OBJECTIVETo verify the mechanism of the hepatitis B viral clearance using clinical data.

METHODSViral level and HBV marker in serum were analyzed in 12 patients with acute hepatitis B.

RESULTSThe clearance of hepatitis B virus occurred before the patients were hospitalized in 66.7% of patients. The viral level and the A value of HBsAg;HBeAg declined gradually during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONSIn most of patients with acute hepatitis B in the study, the virus was cleared without destruction of infected cells.

Adult ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; virology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To study the effect of mind mapping on cognitive ability in elderly with mild cognitive impairment(MCI).Methods A total of 60 elderly aged were randomly divided into training group (30 cases) and control group(30 cases).Elderly in control group received routine maintenance of living habits.The elderly in the training group received miud mapping training intensively for 30 minutes every day for 12 months.The training effects were evaluated by mini-mental state examination(MMSE) and abilities of daily living scale(ADL).Results After training,the score of MMSE in the training group( six months:25.55 ± 1.17;one year:26.30 ±1.64) were significantly higher than before intervention( P＜ 0.05 ) and higher than that of control group(24.90 ± 1.97) (P＜0.05).The score of ADL in the training group( 14.47 ±0.64) were significantly lower than before intervention( 14.47 ±0.64) and that of control group( 15.47 ± 1.19) ( P＜ 0.05).Conclusion Mind mapping training can improve the cognitive abilities of MCI older people.

OBJECTIVETo observe application value of multispectral animal living imaging technology in rats model of osteoarthritis.

METHODSFifteen male SD rats weighed (180 +/- 20) g (3 months old) were received intra-articular injection of iodoacetic acid for establishing osteoarthritis. Articular cavity of left knee of rats were injected into 50 microl iodoacetic acid. The same volume of sterile saline was injected into right knee articular cavity as control. X-ray living imaging and bone mineral density were observed at 2 and 4 weeks after establishment of model. After 4 weeks,rats were sacrificed and their bilateral joints were collected and determined histologically based on Collins classification and Kellgren-Lawrence classification.

RESULTSOsteoarthritis model was successfully established, compared with control group, model group showed typical manifestation of osteoarthritis, including irregular cartilage surface,osteophyte formation,joint deformity and cartilage defect,and combined with significant decrease of bone density (P < 0.01), while the decrease was not obvious in proximal tibia (P < 0.05). After 2 weeks, knee joints in model group was classified as Collins grade 1 and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2,then classified as Collins grade 4 and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 after 4 weeks,control group showed smooth articular surface,normal joint space and intact cartilage surface, knee joints was classified as Collins and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 0, and bone density of distal femur and proximal tibia were normal.

CONCLUSIONMultispectral animal living imaging technology could be used in dynamic observation of living imaging and detection of bone density in the animal model of osteoarthritis, and it is significant for evaluation of osteoarthritis model, and its realted tesearch.

Animals ; Bone Density ; Disease Models, Animal ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Radiography ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects and to summarize the clinical experience of benign prostatic hypertrophy(BPH) with inguinal hernia in the elderly 70-89 years. Methods Clinical data of 32 patients 70-89 years old simultaneously undergone transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and plug-mesh tension-free hernia repair from July 2000 to May 2005 were retrospectively analyzed and followed up. Results The average operating time was (85.0?12.8)minutes, the average blood loss was (90.0? 18.7 )ml. No postoperative death or life threatening complications were revealed. By 7-40 months of following up reported that there were no recurrence of hernia as well as no incontinence and urethral stenosis or other complications. IPSS,maximal flow rate and residual urine were evidently improved after operation. Conclusion Combined TURP and plug-mesh tension-free hernia repair is a safe and effective procedure for the elderly patients.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of H2O2 on the morphological pattern,vitality,proliferation,cycle period of rabbit intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells.

METHODSTen New Zealand white rabbits (2 to 3 kg, female) were used for isolating nucleus pulposus cells under sterilized condition. The culture solution with 15% FBS and DMEM/F12 (1:1) was applied for cell cultivation. After 90% cell fusion, the first generation was obtain and stimulated by H2O2 with different concentrations of 0 micromol/L (control group), 130 micromol/L,216 p.mol/L,360 Ipmol/L, 600 micromol/L,and 1000 micromol/L.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, there was little difference of the biological property (P>0.05) in 130 micromol/L and 216 micromol/L H202-treated groups. When the concentration of H2O2 attained 360 micromol/L, 600 micromol/L, and 1 000 micromol/L, the cells suffered aging,with increased cell vacuoles,decreased proliferation,and aging:related increase of 13-galactosidase dyeing. The cell cycle of many nucleus pulposus cells was blocked in G1 stage other than entering S stage. With increasing H2O2 concentrations, the aging degree was increased.

CONCLUSIONA certain concentration of H202 could induce early aging of nucleus pulposus cells,resulting in biological abnormalities of these cells.

Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cellular Senescence ; drug effects ; Female ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Intervertebral Disc ; cytology ; drug effects ; Oxidative Stress ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo study the roles of type II 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11β-HSD2) and it's signaling factors in the lung tissue in pathogenesis of persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in neonatal rats.

METHODSSix Sprague-Dawley rats on the 19th day of pregnancy were randomly divided into PPH and control groups (n=3 each). The PPH group was intraperitoneally injected with indomethacin (0.5 mg/kg) twice daily and exposed in 12% oxygen for three days, in order to prepare a fetal rat model of PPH. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline and exposed to air. Neonatal rats were born by caesarean section from both groups on the 22nd day of pregnancy. In each group, 15 neonatal rats were randomly selected and sacrificed. 11β-HSD2 expression in the lung tissue of neonatal rats were observed by Confocal laser technology, and serum cortisol levels and prostacyclin, renin, angiotensin and aldosterone in the lung tissue of both groups were measured using ELISA.

RESULTS11β-HSD2 protein was widely expressed in the lung tissue of the control and PPH groups. The levels of 11β-HSD2 and prostacyclin in the lung tissue were lower in the PPH group than in the control group, while serum cortisol levels and renin, angiotensin and aldosterone in the lung tissue were higher in the PPH group than in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS11β-HSD2 and it's signaling factors play roles in pathogenesis of PPH in neonatal rats.

11-beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 2 ; analysis ; physiology ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; enzymology ; etiology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of matrix gamma carboxy glutamic acid protein(MGP) for coronary heart disease(CHD) .Methods Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed for the detection of serum MGP level in health‐y subjects and CHD patients with different coronary artery calcium score(CACS) .Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of MGP for CHD .Results Between CHD patients and healthy subjects ,and CHD patients with different CACS ,the difference of serum MGP level was significant ,and serum MGP level was positively correlated with CACS (P<0 .05) .ROC curve of showed that the area under ROC curve was 0 .667 ,the diagnostic threshold was 70 .69 pg/mL ,the diag‐nostic sensitivity was 58 .80% ,the specificity was 83 .70% and the Youden index was 0 .425 .Conclusion CHD patients might be with abnormal serum MGP level ,which could be positively correlated with CACS .MGP might be with significant value for the diag‐nosis of CHD ,could be useful for the clinical prevention and early diagnosis of CHD .

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of vertebral height restoration of vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebra compression fractures (VCFs).

METHODSFrom October 2004 to June 2007, a total of 37 patients with 40 VCFs were treated by vertebroplasty. There were 12 males and 25 females with a mean age of (72.4 +/- 12.7) years (ranged, 48 to 87). Pain easement state was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) before and after operation, as well as in followed-up. Preoperative and postoperative vertebral height, kyphosis angle at fractured levels were measured on X-rays.

RESULTSAll of patients were followed-up for 12 to 47 months (averaged, 35.8 +/- 9.6). The VAS score was 8.4 +/- 1.6 before operative, 2.1 +/- 1.2 at the 2nd day after operative, there were significant difference between pre-and postoperative (P < 0.05); the average follow-up VAS was 1.6 +/- 0.9, there were significant difference as compared with the preoperative (P < 0.05). Lateral X-ray showed that the preoperative degree of vertebral height in the of anterior and middle vertebral were (72.0 +/- 10.6)% and (68.0 +/- 15.6)%, and postoperative were (76.0 +/- 8.6)% and (73.0 +/-6.1)%, respectively. There were no significant difference in vertebral height between preoperative and postoperative. The vertebral kyphosis angle was corrected from preoperative (7.8 +/- 2.7) degree to postoperative (8.1 +/- 2.3) degree.

CONCLUSIONVertebroplasty is a safe and effective method for treatment of osteoporotic VCFs, it can relieve the pain effectively. Failure to restore vertebaral height does not seem to interfere with the excellent pain management.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fractures, Compression ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis ; complications ; Radiography ; Spinal Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Spine ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vertebroplasty ; methods

BACKGROUNDElastin derived peptides can regulate melanocyte precursor development. Ultraviolet irradiation, infrared radiation and heat can increase the synthesis of tropoelastin in human skin epidermis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the over expressed tropoelastin in epidermis has some role in melanogenesis of melanocytes.

METHODSA375 human melanoma cells were treated with different concentrations of kappa elastin for 24 hours. A375 human melanoma cells were randomly assigned to control, kappa elastin, and lactose pre-incubated groups. The cell viabilities were detected by the methyl thiazoleterazolium assay. Melanin content and tyrosinase activity in A375 melanoma cells were measured. The expressions of endothelin B receptor (ET(B)R) mRNA and c-kit mRNA in A375 melanoma cells were measured by quantative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSFifty µg/ml of kappa elastin significantly increased the melanin content by 56.64% compared with the control (P < 0.05). Kappa elastin increased cellular tyrosinase activity by 46.73% compared with the control at 24 hours (P < 0.05). Kappa elastin increased the expressions of ET(B)R and c-kit mRNA levels by 2.13-fold and 2.47-fold compared with the controls, respectively. When pre-incubating cells with a lactose solution (10 mmol/L), the inhibition on melanin production was 34.96% compared with the kappa elastin group (P < 0.05), tyrosinase activity was inhibited by 29.93% compared with kappa elastin group (P < 0.05), and the expressions of ET(B)R mRNA and c-kit mRNA were decreased by 1.56-fold and 0.82-fold compared with kappa elastin group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONKappa elastin increased the melanogenesis in A375 melanoma cells via the stimulation of tyrosinase activity and the expression of ET(B)R and c-kit. The over expressed tropoelastin produced by keratinocytes might play a role in melanogenesis of epidermal melanocytes.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Elastin ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; drug effects ; Melanins ; metabolism ; Melanoma ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Receptor, Endothelin B ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate whether 18F-fluorothymidine(FLT) can be used to monitor early response to irradiation in colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods SW480 cells were cultured and irradiated with 0, 10, and 20 Gy.Twenty-four hours later, morphological changes, apoptosis, necrosis, proliferation,and cell cycle phases were observed.Uptake of 18F-FLT was measured in these tumors in vitro from 24 h to 72 h after irradiation.The one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the data.Results Apoptotic and necrotic cells were detected 24 h after radiotherapy.SW480 cells proliferation was significantly delayed after irradiation in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenylte-trazolium bromide (MTI) assay.Cell cycle analysis showed that SW480 cells had a decreased fraction of cells in S phase( from 33.23% to 9.24%,then to 5.43% ) and an arrested fraction in G0-G1.After SW480 cells were cultured for60 min, the uptake of 18F-FLT was (5.21 ± 1.60) %; and 24 h after irradiation of 10 Gy, the uptake decreased significantly to (4.27±0.48)% (F=8.253, P=0.009).And 72 h after irradiation, the uptake further decreased significantly to (3.39 ± 0.59) % ( F = 36.715, P＜0.001 ).In tumor tissue, the uptake of 18F-FLT reduced significantly 72 h after radiotherapy (10 Gy:F = 12.388, P = 0.007; 20 Gy:F = 16.744, P = 0.004) and the attenuation degree increased with the radiation dose.Conclusion The uptake of 18F-FLT in SW480 cells or in CRC could reflect the changes of SW480 cells in proliferation, cell cycle re-distribution, cell apoptosis and necrosis.The results suggest that 18F-FLT may be used for monitoring early response to irradiation of CRC.