OBJECTIVETo establish the normal MESH diagrams of Chinese in Beijing, and to build a computerized MESH analysis system for orthodontic practice.

METHODSTwenty-eight subjects with normal occlusion were selected in Beijing and their lateral cephalograms were taken at the age of thirteen and eighteen, respectively. Individual MESH diagrams were then established for each subject mainly according to Moorrees' method from the cephalograms orientated in estimated natural head position. Male and female normal MESH diagrams were created. A computerized MESH analysis system was also developed.

RESULTSThe normal MESH diagrams of Chinese in Beijing, thirteen and eighteen years old respective, were established. The computerized MESH analysis system was constructed and used in orthodontic patients.

CONCLUSIONSMESH analysis is a proportional analysis method. It can show the results directly, succinctly and holistically. It is also a favorable complement and amendment to the commonly used angle and linear X-ray analysis methods.

Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cephalometry ; methods ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Radiography ; Skull ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging

Objective To evaluate the effects of TENS on metatarsus plantar flexion and inversion in stroke patients,and to explore its mechanism.Methods Thirty-two stroke patients with gastrocnemius spasticity were randomly divided into a control group (n=16) and a TENS group (n=16).All patients were treated with foot sup- ports,neurodevelopmental and manipulation therapies.In addition,the TENS group received TENS on the anterior tibialis,peroneus longus and brevis muscles.All patients were assessed in terms of their Chinese stroke scale(CSS) and H reflex scores before and after therapy.Results Compared with those in the control group,the H reflex scores in the TENS group were obviously decreased,while H reflex latency was prolonged and H/M was reduced. Gait in the TENS group was evidently improved.Conclusion TENS is an effective therapy to decrease gastrocnemi- us spasticity and to improve the gait of stroke patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBX) on expression of the host gene Wnt induced secreted protein-1 (WISP-1) that is related to the pathogenic process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODSTumor and paratumor tissues were collected from HCC patients, and normal liver tissues were collected from healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the in vivo presence and expression levels of HBX and WISP-1 in the three tissue types. HepG2 cells stably transfected with pc-DNA3.1(+)-HBX or with pc-DNA3.1(+) only (G0, control) were generated and used to examine in vitro the HBX-induced changes in WISP-1 expression at the mRNA and protein levels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe HCC tissues showed significantly higher rates of positivity for WISP-1 expression than the non-tumor controls (76.6% vs. paratumor: 23.4% or normal tissues: 0%, x2= 35.967, P less than 0.01). HBX increased WISP-1 expression in HepG2 cells at both the mRNA (1170.33 +/- 41.26 vs. G0: 265.34 +/- 27.47, t = 31.63, P less than 0.01) and protein (240.33 +/- 11.37 vs. G0: 40.33 +/- 7.09, F = 600.57, P less than 0.01) levels.

CONCLUSIONHBV may up-regulate expression of the host gene WISP-1 through its X protein and thus promote the development of HCC.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis B virus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Wnt1 Protein

BACKGROUNDHemorrhagic shock induces immune dysfunction. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), T-helper (Th) cells, and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs) can execute many crucial actions in immune and inflammatory responses. This study was conducted to investigate the early pathophysiological changes of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) Treg and Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 profiles in the peripheral blood of rats with controlled hemorrhagic shock and no fluid resuscitation.

METHODSA rat model of controlled hemorrhagic shock with no fluid resuscitation was established. Peripheral blood samples were taken before and four hours after hemorrhagic shock with no fluid resuscitation. Three color flow cytometry was used to detect Tregs, Th1, Th2, Tc1 and Tc2 cells in the samples.

RESULTSIn the peripheral blood of rats, the percentage of Tregs four hours after hemorrhagic shock was significantly lower than before hemorrhagic shock (P = 0.001). The ratios of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 were changed from (23.08 ± 8.98)% to (23.91 ± 15.36)%, and from (40.40 ± 21.56)% to (65.48 ± 23.88)%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSAt an early stage, the advent of hemorrhagic shock is related to an early decrease of Tregs, and a mild shift in the Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 balance toward Th1 and Tc1 dominance. These changes are part of a hyper-inflammatory state of the host, and will deteriorate the maintenance of immune balance. Further influences and detailed mechanisms need to be investigated.

