Objective Effects of exercise training and Chinese Medicine Compound for Invigorating Qi and Tonifying the Kidney on testicular StAR and P450 SCC mRNA expression in rats were observed. Methods 50 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sedentary control group(SC, n=10), sedentary with medicine group (SM,n=10), training group(T, n=15) and training with medicine group(TM, n=15). After 6 weeks swimming training , serum testosterone level of rats were tested through radioimmunological method; using RT-PCR, we measured testicular StAR and P450 SCC mRNA levels of rats. Results (1) In T group, serum testosterone level was lower than that in SM and TM groups. Whereas, compared with SC group, the serum testosterone level in TM group kept steadiness. (2) In T group, the gene expression of StAR was markedly lower than that in SC control (P

Objective To investigate the routine ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features of hepatic nodules in Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS) after portacaval anastomosis.Methods Routine ultrasonography and CEUS were performed in 18 BCS patients with hepatic nodules after portacaval anastomosis.Results Appearance after portosystemic anastomosis,multiplicity,small size,presence of peripheral rim and hypervascularization were important ultrasound imaging features of hepatic regenerative nodules in patients with BCS.Nodules showedquick wash-in and slow wash-out pattern in CEUS.Sixteen cases showed center-to-periphery enhancement pattern in arterial phase and hyper-enhancement in portal phase and late phase.Two cases showed periphery-to-center enhancement pattern in arterial phase and periphery enhancement in portal phase and late phase.Conclusions Hepatic regenerative have different features on routine ultrasound and CEUS in patients with BCS after portacaval anastomosis,which are useful for differential diagnosis.

Smu. 260 encodes a putative protein of 200 residues in Streptococcus mutans, a primary pathogen for human dental caries. Smu. 260 was cloned into expression vector pET28a and expressed in good amount trom the E. coli strain BL21 (DE3). Smu.260 protein was purified to homogeneity in a two-step procedure of Ni2+ chelating and size exclusion chromatography. The purified protein exists in two forms, a dimer form about 46 ku with yellow color and a tetramer form without apparent color. Crystals were obtained from the dimer protein by hanging-drop vapor-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to about 2.3 A resolution and belong to orthorhombic space group P212121 with cell dimensions of a = 89.88A, b = 90.91 A, c = 105.17 A. The asymmetric unit is expected to contain two dimers with solvent content of 53%.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on improving left ventricle (LV) function and LV asynchrony in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)using three-dimensional ultrasound speckle tracking imaging(3D-STI).MethodsTwenty one patients with DCM and 25 normal subjects were enrolled in this study.Parameters including LV mean longitudinal peak strain (MLS),LV mean circumferential peak strain (MCS),LV mean radial peak strain (MRS),LV ejection fraction(3D-LVEF),maximal temporal difference in area strain of LV 16 segments (A-MaxTs) and its standard deviation (A-Ts-SD) were investigated by 3D-STI.LV ejection fraction (ECT-LVEF) and LV phase angle width (LVW) were obtained by radionuclide ventriculography and phase image analysis.Results The indexes of MLS,MCS,MRS and 3D-LVEF were decreased and A-MaxTs,A-Ts-SD were prolonged in DCM group compared with those of control group.There was a slightly improvement in MRS and ECTLVEF 1 week after CRT,but other Parameters including MLS,MCS,A-MaxTs,A-Ts-SD and 3D-LVEF had no significant change.Compared with corresponding values before and 1 week after CRT,all parameters (MCS,MRS,A-MaxTs,A-Ts-SD,3D-LVEF and ECT-LVEF) were further improved 6 months after CRT.MLS,MCS,MRS and 3D-LVEF had good relationship with ECT-LVEF,and A-MaxTs,A-Ts-SD had good relationship with LVW in DCM group.Conclusions3D-STI is a simple and accurate method for evaluating effects of CRT on improving LV function and LV asynchrony in patients with DCM.

Objective To explore the safety and effectiveness of diagnostic ultrasound associated with microbubbles to open the blood brain barrier(BBB).Methods Microbubbles were injected through caudal vein,the rat head was radiated by GE Vivid 7 diagnostic ultrasound immediately.The radiated depth was located in the basal ganglia assisted by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)scanning.The degree of BBB opening was evaluated by enhanced MRI and Evans blue dyeing.The safety was inspected by observation of cell morphology under hematoxylin eosin(HE)staining.Results After the rat head radiated by diagnostic ultrasound with microbubbles,signal enhancement of the radiated area was observed on post contrast T1-weighted images.Red fluorescence of Evans blue was detected by fluorescence microscope in the same area.Normal cellular morphology and structural integrity were showed by HE staining.Conclusions The BBB of rat could be opened targetedly and noninvasively by diagnostic ultrasound associated with microbubbles.This may provide a new strategy for the drugs and stem cells treatment in the central nervous system diseases.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the injectability, histocompatibility, function and other properties of the injectable bioactive bone repairing material of nano-hydroxyapatite and polyamide-66 (n-HA/PA66) composite. The XRD pattern, the relationship between the injectability and liquid-powder ratio, setting time and liquid-powder ratio, compressive strength and liquid-powder ratio were assessed. The size of the composite was determined to be 70 nm in length and 30 to 50 nm in width, and the molecular weight of polyamides-66 was 18000. The diameter of pores of the composite was about 200 to 400 micrometer. To evaluate the histocompatibility and function, 8 male dogs were studied with the injectable n-HA/PA66 composite implanted in the artificial defected alveolus of mandible on only one side to be compared with the intact alveolus on the other side. The specimens were taken at 4, 8, 12, 16 months after the implantation and the results were evaluated. The XRD pattern of the solidificated n-HA/PA66 composite was the same as the powdered n-HA/PA66 composite. The injectable n-HA/PA66 composite had a good injectability, 25 to 30 minutes setting time and about 37 MPa compressive strength when the liquid-powder ratio was 0.50. The healing of the gingiva was well at the implanted areas in all animals. The height of the repaired alveolar bone was obvious higher than that of the blank control. The earlier sign of ossification was histologically observed at 16 weeks after implantation. The injectable n-HA/PA66 composite has good biocompatibility and osteoconductive property. As an injectable material, with good maneuverability, it is useful for repairing irregular bone defects, especially in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Alveolar Process ; drug effects ; physiology ; Animals ; Bone Regeneration ; drug effects ; physiology ; Bone Substitutes ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Dogs ; Durapatite ; Injections ; Male ; Materials Testing ; Nylons ; Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; X-Ray Diffraction

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of poly D,L-lactic acid (PDLLA) screws with PDLLA-rhBMP compound on bone regeneration in the screw holes and fracture ends of dog mandibles.

METHODSA self-control study was carried out in 4 dogs. PDLLA/rhBMP-2 compound screws were implanted to fix the mental fractures and PDLLA screws were used as control. The samples from mandibles were collected at 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks after implantation and observed by radiography and histology.

RESULTSAll dogs showed a greater degree of bone regeneration around PDLLA/rhBMP-2 screws than PDLLA ones and all fractures were fixed and healed well.

CONCLUSIONThe PDLLA-rhBMP screw has a better effect of inducing osteogenesis than PDLLA screw, and is able to exert a good fixation to fracture.

Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; administration & dosage ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Bone Screws ; Dogs ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fracture Healing ; Lactic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Mandibular Fractures ; surgery ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; administration & dosage ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on contrast-induced nephropa-thy (CIN) in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods A total of 521 patients under-went PCI in Tianjin were randomly divided into conventional treatment group (n=261) and NAC treatment group (n=260). NAC treatment group was given oral NAC (600 mg twice daily) for 48 h and 72 h before PCI plug hydration therapy, and the conventional treatment group was given only hydration therapy. The serum levels of creatinine(Scr), urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine clearance rate (Ccr), C-reactive protein (CRP),β2-microglobulin(β2-MG), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), inter-leukin-6 (IL-6), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and incidence of CIN were detected at admission and 72 h after the procedure. Results (1) There was no significant difference in the incidence of CIN between NAC treat-ment group (6.2%) and conventional treatment group (3.8%,χ2=1.48, P>0.05). (2) There were no significant differences in se-rum levels of Scr, BUN, Ccr, CRP,β2-MG, TNF-α, IL-6, SOD and GPX before PCI ( P>0.05). (3) The serum levels of CRP, SOD and GPX were significantly higher 72 h after the procedure in two groups ( P＜0.05). There were significantly lower se-rum levels in CRP, SOD and GPX in NAC treatment group than those of conventional treatment group ( P＜0.05). There were no significant differences in serum levels of Scr, BUN,β2-MG and Ccr between NAC treatment group and conventional treat-ment group ( P >0.05). Conclusion N-acetylcysteine may have no beneficial effect on the prevention of CIN after PCI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the burden of infectious disease of the Chinese population in 1990 and 2010 and changing pattern in the past 20 years.

METHODSResults of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD 2010) were used to demonstrate the burden of infectious disease of the Chinese population in 1990 and 2010 and changing pattern from 1990 to 2010 by gender and age groups, including indicators of incidence, mortality, years of life lost due to premature mortality (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD), disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and their age-standardized rates using data of the 2010 National Census as a standard population.

RESULTSIn 1990 incidence, standardized incidence rate, mortality, standardized mortality rate, DALY, standardized DALY rate, YLL, standardized YLL rate, YLD, and standardized YLD rate of infectious disease in China were 3 067 469 200 cases, 242 669.34 cases/100 000, 824 300 cases, 72.27 cases/100 000, 58 937 700 person-years (PYRS), 3 992.85 PYRS/100 000, 46 504 100 PYRS, 2 932.99 PYRS/100 000, 12 433 600 PYRS, and 1 059.86 PYRS/100 000, respectively. All the aboved indicators were declined from 1990 to 2010, in 2010 they were 3 065 985 800 cases, 224 351.66 cases/100 000, 388 600 cases, 30.74 cases/100 000, 19 492 200 PYRS, 1 440.75 PYRS/100 000, 12 045 700 PYRS, 891.87 PYRS/100 000, 7 446 500 PYRS, and 548.89 PYRS/100 000, respectively. When 2010's indicators were compared to those in 1990, the rates of increase of incidence, incidence rate, mortality, mortality rate, DALY, DALY rate, YLL, YLL rate, YLD, and YLD rate were 56.84%, -9.85%, -33.07%, -61.54%, -27.68%, -58.42%, -32.46%, -61.17%, -16.75%, and -52.13% for 50-69 age group; for ≥ 70 age group, 57.90%, -5.86%, 7.41%, -36.12%, -5.00%, -43.51%, -5.14%, -43.59%, -4.52%, and -43.2%.

CONCLUSIONSThe burden of infectious disease of the Chinese population was declined from 1990 to 2010; however, the incidence of infectious disease was increased in ≥ 50 age groups.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Communicable Diseases ; Cost of Illness ; Disabled Persons ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of chronic virus infection on laboratory tests results in patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis.

METHODSA total of 121 patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis, who were hospitalized in Shenzhen Third People's Hospital during June 2008 to June 2012, were recruited for analysis. Clinical laboratory tests results were collected for comparison between patients with or without chronic co-infection with virus.

RESULTSAmong the 121 patients, thirty patients were co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), two were with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and one was co-infected with HBV, HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Compared to patients with osteoarticular tuberculosis without HBV/HCV/HIV infection, patients with chronic HBV/HCV/HIV virus infection had similar positive rate of laboratory tests including tissue smear acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining, tissue Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) culture, tissue Mtb DNA detection, serological test of antibodies against Mtb, and Mtb. antigen-specific interferon-gamma release assay. Similar results were also found for erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reative protein level and liver function including Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase.

CONCLUSIONChronic infection with HBV/HCV in patients with have no obvious effect on clinical laboratory tests related to tuberculosis.

Adult ; Female ; HIV ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; HIV Infections ; complications ; virology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; virology ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular ; etiology ; microbiology ; virology