OBJECTIVE To observe the effect of flushing dental handpieces to prevent suction-induced contamination and to lower the bacterial level in dental unit waterlines,and then to analyze the time-effect relationship of flushing.METHODS Twelve BienAir handpieces(group A) and 12 W&H TA-96 handpieces(group B) were employed in this study.The water samples from each handpiece′s outlet were immediately taken once when operations of de-caries,cavity-preparing and dental-drilling had been completed,and then taken once per 0.5 min while the handpieces were being flushed by running without work for 4 min.The bacterial colony formation of these water samples was counted on R2A agar plates.Colony forming units vs flushing time were then compared.RESULTS Alike in groups A and B,water bacterial levels were lowered the most significantly while flushing the handpieces for 0.5 min.BienAir or W&H TA-96 handpieces still showed decreased levels of water bacteria when being flushed for 3 or 2.5 min respectively.Afterwards,the flushing effect reached to a platform,that was,more flushing time didn′t bring the bacterial level down further.CONCLUSIONS Flushing handpieces by running without work can significantly reduce the level of bacterial contamination in the waterlines.Different types of handpieces may have different flushing time at which the most effect is reached.

Objective To investigate the value of synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) in localizing motor cortex and epileptogenic focus for brain lesions near the central sulcus and to clear its advantage in the localization. Methods 12 patients (6 patients with epilepsy) were enrolled in this study. Before the operation, the patients were all taken Karnofsky Performance Status Score (KPS), examined with MEG by SAM technique in the localization of motor cortex and epileptogenic focus to determine their position relationship, and guide the scheme of surgery programme. During the operation, the location of hand-motor functional area were identified with evoked potential monitoring awaking test, and epileptogenic focus with electrocorticogram (ECoG) monitoring. The accuracy of location was assessed with the hand movement and KPS score, and the epileptic attack were evaluated with Engel curative effect grading. They were followed up for 2 years. Results The motor cortex of all the patients were located near the precentral gyrus with SAM and the localization of epileptogenic focus in 6 patients by SAM was consistent with that by ECoG. All the operations were based on and guided by the SAM. After the operations, the motor function and KPS score of 8 patients improved. No extra functional lesions happened in all patients. Epilepsy was well controlled in 5 cases. Conclusion SAM can correctly localize the motor cortex and epileptogenic focus. Meanwhile position relationship between the intracranial lesions and motor functional areas and epileptic focus can be clear. It is a valuable method for surgical planning and epilepsy controlling and will decrease the occurrence of neurological deficits after operation.

Objective To explore the relationship between serum leptin level and the hypothalamuspituitary-gonad ( HPG) axis in female adolescents with anorexia nervosa ( AN). Methods Sixteen newly diagnosed female adolescents with AN in Shanghai and Zhejiang province were investigated, and their serum leptin, FSH, LH and body composition were measured before and after 18 weeks treatment, and their menorrhea cycles were observed. The rhythm of 24 h serum leptin secretion was studied in 4 patients with AN. Twenty-six, healthy females with normal weight and without contraceptive medication were studied as controls. Results (1) All of 16 patients had amenorrhea, 3 primary amenorrhea and 13 secondary amenorrhea. At admission LH in 14 patients and FSH in 12 patients were below the low limit of the normal reference range (1.5 U/L and 4. 6 U/L respectively), and among them 5 patiend had both 15% weight gain and significantly increased serum leptin level (P

Objective To analyze clinical charaCteristics and diagnostic experience on thyrotropinoma (TSHoma).Methods Clinical characteristics,laboratory findings,diagnostic experience,and surgical outcome were summarized from 16 cases of TSHoma in our hospital from January 2006 to September 2011.Results ( 1 )Among 16 cases ( 9 male,7 female ) aged ( 51.63 ± 13.23 ) years,14 ( 87.5 ％ ) cases presented with hyperthyroidism and 2 were diagnosed by physical examination. None of them had exophthalmos, acropachy, or pre-tibial myxedema.( 2 ) Serum FT4 and FT3 levels were all above normal range with serum TSH ( 4.37 ± 2.77 ) μIU/ml.There were 25％ (4/16) cases with positive serum thyroglobulin antibody and/or thyroid peroxidase antibody,none with positive TSH receptor antibody.TRH stimulating test was performed in 9 cases,3 were with positive response ( peak TSH level increased by 5.45-9.20 μIU/ml compared with baseline),and 6 without response (peak TSH level increased by -0.01-3.15 μIU/ml compared with baseline).TSH was suppressed to 27.15％ (5.19％-99.15 ％ ) of the baseline in 11 cases in which somatostatin suppression test was carried out.Prolactin and insulin-like growth factor-Ⅰ levels were increased in 2 cases.MRI performed in 15 patients showed 10 cases of microadenomas and 5 cases of pituitary adenoma.A mass in nasal cavity was found in one case,where no mass was found in the pituitary.( 3 )Surgery was made in 11 cases ( 9 patients underwent transsphenoidal operation,one craniotomy,and one underwent operation via endoscopic nasal septum ). All patients (11/11) were proved to yield pituitary adenoma pathologically.Conclusion Thyrotropinoma should be considered in hyperthyroidism with unsuppressed TSH level,and dynamic tests facilitated early diagnosis.Ectopic thyrotropinoma shoull be considered when normal pituitary morphology was shown by MRI.

Objective To assess the diagnosis and treatment of enterovesical fistula.Methods The clinical data of 12 cases (10 men and 2 women;mean age,57 years) of enterovesical fistula were retro- spectively analyzed.Of the 12 cases,7 (58%) had colovesical fistula,3 (25%) had ileovesical fistula,and 2 (17%) had rectovesical fistula.The etiology of fistula was intestinal malignancy in 7 cases,Crohn disease in 3 ,and bladder cancer in 1,and intestinal diverticulitis in 1.The clinical features included fecaluria in 10 cases,recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) in 6,abdominal pain in 4,and pneumaturia in 3.Five patients (5/9) had a definite diagnosis by CT;3 (3/6),by cystoseopy;2 (2/5),by cystography;and 1 (1/5),by barium enema.Among the 10 patients undergoing surgical intervention,resection of the involved bowl with one-stage anastomosis and partial cystectomy was performed in 4;resection of the bowl with one-stage anasto- mosis and repair of the fistula or single bladder drainage in each of 2;one-stage transverse colostomy and two- stage radical colectomy with partial cystectomy in 1;palliative proximal colostomy in 3;and conservative ther- apy in 2.Results One patient died of septic shock 10 d after admission.Nine patients were followed for 3 months to 16 years (mean,6.5 years).One patient had intestinal fistula recurrence and was cured with re- operation;1 patient with conservative therapy and 1 with palliative surgery died of tumor metastasis;and 1 died of cerebrovascular accident 2 years later without fistula recurrence previously.Five patients undergoing surgery had a better survival with no complication.Conclusions The major cause of enterovesical fistula is intestinal malignancy.Fecaluria and recurrent UTI are the most common symptoms.CT and cystoscopy are the preferred adjunctive examinations.Surgical intervention is the major therapeutic choice.

Objective To investigate the impacts of wogonin on cardiac inflammation in pregnant hypertensive rats by regulating the monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)/CC chemokine receptor 2(CCR2)signaling pathway.Methods Pregnancy hypertensive rat model was established by intragastric administration of nitroso L-arginine methyl ester.The rats were randomly divided into control group(0.9％NaCl),model group(0.9％NaCl),experimental-L,-H groups(3.33 and 13.32 mg·kg-1 Wogonin),magnesium sulfate group(intrabitoneal injection 100 mg·kg-1magnesium sulfate),recombinant rat MCP-1 protein(rRMCP-1)group(intraperitoneal injected 0.026 mg·kg-1 rRMCP-1),experimental-H+rRMCP-1 group(gavage 13.32 mg·kg-1 Wogonin+0.026 mg·kg-1 rRMCP-1),each group consisted of 12 animals.Each group was administered once a day for 7 days.The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;the expression of M1 and M2 macrophages in rat myocardium was detected by immunofluorescence staining;the expression of MCP-1 protein in rat myocardium was detected by Western blot.Results Serum TNF-α levels in control group,model group,experimental-L,-H groups,magnesium sulfate group,rRMCP-1 group,experimental-H+rRMCP-1 group were(10.06±0.41),(23.39±0.57),(19.89±0.62),(13.64±0.51),(12.97±0.48),(28.84±1.05)and(17.15±0.69)pg·mL-1;the fluorescence intensities expressed by M1 type macrophages were 32.26±1.43,58.84±2.11,50.66±1.89,36.69±1.57,35.87±1.59,67.73±2.01 and 48.53±1.86;the fluorescence intensities expressed by M2 type macrophages were 31.15±1.20,46.56±1.03,51.92±1.04,59.11±0.82,59.26±0.83,40.26±1.12 and 45.53±1.65;the expression of MCP-1 protein were 0.58±0.03,1.86±0.11,1.62±0.09,0.76±0.07,0.78±0.06,2.16±0.13 and 1.34±0.12,respectively.The above indicators in the model group were compared with those in the control group,compare the above indicators with the model group in the experimental-L,-H groups,magnesium sulfate group and rRMCP-1 group,the above indicators in the experimental-H group were compared with those in the experimental-H+rRMCP-1 group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Wogonin may inhibit cardiac inflammatory response in pregnant hypertensive rats by inhibiting the MCP-1/CCR2 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of GM1 on inducing adult rat bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) to form neural progenitor cells and their differentiation.

METHODSPurified MSCs were induced by different components of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) alone, GM1 alone or combination of bFGF with GM1. After 3 days' incubation, fibronectin and collagen I were detected with immunocytochemistry, and nestin was detected with immunofluorescence. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and galactose cerebroside (GalC) were detected with immunocytochemistry after 7 days' incubation.

RESULTSAfter induction with bFGF alone or combination of bFGF and GM1, some MSCs exhibited the phenotypes of neural progenitor cells, and then neurons and astrocytes. In these two groups, the positive cells for fibronectin and collagen I decreased markedly after 3 days' induction. At the same time, the positive cells for nestin increased markedly. After 7 days' induction, NSE and GFAP-positive cells increased significantly. Furthermore, the addition of bFGF and GM1 caused the maximal variation. However, addition of GM1 alone had no inductive effects.

CONCLUSIONSCombination of bFGF with GM1 may synergistically promote the transformation of MSCs and differentiation into neurons and astrocyte-like cells. The results suggest a promising route for the application of MSCs.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Synergism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; G(M1) Ganglioside ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Probability ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stem Cells ; pathology ; physiology ; Stromal Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; ultrastructure

BACKGROUNDDevelopment of vulnerable lesions is not limited to the target lesions, but a pan-coronary process. Such lesions are identified by positive remodeling (intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and complex lesions (angiography)). The prevalence of lesions with vulnerable characteristics in patients with stable angina was not well known. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between coronary artery remodeling and incidence of angiographic complex lesions and its calcification in stable angina patients.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-one stable angina patients (95 males, aged (68 +/- 11) years) with 161 de novo target lesions were studied using pre-interventional IVUS. Remodeling index was defined as the lesion divided by reference vessel area; positive remodeling was defined as remodeling index > 1.05. Besides the 161 target lesions, there were 613 angiographic lesions with > 30% diameter stenoses, classified as complex or smooth. Multiple complexes were defined as more than one complex lesion in one patient. Stenoses of at least 70% were described as tight. Calcium arc area was used as a new method to quantify coronary calcification.

RESULTSFifty-six patients had positive remodeling target lesion, while 105 did not. The overall number of lesions with a diameter stenoses > 30% was similar in patients with or without positive remodeling, and the frequency of angiographically complex lesions was higher in positive remodeling patients, especially at non-target site. Calcium arc area was smaller in patients with positive remodeling.

CONCLUSIONSPositive remodeling on intravascular ultrasound was associated with more complex lesions angiographic findings, especially at non target site. Positive remodeling was found less calcified in patients with stable angina.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angina Pectoris ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Coronary Vessels ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Remodeling ; physiology

BACKGROUNDEndogenous hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S) plays an important role in hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of erythrocyte and serum H(2)S in patients with untreated essential hypertension.

METHODSWe recruited 62 patients (age 22 - 74 years) with untreated prehypertension or hypertension, and 64 normotensive subjects (age 18 - 64 years). We assessed the 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase (MPST) protein expression in erythrocytes and measured the H(2)S production from erythrocytes and serum H(2)S levels, then analyzed the association of erythrocytic or serum H(2)S content and blood pressure or cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., age, body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia). A stepwise regression analysis was used to evaluate the possible relationship of erythrocytic H(2)S in hypertension.

RESULTSIn hypertensive patients, erythrocyte H(2)S production ((111.04 ± 29.20) nmol/min per 10(8) erythrocytes) was higher than that in controls ((78.85 ± 19.38) nmol/min per 10(8) erythrocytes), and serum H(2)S was also higher. The erythrocytic H(2)S production was associated with increased systolic blood pressure (sBP), diastolic blood pressure (dBP), age, BMI, level of C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Serum H(2)S was not associated with age or CRP. Stepwise regression analysis showed that erythrocytic H(2)S production was correlated with sBP, TG, HDL-C, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum H(2)S was correlated with dBP and TG. Results of receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that erythrocytic H(2)S production was a more sensitive predictor of hypertension development than serum H(2)S.

CONCLUSIONErythrocytic or serum H(2)S production is sensitive predictor of hypertension.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Erythrocytes ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; blood ; Hypertension ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of cadmium chloride in anterior pituitary and the relation between apoptosis and expression of procaspase-9 mRNA.

METHODSIn vivo studies:40 SD male rats were randomly distributed into four groups which were administered with CdCl2 at different doses by gavage for 6 weeks;

IN VITRO STUDIESthe rats' anterior pituitary cells were primarily cultured for 120 hours, then treated with CdCl2 at the dose of 0, 1.56, 3.12, 6.25, 12.50, 25.00, 50.00, 100.00 micromol/L for 6 hours; The indices included: expression of procaspase-9 mRNA, detection of apoptosis with TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe results showed the excretion of ACTH, LH seemed to be decreased dramatically and the apoptosis inclined to enhance remarkably, and further more, the expression of procaspase-9 mRNA appeared to be increased significantly as compared with those of the control. It was show that a dose-effect relationship between the CdCl2 dosing and indices above with the regression analysis and a linear correlation between the mean gray value of apoptosis cell and the relative gray value of procaspase-9 mRNA positive cell. The results indicated that damnification, for example, apoptosis could be caused by certain dose of CdCl2 in anterior pituitary cells with dose dependent manner. Caspase-9 might play a role in the occurrence of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONIt was suggested that cadmium could induce apoptosis of anterior pituitary both in vivo and in vitro in the manner of dose-dependent, and caspase-9 might play a role during above processes.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cadmium Chloride ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Caspase 9 ; genetics ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Male ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects