Objective To study the adverse effects of PM2.5 from Beijing urban areas on human lung adenocarcinoma cells(A549) and the expression of NF-?B in the cells. Methods A549 cells were treated with PM2.5 at 25,50,100 and 200 ?g/ml for 24 h. Cytotoxicity of PM2.5 was measured by MTT assay. The activity of NF-?B was measured by ELISA assay. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of NF-?B and NO levels was determined by using the nitrate reductase method. Results PM2.5 could induce A549 cell proliferation at low doses,but inhibit cell proliferation at high doses. The activity of NF-?B increased in the cell nucleus,but decreased in the cytoplasm after exposure to PM2.5 with a significant dose-dependent manner(P

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Humans ; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors ; Serpins

ObjectiveTo establish a novel rapid detection method based on PCR-single-strand-conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) to determine mutation of streptomycin-resistance associated rpsL and rrs genes in isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).MethodsStreptomycin-resistance of 112 MTB isolates was detected using the routine drug susceptibility test,and a special PCR-SSCP assay was established.The mutations of rpsL and rrs genes in streptomycin-resistant MTB isolates were detected by PCR-SSCP and PCR direct sequencing (PCR-DS) ; the results from two techniques were compared.Results All isolates had both rpsL and rrs genes.Fifty-two isolates (46.4％) were streptomycin susceptible,in which only 1 isolate showed abnormal PCR-SSCP fragments from rrs gene,and the specificity of PCR-SSCP was 98.1％ (51/52).Sixty isolates (53.6％) were streptomycin-resistant,in which 46 (76.6％) and 11 ( 18.3％ ) isolates presented the abnormal PCR-SSCP fragments of rpsL and rrs gene,respectively.One streptomycin-resistant isolate showed abnormal PCR-SSCP fragments from both rpsL and rrs genes.The sensitivity of PCR-SSCP was 93.3％ (56/60).ConclusionThe PCR-SSCP that established in this study is a specific and sensitive method for rapid detection of the streptomycin-resistance associated mutations in rpsL and rrs genes of MTB.

Objective:To analyze bone strength index, osteoporosis and fracture in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with radiologic hip involvement and explore the characteristics of bone strength in these patients.Methods:According to bath ankylosing spondylitis radiology hip index (BASRI-hip) score, 339 AS patients were divided into two groups. The differences of bone strength in each group were analyzed by t-test, Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of bone strength index. The correlation between quantitative ultrasound and dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (total hip, g/cm 2) was analyzed. Pearson correlation analysis was used. Results:①Bone strength index of quantitative ultrasound was positively correlated with bone mineral density of DXA (total hip, g/cm 2), r=0.553, P<0.01. ② The age of 27(23, 37) years old in radiographic hip involvement was lower than 37(28, 48) years old in non-radiographic hip involvement, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-5.986, P<0.01). There were no differences in gender and course of disease between the two groups ( P>0.05).③ The radiographic hip involvement in AS patients whose ages were younger than 50, when compared with non-radiographic hip involvement patients, the bone strength index was lower (78±18 vs 84±16), while bone strength was lower than patients at the same age (41.0% vs 18.4%), however, the incidences of osteoporosis (42.7% vs 28.8%) and fragility fracture (3.7% vs 0%) were significantly higher ( t=3.028, P<0.01; χ2=16.758, P<0.01; χ2=5.886, P=0.019; χ2=4.67, P=0.038). For AS patients whose ages were ≥50, there were no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). ④ Multivariate analysis showed that radiographic hip involvement [ OR (95% CI)=1.912(1.05, 3.48)], age [ OR (95% CI)=0.94(0.911, 0.97)] and body mass index (BMI) (kg/m 2) [ OR (95% CI) =0.875(0.807, 0.948)] were associated with lower bone strength. Conclusion:There is positive correlation between the bone strength index of quantitative ultrasound and bone mineral density of DXA. AS patients with radiographic hip involvement are characterized by decreased bone strength and are more likely to develop osteoporosis and fragile fractures. The risk factors of low bone strength are radiographic hip involvement, age and BMI.

Objective: To investigate the differential expression of Sox9 in conventional chondrosarcoma,dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and normal cartilage. Methods: We reported 12 cases of chondrosarcomas,which were initially diagnosed as chondrosarcomas(6 cases of conventional chondrosarcoma and 6 cases of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma)at Peking University People's Hospital between January 2003 and January 2007.We used genechip method to identify difierentially expressed genes involved in conventional chondrosarcoma,dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma and in normal cartilage(6 cases)and found thousands of differentially expressed genes after extensive statistical analysis.With Sox9 which played crucial roles in the process of both differentiation and maturation of chondrocyte as a candidate,we used Real-time PCR,Westem blot and immunohistochemistry to confirm the results found by gene chip. Results: DNA microarray results showed that Sox9 was up-regulated about 1.6 times in conventional chondrosarcoma compared with that in normal cartilage.But in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma,the expression level of Sox9 was significantly down-regulated,0.082 times of that in normal cartilage.Real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of Sox9 mRNA in conventional chondrosarcomas and dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas were 1.68±0.119 and 0.088±0.017,respectively.Sox9 protein level was significantly higher in humen conventional chondrosarcomas than that in normal cartilage.Sox9 protein level in dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas was significantly lower than that in normal cartilage tissue.All of the 6 cases of conventional chondrosarcomas showed diffuse and strong staining of Sox9.However,Only scattered staining was observed in dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas. Conclusion: Compared with that in normal cartilage,Sox9 expression is up-regulated in conventional chondrosarcomas and down-regulated in dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas.Decrease of Sox9 expression in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma is correlated with poor survival,indicating that Sox9 may serve as a molecular prognostic marker for chondrosarcomas and disease progression.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of minor bone anchors and palmaris longus tendon graft in treating chronic mallet fingers deformity.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2013, 26 patients with chronic mallet fingers deformity were treated with minor bone anchors and palmaris longus tendon graft. There were 18 males and 8 females, aged from 18 to 52 years old with an average of (32.0±1.3) years. Among them, 8 cases caused by machine injury, 6 cases by fall injury, 6 cases by sprain from fight, 4 cases by tendon spontaneous rupture, 2 cases by knife trauma. There was no tendon attachment of extensor tendon check in 16 cases, and with 0.3 to 0.5 cm tendon attachment in 10 cases. All patients had the flexion deformity and the disability of dorsiflexion activity. During operation, the distal interphalangeal joint was fixed in 10° to 20° dorsiflexion by a Kirshner wire, the minor bone anchor was used to reconstruct the extensor tendon insertion, the palmaris longus tendon slice was transplanted the decayed area of extensor tendon insertion. Four weeks postoperatively, the Kirshner wire was removed and the plaster external fixation was used, and the patient began function exercises. Postoperative complications were observed and fingers functions were assessed according to Dargan standard.

RESULTSThe patients were followed up from 6 to 14 months with an average of (5.0±0.3) months. Wound superficial infection occurred in 2 cases, the skin pressure ulcer in 2 cases, joint activities disability in 1 case; these symptoms got improvement after symptomatic treatment. Traumatic arthritis occurred in 2 cases, 1 case was improved after treatment, and 1 case had chronic pain for a long time. No internal fixation loosening or breakage and tendon rupture were found. According to Dargan standard to evaluate the finger function, 17 cases got excellent results, 8 good, and 1 poor.

CONCLUSIONIt is an effective way to treat the chronic mallet finger deformity using minor bone anchors and palmaris longus tendon graft, and the method has advantages of reliable fixation, easy operation, satisfactory effect and less complication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Finger Injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Hand Deformities, Acquired ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Suture Anchors ; Tendon Transfer

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Berberine Capsule (BC) on patients with mild hyperlipidemia.

METHODSTotally 102 mild hyperlipemia patients were recruited. All patients were suggested to have proper diet and physical activity as basic therapy for 1 month of run-in period. Totally 97 patients completed it. Then they were randomly assigned to the berberine group (the treatment group, 49 cases) and the placebo group (the control group, 48 cases). Patients in the treatment group took BC 300 mg, while those in the control group took placebo 300 mg, thrice per day for 3 successive months. Then placebos and BC were interrupted for 2 months (as washout period). All subjects received only diet control and physical activity during washout period. After washout period, placebos and BC were re-administered to all patients in the same way for 3 months. Body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were assessed after run-in period, washout period, at month 1, 2, 3 after the first therapy, at month 1, 2, 3 after second treatment, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the end of run-in period, TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05) after first 3 months of treatment. Compared with 3 months after the first therapy, TG, TC, and LDL-C increased and HDL-C decreased in the treatment group after washout period (P < 0.05). Compared with the end of wash- out period, TC and LDL-C decreased in the treatment group at month 2 after second treatment (P < 0.05); TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and HDL-C increased (P < 0.05) at month 3 after second treatment. Compared with the control group at month 3 after second treatment, TG, TC, and LDL-C all decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC was effective in improving blood lipid level in mild hyperlipidemia patients.

Berberine ; therapeutic use ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Mass Index ; Capsules ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood

Objective To evaluate the subjective and objective improvement of quality of life in patients with low-temperature plasma-assisted modified uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (H-UPPP) combined with lymphoidectomy in radix lin-guae and coblation-channeling of the tongue(CCT) treating for severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) , and compare the surgical efficacy with that of H-UPPP. Methods A total of 81patients with severe OSAHS were divided in-to treatment group (n=42) and control group (n=39). Treatment group underwent the low-temperature plasma-assisted H-UPPP combining lymphoidectomy in radix linguae and CCT,and control group underwent H-UPPP treatment. The apnea hy-popnea index (AHI), the lowest saturation of arterial oxygen (LSaO2) and Quebec sleep questionnaire (QSQ) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) before operation and 6-month after operation were recorded and compared between two groups. Re-sults All of detection indicators were significantly improved after operation in treatment group (P＜0.01). The total surgical efficacy was significantly higher in treatment group than that of control group (83.3%vs 12.8%,χ2=40.225,P＜0.01). The to-tal improvement rate of five dimensions in QSQ such as daytime sleepiness symptoms (76.2%vs 25.6%), signs during the day (71.4%vs 10.2%) and night (54.8%vs 5.1%), emotion (54.8%vs 2.5%), ability of social intercourse (50.0%vs 2.5%) and the total score (57.1%vs 7.7%) after operation were significantly higher in treatment group than those of control group. The se-vere indexes of ESS decreased to 23.8% after operation in treatment group than those of control group (51.3%). Conclu-sion Low-temperature plasma-assisted H-UPPP combined with lymphoidectomy in radix linguae and CCT is effective in patients with severe OSAHS, which can also improve the quality of life postoperatively.

Objective To study the identification of rare Nocardiaotitidiscaviarum and its drug sensitivity .Methods Morpho-logical ,physiological and biochemical phenotype identification methods combined with 16S rRNA sequence analysis were employed to identified the bacteria strains .Broth method was used to detect their drug sensitivity .Results The clinically isolated Nocardia strain was identified as Nocardiaotitidiscaviarum which was resistant to piperacillin ,erythromycin ,ceftazidime ,cefoperazone ,gen-tamicin ,cefoxitin ,piperacillin/tazobactam ,and was sensitive to vancomycin ,levofloxacin ,imipenem ,etimicin ,ciprofloxacin ,amika-cin ,sulfamethoxazole .Conclusion 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis can be used to identify Nocardia otitidiscaviarum ,and sulfa drugs shows good therapeutic effect .

Objective:To investigate the killing effect of nanoliposome encapsulated cisplatin(NLE-CDDP) on human osteosarcoma cell line Saos-2 and explore the distribution of platinum(Pt) in tumor-bearing mice.Methods: Saos-2 cells were cultured at different concentrations of NLE-CDDP.MTT assay,inverted microscopic observation and flow cytometry assay(FCM)were used to observe the antiproli-ferative effect of NLE-CDDP on the human osteosarcoma cells.Antitumor effect of NLE-CDDP was determined using the xenografts models of human osteosarcoma cell Saos-2 in nude mice.The Pt concentration in the tissues of tumor-transplanted mice was determined by atomic spectrophotometer.Results: When treated at different concentrations of NLE-CDDP for 24-96 hours,the survival rate of Saos-2 cells decreased significantly(P