To investigate vincristine-induced dopaminergic neurons toxicity and mechanism, and explore the molecular target to reduce the toxicity, zebrafish was chosen as a model animal, based on RT-PCR, Western blotting, whole mount in situ immunofluorescence and other technical means. The results showed that the transcription levels of tyrosine hydroxylase gene and dopamine transporter protein gene were inhibited. Furthermore, the number of dopaminergic neurons was decreased by vincristine. Autophagy was suppressed and beclin1 gene expression was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by vincristine in larval zebrafish. Up-regulated beclin1 partly reduced vincristine-induced neurotoxicity, and down-regulated beclin1 increased toxicity. Beclin1 plays an important role in vincristine-induced dopaminergic neurons toxicity.
Animals ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Autophagy ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; drug effects ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Down-Regulation ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Larva ; drug effects ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; metabolism ; Vincristine ; adverse effects ; Zebrafish ; Zebrafish Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of microwave sintering on the translucency of zirconia and to compare these effect with those of conventional sintering. The relationship between the microstructure of specimens and translucency was investigated.

METHODSA total of 10 disc-shaped specimens were fabricated from 2 commercial brands of zirconia, namely, Zenostar and Lava. Each group included 5 discs. Conventional sintering was performed according to the manufacturers' specifications. The maximum temperature for Zenostar was 1,490 °C, whereas that for Lava was 1,500 °C. The dwelling time was 2 h. The sintering temperature for microwave sintering was 1,420 °C, heating rate was 15 °C · min⁻¹, and dwelling time was 30 min. After sintering, the translucency parameter (TP) of the specimens were measured with ShadeEye NCC. The sintered density of the specimens was determined by Archimedes' method. The grain size and microstructure of the specimens were investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTSDensity and translucency slightly increased by microwave sintering, but no significant difference was found between microwave and conventional sintering (P > 0.05). Small and uniform microstructure were obtained from microwave sintering. The mean TP of Lava was significantly higher than that of Zenostar (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe translucency of zirconia sintered by microwave sintering is similar to that of the zirconia sintered by conventional sintering.

Ceramics ; chemistry ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; methods ; Heating ; Materials Testing ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microwaves ; Surface Properties ; Technology, Dental ; methods ; Zirconium ; chemistry

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the disinfection effectiveness and properties of acrylic resin via microwave irradiation. Methods Forty acrylic resin base dentures fabricated in a standardized procedure were chosen and divided into Group A,B,C and D randomly. Group A,B and C were immersed in 200ml distilled water and submitted to microwave irradiation at 700W for 3,4,5 minutes individually. Group D was used as positive control. Bacteria specimens from each group were got for culture and numbers were calculated. Then the four groups were tested for the flexural strength and impact strength by universal test machine before and after microwave irradiation sterilization. Results The germicidal ratio of Group B was more than 90% ,while the ratio of group C was 100%. There was no significant difference in flexural strength and impact strength between group C and group D. Conclusions Microwave irradiation for 5 minutes at 700W produced sterilization of dentures contaminated with all bacteria whereas the denture strength is not affected. Microwave irradiation at 700W solution for 5 minutes was effective to sterilize acrylic resin base dentures.

OBJECTIVETo examine the role of lactoferrin (LF) on Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).

METHODSPrimary hPDLCs were cultured by tissue block enzymolytic method. Cells obtained from four passages were identified and used in this experiment. Cells without stimulation served as the controls and cells treated with LPS (0.1 microg x mL(-1)) comprised the LPS group. The LPS + LF group was pretreated with LPS (0.1 microg x mL(-1)) for 2 h, and then treated with LF (10 microg x mL(-1)). Four hours after LF stimulation, the mRNA expression levels of TLR4 were examined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression of TLR4 was observed by cell immunofluorescence staining after LF stimulation of 24 hours.

RESULTSTLR4 mRNA expression in the LPS + LF group was significantly more decreased than that in the LPS group (P < 0.05), but exhibited no difference with that in the control group (P > 0.05). Cell immunofluorescence staining showed that the protein expression of TLR4 in the LPS + LF group was significantly more decreased than that in the LPS group (P < 0.05), but exhibited no difference with that in the control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONLF can decrease the expression of TLR4 stimulated by LPS in hPDLCs, thus presenting potential application for controlling the TLR4 immune pathway of periodontitis.

Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontitis ; Toll-Like Receptor 4

The sequences of ITS, matK, rbcL and psbA-trnH of 9 Gynostemma species or variety including 38 samples were compared and analyzed by molecular phylogeny method. Hemsleya macrosperma was designated as outgroup. The MP and NJ phylogenetic tree of Gynostemma was built based on ITS sequence, the results of PAUP phylogenetic analysis showed the following results: (1) The eight individuals of G. pentaphyllum var. pentaphyllum were not supported as monophyletic in the strict consensus trees and NJ trees. (2) It is suspected whether G. longipes and G. laxum should be classified as the independent species. (3)The classification of subgenus units of Gynostemma plants is supported.
Gynostemma ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective To explore the clinical value of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCUS) on evaluation of the chemotherapy effect in advanced gastric carcinoma. Methods A total of 21 patients with unresectable and received chemotherapy of advanced gastric carcinoma were examined using ultrasound after taking oral contrast agent and bolus injection of Sono Vue, and findings of DCUS of each patient before and after chemotherapy were compared. Results The thickness of lesions was slightly thinner than that after chemotherapy,but there was no significant difference ( P ＞0. 05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the basal intensity (BI), peak intensity (PI), arrive time (AT) and time to peak (TTP) of gastric carcinoma tissues after chemotherapy (P ＞0.05). While the enhanced intensity (EI) value of gastric carcinoma tissues after chemotherapy was significantly less than that before chemotherapy (P ＜0.05). Conclusions The EI value in gastric carcinoma tissues may be considered as a sensitive and effective index in assessing the therapeutic effect of the chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical effects of external fixator combined with limited internal fixation in the treatment of pediatric distal femur fractures.

METHODSFrom January 2008 to June 2014, 17 children of distal femur fractures were treated by external fixator combined with limited internal fixation. There were 12 males and 5 females, aged from 6 to 13 years old with an average of 10.2 years, ranged in the course of disease from 1 h to 2 d. Preoperative diagnoses were confirmed by X-ray films in all children. There were 11 patients with supracondylar fracture , and 6 patients with intercondylar comminuted fracture. According to AO/ASIF classification, 9 fractures were type A1, 5 cases were type A2,and 3 cases were type C1. The intraoperative and postoperative complications, postoperative radiological examination, lower limbs length and motion of knee joints were observed. Knee joint function was assessed by KSS score.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up from 6 to 38 months with an average of 24.4 months. No nerve or blood vessel injury was found. One case complicated with the external fixation loosening, 2 cases with the infection of pin hole and 3 cases with the leg length discrepancy. Knee joint mobility and length measurement (compared with the contralateral), the average limited inflexion was 10 degrees (0 degrees to 20 degrees), the average limited straight was 4 degrees (0 degrees to 10), the average varus or valgus angle was 3 degrees (0 degrees to 5 degrees). KSS of the injured side was (96.4 +/- 5.0) points at final follow-up, 16 cases got excellent results and 1 good. All fractures obtained healing and no epiphyseal closed early was found.

CONCLUSIONExternal fixator combined with limited internal fixation has advantages of simple operation, reliable fixation, early functional exercise in treating pediatric distal femurs fractures.

Adolescent ; Child ; External Fixators ; Female ; Femoral Fractures ; surgery ; Femur ; injuries ; surgery ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male

To explore a new method for identification of Mongolian patent medicine (MPM) by PCR amplification of specific alleles. Eight kinds of MPM were used to study the identification of "Digeda" raw materials. The total DNA of Lomatogonium rotatum and Corydalis bungeana samples were extracted through modified CTAB method, psbA-trnH sequence was amplified by PCR and sequenced directionally. Specific primer was designed. The DNA of 8 kinds of MPM also was extracted and purified by the commercial DNA purification kits. The rbcL and two pair of specific primers sequences were amplified. The specific amplified products were sequenced in forward directions. All specific sequences were aligned and were analyzed. The results indicated that L rotatum can be identified by specific primers from Digeda-4 Tang, Digeda-8 San, Digeda-4 San, and C. bungeana medicinal materials can be identified by specific primers from Li Dan Ba Wei San, Yi He Ha Ri-12 and A Ga Ri-35. PCR amplification of specific alleles can stably and accurately distinguish raw medicinal materials in MPM.
Alleles ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Objective:To analyze the difference and clinical significance of reflux related parameters between patients with reflux asthma (RA) and typical gastroesophageal reflux disease (TGERD).Methods:From June 2017 to June 2020, at PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, the clinical data of 120 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who underwent gastroscopy, high-resolution esophageal manometry (HREM) and 24 h pH-impedance monitoring contemporaneously were retrospectively analyzed. The GERD patients were divided into RA group and TGERD group according to the symptom correlated indexes, 60 cases in each group. The reflux related indexes of two groups were compared, which included reflux esophagitis (RE) score, esophageal hiatal hernia, Hill grade score of gastroesophageal flap valve, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) pressure, DeMeester score, and reflux episodes. Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:There were no significant differences in RE score and Hill grade score between TGERD group and RA group (0.0, 0.0 to 1.0 vs. 0.0, 0.0 to 1.8; 3.0, 2.0 to 3.0 vs. 3.0, 2.0 to 3.0) (both P>0.05). The detection rate of UES pressure less than 34 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) of RA group was higher than that of TGERD group (41.7%, 25/60 vs. 23.3%, 14/60), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.596, P=0.032). The UES pressure of RA group was lower than that of TGERD group (51.7 mmHg, 23.6 mmHg to 70.1 mmHg vs. 62.0 mmHg, 37.4 mmHg to 77.4 mmHg), and the difference was statistically significant ( Z=-2.105, P=0.035). There were no significant differences in other parameters of HREM between TGERD group and RA group (all P>0.05). The detection rates of DeMeester score more than 14.7, acid exposure time more than 4.5% and total reflux episodes more than 73 episodes of RA group were all higher than those of TGERD group (41.7%, 25/60 vs. 23.3%, 14/60; 40.0%, 24/60 vs. 21.7%, 13/60; 38.3%, 23/60 vs. 20.0%, 12/60, respectively), and the differences were all statistically significant ( χ2=5.546, 4.728 and 4.881, all P<0.05). The total reflux episodes and weak acid gas reflux episodes of RA group were both higher than those of TGERD group (60 episodes, 43 episodes to 98 episodes vs. 52 episodes, 34 episodes to 69 episodes; 12 episodes, 6 episodes to 21 episodes vs. 9 episodes, 3 episodes to 14 episodes), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-2.323 and -2.053, both P<0.05). There were no significant differences in other parameters of 24 h pH-impedance monitoring between TGERD group and RA group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Low UES pressure, abnormal esophageal acid exposure and increased reflux episodes, especially weak acid gas reflux episodes, may be more likely to induce RA.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical efficacy in the treatment of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome between floating-needle therapy and conventional acupuncture on the basis of rehabilitation training.

METHODSOne hundred cases of post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomized into a floating-needle group and an acupuncture group, 50 cases in each one. The passive and positive rehabilitation training was adopted in the two groups. Additionally, in the floating-needle group, the floating-needle therapy was used. The needle was inserted at the site 5 to 10 cm away from myofasical trigger point (MTrP), manipulated and scattered subcutaneously, for 2 min continuously. In the acupuncture group, the conventional acupuncture was applied at Jianqian (EX-UE), Jianyu (LI 15), Jianliao (TE 14), etc. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 times a week, and 14 days of treatment were required. The shoulder hand syndrome scale (SHSS), the short form McGill pain scale (SF-MPQ) and the modified Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FMA) were used to evaluate the damage severity, pain and motor function of the upper limbs before and after treatment in the two groups. The clinical efficacy was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSSHSS score, SF-MPQ score and FMA score were improved significantly after treatment in the two groups (all P < 0.01), and the improvements in the floating-needle group were superior to those in the acupuncture group (all P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 94.0% (47/50) in the floating-needle group, which was better than 90.0% (45/50) in the acupuncture group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe floating-needle therapy combined with rehabilitation training achieves a satisfactory efficacy on post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome, which is better than the combined therapy of conventional acupuncture and rehabilitation training.

Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ; etiology ; rehabilitation ; therapy ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult