Puerariae Lobatae Radix, also known as Gegen, is a root derived from Pueraria lobata. Based on field investigation and the developmental anatomy of root tuber, we have elucidated the relationship between the growth of root tuber and the anomalous structure. The results of analysis showed that the root system of P. lobata was developed from seed and adventitious root and there existed root tuber, adventitious root and conductive root according to morphology and function. The root tuber was developed from adventitious root, its secondary structure conformed to the secondary structure of dicotyledon's root. With the development of root, the secondary phloem of root tuber appeared abnormal vascular tissue, which was distributed like ring in the outside of secondary vascular tissue. The root tuber might have 4-6 concentric circular permutation abnormal vascular tissuelobate, and was formed by the internal development of abnormal vascular tissue. The xylem and phloem of abnormal vascular tissue were the main body of the root tuber. The results reveal the abnormal anatomical structure development of P. lobata, also provides the theoretical basis for reasonable harvest medicinal parts and promoting sustainable utilization of resources of P. lobata.
Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plant Tubers ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Pueraria ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the morphological characteristics of alveolar bone defects of the patients with chronic periodontitis using cone-beam CT (CBCT).

METHODSSixty patients with chronic periodontitis were included in this study. CBCT was used to scan the alveolar bone and NNT software to measure the alveolar bone defects and bone loss types in different regions.

RESULTSSeventy-five percent (45/60) of the alveolar bone defect was the generalized type, 25% (15/60) was the localized type. In incisor and canine area, the defect of the mandibular alveolar bone was more severe than in the same sites of maxilla. There was less bone loss in the premolar area of mandible than in the same site of maxilla. In the mesial and buccal sites of mandibular molars and in the lingual site of maxillary molars, the most severe alveolar bone loss was found.

CONCLUSIONSThe obvious alveolar bone defect areas in chronic periodontitis were the palatal side of maxillary molars and the lingual side of mandibular incisors. CBCT can clearly demonstrate the degree of alveolar bone defects in different regions of chronic periodontitis.

Adult ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; diagnostic imaging ; Chronic Periodontitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective To evaluate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice.Methods Forty pathogen-free healthy male C57 mice,aged 8 weeks,weighing 20-30 g,were assigned into 4 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group Sham),myocardial I/R group (group I/R),sevoflurane postconditioning group (group SPC) and HIF-1α inhibitor 2Me2 group (group 2Me2).Myocardial I/R was induced by occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized mice.In group SPC,3％ sevofiurane was inhaled for 15 min starting from the onset of reperfusion.In group 2Me2,30％ 2Me2 (30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected at 30 min before ischemia.The mice were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion,and the hearts were removed for determination of the myocardial infarct size (using the Image J software) and expression of HIF-1α in thc nucleus of cardiomyocytes (by Western blot).Results Compared with group Sham,the myocardial infarct size was significantly increased in I/R,SPC and 2Me2 groups,the expression of HIF-1α was significantly up-regulated in I/R and SPC groups,and the expression of HIF-1α was significantly down-regulated in group 2Me2 (P＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,the myocardial infarct size was significantly decreased,and the expression of HIF-1α was up-regulated in group SPC,and the myocardial infarct size was significantly increased,and the expression of HIF-1α was down-regulated in group 2Me2 (P＜0.05).Compared with group SPC,the myocardial infarct size was significantly increased,and the expression of HIF-1α was down-regulated in group 2Me2 (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which sevoflurane postconditioning reduces myocardial I/R injury is related to up-regulation of HIF-1α expression in mice.

BACKGROUNDPatient trust in physicians, which can be considered a collective good, is necessary for an effective health care system. However, there is a widespread concern that patient trust in physicians is declining under various threats to the physician-patient relationship worldwide. This article aimed to assess patient trust in physicians through a quantitative study in Shanghai, China, and to provide appropriate suggestions for improving the trust in China.

METHODSThe data from a survey conducted in Zhongshan Hospital and Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, which are two tertiary public hospitals in Shanghai, were used in this study. Patient trust in physicians was the dependent variable. Furthermore, a 10-item scale was used to precisely describe the dependent variable. The demographic characteristics were independent variables of trust in physicians. Binomial logistic regression was employed to analyze the factors associated with the dependent variable, which was divided into two categories on the basis of the responses (1: Strongly agree or agree and 0: Strongly disagree, disagree, or neutral).

RESULTSThis study found that 67% of patients trusted or strongly trusted physicians. The mean score of patient trust in physicians was 35.4 from a total score of 50. Furthermore, patient trust in physicians was significantly correlated with the age, education level, annual income, and health insurance coverage of the patients.

CONCLUSIONSPatient trust in physicians in Shanghai, China is higher than previously reported. Furthermore, the most crucial reason for patient distrust in physicians is the information asymmetry between patients and physicians, which is a natural property of the physician-patient relationship, rather than the so-called for-profit characteristic of physicians or patients' excessive expectations.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Physician-Patient Relations ; Trust

BACKGROUNDOverexpression of Bcl-2 protein in cancer cells can inhibit programmed cell death and engender chemoresistance. Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide (G3139) has shown its antitumor effects enhanced in preclinical models when combined with taxol-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of G3139 combined with epirubicin in the androgen-independent prostate cancer.

METHODSPC3 prostate cancer cell line was cultured and treated with epirubicin and Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone or in combination. The effects of therapeutic agents on cells were determined by the MTT assay. Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was documented by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis induction was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis.

RESULTSBcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone produced no cytotoxic effects and the combination of Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide with epirubicin sensitized PC-3 cells to the killing effects of chemotherapy. A marked down-regulation of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed after antisense and epirubicin cotreatment. A statistically significantly higher fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by flow-cytometric analysis after epirubicin treatment with prior antisense Bcl-2 transfenction, as compared with mono antisense Bcl-2 or epirubicin treatment.

CONCLUSIONThese data suggested that inhibition of Bcl-2 expression combined with epirubicin may be an attractive therapeutic strategy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; genetics ; Epirubicin ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; genetics ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between condylar marrow signal abnormalities and temporomandibular joint internal derangement (TMJID).

METHODSOblique sagittal T1 weighted MR imaging at closed and open mouth and Oblique sagittal T2 weighted MR imaging at closed mouth were obtained from 88 joints of 44 patients suffering from TMD. Condylar marrow signal abnormalities were reviewed and classified into bone marrow edema pattern (hypointense T1, hyperintense T2), sclerosis pattern (hypointense T1 and hypointense T2) and combined edema and sclerosis pattern.

RESULTSOf 88 joints, 13 (14.8%) joints showed condylar marrow signal abnomalities, among which 11 belonged to edema pattern and, 1 was sclerosis pattern and the other was the combined patten. Of 13 joints with condylar marrow signal abnomalities, 11 (84.6%) had TMJID. Of 75 joints with normal marrow signal, 25 (33.3%) joints had TMJID. There was significant correlation between condylar marrow signal abnormalities and TMJID (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDisc displacement is one of the factors inducing condylar marrow signal abnormalities. The pathological process from disc displacement to osteonecrosis requires further study.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; diagnosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo observe the relation of androgen levels and atherosclerosis (AS) in elderly males.

METHODSBoth carotid arteries and arteries of lower extremity were examined with Doppler ultrasonography. Those with arteriosclerosis and much atheromatous plaque were designated as case group, and those with normal results formed control group. Total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) and estradiol (E2) were measure by radioimmunoassay, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and TG were assayed by colorimetry, vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) were determined by ELISA.

RESULTFT was significantly lower in case group than in control group (P<0.01), no differences were found in TT, E2. HDL-C in control group was higher than that in case group (P<0.01), TC and TG were higher in case group than those in control group (P<0.05). HDL-C was correlated positively and LDL-C was negatively with FT level, while both TC and TG in case group had negative relation with FT. VEGF was higher in case group (P<0.05), and it had negative relation with FT in both groups. TNF-alpha and IL-6 were significantly higher in case group (P<0.05), and they had negative relation with FT. sICAM-1 was significantly lower in control group than it in case group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe normal androgen levels, especially FT, have beneficial effect in AS development in elderly males. Low FT level may be an independent risk factor in AS development.

Aged ; Androgens ; blood ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; diagnostic imaging ; Carotid Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Testosterone ; blood ; Ultrasonography, Doppler

OBJECTIVETo identify gene expression differences between abdominal aorta aneurysm (AAA) and normal abdominal artery.

METHODSFive AAA specimens and five normal abdominal artery specimens were collected. Total RNA was extracted and purified from the samples independently. Then isolated RNA was labeled and hybridized onto the Affymetrix Genechip.

RESULTSOne thousand nine hundreds and sixty-two differently expressed genes were identified in AAA compared with normal abdominal artery, of which 554 genes were up-regulated and 1408 genes were down-regulated. Functional analysis revealed that genes involved in immune response, inflammatory response and chemokines were significantly up-regulated in AAA.

CONCLUSIONThe differently expressed genes may be useful in providing new insights and foster a better understanding of the mechanism of AAA.

Aorta, Abdominal ; metabolism ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; genetics ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical effects of minimally-invasive internal fixation for mid-lateral 1/3 clavicle fracture with distal clavicular anatomic locking plate. METHODS: From February 2016 to March 2017, 32 patients with mid-lateral 1/3 clavicle fractures treated by minimally-invasive internal fixation with distal clavicular anatomic locking plate, including 24 males and 8 females with an average of (42.3±12.7) years old (ranged from 22 to 68 years old). According to Robinson classification, 6 patients were type 2A2, 18 patients were type 2B1 and 8 patients were type 2B2. No vessel and nerve injury occurred before operation. The time from injury to operation ranged from 0 to 6 days with an average of (3.1±1.4) days. Length of bilateral clavicule were compared before and after operation to evaluate fracture reduction. Constant score at 6 months after operation was applied to assess recovery of shoulder function. RESULTS: Thirty patients were followed up from 11 to 18 months with an average of (13.3±2.2 ) months. No vessel and nerve injury, implant failure, nonunion or delayed union occurred after operation, and facture wound healed at stage I, the time ranged from 8 to 12 weeks with an average of(10.2±1.1) weeks. Shortened length of clavicle decreased from(11.2±3.6) % before operation to (0.4±0.3)% after operation at 2 days. Ten patients removed internal fixation at 8 months after operation without re-fracture occurred after remove plate. Constant score increased from 23.53±5.21 before operation to 94.30±5.60 after operation at 6 months, and 26 patients got excellent results, and 4 good. Patients were satisfied aesthetic degree of scar and shoulder joint function. CONCLUSIONS Minimally-invasive internal fixation for mid-lateral 1/3 clavicle fracture with distal clavicular anatomic locking plate, which has advantages of less trauma, rapid recover, less scar, could receive good clinical effects and not effect beauty.
Adult ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Clavicle ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult