Base Sequence ; DNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; Genes, Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; genetics ; Interferon Regulatory Factors ; metabolism ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-6

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of polysaccharide fraction of Cordyceps sinensis (PSCS) on triptolide (TPL)-induced apoptosis in the HL-60 cells and the involved molecular mechanism.

METHODSThe cultured leukemia HL-60 cells were divided into three groups: control group, TPL group (cells were treated with 5 ng/ml TPL only), and PSCS+TPL cells group (cells treated with 5 ng/ml TPL and 100 microg/ml or 200 microg/ml PSCS for 18 h). Cell viability was tested by MTT assay and apoptotic cells were quantitatively measured by flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double stain.The expressions of Caspase-3, 6, 7, 9 and NF-kappa B proteins were tested by Western blot.

RESULTMTT assay showed that different concentrations of PSCS inhibited the cell viability. Flow cytometry indicated that TPL markedly increased the apoptosis rate of the HL-60 cells, and PSCS enhanced the apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot showed that TPL did not inhibit the expression of the Caspase-3, 6, 7, 9 and NF-kappa B proteins, and when cells were treated with PSCS, the expression of proteins decreased with the PSCS concentration rising.

CONCLUSIONPSCS can enhance TPL-induced apoptosis in HL-60 cells and inhibit the expression of NF-kappa B and Caspase 3,6,7,9,which might be the possible signaling pathway of inducing apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDAn important purpose of orthodontic treatment is to gain the harmonic soft tissue profile. This article describes a novel way to build patient-specific models of facial soft tissues by transforming a standard finite element (FE) model into one that has two stages: a first transformation and a second transformation, so as to evaluate the facial soft tissue changes after orthodontic treatment for individual patients.

METHODSThe radial basis functions (RBFs) interpolation method was used to transform the standard FE model into a patient-specific one based on landmark points. A combined strategy for selecting landmark points was developed in this study: manually for the first transformation and automatically for the second transformation. Four typical patients were chosen to validate the effectiveness of this transformation method.

RESULTSThe results showed good similarity between the transformed FE models and the computed tomography (CT) models. The absolute values of average deviations were in the range of 0.375 - 0.700 mm at the lip-mouth region after the first transformation, and they decreased to a range of 0.116 - 0.286 mm after the second transformation.

CONCLUSIONSThe modeling results show that the second transformation resulted in enhanced accuracy compared to the first transformation. Because of these results, a third transformation is usually not necessary.

Computer Simulation ; Face ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical

Under the guidance of strengthening medical undergraduates' practical ability and their competence in future jobs, Dalian Medical University has established a clinical medical talents practical ability training mode. This model has implementedThree Turnsclinical skills training pattern to strengthen the three stage (before, during and after practice) clinical skills training and concentrated on humanistic quality education through overall evaluations and set up clinical skill examination system to evaluate teach-ing effectiveness comprehensively and truly , which has effectively improved the quality of education by perfecting safeguard mechanisms and guaranteeing teaching quality.

OBJECTIVETo get individualized facial three-dimensional finite element (FE) model from transformation of a generic one to assist orthodontic analysis and prediction of treatment-related morphological change of facial soft tissue.

METHODSA generic three-dimensional FE model of craniofacial soft and hard tissue was constructed based on a volunteer's spiral CT data. Seven pairs of main peri-oral muscles were constructed based on a combination of CT image and anatomical method. Individualized model could be obtained through transformation of the generic model based on selection of corresponding anatomical landmarks and radial basis functions (RBF) method. Validation was analyzed through superimposition of the transformed model and cone-beam CT (CBCT) reconstruction data. Pre- and post-treatment CBCT data of two patients were collected, which were superimposed to gain the amount of anterior teeth retraction and anterior alveolar surface remodeling that could be used as boundary condition. Different values of Poisson ratio ν and Young's modulus E were tested during simulation.

RESULTSAverage deviation was 0.47 mm and 0.75 mm in the soft and hard tissue respectively. It could be decreased to a range of +0.29 mm and -0.21 mm after a second transformation at the lip-mouth region. The best correspondence between simulation and post-treatment result was found with elastic properties of soft tissues defined as follows. Poisson ratio ν for skin, muscle and fat being set as 0.45 while Young's modulus being set as 90.0 kPa, 6.2 kPa and 2.0 kPa respectively.

CONCLUSIONSIndividualized three-dimensional facial FE model could be obtained through mathematical model transformation. With boundary condition defined according to treatment plan such FE model could be used to analyze the effect of orthodontic treatment on facial soft tissue.

Adult ; Cephalometry ; Computer Simulation ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Face ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Facial Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Jaw ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Male ; Malocclusion ; pathology ; Models, Anatomic ; Orthodontics ; methods ; Skin ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Tooth ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze stress distribution in alveolar bone around implants of implant supported overdentures (ISO) with linear occlusion and with anatomic occlusion at lateral mandibular position, and to justify the possibility of decreased injurious force around implants in ISO with linear occlusion.

METHODSComputerized tomography scan and finite element analysis (FEA) were used to set up two 3-D FEA models of maxillae and mandible with severe residual ridge resorption. The mucosa, linear and anatomic occlusal ISO with bar attachments, and two implants inserted between mandibular foramina were also established in the models. With the condition of imitating the loading of masseter muscles, these models were loaded to simulate the stress distributions in alveolar bone around implants under ISO at lateral occlusion position.

