Asthma is one kind of chronic respiratory tract inflammatory disease.Recently,it has been discovered that the small airway also participates in asthmatic pathogenesis.The small airway which diameter is less than 2 mm is one of the smallest regions in the lung.Its function may be affected by the small airway disease and related with the airway hyperresponsiveness.Some structural changes in the small airway is the latent reason which aggravates asthma.The change of small airway function in the mild asthma can cause the change of airway hyperresponsiveness.So it is considered that the small airway function is one of the methods to monitor the asthmatic situation.

Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Maxillary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Myxoma ; diagnosis ; therapy

Background The visual system of animal have to optimally adjust in various environmental conditions in order to obtain stable and effective visual funetion.However,the color vision system of animals which encounter uncertainty of spectral signals should be plastic.Whether the densities of various cones and expression of opsins change with long-time spectral deprivation is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the changes of cone density as well as the expression of corresponding opsin and mRNA following the long-term illumination of monochromatic light.Methods Thirty 3-day-old guinea pigs were randomized into 3 groups and exposed tO the 530 nm green light,400 nm purple light and white light for consecutive 8 weeks respectively.The flat-mounted retinal sample was prepared and divided into dorsal zone,ventral zone and mixed zone anatomically according to the distribution of difierent light-sensitive cone.The changes in density of cone cells sensitivited to different colored light were detected by single-1abel or double-label immunocytochemistry.The levels of opsin and its mRNA were determined using Western-blot and real-time PCR respectively.Results The density of green-sensitivity cones was significantly different in the dorsal zone of retina among green light group,purple light group and white light group (F=234.28,P<0.01).Compared with white light group,the density of green-sensitive cones in dorsal retina of green light group was obviously higher but that of purple light group wag evidently lower(q=389.68,P<0.01；q=67.11,P<0.01).No significant difference was found in the density of purple-sensitive cones in the ventral zone of retina among green light group,purple light group and white light group(F=3.14,P>0.05).The density of coexpression of the mixed cone cells was increased in green light group(q=157.55,P<0.01)but decreased in purple light roup (q=254.85,P<0.01)in comparison with white light group.The expression levels of green-opsin and green-opsin mRNA in green light group was significantly elevated(q=184.45,P<0.01；q=4.71,P<0.05),but those of purple light group were evidently declined(q=5.87,P<0.05；q=346.66,P<0.01)in comparison with white light group.There was no statistically significant differences were found in the expression of purple-opsin and its mRNA among all the groups(F=1.24,P>0.05；F=3.27,P>0.05).Conclusion After the exposure of long-time monochromatic light illumination,monochromatic cones density and its opsin in guinea pig occur the corresponding alteration to gain good spatial vision as a compensatory reaction.These outcomes imply that there is some plasticity during the development of color vision.The increase of green-sensitive cones might be from the differentiation of coexpression cones in transition region.

Objective To identify the gene mutation of G protein?-subunit (Gsct) in multiple affected tissues of a patient with McCune-Albright syndrome.Methods The peripheral blood,bone tissue,lesion skin and pleura samples of the patient were collected.Genomic DNA was isolated from these samples,and PCR and direct sequencing were performed.Results The peripheral blood and bone tissue of the patient showed a mutation R201C in Gs?gene.No mutation was detected in the skin and pleura samples of the patient.Conclusion The gene diagnosis confirms that the patient has a classical R201C mutation in Gs?gene and multiple tissues are affected.The mutation occurs early in embryogenesis and clinical features can be polymorphic.

Objective To investigate the state of drinking water defluorination project in Dagang district and study urinary fluoride levels and detect dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12, and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of fluorosis. Methods Five defluorination projects in rural streets (towns) with highfluoride water and 2 urban water supply projects were choosen to investigate the running status in Dagang district Tianjin in 2009. Five rural and 2 urban schools were choosen to select 100 children aged 8 to 12 (for gender, age matched) in each primary school to study urinary fluoride levels and detection of dental fluorosis. Results A total of 66 defluorination projects in 73 villages were surveyed, among which 61 projects actually worked normally with using rate 92.4%(61/66). Water qualification of all projects could not be ensured due to direct project managers'lack of necessary expertise. In 2009, water qualification rate were 39.3%(24/61 )among the project normally used,with highlighted problem of biological pollution. A total of 490 children aged 8 - 12 in 5 rural towns were surveyed,dental fluorosis rate were 90%(441/490), and dental fluorosis index were 1.82. A total of 207 children aged 8 - 12in 2 urban areas were surveyed, the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 49.8%(103/207), and dental fluorosis index were 0.86. The urinary fluoride level of 230 children aged 8 - 12 in the 5 villages were surveyed. The Range of geometric mean of urinary fluoride were 1.82 - 2.70 mg/L. The urinary fluoride of 102 children aged 8 - 12 in the 2 urban area were surveyed. The Range of geometric mean of urinary fluoride were 1.53 - 1.72 mg/L. Conclusions There was phenomenon of high coverage, low utilization rate and less water consumption in the villages of Dagang district, Tianjin drinking water defluoridation projects, thus the health effects of the projects was minimum.Significant health effects is found in the defluorination projects in the urban areas with high coverage and high utilization rate. Studying new water improvment methods and new forms of water supply system is urgent for solving the problems met in the ineffective water defluorination project.

BACKGROUNDIn order to bind or fix bioactive materials directly to the surface of a Ti implant, the prior binding process of functional groups (FGs, -COOH and -OH) to the implant surface is necessary. Conventional binding processes are so high-cost and complex, so it is essential to find a simple and effective procedure for Ti-FG binding.

METHODSVarious electrolyte compositions and electrochemical processing were adopted in this study to develop a relatively simple and effective Ti-FG binding process. The ability of Ti-FG binding and calcium (Ca)/phosphorous (P) absorption and corrosion resistance were evaluated according to various titanium surface treatment in electrolyte involving -COOH and -OH ion by using X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and potentiodynamic scan method respectively.

RESULTSIn cases of -COOH, the anodic oxidation process (AN) showed an effective binding ability between -COOH and Ti surface. On the other hand, in cases of -OH, there were no significant differences in the result between the conditions used. In regard to the absorption of Ca and P on Ti surface, there was a minimal amount of Ca absorbed but no P was absorbed. The anodic oxidation series showed homogenous corrosion, whereas the electrolyte immersion (EL) series showed unstable corrosion. Although EL-OH showed a novel corrosion potential, the EL-COOH series showed good corrosion resistance over the anodic potential range.

CONCLUSIONSThe ability of binding between FG and the Ti surface and Ca/P absorption were strongly associated with the surface potential (ζ potential), which was dependent on the pH of the electrolyte. Accordingly, in order to achieve the effective absorption of various FGs on the Ti surface, it is needed to develop the combination process in addition to the electric affinity, relation with the ζ potential.

Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Prostheses and Implants ; Surface Properties ; Titanium ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Huxin Formula on expressions of the chief reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) associated genes, caveolin-1 and scavenger receptor-BI (SR-BI) in ApoE-gene knockout [ApoE (-/-)] mice.

METHODSThirty ApoE (-/-) mice of 4-6 weeks old were randomly divided into three groups (A-C). After being fed with high-fat diet for 16 weeks, they were treated with HXF (1 mL/100 g), pravachol (0.3 mg/100 g), and saline in equal volume respectively for 16 weeks successively; in addition, a blank group was set up with 10 C57BL/6J mice of 6-week old received 16-week high-fat feeding and saline treatment. Animals were sacrificed at the termination of the experiment, their paraffin sections of aortic tissue were used to measure the size of plaque, expressions of cavolin-1 and SR-BI were detected by immunological histochemical method.

RESULTSAs compared with the blank group, levels of caveolin-1 and SR-BI were increased in Groups A and B (P<0.01); but the increase in Group A was more significant than that in Group B (P<0.05). The plaque/aorta area ratio decreased significantly in Groups A and B, but showed insignificant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONHXF could obviously increase the expressions of RCT associated genes, caveolin-1 and SR-BI, promote the RCT process, so as to reduce the formation of aorta atherosclerotic plaque in ApoE (-/-) mice.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; pathology ; Apolipoproteins E ; deficiency ; genetics ; Atherosclerosis ; pathology ; Biological Transport ; drug effects ; Caveolin 1 ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; pathology ; Receptors, Scavenger ; metabolism

The fruit of Corni fructus (CF), a perennial herb, is believed to have anti-allergy effects, but its mechanism is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of CF on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation. For this, the effects of CF on the degranulation, the histamine release, the calcium influx and the change of the intracellular cAMP levels of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) and influences of CF on the compound 48/80-induced cutaneous reaction were studied. The results were as follows; the compound 48/80-induced degranulation, intracelluar calcium influx and histamine release of RPMC was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with CF, the compound 48/80-induced cAMP level of RPMC were significantly increased by pretreatment with CF, CF significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability of rat cutaneous tissue. From the above results, it is suggested that CF contains some substances which inhibit the compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability and mast cell activation.
Animals ; Calcium ; Capillary Permeability* ; Cornus* ; Fruit ; Histamine Release ; Mast Cells* ; Rats

The fruit of Corni fructus (CF), a perennial herb, is believed to have anti-allergy effects, but its mechanism is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of CF on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation. For this, the effects of CF on the degranulation, the histamine release, the calcium influx and the change of the intracellular cAMP levels of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) and influences of CF on the compound 48/80-induced cutaneous reaction were studied. The results were as follows; the compound 48/80-induced degranulation, intracelluar calcium influx and histamine release of RPMC was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with CF, the compound 48/80-induced cAMP level of RPMC were significantly increased by pretreatment with CF, CF significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability of rat cutaneous tissue. From the above results, it is suggested that CF contains some substances which inhibit the compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability and mast cell activation.
Animals ; Calcium ; Capillary Permeability* ; Cornus* ; Fruit ; Histamine Release ; Mast Cells* ; Rats

China ; epidemiology ; Colonic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male