Chronic hepatitis B is a world-wide health problem and now at least 250 million people have been infected with hepatitis B virus. Current treatment of hepatitis B rarely achieves a cure because the viral replication template which called covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) are resistant to conventional therapies. The phenotype and function of natural killer cells from chronic hepatitis B patients are different to those from acute hepatitis B patients, suggesting that the function of NK cells may be related to clearance of HBV. Some studies have suggested that the differentiation, development and activation of natural killer cells are controlled by the mammalian target of rapamycin. The present review will mainly focus on the biology of hepatitis B virus, the differentiation and development of natural killer cells, and the progress of metabolism of natural killer cells.

Objective: To examine the microbial flora within the root canals with failed root canal therapy by PCR test, to identify detection rate of bacteria and the predominant bacteria species, and to determine the association of the various species with clinical features. Methods: Forty roots with failed root canal therapy were selected for this study. According to clinical features the roots were divided into three groups: pain, fistula and symptomless. After removal of the root filling material, the microbial samples were taken from the canal and detected by PCR test. Results: The microbial flora within root canals of teeth with failed root canal therapy was found to be mixed, six kinds of bacteria were detected. Enterococcus faecalis was the most commonly recovered bacteria species. Significant associations were observed between Prevotella nigrescens and pain, while dependablity was observed between Actinomyces israelii and fistula. Conclusion: The main cause of root canal treatment failure is the persistent microorganisms. The composition of bacteria in teeth with failed root canal therapy has its own specificity.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of semiconductor lasers irradiation after routine root canal preparation on root cannal seal.Methods:60 Single-rooted freshly extracted human teeth were randomly divided into 6 groups(n=10).The crowns were removed at the cementoenamel junction and the roots were endodontically prepared with conventional methods.The roots in groups A and B were irradiated with 1 W semiconductor laser for 20 s,in group C and D were ultrasonically washed for 1 min,in group E and F without any treatment were used as the controls.Then all the roots were filled by vertical condensation of warm gutta-percha.The root cannal seal was evaluated with microleakage measurement.The data was analyzed by ANOVA.The teeth of group B,D and F were sectioned and examined under scanning electron microscope(SEM).Results:The microleakage(mm) of group A,C and E was 1.70±0.82,2.02±0.40 and 4.56±2.72 respectively(A vs E,P<0.01;C vs E,P<0.05;A vs C,P>0.05).SEM observation showed the melting,narrowness or closure of most dentinal tubules in group B,past and/or gutta-percha in the most dentinal tubules of group D.Conclusion:Semiconductor laser irradiation prior to root cannal filling can promote the effects of cannal seal.

Objective: To analyse the level of glucose concentration in saliva and to study the relationship between the level of blood glucose and that of salivary glucose.Methods: Blood glucose level and the glucose concentration in unstimulated mixed saliva taken from testee were measured with Beckman SYNCHRON CX7 System in 60 patients with diabetes mellitus and 60 healthy subjects. Results: The average value of salivary glucose concentration in experimental group was (1.950?0.179) mmol/L, that in control group was (0.953?0.124) mmol/L(P

Objective: To study the effect of pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation combined with acidulated phosphate fluorid (APF) on the acid resistance of human dental enamel. Methods: Enamel samples were prepared from 192 caries-free extracted teeth. The smooth surface and pits and fissures were treated with 12 3 g/L APF for 4 minutes after 100,150 or 200 mJ pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Then the teeth were put into 12.3 g/L of artificial caries inducing solution (acid solution) for 1,5,10 or 24 h respectively. The control teeth were treated with APF only. The amount of calcium dissolved in the solution was determined with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the depth of artificial caries was measured with polarized microscope. Results: The amount of calcium dissolved in the acid solution was significantly less in the groups with laser treatment than that in those without laser treatment (P

Objective:To study the effect of insulin therapy on glucose concentration in saliva in patients with diabetes mellitus(DM), and to study the relationship between blood glucose level and salivary glucose level.Methods: Glucose concentration in blood and in unstimulated mixed saliva was measured with Beckman SYNCHRON CX7 system in 40 DM patients before and after insulin therapy.Results:The average value(mmol/L) of salivary glucose concentration before and after insulin therapy was 2.081?0.287 and 1.571? 0.193 respectively (P

Objective To explore the prophylactic effect of methylprednisolone combined with granisetron on postoperative nausea and vomiting.Methods Two hundred patients scheduled for lumpectomy of breast were randomly divided into four groups with 50 cases each.The patients in group M1 received a pre-anesthesia intravenous doses of methylprednisolone 25 mg,the patients in group M2 were injected methylpredsisolone 25 mg repeatedly four hours later,in group D received a pre-anesthesia doses of dexamethasone 5 mg,in group N normal saline 2 ml.All the four groups of patients received granisetron 3 mg intravenously at the end of surgery.The incidence of nausea and vomiting in the 24 hours were observed.Results The PONV incidences of group M1,M2,D,N were 36%,18%,38% and 58%.Both group M1,M2 and D significantly decreased the total inci-dence of PONV (P <0.05)in the 24 h.The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in group M2, compared with group M1 and group D respectively (P <0.05).Conclusion Methylprednisolone-gran-isetron combination is as equally effective as dexamethasone-granisetron combination for preventing PONV in lumpectomy,but repeated methylprednisolone after 4 h is more effective than dexametha-sone and single-used methylprednisolone.

Objective: To explore the differences among contents of quercetin and kaempferol in four kinds of Semen Cuscutae in Shandong province. Methods : Quercetin and kaempferol are determined by HPLC. Results : The contents of both quercetin and kaempferol are lower in four kinds of Semen Cuscutae. The former is within 0.0002% to 0.0502% and the latter varies from 0.0002% to 0.0205%, respectively. In seeds of Cuscuta chinensis Lam., C. japonica Choisy and C.lupuliformis Krocker, quercetin contents are much higher than kaempferol contents. while in seed of C. australis R.Br., by contrast, its quercetin content is lower than kaempferol. The contents of quercetin and kaempferol have close relation with both the variety and the hostplant. Conclusion : HPLC can be used for the quality evaluation of Semen Cuscutae.

OBJECTIVETo study the injection of NKG5SV gene to inhibit growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSNKG5SV gene was inserted into retroviral vector pLXSN by normal methods. LacZ gene was used as control. LCI-D20 tumor together with saline, pLXSN-LacZ DNA or pLXSN-NKG5SV was subcutaneously inoculated to the nude mice. Tumor formation rate and tumor size were noted 35 days after inoculation. LCI-D20 tumor was inoculated subcutaneously. Saline, pLXSN-LacZ DNA or pLXSN-NKG5SV was intratumorally injected respectively 10 days after inoculation. Tumor growth was observed 35 days after inoculation. Liver cancer was resected 22 days after intrahepatic inoculation. Saline, pLXSN-LacZ DNA or pLXSN-NKG5SV was respectively injected at incisal margin or intraspleen. Mice were killed 35 days after inoculation to observe tumor recurrence at incisal margin, intrahepatic metastasis and extrahepatic metastasis.

RESULTSTumor formation rate and tumor diameter(cm) were 1.76 +/- 0.11, 1.51 +/- 0.34, 0.33 +/- 0.04 in the control group, LacZ group, NKG5SV group respectively when tumor and different cDNA were inoculated together. Tumor diameter(cm) and weight(g) were 0.87 +/- 0.08, 0.83 +/- 0.05, 0.26 +/- 0.04; 0.43 +/- 0.06, 0.38 +/- 0.04, 0.08 +/- 0.06 in the control group, LacZ group, NKG5SV group respectively when different cDNA were injected into the LCI-D20 tumor. Sites with extrahepatic metastasis nidi, incisal margin recurrence tumor size(cm), intrahepatic metastasis nidi, metastasis involved hepatic lobes in the control group, LacZ group, NKG5SV group were 4.25 +/- 1.48, 4.25 +/- 1.04, 0.63 +/- 0.51; 1.51 +/- 0.27, 1.35 +/- 0.17, 0.81 +/- 0.17; 2.50 +/- 1.41, 2.38 +/- 1.06, 1.25 +/- 0.71; 2.13 +/- 0.99, 2.00 +/- 0.75, 1.38 +/- 0.74 respectively when NK cells were injected at incise margin. They were 4.38 +/- 1.85, 4.25 +/- 1.48, 1.00 +/- 0.75; 1.13 +/- 0.23, 0.97 +/- 0.29, 0.76 +/- 0.16; 2.50 +/- 1.41, 2.05 +/- 1.12, 0; 2.13 +/- 0.83, 1.75 +/- 0.88, 0 respectively when NK cell were injected intrasplenicly.

CONCLUSIONSNKG5SV gene can inhibit HCC growth and postoperative metastasis and recurrence.

Animals ; Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; Humans ; Injections ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; genetics ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Receptors, Immunologic ; genetics ; physiology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Objective: To investigate the modification of the classic techniques of total auricle reconstruction with skin expansion, and its clinical application. Methods: We performed three-dimensional measurement of the normal auricle and the expanded flap on 150 microtia patients. According to the data, we carried out total auricle reconstruction using extended postauricle expanded flap techniques for 82 patients of the group. Firstly, a 50 ml kidney-shaped expander was inserted subcutaneously in the mastoid region. Approximately 65 ml saline was injected in about 30 days, and expansion was kept without injection for another 30 days. In the second stage, we removed the expander and dissected the scalp 4-5 cm around the expanded skin, to make a composite flap consisted of expanded skin and extend scalp. Then we used the flap to encapsulate the three-dimensional rib cartilage framework to accomplish total auricle reconstruction. Results: The blood supply and venous drainage of the flap was good. No obvious postoperative flap swelling was observed. Only 2 cases of helix skin necrosis happened in 48 hours after operation. Small area of skin defect was treated by debridement and suture, while larger area of skin defect was repaired with postauricular fascia flap and free skin graft. Postoperative follow-up period was 4-15 months, about 6.7 months in average. Bilateral ear size and position were similar with clear structures and shapes. Helix seemed more slim, auriculocephalic sulcus was obvious, auriculocephalic angle was similar to the other side. There was no color abberration between the front and back side of reconstructed ear. Scars of retroauricular hairline incision and costal cartilage harvesting incision were not obvious. Conclusions The novel surgical techniques is reasonable and simple without fascia flap or skin graft, which is worthy of application by more plastic surgeons.