Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease which manifests with heart enlargement, myocardial contractile dys-function and arrhythmia. The disease cause is unknown. And the disease prognosis is not good with high fatality rate. There is no specific treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in modern medicine. Currently, a large amount of clinical researches have been conducted by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) scholars with relatively satisfied therapeutic effects. This article made a review on the etiology, pathogenesis, treatment method (including syndrome differentiation and treatment, modern application of ancient prescription, self-made prescription, and Chinese patent medicine liq-uid) and TCM treatment progress of dilated cardiomyopathy in order to show that TCM has certain advantages in the treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Objective To investigate the correlations of plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) level and the C677T methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphism with vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods A case control study in 64 AD patients (AD group),72 VaD patients (VaD group) and 56 healthy controls (control group) was under taken.Plasma tHcy level was determined by enzymatic cycling assay.The MTHFR677C/T polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).Results tHcy levels were significantly higher in AD and VaD groups than in control subjects(P＜ 0.05).VaD patients also showed increased levels of tHcy as compared to AD patieuts,but no statistic significance was found(P＞0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that tHcy level was a risk factor for dementia (including AD and VaD together)[(OR=1.15),VaD (OR=1.23),AD (OR=1.328)].MTHFR677 TT genotype represented higher plasma tHcy concentrations than CC and CT genotypes(both P＜0.05).The distribution frequency of the T allele of MTHFRC677T was 45.3 ％ (58/128)in AD group,49.0％(51/104)in VaD group and 33.0％(37/112)in control group,and it had significant differences between the three groups (P＜0.05).There was a significant difference in distribution frequency of the T allele of MTHFRC677T between VaD and control group (P＜0.01).The distribution frequency of MTHFR677 genotype (CC/CT/TT) had a significantly difference between the VaD group and the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusions High plasma level of tHcy is closely correlated with AD and VaD.tHcy level is the risk factor for dementia (including AD and VaD together).The polymorphism of MTHFR677C/T affects the plasma tHcy level.The T allele of MTHFRC677T may correlate with VaD,while has no direct correlation with AD.

The tolerance of tumor cells to treatment factors is the main reason to limit the therapeutic effect.The high expression of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) is an important factor in the development of therapeutic resistance in tumor cells.As an effective pro-apoptotic protein,the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (Smac) can significantly enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemoradiotherapy and promote the apoptosis of tumor cells.However,exogenous Smac protein and its active groups can not enter the tumor cells and play their functions.Therefore,the researches on Smac mimics and their functional mechanism have become the focus of attention of researchers.In this paper,the research progress of Smac mimics and their anti-tumor mechanisms were reviewed.

OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the color stability of ceromer with different thicknesses and different types of resin adhesive materials after accelerated aging and provide references for clinical application and selections.

METHODSNine groups of experimental samples were used, and each group contained five samples. We made joint samples with ceromer having three different thicknesses (1.00, 0.75, 0.50 mm) combined with three different resin adhesive materials (RelyX Veneer, RelyX Unicem, Filtek Z350 Flow), respectively. All samples were placed into Xenon Lamp Aging Instrument to implement accelerated aging. Spectrophotometer was used to measure the lightness (L*), red green color value (a*), and blue yellow color value (b*) of all samples before and after accelerated aging. The change of lightness (ΔL), red green color value (Δa), blue yellow color value (Δb), and color variation (ΔE) were also calculated. We investigated the influence of ceromer veneer thicknesses and resin adhesive material types on color variation by two-factor analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe thickness and type factors showed significant influence on ΔE values, and exhibited interactions (P < 0.05). The ΔE values of all experimental groups were lower than 3.3. After the accelerated aging process, all L*, a*, and b* values of the experimental groups decreased and the ΔL values were lower than 2.0.

CONCLUSIONCeromer veneer thickness and resin adhesive material types could affect the color stability of ceromer veneer and resin adhesive materials. The changes in lightness and color in ceromer veneer and resin adhesive materials are considered clinically acceptable after accelerated aging.

