional echocardiography. In PBS and sham operation group there were no differences in global and myocardium at 4 weeks after transplantation. Histological findings showed that the injury of the myocardium around the injection site was relieved with less apoptosis.

Objective To discuss the application value and improvement of principle of multi-echelon medical care in emergent rescue of the injured in Chinese Wenchuau earthquake. Methods The author analyzed and evaluated the medical rescue that was done at disaster site, in the front line hospital and higher level hospitals during earthquake. Results A total of 4 689 patients were treated at disaster site, including 413 patients with severe injury, of whom 3 died. Different kinds of operations including debridement were performed at disaster site, with infection incidence of open wound was nearly 80%. In the front hne hospital, 1 400 patients were treated, with 200 operations done. Of all, 110 patients with severe trauma were treated emergenfly, with an amputation rate of 3.0% and postoperative infection incidence of 66.8%. In the station hospitals, 125 patients received definite surgeries, with 1-5 surgeries per injury site. There was no postoperative cross infection, amputation or death. Conclusions The multi-echelon medical care is the basic mode for medical rescue of large number of patients in natural disaster rescue. First aid at disaster site should be performed as early as possible. Transportation is crucial for successful rescue and an improved patient grading system can help increase the efficiency of rescue. The front line hospitals should mainly provide life support, debridement and fixation of simple fracture, while the specific treatment and definite surgery should be carried out in the station hospitals.

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of four surgical techniques of tuberculosis of lumbosacral junction retrospectively. Methods Between Jul 2001 and Jan 2013, 79 patients with lumbosacral spinal tuberculosis underwent surgery. Antituberculous chemotherapy and nutrition support prior to surgery were used for at least two weeks. 45 patients underwent single stage radical debridement, fusion and anterior instrumentation (A group). 18 patients underwent combined anterior and posterior spinal surgery (AP group), 10 patients underwent transpedicular drainage, posterior instrumentation, and fusion (P group), and 6 patients underwent anterior radical debridement (D group). All the patients were treated by antituberculous chemotherapy for 18 months and followed regularly. The operation duration, blood loss, clinical status, ESR, VAS, ODI, roentgenogram and 3D?CT were concerned to estimate the progress of tuberculosis. Radiographs were analyzed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the final follow?up examination to assess the result of anterior fusion and maintenance of correction. Results There was no inju?ry of blood vessel, ureter or cauda equina during surgery. The mean follow?up period was 23 months (range 18-42 months). No obvious loss of deformity correction was observed. There was no recurrence, no tuberculous peritonitis, and no incidence of im?potence or retrograde ejaculation in any of these patients. The average operating duration(min) were 144.31 ± 23.18, 444.72 ± 141.63, 351.50 ± 85.25, 90.00 ± 29.66, respectively; The average blood loss(ml)were 266.67 ± 104.45, 988.99 ± 488.26, 890.00 ± 306.23, 200.00±104.88, respectively; The average Pre?op VAS were 4.71±1.79, 5.22±1.48, 3.30±1.64, 2.50±1.52, respectively;The average last follow?up VAS were 0.89±0.68, 0.90±0.74, 1.00±0.63, respectively; The average Pre?op ODI(%)were 29.64± 7.85, 32.17±7.59, 28.20±4.26, 20.67±4.63, respectively; The average last follow?up ODI(%)were 5.09±3.59, 4.78±3.78, 4.80± 3.39, 4.00 ± 1.18, respectively; The average Pre?op lumbosacral angle(°)were 20.61 ± 4.92, 23.78 ± 5.84, 25.10 ± 4.28, 21.67 ± 4.27, respectively; The average Post?op lumbosacral angle were 27.17±3.66, 30.56±5.31, 32.10±4.01, 24.83±2.32, respectively;The average last follow?up lumbosacral angle were 23.89 ± 3.12, 27.00 ± 5.46, 29.00 ± 4.85, 23.33 ± 2.50, respectively. Conclu?sion Single stage anterior interbody fusion with anterior instrumentation worked effectively to stabilize lumbosacral junction (less invasive, short surgical duration, no injury of posterior column). Anterior interbody fusion combined with posterior instrumentation was recommended for patients with extensive bone defect and low iliocava junction.

