Objective To assess the prevalence of carotid atherosclerosis in adult patients with KaschinBeck disease(KBD) in endemic area, and to investigate the association between KBD and atherosclerosis. Methods B-mode ultrasound was used to investigate carotid atherosclerosis in patients with KBD over 40 years old in Shanhe farm and Shangzhi city and residents in Shuangcheng county in 2009. Ultrasonography images were saved and graded according to intima media morphology. Results The prevalence rates of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with KBD from the 5 villages affiliated to Shanhe farm were 50.0%(26/52),37.3%( 19/51 ),42.5%(30/71 ),58.2% (39/67) and 44.0% (22/50) , respectively. The prevalence rates of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with KBD from the 5 villages affiliated to Shangzhi city were 63.0% (34/54), 45.3% (24/53), 47.2% (25/53), 60.0% (30/50)and 51.9% (28/54), respectively. The prevalence rates of carotid atherosclerosis in people without KBD in the 5 control villages affiliated to Shuangcheng county were 63.9% (46/72),43.1% (31/72),57.1% (40/70),46.9% (30/64) and 53.0%(35/66), respectively. Ten villages in KBD endemic area and 5 villages in control area were investigated. The prevalence rates of carotid atherosclerosis in the 15 villages were standardized and compared by Wilcoxon test. The differences were not significant between two KBD endemic areas and one control( T = 25.0,24.5,all P ＞ 0.05). There was no significant difference in prevalence of atherosclerosis in the 3 areas(x2 = 0.36, P＞0.05). Comparing the severity of carotid atherosclerosis in 3 locations, the difference was statistically significant (x2 = 15.28, P ＜ 0.05) and there was significant difference statistically between the subjects in Shangzhi city and that in the control group(x2 = 8.92, P ＜ 0.05). There was no significant difference between the detection rate of atherosclerosis and the severity of KBD, and similar results in the grade of atherosclerosis and the severity of KBD were found (x2 = 1.88,5.07, all P ＞ 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence rate of carotid atherosclerosis in historical endemic area in Heilongjiang province is not higher than that in the control area.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium. Methods The MICs of six fluoroquinolones(norfloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ofloxacin,levofloxacin,gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) against 35 clinical isolates of E.faecium from eight hospitals in Tianjin were determined by agar dilution method in the absence or presence of multidrug resistance efflux pump inhibitor reserpine.The quinolone-resistance determining region(QRDR)of parC and gyrA were amplified and sequenced.Results No less than twofold decrease in MIC values of the six fluoroquinolones in the presence of reserpine was observed in 35,29,1,0,6 and 2 of the 35 strains of E.faecium respectively.One fluoro- quinolone-susceptible isolate and five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates were selected randomly to analyze the QRDR of parC and gyrA.All five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates had single amino acid alteration in both GyrA and ParC.Ser-80 in ParC was substituted by lie(4 isolates)or Arg(1 isolates).Glu-87 in GyrA was replaced by Lys(2 isolates)or Gly(2 isolates). The other one had an Ser-83-to-Ile substitution.The one fluoroquinolone-suseeptible isolate had no alteration in the QRDR of either ParC or GyrA.Conclusions Both target alteration and active efflux are responsible for the resistance to fluoroquinolone in clinical isolates of E.faecium.

To prepare the oral self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) of GBE50, balance solubility method was used to screen emulsifier and assistant emulsifier; a pseudo-tamary phase diagram was used to prepare microemulsion; and orthogonal design was used to optimize formulation. Self-microemulsifying efficiency, dissolution, stability and pharmacokinetics of the preparation were studied. As a result, GBE50-SMEDDS of IPM, Cremophor EL, 1,2-propanediol and GBE50 could be self emulsified to form stable microemulsion with particle diameter between 20 and 50 nm when emulsifying with water. Its self-microemulsifying efficiency and dissolution are quick with good stability and it has a higher bioavailability than market existing agents Xingling particles. GBE50-SMEDDS is stable and effective.
Biological Availability ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Ginkgolides ; administration & dosage ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

As an important part of Chinese medicinal materials, uncommon-territorial herbs are also the most complex parts in the herbal medicine markets. Through years of investigation on the key markets of Chinese herbal medicine, the meaning of uncommon-territorial herbs, their historical evolution, origin and characteristics were clarified in this paper, and some countermeasures were put forward for its development.
Biological Evolution ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; history ; Herbal Medicine ; history ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; History, Ancient ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of physical and chemical factors on callus growth and phillyrin contents of F. suspensa.

