Objective To determine the impact of fluorine and aluminum,and both action combined on the number of rat osteoclasts and bone resorption cultured in vitro and to explore its mechanisms.Methods The osteoclasts and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) isolated from long bone of new born rats were cultured,respectively,in TC199 medium (containing 10％ fetal bovine serum) with fluoride,aluminum and fluoride combined with aluminum.The osteoclasts were inoculated in 96-well culture plate and ivory slice,BMSCs in 6-well culture plate,and culture medium was changed after 2 hours incubation.The cells were divided into control group,fluoride group,aluminum group and fluoride combined with aluminum group; the doses of sodium fluoride were 0,1.0 × 10-4,0,1.0 × 10-4 mol/L and the doses of aluminum chloride were 0,0,1.0 × 10-5,1.0 × 10-5 mol/L,respectively.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining positive cells were counted under light microscope after TRAP staining on the 5th day and the pit formed in ivory slices were measured by histomorphometry after staining with toludine blue.The expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in BMSCs after 8 h treatment.Results ① Fluoride,aluminum and the interactive effects of fluoride and aluminum all had impact on the numbers of osteoclasts (F =7.15,6.56 and 7.98,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The numbers of osteoclasts in fluoride group,aluminum group and fluoride combined with aluminum group[(136.9 ± 22.99),(135.4 ± 23.5),(163.0 ± 24.4) per well] were higher than that in the control group[(92.5 ± 22.1) per well,all P ＜ 0.05].② Fluoride,aluminum and the interactive effects of fluoride and aluminum all had impact on the resorption pit area on ivory slices(F =10.47,12.64,14.29,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The resorption pit area on ivory slices in fluoride group,aluminum group and fluoride combined with aluminum group[(0.242 ± 0.031),(0.293 ± 0.026),(0.333 ± 0.016)mm2 per slice] was higher than that in the control group [(0.088 ± 0.030)mm2 per slice,all P ＜ 0.05].③Fluoride,aluminum and the interactive effects of fluoride and aluminum all had impact on the expression ratios of RANKL/OPG in BMSCs (F =8.15,15.38,23.59,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).The expression ratios of RANKL/OPG in BMSCs in fluoride group,aluminum group and fluoride combined with aluminum group [(193.98 ± 137.93)％,(326.11 ± 176.78)％,(599.84 ± 275.82)％] were higher than that in the control group[(100.00 ± 56.02)％,all P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions Both fluoride and aluminum can cause increase in the number of osteoclasts in vitro and promote cell differentiation and bone resorption activity,which may be related to increased expression ratio of RANKL/OPG mRNA in BMSCs.The stimulating effects of fluoride on osteoclasts differentiation and bone resorption is enhanced by aluminum.

Objective To determine the effects of fluoride on osteoclasts's quantity and bone resorption function in vitro and its mechanisms. Methods The osteoclasts and bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs) isolated from long bone of new born rats were cultured respectively in TC199 medium (containing 10% fetal bovine serum) with fluoride. The osteoclasts were inoculated in 96-well culture plate and ivory slice, BMSCs were inoculated in 6- well culture plate, respectively, medium were changed after 2 hours incubation. They were divided into control group, low-dose fluoride, medium-dose fluoride and high-dose fluoride groups, the doses of sodium fluoride were 0,2.5 × 10-5,5.0 × 10-5,10.0 × 10-5 mol/L, respectively. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) staining positive cells were counted under light microscope after TRAP staining on the 2nd and the 5th day and the pit formed in ivory slices were measured by histomorphometry after staining with toludine blue. The expression of receptor activator of NK-κβ ligand(RANKL) and osteoprotegerin(OPC) was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative (337.5 ± 70.5), (447.5 ± 43.4), (472.9 ± 34.8), (475.3 ± 24.3)/well in the control group, the low-dose, mediumdose and high-dose fluoride groups, respectively. The differences were statistically significant between these groups and the control group (all P < 0.05). After in vitro culture for 5 days, the numbers of osteoclasts were (92.5 ± 22.1), (123.0 ± 26.4), (135.5 ± 22.2), (136.9 ± 23.0) per well in the control group, the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose fluoride groups, respectively. The differences were statistically significant between these groups and the (0.088 ± 0.030), (0.100 ± 0.018), (0.152 ± 0.015), (0.242 ± 0.031 )mm2 per piece in the control group, the lowdose, medium-dose and high-dose fluoride groups, respectively. The values of medium-dose and high-dose fluoride BMSCs in the control group, the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose fluoride groups were 100.00 ± 56.02, 144.95 ± 97.21,223.25 ± 184.48,193.98 ± 137.93, respectively. The values of medium-dose and high-dose fluoride groups were significantly higher than that of control group (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride can cause increase in the number of osteoclasts in vitro and promote their cell differentiation and bone resorption activity, which may be related to increased expression ratio of RANKL/OPG mRNA in BMSCs.

OBJECTIVETo explore the influence of blood pressure lowering treatment on the International Prostate Syndrome Score (IPSS) and maximum flow rate (Qmax) in old and middle-aged male patients with essential hypertension.

METHODSWe enrolled 193 hypertensive male patients aged 50-75 years from the rural area of Anqing, Anhui, treated them with Amlodipine for 4 weeks, and then analyzed the correlation of their baseline blood pressure and reduced blood pressure with the changes of IPSS and Qmax.

RESULTSAfter 4 weeks of medication, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of the subjects dropped by 16.8 +/- 16.7 and 8.1 +/- 7.7 mmHg respectively (P < 0.01), IPSS decreased by 2.5 +/- 5.5 points (P < 0.01) and Qmax increased by 0.2 +/- 4.7 ml/s (P = 0.46). Changes of Qmax were not significantly correlated with either the baseline or decreased blood pressure, while changes of IPSS had a significant linear correlation with the former but not with the latter.

CONCLUSIONLowering blood pressure in old and middle-aged male patients with essential hypertension can prevent or alleviate the subjective symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it reduces IPSS more significantly in those with higher baseline blood pressure.

Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Urodynamics

Objective To explore the prevalence satate of children in burning coal endemic fluorosis in Zhijin county of Guizhou province, provide the scientific basis for the prevention of skeletal fluorosis.Methods One thousand six hundred and sixteen children in school under 16 years old that were sampled in cluster sampling were examined with dental fluorosis,X-ray in the type of burning coal pollution fluorosis areas of Zhijin county Guizhou province.Results Total prevalence rate of dental fluorosis was 96.42%,prevalence rate of skeletal fluorosis was 7.49%, constrictive skeletal fluorosis was main type in Zhijin county Guizhou province.Conclusion Prevalence states of dental fluorosis and skeletal fluorosis are still serious, more effectual preventive and control measure shall be used.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate clinical effect and safety of floating needle therapy and duloxetine in treating patients with persistent somatoform pain disorder (PSPD).

METHODSTotally 108 PSPD patients were randomly assigned to the floating needle treatment group, the duloxetine treatment group, and the placebo treatment group, 36 in each group. Patients in the floating needle treatment group received floating needle therapy and placebo. Those in the duloxetine treatment group received duloxetine and simulated floating needle therapy. Those in the placebo treatment group received the placebo and simulated floating needle therapy. All treatment lasted for six weeks. Efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated using Simple McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) before treatment and immediately after treatment, as well as at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD, 17 items), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were assessed before treatment and at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment, respectively. Patients in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group with the total reducing score rate of SF-MPQ in Pain Rating index (PRI) ≥ 50% after 6 weeks' treatment were involved in the follow-up study.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the same group before treatment, SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total scores all decreased in all the three groups at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Besides , each item of SF-MPQ significantly decreased immediately after treatment in the floating needle treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the placebo treatment group, SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA total score in the floating needle treatment group significantly decreased after 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). SF-MPQ score, HAMD score and HAMA total score in the duloxetine treatment group also significantly decreased after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (2) There were 3 patients (8.3%) who had adverse reactions in the floating needle treatment group, 17 (50.0%) in the duloxetine treatment group, and 7 (21.2%) in the placebo treatment group. Compared with the placebo treatment group, the incidence of adverse reaction increased in the duloxetine treatment group (χ² = 6.04, P < 0.05). Besides, it was higher in the duloxetine treatment group than in the floating needle treatment group (χ² = 14.9, P < 0.05). (3) There were 19 patients in the floating needle treatment group and 17 patients in the duloxetine treatment group involved in the follow-up study. Compared with 6 weeks after treatment, no significant difference was observed at 3 and 6 months after treatment in the score of SF-MPQ, HAMD, and HAMA in the floating needle treatment group and the duloxetine treatment group. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were 5 patients (29.4%) who had adverse reactions in the duloxetine treatment group, and no adverse reactions were observed in the floating needle treatment group. The adverse reaction rate was significantly different between the two groups (χ² = 4.26, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFloating needle therapy and duloxetine were effective in treatment of patients with PSPD. However, floating needle therapy could relieve pain more rapidly than duloxetine, with obviously less adverse reactions.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Analgesics ; therapeutic use ; Anxiety Disorders ; Duloxetine Hydrochloride ; therapeutic use ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Needles ; Pain ; Pain Management ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales ; Somatoform Disorders ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: There is still some debate on surgical procedures for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with bile duct tumor thrombi (BDTT, Ueda type 3 or 4). What is adequate extent of liver resection for curative treatment? Is extrahepatic bile duct resection mandatory for cure? The aim of this study is to answer these questions. METHODS: Between February 1994 and December 2012, 877 consecutive HCC patients underwent hepatic resection at Ajou University Hospital. Thirty HCC patients (3.4%) with BDTT (Ueda type 3 or 4) were retrospective reviewed in this study. RESULTS: In total, 20 patients enrolled in this study were divided into 2 groups: patients who underwent hemihepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection (group 1, n = 10) and with only removal of BDTT (group 2, n = 10). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 75.0%, 50.0%, and 27.8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of group 1 were 100.0%, 80.0%, and 45.7%, and those of group 2 were 50.0%, 20.0%, and 10.0%, respectively (P = 0.014). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrences free survival rates of group 1 were 90.0%, 70.0%, and 42.0%, and those of group 2 were 36.0%, 36.0%, and 0%, respectively (P = 0.014). Thrombectomy and infiltrative growth type (Ig) were found as independent prognostic factors for recurrence free survival by multivariate analysis. Thrombectomy, Ig, and high indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes were found as independent prognostic factors for overall survival by multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the appropriate surgical procedure for icteric HCC patients should be comprised of ipsilateral hemihepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and extrahepatic bile duct resection.
Bile Ducts* ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Bile* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cholestasis ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Liver ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Thrombectomy

PURPOSE: The systemic inflammation biomarker, Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), has been reported as one of the adverse prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether NLR could predict the risk of recurrence and death for the HCC patient, according to Milan criteria after hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on a database of HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy between March 2001 and December 2011. The cutoff value of NLR was decided by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors of recurrence and death. RESULTS: A total of 213 patients were included in the present study. The median follow-up period was 48 months. One hundred and seven patients were experienced tumor recurrence; forty of them recurred within 12 months (early recurrence). NLR ≥1.505, albumin ≤3.75 g/dL, microvascular invasion and high grade of cirrhosis were found to be independent factors for adverse recurrence-free survival in multivariate regression analysis. And NLR ≥1.945 was also found as a prognosis factor for early recurrence by univariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Elevated preoperative NLR can be easily obtained and reliable biomarker for assessing the tumor recurrence and early recurrence of Milan criteria HCC after the initial hepatectomy.
Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*surgery ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*surgery ; Lymphocyte Count ; *Lymphocytes ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/*blood ; *Neutrophils ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on body fluid compartments and water-sodium retention in severe burn patients.

