Measurement of cervical lordosis is the basic method for evaluating cervical function, and important reference for determine treatment decision. However, how to choose appropriate measurement in accordance with different situation, as well as the relationship among these methods is not clear. An increasing number of studies suggested that different measurements could directly affect the judgment of cervical lordosis. Therefore, comparative study of cervical vertebrae plays an important role in clinical treatment for cervical spondylosis under different cervical curvature conditions.
Cervical Vertebrae ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Lordosis ; diagnosis ; pathology

Animals ; Electrical Synapses ; Male ; Membrane Potentials ; physiology ; Neurons ; physiology ; Parietal Lobe ; cytology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Facial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Rabbits

Objective To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs 653765 and rs514049 inADAM10gene and clinical characteristics in asthma in Han Chinese children. MethodsA case-control study was performed in that research, and 221 children with asthma were recruited and an other 236 normal children were recruited as controls. The genotypes of two SNPs in ADAM 10 gene were detected using PCR-RFLP. And all data were analyzed by SPSS 19 . 0 . Results In case-controlled study, we found the frequency of TT genotype in case group was higher than that of controlgroup (P=0 . 028 ), and the frequency of T allele was higher than that of control group (P=0 . 008 ). The genotypes and alleles of rs 514049 was not associated with asthma (P=0 . 604 , 0 . 356 ).There were no difference in serum ADAM 10 levels between asthma and control group (P=0 . 238 ), but in asthma group we found patients with TT genotype may have a higher level ADAM 10 than the one with CC genotype (P=0 . 034 ). The polymorphism of rs 653765 was not associated with the level of C-reaction protein, the number of LYM, IgE and EOS% (P>0 . 05 ). Conclusions The genotype of rs 653765 in ADAM 10 gene was associated with asthma in the central of China, and T allele was a risk factor. The polymorphism of rs 653765 might be associated with the levels of ADAM 10 .

A fusion expression vector pPIC3.5K-PDGFR? was constructed to express recombinant receptor tyrosine kinase PDGFR? and the right Pichia pastoris transformants were screened on his-deficient plates and YPD-G418 plates by turns after electroporation of strain GS115, a high yield strain named M3 was screened. The strain M3 was cultured in a 5 L fermentor and His-GFP-PDGFR? fusion protein was purified by Ni2+ chelating affinity chromatography. One distinct peak was obtained after elution with 250 mmol/L imidazole. Fusion protein was proved to be 90.08 kD by western blotting, and have tyrosine kinase activity by ELISA. Results showed that the receptor tyrosine kinase PDGFR? was successfully expressed in P. pastoris and could be used as a target for small molecule selective inhibitors screening.

OBJECTIVETo search for a simple and effective surgical approach to the management of moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis in children.

METHODSWe used Devine's technique via incision between the penis and scrotum in the treatment of 68 cases of moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis. The patients were aged 3 -13 (mean 6.5) years, 30 with moderate and 38 with severe pediatric concealed penis.

RESULTSThis strategy achieved good near- and long-term effects and satisfactory appearance of the penis, which was similar to that of circumcision. At 3 months after surgery, the penile length was 3 - 5.2 cm, averaging (2.35 +/- 0.35) cm.

CONCLUSIONDevine's technique via incision between the penis and scrotum is a simple and effective surgical option for moderate to severe pediatric concealed penis in children.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Scrotum ; surgery ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; methods

Objective:To investigate the effects of Helicobacter pylori on NLRP3 inflammasomes activation in THP-1 ( human monocytic cell line) -derived macrophages and evaluate the role of ROS.Methods:H.pylori strain SS1 was co-cultured with the THP-1-derived macrophages at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1∶100 based on trial results with different MOIs (ratios of THP-1 cells to bacteria ranging from 1∶25 to 1∶200).The co-culture supernatants and THP-1 cells were collected at various time points (3 h,6 h,12 h,24 h) and cytokine production was quantitated using ELISA analysis.The generation of intracellular ROS was detected by FCM,and the mRNA transcript levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 were measured by Real-time PCR.Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of active caspase-1 subunit ( p10).Then we observed the inhibitory effects of NAC and siRNA specific for NLRP3 on the ex-pression of NLRP3 inflammasome-related components and the secretion of cytokines induced by H.pylori.Results:We found that H.pylori SS1 induced IL-1βand IL-18 production in human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 in a time-and dose-dependent manner.We further showed that H.pylori could induce the mRNA expressions of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in THP-1 cells.Moreover, release of IL-1βand IL-18 from H.pylori-infected THP-1 cells was suppressed by the ROS scavenger NAC,which was an agent known to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome formation.NAC administration also resulted in a significant decrease in the level of H.pylori-induced caspase-1 protein expression in THP-1 cells.Additionally,secretion of IL-1βand IL-18 in response to H.pylori infection was remarkably reduced by NLRP3-siRNA.Conclusion:The induction of IL-1βand IL-18 secretion by H.pylori strain SS1 in THP-1 cells could be mediated through activation of NLRP3 inflammasome via ROS signaling pathway, which may be involved in the host innate immune defence and the pathogenesis of the bacteria.

A new teaching method was developed in the curriculum of Harmful Microorganisms Control Technology.It is characterized by students’ self-learning followed by student’s instruction.Both students and teacher have succeeded in this model after four stages of practice,in which a pleasant learning atmosphere was created in the classroom.An effective interaction between teacher and students was achieved.Students are viewed as main objects in the classroom and they are encouraged to ask questions,to formulate their own ideas,or to find things out for themselves.Thus,students’ abilities including presentation,communication,competition,and cooperation were enhanced.By adapting their role to the new teaching method,teachers have also improved their teaching skill and strategies.

