Objective: To investigate the effects of insulin on the DNA synthesis and cell cycle distribution of human periodontal ligament cells (PDLs). Methods:PDLs were treated with insulin at the doses (U/L) of 0.01～1 000 for 72 h,DNA synthesis of the cells was measured by 3H-TdR incorporation and cell cycle distribution was studied by flow cytometer. Results : Insulin at 1 U/L to 1 000 U/L showed a significant concentration dependent stimulation of 3H thymidine uptake, and the effect of insulin at 100 ～ 1 000 U/L were not statistically different from that at 10 U/L. The percentage of PDL cells in G1 phase during exponential growth was decreased by insulin, while that in S phase and (G2+M) was increased in experimental group. Conclusion: Insulin increases DNA synthesis of PDL cells ,and stimulates the transformation of cells from G1 to S phase.

Objective:To study the clinical effect of corticosteroids (C S) with small dosage in the recurrence control of pemphigus. Methods: 25 cases of pemphigus were diagnosed by clinical and pathological examinati on.They were treated with CS at 60-80 mg/d in acute stage for symptom control.Th en,the dosage of CS was decreased by 5 mg in each following 2 weeks untill it re ached 2.5 mg/2 d. The treatment of 2.5 mg/2 d was continued for 1 year and was a ssisted with tripterygium polyglycoside, compound thalidomide, compound cyclopho sphamide (compounded with total saponins of ginseng), dapsone, and/or some kidne y-supplementing herbs. The patients were followed-up for 9~16 years.Re sults:No recurrence was observed in 16 cases(64%).Recurrence was found i n 9 cases(36%),among them 7(28%) were with light symptom and 2(8%) severe. Sever e side-effect was not found in all cases. Conclusion:The recurr ence of pemphigus may be controlled without severe side-effect by long-term us e of small dosage of CS assisted with proper immuno-inhibitors, immuno-regulat ors and/or some kidney-supplementing herbs.

Objective To investigate the role of large-diameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) simulation in target volume delineation in radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Eighteen patients with NPC underwent computed tomography (CT) simulation and MRI simulation scans and localization in the same body position,with SOMATOM Sensation Open 40-row 82-cm large-diameter CT simulator and Siemens 3T MRI MAGNETOM Skyra 70-cm large-diameter simulator,respectively.The gross tumor volume (GTV) and parotid glands were delineated on all images according to the ICRU Report 50/62,and MRI was applied to observe the changes in GTV and parotid volume during radiotherapy.Paired t-test was applied to analyze the differences between GTVCT and GTVMRI and between GTVnx-CT and GTVnx-MRI.Results GTVMRI decreased significantly compared with GTVCT,and the average volume decreased from (213.64±84.59) cm3 to (199.68±84.69) cm3(p=0.006).As for the volume of primary lesions in the nasopharynx,GTVnx-MRI was significantly smaller than GTVnx-CT,and the volume decreased from (95.75± 24.76) cm3 to (88.12±26.25) cm3 (P =0.001);as for the volume of cervical lymph nodes,GTVnd-MRI was significantly smaller than GTVnd-CT,and the volume decreased from (117.89± 72.69) cm3 to (111.56± 70.69) cm3 (P=0.018).The targets delineated by CT and MRI did not overlap completely,with major differences in skull base bone and cervical soft tissue.The volume of both parotid glands delineated on MRI image was higher than that delineated on CT image,with a major difference in the deep lobe.MRI showed that GTV was reduced by 82.64± 16.87％ during radiotherapy,and the volumes of the left and right parotid glands were reduced by (32.7± 23.95) ％ and (34.7± 21.72) ％,respectively.Conclusions The delineation of target volume based on MRI simulation is more accurate than that based on CT simulation and can achieve a smaller volume range,which helps to guide target volume delineation in radiotherapy for NPC accurately.

In order to observe the effect of Bushenantai recipe on the expression of endometrial leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) in mice with embryonic implantation dysfunction (EID), 120 Kunming mice post coition were randomized into three groups: normal control group, model group and traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group) (n=40 in each group). Uterus was collected on the pregnancy day (Pd) 4, 5, 6 after an intravenous injection of Evan's blue. The endometrium was dyed by Evan's blue and the mean points of response were observed on Pd 5. The expression of LIF mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively and analyzed statistically by image system. The results showed that the number of implantation sites in model group was remarkably less than in normal control group and TCM group. There was no significant difference between normal control group and TCM group. The expression of LIF mRNA and protein in model group was delayed. Bushenantai recipe could increase the expression of LIF mRNA and protein in endometria of mice with EID. It was suggested that Bushenantai recipe could improve embryo implantation of mice with EID by promoting the endometrial LIF expression and endometrial decidualization.
Blastocyst/cytology ; Embryo Implantation ; Endometrium/*metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/*biosynthesis ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor/*genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Biological ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Time Factors

In order to observe the effect of Bushenantai recipe on the expression of endometrial leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) in mice with embryonic implantation dysfunction (EID), 120 Kun- ruing mice post coition were randomized into three groups: normal control group, model group and traditional Chinese medicine group (TCM group) (n=40 in each group). Uterus was collected on the pregnancy day (Pd) 4, 5, 6 after an intravenous injection of Evan's blue. The endometrium was dyed by Evan's blue and the mean points of response were observed on Pd 5. The expression of LIF mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively and analyzed statistically by image system. The results showed that the number of implantation sites in model group was remarkably less than in normal control group and TCM group. There was no significant difference between normal control group and TCM group. The expression of L1F mRNA and protein in model group was delayed. Bushenantai recipe could increase the expression of LIF mRNA and protein in endometria of mice with EID. It was suggested that Bushenantai recipe could improve em- bryo implantation of mice with EID by promoting the endometrial LIF expression and endometrial decidualization.