Objective To investigate the analgesic effect of oxysophoridine(OSR)and the influence of verapamil(Ver)on the antinociception of OSR when two drugs were co-administrated in mice.Methods The number of writhing within 15 min after ip different doses of OSR was observed in painful mouse mo- dels caused by acetic acid.The hot plate method was used to assess nociceptive sensitivity of CaCl_2 and Ver before ip OSR.Nitric oxide(NO)in serum was measured by spectrophotometry.Results The number of writhing was decreased and the latency of licking the hind paws was prolonged in a dose-dependent manner after ip OSR.The antinociception of OSR could be antagonized by CaCl_2 and enhanced by Ver.No inter- ference was detected in serum volume of NO.Conclusion These results suggest that OSR can antagonize the acute pain caused by acetic acid and hot plate in a dose-dependent manner in mice.Calcium channel blocker could enhance the effect of OSR.

Objective To investigate the expression of Nogo-66 receptor (NgR) in primary cultured rat astrocytes.Methods RT-PCR and Western blot were applied to verify mRNA and protein expression of NgR in primary cultured and purified astrocytes. Indirect immunofluorensence and confocal microscopic technique were used to study the distribution of NgR. Results Specific NgR cDNA product could be amplified from the total RNA of primary cultured astrocytes by RTPCR; Western blot of the extracts of astrocytes demonstrated a specific NgR band at about 64 kD. Indirect immunofluorescence and confocal scanning further revealed the intracellular localization of NgR protein in astrocytes. Simultaneously,the NgR protein was detected in C6 rat glioma cells by western blot and immunofluoresence staining. Conclusion NgR is expressed in primary cultured astrocytes, which offers strong and direct support for the expression of NgR in astrocytes in vivo.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; RNA Interference

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effect of fluoride varnish in preventing caries of primary teeth, and to compare the caries prevention effects of fluoride varnish with two different concentrations.

METHODS150 children whose ages were three year-old were randomly chosen from one of nurseries of Chongqing, and were randomly divided into four groups with 37 children in 0.5% fluoride varnish group, 38 children in 0.1% fluoride varnish group, 39 children in 0.5% sodium fluoride group and 36 children in blank group. The groups included 71 'girls and 79 boys. Protective measure was applied every half an year and the research has lasted for two years. The research was designed by double-blinded methods, and was carried out with the dental caries standard suggested by World Health Organization. All the data were collected and the clinical effects of four groups were compared.

RESULTSThe average caries index and caries surface index of 0.1% fluoride varnish group and those of control groups were significantly higher than that of 0.5% fluoride varnish group. There were no significant difference between the average caries index and caries surface index of 0.1% fluoride varnish group and those of control groups.

CONCLUSION0.5% fluoride varnish was effective in preventing caries of primary teeth.

Cariostatic Agents ; Child ; Dental Caries ; Female ; Fluorides ; Fluorides, Topical ; Humans ; Male ; Paint ; Phosphates ; Sodium Fluoride ; Tooth, Deciduous

Objective To compare and analyze the epidemiological features of adult patients with distal femoral fracture between the east and west areas in China from 2010 to 2011.Methods The data of adult patients with distal femoral fracture treated from January 2010 through December 2011 in 63 hospitals were collected through the PACS system and case reports checking system.The data from 35 hospitals in the east area were classified as group A and those from 28 hospitals in the west area as group B.The analytic items included gender,age and AO classification.Results A total of 2,523 adult distal femoral fractures were collected,involving i,544 males and 979 females,with a male to female ratio of 1.58:1.The adult femoral fractures predominated in an age range from 41 to 50 years (18.94％) and their high-risk type was 33-A (50.18％).In group A of 1,650 cases,there were 1,027 males and 623 females,with a male to female ratio of 1.65:1 and a median age of 48 years;in group B of 873 cases,there were 517 males and 356 females,with a male to female ratio of 1.45:1 and a median age of 45 years.There were no significant differences in the age distribution and gender proportion between groups A and B (P ＞ 0.05).The age distribution showed that the peak ranges were from 31 to 60 years in both groups.The proportion of type 33-A was the most and that of type 33-B the least in both groups.The proportion of type 33-A in group B (53.49％) was significantly higher than in group A (48.42％) while that of type 33-B in group B (16.84％) was significantly lower than in group A (21.39％) (P ＜ O.05).Conclusions Adult distal femoral fractures were common in middle-aged males and their high-risk type was 33-A.Their peak age was from 31 to 60 years in both east and west areas in China.They were more common in men.The predominant fracture type was 33-A in both areas.The east area witnessed a significant higher proportion of type 33-B and a significant lower proportion of type 33-A than the west area.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate the diagnostic performance of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) for detection of thyroid cancers via ultrasonography (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 50 consecutive patients with 117 thyroid nodules on US during the period between June 2016 and July 2016. A radiologist performed US examinations using real-time CAD integrated into a US scanner. We compared the diagnostic performance of radiologist, the CAD system, and the CAD-assisted radiologist for the detection of thyroid cancers. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the CAD system were 80.0, 88.1, 83.3, 85.5, and 84.6%, respectively, and were not significantly different from those of the radiologist (p > 0.05). The CAD-assisted radiologist showed improved diagnostic sensitivity compared with the radiologist alone (92.0% vs. 84.0%, p = 0.037), while the specificity and PPV were reduced (85.1% vs. 95.5%, p = 0.005 and 82.1% vs. 93.3%, p = 0.008). The radiologist assisted by the CAD system exhibited better diagnostic sensitivity and NPV than the CAD system alone (92.0% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.009 and 93.4% vs. 88.9%, p = 0.013), while the specificities and PPVs were not significantly different (88.1% vs. 85.1%, p = 0.151 and 83.3% vs. 82.1%, p = 0.613, respectively). CONCLUSION: The CAD system may be an adjunct to radiological intervention in the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
Artificial Intelligence ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Thyroid Nodule* ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the protective effects of Sapindus saponins in spontaneously hypertensive rats, and the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms.

METHODSThirty-two 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 in each group): model group (placebo), positive control group (27 mg/kg of Captopril Tablets), Sapindus saponins groups (27 mg/kg and 108 mg/kg, respectively). Another 8 healthy Wistar-Kyoto strain (WKY) rats were used as the normal group. The animals were treated for 8 weeks. Blood pressure of rats was determined by non-invasive blood pressure meter (BP-6). Furthermore, the contents of angiotensin II (Ang II) in plasma and myocardial tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the gene expression of receptor angiotensin type 1 (AT1R) in aorta was determined by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and AT1R in heart was determined by immunohistochemical staining. The protein expression of p-phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38MAPK) was determined by Western blotting. The contents of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in serum were determined by radioimmunoassay. And the histopathological and morphological changes of aorta and heart tissue samples were assessed semi-quantitatively by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) or Masson staining.

RESULTSThirty minutes after single or continuous treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was reduced significantly in Sapindus saponins groups. And the contents of AngII, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum, the expression of AT1R mRNA, p-p38MAPK and TGF-β1 were significantly suppressed dose-dependently (P<0.05 or P<0.01). With the Sapindus saponins treatment, compared with those of the model group, the cardiac and aortic pathological changes were ameliorated significantly.

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that Sapindus saponins might have protective effects in spontaneously hypertensive rats, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of which might be relevant to the regulation of inflammatory responses mediated by p-p38MAPK signal pathway based on activated Ang II and AT1R.

Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Female ; Hypertension ; blood ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Renin-Angiotensin System ; drug effects ; Sapindus ; chemistry ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDRenal transplantation in sensitized candidates remains a highly significant challenge worldwide. The production of panel reactive antibody (PRA) against human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a major risk factor in presensitized recipients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HLA matching and recipients' PRA on two-year outcome in presensitized renal allograft recipients.

METHODSWe determined the percentage of panel reactivity and specificity of anti-HLA immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies in 73 presensitized renal allograft recipients compared with 81 unsensitized recipients (control group). HLA genotyping of both recipients and corresponding donors was performed by PCR with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP). We analyzed the factors influencing the early graft outcome (two-year rejection rates and survival rates of the grafts), including HLA mismatching, class and degree of panel reactivity, and target antigen of donors.

RESULTSPresensitized recipients had a worse two-year outcome than unsensitized recipients (P = 0.019 for rejection rate, P = 0.01 for survival rate). The difference in number of HLA-mismatched alleles with either 6-antigen matching (Ag M) standard or amino acid residue matching (Res M) standard was not significant between the rejection and non-rejection groups of presensitized recipients or between the graft survival group and graft loss group. Compared with the control group, recipients with both PRA-I and PRA-II antibodies had a significantly worse two-year outcome (P = 0.001 for rejection rate, P = 0.002 for survival rate). The two-year outcomes of the peak PRA >/= 50% group and its subgroup, at-transplant PRA > or = 50% group, were significantly worse compared with the control group (P = 0.025 and P = 0.001 for rejection rate, P = 0.043 and P = 0.024 for survival rate). The rejection rates of the at-transplant target antigen positive group and its subgroup, HLA-I target antigen positive group, were significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001), target antigen negative group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.001), and peak target antigen positive with negative at-transplant target antigen group (P = 0.024 and P = 0.002). Two-year graft survival rates of the target antigen positive group and HLA-I target antigen positive group were significantly lower than the control group (P = 0.012 and P = 0.001). The two-year outcome of target antigen unknown group was similar to that of the target antigen positive group. Presensitized recipients with pre-transplant plasmapheresis or immunoadsorption (PRA prepared group) had a better but non-significant two-year outcome than the control group. However, the PRA unprepared presensitized recipients were different to the control group (P = 0.004 for rejection rate and P = 0.005 for survival rate). Hyperacute rejection (HR) occurred in three recipients with positive HLA-I target antigen and without mismatch according to Res M and in one case with positive PRA-II (for an unknown target antigen). No HR occurred in eight cases with positive HLA-II target antigens.

CONCLUSIONSPre-transplant PRA preparations might improve the access of presensitized patients to renal donors. Avoiding antigen-positive donors remains a fundamental measure in preventing HR and early rejections.

Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Graft Survival ; immunology ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Isoantibodies ; blood ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; immunology ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Transplantation, Homologous ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study on visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body.

METHODSTube model-building method and computer technique were used, and data came from Voxel-Man dummy human body development platform.

RESULTSThe visual effect of re-building Meridian is very good and it can display the different layers of anatomic structures on the Meridian lines.

CONCLUSIONThe visible display of Meridian on the dummy human body is preliminary realized, which provides data carriers for establishing the platform of Meridian study.

Human Body ; Humans ; Meridians

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the validity and reliability of Thread-tooth Arc-track Screw Plate System (TASPS) in the fixation fusion through expandable channels.

METHODSFrom August 2007 to August 2010, 108 patients with lumbar instability were treated with surgery, including 61 males and 47 females, ranging in age from 26 to 57 years, with an average of 41 years. All the patients were divided into two groups : minimally invasive fusion group and traditional operation group (54 patients in each group). The patients in the minimally invasive fusion group were treated with self-designed TASPS to conduct the fixation fusion through expandable channels by minimally invasive pedicle screw; and the patients in traditional operation group were treated with traditional interbody fixation fusion by pedicle screw. The data were collected and investigated at the 1st week, 3rd month and 1st year postoperatively. The comparative parameters of two groups contained the total operation time, the implanted time, the total amount of bleeding; the VAS score, ODI score and improvement rate at each investigated period; the intervertebral space height of preoperative and postoperative periods; the inefficiency rate of implantation and the fusion rate of postoperative period.

RESULTSAll incisions were healed by first stage without any complications such as dural tear, injury of nerve root or cauda equine, intervertebral space infection. The patients in the minimally invasive fusion group needed longer operative time than that of the traditional operation group, but had less total amount of intraoperative and postoperative bleeding and shorter implanted time of pedicle screw than those of the traditional operation group. The VAS scores of two groups at the 1st week after operation significantly decreased compared with that of the 1st day before the operation, and the difference was of high statistical significance. And the VAS scores of two groups at the 3rd month and 1st year after operation also significantly decreased compared with that of the 1st day before the operation, and the difference was highly statistically significant. By comparing the VAS score and ODI score at the 1st week, 3rd month and 1st year postoperatively, the results showed that the VAS score and ODI score of the minimally invasive fusion group were all lower than those of the traditional operation group, and the differences were of high statistical meaningfulness. After 1 year, the improvement rate of the minimally invasive fusion group was (77.46 +/- 6.34)%, while that of the traditional operation group was (72.73 +/- 4.49)%, and the difference was highly statistically significant (P < 0.01). The intervertebral space heights of two groups remarkably increased. At the 3rd month after operation, the difference of intervertebral space heights of the two groups was of no statistical significance. At the 1st year after operation, intervertebral space heights of the two groups were lost to some extent, but the height of the minimally invasive fusion group was higher than that of the traditional operation group, and the difference was statistically significant. The fusion rates of the two groups after 1 year were 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe fixation fusion through expandable channels by minimally invasive pedicle screw possesses the characteristics of fewer traumas, less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative pain and rapid recovery. Since its intervertebral fusion rate is similar to the open surgery, it can be viewed as one effective approach for the treatment of lumbar instability diseases. And TASPS is reasonably designed, easy to install and reliably fixed with good reduction effect, which can be applied through expandable channels.

Adult ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Spinal Fusion ; methods