[Summary] The efficacy of the combining therapy of methylprednisolone and methotrexate on the Graves ophthalmopathy ( GO) was observed. Whether selenium supplement is beneficial based on this combining therapy scheme was evaluated. The results showed that the combining therapy of methylprednisolone and methotrexate was effective for the patients with moderate-to-severe GO. Selenium supplement did not further improve the remission of GO.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is considered an important complementary therapy with beneficial effects for cancer patients. Elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are a complex patient group with increasing co-morbidity and shrinking physiological reserve, and may derive substantial benefit from the supportive aspects of TCM. Researchers from Shanghai Longhua Hospital found that qi and yin deficiency is a common syndrome in patients with stage III or IV lung cancer. This project was designed to study the combination of single-agent chemotherapy with TCM methods of benefiting qi and yin in elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalin on the behavioral characteristics of rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and to provide a basis for further research on baicalin in the treatment of ADHD.

METHODSA total of 40 SHR rats were randomly divided into model group, methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) group, and low-, medium-, and high-dose baicalin groups, with 8 rats in each group. Eight WKY rats were selected as normal control group. The rats in the MPH group (0.07 mg/mL) and the low- (3.33 mg/mL), medium- (6.67 mg/mL), and high-dose (10 mg/mL) baicalin groups were given the corresponding drugs (1.5 mL/100 g) by gavage twice a day, and those in the normal control group and the model group were given an equal volume of normal saline by gavage twice a day. The course of treatment was 4 weeks for all groups. The open field test was performed to observe total moving distance and average moving speed on day 0 of experiment and at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after gavage and to evaluate the control effects of drugs on hyperactivity and impulsive behavior. The Morris water maze test was used to observe the latency, time spent in the target quadrant, and number of platform crossings and to evaluate the effects of drugs on attention.

RESULTSThe open field test showed that the model group and the drug treatment groups had a significantly longer total moving distance and a significantly higher average moving speed than the normal control group on day 0 (P<0.05). On day 7, the MPH group had significant reductions in total moving distance and average moving speed compared with the model group (P<0.05). On day 14, the MPH group and the high-dose baicalin group had significant reductions in total moving distance and average moving speed compared with the model group (P<0.05). The data on days 21 and 28 showed that compared with the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose baicalin groups had gradual reductions in total moving distance and average moving speed (P<0.05). The water maze test showed that compared with the model group, the MPH group and the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups had a significantly longer time spent in the target quadrant (P<0.05), and the MPH group and the high-dose baicalin group had a significantly higher proportion of the moving distance in the target quadrant in total moving distance (P<0.05). The high-dose baicalin group had the highest number of platform crossings among all groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth baicalin and MPH can regulate the motor ability and learning and memory abilities of SHR rats with ADHD and thus control the core symptoms of ADHD, i.e., hyperactivity, impulsive behavior, and inattention. Baicalin exerts its effect in a dose-dependent manner, and high-dose baicalin has the most significant effect, but compared with MPH, it needs a longer time to play its therapeutic effect.

Animals ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; psychology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Flavonoids ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Motor Activity ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of baicalin on synaptosomal adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and its regulatory effect on the adenylate cyclase (AC)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODSA total of 40 SHR rats were randomly divided into five groups: ADHD model, methylphenidate hydrochloride treatment (0.07 mg/mL), and low-dose (3.33 mg/mL), medium-dose (6.67 mg/mL), and high-dose (10 mg/mL) baicalin treatment (n=8 each). Eight WKY rats were selected as normal control group. Percoll density gradient centrifugation was used to prepare brain synaptosomes and an electron microscope was used to observe their structure. Colorimetry was used to measure the activities of ATPase and LDH in synaptosomes. ELISA was used to measure the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA.

RESULTSCompared with the normal control group, the ADHD model group had a significant reduction in the ATPase activity, a significant increase in the LDH activity, and significant reductions in the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA (P<0.05). Compared with the ADHD model group, the methylphenidate hydrochloride group and the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups had a significant increase in the ATPase activity (P<0.05), a significant reduction in the LDH activity (P<0.05), and significant increases in the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA (P<0.05). Compared with the methylphenidate hydrochloride group, the high-dose baicalin group had significantly greater changes in these indices (P<0.05). Compared with the low-dose baicalin group, the high-dose baicalin group had a significant increase in the ATPase activity (P<0.05); the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups had a significant reduction in the LDH activity (P<0.05) and significant increases in the content of AC, cAMP, and PKA (P<0.05). Compared with the medium-dose baicalin group, the high-dose baicalin group had a significant increase in the ATPase activity (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBoth methylphenidate hydrochloride and baicalin can improve synaptosomal ATPase and LDH activities in rats with ADHD. The effect of baicalin is dose-dependent, and high-dose baicalin has a significantly greater effect than methylphenidate hydrochloride. Baicalin exerts its therapeutic effect possibly by upregulating the AC/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; metabolism ; Adenylyl Cyclases ; physiology ; Animals ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Cyclic AMP ; physiology ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; physiology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Synaptosomes ; chemistry ; ultrastructure

OBJECTIVETo establish the computer aided design (CAD) software platform of individualized abutment for the maxilla central incisor.

METHODSThree-dimentional data of the incisor was collected by scanning and geometric transformation. Data mainly included the occlusal part of the healing abutment, the location carinae of the bedpiece, the occlusal 1/3 part of the artificial gingiva's inner surface, and so on. The all-ceramic crown designed in advanced was "virtual cutback" to get the original data of the abutment's supragingival part. The abutment's in-gum part was designed to simulate the individual natural tooth root. The functions such as "data offset", "bi-rail sweep surface" and "loft surface" were used in the process of CAD.

RESULTSThe CAD route of the individualized all-ceramic abutment was set up. The functions and application methods were decided and the complete CAD process was realized.

CONCLUSIONSThe software platform was basically set up according to the requests of the dental clinic.

Ceramics ; Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Implants ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Humans ; Incisor ; Maxilla

OBJECTIVETo find an inhibitor to reduce the volatilization of formalin.

METHODThe saturated solution of sodium hydrosulphite (SHS) was sprayed on the surface of the anatomy specimens, then the concentration of formaldehyde in the air was tested.

RESULTSThe concentration of formaldehyde in the air of SHS sprayed group [(3.10 +/- 1.22) mg/m3] was significantly lower than that of the control group [(8.36 +/- 4.11) mg/m3, P < 0.01].

CONCLUSIONSHS may be a volatilization inhibitor for formalin, which could reduce the concentration of formaldehyde in the air.

Air Pollution, Indoor ; prevention & control ; Anatomy ; Formaldehyde ; analysis ; chemistry ; Sulfites ; chemistry ; Volatilization

Purpose: To investigate the effect of detrusor overactivity (DO) on the urethral expression of caveolin (CAV)-1, -2, and -3 of urethra in an animal model of cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis rat. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group (n=20) and the cystitis group (n=20). Cystitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of CYP (200 mg/kg). An urodynamic study was done 3 days after the CYP injection to measure functional change of the urinary bladder and urethra. Cellular localization and expression of CAV-1, -2, and -3 in the rat urethra were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot. Results: Urodynamic experiments demonstrated a decreased contraction interval in the cystitis group compared to the control (3.9±1.0 minutes vs. 6.6±1.2 minutes, P<0.05). Conversely, contraction pressure increased significantly in the cystitis group compared to the control (22.4±0.7 mmHg vs. 11.5±0.4 mmHg, P<0.05). The urethral pressure was decreased in the cystitis group compared to the control (4.05 ±2.5 mmHg vs. 5.8 ±2.8 mmHg, P <0.05). The IHC and Western blot data showed that CAV-1, -2, and -3 expression decreased significantly in the cystitis group compared control group (P<0.05). Conclusions The decreased urethral CAV-1, -2, and -3 in the DO rats suggests that CAVs might be related with the functional change of urethra in association with DO of urinay bladder.

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) from the urinary bladder regulate detrusor smooth muscle activities. We cultured ICCs from the urinary bladder of mice and performed patch clamp and intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) imaging to investigate whether cultured ICCs can be a valuable tool for cellular functional studies. The cultured ICCs displayed two types of spontaneous electrical activities which are similar to those recorded in intact bladder tissues. Spontaneous electrical activities of cultured ICCs were nifedipine-sensitive. Carbachol and ATP, both excitatory neurotransmitters in the urinary bladder, depolarized the membrane and increased the frequency of spike potentials. Carbachol increased [Ca2+]i oscillations and basal Ca2+ levels, which were blocked by atropine. These results suggest that cultured ICCs from the urinary bladder retain rhythmic phenotypes similar to the spontaneous electrical activities recorded from the intact urinary bladder. Therefore, we suggest that cultured ICCs from the urinary bladder may be useful for cellular and molecular studies of ICCs.
Action Potentials ; Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Atropine ; Carbachol ; Interstitial Cells of Cajal* ; Membranes ; Mice* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Phenotype ; Urinary Bladder*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between children's and their parents' lifestyles, household environmental exposures and risk of childhood acute leukemia (AL).

METHODSA 1:2 matched case-control study of childhood AL was conducted in Shanghai between April 2011 and January 2014. The study enrolled 66 cases aged < 15, diagnosed with AL and 132 controls matched by age, gender and residence. All of the controls had no hematological diseases or previous history of malignancy. Children who had been adopted and had congenital genetic syndromes such as Down's syndrome or a positive HIV test result were not eligible as either cases or controls. Information was obtained from standardized face-to-face interviews of their parents/guardians with detailed questions on demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and household environment. Conditional logistic regression models were used to analyze effecting factors of childhood AL, odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTSAmong 198 cases, 66 cases were aged (5.0 ± 3.7) years old, and 132 controls were aged (6.0 ± 3.8) years old (t = 0.48, P = 0.523). The paternal drink frequencies of cases and controls were 57.6% (38/66), and 31.1% (41/132), respectively (χ² = 4.91, P = 0.027). And the frequencies of household insecticides usage in the last year in the two groups were 78.8% (52/66), and 65.2% (86/132) (χ² = 3.87, P = 0.049). Chemical exposure during childhood (OR = 4.76, 95% CI: 1.34-16.89), maternal exposure to chemicals (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.65-12.33), household insecticides use during 0-3 years of child (OR = 2.90, 95% CI: 1.31-6.39), and renovating after their children's birth (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.26-7.74) were associated with an increased risk of childhood AL and these differences between the cases and the controls have statistical significance. Besides, we found that frequent contaction with other children during 0-3 years old (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.15-0.69) and ventilation during sleeping in summer (OR = 0.43, 95% CI: 0.18-0.98) were associated with a decreased risk of childhood AL.

CONCLUSIONOur results support the association between children's and their parents' lifestyles, household environmental exposures and childhood AL.

Acute Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Insecticides ; Leukemia ; epidemiology ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Exposure ; Neoplasms ; Odds Ratio ; Parents ; Risk Factors

Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; Fistula ; physiopathology ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; adverse effects