OBJECTIVEThis investigation aimed to examine how buccal mucosa microbiome succeeds in a healthy population with different ages and dentition stages.

METHODSTwenty-five subjects were recruited and subdivided into five groups: primary dentition group, mixed dentition group, adolescent group, adult group, and elderly group. Individual mucosal microbiota was obtained by gently scraping both sides of the buccal mucosa with a cotton swab. Microbial diversity was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE).

RESULTS1) The composition of buccal mucosa microbiota has great intra-individual divergence. 2) The average band numbers of the primary dentition group, mixed dentition group, adolescent group, adult group, and elderly group were 21.2 +/- 4.0, 17.8 +/- 3.9, 15.8 +/- 4.3, 16.8 +/- 3.7, and 22.2 +/- 6.5, respectively. No between-group differences was observed (P > 0.05), indicating that predominant strains in the oral cavity may be stable throughout an individual's lifetime. 3) The Shannon indices of primary dentition group, mixed dentition group, adolescent group, adult group, and elderly group were 1.73 +/- 10.2, 1.43 +/- 0.1, 1.05 +/- 0.2, 1.45 +/- 0.2, and 1.63 +/- 0.3, respectively. A significant between-group difference was observed (P = 0.003), indicating that the microbial diversity of the buccal mucosa decreases from childhood through adolescence, but increases from adult through senescence. 4) The clustering analysis showed that most of the samples in the same group clustered together, indicating higher intra-group community structure similarity.

CONCLUSIONComposition of the buccal mucosa microbiota was different among age groups. Adolescence may be an essential turning point of microbial ecology succession throughout life.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; DNA, Bacterial ; Humans ; Microbiota ; Mouth Mucosa ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Objective To observe the changes of learning and memory ability and the expression of GRP8,ATF4 and CHOP in the frontal lobe neurons of rats after isoflurane anesthesia.Methods Male SD aged rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 15 in each group.Rats in ISO group received 1.5% isoflurane 2 h,SAL group received intraperitoneal injection Salubrinal(1 mg/kg),ISO+SAL group received 1.5% 2 h after intraperitoneal injection Salubrinal(1 mg/kg),C group only inhaled 30% air and oxygen mixture.Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed 24 hours after isoflurane anesthesia,and then the left frontal lobe of rats was collected,gene transcription and protein expression changes of 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein(GRP78),activating transcription factor 4(ATF4),C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP) were evaluated by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence.Results Compared with the C group,the latent time of ISO group was significantly prolonged(ISO group(19.10±2.98)s vs C group (10.54±2.05)s,P<0.05);the number of times passing through the target platform of ISO group was decreased significantly(ISO group (6.78±1.47) vs Cgroup (9.03±1.69),P<0.05);protein expression level of GRP78 was significantly increased in group ISO (ISO group (965.8±86.5) vs C group(247.5±46.3),P<0.05);protein expression level of ATF4 was significantly increased in group ISO(ISO group (470±69.4) vs C group (275.4±56.3),P<0.05) protein expression level of CHOP was significantly increased in group ISO(ISO group (618.7±83.3) vs C group(174.5±71.2),P<0.05).The transcription trends of GRP78,ATF4,CHOP were consistent with their protein expression.Conclusion The decrease of short-term memory ability after isoflurane anesthesia may be related to the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in frontal lobe neurons.

