OBJECTIVEThis study aims to assess and compare the prevalence of Porphyromonas endodontalis (P. endodontalis) in root canals associated with primary and secondary endodontic infections by using 16s rDNA PCR and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR).

METHODSA total of 120 adult patients with one radiographically documented periapical lesion were included. Sixty teeth presented with primary endodontic infections and 60 with secondary endodontic infections requiring retreatment. P. endodontalis was identified by using 16s rDNA PCR techniques. The positive DNA expression of P. endodontalis in two types of infected root canals were quantitatively compared by using SYBR GREEN I RTFQ-PCR.

RESULTSThe prevalence of P. endodontalis in the root canals with primary endodontic infections was significantly higher than that in root canals with secondary endodontic infections (P = 0.001). However, RTFQ-PCR results showed no significant difference in DNA expression quantities between the primary and secondary endodontic infections root canals (P = 0.303).

CONCLUSIONP. endodontalis is more highly associated with root canals having primary endodontic infections, although P. endodontalis colonize in both root canals with primary and secondary chronic apical periodontitis.

Adult ; DNA, Bacterial ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyromonas endodontalis ; Retreatment

Objective To investigate the effect of ERK1/2 phosphorylation on the proliferation of human aorta vascular smooth muscle cells (HAVSMCs) stimulated by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) Methods CCK8 was used to test the effect of AGEs with different concentration on the proliferation of HAVSMCs, and the effect of PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK1/2, on HAVSMCs proliferation stimulated by AGEs was also detected. Flow Cytometer (FCM) was used to detect the cell cycle transformation induced by AGEs. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of relative proteins. Results 10 mg/L AGEs observably facilitated the proliferation and the DNA synthesis of HAVSMCs and PD98059 (40 umol/L) markedly inhibited the proliferation and cell cycle evolution of HAVSMCs induced by AGEs. Furthermore, ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and PCNA were regulated by AGEs and thus it showed time and dose dependent. Conclusion AGEs participates in the proliferation of HAVSMCs by activating ERK1/2 signal path.

Objective Understanding the risk factors of female infertility among child-bearing aged women, in Nanchang area. Methods A hospital-based matched case-control study was carried out in Nanchang. Matched by age ( ±2 years old) , 383 pairs of cases and controls were recruited and studied. Database was established with EpiData 3.0 software. Both cases and controls were interviewed face to face, with a uniformed questionnaire. Conditional logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis on SPSS 11.5 to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Data from multiple conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of infertility would include pelvic inflammatory diseases (0R=7.078, 95% Ch 3.462-14.467),post-abortion complications' history(0R=3.674, 95% CI: 1.690-7.986), drug treatment history (0R=23.576, 95% Ch 12.324-45.102), dysmenorrhea (0R=1.622, 95% CI: 1.161-2.266), pain from sexual intercourse (0R=2.447, 95% CI: 1.201-4.986), monthly frequency of sexual intercourse (0R=1.416,95% CI: 1.048-1.913)and mental stress (0R=2.146, 95% CI: 1.662-2.771). The protective factor of infertility, however, was level ofeducation(0R=0.522,95%Cl:0.391-0.696). Conclusion Prevention and treatment of pelvic infection, application of strictly controlled drugs, popularization of awareness on sexual and reproductive health and relief of mental stress would be important measures in decreasing the incidence of infertility.

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of integrin in hypertrophic scar.

METHODSFibroblasts from 10 samples of human hypertrophic scars was cultured, FQ-PCR assay was applied to detect mRNA expression of alpha-SMA in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts after integrin and FAK antibody blocking.

RESULTSmRNA of alpha-SMA in fibroblasts expressed obviously lower after integrin and FAK antibody blocking than that of control groups ( P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThrough accelerating the synthesis of alpha-SMA, integrin and FAK play an important role in contracture of hypertrophic scar.

Actins ; biosynthesis ; Adult ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Contracture ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Integrins ; biosynthesis ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To report the outcome of emergency repair of severe complex defect in forearm by transplantation of free flap and simultaneous functional reconstruction.Methods From Mar.1994 to Aug.2003,4 cases with severe complex defect in forearm was repaired by transplantation of free skin flap, free skin flap combined with fibula flap,or fibula osteocutaneous flap in emergency.Simultaneously the flexion and extension function were repaired by muscle transfer and/or tendon grafting,tenonectomy.Results All the cases were successful.Follow-up period ranged from 1 to 3 years postoperatively.The blood-supply,tex- ture and elasticity of transferred flaps were excellent with good bone healing.Opposition of thumb with four fin- gers was good.Sensory recovery of the hand was satisfactory.Conclusion Transplantation of free flap com- bined with simultaneous functional reconstruction is an ideal method in emergency repair of severe complex de- fect in forearm.

Objective To investigate the status of clinical nurses' professional self-concept and analyze its influencing factors. Methods A total of 572 clinic nurses were investigated by using Professional Self-concept of Nurses Instrument. Results Indicators including married status, education background, age, nursing experiences, professional title and position were influencing factors of professional self-concept.Conclusions Clinical nurses below 30 years old or under 10 years nursing experiences or lower professional title or no position or single should emphasize on professional self-concept.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tanshinone II A on the expression of epidermal growth facter (EGF) and epidermal growth facter recepter (EGFR) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721.

