Naturally occurring mutations in surface proteins of Hepatitis B virus(HBV)usually result in altered hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)secretion efficiency.In the present study,we reported two conserved residues,M75 and M103 with respect to HBsAg,mutations of which not only attenuated HBsAg secretion(M75 only),but also suppressed HBV genome replication without compromising the overlapping p-gene product.We also found M75 and M103 can initiate truncated surface protein(TSPs)synthesis upon over-expression of full-length surface proteins,which may possibly contribute to HBV genome replication.However,attempts to rescue replicationdefective HBV mutant by co-expression of TSPs initiated from M75 or M103 were unsuccessful,which indicated surface proteins rather than the putative TSPs were involved in regulation of HBV genome replication.

OBJECTIVETo explore the diagnostic value of the radiologic characteristics of osteoporotic Kummell's disease.

METHODSTotal 16 patients with pathologically confirmed osteoporotic Kummell's diseases were reviewed from May 2010 to May 2012, including 4 males and 12 females with the mean age of 73.4 years (ranged, 67 to 83 years old). Radiologic imagings of all patients, including X-ray, CT and MRI, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSIntravertebral linear clefts could be seen on the AP and lateral X-ray films of vertebrae. Sagittal and axial CT scans demonstrated the vacuum cleft phenomenon with liquid and air was identified within the vertebral body. Sagittal MRI showed the callapsed vertebral segment and the area of fluid signal with clear and intact border within the vertebral body. The fluid signal was low on T1-weighted images and high on T2-weighted images and stir images, which was corresponding to an intravertebral vacuum cleft.

CONCLUSIONThe radiologic characteristics of Kurmmell's diseases can provide valuable evidences for the early diagnosis.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osteonecrosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the distribution of water-borne fluoride and the current status of water defluoridation project by improving drinking water quality in endemic fluorosis areas in Shandong province,and to provide scientific basis for making strategies in prevention and control of the disease. Methods According to "the National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2004, 2005 and 2006", 113 endemic fluorosis diseased counties(cities, and districts) of the province's 17 cities were screened in order to investigate the fluoride level in drinking water in fluorosis villages, recheck the fluoride level after implementing the water defluoridation project, and investigate the current status of the water defluoridation project. The fluoride level in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode. Results There were a total of 5816 water defluoridation projects in the province. Most of them were carried out by drilling a deep well to get under-ground water. The wells still in good condition were accounted for 72.80% (4234/5816). Intermittent operated wells were accounted for 3.11% (181/5816). Abandoned wells were accounted for 24.09%(1401/5816). Level of water fluoride was determined in 6940samples from fluorosis villages(villages that not carry out the water defluoridation project as well as villages carried out the water defluoridation project with abandoned wells were included) and the value that lower or equal to 1.00mg/L was determined in 2987 villages which accounted for 43.04% (2987/6940). Level of water fluoride that over 1.00 mg/L was found in 3953 villages which accounted for 56.96% (3593/6940), and the highest level of water fluoride was 11.33 mg/L. Level of water fluoride were determined in 4415 samples from water defluoridation project and the value lower or equal to 1.00 mg/L was in 2983 wells which accounted for 65.53%(2983/4415). The value over 1.00 mg/L was in 1522 wells which accounted for 34.47%(1522/4415), the highest value of water fluoride was 9.71 mg/L. Conclusions Level of water fluoride in up to 1/2 of the villages and 1/3 of the projects, is still higher than the standard in Shandong province. Nearly 1/4 of the project has been abandoned. The current situation for endemic fluorosis control is still not good in the province, countermeasures for endemic fluorosis must be carried out as soon as possible and surveillance of water defluoridation project must be strengthened.

