Objective To explore the effect of excessive fluoride on expression of mRNA and protein of Wnt3a and β-catenin in rats' osteoblasts and its correlation with pathogenic mechanism of fluorosis.Methods Thirty-six healthy SD rats,weighting 100-120 g and according to body mass,were randomly divided into three groups(twelve in each group).The rats of control were fed wich tap water(fluoride ＜ 1 mg/L) and the experimental rats were exposed to NaF(low-fluoride group:5 mg/L,high-fluoride group:50 mg/L) added to the drinking water to establish the chronic fluorosis model.After fed for eight morth,all rats were killed and metaphysic of femoral was collected.Rat dental fluorosis was observed and bone fluorine was detected by ashing-fluorin ion selective electrode method.The content of bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(TRACP 5b) in rats' serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The morphologic changes of the bone were observed by microscopy.The expression of mRNA and protein of Wnt3a and β-catenin in osteoblasts of rats was analyzed with gray scale by hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry methods,respectively.Results Detection rate of dental fluorosis,fluoride contents of urine and bone were significantly increased [control group:0.0％,(1.26 + 0.17)mg/L,(305.58 ± 91.26)mg/kg; low-fluoride group:66.7％,(2.06 ± 0.64)mg/L,(632.33 ±123.21)mg/kg; high-fluoride group:91.7％,(7.69 ± 1.96)mg/L,(1088.75 ± 156.16) mg/kg] in the rats treated with fluoride,the difference between groups was statistically significant(χ2 =21.6; F =36.57,467.02; all P ＜0.05).The contents of BALP and TRACP-5b in rats' serum were significantly different between groups(F =89.57,7.68; all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with control group[(16.24 + 1.57)U/L],the contents of BALP in rats' serum of the low-fluoride and high-fluoride groups[(31.47 ± 5.30) and (54.61 ± 2.27)U/L] were increased gradually(all P ＜0.05).Compared with the low-fluoride group,the value in the high-fluoride group decreased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).The contents of TRACP-5b in rats' serum of low-fluoride group[(3.45 ± 1.85)U/L] were elevated significantly(all P ＜ 0.05) compared with the control group[(1.26 ± 0.23)U/L] and the high-fluoride group[(2.74 ± 1.85)U/L].The bone cortices were thickened and the bone trabecula was broadened,arranged closely together in chronic fluorosis rats with significant difference compared with the control group.In the low-fluoride and high-fluoride groups,the expression levels of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA (low-fluoride group:132.87 ± 5.72 and 132.57 ± 9.56; highfluoride group:135.60 ± 6.64 and 137.87 ± 9.16) were markedly elevated with significant difference,respectively (F =12.47,5.96; all P ＜ 0.05) compared with those in control groups(119.86 ± 5.04 and 120.58 ± 7.84) by hybridization in situ(P ＜ 0.05),but there was no statistical significance (P ＞ 0.05) of the level of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA between low-fluoride and high-fluoride groups.In the low-fluoride and high-fluoride groups,the protein expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin (low-fluoride group:137.50 ± 4.32 and 140.85 + 3.54; high-fluoride group:142.65 ± 11.84 and 152.52 ± 4.64) were markedly elevated with significant difference,respectively (F =10.07,53.82; all P ＜ 0.05) compared with those in control group (124.01 ± 2.63 and 126.75 ± 4.65) by immunohistochemistry(all P＜ 0.05),Wnt3a protein production in the low-fluoride group was increased without statistical significance compared with the high-fluoride group (P ＞ 0.05).But the protein production of β-catenin in the lowfluoride group was elevated with significant difference compared with the high-fluoride group(P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA and protein production of Wnt3a were positively correlated with the mRNA and protein production of β-catenin (r =0.731,0.658; all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Rat bone tissue lesions caused by excessive fluoride may be associated with an increased expression of Wnt3a and β-catenin mRNA and protein in osteoblasts.In chronic fluorosis,fluoride stimulates the overexpression of Wnt3a and β-catenin in the Wnt signal transduction pathway,enhances bone osteogenesis and causes skeletal fluorosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of mRNA and protein expression of CaN in the bone of rats with chronic fluorosis, and the mechanism of skeletal fluorosis.

METHODSThirty-six SD rats were divided into three groups (12 in each group, half male and half female selected according to body weight): control, low-dose and high-dose fluorosis groups. Controls were fed tap water (NaF < 0.5 mg/L), experimental animals in the low- or high-dose groups were fed water containing NaF of 5.0 and 50.0 mg/L, respectively. The rats were sacrificed after 6 months of treatment with fluoride. The serum was kept for testing bone metabolic marker bone gla protein (BGP) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the protein and mRNA levels of CaN in distal femur of the rats with chronic flurosis were assessed by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization.

RESULTSThe levels of BGP (1.99 ± 0.62, 2.38 ± 0.16)µg/L in the low- or high-dose fluorosis groups were higher than that in the control group (0.15 ± 0.03) µg/L; and the high fluorosis group showed higher level than the low fluorosis group (all P < 0.05). Compared to the control group (131.11 ± 1.95, 111.82 ± 2.39), the protein and mRNA levels of CaN were higher in the low- or high-dose fluorosis groups (142.69 ± 1.17, 157.54 ± 1.88 and 121.28 ± 3.27, 134.63 ± 3.19, respectively), and the high fluorosis group showed higher levels than the low fluorosis group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBGP content could be used as a bone metabolic index in endemic fluorosis disease. Fluoride might up-regulate the mRNA and protein expression of CaN, and the changes in CaN level may be involved in the increase of the bone turnover and could be one of the pathogenetic factors in fluorosis.

Animals ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Calcineurin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluoride Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fluorides ; metabolism ; urine ; Fluorosis, Dental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Osteoblasts ; metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Fluoride ; poisoning

Drug Resistance, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Mutation ; Nucleosides ; pharmacology

Objective - （ ）- （ ） To observe the effects of renin angiotensin Ang aldosterone system RAAS in workers exposed to Methods - - occupational noise. Forty five workers with suspected occupational noise induced deafness were selected as noise ， ， exposure group using convenient sampling method. According to their tinnitus symptom noise exposure intensity and work age - ， ， they were divided into no tinnitus and tinnitus subgroups <90 dB and ≥90 dB subgroups work years <10 years and ≥10 years subgroups. Another 45 workers with no occupational noise exposure history were selected as control group. The levels of plasma （ ）， ， ， renin activity PRA AngⅠ AngⅡ and aldosterone of the two groups were detected and the aldosterone to renin activity Results ratio was calculated. The diastolic blood pressure of the noise exposure group was higher than that of the control group ［（ ）vs（ ） ，P ］ ， 80±7 76±8 mmHg <0.05 . However there was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure between the two （P ） （ ： groups >0.05 . The level of plasma AngⅡ in the noise exposure group was higher than that in the control group median vs ，P ） （ P ） 100.98 65.43 μg/L <0.05 . There was no statistical significance in other indexes between the two groups all >0.05 . The （ ： plasma AngⅡ level in < 90 dB subgroup in the noise exposure group was higher than that of the control group median 123.16 vs ，P ） 65.43 μg/L <0.05 . There was no statistical significance in other indexes among the two subgroups of tinnitus symptom or （ P ） work age in the noise exposure group and the control group all >0.05 . There were no significant differences in the abnormal ， （ P ） rates of PRA AngⅡ and aldosterone in plasma between the noise exposure group and the control group all >0.05 . Conclusion Occupational noise exposure may affect RAAS and lead to increased plasma AngⅡ levels in the workers. - Tinnitus and work age may not affect RAAS in occupational noise exposure workers.