Objective To analyse the phenotypes of the drug?resistant tuberculosis, and investigate the outcomes of the individualize surgery and chemotherapy for these patients. Methods From January 2009 to June 2012, we retrospectively ana?lyzed 49 patients with drug?resistant tuberculosis spondylitis admitted in Southwest Hospital. 33 were initial cases and 16 were re?curring cases. All the 49 patients received individualized open operation or CT?guided percutaneous drainage and local chemother?apy depending on the characteristics of the focus. Individualized chemotherapy regimens were tailored for all patients according to the drug?resistant spectrum and all patients were followed up successfully at least 24 months. All the clinical data were collected and analyzed by statistical methods. Results Among the 49 patients, 14 were monoresistance tuberculosis, 11 were polyresis?tance tuberculosis, and 24 cases were multi?drug resistant tuberculosis. Frequence of the drug?restistance from high to low was Iso?niazid, Rifampicin, Streptomycin, Levofloxacin, Dipasic/Rifapentine, Ethambutol, Protionamide, Capreomycin, Paza?aminosalicy?late, and Amikacin. 43 patients received open operation and 6 patients received CT?guided percutaneous drainage and local che?motherapy. Time of the percutaneous drainage was (48±11) days (39-60 days), and all patients received Individualized chemother?apy with an average of (29.5±2.5) months (24-36 months) postoperatively. At the last follow?up, all patients had remarkable pain remission, 44 patients with paraplegia got slight or remarkable recovery and 17 patients with kyphosis got significant correction. Conclusion The main drug?resistant spectrums are Isoniazid、Rifampicin、Streptomycin、Levofloxacin. The individualized sur?gery combined with individualized chemotherapy made according to the drug?resistance is a feasible treatment for the drug?resis?tant tuberculosis especially the multi?drug resistant tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVETo identify the correlation of the volume of residual urine (VRU) with the severity of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and detrusor contractility in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSA total of 152 patients with clinically diagnosed BPH underwent ultrasonography for measurement of the prostate volume and RVU, free uroflowmetry, and urodynamic examination for the severity of BOO and detrusor contractility. Using the software SPSS20. 0, we analyzed the correlation between the ultrasonographic results and urodynamic parameters and compared the two sample means by the t-test.

RESULTSThe prostate volume was correlated positively with BOO severity (r = 0.432, P < 0.01) and detrusor contractility (r = 0.343 , P < 0.01) while Qmax negatively with BOO severity (r = 0.327, P < 0.01) but not significantly with detrusor contractility (r = 0.123, P > 0.05). VRU showed a significantly negative correlation with detrusor contractility when > 150 ml (r = -0.490, P < 0.01), even more significantly when > 300 ml (r = -0.717, P < 0.01), but exhibited no significant correlation with it when ≤ 150 ml (r = 0.041, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONVRU can somehow predict the detrusor function. For patients with VRU > 150 ml, especially for those with VRU > 300 ml, the detrusor function should be evaluated and urodynamic examination is recommended for exact assessment of BOO severity and detrusor contractility.

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle Hypertonia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Organ Size ; Prostate ; diagnostic imaging ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Urine ; Urodynamics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of the combined periodontic-orthodontic treatment in the esthetic reconstruc- tion of the anterior teeth area following periodontitis.

METHODSThirteen adult patients with anterior teeth displacements were treated. The probing pocket depth (PD; 102 teeth, 612 sites), bleeding on probing (102 teeth, 204 sites), papilla index (PI; 128 papillae), and papillary height (PH; 128 papillae) of each patient were assessed at baseline, 3 months after the initial therapy, and the end of the orthodontic treatment. Non-parametric and paired-sample t tests were carried out for the statistical analysis of the data.

RESULTSThree months after initial therapy, the sites with PD ≤ 3 mm accounted for 79.58% (487/612) of the observed teeth, and 88.73% (181/204) of the buccal and lingual sites of the teeth showed negative bleeding on probing. These findings were better than those at baseline [26.31% (161/612) and 22.06% (45/204), respectively] (P < 0.05), but no sig- nificant difference was observed compared with pro-orthodontic treatment (P > 0.05). Prior to orthodontic treatment, the levels of the PI of 8 and 21 papillae were III and II, respectively, among the 128 observed papillae. After the orthodontic treatment, 51 papillae were at level III and 68 papillae were at level II. The PH of the 102 papillae was 2.84 mm ± 0.62 mm after ortho- dontic treatment. This result indicated significant difference compared with that of pre-orthodontic treatment (1.69 mm ± 0.57 mm) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter initial therapy, moderate orthodontic teeth movements may reconstruct the interproximal soft tissue, with esthetic improvement of the papillary level and resolution of the periodontal defects.

Adult ; Dental Scaling ; Esthetics ; Humans ; Periodontal Pocket ; Periodontics ; Periodontitis ; Tooth Migration ; Tooth Movement Techniques