objective To observe the distribution of vitamin D receptor(VDR)gene polymorphisms in children of Han nationality and investigate the relationship between VDR gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to children's dental fluorosis of Han nationality.Methods From October of 2008 to March of 2009,a case-control study was conducted among children between 8 and 12 years old with(n=101)and without(n=102)dental fluorosis using Dean method in Guandian countyside of Fengtai county in Anhui province.DNA was extracted from blood samples ofthese children.The Apa I,Bsm I,Fok I and raq I polymorphisms in the VDR gene were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).The distribution of the genotypes in patients and the control group were analyzed. Results Different genotypes of the VDR gene existed in children of Han nationality with the highest distribution frequency of Aa, bb, Ff, TT, which respectively was 51.7% ( 105/203 ), 89.7% (182/203), 52.7% (107/203), 93.1% (189/203), followed by genotype distribution frequency of aa, Bb, FF, Tt, being 39.9% (81/203),7.9% (16/203),31.5% (64/203) ,6.9% (14/203), respectively. AA,BB, ff, tt distribution frequency was the lowest as follows, 8.4% ( 17/203 ), 2.4% (5/203), 15.8% (32/203),0 (0/203). The frequency distribution of VDR Apa I genotype was AA 7.9% (8/101), Aa 55.4% (56/101), aa 36.7%(37/101) in children with fluorosis, and AA 8.8% (9/102), Aa 48.0% (49/102), aa 43.3% (44/102) in children without fluorosis, respectively. There were no significant differences in the two groups(χ2= 1.13, P > 0.05).The frequency distribution of VDR Bsm I genotype was BB 3.0%(3/101), Bb 5.9%(6/101 ), bb 91.1% (92/101) in children with fluorosis, and BB 2.0% (2/102), Bb 9.8% (10/102), bb 88.2% (90/102) in children without fluorosis, respectively. There were no significant differences in the two groups(χ2 = 0.55, P > 0.05). The frequency distribution of VDR Fok I genotype was FF 28.7%(29/101), Ff 56.4% (57/101), ff 14.9%(15/101) in children with fluorosis, and FF 34.3% (35/102), Ff 49.0% (50/102), ff 16.7% (17/102) in children without fluorosis,respectively. There were no significant differences in the two groups(χ2 = 1.14, P > 0.05). The frequency distribution of VDR Taq I genotype was TT 93.1%(94/101), Tt 6.9%(7/101) in children with fluorosis, and TT 93.1% (95/102), Tt 6.9%(7/102) in children without fluorosis, respectively. The tt genotype was not found. There were no significant differences in the two groups (χ2 = 0.00, P > 0.05 ). Conclusions Different genotypes of the VDR gene existed in children of Han nationality. There were no correlation between VDR Apa I , Bsm I , Fok I , Taq I gene polymorphisms and children's dental fluorosis of Han nationality in this area.

OBJECTIVETo determine the root canal initial taper of mandibular second premolars of 13-23 year-old people by using Micro-CT.

METHODS23 extracted, single root, human root canal of mandibular second premolars of 13-23 year-old people were selected. The teeth were embedded in resin. The resins were scanned using Micro-CT at a resolution of 10 microm. The photographs at each level of 1 mm perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth were chosen. Bucco-lingual (BL) and mesio-distal (MD) diameters of each canal were measured at cervical, middle and apical third of the canals. Finally the taper were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe average taper of cervical, middle, and apical third of adolescents' root canals were 0.06, 0.08, 0.07 (mesio-distal direction) and 0.32, 0.21, 0.25 (bucco-lingual direction). The difference was not observed among thee level on mesiodistal direction about the canal taper by t-test (P > 0.05), but there was difference among three level on bucco-lingual direction about the canal taper by t-test (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe change of bucco-lingual taper of mandibular second premolar of 13-23 year-old people is obvious, and the smallest taper is in middle third of the canal. The mesio-distal taper of the canals is smaller than the bucco-lingual taper and the change of mesio-distal taper isn't obvious.

Bicuspid ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Root Canal Therapy ; Tooth Root

Adolescent ; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Lung ; pathology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; pathology ; Male

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of clinical application of stand-alone MC+PEEK cage in anterior cervical fusion.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to January 2014,50 patients were treated with the MC+PEEK cage filled with autogenous cancellous illic-bone graft after anterior cervical discectomy. There were 22 patients with cervical spondylosis,26 patients with traumatic cervical disc herniation, 2 patients with cervical instability in these patients. There were 32 males and 18 females, aged from 30 to 79 years old with an average of 53.30 years old. There were 32 patients with single segment, 15 patients with double segments and 3 patients with three segments. Cervical AP and lateral and the flexion-extension X-rays were regularly taken in order to assess the cervical physiological curvature, the graft fusion and internal fixation related complications. Nerve function, clinical effect and bone fusion were respectively evaluated according to Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA), Otani grade and Suk method.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 6 to 36 months with an average of 20 months. No correlated surgical complications were found and all patients obtained bony fusion with an average time of 4.30 months. JOA score had significantly improvement after surgery (P < 0.05). The JOA score was 10.60 ± 3.00 before surgery and 16.10 ± 2.20, 16.40 ± 2.35 at one week and six months after surgery respectively. According to Otani grade,40 cases got excellent results, 9 good, 1 fair. No significant dysphagia and internal fixation related complications such as displacement of cages were found during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONUsing this cage in anterior cervical fusion can obtain satisfactory clinical effect with less operation injury and reduce the complications. It is a better fusion method in anterior cervical fusion.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods

Aged ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; pathology ; secondary ; Duodenal Neoplasms ; secondary ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of berbamine on human hepatoma cell line SMMC7721.

METHODSThe effects of 24 h and 48 h incubation with different concentrations (0 to approximately 64 microg/ml) of the berbamine on SMMC7721 cells were evaluated using 3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Hoechst 33258 staining was conducted to distinguish the apoptotic cell, and the appearance of sub-G1 stage was determined by PI (propidium iodide) staining, the percentage of apoptotic cell was determined by flow cytometry following annexin V/PI staining. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle distribution and the mitochondrial membrane potential (psi(m)); the expression of activated caspase3 and caspase9 was analyzed by Western-blot.

RESULTSThe proliferation of SMMC7721 was decreased after treatment with berbamine in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Berbamine could induce apoptosis in SMMC7721 cells and could cause cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, to induce loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (psi(m)) and activate caspase3 and caspase9. Berbamine-induced apoptosis could be blocked by the broad caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk.

CONCLUSIONBerbamine exerts antiproliferative effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC7721 cells. The anticancer activity of berbamine could be attributed partly to its inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells through loss in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and caspase activation.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzylisoquinolines ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Membrane Potentials ; drug effects ; Mitochondria, Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; ultrastructure

Objective To analyze the viral genetic characteristics of hantaviruses carried by Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and its relationship with Hantaan virus (HTNV) and Seoul virus (SEOV) viruses as well as to identify the natural host of Khabarovsk virus (KHAV).Methods HV specific RNAs were detected by RT-PCR.Complete S and M segment were amplified from the RNA-positive samples.Phylogenetic analysis were performed to estimate the genetic characterization and the relationship with other hantaviruses.Results Fifty two Microtus maximowixzii voles were captured in Yakeshi areas.Of those voles,hanta-viral RNA was tested positive in 5 samples (9.62％).Complete S and M segments sequences were obtained from 5 and 2 lung samples,respectively.The complete S segment was consisted of 1848 to 1861 bp,and the M segment consisted of 3662 bp.These viruses were closely related to each other with 92.5％-96.4％ for the S segment sequences and 88.9％-95.4％ for the M segment sequences.They shared a higher identity with KHAV found previously in Yakeshi and KHAV of Russia.However,they were obviously different from the other hantavirus species.The 5 strains had the consistent secondary structure of nucleocapsid protein (NP) and glycoprotein (GP).When further comparing their secondary structures with those of HTNV and SEOV,our results indicated that there were no obvious differences in NP between KHAV and both HNTV,SEOV but with obvious difference in GP.Based on the S and M segment sequences,phylogenetic analyses revealed that these 5 strains clustered together with KHAV and formed a distinct lineage.Furthermore,all known KHAV strains could be divided into two small branches with a nucleotide divergence more than 5.3％.Conclusion Our research data revealed that KHAV was highly endemic among Microtus maximowixzii in Yakeshi area which supported the notion that Microtus maximowixzii had been the natural host of KHAV in the area.

OBJECTIVETo investigate how transient low dose of hydroperoxide pretreatment prevents cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.

METHODSSD rats were divided into 4 groups: sham operation (Sham), standard ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and IR preceded by low H2O2 treatment. Cardiac function and injury parameter were compared among groups.

RESULTSIPC protected reperfusion injury and improved cardiac function. Low H2O2 treatment played a role in cardioprotection similar to IPC. Low H2O2 was indeed generated in the early phase of simulated ischemia and attenuated cytochrome c release induced by high Ca2+ in isolated mitochondria.

CONCLUSIONLow H2O2 plays a critical role in cardioprotection probably by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition.

Animals ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; administration & dosage ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Jianpi Tongluo Jiedu Recipe (JTJR) on protein expression levels of COX-2, NF-kappaBp65, Bcl-2, and Bax, mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2, and the apoptotic index (Al) in gastric mucosa of patients with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PL-GC).

METHODSTotally 65 PLGC patients were recruited and treated by JTJR (modified by syndrome typing), one dose per day for six successive months. Protein expression levels of COX-2, NF-KBp65, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected in 65 patients using immunohistochemical (IHC) assay before and after treatment. mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2 were detected in 54 patients using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meanwhile, changes of Al was detected in 65 patients using TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) fluorescence method.

RESULTSAfter treatment with JTJR, positive protein expression levels of COX-2, NF-KBp65, and Bcl-2 were obviously decreased in the gastric mucosa of PLGC patients (P <0.01), but Bax positive protein expression was found to be higher (P < 0.05). At the same time mRNA expression levels of COX-2 and Bcl-2 were significantly lower after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); Al also increased after treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJTJR could promote apoptosis possibly via NF-kappaBp65/COX-2, COX-2/Bcl-2, and NF-kappaBp65/Bcl-2 signaling pathways, thereby affecting PLGC patients.

Apoptosis ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gastric Mucosa ; metabolism ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Precancerous Conditions ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDTransradial access has been increasingly used during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in last decade. Clinical benefits of upstream use of tirfiban therapy in STEMI patients treated by primary PCI have been reported. We investigated the merits of transradial vs. transfemoral access in primary PCI for STEMI patients with upstream use of tirofiban.

METHODSPatients with STEMI treated with tirofiban between December 2006 and October 2012 then by primary PCI were compared between transradial (n = 298) and transfemoral (n = 314) access. Baseline demographics, angiographic and PCI features and primary endpoint of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at 30-day clinical follow-up were recorded.

RESULTSBaseline and procedural characteristics were comparable between the two groups, apart from more patients in transradial group had hypertension and were treated by thrombus aspiration during primary PCI. Significantly fewer MACE occurred in the transradial group (5.4%) compared with the transfemoral group (9.9%) at 30-day clinical follow-up. Major bleeding events at 30-day clinical follow-up were 0 in transradial group and in 2.9% of transfemoral group. Multivariate analysis confirmed transradial approach as an independent negative predictor of 30-day MACE (HR 0.68; 95%CI 0.35 - 0.91; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONSUsing transradial approach in primary PCI for acute STEMI infarction patients treated with tirofiban was clearly beneficial in reducing bleeding complications and improving 30-day clinical outcomes.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; methods ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use