Objectives To investigate the mutational characteristics of MSX1 and PAX9 genes in a family affected by non-syndromic oligodonti so as to study the pathogenesis of oligodontia from a molecular prospective. Methods A family with oligodontia, but of different descent and unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood samples. Mutation analyses were performed by amplifying MSX1 and PAX9 exons and sequencing the products. Results DNA sequencing revealed a novel missense mutation c.348C>T in a highly conserved homeobox sequence of MSX1 and a known polymorphisms c. 469+35- c.469+45del in exon 1 and in intron in the two patients and in two unrelated healthy controls. But we did not detect any mutation in PAX9. Conclusion Our finding suggests the samesense mutation (c.348C>T) and the polymorphisms (c.469+35- c.469+45del) may be responsible for oligodontia phenotype in this Chinese family.

OBJECTIVEThe multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-simulated and positive-control trial was used to verify the contribution degree of Bushen Huoxue for the treatment of ovulatory dysfunction caused infertility, which provided scientific basis for clinical treatment.

METHODAccording to diagnostic, inclusion and exclusion criteria, we observed 349 patients which were divided into the treated group (n = 177, treated with Bushen Huoxue ricipe) and control group (n = 172, treated with clomiphene). Ovulation rate, pregnancy rate, clinical effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine, endometrium and diameter of dominant follicle were observed. Serum reproductive endocrine hormones were assayed before and after treatment.

RESULTThe treated group showed ovulation rate of 69.34%, with pregnancy rate of 41.35%. The clinical effective rate of treated group and control group were 91.73% and 80.77%. There was remarkable difference in endometrium (P < 0.05) and remarkbale difference in sex hormones PRL and E₂in treated group at prior-treatment and post-treatment (P < 0.05). No adverse effects were found in the experiment. Security indicators did not show abnormal change.

CONCLUSIONThe comparison between the two groups showed that the treated group was significantly different from control group in the pregnancy rate (P < 0.05), without notable difference in ovulation rate. There was significant difference in clinical effective rate between the treated group and control group. Both the two groups could contribute to the mature development and discharge of the follicles. The growth of endometrium and endometrial receptivity in the treated group were higher than control group. The treated group has regulatory effect on PRL and E₂.

Adult ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Fertility Agents, Female ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Ovary ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Ovulation ; drug effects ; Pregnancy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

We are reporting in this article some analyzed data obtained from inspection and related information on current situations medical devices in use. Some ideas and suggestions are also proposed here on how to systematically and legally inspecting and monitoring medical devices in use.
Equipment Safety ; Materials Management, Hospital

Aqueous dispersion and stability of Fe3O4 nanoparticles remain an issue unresolved since aggregation of naked iron nanoparticles in water. In this study, we successfully synthesized different Fe3O4 super-paramagnetic nanoparticles which were modified by three kinds of materials [DSPE-MPEG2000, TiO2 and poly acrylic acid (PAA)] and further detected their characteristics. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly showed sizes and morphology of the four kinds of nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) proved successfully coating of the three kinds of nanoparticles and their structures were maintained. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) verified that their magnetic properties fitted for the super-paramagnetic function. More importantly, the particle size analysis indicated that Fe3O4@PAA had a better size distribution, biocompatibility, stability and dispersion than the other two kinds of nanoparticles. In addition, using CNE2 cells as a model, we found that all nanoparticles were nontoxic. Taken together, our data suggest that Fe3O4@PAA nanoaparticles are superior in the application of biomedical field among the four kinds of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the future.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture method plus repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in the treatment of post-stroke insomnia. Methods: A total of 72 patients with post-stroke insomnia were randomly divided into 2 groups, with 36 cases in each group. The control group received rTMS treatment with a frequency of 1 Hz and a motion threshold value of 90％. The observation group received acupuncture with Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-regulating method based on the rTMS treatment of the control group. The points were Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Yintang (GV 29), Fengfu (GV 16), Sishencong (EX-HN 1), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Shenmai (BL 62) and Zhaohai (KI 6). The treatment was performed once a day for 5 d a week followed by 2 d of rest for 4 weeks. The improvements of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) scores were observed after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, the PSQI, SAS, and SDS scores of the two groups were all reduced, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). After treatment, the three scores in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group, and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05, P<0.05, P<0.001). There was a statistically significant difference between the observation group and the control group comparing the clinical efficacy (P<0.05). Conclusion: The therapeutic effect of the Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-regulating acupuncture method plus rTMS in treating post-stroke insomnia is better than rTMS alone, and it can better improve the anxiety and depression of patients.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics and gene mutation of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7). Methods The regions of SCA 7 gene containing CAG repeat were amplified by means of PCR and agarose gelelectrophoresis (AGE) technique in 26 patients and 37 normal family members from 5 families with autosomal dominant SCA. The abnormal allele fragments were sequenced by DNA sequencing machine. The correlation between clinical manifestations and CAG repeat size in SCA 7 gene product was analyzed. Results The patients carried 44-50 repeated CAG in the SCA7 allele of 2 SCA 7 gene families with main clinical manifestations as ataxia, hypopsia and retinal pigmental degeneration. About 10-30 repeated CAGs in the SCA7 allele were seen in other healthy members. Conclusion Expanded triplet repeats in SCA 7 gene contributes to the pathologic phenotype,and molecular genetic analysis is effective in the diagnosis and differentiation of SCA 7 gene.

OBJECTIVETo sum up the clinical experience in the reparation of burn wounds with different types of skin flaps in patients with severe electrical injury.

METHODSFree skin flap, axile island flap with vascular pedicle and muscular skin flap were employed to repair 64 wounds in 49 cases.

RESULTSSkin flap necrosis happened in 2 cases, congestion and necrosis at the edge of skin flaps in 4 cases, and complete survival of the skin flaps and primary healing of the wounds in the remaining cases.

CONCLUSIONReparation of wounds with proper skin flaps according to the degree of the electrical injury is effective and reliable, which might be beneficial to the prevention of necrobiosis and the infection in deep tissue.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Burns, Electric ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo understand the incidence of colorectal cancer in population drinking or not and to validate the relationship between drinking and colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe data obtained from a questionnaire used in a population-based prospective screenings study in ten countries of Jiashan County was examined. A total of 64,102 men and women aged 30 y and older without history of cancer at baseline and a subcohort of 29,044 of them drinking past and current was conducted. Cox regression model was applied to estimate relative risk (RR).

RESULTSAfter 10 years follow-up,107 colon cancer and 135 rectal cancer cases were identified. Among drinkers and abstainers, the incidence density of colorectal cancer was 36.18 per 100 thousand and 37.26 per 100 thousand, respectively and there wasn't statistical significance(Z=0.52, P>0.05); The crude RR (95%CI) for drinker compared with never drinkers was 0.97(0.75 approximately 1.25), and the multivariable-adjusted RR (95%CI) was 1.13(0.87 approximately 1.48). The research power of this study was 96.99%.

CONCLUSIONAlcohol drinking isn't one of the risk factors of colorectal cancer among Jiashan County population.

Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; adverse effects ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have indicated that chronic stress may give rise to brain damage, which is related to the genesis of depression. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) and venlafaxine on depression.

METHODSRats were treated with chronic and comprehensive stress to create a depression model. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampal CA3 neurons of rats treated with different drugs. Behavioral changes of these rats were also examined.

RESULTSThe expression of BDNF in the hippocampal CA3 neurons of the depression model decreased with a reduction in exploring behavior and a significant increase in fecal production. The expression of neuron nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) protein also increased in the rats compared to normal controls. The rats treated with EGb and venlafaxine showed an increase in expression of BDNF and exploring behavior compared to untreated rats, but a decrease in nNOS and fecal production.

CONCLUSIONSRats sustain damage to the brain after being subjected to chronic and comprehensive stress. Our research has indicated that combined EGb with venlafaxine enhances the protection of neurons and decreases damage to the brain, while relieving the side effects of synthetic antidepressants.

Animals ; Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation ; administration & dosage ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; metabolism ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; biosynthesis ; Cyclohexanols ; administration & dosage ; Depression ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride