Objective To discuss the features and surgical management of ectopic hyperparathyroidism.Methods Clinical data of 66 cases of ectopic hyperparathyroidism were retrospectively analyzed.Results There were 66 cases of ectopic hyperparathyroidism accounting for 11.5％ (66/575) of all ectopic hyperparathyroid cases admitted during the period from 1982-2010.Prevalence of mediastinal ectopic lesions was 71.2％ (47/66),among those 65.2％ (42/66) was in anterosuperior mediastinum,and 28.8％ (19/66) in the non-typical loci of the neck.Radionuclide imaging of parathyroid glands was the most sensitive (87.0％) method among all common positioning examinations.Average number of operation episode was 1.47,and all lesions were finally resected.After surgery 49 cases presented with transient hypocalcemia,and were cured by calcium administration.52 cases were followed up,with recurrent hyperparathyroidism in 1 case.Conclusions Diagnosis and treatment of ectopic hyperparathyroidism are dependent on the understanding of common locations of ectopic parathyroid glands.Preoperative correct location and surgical expertise are helpful for successful resection.

Objective To investigate the prevailing status of endemic fluorosis in the south area of Shandong province and to provide a scientific basis for formulating control measures against the disease.Methods According to the present distribution of fluorosis areas in the south area of Shandong province and the Shandong Province Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control,13 counties(districts) in the south area of Shandong province were selected as the survey counties in 2009.Based on the state of endemic fluorosis,the disease was classified into light,moderate and severe types in the 13 monitoring counties (districts),and one diseased village was selected from each type as the survey spots.The drinking water fluoride level,the prevalence of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12,adult clinical skeletal fluorosis and urinary fluoride level of the children and adults were surveyed in the 39 villages selected.The content of fluoride in drinking water and urine was dctermined by F-ion selective electrode while dental fluorosis of the children aged 8-12 was diagnosed by Dean method and adults skeletal fluorosis by the national standard for Diagnosis of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis (WS 192-2008).Results A total of 172 water samples were tested in the 39 villages(26 villages with improved water and 13 villages with unimproved water) of the 13 counties(districts),the fluoride content of the 74 water samples(51 from 13 villages with unimproved water and 23 from 6 villages with improved water) exceeded the national standard(＞ 1.0 mg/L),and the rate of exceeded the standard was 43.02％(74/172) with 24 of ＞ 2.0-4.0 mg/L and 3 of ＞ 4.0 mg/L,and the maximum value of the water fluoride was 7.76 mg/L.A total of 1118 copies of children urine samples were tested,geometric mean of urinary fluoride was 1.82 mg/L; 764 copies of adults' urine samples were tested,geometric mean of urinary fluoride was 1.98 mg/L.A total of 1908 children aged 8-12 were examined of dental fluorosis,the detection rate was 45.18％ (862/1908),tooth defection rate was 9.12％ (174/1908),and dental fluorosis index was 1.07.A total of 25 295 adults were checked of clinical skeletal fluorosis,the detection rate was 5.96％(1509/25 296) with 670 moderate or scrious cases.Conclusions In the south area of Shandong province,excessive water fluoride is still serious,mainly in the diseased villages with unimproved water(including water improvement villages discarded water improvement thereafter).Urine fluoride remains at a relatively high level,and the dental and skeletal fluorosis are still comparatively serious.High tluoride hazard still exists to a certain degree.Therefore,the scientific control measures need to be strengthened to control the prevalent of endemic fluorosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the water fluoride level of the water improvement project and the prevalent condition of endemic fluorosis in 4 counties in Shandong province,and to provide a scientific basis for the development of control strategies to endemic fluorosis.MethodsAccording to “Shandong Province Survey Scheme of Endemic Fluorosis”,the service conditions of normal operated water improvement project and water fluoride content were investigated in Gaomi,Jiaxiang,Yuncheng and Boxing counties from May to November in 2010.The