AIM: To investigate the influences of native and oxidized lipoprotein(a) on human arterial smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, change of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] i) and the protective effect of sodium ferulate(SF). METHODS: Lp(a) was oxidized by Cu 2+ and the extent of oxidation was assessed by the MDA content.Human SMC were incubated in culture media with SF for 12 h, then exposed to Lp(a) and oxidized-Lp(a), respectively. MTT colorimetry and flow cytometry were used to evaluated the proliferation of SMC and flurorescent indicator Fura-2/AM was used to determined [Ca 2+ ] i. RESULTS: ox-Lp(a) significantly promoted proliferation of SMC and increased[Ca 2+ ] i compared with Lp(a). SF(40,80 mg/L) remarkedly inhibited SMC proliferation and decreased the rising of [Ca 2+ ] i induced by ox-Lp(a) in a dose-dependent manner, but no effect on SMC proliferation and the increase in [Ca 2+ ] i induced by Lp(a).CONCLUSION: ox-Lp(a) induces the strong growth-promoting effect in SMC through increasing in [Ca 2+ ] i, which might be one of the cellular mechanisms responsible for the higher atherogenic potential of ox-Lp(a) compared with Lp(a), and this process can be prevented by inhibiting of oxidation by SF.

Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation clinical symptoms and signs are very complicated, lumbocrural pain is the most characteristic clinical symptoms,and show the site (range or area), intensity, nature, evolution, influence factors and adjoint symptoms and so on has certain characteristics and rules. Among them, the dermatomal pain, kinesthetic dysesthesia, dynamic changing pain and lesions segment vertebral side deep tenderness are the most impotent characteristics and rules of pain, therefore, can be regarded as the main basis of clinical diagnosis of the disease, and also the core content of this article.
Back Pain ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; pathology

ObjectiveTo evaluate biomechanical properties of transoralpharyngeal atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP) prepared from magnesium alloy and titanium alloy for the atlantoaxial dislocation by using three-dimensional finite element analysis and to exam the feasibility of using magnesium alloy for preparation of TARP system so as to provide a theoretical basis for clinical surgery.MethodsA patient with typical atlantoaxial fracture dislocation was involved in the study,and received thin CT scan with clinically used titanium alloy TARP system for obtaining DICOM image data.Three-dimensional finite element analysis software was imported to simulate magnesium alloy and titanium alloy TARP systems for reduction and fixation.Then,stress changes of the atlas,axis,internal fixators and C2/3 zygapophysial joints were determined with three-dimensional finite element analysis and analyzed statistically.Results ( 1 ) The finite element model of atlantoaxial dislocation reduction and fixation had lifelike outline and good geometric similarity.There were 53 586 nodes and 180 784 units.(2) During the simulation of head in neutral position,the stress concentration region was C2/3 zygapophysial joints followed by the anterior arch,posterior arch and lateral mass of atlas respectively,and C2 vertebral arch again.( 3 )Magnesium alloy and titanium alloy TARP systems showed significant difference in stress distribution (P ＜0.05).Conclusions(1)The atlantoaxial model established according to its structure information on CT can be used for biomechanical experiments.(2) For the treatment of atlantoaxial dislocation using the existing titanium TARP system,maintaining the integrity of anterior and posterior arch of atlas and confirming the bone fusion in lateral mass can better keep the stability of the atlantoaxis.After atlantoaxial fusion,the increased stress of the zygapophysial joints of the adjacent segments accelerates structural degeneration,which should be closely followed up.( 3 ) Magnesium alloy TARP system for fixation and reduction shows the fall in peak value of the stress concentration region,and improvement of the uniformity of stress distribution as compared with titanium alloy TARP.

Objective To determine the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods All of 399 asymptomatic subjects who underwent coronary CT angiography with type 2 diabetes mellitus but without thyroid disease were enrolled retrospectively.Totally patients were divided into subclinical hypothyroidism group (17 patients,type 2 diabetes mellitus with subclinical hypothyroidism) and euthyroid group(382 patients,type 2 diabetes mellitus with normal thyroid function).Results The incidence of subclinical hypothyroidism in type 2 diabetes mellitus was 4.3％(17/399).The ratio of male and smoking in subclinical hypothyroidism group was significantly lower than that in euthyroid group (3/17 vs.194/382,P =0.007;2/17 vs.136/382,P =0.043).The incidence of asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in subclinical hypothyroidism group was 5 cases and in euthyroid group was 130 cases,and there was no significant difference(P=0.694).The age,course of type 2 diabetes mellitus,level of glycosylated hemoglobin and low density lipoprotein cholesterol between two groups had no significant difference(P＞ 0.05).Conclusion Subclinical hypothyroidism is not an independent risk factor for asymptomatic myocardial ischemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Humans ; Nurses ; Occupational Exposure ; Young Adult

The DNA fragment RM07 was isolated from halophilic archaea Halobacterium halobium, which can function as promoter not only in halophilic archaea, but also in Escherichia coli as eubacterial promoter. Sequencing analysis indicated that it possessed the typical consensus sequences (-35 and -10) of bacterial gene promoter, which was confirmed by further deletion analysis: With its -35 sequence deleted and -10 sequence left,DNA fragment RM07a nearly cannot initiate transcription;With its both -35 and -10 sequences,RM07b DNA fragment could be active as promoter at a level even higher than RM07. Our research also showed that the promoter function of RM07 fragment in Escherichia coli was under the control of environmental factors,especially its positive correlation with the increasing concentration of sodium chloride. Therefore, RM07 DNA fragment may be potential1 novel promoter source for constructing double-function vectors. It also has special significance in elucidating the issues of the fusing characteristics of archaea and lateral gene transfer between archaea and bacteria.

Objective To observe the effects of strabismus surgery for treatment of concomitant exotropia and analyze the influential factors. Methods From 2000 to 2004, 95 patients hospitalized in our department underwent strabismus surgery and followed up for one week to 3 years. We retrospectively analyzed the deviation and superior sensory outcome at week 1 (95 cases) and week 6 (58 cases) after surgery. Results Seventy-four cases (82.11%) were completely corrected in one-week follow-up, and 46 cases (79.31%) in six-week follow-up. Nineteen cases (32.76%) recovered superior sensory. Conclusion Timely surgery of concomitant exotropia can improve not only the appearance but also the function of the eyes.

Pain is all lumbocrural pain cases very common clinical symptoms,but the etiology, pathology, site (range or area), intensity, nature, evolution situation and influence factors of pain usually has some certain characteristics and rules, these differences particularly are regarded as the primary and important basis or clue for the clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of related diseases. In addition, according to these differences can determine the individual diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation as well, including typical and atypical, simple and compound, the general and special cases, these be- come the basis to determine the individualized therapeutic schedule of this disese.
Back Pain ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis

Pain is common clinical symptoms of lumbocrural, but the etiology, pathology, sites (range or area), intensity, nature, evolution situation and influence factors of pain has some certain characteristics and rules. These differences particularly were regarded as the primary and important basis or clues for the clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of related diseases. A series of exclusive diagnosis for similar symptoms is premise of diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. Ideas and methods of differential diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation can help the diagnosis and identification.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; diagnosis ; Lumbar Vertebrae

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety ofHJ-RY-1 therapeutic pad ofsoft stone in treating osteoarthritis.Methods:Patients with osteoarthritis with syndrome ofqi stagnancy and blood stasis were enrolled according to the diagnostic criteria and the evaluation standard ofcurative effect in Instruction Principle ofClinical Research ofNew Chinese Medicines, and were randomly divided into experimental group(treating by HJ-RY-1 therapeutic pad ofsoft stone) and the control group(treating by the paster offar infrared bioactive ceramics).Put them respectively on the afflicted part for more than 12 hours a day, and the treatment course ofboth groups lasted 14 days.The main turnover was determined by the improvement of6 clinical parameter indices and the incidence rate ofwhole curative effect and side effect after a treatment of7 days and 14 days.Results:72 patients were randomly equally divided into two groups, and received predetermined interveneing therapy.There were similar baseline characteristics and comparabilities between them.Totally 68 patients finished 2 weeks follow-up observation and 4 cases were missed(33/36 in experimental group;35/36 in the control group).1 weeks later, there were no significant difference in clinical situation and overall curative effect between two groups.But after two weeks interveneing therapy, there were significant difference on activity pain(t-value was 3.3104), the joint movement range(t-value was 3.1596), self-sensation(t-value was 2.5521) and overall curative effect(t-value was 3.5694) between them(P