OBJECTIVEThe purpose of the study was to investigate the content of nickel (Ni) ion in patients' saliva after wearing the porcelain-fused-to nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) crown or the porcelain-fused-to nickel-chromium-titanium(Ni-Cr-Ti) crown.

METHODS50 patients who had one molar or premolar needed repairing were selected and divided into two groups randomly. Patients in one group were fabricated with porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr crown and the patients in the other group were fabricated with porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr-Ti crown. Collect the patients' saliva before wearing, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after wearing. The content of Ni ion in saliva was detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

RESULTSThe content of Ni ion in both groups increased at the first week, and go back after 6 months. There were no significant differences before wearing, 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after wearing. There were no significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONWearing the porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr crown or the porcelain-fused-to Ni-Cr-Ti crown has no significant influence on the content of Ni ion in saliva.

Chromium ; Chromium Alloys ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Humans ; Nickel ; Saliva ; Titanium

Objective: We observed the influence of recombinant human growth hormone(rhGH) on protein metabolism in hepatocirrhotic rats and investigated mechanisms. Methods: Ninety rats were randomized into three groups(n=30 for each group): group A(normal rats), B(cirrhotic rats) and C(cirrhotic rats receiving rhGH). Rats in group C were subcutaneously given rhGH with a dosage of 1 U/(kg?d) for up to 1 week. The plasma concentrations of albumin(ALB), prealbumin(PA), transferrin(TF) and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) were detected on experimental day 14. And liver biopsy was taken to examine the expression level of albumin mRNA with TR-PCR. Results: The albumin, prealbumin, transferrin and IGF-1 levels in groups A and C were significantly higher than those in group B. The expression level of albumin mRNA in grup C was significantly higher than that in group B. Conclusions: The rhGH can improve the level of IGF-1 in plasma and improve the expression of albumin mRNA. Moreover, it may significantly improve the synthesis of protein and attenuate hypoproteinemia in cirrhotic rats.

Objective To summarize clinical experience of reconstructive operation with transpositional colon behind the sternum after corrosive esophageal burns and to explore the treatment for its complications.Methods Clinical data of 65 cases with esophageal scarred stricture after corrosive burns receiving reconstructive operation with transpositional colon behind the sternum were reviewed,56 of them by end-to-end anastomosis between transpositional anterograde peristaltic colon and esophagus,seven by end-to- end anastomosis between transpositional anterograde peristaltic colon and pharyngeal fundus,and two by end- to-end anastomosis between transpositional reversed peristaltic colon and esophagus,to summarize treatment experiences in pre-operation,operation and post-operation.Results Fifty-one of this group of patients recovered and discharged form the hospital smoothly,12 with cervical anastomotic leakage after operation including two cured by re-operation and ten cured by conservative treatment,and two with necrosis of transpositional colon including one died during operation and the other cured.Conclusions Corrosive burns of esophagus can be cured by leaving scarred stricture esophagus open without resection,and the effectiveness of reconstructive operation with transpositional colon behind the sternum is satisfactory with good pre-operative preparation,correct surgical operation,and correct post-operative treatment.

