Objective To evaluate effects of ascorbic acid on proliferative activity of cultured melanocytes in vitro, as well as on H2O2?induced oxidative injury in melanocytes. Methods The optimal concentration of ascorbic acid solution and median lethal dose of H2O2 solution were determined by CCK?8 assay for the following experiment. Cultured melanocytes were classified into the control group, ascorbic acid group, H2O2 group and combination group. During the first 24 hours, the control group and H2O2 group were treated with M254 medium, while the ascorbic acid group and combination group with ascorbic acid solution. During an additional 24?hour period, the control group and ascorbic acid group were treated with M254 medium, while the H2O2 group and combination group with H2O2 solution at the median lethal dose. After 48?hour treatment, CCK?8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to determine the survival rate and apoptosis rate of melanocytes, respectively, in the 4 groups. Biochemical methods were used to evaluate the superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and determine the malondialdehyde(MDA)concentration, and fluores?cent staining was conducted to detect the level of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in the control group, H2O2 group and combination group. Results The optimal concentration of ascorbic acid solution was 1 000μmol/L, and the median lethal dose of H2O2 solution was 300 μmol/L. The cell survival rate, apoptosis rate, SOD activity, MDA concentration and ROS fluorescence intensity in the control group were 100% ± 4.99%, 6.90% ± 0.87%, 54.71 ± 4.75 U/mgprot, 263.39 ± 20.17 nmol/mgprot and 342.16 ± 27.36 respectively. Compared with the control group, H2O2 solution could significantly increase the cell apoptosis rate(16.47%± 1.07%), SOD activity(103.62 ± 10.44 U/mgprot), MDA concentration(493.70 ± 31.36 nmol/mgprot)and intracellular ROS fluorescence intensity (782.48 ± 36.25), but decrease the survival rate of melanocytes (39.07% ± 2.94%), while ascorbic acid solution markedly down?regulated the H2O2?induced apoptosis (11.83%± 0.95%), SOD activity(76.73 ± 5.20 U/mgprot), MDA concentration(371.82 ± 23.05 nmol/mgprot) and ROS level (475.64 ± 52.18), but increased the cell survival rate (74.31% ± 5.53%). Conclusion Ascorbic acid solution at the concentration of 1 000 μmol/L can not only promote proliferative activity of melanocytes, but also protect melanocytes from H2O2?induced oxidative injury.

Objective To construct and validate a competency model for mental health professionals. Methods The literature analysis method, semi-structured expert interview method and Delphi method were used to construct the job competency model of mental health professionals. The hierarchical analysis method was used to construct the judgment matrix of each index and determine its weight coefficient. A total of 23 psychiatrists were selected as the validation subjects using the convenience sampling method to validate the model's effectiveness. Results The recovery rate of the valid correspondence questionnaire in this study was 100%, with an expert authority degree of 0.823, a coefficient of variation ranging from 0.070 to 0.101, and Kendall's W of 0.627-0.763 (all P<0.001). The constructed job competency model includes five primary indicators and 38 secondary indicators. The results of the consistency test (CR) showed that the CR value of the primary indicators was 0.028, and the CR values of the secondary indicators were 0.041, 0.034, 0.015, 0.020, and 0.032. The results of the hierarchical analysis showed that the weight ranking, in descending order, for primary indicators was knowledge, skills, ethical quality, intrinsic motivation, and personal traits. The top five secondary indicator combinations with the highest weights were basic clinical medicine knowledge, mental health professional knowledge, clinical diagnosis and treatment ability, medical ethics knowledge, and dedication to the job. The results of the validation analysis showed that the model scores for the 23 psychiatrists were consistent with their annual unit assessment results. Conclusion The constructed job competency model for mental health professionals can provide a reference for training and evaluation in mental health workforce development.

This study evaluated, over a 4-month study period, the amount of apical root resorption occurring in maxillary central incisors following their retraction when employing either micro-implant or J-hook headgear anchorage. The prospective randomised clinical trial was conducted in Orthodontic Clinic, College of Stomatology, China from 2008-2009. Subjects are patients requiring fixed appliances on waiting list (n=20). In female Han Chinese patients aged from 16-26 years, standardized periapical radiographs from 10 randomly assigned patients with maxillary protrusions comprising the micro-implant group, and from 10 similar patients comprising the J-hook headgear group, were assessed for maxillary central incisor apical root resorption. Measurements before and after orthodontic therapy were also obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs to calculate incisor horizontal retraction and vertical intrusion distances. Estimated retraction force vectors were calculated in horizontal and vertical directions for both treatment groups. Data analysis employed t-tests and the Pearson correlation test, with α=0.05 for statistical significance. The results showed that when compared with the J-hook group, significantly more apical root resorption shortening of the maxillary central incisors was observed in the micro-implant group (1.27 mm difference, 95% CI=0.70-1.84, P<0.001), which was associated with a significantly larger retraction distance (P=0.004) and a smaller vertical force component (P<0.0001). We are led to conclude that continuous activation of the nickel-titanium coil springs used in the micro-implant group resulted in significantly more apical root resorption shortening and maxillary central incisor retraction than when intermittent J-hook retraction was employed. The employment of continuous duration orthodontic forces presents a risk for increased apical root resorption that requires careful radiographic monitoring.

Objective To identify the influencing factors for rural doctors′ training effect,and suggest on the improvement of such training.Methods On the basis of rural doctors′ survey,the theory of pre-intervention was used to probe into the influencing factors for such training in five dimensions of attention notice,mega-cognitive strategies,advance organizer,goal orientation,and preparatory information.Results 73.2% of the groups were found with satisfying effect.In the single factor analysis,comparison of training effect involving such factors as age,gender,length of work life and pre-intervention revealed statistical significance(P<0.05).As shown in the logistic regression analysis,High motivation in meta-cognitive strategies,Clear goals in goal orientation,Tiered and categorized training in advance organizers,and Practical learning in preparatory information,as well as variants like age would influence rural doctors′ training effect significantly.Conclusions The key to better training effect lies in better motivation of the trainee,setting correct training goals,emphasis on the practicability of training contents and,the pertinence of the training objects.

This study evaluated, over a 4-month study period, the amount of apical root resorption occurring in maxillary central incisors following their retraction when employing either micro-implant or J-hook headgear anchorage. The prospective randomised clinical trial was conducted in Orthodontic Clinic, College of Stomatology, China from 2008-2009. Subjects are patients requiring fixed appliances on waiting list (n=20). In female Han Chinese patients aged from 16-26 years, standardized periapical radiographs from 10 randomly assigned patients with maxillary protrusions comprising the micro-implant group, and from 10 similar patients comprising the J-hook headgear group, were assessed for maxillary central incisor apical root resorption. Measurements before and after orthodontic therapy were also obtained from lateral cephalometric radiographs to calculate incisor horizontal retraction and vertical intrusion distances. Estimated retraction force vectors were calculated in horizontal and vertical directions for both treatment groups. Data analysis employed t-tests and the Pearson correlation test, with α=0.05 for statistical significance. The results showed that when compared with the J-hook group, significantly more apical root resorption shortening of the maxillary central incisors was observed in the micro-implant group (1.27 mm difference, 95% CI=0.70-1.84, P<0.001), which was associated with a significantly larger retraction distance (P=0.004) and a smaller vertical force component (P<0.0001). We are led to conclude that continuous activation of the nickel-titanium coil springs used in the micro-implant group resulted in significantly more apical root resorption shortening and maxillary central incisor retraction than when intermittent J-hook retraction was employed. The employment of continuous duration orthodontic forces presents a risk for increased apical root resorption that requires careful radiographic monitoring.
Adult ; Dental Implants ; Female ; Humans ; Incisor ; diagnostic imaging ; Maxilla ; diagnostic imaging ; Orthodontic Anchorage Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Root Resorption ; diagnostic imaging ; Tooth Apex ; diagnostic imaging ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antagonistic effect and mechanism of the effect of cyproheptadine (Cyp) on endotoxic shock in rats.

METHODSEndotoxic shock was produced in rats by i.v. injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (5 mg/kg). Tumor necrosis factor (TNF(alpha)) mRNA expression was assessed by Northern blot. Plasma TNF(alpha) content was measured by radioimmunoassay. Plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured. The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in single endothelial cells was determined by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM).

RESULTSCyp 5 mg/kg injected immediately after i.v. LPS raised the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) of shocked rats and improved their 24 h survival rate. Meanwhile, Cyp markedly decreased TNF(alpha) mRNA levels in rat liver (18 +/- 10 vs. LPS + saline 38 +/- 10, P < 0.01) as well as plasma TNF(alpha) content [(7.8 +/- 2.4) microg/L vs. LPS + saline (21.5 +/- 3.2) microg/L, P < 0.01)]. It enhanced plasma SOD activity [(1037.2 +/- 112.8) NU/L vs LPS + saline (615.4 +/- 92.6) NU/L, P < 0.01], reduced the MDA content [(5.2 +/- 1.1) micromol/L vs. LPS + saline (9.8 +/- 1.5) micromol/L, P < 0.01], and inhibited TNF(alpha)-induced [Ca(2+)](i) elevation.

CONCLUSIONCyp exerts an anti-endotoxic shock effect by inhibiting TNF(alpha) gene expression, enhancing SOD activity, reducing lipid peroxidation, and preventing [Ca(2+)](i) overload.

Animals ; Cyproheptadine ; pharmacology ; Histamine H1 Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Shock, Septic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis ; genetics

We report a case of cutaneous and subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala jeanselmei after renal transplantation in Guangdong. A 66-year-old man who had a renal transplantation 6 years ago was admitted in October 2011 for the presence of 16 nodules (0.5-1.5 cm) found on his right middle finger, wrist and forearm for 5 months. Microscopic examination of the purulent exudate showed segmented and branched brown mycelium, and tissue biopsy and PAS staining showed fungal hyphae. The isolate was processed for morphological identification and molecular sequence analysis. A black colony was found after culture of the isolate on SDA at 26 degrees Celsius;, and small culture identified the isolate as Exophiala jeanselmei. ITS sequence analysis of the isolate showed a 100% homology with Exophiala jeanselmei. E-test strip was used in drug sensitivity test, and the isolate was sensitive to amphotericin B, voriconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole, but resistant to 5-flucytosine and caspofungin. Good response was obtained with surgical intervention, local injection and systemic antifungal treatment.
Aged ; Exophiala ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Male ; Phaeohyphomycosis ; etiology ; Postoperative Complications

Objective To investigate spatial distribution and temporal trend of main water-soluble inorganic ions in PM_2.5 of Wuhan. Methods PM_2.5 samples were simultaneously collected at 5 sites in Wuhan from January 2017 to December 2017 (7 consecutive days per month). The main water-soluble ions in PM_2.5 were determined by weighing method and ion chromatography. The seasonal variations and spatial distribution differences were analyzed. Results The results showed that the mass concentration of PM_2.5 in Wuhan changed in different seasons. It was highest in winter, followed by spring and autumn, and lowest in summer. There were obvious seasonal changes in the mass concentrations and proportions of distinct ions. The concentrations of the four detected water-soluble inorganic ions were highest in winter. SO₄^2- had highest concentration and proportion, followed by NO₃^- and NH₄⁺, and Cl- was the lowest. In terms of spatial distribution, the total ion concentration and proportion was the largest in Wuchang and the lowest in Dongxihu. Conclusion The seasonal variation of main water-soluble inorganic ions in PM_2.5 was obvious, and the spatial distribution was also different in Wuhan.