Animals ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphangiogenesis ; physiology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism ; physiology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D ; metabolism ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on acute kidney injury after cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).Methods One hundred patients of both sexes with rheumatic heart disease,aged 32-64 yr,weighing 46-75 kg,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ (New York Heart Association class Ⅱ or Ⅲ),scheduled for elective cardiac valve replacement with CPB,were divided into 2 groups (n =50 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Dexmedetomidine was intravenously infused in a loading dose of 1 μg/kg over 10 min before induction of anesthesia followed by an infusion of 0.4 μg · kg-1 · h-1 until 24 h after operation in group D,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.The urine output per hour during the postoperative 48 h period was recorded.At 6,12,24,36 and 48 h after operation,blood samples were collected from the median cubital vein for determination of serum creatinine levels.The development and severity of acute kidney injury were determined according to the urine output and serum creatinine level.Results Compared with group C,the incidence and severity of acute kidney injury were significantly decreased in the postoperative 48 h period in group D (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine infused in a loading dose of 1 μg/kg over 10 min before induction of anesthesia followed by an infusion of 0.4 μg · kg-1 · h-1 until 24 h after operation can reduce the development and severity of acute kidney injury after cardiac valve replacement with CPB in patients.

Objective To investigate the relationship betw een the serum bilirubin level and the severity of disease and short-term outcome in patient w ith acute ischemic stroke. Methods A total of 120 consecutive inpatients w ith acute ischemic stroke w ere enroled and 105 healthy subjects at the same time w ere used as a control group. The biochemical indicators, such as serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, blood lipid, and blood glucose w ere measured w ithin 24 h after admission. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ( NIHSS ) w as used to assess the neurological deficits on the day of admission. The NIHSS score <8 w as defined as mild stroke and ≥8 w as defined as moderate to severe stroke. At discharge or 14 d after onset, the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) w as used to evaluate the clinical outcomes, 0-2 w as defined as good outcome and > 2 w as defined as poor outcome. The levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin w ere measured again. Results The levels of serum total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin in the moderate to severe stroke group w ere significantly higher than those in the mild stroke group ( P <0.01) and the control group ( P <0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis show ed that the increased levels of serum total bilirubin (odds ratio [OR] 1.855,95%confidence interval [CI] 1.390-2.475; P <0.01), indirect bilirubin ( OR 3.380, 95%CI 1.271-11.901; P <0.05), and direct bilirubin ( OR 3.51, 95%CI 1.062-11.473; P <0.01) had significantly independent correlation w ith baseline disease severity. Univariate analysis show ed that the increased serum total bilirubin level on admission w as associated w ith the short-term poor outcome ( P <0.05), but after adjustment for other confounding factors, there w as no statistical significance ( OR 2.411, 95%CI 0.803-7.243, P >0.05). Conclusions The serum bilirubin level show ed stress increase in patients w ith cerebral infarction in acute phase; and it w as significantly associated w ith the degree of neurological deficit, but it w as not associated w ith short-term outcome. It might be a defense response to the body for stroke events.

A simple and cost-effective indirect competitive enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ic-ELISA) was developed to rapidly screen the content of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in lotus seeds, and the results were confirmed by ultra-fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry( UFLC-MS/MS). Matrix-matched calibration expressed a good linearity ranging from 0. 171 to 7. 25 µg · L(-1) for AFB, with R2 > 0.978. The medium inhibitory concentration( IC50 ) for AFB1 was 1.29 µg · L(-1), the recovery for AFB1 was 74.73% to 126.9% with RSD < 5%, and the limit of detection (IC10) was 0.128 µg · L(-1). The developed ic-ELSIA method was applied to rapid analysis of AFB, in 20 lotus seeds samples and the results indicated that the contents of AFB, in samples 1-15 were in the range of 1. 19- 115. 3 µg · kg(-1) and in 40% of the samples exceeded the legal limit(5 µg · kg(-1)), while the contamination rate of AFB, in samples 16-20 was 40%. Pearson correlation coefficient(r) reached 0.997 for AFB1 content in the samples detected by ic-ELSIA and UFLC-MS/MS methods. The results proved that the developed ic-ELISA method is simple, sensitive and reliable, and can be used for rapid and high-throughput screening of AFB1 in lotus seeds
Aflatoxin B1 ; analysis ; Drug Contamination ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Loteae ; chemistry ; Seeds ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDThe low-temperature resistance aging performance of Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) is the key effective factor that influences the long-term success rate of prosthesis. The objective of this study was to test and compare the aging performances for resisting low temperature of Lava Frame, Cercon Smart, and Upcera Yttria-stabilized zirconia core materials, via analyzing the micro and the crystal phases of the materials, and measure the three-point bending strength and the fracture toughness.

