Chronic intermitted hypoxia including sleep breathing disorder leads to brain injury. This study explores the potential therapeutic effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin as a neuroprotective agent. A rat model of chronic intermittent hypoxia was employed, and the animals were given low or high doses of grape seed proanthocyanidin. The ultrastructure changes in the brain, the biochemical components, and the animal behavior were examined. The results showed that with hypoxia exposure, neuronal mitochondria exhibited injuries at ultrastructural level, with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining revealed increased cell apoptosis in hippocampus. In Morris water maze the animals showed decreased learning abilities, when compared to normal control. The administration of grape seed proanthocyanidin treatment reversed all these observed changes, and improved the learning behavior. We concluded that grape seed proanthocyanidin could alleviate the brain injury caused by hypoxia from sleep breathing disorder.

OBJECTIVETo detect the susceptible alleles in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients and healthy controls and to analyze the effect of multi-alleles on the occurrence and development of generalized aggressive periodontitis.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and cleavage were used for detecting the frequencies of five susceptible genetic polymorphisms in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients and healthy controls. The results were analyzed by Z-score test and mean square analysis.

RESULTSThe frequencies of homozygous for HLA-DRB1* 1501 allele, TNF-A-308 allele II, IL-1B(+3953) allele II, vitamin D receptor allele A, T, estrogen receptor allele X in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients were higher than those in healthy controls. The persons who took more than three susceptible alleles (including three susceptible alleles) had more severe periodontal conditions than the ones who took less than three susceptible alleles (not including three susceptible alleles).

CONCLUSIONSHLA-DRB1 * 1501 allele, TNFA-308 allele II, IL-1B(+3953) allele II, vitamin D receptor allele A, T, estrogen receptor allele X are susceptible alleles in generalized aggressive periodontitis. Carrying more than three susceptible alleles has a great effect on the occurrence and development of generalized aggressive periodontitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aggressive Periodontitis ; genetics ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; Male ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; Young Adult

Chronic Periodontitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Dental Pulp Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Dental Scaling ; Female ; Humans ; Periodontal Debridement ; Periodontal Diseases ; complications ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Radiography ; Root Canal Therapy ; Root Planing ; Young Adult

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 identify the clinical characteristics and pathological changes of patients suffered from glomerulonephritis complicating with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) . Methods Twenty one patients of glomerulonephritis complicating with AIN diagnosed by renal biopsy were retrospectively analyzed . Thirty-five pure AIN patients were selected as controls .Results Glomerulonephritis complicating AIN accounted for 37 .5% of all the AIN cases . Βlactam antibiotics and Chinese herbs were the major causes of AIN . 76 .2% of cases received further examinations due to the elevation of serum creatinine (Scr) during their follow-up of kidney injuries or during routine exams for all kinds of discomforts . Pathological features of AIN were also detected besides glomerular leisions . The impairments of renal interstitia were severe than those of the glomeruli . Eosinophil in the renal interstitia was an important indicator for the diagnosis of AIN .The renal function returned to normal or baseline in 64 .7% of the patients of glomerulonephritis complicating with AIN whose follow-up data were available . The median period for renal function restoration was 150 days (compared with 60 days in pure AIN) . But there were no significant differences between these two groups as for the rate of irreversible renal insufficiency during a follow-up period of 2 years . Conclusions Symptoms of AIN in patients of glomerulonephritis complicating with AIN tend to be masked by their glomerular diseases . Renal biopsy is of most importance for the diagnosis . Early diagnosis and treatment leads to satisfactory prognosis .

With the rapid development of medical genetics,online Medelian inheritance in man (OMIM) manifests a more and more important role in medical genetics teaching.Using the educational form combining ‘ classroom teaching,review writing and seminar’,‘ Query and use of OMIM ’was introduced into the education of medical genetics.Reality practice revealed that this educational practice maintained advanced and timely status of knowledge and deeply activated self-studying and independent thinking ability of students.

Candida shehatae xyl1 gene and Pichia stipitis xyl2 gene were amplified by PCR and the xyl1 and xyl2 were both placed under the promoter GAL of vector pYES2 to produce the recombinant expression vector pYES2-P12. Subsequently the pYES2-P12 vector was transformed into S. cerevisiae YS58 by LiAc to produce the recombinant yeast YSS8-12. It was indicate that the recombinant yeast YSS8-12 could converse xylose to ethanol with the xylose consumption rate of 81. 3%.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the oxidative stress in patients with colorectal cancer and to investigate the relationship between oxidative stress and colorectal cancer.

METHODSSeventy-six subjects were divided into two groups (36 colorectal cancer patients as the study group and 40 normal healthy individuals as the control group). Their protein oxidation, DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione (GSH), and antioxidative enzymes in serum were detected.

RESULTSThe levels of protein carbonyl and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P<0.01). Serum 8-OHdG was significantly increased in the study group compared to the control group (P<0.01). However, the mean serum level of MDA and conjugated diene was lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.01). The activity of antioxidative enzymes was significantly decreased in the study group compared to the control group (P<0.01). Serum vitamins C and E concentrations were significantly reduced in the study group compared to the control group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONColorectal cancer is associated with oxidative stress, and assessment of oxidative stress and given antioxidants is important for the treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxidative Stress

OBJECTIVETo detect and compare the activity and intensity of gingipain K (Kgp)-caspase like subdomain in culture medium and cell extract of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) isolates in puberty gingivitis and to reveal the possible association of Kgp with puberty gingivitis.

METHODSThirty-six children of 14 to 17 years old were enrolled in this study. Clinical parameters including gingival index (GI), sulcus bleeding index (SBI) and probing depth (PD) were evaluated. Subgingival plaque samples were collected and Pg isolates were obtained. 16S rRNA PCR was used to confirm Pg clinical isolates. Bacteria were grown in batches of BHI base and harvested at the end of log-phase growth. Culture fractions (culture medium and cell extract) of 10 Pg isolates were performed with SDS-PAGE and Western blot technique using primary antibody against specific Kgp-caspase like subdomain. Activity of Kgp in both samples was detected as well. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 11.5 software. The relationship between the Kgp intensity/activity of Kgp and the clinical parameters was statistically analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient.

RESULTSThere was positive correlation between the intensity/activity of Kgp and the clinical parameters (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe Kgp in clinical isolates of Pg from puberty gingivitis is in complicated forms. Caspase-like molecules with low molecular weight may exist as intracellular functional protein molecules which can affect the interaction between Pg and host. Kgp was contributes in certain degree to the pathogenesis of puberty gingivitis.

Adhesins, Bacterial ; genetics ; metabolism ; Adolescent ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dental Plaque ; microbiology ; Female ; Gingivitis ; enzymology ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the differential effect of joint ultrasound on the syndrome differentiation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by observing the high frequency ultrasound performances among inactive stage and different syndromes in active stage.

METHODSTotally 83 RA patients in the active stage were assigned to the dampness heat syndrome group (DHS, 59 cases)and the cold dampness syndrome group (CDS, 24 cases) according to Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome typing. Besides, 20 RA patients in the remission stage were recruited as the control group (abbreviated as the remission group). By using high frequency ultrasound and power Doppler ultrasound technology, a comparative observation of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the 2nd-5th metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints, proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints, wrist joints, knee joints, the second and the fifth metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints (a total of 24 joints) was performed in all patients. Correlation analyses were performed between the ultrasound performance, laboratory indices, and the disease activity. Ultrasound data of each RA patient were analyzed by their total scores. Χ2 test was used for enumeration data. The measurement data was expressed as x ± s. One-way ANOVA was used for data of normal distribution, while non- parametric test was used for data of non-normal distribution. Correlation analysis of two variables was performed for clinical indicators and ultrasound indicators. Its significance was detected using Pearson correlation.

RESULTSCompared with the remission group, the severity degree of synovitis, tenosynovitis, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion significantly increased in the DHS group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in the severity degree of synovitis and synovial blood flow, and DAS28 score in the CDS group (P < 0.05). Compared with the CDS group, there was statistical difference in the four ultrasound indices (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), ESR, CRP, anti-CCP, DAS28 score, and the positive rate of RF in the DHS group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in G, IgG, IgA, or IgM among the three groups (P > 0.05). There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, synovial blood flow, and bone erosion in the DHS group (r = 0.444, 0.397, 0.486, P < 0.05).There existed positive correlation between ESR and the synovitis degree, bone erosion, and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.378, 0.270, P < 0.05). There existed positive correlation between the DAS28 score and the synovitis degree and synovial blood flow in the DHS group (r = 0.304, 0.351, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe inflammation degree was the most severe in RA patients of DHS. High frequency ultrasound could provide better evidence for Chinese medical syndrome differentiation of RA patients.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; ultrastructure ; Syndrome ; Synovitis ; diagnostic imaging ; Ultrasonography