Animals ; CD4 Antigens ; metabolism ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Resuscitation ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; immunology ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; metabolism ; Th1 Cells ; metabolism ; Th2 Cells ; metabolism

To compare the early effects of hypertonic and isotonic saline resuscitation on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in organs of rats with hemorrhagic shock. Rats were randomly divided into hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS), normal saline resuscitation (NS) and sham groups. HO-1 mRNA, protein expression and apoptosis were evaluated in organs. In the HTS group, significant difference was noted in HO-1 protein in small intestinal mucosa and liver compared with the NS and sham groups, and in HO-1 mRNA in liver and kidney compared with the sham group. The apoptosis of small intestinal mucosa, liver, heart, and lung was significantly lower in the HTS group than that in the NS group. In this study, small volume resuscitation with HTS can efficiently up-regulate the expression level of HO-1 in small intestinal mucosa and liver, which may be one of the mechanisms alleviating organ damage.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Blood Pressure ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; metabolism ; Intestine, Small ; enzymology ; Kidney ; enzymology ; Liver ; enzymology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic ; pharmacology ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; enzymology

BACKGROUNDHemorrhagic shock is usually associated with complicated immune and inflammatory responses, which are sometimes crucial for the prognosis. As regulators of the immune and inflammatory system; proliferation, migration, distribution and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are intimately linked to the inflammation cascade.

METHODSIn a model of severe hemorrhagic shock, thirty-five rats were randomly divided into control, sham, normal saline resuscitation (NS), hypertonic saline resuscitation (HTS), and hydroxyethyl starch resuscitation (HES), with seven in each group. MDSCs were analyzed by flow cytometric staining of CD11b/c(+)Gra(+) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), spleen cell suspensions, and bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC). Simultaneously, the expressions of arginase-1 (ARG-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in MDSCs were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTSIn the early stage after hemorrhagic shock, fluid resuscitation and emergency treatment, the MDSCs in the PBMC of NS, HTS and HES groups markedly increased, and MDSCs in BMNC of these groups decreased accordingly, significantly different to the control group. In hemorrhagic shock rats infused with HTS at the early resuscitation stage, MDSCs in PBMC increased about 2 and 4 folds, and MDSCs in BMNC decreased about 1.3 and 1.6 folds, as compared to the sham group respectively, with statistically significant difference. Furthermore, compared to the NS and HES groups, the MDSCs in PBMC of HTS group increased 1.6 and 1.8 folds with statistically significant differences; the MDSCs decrease in BMNC was not significant. However, there was no statistically significant difference in MDSCs of spleen among the five groups. In addition, compared to the control, sham, NS and HES groups, the ARG-1 and iNOS mRNA of MDSCs in PBMC, spleen and BMNC in the HTS group had the highest level of expression, but no statistically significant differences were noted.

CONCLUSIONSIn this model of rat with severe and controlled hemorrhagic shock, small volume resuscitation with HTS contributes to dramatically early migration and redistribution of MDSCs from bone marrow to peripheral circulation, compared to resuscitation with NS or HES.

Animals ; Arginase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluid Therapy ; methods ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic ; therapeutic use ; Shock, Hemorrhagic ; immunology ; metabolism ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo screen proteins interacting with HCV NS4A protein in leukocytes by yeast-double hybridization.

METHODSThe bait plasmid pGBKT7-NS4A was transformed into yeast AH109 was transformed, and the expressing of the fusion protein was identified by SDS-page. The transformed yeast was mated with yeast Y187 containing leukocytes cDNA library plasmid in 2xYPDA medium. Diploid yeast was plated on synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) and synthetic dropout nutrient medium (SD/-Trp-Leu-His-Ade) containing x-alpha-gal for selecting two times and screening. After extracting and sequencing of plasmid from blue colonies, analysis was conducted by bioinformatics. And, the gene encoding the interesting protein was cloned, and back-cross was performed.

RESULTSForty-five colonies were sequenced, among them, 29 colonies were human calcium modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML). The gene encoding CAML was cloned, and the interaction between NS4A and CAML was ensured.

