OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 21 (rhFGF21) on the proliferation and mineralization of cementoblasts and its mechanism. METHODS: Hematoxylin eosin, immunohistochemical staining, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression and distribution of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in rat periodontal tissues and cementoblasts (OCCM-30), separately. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the proliferation of OCCM-30 under treatment with rhFGF21. Alkaline phosphatase staining and Alizarin Red staining were used to detect the mineralization state of OCCM-30 after 3 and 7 days of mineralization induction. The transcription and protein expression of the osteogenic-related genes Runx2 and Osterix were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot analysis. The expression levels of genes of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in OCCM-30 were detected through PCR array analysis. RESULTS: FGF21 was expressed in rat periodontal tissues and OCCM-30. Although rhFGF21 had no significant effect on the proliferation of OCCM-30, treatment with 50 ng/mL rhFGF21 could promote the mineralization of OCCM-30 cells after 7 days of mineralization induction. The transcriptional levels of Runx2 and Osterix increased significantly at 3 days of mineralization induction and decreased at 5 days of mineralization induction. Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression levels of Runx2 and Osterix increased during mineralization induction. rhFGF21 up-regulated Bmpr1b protein expression in cells. CONCLUSIONS rhFGF21 can promote the mineralization ability of OCCM-30. This effect is related to the activation of the TGFβ/BMP signaling pathway.
Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; Dental Cementum ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology*

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of subjective cognitive decline(SCD)in resting-state by using regional homogeneity(ReHo)and functional connectivity(FC)in SCD patients.Methods:Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(RS-fMRI)was performed in 25 SCD patients and 30 normal controls matched by sex, education and nationality.DPARSFA2.3 and SPM8 software were used to analyze and screen the brain areas with abnormal ReHo values in SCD group, with the posterior cingulated(PCC)/paruneus as seed points for whole-brain FC analysis.Results:Compared with the normal control group, the SCD group showed that ReHo values of right occipital gyrus and left precuneus were increased, and ReHo values of right inferior temporal gyrus, right orbital inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral thalamus were decreased(Voxel level, Alphasim correction, P<0.05). Using PCC/ precuneus as seed voxels, the whole brain functional connectivity analysis showed that the functional connectivity with cerebelum Crus 2 R was increased, and the functional connectivity with right orbital inferior frontal gyrus, left inferior temporal gyrus and temporal pole was reduced(Voxel level, Alphasim correction, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Default mode network may play an important role in the mechanism of SCD, and abnormalities in brain areas may first occur in PCC/precuneus.

Objective:To investigate regional homogeneity(ReHo)and whole brain functional connectivity(FC)in patients with mild cognitive impairment(MCI), and to explore the mechanisms of MCI in the resting state.Methods:Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(RS-fMRI)was performed on 24 patients with MCI and 30 age, gender and nationality-matched normal controls.Abnormal brain areas in the MCI group were screened and analyzed by using the DPARSFA2.3 and SPM8 software programs.Whole brain FC analysis was performed with the posterior cingulate cortex(PCC)/precuneus as the seed points.Results:Compared with the control group, MCI subjects displayed higher ReHo values in the frontal-middle-Left, precentral-Left, postcentral-Left, rolandic-opercular-Left, and frontal-inferior-opercular-Left and lower ReHo values in the temporal-superior-right, temporal-middle-right, postcentral-right, and temporal -pole -superior -right(Voxel level, Alphasim correction, P<0.05). Whole brain FC analysis showed greater functional connectivity of PCC/precuneus with fusiform-right, thalamus-right, lingual-right and parahippocampal-right in subjects with MCI, and less functional connectivity of the PCC/precuneus with temporal-middle-Left, angular-Left, temporal-superior-Left and occipital-middle-Left in subjects with MCI(Voxel level, Alphasim correction, P<0.05). Conclusions:Abnormalities of the default mode network may be associated with the onset of MCI, and abnormalities in posterior cingulate/precuneus connectivity may be helpful in finding imaging evidence with high sensitivity to MCI.

