asic life care should be carried out immediately.

Objective To investigate the value of urine L-type fatty acid-binding protein (uL-FABP) and uric neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL), and predict the value of poor outcomes (injury progression,dialysis,or death within 7 days ) in critically ill patients with early acute kidney injury (AKI) at time of nephropathy consultation. Methods One hundred and twenty-five patients with evidence of the AKIN criteria stage1 AKI were enrolled in this study. At time of nephropathy consultation , urinary samples were collected. The levels of uL-FABP and uNGAL were measured. Each marker was assessed for its predictive value using an area under the receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC-AUC) to predict AKI prognosis. Results Twenty-eight patients developed poor outcome. It was 0.81 in ROC-AUC in uL-FABP , in,which it could be improved to 0.83 when combined with APACHEⅡscore (0.75 in ROC-AUC). The ROC-AUC of uNGAL was 0.66, in which it could not impove its predictive power significantly when combined with APACHEⅡscore. Conclusion Among critically ill patients with early AKI , uL-FABP provided an independent and prognostic power when combined with APACHEⅡscore and the level of uL-FABP at time of nephropathy consultation helps to predict clinical outcome in critically ill patients with early AKI.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between a polymorphism of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase with Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) in Chinese population.

METHODSThe polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique was used to detect a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs1801131, at the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene in both 158 patients with NSCL/P and 192 healthy individuals. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for genotypic distributions was estimated by the goodness-of-fit test. The UNPHASED program was applied to perform the association analysis.

RESULTSThe genotypic distribution of A1298C was not deviated from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both controls and patients. No association was found between cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) and controls. There was significant difference of cleft palate only (CPO) and the healthy individuals (χ(2) = 4.256, P = 0.039). The frequency of AC + CC genotype was higher in control group than that in CPO group (OR = 0.8, 95%CI = 0.381 - 1.683), 26 among 100 healthy individuals carried AC + CC genetypes, which were carried by 22% of CPO patients.

CONCLUSIONSThe polymorphism of MTHFR A1298C may be involved in the occurrence of non-syndromic cleft palate only in Chinese population.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Lip ; genetics ; Cleft Palate ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) and several fluoride products in inhibiting enamel demineralization.

METHODSSeventy healthy premolars extracted before orthodontic treatment were divided into seven groups (A: CPP-ACP; B: CPP-ACP + fluoride mouth rinses; C: fluoride mouth rinses; D: fluoride glass ionomer protection; E: fluoride resin binder; F: fluoride varnish; G: control group). There were ten samples in each group. The teeth were dipped into an artificial caries solution ten minutes at a time, then applied separately with CPP-ACP, CPP-ACP + fluoride mouth rinses, fluoride mouth rinses, fluoride glass ionomer protection, fluoride resin binder and fluoride varnish on labial enamel. The samples were dipped into an artificial saliva solution (37°C). Then all samples were examined with atomic force microscope (AFM) at the end of first, second and third monthes.

RESULTSAt the end of the first month, surface roughness in group D [(114 ± 1) nm] was significantly lower than that in group G[(172 ± 9) nm]. At the end of the second month and the third month, significant difference was found in surface roughness between group G and the rest of groups (P < 0.05); between group B and the rest of groups; and between group C and groups (D, E and F).

CONCLUSIONSCPP-ACP and fluoride could both inhibit enamel demineralization in vitro. Solid fluoride (groups D, E and F) had better results than liquid fluoride (group C).

Adolescent ; Bicuspid ; ultrastructure ; Caseins ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Dental Enamel ; ultrastructure ; Fluorides ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; Random Allocation ; Tooth Demineralization ; prevention & control ; Tooth Remineralization

OBJECTIVETo assess factors predisposing to proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODSA case-control study was conducted on two groups of patients with type 2 diabetes without proteinuria (urine protein < 300 mg/24 h, n = 106) and with proteinuria (urine protein >or= 500 mg/24 h, n = 106). The two groups were matched by age (+/- 3 years), sex, race and place of residence. Information on these subjects including demography, history of disease, family history of diseases, lifestyle and behavioral variables, were obtained through questionnaire. Variables including blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), quantity of protein in 24-h urine were measured. Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis was then performed.

RESULTSFactors that were independently associated with the development of proteinuria, would include occupation, diabetic duration, glycemic control, hypertension, duration of hypertension and daily intake of vegetable after diagnosis of DM. Their corresponding odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 2.429 (1.299 - 4.542), 1.078 (1.029 - 1.131), 2.316 (1.341 - 3.998), 1.810 (1.059 - 3.092), 1.043 (1.012 - 1.074) and 0.551 (0.334 - 0.907), respectively, while the presence of proteinuria was not associated with family history of DM, family history of hypertension, certain dietary habits and smoking habit. Multivariate logistic regression model was then fitted with three variables, including diabetic duration, glycemic control and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of proteinuria in labor workers was higher than that in intellectuals. Longer history of diabetic duration, poor glycemic control, hypertension and longer duration of hypertension all independently contributed to the development of proteinuria. The risk of proteinuria decreased with increasing daily intake of vegetables after the patients being diagnosed as having DM.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Proteinuria ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between STXBP1 gene mutations and refractory seizures with unknown causes in newborns.

METHODSThe coding region of STXBP1 gene was detected using direct Sanger sequencing in 11 newborns with refractory seizures of unknown causes.

RESULTSSTXBP1 gene mutation was found in 1 out of 11 patients. It was a missense mutation: c.1439C>T (p.P480L).

CONCLUSIONSSTXBP1 gene mutation can be found in neonatal refractory seizures of unknown causes, suggesting a new approach of further research of this disease.

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Munc18 Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Seizures ; genetics

Based on the typical characteristics of existing incentive and regulation in the pharmaceutical industry in China,the innovation incentive policy of the pharmaceutical industry can be divided into two types:incentive policy,and regulatory policy.This paper reviewed the research progress on the influence of price regulation policy,health insurance payment policy,centralized procurement regulation and incentive policy on the innovation of pharmaceutical industry.The present paper puts also forward the future research direction.Based on the literature review,it has been found that the futnre researches in this field should be based on the management practice situation in China,and make a breakthrough from the following three aspects-asymmetric information,comprehensive action mechanism from variable policy instruments,and introduction of new research paradigm.This research provides a theoretical reference for the research and decision-making of the innovation incentive policy in the pharmaceutical industry.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of systematic administration of simvastatin on the bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) expression in the periodontal tissue after rat tooth movement and on the relapse of tooth movement.

METHODSOrthodontic tooth movement of upper first molar was performed in 32 rats with coil spring for 21 days. The 32 rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups: negative control group (isotonic saline) and three experimental groups (2.5 mg x kg(-1), 5.0 mg x kg(-1) and 10.0 mg x kg(-1)). The simvastatin started to be administered to the experimental groups 1 day before appliances were removed, and once a day there after for 4 weeks. The negative control group received the isotonic saline only. The interdental distance between the first and second maxillary molars were measured, when appliances were removed, and 1 week and 4 weeks after that. After the rats were sacrificed, sections of first maxillary molar and periodontal tissue were studied by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe number and percentage of relapse was lower in the three experimental groups than in the negative control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The lower dose was given, the less relapse there was, with the lowerest dose resulting in lowest percentage of relapse (26.81% and 53.38%). BMP-2 expression in experimental groups was higher than in the negative control group, with the lowerest dose group showing the highest expression (P < 0.001). The BMP-2 expression on the tension side was slightly stronger than that on the compression side (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSystemic administration of simvastatin could decrease the extent of relapse of the orthodontic-moved tooth in rat, and the lower-dose of simvastatin seemed more effective. The possible mechanism for this may be that simvastatin functions by increasing the expression of BMP-2 in the periodontal tissue, accelerating the osteoblast activity and promoting bone formation.

Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; metabolism ; Male ; Periodontium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology ; Tooth Movement Techniques

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in the proliferation and synthetic function of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLF) in response to dynamic mechanical strains of different modes, magnitudes and durations.

METHODSUsing a 4-point bending system, the effect of dynamic mechanical strains of different modes, magnitudes and durations on the proliferation of HPDLF was investigated by analyzing the cell cycle changes with flow cytometry (FCM), and the total protein level and the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in HPDLF were assayed by quantitative analysis.

RESULTSThe percentage of G(0)/G(1) cell decreased, S phase cells increased, and the proliferation index (PI), total protein level and activity of ALP were augmented significantly in response to dynamic mechanical micro-strains. These changes showed close correlations to the magnitude and duration of the strain. The mode of strain caused significant changes in G(0)/G(1), S, and G(2)/M phase cell percentages as well as the PI, total protein level and ALP activity of the cells. In the gradient strain group, the cell proliferation activity, total protein level and ALP activity were obviously higher than those in 1000 and 4000 microstrain groups.

CONCLUSIONThe changes in the proliferation and synthetic function of HPDLF are closely correlated to the mode, magnitude and duration of the strains.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; Proteins ; analysis ; Stress, Mechanical

The effects of the concentration of sulfuric acid and the ratio of liquid to solid on xylose yield from sugar cane bagasse in its hemicellulose hydrolysis process were studied with the Quadratic Rotary Combination Design. Regression analysis showed that there was a marked regression relationship between the two factors and xylose yield. As the result of optimizing the hydrolysis conditions by regression equation, xylose yield of 24 g/100 g sugar cane bagasse was obtained when sulfuric acid concentration was 2.4 g/L and liquid to solid ratio was 6.2 under the conditions of stream pressure of 2.5 x 10(4) Pa and hydrolysis time of 2.5 h. The macroporous resin adsorption was proved to be a good method to reduce the concentration of yeast cell growth inhibitor in sugar cane bagasse hemicellulose hydrolysate and to enhance the hydrolysate fermentability. The hydrolysate treated with macroporous resin adsorption under pH2 was used as the substrate for xylitol production by a xylitol-producting yeast, Candida tropicalis AS2.1776. At an initial xylose concentration of 200 g/L, all xylose was consumed within 110 h with a xylitol production rate of 1.15 g/L.h, and a xylitol yield of 0.64 g/g xylose.
Candida tropicalis ; metabolism ; Cellulose ; metabolism ; Fermentation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydrolysis ; Polysaccharides ; metabolism ; Regression Analysis ; Saccharum ; metabolism ; Xylitol ; biosynthesis