OBJECTIVETo study the role of microfilament polymerization in menchanotransduction by human periodontal ligament fibroblast (hPDLFs).

METHODSIn tension-force group, hPDLFs were treated by tension-force values of 18% for 8 h, 16 h, 24 h. In tension-force and inhibitor group, the sample was treated with 5 microg/mL cytochalasin B before using tension-forece. Each sample was collected and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was measured by using immunohistoche staining.

RESULTSIn tension-force group, the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 enhanced with the extension of loading time. In tension-force and inhibitor group, cyclooxygenase-2 expression was depressed and had no relation with loading time.

CONCLUSIONTension-force induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression is mediated by microfilament, disruption of the microfilament polymerization will destroy mechanotransduction in hPDLFs.

Actin Cytoskeleton ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stress, Mechanical

0.05),the mean FA on the left was higher than the right(t=1.912,P

The study is designed to synthesize nano-carrier Tyr-RGD (cyclo-[Arg-Gly-Asp-d-Tyr-Lys]) and poly(ethylene glycol) modified polyethylenimine (Tyr-RGD-PEG-PEI) targeting vascular endothelial cells, then analyze its nanoparticle properties and the characteristics of drug carrying and targeting properties in vivo / in vitro tumor. The nano-carrier Tyr-RGD-PEG-PEI was synthesized with the method of chemical synthesis and the properties of this nanoparticle and drug carrying characteristics were identified. Its effect of targeting vascular endothelial cells in vitro was studied with the method of competitive binding assay. The fluorescent labeled nano-drug was injected into tumor-bearing nude mice to observe its tumor-targeting. The mean size of nano-carrier Tyr-RGD-PEG-PE was about 145 nm, good in encapsulation efficiency of siRNA. After incubation in plasma for half an hour, only about 3 percent of siRNA out. It was confirmed that it was a single spot with TLC analysis, the R(f) value was 0.65. Receptor competition experiments showed that the nano could effectively compete with RGD in binding the receptors on endothelial cells. Tumor-bearing nude mice experiments showed that when containing a fluorescent-labeled siRNA of Tyr-RGD-PEG-PEI nano-drug was injected into mice, after 24 hours this nano-drug mainly distributed within the tumor tissue. However, nano-drug without Tyr-RGD appeared in tumor tissue as well as other organs such as livers, lungs, etc. The Tyr-RGD-targeted gene vector Tyr-RGD-PEG-PEI synthesized in this study has good nanoparticle properties and high efficiency of gene-drug encapsulation. Study of nude mice shows that the ability of its tumor-targeting is significantly better than nano-drug without Tyr-RGD.
Animals ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Integrins ; biosynthesis ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Nanoparticles ; Oligopeptides ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacology ; RNA, Small Interfering

OBJECTIVETo investigate the etiological and prognostic changes of hospitalized patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODSThis retrospective study analyzed 7319 hospitalized patients (male 62.07%) with validated primary discharge diagnosis of chronic heart failure in Chinese PLA General Hospital in Beijing from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 2007. Etiological characteristics, comorbidities and 30-day hospitalized mortality in the following three periods: 1993 - 1997 (n = 1623), 1998 - 2002 (n = 2444), and 2003 - 2007 (n = 3252) were compared.

RESULTS(1) The patient age increased [(56.0 ± 17.5) years, (57.8 ± 17.6) years and (62.7 ± 15.5) years, P < 0.01] and hospital stay time decreased [(31.3 ± 17.4) days, (22.7 ± 14.1) days and (20.1 ± 15.2) days, P < 0.01] from 1993 to 2007. (2) The common causes of heart failure were coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatic valvular heart disease and diabetes mellitus. From 1993 - 1998 to 2003 - 2007, the proportion of patients with coronary heart disease, hypertension and diabetes mellitus rose from 37.2%, 23.3% and 12.3% to 46.8%, 46.7% and 21.1%, respectively (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile the proportion of patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease fell from 35.2% to 16.6% (P < 0.05). (3) The main etiologies and comorbidities were atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and renal failure. From 1993 - 1998 to 2003 - 2007, atrial fibrillation was the most common cause of heart failure, and the rate of myocardial infarction, pneumonia and renal failure rose from 11.0%, 8.9% and 5.2% to 14.7%, 14.5% and 9.1%, respectively (all P < 0.05) and the rate of COPD fell from 12.9% to 8.4% (P < 0.05). (4) The 30-day hospitalized mortalities in the three periods were 7.0%, 4.5% and 5.1%, respectively, and the mortalities in the 1998 - 2002 and 2003 - 2007 periods were lower than those of in the 1993 - 1998 period (all P < 0.05). The mortality related to coronary heart disease decreased significantly from 1993 to 2007 (9.3%, 5.0% and 3.8% in the three periods, respectively, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSIt is demonstrated that the primary diseases causing heart failure were coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and rheumatic valvular heart disease, and the former three diseases exhibited a upward trend and the later one exhibited a downward trend. Moreover, the proportion of comorbidities in patients with heart failure increased over the study period. The 30-day hospital mortality exhibited a downward trend and decreased significantly in patients with coronary heart disease or myocardial infarction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Heart Failure ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo compare the actions of local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid and repeated perfusion of mitomycin C for the postoperative prophylaxis of superficial urinary bladder carcinoma.

METHODSIn the prospective non-randomized contemporary controlled study, 123 patients were divided into 2 groups. The patients in group A received local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid starting from 1-2 months after operation, once tri-monthly for one year. Those in group B received intravesical perfusion of mitomycin C, starting from 2 weeks after operation, once weekly, six times in total, thereafter once monthly for one year. The recurrence rate, disease free interval, and adverse reaction after operation were observed.

RESULTSThe follow-up lasted for 10-45 months with the average of 28.6 +/- 5.8 months. The recurrence rates in group A and B were 5.0% and 14.3%, respectively. Significant difference was shown when compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis of disease free interval and the recurrence rate between the two groups (P < 0.05). The occurrence rates of cystitis, hematuria, vesical contracture, urethral stricture were 28.3%, 5.0%, 1.7%, 1.7%, respectively in group A, 25.4%, 4.8%, 0%, 0%, respectively in group B, showing no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe effect of local thermotherapy with rabdosia liquid is reliable in preventing the recurrence of superficial urinary bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; prevention & control ; surgery ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Phytotherapy ; Postoperative Period ; Prospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; prevention & control ; surgery

Objective To develop a tracking monitor for patient vital signs after CT and MRI enhanced scanning so as to execute auto alarm in case of patient discomfort and allergic reactions.Methods The monitor composed of a sub machine,a principal machine and a large-screen display used ultra-low power digital blood oxygen plate LPDSPO2V1.4 and fingertip sensor to acquire data on blood oxygen saturation and heart rate,the acquired data were transmitted to the principal machine with NRF24L01 wireless transmission module, and then the principal machine executed data auto analysis, storage, auto alarm for out-of-limit data and sent the data to the display.Results The monitor could be used for checking blood oxygen saturation and heart rate as well as implement early warning against allergic reactions.One-year trials proved that there were no death in case 87 cases of minor allergic reactions and 3 severe ones occurred.Conclusion The monitor proves its safety and efficiency by decreasing the incidence rate of severe reactions after CT and MRI enhanced scanning,and thus is worthy promoting clinically.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of continuously compressive pressure (CCP) on the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) and to investigate the role of RANKL in alveolar bone rebuilding during orthodontic tooth movement. METHODS: The primary HPDLCs were isolated from human periodontal ligament by explanting enzymatic digestion with trypsin and collagenase to establish a pressure model. Top-bottom axial pressures (1, 2, and 3 g/cm(2)) were laid on HPDLCs for 0.5, 1.5, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The RANKL expression was identified by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at the mRNA level. RESULTS: The expression of RANKL mRNA significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01), so did the value of pressure, especially in the 2 g/cm(2) group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CCP can up-regulate the expression of RANKL mRNA in human periodontal ligament cells.
Compressive Strength ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; metabolism ; RANK Ligand ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stress, Mechanical