METHODSThe human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells cultured in vitro was treated with different concentrations of Tanshinone II A. The proliferation of the cells was measured by MTT assay, and the apoptosis of the cells was investigated by flow cytometry and cytochemical staining with Hoechst 33342. The expression of EGF and EGFR was detected by immunocytochemistry method. The levels of EGF in medium were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTTanshinone II A inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells remarkably in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory rate reached the peak (72.5%) after 0.5 microg/ml Tanshinone II A was used for 48 h, which was significantly higher than that in the controls (P<0.05). FCM analysis showed that when SMMC-7721 cells were treated with 0.5 microg/ml Tanshinone II A, the apoptosis rates for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h were (4.06+/-0.27)%, (7.58+/-0.56)% and (5.23+/-0.13)%, respectively which were markedly higher than those in the controls (all P<0.01). SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis with cell shrinkage, nuclear chromatin concentration and fragmentation as well as the formation of apoptotic bodies were observed by cytochemical staining when treated with Tanshinone II A. The immunocytochemistry showed that the expressions of EGF and EGFR were down regulated while the concentration of Tanshinone II A was increasing. The high expression rates for EGF and EGFR were 10%, 20%, respectively, and the gray scale was 181.52+/-1.63, 179.37+/-1.59, which were markedly higher than those in the controls (all P<0.05). The levels of EGF in medium measured by radioimmunoassay were decreased significantly after Tanshinone II A treatment.

CONCLUSIONTanshinone II A can inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, which may be related to the down-regulation of EGF and EGFR protein expression.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between CTLA-4 gene polymorphism and Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in children.

METHODSSixty children who were diagnosed with HSP were enrolled as the case group, consisting of 33 males and 27 females. Thirty healthy children were enrolled as the control group. The patients were further divided into HSP nephritis (HSPN) and non-HSPN groups (n=30 each) according to the presence or absence of nephritis. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to analyze the genotype and allele frequencies at +49 and -1722 loci.

RESULTSAA, AG, and GG genotypes were detected at +49; neither genotype nor allele frequencies showed significant differences between the case and control groups, between the HSPN and non-HSPN groups, and between male and female patients (P>0.05). TT, TC, and CC genotypes were detected at -1722; neither genotype nor allele frequencies showed significant differences between the case and control groups and between male and female patients (P>0.05). There were significant differences in CC genotype frequency and T and C allele frequencies between the HSPN and non-HSPN groups (P<0.05). Combinational analysis of +49 A/G and -1722 T/C showed no significant differences in the genotype frequency between the case and control groups and between male and female patients (P>0.05). GG-CC combination showed a significant difference between the HSPN and non-HSPN groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCTLA-4 +49 A/G polymorphism is not associated with HSP. CC genotype and C allele of CTLA-4 -1722 and the combination of GG at +49 A/G and CC at -1722 T/C may be risk factors for HSPN.

CTLA-4 Antigen ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the significance of serum IgD quantitation in evaluation of clinical efficacy in IgD myeloma.

METHODSSerum IgD and free light chain (sFLC) levels were determined by immune scatter turbidimetry with SPA plus analysis machine in 29 patients with IgD multiple myeloma (MM) achieving VGPR or better response following previous treatments. The concurrent immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) results were also incorporated and analyzed.

RESULTSIncreased IgD levels were detected in 1 of 12 patients achieving sCR, 2 of 5 patients achieving CR and 4 of 12 patients achieving VGPR, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 38.5 months, 34.1 months and 15.5 months for patients achieving sCR, CR and VGPR, respectively, with a significant difference between sCR and VGPR groups (P=0.022), and between CR and VGPR groups (P=0.018). There was no difference in overall survival (OS) among sCR, CR and VGPR groups (P>0.05). The median PFS were 7.8, 33.7 and 43.9 months, respectively for the patients with both abnormal sFLC ratios and IgD levels (6 cases, Group A), with either abnormal sFLC ratios or increased IgD levels (10 cases, Group B) or with normal sFLC ratios and IgD levels (13 cases, Group C). A significant PFS benefit of Group A over Group C was found (P=0.033), and no differences in terms of OS among three groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONIgD levels may remain abnormal in IgD MM patients who have achieved VGPR or better response, and IgD quantitation represented a useful assay complementary to the current lab examinations. IgD quantitation assay was of significance in clinical efficacy evaluation and survival judgement, and should be incorporated into the evaluation parameters used for IgD MM in addition to sFLC and IFE assays.

Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin D ; blood ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains ; blood ; Multiple Myeloma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Remission Induction ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo describe and evaluate a double-antigen sandwich ELISA for detecting human immunodeficiency virus type 1/2 (HIV-1/2) specific antibodies.

METHODSThe peptides gp41.1(sp1), gp41.2(sp2), gp120(sp3) and p24(sp4) of HIV-1 and gp36(sp5) of HIV-2 were artificially synthesized. Then sp1, sp3, sp4 and sp5 were used as coating antigens; sp1, sp2, sp4 and sp5 labeled with HRP were used as conjugates in this sandwich ELISA.

RESULTSThe specificity and sensitivity of the assay were both 100% in detecting anti-HIV of 40 control sera of the second generation panel, higher than indirect ELISA (specificity 90% and sensitivity, 65%, respectively). All of 210 sera from individuals with other diseases were negative for anti-HIV. The consistency rate was 100% when our sandwich ELISA and Abbott HIVAB were used to detect anti-HIV in 90 healthy blood donors and 88 HIV infected individuals.

CONCLUSIONSThe results showed that this sandwich ELISA for detection of anti-HIV is specific, sensitive and convenient, and it is suitable for screening blood donors and detecting HIV infection.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; HIV Antibodies ; blood ; HIV Infections ; blood ; virology ; HIV-1 ; immunology ; HIV-2 ; immunology ; Humans