In this study, the HPLC-UV-MS method for the simultaneous determination of eight active ingredients of Shengxuebao Mixture were developed based on the concept of quality by design（QbD）with a stepwise optimization approach. After the analytical target profile（ATP）had been defined, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, 2, 3, 5, 4'-tetra-hydroxy-stilbene-2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, specnuezhenide, ecliptasaponin D, emodin, calycosin-7-glucoside, and astragaloside Ⅳ were identified as the indicator components. The resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio of indicator components were then selected as critical method attributes (CMA) for the first step optimization. According to the results collected from fractional factorial design, critical method parameters (CMP) were determined with a multiple linear regression method, which included the amount of acid addition in the mobile phase, temperature, gradient, and wavelength. After that, the amount of acid addition and the wavelength were optimized to improve the resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio of the indicator components. The peak symmetry factors of specnuezhenide and emodin were then set as CMA for the second step optimization. The Box-Behnken designed experiments were conducted. The temperature and gradient were optimized after modelling. The design space were calculated and verified. The optimized analytical method was validated, and the results showed a good precision, accuracy and stability, which means that it can be used for the quantification of the indicator components in Shengxuebao Mixture.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Mass Spectrometry ; Phytochemicals ; analysis ; Reproducibility of Results

Objective To investigate the mode and effects of clinical pharmacists participating in clinical treatment and providing pharmaceutical care. Methods The clinical pharmacists participated in the treatment of the case of thymoma complicated with pulmonary infection in respiratory intensive care unit (RICU),associated with the myasthenia gravis (MG), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and lower extremity deep vein thrombolysis (LEDVT),through adjustment of drug regimen, observation of curative effect,monitoring blood drug concentration and adverse reaction and interaction monitoring,which could give full play to the professional expertise of pharmacy,and contribute to the clinical rational drug use. Results For patients with impaired immune function complicated with pulmonary infection,the opportunistic infections require special attention,during the initial anti-infective therapy.When the patient was unable to tolerate high doses of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP),the clinical pharmacist recommended to use caspofungin for the combined treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia.When voriconazole and cyclosporine A (CsA) were used at the same time,the blood drug concentration of CsA would be increased,due to drug interactions probably.To solve the problem,clinical pharmacists recommended a temporary reduction in CsA dose. Conclusion Clinical pharmacists use pharmaceutical expertise to help optimize clinical treatment regimens,can improve the safety and effectiveness of drug treatment.

Objective: As solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) share the same molecular genetics features, the 2016 WHO classification of central nervous system (CNS) tumors had created the combined term SFT/HPC and assigns three grades. This study aims to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis of CNS SFT/HPC. Methods: Seventy-one cases of CNS SFT and HPC were retrospectively reclassified and studied. Histopathological, immunohistochemical and imaging features were analyzed. The follow-up data were analyzed. Results: There were 37 male and 34 female patients. The median age was 48 years (range, 3-77 years). Twelve cases (17%) were WHO grade Ⅰ, 26 (37%) were WHO grade Ⅱ and 33 (46%) were WHO grade Ⅲ. Microscopically the tumor could show traditional SFT phenotype, HPC phenotype or mixed phenotype. Immunochemically, 97%(69/71) were positive for STAT6, with 96%(66/69)showing diffuse strong staining. Approximately 90% were diffusely positive for bcl-2, CD99 and vimentin. The expression rate of CD34 decreased with increasing tumor grade, and the mean expression rate was 78%. SSTR2a was variably expressed in 10% (7/71) of cases including one case showing strong cytoplasmic staining. A few cases expressed EMA, CD57 and S-100 focally. The Ki-67 index ranged from 1% to 50%. Thirty four patients were followed up for 8-130 months; 12 patients(35%)had recurrences, and two (6%) had liver metastases. Conclusions CNS SFT/HPC is relatively uncommon. There was significant morphological overlap or transition between different grades. STAT6 is a specific marker for the diagnosis of this tumor. Surgical resection is the preferred treatment. WHO grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ SFT/HPC show rates of local recurrence and systemic metastasis, with liver being the most common site of extracranial metastasis.

Purpose To investigate the expression pattern and c1inicopatho1ogica1 significance of D2-40 in craniopharyngioma( CP). Methods Immunohistochemica1 method was used to assess D2-40 expression in 126 cases of craniopharyngioma. Statistic software was used to ana1yze the corre1ation between D2-40 expression and c1inicopatho1ogica1 features. Results The overa11 positive rate of D2-40 expression in 126 craniopharyngioma was 87. 30%. The rate of +, and  were 44. 44%( 56/126 ),37. 30%( 47/126 )and 5. 56%(7/126)respective1y. In adamantinomatous CPs,D2-40 expression was observed in epithe1ia1 components corresponding to the stratum intermedium,whi1e in papi11ary CPs,it was immuno-positive in basa1 ce11s. With the increasing of the existence of inf1amma-tion in tumor,D2-40 expression was up-regu1ated. Tumor ce11s were over-expressed for D2-40 in basa1 ce11s and stratum intermedium ce11s of the invasive frontier. D2-40 expression was higher in the invasive craniopharyngioma than in the non-invasive craniopharyngio-ma. In addition,D2-40 expression was higher in the recurrent craniopharyngioma than in the non-recurrent craniopharyngioma. There were no significant re1ationship between D2-40 expression and gender,and histo1ogica1 c1assification of tumors. Conclusions D2-40 expression is associated with the deve1opment of craniopharyngioma,which can 1ead to enhance the tumor ce11 invasion,and may be re-1ated to inf1ammation-re1ated mechanisms. D2-40 expression may be one of the recurrence factors in patients with craniopharyngioma.

OBJECTIVETo describe the distribution of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in urine samples of generalpopulation in eight provinces of China, to analyze their characteristics of distribution between different region, gender and age-cohorts, and to provide the baseline of themetabolites in the general population.

METHODSFrom 2009 to 2010, 18 120 subjects from the general population aged from 6 to 60 years old were recruited from 24 areas among 8 provinces of China mainland by random sampling. The environmental and physical condition characteristics were collected from questionnaires, and urine samples were collected at the mean time. The levels of Zn and Cu in urine were measured using ICP-MS. Data were analyzed by statistical methods to compare the distribution characteristics of Zn and Cu among populations with different ages and genders.

RESULTSTotally, the median of Cu and Zn in urine were 9.28 and 115.47 µg/L respectively; and the inter-quartile range of Cu and Zn were 2.66-16.09 and 35.32-265.15 µg/L respectively. The median of Cu in male and female were 9.90 and 8.60 µg/L (Z=-5.63, P<0.001), and Zn in male and female were 140.44 and 95.27 µg/L (Z=-14.79, P<0.001). The median of Cu among the groups aged 6-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-45 and 46-60 years old were 9.30, 10.14, 9.67, 9.33, 8.38 and 8.74 µg/L (χ2=70.94, P<0.001), respectively, and the median of Zn 130.83, 132.07, 139.34, 109.3, 78.74 and 109.51 µg/L ((χ2=146.00, P<0.001), respectively.There was statistically significant differences in urinary Cu and Zn levels between male and female, and among the different age groups.

CONCLUSIONThe Cu and Zn levels and distribution in urine among general population between 2009 and 2010 in China were reported in this article. These basic data in China will provide scientific and reliable reference for further scientific research.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Child ; China ; Copper ; urine ; Environment ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Zinc ; urine

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in whole blood among general population from 8 provinces in China, and to analyze the characteristics of distribution among different regions.

METHODSThis cross-sectional study was performed in 8 provinces from eastern, middle and western China between 2009 and 2010, including 13 110 subjects from 24 regions, and the blood and urine samples were collected. The ICP-MS was applied to test the content of ICP-MS in blood samples, and the results were used to analyze the characteristics of contents and distributions of Zn and Cu among population from different ages, genders and regions groups.

RESULTSTotally, the mean (95%CI) contents of Cu and Zn in blood were 795 (791-799)µg/L and 3 996(3 976-4 015) µg/L, respectively. The characteristics of distribution of Cu content were as followed, the content of males were lower than it of females (male:767 µg/L; female: 822 µg/L, t = -13.302, P < 0.01). The contents of blood Cu in groups of people aging 6-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-45 and 46-60 years old were separately 860(853-868), 758(748-769), 734(728-734), 782(774-790), 811(795-827) and 820(815-826) µg/L. The differences showed statistical significance (F = 78.77, P < 0.01). The blood Cu content of people in eastern China (800µg/L) were also significantly higher than it in middle (774 µg/L)and western China (782 µg/L) (F = 10.94, P < 0.01). Distribution of blood Zn content showed characteristics as follows: the Zn content was higher in males than in females (male 4 085 µg/L and female 3 908 µg/L, t = 8.78, P < 0.01). The contents of blood Zn in groups of people aging 6-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-45 and 46-60 years old were separately 3 306 (3 261-3 350), 3 888 (3 839-3 937), 3 948 (3 902-3 994), 4 272(4 228-4 315), 4 231(4 180-4 281) and 4 250 (4 205-4 294)µg/L, which showed significant statistical differences (F = 233.68, P < 0.01). The blood Zn content of people in eastern China (3 938 µg/L) were significantly lower than it in middle (4 237 µg/L)and western China (4 105 µg/L) (F = 53.16, P < 0.01). In addition, the study also compared the relation between content of Cu and Zn and the frequency of eating seafood. The results found that the frequency of eating seafood could influence the content of Cu and Zn (Cu: F = 13.54, P < 0.01; Zn: F = 200.20, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe contents and distributions of Cu and Zn in blood differs among people from different groups in ages, genders and regions. The baseline data of this study provided reliable scientific evidence for further research.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Copper ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Zinc ; blood