Sialolithiasis occurs in approximately 0.45% to 1.20% of the general population. The typical clinical symptom manifests as a painful swelling of the affected glands after a meal or upon salivary stimulation, which extremely affects the life quality of the patients. With the development of sialendoscopy and lithotripsy, most sialoliths can be successfully removed with preservation of the gland. However, sialoliths in the deep hilar-parenchymal submandibular ducts and impacted parotid stones located in the proximal ducts continue to pose great challenges. Our research center for salivary gland diseases (in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology) has used sialendoscopy for 17 years and treated >2 000 patients with salivary gland calculi. The success rate was approximately 92% for submandibular gland calculi and 95% for parotid calculi. A variety of minimally invasive surgical techniques have been applied and developed, which add substantial improvements in the treatment of refractory sialolithiasis. Further, the radiographic positioning criteria and treatment strategy are proposed for these intractable stones. Most of the hilar-parenchymal submandibular stones are successfully removed by a transoral approach, including transoral duct slitting and intraductal basket grasping, while a small portion of superficial stones can be removed by a mini-incision in submandibular area. Impacted stones located in the distal third of parotid gland ducts are removed via "peri-ostium incision", which is applied to avoid a cicatricial stenosis from a direct ostium incision. Impacted parotid stones located in the middle and proximal third of the Stensen's duct are removed via a direct mini-incision or a peri-auricular flap. A direct transcutaneous mini-incision is commonly performed under local anesthesia with an imperceptible scar, and is indicated for most of impacted stones located in the middle third, hilum and intraglandular ducts. By contrast, a peri-auricular flap is performed under general anesthesia with relatively larger operational injury of the gland parenchyma, and should be best reserved for deeper intraglandular stones. Laser lithotripsy has been applied in the treatment of sialolithiasis in the past decade, and holmium ∶YAG laser is reported to have the best therapeutic effects. During the past 3 years, our research group has performed laser lithotripsy for a few cases with intractable salivary stones. From our experiences, withdrawal of the endoscopic tip 0.5-1.0 cm away from the extremity of the laser fiber, consistent saline irrigation, and careful monitoring of gland swelling are of vital importance for avoidance of injuries of the ductal wall and the vulnerable endoscope lens during lithotripsy. Larger calculi require multiple treatment procedures. The risk of ductal stenosis can be alleviated by endoscopic dilation. In summary, appropriate use of various endoscopy-assisted lithotomy helps preserve the gland function in most of the patients with refractory sialolithiasis. Further studies are needed in the following aspects: Transcervical removal of intraglandular submandibular stones, intraductal laser lithotripsy of impacted parotid stones and deep submandibular stones, evaluation of long-term postoperative function of the affected gland, et al.
Humans ; Salivary Gland Calculi/surgery* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Endoscopy ; Salivary Ducts/surgery* ; Lithotripsy ; Treatment Outcome

Abstract: The demand for reliable toxicological data of chemicals runs through every link of occupational health work. The prevention of occupational diseases involves high requirements for the standardization of chemical toxicity assessment in occupational health institutions. Good laboratory practice (GLP) emphasizes the integrity of the test process to trace and supervise the whole process of the test, which is conducive to the standardization of chemical toxicity identification. Therefore, the standardized construction of GLP laboratories is an important starting point for occupational health institutions to carry out chemical toxicity identification. In the construction and management process of GLP laboratories for chemical toxicity identification, occupational health institutions need to build a sound organization and operation system, carry out systematic training and assessment of personnel, establish standard operating norms and emphasize their importance, strengthen the management of facility environment and laboratory, pay attention to quality control and process supervision, and constantly improve their own ability level. To actively adapt to social development and market demand, to provide strong support for occupational health work.

Adult ; Aged ; Aqueous Humor ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunocompetence ; immunology ; Inflammation ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary tumor of the central nervous system and is associated with a very poor prognosis. No further improvements in outcomes have been reported since radiotherapy-temozolomide therapy was introduced.Therefore,de-veloping new agents to treat GBM is important. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of evodiamine (Evo) on GBM cells, and to determine the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS U251,LN229,HEB and PC12 cells were treated with various concentrations of evodiamine for 24 and 48 hours,cell viability was measured by MTT assay.The U251 and LN229 cells were treated with evo-diamine(0-10 μmol·L-1)for 24 h,and then stained with Hoechst 33258.An Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit was used to detect apoptosis in the cells.Reactive oxygen species(ROS)production was detected using dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) staining. The changes in mitochondrial mem-brane potential (MMP) were assessed by JC-1 after cells were treated with evodiamine. The expres-sion levels of p-PI3K,PI3K,p-Akt,Akt,Bax,Bcl-2,p-p38,p38,p-JNK,JNK,p-ERK,ERK,Cytochrome c, Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-3, PRAP, and cleaved PARP were measured by Western blot analy-ses. RESULTS According to MTT assay results, Evo significantly inhibited the cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry analyses revealed that Evo induced cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner.Moreover,Evo induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) disruption. Finally, Evo induced apoptosis in cancer cells by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling and inducing MAPK phos-phorylation(p38 and JNK,but not ERK)to regulate apoptotic proteins(Bax,Bcl-2,Cytochrome c,Cas-pase-3, and PARP). CONCLUSION In summary, Evo inhibits cell proliferation by inducing cellular apoptosis via suppressing PI3K/AKT and activating MAPK in GBM;these results indicate that Evo may be regarded as a new approach for GBM treatment.

