BACKGROUND:Twin block appliance has been shown to effectively promote mandibular bone growth of Class Ⅱ malocclusion patients and improve lateral appearance of mandibular retrusion.The other improvement of Twin block appliance on hard-soft tissues remains unclear.OBJECTIVE:To assess the hard-soft tissue changes following Twinblock appliance treatment.METHODS:Atotal of 48 adolescent patients,30 males and 18 females,aged 11.6 years (range 9.58-12.37) with Class Ⅱ malocclusion were selected from Department of Orthodontics,Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Hebei Medical University.Of them,27 were treated with Twinblock appliance as the treatment group,and 21 adolescent patients without treatments were selected as the control group.Cephalonetric analysis was used to compare the changes before and after treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSLON:Comparative analysis showed that Twinblock could effectively adjust or improve the effect of the natural growth,reduced upper lip convexity and mentolabial furrow angle.Moreover,Twinblock inhibited facial vertical distance reduction and facial convexity increase to decrease the potential differences between maxillary and mandibular bones in sagittal plance.Results show that Twinblock could effectively improve the profile of soft-tissues of Class Ⅱ malocclusion cases,

OBJECTIVETo isolate viruses from mosquitoes in the south of Xinjiang and identify these viruses primarily.

METHODSA total of 13 491 mosquitoes were collected in the south of Xinjiang from Jul to Aug, 2005. These mosquitoes were divided into 130 groups and grinded respectively. The supernates were inoculated in C6/36 and Vero cells. Viruses isolated were detected, the genomic nucleic types by electrophoresis of viral genomes and the morphologies observed under electronmicroscope.

RESULTSAll 42 viruses were isolated, which caused CPEs on C6/36 but not on Vero cells. 27 viruses showed similar genomic profiles with 12 dsRNA segments. 1 virus displayed genomic profile with 10 dsRNA segments. 5 viruses took on similar genomic profiles with about 4 kbp DNA band. 9 viruses did not get any taxonomy information. Electromicroscopic pictures of these viruses revealed that above four types of viruses had distinguished morphologies indicating different virus species.

CONCLUSIONThere should be several virus species in the mosquitoes in the south of Xinjiang. dsRNA virus with 12 genomic segments should play analysis a predominant role in the south of Xinjiang.

Animals ; Bluetongue virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; China ; Culicidae ; virology ; Dengue Virus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genome, Viral ; Insect Viruses ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; genetics ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reassortant Viruses ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Vero Cells

Objective:To investigate the effect of Bailing capsule on myocardial fibrosis in mice with viral myocarditis(VMC) and TGF-β1-MAPK/ERK pathway. Methods:Male BALB/c mice ( n=200 ) were randomly divided into model group ( n=180 ) and control group(n=20). The model group mice were infected with Coxsackie virus B3 to prepare VMC myocardial fibrosis. The control group mice were injected with Eagle′s MEM without virus. The model was successful after two months. The survival mice were randomly divided into model group and high,middle and low dose of Bailing capsule was administered consecutively for sixty days,once a day, Cardiac ultrasound was used to test LVEDd,LVEDs,then calculate FS. The expression of type Ⅰ collagen and type Ⅲ collagen in all the mice myocardial tissue was detected by immunohistochemical methods. Masson staining for myocardial fibrosis was used to calculate the collagen volume fraction( CVF) . Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of TGF-β1 and p-ERK1/2. Results:①Compared with the control group,the CVF,typeⅠcollagen and typeⅢcollagen obviously increased,LVEDd,LVEDs increased,FS de-creased,which had statistically significance(P<0. 05).②Compared with the control group,the model group of mice had a statistically significantly higher expression of TGF-β1 and p-ERK1/2(P<0. 05).③Compared with the model group,the expression of CVF,typeⅠcollagen and type Ⅲ collagen of high and middle dose of Bailing capsule was significantly lower,LVEDd,LVEDs decreased,while FS increased(P<0. 05).④Compared with the model group,the high dose of Bailing capsule group of mice had a statistically significantly lower expression of TGF-β1 and p-ERK1/2 ( P<0. 05 ) . Conclusion:①Bailing capsule can prevent myocardial fibrosis of mice with VMC.②The activation of TGF-β1-MAPK/ERK pathway may can promote myocardial fibrosis in VMC.③Bailing capsule could prevent myocardial fibrosis,which may be related to prevention of TGF-β1-MAPK/ERK pathway.

OBJECTIVETo probe the primary characteristic of 0507JS11 virus isolated from Culex sp. and determine the classification of 0507JS11 virus in taxonomy.

METHODS0507JS11 virus was cultured in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells and cytopathic effects (CPEs) were recorded. Electro-microscopic morphology of 0507JS11 virus was observed. Total DNA extract of 0507JS11 virus was detected by 1% Agarose Gel Electrophoresis. Complete genomic sequence of 0507JS11 virus was sequenced and then made phylogenetic analysis.

RESULTS0507JS11 virus could cause CPEs in Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells. Viral particles have no envelope and appear icosahedron symmetry with diameter of 20 nm. The genome of 0507JS11 virus was positive single strand DNA (ssDNA) with full length of 3977 nt. However, a DNA band about 4 kbp was observed in the electrophoresis of total DNA extract of 0507JS11 virus. The coding region of the genome included three ORFs, ORF1 and ORF2 code NSP1 and NSP2, ORF3 codes VP. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete genomic sequence of 0507JS11 virus indicated an independent linear in Brevidensovirus.

CONCLUSION0507JS11 virus is a new member in Brevidensovirus.

Animals ; Culex ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Densovirinae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Genome, Viral ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVESTo identify serologic markers that may indicate the early presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and analyze their significance in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSHepatitis B x antigen (HBxAg) positive and negative HepG2 cells were subjected to PCR select cDNA subtraction to identify differentially expressed genes that may precede the development of HCC. These included the up-regulated genes URG4, URG7, URG11, and VEGFR3, and the down-regulated gene, Sui1. Specific ELISAs were constructed to measure differentially expressed antigens and their corresponding antibodies to determine whether they had prognostic and/or diagnostic value. The study population consisted of 730 people. Among them, 416 were HBsAg(-) and 298 were HBV carriers with chronic liver disease and/or HCC. In addition, 16 patients had non-viral hepatitis. Among these, serial serum samples from 53 HBsAg(+) patients with cirrhosis were collected and studied.

RESULTSAntibodies to multiple differentially regulated genes were detectable in serum samples from patients with HBV associated cirrhosis and HCC, but not in serum samples from uninfected individuals (P < 0.01). Antibodies were undetectable in serum samples from HBV patients without liver disease and in serum samples from patients with other tumor types, and among those with non viral hepatitis. Among patients at high risk of developing HCC, these antibodies were found to be independent of nationality and ethnicity. Statistical analysis of the 28 HBsAg(+) patients with HCC showed that anti-URG11 and anti-VEGFR3 were the most frequently detected antibodies. These antibodies were found to coexist in 16 (P < 0.05). In contrast, among the 25 HBsAg(+) patients without HCC, anti-Sui1 and anti-URG7 were the most prevalent antibodies. These antibodies coexisted in 11 (P < 0.05). In addition, HCC patients with four or more antibodies detected before the appearance of HCC had a poorer survival outcome.

CONCLUSIONThese antibodies can be detected in serum samples several months to several years before the appearance of HCC. This suggests that they may be preneoplastic markers that may help to distinguish which HBV carriers with cirrhosis are most likely to progress and develop HCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; virology ; Female ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; Prognosis ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDAlthough chemotherapy is one of the most important treatments of breast cancer, it is limited by significant inter-individual variations in response and toxicity. The metabolism of epirubicin (EPI) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) is mainly mediated by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). It has been well-known that the activities of these enzymes are polymorphic in population due to their genetic polymorphisms. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of genetic polymorphisms in CYP3A, GSTP1 and MDR1 genes on treatment response and side-effects of breast cancer patients receiving EPI/CTX chemotherapy.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with stage II or III invasive breast cancer were recruited and treated with three to four cycles of EPI 80 mg/m(2) and CTX 600 mg/m(2) every two weeks. The AJCC TNM staging system (sixth edition) was used to evaluate the pathological response of primary tumor and axillary lymph nodes. The genotypes of gene polymorphisms were determined by using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods.

RESULTSPatients carrying GSTP1 (105)Ile/Val or (105)Ile/Ile genotype were more likely to have good response (OR, 0.40; 95%CI, 0.16 - 0.96; P = 0.024) and light toxicity (OR, 0.35; 95%CI, 0.13 - 0.78; P = 0.006) than those carrying (105)Val/Val genotypes. The response to the treatment was not correlated with estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Her2/neu status of tumors. No correlation was found between toxicity effect and patient's age, tumor staging, menopause status, and dose intensity of the drugs.

CONCLUSIONGSTP1 polymorphism was associated with the chemotherapy response or adverse effects of EPI and CTX regimens.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Cyclophosphamide ; therapeutic use ; Epirubicin ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effect of early strategies and revascularization patterns on in-hospital major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at intermediate or high risk.

METHODS910 Patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS at intermediate or high risk were divided into either early invasive (n = 237) or initially conservative (n = 673) group according to whether or when coronary angiography (CAG) was performed after admission ( 48 h) in order to demonstrate the impact of early strategies and revascularization patterns on in-hospital MACE events (death, new-onset myocardial infarction or repeat revascularization).

RESULTSCompared with those of the initially conservative group, patients in the early invasive group had a shorter hospital stay and increased rate of MACE (6.3% vs 2.5%, OR 0.384, 95% CI 0.188 - 0.781, P = 0.006) or new-onset myocardial infarction (4.6% vs 0.9%, OR 0.185, 95% CI 0.068 - 0.505, P = 0.001), which was partly due to increased procedures of revascularization (86.9% vs 67.5%, P < 0.001). No differences were found among in-hospital mortality or rate of repeat revascularization between the two groups. During subgroup analysis, patients receiving PCI in the early invasive or initially conservative group had comparable rates of new-onset myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization or MACE events, whereas patients receiving CABG in the early invasive group had a higher rate of new-onset myocardial infarctions than those in the initially conservative group (7.5% vs 1.8%, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSIONSAn early invasive strategy in patients with non-ST-segment elevation ACS had comparable in-hospital mortality and higher rate of in-hospital myocardial infarction compared with an initially conservative strategy, an early invasive strategy with PCI seems safe and feasible without increased risk of adverse clinical events. The impact of early CABG on in-hospital adverse events warrants further investigation.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Myocardial Revascularization

OBJECTIVETo prove the therapeutic effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on leukopenia induced by chemotherapy and effect on life quality of the patient with tumor after chemotherapy.

METHODSRandomized, controlled, multi-central cooperative method was used and the patients confirmed to the enrolled criteria were divided in-to two groups. The test group were treated with ginger-partitioned moxibustion at Dazhui (GV 14), Geshu (BL 17), Pishu (BL 20), etc.; and the control group with oral administration of Chinese patent medicine.

RESULTSOut of the 221 cases confirmed to program analysis, 113 cases were in the test group and 108 cases in the control group. After 10 days, the cured rate and the effective rate were 84.1% and 66.4% in the test group and 35.2% and 33.3% in the control group, respectively, with very significant differences between the two groups (both P < 0.01); fifteen days later, the therapeutic effects in the two groups were maintained. The two methods could improve clinical symptoms, with the test group being better than the control group. Any adverse response was not found in the two groups, and the injuries of functions of the heart, lung and kidney induced by chemotherapy had some improvement.

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of ginger-partitioned moxibustion on luekopenia induced by chemotherapy is reliable and is better than oral administration of Chinese patent medicine, with a better duplication.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; Female ; Ginger ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; methods

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to investigate the hearing and facial nerve preservation in the middle fossa approach surgery for the removal of small acoustic tumor (vestibular schwannomas, VS).

METHODSA prospective database was established, and data were retrospectively reviewed. Between January 2004 and February 2013, 13 patients with acoustic tumor underwent surgery via middle fossa approach for hearing preservation. The patients consisted of six men and seven women with a mean age of 48 years. Tumor size ranged from 0.8 cm to 1.5 cm. Hearing loss was categorized as American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) class A, class B, class C and class D. Facial nerve function was evaluated according to House-Brackmann (HB) Grade I-VI.

RESULTSGross-total resection was accomplished in 12 of 13 patients. Preoperative hearing as class A in ten, class B in two, and class C in one patient respectively. Postoperatively, hearing was graded as class A in eight patients, class B in 3, and class C in 2 patients. Facial nerve function was House-Brackmann (HB) grade I in twelve patients, grade II in one patient preoperatively. Postoperatively, facial nerve function was HB Grade I in twelve patients and Grade III in one patient. The overall hearing preservation rate was at least 80% (8/10) and HB Grade I facial nerve outcome of 100% (12/12) . All cases were followed up for 0.5 to 5 years, no complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThe middle fossa approach for the resection of small VS with hearing preservation is a viable and relatively option. It should be considered among the various options available for the management of small and growing VS.

Adult ; Cranial Fossa, Middle ; surgery ; Facial Nerve ; physiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuroma, Acoustic ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (ENGase) is widely distributed in various organisms. The first reported ENGase activity was detected in Diplococcus pneumoniae in 1971. The protein (Endo D) was purified and its peptide sequence was determined in 1974. Three ENGases (Endo F1-F3) were discovered in Flavobacterium meningosepticum from 1982 to 1993. After that, the activity was detected from different species of bacteria, yeast, fungal, plant, mice, human, etc. Multiple ENGases were detected in some species, such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Trichoderma atroviride. The first preliminary crystallographic analysis of ENGase was conducted in 1994. But to date, only a few ENGases structures have been obtained, and the structure of human ENGase is still missing. The currently identified ENGases were distributed in the GH18 or GH85 families in Carbohydrate-Active enZyme (CAZy) database. GH18 ENGase only has hydrolytic activity, but GH85 ENGase has both hydrolytic and transglycosylation activity. Although ENGases of the two families have similar (β/α)8-TIM barrel structures, the active sites are slightly different. ENGase is an effective tool for glycan detection andglycan editing. Biochemically, ENGase can specifically hydrolyze β‑1,4 glycosidic bond between the twoN-acetylglucosamines (GlcNAc) on core pentasaccharide presented on glycopeptides and/or glycoproteins. Different ENGases may have different substrate specificity. The hydrolysis products are oligosaccharide chains and a GlcNAc or glycopeptides or glycoproteins with a GlcNAc. Conditionally, it can use the two products to produce a new glycopeptides or glycoprotein. Although ENGase is a common presentation in cell, its biological function remains unclear. Accumulated evidences demonstrated that ENGase is a none essential gene for living and a key regulator for differentiation. No ENGase gene was detected in the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and three other yeast species. Its expression was extremely low in lung. As glycoproteins are not produced by prokaryotic cells, a role for nutrition and/or microbial-host interaction was predicted for bacterium produced enzymes. In the embryonic lethality phenotype of the Ngly1-deficient mice can be partially rescued by Engase knockout, suggesting down regulation of Engase might be a solution for stress induced adaptation. Potential impacts of ENGase regulation on health and disease were presented. Rabeprazole, a drug used for stomach pain as a proton inhibitor, was identified as an inhibitor for ENGase. ENGases have been applied in vitro to produce antibodies with a designated glycan. The two step reactions were achieved by a pair of ENGase dominated for hydrolysis of substrate glycoprotein and synthesis of new glycoprotein with a free glycan of designed structure, respectively. In addition, ENGase was also been used in cell surface glycan editing. New application scenarios and new detection methods for glycobiological engineering are quickly opened up by the two functions of ENGase, especially in antibody remodeling and antibody drug conjugates. The discovery, distribution, structure property, enzymatic characteristics and recent researches in topical model organisms of ENGase were reviewed in this paper. Possible biological functions and mechanisms of ENGase, including differentiation, digestion of glycoproteins for nutrition and stress responding were hypothesised. In addition, the role of ENGase in glycan editing and synthetic biology was discussed. We hope this paper may provide insights for ENGase research and lay a solid foundation for applied and translational glycomics.