Pancreatic stone protein (PSP) is the product of exocrine pancreas mainly synthesized and secreted by the pancreas acinar cells, a small amount secreted by gastrointestinal cells. PSP is one of stress protein family members secreted in the pancreas. PSP increased in acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, inlfammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal tumors. In recent years, some studies showed that PSP has potential clinical value in pancreatic injury and sepsis. In this article, we reviewed the progress of pancreatic stone protein in pancreatic injury and sepsis.

Professor WU Lianzhong's experience of neck acupoints application is introduced. The characteristics,locations, acupuncture manipulations ,efficiency and main functions of neck acupoints including Tiandixue (Extra), Jingbixue (Extra), and cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) are stated. According to the TCM thought of treatment based on syndrome differentiation,WU Lianzhong's special theory of neck acupoints application is explained so as to provide experience for improving acupuncture effects.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Dizziness ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Neck ; anatomy & histology ; Qi

Background The impact of statins on inflammation are independent of cholesterol-lowering effect.Recent studies showed that Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),a mediator of innate immune responses,is involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.Objective To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on LPS-induced TLR4 expression and downstream signals and to explore the molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation by statins.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were pretreated with atorvastatin(1 or 10 ?mol/L)or NF-?B inhibitor CAPE for 30 min,then incubated by purified LPS for 24 hours.TLR4,ICAM-1 and E-selectin mRNA were measured by RT-PCR;the percentage of TLR4 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry.The activation of NF-?B(p65)were detected by Western blot.Results Atorvastatin(1-10 ?mol/L)prevented LPS-induced increases in TLR4,ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression [TLR4 mRNA(1.24?0.21)vs LPS(1.82?0.27),P

Visualization of medical images has become an important method for the basic medical research as well as clinical diagnosis and treatment.Construction of the highly sophisticated three-dimensional(3D) models of the human body by computers has become an essential foundation for current medical research and disease treatment methods.Visualization Toolkit(VTK) is a kind of famous software in scientific visualization fields.It is convenient and efficient for programming.This paper implements three typical algorithms,Contour-connecting,Marching Cubes and Ray-casting,of medical image 3D visualization using VTK with VC++.Results show that VTK is a powerful tool with many advantages,such as simple operation,fast,and good interaction ability and can be widely used in 3D reconstruction of medical images.

BACKGROUND:The stress distribution in the periodontal ligament of bending root can provide reference for the size and manner of force in orthodontic treatment. On this account, it can optimize the design of orthodontic force. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the stress distribution of root and periodontal ligament in the bending roots of the
maxil ary first molar under different orthodontic forces.
METHODS:The maxil ary first molars with normal roots and bending roots were selected, and then the finite element models of maxil ary first molars and periodontal ligaments were established through CT scan and
Workbench 11.0 finite element analysis software. The models were loaded with six different methods to analyze the stress distribution.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The stress distribution of bending root was mainly concentrated in the tooth
neck, fol owed by the apex. During the overal tooth movement, the stress was smal est on the root, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Correction of bending roots needs more accurate positioning and traction.

Objective:To examine the expression pattern of DSP,DMP1,CBFA1,BMP2 in rat dental pulp stem cells(RDPSCs).Methods:Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using antibodies against DSP,DMP1, CBFA1 ,BMP2 in rat dental pulp stem cells. Mineralization was induced in the RDPSCs and expression of DSP and DMP1 was measured after induction.Results:CBFA1 and BMP2 were positive in RDPSCs. Only a few RDPSCs were stained positive for DMP1. DSP expression was observed in the minority of these cells. However, the majority of the RDPSCs were found strongly positive for DSP and DMP1 after mineralization induction.Conclusion:Positive expression of CBFA1 and BMP2 indicates the premature nature of RDPSCs. The dentin-specific expression of DSP demonstrates that the RDPSCs can differentiate along odontoblastic lineage.

Objective To investigate whether ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibitor-1(OAZI-1) can enhance the immunogenicity of Melan-A and induce antitumor immune effect in the experimental animals.Methods The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-) /OAZI-1, pcDNA3.1 (-)/Melan-A and pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 were constructed and used to immunize BALB/c mice.The spleen lymphocytes were prepared from the immunized mice and then used to determine the lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry assay and tumor-killing activity by LDH release assay.The blood samples were collected from the immunized mice and used to test the serum INF-γ by ELISA.Results The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)/OAZI-1, pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A and pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 were successfully constructed.All three gene vaccines could increaseCD4+ T cell ratio (P<0.05), among of them, the ratio in the pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 and pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A immunized groups increased more significantly than other groups but no obvious differences was observed between these two groups.Similarly, all three gene vaccines could also increased CD8+T cells ratio significantly (P<0.05), but, comparing with all other groups, the highest increase was observed in the pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 immune group (P<0.05).The pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 gene vaccines significantly increased cytotoxic activity of the spleen lymphocyte in the immune mice(P<0.05).Among the three gene vaccines only pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 could significantly increased the INF-γ level in the mice serum (P<0.05).Conclusions OAZI-1 can improve antitumor immunity by promoting tumor antigen presentation.

Objective To discuss the foreground of application of reverse engineering reconstruction of dental models and to establish the foundation of developing a system for complete denture CAD/CAM. Methods The models of an edentulous jaw were measured with reverse engineering, and the 3D models were reconstructed with a computer. Results 3D models of the edentulous jaw were achieved. The characteristics of these 3D images were clear and accurate. Conclusion CAD models are reconstructed with reverse engineering accurately and technical problems in 3D model of complete denture CAD/CAM are resolved.

Objective:To investigate the effect of saw palmetto extract ( SR ) on GL261 glioma in rats and immune system.Methods:The 40 rats were divided into 4 groups randomly,one was the control group without tumor( the blank group) ( n=10) ,the other 30 rats were given subcutaneous inoculation of tumor cells and then divided into 3 groups:the tumor-bearing group( n=10) ,low dose SR group( n=10) ,and high dose SR group( n=10).After 1 week fed,the rats of SR groups were given the saw palmetto extract,low dose group 50 mg/kg once a day every other day and 300 mg/kg of high dose group every other day.The tumor-bearing groups received the same dose of distilled water.After 4 weeks fed, we measured the tumor weight and the inhibition rate was calculated.The tumor cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining.The activity of splenic macrophages was detected by macrophage phagocytosis of chicken erythrocytes and CD4+lymphocytes by flow cytometry.Results:①The SR groups compared with tumor group, the tumor weight was significantly reduced(F=62.678,P=0.000).The tumor inhibition rate was significantly higher in high dose group.②The apoptosis of tumor cells in tumor-bearing group was significantly less than SR groups and the apoptosis was significantly increased after treatment with SR ,especially in high dose SR group(F=1.287,P=0.000).③Compared with the blank group,the macrophage activity decreased remarkablely.SR enhanced the macrophage activity obviously, positively related to doses of SR ( F=141.205,P=0.000;F=126.903,P=0.000).④In the tumor-bearing group,the CD4+lymphocyte count decreased significantly.After SR treatment,the CD4+lymphocyte increased and were positively related to the dose of SR.Conclusion: Saw palmetto extract can strengthen the immune system.

Purpose To detect the distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in patients with hypertension and evaluate its related risk factors in order to reduce long-term risk of cerebral hemorrhage in large areas. Materials and Methods A consecutive 110 patients of hypertension and 50 patients of non-hypertension in the departments of cardiovascular medicine and neurology were enrolled. All the patients underwent T2 star weighted angiography (SWAN) sequence scan of head. The location and quantity of CMB and other related information of patients were recorded. The distribution of CMB in patients with hypertension and correlation between CMB and age, sex, level of hypertension, duration of time, hemoglobin, platelets, smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia were also analyzed. Results A total of 472 CMB were detected in the hypertension group, of which 212 CMB (44.9%) were found in deep brain, 149 (31.6%) were in cortical and subcortical region, 111 (23.5%) under the tentorium. The highest distribution of CMB was in thalamus (98, 20.8%), followed by basal ganglia (78, 16.5%), temporal lobe (64, 13.6%) and brainstem (62, 13.1%). The univariate analysis showed that CMB group had significantly higher rate of hypertension and diabetes than that without CMB and the average age in CMB group was also higher (P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that age and hypertension were independent risk factors for CMB. In hypertension group, there was statistically significant difference in the incidence of CMB between patients aged 45 and older and those aged under 45 (P<0.05);the differences were significant between the patients with hypertension duration time less than 5 years, those with hypertension duration time 5 to 10 years and those over 10 years (P<0.05);the differences also existed between the patients with hypertension at class I and those patients with hypertension at class II and III (P<0.05). The quantity of CMB in patients with hypertension was correlated with duration time (P<0.05), but not correlated with age and the severity of hypertension (P>0.05). Conclusion Hypertension and age are independent risk factors for CMB. Patients aged 45 and older, with more than 5 years duration of hypertension, or with hypertension at class II and III, should be paid more attention in clinic. If necessary, magnetic resonance examination is suggested to be used, in order to reduce long-term risk of cerebral hemorrhage.