BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has intensive effects to promote proliferation of gingival fibroblasts (GFs) cultured in vitro and the heeling of gingival wounds. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of bFGF gene transfection on the biological performance of Beagle canine GFs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An observation and comparison in vitro experiment regarding cells was accomplished in Centre of Cell Biology and Development of Fujian Medical University and Department of Comparative Medicine in Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from April to September of 2008. MATERIALS: Four beagle dogs, male, 12 months old, weighing 10-13 kg were used in this experiment, plRES2-EGFP-bFGF plasmid containing full-length human bFGF gene cDNA was constructed and conserved by our institution. METHODS: Free gingiva of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th premolars were excised from left upper jaw of Beagle dogs, dnsed with aseptic phosphate buffer four times, then cut into pieces and digested with 2.5 g/L pancreetin for 2 hours at 37 ℃. After the cantrifugation and supernatant removal, DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum was added to incubate on 6-well plate with coverlips in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 ℃. Logadthrnically growing cells were digested and passaged. GFs were transfected with pIRES2-EGFP-bFGF plasmid using liposome mediated method, while vacant plasmid transfection and un-transfection group served as controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proliferation and apoptosis feature of the GFs were evaluated by M'rE and AOEB, respectively. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was assayed by chemical coledmetry. RESULTS: All of three groups cells entered log phrase on three days after transfection. MTT results showed that the proliferation of GFs transfected with bFGF was greater than cells transfected with vacant vector and untransfected cells (P < 0.05). AO/EB dyeing showed the apoptosis rate of GFs transfected with bFGF was reduced compared with other two groups (P < 0.05). After bGFG gene transfection, the ALP activity remained unchanged and there was no significant difference compared with untransfected cells.CONCLUSION: The transfection of bFGF gene to GFs can promote the proliferation of GFs and depress the apoptosis. No promotion is present with regard to the GFs differentiation.

Objective To understand the cross-resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to common pesticides,so as to provide the evidence for improving the application of chemical pesticides. Methods The IV instar larvae of DDVP-resistant,propoxur-resistant and cypermethrin-resistant strains as well as the sensitive strain of Culex pipiens pallens were collected to detect the re-sistance to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin based on the WHO bioassay method. Results The resistance coefficients of DDVP-resistant strain to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin were 14.47,8.96 and 207.27 respectively. The resistance coeffi-cients of propoxur-resistant strain to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin were 3.27,6.93 and 8.65 respectively. The resistance coefficients of cypermethrin-resistant strain to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin were 2.93,1.61 and 501.11 respectively. Con-clusion The resistance and cross-resistance could be generated during the long-term application of a single kind of chemical pesticide,and we should pay more attention to the varieties and dosages of them.

Objective To retrospectively review the PET/CT imaging features of sarcoidosis and improve the diagnostic accuracy of this benign disease.Methods The PET/CT imaging characteristics and clinical data, including lesion size, distribution, standardized uptake value (SUV) and the ratio of misdiagnosis, of 11 sarcoidosis patients (5 confirmed pathologically and 6 clinically) were retrospectively analyzed.Results (1) Eleven patients had lymph node involvement:mediastinum and hilar lymphadenopathy in 11/11, supraclavicular fossa lymphadenopathy in 8/11, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in 8/11, pelvic cavity lymphadenopathy in 3/11.(2) Extrathoracic lesions were found in 7/11 with 4 lung involvement, 2 liver involvement, 1 parotid gland and temporalis involvement and 1 bilateral iliac and sacral bone involvement.(3) The size of the lesions ranged from 1.0 to 4.6 cm and the CT density ranged from 30 to 40 HU.The lesions in the lung are hypodense and in the liver are slightly hypo-or iso-dense.18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake of all lesions was definitely increased in 6 cases; 18F-FDG uptake of some lesions was moderately or definitely increased in 2 cases, and slightly increased uptake in 3 cases.(4) The PET/CT diagnosis was consistent with the final diagnosis in 6/11.The 5 cases of misdiagnosis were malignant lymphoma (4/11) and lung cancer ( 1/11 ).Conclusions Differentiation between sarcoidosis and lymphoma in patients presenting with hilar lynphadenopathy can be difficult.Whole-body PET/CT may be helpful in the differentiation of the two diseases.

Objective The detection of malignant lymphoma with invasion in liver and spleen using PET/CT has not been well documented in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of PET/CT in this regard and to compare it with plain CT. Methods Forty-one pathologically confirmed malignant lymphoma patients with liver and spleen invasion were recruited into this study. Among all patients, there were 38 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and 1 gastric mucosa associated lymphoma. PET/CT imaging was recorded 1h after injection of 296～444 MBq 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Results (1) There were 30(30/41) patients with liver invasion, including hepatic nodules, mass and portal nodes. The mass was large to invade surrounding liver parenchyma. (2) There were 23(23/41) patients with spleen invasion. The spleen was enlarged and demonstrated diffused hyper-metabolism. (3) Other invasion included: lung (n=13), cortical bone and marrow (n=12), stomach (n=9), pleural (n=6), and subcutaneous soft tissue (n=5) and so on. Conclusion PET/CT could accurately diagnose the invasion in liver and spleen of malignant lymphoma, which was of potential role on the diagnosis and staging of lymphoma.

