Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal ; cytology ; Lead ; toxicity ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the role of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB pathway with p38MAPK in Curcuma wenyujin diterpenoid compound C (CDCC) fighting against inflammation and inducing gastric cancer cell apoptosis by stimulating gastric cell SGC7901 with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells were in vitro acted by CDCC in different concentrations at different time points. Their growth inhibition ratios were measured by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate of gastric cancer cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. Nuclear translocation of p65 was detected by cell immunofluorescence. Expression levels of p38MAPK/P-p38MAPK, p65/P-p65, and Caspase 3/P-Caspase 3 were measured by Western blot.

RESULTSCDCC had significant inhibitory effect on the proliferation of SGC-7901. It also could effectively induce the apoptosis of gastric cancer cell SGC-7901. It also could reduce nuclear translocation of p65 in gastric cancer cell SGC-7901. Results of Western blot indicated that expression levels of p38MAPK and p65 were reduced and the expression level of Caspase-3 was elevated along with increased concentrations of CDCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONApoptosis executive protein Caspase 3 activated by regulating p65 via p38MAPK might be one of possible mechanisms for CDCC fighting against inflammation and gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Curcuma ; Diterpenes ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

In the current study, nine flavonoids were isolated and purified from 75% ethanol extract of Selaginella uncinata (Desv.) Spring by column chromatographic techniques over macroporous resin, polyamide, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and pre-HPLC. On the basis of their physico-chemical properties and spectroscopic data analyses, these compounds were elucidated as cirsimarin (1), nepitrin (2), apigenin-6-C-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), apigenin-6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl-8-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside (4), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 2,3-dihydroamentoflavone (6), 4'-O-methylamentoflavone (7), 2,3-dihydro-4'-O-methyl-amentoflavone (8), and 2,3,2",3"-tetrahydron-4'-O-methyl-robustaflavone (9). Compounds 1-5 belong to flavonoid glycosides and were isolated from the genus Selaginella for the first time.
Flavonoids ; analysis ; Selaginellaceae ; chemistry

Objective To explore the association of Gly71Arg mutation in gene of bilirubin uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase(UGT1A1)and neonatal jaundice in Beijing city Han population.Methods The genotypes and alleles of the Gly71 Arg polymorphism for UGT1A1 gene were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism assay in infants of Beijing city Han population of China,including 96 infants with neonatal jaundice[serum bilirubin(307.06?38.5)?mol/L,indirect bilirubin(292.9?35.9)?mol/L] and 101 healthy control infants [serum bilirubin(131.2?42.1)?mol/L,indirect bilirubin(126.3?39.7)?mol/L].The genotypes and allele frequencies of the polymorphism were compared between infants with neonatal jaundice group and healthy infant group(control group).The effect of polymorphism in infants with neonatal jaundice group on serum bilirubin level were analyzed.Results There were significant differences in genotypes distribution in Gly71Arg polymorphism for UGT1A1 gene between the 2 groups(?2=9.47 P=0.002).Compared with control group,neonatal jaundice group had significantly higher Arg allele frequency in the polymorphism for UGT1A1 gene(?2=10.34 P=0.001).There were independent effects of Gly71Arg mutation in the gene on serum bilirubin level in neonatal jaundice group,at the carriers of homozygote of the Arg allele of Gly71Arg polymorphism had higher serum bilirubin levels compared to carriers of heterozygote of the Arg allele of the polymorphism and non-carriers of the Arg allele of the polymorphism(Pa

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression and distribution of matrix mentallproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the periodontal tissues of diabetes mellitus (DM) rats during tooth movement, and to observe the affection of diabetes mellitus on the collagen metabolism.

METHODSEighty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Mesial force was applied to pull the maxillary first molar. Forty rats were rendered diabetic by injection of streptozotocin. In 3 weeks after the injection, rats were subjected to lateral tooth movement. The animals were sacrificed after 0, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days respectively. Two-step immunohistochemical method was applied to localize and examine the expression of MMP-2 in periodontal tissue of rats.

RESULTSMMP-2 immunohistochemical results indicated that the MMP-2 expression increased and was observed on both sides periodontium of movement tooth, osteoclast, cementoblast, osteocyte, fibroblast and osteoblast appeared positive. According to the immunohistochemistry image analysis, experiment group changes was less obvious than control group. Dynamic changes of OD occured, reaching the minimum on the 7th day and then increasing slowly. IOD increased steadily, up to the peak on the 7th day, and then decreased, which still remained a high level on the 21st day.

CONCLUSIONDM alveolar bone collagen metabolism increases. DM alveolar bone reactive potency decreases in orthodontic tooth movement, weak collagen metabolism. MMP-2's activity changes regularly, in close relation to bone remodeling, and plays an important role during the orthodontic tooth movement.

Animals ; Bone Remodeling ; Dental Cementum ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; Molar ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontium ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tooth Movement Techniques

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.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect and indication of bone graft and impaction on posterior interbody fusion for lumbar instability.

METHODSFrom January 2001 to July 2008, 95 patients with lumbar instability were treated by bone graft and impaction on posterior interbody fusion. Including 41 males and 54 females, the age from 45 to 76 years old with an average of 59 years. There were 68 cases with single level, 22 cases with two-level, 5 cases with three-level in patients, which were 127 intervertebral space altogether. The neural canal and affected side nerve root were decompressed thoroughly during operation. Resected the disc from the affected side and erased the cartilage to plate extensively combined with pedicle screw fixation, and impaction on interbody fusion with the excisional vertebral plate bone was achieved. To assess the improvement of the patients' symptom, sign, and JOA scores pre and post operatively. Meanwhile, the changes of intervertebral height from the lumbar radiographs were measured and the degrees of interbody bone fusion were evaluated according to SUK method.

RESULTSAll the 95 patients were followed up from 12 to 90 months with the mean of 44.8 months. All the clinical symptom were improved significantly or disappeared completely. All the 127 intervertebral space achieved good bone fusion. There was no displacement of bone graft and severe complication happened. According to the radiograph, all the intervertebral heights were increased obviously. The mean JOA score improved from 11.3 +/- 3.3 preoperative to 25.1 +/- 2.8 at 8 weeks postoperative; achieved 24.8 +/- 3.2 with followed up at the last time (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONBone graft and impaction on posterior interbody fusion was one of the most effective methods for the lumbar instability. It has extensive range of application, and it's suitable for senile lumbar degeneration instability especially.

Aged ; Bone Transplantation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Spinal Fusion ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect of rapid canine distulization through distraction of the periodontal ligament after reducing interseptal bone resistance. Methods Twenty canines in 11 patients who needed lirst premolar extractions were involved. A tooth-borne, custom-made distractor was bonded right after the first premolar extraction and the interseptal bone resistance reduction. Three days post-operatively,the distractor was activated 0.1 mm three times a day. Orthodontic models, panoramic radiographs,periapical radiographs, electrical vitality test were assessed pre- and post distraction procedure and 3 months after the completion of the procedure. Results The distraction procedure was completed in 18 to 35 days [mean (25.6 ± 4.7) days], with the distal displacement of the canines ranging from 3.53 to 8.29 nun[mean (5.56 ± 1.32) mm]. The canines showed a mean of 12. 20° distal tipping and 18.53° rotation. The anchorage teeth showed an average of (0.76 ± 0.75)mm mesial movement. The mesial contact point of incisors showed a mean of (0.67 ± 0.55) mm lingua] movement. There was no significant root resorption or long-time change on pulp vitality after distraction. Conclusions The canine distalization through distraction of the periodontal ligament after reducing interseptal bone resistance was an effective approach to move canines rapidly.

Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is involved in vascular development and various vascular diseases; however, the molecular mechanisms of VSMC migration remain unclear. In this study, we established an inverted coverslip migration assay to study the migratory properties of cultured VSMCs on extracellular matrix. Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from rats were cultured and identified by immunocytochemistry. Each coverslip with a confluent monolayer of PASMCs was inverted to a larger coverslip which was coated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS, as a control), poly-D-lysine hydrobromide (PDL), laminin or Matrigel. After 24 h of migration over the larger coverslip, PASMCs were fixed, and reliably quantified. The roles and mechanisms of extracellular matrix in PASMC migration were further studied by wound-healing assay and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that: (1) The purity of the cultured PASMCs was (97 ± 3)%. (2) The number of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel migrating out from the inverted coverslip was significantly increased compared with that on PBS or PDL, and the migratory distance of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel was significantly farther than that on PBS or PDL. (3) The motility of PASMCs on laminin or Matrigel was significantly higher than that on PBS at 8 h, 12 h and 24 h after wounding, respectively. (4) F-actin staining showed that F-actin was congregated along the brim of the migrating cells from the inverted coverslip, and vinculin (a cell marker of focal adhesion) staining showed that the distribution of vinculin in PASMCs plated on laminin or Matrigel was significantly lower than that on PBS or PDL. These results suggest that the inverted coverslip migration assay is suitable to study VSMC migration, and laminin and Matrigel substrates may promote VSMC migration through inhibiting the formation of focal adhesion and regulating the cytoskeletal proteins.
Actins ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Movement ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; chemistry ; Drug Combinations ; Extracellular Matrix ; chemistry ; Laminin ; chemistry ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Proteoglycans ; chemistry ; Pulmonary Artery ; cytology ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo compare the diagnostic value of gadolinium diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced MRI with ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO)-enhanced MRI in differentiating reactive hyperplastic lymph nodes from metastatic lymph nodes in rabbit models.

METHODSReactive hyperplastic cervical lymph node model was established in 18 rabbits as hyperplasia group, and tumor-bearing lymph node model was established in another 18 rabbits as tumor group. For Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI, T1WI and T2WI were performed on 9 animals of each model, and T1WI was acquired 80 seconds after administration of Gd-DTPA. For USPIO-enhanced MRI, T1WI, T2WI and T2*WI were performed on another 9 animals of each model before and 24 hours after administration of USPIO. MRI images were analyzed and correlated with surgical specimens and pathological results.

RESULTSIn the tumor group, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI were 62.5%, 91.3%, 88.2%, 70.0% and 76.6%, respectively. The corresponding values of USPIO-enhanced MRI were 95.0%, 90.9%, 90.5%, 95.2% and 92.9%, respectively. The sensitivity and accuracy of USPIO-enhanced MRI differ significantly from those of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI. In the hyperplasia group, the accuracy of Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI was 74.2%, while 87.1% for USPIO-enhanced MRI.

CONCLUSIONUSPIO-enhanced MRI has higher accuracy in diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes than Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI.

Animals ; Contrast Media ; Dextrans ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Male ; Neck ; Pseudolymphoma ; pathology ; Rabbits