Effects of simvastatin on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in a lipopolysaccharide-induced rat model of Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of simvastatin on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the substantia nigra in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of Parkinson disease (PD), and to study the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of simvastatin in PD. METHODS: The LPS-PD model was established by injection of LPS (5 mg/mL, 2.0 µL) into the right substantia nigra compacta (SNC). Rats in the sham-operated group received saline. The simvastatin treatment group was intraperitoneally administered simvastatin (5 mg/kg, 2.0 µL) at 1 h before, and daily for 14 days after surgery, while the sham-operated and LPS-model groups received saline. Iba-1-positive cells and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), as well as iNOS and BDNF in the SNC were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of simvastatin in the PD model was also examined in behavioral tests. RESULTS: The LPS-model group exhibited typical animal PD behaviors. Compared with the control group, the LPS-model group exhibited a decreased number of DA neurons (p < 0.01) in the SNC, as well as increases in the Iba-1-positive cell number and iNOS expression (p < 0.05), while BDNF expression was downregulated (p < 0.01). These effects were inhibited by simvastatin treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Simvastatin mediates a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons in the SNC in the LPS-PD model, possibly by promoting neuronal repair and regeneration, and by inhibiting oxidative stress, thus improving substantia nigra function.

Clinical experience of resection for nasal skull-base tumors by microsurgical-assisted technique / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the application of the microsurgical treatment in nasal skull-base tumors resection.@*METHODS@#In a retrospective study, totally 15 cases with tumors in the nasal skull-base received microsurgical-assisted treatment in our department from February 2012 to June 2017 were analysed. Lateral rhinotomy approach was carried out in 11 patients and posterior wall of the maxillary sinus approach in 4 patients.@*RESULTS@#Tumors of all cases were completely resected under the microscope. Postoperative bleeding, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, infection and meningo-encephalocele did not occur in this series. The postoperative follow-up time were 6 months to 5 years. One case lost follow-up, seven cases were survivor of tumor-free. Seven cases had recurrence or metastasis, with one case died and other six alive with tumor.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Microsurgical-assisted resection for nasal skull-base tumors can obtain clear vision, with high surgical precision and security.

Unilateral sinonasal disease in 376 adult patients: a retrospective study / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the clinical and pathological features of patients with unilateral sinonasal disease (USD).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was completed on 376 adult patients with USD from January 2015 to December 2016. Their presenting symptoms, nasal endoscope, CT scanning, and pathology were analyzed respectively.@*RESULTS@#Among the 267 (71.01%) patients with inflammatory disease, there were 4 pathological types. And there were 8 pathological types in 60 (15.96%) patients with benign tumor. Of the 49 patients with malignant tumor, there were 15 pathological types which included squamous carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and lymphoma, as well as myoepithelial carcinoma and Mesodermal mesoderm. The onset age of inflammation group was younger than that of benign (<0.05) or malignant tumor groups (<0.05). The misdiagnosis rate was 8.33% in benign tumor (5/60), and 10.20% in malignant tumor (5/49). Nasal polyps was the most common misdiagnosis in the groups of benign and malignant tumor.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The pathology of adult patients with USD is complicated, and no specific clinical feature was found for distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions. The tumor took a quite proportion in adult patients with USD. Therefore, careful consideration should be taken before diagnosing patients with USD in order to reduce misdiagnosis rate.

Interleukin-1β and C-reactive protein level in plasma and gingival crevicular fluid in adolescents with diabetes mellitus / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#Cytokines produced by various cells are strong local mediators of inflammation. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and C-reactive protein (CRP) play essential roles in the development and progression of diabetes mellitus (DM). Thus periodontal diseases could be related to DM via the same mediators of inflammation. To evaluate plasma and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of IL-1β and CRP in adolescents with DM to further investigate whether DM has an impact on the levels of inflammation factors at an early stage, and to analyze the risk of developing periodontal diseases in adolescents with DM.@*METHODS@#A total of 121 adolescents aged from ten to sixteen years were enrolled, 41 adolescents diagnosed with diabetes mellitus were collected in the DM group, and 80 nondiabetic adolescents as the control group. The periodontal indices of each individual were recorded, including plaque index (PLI), modified bleeding index (mBI), probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL). GCF and intravenous blood samples were collected, and CRP and IL-1β levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).@*RESULTS@#(1) PLI of DM group and control group were 1.23±0.05 and 0.95±0.04 separately, with significant difference (P=0.001). DM group and control group had mBI of 0.80±0.08 and 0.51±0.06 separately, with significant difference (P=0.003). Attachment loss was found in none of the subjects. PDs of DM group and control group were (2.37±0.51) mm and (2.31±0.05) mm separately, and there was no significant difference. (2) CRP in GCF was only detectable in partial of the individuals, with a detectable rate of 22.9% (11/48) in total. The detectable rate of CRP in GCF was significantly higher in DM group (38.5%) than that in control group (4.5%, P=0.006). The plasma level of CRP in DM group [0.23 (0.15, 1.89) mg/L] was higher than that in control group [0.19 (0.12, 4.18) mg/L], but without significance (P=0.776). (3) The plasma levels of IL-1β in DM group and control group were (14.11±0.57) ng/L and (14.71±0.50) ng/L separately, but there was no significance (P=0.456). GCF levels of IL-1β in DM group and control group were (12.91±1.95) μg/L and (17.68±3.07) μg/L, without significant difference (P=0.185).@*CONCLUSION@#Periodontitis was not observed in adolescents with DM at an early stage. However, the rising levels of periodontal indices and CRP in GCF, might indicate that adolescents with DM have a higher risk of developing periodontal diseases in the future.

Influence of simvastatin on dopaminergic neurons of lipopolysaccharide-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the neuroprotective effects of simvastatin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and the mechanisms involved.@*METHODS@#Hemiparkinsonian rat models were induced by stereotaxieal injection of LPS in the right substantia nigra compacta. After 2 weeks of simvastatin treatment, rotational behavior test was performed after the intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine. Expression of tyroxine hydroxylase (TH) and glial fibrillary acidic protein were analyzed through immunohistochemical staining of substantia nigra and striatum, and the level of TNF- α was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#Comparing with untreated group, behavioral symptoms of the rats were significantly less in the rats that received simvastatin treatment. The TH positive cell count in substantia nigra and striatum were significantly increased (P<0.05) and TNF- α expression was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in simvastatin group compared to untreated group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Simvastatin could effectively inhibit the activation of astrocytes, reduce TNF- α expression, and exert anti-inflammatory effects, and thus protect the dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and striatum of the rat model of PD.

Association between plasma leptin level and systemic inflammatory markers in patients with aggressive periodontitis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Increasing evidence supports an association between periodontitis and systemic diseases. Leptin is involved both in the energy metabolism and inflammatory processes and is suggested to be a link between periodontal infection and systemic health. The present study aimed to evaluate the peripheral leptin concentration in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) and to explore the relationship between leptin and systemic inflammation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients with AgP visiting the Clinic of the Periodontology Department, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology between July 2001 and May 2006, and 44 healthy controls (staff and student volunteers in the same institute) were recruited. Plasma levels of leptin and inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to analyze the association between plasma leptin level and other variables.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Plasma leptin level of AgP group was significantly higher than that of the control group (19.7 ± 4.4 ng/ml vs. 7.5 ± 1.3 ng/ml, P < 0.01). After controlling for age, gender, and body mass index, positive correlation was observed between plasma leptin concentration and log-transformed levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and CRP), and the partial correlation coefficients ranged from 0.199 to 0.376 (P < 0.05). Log-transformed IL-1β and IL-6 levels entered the final regression model (standardized β were 0.422 and 0.461 respectively, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elevated plasma leptin concentration may be associated with increased systemic levels of inflammatory markers in AgP patients.</p>

Influence of simvastatin on dopaminergic neurons of lipopolysaccharide-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of simvastatin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease (PD) and the mechanisms involved. Methods: Hemiparkinsonian rat models were induced by stereotaxieal injection of LPS in the right substantia nigra compacta. After 2 weeks of simvastatin treatment, rotational behavior test was performed after the intraperitoneal injection of apomorphine. Expression of tyroxine hydroxylase (TH) and glial fibrillary acidic protein were analyzed through immunohistochemical staining of substantia nigra and striatum, and the level of TNF- α was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Comparing with untreated group, behavioral symptoms of the rats were significantly less in the rats that received simvastatin treatment. The TH positive cell count in substantia nigra and striatum were significantly increased (. P<0.05) and TNF- α expression was significantly decreased (. P<0.05) in simvastatin group compared to untreated group. Conclusions: Simvastatin could effectively inhibit the activation of astrocytes, reduce TNF- α expression, and exert anti-inflammatory effects, and thus protect the dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra and striatum of the rat model of PD.

Long-term clinical and hematologic effects of non-surgical treatment on aggressive periodontitis / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the long-term effects of non-surgical treatment on clinical and hematologic states of patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients with GAgP (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 28) were recruited. The clinical parameters, including probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI), attachment loss (AL) were examined and recorded. Blood cell variables, including white blood cells (WBC), leukocyte, neutrophil, and lymphocyte counts, as well as serum triglycerides, fasting glucose and protein parameters, including total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin/globulin ratio (A/G), were analyzed. Twenty-five GAgP patients received non-surgical treatment and the clinical and blood parameters 3 to 7 years after treatment were re-evaluated. Clinical and hematological parameters of the two groups were compared. Comparisons of clinical and hematologic parameters pre- and post-treatment in GAgP group were performed through one-way ANOVA and paired-t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Elevated white blood cells, neutrophil numbers and serum total protein, globulin levels were observed in patients with GAgP compared to controls[(6.3 ± 2.0)×10(9)cell/L vs.(5.4 ± 1.0)×10(9)cell/L, (4.1 ± 1.8)×10(9) cell/L vs.(3.0 ± 0.9)×10(9) cell/L, (78.2 ± 4.4) g/L vs. (75.6 ± 4.6) g/L and (29.3 ± 3.8) g/L vs.(26.5 ± 3.9) g/L respectively, P < 0.05]. A/G ratio was lower in the GAgP group than in the control group (1.7 ± 0.2 vs.1.9 ± 0.3, P < 0.01). Three to seven years after periodontal treatment, the reduction of PD and BI was observed in GAgP group(P < 0.05). There were significant decreases of WBC count, neutrophil count, serum total protein and globulin level, and significant increases of albumin level and A/G at 3 to 7 years after treatment(P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Non-surgical treatment may have long-term beneficial effect on the periodontal clinical status and hematologic parameters of generalized aggressive periodontitis.</p>

An EEG-fMRI study of centrotemporal spikes patients with benign childhood epilepsy / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To study the blood oxygen dependent level (BOLD) changes associated with interictal spikes in benign childhood epilepsy patients with centrotemporal spikes (BCECTS).Methods BCECTS patients with frequent interictal spikes,admitted to our hsopital from Junary 2010 to December 2011,were included in our study; all the patients were performed simultaneous EEG combined functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI).The off-line EEG was filtered to find the time of spikes discharges,and then,the spike-related BOLD changes were calculated with the classic oxygen dynamics reaction function (HRF) model in statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software.Results Six patients with BCECTS were included with frequent spikes in the centrotemporal area in conventional EEG.One patient did not show spike discharge in EEG-fMRI scanning.Five patients showed BOLD signal changes in 5 sessions of fMRI.Activation signals were revealed in bilateral central temporal region in 2 sessions and in unilateral central temporal region in 3 sessions.The maximum activations were located in the centrotemporal area in 4 sessions and one session in the occipital lobe.The activation signals were observed in the other brain regions besides the central temporal regions in all the 5 patients.Conclusion The central temporal region may be the epileptogenic zone of BCECTS; the epileptogenic zone and other brain structures may contribute to the neural network of BCECTS.

A preliminary study on the genetic mode of aggressive periodontitis in Chinese Han nationality / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the potential genetic mode of aggressive periodontitis (AgP) in Chinese Han nationality.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 233 subjects from 73 nuclear families were recruited. All probands were diagnosed according to the criteria of AgP in 1999 classification of periodontal diseases. Ninety parents, 35 siblings and three grandparents and two offspring were examined based on full-mouth periodontal chartings (including parameter of probing depths, attachment loss, bleeding on probing at six sites per tooth) and full-mouth periapical radiographs. The genetic ratio was calculated and analyzed by the methods of Edwards and simple segregation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prevalence of AgP in probands' siblings was close to the square root of the prevalence of general population. The segregation ratio was 0.2419, which was close to the theoretical ratio for autosomal recessive inheritance. However, autosomal dominant inheritance could not be rejected in families whose parent(s) suffered from severe chronic periodontitis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The genetic heterogeneity of AgP existed in Chinese Han nationality. The genetic mode was autosomal recessive inheritance in general, and autosomal dominant inheritance could not be excluded in families whose parent(s) suffered from severe chronical periodontitis. The results imply the genetic heterogeneity of AgP, and further demonstrate that AgP was a multifactorial disease with major genetic component in the disease etiology.</p>