fluoride content in drinking water,the prevalence of dental fluorosis and urinary fluoride in children were investigated in nine major survey villages of the four counties.Water and urinary fluoride were determined by ion selective electrode and examination of dental fluorosis was done by using Dean method.ResultsA total of 288normal operated water improvement projects were examined in the 4 counties,the qualified rate of water fluoride (≤ 1.00 mg/L) of the projects was 51.39％(148/288),mean water fluoride was 1.35 mg/L and the maximum value was 6.27 mg/L.A total of 26 copies of drinking water samples were measured,the fluoride content ranged from 0.62mg/L to 4.36 mg/L,and mean water fluoride was 2.02 mg/L.A total of 685 children aged 8 to 12 were examined in the major investigated villages,the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 80.14％ (549/685),detectable rate of the defective dental fluorosis was 15.33％ (105/685),and dental fluorosis index was 1.56.Three hundred and seventynine copies of child urine samples were tested,the geometric mean of urinary fluoride were 0.66 - 13.28 mg/L,and the average was 3.04 mg/L.ConclusionsNearly 50％ of the water fluoride level of the water improvement project exceeds the standard ( ＞ 1.00 mg/L) in the 4 countries.The detection rate of dental fluorosis exceeds 80％ and urinary fluoride is significantly exceeds the standard in the major investigated villages.The endemic fluorosis is still serious and the situation of prevention and control of the disease is still grim.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), a member of IL-1 family, is a naturally occurring IL-1 inhibitor as "receptor antagonist", which blocks biological responses mediated by IL-1. Recombinant human IL-1ra (rhIL-1ra, Kineret) was introduced in clinical trials involving patients with RA. Between 2001 to approximately 2002, rhIL-1 ra was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicine Procedure. Unfortunately, 10,000 to 100,000-fold excess amounts of IL-1ra are needed to relieve disease because minimal IL-1 can induce complete biological responses, and the dosage of 100 to approximately 150mg/day in a RA patient is so big that it greatly influence patients' physical, psychological and economical situation. In this study, IL-1ra mutants were established by site-specific mutagenesis to improve its stability. The sites of mutagenesis included R6 K7-AA,R93 K94-AA and K97 R98-AA. IL-1ra and its mutants were expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) using pTIG-Trx expressing system with the induction of IPTG. The recombinant proteins were purified by Ni2+ chelate chromatography and Sephadex G75 gel filtration chromatography. The activity of mutants is as high as IL-1ra. We characterized the pharmacokinetic profile of IL-1ra and its mutants. The third mutant's half life is 2.26 times than wt IL-1ra. The study has provided some approaches and experience for further research to improve the metabolism stability of IL-1ra.
Animals ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacokinetics ; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed ; methods ; Mutant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province, and to provide scientific evidence for the development of control strategies. Methods According to "The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007", 19 counties were chosen to carry out the epidemiological investigation in 2008. Water and urinary fluoride were determined by F-ion selective electrode, dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 were diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluorosis of adults over the age of 16 were examined clinically and by X-rays. Results In 19 counties, 186 villages were surveyed, 44 villages were found with mean water fluoride ≤ 1.00 mg/L, accounting for 23.66%(44/186);the value ＞ 1.00 mg/L in 142 villages,accounting for 76.34% (142/186);maximum water fluoride 8.88 mg/L. Total detection rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 was 66.35% (4518/6809), dental fluorosis index was 1.55, and defect rate was 15.39%(1048/6809). Children with urinary fluoride ＞ 1.40 mg/L was 83.29%(2149/2580), and the maximum value was 31.92 mg/L. Detection rates of skeletal fluorosis clinically and by X ray among adults over 16 years were 6.37%(5577/87 607) and 20.23% (229/1132), respectively. Conclusions Endemic fluorosis in Shandong province is still serious, prevention efforts need to be further increased.

