OBJECTIVEThis study investigates the differences in condylar position between centric relation (CR) and maximum intercuspation (MI) in Angle's Class II orthodontic patients before treatment.

METHODS80 cases, who were Angle's Class II pretreatment patients, and 50 cases, who were normal(ideal) occlusion were accepted. Dental casts were mounted on Panadent articulator with CR bite record, taken by bilateral manipulation and load testing. The differences in condylar position between CR and MI in all three spatial planes were measured using the Panadent condylar position indication (CPI).

RESULTS(1) The positive rate of CR-MI discrepancy was 92.50%(74 cases) in the group of Angle's Class II malocclusion and 10.00% (5 cases) in the group of normal occlusion(P< 0.001). 2)74.32% (55 cases) CR-MI discrepancy in 74 cases in the group of Angle's Class II pretreatment patients were coincidence discrepancy. (3)91.25% patients in the group of Angle's Class 11 malocclusion and 66.00% in the group of normal occlusion present occlusion interferences which located at the posterior teeth.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that orthodontists should be aware of a high incidence of condylar displacement in Angle's Class ii pretreatment patients, and measure condylar displacement before the start of comprehensive orthodontic treatment to unmask real jaw relationships and avoid possible misdiagnoses.

Adult ; Centric Relation ; Dental Arch ; Dental Articulators ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Mandibular Condyle

Objective To understand epidemiological characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)in people aged over 40 years in a rural area of Tianjin.Methods Using cluster sampling,1 508 subjects over 40 years old at five villages in Xinkaikou Township,Baodi District,Tianjin were investigated with respiratory questionnaire,lung function test and physical examination.Confirmed patients with COPD were examined by chest roentgenography and electrocardiography.Results One hundred and forty-two subjects in that area suffered from COPD,with prevalence of 9.4%,24 of them (16.9%)were diagnosed as cor pulmonale.Prevalence of COPD increased with age,higher in men (13.5%)than that in women(6.2%),higher in smokers(12.2%)than that in non-smokers(7.2%), higher in those with family history(21.4%)than that in those without it(8.45%),and higher in those with coughing history during their childhood(75.0%)than that in those without it(9.2%),all with a P-value of less than 0.01.Univariate analysis showed that out-door air pollution,cooking,time length of burning firewood during cooking,smoking,coughing history during childhood,gender,age,family history all were predisposing factors for COPD.Multivariate analysis with logistic regression model showed that gender,age, family history were independently predisposing factors for COPD.Quality of life was better in non-COPD subjects than in those with COPD,with statistically significant difference.Conclusions Prevalence of COPD was relatively higher in people of rural Tianjin,with gender,age,family history and outdoor air pollution as main risk factors.

Objective To explore the clinical and imaging features of Parkinson plus syndromes and its differentiation points. Methods Seventy-three patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD),68 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA),10 patients with dementia of Lewy bodies (DLB),15 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and 6 patients with corticobasal degegnration (CBD) were recruited between January,2004 and April,2009 from our hospitals.All patients were given detailed investigation, physical examination, mini-mental status examination and brain CT/MRI examination.Part of patients were performed 18F-FDG PE.Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 11.0 software. Results Except for postural abnormity, all the other main clinical features differed significantly between each 2 groups (P＜0.05).Brain MRI examination showed that Olivopontocerebellar atrophy was seen in 48 MSA patients (48/59,81.4％),putaminal hypointensities on T2-weighted images were seen in 4 MSA patients (4/59,6.8％) and the "hot cross bun" signal in pons was seen in 30 MSA patients (30/59, 50.8％); hummingbird-like changes were noted in midsagittal view of MRI in 3 PSP patients (3/15, 20.0％); all 6 CBD patients presented asymmetric cortical atrophy, especially in the frontoparietal areas,and 1 also presented putaminal hypointensities on T2-weighted image.Brain 18F-FDG PET indicated that 18F-FDG intake presented different distribution among groups. Conclusion Each atypical Parkinsonian syndrome has its specific clinical features which attribute to rule it out from either IPD or other Parkinson plus syndromes; brain MRI examination and 18F-PET scan can help to diagnose and differentiate Parkinson plus syndromes.

