BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that the finite element method could preferably simulate the biomechanical analysis for the object with complicated structures and irregular shapes. The similarities for the finite element model have great influences on the results of the analysis. However, to construct an ideal model is the most time-consuming and complicated portion for the finite element analysis. OBJECTIVE:To construct a finite element model for the maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue, and to provide a basis of biomechanical researches of the maxilary first molar. METHODS: A volunteer with complete mandibular dentition and healthy periodontal tissue was selected in this study. Cone-beam CT was scanned. The images were saved as DICOM format. These images were imported to the medical modeling software Mimics. The surface model for the maxilary first molar and the alveolar bone was constructed. The model was then imported to GiD for pre-processing. Thus, the complete three-dimensional finite element model for the maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue was constructed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A finite element model for bilateral maxilary first molar, periodontal ligament and maxilary alveolar bone was constructed, including 896 035 nodes and 4 881 067 elements. This model has restored the geometric shape and the structure of the research object. This study successfuly constructed finite element models of maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue, which can be a basis of biomechanical researches for the maxilary first molar and the periodontal tissue under the effect of different clinical orthodontic forces.

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at Baihui and Dazhui on cognitive function of vascular dementia rats and explore its possible mechanism. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham operation group, model group and electroacupuncture group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the model group and the electroacupuncture group were made as vascular dementia models by carotid artery ligation of the two sides. After 2 weeks of modeling, the electroacupuncture group received electroacupuncture at Baihui and Dazhui for 4 weeks. Before and after the intervention, take the novel object recognition behavior test to detect the 1, 24 h new object preference coefficient; and use magnetic resonance spectroscopy to scan the levels of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr neurometabolites in the hippocampus. q-PCR was used to detect the expression of caspase-3 and Bax in apoptotic cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect synapsin SYN expression. Results:Compared with the model group, the preference coefficient of new object of the electroacupuncture group at 1 h [(69.85 ± 11.26)% vs. (50.26 ± 8.85)%] and 24 h [(60.85 ± 11.86)% vs. (43.26 ± 10.25)%] significantly decreased ( P<0.01). The content of NAA/Cr (1.344 ± 0.149 vs. 0.892 ± 0.178) significantly increased ( P<0.01), and the content of Cho/Cr (0.661 ± 0.142 vs. 0.902 ± 0.178) in the hippocampus significantly decreased ( P<0.01). The expression of hippocampus caspase-3 (1.342 ± 0.041 vs. 2.437 ± 0.089), Bax (2.135 ± 0.083 vs. 4.358 ± 0.137) significantly decreased ( P<0.01), and the expression of SYN (0.577 ± 0.035 vs. 0.315 ± 0.025) significantly increased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at Baihui and Dazhui can effectively improve the cognitive dysfunction of rats with vascular dementia, which may be related to the improvement of neuronal metabolites NAA, Cho content and inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and improvement of neuronal touch function.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of integrative medical sequential method in treating cerebral palsy (CP) children's intelligence development, muscular tension, serum interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSTotally 111 CP children were randomly assigned to the control group (50 cases) and the treatment group (61 cases). All patients received comprehensive rehabilitation training and intravenous dripping of Monosialotetrahexosylganglioside Sodium Injection for 10 days. But those in the treatment group additionally received Chinese medical enema for brain resuscitation, relieving rigidity of muscles and activating collaterals for 14 days. Then they started another medication cycle and lasted for a total of 6 cycles. Serum IL-6 levels and TNF-alpha contents were determined before treatment. Scoring for muscular tension, Gesell score for intelligence development, contents of serum IL-6 and TNF-alpha were assessed before and after treatment in the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in this group, muscular tension, Gesell scores for intelligence development all decreased in the two groups (P < 0.05). As for inter-group comparison, the decrement was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 86.9% in the treatment group and 76.0% in the control group (P < 0.05). The contents of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were obviously reduced in the treatment group and the control group after treatment (P < 0.01). The decrement was more obvious in the treatment group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe two treatment methods were effective for CP children, but the efficacy was superior in the treatment group than in the control group, indicating integrative medical methods could play a synergistic effect and optimize the treatment program for CP.

