OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences in the condylar position of subjects with skeletal class I and skeletal class II. To provide a basis of diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSGroup A was composed of 50 subjects with skeletal class I (27 males and 26 females; age range = 18 years to 30 years; mean age=26 years). Group B comprised 50 subjects with skeletal class II (24 males and 26 females; age range = 18 years to 28 years; mean age=25 years). The condylar position and the shapes of the condyle and the glenoid fossa were linearly measured on the sagittal and coronal sections by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Data were analyzed by SPSS 19.0.

RESULTSNo statistically significant differences were found in the measurements of the condylar position between the sides of each group on the sagittal plane and the coronal plane (P > 0.05). There were significant differences on the anterior space and the posterior space between group A and B (P < 0.05). The A/P joint space ratio of group A was larger than that of group B (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe subjects of skeletal class I show an anterior condyle position. The subjects of skeletal class II show a posterior condyle position.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Face ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the changes of CA125 between primary cytoreductive surgery and interval debulking surgery for prediction the rate of optimal interval cytoreductive surgery and prediction the recurrence and the prognosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.Methods A total of 39 cases with suboptimal primary cytoreductive surgery admitted from Jan.1996 to Jan.2009 were retrospectively analyzed.The median age of patients was 56 years( range:41 -68 years).Based on the changes in CA125level between primary cytoreductive surgery and interval debulking surgery,all cases were divided into four groups,group A (CA125 reduced to normal after primary cytoreductive surgery,n=6),group B (CA125reduced to normal after 1 - 2 cycles of chemotherapy,n =11 ),group C ( CA125 reduced to normal after 3 -4 cycles of chemotherapy,n =14),and group D ( CA125 did not reduced to normal after the chemotherapy,n =8 ), and all received platinum-based chemotherapy.The response to chemotherapy evaluated by pathological examination versus CA125 level,and recurrence and prognoses were also analyzed.Results ( 1 )The rate of optimal interval cytoreductive surgery in group A,B,C and D were 6/6,8/11,9/14 and 2/8respectively,in which there were statistically different between group A or B and group D (P ＜0.05).(2)The clinical benefit rates evaluated by the pathological examination in group A,B,C and D were 4/6,4/11,5/14 and 0,respectively and there were statistically different between group A and group D (P =0.030).( 3 ) There was significant difference in the recurrence rate between group A and group D (3/6 vs.8/8,P =0.024),while there were not significant differences between group B or C and group D ( all P ＞ 0.05 ).The rate of drug-resistant recurrence in group A,B,C and D were 1/6,3/11,5/14 and 7/8,respectively,in which there were significant differences between group A,B or C and group D ( all P ＜ 0.05 ). ( 4 ) The median progression-free survival (PFS) for patients in group A,B,C and D were 32,10,18 and 3 months,respectively,in which there were significant differences in the PFS between group A,B or C and group D (P =0.012,P =0.003,P =0.032 ).The median overall survival (OS) were 44,45,44 and 16 months,respectively.There were significant differences in the OS between group A,B or C and group D ( P =0.022,P =0.004,P =0.000 ).Conclusion The change of CA125 between primary cytoreductive surgery and interval debulking surgery may be predict the recurrence type and the prognosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) combined with low dose corticosteroid in the treatment of adults with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and concomitant HBsAg positive (MCNS-HBsAg). Methods Thirty adults with MCNS-HBsAg were enrolled in this prospective study and were assigned to two groups. The MMF group (n=14) received low dose of prednisone combined with MMF (MMF 1.0 to 2.0 g/d patients of Pred group versus 35.7% patients of MMF group. 43.8% patients of Pred group versus 21.4% patients of MMF group received lamivudine therapy. Elevation of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) ocurred in 50% patients of Pred group and 28.6% patients of MMF group. The complete remission (CR) rate after 24 weeks treatment was 11/14 in Pred group versus 10/12 in MMF group. 6/11 patients of the Pred group and 4/10 patients of the MMF group who achieved CR experienced relapses during follow-up. Conclusions Use of MMF combined with low dose prednisone is as effective as conventional prednisone regimen in treating adults with MCNS-HBsAg. The MMF protocol seems to be superior in HBV reactivation to conventional prednisone protocol.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Huogu II Formula (II) with medicinal guide Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae (Ach) on bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) homing to necrosis area after osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) frozen by liquid nitrogen in rabbit as well as to explore the mechanism of prevention and treatment for ONFH.

METHODSThe animal model of ONFH was established by liquid nitrogen frozen on the rabbit left hind leg. Forty-eight Japanese White rabbits were randomly assigned to sham-operated group, model group, Huogu II group, and Huogu II plus Ach group, with 12 rabbits in each. During the course of ONFH animal model establishment, all rabbits were subcutaneously injected with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [rhG-CSF, 30 μg/(kg·day) for continuous 7 days]. Meanwhile, normal saline and decoction of the two formulae were administrated by gavage, respectively. White blood cells (WBC) were counted in peripheral blood before and after injection of rhG-CSF. Materials were drawn on the 2nd and 4th weeks after model built; bone glutamine protein (BGP) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) levels in serum were tested. Histopathologic changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. BMP2 mRNA levels were detected with in situ hybridization (ISH) staining. 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) were measured by immunohistochemical assay in femoral head of the left hind leg.

RESULTSCompared with the shamoperated group, the ratio of empty lacuna, serum BGP, and SDF-1 level in the model group increased significantly, and BMP2 in both serum and femoral head decreased significantly. However, in comparison with the model group, the empty lacuna ratio of Huogu II group and Huogu II plus Ach group decreased obviously in addition to the levels of serum BGP and BMP2, and the expressions of BMP2 mRNA, BrdU, and SDF-1 increased significantly. Above changes were particularly obvious in Huogu II plus Ach group. BGP and SDF-1 on the 2nd week and empty lacuna rate and serum BMP2 level on the 4th week in Huogu II group significantly exceeded their counterparts. On the 2nd week, only in Huogu II plus Ach group that the BrdU counting rose significantly. On the 4th week, empty lacuna rate and serum BMP2 level in Huogu II plus Ach group exceeded those in Huogu II group distinctively.

CONCLUSIONSTo a certain extent, the medicinal guide Ach improves the preventive and therapeutic effects of Huogu II Formula on experimental ONFH model. The possible mechanism of this is related to its promoting effect on directional homing of BMSCs to the necrosis area.

Achyranthes ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; blood ; genetics ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; metabolism ; Cell Movement ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Femur Head ; drug effects ; pathology ; Femur Head Necrosis ; blood ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Radioimmunoassay ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects

Progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI) can be divided into coagulopathy-related PHI and normal coagu- lation PHI. Coagulation disorders after traumatic brain injuries can be included in trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). Some studies showed that TIC is associated with PHI and increases the rates of disability and mortality. In this review, we discussed some mechanisms in TIC, which is of great importance in the development of PHI, including tissue factor (TF) hypothesis, protein C pathway and thrombocytopenia. The main mechanism in the relation of TIC to PHI is hypocoagulability. We also reviewed some coagulopathy parameters and proposed some possible risk factors, predictors and therapies.
Blood Coagulation Disorders ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic ; complications ; Cerebral Hemorrhage ; epidemiology ; etiology ; therapy ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Protein C ; physiology ; Risk Factors ; Thromboplastin ; physiology

Objective To design the small interference RNA (siRNA) specific to human CCL20 gene by RNA interfering technique, construct its recombinant lentiviral expression vectors, and identify these vectors by DNA sequencing. Methods According to Tuschl’s principle, the siRNA was designed and converted into cDNA of shRNA (small hairpin RNA) of siRNA for CCL20 gene. The cDNA was synthesized and inserted into plasmid pHSER-dsRNA-GFP-SIN which was linearized by restriction endonucleases SpeⅠ and SalⅠ. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into competent E. coli. DH5? cells. The positive recombinant colony was selected by ampicillin medium agar and identified by DNA sequencing. Results Two recombinant lentiviral plasmids of siRNA specific to CCL20 gene were constructed successfully. Their DNA sequence analysis completely coincided with their designed sequences. Conclusion Lentiviral vector-based siRNA expression plasmids against CCL20 gene have been successfully constructed and identified. They will be further used for interfering CCL20 mRNA transcription and lay the foundation for CCL20 gene modified human keratinocyte stem cells.

Objective To evaluate the value of human epididymis secretory protein 4(HE4)and CAl25 in the diagnosis of ovariall malignancy.Methods HF4 and CA125 in the serum specimens of malignant ovarian tumor group(30 cases),benign ovarian diseases(110 cases;45 benign ovarian tumor,57endometriotic diseases and 8 pelvic inflammation were included) and healthy women group( 137 cases)were assayed double blindly . The levels and the diagnosis efficiency of the HE4 and CA125 were analyzed.Results (1) The median levels of HE4 and CA125 were significantly higher in malignant ovarian tumor group (244 pmoi/L and 601 kU/L respectively) than those of the benign ovarian diseases group( 32 pmol/L and 22 kU/L respectively)and healthy women group (32 pmoi/L and 11 kU/L respectively) (P =0. 000-0. 029). The median levels of CA125 were also higher in endometriotic diseases and pelvic inflammation groups(53 and 41 kU/L respectively) than those of benign ovarian tumor group and healthy women group (12 and 11 kU/L respectively;P = 0. 000-0. 031 ). (2) The positive rate of HE4 was lower than that of CA12s in malignant ovarian tumor group ( P = 0. 036 ). HE4 was negative in benign diseases and healthy women groups. But the positive rates of CA125 were 56. 1% and 5/8 respectively in endometriotic diseases and pelvic inflammation groups and there were significant differences compared with HE4( P =0. 000). (3)The HE4 assay had advantage over the CA125 assay in receiver operating characteristic-area under the curve (ROC-AUC) and sensitivity with a specificity of 100% when ovarian malignancy was compared with controls having benign diseases and healthy women, benign tumor or benign diseases groups respectively. The CA125 assay had advantage over the HE4 assay in ROC-AUC and sensitivity with the same specificity when ovarian cancers were compared with controls having healthy women group. (4) Combined assay of HE4 and CA125was better than CA125 alone when ovarian malignancy was compared with controls having any group. (5)Combined assay was better than HE4 alone in ROC-AUC and sensitivity with the same specificity when ovarian cancers were compared with controls having benign diseases and healthy women or healthy women groups. And combined assay was lower in the ROC-AUC and the sensitivity with specificity of 100% than HE4 when ovarian cancers were compared with controls having benign tumors or benign diseases groups respectively. (6) The diagnosis efficiency of the HE4 assay at the level 86 pmol/L determined in ROC curve with controls having benign diseases and healthy women group and at the 95% reference level 50 pmol/L of healthy women or 150 pmol/L recommended by the kit respectively was compared. The sensitivity of 50 pmol/L was 73% higher than 150 pmol/L and 86 pmoi/L, while the specificity and positive predictive value were lower ( P = 0. 002, P = 0. 000 ). The specificity, accuracy and positive predictive value of HE4 assay at the set point of 150 pmol/L and 86 pmol/L were 100%, 96% and 96%. The set point of 86 pmol/L had advantage over 150 pmol/L at the sensitivity of diagnosis, 70% and 63% respectively. But the positive predictive value was 95% lower than 150 pmol/L, being 100%. There was no significant difference( P =0. 883, P = 0. 883 ). Conclusions The specificity of HF4 assay is higher than CA125 assay in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer and HE4 combined with CA125 assay can improve the diagnoses. The set point of 150 pmol/L is advantageous for the accurate diagnosis, while the set point of 86 pmol/L is advantageous for the screening of malignant ovarian cancer.

Aged ; Coal Mining ; Drug Combinations ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peroxides ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Pneumoconiosis ; complications ; drug therapy ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Urea ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use

BACKGROUNDWe investigated possible biomarkers for endometriosis (EM) using the ClinProt technique and proteomics methods.

METHODSWe enrolled 50 patients with EM, 34 with benign ovarian neoplasms and 40 healthy volunteers in this study. Serum proteomic spectra were generated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) combined with weak cationic exchange (WCX) magnetic beads. Possible biomarkers were analyzed by a random and repeat pattern model-validation method that we designed, and ClinProtools software, results were refined using online liquid chromatography-tandem MS.

RESULTSWe found a cluster of 5 peptides (4210, 5264, 2660, 5635, and 5904 Da), using 3 peptides (4210, 5904, 2660 Da) to discriminate EM patients from healthy volunteers, with 96.67% sensitivity and 100% specificity. We selected 4210 and 5904 m/z, which differed most between patients with EM and controls, and identified them as fragments of ATP1B4, and the fibrinogen alpha (FGA) isoform 1/2 of the FGA chain precursor, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSClinProt can identify EM biomarkers, which - most notably - distinguish even early-stage or minimal disease. We found 5 stable peaks at 4210, 5264, 2660, 5635, and 5904 Da as potential EM biomarkers, the strongest of which were associated with ATP1B4 (4210 Da) and FGA (5904 Da); this indicates that ATP1B4 and FGA are associated with EM pathogenesis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Endometriosis ; blood ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Peptides ; blood ; Proteomics ; methods ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization ; Young Adult

Objective To study the proliferation of CRTH2 (CD4+ CD294+ Th2)cells promoted by pneumococcal vaccine through antigen presentation of dendritic cells (DCs),so as to provide a new approach for amplification and sorting of Th2 cells.Methods CDs induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cocultured with T lym-phocytes after loading pneumococcal vaccine antigen,mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR)was detected by cell count-ing kit-8(CCK8),DCs and CRTH2 cells were analyzed by flow cytometry.Results Pneumococcal vaccine could promote the maturation of DCs,together with TNF-a,it was adjuvant for maturation of DCs.Pneumococcal vaccine antigen-loaded DCs could increase the rate of subsets of CRTH2 cells on day 5([0.93±0.10]%)compared with day 1([0.70±0.02]%),and absolute number also increased (both P <0.05).Conclusion Amplification of CRTH2 cells can be greatly promoted by pneumococcal vaccine antigen-loaded DCs,which might be one of the effective way to induce amplification of Th2 cells.