Objective: To study the mechanism of differentiation of rat ectomesenchymal cells to odontoblasts. Methods: Ectomesenchymal cells were cultured in three-dimension culture model using collagen gel as frame, and the change of phenotype of ectomesenchymal cells were observed and detected by phase-contrast microscopy and immunohistochemistry after the cells had been treated by 10 ng/ml of bFGF or/and 100 ng/ml IGF-1. Results: 4 days after treatment by bFGF and IGF-1, the cells appeared to be odontoblast-like cells aligned parallelly and polarized with long cytoplasmic processes attached to one end of the cell body.The cells were positive for DSP expression. However, the cells were DSP negative and aligned disorderly in other groups. Conclusion: Ectomesenchymal cells can be induced to differentiate to odontoblast-like cells in three-dimension culture model with the treatment by bFGF and IGF-1.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effect of liver transplantation on hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) in late stage.Methods Five HAE cases in late stage failed to be treated by hepatic lobectomy underwent liver transplantation, in which 4 cases were performed under veno-venous bypass and 1 without bypass. Three cases were subjected to veno-venous bypass prior to mobilization of the liver. The end-to-end anastomosis was made between the hepatic artery and hepatic artery, and between the bile duct and bile duct. Two cases received placement of T tube in the bile duct. The mean duration of surgery was 8.3 h. Results One patient was reoperated because of the T tube falling off on the postoperative day 10, and one because of the bile leakage. Four patients recovered completely in the postoperative period, one died of multiple organ failure (MOF) and septi-caemia caused by pneumonia, acute rejection and embolism of the liver artery. Four patients were followed up for 21 months to 37 months, showing a good quality of their life. Conclusion Liver transplantation can be applied in treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in end stage, and can ensure a better clinical result.

Objective: To investigate the enzymatic hydrolysis of gypenosides by β-glucanase 26130 CN to prepare some hydrolyzed secondary saponins, so as to provide material basis for further biological studies. Methods: Using β-glucanase 26130 CN, the total saponins from Herba Gynostemmatis were hydrolyzed with the enzyme catalysis, and the hydrolytic products were analyzed by ultra high- performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time- of- flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC- Q- TOF/MSE)to identify the converted products. Then, the main components of Herba Gynostemmatis, gypenosides XLIX and A, were used as substrates of the β-glucanase 26130 CN for convertsion to secondary saponin products. The products were separated by preparative highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC)and identified by NMR and MS. Results: Twenty eight triterpenoid saponins were identified in the total saponin hydrolysate on the basis of their high-resolution MS data, by comparison with the data in the literature, and seven of them were validated to be the converted products. It was found that the β-glucanase 26130 CN could hydrolyze the glycosidic bond of terminal glucose or xylose in the molecule of gypenosides. By the enzymatic hydrolysis of gypenoside XLIX and gypenoside A, gypenoside I(the one glucosyl-lost gypenoside XLIX)and gypenoside UL1(the one xylosyl-lost gypenoside A)were obtained via the preparative HPLC separation of the gypenoside XLIX and gypenoside A hydrolysates, respectively. Conclusion: β-glucanase 26130 CN could effectively catalyze the hydrolysis of terminal glucosyl and xylosyl groups in gypenosides, with a relatively high hydrolytic conversion rate, which could be used to prepare some secondary saponins or aglycones.

BackgroundThe excess volume of contrast media (CM) is a marker of a more severe coronary culprit lesion and longer intervention duration in patients undergoing cardiac procedures. However, it is unclear whether the contrast volume is directly correlated with worse clinical outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between contrast dose and the incidence of 1-year major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography (CAG).

MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 10,961 consecutive patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease expecting CAG from 2012 to 2013. The study population was pursued with a follow-up duration of 1 year. The predictive value of contrast volume, divided into quartiles, for the risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events was assessed using logistic regression analysis.

ResultsThe cumulative incidence of 1-year MACCE was 8.65%, which was directly associated with increasing contrast volume. In particular, MACCE was observed in 7.16%, 7.89%, 9.31%, and 11.73% of cases in the contrast volume quartile Q1 (≤100 ml), Q2 (101-140 ml), Q3 (141-200 ml), and Q4 (>200 ml), respectively (P < 0.001). Moreover, the incidence of 1-year all-cause bleeding events was noted in 4.70%, 5.93%, 7.28%, and 8.21% of patients in Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively (P < 0.001). The survival analysis showed that the 1-year MACCE rate was higher in patients using greater CM volume during the CAG. CM volume used >140 ml was associated with the occurrence of 1-year MACCE, and the incidence was dramatically elevated in patients exceeding a contrast volume of 200 ml (P = 0.007).

ConclusionOur data suggested that higher contrast volume was significantly correlated with an increased risk of MACCE and all-cause bleeding events in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01735305; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01735305?id=NCT017353057rank=1.

Objective: To evaluate the polyphenol extracted from Litchi chinensis and quantify the content of four kinds of polyphenol therein, the combination of fingerprint and quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker (QAMS) was used. Methods: A total of 22 batches of extract from Litchi chinensis were assayed by RP-UPLC to establish a common mode of fingerprints. For achieving QAMS, a method was developed by selecting epicatechin as internal reference and the relative correction factor of the three components, procyanidin A2, procyanidin B2, and epicatechin-(4β→8,2β→O→7)-epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (PC-C), to determine their contents. The feasibility and accuracy of QAMS were evaluated by comparing the contents of four polyphenols determined with two different methods, QAMS and external standard method. Results: Nineteen common peaks were identified in the characteristic fingerprint, nine components, including the known principal components, procyanidine B2 (peak 6), epicatechin (peak 8), PC-C (peak 9), procyanidine A2 (peak 15), three trimers of procyanidine type A (peaks 12, 16, and 17), a dimer of procyanidine type A (peak 19) and a dimer of procyanidine type B (peak 14), were verified in 22 batches of Litchi chinensis extract. Good similarities with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9 were found in 22 batches fingerprints. There was no significant difference between calculated value and detected value of the four ingredients in 22 batches, by QAMS and external standard method. Conclusion: The results showed that the combined method of fingerprint and QAMS for quality control is accurate and feasible and provide reference method to evaluate the quality of extracts from Litchi chinensis.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy of trapezoid pad coordinate with small splint fixation treatment with plaster slab fixation treatment for comminuted Colles fracture.

METHODSFrom October 2010 to March 2012,80 outpatients with comminuted Colles fracture were divided into two groups. There were 40 patients in trapezoid pad splint fixation treatment group and 40 patients in pipe type plaster control group. There were 13 males and 27 females in trapezoid pad splint fixation treatment group,with an average age of (62.1 +/- 19.2) years old. And there were 15 males and 25 females in pipe type plaster control group,with an average age of (60.2 +/- 19.5) years old. After treated with manipulative reduction,the fractures were fixed with pipe plaster in the control group, and were fixed with trapezoid pad joint by small splint in the treatment group. The patients in both groups were regularly taken X-ray recheck and changed dressings to obtain the clinical healing. Patients were guided to do functional exercise after splints were taken off. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to Gartland-Werlley wrist score when splints taken off and after 2 months.

RESULTSAccording to wrist score, the average scores in the treatment group were (8.1 +/- 2.8) when splints taken off and (5.3 +/- 4.5) after 2 months. And the average scores in the control group were (10.3 +/- 2.6) when splints taken off and (8.4 +/- 5.8) after 2 months. The score in the treatment group was higher than that of control group. The average shortened lengths of radius were (4.8 + 1.7) mm in the treatment group and (8.2 +/- 2.1) mm in the control group. The shortened length of control group was larger than that of treatment group.

CONCLUSIONTrapezoid pad coordinated with small splint fixation is better than traditional pipe type plaster for treating comminuted Colles fracture.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Casts, Surgical ; Colles' Fracture ; surgery ; Female ; Fractures, Comminuted ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Splints

Basal Ganglia ; pathology ; Calcinosis ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Sodium-Phosphate Cotransporter Proteins, Type III ; genetics ; Supranuclear Palsy, Progressive ; etiology

Pituitary adenoma, the most common benign tumor in brain, its symptoms mainly include impaired visual function and endocrine hormone disorder. Visual acuity decline and visual field defect are the first symptoms, because of the special position of pituitary and optic chiasma, patients are often first seen in the ophthalmology department. Visual field examination and optical coherence tomography(OCT)can determine the degree of visual field defect and fundus condition. Electrophysiology examination can determine whether the optic nerve is damaged. All of them can be used as evaluation indexes of visual function in patients with pituitary adenoma. As an imaging tool, functional magnetic resonance, a derivative technique, has been used to study the texture of pituitary adenoma and optic nerve integrity in recent years. These comprehensive and detailed examinations can determine the best time for treatment and improve quality of life for patients. This article reviews the application of ophthalmic examination(visual field, OCT and electrophysiology)and functional magnetic resonance in pituitary adenoma.

Objective To investigate the effects of exposure to glucocorticoids with different dosage on skeleton of normal 3-month-old rats by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), biomechanical testing and bone histopathology. Methods Thirty-one 3-month-old female clean level SD rats were randomly divided into 3 GC-treated groups, with tail intravenous injections of dexamethasone (Dex) at the dosage of 1, 2.5, 5 mg/kg twice per week for 8 weeks, respectively, and 1 normal control group treated with saline. At the end of experiment, bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur and the 3rd lumbar vertebrae in rats were measured by DXA. The 3-point bending test of the total femur and compression test of the 5th lumbar vertebrae were also conducted, respectively. Microstructure of the trabecula in proximal metaphysis of the tibia was observed by bone pathological section for quantitative analysis. Results Compared with control group, the body weight was significantly decreased in all Dex-treated groups, while no obvious decrease in vertebral BMC, BMD and maximum compressive loads was found. The total femoral BMC was also reduced significantly in all Dex-treated groups, while the total femoral BMD, proximal and distal femoral BMD were reduced only in Dex 1mg group. The fracture load, maximum load and elastic load for 3-point bending test were all evidently decreased in Dex 1mg group, while the Dex 2.5mg group and Dex 5mg group only showed a decline in elastic load. All Dex-treated groups showed an unevenly spatial distribution of the trabecula, which indicated a low bone metabolic state. Conclusions The exposure to GC for 8 weeks brings negative effects on skeleton of the 3-month old rats, which will cause more bone loss and worse mechanical properties in femur than in lumbar vertebrae. Higher dosage of Dex does not increase bone mass loss or change the mechanical properties. Both the decline in bone mechanics, especially elastic load, and unevenly density distribution of trabecula indicate that Dex will affect more bone quality other than bone mass. The side effects of GCs on skeleton in clinical application should be evaluated with various methods.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influencing factors of occupational stress from occupational hazards in employees of a power grid enterprise. METHODS: A total of 972 employees from 3 substations and 1 power dispatch center of a power grid enterprise were selected as research subjects by the cluster sampling method. The Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire was used to evaluate the occupational stress using the job demand control(JDC) model. The influence of occupational hazards on occupational stress was analyzed. RESULTS: The median, the 25 th and 75 th percentile scores [M(P_(25), P_(75))] of the 972 research subjects on job demand, job control, and social support dimensions of JDC model occupational stress were 14(12, 15), 25(23, 26), 24(23, 24), respectively. The M(P_(25), P_(75)) of the demand/control(D/C) ratio was 0.99(0.89, 1.13). The incidence of occupational stress was 48.4%(470/972) by the JDC model. The job demand dimension scores, D/C ratios, and incidence of occupational stress by JDC model were higher in employees exposed to electromagnetic radiation, high temperature, high altitude, and visual display terminal(VDT) than in those employees not exposed to the above factors(all P<0.05). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of occupational stress increased in those employees exposed to high temperature, high altitude and VDT(all P<0.05) after excluding the influence of confounding factors such as age, length of service, monthly income and exercise. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were 1.91(1.43-2.54) and 1.67(1.26-2.21), respectively. CONCLUSION: The level of occupational stress among employees in power grid enterprise is relatively high by JDC model. High-temperature, high-altitude and VDT operation are the main risk factors of occupational stress by JDC model.