Objective:To define the reference values of several salivary variables for the diagnosis of Sjgren syndrome (SS).Methods:Mixed saliva was collected by standard proceduer.Sodium,potassium concentration,sodium-potassium ratio,total value of sodium and potassium secretion per minute and pH of the saliva samples in 40 patients with SS and 40 healthy controls were measured by automatic biochemical instrument ISE900 and pH meter.The subjects were divided according to the European classification criteria for diagnosis of SS and normal controls.Independent-sample t test were used for statistic analysis.Results:The salivary concentrations of sodium,potassium and sodium-potassium ratio were significantly elevated and the tolal value of potassium per minute and pH were significantly reduced in patients with SS(P

Objective To investigate the relationship between chronic gastropathy with intestinal metaplasia (IM) and caudal type homeobox genes 2 (Cdx2),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection.Methods Onehundred and thirty patients underwent gastroscopy were divided into 2 groups by typical pathological type:gastritis group (30 cases) and IM group [100 cases,including mild IM group (30 cases),moderate IM group (35 cases),severe IM group (35 cases)].Hp infection was confirmed.The expressions of Cdx2 and TNF-α protein was evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Results The positive expression rates of Cdx2 and TNF-α protein in IM group were significantly higher than those in gastritis group [78.0％(78/100) vs.6.7％(2/30),60.0％(60/100) vs.16.7％(5/30)],and there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.01).The positive expression rates of Cdx2 and TNF-α protein in positive and negative Hp infection in IM group were significantly higher than those in gastritis group [Cdx2 protein:79.4％(50/63) vs.1/10,75.7％(28/37) vs.5.0％(1/20);TNF-α:74.6％(47/63) vs.4/10,35.1％(13/37)vs.5.0％ (1/20)],and there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.01).The positive expression rate of Cdx2 protein in moderate IM group and severe IM group were significantly higher than those in mild IM group [80.0％ (28/35) and 97.1％ (34/35) vs.53.3％ (16/30)],in severe IM group were significantly higher th.an those in moderate IM group,and there were statistical differences (P ＜0.05).There were no statistical differences in the positive expression rate of Cdx2 protein of difference Hp infection among the 4 groups (P＞0.05).There were no statistical differences in the positive expression rate of TNF-α protein between mile IM group and moderate IM group (P ＞ 0.05).The positive expression rate of TNF-α protein in severe IM group was significantly higher than that in mild IM group and moderate IM group [80.0％(28/35) vs.40.0％(12/30) and 57.1％(20/35)],and there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.05).The positive expression rate of TNF-α protein of positive Hp infection patients in gastritis group,mild IM group,moderate IM group and severe IM group were significantly higher than those of negative Hp infection patients (4/10 vs.1/20,47/63vs.13/37,10/18 vs.2/12,15/21 vs.5/14,22/24 vs.6/11),and there were statistical differences (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expressions of Cdx2 and TNF-α protein and Hp infection are closely related with IM.Therefore,testing the level of Cdx2 and TNF-α protein expressions can help to judge the degree of IM,which provides a basis for reversing IM.

Objective To assess the clinical efficacy ofMaxing-Shigan decoction in patients with severe pneumonia due to phlegm-heat obstructing the lung.Methods Sixty patients with severe pneumonia in the TCM Department of Dalian Municipal Central Hospital from January to December 2013 were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group by random number table method, 30 in each group. The control group was treated with anti-infection, fluid infusion and mechanical ventilation. On the basis of treatment in the control group, the treatment group was also givenMaxing-Shigan decoction through nasogastric gavage. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), lactic acid (Lac) and PaO2/FiO2 were compared before and after the treatment in both groups. The scores of the Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (CPIS) and the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHEⅡ) were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher than that in the control group (80.0%vs.73.3%;χ2=4.800,P=0.029). In both groups, MAP (treatment group: 102.4 ± 11.9 mmHgvs. 70.4 ± 6.4 mmHg, t=12.972,P=0.000; control group: 101.2 ± 12.5 mmHgvs. 69.8 ± 6.6 mmHg,t=12.1672,P=0.000), PaO2/FiO2 (treatment group: 265.4 ± 19.7 mmHgvs. 78.6 ± 10.5 mmHg,t=45.833,P=0.000; control group: 124.8 ± 13.4 mmHg vs. 79.1 ± 11.1 mmHg;t=14.385,P=0.000) after the treatment were significantly higher than before the treatment, and the Lac level were significantly lower (treatment group: 1.04 ± 0.42 mmol/Lvs. 6.37 ± 2.27 mmol/L,t=12.65, P=0.000; control group: 3.88 ± 1.45 mmol/Lvs. 6.39 ± 2.32 mmol/L,t=5.025,P=0.000). The improvements in Lac (t=10.304,P=0.000) and PaO2/FiO2 (t=32.323,P=0.000) in the treatment group were superior to the control group. The scores of the CPIS (treatment group: 2.2 ± 1.5vs. 6.7 ± 1.7,t=10.872,P=0.000; control group: 4.5 ± 2.7 vs. 6.8 ± 1.8,t=3.882,P=0.000) and APACHEⅡ(treatment group: 5.3 ± 2.1vs. 13.8 ± 3.8,t=10.723,P=0.000; control group: 9.3±3.5vs. 13.7 ± 3.5,t=4.869,P=0.000) after the treatment were significantly lower than before the treatment in both groups, and the changes of CPIS (t=4.079,P=0.000) and APACHEⅡ(t=5.368,P=0.000) in the treatment group were greater than those in the control group.ConclusionsMaxing-Shigan decoction has definite therapeutic effects for severe pneumonia due to phlegm-heat obstructing the lung..

