Objective To study the role of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF- Ⅱ ) in the proliferation and degeneration of hemangiomas. Methods The expression of IGF- Ⅱ and Ki-67 was detected with SP im-munohistochemical method in 52 specimens of hemangiomas, 27 of vascular malformation and 5 of normal skin. The expression of IGF-Ⅱ mRNA was examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in specimens from 9 cases of hemangiomas and 5 of vascular malformation. Results The labelling indexes (LI) of IGF- Ⅱ and Ki-67 and the expression of IGF- Ⅱ mRNA were significantly higher in heman gioma than those in vascular malformation and normal skin (P

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), as a sophisticated imaging tool with nanoscale resolution, is widely used in virus research and the application of functional viral particles. To investigate single viruses by AFM in a physiologically relevant environment (liquid), an appropriate surface treatment to properly adhere the viruses to the substrate is essential. Here we discuss hydrophobic treated glass coverslips as a suitable substrate for the adhesion of single adenovirus particle (Adenovirus type 5 F35, Ad5F35) when studied with AFM in liquid. From the high resolution AFM images, the orientation of the adhered virus particles can be distinguished. Furthermore, the particles exhibit the expected height of -90 nm. This illustrates that the viruses adhere to the substrate firmly without large deformations. Hence, the described method works well on (fragile) viruses. The described experimental approach can be widely used for AFM studies in liquid of virus structure and mechanics as well as for investigating the interaction of viruses with cellular receptors.
Adenoviridae ; chemistry ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; Virion ; chemistry

A method for residual determination of 5 pyrethroid pesticides in Anoectochilus roxburghii by cloud point extraction-back extraction-GC-MS was established. PEG 6000 was used as extraction agent and isooctane was used for back-extractant. The con- tent was calculated by external standard method. The linear range was from 15 to 2 000 μg x kg(-1) with the good correlation coefficients (0.955-0.999). The recoveries at spiked concentrations of 50-500 μg x kg(-1) ranged from 85.12% to 101.6%. The limit of detection and quantification of 5 pyrethroid pesticides were in the range of 0.63-3.10 μg x kg(-1) and 2.10-10.31 μg x kg(-1), respectively. The proposed method can be applied to the determination of pyrethroid pesticides residues in A. roxburghii.
Chemical Fractionation ; methods ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Orchidaceae ; chemistry ; Pesticide Residues ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Pyrethrins ; analysis ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of shape of four different short implants on the stress characteristics of jaw bone around implants in the posterior maxilla.

METHODSFinite element models of the jaw bone and crown were established based on computed tomography (CT) data and implant geometries were obtained from manufacturers' catalogues. The whole models included jaw bone, four different short implants (A: torpedo-shape implant with fin threads; B: taper implant with triangle threads; C: cylindrical implant with fine threads; D:cylindrical implant with sparse threads), implant abutments, abutment screws and crowns. Three-dimensional hexahedral and wedge-shaped brick elements were used to mesh the finite element models. Assumptions made in the analyses were: linear elastic material properties for bone, type IV jaw bone, and 50% osseointegration between bone and implant. Inclined load of 200 and 1 000 N at 45° to the axis of the implant were applied to the cusps of ceramic crown respectively. The von Mises stresses in cortical bone and cancellous bone around the implants were calculated. Measure lines were designed along the crest in cortical bone and nearly 0.2 mm distance away from thread tips in cancellous bone for stress comparation and discussion.

RESULTSAll short implants showed the same stress distribution characteristics in the cortical bone. Different stress distribution characteristics in cancellous bone were found in different implant system. From the measure line the maximum stress were located at the level of the neck of implant A, C and D. Under inclined load of 200 N, the maximum stress were 6.60, 6.50 and 7.79 MPa for implant A, C, and D respectively. For implant B the maximum stress was located at the periapical area (5.84 MPa)instead of the level of neck of implant (5.72 MPa). The stress along A and C was more evenly distributed compared with implant B and C. Under inclined load of 200 N, the maximum stress around implant A and C in the periapical area were 5.02, 4.96 MPa; for implant B and D they were 5.84, 7.52 MPa respectively. Under inclined load of 1 000 N, the maximum stress around implant A and C in the periapical area were 25.96, 24.06 MPa; for implant B and D they were 29.52, 38.53 MPa respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTorpedo-shape implant with fin threads and cylindrical implant with fine threads are recommended to be choosed in type IV jaw bone with limited height.

Crowns ; Dental Implants ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Osseointegration ; Stress, Mechanical

The HLA B*58:01 allele has been worldwide reported as a pharmacogenetic susceptibility to allopurinol-induced severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs). To prevent these life-threatening conditions, the American College of Rheumatology hingly recommended that the HLA-B*58:01 be screened prior to the initiation of allopurinol therapy. Therefore, we developed a rapid, robust, inexpensive screening method using SYBR® Green real time PCR to detect the HLA-B*58:01 allele. A total of 119 samples were tested. The assay has a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI: 69.15%-100%), a specificity of 100% (95% CI: 96.67%-100%), a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 69.15%-100%) and a negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI: 96.67%-100%). HLA-B*58:01 genotyping results showed 100% agreement with those obtained from Luminex SSO/SBT/SSP. The lowest limit of detection of this method is 0.8 ng/µL of DNA. The unit cost of the test is only $3.8 USD. This novel screening test using SYBR® real time PCR would be appropriate to identify individuals with the HLA-B*58:01 allele for the prevention of allopurinol-induced SCARs.
Alleles* ; Allopurinol ; Cicatrix ; DNA ; HLA-B Antigens ; Limit of Detection ; Mass Screening* ; Methods* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rheumatology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

BACKGROUNDFalls are the most frequently reported adverse events in inpatient settings. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of inpatient falls within aged care wards in a tertiary hospital to investigate the associated characteristics of elderly patients suffering from falls and fall-related characteristics.

METHODSConsecutive retrospective cross-sectional design spanned July 2006 to December 2008.

PATIENT GROUPInformation on all aged care inpatients who suffered from 1 or more falls was extracted from Incident Information Management System (IIMS). Further details about the particular admission(s) were obtained from patients' medical records, e.g., patients' characteristics and circumstances surrounding the falls. Randomly selected aged care patients who did not suffer from a fall and who were discharged from the hospital in the same period served control group. Characteristics among patients with single fall and recurrent falls, as well as non-fallers were compared.

RESULTSOf the 438 falls evaluated, 71.9% occurred in patients' room and 18.9% in patients' bathroom/toilet. The common activities were moving/transferring and taking shower/toileting, respectively, 70.3%, 12.1% while occurring falls; and time of falls had a high peak during 9:00-11:00 a.m. Many were unassisted while falling. The common contributing factors for fall were intrinsic factors. Patients with recurrent falls were more likely to have lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Logistic regression analysis showed length of stay longer than five weeks, dementia and stroke were independent risk factors for recurrent falls; and living in hostel/nursing home preadmission, needing assistance with mobility, cognitive impairment, stroke, incontinence and arthritis/osteoporosis were independent risk factors for fall.

CONCLUSIONSIn an aged care ward, falls are independently associated with recurrent factors. Cognitive impairment/dementia was a strong risk factor for falls, and main causes leading to fall were intrinsic factors. For patients with cognitive impairment/dementia and behavioral disorder providing special and effective interventions is of paramount importance for reducing the incidence of fall in an aged care ward in hospital settings.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nursing Homes ; statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

目的确定常用于脑卒中康复结局测量内容,主要是关于活动和参与的,并与《国际功能、残疾和健康分类》(ICF)对照。方法将以下量表的结构与ICF建立联系:Barthel指数(BI)、Berg平衡功能量表(BBS)、Chedoke Mc Master脑卒中评定量表(CMSA)、Euroqol-5D欧洲生活质量量表(EQ5D)、FI M功能独立性测量、Frenchay活动指数、Nottingham健康测验(NHP)、Rankin量表(RS)、Rivermead动作测量(RMA)、Rivermead移动指数(RMI)、中风影响测验-30(SASIP30)、医学结局研究简表(SF36),卒中影响量表(SIS)、脑卒中特定生存质量量表(SSQOL)和站立行走测验(TUG)。结果功能性结局测量中的绝大多数结构可与ICF分类建立联系。这些测量工具可以归入活动和参与的成份,活动是测量工具中最常见的类目内容。虽然测量工具的选择是基于它们主要关注的"活动"与"参与"内容,但有27%的结构属于身体功能类目,也有大约10%的结构与ICF不相关。结论在脑卒中的康复中,ICF是一种有效的工具来检测和比较脑卒中各测量工具的内容。这些内容上的比较使得临床医生和研究者们选择最符合他们兴趣和要求的测量。

Objective: To understand the current situation of sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of young children in kindergarten, based on the framework of comprehensive sexuality education. Methods: Totally 354 children between the ages of 3-6 from two kindergartens in Changping District, Beijing, participated in one-to-one interviews. There were 164 girls and 190 boys. Results: In the dimension of physical development, no child knew the scientific name of reproductive organs. In the dimension of social emotion, 44.07% of children could express love to their friends, and 40.68% of children could express their refusal when they were unwilling. In the dimension of sexual health, well-being and sexual rights，81.92% of children knew that they couldn t touch other people s genitals, and 54.80% of children could at least name one way to protect themselves when facing sexual abuse. In the dimension of gender equality, 33.62% and 28.53%of children had gender stereotypes in toy selection and career choice, 66.38% of children thought that boys are as smart as girls. In the dimension of pregnancy and birth，78.53% of children knew where babies come from and 26.27% of children think parenthood doesn t directly lead to happiness. Sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of children had statistically significant difference in different grades（P<0.05). Conclusion Children already have good understanding about pregnancy, childbirth and prevention of sexual abuse. In the future, sexuality education in school and family need to promote physical cognition and gender equality education.

PURPOSE: Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) are a novel population of lineage-negative cells that induce innate type 2 responses by producing the critical Th2-type cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 in response to IL-25 and IL-33 stimulation. ILC2s accumulation in the peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) is controversial; the precise role of ILC2s in the immunopathogenesis of AR is still not clear. We investigated the role of ILC2s in phenotypic AR sensitized to distinct allergens. METHODS: Flow cytometric analysis of the peripheral blood of 7 healthy controls (HCs), 9 patients monosensitized to house dust mite (HDM), and 8 patients monosensitized to mugwort was performed to quantify ILC2s frequency. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from HDM-AR and mugwort-AR patients, and Lineage- and Lineage+ cells were separated using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). IL-5 and IL-13 levels in the supernatants of PBMCs, and Lineage- and Lineage+ cells stimulated with IL-25 and/or IL-33 combined with IL-2 in vitro were assessed using the Milliplex magnetic bead kit. RESULTS: The percentage of ILC2s was significantly elevated in HDM-AR patients compared to mugwort-AR patients and HCs, while no significant difference was found between mugwort-AR patients and HCs. IL-33+/-IL-25 plus IL-2 induced a significantly greater release of IL-5 and IL-13 in the PBMCs of HDM-AR patients compared to PBMCs of mugwort-AR patients. IL-25 plus IL-2 also induced a significantly greater release of IL-13 in the PBMCs of HDM-AR patients compared to PBMCs of mugwort-AR patients. Stimulation with IL-33 and/or IL-25 combined with IL-2 also induced a significantly greater IL-5 and IL-13 release from Lineage- cells compared to Lineage+ cells. CONCLUSIONS: AR patients sensitized to HDM or mugwort allergen have distinct phenotypic and functional profiles in ILC2s frequencies. ILC2s mediate major type 2 immunity in the development of HDM-AR and may be a potential therapeutic target.
Allergens ; Artemisia ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-13 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-5 ; Lymphocytes ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis*

In our program to search for new AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activators from plants that exert potential anticancer property, we found that an EtOAc extract of Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) activated AMPK enzyme in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Two major diarylbutane-type lignans, macelignan and meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid (MDGA), were isolated as active principles from this extract. Treatment of breast cancer cells with two compounds induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and Ser 15 phosphorylation of p53. Moreover, macelignan and MDGA significantly inhibited the colony formation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells on soft agar. Intraperitoneal injection of macelignan and MDGA (20 mg/kg) suppressed the tumor growth of 4T1 mammary cancer cells. These results indicate that the chemopreventive effects of two major diarylbutane-type lignans from Myristica fragrans (nutmeg) may be associated with induction of apoptosis presumably through AMPK activation.
Agar ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases* ; Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Lignans* ; MCF-7 Cells ; Myristica fragrans* ; Phosphorylation