METHODThe cell growth index and phyllirin yield in different culture condition such as different plant hormones mixed, mediums, light and dark were compared. HPLC was used to examine phillyrin contents.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONGrowth cycle of cells is twenty-eight days. During the course of callus growth, the processes of phillyrin biosynthesis were parallel with the cell growth. The optimum medium is MS. The optimum hormones concentrations are 1 mg.L-1 2,4-D, 0.5 mg.L-1 6-BA and 0.5 mg.L-1KT. The cell culture in light is more suitable than that in dark.

Culture Media ; Culture Techniques ; Forsythia ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucosides ; biosynthesis ; Lighting ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the curative effect of YU Yun pulse-feeling-based acupuncture therapy for the treatment of middle-late liver cancer. Methods A total of 60 middle-late liver cancer patients were divided into control group and treatment group by stratified randomization method,30 cases in each group. The control group was given integrated Chinese and western medicine therapy according to the clinical pathway, including anti-cancer treatment such as vascular interrention,molecular targeted therapy,chemotherapy,radio therapy, and focal ablation therapy,as well as chinese medicine treatment based on disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation. And the treatment group was given YU Yun pulse-feeling-based acupuncture therapy on the basis of treatment for the control group. The two groups received 12-week treatment, and then their curative effects were compared. Results The treatment group had better effect on increasing the survival rate, prolonging survival time, improving the scores of clinical symptoms, stabilizing tumor size, and increasing the scores of Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS)than the control group,the difference being significant (P < 0.05 or P <0.01). Conclusion YU Yun pulse-feeling-based acupuncture therapy exerts certain curative effect for the treatment of middle-late liver cancer.

Objective To prepare the 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense peptide nucleic acid (PNA)and investigate its value as a gene imaging agent in tumor bearing mice and early diagnosis in tumor.Methods Survivin mRNA antisense PNA and mismatch PNA were synthesized.Four amino acids (Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly) and Aba (4-aminobutyric acid) were linked to the 5' end of PNA.Gly- (D)Ala-Gly-Gly served as a chelating moiety for strong chelation of 99Tcm and Aba acted as a spacer to minimize the steric hindrance.PNAs were labeled with 99Tcm by the ligand-exchange method.The labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity were measured by HPLC and ITLC methods.There were five BALB/c nude mice bearing human lung carcinoma ( A549 ) in each of antisense PNA and mismatch PNA groups.Gene imaging of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense and mismatch PNAs were performed at 1,2 and 4 h post the injection,respectively,and the T/NT ratio was measured by the method of ROI.The statistical comparisons of average values were performed with the two-group t-test for independent sample by SPSS 13.0.Results The product kept stable in vitro.The labeling efficiency of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was (95.48 ±1.92)％ and more than 85％ after the incubation for24 h in serum.The radiochemical purity was ＞ 95％.The labeling efficiency of mismatch PNA was similar to the antisense PNA.99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA was especially uptaken by tumor lesion,and its accumulation reached the top at 4 h post the injection.T/NT ratios at 1,2,and 4 h were 2.70 ± 0.28,3.44 ± 0.35,4.21 ± 0.63,respectively.In the comparison,the T/NT ratio of 99Tcm-survivin mRNA mismatch PNA at 4 h (3.12 ±0.50) was significantly lower (t =2.918,P =0.019).Conclusions 99Tcm-survivin mRNA antisense PNA has high labeling efficiency,good stability and no need of purification.Its characteristic of especial uptake by tumor lesion provides the potential value in early diagnosis of tumor.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and related complications of bilateral minimally invasive transforminal lumbar interbody fusion via Quadrant channels for the treatment of single-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods Sixty selective pa-tients with single-level mild and moderate degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent bilateral MIS-TLIF via Quadrant channels from August 2015 to May 2017 were retrospectived investigated.Operative time,blood loss,X-Ray exposure time,postoperative drainage and related complications were recorded.Lumbar functional improvement was defined as an improvement in the JOA.The VAS was also employed at pre and postoperation(6 months),to evaluate low back and leg pain.Intervertebral fusion was assessed by Bridwell evaluation criteria and the clinical outcome was assessed by the MacNab scale at 6 months.In addition,related complications also were be analyzed.Results All patients underwent a successful MIS-TLIF surgery,of whom 58 patients were followed up for 6 months.The operation time was 170~290 minutes (mean:220.17 minutes),intraoperative blood loss was 100~260 mL(mean:168.62 mL),intraoperative radiation exposure was 15~36 times (mean:25.60 times) and postoperative drainage was 50~163 mL(mean:103.43 mL).Different significance between 6 months post-operative follow-up and pre-operation was exhibited (P<0.05) in VAS scores (t=34.97,P=0.000).At 6 months post-operative follow-up,there were significant differences(P<0.05) compared with pre-operation in JOA scores(t=36.91,P=0.000).At 6 months post-operative follow-up,21 cases of grade 1 and 37 cases of grade 2 fusion were present as determined by the Bridwell evaluation criteria(100% fusion).MacNab scale as-sessment classified 2 patients having excellent clinical outcome and 54 patients in good clinical outcome(96.55% of patients had good to excel-lent results).Amomg 60 cases,complications observed in 6 patients,direct injuries to nerve root in 1 case,dural tears occurred in 1 case,super-ficial wound infection in 1 case,pedicle screw was pulled out during the reduction of slip because of severe osteoporosis in 1 case and leg numb-ness and pain in 2 cases. Conclusion Bilateral MIS-TLIF via Quadrant channels with less complications is a safe and effective approach for the treatment of single segment degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis,but potential complications should be prevented as well.

OBJECTIVETo approach the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and tumor necrosis factor receptor II (TNFR II) gene polymorphisms in genetic susceptibility to silicosis and their interaction with silica-dust exposure.

METHODSTwo hundred and fifty-nine cases of silicosis and three hundred and forty-one silica-dust exposure workers (control) were selected, and the cases of silicosis were divided into three subgroups based on the various stages of I, II and III. Exposure history, pneumoconiosis history and past history of each subject were obtained by questionnaire. 3 ml peripheral venous blood was drawn from each subject. Using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) techniques, TNF-alpha and TNFRII gene polymorphisms were analyzed.

RESULTSIn both group matching and 1:1 paired matching, there was no significant difference between cases of silicosis and workers in control in distribution frequencies of G/A + A/A (TNF-alpha-308) and T/G + G/G (TNFRII 196) genotypes. The risk of silicosis in those with G/A + A/A genotype was 6.74-fold higher than G/G genotype (OR = 6.74, 95% CI: 1.01 approximately 44.99) in subjects whose exposure time was less than 15 years.

CONCLUSIONTNF-alpha and TNFR II gene polymorphisms did not play an important role in susceptibility to silicosis of Han race. There was interaction between polymorphism of TNF-alpha gene promoter and exposure time in the occurrence of silicosis. The risk of silicosis in those with G/A + A/A genotype was significantly higher than G/G genotype in low accumulative exposure.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type II ; genetics ; Silicosis ; etiology ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this research was to study the genetic diversity of F-ATPase subunit gene uncEBF derived from Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) clinical isolates, furthermore to investigate the relationship between the genetic diversity of F-ATPase and S. mutans aciduric ability.

METHODS38 S. mutans strains included 18 high acid tolerance strains and 20 low acid tolerance strains. Gene uncEBF of these isolates were amplified with specific primers from S. mutans genomic DNA, and the PCR products were analyzed by RFLP and sequenced. SPSS 11.0 statistic software assayed the results.

RESULTSIt was testified that two genotypes A and B of PCR-RFLP were revealed when digested with Alu I and Dde I digested fragments of uncEBF displayed two different patterns C and D. Fisher exact two-tail test showed that the distributions of A and B genotype strains with different acidurance were different (P < 0.05), and the proportion of A genotype strains from high acidurance group was higher than that from low acidurance one. Some of these amplified uncEBF genes from different genotype were sequenced and testified that there existed variation of Alu I and Dde I recognized sites.

CONCLUSIONThis study indicated that uncEBF gene of S. mutans F-ATPase obviously exhibited genetic diversity.

Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Dental Caries ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Streptococcus mutans