Atrial fibrillation ( AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterised by rapid and irregular beating.It is caused by multiple factors and can lead to ischemia-associated thrombosis, heart failure and other complex symptoms. Based on the etiology and characteristics of AF, animal models have 3 main categories including electrical, neurohormonal or vessel-related, and structural remodeling models.New technologies such as microRNA knock-down/overexpression or CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing provide tools for constructing animal AF models and directions in the development of AF thera-peutic strategies.Currently these strategies have largely focused on the cellular and molecular therapeutics rather than tradi-tional invasive electrophysiological methods or antiarrhythmic drugs.With the aid of new tools, progress has been greatly made in a broad range of therapeutic research areas including molecular mechanisms, drug targeting and screening.This re-view summarizes the animal models of atrial fibrillation currently used in studies of the molecular and cellular therapeutics and notes their contributions to this research area.

Objective To investigate therapeutic effect of the Banxia-Baizhu-Tianma decoction combined with simvastatin for phlegm and blood stasis obstructing hyperlipidemia. Methods A total of 120 patients with phlegm and blood stasis obstructing hyperlipidemia from Dalian central hospital from June 2010 to December 2013 were divided into 2 groups according to random digits table:60 patients in a control group treated with simvastatin 20 mg/d,and 60 patients in a treatment group treated with Banxia-Baizhu-Tianma decoction on the basis of the control group. After 6 weeks treatments, the clinical efficacy, serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglyceride(TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), high sensitive C reactive protein(hs-CRP),high mobility group protein B1(HMGB1), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(γ-GT), interleukin 8(IL-8)and superoxide dismutase(SOD) were evaluated in both groups. Results The total effective rate was 91.7%(55/60) and 73.3%(44/60) in the treatment group and the control group, respectively, with significant difference (χ2=5.772, P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, hs-CRP, HMGB1 in both groups were significantly lower than those before the treatment (in the treatment group t value were 12.355, 5.984, 32.825, 13.806, 14.661 and in the control group t value were 7.553, 2.177, 3.064, 10.281, 9.019, P<0.05 or P<0.01), LDL-C concentration significantly increased (t in the treatment group=3.382, P<0.01;t in the control group =2.388, P<0.05). After the treatment, the serum levels of TC, TG, HDL-C, hs-CRP, and HMGB1 in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (t value were 7.173, 3.418, 2.377, 3.967, 8.352, P<0.05 or P<0.01);there was no significant difference in LDL-C concentration between the two groups (t=1.630, P=0.106);the levels of ALT, GT, IL-8 and SOD in the treatment group showed significant difference compared with those before the the treatment (t value were 19.053, 9.592, 12.909, 10.377, P<0.01), while in the control group, exceptγ-GT, other parameters showed significant difference after the treatment compared with before the treatment (t value were 2.253, 5.876, 3.266, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, these parameters in the treatment group were significantly different after the treatment(t value were 27.872, 10.244, 6.954, 6.145, P<0.01). Conclusions Banxia-Baizhu-Tianma decoction combined with simvastatin has good lipid-lowering effect. It may significantly lower inflammatory factor levels, reduce inflammation, and enhance antioxidant capacity.

Objective To explore the expression of estrogen sulfotransferase(EST) and steroid sulfatase (STS) in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometrioid adenocarcinoma samples. Methods The RNA of EST and STS in 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometrium samples were extracted using Roche products. Results The RNA expression of EST and STS were 0.25±0.03 and 0.08±0.02 respectively and the STS/EST was 0.11±0.08 in normal endometrium. While in endometrioid adenocarcinoma the RNA expression of EST and STS were 0.06±0.02 and 0.24±0.92 respectively and the STS/EST was 4.40±0.64. There were significant differences between these two groups. Conclusions (1) Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues could be used to study the endometrioid adenocarcinoma. (2) EST is decreased, STS and STS/EST are increased in human endometrioid adenocarcinoma. STS/EST may be related with the prognosis of the endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the delayed cytotoxicity effect of chlorpyrifos (CPF) with?drawal on primary hippocampal neurons. METHODS Hippocampal neurons were prepared from SD rat fetuses on the 17th day of gestation. Seven days after culture,neurons were exposed to CPF 10 and 30 μmol · L-1,respectively,for 72 h or for 48 h followed by CPF withdrawal for 24 h. CCK-8 kit and neuronal nuclei(NeuN), 5-bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU) and β Ⅲ tubulin immunofluorescence expression methods were used to evaluate the cell viability. RESULTS Compared with normal control, no significant cytotoxicity was found after CPF 72 h continuous exposure. However,CPF 48 h expo?sure followed by CPF withdrawal for 24 h induced evident cytotoxicity. The amount of BrdU positive and β Ⅲ tubulin positive hippocampal neurons were both decreased significantly(P<0.05),and cell survival and viability reduced after CPF withdrawal. CONCLUSION CPF exposure withdrawal can induce more seriously delayed cytotoxicity than continuous exposure in rat primary hippocampal neurons.

Telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase subunits (for example, telomerase reverse transcriptase and telomerase associated protein 1 and telomerase RNA component) of peripheral white blood cells were detected in the patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) and the correlation between telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase subunits was observed. In 94 peripheral white blood cells from 18 healthy volunteers and 76 patients with AML, including 31 AML at initial presentation, 24 at relapse and 21 at complete remission, the telomerase activity and telomerase subunits mRNA or RNA were detected by PCR-ELISA and RT-PCR respectively. The results showed that the positive rate of telomerase from patients with AML at initial presentation, at relapse and at complete remission was 74.1%, 79.2% and 4.8% respectively. The positive rate of telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA from healthy volunteers, AML at initial presentation, AML at relapse and AML at complete remission was 5.6%, 80.6%, 83.3% and 9.5% respectively. The positive rate of telomerase associated protein 1 mRNA and telomerase RNA component in all samples were 100%. It was suggested that the up-regulation of telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase is correlated closely with the occurrence and relapse of AML, so telomerase activity and the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase may be used to estimate the curative effect and predict relapse of AML. Moreover, the up-regulation of telomerase activity is correlated with the expression of telomerase reverse transcriptase significantly.
Carrier Proteins/*metabolism ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Leukemia, Myelocytic, Acute/*enzymology ; RNA/metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Telomerase/*metabolism

Objective To explore the characteristics of speech,phone and cognition development of infants and toddlers with mild hearing loss and to study the effect of early intervention.Methods Speech and cognition abilities of 59 children with mild hearing loss,aged 8 months to 2 years and 10 months old were assessed and 34 normal hearing children,aged 8 months to 2 years and 9 months old were compared.Eighteen children with hearing loss were fitted with hearing aids and received speech therapy for 6 months.The participants' speech and cognition development were evaluated with Gesell developmental scale.The phone test was adopted to assess the speech sound development in 59 children with mild hearing loss.Results Of the 59 children with mild hearing loss,37 were judged with normal speech development quotients(DQ),8 with abnormal speech DQ,14 suspect of abnormal speech DQ.The hearing loss in cases with abnormal speech DQ was more serious than that in cases with normal speech DQ(P＜0.05).The speech DQ and personal-social behavior DQ of children with mild hearing loss were significantly lower than normal children(P＜0.01).The speech DQ and personal-social DQ on Gesell developmental scales were significantly higher in 18 children received early intervention,compared with those who did not receive intervention (P＜0.01).Six cases with mild hearing loss demonstrated phone errors,but no abnormal manifestations in tone.After early intervention the phone of those with mild hearing loss improved significantly.No significant difference in gross motor,fine motor and adaptive ability was observed between the children with mild hearing loss and those with normal hearing(P＞0.05).Conclusion The speech ability of children with mild hearing loss is significantly lower than those with normal hearing.Some mild hearing loss children show phone errors.Mild hearing loss affect the adaptation and communication abilities of mild hearing loss children significantly.Early intervention can significantly improve the speech,phone,adaptation and communication abilities of children with mild hearing loss.

Objective To investigate molecular diagnostic method for hereditarymethemoblobinemia. Methods The cDNA coding sequence of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) from 3 patients with hereditary methemoglobinemia was analyzed by direct sequencing of RT-PCR products and the genomic DNA of b5R gene by PCR-restriction endonuclease digestion or PCR-sequencing. Results The b5R cDNA of patient A was T/C heterozygous at nucleotide 527 and G/A heterozygous at nucleotide 608. The b5R cDNA of patient B was G/A heterozygous at both nucleotide 170 and nucleotide 179. The b5R cDNA of patient C was G/A heterozygous at nucleotide 608 and C/T heterozygous at nucleotide 791. Result of genomic DNA analysis was in agreement with that of cDNA approach. Conclusion The method for molecular diagnosis of hereditary methemoglobinemia was established and 3 novel b5R gene mutations were identified in compound heterozygosity in 3 Chinese patients.