BACKGROUND:Bacterial adhesion is closely related to the surface properties of cobalt-chromium al oys, and therefore, the surface modification technology has become the focus of research in this area. OBJECTIVE:To verify whether the cobalt-chromium al oy with zirconium nitride coating can improve the bacterial adhesion of metal denture materials. METHODS:Magnetron sputtering deposition method was used to plate zirconium nitride film on the surface of cobalt-chromium al oys (experimental group), and cobalt-chromium al oy specimens uncoated served as control group. Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans, and Actinomyces viscosus were respectively inoculated on the two kinds of test specimen, and at end of culture, the colony counting was done. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the bacterial adhesion test, the number of colonies of three kinds of bacteria in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The number of bacterial adhesion in the control group was significantly higher than that in the experimental group. These findings indicate that the cobalt-chromium al oy covered with zirconium nitride coating can significantly reduce the adhesion amount of Streptococcus mutans, Candida albicans and Actinomyces viscosus, and thus improve bacterial adhesion properties of cobalt-chromium al oys.

Objective To observe the effect of small interfering RNA(siRNA)expression plasmids targeting transforming growth factor p receptor(TαR)Ⅰ gene on the collagen synthesis of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs).Methods Three siRNA expression plasmids were designed and constructed according to TBR Ⅰ sequence.Then the plasmids were transfected into HSC-T6 using 1ipofectamine2000 reagent. The mRNA and protein expressions of TβR Ⅰ were analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blot technique, respectively. The cell proliferation was detected using methylthiazo-lyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide(MTT)methods. Concentrations of haluronic acid and type Ⅲ pro-collagen in the supernatants were determined by radioimmunoassay. The data were analyzed using least significant difference(LSD).Results Three recombinant plasmids expressing siRNAs were successfully constructed and confirmed by restriction enzyme assay. Compared with the blank control,all the three recombinant plasmids could inhibit the expressions of TβR Ⅰ mRNA,of which plasmid expressing siRNA2 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect(psiRNA1 group:t=7.354,P＜0.01;psiRNA2 group:t=9.214,P＜0.01;psiRNA3 group:t=5.967,P＜0.01).The expressions of TβR Ⅰ protein were also reduced by all the three recombinant plasmids,of which the plasmid expressing siRNA2 showed the strongest inhibitory effect(psiRNA1 group: t=6.324,P＜0.01;psiRNA2 group:t=8.741,P＜0.01;psiRNA3 group:t=4.128,P＜0.01).The proliferation activity and collagen synthesis of HSCs also decreased in all three HSC groups treated with recombinant plasmids, of which, again, plasmid expressing siRNA2 exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect. However, no significant change was observed in HSCs transfected with non-related siRNA. Conclusion Recombinant plasmids targeting TβR I can inhibit collagen synthesis, which suggests a novel target for gene therapy of liver fibrosis.

Objective:To identify the function of extracellular soluble vimentin that promotes proliferation, activation and chemotaxis of inflammatory cells. Methods: The proliferation of rat splenocytes stimulated with vimentin was evaluated in vitro. The lymphocyte counts and vimentin-antibody levels of peripheral blood in mice immunized with vimentin were detected in vivo. Peritoneal macrophages were collected and cultured with different concentrations of vimentin to detect the effect on phagocytosing chicken red blood cells. The chemotaxis of NIH3T3 fibroblast towards vimentin was observed in transwell chamber. Results:In vitro vimentin dose dependently promoted the proliferation of splenocytes. The proliferation indexes of primed and naive splenocytes cultured with 16μg/ml vimentin were reached up to ( 196. 0 ± 9. 7 )% and ( 208. 9 ± 4. 6 )% respectively without significant difference. In vivo vimentin significantly enhanced the lymphocytes number(109 L-1)of peripheral blood(5. 74±0. 51 vs. 1. 69±0. 13)and the levels of vimentin specific antibody( OD value 2. 31 ± 0. 06 vs. 0. 19 ± 0. 08 ) that shown no significant difference from immunization with vimentin plus CFA. In vitro vimentin dose dependently stimulated phagocytic ability of macrophages and performed the chemotactic effects on NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Conclusion:Extracellular soluble vimentin promotes the proliferation,activation and chemotaxis of concerned inflammatory cells and possesses the functions as an alarmin.

The aim of this research was to study the immunoprotections of Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) DNA vaccines SjRPS4 and SjRPL7 in mice. Fourty Kunming mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (A, B, C and D), and the pcDNA3.0/SjRPS4 and pcDNA3.0/SjRPL7 plasmid DNA vaccines were prepared for experiment. Mice in group A were intramuscularly injected with 100μL normal saline, whereas mice in group B were injected with 100 (g naked plasmid pcDNA3.0 into the quadriceps. Mice in groups C and D were injected with 100μg/100μL eukaryotic recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.0/SjRPS4 and pcDNA3.0/SjRPL7 into the hind leg muscles respectively. The initial injections were followed by two sets of boosters at 2 weeks intervals. In addition, levels of the specific antibodies were detected 2 weeks after the last immunization and all mice were percutaneously infected with 20( 1) S. japonicum cercariae on abdomen. Fourty-two days after the infection, all mice were killed to detect the worm reduction rate and the egg reduction rate. Significant differences of worm burden reduction rates, LEPG reduction rates, IEPG reduction rates and intrauterine eggs reduction rates were observed in both test group (group C and D), comparing with the control groups (group A and B). Results indicated that the DNA vaccines of pcDNA3.0/SjRPS4 and pcDNA3.0/SjRPL7 could induce strong protective immunity against S. japonicum in mice.

Objective Several studies have indicated that miR-15a,miR-15b and miR-16 may be the important regulators of apoptosis.Since attenuate apoptosis could protect myocardium and reduce infarction size,the present study was aimed to find out whether these miRNAs participate in regulating myocardial ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury.Methods Apoptosis in mice hearts subjected to I/R was detected by TUNEL assay in vivo,while flow cytometry analysis followed by Annexin V/PI double stain in vitro was used to detect apoptosis in cultured cardiomyocytes which were subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R).Taqman real-time quantitative PCR was used to confirm whether miR-15a/15b/16 were involved in the regulation of cardiac I/R and H/R.Results Compared to those of the controls,I/R or H/R induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was significantly iucreased both in vivo (24.4％ ± 9.4％ vs.2.2％ ± 1.9％,P ＜ 0.01,n =5) and in vitro (14.12％ ±0.92％ vs.2.22％ ± 0.08％).The expression of miR-15a and miR-15b,but not miR-16,was increased in the mice I/R model,and the results were consistent in the H/R model.Conclusions Our data indicate miR-15 and miR-15b are up-regulated in response to cardiac I/R injury,therefore,down-regulation of miR- 15a/b may be a promising strategy to reduce myocardial apoptosis induced by cardiac I/R injury.

A HPLC-MS/MS multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) quantitative analysis was made to establish a determination method for drug concentrations of costunolide (Co) and dehydrocostuslactone (De) in blood samples in the positive ion mode, with diazepam as the internal standard substance, in order to study the pharmacokinetic process of sesquiterpene lactones costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone after the oral administration of Weichang'an pills, and provide an theoretical basis for further studies on the substance basis for the anti-diarrhea effect of Weichang'an pills. In the blood samples, Co and De showed a good linearity within concentration ranges 0.700 0-769.7, 2.510-956.0 μg x L(-1), respectively. The results of precision, stability and recovery experiences proved the stability and reliability of the plasma concentration determination method. After the oral administration, the concentrations of Co and De in plasma increased with the increase in dose, with T(max) between 10.65-12.98 h, indicating a long time to reach peak plasma concentrations; C(max) of costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone ranged between 3.750-5.450,15.34-44.52 μg x L(-1), respectively. The in vivo adsorption of Co and De conformed to the one-compartment model, with a longer time to attain the peak plasma concentrations. These results provided an experimental basis for revealing the active substance basis and clinical medication of Weichang'an pills.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Lactones ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Tablets ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

Researching on a large relevant literature of spinal tuberculosis, this paper discussed characteristics of spinal tuberculosis and its early diagnosis method. If spinal tuberculosis can be found and treated earlier, prognosis will be better. The early diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis has become hot spot at present. There are many different diagnostic methods including clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, imaging examination, etc. The newest standpoint showed that immunization has closely correlation with tuberculosis and it will become the focus and developmental direction of future research in spinal tuberculosis. In addition, we should know the differential diagnosis of spinal tuberculosis to avoid the misdiagnosis.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Tuberculosis, Spinal ; diagnosis

Adult ; Brain Diseases ; chemically induced ; Ethylene Dichlorides ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Diseases ; chemically induced

Objective To investigate the safty and feasibility of simultaneous minimally invasive technique for congenital heart disease (CHD) and pectus excavatum (PE).Methods From July 2006 to June 2011,6 children with PE associated with CHD were treated by simultaneous minimally invasive technique.They were 4 boys and 2 girls,aged from 4 years to 6 years 5 months ( average 5 years and 4 month),.The body weight were from 16 kg to 20 kg [ average ( 18.00 ± 1.79kg ].CT Hailer index were 3.9 - 5.0 ( average 4.35 ± 0.43 ).4 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD) were treated by minimally invasive closure device,including 3 membranous VSD and 1 subaortic VSD.The defect diameter was 4 - 5 mm.2 cases with atrial septal defect (ASD) were treated using the same technique.the diameter of ASD was 12 - 16 mm.After minimally invasive heart surgery,Nuss operation was carried out in all 6 patients for their PE.Results All operations were successful and patients were extubated 5 - 11 h after operation [ mean ( 8.17 ± 2.04) h ].The pericardial mediastinal drainage was removed at 48 h postoperatively.There were no operative mortality and severe postoperative complications.1 patient had delayed wound healing and was successfully discharged.The plate was removed in 3 cases,and they all had satisfactory outcomes.Conclusion Simultaneous minimally invasive technique is a safe and effeictive mothod for treating pectus excavatum and congenital heart disease.

Objective To discuss the efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty for pediatric ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO). Methods Retroperitoneal laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty was performed on 24 patients with UPJO.The age of the patients ranged from 3 to 14 years(mean,7 years).The diagnosis was set up by ultrasonography,IVU,CT or magnetic resonance urography.All the patients had hydronephrosis,with 4 cases mild,10 cases moderate and 10 severe ones. Results All operations were completed laparoscopieally,without conversions to open surgery during operation.The mean operative time was 180 min(range 150 to 200).The mean blood loss was 60 ml(range 40 to 100)and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 7 d (range 5 to 9).All 24 patients were followed-up for 6 to 24 months(mean,1 4 months).There was no stricture at UPJ.Eighteen patients had complete resolution of hydronephrosis and 6 patients showed obvious alleviation in hydronephrosis. Conclusion Retroperitoneal laparoseopie dismembered pyeloplasty could be a mini-invasive,safe,and effective procedure for the treatment of UPJO in pediatric patients.