Objective To explore the central mechanisms when induced by acupuncture at ST36 using different needling techniques with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods Thirty-two healthy young volunteers were enrolled in the experiment. Eleven volunteers accepted acupuncture at ST36 using reinforcing techniques for electroacupuncture (EA), 11 accepted acupuncture using reducing techniques for EA, and the rest 10 accepted acupuncture at sham EA. The data of fMRI were collected and analyzed with statistical parametric mapping (SPM2) after real EA at ST36 or sham EA in right leg. Results Five minutes after acupuncture, fMRI data of reinforcing group demonstrated significant activation in the bilateral caudate nucleus, thalamus, left insula, cingulate gyrus, dentate body of cerebellum. From 20 to 30 minutes after acupuncture, fMRI data demonstrated significant activation of true acupuncture groups in the left thalamus, paracentral lobule, gyrus precentralis, middle temporal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, insula, bilateral caudate nucleus, hemisphaerium cerebelli, anterior and posterior cingulate gyrus. The signal of the reinforcing group for EA was stronger than the reducing group for EA. Acupunture of the false point activated the paracentral lobe and the hemisphere of cerebellum only. Conclusion Stimulation of acupoint ST36 with acupuncture activated different parts of the autonomic nerve system, including imbic system, supplementary motor area, grey matter, etc. Reinforcing technique for EA is better than reducing technique at ST36.

Objective:To establish three-dimension (3D) rectangular coordinate and to obtain relevant parameters of artificial tooth morphology for full denture.Methods:An artificial teeth coordinate was defined based on artificial tooth feature points, which were measured using 3D coordinate-measure-machine.Results:The 3D coordinate of 28 artificial teeth was established and the tooth parameters in the coordinate were obtained.Conclusion:The definition of artificial tooth coordinate using mathematic language is a based work of CAD full denture.

Objective To investigate the effect of different durations of low-concentration isoflurane anesthesia on the expression of 2B subunits-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NR2B) in the hippocampus of mice.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice, aged 10 weeks, weighing 20-24 g, were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table: control group (group C);0.7％-1.0％ isoflurane inhaled for 30 min group (group I1);0.7％-1.0％ isoflurane inhaled for 2 h group (group I2);0.7％-1.0％ isoflurane inhaled for 4 h group (group I3);0.7％-1.0％ isoflurane inhaled for 6 h group (group I4).Morris water maze test was carried out at 48 h after the end of anesthesia, and the escape latency and frequency of crossing the original platform were recorded.The mice were sacrificed after the end of the test, and the hippocampi were removed for determination of the expression of activated caspase-3 and NR2B (using Western blot analysis).Results Compared with group C, the escape latency was significantly shortened, and the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased in I1 and I2 groups, no significant changes were found in the activated caspase-3 expression, and the expression of NR2B was up-regulated in I1, I2 and I3 groups, and the escape latency was prolonged, the frequency of crossing the original platform was decreased, the activated caspase-3 expression was up-regulated, and the expression of NR2B was down-regulated in group I4.Conclusion The mechanism underlying the effect produced by different durations of low-concentration isoflurane anesthesia on the cognitive function is related to the expression of NR2B in the hippocampus of mice.

Objective To investigate a retrieval strategy for dentistry literature based on medical subject headings (MeSH). Methods We analysed the MeSH Tree Structures of PubMed in 2009 and combined it with the core glossary of dentistry to find out highly frequent dental words in MeSH. Then 6 words were singled out from the whole MeSh Tree to apply for a retrieval strategy for dentistry literatures. Results 102,500 pieces of dentistry literature were obtained from the year 2006 to 2008. Conclusions This research strategy can improve the efficiency of literature search in dentistry field for clinical or laboratory researches.

Objective: To acquire the 3D point-cloud of the dental casts of intercuspal position and rebuild it in computer. Methods:Aspecial scanning method was used to acquire the point-cloud of dental cast by using the D.02-L-3D SCANNER and rebuild the model by computer. Results: The method could acquire a 3D model with high resolving power and clear-cut dental anatomic configuration for the dental casts of intercuspal position. Conclusion: This is a viable method of scanning with many advantages, such as precision, simplicity , high efficiency. It could satisfy the requirements of clinical practice, teaching and scientific research.

Objective To explore the activity and its possible neural mechanism of brain default mode network by using resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods The 20 amnestic MCI patients and 25 healthy controls were included in this study, and all subjects underwent mini-mental state examination (MMSE), auditory verbal learning test (AVLT) and fMRI. The data were analyzed by amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (ALFF), and the enhanced and weakened regions of ALFF were observed and compared in both MCI patients and healthy controls. Results MMSE and AVLT tests showed that the memory function was seriously impaired in MCI patients compared with healthy controls, which is based on the short and long delayed episodic memory impairment (2.4±1.7 vs. 6.6±1.4, t=3.70, P＜0.01; 2.1±1.6 vs. 6.7±1.5, t=4.16, P＜0.01). The resting state fMRI showed that MCI patients had significant decreases of ALFF in hippocampal formation, parahippocampal cortex and lateral temporal cortex as compared with health controls (t=2.58, 2.43 and 1.75, all P＜0.01), which were closely relevant to the episodic memory. And they had significant increases in temporal-parietal joint and inferior parietal lobule (t=3.14 and 2.77, both P＜0.01). Conclusions MCI patients show significant decreased active intensity of some DMN nodes that is related to episodic memory in resting state. Increased active intensity in MCI patients would be some type of compensation.

Background and purpose: The proportion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT) is high. PHT may increase the risk of hemorrhage and liver failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efifcacy of liver resection (LR) for patients with HCC and PHT. Methods:From 2006 to 2010, a total of 564 HCC patients with Child-Pugh A liver function and with (78) or without PHT (486) were retrospective analyzed. Complications after surgry, 30 and 90-day mortality, overall survival (OS), and recurrence rates were compared between the two groups. Propensity score analysis was also conducted to reduce confounding bias between the groups. Moreover, subgroup analysis based on tumor stage and the range of resection was carried out. Results:The complications after surgry, 30 and 90-day mortality of patients with PHT were signiifcantly higher than those without PHT, before and after propensity analysis (P<0.05). After an average follow-up of 32.1 months, the 1-, 3-, 5-year OS of patients with PHT (75%, 45%and 32%) were signiifcantly worse than those without PHT (90%, 66%and 48%;P<0.001). However, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rates were similar between PHT group (31%, 57%, and 73%) and without PHT group (26%, 53%, and 67%;P=0.53). Moreover, the OS of the two groups were similar after propensity analysis, and for patients with early stage HCC and those who underwent minor hepatectomy (all P>0.05). Conclusion: PHT is not the contraindication of LR for patients with HCC. Those with early stage HCC and who underwent minor hepatectomy are the best candidates to LR therapy.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of human multidrug resistance 1 gene(MDR1)polymorphism and early MMF pharmacokinetics.Methods Twenty-eight Chinese primary renal transplant recipients were emrolled.On day 14 post-transplant,patients took the MMF orally on fast.Whole blood samples(2 ml)were obtained at the following time points:predose(G0)and 0.5,1,1.5,2,4,6,8,10 and 12 h(C0.5,C1,C1.5,G2,C4,C6,C8,C10,C12,respectively)postdose during the dosing interval.The MPA plasrna concentration was assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Pharmacokinetie parameters were determined by WINNOLIN 3.1.Three major single nucleotide polymorphisrrls(SNP),C1236 T,G2677 T/A,C3435 T of MDR1 were analyzed by PCR-RFLP.Pharmacokinetie parameters of MPA were compared between different MDR1 genotype and haplotype groups.Ailele frenqueneis were also compared in high(MPA area under concentratation-time curve 0～12 h,frequencies of 1236 TT,2677 TT/AA,3435 TT in three major MDR1 SNP positions,exons 12,21 and 26,were 0.368,0.184 and 0.211,respectively.MPA AUC was significantly higher in 1236 TT group than in 1236 CC/CT group(65.36±11.51 vs 53.33±13.77,P=0.032).On C1236 T SNP,TT genotype frequency showed significant difference between MPA high and low exposure groups(66.7%vs 15.4%,P=0.013,OR=2.526).T allele frequency was marginally higher in MPA high exposure group than that in low exposure group(83.3%vs 53.3%,P=0.072).Conclusion TT genotype on 1236 of MDR1 indicates a risk of early high exposure to MPA in Chinese renal transplant patients given by oral MMF,

Objective:To evaluate the actual measurement accuracy of 2 three-dimensional(3D)facial scanners for real person. Methods:3D digital face models of 1 0 volunteers with normal ficial form were obtained by 3dMD and FaceScan facial scanners respec-tively.The measurement values of 1 0 feature lengths and 5 feature angles were measured on each 3D model by the software respective-ly.The reference values of all characteristics were acquired by line laser scanner (Faro)with high accuracy.Statistical and surveying analysis were taken between the measurement values and reference values.Facial morphology measurement error and actual accuracy of facial scanners were obtained finally.Data were statistically analysed.Results:The length measurement accuracy of 3dMD and FaceS-can was(-0.37 ±0.68)mm and (-0.29 ±0.53)mm(P =0.223),the angle measurement accuracy was (-0.22 ±2.1 4)°and (0.1 2 ±2.69)°(P =0.428),respectively.Conclusion:The 3D data of ficial morphology obtained by the 2 scanners are not signifi-cantly different.

Objective To study the protective effect of Astragalus membrance on mice infected with tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii. Methods ICR mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10 5, 10 3, 10 2 tachyzoites of virulent RH strain of Toxoplasma gondii, and the mice were orally treated with Astragalus membrance 0 075 g/d per mouse or Azithromycin [150 mg/(d?kg)] each day starting from day 1 post-infection for 10 days. The survival rate and period were investigated. The parasite loads of livers and lungs of the mice infected with 10 2 tachyzoites were determined by fluorescence PCR methods at 4 day-post-infection (dpi) and 8 dpi. Results When infected with 10 5, 10 3 tachyzoites, treated with Astragalus membrance, the average survived days of the mice were 5 57 days and 6 23 days, and treated with azithromycin were 6 96 days and 8 12 days respectively. The azithromycin group but not the astragli group survived significantly longer than the control(P