Objective To explore the relationship between the serum level of leptin,growth hormone(GH),insulin like growth factor-1(IGF-1),insulin like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3)and those modulatine effects on fetal growth.Methods One hundred and thirty-five cases of newborns were divided into 4 groups according to the relationship between born weight and gestational age.Group A:premature infants small for gestational age(SGA),n=30.Group B:premature infants appropriate for gestational age(AGA),n=36.Group C:mature infants small for gestational age,n=32.Group D:mature infants appropriate for gestational age,n=37.All infants were measured se-rum leptin,GH,IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 level with radiommunosassay(RIA).Results There were significant difference in the levels of leptin,GH,IGF-1,IGFBP-3 as group C0.05).There were positive correlation between levels of leptin,IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 in group A,B and C,while,there was positive correlation between only level of IGF-1 in group D.Conclusions Leptin,IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 may play an important role in the fetal growth regulation of premature infants and IUGR infants.IGF-1 also regulate intrauterine growth of group D.Another side,in group D,Leptin,GH,IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 don't regulate fetal growth.

OBJECTIVETo explore the possibility of transacting hepatitis D virus (HDV) ribozyme cleaving in vitro the hepatitis B virus (HBV) mRNA fragments.

METHODSAccording to the established pseudoknot-like structure, its' H1 domain was changed to design the transacting HDV ribozyme Rc1 and Rc2, which targeted the 701-713 site and 776-788 site of HBV C domain. After the chemically synthesised cDNA of the ribozyme was cloned into the vector PGEM-4Z, the transacting HDV ribozyme was transcriped using in vitro transcription technology. The in vitro cleavage characteristics of the ribozyme were studied and the kinetic parameters (Kcat and Km) were determined by Eadie Hofstee plotting.

RESULTSBoth the two ribozymes had the ability to cleave the substrate, the cleavage percentage at 37 degrees for 90 minutes were 50% and 51%. According to the Eadie Hofstee plot, the Km of the Rc1 and Rc2 were 0.61 micromol and 0.58 micromol, the Kcat were 0.64 x min(-1) and 0.60 x min(-1),respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe cleaving ability of trans-acting HDV ribozyme on non-HDV RNA fragment was tested. The results showed a new potential of the antisense antisense regent for HBV gene therapy.

DNA, Antisense ; genetics ; Genome, Viral ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Hepatitis Delta Virus ; enzymology ; genetics ; Humans ; RNA, Catalytic ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the placement of a long tube into the small intestine under fluoroscopic guidance and to evaluate its decompression effect on early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO).

METHODSFifty-four patients with EPSBO requiring decompression between April 2010 and July 2014 were enrolled in the study. Insertion of a long tube was guided by fluoroscopy. We first used the guide wire to pass the pylorus and then used the 10 Fr feeding tube as an exchangeable tube to put the superstiff wire into the duodenum. Finally the long tube could be passed over the guide wire through the pylorus into the intestine. The total procedure time, the radiation exposure time, and the incidence of complications were evaluated.

RESULTSThe long tubes passed into the jejunum on initial insertion for all patients, so the success rate of this technique was 100%. The long tube was inserted into ileum in 18 patients. The mean total procedure time was 34.4 ± 8.6 minutes, and the mean radiation exposure time 18.9 ± 6.8 minutes. A total of 47 patients (87%) experienced full recovery following long-tube decompression and without the need for surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONSUsing the wire-exchange technique, it is easy to place a long tube into the small bowel under fluoroscopic guidance. This decompression method is safe and effective for management of EPSBO.

Adult ; Aged ; Decompression, Surgical ; methods ; Female ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies

Metabolic abnormalities were identified and carotid intima-media-thickness(IMT)was measured in 221 individuals at risk for metabolic syndrome(MS).The results indicated that IMT was significantly thicker in MS individuals than that in non-MS individuals(P＜0.01).And there was a tendency of progressive increase in IMT with increasing components of metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVETo observe the characteristics of tongue proper and tongue coating in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and to explore the relationship between tongue picture and state of illness.

METHODSTongue picture was taken by digital camera and colors (red, green and blue) of tongue proper and coating were analyzed quantitatively with image processing software.

RESULTSIn the 69 patients of acute stage, the color of tongue proper was mostly light red (51 patients, 73.9%), with significant difference in comparing with other colors (P < 0.01). The color of tongue coating was mostly thin yellow (32 patients, 46.4%), and thin white was the second (29 patients, 42.0%). There was swollen tongue body in 5 patients (7.2%), teeth print on tongue margin in 12 cases (17.4%). In the 155 patients of recovery stage, the color of tongue proper was mostly dark pale (72 patients, 46.5%), the second light red (68 patients, 43.9%), color of tongue coating was mostly thin white (80 patients, 51.6%), which was significantly higher than other colors (P < 0.01), the second was yellow in tongue root region (31 patients, 20.0%). Swollen tongue body was found in 23 patients (14.8%) and teeth print on margin was found in 19 patients (12.3%). Most patients of ordinary state had light red tongue proper and thin white coating, patients of severe state mostly had dark pale tongue proper and yellow coating in root region, and the critical patients were mostly with dark pale proper and thick yellow coating. Patients with affected lung > or = 3 lobules mostly had pale dark proper and yellow coating on root, but those with involved lung < 3 lobules mostly had light red proper and thin white coating.

