Metformin is the most commonly prescibed drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus as it is inexpensive, safe, and efficient in ameliorating hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. Numerous epidemiological studies indicate that diabetic population is not only at increased risk of cardiovascular complications, but also at substantially higher risk of many forms of malignancies. Meanwhile, epidemiological and clinical observation studies have shown that metformin use reduces risk of cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and improves prognosis and survival rate of the cancer patients. Furthermore, metformin has been used for cancer therapy in clinical trials. Thus, metformin is emerging as a new cancer therapy or adjuvant anticancer drugs. This review summarizes recent progress in studies of metformin use and its molecular mechanism.
Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Metformin ; therapeutic use ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy

Dental Occlusion ; Esthetics, Dental ; Humans ; Mechanoreceptors ; Temporomandibular Joint

Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner ; cytology ; Synapses ; physiology ; ultrastructure

Objective:To investigate the relationship between mandibular second molar calcification stage and cervical vertebrae maturity.Methods:Samples were derived from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 500 subjects (223 males and 277 females)aged 9 to 18 years.Demirjian Index(DI)and cervical vertebrae maturation indicators(CVMI)were used for the evaluation of dental and skeletal maturity.Results:A significantly association was found between DI and CVMI(P <0.001).DI stage E was associated with CVMI Ⅱ(pre-peak of pubertal growth spurt).DI stages F and G was associated with CVMI Ⅲ and Ⅳ(peak of pu-bertal growth spurt).DI stage H was associated with CVMI Ⅴ and Ⅵ(end of pubertal growth spurt).Conclusion:DI and CVMI are significantly associated.Mandibular second molar DI stage is a reliable indicator of skeletal maturity.

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol anesthesia on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein in hippocampus in depressed rats.Methods Thirty-two female WYK rats in which the total score was 30-120 after Open-field test,aged 24 weeks,weighing 200-250 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n =8 each):control group (group C),propofol group (group P),ECT group (group E)and propofol + ECT group (group PE).In groups C and E,the animals received intraperitoneal normal saline 5 ml,and in addition the animals received ECT 15 min later in group E.In groups P and PE,the animals received intraperitoneal 100 mg/kg propofol 5 ml,and in addition the animals received ECT 15 min later in group PE.The learning and memory function was assessed by Morris water maze test at 24 h after ECT.The animals were sacririced at 6 h after Morris water maze test and the hippocampal tissues were removed for determination of the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the swimming time was significantly shortened in groups P,E and PE,the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in hippocampus was down-regulated in group P,and the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in hippocampus was up-regulated in group E ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group E,the escape latency was significantly shortened,the swimming time was significantly prolonged,and the expression of phosphorylated Tau protein in hippocampus was down-regulated in group PE (P ＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which propofol anesthesia improves cognitive impairment induced by ECT may be related to inhibition of hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein in hippocampus in depressed rats.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of sevotlurane and isoflurane on blockade of adult nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (ε-nAChR) of skeletal muscle of rats by rocuronium.MethodsHEK293 cell line was provided by Molecular Biology Laboratory,Chonqing Medical University and cultured in DMEM liquid culture medium containing 10％ bovine calf serum at 37 ℃in incubator filled with 5％ CO2.ε-nAChR was expressed heterologously in HEK293 cell using liposome transfection technology.The whole cell patch clamp technology was used to establish the concentration-effect curves for inhibition of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced current.The 5％ inhibitory concentration values ( IC5 ),25 ％ inhibitory concentration values ( IC25 ) and 50％ inhibitory concentration values (IC50) for sevoflurane,isoflurane and rocuronium were calculated.Firstly the inhibitory effect of rocuronium at a concentration of IC25 was studied in the presence of sevoflurane and isoflurane at concentrations of IC5,IC25 and IC50.Subsequently the inhibitory effect of rocuronium at concentrations of IC5,IC25 and IC50 was studied in the presence of sevoflurane and isoflurane at a concentration of IC25.Inhibition of ACh-induced current amplitude was recorded.ResultsAt the concentrations of IC5,IC25 and IC50 sevoflurane or isoflurane had synergistical inhibitory effect on the current amplitude of ε-nAChR with rocuronium at the concentrations of IC5 and IC25,while had addition inhibitory effect on the current amplitude of ε-nAChR with rocuronium at the concentration of IC50.The inhibitory effect of sevoflurane at the concentration of IC5 on the current amplitude of ε-nAChR with rocuronium at the concentration of IC25 was weaker than that of isoflurane,while the inhibitory effect of sevoflurane at the concentration of IC50 on the current amplitude of ε-nAChR with rocuronium at the concentration of IC25 was stronger than that of isoflurane.The inhibitory effect of sevoflurane at the concentration of IC25 on the current amplitude of ε-nAChR with rocuronium at the concentration of IC5 was weaker than that of isoflurane.ConclusionEither sevoflurane or isoflurane has synergistical blocking effect on ε-nAChR with low concentration of rocuronium,while has addition blocking effect with high concentration of rocuronium.Potentiation of blocking effect of rocuronium on ε-nAChR by low concentration of sevoflurane is weaker than that by isoflurane,while the potentiation by sevoflurane at high concentration is stronger than that by isoflurane.

·AIM: To report the results of phacotrabeculectomy with 2.8mm scleral tunnel incision.·METHODS: Phacotrabeculectomy was performed through an identical 2.8mm scleral tunnel incision in 52 eyes of 49 patients with cataract and glaucoma. The incision was closed with out suture. Foldable intraocular lens was implanted in all eyes.·RESULTS: The control of intraocular pressure on 36 eyes was desirable. The average postoperative intraocular pressure was (8.24±3.61)mmHg, (13.22±4.12) mmHg, (12.11±4.23)mmHg and (12.59±4.26)mmHg at one week, one month, three months and six months. As compared with 56 eyes in which phacotrabeculectomy was performed with 5.5mm scleral tunnel sutureless incision, there was no statistical difference, between the two, regarding the mean postoperative intraocular pressure at six months (t=1.7536,P=0.08239).The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was not statistically different between the preoperative and postoperative times in one year in 26 eyes. The uncorrected postoperative visual activity was 0 8 or better in 62% of 52 eyes.·CONCLUSION: The advantages of this operative method are minimal size scleral flap, smaller and sutureless incision, immediate chamber restoration, decrease in postoperative astigmatism, enhanced postoperative visual activity, reduced postoperative inflammatory response and complications.

Single clones of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans were obtained on bilayer solid medium plate by incorporating Het-erotroph Acidiphilium SJH into the underlayer broth medium. The morphologies of the bacteria were investigated using electronic microscope.

Objective To evaluate masseter thickness and its complications of radiofrequency ablation and botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of masseter hypertrophy.Methods Totally 36 patients of benign masseter hypertrophy were randomly divided into radiofrequency ablation therapy group (18 patients) and the injection of botulinum toxin type A treatment group (18 patients).The thickness of the masseter and complications were analyzed before treatment,6 months and 12 months after treatment.Results The average thickness of masseter muscle in botulinum toxin type A and radiofrequency ablation groups was significantly reduced 6 or 12 months after treatment,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).However,the thickness of masseter muscle in radiofrequency ablation group after 12 months reduced greater than that in botulinum toxin type A group (P＜0.05).Complications of botulinum toxin type A group were swallow difficulty (one patient),unnatural facial expressions (4 patients) and pain at injection site (10 patients) and that in radiofrequency ablation treatment group were that 18 patients had swelling of the skin 1 to 2 weeks after treatment.All patients had recovery 2 weeks after treatment.There was no facial nerve,parotid duct injury,or oral dysfunction.Conclusions The lasting effect of radiofrequency ablation treatment for benign masseter hypertrophy is longer than that of botulinum toxin type A.

Objective:To observe the clinical characteristics with different peritoneal transport type in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD),and to investigate the factors associated with peritoneal transport function.Methods:The clinical data of 158 CAPD patients were analyzed retrospectively.According to peritoneal equilibration test,a method for evaluation of the peritoneal transport function,the patients were divided into 2 groups:a high average and high peritoneal transport group (Group A,n=84) and a low average and low peritoneal transport group (Group B,n=74).T-he demographics,clinical biochemical indexes and the incidence of cardiovascular complications were compared between the 2 groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to find the factors relevant to peritoneal transport function.Results:The level of serum albumin (ALB) in the Group B was significantly higher than that in the Group A (P＜0.05).The 4 h dialysate/plasma creatinine (D/Pcr),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),body mass index (BMI),and the rates of cardiovascular complications in the Group A were significantly higher than those in the Group B (P＜0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the D/Pcr was positively correlated with the BMI,serum hs-CRP and cardiovascular complications (r=0.179,0.373 and 0.426,respectively,P＜0.05),while it was negatively correlated with ALB (r=-0.393,P＜0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that the high BMI (OR=1.178,P＜0.05),cardiovascular complications (OR=5.035,P＜0.01),and the low serum ALB (OR=0.852,P＜0.01)were the risk factors for high peritoneal transport.Conclusion:The serum ALB level,BMI and the cardiovascular complications are associated with high peritoneal transport,which are useful markers for predicting the peritoneal transport function before peritoneal dialysis.