Nanobacteria (NB) is a kind of new bacteria with a diameter of 8 0~500 nm. It has specific mineralizing ability. As a active nidus it can attac h, invade and damage the renal epithelium of collecting ducts and papilla, and t hen form apatite which being the center to induce formation of kidney stones. I n the paper, the research progress on nanobateria contained in kidney stones and its role in kidney stones formation were summarized. The simulation in vitro a nd animal models of kidney stones formation induced by nanobateria were discusse d.

There are two populations of bacteria to affect the formation of urinary stones in humanity. The first one can promote the formation of urinary stone by increasing urinary pH, decreasing concentration of urinary inhibitors , and damaging the protective urothelial glycosaminoglycan layer. The second inhibit the formation of urinary stones. These bacteria ( mainly the intestinal oxalate degrading bacteria such as Oxalobacter formigenes, lactic acid bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis etc) can decrease urinary oxalate concentration by regulating exogenous oxalate. The problems faced and the developing direction were also indicated.

OBJECTIVETo seek the methods in the prevention and cure of urinary stones in the Zhujiang valley in Guangdong province.

METHODSTwenty random urinary stones were quantitatively and morphologically analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD).

RESULTSCalcium oxalate (about 70%) was the main composition of urinary stones in the Zhujiang valley in Guangdong province; while 30% of which was uric acid stones. Most calcium oxalate stones contain phosphate; however, its content usually was less than 10%.

CONCLUSIONSCalcium oxalate, uric acid and phosphate are the main compositions of urinary stones in the Zhujiang valley in Guangdong province. The compositions and phases of urinary stones can be obtained accurately by the combination of XPS and XRD.

Adult ; Aged ; Calcium Oxalate ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Powder Diffraction ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; methods ; Uric Acid ; analysis ; Urinary Calculi ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction ; methods

Effects of serotonin (5-HT) on spontaneous discharges of single hypothalamic arcuate neurons were observed in rat brain slices by extracellular recordings. The results showed that (1) of 149 neurons selected randomly and tested for 5-HT application, 33 (22.2%) were excited, 82 (55.0%) were inhibited, and 34 (22.8%) showed biphasic responses or failed to respond; (2) substitution of low Ca(2+)-high Mg(2+) artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) for normal aCSF abolished the 5-HT-induced inhibitory effect but failed to affect the 5-HT-induced excitatory effect; (3) cyproheptadine, a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist, could block either the 5-HT-induced excitatory or inhibitory effects in all neurons tested; and (4) bicuculline, a GABA(A)-receptor antagonist, blocked the 5-HT-induced inhibitory effect. These results imply (1) 5-HT excites arcuate neurons through a mechanism that is insensitive to the decreased extracellular Ca(2+), suggesting a direct postsynaptic action of 5-HT on the 5-HT-receptors located in the membrane of the neurons recorded; and (2) 5-HT might elicit the inhibitory effect through a Ca(2+)-sensitive release of GABA from intercalated GABAergic local neurons that are excited first by 5-HT.
Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cyproheptadine ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Neurons ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Serotonin ; pharmacology ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo introduce our experience in diagnosis and treatment of 33 patients with Tessier craniofacial clefts.

METHODS33 patients with craniofacial clefts were classified by Tessier classification. According to the type and severity of the clefts, various techniques, from simple local flap transfer to complicated osteotomy and bone grafting were used to correct the deformity in 29 patients.

RESULTSAll patients who underwent corrective operation were satisfied with the result, and there were no complications.

CONCLUSIONS(1) Tessier classification is very important for plastic surgeon to find potential craniofacial deformities related to main signs. (2) No. 7 cleft is one of most common Tessier craniofacial clefts. (3) Each Tessier cleft is unique, therefore, the treatment plans cannot be standardized. Specific corrective operation must be performed on each patient according to the type and severity of the cleft, including simple local flap transfer to complicated osteotomy and bone grafting or distraction osteogenesis.

Craniofacial Abnormalities ; classification ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans

To study the chemical constituents of the fruits of Psoralea corylifolia L., the constituents were isolated and purified by chromatography. Two new compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the ethanol extract. On the basis of chemical and spectroscopic data 1D and 2D NMR, they were identified as 2-(3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-8, 8-dimethyl-8H-pyrano[2, 3-h]chromen-4-one (1) and 5-(2-hydroxyl-1-methyl)-ethyl-4, 5-dihydrofurano[2, 3-h](4'-hydroxyl-3', 5'-dimethoxy)-isoflavone (2), and named as coryfolia D and bavarigenin separately.
Chromones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Isoflavones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Psoralea ; chemistry

Objective To study the cotransfection mB7-1 and mCD1D gene into pancreatic cancer cells of rats and to observe its anti-tmor responses.Methods Recombinant retroviral vectors expressing mB7-1and mCD1D gene were packaged into GP2-293 cell lines and transfected.The expressions of mB7-1 and mCD1D were detected with PCR and Western blot.The positive cells of mB7-1 and mCD1D were used to induce the anti-tumor immunity in vitro.Results Anti-tumor immunity was induced after B7-1 and CD1D positive cells were coinoculated in syngeneic mice.Furthermore,the growth of tumor was inhibited.Conclusions Cotransfection of B7-1 and CD1D could induce anti-tumor effect.This study provide a foundation for the application of B7-1 and CD1D gene therapy in tumor.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in preoperative T-staging of gastric cancer.

METHODSA sulfur hexafluoride-filled microbubble ultrasound contrast agent and a continuous real-time imaging technique of contrast pulse sequencing were used. Normal gastric wall was examined by CEUS in 8 healthy volunteers and the results were compared with the findings on multislice computed tomography. Sixty-two patients with gastric cancer proved by biopsies who received preoperative CEUS examination were involved in this study, and the CEUS result was compared with postoperative pathological findings.

RESULTSThe normal gastric wall presented a one-layer structure in the portal venous phase and a three-layer structure in the arterial and equilibrium phase including a slightly hyper-enhanced inner layer, a hypo-enhanced intermediate layer, and a markedly hyper-enhanced outer layer, which corresponded histologically to the mucosal, submucosal, and muscular-serosal layer, respectively. The accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography and CEUS in determining the T stage of gastric cancer was 72.9% and 88.1% respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (chi(2)=4.37, P=0.036).

CONCLUSIONSCEUS shows the normal gastric wall as a one- or a three-layer structure, which provides a theory base for CEUS in preoperative T-staging of gastric cancer. CEUS is a useful diagnostic method for preoperative T-staging of gastric cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Sulfur Hexafluoride ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography using oral and intravenous contrast agents in preoperative staging of gastric cancer.

METHODSSixty-two patients with biopsy-proven gastric cancer were enrolled into this study, and were examined by double contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography preoperatively. The results were compared with postoperative pathologic findings.

RESULTSThe accuracy of oral contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography and double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in determining the T stage of gastric cancer was 72.9% (T1: 66.7%, T2: 60.0%, T3: 76.9%, T4: 71.4%) and 88.1% (T1: 66.7%, T2: 80.0%, T3: 89.7%, T4: 100%), respectively, with a statistically significant difference between the two methods (P = 0.036). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and Youden index of oral contrast-enhanced gastric ultrasonography and double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in assessment of lymph node metastasis were 74.5%, 66.7%, 72.9%, and 0.41 versus 89.4%, 75.0%, 86.4%, 0.76, respectively. No significant difference in the accuracy of assessment for lymph node metastasis was observed (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDouble contrast-enhanced ultrasonography is useful for preoperative staging of gastric cancer, especially for T staging.

Adult ; Aged ; Contrast Media ; Endosonography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Preoperative Care ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Sulfur Hexafluoride

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function in chronic persistent bronchial asthma and analyze its effect on the improvement of life quality as well as compare its efficacy with Seretide inhaler.

METHODSFifty-seven cases were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (28 cases) and a Seretide group (29 cases) according to the random number table. In heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the therapy of heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied to the regions at the level of Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), or to the heat-sensitized points in the region 6 cun lateral from the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces in the chest. The treatment was given continuously for 8 days, once per day, 12 treatments should be ensured in the later 22 days of the 1st month. In the later two months since then, 15 treatments should be ensured each month (< or = 1 treatment each day). In Seretide group, Seritide manufactured in GlaxoSmithKLine was used, one inhalation each time, twice per day. The cases in both groups were received treatment for 3 months. The changes in lung function such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1), TCM symptoms score, Asthma Control Test (ACT) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed and compared between two groups and within group separately.

RESULTSLung function as FEV1 was improved in either group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The terminal improvement effects on symptoms of Chinese medicine, life quality and others were same between two groups (all P > 0.05). But the improvements in general situation, chills, fever and sweating in heat-sensitive moxibustion group were superior to those in Seretide group (both P < 0.05). Concerning to the improvement in respiratory symptoms, the effect of Seretide was better than that of heat-sensitive moxibustion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHeat-sensitive moxibustion improves lung function, relieves clinical symptoms and benefits life quality for patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma. It's efficacy on the disease is equal to the internationally-recognized effect of Seretide.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life