Objective Selecting Tibetan ancestry informative SNPs base on high-altitude adaptation genes of Tibetan. Methods We developed a multiplex assay constituted of 87 SNPs located on EPAS1 and EGLN1 genes based on Agena Mas-sARRAY? genotyping system. 183 samples from Tibet plateau were genotyped. The genotypes of 2504 samples from 26 populations were downloaded from the 1000 genomes. Genetic frequency and population structure were analyzed and compared between Tibetan population and worldwide populations. Results SNPs that have distinctive distribution between Tibetan and other populations could be used as Tibetan AISNPs (Ancestry informative SNPs). We selected 23 SNPs has a separated principal genetic component in STRUCTURE result. Conclusion These 23 AISNPs we selected could be combined into ancestry informative SNP panels to improve the resolution of ancestry inference in East Asian, and provide clues for cases of biological material ancestry inference.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among perceived stress,sleep and fatigue status; and to analyze the effect of sleep status in mediating and regulating perceived stress and fatigue status in soldiers that were acutely exposed to high altitude for the first time. METHODS: A total of 700 soldiers that were acutely exposed to high altitude for the first time were investigated with convenient sampling. They were evaluated using Perceived Stress Scale,Sleep Status Self-evaluation Test,and Fatigue Scale-14. The mediating effect was analyzed by structural equation model,and the moderating effect was analyzed by hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The total score of fatigue among soldiers that often took part in recreational activities was significant lower than that who did not( P < 0. 01). The total score of fatigue among soldiers that had training injury was significant higher than that who had not( P < 0. 01). The total score of fatigue among soldiers that had high training expectations was significant higher than that that didn't have high training expectations( P < 0. 01). Sleep status,sense of overload and training expectations had remarkable predicting effect on fatigue status among soldiers that were acutely exposed to high altitude for the first time( P < 0. 01). Sleeping status has a complete mediating effect on the sense of prediction,sense of overload and fatigue status( P < 0. 01),and has a moderating effect on the sense of control,sense of overload and fatigue status( P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION:s Perceived stress and sleeping status had close relationship with fatigue status among soldiers that were acute exposed to high altitude for the first time. Sleeping status has intermediary and regulating effect between senses of overload and fatigue state.

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between promoter methylation and mRNA expressions of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 genes in human glioma, and to analyze the regulation mechanism of promoter methylation in the progression of glioma.

METHODSThe promoter methylation of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 was studied by a methylation specific PCR in 88 primary astrocytoma, 10 normal brain tissues and 2 glioma cell lines. The mRNA expressions were detected by real-time PCR in 30 primary glioma and 10 normal brain tissues. The correlations of their promoter methylation, mRNA expressions and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed. The promoter methylation were also detected in U251 and SHG-44 cell lines.

RESULTSThe promoter methylation of EMP3 was detected in 42 tumors (47.7%) and the methylation of PCDH-gamma-A11 was detected in 76 tumors (86.4%). Their mRNA expressions were all significantly decreased in different pathological grade astrocytomas compared to the normal brain tissues (P < 0.01). Their expressions were suppressed but could be reactivated by 5-aza-deoxycytidine in U251 and SHG-44 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONSThe promoter methylation of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 genes may lead to the down-regulation of their mRNA levels in glioma. The promoter methylation and mRNA expressions of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 are closely related with the malignant development of glioma. The promoter methylation of the two genes may provide clues to evaluation of glioma malignancy as well as its prognosis. It also gives us an insight for future glioma medical therapy with a demethylating agent.

Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; Glioma ; genetics ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Qingre Huoxue Decoction , clearing heat and promoting blood flow; QRHXD), on the radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by X-ray imaging.

METHODSEighty-six patients with active RA diagnosed as damp-heat and blood stasis syndrome were randomized into a QRHXD group and a QRHXD plus methotrexate (MTX) group, with 43 cases in each group. After one-year of treatment, 21 cases in each group (42 in total) were evaluated. Radiographs of hands were obtained at the baseline and after 12 months of treatment. Images were evaluated by investigators blinded to chronology and clinical data, and assessed according to the Sharp/Van der Heijde methods.

RESULTSHigh intrareader agreements were reached (mean intraobserver intraclass coefficients: 0.95). No significant change in any imaging parameters of joint destruction was observed at 12 months in either group; and the differences between the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). The mean of the changing score in the QRHXD group was 3.5 ± 4.1, and 2.4 ± 3.5 in the QRHXD+MTX group, while the baseline radiographic score of patients in the QRHXD group was relatively higher (18.9 ± 19.1 vs. 14.0 ± 14.0). The mean rates of the changing scores of the two groups were similar (0.24 ± 0.28 vs. 0.25 ± 0.44, P=0.40). The severity of progression in the two groups was also similar (P=0.46), 7 cases without radiographic progression in the QRHXD group and 8 in the QRHXD+MTX group, 3 cases with obvious radiographic progression in the QRHXD group and 1 in the QRHXD+MTX group.

CONCLUSIONRadiographic progression of RA patients in both groups is similar, indicating that the QRHXD Decoction has a potential role in preventing bone destruction.

Adult ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; Disease Progression ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Intention to Treat Analysis ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Radiography

OBJECTIVETo observe the distribution of the blood vessels in the integument tissue of the channel area of legs.

METHODSThe integument tissue of the lower limbs in the 12 cadavers were dissected with macro-and micro-dissection, radiographical technique of systemic artery and technique of image pattern analysis to observe and analyze the origins, branches and anastomoses in the integument tissues along the channels of legs.

RESULTSThe distributional density of the blood vessels in the integument tissues of legs along the channel area of the three-yin meridians of the foot, the Gallbladder Meridian, and the Urinary Bladder Meridian was higher than that in the other parts. They formed an obvious nutrient vascular chain on the arteriogram. The distributional density in the channel area of the Stomach Meridian was not obviously increased and the obvious nutrient vascular chain could not be seen.

CONCLUSIONAn obvious nutrient vascular chain is formed in the integument tissue along the channel area of legs except the Stomach Meridian.

Blood Vessels ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Leg ; blood supply ; Meridians