CONCLUSIONThe colors detected quantitatively by the method described above could comparatively reflect the difference of tongue proper and coating sensitively. Tongue picture is one of the objective evidence for judging state of illness and Syndrome Differentiation based on treatment in SARS patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Color ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Tongue ; pathology

Electromagnetic Fields ; Magnetic Fields ; Microwaves ; adverse effects ; Television

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of vascularized fibular bone height after transplantation for mandibular reconstruction.

METHODSThirty-two patients with mandibular defects were reconstructed with vascularized fibular bone. Postoperative follow-up pantomography was used to evaluate the changes of bone height.

RESULTSAt different distance from the vessel pedicles, the changes of bone height showed no significant difference. The height of fibular bone decreased gradually with time and reduced by 6.64% at 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSMultiple segmental osteotomies had no effect on blood flow and the different pieces of graft after modeling by osteotomy experienced the similar reconstruction. The volume of grafted fibular bone almost remained stable.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Remodeling ; Bone Transplantation ; Child ; Female ; Fibula ; anatomy & histology ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; blood supply ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship of Fas mRNA and protein expression and apoptosis in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODSNorthern blot and flow cytometry (TUNEL method) were used to detect the expression of Fas mRNA and Fas protein, cell cycle and apoptotic level in oral squamous cell carcinoma. The relationship between Fas gene expression and OSCC apoptosis was analyzed statistically.

RESULTSFas mRNA and protein could be detected in all five normal oral mucosa specimens. There was positive correlation between expression of Fas mRNA/protein and cell differentiation as well as apoptosis in OSCC (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of Fas gene was highly correlated with the differentiation and apoptosis in OSCC.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mouth Neoplasms ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the interference effect of nicotinamide on UVA-induced cell proliferation in human skin melanocyte.

METHODSTo apply the optimum UVA dose expected to cause cell proliferation: 0.2 cm2, nicotinamide was added after the 0.2 cm2 UVA exposure immediately or 48 h later, then the rate of cell proliferation, calcium concentration and the activities of Na+-K+, Ca2+-ATP enzymes of melanocytes were measured respectively.

RESULTSAfter treatment with 1.000 mg/ml nicotinamide following UVA exposure, the rate of cell proliferation was decreased significantly 24 hours later. Treatment with 0.125 mg/ml nicotinamide 48 hours after UVA exposure also significantly inhibited the cell proliferation; 1.25 mg/ml nicotinamide increased calcium concentration in cells; 0.250 mg/ml nicotinamide increased the activities of Na+-K+, Ca2+-ATP enzymes in melanocytes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONNicotinamide has more obvious effect on inhibiting melanocyte's proliferation if added immediately following UVA exposure. Our discovery indicated that nicotinamide may affect the melanocyte through modulating the calcium concentration. It is possible to consider nicotinamide as an efficient and safe sun screen to provide a certain level of protection for UVA exposed skin.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Melanocytes ; cytology ; Niacinamide ; pharmacology ; Skin ; cytology ; Ultraviolet Rays

BACKGROUNDThe expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 and death receptor CD95 on T cells, which change with age, are considered as important immunological parameters of immunosenescence. It is well established that CD28 and CD95 are associated with tumorgenesis and tumor progression, but the relationship between the age-related changes of these two immunological markers and cancer in the elderly is largely unknown.

METHODSThe levels of CD28 and CD95 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from sixty-three elderly patients (aged > or = 60 years) with primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were analyzed by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). In addition, twenty young patients (aged < 60 years) with NSCLC, thirty elderly healthy donors and thirty young healthy donors were enrolled as controls.

RESULTSCD28 mRNA levels were significantly lower and CD95 mRNA levels were significantly higher in elderly patients with NSCLC than in the other groups. Similar results were found in elderly healthy donors comparing with young healthy donors. By Logistic regression analysis an increased risk of NSCLC was markedly associated with aging, down-regulation of CD28 mRNA and up-regulation of CD95 mRNA, and CD28 mRNA had an obvious negative correlation with the CD95 mRNA. In addition, the mRNA levels of CD28 and CD95 in the peripheral blood of the elderly patients was closely associated with the tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages, grade of cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis status, but not related to pathological types.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest a close relationship between T cell senescence and NSCLC tumour progress in the elderly, and that up-regulation of CD28 mRNA or down-regulation of CD95 mRNA in peripheral blood T cells may play an important role in inhibiting oncogenesis and development of primary NSCLC in the elderly.

Aged ; CD28 Antigens ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Logistic Models ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; fas Receptor ; genetics