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

A fast and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the determination of prodrug of paclitaxel (Pro-PTX) and paclitaxel (PTX) in rat plasma was developed. The plasma samples were subjected to protein precipitation with acetonitrile (0.1% formic acid), and then separated by LC with an Ultimate AQ-C18 column (50 mm × 3.0 mm, 3 μm) and acetonitrile-1 mmol·L^-1 ammonium formate (containing 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) scanning mode was used to detect the ion responses m/z 983.4→415.2 (Pro-PTX), m/z 854.4→286.1 (PTX) and m/z 808.3→527.2 (Docetaxel, internal standard) by using a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization source and positive ion mode. The method validation results show that the linear ranges of Pro-PTX and PTX in plasma were 2.00-500 ng·mL^-1 (r > 0.99) and 4.00-1 000 ng·mL^-1 (r > 0.99), the lower limit of quantification was 2.00 ng·mL^-1 and 4.00 ng·mL^-1, respectively; the quality control samples with low, medium and high concentrations of Pro-PTX and PTX were within the batch, the relative standard deviation (RSD) between batches were all less than 9%; the relative deviation (RE) was within the range of ± 9%; In the stability test, both Pro-PTX and PTX in plasma were stable under various storage conditions. The method was sensitive, specific, and reproducible, and was suitable for the pharmacokinetic study of Pro-PTX in rats. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of Laboratory Animal Management and Animal Welfare, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.: 00003552).

COVID-19 not only affects the physical health of Chinese people, but also their psychological health. This article mainly summarizedthe causes, clinical manifestations and preventive measures of COVID-19 impact on psychology of Chinese people, and presentedtwo representative cases at the same time.

Objective To measure the serum selenium levels in patient with Keshan disease(KSD)and in healthy controls in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia KSD areas,to monitor the long-term dynamic changes of hair and serum selenium levels in Shandong KSD areas,and to provide scientific basis for preventing KSD.Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in KSD areas of Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia in 2009.The research subjects which come from KSD areas were 77 cases and 63 healthy controls from Shandong;35 patients and 36 healthy controls from Sichuan;and 17 patients and 18 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia.Additional 33 healthy people from Jinan city were selected as controls of non-KSD areas.Blood and hair samples were collected and selenium levels were measured by 2,3-diaminonaphthalene fluorescence spectrometry.Retrospective method was used to analyze the hair and serum selenium data collected between 1976 and 2004 in Shandong KSD areas.and these data were eompard with the data of 2009 to observe the long-term dynamic changes.Results ① The serum selenium levels of KSD patients in Shandong and Inner Mongolia were significantly lower than that of healthy subjects of KSD areas[(0.0773±0.0113)vs(0.0895±0.0256),(0.0347±0.0107)vs(0.0469±0.0161),t=3.52,3.87,all P<0.01].No significant difference was found between KSD patients and healthy people in Sichuan[(0.0792±0.0162)vs(0.0774±0.0103),t=0.55,P>0.05].②The serum selenium levels of KSD patients in Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia KSD areas were lower than that of non-KSD area[(0.0988±0.0231)mg/L,q=6.74,5.83,19.47,all P<0.01].The serum selenium levels of healthy people in Sichuan and Inner Mongoha KSD areas were significantly lower than that of non-KSD area(q=6.68,16.36,all P<0.01).The serum selenium levels of healthy controls in Inner Mongolia were lower than that of in Shandong and Sichuan(q=13.63,14.74,13.62,1.46,all P<0.01).③From 1976 to 2009,the hair and serum selenium levels of Shandong resident were increased 1.68 times(0.343/0.128-1)for hair and 0.98 times(0.091/0.046-1)for serum,respectively.But there was no significant difference between the average growth rate of hair and serum selenium levels(χ2=1.38,P>0.05).Conclusions ①The hair and serum selenium levels of KSD patients are lower than that of healthy controls in non-KSD area.②The serum selenium levels of Shandong,Sichuan and Inner Mongolia are different between KSD patients and healthy controls in the diseased areas.③The hair and serum selenium data of Shandong resident show an upward vend over the past 30 years.We suggest to continue the comprehensive measures of adding selenium in KSD areas.

To purify recombinant human nucleoside diphosphate kinase A (rhNDPK-A) and determine its physical and chemical characters, recombinant NDPK-A producing E. coli was cultured in 80L fermentor under high cell density culture (HCDC) conditions. The harvested cells were treated with high pressure to break the cell up, tangential-flow microfiltration to remove the bacteria debris and ultrafiltration to concentrate the filtered solution containing target protein. The crude NDPK-A was purified by ion exchange chromatography with DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow, affinity chromatography with Cibarcron Blue 3GA Sepharose CL-4B and gel filtration with Sephadex G-100. The purity of rhNDPK-A was analyzed with SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC. The Enzymatic activity was determined with RP-HPLC. The molecular weight (MW) was measured with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF MS). The N-terminal residue was sequenced with Edman method. The apparent molecular weight of rhNDPK-A in solution was determined with multiangle laser light-scattering method (MALS). It was found that the purity of rhNDPK-A was 97.3% with SDS-PAGE method and 99.2% with RP-HPLC method. The specific enzymatic activity was (900 +/- 100) u/mg. The molecular weight was 17017, which was 132 less than the calculated value according to the amino acid sequence of NDPK-A. The sequencing result of rhNDPK-A revealed that its N-terminal residue was Ala, which was the second residue on N-terminal of native NDPK-A. The calculated MW of N-terminal deleted rhNDPK-A was 17017, exactly equal to the experimental value. The result of apparent MW determination revealed that rhNDPK-A formed homohexamer in solution with a MW of 102kD. These results suggested that rhNDPK-A possessed character identical to its native counterpart of assembling into hexamer. Confirming the identity of rhNDPK-A to its native counterpart provided a good foundation for drug development and mechanism study of NDPK-A.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Scattering, Radiation ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