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentration and inhalation duration time of isoflurane on cognitive performance and the expression of GABAR1 and NMDAR2B in aged SD rat cerebral temporal lopes.Methods Aged male SD rats (9 months) were randomly divided into control group (n=10) and test group (n=80).The control group received air at room tempreture.Test groups were divided into four groups: group S1 (1.5%-2 h),group S2 (2.5%-2 h),group S3 (1.5%-4 h),group S4 (2.5%-4 h)according to isoflurane concentration and inhalation duration time.Every group was equally divided into two groups and Morris water maze test was performed day 1 and day 7 after isoflurane inhalation.Then the right temporal lobe was gathered and the mRNA transcription and protein expression of GABAR1 and NMDAR2B were detected by RT-PCR and Immunofluorescence technique.Results One day after isoflurane inhalation, accompanied with increased isoflurane concentration and inhalation duration, the spatial memory ability of every test group decreased continually, and the mRNA transcription and protein expression of GABAR1 increased and the mRNA transcription and protein expression of NMDAR2B decreased compared with control group (P<0.01).Seven days after isoflurane inhalation, the spatial memory ability of group S4 decreased, the mRNA transcription and protein expression of both GABAR1 increased, the mRNA transcription and protein expression of NMDAR2B decreased compared with control group and the other test groups (P<0.01).There was no significant difference between the control group and groups S1, S2, S3.Conclusion Continuous inhalation of isoflurane has great effects on spatial memory ability.And impaired spatial memory by isoflurane inhalation of high concentration with long duration is present in a long time.Thoses are related with the mRNA transcription and protein expressions of GABAR1 and NMDAR2B in cerebral temporal lope.

Objective:To explore the relation of new-type drug using intention,self-efficacy,and perceived stress in secondary vocational school students.Methods:A total of 2692 secondary vocational school students in Zhaoqing,Guangdong Province were selected.The questionnaire of new-type drugs using intention,General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES),and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) were respectively used to assess the secondary vocational school students'new-type drugs using intention,self-efficacy,and perceived stress.Path analysis model was used to analyze the relationship of new-type drugs using intention,self-efficacy,and perceived stress among secondary vocational school students.Results:There were 13.6％ (295/2165) of the secondary vocational school students reported an intention to use new-type drugs.The total scores of GSES and PSS were (2.4 ±0.5) and (18.8 ±5.0),respectively.The results of path analysis showed that,after controlling for age,gender,and residence,the scores of GSES were negatively correlated with the scores of PSS (γ =-0.21,P ＜0.001),and the scores of PSS were positively correlated with the scores of questionnaire of new-type drugs using intention (γ =0.05,P ＜ 0.05).However,the scores of GSES showed no significant direct correlation with the scores of questionnaire of new-type drugs using intention (γ =0.04,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion:The secondary vocational school students' level of perceived stress are positively correlated with their intention to use new-type drugs.Self-efficacy might moderate the individual's level of perceived stress,thus to show indirect correlation to the secondary vocational school students' intention.

To investigate the effects and mechanism of andrographolide(Andro)on type II diabetic nephropathy in Leprdb/dbmice,levels of urinary protein,serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen after 24 h of Andro(1 mg/kg,ip)treatment on Leprdb/dbmice were measured by kit.The changes on renal pathology and sugar levels in diabetic mice treated by Andro were observed by HE staining and PAS staining.The expression of fibronectin (FN)and NOX-4 protein were analyzed by immunofluorescence.Results showed that levels of urinary protein, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in Leprdb / dbmice after Andro treatment for 24 h were significantly lower than those of the control group. Kidney pathologic change was inhibited, and FN and NOX-4 expression were markedly decrease in the Andro group.In conclusion,Andro can significantly reduce the diabetic nephropathy in Leprdb/dbmice with spontaneous type II diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application value of magnetic resonance diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) combined with routine T2WI sequence in the determination of pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.

METHODSClinical data of 51 cases with locally advanced mid-low rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy plus radical resection in the Rectal Cancer Center at The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2012 to April 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Magnetic resonance DWI and T2WI sequences scanning were performed within 1 week before neoadjuvant therapy and within 1 week before operation. Routine single T2WI sequence and DWI combined with T2WI sequence were used separately to predict the residual tumor and to compare with postoperative pathological examination. The prediction values of two methods were compared.

RESULTSOf 51 patients, 12 cases had pathological complete response (pCR). Prediction of DWI combined T2WI sequence was correct in 8 cases of pCR, whose sensitivity and specificity were higher than those of routine single T2WI sequence (66.7%, 94.9% vs. 33.3%, 84.6%). Prediction value of DWI combined T2WI sequence for pCR was significantly higher as compared to routine single T2WI sequence (AUC, 0.808 vs. 0.590, P=0.001).

CONCLUSIONCompared with the routine single T2WI sequence, DWI combined with T2WI sequence can improve the prediction accuracy of pathological complete response.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo determine the efficacy and safety of combined L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine therapy in infertile males with oligoasthenozoospermia.

METHODSOne hundred fifty patients with oligoasthenozoospermia were randomized selected into treatment and control groups. The treatment group with 90 patients were given L-carnitine (2 g/d) and acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d) orally, twice a day. The patients in control group were given Vitamin E 100 mg plus Vitamin C 100 mg, tid. The oral therapy lasted three months and patients accepted sperm analysis every one month. The L-carnitine level in seminal plasma was examined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPC). Side effects as well as pregnant rate were observed.

RESULTSIn the treatment group, 85 patients out of 90 finished the three month treatment. Female spouses of 10 patients (11.6%) achieved pregnancy. Moreover, their forward motile sperm per ejaculation, total motile sperm, as well as the concentration of L-carnitine in seminal plasma were increased significantly (P < 0.01). In control group, 53 patients out of 60 completed three months therapy. Two pregnancy (3.7%) was observed. Though some increase was seen in number of forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, the changes were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The difference of the pregnant rate between two groups was statistically significant. No side effects were found.

CONCLUSIONCombined treatment with L-carnitine and acetyl-L-calmitine can be an effective and safe option for treating oligoasthenozoospermia by means of significantly improving forward motile sperm and total motile sperm per ejaculation, as well as increasing pregnant rates.

Acetylcarnitine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Administration, Oral ; Adult ; Carnitine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oligospermia ; drug therapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

Objective: To investigate the relationship among depression, anxiety, stress and addictive substance use behavior in secondary vocational students. Methods: Cluster sampling method and the Adolescent Health-related Behaviors Questionnaire were used to collect demographic characteristics, psychological symptoms, and addictive substance usage among 5 935 students in nine vocational schools in Chongqing, Zhaoqing, Ningbo, and Taiyuan. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the addictive substance use behavior and psychological factors. Results: The detection rates of depression, anxiety and stress were 46.5% (n=2 762), 58.7% (n=3 483), and 29.8% (n= 1 770), respectively. The prevalence of addictive substances was 74.8% (n=4 440), traditional drugs was 0.8% (n=50), new drugs was 2.8% (n=166), other addictive drugs was 4.1% (n=241). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the normal psychological states of secondary vocational students, the OR value of mild depression tendency alcohol and tobacco use behavior of secondary vocational students was 1.45; the OR values of mild anxiety, moderate anxiety, severe anxiety and very serious anxiety were 1.46, 1.46, 1.71, and 1.83, respectively; the traditional drugs use behaviors were 5.51, and 2.61, respectively, for the severe anxiety and very serious anxiety. Compared with the normal psychological state of secondary vocational students, the OR values of the severe anxiety and very severe anxiety were 2.56, and 2.66, respectively, for severe anxiety and very serious anxiety. Compared with normal psychological status of secondary vocational students, the OR values of mild, moderate, severe, and very severe anxiety were 2.14, 2.47, 2.39, and 3.45, respectively; all P values <0.05. Conclusion Anxiety and mild depression were risk factors of tobacco and alcohol use in secondary vocational students; severe and above anxiety were the risk factors of drug use in secondary vocational students; anxiety was the risk factor for other addictive drug use in secondary vocational students.

