Objective To examine the changes in the expression of voltage-gated sodium channel?subunit mRNA in the dorsal root ganglion(DRG)and the role it plays in the neuropathie pain.Methods Thirty- two male SD rats weighing 250-400g were randomly divided into 2 groups:groupⅠneuropathic pain(SNL,n= 20)and groupⅡsham operation(n=12).Neuropathic pain was produced by ligation of right sciatic nerve according to Seltzer.Paw withdrawal latency to noxious thermal(PWHL)and mechanical(PWML)stimulation were measured before(baseline)and 1,2,3,5,8,11,14,28 day after sciatic nerve ligation(SNL).DRG at L_(4,5) was isolated on the 14th day after SNL in 8 SNL and 4 sham-operated animals for determination of sodium channel?subunit mRNA expression(by in-situ hybridization).Results PWHL and PWML were significantly decreased on the 2nd-28th day after SNL as compared to the baseline in SNL group.There was no significant difference in?_1 subunit mRNA expression between the 2 groups.The?_2 subunit mRNA expression in DRG was hardly detectable.The?_3 subunit mRNA expression in DRG on the operated side was significantly higher in SNL group than in sham-operation group.Conclusion The up-regulation of sodium channel?_3 subunit mRNA expression in DRG may play an important role in neuropathic pain.

Aim:To construct the short hairpin small interfering RNA(shRNA) eukaryotic expression vector specific to mouse lectin like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1(LOX-1) gene and to observe its silencing effect on LOX-1 in RAW264.7 cells.Methods:(1)The pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector was constructed by gene recombination,Then transfected into the cultured RAW264.7 cells.At 48 h after Transfection,the expression of LOX-1 mRNA in RAW264.7 cells were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR,the expression of LOX-1 proteins examined by Western blot.(2) Oil Red O Dyeing experiment was used to show the cellular lipid droplets in lipid-loaded cells.The method of cholesterol oxidase analysis was performed to determine the content of cellular cholesterol.The ability of uptake Dil-ox-LDL in RAW264.7 cells was assayed by fluorescence microscopy.Results: pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector was successfully constructed.Transfection of pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector into RAW264.7 cells down regulaled the expression level of LOX-1 gene,as compared with the control group,transfection of the RAW264.7 cells with LOX 1-shRNA led to a remarkable reduction of the number macrophages transformed into foam cell,and could suppress the uptake of ox-LDL.Conclusion:The pLOX-1-shRNA expression vector can inhibit the expression of LOX 1 in RAW264.7 cells and the transformation of the macrophages into foam,which may he beneficial in searching new gene therapy of atherosclerosis.

Objective To compare maternal and neonatal outcomes after induction,elective cesarean section and spontaneous onset of labor in uncomplicated term nulliparous women.Methods A total of 3751 uncomplicated term nullipara who delivered in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Sept 2002 to April 2007 were retrospectively analyzed.They were divided into three groups:the induction group, the elective cesarean section group,and the spontaneous onset of labor group.Their general conditions (such as age,weeks of pregnancy,hospital days and cost),postpartum complications(such as postpartum hemorrhage,puerperal morbidity,urinary retention,blood transfusion,delayed healing,and trauma),and Apgar score were compared by statistic methods.Results(1)Among 3751 women,501(13.3%)of them underwent induction(the induction group),1634(43.6%)delivered by cesarean section(cesarean section group),the other 1616(43.1%)women underwent spontaneous onset of labor(the spontaneous onset of labor group).(2)Results of general conditions:the spontaneous onset of labor group had the shortest hospital days,which was longer in the induction group,and the longest in the selective cesarean section group(P

Objective To investigate the danger of iodine excess for people in the downstream area of Yellow River in Shandong Province by describing the distribution of iodine excess water and the gorer of children Methods Water samples were collected from 5 villages of every town of Yuncheng,Jiaxiang and Dongchangfu Counties to determine the iodine of the water using arsenic cerium oxidation reduction method.In the 5 towns having water iodine in the range of 150～300μg/L,200 students aged from 8～10 years received the paJpation of thyroid,half of them were also measured of urinary iodine with As3+-Ce4+ catalytic spectrophotometry using ammonium persulfate digestion method,and 50 of the 100 students further underwent thyroid B-ultrasound.Results Three counties all have high iodine towns.The medium of urinary iodine of 30 town8 in 56 towns was higher than 150μg/L Urinary iodine and sign detection were performed in 13 towns,where water iodine was between 150～ 300μg/L;the medium ofurinary iodine of 11 towns were higherthan 400μg/L,and 3 of the 11 towns were higher than 800μg/L.In all 13 towns,the goiter rate of the students aged 8 to 10 years exceeded 5%by palpation in 11 towns:exceeded 5% by B-ultrasound method in 9 towns.Conclusions There are areas of iodine excess in drinking water and iodine-excess endemic goiter prevails in downstream area of the Yellow River in Shandong Province.It indicates that iodine excess in drinking water has done severe harm in these areas. Active management should be taken to control this endemic disease.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) on the proportion of T helper 17 cells (Thl7)/regulatory T cells (Treg), and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-10 in peripheral blood of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with yang qi insufficiency and turbidity induced collaterals blockage syndrome (YQITICBS).

METHODSTotally 82 SSc patients were randomly assigned to the Western medicine group (as the control group) and the integrated Chinese and Western medicine group (as the treatment group), 41 cases in each group. All patients took methotrexate (MTX) tablet and prednisone tablet. Patients in the treatment group additionally took WYHZTLR. The treatment course for all was six consecutive months. Besides, another 70 healthy volunteers were recruited as a healthy control group (as the healthy group). Percentages of Th17 and Treg in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. Serum levels of IL-17, IL-10, von Willebrand factor (vWF), aminoterminal propeptide of type l procollagen (PIIINP), and cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen ( I CTP) were measured by double antibody sandwich ELISA. The correlations between Th17/Treg and levels of vWF, PIIINP, I CTP, skin score, and disease activity index were observed by Pearson correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of Th17 in peripheral blood, ratios of Th17/Treg, and the serum level of IL-17 were significantly higher, but the percentage of Treg and the serum level of IL-10 were significantly lower in SSc patients, when compared with those of the healthy group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the same group before treatment, the percentage of Thl7, ratios of Thl7/Treg, and levels of IL-17, vWF, and PIIINP all decreased in the two groups after treatment (P <0.05, P <0.01), but the percentage of Treg and the IL-10 level increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile,the level of I CTP was higher in the treatment group after treatment (P <0. 05). The improvement of all indices except the percentage of Th17 was more obvious in the treatment group than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The ratio of Th17/Treg was positively correlated with levels of vWF, PIIINP, skin score, and disease activity index before and after treatment respectively (P <0. 01), but with no obvious correlation with the level of I CTP (P >0. 05).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR could achieve its therapeutic effect on SSc patients by regulating Th17/Treg imbalance, lowering levels of vWF and PIIINP, and elevating the level of I CTP.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-17 ; Methotrexate ; Peptide Fragments ; Procollagen ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; Th17 Cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate root canal curvature in maxillary anterior teeth.

METHODSAbout 400 human maxillary anterior teeth were examined by indirect digital radiography both from labiolingual and mesiodistal directions. The root canal curvature was analyzed.

RESULTSThe major sort of maxillary anterior teeth was type I. The proportion of maxillary center incisors, maxillary lateral incisors, maxillary canines curved in mesiodistal were 11.17%, 16.19% and 21.43%, in labio-lingual were 39.59%, 40.00% and 29.59%, both in labiolingual and mesiodistal directions were 4.60%, 35.24% and 24.49%. About 50% of maxillary anterior teeth were moderate curve, the degree of root canal curvature of maxillary canines was larger than that of maxillary incisors, and radius of curvature and length of the curved part of root canal of maxillary canines were smaller than that of maxillary incisors.

CONCLUSIONRoot canal curvature in maxillary anterior is complex, especially in maxillary canine. In order to improve quality of root canal therapy, we need to understand types of root canal, degree of root canal curvature and radius of curvature completely.