METHODSThe three zirconia green bodies were prepared as 60 test samples for three-point bending strength and as 60 test samples for fracture toughness. The test samples for three-point bending strength and fracture toughness were assigned to five groups and were treated respectively for 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 hours to observe the micro and the crystal phases of the test samples. Then the three-point bending strength and fracture toughness were tested by X-ray diffraction (XRD).

RESULTSThe m phase content of Lava Frame was raised from 7.70% to 13.01%; the m phase content of Cercon Smart was raised from 4.95% to 8.53%; and Lava Frame is raised from 10.84% to 35.18%. The three-point bending strengths of the three zirconia core materials were higher than 1100 MPa and the fracture toughness was higher than 3 MPa·m(1/2). The three-point bending strength and the fracture toughness of Upcra zirconia decreased the most, followed by Lava Frame, and then by Cercon Smart.

CONCLUSIONThe aging resistance sequences of the three zirconia core materials are, from strong to weak, Cercon Smart, Lava Frame, and Upcera.

Ceramics ; chemistry ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Temperature ; X-Ray Diffraction ; Yttrium ; chemistry ; Zirconium ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDAn increasing incidence of Crohn's disease has been found in China in recent years. Our study has been focused on evaluating the diversity of the clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease in order to improve early diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic efficacy.

METHODSThirty patients with active Crohn's disease were enrolled and their clinical data, including diagnostic and therapeutic results, were analyzed. Endoscopy combined with histological examination of biopsy specimens provided characteristic features of the disease. Transabdominal bowel sonography (TABS) was used for detecting intestinal complications. Nutritional supportive therapy was given to 20 subjects with active cases of the disease.

RESULTSMost patients were young adults with a higher proportion of females to males (ratio: 1.14:1). The disease affects any segment or a combination of segments along with the alimentary tract (from the mouth to the anus). In this study, the colon and small bowel were the major sites involved. Recurrent episodes of abdominal pain in the right lower quadrant and watery diarrhea were the most common symptoms. Granulomas were identifiable in nearly one-third (30.8%) of all biopsy specimens. In moderate cases of the disease, remission was achieved more quickly through the use of oral prednisone therapy than with SASP or 5-ASA. Beneficial effects on the host's nutritional status were observed. Immunosuppressives were used on an individual basis and showed variable therapeutic effects. Sixteen patients had surgery due to intestinal obstruction or failure to respond to drug therapies. Rapid improvement after surgery was reported.

CONCLUSIONEndoscopy (with biopsy) and TABS were both crucial procedures for diagnosis. SASP (or 5-ASA) and prednisone were effective as inductive therapies. Azathioprine has demonstrable benefits after induction therapy with prednisone. Surgery, as an alternative treatment, provided another effective choice in selected patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Azathioprine ; therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Child ; Crohn Disease ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mesalamine ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; administration & dosage ; Sulfasalazine ; administration & dosage ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of gradually induced occlusal disorders on the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) of condylar cartilage in rat.

METHODSThe model of gradually induced occlusal disorders was established in rat. The expression of bFGF was examined by SABC technique of immunohistochemistry. The expression of bFGF was analyzed by amount of positive cells.

RESULTSbFGF was expressed positively in the proliferative cell layer, maturative layer and hypertrophical cell layer in the rat mandibular condyle cartilage. In control group, expression of bFGF increased from 2-week-old to 6-week-old, then it had a decrease during experiment. Compared with the control group, bFGF of experiment group was increasing at 2 week, 6 week and 8 week during experiment. But there was decreaseing at 4 week. There was no difference between young experiment group and the adult experiment group.

CONCLUSIONThe gradually induced occlusal disorders may lead to significant increase of expressiong of bFGF in condyle cartilage, which suggests that the bFGF may be involve in the procedure of repairing process of articular cartilage.

Animals ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; Mandibular Condyle ; Rats

OBJECTIVEThis article was to study the effect of induced occlusal disorders and removed occlusal disorders on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) of condylar cartilage.

METHODSYoung and adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided respectively into induced occlusal disorders group, removed occlusal disorders group and control group, 3 rats every group. For induced occlusal disorders rats, the elastic rubbers were inserted between the first and second molar in the left upper side and right lower side to form the disordered occlusion. They were killed under anaesthesia 8 weeks after the treatment. For removed occlusal disorders rats, the first molars that caused disordered occlusion were extracted 6 weeks after forming disordered occlusion. 2 weeks later, they were killed under anaesthesia. For normal rats, they were killed at the same time with experimental rats. Hibateral temporomandibular joints of each rat were removed and stained with HE and monoclone antibody of BMP-2. The thickness of condylar cartilage was measured. The expression of BMP-2 in condylar cartilage was detected by half-quantity immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTSFor adult induced occlusal disorders group, the thickness of cartilage in intermediate part of condyle decreased. However, it increased in the posterior part. After removing occlusal disorders, the thickness of posterior condylar cartilage returned to normal level. But it was still thinner than control group in the intermediate part. The expression of BMP-2 in anterior, intermediate, posterior part of condylar cartilage of young induced occlusal disorders group was higher than that of young removed occlusal disorders group expression of BMP-2 showed induced occlusal disorders group was higher than removed occlusal disorders group, which was higher than control group. and control group. No difference of the expression of BMP-2 was found in young removed occlusal disorders group and control group. For the expression of BMP-2 in intermediate part of condylar cartilage, both adult induced and removed occlusal disorders groups were higher than adult control group. For the posterior part of adult condyle cartilage, the expression of BMP-2 showed induced occlusal disorders group was higher than removed occlusal disorders group, which was higher than control group.

CONCLUSIONInduced occlusal disorders can lead higher expression of BMP-2 in condylar cartilage of young and adult rats. Adaptability of condylar cartilage of adult rats is weaker than young rats, especially the intermediate part.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Mandibular Condyle ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temporomandibular Joint

OBJECTIVEThe reporting of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) instrument development is vital for both researchers and clinicians to determine its validity, thus, we propose the Preferred Reporting Items for PRO Instrument Development (PRIPROID) to improve the quality of reports.

METHODSAbiding by the guidance published by the Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research (EQUATOR) Network, we had performed 6 steps for items development: identified the need for a guideline, performed a literature review, obtained funding for the guideline initiative, identified participants, conducted a Delphi exercise and generated a list of PRIPROID items for consideration at the face-to-face meeting.

RESULTSTwenty three items subheadings under 7 topics were included: title and structured abstract, rationale, objectives, intention, eligibility criteria, conceptual framework, items generation, response options, scoring, times, administrative modes, burden assessment, properties assessment, statistical methods, participants, main results, and additional analysis, summary of evidence, limitations, clinical attentions, and conclusions, item pools or final form, and funding.

CONCLUSIONSThe PRIPROID contains many elements of the PRO research, and this assists researchers to report their results more accurately and to a certain degree use this instrument to evaluate the quality of the research methods.

Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Research Report ; Research Support as Topic ; Treatment Outcome