AIM:To investigate the regulatory effect of NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4) on PI3K signaling path-way in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced collagen type Ⅰ (collagen Ⅰ) synthesis from lung cancer cells and the mechanisms. METHODS:Human lung cancer A549 cells were cultured in vitro and stimulated with TGF-β1. The ex-pression of NOX family and collagen family at mRNA and protein levels as well as the PI3K class Ⅰ catalytic subunits and the activation of PI3K signaling pathway was measured. A549 cells were pre-treated with NOX-4 inhibitor diphenyleneiodo-nium (DPI), and the expression of collagen Ⅰ at mRNA level as well as the PI3K class Ⅰ catalytic subunits and the activa-tion of PI3K signaling pathway was measured upon TGF-β1 stimulation. RESULTS:TGF-β1 stimulated the expression of NOX-4 and collagen Ⅰ at mRNA and protein levels as well as the expression of PIK3CD and the activation of PI3K signaling pathway at a dose- and time-dependent manner. NOX-4 inhibitor DPI partly reversed TGF-β1-induced collagen Ⅰ expres-sion. Inhibition of NOX-4 down-regulated the degree of TGF-β1-stimulated activation of PI3K signaling pathway without effect on the expression of PIK3CD. CONCLUSION:NOX-4 participates in TGF-β1-induced collagen Ⅰ synthesis from lung cancer cells via regulating the activation of PI3K signaling pathway. TGF-β1/NOX-4/PI3K signaling pathway axis acts as a regulatory role in collagen Ⅰ synthesis from lung cancer cells.

Objective To investigate the immediate therapeutic effect of medicated thread moxibustion on cervical spondylosis.Methods Seventy patients with cervical spondylosis meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups by using random number table method, 35 cases each. The treatment group received medicated thread moxibustion and the control group, percutaneous superficial needling. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the Clinical Assessment Scale for Cervical Spondylosis (CASCS) score were recorded in the two groups before treatment and at 30 min and 24 hrs after treatment. The clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups. Results The VAS and the CASCS scores decreased significantly in the two groups at 30 min and 24 hrs after treatment compared with before treatment (P<0.05,P<0.01). There was no significantly statistical difference in comparing the VAS score between the two groups after the treatment (P>0.05). The CASCS score was lower in the treatment group than in the control group at 30 min after treatment (P<0.01) and lower in the control group than in the treatment group at 24 hrs after treatment (P<0.05). At 30 min after treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.01); at 24 hrs after the treatment, the clinical therapeutic effect in the control group was superior to that in the treatment group (P<0.05).Conclusions Medicated thread moxibustion has a definite immediate therapeutic effect on cervical spondylosis.

In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics parameters of SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe and observed the main organ distribution by MRI in vivo. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and injected intravenously with different doses of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe, respectively. The blood samples were collected to analyze the pharmacokinetic parameters by measuring the iron content at 30 minutes before and after the injection. Twenty-four Kun Ming (KM) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group was injected intravenously with physiological saline 200 µL per mouse via the tail vein, the other 3 groups were injected intravenously with different doses of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe. MRI observation was performed in 24 hours, and the liver, spleen, kidney, brain and muscle were collected for iron quantification with Prussian blue staining to determine distribution of the SPIO-shRNA molecular probe in the main organ in vivo. Our results suggest that the molecular probe blood half-life is more than 3 hours. The data of MRI suggest the probe was distributed in liver and spleen, and the MRI signal was reduced with the increase in probe's doses (P < 0.05). The results of Prussian blue staining confirmed the results of MRI. Most of the probe could escape the phagocytosis of mononuclear phagocyte system. Our data provide the pharmacokinetic and distribution of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe in organs. Meanwhile, it suggests the choice of the time and dose of probe for MR imaging of tumor in vivo.
Animals ; Half-Life ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Mice ; Molecular Probes ; pharmacokinetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; chemistry ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo explore the transfection rate of SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe into ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells in external magnetic field.

METHODSDual functional molecular probe at an iron concentration of 45 mg/L was transfected into SKOV3 cells. The cells with coexisting probe and magnetic fields were set as the intervention group,the probe-transfected cells as negative control group, and normally cultured SKOV3 without any transfection as blank control group. The transfection rate was detected by flow cytometry. Cell viability was observed by CCK-8 assay. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression level in SKOV3 cells was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis. The signal intensity was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

RESULTSThe transfection rate of the intervention group was (79.20 ± 3.31)%, which was significantly higher than that of negative control group (P=0.001). Compared with the negative control group,the cell viability of the intervention group significantly decreased (P=0.011), protein and mRNA expression levels of EGFR in the intervention group were significantly decreased (both P<0.05). The signal intensity on T2(*)WI in the intervention group also significantly decreased (P=0.0004).

CONCLUSIONThe external magnetic field can improve the transfection efficiency SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe into ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells.

Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; ErbB Receptors ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Iron ; Magnetic Fields ; Molecular Probes ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of mRNA and protein of p38, Osx, PI3K, Akt1 in the rats bone with chronic fluorosis.

METHODSDental fluorosis were observed and the fluoride contents in the urine and bone were detected by fluorin-ion selective electrode. The morphologic changes and ultrastructure of rats' bone were observed by light and electronic microscopy. The expressions of protein and mRNA of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 were detected by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively. The contents of BALP and BGP in serum were detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe rates of dental fluorosis in the fluorosis rats were increased, and the fluoride contents in bone and urine of the fluorosis rats were increased compared to the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The bone trabeculae thickness and density and the thickness of bone cortex in fluorosis rats were remarkably increased, the space of bone trabeculae was reduced, and in accordance with the matching morphometrical indices, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) as compared with the control rats. The contents of BALP [(54.61 ± 2.27) U/L] and BGP [(2.38 ± 0.16) µg/L]in the fluoride groups were higher than those in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Ultrastructurally, the broadening of the osseouslacuna was observed. The reduced protuberances of the osteocytes, the unclear organelle structure, pyknosis, karyotheca increasation and edged chromatin were also observed. Compared to the control group, the expressions of protein and its mRNA of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 were higher in the fluorosis rats than those in the control rats, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There is no any expression of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 in the osteocytes in fluorosis rats.

CONCLUSIONSThe over-expression of p38, Osx, PI3K and Akt1 in bone tissue of fluorosis rats may relate to the accumulation of fluorine in the body. The bone injury mainly occur in the stage of the differentiation and proliferation. The upregulation of P38MARK signal path and PI3K/Akt1 signal path may be involved in the pathogenesis of bone injury caused by fluoride.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Fluoride Poisoning ; metabolism ; pathology ; Fluorides ; metabolism ; urine ; Fluorosis, Dental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; Sodium Fluoride ; toxicity ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-kB)-related mRNA and protein in bone tissue of rats with chronic fluorosis.MethodsThirty-six healthy SD rats,weighting 100 - 120 g,were randomly divided into three groups (twelve in each group ).Rats of control group were fed with tap water (NaF ＜ 1 mg/L) and the experimental rats were exposed to NaF(low-dose group:5 mg/L,high-dose group:50mg/L) through drinking water.All rats were killed at the eight month and metaphysic of femoral was collected.Bone tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and observed under optical microscope.Bone fluorine was detected by ashing-fluorin ion selective electrode method.Serum content of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(TRACP 5b)was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expressions of p50,p65 and IkBα's mRNA and protein in bone tissue was detected by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.ResultsBone sclerosis was observed under optical microscope.The contents of bone fluorine in both the low and high doses fluoride groups [(6.32 ± 1.23),( 10.89 ± 1.56) mg/kg] were significantly higher than that of the control [(3.06 ± 1.01 ) mg/kg,all P ＜ 0.05],and of that the high fluoride group was significantly higher than that of the low fluoride group(P ＜ 0.05).Serum content of TRACP 5b of the low fluoride group[(3.45 ± 1.85)U/L] was significantly higher than that of the control[(1.26 ± 0.23)U/L,P ＜ 0.05],but that of the high fluoride group[(2.74 ± 1.85)U/L] was lower than that of the low dose group(P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA expressions of p50 and IkBα in the low fluoride group(4.41 ± 0.44,1.15 ± 0.25) were significantly higher than that of the control(1.46 ± 0.10,0.26 ± 0.07,all P ＜ 0.05),but that of the high fluoride group(0.69 ± 0.09,0.14 ± 0.03) was lower than that of the low dose group(all P ＜ 0.05).The protein expressions of p50 and IkBα in the low fluoride group(152.96 ± 7.87,156.20 ± 9.75) were significantly higher than that of the control( 125.63 ± 9.85,118.97 ± 6.94,all P ＜ 0.05),but the high fluoride groups' ( 120.56 ±9.57,114.50 ± 7.61 ) was significantly lower than that of the low dose group(all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionFluoride can lead to altered gene expression of NF-kB pathway,and the latter may be involved in fluoride induced bone damage.