Objectives To investigate the mutational characteristics of MSX1 and PAX9 genes in a family affected by non-syndromic oligodonti so as to study the pathogenesis of oligodontia from a molecular prospective. Methods A family with oligodontia, but of different descent and unrelated healthy controls were enrolled in our study. Genomic DNA was isolated from the blood samples. Mutation analyses were performed by amplifying MSX1 and PAX9 exons and sequencing the products. Results DNA sequencing revealed a novel missense mutation c.348C>T in a highly conserved homeobox sequence of MSX1 and a known polymorphisms c. 469+35- c.469+45del in exon 1 and in intron in the two patients and in two unrelated healthy controls. But we did not detect any mutation in PAX9. Conclusion Our finding suggests the samesense mutation (c.348C>T) and the polymorphisms (c.469+35- c.469+45del) may be responsible for oligodontia phenotype in this Chinese family.

AIM: To observe the difference of actions among three traditional compl ex prescriptions with the same composition but the different dosage, including X iaochengqi Decoction, Houpudahuang Decoction and Houpusanwu Decoction, so as to provide evidence for their different clinical applications. METHODS: A series of experiments were performed, including carbon p rop ellance in small intestine, black stool excretion, cough induced by ammonia liqu or and phenol red secretion from trachea. RESULTS: Three prescriptions all enhanced carbon propellance in sma ll intestine at the high dosage, while at the low dosage only Houpusanwu Decoct ion showed the significant effect. They all shortened the latency of black stool a nd increased their total amounts in 6 hours at the high dosage, while at the low dosage Xiaochengqi Decoction and Houpudahuang Decoction had the significant p urgative action. Houpudahuang Decoction remarkably prolonged cough latency, dec reased cough times and enhanced phenol red secretion from trachea, while other t wo prescriptions had no obvious effects. CONCLUSION: Such results showed that Xiaochengqi Decoction had the better purgative action, while Houpusanwu Decoction regulated Qi strongerly, a nd Houpudanghuang Decoction showed the marked actions of relieving cough and re solving phlegm.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of periodontal treatment with scaling and root planning supplemented with chlorhexidine on plasma lipids in patients with chronic periodontitis and hyperlipidemia(CPH).Methods:6 1 patients with CPH were randomly as-signed into control-treatment group(n=30)and intensive-treatment group(n=31).Patients in the control-treatment group underwent a standard cycle of supragingival mechanical scaling and polishing.Patients in the intensive-treatment group underwent the adjunctive full-mouth intensive removal of subgingival dental plaque biofilms with the use of scaling and root planning.Periodontal parameters,to-tal cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TRG),high-density lipoprotein(HDL)and low-density lipoprotein(LDL)were measured before treatment and 2 and 6 months after treatment.Results:2 and 6 months after treatment,TRG was significantly lower in the intensive-treatment group than that in the control-treatment group(P<0.05),the levels of HDL were significantly higher(P<0.05);however, the levels of total cholesterol and LDL,in the intensive-treatment group were not significantly different from those in the control-treat-ment group 2 and 6 months after therapy.Conclusion:Intensive periodontal treatment may improve serum lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia and chronic periodontitis.

Objective:To establish cell lines stably expressing Rab5a and its the inactive mutant Rab5aN133I,analyze the effect of Rab5a on the expression of cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells .Methods:RAW264.7 cells were transfected with Rab5a and its inactive mutant vector Rab5a N133I separately,and then screened by G418.Rab5a stable expressing cell lines were identified by Real time-PCR.The growth of the stable cell lines was analyzed by MTT assay.After the stable cell lines were stimulated by LPS for different time periods,the expression of iNOS,TNF-αand IL-6 was detected.Results:Rab5a and Rab5aN133I transfection resulted in elevated Rab5a mRNA expression compared with the control cells ( P<0.05 ).Rab5a overexpression enhanced the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells.However,the proliferation of Rab5aN133I cells was significantly slower than the control cells ( P<0.05).Overexpression of Rab5a promoted LPS-induced production of iNOS,TNF-αand IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells (P<0.01). Conversely,overexpression of Rab5aN133I abolished the stimulating effects of Rab5a.Conclusion: Rab5a promoted LPS-induced expression of iNOS,TNF-αand IL-6 in RAW264.7 macrophages in a GTP-binding ability-dependent manner.

Objective To construct the recombinant pMD19-exon18-exon20 plasmid containing locus G719S and T790M of EGFR gene associated with cervical cancer,which may provide a template for preparing the mutant recombinant vector of EGFR gene.Methods Using the healthy human genome DNA as templates,the segments of exon 18 and exon 20 of EGFR gene were amplified by two pairs of specific primers which were designed based on the sequences of overlapping and complementary area.The amplified segments were linked by overlap PCR.The products of linked exon18-exon20 were further inserted into the vector pMD19-T.The constructed recombi nant pMD19-exon18-exon20 plasmid was finally transformed into competent cells E.coli DH5α and then identified by PCR with bacterial solution and genome sequencing.Results The amplified fragments of exon18 and exon20 were clearly appeared at 778 bp and 596 bp and the fused product of exon18-exon20 was showed at 1 374 bp on agarose gel electrophoresis.The recombinant plasmid of fusion EGFR gene was consistent with the expected results via bacterial PCR assay and DNA sequencing.Conclusion We successfully fused the segments of exon18 with exon20 and constructed the recombinant expression vector of EGFR gene by using overlap PCR method.

Hepatolithiasis refers to a disease with stones located in bile ducts above the bifurcation of the left and right hepatic ducts. It is a common benign biliary duct disease. Hepatolithiasis is often associated with intrahepatic bile duct strictures. Due to its complex etiology and pathological changes, its treatment remains a hot topic for debate and research in biliary surgery. In recent years, new treatments have been introduced, but they are all faced with problems such as high recurrence rate, postoperative restenosis rate and reoperation rate. This article reviews the recent progress of surgical management of biliary strictures in the treatment of hepatolithiasis, including the use of hepatectomy, biliary plastic surgery, choledochoenterostomy, choledochoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography biliary stent placement to provide a up-to-date view surgical treatment of hepatolithiasis associated with biliary strictures.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) combined with rigid choledochoscopy in the treatment of benign hepatic bile duct strictures.Methods:The clinical data of 46 patients with hepatic ductal stenosis and stones undergoing PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy at the First Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between September 2016 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 26 females, aged (48.5±17.6) years. The location of stones and strictures, stone retrieval rate, postoperative complications, stricture release rate, stone recurrence rate, and reoperation rate were analyzed to access the safety and effectiveness of this procedure.Results:A total of 58 sites of stenoses were found in 46 patients, and PTOBF lithotripsy combined with rigid choledochoscopy were performed for 77 times. The early postoperative complication rate was 19.6% (9/46), and the stenosis release rate was 93.5% (43/46). The mean follow-up time was (28.1±19.6) months, the complete stone retrieval rate was 91.3% (42/46), the stone recurrence rate was 19.6% (9/46), the reoperation rate was 8.7% (4/46), and the long-term postoperative complication rate was 6.5% (3/46).Conclusion:PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopic stenoplasty for benign hepatic duct strictures is a safe and feasible procedure to reduce the stone recurrence and long-term postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a rapid and accurate "on/off" switch technique consisted of 3'-phosphorothioate-modified allele-specific primers and exo+ polymerase to screen the G719S and T790M mutations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. The switch was used to identify cervical cancer patients who are sensitive to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). METHODS: Allele-specific primers targeting recombinant wild-type and mutation-type templates were designed with 3' terminal phosphorothioate modification. Two-directional primer extension was carried out using Pfu polymerase. The G719S and T790M mutations were detected by the technique among cervical cancer tissues. The results were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: No mutation was detected among the 80 cervical cancer cases, and the results were consistent with that of Sanger sequencing. No significant difference was found between the frequencies of the G719S and T790M mutations between the patient and the control groups (P> 0.05). CONCLUSION A sensitive "on/off" switch technique for detecting the two EGFR mutations was established. The G719S and T790M mutations are not associated with cervical cancer.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; ErbB Receptors ; genetics ; Female ; Genes, erbB-1 ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Mutation ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics