BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that exogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has intensive effects to promote proliferation of gingival fibroblasts (GFs) cultured in vitro and the heeling of gingival wounds. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of bFGF gene transfection on the biological performance of Beagle canine GFs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An observation and comparison in vitro experiment regarding cells was accomplished in Centre of Cell Biology and Development of Fujian Medical University and Department of Comparative Medicine in Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA from April to September of 2008. MATERIALS: Four beagle dogs, male, 12 months old, weighing 10-13 kg were used in this experiment, plRES2-EGFP-bFGF plasmid containing full-length human bFGF gene cDNA was constructed and conserved by our institution. METHODS: Free gingiva of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th premolars were excised from left upper jaw of Beagle dogs, dnsed with aseptic phosphate buffer four times, then cut into pieces and digested with 2.5 g/L pancreetin for 2 hours at 37 ℃. After the cantrifugation and supernatant removal, DMEM containing 10% fetal bovine serum was added to incubate on 6-well plate with coverlips in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 ℃. Logadthrnically growing cells were digested and passaged. GFs were transfected with pIRES2-EGFP-bFGF plasmid using liposome mediated method, while vacant plasmid transfection and un-transfection group served as controls.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proliferation and apoptosis feature of the GFs were evaluated by M'rE and AOEB, respectively. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was assayed by chemical coledmetry. RESULTS: All of three groups cells entered log phrase on three days after transfection. MTT results showed that the proliferation of GFs transfected with bFGF was greater than cells transfected with vacant vector and untransfected cells (P < 0.05). AO/EB dyeing showed the apoptosis rate of GFs transfected with bFGF was reduced compared with other two groups (P < 0.05). After bGFG gene transfection, the ALP activity remained unchanged and there was no significant difference compared with untransfected cells.CONCLUSION: The transfection of bFGF gene to GFs can promote the proliferation of GFs and depress the apoptosis. No promotion is present with regard to the GFs differentiation.

Objective To understand the cross-resistance of Culex pipiens pallens to common pesticides,so as to provide the evidence for improving the application of chemical pesticides. Methods The IV instar larvae of DDVP-resistant,propoxur-resistant and cypermethrin-resistant strains as well as the sensitive strain of Culex pipiens pallens were collected to detect the re-sistance to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin based on the WHO bioassay method. Results The resistance coefficients of DDVP-resistant strain to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin were 14.47,8.96 and 207.27 respectively. The resistance coeffi-cients of propoxur-resistant strain to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin were 3.27,6.93 and 8.65 respectively. The resistance coefficients of cypermethrin-resistant strain to DDVP,propoxur and cypermethrin were 2.93,1.61 and 501.11 respectively. Con-clusion The resistance and cross-resistance could be generated during the long-term application of a single kind of chemical pesticide,and we should pay more attention to the varieties and dosages of them.

Objective To retrospectively review the PET/CT imaging features of sarcoidosis and improve the diagnostic accuracy of this benign disease.Methods The PET/CT imaging characteristics and clinical data, including lesion size, distribution, standardized uptake value (SUV) and the ratio of misdiagnosis, of 11 sarcoidosis patients (5 confirmed pathologically and 6 clinically) were retrospectively analyzed.Results (1) Eleven patients had lymph node involvement:mediastinum and hilar lymphadenopathy in 11/11, supraclavicular fossa lymphadenopathy in 8/11, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy in 8/11, pelvic cavity lymphadenopathy in 3/11.(2) Extrathoracic lesions were found in 7/11 with 4 lung involvement, 2 liver involvement, 1 parotid gland and temporalis involvement and 1 bilateral iliac and sacral bone involvement.(3) The size of the lesions ranged from 1.0 to 4.6 cm and the CT density ranged from 30 to 40 HU.The lesions in the lung are hypodense and in the liver are slightly hypo-or iso-dense.18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake of all lesions was definitely increased in 6 cases; 18F-FDG uptake of some lesions was moderately or definitely increased in 2 cases, and slightly increased uptake in 3 cases.(4) The PET/CT diagnosis was consistent with the final diagnosis in 6/11.The 5 cases of misdiagnosis were malignant lymphoma (4/11) and lung cancer ( 1/11 ).Conclusions Differentiation between sarcoidosis and lymphoma in patients presenting with hilar lynphadenopathy can be difficult.Whole-body PET/CT may be helpful in the differentiation of the two diseases.

Objective Selecting Tibetan ancestry informative SNPs base on high-altitude adaptation genes of Tibetan. Methods We developed a multiplex assay constituted of 87 SNPs located on EPAS1 and EGLN1 genes based on Agena Mas-sARRAY? genotyping system. 183 samples from Tibet plateau were genotyped. The genotypes of 2504 samples from 26 populations were downloaded from the 1000 genomes. Genetic frequency and population structure were analyzed and compared between Tibetan population and worldwide populations. Results SNPs that have distinctive distribution between Tibetan and other populations could be used as Tibetan AISNPs (Ancestry informative SNPs). We selected 23 SNPs has a separated principal genetic component in STRUCTURE result. Conclusion These 23 AISNPs we selected could be combined into ancestry informative SNP panels to improve the resolution of ancestry inference in East Asian, and provide clues for cases of biological material ancestry inference.

Objective The detection of malignant lymphoma with invasion in liver and spleen using PET/CT has not been well documented in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of PET/CT in this regard and to compare it with plain CT. Methods Forty-one pathologically confirmed malignant lymphoma patients with liver and spleen invasion were recruited into this study. Among all patients, there were 38 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and 1 gastric mucosa associated lymphoma. PET/CT imaging was recorded 1h after injection of 296～444 MBq 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Results (1) There were 30(30/41) patients with liver invasion, including hepatic nodules, mass and portal nodes. The mass was large to invade surrounding liver parenchyma. (2) There were 23(23/41) patients with spleen invasion. The spleen was enlarged and demonstrated diffused hyper-metabolism. (3) Other invasion included: lung (n=13), cortical bone and marrow (n=12), stomach (n=9), pleural (n=6), and subcutaneous soft tissue (n=5) and so on. Conclusion PET/CT could accurately diagnose the invasion in liver and spleen of malignant lymphoma, which was of potential role on the diagnosis and staging of lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among perceived stress,sleep and fatigue status; and to analyze the effect of sleep status in mediating and regulating perceived stress and fatigue status in soldiers that were acutely exposed to high altitude for the first time. METHODS: A total of 700 soldiers that were acutely exposed to high altitude for the first time were investigated with convenient sampling. They were evaluated using Perceived Stress Scale,Sleep Status Self-evaluation Test,and Fatigue Scale-14. The mediating effect was analyzed by structural equation model,and the moderating effect was analyzed by hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The total score of fatigue among soldiers that often took part in recreational activities was significant lower than that who did not( P < 0. 01). The total score of fatigue among soldiers that had training injury was significant higher than that who had not( P < 0. 01). The total score of fatigue among soldiers that had high training expectations was significant higher than that that didn't have high training expectations( P < 0. 01). Sleep status,sense of overload and training expectations had remarkable predicting effect on fatigue status among soldiers that were acutely exposed to high altitude for the first time( P < 0. 01). Sleeping status has a complete mediating effect on the sense of prediction,sense of overload and fatigue status( P < 0. 01),and has a moderating effect on the sense of control,sense of overload and fatigue status( P < 0. 01). CONCLUSION:s Perceived stress and sleeping status had close relationship with fatigue status among soldiers that were acute exposed to high altitude for the first time. Sleeping status has intermediary and regulating effect between senses of overload and fatigue state.

OBJECTIVESTo study the relationship between promoter methylation and mRNA expressions of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 genes in human glioma, and to analyze the regulation mechanism of promoter methylation in the progression of glioma.

METHODSThe promoter methylation of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 was studied by a methylation specific PCR in 88 primary astrocytoma, 10 normal brain tissues and 2 glioma cell lines. The mRNA expressions were detected by real-time PCR in 30 primary glioma and 10 normal brain tissues. The correlations of their promoter methylation, mRNA expressions and clinicopathologic characteristics were analyzed. The promoter methylation were also detected in U251 and SHG-44 cell lines.