Objective To explore the effect of gene mutations of arsenic transport proteins-muhidrug resistance-associated proteins(MRP1 and MRP2)on phenotype of endemic arsenic poisoning.Methods Two hundreds and thirty-nine rural residents in 3 villages of Shuocheng Region,Shanxi Province were interviewed and examined by simple random sampling who had been lived there for 20 yearn at least.All the objects were divided into two groups on the basis of clinical examination with"The Standard Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WT/S 211-2001):subjectives with skin lesion as a arsenic poisoning group and without skin lesion as a control group. One hundred and ninety-three blood samples were collected from each participanL Seventy-five arsenic poisoning cases and 118 controls were detected the gene mutations in the 2,17,23 exons of M RPI and the 10,18,31 exons of MRP2 by PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and compared by multivariate Logistic regression model. Results Seventy-five cases and 164 controls underwent questionnaires. Age[ (58.85±11.26) vs (45.73±11.92),OR = 3.378,P ＜ 0.05],gender[male,57.3%(43/75)vs 27.4%(45/164),OR = 3.553,P＜ 0.01 ],smoking[46.7%(35/75) vs 21.3%(35/164),OR = 3.225,P ＜ 0.01 ],drinking[ 17.3%(13/75) vs 8.5% (14/164),OR = 1.836,P ＞ 0.05],vegetable and fruit intake[5.3%(4/75) vs 9.1%(15/164),OR = 0.560,P ＞ 0.05],egg and meat intake[34.7%(26/75) vs 30.5%(50/164),OR = 1.210,P ＞ 0.05],exposure of pesticide [41.3%(31/75) vs 29.3%(48/164),OR = 1.864,P ＜ 0.05] were tested by Logistic regression model. There was no gene mutation detected in the 23 exon of MRP1 and the 18 exon of MRP2. The gene mutations frequencies of the 2 exons of MRP1 in arsenic poisoning and control groups were 8.00% (6/75) and 5.93% (7/118),respectively;they were 13.33%(10/75) and 8.47%(10/118) of the 17 exons of MRP1,respectively;they were 22.67%(17/75) and 18.64%(22/118) of the 10 exons of MRP2,respectively;they were 5.33%(4/75) and 2.54%(3/118) of the 31 exons of MRP2,respectively. There was no significant difference between two groups(x2 = 0.312,1.165,0.460, 2.794,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05). After age,gender,smoking,drinking,nutritional level and exposure of pesticide being adjusted by multivariate Logistic regression model,there was no significant difference between two groups (OR = 0.803,1.892,2.388,1.098,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions The gene mutations of 2,17,23 exons of MRPI and the 10,18,31 exons of MRP2 may have no effect on the phenotype of endemic arsenic poisoning.

OBJECTIVETo compare the advantages and shortcomings of the endoscopic thyroid surgery by trans-subclavian approach and trans-areolar approach.

METHODSTwelve patients received the trans-areolar approach and 10 patients were given the trans-subclavian approach procedure.

RESULTSWith the trans-areolar approach: the mean size of tumor was 1.8 cm, the mean operating time was 115 min, the mean blood loss during operation was 63 ml. Two patients converted to the conventional operation. With the trans-subclavian procedure: the mean size of tumor was 4.2 cm, the mean operating time was 85 min, the mean blood loss during operation was 66 ml. No complications were found in all of the patients and they were satisfied with the cosmetic effects of the procedures. There were significant differences in tumor size and operating time between the two operation types.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the trans-areolar approach, the trans-subclavian approach comes with less trauma, higher success rate and it fits for bigger tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Nodule ; surgery ; Thyroidectomy ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of varicocele (VC) with the expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the sperm of VC patients.

METHODSBased on the WHO criteria, we examined the semen samples by computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA), and divided the samples into groups A (normal semen from volunteers, n = 20), B (normal semen from VC patients, n = 16) and C (abnormal semen from VC patients, n = 44). We optimized the semen by discontinuous Percoll grade centrifugation, and determined the mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G in the three groups using using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSCompared with group A, the mRNA expressions of alpha1H and alpha1G showed with no significant decrease in group B (P>0.05), but were remarkably reduced in group C (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe abnormal mRNA expressions of T-type channel alpha1H and alpha1G may be one of the causes of declined semen quality and consequently infertility in VC patients, which has pointed out a new direction for the studies of the causes and treatment of VC-related infertility.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Calcium Channels, T-Type ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Semen Analysis ; Spermatozoa ; metabolism ; Varicocele ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult