OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the rib cage on the vertebral axial rotation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis under axial load condition.

METHODSThree dimensional finite element model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis included and excluded thoracic cage was built based on the data of computer tomography. The model was imported into the preprocessor of the ANSYS 8.0 software for assigning boundary and loading conditions. Then the axial loading condition was simulated after entering the solution modular. The magnitude and direction of each vertebral axial rotation of the scoliotic spine were read and analyzed in the postprocessor of the ANSYS software.

RESULTSThe rib cage had a significant influence on the axial rotation of the vertebra above the structural curve and had no influence on the axial rotation of the lumbar and sacral vertebra. The effect of the thoracic cage on the axial rotation of the apical vertebra was limited. Under different loading conditions, the apical vertebra of both models rotated in the same direction. The magnitude of the vertebral rotation of both models has no statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis can lead to the anatomical changes of the vertebra and the thoracic cage. The corresponding changes of biomechanical features of the scoliotic spine and rib cage would occur. The deformed thoracic cage could not maintain the rotation stability as the normal one.

Adolescent ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Ribs ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Rotation ; Scoliosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Spine ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thoracic Wall ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between angiographically-defined coronary heart disease (CHD) and chronic periodontitis (CP).

METHODS277 cases with CHD (case group) and another 238 with no agiographic evidence of CHD (control group) were compared on their traditional cardiovascular risk factors, as: oral health status and probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival recession, as well as number of missing teeth. Other related risk factors of CHD were included in a stepwise logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSData from univariate analysis showed that there was significant difference in CP, plasma triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fast glucose, white blood count, hypertension and smoking between patients with CHD and those with out CHD (P < 0.01 - 0.001). Multiple factorial logistic regression analysis showed that CP, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, HDL-C were strongly correlated with the incidence of CHD. Significant dosage-effective response was also found in the relationship between CP and CHD (P < 0.001). Further studies also suggested that the severity of CP paralleled the severity of CHD.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that CP might serve as an independent risk factor of CHD and significantly enhance the risk and severity of CHD. Our study suggested that the elimination of probable risk factors in oral cavity was indispensable during the process of the prevention of CHD in order to prevent acute coronary events.

Angiography ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Coronary Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Periodontitis ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors

To characterize the background current in fetal human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells and clarify its relationship with volume activated Cl(-) currents (I(Cl,vol)), whole-cell patch clamp and cell imaging techniques were employed. Under isotonic conditions, a background current [(5.9+/-2.1) pA/pF at +80 mV, n=21] was detected. The current presented a weak outward rectification and a negligible time-dependent inactivation. The current-voltage relationship showed that the reversal potential of the background current [(-0.73+/-1.7) mV, n=21] was close to the calculated equilibrium potential for Cl(-)(-0.9 mV). Application of extracellular hypertonic stimulation (440 mOsmol/L) suppressed the current by (59.6+/-7.1)% and the inhibition was reversible after returned to isotonic conditions. Bathing the cells in hypotonic solution (160 mOsmol/L) induced a volume-sensitive Cl(-) current. The Cl(-) channel blockers, tamoxifen (20 micromol/L) and 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) (100 micromol/L), inhibited the background current by (74.0+/-5.2)% (P<0.01, n=5) and (60.9+/-8.9)% (P<0.01, n=6) at +80 mV and increased basal cell volume by (107.7+/-2.9)% (P<0.01, n=25) and (104.4+/-2.4)% (P<0.01, n=19), respectively. The data indicate that Cl(-) current is an important component of the background current in fetal human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells. The background Cl(-) current is involved in volume activated Cl(-) current and basal cell volume regulation.
Cells, Cultured ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Electrophysiology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Fetus ; Humans ; Nasopharynx ; cytology ; Nitrobenzoates ; pharmacology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between polymorphism at position -511C/T in the promoter region of interleukin 1B (IL1B) and the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD).

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was applied to analyze the polymorphisms of IL1B -511C/T in 127 patients with CHD and 152 controls. And the serum level of lipoproteins was detected by enzymology method.

RESULTSThe distribution of IL1B -511C/T polymorphism between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and controls was significantly different (chi-square test=5.72, P<0.01). CT and TT genotype carriers were in increased risk of ACS with more double ratio to CC genotype (OR=2.56, 95%CI=1.17-5.59). In CHD group, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of patients with CT and TT genotypes (6.09+/-0.97 mmol/L and 3.97+/-0.92 mmol/L) were significantly higher than those of patients with CC genotype (5.12+/-0.56 mmol/L and 2.87+/-0.71 mmol/L, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe polymorphism at position -511C/T in IL1B is associated with the severity of CHD, and the DNA variation at this position may affect the secretion of IL1B, and aggravate the reaction of inflammation and dyslipoidemia.

Coronary Disease ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; Interleukin-1beta ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Severity of Illness Index

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of human fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP) in predicting myocardial ischemia and injury in the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, we observed the dynamic changes of h-FABP in perioperative period of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and ventricular septal defects repairing surgery, and evaluated the relationship of h-FABP and ischemia modified albumin (IMA), CK-MB, cTnI.

METHODSPatients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (n=30) and ventricular septal defect repairing (n=30) surgery between February 2008 and December 2008 were included in this study. Venous blood sample was obtained at preoperative, aortic clamping, aortic unclamping of 10 min, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h for the measurements of h-FABP, IMA, cTnI and CK-MB.

RESULTSh-FABP and IMA changed in the same way at various examined time points, h-FABP changes also paralleled cTnI and CK-MB changes, h-FABP peaked early during myocardial ischemia and injury and returned to baseline level at 2 h post myocardial ischemia and injury. Linear correlation analysis showed that the peak value of h-FABP was positively correlated with IMA, CK-MB and cTnI in both CABG group (r = 0.948, 0.964 and 0.961, P < 0.05) and in the VSD group (r = 0.986, 0.978 and 0.957).

CONCLUSIONSh-FABP is an early diagnostic parameter reflecting perioperative myocardial ischemia and injury in cardiac surgery. Quantitative h-FABP monitoring could predict the severity of myocardial ischemia and injury early during cardiac surgery.

Aged ; Albumins ; analysis ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Creatine Kinase, MB Form ; blood ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; blood ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Ischemia ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Perioperative Period ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Thoracic Surgery ; Troponin I ; blood

Whole-cell patch clamp and cell volume measurement techniques were used to investigate the ATP-activated chloride current and the ATP effect on cell volume in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Extracellular application of ATP in micromolar concentrations activated a current with the properties of modest outward rectification and negligible time-dependent inactivation in a dose-dependent manner. The current reversed at a potential [(-0.05+/-0.03) mV] close to the Cl- equilibrium potential (-0.9 mV). Substitution of Cl- with gluconate in the extracellular solution decreased the ATP-activated current and shifted the reversal potential positively. NPPB, one of the chloride channel blockers, inhibited the current by (81.03+/-9.36)%. The current was also depressed by the P2Y purinoceptor antagonist, reactive blue 2, by (67.39+/-5.06)%. ATP (50 micromol/L) decreased the cell volume under the isotonic condition. Depletion of extracellular and intracellular Cl- abolished the ATP effect on cell volume. The results suggest that extracellular ATP of micromolar scales can induce a chloride current associated with cell volume regulation by activation of chloride channel through binding to purinoceptor P2Y.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; physiology ; Cell Size ; drug effects ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitrobenzoates ; pharmacology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The transwell chamber migration assay and the patch-clamp technique were used to investigate the volume-activated Cl(-) current (I(Cl.vol)) in migrated nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (CNE-2Z). 47% hypotonic solution activated a ICl.vol in the migrated CNE-2Z cells. Compared with the control cells (non-migrated), the properties of this current and the sensitivity to Cl(-) channel blockers were changed. The current density in migrated CNE-2Z cells was higher than that in non-migrated cells. The current was almost completely inhibited by extracellular application of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP, 10 mmol/L), 5-nitro-2-3-phenylpropylamino benzoic acid (NPPB, 100 mmol/L) and tamoxifen (30 mmol/L) in all voltage steps applied. The inhibition of NPPB and tamoxifen on the current was stronger in migrated cells than that in non-migrated cells. The permeability sequence of the four anions was Br(-)>Cl(-)> I (-)>Gluconate. The sequence was different from that of the non-migrated cells (I(-)> Br(-)> Cl(-)> Gluconate). The results suggest that volume-activated chloride channels may be involved in the CNE-2Z cell migration.
Carcinoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Size ; drug effects ; Chloride Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; physiology ; Chlorides ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitrobenzoates ; pharmacology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Tamoxifen ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features and laboratory findings of adult Epstein-Barr virus associated T/NK cell lymphoproliferative disease (EBV+T/NK-LPD) and to investigate the early diagnosis and prognosis of EBV+T/NK-LPD. The clinical data of 19 adult patients with EBV+T/NK-LPD were retrospectively analyzed. The results indicated that there were 11 males and 8 females. The median age was 32 years (range: 20-70 years). The average duration from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 3.5 months. The median survival time was 2.5 months. Unkown fever, hepatosplenomegaly, liver dysfunction and interstitial pneumonia were the main clinical features. High levels of β2-MG, LDH, TNF, IL-6 and significantly increased EBV-DNA level (median level > 10(6) copies/ml) were occurred in all the patients. Cytopenia was seen in 18 cases. Morphologically, atypical large granular lymphocytes and hemophagocytosis were common in bone marrow smears. Deletion of CD5 or CD7 were frequently observed in T/NK lymphocytes in bone marrow cells by flow cytometry. Bone marrow biopsy showed atypical lymphocyte interstitial infiltrated in 10 cases, while a few large cells infiltrated in 6 cases. Immunohistochemistry showed the expression of CD3(+)CD56(+) were seen in 2 cases, CD3(+)CD8(+) in 11 cases and CD3(+)CD4(+) in 3 cases. TIA-1 and EBER were positive in all biopsy specimens. Three cases underwent biopsy of lymph nodes showed reactive proliferations of lymphocytes. All the patients died of multiorgan failure. It is concluded that the fever, hepatosplenomegaly are the most common clinical features in adult EBV+T/NK-LPD, the bone marrow infiltration of EBV-infected T/NK lymphocytes and significantly increased EBV-DNA level can be observed in all cases, the clinical outcome of this disease is poor, these clinical and experimental features can be served as a reliable marker for the timely diagnosis of adult EBV+T/NK-LPD.
Adult ; Aged ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Killer Cells, Natural ; virology ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; T-Lymphocytes ; virology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the feasibility,reliability,validity and responsiveness of a Chinese Menopause Rating Scale (CMRS).Methods Cross-sectional survey and convenience sampling were adopted. Participants:women with menopause syndrome and those in menopause but without menopause syndrome were recruited.All participants were asked to complete the CMRS,Kupperman Index,WHOQOL-BREF and MENQOL.The Self-control observation design was adopted when the responsiveness was evaluated.Patients were treated with TCM for weeks.MRSTCM was evaluated before and after the treatment.Results (1) Feasibility:3343 participants including 2320 patients and 1023 menopause women,were surveyed in 8 different settings.The recovery rate of CMRS was 100%,with a response rate as 99.7%.The completion of the CMRS took 10.30 minutes on average.(2)Reliability:Cronbach's alpha of CMRS,soma dimension,psychology dimension and community dimension of CMRS were 0.93,0.87,0.89 and 0.73 respectively,with the correlation coefficient of split half of the CMRS.Soma dimension,psychology dimension and community dimension were 0.92,0.89,0.86 and 0.73 respectively and the test-retest correlation coefficient of MRSTCM,the soma dimension,psychology dimension and community dimension were as 0.88,0.91,0.85 and 0.77 respectively.(3) Validity:CMRS was established on the basis of connotation of menopause syndrome,and a series of steps were adopted to modify the scale.CMRS was applicable for patients with menopause syndrome.CMRS seemed to have had good content-related validity.The result of exploratory factor analysis was accorded with the theory frame of CMRS by and large.The correlations between CMRS and KI,CMRS and WHOQOLBREF,CMRS and MENQOL seemed good.The CMRS was able to discriminate between groups of people with or without menopausal syndrome and bad good discriminative validity.(4) Responsibility:The CMRS was measured based on 174 patients with menopausal syndrome before and after the TCM therapy.Our result showed that the CMRS having the ability to measure the clinically important differences.Conclusion CMRS was suitable for outcome assessment of menopausal syndrome.This primary research proved that the CMRS had good feasibility,reliability,validity as well as responsiveness.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of different doses of P-8 in increasing the Hypoxia tolerance of mice and the mechanisms involved.

METHODSThe health mice were placed into the oxygen deficit bottles and measured the survival time in the condition of hypoxia. The male mice were put into the ladder cage, then placed them into the hypobaric champer to determine the survival time of mice with decompression hypoxia (min). We observed the activity changes of the mice's organization carbonic anhydrase II (CAII). By using the drug in prophylaxis, we investigated the effects of carbonic anhydrase target-based inhibitors P-8 for improving the hypoxia tolerance.

RESULTS(1) In improving the endurance of mice in the condition of hypoxia, the survival time of 6.25 mg/(kg x d) and more doses of P-8 groups were (27.38 +/- 4.63, 29.53 +/- 4.43, 29.67 +/- 7.28, 31.55 +/- 6.34, 32.45 +/- 6.65, 36.81 +/- 7.24 and 35.41 +/- 4.20) min, compared with the control group (22.90 +/- 3.19) min , the survival time significantly prolonged (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); compared to the same dose of acetazolamide groups (24.54 +/- 3.17, 22.70 +/- 3.04, 22.67 +/- 2.99, 23.93 +/- 0.96, 27.87 +/- 5.06, 30.79 +/- 5.12 and 35.14 +/- 6.46) min, the survival time significantly prolonged; P-8 groups and Acetazolamide's minimum effective dose were 6.25 and 100 mg/(kg x d), the potency of P-8 is 16 times Acetazolamide. (2) In improving the endurance of mice in the condition of hypoxia, the survival time of middle and high doses of P-8 groups [(24.82 +/- -3.92, 28.27 +/- 5.89) min] were significantly longer than those in control group [(21.96 2.51) min, P < 0.05]; compared with the acetazolamide (23.11 +/- 3.71) min, the survival time of high dose of P-8 group was significantly prolonged. (3) Compared with the normal control group, P-8 [(25 mg/(kg x d), 50 mg/(kg x d), 100 mg/(kg x d), 200 mg/(kg x d)] dose groups inhibited the activity of carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) in the renal (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); P-8 [100 mg/(kg x d) and 200 mg/(kg x d)] dose group significantly inhibited the activity of carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) in the brain (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONP-8 treatment improved the endurance of mice in the condition of hypoxia and worked better than Acetazolamide. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of carbonic anhydrase organization.

Adaptation, Physiological ; physiology ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; Animals ; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypoxia ; physiopathology ; Male ; Mice