OBJECTIVETo compare the long-term clinical effects of two kinds of crowns and bridges made of porcelain fused to Au-Pt alloy and Ni-Cr alloy.

METHODSA total of 131 teeth (64 patients) were rehabilitated using porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns, among which 59 were rehabilitated with Au-Pt alloy metal ceramic crown and 72 with Ni-Cr alloy metal ceramic crown.The porcelain fracture, shade, marginal adaptation, gingival discoloration, and gingival status after finishing restoration and 36 months of follow-up were evaluated.

RESULTSAfter 36 months of restoration, porcelain fused to Au-Pt alloy crown showed better clinical effects than porcelain fused to Ni-Cr alloy crown in shade, marginal adaptation, gingival discoloration, as well as gingival status (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Au-Pt alloy ceramic crown is superior to Ni-Cr alloy ceramic crown in long-term clinical effects.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Chromium Alloys ; Crowns ; Female ; Gold Alloys ; Humans ; Male ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Middle Aged

Objective To study the secular changes on both morphological development and nutritional status among Tibetan students, from 1985 to 2005. Methods Data from the Chinese national survey on students' physical fitness and health in 1985, 1995, 2000 and 2005 were used to analyze and find out the difference of the morphological development and nutrition status of Tibetan students aged 7-18 years in different years. Results From 1985 to 2005, the height and weight of Tibetan students had a growing trend. The height and weight of schoolboys and schoolgirls aged 7-18 years increased 3.94 cm, 5.08 kg, 2.25 cm, and 4.24 kg respectively, while the circumference decreased without significance. The prevalence rates of underweight and malnutrition in Tibetan students further went down along with the improvement of their nutritional status. However, the prevalence rates on both overweight and obesity increased continuously, affecting the health status of Tibetan students. Conclusion From 1985 to 2005, the morphological development of Tibetan students had a growing trend and their nutrition status improved. However, the prevalence of overweight and obesity continuously increased.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the inhibitory effects of antisense oligonucleotides to different sequences on VEGF gene expression by human hepatoma cells.

METHODSSMMC7721 cells were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions for 24 h, followed by being transfected with different antisense oligonucleotides (A06513 to cap structure, A06514 to translation initiation, A06515 to Exon-3 and A06516 to translation terminal). The total RNAs from the cells were extracted and the VEGF expression were examined with RT-PCR. The relative concentrations of VEGF transcripts in SMMC772 cells from different groups were determined using GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) cDNA as internal standard.

RESULTSIn response to the hypoxic challenge, SMMC7721 cells upregulated VEGF mRNA; Comparative to the control (no oligonucleotides), A06513, A06514, A06515, and A06516 had obvious sequence-specific inhibitory effect on VEGF gene expression, with the ratio of VEGF over GAPDH of 0.49+/-0.08, 0.71+/-0.12, 0.72+/-0.11 and 0.86+/-0.12, respectively (F=12.21, P< 0.05). A06513 showed the strongest inhibitory effect (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe antisense oligonucleotides complementary to VEGF cap structure, may become a potential alternative for antisense gene therapy of HCC.

Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; therapy ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; pharmacology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate if CYP3A5 gene is involved in the molecular mechanisms for multiple drug resistance in leukemia cells.

METHODSA full length cDNA of CYP3A5 gene was cloned, and a recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid was constructed, then stably transfected cell lines were established. Furthermore, the sensitivity of those cell lines to several anticancer drugs were assessed by MTT and FCM assay.

RESULTSThe recombinant plasmid was designated as pcDNA3-CYP3A5. Transfecting HL-60 cells (which didn't show transcript of CYP3A5 gene) with recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-CYP3A5 generated HL-60/CYP3A5 cell line, and transfecting of HL-60 cells with the parental pcDNA3 vector served as control HL-60/pc cell line. Daunorubicin induced remarkable apoptosis peaks in HL-60 and HL-60/pc cells, while such effect did not occur in HL-60/CYP3A5 cells (apoptosis cell percentage were 7.3%, 6.3% and 1.2%, respectively). Compared with HL-60 and HL-60/pc cells, HL-60/CYP3A5 cells were statistically significantly resistant to daunorubicin, aclacinomycin A, vincristine and harringtonine (resistance multiples were 2.89, 2.01, 4.05 and 2.79 times, respectively, P < 0.05), however the sensitivity to teniposide didn't change (resistance multiple was 1.04 times).

CONCLUSIONTranscription of CYP3A5 gene in leukemia cells directly induces resistance to anthracyclines and alkaloids, however the cells are still sensitive to epipodophyllotoxins. Therefore, our findings confirmed a new mechanism of multidrug resistance.

Aclarubicin ; pharmacology ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; genetics ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Phenotype ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Transfection ; Vincristine ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein in NB4 and HL-60 cells affected by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and daunorubincin (DNR) respectively.

METHODSSemi-quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA were used to study the expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein in NB4 and HL-60 cell lines treated by ATRA and DNR respectively.