Analysis of urinary storage symptoms following transurethral resection of the prostate / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), especially those in the urinary storage phase, following transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), and to improve the postoperative management and patients' quality of life after TURP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 86 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) underwent TURP, and were interviewed on urinary symptoms at 1, 3, 7, 15 and 30 days after removal of the catheter. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had preoperative detrusor instability and/or compliance of the bladder (Group A) or not (Group B), and observed for the changes in IPSS scores and urinary storage symptoms after removal of the catheter.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Complete follow-ups were achieved in 71 cases, 28 with detrusor instability and/or compliance of the bladder and the other 43 without. Their IPSS scores on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 15th and 30th day after removal of the catheter were 8.1 +/- 2.5, 7.2 +/- 3.1, 6.3 +/- 3.8, 5.3 +/- 4.2 and 2.4 +/- 3.4, respectively, with statistically significant differences between the 7th and the 1st as well as the 30th and the 15th day (P < 0.05), but not between the 1st and the3rd nor the 15th and the 7th day (P > 0.05). On the 1st day, the cardinal symptoms in the urinary storage phase were urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence; the scores on IPSS and urinary storage symptoms were 10.4 +/- 3.3 and 9.3 +/- 3.8 in Group A and 6.2 +/- 2.8 and 5.2 +/- 2.7 in Group B, with significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05). After treatment with tolterodine and alpha-adrenoreceptor inhibitor, neither IPSS scores nor the scores on urinary storage symptoms showed any significant differences between Groups A and B on the 15th and 30th day (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The lower urinary tract symptoms following TURP, especially those in the urinary storage phase, are correlated with preoperative bladder function, and getting improved gradually after surgery.</p>

Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta in saliva of metabolic syndrome patients / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the association between periodontitis and the low-grade inflammation in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-seven MS patients, 26 healthy controls were enrolled. Non-stimulated whole saliva was collected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Concentration of cytokines was compared between MS patients and the healthy controls. Correlations between the cytokines and various periodontal indices, and between the cytokines level and different quantity of metabolic syndrome components were also investigated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Levels of TNF-alpha in saliva of MS patients [(69.30+/-21.01) ng/L] were significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects [(57.85+/-15.69) ng/L, P<0.05], and of IL-1beta in MS patients [(616.42+/-360.05) ng/L] higher than that in healthy subjects [(506.06+/-245.76) ng/L], but the difference was not statistically significant. TNF-alpha was positively correlated with bleeding index (BI). In MS patients, TNF-alpha level and IL-1beta level increased with increasing severity of periodontal disease and increasing component numbers of MS.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Periodontal inflammation may be one of the sources of low-grade inflammation in MS patients. Both systemic and periodontal conditions may influence the level of salivary TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.</p>

Association between preterm low birth weight and maternal cytokine levels of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the hypothesis that periodontitis was one of the sources of inflammation in preterm low birth weight (PLBW) mothers and investigate the relationship between PLBW and inflammatory factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The samples of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from 83 PLBW mothers (PLBW group) and 44 normal birth weight (NBW) mothers (NBW group). The levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of cytokines in saliva and GCF were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IL-1beta level in saliva of PLBW group was higher than which of NBW group significantly [(78.32+/-11.81) ng/L vs. (39.66+/-11.89) ng/L, P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference on IL-6 level in saliva [(17.45+/-3.13) ng/L vs. (16.28+/-0.66) ng/L], IL-1beta level in GCF [(93.58+/-13.22) ng/L vs. (81.38+/-9.28) ng/L] and IL-6 level in GCF [(15.35+/-0.28) ng/L vs. (14.87+/-0.37) ng/L) between two groups, but those of PLBW group were higher than NBW group. Significant negative correlations existed between gestational age at delivery and probing depth. It was also found significant negative correlations between gestational age at delivery and IL-6 (r=-0.274, P<0.01), between the weight of the new born infants and IL-6 levels in saliva (r=-0.424, P<0.01), IL-1beta level in GCF (r=-0.231, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was a tendency presenting the higher inflammatory cytokine in GCF and saliva, the shorter gestation period and the lower birth weight. The levels of cytokine in saliva and GCF were higher in PLBW mothers. The correlation may be exist between maternal periodontitis and PLBW.</p>

Expressions of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with sudden cardiac death / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

BACKGROUND:As the regulators of cytokines, suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) play an important role in the inflammation reaction. Some studies found that SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 were involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease. But the expressions of SOCS in coronary heart disease have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with sudden cardiac death (SCD).METHODS:Myocardial autopsy specimens were collected from 24 patients at the Forensic Medicine Department of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China between 2005 and 2006. Of them, 9 patients had autopsy findings consistent with coronary atherosclerosis (non-myocardial infarction) leading to SCD (non-MI group), 7 died of acute myocardial infaction (MI group), and 8 died from traffic accidents and trauma (control group). The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the myocardium of the non-MI, MI and control groups were detected using RT-PCR. The levels of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 proteins were detected using immunohistochemistry. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 13.0 software and the data were analyzed by ANOVA.RESULTS:The expressions of SOCS-1 mRNA and SOCS-3 mRNA in the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the control group[(0.788±0.101), (0.741±0.111) vs. (0.436±0.044), (P<0.01); (0.841±0.092), (0.776±0.070) vs. (0.454±0.076), (P<0.01)] respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-1 protein in the myocardium of the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the myocardium of the control group[(320.00±48.48), (347.14±70.88) vs. (42.50±10.35), (P<0.01)] respectively. The antibody-positive cells of SOCS-3 protein in the myocardium of the non-MI and MI groups were significantly higher than those in the myocardium of the control group[(381.11±59.25) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P<0.01)] and[(332.86±111.91) vs. (40.00±10.69), (P=0.001)].CONCLUSION:The expressions of SOCS-1 and SOCS-3 in the myocardium of patients with SCD from coronary heart disease are significantly increased and contribute to the pathogenesis of SCD.

Influence of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes on male health / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndromes (CP/CPPS) on male health.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted investigations among 200 cases of CP/CPPS, aged 20 -59 years and randomly selected from 650 out-patients, using an anonymous questionnaire including such items as the patients'age, height, body weight, disease duration and treatment, the results of EPS and semen determinations, and the scores on NIH-CPSI, IIEF-5 and Symptom Checklist (SCL-90).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to the 198 valid questionnaires collected, CPSI scores showed 56 (28.3%) cases to be mild, 98 (49.5%) moderate and 44 (22.2%) severe. Sperm density and motility (grade a + b) were reduced in 38 (19.2%) and 47 (23.7%) cases, respectively. IIEF-5 revealed ED in 41 (20.7%) cases, of which 58.5% were mild. Psychological abnormality was found in 94 (47.5%) cases, including anxiety, depression, sensitiveness and so on. NIH-CPSI scores were positively correlated with psychological symptoms and ED (r = 0.25, P < 0.05; r = 0.12, P < 0.05), but not significantly related with sperm density and motility (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The influence of CP/CPPS is obvious on male psychology but mild on penile erection and not significant on semen. Integrated physiological and psychological therapy is recommended for the treatment of CP/CPPS.</p>

Association between mother's periodontal status and preterm low birth weight in Beijing / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the possible association between mother's periodontal status and preterm low birth weight (PLBW) in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The periodontal status of 83 women who bore a preterm low birth weight infant (PLBW group) and 44 women who bore a normal birth weight infant (NBW group) within two years in four hospitals in Beijing were evaluated. These women were all generally healthy. The clinical periodontal parameters including plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL) and bleeding index (BI) recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The percentages of PD > or = 4 mm sites, AL > or = 2 mm sites and BOP(+) sites in two groups were 8.1% vs 6.9%, 12.8% vs 6.1% and 70.4% vs 66.9%, respectively, which showed significantly higher in PLBW group than in NBW group(P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was possible association between mother's periodontal status and preterm low birth weight in the investigated area. Poor periodontal status may be one of the risk factors of PLBW.</p>

Preliminary study of relationship between aggressive periodontitis and obesity / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between obesity and aggressive periodontitis (AgP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 151 AgP patients and 94 healthy controls were recruited. Body weight and height were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Periodontal clinical parameters were examined. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between obesity and AgP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean value of probing depth and clinical attachment loss were (4.8 +/- 2.1) mm and (4.7 +/- 2.8) mm respectively in AgP patients. The numbers of obese and underweight patients in AgP group were 20 and 41 respectively. Five and eight subjects in control group were with BMI values lower and higher than normal range respectively. Both under weight and obesity were risk indicators for AgP, and the OR were 3.60 (P < 0.05) and 4.61 (P < 0.01) respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Underweight and obesity may be risk indicators for AgP.</p>

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes analysis of DFNB1 locus in Chinese sporadic hearing impairment population / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The DFNB1 locus, which contains the gap junction beta-2 (GJB2) and gap junction beta-6 (GJB6) genes, plays a key role in the nonsyndromic and sporadic hearing impairment. Mutations of DFNB1 result in autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment (ARNSHI). Previous researches have identified mutations in GJB2 and GJB6, but single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of DFNB1 locus have not been studied. So we chose five SNPs to evaluate whether there is difference between deafness people and normal-hearing people in Han Chinese.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five SNPs in the DFNB1 region were examined using a case-control association study between cases with sporadic hearing impairment and controls with normal hearing. The HWEsoft and SHEsis softwares were used to analyze the results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Single-locus association analysis showed a positive association for three SNPs: rs9315400, rs2274084 and 235delC. When we compared the distributions of the haplotypes, we also found significant differences between cases and controls in the haplotype combination of rs2274084 and rs2274083 (chi(2) = 12.978, df = 3, global P = 0.004719).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The haplotypes composed of rs2274084 and rs2274083 suggested that C-C may be a risk haplotype for the sporadic hearing impairment while T-T may be protective against hearing impairment. From that point of view, we can conclude that the SNPs of DFNB1 locus also plays an important role in sporadic hearing impairment cases.</p>

Diagnosis and treatment of isolated tuberculous epididymitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To improve the diagnosis and the treatment of tuberculous epididymitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective studies were made of 20 cases of isolated epididymal tuberculosis defined as "tuberculosis infection affecting the epididymis without evidence of renal involvement as documented by the absence of acid fast bacilli in the urine sample and on imaging" among 35 patients with epididymal tuberculosis. Two weeks after the intensified anti-TB treatment by the combined therapy of Isoniazid + Rifampicin + Streptomycin or Ethambutol, all the patients underwent surgical removal of the tuberculous lesion, followed again by the combined therapy for 6-9 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 20 cases, 16 experienced no recurrence and complications within 0.5-5 years after the surgery, 3 were found with urinary tuberculosis at 3, 3.5 and 5 years, and 1 developed tuberculous epididymitis of the other side at 3.5 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Isolated tuberculous epididymitis may be the sole or the initial presentation of genitourinary tuberculosis, for which timely surgery is the best option and has a good prognosis.</p>

Involvement of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in up-regulation of 14-3-3 protein induced by hydrogen peroxide preconditioning in PC12 cells / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effects of hydrogen peroxide preconditioning (HPP) on the pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)) and to explore the potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The viability and apoptosis of PC12 cells were determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and 4',6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, respectively. The expressions of 14-3-3 protein and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were determined by Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the activity of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell viability decreased and the number of apoptotic cells increased dramatically in MPP(+) group compared with that in Control group. HPP induced a significant increase in cell viability and a marked decrease in population of apoptotic cells of the MPP(+)-treated PC12 cells, accompanied with up-regulation of 14-3-3 protein and increase of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK activities. The 14-3-3 protein expression was positively correlated with the phosphorylation of ERK1/2. Furthermore, inhibition of the ERK1/2 with PD98059 abolished the 14-3-3 protein up-regulation in PC12 cells induced by HPP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HPP protects PC12 cells against MPP(+) toxicity by up-regulating 14-3-3 protein expression through the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways.</p>