Objective To study the COLIXA3 gene polymorphism of patients with fluorosis and to explore the pathogenesis of COLIXA3 gene in endemic fluorosis.Methods Fifty one cases of patients with drinking-water borne fluorosis were selected as the case group in Xinzhou city,Shanxi province and 28 cases of healthy people were as the control group.Dental fluorosis was detected by Dean method and skeletal fluorosis was examined by X-ray.COLIXA3 of exon 5 gene product of 103 points was amplified by PCR and the gene locus genotype was sequenced.Results Ten cases of mild dental fluorosis,14 cases of moderate dental fluorosis,15 cases of severe dental fluorosis were detected among the 51 patients.The control group was free of dental fluorosis.All the 51 cases of patients with fluorosis had varying degrees of skeletal fluorosis,mainly osteosclerosis lesions,accounting for 86.27％(44/51 ),and mild skeletal fluorosis patients were all osteosclerosis lesions,and osteosclerosis lesions and multiple skeletal lesions were found among moderate and severe skeletal fluorosis patients in the case group,while control group had no skeletal fluorosis.The differences between genotypes of frequency distribution of AA,Aa,aa of COLIXA3 of case and control groups were not statistically significant [96.08％(49/51 ),3.92％(2/51 ),0.00％(0/51) and 96.43％(27/28),3.57％(1/28),0.00％(0/28),x2 =0.94,P ＞ 0.05].ConclusionsCOLIXA3 gene polymorphism is not significantly correlated to fluorosis.

The inclusion complex of isotretinoin was prepared by sealed-control temperature method and amylose was used as carrier. The formation of inclusion complex was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and DSC. The equation of enzymatically-controlled drug release was established by kinetic theory, and the release characteristic of drug was confirmed by using the kinetic equation. The results show that the drug release was attributed to first order reaction without alpha-amylase. However, with alpha-amylase, the drug release was an acceleration process by the effect of both dissociation and enzymatic hydrolysis simultaneously. The research indicates that drug release from the inclusion complex was modulated by the addition of alpha-amylase.
Amylose ; chemistry ; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning ; Dermatologic Agents ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Hydrolysis ; Isotretinoin ; chemistry ; Kinetics ; Temperature ; X-Ray Diffraction ; alpha-Amylases ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the inhibitory of profrin II nanoparticles photodynamic therapy on Lovo human colon cancer xenografts in athymic mice.

METHODSProfrin II nanoparticles were obtained from hypersound emulsification method. LOVO human colon cancer xenograft were established in athymic mice. Athymic mice were divided into four groups:normal control group, profrin II nanoparticles control group, profrin II PDT group and profrin II nanoparticles PDT group. The animals bearing xenografts were treated 30 mg/kg body weight profrin II nanoparticles and 3 h later were irradiated with 9 J/cm(2) light from a diode laser. After Profrin II nanoparticles PDT, the anti-tumor effect was assessed by measuring tumor volume over a 3-4 weeks period, the morphologic changes were observed by microscopy and microscopy via the histological examination.

RESULTSCompared with the control groups, profrin II nanoparticles control group, profrin II PDT group and profrin II nanoparticles-PDT treated tumors had regressed significantly in earlier period with the inhibiting rate being 87.9% (P<0.05), 87.5% (P<0.05) and 56.0% respectively (P<0.05). In the later period post-PDT, tumors growth resumed with a slower rate. Profrin II nanoparticles-PDT prolonged the survival time in the treated group with (38.0+/-6.0) days (P<0.05). Extensive damage to tumor tissue was found in the earlier period (7d) post-PDT, whereas in the later period (21d) post-PDT, islands of vital-looking tumor cells were observed around the damaged tissue.

CONCLUSIONProfrin II nanoparticles-PDT results in inhibition Lovo colon carcinoma growth in post-PDT earlier period in vivo, and can prolong the survival time of nude mice bearing xenografts significantly, whereas profrin II-PDT could not inhibit the growth of colon tumor completely.

Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colonic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Nanoparticles ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; therapeutic use ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

OBJECTIVESerum pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is increased in acute coronary syndrome patients and related to prognosis. We investigated the effects of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on PAPP-A mRNA expression in monocytes.

METHODSMonocytes were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation from blood of healthy volunteers. The PAPP-A expressions at mRNA level post CRP or rhTNF-alpha stimulation were measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTSPAPP-A mRNA expression in peripheral blood monocytes increased 2 hours (0.2128 +/- 0.0136) and peaked 24 hours (0.6837 +/- 0.1360) after CRP (20 mg/L) stimulation compared with control group (0.1842 +/- 0.0101). PAPP-A mRNA expression increased rapidly, peaked 2 hours (1.2546 +/- 0.0866) and remained elevated up to 24 hours (0.8203 +/- 0.0413) after rhTNF-alpha (100 ng/ml) stimulation. The effects of CRP and TNF-alpha were dose-dependent. PAPP-A mRNA expression of monocytes were 0.2544 +/- 0.0611, 0.4177 +/- 0.1200, 0.5828 +/- 0.0152, 0.6837 +/- 0.1360 after stimulated with CRP (1, 5, 10, 20 mg/L), and 0.2424 +/- 0.1378, 0.3335 +/- 0.0196, 0.5742 +/- 0.0131, 0.6913 +/- 0.0219 and 0.8203 +/- 0.0413 after stimulated with rhTNF-alpha (5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 ng/ml). Actinomycin D, the DNA-directed RNA polymerase inhibitor, completely blocked CRP and TNF-alpha induced PAPP-A expression.

CONCLUSIONSPAPP-A mRNA expression could be stimulated by CRP and TNF-alpha in human peripheral blood monocytes which might be responsible for the increased serum PAPP-A level in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

C-Reactive Protein ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Monocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDDifficult airway remains not only a challenge to the anesthesiologists, but also a life-threatening event to the patients. Awake intubation is the principal choice to deal with difficult airway, and a key point for awake intubation is airway topical anesthesia. Yet, so far there is no ideal topical anesthesia approach for awake intubation. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of pressure-driven (by 10 L/min oxygen flow) lidocaine spray on airway topical anesthesia in order to find a powerful and convenient method for airway topical anesthesia for conscious sedation intubation.

METHODSThirty adult patients referred for elective surgery under general anesthesia, aged 18 - C60 years and Mallampati class I or II, were recruited for the study. Before topical anesthesia, the observer's assessment of alert and sedation (OAA/S) scale was controlled between 3 and 4 by intravenous midazolam (0.03 mg/kg), propofol (2 mg×kg(-1)×h(-1)) and remifentanil (0.05 µg×kg(-1)×min(-1)). Ten minutes after sedation, topical anesthesia was performed with the pressure-driven lidocaine spray; the driving pressure was achieved by an oxygen flow of 10 L/min. After topical anesthesia, tracheal intubation was performed and the intubation condition was assessed with modified the Erhan's intubation condition score by an experienced anesthesiologist, and a score of less than 10 was considered to be satisfactory. Attempts to intubate the patient were recorded, and the complications such as local anesthetic toxicity, mucosa injury, and respiration depression were also recorded. The mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded at different time points before and after intubation. Patients were asked 24 hours after the operation whether they could recall the events during intubation.

RESULTSAll patients were intubated at the first attempt, the average intubation condition score was 7.0 ± 1.1, from 6 to 10, satisfied intubation condition. MAP and HR increased significantly but mildly immediately after the tracheal intubation (P < 0.05), and decreased to the pre-intubation level soon after intubation. There were no related complications and patients had no recall of the intubation procedures.

CONCLUSIONSTopical anesthesia with pressure driven 2% lidocaine spray, where pressure is achieved by 10 L/min oxygen flow, can offer satisfactory intubation conditions for conscious sedation intubation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; methods ; Conscious Sedation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; methods ; Lidocaine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyse the prognostic factors and the neck treatment strategy of early tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

METHODSTotal of 152 cases of early tongue SCC underwent surgery between January 1994 December 2003 were reviewed. The patients, according to their neck managements, were divided into two groups, or wait-whach group (n = 32) and neck dissection group (n = 120), and the neck dissection group was subdivided into supraomohyoid neck dissection (SND) group and comprehensive neck dissection(CND) group (including radical neck dissection and modified radical neck dissection).

RESULTSAll patients were followed up over 5 years or until death and the 5-year follow-up rate was 94.7%. The regional recurrence rates of wait-whach group and neck dissection group were 34.4% and 14.2% respectively (χ(2) = 6.865, P < 0.01) and 5-year overall survival rates of the two groups were 68% and 79% respectively (χ(2) = 1.699, P > 0.05). There were no significant difference in the regional recurrence rate or 5-year survival rate between SND group and CND group (P > 0.05). The patients with pathologically node positive had a low 5-year survival rate compared to those with node negative. The patients with regional recurrence had a significant low 5-year survival rate compared to patients without regional recurrence (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSOccult lymph node metastasis and regional recurrence were important prognostic factors for early tongue cancer. Supraomohyoid neck dissection can not improve the 5-year survival rate, but significantly reduce the rate of neck recurrence. The results suggest that the selective neck dissection for ipsilateral level I-III should be applied to the patients with early tongue carcinoma which does not cross the midline.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; pathology ; Neck Dissection ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tongue Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo understand the incidence rates of agricultural profession-related injuries and the relationship to alcohol consumption.

METHODSA multistage sample of 2366 villagers was selected from Minority Nationality Villages, Heilongjiang province. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained interviewers during May 2008. 2198 (92.9%) of the eligible questionnaires were available.

RESULTSIncidence rate of agricultural profession-related injury rate was 11.8% (260/2198) from May 2007 to April 2008. Higher proportions of injuries were seen for males, 30 - 49 year olds, farmers and among those people working on farms for 10 years or more, smoking during farm work, with sleeping disorder, using motor vehicles, and those using agricultural machinery. Rate of alcohol drinking was 29.1% (640/2198) in the month prior to the investigation. Results from logistic regression models showed that alcohol consumption patterns and other alcohol-related behavior were examined in separate logistic models because of collinearity by controlling the variables that were associated with agricultural profession-related injury including sex, age, years of farm work, driving a motor vehicle, and agricultural machinery use etc. In each model, the reference group was those villagers who did not drink in the past month. The odds of injury among villagers with history of past month drinking, who drank distilled spirits, and alcohol drinking at breakfast and lunch were 1.80 (95%CI: 1.24 - 2.62), 2.09 (95%CI: 1.38 - 3.15), 2.15(95%CI: 1.43 - 3.22) respectively. The odds of agricultural injury also significantly increased with greater average amounts of pure alcohol per day, with increased frequency of drinking per week, and reported years of drinking.

CONCLUSIONIntervention efforts should include increasing awareness about alcohol drinking as a major risk factor causing agricultural injuries as well as controlling alcohol drinking, improving knowledge about driving motor vehicle and using agricultural machinery.

Accidents, Occupational ; statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Agriculture ; Alcohol Drinking ; epidemiology ; Alcoholic Intoxication ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Minority Groups ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors and the values of early invasive intervention in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) without ST-segment elevation.

METHODSFive hundred and forty-five patients of ACS without ST-segment elevation were randomly assigned to an early conservative strategy or early invasive strategy who had been admitted to hospitals consecutively from Oct. 2001 to Oct. 2003. The combined cardiovascular events (a combination of cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal heart failure and re-hospital admission due to recurrent ischemia angina) within 30 days and 6 months were analyzed and the primary high risk factors for combined cardiovascular events were evaluated by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis among baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory data, meanwhile, the effects of an early conservative strategy or early invasive strategy on outcomes were also investigated.

RESULTSThe incidences of combined cardiovascular events within 30 days and 6 months among 513 cases were 14.0% and 25.7% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis implied ST-segment depression, elevation of troponin I level, increased C-reactive protein, lower ejection fraction of left ventricular and higher TIMI risk scores were all associated with an increases in cardiovascular events within 6 months, and they were respectively independent predictive factor for the increases of cardiovascular events. Early invasive strategy was associated with a lower rate of re-hospital admission due to recurrent ischemia angina within 30 days and a decreased incidences of combined cardiovascular events within 30 days and 6 months compared with early conservative strategy (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSST-segment depression, elevation of troponin I level, increased C-reactive protein, lower ejection fraction of left ventricular and higher TIMI risk scores are high risk factors for patients with ACS without ST-segment elevation, and early invasive strategy can have a substantial impact in reducing combined cardiovascular events.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Aged ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEIsolation and expansion tumor spheres from colorectal cancer cell line Colo205 cultured in serum-free medium(SFM) supplemented with human recombinant EGF and bFGF.

METHODSColo205 cells were cultivated in SFM,while cells cultivated in serum-supplemented medium(SSM) served as the control. Cells morphology were observed by optical microscope, and expression of intestinal stem cells marker Musashi-1 was detected by immunocytochemical. To induce cell differentiation, tumour spheres were cultivated without EGF and bFGF in the presence of 10% serum. Then we analysed expressions of stem cell surface markers CD133 and CD44 among undifferentiated cell, post-differentiated cells and routine Colo205 cells under serum-supplemented culture condition by flow cytometry. At last we compared cell cycle and spectral karyotype between two groups.

RESULTSIn SFM consisting of EGF and bFGF, a minority of Colo205 cells could survive, proliferate and form the suspended tumor spheres. We detected high Musashi-1 expression in these cells. Compared with the SSM group and the post-differentiation SFM group, the expressions of CD133 and CD44 were significantly increased in the undifferentiated SFM group (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference in the expression of CD133 and CD44 between the post-differentiation SFM group and the SSM group (P>0.05). Cell cycle analysis indicated that tumor spheres were of a high proliferation state.We could not find any noticeable difference in the number of chromatosomes between the SFM group and the SSM group.

CONCLUSIONTumor spheres in which enriched cancer stem cells can be generated under serum-free culture condition with EGF and bFGF.

AC133 Antigen ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Peptides ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Spheroids, Cellular ; cytology

The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) on inflammatory cells accumulation after focal cerebral ischemia and the underlying mechanism. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 30 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 72 h of reperfusion. NDGA (5 and 10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min, 2, 24, 48 h after reperfusion, respectively. The brain injuries were observed by neurological and histological examination. Endogenous IgG exudation, neutrophils and macrophages/microglia accumulation, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression were determined by immunohistochemistry 72 h after reperfusion. ICAM-1 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR 72 h after reperfusion. The catalysates of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and cysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs), were evaluated by ELISA 3 h after reperfusion. The results showed that NDGA ameliorated neurological dysfunction, decreased infarct volume, and inhibited endogenous IgG exudation, neutrophils infiltration, ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expression 72 h after reperfusion. Moreover, NDGA reduced the levels of LTB4 and CysLTs 3 h after reperfusion. However, NDGA did not reduce the accumulation of macrophages/microglia 72 h after reperfusion. These results suggest that NDGA decreases neutrophil infiltration in the subacute phase of focal cerebral ischemia via inhibiting 5-LOX activation.
Animals ; Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase ; metabolism ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; physiopathology ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Inflammation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukotriene B4 ; metabolism ; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Male ; Masoprocol ; pharmacology ; Neutrophils ; drug effects ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control