Cerebral Palsy ; drug therapy ; Child, Preschool ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gangliosides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Infant ; Integrative Medicine ; Intelligence ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective To investigate the application of PBL and LBL teaching in medical imag-ing teach-ing. Methods Totally 124 five-year clinical students were divided into two groups:PBL teaching (n=57)and LBL teaching(n=67). Teaching in PBL group was conducted through the following 6 proce-dures:grouping-giving cases-asking questions-establishing hypothesis-collecting data-hypoth-esis testing-team summarizing. Teaching in LBL group was conducted mainly by teachers with multime-dia, course-ware,wall charts,models,samples,etc and finally summarized by teachers. Effect was eval-uated by reading test,closed-book exam and questionnaire survey. t test was employed to do statically analysis,with P≤0.05 being statistical differences. Results Reading test score ((82.4±14.8)vs (74.5±9.7))and case analysis score((13.9±5.1)vs (10.2±6.1))were higher in PBL group than in LBL group(P≤0.05). Most students in PBL group appreciated the teaching method. Conclusions PBL teaching can help improve the clinical analysis of students and is welcomed by students. Moreover, PBL,as a supplement of traditional teaching,can initiate the learning interests and enhance the innova-tion of students.

OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC-DAD/ESI-MS method for quickly identifying chemical constituents in diterpene lactone effective fraction of Andrographis panniculata and to study its pharmacodynamics.

METHODThe separation was performed on an Agilent SB-C18 column (2.1 mm x 150 mm, 5 μm) with a mobile phase of acetonitrile (A) and water (B). The flow rate was maintained at 0.4 mL x min(-1) and detection wavelength was set at 205 nm. The samples were analyzed in positive ion mode, and mass scan range was m/z 50-1 000. Using two kinds of tumor cell lines made living animal models, and studied preliminary pharmacodynamics on anti-tumor aspect.

RESULTFive diterpene lactones in the diterpene lactone effective fraction of A. panniculata could be separated in one run. Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that the effectve fraction had an inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor.

CONCLUSIONA rapid and efficient HPLC-ESI-MS method to determine the chemical constituents in diterpene lactone effective fraction of A. panniculata has been established, and the preliminary pharmacodynamics research has been done, which could be used for the quality control and further studies of diterpene lactone effective fraction of A. panniculata in vivo.

Andrographis ; chemistry ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

AIM: To investigate the clinical effect for treating bullous keratopathy ( BK ) by anterior corneal stromal acupuncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation.
METHODS: Totally 35 patients ( 35 eyes ) with bullous keratopathy were treated by corneal stromal acupuncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation. All patients preoperative and postoperative underwent anterior segment OCT, corneal topography, corneal sensitivity and confocal microscopy. To observe postoperative ocular symptoms in patients with BK, recurrence of bulla, changes in corneal thickness, corneal sensitivity and changes in the organizational structure of the layers of the cornea.
RESULTS: Thirty-five were followed up for 6-18mo. The symptom of pain disappeared in 32 cases ( 91%) in the first day after operation and did not recur during follow-up. The symptom of pain relieved in 3 cases (9%) in the first day after operation and disappeared in 3 days. Corneal epithelium of 9 cases ( 26%) were all healed within 1wk, 21 cases (60%) were all healed within 2wk, and 5 cases (14%) were all healed within 3wk. Following up for 6-18mo, there was no recurrence of symptoms or bulla. A small amount of tiny bubbles in the surrounding area appeared in 2 cases after 3 and 4wk. All patients had no neovascularization, and had smooth corneal surface. The amnions of 30 cases (86%) were thinning after 2mo, partially dissolved and absorped, not seen with the naked eye after 3mo. Thirty-four cases (97%) had no changes in vision, one case (3%) was from the light to front of the manual. After 2mo, corneal sensation decreased in 30 cases ( 86%) , corneal thickness increased from preoperative 788±35μm to 940±43μm. After 12mo, corneal thickness increased to 1060±27μm. Results of confocal microscopy: after 3mo, the number density of the trigeminal nerve fibers under corneal basement membrane reduced, shallow stromal cells became into fibrotic stroma, deep stroma was more loose, and cells swelled significantly. The number of endothelial cells reduced and form swelled more obviously compared with preoperatively.
CONCLUSION: Corneal acupuncture combined with amniotic membrane transplantation can effectively control the symptoms of BK, prevent the recurrence of BK, and especially it is a simple, safe and practical way for patients with poor visual function.

OBJECTIVE Zn-doped CuO nanocomposites (nZn-CuO NPs) are novel nanoparticles synthesized by sonochemical method.This study aimed to further investigate the antitumor effects and mechanism of nZn-CuO NPs, as well as the exact mechanism of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on nZn-CuO NPs-induced death using N-acetylcysteine (NAC). METHODS The antitumor effects of nZn-CuO NPs were evaluated by MTS assay and orthotopic transplantation tumor model in nude mice. The effects of nZn-CuO NPs with or without NAC on ROS production, DNA damage, apoptosis, mitochondrial damage, autophagy, lysosome impairment, and ER and Golgi stress were determined. Also,western blot was used to detect apoptosis and autophagy related proteins,as well as NF-κB pathway related proteins. RESULTS nZn-CuO NPs significantly inhibit tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. nZn-CuO NPs were able to cause cytotoxicity, ROS production, DAN damage mitochondrial damage, apoptosis, and autophagy, and NAC can attenuate them. Further studies showed that nZn-CuO NPs induced changes of apoptosis, autophagy and NF-κB pathway related proteins, and NAC can restore them. CONCLUSION Overall, our data demonstrated that nZn-CuO NPs could inhibit tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo by ROS-dependent regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, which might be cross-linked by NF-κB pathways.

Objective To assess the long-term effects of pacing in patients with hypertrophic obstructive eardiomyopathy(HOCM),and explore the most specific echocardiographic indexes.MethodsA total of 37 consecutive HOCM patients implanted dual-chamber pacemakers were enrolled and followed up.Thirty-seven cases were followed up for 1 year,26 cases were followed up for 2 years,and 10 cases were followed up for 3 years.After 1,2 and 3 years pacemaker implantation,pacing frequency,pacing threshold,impedance,atrioventricular delay and cumulative percent atrial and ventricular pacing were respectively tested,and left atrial dimension (LAD),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDd),left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW),interventricular septum thickness (IVS),left ventricular outflow tract diameter(LVOTd),left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTPG),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) were measured and mitral valve systolic anterior motion(SAM) was observed.Pacing parameters and echocardiography indexes were dynamically compared before and after pacemaker implantation.ResultsPacing frequency was adjusted 60～70 bpm,atrioventricular delay was adjusted 90～ 180 ms,in order to achieve more than 95％ ventricular pacing,pacing threshold,pacing impedance were normal.The difference of various pacing parameters were no statistically significant within 3 years ( P ＞ 0.05).Compared with before pacing,after 1,2 and 3 years pacemaker implantation,IVS and LVOTPG declined significantly (P ＜ 0.01 ),LVOTd widened significantly ( P ＜0.01),SAM phenomenon improved obviously ( P ＜0.01 ),but the difference of LAD,LVEDd,LVPW,LVEF,PASP were no statistically significant ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Conclusions The heart structure reconstruction of patients with HOCM can been chronically improved by dual-chamber pacing treatment.IVS,LVOTd and LVOTPG can be used as the sensitive and specific indexes to evaluate pacing treatment.

Objective To compare and analyze the similarities and differences of the blood perfusion characteristics of the renal pelvic carcinoma displayed by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography(CEUS) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CECT).Methods The characteristics of CEUS and CECT were anzlyzed retrospectively in 40 confirmed renal pelvic carcinoma cases by operation and pathology.The modality and phases of enhancement,including wash-in and washout time,as well as the perfusion appearances,were observed by CEUS and CECT.Results CEUS detected the cortical phase enhancement in all renal pelvic tumors,including synchronously enhancement in 14 tumors and delayed enhancement in 26 tumors.At peak times,hypoechogenicity compared to the normal renal cortex was shown in 31 tumors,hyperechogenicity in 4 tumors and isoechogenicity in 5 tumors.Fast wash-out in medulla phase was displayed in 35 tumors,isochronously wash-out in 2 tumors and delayed wash-out in 3 tumors.The minimum diameter in 40 renal pelvic tumors was 1.5 cm.CECT showed the enhancement in 38 tumors,mostly mild to moderate homogeneous enhancement,and enhancement was lower than the surrounding renal parenchyma.The diagnostic accuracy of CEUS was 77.5％ (31/40),and the diagnostic accuracy of CECT was 82.5 ％ (33/40).The difference was not statistically significant between CEUS and CECT ( P ＞0.05).Conclusions CEUS and CECT have higher diagnostic accuracy of the renal pelvic carcinoma,so the joint detection can increase the detection rate of early diagnosis of the renal pelvic carcinoma.

To study the chemical constituents of Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) Loes. f., a new aurone glycoside named as (Z)-7, 4'-dimethoxy-6-hydroxyl-aurone-4-O-β-glucopyranoside was isolated from the 95% ethanol extracts of the rhizomes and roots of Veratrum dahuricum (Turcz.) Loes. f. by repeated column chromatography on silica gel and recrystallization. Its structure was established by extensive spectroscopic analyses, and its cytotoxicities against HepG-2, MCF7 and A549 cell lines were measured in vitro.
Benzofurans ; isolation & purification ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Veratrum ; chemistry