Objective To understand the current situation of endemic fluorosis in Shandong Province,and to provide a scientific basis for development of control strategies.Methods In accordance with the requirements of the national Surveillance Scheme of Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Fluorosis (Trial) and Shandong Provincial Surveillance Scheme of Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Fluorosis (Trial),and to understand the progress of the province's water-improvement projects,10 counties were chosen in the province,and 10 water-improvement projects were selected in each county.Running condition of the water-improvement projects was investigated,and water fluoride content was tested.Three epidemic villages were chosen as fixed monitoring villages in each county.In each village,fluoride content in drinking water was determined,and dental fluorosis of all children aged 8 to 12 was diagnosed.Water fluoride content was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method,and dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was diagnosed by Dean method.Results ① There were 3570 water defluoridation projects in the province,and water-improvement rate was 87.49％ (10 122/11 569).Normal operating projects accounted for 89.10％ (3181/3570),and the passing rate of water fluoride content was 73.14％ (2611/3570),with the maximum water fluoride as 9.71 mg/L.② In the 10 counties,a total of 86 waterimprovement projects were monitored.Normal operation,intermittent operation and scrapped projects accounted for 95.35％ (82/86),3.49％ (3/86) and 1.16％ (1/86),respectively,and passing rate of fluoride content in water was 50.00％ (43/86),and the maximum water fluoride was 5.32 mg/L.③ In the 27 monitored villages with improved water quality,the passing rate of fluoride content in water was 74.07％ (20/27),and the maximum water fluoride was 4.50mg/L.In the 3 monitored villages without improved water quality,villages of mean water fluoride ≤ 1.20 mg/L and ＞ 1.20 mg/L accounted for 33.33％ (1/3) and 66.67％ (2/3),respectively,and the maximum water fluoride was 1.53 mg/L.④ In the 27 monitored villages with improved water quality,the detection rate of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 to 12 was 57.65％(791/1372),and the detection rate of defect type dental fluorosis was 7.80％(107/1372); the index of dental fluorosis was 1.15.In the 3 monitored villages without improved water quality,the detection rate of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 to 12 was 50.97％ (80/155),and the detection rate of defect type dental fluorosis was 7.10％(11/155); the index of dental fluorosis was 1.16.Conclusions In Shandong Province,the running condition of water improvement project to reduce fluoride still needs to be further improved,and the water fluoride is seriously overweight and endemic fluorosis has not been effectively controlled.Preventive measures should be strengthened.

Objective To investigate the current prevailing status of endemic fluorosis in the Yellow River basin of Shandong Province and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Nine counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation.The content of fluoride in drinking water was determined by F-ion selective electrode and dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was diagnosed by Deans method.Results Water fluoride content was determined in 1761 fluorosis villages,among which 606 villages had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L,accounting for 34.41%(606/1761);1155 villages had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L,which accounted for 65.59%(1155/1761).The highest water fluoride content was 11.33 mg/L.Water fluoride content of 618 water-improving and defluoridation projects had been determined,among which 449 projects had water fluoride content≤1.00 mg/L and accounted for 72.65%(449/618),169 projects had water fluoride content＞1.00 mg/L and accounted for 27.35%(169/618),the highest water fluoride content was 5.85 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8～12 years old was 45.03%(25 579/56 804) and the index of dental fluorosis was 0.80. Conclusions In the Yellow River basin in Shandong Province,up to 50.00%in the villages the water fluoride content exceeds the county standard(≤1.00 mg/L).The prevalence of endemic fluorosis in the basin hasn't been effectively controlled.So the counterrneasures for endemic fluorosis should be carried out as soon as possible.

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province, and to provide scientific evidence for the development of control strategies. Methods According to "The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007", 19 counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation in 2008. Water and urinary fluoride were determined by F-ion selective electrode, dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 were diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluorosis of adults over the age of 16 were examined clinically and by X-rays. Results In 19 counties, 186 villages were surveyed, 44 villages were found with mean water fluoride ≤ 1.00 mg/L, accounting for 23.66%(44/186);the value ＞ 1.00 mg/L in 142 villages,accounting for 76.34% (142/186);maximum water fluoride 8.88 mg/L. Total detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 66.35% (4518/6809), dental fluorosis index was 1.55, and defect rate was 15.39%(1048/6809). Children with urinary fluoride ＞ 1.40 mg/L was 83.29%(2149/2580), and the maximum value was 31.92 mg/L. Detection rates of skeletal fluorosis clinically and by X ray among adults over 16 years were 6.37%(5577/87 607) and 20.23% (229/1132), respectively. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Shandong province is still serious, prevention efforts need to be further increased.

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical effects of auricular acupoint (AA) in the treatment of analgesia during perioperative period in total hip arthroplasty.

METHODSFrom March 2008 to August 2010, 60 patients with late osteonecrosis of the femoral head were treated by total hip arthroplasty and randomly divided into auricular acupuncture (AA) group and control group, 30 patients in each group. There were 11 males and 19 females in the AA group,with an average age of (60.93 +/- 5.90) years; the patients were treated with auricular acupuncture on the point of Shenmen, Subcortex, Kidney and hip joint for four times a week. There were 12 males and 18 females in control group, with an average age of (59.87 +/- 6.21) years; while the patients without auricular acupuncture. VAS score was used to evaluat the degree of pain; Harris score was used to evaluat the function of hip joint. All patients received patient controlled analgesia pump (PCA) for 48 hours after surgery (400 ml liquids were in PCA pump, including 800 mg tramadol and 0.8 mg fentanyl). The dosage of liquids and adverse reaction of PCA pump in different time were recorded.

RESULTSThe VAS score on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th day separately was (3.61 +/- 0.29), (3.59 +/- 0.30), (2.97 +/- 0.26), (2.29 +/- 0.45), and lower than control group, which separately was (4.19 +/- 0.28), (4.00 +/- 0.31), (3.15 +/- 0.29), (2.83 +/- 0.31). The dosage of PCA in AA group separately was (72.27 +/- 8.06), (60.40 +/- 8.16), (44.13 +/- 4.75), (40.40 +/- 3.69), and less than control group, which was (86.27 +/- 8.51), (73.87 +/- 8.32), (54.53 +/- 5.20), (44.67 +/- 6.31) on the time of 0-12, 12-24, 24-36 h and 36-48 h after surgery. During the using of PCA, nausea and vomiting occurred in 5 cases, less than control group (21 cases). Harris score in AA group (78.90 +/- 5.14) was higher than control group (73.37 +/- 5.99) 2 weeks after operation.

CONCLUSIONAuricular acupuncture can reduce postoperative pain, reduce the usage of analgesic and complications, such as nausea and vomiting, improve the function of hip joint after operation.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Acupuncture, Ear ; Adult ; Aged ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pain Management ; Pain, Postoperative ; therapy ; Perioperative Period

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Yougui drink on osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in the proximal femur in steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head in vitro.

METHODSThe BMSCs were induced to osteoblasts in vitro with a conditional medium. The cells cultured with Yougui drink serum were compared with the ordinary one, which both were examined by microscopy, MTU method, ALP and calcium node.

RESULTSMicroscopy and MTU studies showed that Yougui drink could improve proliferation of the osteoblasts. ALP and calcium node studies showed that Yougui drink could improve the activity of the osteoblasts (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONYougui drink has positive effects on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in the proximal femur in steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head in vitro.

Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Femur Head Necrosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Middle Aged ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Osteonecrosis ; Steroids ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study and compare the accuracy and sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and CT scaning in determination of preoperative stage and vascular invasion by pancreatic and ampullary cancers.

METHODSFourty-two pancreatic cancer patients and 18 ampullary cancer patients were studied. With patients prepared according to conventional endoscopy, Olympus EUM-30 scope 1 set with a side view and 360 degrees rotate and switchable scanning probe [ultrasound frequency (7.5/12 MHz)], was introduced to the descending duodenum through the esophagus. Gas within the duodenum and stomach was aspirated. Then, in order to to facilitate ultrasound transmission, 200 ml deaerated water was injected into the duodenum and 500 ml into the stomach to distend it. The structures of each part of pancreatic head and ampullary together with surrounding vessels were scanned. Then, the scope was withdrawn to the gastric antrum, body and fundus gradually, while the pancreatic body and tail were scanned.

RESULTSBetween Apr. 1996 to May 2004, a total of 42 pancreatic cancer patients and 18 ampullary cancer patients were examined by EUS. Meanwhile, all these 58 patients received preoperative CT scaning. The results of stage and vascular invasion determined by EUS in this series were as following; pancreatic cancer group (n = 42): accuracy in T2-4 stage was 100.0% (5/5), 75.0% (9/12) and 48.0% (12/25), respectively; ampullary cancer group (n = 18): T1-4 stage was 75.0% (3/4), 66.7% (2/3), 75.0% (6/8) and 33.3% (1/3), respectively; the accuracy in N stage: P-group: 80.0% in N1 (4/5), 90.0% in N0 (9/10); A-group: 50.0% in N1 (3/6), 91.0% in N0 (10/11). The sensitivity, specificity of vascular invasion, resectability and unresectablilty determined by EUS and CT as compared with surgical findings during operation was 52.9% (9/17), 93.1% (27/29), 77.1% (27/35) and 81.8% (9/11) for EUS (n = 60), respectively; and 11.8% (2/17), 92.6% (25/27), 62.5% (25/40) and 50.0% (2/4) for CT (n = 58), respectively.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopic ultrosonography being one of the best image examinations to determine the stage and vascular invasion for pancreatic and ampullary cancer paitients is able to detect small pancreatic or ampullary cancer less than 2.0 cm in diameter due to its high resolution; but can not detect the secondary multiple distal metastases such as spread into the liver, peritonium or hepatoduodenal ligament, etc. due to its ultrasound depth limitation.

Ampulla of Vater ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Common Bile Duct Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Endosonography ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Mesenteric Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pancreas ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Portal Vein ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Preoperative Care ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vascular Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of telbivudine in healthy Chinese subjects after oral administration of single and multiple doses.

METHODSForty-two healthy adult male and female subjects 18-40 years of age were randomized into four telbivudine dosing groups of 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg. Subjects in the 600 mg group received both a single dose and once daily multiple doses for 8 consecutive days. Telbivudine concentrations in plasma and urine samples collected at different time points before and after the drug administration were measured using HPLC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by using the non-compartmental approach.

RESULTSAfter a single dose of 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg, tmax (median) were 2.50, 2.00, 2.00 and 2.50 hours respectively; t1/2 were (43.3 +/- 15.2) h, (49.1 +/- 14.4) h, (39.4 +/- 12.1) h and (46.7 +/- 20.8) h respectively; Cmax were (1,753.2 +/- 389.0) ng/ml, (2,586.7 +/- 871.4) ng/ml, (3,703.6 +/- 1,219.0) ng/ml and (3454.6 +/- 953.9) ng/ml respectively; AUC(0-infinity) were (12,843.2 +/- 2,925.6) ng.h(-1).ml(-1), (22,948.9 +/- 5,721.0) ng.h(-1)/ml(-1), (26,440.5 +/- 8,938.1) ng.h(-1).ml(-1) and (28, 820.9 +/- 7 912.9) ng.h(-1).ml(-1) respectively, and CL(R) (600 mg) was (6,545.6 +/- 1 504.4) ml/h. The AUCss from multiple doses was (1,088.5 +/- 299.8) ng/ml; Cmax and AUC accumulation ratio were 1.02 +/- 0.21 and 1.23 +/- 0.26 respectively, which implicated moderated accumulation.

CONCLUSIONPharmacokinetic parameters of telbivudine in Chinese healthy subjects were determined.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nucleosides ; pharmacokinetics ; Pyrimidinones ; pharmacokinetics ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; Young Adult