RESULTSThe promoter methylation of EMP3 was detected in 42 tumors (47.7%) and the methylation of PCDH-gamma-A11 was detected in 76 tumors (86.4%). Their mRNA expressions were all significantly decreased in different pathological grade astrocytomas compared to the normal brain tissues (P < 0.01). Their expressions were suppressed but could be reactivated by 5-aza-deoxycytidine in U251 and SHG-44 cell lines.

CONCLUSIONSThe promoter methylation of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 genes may lead to the down-regulation of their mRNA levels in glioma. The promoter methylation and mRNA expressions of EMP3 and PCDH-gamma-A11 are closely related with the malignant development of glioma. The promoter methylation of the two genes may provide clues to evaluation of glioma malignancy as well as its prognosis. It also gives us an insight for future glioma medical therapy with a demethylating agent.

Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; Cadherins ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Methylation ; Glioma ; genetics ; Humans ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between pathological characteristics of target organs and excess evil syndrome in IgA nephropathy.

METHODSData were collected in multicenter cooperation. Totally 266 IgA nephropathy patients were typed into exogenous wind-heat affection syndrome (49 cases), lower energizer damp-heat syndrome (100 cases), damp-phlegm syndrome (43 cases), and blood stasis syndrome (74 cases). Meanwhile, percutaneous renal biopsy was performed in all patients for Hass classification, Oxford classification, Katafuchi integral, and Jiang's classification methods. The correlation between excess evil syndrome and pathological index was analyzed.

RESULTSFour syndrome types were correlated with their Hass levels (r = 0. 341, P <0. 01). Affection of exogenous wind-heat syndrome was correlated with segmental proliferation of endothelial cells and damaged active lesions of segmental capillary loops. Lower-energizer damp-heat syndrome was associated with Hass III level, destroying active lesions of capillary loops, segmental proliferation of endothelial cells, glomerular segmental lesions, focal interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, focal interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Blood stasis syndrome was associated with Hass IV level, glomerular sclerosis, segmental glomerulosclerosis (S)/adhesion, mesangial hypercellularity (M), angiohyalinosis, multi-foci interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells, multi-foci interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Phlegm-damp syndrome had higher proportions of Hass I and III levels, but with no association with other pathological parameters.

CONCLUSIONSExcess evil syndrome was associated with partial pathological characteristics of IgA nephropathy. It could reflect pathological damage degree of target organs, activities, chronic lesions, and prognosis of IgA nephropathy to certain extent. Correlated pathological characteristics and its evolution could indicate excess evil syndrome types and their evolution rules.

Capillaries ; Fibrosis ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; pathology ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Humans ; Kidney Glomerulus ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Prognosis ; Syndrome

OBJECTIVETo investigate preparation parameters of TiO2 nanotube layer with anodization, and to evaluate the osteoblast activity on TiO2 nanotube layer in vitro.

METHODSTitanium dioxide nanotube layer was grown using anodization method. TiO2 nanotube layers with different structure were obtained by controlling the voltage and time of anodization and rinsing process after anodization. Pure titanium without anodization was used as control. Osteoblasts were cultivated on the anodizated TiO2 nanotube, and the growth of osteoblasts was then evaluated and analyzed.

RESULTSThe voltage, duration of anodization and rinsing process following anodization were key factors to affect morphology of TiO2 nanotube layer. The area of osteoblast cultured on TiO2 nanotube layer was larger than that on pure titanium. Results from methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) test showed that the proliferation of osteoblasts after 96 h cultivation on TiO2 nanotube layer (0.62 +/- 0.02) was significantly higher than that on unanodizated titanium (0.55 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05). Three weeks later, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity on TiO2 nanotube layer [(130.8 +/- 5.1) A(405)/mg] was significantly higher than that on unanodizated titanium [(109.6 +/- 4.5) A(405)/mg, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSThe structure of TiO2 nanotube layer was greatly associated with anodization voltage. The TiO2 nanotube layer had a positive effect on osteoblast behavior.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Nanotubes ; chemistry ; Osteoblasts ; cytology ; physiology ; Titanium ; chemistry