Objective To observe the incidence and clinical characteristics of chronic Keshan disease in recent years, and to provide evidence for diagnosis of the disease. Methods From March to August 2009, 163 patients with chronic Keshan disease were chosen from Shandong, Sichuan, Inner Mongolia and Cansu. Of these patients, 62 cases were from Shandong, 34 cases from Sichuan, 37 cases from Inner Mongolia, and 30 cases from Gansu. All of the subjects underwent detailed natural history of the disease, careful physical examination and electrocardiogram (ECG), X-ray chest radiography and cardiac ultrasound examination. The incidence and clinical features were analyzed. Results Adults accounted for 98.8%(161/163) and children for 1.2%(2/163) in 163 cases of chronic Keshan disease, with an average age of 45.8 years. Slow onset accounted for 62.6%(102/163), other types that evolved into chronic-type accounted for 37.4%(61/163). Low blood pressure( 116.5/72.4 mmHg),often with cardiac function grade Ⅱ accounted for 65.6%(107/163). Common symptoms were: palpitation[86.5%(141/163)], asthma [76.7% (125/163)], fatigue[76.1%(124/163)], precordial discomfort [54.6% (89/163)], dizziness[50.3%(82/163)], edema of lower limbs[44.8%(73/163)], and anorexia[38.0%(62/163)]. Common signs were: low-weak first heart sound[66.9%(109/163)], heart enlargement[64.4%(105/163)], apical pulse dispersion[42.3%(69/163)], arrhythmia[40.5%(66/163)], hepatomegalia[39.3%(64/163)], systolic murmur [25.2%(41/163)], and edema[20.9%(34/163)]. Abnormal ECG detection rate was 93.9%(153/163), with common types followed by ST-T changes[ST-T changes, ST segment changes, Tchange, 36.2%(59/163)], ventricular premature [occasional and frequent ventricular premature, 26.4% (43/163)], complete right bundle branch block [25.8% (42/163)], atrial fibrillation[19.0%(31/163)], and atrioventricular conduction block[8.6%( 14/163)]. X-ray results showed that significant and moderate heart enlargement were common, accounting for 73.4%( 105/143), followed by mild enlargement of 25.2%(36/143). Color doppler ultrasound examination results showed that the atrio-ventricular cavity diameter increased, followed by left ventricular end-systolic diameter increased[81.3%(52/64)], left ventricular end-diastolic diameter increased[65.6%(42/64)], left atrial enlargement[51.6%(33/64)], right atrial enlargement [43.8%(28/64)], and right ventricular enlargement[32.8%(21/64)]. Left ventricular wall and interventricular septum thinning accounted for 15.6%( 10/64) and 7.8%(5/64), respectively. Conclusions In recent years, most cases of chronic Keshan disease occur as natural chronic type, and at older age at onset with low blood pressure.Main clinical features of the disease are cardiac enlargement, inadequate tissue perfusion, and venous stasis performance caused by cardiac decompensation. Correct diagnosis of chronic Keshan disease can be made based on these clinical features.

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

AIMTo study the basis of actions of Gualou xiebai baijiutang.

METHODSGuided by bioactivities, chemical and chromatographic ways were applied to isolate and purify the prescription. The chemical structures were identified by chemical and spectral ways. The activities on cardiovascular system of the pure compounds were measured.

RESULTSSeven steroidal compounds were isolated and identified from the active parts.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 5 and 6 showed good anti-platelet aggregation activities induced by ADP and PAF. The IC50 of compound 5 and 6 induced by 2 mumol.L-1 ADP were 0.082 and 0.078 mmol.L-1, and the IC50 induced by 0.5 mumol.L-1 PAF were 0.182 and 0.151 mmol.L-1, respectively.

Allium ; chemistry ; Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Saponins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Trichosanthes ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the substance basis of actions of Gualou xiebai baijiutang.

METHODGuided by bioactivities, the prescription was isolated and purified by chemical and chromatographic methods, and the structures were identified by chemical and spectral methods.

RESULT4 compounds were isolated from active parts.

CONCLUSION3 compounds were isolated for the first time from Trichosanthes kirilowii and Allium macrostemon. Compound 1 had a good activity against platelet aggregation.

Allium ; chemistry ; Animals ; Disaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Ethanol ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Quercetin ; isolation & purification ; Rats ; Trichosanthes ; chemistry

Objective:To apply the B-learning teaching mode into the Medical Statistic course, and to comparatively analyze the students' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP). Methods:In this study, undergraduates were investigated by self-designed questionnaires, and the reliability and validity of the questionnaire were evaluated. SAS 9.3 statistical software was used to analyze the KAP evaluation and the influencing factors of online learning with chi-square test, t test and multiple regression analysis. Results:There were significant differences in students' cognitive status in three aspects: the role of online videos ( P=0.012 9), whether to submit assignments ( P=0.040 7), and whether to participate in discussions ( P=0.009 4). In terms of attitude, there were significant differences between the role of B-learning process ( P=0.027 1) and online learning interest ( P=0.013 7). And in the terms of practice, there were significant differences in the time of online learning ( P=0.002 4), weekly login times for online learning ( P=0.015 4) and ways to solve difficulties ( P=0.004 5). Conclusion:The B-learning mode applied to the course of Medical Statistics has greatly improved students' ability in knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP), and achieved good teaching effects.