RESULTSAt lateral occlusion, the stress distributions in alveolar bone around implants under ISO with anatomic occlusion were mainly on the lingual and distal sides of the working side implants. However, stress distributions under ISO with linear occlusion were on the distal sides of bilateral implants. Both the stress peaks of ISOs with linear occlusion and with the anatomic one appeared in the working side. In anatomic occlusion model, sigma(z): -6.47 MPa and 6.81 MPa, sigma(1): -4.20 MPa and 7.20 MPa (negative value: compressive stress, positive value: tensile stress); in linear occlusion model, sigma(z): -4.86 MPa and 3.04 MPa, sigma(1): -3.48 MPa and 5.33 MPa.

CONCLUSIONSAt lateral occlusion, when comparing the ISO with two different occlusion schemes, stress peak in alveolar bone around implants in the linear occlusion model was lower than that in the anatomic occlusion model at equal loading situation. Stress in the alveolar bone under ISO with linear occlusion distributed more evenly than that under ISO with anatomic occlusion.

Dental Implantation ; Dental Occlusion ; Denture, Complete, Lower ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Mandible ; physiology ; Models, Anatomic ; Models, Biological ; Stress, Mechanical

BACKGROUNDThe rocking and instability of a loaded complete denture (CD) during lateral excursion reduce the bearing area under the denture base, causing localized high stress concentrations. This can lead to mucosal tenderness, ulceration, and alveolar bone resorption, and the linear occlusion design was to decrease the lateral force exerted on the denture and to ensure denture stability. But it is not known how the bearing areas of linear occlusal CDs (LOCDs) and anatomic occlusal CDs (AOCDs) differ. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the distributions of the high and low vertical stress-bearing areas in the mandibular alveolar mucosa under LOCDs and AOCDs at lateral excursion.

METHODSComputerized tomography (CT) and finite element analysis were used to establish three-dimensional models of an edentulous maxilla and mandible with severe residual ridge resorption. These models were composed of maxillary and mandibular bone structure, mucosa, and the LOCD or AOCD. Lateral excursion movements of the mandible were simulated and the vertical stress-bearing areas in the mucosa under both mandibular CDs were analyzed using ANSYS 7.0.

RESULTSOn the working side, the high stress-bearing (-0.07 to -0.1 MPa) area under the LOCD during lateral excursion was smaller than that under the AOCD, while the medium stress-bearing (-0.03 to -0.07 MPa) area under the LOCD was 1.33-fold that under the AOCD. The medium stress-bearing area on the non-working side under the LOCD was 2.4-fold that under the AOCD. Therefore, the overall medium vertical stress-bearing area under the LOCD was 20% larger than that under the AOCD.

CONCLUSIONSDuring lateral excursion, the medium vertical stress-bearing area under a mandibular LOCD was larger and the high vertical stress-bearing area was smaller than that under an AOCD. Thus, the vertical stress under the LOCD was distributed more evenly and over a wider area than that under the AOCD, thereby improving denture stability.

Aged ; Computer Simulation ; Dental Occlusion ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Denture, Complete ; Female ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Mandible ; physiology ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo study the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 3p in thyroid tumors.

METHODSLOH at 11 microsatellite loci was analyzed in 74 cases of thyroid tumors (including 20 follicular adenomas, 24 follicular thyroid carcinomas and 30 papillary thyroid carcinomas) by polymerase chain reaction and silver stain.

RESULTSLOH on chromosome 3p was detected in 71% of follicular thyroid carcinoma (17/24), 30% of the papillary thyroid carcinoma (9/30) and 10% of the follicular adenoma (2/20) case. Two minimal common deleted regions (CDR) (3p26-pter and 3p14.2-3p22) involving significant sites of LOH has identified in follicular thyroid carcinoma. There was also one CDR (3p25. 2-26.1) in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONSLOH is more frequently identified in follicular thyroid carcinoma than in papillary thyroid carcinoma and follicular adenoma. The 3 CDR on chromosome 3p may harbor tumor suppressor genes involved in the pathogenesis of follicular thyroid carcinoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular ; genetics ; Adenoma ; genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; genetics ; Chromosome Mapping ; Chromosomes ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; physiology ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the diagnostic utility of Warthin-Starry silver stain, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy in the detection of human Bartonella henselae infection and pathologic diagnosis of cat scratch disease (CSD).

METHODSThe paraffin-embedded lymph node tissues of 77 histologically-defined cases of cat scratch disease collected during the period from January, 1998 to December, 2008 were retrieved and studied using Warthin-Starry silver stain (WS stain) and mouse monoclonal antibody against Bartonella henselae (BhmAB stain). Five cases rich in bacteria were selected for transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSUnder electron microscope, the organisms Bartonella henselae appeared polymorphic, round, elliptical, short rod or bacilliform shapes, ranged from 0.489 to 1.110 microm by 0.333 to 0.534 microm and often clustered together. Black short rod-shaped bacilli arranged in chains or clumps were demonstrated in 61.0% (47/77) of CSD by WS stain. The organisms were located outside the cells and lie mainly in the necrotic debris, especially near the nodal capsule. In 72.7% (56/77) of the cases, dot-like, granular as well as few linear positive signals were observed using BhmAB immunostain and showed similar localization. Positive results for both stains were identified in 59.7% (46/77) of the cases. When applying both stains together, Bartonella henselae was observed in 74.0% (57/77) of the case. The difference between the results obtained by WS stain and BhmAB immunostain was of statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBartonella henselae is the causative pathogen of cat scratch disease. WS stain, BhmAB immunostain and transmission electron microscopy are helpful in confirming the histologic diagnosis. Immunostaining using BhmAB can be a better alternative than WS stain in demonstrating the organisms.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Bartonella henselae ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; ultrastructure ; Cat-Scratch Disease ; diagnosis ; microbiology ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; methods ; Infant ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Middle Aged ; Paraffin Embedding ; Staining and Labeling ; methods ; Young Adult