Objective To detect the influence of fluoride on the expression TM9SF1 mRNA and Ras mRNA of osteoblasts. Methods The third generation of primary cultured osteoblasts were exposed to a series concentrations of 0,2.5,5.0, 10.0,20.0 mg/L fluoride for 10 days. The influence of different doses of fluorine on the expression of TM9SF1 mRNA and Ras mRNA of osteoblasts cultured in vitro was investigated by SYBR Green I methods. Results The osteoblasts of the control group and the 2.5 mg/L group were in the shape of long spindle, triangle or irregular polygon and had processes, and the cytoplasm was translucent, adjacent cells affixed to each other under light microscope. Those of the 20.0 mg/L group shaped as long spindle or irregular polygon, and some vacuolization and granular materials appeared in cytoplasm. The number of the cells decreased and the volume increased significantly. After exposed to fluoride for 10 days, osteoblasts of 2.5 mg/L group morphologically proliferated. There were statistical siguificances between each groups of TM9SF1 mRNA in human osteoblasts(F = 322.82, P < 0.01). The highest in the 2.5 mg/L group(9326.0 ± 115.97), the expression of TM9SF1 mRNA decreased along with the increasing dose of fluorine. There were statistical significances between 5.0, 10.0,20.0 mg/L groups(6495.0 ± 323.9, 4387.5 ± 545.2, 5962.5 ± 536.7) and control group(9221.0 ± 107.5, all P< 0.01). There was a statistical significance between each groups of Ras mRNA in human osteoblasts(F = 703.28, P < 0.01). The highest in the control group, the expression of Ras mRNA decreased along with the increasing of dose of fluorine. There were statistical significance between 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, 20.0 mg/L groups(6144.5 ± 270.82,5603.5 ± 88.39,3181.0 ± 159.81,4067.5 ± 37.4) and control group(6571.0 ± 196.58). Conclusion The influence on TM9SFI mRNA and Ras mRNA expression in osteoblasts correlates with the dose of fluorine.

OBJECTIVETo establish the method of gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the determination of the cotinine (COT) in human urine.

METHODSThe conjugated trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (THOC) and COT were hydrolyzed in human urine with beta-glucuronidase. The composition of COT was extracted with the mixture of dichloromethane and n-butyl acetate (2:1) and was separated with HP-5MS fused-silica capillary column. The GC-MS was used for determining its content.

RESULTSThe monitoring limit of this method was 0.02 microg/L. Its recovery rate was higher than 90%, Its accuracy rate was 4.30%. It was used for the determination of the cotinine in human urine in Guangzhou Biological Bank the Elderly Cohort.

CONCLUSIONThe GC-MS method is a good microanalysis for monitoring the cotinine in human urine rapidly and accurately with little background disturbance. It has been applied in our Guangzhou Cohort Study for determining cotinine in human urine.

Cotinine ; urine ; Female ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Smoking ; urine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the health status and intention of quitting smoking in factory workers, so as to provide scientific evidence for smoking control.

METHODSA cross-sectional survey was carried out on smoking behavior, self-reported health status (SRHS), and intention of quitting smoking in 668 Guangzhou factory workers with different job types. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used on current smokers. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of SRHS, difficulty of quitting smoking (DQS) with some risk factors.

RESULTS(1) 65.0% (n = 348) male and 3.0% (n = 4) female workers were ever-smokers. 90.6% of male smokers usually smoked when getting together with friends or smokers, staying at home, or at leisure time, or just after a meal. (2) 10.7% of the daily smokers and ex-smokers had a worse SRHS than the general same-age people, which is significantly higher than 5.1% of the occasional smokers and those who were never smoking. The OR was 2.22 (95% CI 1.08 approximately 4.59) after adjusting age and education. (3) Of male daily smokers, 50.5% ever thought of quitting smoking. The proportions of ever-thought of quitting smoking were 73.3%, 50.0% and 37.2% respectively in those with better, pretty the same and worse SRHS than the general same-age people (P = 0.009). The proportions of DQS self-scored 30 or less, 31 to 60 and 60 or more were 26.9%, 24.9% and 48.2% respectively in male daily smokers. The OR for DQS (self-scored > 30 vs < or =30) increased with increasing number of colleague smoked and worked around, and with nicotine dependence.

CONCLUSIONDaily smokers and former smokers have worse SRHS than those who are occasional smokers or never smokers in male workers, and most of those with worse SRHS who ever thought of quitting smoking. The DQS is mainly significantly associated with number of colleague smoking and working around, and with nicotine dependence.

Adolescent ; Adult ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Intention ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; epidemiology

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) has been considered an effective therapeutic means of diabetes mellitus (including type 1 and type 2) combined with end stage uremia. Because the pancreas possesses high immunogenicity, so a feasible immunosuppressive regimen is a key to successful pancreas transplantation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasible immunosuppressive regimen after simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK). METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2009, 9 patients with diabetic nephropathy and end stage uremia, consisting of 5 males and 4 females, received SPK. The pancreatic allograft exocrine secretion was drained into the proximal jejunum via a side-to-side duodenojujunostomy. Quadruple immunosuppressive regimen including induction of interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and steroid, and gradual tacrolimus monotherapy. The clinical data of the 9 patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: SPK was successfully applied to all patients without serious surgical complications such as pancreatitis, graft dysfunction and pancreatic fistula. One patient died of cardiovascular accident in the early stage after SPK. The other 8 patients were followed up for 4-50 months. Serum creatinine decreased to normal range within 1 week after surgery. The 8 patients achieved euglycemia during early postoperative stage with insulin independence time (11.5±3.5) days and with fasting blood glucose recovery time (15.4±6.3) days. Acute rejection of the renal graft occurred in 4 patients, 1 patient died of cardiovascular accident and the other 3 recovered after antihuman thymocyte globulin or steroids bolus treatment. No rejection was noted in pancreatic grafts. These findings indicate that SPK is an effective treatment for patients with diabetes mellitus-related middle- and end-stage uremia．Quadruple immunosuppressive regime including interleukin-2 receptor monoclonal antibody induction is feasible after SPK, and such a regimen can be safely converted to tacrolimus monotherapy.

Aim To study the apoptosis effect of cucurbitacin Ⅱa on non-small cell lung cancer cell lines NCI-H460 and A549 and its underlying mechanism.Methods Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay.The apoptosis effect and cell cycle arrest were detected by Flow cytometry.Western blot was employed to detect the related protein.Results The proliferation of lung cancer cell lines NCI-H460 and A549 was inhibited by CuⅡa, which showed cytotoxic activity with IC50 values of 224.9 nmol·L-1 and 108.3 nmol·L-1 against NCI-H460 and A549 respectively.CuⅡa induced the cells apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase.The results of Western blot showed CuⅡa inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT3 and Cofilin in a dose-dependent manner.Further, CuⅡa inhibited the phosphorylation of Aurora A, in line with the important characteristics of anti-tumor effect of Aurora A kinase inhibitor with blocking cells in the G2/M phase.Conclusion CuⅡa has obvious anti-tumor effect against non-small cell lung cancer, which suggests its value as a lead compound for lung cell carcinoma.

Objective To investigate smoking behavior and nicotine dependence (ND), so as to provide evidence for tobacco control in workers. Methods A cross-sectional study to investigate smoking behavior and ND in 668 workers with different job assignment in Guangzhou. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and logistic regression model were used to analyze the association between ND and some risk factors. Results (1) The prevalence of ever-smoking was 65.0 % ( 348/535 ) in men ( 55.5 % daily smokers, 5.4% occasional smokers and 4.1% ex-smokers), and 3.0% (4/133) in women. The prevalence of current smoking for manual workers and safety officers were 67.6 % and 64.5 % respectively.(2) Among daily and occasional smokers, 66.7% and 89.7% of them had low ND respectively. Among daily smokers, ND increased with the duration of smoking. Manual workers and officers had higher ND. Conclusion The prevalence of smoking was relatively high in workers and officers and in men. However,majority of the smokers were with low ND and could be the prioritized target for a primary smoking cessation intervention program.

Objective To examine the impact of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) physical activity intensity on to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus among Chinese elderly. Methods A total number of 1996 residents aged 50 or above living in Guangzhou city were recruited from the phase 3 of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study. Information on physical activity and fasting plasma glucose status was derived from standardized interviews and laboratory assays. Results Among the participants who were classified as physically active (60.0%), moderate active (29.8%) and inactive (10.2%), the prevalence rates of type 2 diabetes mellitus were 9.1%, 12.0%and 14.2%,respectively. After adjustment on age, sex, obesity and other potential confounding factors, data from logistic regression model showed that the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for diabetes on subjects in physically moderate active and active group were 0.75 (0.46-1.26)and 0.60 (0.38-0.97) respectively with P for trend as 0.03, when comparing to those physically inactive ones. Conclusion Promotion of physical activity might have had some effects in reducing the risk of diabetes mellitus among the older adults.