BACKGROUNDUncoupling protein (UCP) 2 is related to the dysfunction of beta cells induced by fatty acids. However, whether UCP2 has similar effects on alpha cell is still not clear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UCP2 and its possible mechanisms in lipotoxicity-induced dysfunction of pancreatic alpha cells.

METHODSThe alpha TC1-6 cells were used in this study to evaluate the effects of palmitate and/or UCP2 inhibit factors on the glucagon secretory function, glucagon content, the glucagon mRNA level and the nitrotyrosine level in the supernatant. Meantime, the expression levels of UCP2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha) were measured by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Furthermore, the possible relationship between UCP2 and insulin signal transduction pathway was analyzed.

RESULTSPalmitate stimulated alpha cell glucagon secretion and the expression of UCP2 and PGC-1 alpha, which could be partially decreased by the inhibition of UCP2. Palmitate increased nitrotyrosine level and suppressed insulin signal transduction pathway in alpha cells. Inhibition of UCP2 influenced the effects of free fatty acid on alpha cells and may relate to glucagon secretion.

CONCLUSIONUCP2 played an important role on alpha cell dysfunction induced by free fatty acid in vitro, which may be related to its effects on oxidative stress and insulin signal transduction pathway.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucagon ; secretion ; Glucagon-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Ion Channels ; genetics ; physiology ; Iridoid Glycosides ; pharmacology ; Iridoids ; Mice ; Mitochondrial Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Oxidative Stress ; Palmitic Acid ; toxicity ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; Phosphorylation ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Signal Transduction ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; physiology ; Transcription Factors ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism ; Uncoupling Protein 2

Gene therapy offers the promise of curing the HIV-infected patients. Specific, potent, and sustained short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated gene silencing is crucial for the successful application of RNA interference technology to therapeutic interventions. To reduce the probability of viral escape mutants, in this study, we constructed lentiviral vector containing vpr and tat shRNA, respectively, furthermore the bispecific lentiviral vector harboring vpr and tat shRNA expression cassettes from U6 promotor and H1 promotor was cotransfected with recombinant plasmid expressing the vpr and tat gene. The result showed that the bispecific lentiviral vector plvx-vpr-tatshRNA could inhibit the vpr and tat effectively,with ratios of 89.20% and 62.00% respectively. When cotransfected with pNL4-3 in 293T cell, plvx-vpr-tatshRNA showed higher efficacy in down regulating the HIV NL4-3 packaging production than the plvx-vprshRNA or plvx-tatshRNA individually. MT4 cell clones transduced with recombinant lentiviral vectors were screened and challenged with HIV NL4-3. P24 ELISA test showed that MT4 transduced with the combinational lentiviral vector could inhibit virus replication efficiently.
Cell Line ; Down-Regulation ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; HIV Infections ; therapy ; virology ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapeutic use ; tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; metabolism ; vpr Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the costs of preventing AIDS transmission from mothers to children in a high-incidence area and to investigate relations between costs and effects, as well as to study the economical effects of this approach.

METHODSAccording to the number of patients and each strategy on prevention of AIDS transmission, following aspects were calculated as: the cost of preventing each patient with HIV infection, to avoid the cost of one disability adjusted life year (DALY), to evaluate the cost of each patient with either HIV infection or HIV-infected thereafter,and to calculate the HIV-positive rates in mothers at the same levels between costs and effects.

RESULTSThe costs-effects for stopping pregnancy:it was 2264 Yuan for preventing one DALY, the costs of avoiding one case with HIV infection was 46 963 Yuan, but it was 211,000 Yuan from each patient after HIV infection, the ratio between effects and costs was 4.5:1. The costs-effects for comprehensive strategies showed that the cost was 60 853 Yuan for avoiding one case with HIV infection. It was 211,000 Yuan for each patient after HIV infection and the ratio between effects and costs was 3.5:1.

CONCLUSIONThe cost-effect of preventing HIV transmission from mothers to children was significant on the basis of economical level. It was more effective to evaluate the relation between costs and effects according to economical level in screening and preventing transmission from mothers to children under the situation that the HIV-positive rate in pregnant mothers was more than 0.03%.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; economics ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Child ; China ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Disabled Persons ; Female ; Health Care Costs ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; economics ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; economics ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo explore the immunoregulatory effects of human amniotic mesenchymal cells (hAMCs) on allogeneic peripheral blood lymphocytes.

METHODSThe hAMCs were isolated from abandoned human amnion. Peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocytes (PBMLs) were separated from healthy donors by density gradient centrifugation. Then, PBMLs were treated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and different concentrations of hAMCs. Proliferation effect of PBMLs was tested using MTS assay, and production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by PBMLs was detected by ELISA.

RESULTShAMCs could remarkably inhibit the lymphocytes proliferation. When the ratios of hAMCs to PBMLs were 0.05: 1, 0.10 :1, 0.20: 1, the inhibitory rates of PBMLs proliferation were 16.91%, 20.83% and 28.19%, respectively. HAMCs also decreased the production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha by PBMLs in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHAMCs could inhibit the proliferation of allogeneic lymphocytes and reduce secretion of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, which might be one of the mechanism for prevention and remission of transplant rejection.

Amnion ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Interferon-gamma ; biosynthesis ; Lymphocyte Activation ; immunology ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mesoderm ; cytology ; Phytohemagglutinins ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVESTo study the inhibitory effects of mouse telomerase RNA (mTR) antisense oligodeoxynucleotide(ASODN) on telomerase activity in rat spermatogonia.

METHODS9-mer phosphorothioate mTR-ASODN was encapsulated by Lipofect AMINE 2000 (LF 2000) and transfected to type A spermatogonia in Snrague Dawley (SD) rat. Telomerase activity was detected by aid of TRAP-SYBR-Green staining and Bioluminescence technique in type A spermatogonia treated or untreated with ASODN.

RESULTSmTR-ASODN conjugated with LF 2000 could significantly inhibit telomerase activity of spermatogonia(P < 0.01). mTR mRNA level also decreased while the spermatogonia were treated with ASODN for 24 h. No change of telomerase activity and apoptosis were observed when SODN, RODN or single LF 2000 was used.

CONCLUSIONSAntisense oligodeoxynucleotide of mTR conjugated with LF 2000 could significantly inhibit telomerase activity of spermatogonia. mTR-ASODN might inhibit telomerase activity of spermatogonia at transcription level.

Animals ; Male ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; RNA ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogonia ; cytology ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Telomerase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effect of QuDu ZengNing Capsule on AIDS.

METHODSQuDu ZengNing Capsule is a capsule containing extract from 4 Chinese medicinal herbs. Totally 1,000 AIDS patients were treated, among them 60 patients were clinically observed weekly. Blood routine tests, liver, heart and kidney function, X-ray, CD4, CD8 cells were examined before and after treatment at 1, 3, 6 month. The patients were treated with 4 capsules t.i.d for 6 months.

RESULTSThe symptoms were improved in most of the patients, the CD4 cells increased from 115.0 to 295.2/ul and the viral load (RNA copies/ml) in most patients reduced markedly or maintained at the same level.

CONCLUSIONThese data indicated that QuDu ZengNing Capsule was effective for treatment of AIDS patients.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Capsules ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; HIV-1 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo evaluate coronary artery atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and changes post coronary stenting by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODSOCT images were obtained in 22 diseased coronary vessels after coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in 20 patients and in 23 stents [7 sirolimus-eluting stents (SES) follow up at 4-29 months post stenting and 8 bare mental stents (BMS) at 4-35 months post stenting, 8 stents immediately after PCI].

RESULTSAll 22 vessels and 23 stents OCT images were successfully acquired. Two thromboses, 8 fibrous, 9 lipid-rich and 3 calcium plaques as well as 3 plaque ruptures were visualized by OCT. No significant neointimal proliferation and restenosis were found in SES stents and some struts were not covered with neointima even at 29 months post stenting. Significant neointimal proliferation on surfaces of stent struts were visualized in all 8 BMS stents and restenosis was detected in 3 BMS stents. OCT images obtained immediately after PCI showed that 3 stents were well positioned, tissue prolapse between coronary stent struts occurred in 4 stents and stent dissociation with vessel wall could be seen in 1 stent.

CONCLUSIONSOCT imaging can clearly visualize different types of atherosclerotic plaques. By providing detailed information on plaque characteristics, this technique might help cardiologists in choosing suitable stents and guiding preventive therapy for patients with coronary heart disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography ; Sirolimus ; administration & dosage ; Stents ; Tomography, Optical Coherence