Objective - （ ）- （ ） To observe the effects of renin angiotensin Ang aldosterone system RAAS in workers exposed to Methods - - occupational noise. Forty five workers with suspected occupational noise induced deafness were selected as noise ， ， exposure group using convenient sampling method. According to their tinnitus symptom noise exposure intensity and work age - ， ， they were divided into no tinnitus and tinnitus subgroups <90 dB and ≥90 dB subgroups work years <10 years and ≥10 years subgroups. Another 45 workers with no occupational noise exposure history were selected as control group. The levels of plasma （ ）， ， ， renin activity PRA AngⅠ AngⅡ and aldosterone of the two groups were detected and the aldosterone to renin activity Results ratio was calculated. The diastolic blood pressure of the noise exposure group was higher than that of the control group ［（ ）vs（ ） ，P ］ ， 80±7 76±8 mmHg <0.05 . However there was no significant difference in systolic blood pressure between the two （P ） （ ： groups >0.05 . The level of plasma AngⅡ in the noise exposure group was higher than that in the control group median vs ，P ） （ P ） 100.98 65.43 μg/L <0.05 . There was no statistical significance in other indexes between the two groups all >0.05 . The （ ： plasma AngⅡ level in < 90 dB subgroup in the noise exposure group was higher than that of the control group median 123.16 vs ，P ） 65.43 μg/L <0.05 . There was no statistical significance in other indexes among the two subgroups of tinnitus symptom or （ P ） work age in the noise exposure group and the control group all >0.05 . There were no significant differences in the abnormal ， （ P ） rates of PRA AngⅡ and aldosterone in plasma between the noise exposure group and the control group all >0.05 . Conclusion Occupational noise exposure may affect RAAS and lead to increased plasma AngⅡ levels in the workers. - Tinnitus and work age may not affect RAAS in occupational noise exposure workers.

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between Beijing genotype (Beijing family) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and drug resistance.

METHODSA computer retrieval of Medline, Embase, SCI, EBSCO, CNKI, Weipu and Wanfang databases from 1990 to 2010 was conducted. A total of 525 articles exploring the relationship of Beijing genotype of MTB and drug resistance were found through literature search. Following the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a Meta-subgroup analysis was conducted in Beijing genotype of MTB and drug resistance.

RESULTSA total of 38 articles were selected, including 22 articles on isoniazid resistance, 24 articles on rifampin resistance, 19 articles on ethambutol resistance, 18 articles on ethambutol resistance, 26 articles on multi-drug resistance (MDR). Meta-subgroup analysis showed that in China, there was an association between Beijing genotype and resistance to rifampin, ethambutol and MDR: rifampin (OR = 1.62, 95%CI: 1.13 - 2.31), ethambutol (OR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.16 - 2.40), MDR (OR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.20 - 2.68); in Russia, there was an association between Beijing genotype and resistance to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and MDR: isoniazid (OR = 4.82, 95%CI: 3.19 - 7.29), rifampin (OR = 4.84, 95%CI: 3.84 - 6.10), ethambutol (OR = 3.32, 95%CI: 2.51 - 4.40), MDR (OR = 5.42, 95%CI: 3.36 - 8.74); in Vietnam, there was an association between Beijing genotype and resistance to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and MDR: isoniazid (OR = 2.12, 95%CI: 1.55 - 2.91), rifampin (OR = 4.71, 95%CI: 3.01 - 7.36), ethambutol (OR = 3.78, 95%CI: 1.63 - 8.77), MDR (OR = 4.21, 95%CI: 1.58 - 11.18); in other countries, there was an association between Beijing genotype and resistance to isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and MDR: isoniazid (OR = 1.69, 95%CI: 1.19 - 2.42), rifampin (OR = 2.48, 95%CI: 1.92 - 3.19), ethambutol (OR = 3.04, 95%CI: 2.13 - 4.33), MDR (OR = 2.36, 95%CI: 1.52 - 3.68).

CONCLUSIONBeijing genotype of MTB was positively associated with three kinds of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol) and MDR, and the relationship intensity was different in different countries.

Antitubercular Agents ; pharmacology ; China ; DNA, Bacterial ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Russia ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant ; genetics ; microbiology ; Vietnam

Adult ; Aged ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; etiology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; complications ; Female ; Hepatic Artery ; abnormalities ; Hepatic Veins ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo determine whether blood lipids profile, fibrinogen and viscosity were associated with passive smoking (i. e. environmental tobacco smoke, ETS) in Chinese women who never smoke.

METHODSIn Xi'an, China, a case-control study was carried out on 115 cases of coronary heart disease (CHD) defined by coronary arteriography (CAG) and 208 non-CHD controls confirmed by CAG and/or exercise electrocardiography. Data on exposure to ETS, defined as exposure from cigarettes smoking husband or co-workers or both for at least 5 years, was obtained through standardized interviews. Standard laboratory methods were used and the lipid measurements were under US CDC quality control programs.

RESULTSIn the subjects defined by CAG, the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL2C, apolipoprotein (apo) A1 among passive smokers appeared lower than those in non-passive smokers,but the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apoB, apoB/A1, fibrinogen, plasma and whole blood viscosity were higher than that in non-passive smokers. There were positive associations of the numbers of coronary arteriosclerosis with the levels of blood lipids,fibrinogen and viscosity. In the non-CHD controls, 81 subjects were not exposed and 127 were exposed to ETS. The P values of t-test for the adjusted (for age, body mass index, present diseases history) means between two groups were listed below: 0.06 (total cholesterol), 0.30 (triglyceride), 0.004 (HDL-C), <0.001 (HDL2-C), < 0.001 (apoA1), 0.009 (apoB), <0.001 (apoB/apoA1), <0.001 (fibrinogen), <0.001 (plasma viscosity), <0.001 and 0.004 [two measures (5.75/s and 230/s) of whole blood viscosity]. The correlation coefficients between cumulative exposure of passive smoking and HDL-C,HDL2-C,apoA1, apoB, apoB/apoA1, fibrinogen, plasma viscosity, and two measures of whole blood viscosity were -0.25, -0.27, -0.30, 0.24, 0.31, 0.32, 0.43, 0.51 and 0.36 (all P<0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONPassive smoking could affect blood lipid metabolism, fibrinogen and viscosity in the never smoking women which might contribute to the causation of coronary heart disease.

Apolipoprotein A-I ; blood ; Blood Viscosity ; drug effects ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; etiology ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution ; adverse effects

BACKGROUNDEmbryo quality and receptivity of the endometrium are two factors that determine the results of in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET). There is no consensus of the optimal transfer strategy for normal responders or high responders. The current study aimed to find the optimal transfer strategy for different subgroups of patients.

METHODSFrom April 2010 to December 2010, patients who meet the following criteria were included in this study; primary infertility, female age ≤ 35 years, FSH level on female cycle day 2 - 3 ≤ 12 mIU/ml, at least six good quality embryos available on day three. The clinical outcomes using different transfer strategies between normal responders and high responders were reviewed and compared.

RESULTSFor the normal responders, the clinical pregnancy rate of day three double-embryo transfer (DET) was comparable to that of day five elective single blastocyst transfer (eSBT), 64.04% vs. 60.33% (P > 0.05). For the high responders, the clinical pregnancy rate of day five eSBT was significantly lower than that of day three DET, 43.35% vs. 57.21% (P < 0.05). For the high responders, the rates of clinical pregnancy and implantation in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles were notably higher than in eSBT cycles (64.56% vs. 43.35% and 62.11% vs. 43.35% respectively) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSFor normal responders, eSBT might be an applicable strategy to reduce multiple pregnancy rates while maintaining acceptable overall pregnancy rates. And in order to reduce multiple pregnancies and increase the chance of pregnancy of high responders, FET may be a preferable strategy.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

OBJECTIVETo isolate and purify gallic acid and brevifolincarboxylic acid simultaneously by high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) from a crude extract of Polygonum capitatum.

METHODThe biphasic solvent system composed of ethyl acetate-n-butanol-0.44% acetic acid (3:1:5) was used at a flow rate of 2.0 mL x min(-1), while the aqueous phase was selected as the mobile phase and the apparatus was rotated at 860 r x min(-1). The effluent was detected at 272 nm.

RESULT51.5 mg of gallic acid and 5.9 mg of brevifolincarboxylic acid were separated from 1.07 g of the crude extract with the purities of 99.7% and 97.5%, respectively, while brevifolincarboxylic acid was obtained firstly from the genus Polygonum. The structures of the compounds were identified by ultraviolet spectrometry (UV), infra-red spectrometry (IR), liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), time-of-flight mass spectrometry( TOF-MS), 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and 13C-NMR.

CONCLUSIONThis method is feasible and rapid for isolation and purification of gallice acid and brevifolincarboxylil acid.

Carboxylic Acids ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Countercurrent Distribution ; methods ; Gallic Acid ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Polygonum ; chemistry