Ceramics ; Color ; Composite Resins ; Dental Cements ; chemistry ; Light ; Resin Cements

OBJECTIVEThe effect of sandblasting on the bond strength between 3mol% yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconium polycrystal (3Y-TZP) zirconia framework and veneering porcelain was evaluated.

METHODSA total of 21 specimens [(25 ± 1) mm x (3 ± 0.1) mmx (0.5 ± 0.05) mm] were prepared according to ISO 9693. The specimens were then randomly divided into 3 groups. Sandblasting was performed on 2 meshes of Al₂O₃ particles: group A with mesh 110 and group B with mesh 80. Group C, which was not sandblasted, was the control group. The surface roughness of the zirconia framework, as well as the bond strength between 3Y-TZP zirconia framework and veneering porcelain, was measured. The interface microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and elemental distribution was detected by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS).

RESULTSSurface roughness values were (1.272 ± 0.149) μm for group A, (0.622 ± 0.113) μm for group B, and (0.221 ± 0.065) μm for group C. Statistical significance were found among groups (P < 0.05). The bond strength values were (28.21 ± 1.52) MPa for group A, (27.71 ± 1.27) MPa for group B, and (24.87 ± 3.84) MPa for group C. Statistical significance was found between group A and group C (P < 0.05), whereas the other groups had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Interface adhesion failure was the primary performance. SEM images showed the close interface bonding, and EDS showed that the interface had no obvious element penetration.

CONCLUSIONAl₂O₃ sandblasting can slightly enhance the bond strength between zirconia framework and veneering porcelain.

Aluminum Oxide ; chemistry ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dental Veneers ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Shear Strength ; Surface Properties ; Yttrium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the effectson experimental posterior vitreous detachment(PVD) induced by intravitrous injection of hyaluronidase and perfIuoroethane(C3F8),and whether it is safe or not.Methods Twelve rabbits(24 eyes) were divided into 3 experimental groups,the contralateral eyes in same animals served as the controls.The eyes in group A(4 eyes) and B(4 eyes) were injected with 10IU of hyaluronldase(0.2ml) and 0.2ml perfluoropropane(C3F8) respectively.The eyes in group C(4 eyes) were received vitreous injections of 10IU(0.1ml) of hyaluronldase and 0.1ml perfluoropropane(C3F8) together.All control eyes were injected with balanced salt solution(0.2ml).The ocular and fundus signs were examined for 2 following weeks and then killed for histological examination.Results Four eyes in group C showed complete separation of the vitreous cortex from the retina(PVD) by B-scan and scanning electron microscopy,and no PVD was detected in group A、B and all control eyes.No evidence of retinal toxicity was revealed by light or transmisson electron microscopy in all eyes.Conclusion Vitreous injection of hyaluronidase combined with perfluoropropane(C3F8),as a safety method,can induce posterior vitreous detachment after 2 weeks.

Objective To investigate the relationships between the neck circumference and cardiovascular risk factors of middle-aged and elder people in a community. Methods Altogether 9 665 community residents ( age≥40 years) were enrolled in the present study. The height, weight, neck circumference, waist circumference, blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ( HDL-C) , blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and fasting insulin were measured, and documented in the questionnaire along with other basic information. After adjusted for age, Pearson correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the neck circumference and the binary variables of cardiovascular risk factors. SPSS16.0softwarewasusedforstatisticalanalysis. Results (1)Theneckcircumferenceswere(37.11±2.79)cm in male and (32. 79 ± 2. 31) cm in female;which were higher in males than females. In both males and females, after adjusted for age, the neck circumference was positively correlated to waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, plasma glucose, LDL-C, triglycerides, and insulin resistance, the neck circumference was negatively correlated to HDL-C(all P<0. 05);The neck circumference of males was positively correlated to total cholesterol(P<0. 01);The neck circumference of females was not correlated with total cholesterol(P>0. 05). (2) After adjusted for body mass index and the waist circumference, the neck circumference of males increased with the risk of diabetes ( OR=1. 14, 95% CI 1. 02-1. 28);while the higher neck circumference of females increased the risk of hypertension (OR=1.17,95% CI1.08-1.27),diabetes(OR=1.24,95% CI1.13-1.37),dyslipidemia(OR=1.17,95%CI 1.09-1.27),andinsulinresistance(OR=1.15,95% CI1.06-1.26). Theneckcircumferenceexertedhigher impact on women than it did on men. Conclusion The neck circumference is associated with the cardiovascular risk factors. This association in females is stronger than that in males. The neck circumference seems to be an independent indicator for the cardiovascular risk.

Objective To discuss medicine using regularity of Yan Shiyun’s treatment for arrhythmia. Methods Medical cases of arrhythmia treated by Yan Shiyun were collected. The method of frequency of SPSS19.0 was used to analyze the frequency of single herb and common prescriptions. Results Totally 112 medical cases were collected. Three different kinds of arrhythmia in totally 315 prescriptions were collected and 18 same herbs were used in the 20 highest frequently used herbs. The first two were Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Persicae Semen. Buyang Huanwu Decoction is the most commonly used prescription, followed by Zhenwu Decoction. Conclusion Most Chinese herbal medicine included in Yan Shiyun’s prescriptions can tonify qi and invigorate the circulation of blood. The medicine use is concentrated, and composition law is clear.

Objective To investigate the effect of CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/T single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP) on expression of luciferase reporter gene and its association with susceptibility to cervical cancer. Methods The luciferase gene expression vectors containing CDH1 3'-UTR +54C/T SNP C or T allelotype were constructed. The effect of CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/T SNP on expression of luciferase reporter gene in 293 T cells were tested by daul lucfferase reporter assay system. The CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/ T SNP was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis in 280 cervical cancer patients and 330 healthy controls. Results The lucfferase activity analysis showed that the relative luciferase activity (RLA) of 293T cells with C allelotype was 1.46, which was significantly lower than that of the 293 T cells with T allelotype (3.01; t=2. 94, P =0. 042). There was no significant difference in age distribution between the cervical cancer patients and the healthy controls. The genotype frequency distribution of CDH1 3 '-UTR + 54C/T SNP in healthy controls did not significantly differ from that expected by Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). The C allelotype frequency of CDH1 in cervical cancer patients was 80. 7%, which was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (74. 5%;χ2 =6.59, P=0.010). The T/T, T/C and C/C genotype frequencies of cervical cancer patients and healthy controls were 4. 3%, 30. 0%, 65. 7% and 5. 8%, 39. 4%, 54. 8%, respectively, which were significandy different (χ2=7.45, P =0.024). Compared with individuals with T/T or T/C genotypa, individuals with C/C genotype had significantly higher risks of developing cervical cancer (OR = 1. 578,95%CI=1.136 -2.191). Conclusion The C allelotypa of CDH1 3'-UTR + 54C/T SNP might decrease the expression of lucfferase reporter gene and the C/C genotypa might be a potential risk for cervical cancer development.

Aim To investigate the neuroprotective effects of osthole(Ost)on the primary cultured cortical neurons transfected with APP595/596 gene and its underlying mechanism.Methods Neonatal mouse cortical neurons were transfected with APP595/596 gene to establish AD cell models for the further study.Then,the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay,and the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)was assayed by LDH kit to evaluate the injury degree.Transferase-mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL)was used to evaluate the cell apoptosis.The expression of β-amyloid peptide(Aβ)and β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1)was measured by immunofluorescence,while the miRNA-107 was measured by RT-PCR.Results Compared to model group,Ost could significantly improve the neurons viability,decrease the LDH release and prevent the apoptosis.Ost also inhibited the expression of Aβ and BACE1 at protein level,while enhanced the expression of miRNA-107 at gene level.Conclusion Ost plays a neuroprotective role in neurons transfected with APP595/596 gene in part through up-regulating miRNA-107.