RESULTSVEGF was expressed in both NB4 and HL-60 cells. The expression of VEGF mRNA and secretion of VEGF protein could be down-regulated by ATRA and DNR respectively in a time and dose dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONBesides inducing apoptosis and restraining proliferation of leukemic cells, ATRA and DNR exerted their anti-leukemia effects by reducing angiogenesis via reduction of angiogenic reaction stimulating signals.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Leukemia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEQuercetin, a widely distributed natural flavonoid with a variety of biological functions, can reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in leukemia according to recent researches. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of reversal of multi-drug resistance by quercetin mainly in respect of membrane transporters.

METHODSMTT cell viability assay was used to verify the chemo-sensitization to daunorubicin (DNR) by quercetin in HL-60/ADM cell line and determine the effective reversal concentration, the expression of MRP(1) gene and its protein product, multidrug resistant associated protein 1 by RT-PCR and flow cytometry By confocal laser scanning microscopy, the subcellular distribution of DNR in HL-60/S and HL-60/ADM cells was examined before and after quercetin exposure.

RESULTSCompared with HL-60/S, 20-40 micromol/L quercetin in vitro remarkably enhanced the sensitivity of HL-60/ADM cells to daunorubicin, down-regulated the expression of MRP(1) gene and its protein product MRP(1), restored the abnormal subcellular distribution of daunorubicin, so as to reverse MDR. Moreover, such an effective concentration of quercetin was non-toxic to the cells.

CONCLUSIONQuercetin could be a candidate of effective multidrug resistance-reversing agent with low toxicity in leukemia chemotherapy.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; drug effects ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; drug effects ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic ; pharmacology ; Daunorubicin ; pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Quercetin ; pharmacology

Via studying the phenotype, growth curve and secondary metabolites of two kinds of suspension culture cell of Arnebia euchroma, the kinetics parameters of growth and accumulation of shikonin compounds in cell suspension culture of A. euchroma was obtained through simulating and modeling. This Study found that the red high-yielding one was a fine cell line for producing shikonin compounds, and the white low-yielding one may be a mutant. The first-order and second-order derivative of the fitting function were obtained by fitting the Logistic model of growth curve to get the growth rate and growth acceleration curve of the suspended cells. It is found that the best period to subculture was the 15th day cultured in fresh medium, and the best period of the induction process was the 13th-14th day. When compared the growth rate of the red line and the shikonin compounds accumulation curve, it is found that the rapid growth of the biomass of cells was not conducive to the synthesis and accumulation of shikonin compounds.
Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; cytology ; metabolism ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Naphthoquinones ; metabolism ; Plant Cells

The study was aimed to explore the mechanism of SYK and CBL family of ubiquitin ligases in Bufalin-induced HL-60 cells apoptosis. Cell viability was tested by trypan blue staining and apoptosis was detected by using flow cytometry. The expressions of CBL and CBL-b and the phosphorylation of SYK were detected by using immunoprecipitation and Western blot. The results showed that Bufalin inhibited HL-60 cell proliferation in time- and dose-dependent manners. IC(50) of suppressing cell viability at 24, 48 and 72 hours were about 26.3, 7.8 and 2.0 nmol/L respectively. The high dose of bufalin already induced apoptosis of HL-60 cells at 8 hours. SYK was quickly phosphorylated, and the expressions of CBL and CBL-b were down-regulated after treatment with Bufalin. It is concluded that SYK activation and CBL protein down-regulation may be involved in Bufalin-induced HL-60 cell apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-cbl ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Syk Kinase

Objective To describe the current epidemiological characteristics of injuries among primary and middle school students in one rural area of Anhui province and to explore the relationship between the ways of coping and related injuries.Methods Through cluster sampling methods,all students from 3 to 9 grades in 5 primary schools and 3 middle schools in Changfeng county of Anhui province were investigated with questionnaire.All participants completed an anonymous questionnaire concerning their experiences with injuries during the 12 months preceding the survey.The ways of coping to injuries were evaluated by Trait Coping Style Questionnaire.Factors associated with injuries were identified using a negative binomial regression analysis.Results Of 2917 students,the annual event-based rate of injuries was 17.4 per 100 students.Positive coping score had no significant differences between the injury and non-injury groups (33.98 ± 6.38 vs.33.66 ± 6.37) (t=0.979,P=0.328).The score of negative coping style was higher in injury group than in non-injury group (27.65 ± 7.79 vs.26.54 ± 7.62) (t=2.775,P=0.006).Statistically,the annual injury rates were significantly different in three groups on their negative styles of coping (x2=6.131,P=0.013 ).Data from the multivariable negative binomial regression analysis,after adjusted for demographic characteristics,showed no significant difference on the relationship between positive coping style and injury incidence.Those with moderate negative style of coping had lower risks compared to those with highly negative one (IRR＝0.77,95％ CI:0.63-0.94).Conclusion Negative ways of coping was an important risk factor for injuries.Data from our research suggested that psychological preventive measure need to be taken to improve the style of coping.It was also important to promote the related personality development in planning the strategies for future prevention on injuries.