Objective To investigate the current status of endemic fluorosis in Shandong province,and to provide a scientific basis for the development of preventive strategies.Methods In accordance with the requirements of the national Technical Implementation Plan for Endcmic Disease Control Project in 2009 and Drinking-Water-Borne Endemic Fluorosis Monitoring Program (trial),ten counties were selected to carry out the epidemiological investigation,to understand the progress and the effect of the water improvement projects; three villages were selected in each county,to determine fluoride content of drinking water,to check dental fluorosis of children aged 8 to 12 and skeletal fluorosis of adults over the age of 25.Water fluoride content was determined by fluoride ion selective electrode method,children dental fluorosis was diagnosed with Dean method and adults skeletal fluorosis by the National Standard for Diagnosis of Endemic Skeletal Fluorosis (WS 192-2008).Results There were a total of 687 improved-water defluoridation projects of the 10 counties,the improved-water rate was 83.34％ (3247/3896).The investigation was taken place in 84 improved-water projects of the 10 counties,the projects running normally accounted for 98.81％ (83/84); 41 projects had water fluoride concentration ≤1.20 mg/L,and the pass rate was 48.81％(41/84),with the maximum water fluoride as 5.76 mg/L.In the 26 villages with improved-water projects of the 10 counties,villages with a mean water fluoride ≤ 1.20 mg/L were 15,which accounted for 57.69％ (15/26),＞ 1.20 mg/L were 11,which accounted for 42.31％ (11/26),with the maximum water fluoride as 5.58 mg/L.In the 4 yet to improve water quality villages of the 10 counties,1 village had mean water fluoride ≤ 1.20 mg/L,3 villages had mean water fluoride ＞ 1.20 mg/L,with the maximum water fluoride as 2.92 mg/L.A total of 1331 children aged 8 to 12 were checked in the 26 improved water villages,the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 59.73％ (795/1331),the index of dental fluorosis was 1.17 and the defect rate was 10.14％ (123/1331).A total of 138 children aged 8 to 12 were checked in the 4 yet to improve water quality villages,the detection rate of dental fluorosis was 51.45％(71/138),the index of dental fluorosis was 0.95 and the defect rate was 0.72％ (1/138).In water quality improved villages and yet to improve water quality villages,X-ray detection rates of skeletal fluorosis were 8.80％ (113/1284) and 3.05％ (6/197),respectively,in adults over the age of 25.Conclusions The water fluoride content of improved-water defluoridation projects exceeds the national standard seriously and fluorosis has not been effectively controlled in Shandong province.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of cyclosporine A-nanoparticles emulsion (CsA-NP) combined with adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs)transplantation therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a miniswine model.

METHODSCsA-NP emulsion was prepared by the high-pressure homogenization method. Models were performed by coronary angioplasty for percutaneous balloon occlusion of left anterior descending artery (LAD). A total of 17 miniswines survived after AMI were divided into four groups: control group (n=5), CsA-NP group (n=4), ASCs group (n=4), and CsA-NP+ASCs group (n=4). ASCs or saline were delivered by intracoronary injection one week after AMI.Before cell transplantation and 8 weeks after cell transplantation, delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) was performed to evaluate cardiac function and viability. The infarcted myocardium and implanted cells were histologically studied.

RESULTSEight weeks after treatment, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)significantly increased in the CsA-NP+ASCs group when compared with the ASCs group [(53.6 ± 2.4)% vs. (48.3 ± 1.8)%, P<0.05]; meanwhile, the infarct size significantly decreased [(6.2 ± 1.7)cm(3) vs.(7.5 ± 0.6) cm(3), P<0.05] and the thickness of the ventricular wall significantly increased (P<0.05). Histology showed that the number of surviving cells increased nearly by three times in the CsA-NP+ASCs group, and the expressions of the cardiomyocyte specific markers (cTnT and α-actin) were detected. Histological samples also showed that CsA-NP+ASCs group reduced fibrotic tissue, and down-regulated the activation of Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONThe CsA-NP+ASCs combination therapy can enhance the viability of ASCs by improving LVEF and preventing LV expansion, which may be explained that CsA-NP has the anti-apoptotic effect and can promote the survivals and proliferation of ASCs.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cyclosporine ; therapeutic use ; Disease Models, Animal ; Myocardial Infarction ; therapy ; Nanoparticles ; Random Allocation ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Swine

Objective To investigate the present situation of water-improving defluoridation project and the distribution of water fluoride in fluorosis areas in Shandong province. Methods In 2005 - 2007, according to "The National and Shandong province Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control", the water-improving form,water type and the running status of defluoridation project in 17 cities of Shandong province were investigated, and the water-fluoride of the running projects were determined by F- ion selective electrode. Results A total of 5816projects were built that involved 8776 villages, 110 counties, 17 cities distributed in Shandong province. In which,the drilling of water-improving projects accounting for 94.55% (5499/5816), under-ground water type 97.73%(5684/5816);operating normally accounting for 75.91% (4415/5816), 7246 villages were supplied with the water, beneficiary population 6 946 459 people, non-normal projects accounting for 24.09%(1401/5816), including 1530 diseased villages. There were still 4415 projects running well. The projects with water fluoride lower than 1.0mg/L were 2893, accounting for 65.53% (2893/4415). The water fluoride higher than 1.0 mg/L accounted for 34.47%(1522/4415), ＞ 2.0 mg/L of 548, ＞ 4.0 mg/L of 97, and the maximum value of water fluoride was 9.71mg/L. Conclusions Nearly 1/4 of the water-improving projects in Shandong province are abnormal. The water fluoride of the project of more than 1/3 are exceeding the standard( ＞ 1.0 mg/L) in 4415 projects, and water-fluoride of 97 projects are higher than 4.0 mg/L. More measures should be taken to strengthen the supervision of the projects and monitoring of water fluoride.

Objective To investigate the present status of Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) in Qingzhou at present, and provide a scientific basis for decision-making in controlling the disease. Methods According to The National Technical Scheme for Endemic Disease Control in 2007, children aged 7 to 12 were chosen to receive clinical and X-ray examination in 3 villages of 2 towns in Qingzhou. Local adults aged 16 years and older were clinically diagnosed in 10 villages of 4 towns and divided into different groups according to the clinical degrees and their ages. The Diagnostic Criteria of Kashin Beck Disease(GB 16003-1995) was carded out by clinical and X-ray diagnosis. Results Two hundred and sixty school children aged 7 to 12 were clinically diagnosed, and the patients of I degree upwards of KBD were not detected. One hundred and ninety-eight school children aged 7 to 12 were examined by X-ray, and the detectable rate was 0(0/198). In 7099 adults aged 16 years old upwards clinically tested, 502 patients of degree I and higher of KBD were detected and the detectable rate was 7.07%(502/7099). The patients distributed mainly in the population aged 36 years old and older, accounting for 99.00% (497/502). Conclusions Although KBD in children have been controlled in Qingzhou, it is still serious in adults. So the monitoring of KBD should be carried on and prevention and control for KBD in adults should be strengthened.

Objective To understand the current status of the prevention and control of endemic fluorosis in the southwestern area of Shandong province. Methods In 2007, the progress of water-improving defluoridation, the operating state and water fluoride content of the water-improving project, which was determined by fluorosis selective ion electrode, and the inhabitant related indexes of endemic fluorosis were extensively surveyed in the three main fluorosis counties-Jiaxiang, Yuncbeng and Liangshan of the southwestern area of Shandong province. Results Among 1371 fluorosis villages in the 3 counties, 53.61%(735/1371) of which had undergone water-improving defluoridation, the rate in Jiaxiang, Yuncheng and Liangshan being 38.0% (220/579),65.51% (378/577) and 63.72% ( 137/215 ) respectively; the normally functioning rate of this project was 76.73% (564/735), projects out of order accounted for 23.27% (171/735). Among 263 well-functioning projects from the three counties, the rate with water fluoride higher than 1.0 mg/L was 35.36%(93/263), the maximum value being 4.17 mg/L. The urine fluoride content of 440 children aged 8 - 12 years and 484 adults over 30 years old were examined in 13 fluorosis villages of the three counties, the geometric mean was 2.98,3.06 mg/L respectively; the individual maximum was 12.83,14.49 mg/L respectively; the detectable rate of dental fluorosis among children aged 8 - 12 was 84.28% (649/770) ,17.66%(136/770) had defect and the index of dental fluorosis was 1.89; the rates of the clinical and X-ray skeletal fluorosis of the adults aged more than 30 were 44.40%(234/527) and 24.67%(130/527) respectively, and the abnormal electrocardiography rate was 32.43% (168/518) in the adult, mostly T-wave abnormality. Conclusions The progress of the water-improving defluoridation in the southwestern area of Shandong province was relatively slow, the water fluoride content of the water-improving projects seriously exceeded standard, and the condition of the fluorosis had not been effectively controlled.