ObjectiveTo establish the human periodontal ligament fibroblasts(HPDLFs)that express BMP2 and observe their biologicl characterization. MethodsA phagemid expression vector for BMP2 (pBK-B2) was transfected into HPDLFs by using LipofectAMINE. The BMP2 expression was determined by the immunohistochemical ABC method. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OC) production and capacity of mineralization were measured in the transfected cells. ResultsBMP2 protein was expressed in HPDLFs after gene transfection. The BMP2 gene transfected cells showed prominently elevated ALP activity, OC production and increase in mineralized nodules. ConclusionThe results indicate that BMP2 is expressed in HPDLFs and is involved in inducing differ- entiation of HPDLFs into osteoblast-like cells.

S100A4, a member of S100 superfamily of Ca~(2+)-binding proteins, is a polypeptide containing 101 amino acids. S100A4, which is overexpressed in most tumor cells, plays pivotal roles in growth, invasion and migration of tumor by regulating cell cycle progression, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis of cells. This article reviews S100A4′s structure, function and potential application as the new target in the therapy of tumors.

Child ; Fructose ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Status Epilepticus ; drug therapy

Objective To unveil the current situation and bends of Keshan disease in Pingliang city of Gansu province, to evaluate the outcome of related prevention and control measures, and to provide scientific basis for further prevention and treatment of the disease. Methods According to the "the central allowance local public health special funds endemic disease prevention programs grams mountain monitoring programme" and "the diagnostic criteria for Keshan disease" (GB 17021-1997), between 2007 and 2009, local residents from nine monitoring points in Pingliang city of Gansu province were clinically examined, and electrocardiography(ECG) tracings and Xray were taken of suspected cases. Corn, wheat samples and hair samples of children, adults and women were collected, and selenium content of these samples was determined by 2.3-2-amino-naphthalene fluorescence method. Results A total of 5846 residents were surveyed in 3 years, 247 cases of Keshan patients were detected, with a detection rate of 4.23%(247/5846), of which potential cases of Keshan disease 214, the detection rate was 3.66% (214/5846); chronic Keshan disease 33 cases, the detection rate was 0.56% (33/5846); no acute type and subacute Keshan disease detected. A total of 764 abnormal ECG cases were detected, and abnormal detection rate was 13.07%(764/5846). Two hundred and seven cases of suspected patients were examined by chest X-ray, 80 cardiac enlargement cases were detected, the detection rate was 38.6% (80/207). The 262 hair samples of children, adults and women were analyzed, hair selenium was (0.279 ± 0.098)mg/kg. Of the 9 corn and 31 wheat samples collected, corn selenium was (0.0079 ± 0.0029)mg/kg; wheat selenium was (0.0104 ± 0.0078)mg/kg. Conclusions Overall Keshan disease is in a stable and subsided trend in Pingliang city of Gansu province, but there are still a number of potential chronic types, sporadic new cases, suggesting that the disease monitoring, comprehensive prevention and treatment of the patients are the focus.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Liuweidihuang Pills in relieving cellphone electromagnetic radiation-induced histomorphological abnormality, oxidative injury, and cell apoptosis in the rat testis.

METHODSThirty adult male SD rats were equally randomized into a normal, a radiated, and a Liuweidihuang group, the animals in the latter two groups exposed to electromagnetic radiation of 900 MHz cellphone frequency 4 hours a day for 18 days. Meanwhile, the rats in the Liuweidihuang group were treated with the suspension of Liuweidihuang Pills at 1 ml/100 g body weight and the other rats intragastrically with the equal volume of purified water. Then all the rats were killed for observation of testicular histomorphology by routine HE staining, measurement of testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels by colorimetry, and determination of the expressions of bax and bcl-2 proteins in the testis tissue by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with the normal controls, the radiated rats showed obviously loose structure, reduced layers of spermatocytes, and cavitation in the seminiferous tubules. Significant increases were observed in the MDA level (P < 0.01) and bax expression (P < 0.01) but decreases in the GSH level (P < 0.01) and bcl-2 expression (P < 0.01) in the testis issue of the radiated rats. In comparison with the radiated rats, those of the Liuweidihuang group exhibited nearly normal testicular structure, significantly lower MDA level (P < 0.05), bax expression (P < 0.01), and bcl-2 expression (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONLiuweidihuang Pills can improve cellphone electromagnetic radiation-induced histomorphological abnormality of the testis tissue and reduce its oxidative damage and cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Cell Phone ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Radiation-Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Seminiferous Tubules ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Staining and Labeling ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiation effects

Objective:To investigate the effect of metformin and arsenic trioxide on KG1a cells proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia and its possible mechanism.Methods:CCK-8 method was used to detect the killing effect of metformin,arsenic trioxide and combined application on KG1a cells.Annexin V-FITC/P1 Dual Stain Flow Cytometry was used to detect the effect of combined application on apoptosis of KG1 a cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression of intracellular apoptosis-,autophagy-related protein.Results:Metformin and arsenic trioxide alone or in combination could inhibit the proliferation of KG1 a cells and induce apoptosis of KG1 a cells,and the proliferation inhibition rate and apoptosis rate in the combined drug group were higher than those in the drug group alone(P＜0.05).The combination of drugs induced upregulation of Caspase 8 protein and P62 protein expression and was higher than that in the drug group alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Metformin can synergize with arsenic trioxide to kill KG1a cells,and its mechanism of action may be related to inducing apoptosis and enhancing autophagy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of chronic hypoxia on left and right ventricular function and the expression of cardiac transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels in rats.

METHODSForty eight SD male rats were randomly divided into control group (CON) and chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension model group (CH) (n = 24). In CH group, rats were exposed in chronic hypoxia environment (10% +/- 0.2% O2) to induce myocardial hypertrophy. After 3 weeks, mean systemic arterial pressure (mSAP), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of rise (LV/RV + dp/dt(max)), left or right ventricular pressure maximum rate of descent (LV/RV-dp/dt(max)), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVMI) and left ventricular hypertrophy index (LVMI) were measured. Left and right ventricular myocardium tissue sections were stained by HE and observed under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time-PCR) and Western blot were performed to detect the expression of TRPC subfamily.

RESULTSRVSP, RVMI, RV + dp/dt(max) and RV-dp/dt(max) were markedly elevated in CH group (P < 0.01) in comparison to CON group. LVMI was markedly reduced in CH group in comparison to CON group (P < 0.01). LVSP, LV + dp/dt(max) and LV- dp/dt(max) had no significant changes in CH group in comparison to CON group. Right ventricular myocardial cells of CH group became thick, the nuclei stained deeply, the shape of nuclei became not regularity. Left ventricular myocardial fibers did not change significantly. There was significant difference in the levels of mRNA and protein of TRPC1 between CON and CH groups.

CONCLUSIONFor three weeks exposed to chronic hypoxia induced right ventricular hypertrophy specifically, raised the mRNA and protein expression of TRPC1 on right ventricular myocardial cells . TRPC1 might be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transient Receptor Potential Channels ; metabolism ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology ; Ventricular Function, Right ; physiology

Objective To compare changes in dental arch and soft and hard tissue produced by the Damon Q self-ligating bracket and 3M metal bracket with non-extraction treatment in maxillary mild-to-moderate crowding cases. Meth-ods Eighty seven patients were selected in our study, who were assigned to 4 groups by the crowding degree of maxillary and appliance type:ⅠandⅡcrowding degree using Damon Q self-ligating bracket groups (41 cases);ⅠandⅡcrowding de-gree 3M metal bracket groups (46 cases). We measured lateral cephalometric radiographs and dental casts at both beginning and end of treatment. Paired t-tests and group t-tests were used in statistical analysis to compare the alteration in dental arch and soft and hard tissue. Results There was significant increase in width and length of maxillary dental arch by non-extraction treatment withⅠandⅡcrowding degree maxillary, but the results of both groups were not of statistical difference. To compare hard and soft tissue in two groups withⅡcrowding degree maxillary, the reduction of nasolabial angle, angle of inclination of upper lip, angle of upper lip and lower lip had obvious statistical significance and it is more prominent in self-ligating bracket group than in conventional bracket group. Conclusion Using non-extraction treatment, when maxillary crowding is moderate, ,Damon Q self-ligation bracket group result in more prominent changes of upper lip protrusion than 3M bracket with more marked crowding . Therefore, clinical doctors should pay more attention to choose bracket and treat-ment system for patients with marked crowding of maxillary dentition.

Objective:To compare the effect of ordinary Guipiwan and Ultra-micro Guipiwan on the rat models of both qi and blood defi ciency.Methods:Rat models of both qi and blood defi ciency,induced by re1easing blood and intraperitoneal injections of cyclophosphamide,were divided into model group,high,middle,and low dosage ultra-micro Guipiwan solution groups,ordinary Guipiwan solution group and blank control group.Drugs were given once a day intragastrically,successively for 14 days.At the end of the experiment,the countings of red cells,white blood cells,platelet,hemoglobin and the levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in serum and were measured.Results:Ultra-micro Guipiwan increased the levels of blood cells,platelet,hemoglobin and the levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in serum of the rats with both qi and blood defi ciency,the effect was better than Guipiwan(P

Objective To analyze diagnostic experience of children with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) and assess its surgical results.Methods Six children with ALCAPA had been diagnosed in our hospital from Mar. 2006 to Oct.2007 aged from 6 months to 10 years old(median 43.5 months).The medical data included common clinical presentations,the findings of electrocardiogram(ECG),the echocardiogram,ECG-gated 64-slice computed tomography,the digital subtraction angiogram (DSA),surgical records and the outcome.Results Diaphoresis,fantod,breathlessness and difficult feeding were commonly presented in 5 cases ALCAPA and the 5 children presented with left ventricular failure in infancy.The predominant ECG findings were Q waves and ST segment changes in the anterolateral chest leads in 4 cases,ST changes in 1 case,and normal ECG in 1 case.Cross-sectional echocardiography showed dilated left ventricles with poor contractility in 4 cases,medium mitral regurgitation in 2 cases and severe mitral regurgitation in 2 cases,aneurysmal dilatation of the right coronary artery(RCA) in 2 cases.CT and DSA examinations showed characteristic changes in these children.The surgical reestablishment of a two-coronary system was performed in 5 cases,direct reimplantation in 2 cases and creation of an autologous extrapulmonary tunnel in 3 cases.Simultaneous mitral annuloplasty was performed in 2 cases.After operation,the symptoms of 5 cases were all improved and none died.Conclusions Understanding the clinical manifestations and lab findings of ALCAPA is helpful to making an early diagnosis of ALCAPA.Early surgical treatment can improve the patients′ outcome.