BACKGROUND: There has been increasing attention in the study of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (ALS)and bone metabolism, which is accompanied by osteopenia and osteoporosis. Interleukin(IL) -6, a cytokine that strongly promotes bone resorption, participates in the regulation of bone metablism.OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between changes of bone mineral density(BMD) and serum IL-6 content in AIS.DESIGN: A controlled non-randomized concurrent study involving patients with AIS and and healthy volunteers.SETTING: The clinic and wards of the department of spinal surgery of a university-affiliated hospital.PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-six patients with AIS(6 males and 30 females aged 12 to 18 years) were treated in the Department of Spinal Surgery, Drum Tower Hospital, Medical College of Nanjing University from July to October 2003, who had a Cobb angle ranging from 34° - 109° and curvature of the thoracic spine. Thirty-six healthy adolescent volunteers(7 males and 29 females within the range of 13 - 18 years old) served as the control group.METHODS: The BMD was measured at L2- L4 and the proximal femur;(including the femoral neck, greater trochanter and Ward' s triangle) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and serum IL-6 determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① BMD of the lumbar spine and femur ② Comparison of serum IL-6 content of all the subjects.RESULTS: The BMD of AIS patients at L2- L4, femoral neck, greater trochanter and Ward' s triangle was 0.79±0. 12, 0.78±0. 12, 0.65± 0. 10, and 0. 69 ± 0. 13 g/cm2, respectively, all significantly lower than the corresponding measurements of the control group(1.09 ± 0. 11, 0.95 ± 0. 11,0. 78 ± 0. 10, and 0. 88 ± 0. 11 g/cm2, respectively, P ＜ 0. 001), whereas the serum IL-6 content in the patients was significantly higher than that in the control subjects ( P ＜ 0. 005). The changes of BMD at the lumbar spine and the three sites of femur were negatively correlated with serum IL-6 in AIS patients( P ＜ 0. 001 ), but not so in the control group( P ＞ 0.05).CONCLUSION: The BMD is decreased and serum IL-6 elevated in patients with AIS, and excessive secretion of IL-6 might be one of the important factors of osteopenia in AIS.

Aim To investigate the effects of dalbinol on proliferation and apoptosis of human colon cancer HCT1 16 cells and its mechanisms.Methods Anti-proliferative effect of dalbinol was evaluated by MTT assay.The morphological changes of apoptosis were observed by Hoechst33342 staining.Apoptotic rate and ROS generation were analyzed by flow cytometry.The related proteins of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the ap-optosis-associated proteins expression were measured by Western blot.Results The growth of HCT1 16 treated with dalbinol was inhibited in a dose and time dependent manner with IC50 (4.8 ±0.53 ),(2.5 ± 0.43)and (0.6 ±0.22)μmol·L-1 at 24,48 and 72 h,respectively.Typical morphological changes of ap-optosis such as cell shrinkage,karyopyknosis and nu-clear condensation were observed by Hoechst33342 staining.Meanwhile,the apoptotic rate and intracellu-lar ROS generation of dalbinol were both increased dose-dependently. Western blot results showed that dalbinol could activate the expression of cleaved Caspase-3 and cleaved PARP by decreasing anti-apop-totic protein levels such as Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 and in-creasing pro-apoptotic protein levels such as Bax and Bim,which induced further apoptosis.Moreover,dal-binol can reduce the protein expression of the total and nuclear β-catenin,but not cytoplasmic β-catenin by suppressing the protein expression of Dvl-2 and GSK-3β(pS9 ),as well as its target proteins c-Myc and Sur-vivin.Conclusion dalbinol can induce apoptosis in colon cancer HCT1 16 cells by upregulating the intra-cellular ROS generation and suppressing Dvl/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway.

The aim of this paper is to compare the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of three kinds of poly(b-benzyl-L-amino) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PXA-PEG-NPs) using Calu-3 cells, and select one as a nasal drug delivery vector for curcumin (Cur). Poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLG-PEG-NPs), poly(gamma-benzyl-L-lysine) block-poly(ethyleneglycol) nanoparticles (PZLL-PEG-NPs) and poly(gamma-benzyl-L-aspartate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLA-PEG-NPs) were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. MTT assays were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PXA-PEG-NPs against Calu-3 cells. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles was visualized by an inverted fluorescence microscope and quantified by a flow cytometer. The results indicated that even at high concentration of 2 mg x mL(-1) the three nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity on Calu-3 cells. Compared to the curcumin solution, the three curcumin-loaded PXA-PEG-NPs showed significantly higher cellular uptake efficiency on Calu-3 cells (at equal concentration of curcumin with 5 microg x mL(-1) Cur solution), PBLG-PEG-NPs group was the highest. The cellular uptake increased with incubation time, and has positive correlation with nanoparticle concentration. In brief, PXA-PEG-NPs are conducive to delivery Cur into cells, and PBLG-PEG-NPs might be provided as a good nasal drug delivery carrier.

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical diagnosis and surgical treatment of primary retroperitonealneurilemoma(schwannoma). MethodsClinicaldataof 47patientsof primary retroperitoneal schwannoma admitted and surgically treated from January 1995 to December 2009 were retrospectivelly reviewed.ResultsAs diagnosed by pathology there were 36 cases of Benign schwannoma,with a median age at onset of 41years, among those 11 patients were symptomatic, and 25 were asymptomatic. There were 11 malignant 11 cases, the median age was 38 years, among those 6 patients were symptomatic, and 5 were asymptomatic. The positive diagnostic rate of preoperative CT and MRI were 36. 2％ ( 17/47 ) and 58. 3％ ( 7/12 ) respectively. Immunohistochemically positive rates of S-100 were 100％ and 81.8％(9/11) in benign and malignant group respectively.All cases underwent surgical treatment. Surgical resection rates for benign and malignant groups were 100％ and 90. 9％(10/11)respectively. There was no perioperative death, Overall 5-year survival rates were 100％ and 45.5％ for benign and malignant tumors groups respectively. In benign group 2 cases recurred, in malignant group 4 cases recurred, and 3 had distant metastasis.ConclusionsPrimary retroperitoneal schwannomas are less common. It is difficult to make an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Surgery is the most effective therapy.Prognosis is good for benign and poor for malignant retroperitoneal neurilemomas.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is synthesized and secreted by the anterior pituitary, which binds to its receptors expressed on the membrane of Sertoli cells in the testis to bring about spermatogenesis. With the development of DNA sequencing technology, FSH SNPs rs10835638 and FSHR SNPs rs6165, rs6166, and rs1394205 were detected, which might directly affect the expression of FSH and activity of FSHR, resulting in male spermatogenic dysfunction. This review focuses on the relationship of FSH and FSHR gene polymorphisms with male infertility.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; genetics ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, FSH ; genetics ; Sertoli Cells ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis

Objective To describe a new kind of Y-shaped metallic stent delivery system and evaluate its feasibility and preliminary effect for managing multiple airway stenoses involving the lower trachea and the tracheal carina.Methods The Y-shaped metallic stent delivery system consisted of three- tier structure.The inner-tier was composed of four parallel guiding tubes,which was used for two guidewires and two threads passing through,the middle-tier was delivery catheter,which contained the four guiding tubes,and the outer-tier was introducer sheath.Under the fluoroscopic guidance,15 patients with multiple stenoses involving the lower trachea and the tracheal carina were treated with the new covered self-expandable Y-shaped metallic stents.Results Stent placement in the tracheo-bronchial tree was technically successful in all patients with obliteration of the dyspnea immediately after stent placement,and SaO_2 was increased form preoperative 75%—89% to postoperative 96%—99%.During follow-up a period of 3—58 weeks (M 22 weeks),all stenosis were resolved without stent-related complications,and the general physical of all 15 patents was improved with no occurrence of obviously dyspnea and bleeding.Karnofsky performance status(KPS)was improved from preoperative 26%—45% to postoperative 72%—95%.Five patients died of the following causes unrelated to stent insertion:multiple organ failure(n=3),cachexia(n=1)and pulmonary infection caused by gastrobronchial fistula(n=1),and the remaining 10 patients were alive with no evidence.of dyspnea at the time of this report.Conclusion Deployment of the covered Y-shaped metallic stent with the use of Y metallic stent delivery system in the management of airway stenoses involving the lower trachea and the tracheal earina was a simple and safe procedure and with a good short-term clinical efficacy.

Objective To create a model with simple expression of mechanical characteristics of the human chest for the development of a manikin. Methods A simplified Gruben-model was proposed based on the anatomical structure and physical characteristics of the materials, and perfect coefficients were computed. The model feasibility was proved by the coefficient of determination and residual analysis.Results The mathematic form of the model provided had three fewer terms than Gruben′s. The coefficient of determination approximated 1, the residue was small, and the perfect coefficients of "a typical human" were determined.Conclusion The hypothesis of the model makes the coefficients physically meaningful, which provides a new method to study the force-displacement relationship of the thorax. Also the simple form makes it easy to create the model and provide some guidance for the design of a manikin′s chest.

Objective:To identify differentially expressed saliva proteins of oral lichen planus(OLP)patients by two-dimensional fluo-rescence difference electrophoresis(2-D DIGE)and mass spectrometry(MS).Methods:3 pairs of saliva samples from OLP patients and matched healthy adults were collected.Saliva proteins were separated by 2-D DIGE and identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS).Results:SDS-PAGE examination showed that the electrophoresis bands were clear and protein loss was rare. Protein dots were highly reproducible by 2-D DIGE.In average,the abundance of (31 7 ±71 )saliva protein spots were found in OLP pa-tients.4 highly reproducible spots were identified to be secretory IgA1 ,zincα-2-glycoprotein,salivary amylase and serum albumin by LC-MS and they were at higher level in OLP patients than those in the healthy controls.Conclusion:Secretory IgA1 ,zincα-2-glyco-protein,salivary amylase and serum albumin are highly expressed in the saliva of OLP patients,and may be related to the occurrence and development of oral lichen planus.

Objective To explore the unmet needs and service of rehabilitation for Chinese people with disabilities. Methods The unmet needs and services of rehabilitation data from the Second National Sample Survey of Disability and 2006-2016 Statistical Bulletin on the De-velopment of People with disabilities in China issued by China Disabled Persons Federation had been analyzed. Results The unmet needs of rehabilitation for people with disabilities in China were mainly included health care and support, assistive devices, rehabilitation therapy and services, poverty alleviation, accessible facilities, accessible information, and other rehabilitation needs. The highest rate of unmet needs of rehabilitation was in the fields of health care (34.84%) and poverty alleviation (33.25%). There were significant differences in unmet needs of rehabilitation among people with different types of disabilities (χ2=40322.1, P<0.01). For all the types of disabilities, 41.46%had not re-ceived any service and support, 30.45%received health care and support, and 0.55%received accessible information. The main approaches recommended by professionals for people with disabilities were institutional rehabilitation, and community and family based services. The main services recommended by professionals to people with psychiatric (68.18%) or visual disabilities (60.28%) were health care, to people with hearing disability (51.67%) were assistive device, and to people with intellectual (57.36%) and speech disability (47.06%) were rehabil-itation therapy and training. There were significant differences both in rehabilitation approaches and contents among people with different types of disabilities preferred by professionals (χ2=12489.9,χ2=52528.93, P<0.01). Conclusion The unmet needs of rehabilitation for people with different types of disabilities were mainly included health care and assistance, assistive devices, rehabilitation training and services, and poverty alleviation. There were significant differences among people with different types of disabilities. For service delivery, the highest rate was in health care and assistance. The gap between the service and unmet needs of poverty alleviation for people with disabilities in China was the highest. There were significant differences in rehabilitation approaches and contents recommended by professionals among people with different types of disabilities. It was recommended to construct the national and local system of policy support system and rehabilita-tion service governance, to provide precision rehabilitation services based on the unmet needs of rehabilitation, to develop the comprehen-sive rehabilitation service delivery to achieve the goal of rehabilitation for all, and to conduct scientific research on rehabilitation by using International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health to provide evidence and support for the development of rehabilitation.

Carnosic acid (CA) is the main phenolic diterpenoid active ingredient in plants such as rosemary and sage, and has antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and so on, however, its antiviral activity against influenza virus infections was not reported. In this study, antiviral activities against influenza A virus infections of three main bioactive ingredients from rosemary, including rosmarinic acid, CA and ursolic acid, were evaluated using virus titer titration assay, and CA showed remarkable inhibition on influenza H5N1 replication in A549 cells. The antiviral activity of CA was further confirmed and its mechanism of action was investigated using the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantification polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the 50% effective concentration (EC₅₀) of CA against influenza H5N1 in A549 cells and MDCK cells were 4.30 and 3.64 μmol·L^-1, respectively. Meanwhile, CA also showed inhibition on influenza virus 2009panH1N1 (EC₅₀: 10.1 μmol·L^-1) and H3N2 (EC₅₀: 12.8 μmol·L^-1) replications in A549 cells. Mechanistic studies showed that antiviral activity of CA is related to its induction of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in A549 cells and suppression on production of reactive oxygen in H5N1-infected cells.