METHODSThirty adult patients with severe burn were divided into treatment (T) and control (C) groups by block randomized design. Patients in both groups were subcutaneously injected with same amount of rhGH (12 IU/d) or isotonic saline during 7 - 21 post burn day (PBD). The total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW) were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) on 7, 14, 21 PBD. The 24 h urinary output of Na+ was determined by ion selective electrode method (ISE).

RESULTSThere were no significant difference in levels of TBW, ICW, ECW and 24 h urinary output of Na+ between two groups on 7, 14, 21 PBD (P > 0.05). No difference in results was found between groups at different time points (P > 0.05). After the data were analyzed, the level of TBW (36 +/- 6 L), ICW (21 +/- 4 L) on 21 PBD were evidently lower than those on 7 PBD (38 +/- 6 L, 23 +/- 7 L, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe level of ICW and TBW in severe burn patients decreased along with the time. Proper dosage of rhGH has no significant effect on body fluid compartments and water-sodium retention.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Fluid Compartments ; Body Water ; Burns ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Edema ; etiology ; Electric Impedance ; Extracellular Space ; Female ; Human Growth Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sodium ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the dietary iodine intake level of population in coastal and inland areas of Zhejiang province.Methods The cluster sampling method was applied to select Zhoushan,Ningbo and Taizhou cities from Zhejiang province as coastal areas,to select Jinhua,Quzhou and Lishui cities from Zhejiang province as inland areas,and two counties(districts) were randomly selected in each chosen city,three sub-districts(towns) were randomly selected in each chosen counties (districts),then one community (village) was randomly selected in each chosen sub-districts(towns).Adult residents aged greater than 18 were selected as investigation subjects,their dietary iodine intake in the past 24 hours was investigated,and the Food composition table” was inquired to get the data of dietary iodine intake.One hundred copies of residential edible salt samples and drinking water samples in each of the selected community (village) were collected to detect salt iodine and water iodine by direct titrimetric and spectrophotometric method,respectively.Results The mean of adult residents' dietary iodine intake in Zhejiang coastal area was 267.76 μg/d,which was less than that in inland area (429.05 μg/d,t =- 6.90,P ＜0.05),and the means of adult residents' dietary iodine intake from drinking water,laver and fish(5.75,69.72,5.61 μg/d,respectively) in coastal area were higher than those in inland areas(3.25,35.27,3.43 μg/d,respectively,t =21.73,3.92,4.08,all P ＜ 0.05),however,the means of adult residents' dietary iodine intake from salt,kelp and other food (166.81,3.04,16.82 μg/d,respectively) in coastal areas were less than those in inland areas (355.15,6.14,25.81 μg/d,respectively,t =- 8.76,- 5.49,- 18.56,all P ＜ 0.05).In coastal areas,the proportion which was less than estimated average requirement of iodine(EAR,120 μg/d) was 46.48％ (1029/2214),the ratio which was higher than the maximum tolerable intake of iodine(UL,1000 μg/d) was 3.34％ (74/2214),and the average contribution rate of dietary intake of iodine in salt was 62.30％(166.81/267.76).While in inland areas,the corresponding proportions were 7.61％ (171/2246),2.80％ (63/2246) and 82.78％ (355.15/429.05),respectively.Conclusions The dietary iodine intake in Zhejiang inland areas has reached the recommended nutrient intake levels of the Chinese Nutrition Society,but there is a certain degree of insufficient iodine intake in population of the coastal areas.

Objective To study the effects of coal burning related endemic fluorosis on body development and intelligence levels of fluorosic children in Zhijin county.Methods One hundred and seventy-six fluorosic children and 50 healthy(without fluorostic teeth) children aging 7-12 years who were sampled in cluster sampling were examined for urine fluorosis,physical examination and intelligence tests in Zhijin county,with coal burning pollution related fluorosis.Results Physical development of sick children and the children in control group were in low levels. The intelligence levels and the leves of urine fluorosis in study group were lower than those in control group and there was a significant difference(P