CONCLUSIONSeven kinds of proteins interacting with NS4A in leukocytes were successfully screened and the results brought some new clues for studying the pathogenesis of HCV.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; cytology ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Transformation, Genetic ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; Viral Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

objecfive To know and compare the intelligence level of children born in different time periods in regions with iodine deficiency disorders(IDD)in Liaoning province.Methods All 7-14 year-old children from ten schools were chosen as the subjects respectively from six villages in each of the six counties and in regions with iodine deficiency,who were respectively born at the initialization of iodinated salt supplying period(1978-1980);non-iodinated salt supplying period(1981-1990);recovery of supplied iodized salt period(1991-1995);universal iodized salt period(1996-2000),respectively.Intelligence quotient(IQ)was measured by Combined Ravens Test in China(CRT-C)and Combined Ravens Test-the Rural,in China,2nd edition(CRT-RC2).Results IQ of children during the non-iodized salt period(91.9±14.3)was significantly lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(95.8±14.6,q=8.60,P<0.01),recovery of supplied iodized salt period(99.7±14.7)was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period(q = 9.53, 18.13, all P < 0.01 ),universal salt iodization( 104.3 ± 14.9) was significantly higher than the initial supply of iodized salt period, non-iodized salt sales period, recovery of supplied salt iodization(q = 20.00,28.00,10.46, all P < 0.01). Children's rate of mental retardation (IQ≤69) was higher in non-iodinated salt supplying period (6.7%, 88/1314 ) than the initial supply of iodized salt (4.4%, 21/471, χ2 = 3.85, P < 0.05), recovery of supplied iodized salt period(3.3%,48/1470) was significantly lower than non-iodinzed salt supplying period (χ2 = 15.37, P < 0.01), universal salt iodization period(2.7%, 36/1344) was lower than the initial supply of iodized salt period(χ2 = 4.41, P < 0.05) and non-iodinzed salt supplying period(χ2 = 26.34, P < 0.01 ). The IQ and intelligent retarded rates in children born during the initial years of iodinated salt supplying period were not different. The IQ of the children during ten years of non-iodized salt supplying period fluctuated in a "∪" curve, while the intelligent retardation rates in a "∩" curve.The children born during the period of recovery supplied iodized salt increased their IQ and lowered the retardation rates year after year. The IQ of the children in universal iodized salt period kept on increasing while intelligent retarded rates reduced to the lowest level. Conclusions The intelligence level of children born in regions with IDD during non-iodized salt supplying period is remarkably lower than that of the beginning years of iodinated salt supplying period. The intelligence level of children born after universal iodized salt period is remarkably higher than that of the initial iodinated salt supplying period and recovery of supplied iodized salt period, respectively.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the direct economic burden of stroke in rural areas of Hanzhong.

METHODSPlan on primary interview was made after the purpose of the study had been informed to the managers of the 'surveillance field base', heads and members of the monitor assistants and detailed information was collected in the fields. Every single patient of stroke was then interviewed by the above said interviewers,using a self-designed questionnaire. 164 patients with stroke were interviewed in 53 villages with 75,000 persons lived there. The main items involved in the questionnaire would include: costs for inpatient or outpatient, reaching-out fees, fee for accommodation during treatment as outpatient, costs for treatment at home, long term medicine, caregivers and funerals as well as average income.

RESULTSThe median of annual direct economic burden was 3100 Yuan for each patient in Hanzhong rural area. There were no significant differences seen between males and females or among age groups (P > 0.05). The proportion of patients with medians of annual direct economic burden of: 1000 Yuan and below, 1001-5000 Yuan, 5001-10,000 Yuan, 10,001-20,000 Yuan and over 20,001 Yuan, were 29.2%, 36.0%, 18.3%, 9.8% and 6.0% respectively. The median of annual direct economic burden of first episode stroke was 5500 Yuan for each patient, and that of stroke was 1700 Yuan for each chronic patient. The direct economic burden of first episode was significantly higher than that of stroke (P < 0.01). The costs of hospitalization, accommodation of hospitalization and treatment at home of middle-aged patients were significant higher than that of old age patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn this study, the direct economic burden of stroke was 2.9 times of the annual personal average income, which was contrary to the reports from other countries. However, the State Health Bureau bore 87.1% of the direct economic burden for urban patients, but patients in the rural areas had to pay from their own pockets. The direct economic burden of stroke was heavy in Hanzhong rural region, which called for measures to be made to decrease the direct economic burden of stroke in the region.

Age Distribution ; Aged ; China ; Cost of Illness ; Female ; Humans ; Income ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Sex Distribution ; Stroke ; economics

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Community-Acquired Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; epidemiology ; Young Adult