OBJECTIVETo compare the manifestations of peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma by CT dynamic enhancement with that of adenocarcinoma, and evaluate the difference of CT dynamic enhancement to distinguish peripheral lung squamous cell carcinomas from adenocarcinoma.

METHODSThirty peripheral lung squamous cell carcinomas and 40 adenocarcinomas were examined with dynamic contrasted CT, enhancement at various phases recorded, based on which the time-intensity curves were produced. The enhancement patterns were compared and analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no statistically significant difference in the enhancement degree and peak time between peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (P > 0.05). The difference in enhancement pattern between these two different types of carcinoma was not statistically significant when the lesion was larger than 3 cm in diameter (P > 0.05), whereas it became statistically significant when the lesion is less than 3 cm (P < 0.05). Most of the squamous cell carcinoma showed heterogeneous enhancement or peripheral enhancement in the tumor zone, however, most of the adenocarcinomas had homogenous enhancement.

CONCLUSIONThe maximum enhancement and the peak time are not helpful in differentiating peripheral lung squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma. When the lesion is less than 3 cm in diameter, the enhancement pattern of peripheral squamous cell carcinomas is different from that of adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiographic Image Enhancement ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods

BACKGROUND: The cell growth, proliferation and differentiation caused by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) might act as the common pathway in the onset and development of diabetic vascular complication.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on p38MAPK signal pathway and the influence of atorvastatin on cell proliferation and expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) at transcriptional level in human glomerular mesangial cells (HGMCs) cultured with oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).DESIGN: A randomized, parallelized, controlled and open trial.SETTING: Endocrinology Department, First Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University; Endocrinology Department,Respiratory Department, Urology Department, the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment had been done in the laboratories for Pharmaceutical Department of China Medical University and Respiratory Department of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from May 2004 to May 2005. The sample was cut from renal cortex from the healthy segment of nephroectomy from a tumor patient (Provided by Xiang Jun, Urology Department, the General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA; Informed consent was obtained). OX-LDL was purchased from biochemistry institute of Peking Union Medical College (Batch No.20040711 ). ox-LDL was 5.3±1.0 nmol in 100 μg protein. Atorvastatin was purchased from Pfizer Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd (No. 45837088); p38MAPK monocloncal antibody was purchased from Santa Cruz.METHODS: ① 6.0-8.0 cm3 blocks of cortex were cut from renal cortex from the healthy segment of nephroectomy from a tumor patient, glomerular mesangial cells were isolated. When grew into 80% confluent monolayer, the cells were digested and performed passage. After the first two passages, the cells were pure based on morphology and characterized by DAB staining for Vimentin antigen and actin antigen was positive, whereas cytokeratin antigen was negative. Oil red "O" staining confirmed that ox-LDL was intaken by HGMCs. The 4-8th passages of cells were used to study. ②HGMCs were seeded into 96-well plates with 5×103 cells per well and grown in 200 μL culture medium. The study was divided into 5 groups (6 wells each group): 1.2, 6,12 mg/L atorvastatin group, ox-LDL group and blank control group. The cells were pre-incubated with atorvastatin for 30 minutes, then exposed to 80 mg/L ox-LDL. The cells in blank control group were untouched. After 24 hours, MTT was added. The absorbance of each sample at the wavelength of 492 nm was measured with immunosorbant assay system. The inhibitory rate of cell proliferation was calculated. ③1×106 to 3×106 cells were seeded into six 200 mL flasks. The trial was divided into 5 groups randomly:control group, 10, 40, 80 mg/L ox-LDL groups and atorvastatin group (12 mL/g). The cells in each group were pre-incubated for 30 minutes, then exposed to 80 mg/L ox-LDL for 24-routine culture. The expressions of TGF-β1mRNA of harvested cells were detected with semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and p38MAPK signal pathway activation was detected by Western blot.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Identification results of HGMCs. ② Proliferation of HGMCs. ③ TGF-β1 expression of HGMCs. ④p38MAPK signal pathway activation of HGMCs.RESULTS: ①When the cells were sub-cultured to the second generation, cell volume was big. Most of the cells were spindle-shaped, irregular stellate or branch-like, filled with microfilaments which paralleled axis. Cells overlapped in the intensive area. After DAB staining, cytoplastic actin and vimentin were positive and keratin was negative. Oil red "O"staining confirmed that ox-LDL was intaken by HGMCs with red granules in the cytoplasma, while control group did not.It was proved that the cells cultured for passage were HGMCs. ② As compared with control group, the inhibitory rate of cell proliferation in ox-LDL group was significantly decreased, but that in atorvastatin 1.2, 6 and 12 mg/L groups was significantly increased (0, -17.4%, 6.4%, 22.5%, 61.5%, respectively, P ＜ 0.05 or 0.01) on concentration-dependent manner. ③ As compared with control group, ox-LDL (10, 40, 80 mg/L) increased the expression of TGF-β1 and activation of p38MAPK in concentration-dependent manner, the effect of 80 mg/L ox-LDL group was the most significantly (P ＜ 0.01). Atorvastatin decreased the increment of TGF-β1 expression and the activation of p38MAPK pathway induced by ox-LDL significantly. There was significant difference when compared with 80 mg/L ox-LDL group (P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin can antagonize the activation of p38MAPK pathway, decrease the secretion of TGF-β1 and inhibit mesangial cell proliferation induced by ox-LDL, suggesting that it may exert beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy with dyslipidemia.