Objective To investigate the effects of captopril on structure and function of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats. Methods Streptozotocin induced diabetic male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with 0.1% captopril in drinking water for 12 weeks, then advanced glycation end products (AGEs), cAMP content, and the nerve conduction velocity of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats were measured, morphometric quantitative analysis and ultrastructure of sural nerve were also performed. Results Captopril reduced accumulation of AGEs, restored synthesis of cAMP in sciatic nerve, improved nerve conduction velocity partialy, and ameliorated morphology abnormalities in myelin nerve fibre. Conclusion These findings suggest that captopril may exert a therapeutic effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective To introduce a method using hydroxyapatite methylmethacylate cement implanted in the femoral head for the treatment of patients suffering from avascular necrosis of the femoral head due to different causes and to review the medium term follow up results. Methods From January 1990 to December 1995, eight hips in seven patients(male 4, female 3) with femoral head necrosis at Ficat stage Ⅲ were treated with the hydroxyapatite methylmethacylate cement implantation in the involved femoral head. Four osteonecrosis were secondary to femoral neck fracture, two were due to corticosteroid intake and one had alcohol abuse history. All patients complained pain and limited joint activity. The operation consisted of the removal of necrotic bone under weight loading cartilage with curet and the implantation of the hydroxyapatite methylmethacylate cement. The function of hip joint were well evaluated and X ray films were taken pre and postoperatively. The average postoperative follow up was 7.9 years, ranging from 5.1 to 11 years. Results Merle d Aubign? method was used to assess and compare the pre and post operative function of hip joint. The average score for unilateral cases increased from 8.66 to 15.5 at final examination. On radiography, the improvement of the contours of the femoral head was seen in all patients and most of them could preserve their initial postoperative contours during the follow up. No sign of expansion of the bone necrosis appeared in most of the patients, although certain patients presented various joint degeneration such as narrowing of joint space,sclerosis and osteophyte. Subjective evaluation was satisfactory except two suffering from painless limited activity of hip joint. Conclusion This method is relatively simple with less invasion and rapid postoperative recovery. It may be a choice of surgery for the treatment of certain femoral head necrosis at Ficat stage Ⅲ, especially for young patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of taper and inserting angle on stability of micro-implants in type II bone and to provide theoretical evidence for clinical selection of taper and inserting angle.

METHODSThree-dimensional finite element models of type II bone sections and micro-implants were fabricated. They were designed using different tapers (diameter between 1.1 to 1.6 mm, taper between 0 to 0.0625) and different inserting angles ranging from 30 degrees to 90 degrees (30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 75 degrees, 90 degrees). Effects on the maximum von Mises stresses in mandible and micro-implants, as well as on the maximum displacements in micro-implants, were analyzed under an applied 2 N horizontal force.

RESULTSThe inserting angle had a significant effect on stresses and displacements, with lower distribution of stresses and displacements occurring at 60 degrees. The effect of the taper was also related to the inserting angle. The minimum stresses were 5.013 4 MPa (cortical bone) and 25.1310 MPa (micro-implant) in model D at 60 degrees. The displacements of micro-implants were proportional to the taper.

CONCLUSIONThe inserting angle has a significant effect on stability of micro-implants, and the recommended inserting angle is 60 degrees. The influence of taper on the stability of micro-implants is related to the inserting angle. The micro-implant with 0.0375 taper (maximum diameter is 1.6 mm, minimum diameter is 1.3 mm) is more suitable for type II bones.

Objective To investigate the effect of age on activity of cholineacetyltransferase(ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase(AChE) in cerebral cholinergic nerve system of rat.Method According to age,male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 3 groups at random: 4～5 weeks old group,4～5 months old group,14～15 months old group(n=10,respectively).Chromatometry was used to assay the activity of ChAT and AChE in cerebral cortex,hippocampus and corpus striatum.Results In 14～15 months old rats,activity of ChAT and AChE in cerebral cortex,hippocampus and corpus striatum was prominantly reduced,as compared with that in 4～5 months old rats and in 4～5 weeks old rats(ChAT: P0.05).Conclusion There is a negative correlation between age and activity of ChAT and AChE in cerebral cholinergic nerve system.

Objective To investigate the iodine nutritional status,thyroid function and the prevalence of thyroid nodules of residents using non-iodized salt in Ningbo City,Zhejiang Province.Methods In 2011,using typical sampling method,6 villages/communities consumption of non-iodized salt were selected as study fields and residents aged 6-70 were selected as study subjects in Ningbo.Urinary iodine detection,thyroid ultrasound examination and tests of thyroid function [free triiodothyronine (FT3),free thyroxine (FT4),thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb)] were performed in all participants.Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) was determined by arsenic cerium catalytic spectrophotometry,and thyroid function was monitored by chemiluminescence method.Results A total of 1 177 residents agreed to participate in the study,482 were male,and 695 were female (including 2 pregnant women).The participants' mean age was (48.54 ± 13.98) years.The median UIC in all participants was 90.36 μg/L,and the proportions with a UIC ＜ 100μg/L was 56.07％ (660/1 177).Furthermore,the median UIC in male was 97.05 μg/L and in female was 83.84 μg/L,there was a significant difference in UICs between male and female (Z =-2.99,P ＜ 0.05).Similarly,significant difference in UICs was observed among age groups (x2 =99.34,P ＜ 0.01).Among the participants,19.88％ had thyroid nodules,with standardized prevalence rate of 13.95％.Furthermore,in male,11.83％ had thyroid nodules,with standardized prevalence rate of 8.11％,and in female was 25.47％,with standardized prevalence rate of 19.83％,there was a significant difference in the detection rate of thyroid nodules between male and female (x2 =33.25,P ＜ 0.01).Likewise,significant difference in the detection rate of thyroid nodules was observed among age groups (x2=49.65,P＜ 0.01),and there was a positive and significant correlation between the detection rate of thyroid nodules and increasing age (x2trend =44.22,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The residents who using non-iodized salt in Ningbo City are in the status of iodine deficiency.The detection rate of thyroid nodules is higher in female than in male and it has increased with age.

Objective To investigate the promoter methylation status of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA). Methods Methylation specific PCR (MSP) method was used to examine the methylation status of the 5' CpG island of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in tumors and corresponding normal tissues. Results Methylation frequencies of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in tumor specimens were 87.2 % (82/94) and 83 %(78/94), which was significantly higher than that in corresponding normal tissues (14.9 % and 55.3 %, respectively) (P <0.001). Methylation frequencies of SFRP1 in lymph node metastasis group (96.4 %) was significantly higher than that in no lymph node metastasis group (73.7 %). Methylation frequencies of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in poor differentiation group were all higher than that in moderate and poor-moderate differentiation groups, but both of them did not show significant difference(P >0.05). 63 cases of GCA showed both of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene simultaneous methylation, which including 36 cases of lymph node metastasis group, 27 cases of no lymph node metastasis group. Simultaneous methylation frequencies of SFRP1 and SFRP2 gene in lymph node metastasis group was higher than that in no lymph node metastasis group, poor differentiation group was higher than that in moderate and poor-moderate differentiation groups, but both of them did not show significant difference (P >0.05). Conclusion Promoter methylation of SFRP1 and SFRP2 might be related with oncogenesis of GCA and hypermethylation of SFRP1 gene might be related with the malignant behavior of GCA.

Objective To compare the efficacy of transrectal ultrasonography(TRUS)and spiral computed tomography(SCT)in preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma contrasted with the postoperative pathologic findings.Methods Both TRUS and SCT were performed prior to surgery in 92 patients with rectal carcinoma.After radical operation,the preoperative findings were compared with the histological findings,and the the efficacy of TRUS and SCT in staging the rectal carcinoma were evaluated.Results The accuracy of TRUS for T stage and N stage was 87.0% and 64.1% respectively,while the accuracy of SCT was 68.5% and 66.3%.Conclusions TRUS is superior to SCT for the judgment of tumor infiltration depth,TRUS may become the first choice in preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma.But neither is able to provide satisfaction assessment for lymph node metastases.When both methods are used together,it would be better.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules among residents of Ningbo City and to explore the risk factors for thyroid nodules.Methods Totally 3 596 residents aged 6-70 were selected by multistage stratified cluster random sampling in Ningbo City,2011.Thyroid ultrasound examination was performed in all participants,while salt iodine and urinary iodine were measured.Possible risk factors for thyroid nodules were analyzed by single factor and multi-factor logistic regression.Results The prevalence rate of thyroid nodules in residents of Ningbo City was 22.66％ (815/3 596),with standardized prevalence rate of 17.69％.Female [(odds ratio (OR) =2.06,95％ confidence interval (CI) =1.74-2.43],groups of aged 18-(OR =3.42,95％ CI =1.22-9.61),aged 40-(OR =13.06,95％ CI =4.80-35.51),aged 65-(OR =16.67,95％ CI =5.97-46.54) and occasional consumption of seafood habits (less than twice per week,OR =1.23,95％ CI =1.02-1.49) were significant associated with thyroid nodules.Conclusions There is no link Letween iodine nutrition and thyroid nodules.It is demonstrated that female and aged ≥ 18 groups have higher risk of thyroid nodules; frequent consumption of seafood seems to be a protective factor.

Objective To evaluate the effect of taper and inserting angle on stability of micro-implants in type Ⅱ bone and to provide theoretical evidence for clinical selection of taper and inserting angle. Methods Three-dimensional finite element models of type Ⅱ bone sections and micro-implants were fabricated. They were designed using different tapers (diameter between 1.1 to 1.6 mm, taper between 0 to 0.062 5) and different inserting angles ranging from 30° to 90° (30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°). Effects on the maximum von Mises stresses in mandible and micro-implants, as well as on the maximum displacements in micro-implants, were analyzed under an applied 2 N horizontal force. Results The inserting angle had a significant effect on stresses and displacements, with lower distribution of stresses and displacements occurring at 60°. The effect of the taper was also related to the inserting angle. The minimum stresses were 5.013 4 MPa (cortical bone) and 25.131 0 MPa (micro-implant) in model D at 60°. The displacements of micro-implants were proportional to the taper. Conclusion The inserting angle has a significant effect on stability of micro-implants, and the recommended inserting angle is 60°. The influence of taper on the stability of micro-implants is related to the inserting angle. The micro-implant with 0.037 5 taper (maximum diameter is 1.6 mm, minimum diameter is 1.3 mm) is more suitable for type Ⅱ bones.

Objective　To study the relationship between gene's mutation in sputum cells and smoking consumption of patients with lung cancer. Methods　Sputum dispose liquid was added into 0.5?ml sputum, DNA was extracted twicely with saturated phenol-chloroform and ethanol precipitate; p53 and K-ras gene mutations were detected by using SSCP-PCR and RFLP-PCR methods. Results　Seventy-one of 110 patients with lung cancer were heavy smokers (index of smoking≥400), 55 of 71(77.5％) patients with heavy smoking were detected with gene alterations of p53 or K-ras (P＜0.05). Average indexes of smoking in the patients with p53 or K-ras were 861 and 630 respectively, whereas those in non-smokers were 284 and 554 (χ2＝36.56，P＝0.002). Conclusion　Detection of oncogene alterations in sputum is a simple method to practice. Oncogene alteration in smoking patients with lung cancer is higher, especially in heavy smokers, than those with no smoking. The results show that heavy smoking is one of the causes in oncogene mutations of bronchus and further investigation is necessary.