Cuspid ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Incisor ; Maxilla ; Root Canal Therapy

ObjectiveTo look into the distribution of “iodine suitable” region in iodine-deficient areas in Shandong province and to provide a scientific basis for guiding the redesignate of iodine-deficient areas and launch scientific supply of iodine.Methods One to 3 copies of water source samples were collected in 105 existing iodine-deficient counties by village.Water iodine content was detected by arsenic-cerium catalytic spectrophotometry.The areas with water iodine content below 10 μg/L was defined as iodine-deficient areas and among 10 - 150 μg/L were “iodine suitable areas” and greater than 150 μg/L were high iodine areas.Results The research was carried out in 14 cities,105 counties,and 1337 towns.We collected 65 716 water samples.Sample recovery efficiency reached 99.8％.The median of water iodine was 5.57 μg/L.In the 1337 towns surveyed,there were 82.05％(1097/1337) of the township with water iodine median ＜ 10 μg/L,17.43％(233/1337) between 10 - 150 μg/L,and 0.52％(7/1337) ＞ 150 μg/L.Conclusions In Shandong province,the water “iodine suitable” regions are distributed scattered with considerable proportion.In iodine-deficient areas,there are areas with high water iodine,and iodine-deficient regions should be redrawn.Emphasis should be put on iodine nutritional status of residents in “high iodine and iodine suitable” regions,and iodine supplementation should be carries out scientifically.

Objective To survey the highly risk iodine deficiency regions of Shandong Province and to provide reference basis for further executing urgent iodine supply. Methods The annual document of cretinism in Licheng District in Jinan City and Shouguang City, the two iodine deficiency regions, were referred. Forty children aged 8-10 years of 2 targeted schools from 3 towns out of every targeted region underwent palpation, ultrasonography and As3+-Ce4+catalyzing speetrophotometry for ultra iodine examination. Twenty women aged 18-40 years from 2 villages sampled from every targeted town received ultra iodine examination and edible salt examination of iodine with direct titration. Results No new cretinism and suspected cretinism was found since 1995 in the regions. The goiter rates of children of the two regions detected with palpation and ultrasonography were 7.5% (18/241),6.2% (15/241) and 5.0% (13/259), 1.2% (3/259), respectively. Two hundred forty and 249 urine samples were respectively collected in school children, in which the median urinary iodine was 226.3,282.7 μg/L. One hundred twenty urine samples were respectively collected from the two group of women, resulting a median urinary iodine of 187.2,321.7 μg/L. Eight and 2 salt samples were free of iodine in 120 salt samples collected each region, respectively. The rate of qualified iodized salt was 100%. Conclusions It is not necessary to urgently implement iodine supply in Shouguang City and Licheng District. However, reinforcement of supervise on salt industry and eliminating the hazard from non-iodized and disqualified iodized salt remains in need.

AIMTo develop an HPLC-MS assay for determination of donepezil in human plasma and to investigate the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of donepezil capsule in healthy volunteers.

METHODSA randomized crossover design was performed in 20 healthy volunteers. In the two study periods, a single 5 mg dose of either capsule or tablet was administered to each volunteer. After spiked with the internal standard (phenoprolamine) and treated with saturated sodium bicarbonate, plasma was extracted with ethyl acetate and separated with a C18 reversed phase column. LC-ESIMS was used in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode with target ions at m/z 380 for donepezil and m/z 344 for phenoprolamine. The fragmentor voltage was 120 V. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of donepezil and the bioequivalence of its two preparations were calculated.

RESULTSThe main pharmacokinetic parameters T1/2, Tmax and Cmax were (63 +/- 10) h, (3.3 +/- 0.4) h and (8.5 +/- 0.4) microgram.L-1 for the capsule; (57 +/- 9) h, (3.4 +/- 1.0) h and (8.1 +/- 1.0) microgram.L-1 for the tablet, respectively. The relative bioavailability of the donepezil capsule was 102% +/- 11%.

CONCLUSIONThe assay was shown to be sensitive, accurate and convenient. The two preparations of donepezil were bioequivalent.

Adult ; Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Capsules ; chemistry ; Cholinesterase Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Indans ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Piperidines ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; Tablets ; chemistry ; Therapeutic Equivalency

Objective To explore a kind of simple and high efficient approach to differentiate human embryonic stem cells(hESCs)into neural stem cells(NSCs).Methods hESCs were cultured in bacterial culture dish filled with serum free medium to gain embryoid bodies.Then the mature embryoid bodies grew in the special medium including B27 and noggin by adherent culture to differentiate into NSCs. Results The hESCs kept floating in the bacterial culture dish and growing all the time and then formed mature embryoid bodies 7 to 10 days later.The embryoid bodies could be differentiated into highly pure (96.4%)nestin positive cells.And these cells were differentiated into all kinds of neural cells if cultured further.Conclusions This kind of method is less time-consuming,cheaper,and more efficient than those of the results in literatures reported.It affords very good source of seed cells for cell transplantation therapy in the future.