Objective: Severe radiation-induced late rectal injury (sRLRI) directly affects the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer. Effective prediction of sRLRI before surgery may provide important information for the selection of surgical strategies and perioperative managements. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of predicting sRLRI based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features before and after radiotherapy for rectal cancer. Methods: This was a diagnostic study. Clinical and imaging data of 90 patients with rectal cancer receiving long-term radiotherapy from June 2013 to July 2018 in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were collected retrospectively. Case inclusion criteria: (1) rectal cancer was diagnosed by pathology and age of ≥ 18 years old; (2) patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and anterior rectal resection; (3) follow up time ≥ 3 years; (4) patients had no history of other neoplasm. Exclusion criteria: (1) patients did not receive MRI examination in our hospital within 2 weeks before and/or 8 weeks after radiotherapy; (2) images were not good enough for evaluation; (3) medical records were incomplete; (4) patients had severe gastrointestinal diseases. According to the RTOG/EORTC classification criteria for radiation reactions, severe complications of grade 3-4 requiring surgical management were defined as sRLRI. T2WI and DWI images before and after radiotherapy were evaluated. The rectal wall thickness, bladder wall thickness, rectal sacral spacing and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of the above indicators for sRLRI. Results: Among the 90 patients with rectal cancer, 34 (37.8%) developed sRLRI. Before radiotherapy, the median rectal wall thickness of sRLRI and non-sRLRI patients was 4.530 mm and 4.355 mm, respectively; the median bladder wall thickness was 3.962 mm and 3.868 mm, respectively; the median rectal sacral spacing was 15.557 mm and 12.433 mm, respectively; the median ADC value of rectal wall was 1.620 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s and 1.653 ×10(-3) mm(2)/s, respectively. There were no significant differences in above indicators between sRLRI and non-sRLRI patients (all P>0.05). After radiotherapy, compared with non-sRLRI patients, sRLRI patients had increased rectal wall thickness (median: 8.239 mm vs. 6.223 mm, Z=-3.512, P=0.001), rectal sacral spacing (median: 17.728 mm vs. 13.885 mm, Z=-2.247, P=0.025), and change of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy (median: 98.106% vs. 49.584%, Z=-4.169, P<0.001). After radiotherapy, there were no significant differences in the bladder wall thickness and its change value, the ADC value of rectal wall and its change rate before and after radiotherapy between the two groups (all P>0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the change rates of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy, rectal wall thickness and rectal sacral spacing after radiotherapy for predicting sRLRI was 0.763, 0.722 and 0.642, respectively, while the sensitivity was 85.3%, 70.6% and 76.5%, respectively, and the specificity was 64.3%, 71.4% and 57.1%, respectively. Conclusion: Based on MRI examinations, assessments of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy, the change rate of rectal wall thickness after radiotherapy, and rectal sacral spacing after radiotherapy are helpful for evaluating the risk of sRLRI after radiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer.
Adolescent ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Quality of Life ; Rectal Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Bungarus Parvus, a precious animal Chinese medicinal material used in clinical practice, is believed to be first recorded in Ying Pian Xin Can published in 1936. This study was carried out to analyze the names, geographical distribution, morphological characteristics, ecological habits, poisonousness, and medicinal parts by consulting ancient Chinese medical books and local chronicles, Chinese Pharmacopeia, different processing standards of trditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction pieces, and modern literatures. The results showed that the earliest medicinal record of Bungarus Parvus was traced to 1894. In 1930, this medicinal material was used in the formulation of Annao Pills. The original animal, Bungarus multicinctus, was recorded by the name of "Bojijia" in 1521. The morphological characteristics, ecological habits, and poisonousness of the original animal are the same in ancient and modern records. The geographical distribution is similar between the ancient records and modern documents such as China Medicinal Animal Fauna. The dried body of young B. multicinctus is used as Bungarus Parvus, which lack detailed references. As a matter of fact, it is still inconclusive whether there are differences between young snakes and adult snakes in terms of active ingredients, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications. This study clarified the medicinal history and present situation of Bungarus Parvus. On the basis of the results, it is suggested that systematic comparison on young and adult B. multicinctus should be carried out to provide references for revising the medicinal parts of B. multicinctus.
Animals ; Bungarus ; Snakes ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal