Cyclopamine functions as a suppressor of benign prostatic hyperplasia by inhibiting epithelial and stromal cell proliferation via suppression of the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Stromal­epithelial interaction serves a pivotal role in normal prostate growth, as well as the onset of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The present study aimed to explore the role of cyclopamine in the proliferation and apoptosis of epithelial and stromal cells in rats with BPH by blocking the Hedgehog signaling pathway. Cyclopamine (an inhibitor of the Hedgehog signaling pathway) was administered in a rat model of BPH, and the expression of Ki67 (proliferation factor) was determined by immunohistochemistry. In addition, epithelial and stromal cells were separated and cultured in order to investigate the role of cyclopamine in the progression of BPH. The expression of Hedgehog signaling pathway­ and apoptosis­related genes, including basic fibroblastic growth factor (b­FGF) and transforming growth factor ß (TGF­ß), was evaluated using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Cell proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using an MTT assay and flow cytometry. We identified upregulated Ki67 expression and activated Hedgehog signaling pathway in rats with BPH. Cyclopamine inhibited the activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway. In response to cyclopamine treatment, epithelial and stromal cell proliferation was inhibited; this was concomitant with decreased Ki67, TGF­ß, and b­FGF expression. On the other hand, epithelial cell apoptosis was enhanced, which was associated with increased Bax and reduced Bcl­2 expression. Based on these findings, we proposed that cyclopamine may serve as a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of BPH. Cyclopamine could inhibit epithelial and stromal cell proliferation, and induce epithelial cell apoptosis by suppressing the Hedgehog signaling pathway.

Application value of dynamic monitoring of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor and stromal cell-derived factor 1α in the evaluation of patients with acute leukemia / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective:To explore the application value of dynamic monitoring of serum soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 α (SDF-1α) in patients with acute leukemia (AL).Methods:A total of 187 patients with AL admitted to the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from March 2017 to August 2018 were selected and 90 healthy subjects at the same period were selected as the healthy controls. The levels of serum sIL-2R and SDF-1α were detected at the initial diagnosis, remission phase and relapse phase, respectively. The clinical value of dynamic monitoring of sIL-2R and SDF-1α was analyzed.Results:Among 187 patients with AL, 135 patients (72.19%) had complete remission (CR) after chemotherapy, 52 patients (27.81%) had partial remission, and 43 patients (31.85%) relapsed. The level of serum sIL-2R at the AL initial diagnosis period was (533±32) U/ml, which was higher than that in the healthy controls [(247±30) U/ml], and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 71.976, P < 0.01); the level of serum SDF-1α at the AL initial diagnosis was (2 968±305) pg/ml, which was higher than that in the healthy controls [(1 358±160) pg/ml], and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 47.043, P < 0.01). The levels of serum sIL-2R [(308±30) U/ml] and SDF-1α [(1 576±184) pg/ml] in the CR phase were lower than those in the initial diagnosis of patients with AL; and the levels of sIL-2R [(599±36) U/ml] and SDF-1α [(2 894±301) pg/ml] in the relapse phase were higher than those in the CR phase of patients with AL (all P < 0.01). Conclusions:The levels of serum sIL-2R and SDF-1α in patients with AL are increased, and there are big differences in the levels of sIL-2R and SDF-1α at the initial diagnosis, remission phase, and relapse phase. Dynamic monitoring of both can provide the data support for early clinical intervention.

Evaluation of botulinum toxin A injections for the treatment of glabellar lines by using high-frequency ultrasound / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate changes in thickness of the skin and muscular layer during the treatment with botulinum toxin A injections in patients with glabellar lines.Methods Twenty-six subjects with moderate to severe glabellar lines were enrolled into this study,who received botulinum toxin A injections in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2017 to February 2018.Before the injections,4 and 16 weeks after the injections,thickness of the dermis at the injection site was measured by using 50 MHz high-frequency ultrasound,and full thickness of the skin and thickness of the muscular layer were measured with 20 MHz high-frequency ultrasound.Repeated measures analysis of variance,paired ttest and Bonferroni method were used to compare the pretreatment and posttreatment tissue thicknesses measured by using high-frequency ultrasound.Results Before the injections,the thickness of the dermis,full thickness of the skin,thickness of the muscular layer were 2.01 ± 0.48,4.32 ± 0.73 and 4.51 ± 0.67 mm respectively.No significant difference was observed among the pretreatment,4-and 16-week posttreatment thickness of the dermis (F =1.94,P =0.199),while there were significant differences among the pretreatment,4-and 16-week posttreatment full thickness of the skin and thickness of the muscular layer (F =6.28,24.19,P =0.020,＜ 0.001 respectively).Four weeks after the injections,the full thickness of the skin significantly increased (4.88 ± 0.93 mm,t =3.72,P =0.004),while the thickness of the muscular layer significantly decreased (3.82 ± 0.79 mm,t =4.65,P =0.001)compared with the pretreatment thicknesses.Sixteen weeks after the injections,the full thickness of the skin (4.61 ± 0.73 mm) and thickness of the muscular layer (4.38 ± 0.90 mm) did not significantly differ from those before and 4 weeks after the injections (all P ＞ 0.016 7).Conclusions Botulinum toxin A injections can change the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue and muscular layer.High-frequency ultrasound can be applied to the evaluation of efficacy and to follow-up after the treatment of glabellar lines with botulinum toxin A injections.

Development of evidence-based nursing-sensitive quality indicators for emergency nursing: A Delphi study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To establish evidence-based nursing-sensitive quality indicators for emergency nursing in China. BACKGROUND: China lacks nursing-sensitive quality indicators necessary for assessing the quality of emergency nursing and essential to nursing management. DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: A literature search for relevant evidence-based studies was performed using several databases from January 2009-May 2014. Previously reported quality indicators were identified as appropriate for assessment by a panel of 40 experts in emergency medicine and nursing. Two successive rounds of Delphi surveys were conducted using questionnaires designed by the experts. Kendal's W coordination coefficients were calculated for indicator importance, rationality of calculation and feasibility of data collection. RESULTS: Thirty-three quality indicators were initially proposed for expert evaluation. After round 1 of expert discussion, Kendal's W coordination coefficients were .152 for importance, .092 for rationality and .141 for feasibility of data collection (all p < .001). Seven unsuitable items were discarded in round 1 and 11 discarded in round 2, which also added one new item. Finally, the experts reached consensus on 16 items established as appropriate nursing-sensitive quality indicators for emergency nursing care. CONCLUSION: Evidence-based nursing-sensitive quality indicators were established through a consensus of experts in emergency nursing and medicine. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The current findings may provide a theoretical basis for establishing an emergency nursing quality database and improving the quality of emergency nursing care in China.

Effects of Yiqi Huoxue Xiaozheng Formula on Apoptosis of Rats with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of Yiqi Huoxue Xiaozheng Formula on cell apoptosis in rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); To preliminarily explore its mechanism of action. Methods Totally sixty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly devided into normal group, positive control group, Yiqi Huoxue XiaozhengFormula low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the rats in normal group, rats in other groups were treated with castrate and testosterone propionate injection to replicate BPH model. The normal group and the model group were given normal saline for gavage; Yiqi Huoxue Xiaozheng Formula low-, middle-, and high-dose groups were given Yiqi Huoxue Xiaozheng Formula 10, 20, 40 mg/100 g for gavage, respectively; rats in positive control group were given Longkai Granule suspension 11 mg/100 g for gavage, once a day, for 30 d. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. The prostate tissue was taken. The protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in the prostate tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the normol group, the expression of Bax in the prostate tissue of the model group decreased significantly, while the expression of Bcl-2 increased significantly; Compared with the model group, the expression of Bax in the prostate tissue of rats in administration groups increased significantly, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly reduced, and Yiqi Huoxue Xiaozheng Formula high-dose group was superior to other groups. Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Xiaozheng Formula can improve benign prostatic hyperplasia by promoting the apoptosis of rat prostate tissue, and its mechanism is related to the increase of the expression of Bax protein and the decrease of Bcl-2 protein expression in prostate tissue.

[Evaluation of integrated strategy in prevention and control of intestinal nematodiasis in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of the integrated strategy in prevention and control of intestinal nematodiasis in Hongze County, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the control strategies and measures in the future. METHODS: Since 1995, the integrated strategy has been carried out for intestinal nematodiasis, and the measures included deworming, health education, safe water, sanitation and environmental remediation. The effects of the integrated strategy were evaluated by the investigations of the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodiasis, awareness of health knowledge and behaviors of residents. RESULTS: From 1995 to 2014, 601 900 person-times were administrated with deworming medication and the coverage rate of villages and towns was 100%. The benefit rate of safe water was 100%. The popularity rate of harmless toilets was 92.77%. The prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis decreased from 26.04% in 1995 to 0.56% in 2014, and the difference had statistical significance (χ2 = 693.54, P < 0.01). The awareness rate of health knowledge and correct rate of health behaviors increased from 43.13% and 40.94% in 1995 to 98.00% and 96.80% in 2012, respectively (χ2 ＝ 181.97 and 182.14 respectively, P＜0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intestinal nematodiasis has been controlled effectively through the integrated strategy in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province.

[Investigation of intestinal nematode infections in Hongze County, Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the situation of intestinal nematode infections and assess the preventive effects, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the further measures of prevention. METHODS: Five villages from 5 townships of different geographical locations were selected and 500 residents of each village were surveyed. The eggs of intestinal nematodes were detected by the Kato-Katz technique, and 50 students and 50 residents per village were investigated by questionnaires about health education. RESULTS: Among 3 011 people detected, 17 persons were infected with intestinal nematodes and the total infection rate was 0.56%. The rates of Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Trichostrongylus were 0.10%, 0.33%, 0.03%, 0.03% and 0.07%, respectively. The awareness rate of health knowledge was 97.80% and the formation rate of health behavior was 97.00%. CONCLUSION: The infection rates of intestinal nematodes, the awareness rate of health knowledge and the formation rate of health behavior in the population of Hongze County have achieved the criteria of effective control of intestinal parasitic diseases.

Efficacy and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii hook F versus acitretin in moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: a randomized clinical trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Few clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F (TwHF) compared with acitretin in psoriasis. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of TwHF compared with acitretin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adults with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score ≥ 10 and psoriasis-affected body surface area ≥ 10% were randomized into a TwHF (20 mg, 3 times a day) or acitretin group (30 mg, once a day). The treatment course lasted for 8 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. Laboratory tests were performed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. The data were analyzed using paired samples t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 115 patients was enrolled (58 TwHF; 57 acitretin). The median PASI score improved in the TwHF group by 50.4% and in the acitretin group by 42.7%. There was no significant difference in median PASI improvement between two groups at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. There was also no significant difference in PASI 25, PASI 50, PASI 75, and PASI 90 response between the two groups at 2, 4, and 8 weeks. There was a significant increase in the level of aspartate transaminase and triglycerides in the TwHF group (P = 0.026 and P = 0.011, respectively). In the acitretin group, there was a significant increase in the level of alanine transaminase, cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (P = 0.030, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There was no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the TwHF and acitretin groups within 8 weeks, but there were fewer treatment-related adverse events in the TwHF group.</p>

[Qianlongtong capsule elevates the Smad4 gene expression in prostate stromal cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of the plasma containing Qianlongtong Capsule (QLT)-containing plasma on the expression of the Smad4 gene in prostate stromal cells in vitro and provide some experimental evidence for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with Chinese medicinal compound. METHODS: Fifteen cases of BPH were equally randomized to three groups to be treated with QLT at a high dose (6 capsules once), a medium dose (3 capsules once), and a low dose (1.5 capsules once), tid, for 7 days consecutively. QLT-containing plasma was collected from the patients. Prostate stromal cells were identified by immunofluorescence when they became monolayered and cultured in the QLT-containing plasma for 24 hours, followed by detection of the expression of the Smad4 gene by real-time quantitative PCR and that of the Smad4 protein by Western blot. RESULTS: After treatment with the QLT-containing plasma, the expression of the Smad4 gene in the stromal cells was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner as compared with the blank control and no-QLT groups (P < 0.01). The expression of the Smad4 protein was also markedly elevated after treatment. The differences were statistically significant between the blank control and medium-dose groups (P < 0.01), low-dose and medium-dose groups (P < 0.05), and high-dose and the other groups (P < 0.01), but not between the blank control and low-dose groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: QLT-containing plasma could inhibit the proliferation and improve the apoptotic index of prostate stromal cells in vitro, which was related to the elevation of the mRNA and protein expressions of Smad4.

Qianlongtong capsule elevates the Smad4 gene expression in prostate stromal cells / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of the plasma containing Qianlongtong Capsule (QLT)-containing plasma on the expression of the Smad4 gene in prostate stromal cells in vitro and provide some experimental evidence for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with Chinese medicinal compound.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifteen cases of BPH were equally randomized to three groups to be treated with QLT at a high dose (6 capsules once), a medium dose (3 capsules once), and a low dose (1.5 capsules once), tid, for 7 days consecutively. QLT-containing plasma was collected from the patients. Prostate stromal cells were identified by immunofluorescence when they became monolayered and cultured in the QLT-containing plasma for 24 hours, followed by detection of the expression of the Smad4 gene by real-time quantitative PCR and that of the Smad4 protein by Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment with the QLT-containing plasma, the expression of the Smad4 gene in the stromal cells was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner as compared with the blank control and no-QLT groups (P < 0.01). The expression of the Smad4 protein was also markedly elevated after treatment. The differences were statistically significant between the blank control and medium-dose groups (P < 0.01), low-dose and medium-dose groups (P < 0.05), and high-dose and the other groups (P < 0.01), but not between the blank control and low-dose groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QLT-containing plasma could inhibit the proliferation and improve the apoptotic index of prostate stromal cells in vitro, which was related to the elevation of the mRNA and protein expressions of Smad4.</p>

[Musk and carterii birdw enhance the effect of polygonum extract on chronic non-bacterial prostatitis: an animal experimental study].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of musk and carterii birdw on the pathology and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNBP) rats treated with polygonum extract. METHODS: Five male Wistar rats were used for the preparation of SC purified prostate protein solution, and another 48 randomly divided into four groups: polygonum extract, polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw, CNBP model control and normal control. CNBP models were established by injecting SC purified prostate protein solution and Freund's complete adjuvant. At 60 days after modeling, the CNBP model control and normal control rats were treated with normal saline, and the other two groups with polygonum extract and polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw, respectively (polygonum 1.575 g per kg per d, musk 0.021 g per kg per d, and carterii birdw 1.05 g per kg per d). After 14 days of continuous intragastric medication, all the rats were sacrificed for pathological examination, determination of the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in the prostate tissue homogenate by ELISA, and detection of the mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines MCP-1 (CCL2) and CCR2 by RT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: The polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw group showed apparent improvement in the structure of the prostate tissue but no inflammatory infiltration, as was quite obvious in the polygonum extract group. Polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw significantly decreased the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha ( [11.04 +/- 4.07] pg/ml), IL-1beta ([16.94 +/- 4.26] pg/ml), IL-6 ([110.08 +/- 28.42] pg/ml) and IL-8 ([26.28 +/- 7.36] pg/ml) in the prostate tissue, as compared with polygonum extract alone ([63.21 +/- 21.37] pg/ml, [41.32 +/- 14.62] pg/ml, [177.64 +/- 42.65] pg/ml and [96.37 +/- 37.61] pg/ml) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The former also exhibited significantly lower expressions of MCP-1 mRNA (0.32 +/- 0.17), MCP-1 protein (0.28 +/- 0.15), CCR2 mRNA (0.28 +/- 0.11) and CCR2 protein (0.11 +/- 0.04) than either the model control group (1.15 +/- 0.39, 0.93 +/- 0.34, 0.83 +/- 0.26 and 0.93 +/- 0.34) (P < 0.01), or the polygonum extract group (0.65 +/- 0.27, 0.56 +/- 0.22, 0.78 +/- 0.24 and 0.25 +/- 0.09) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Musk and carterii birdw can enhance the effect of polygonum extract on chronic prostatitis, reduce inflammatory response and improve tissue repair of the prostate in rats.

Musk and carterii birdw enhance the effect of polygonum extract on chronic non-bacterial prostatitis: an animal experimental study / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of musk and carterii birdw on the pathology and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines in chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (CNBP) rats treated with polygonum extract.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Five male Wistar rats were used for the preparation of SC purified prostate protein solution, and another 48 randomly divided into four groups: polygonum extract, polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw, CNBP model control and normal control. CNBP models were established by injecting SC purified prostate protein solution and Freund's complete adjuvant. At 60 days after modeling, the CNBP model control and normal control rats were treated with normal saline, and the other two groups with polygonum extract and polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw, respectively (polygonum 1.575 g per kg per d, musk 0.021 g per kg per d, and carterii birdw 1.05 g per kg per d). After 14 days of continuous intragastric medication, all the rats were sacrificed for pathological examination, determination of the levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-8 in the prostate tissue homogenate by ELISA, and detection of the mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines MCP-1 (CCL2) and CCR2 by RT-PCR and Western blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw group showed apparent improvement in the structure of the prostate tissue but no inflammatory infiltration, as was quite obvious in the polygonum extract group. Polygonum extract + musk and carterii birdw significantly decreased the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha ( [11.04 +/- 4.07] pg/ml), IL-1beta ([16.94 +/- 4.26] pg/ml), IL-6 ([110.08 +/- 28.42] pg/ml) and IL-8 ([26.28 +/- 7.36] pg/ml) in the prostate tissue, as compared with polygonum extract alone ([63.21 +/- 21.37] pg/ml, [41.32 +/- 14.62] pg/ml, [177.64 +/- 42.65] pg/ml and [96.37 +/- 37.61] pg/ml) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The former also exhibited significantly lower expressions of MCP-1 mRNA (0.32 +/- 0.17), MCP-1 protein (0.28 +/- 0.15), CCR2 mRNA (0.28 +/- 0.11) and CCR2 protein (0.11 +/- 0.04) than either the model control group (1.15 +/- 0.39, 0.93 +/- 0.34, 0.83 +/- 0.26 and 0.93 +/- 0.34) (P < 0.01), or the polygonum extract group (0.65 +/- 0.27, 0.56 +/- 0.22, 0.78 +/- 0.24 and 0.25 +/- 0.09) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Musk and carterii birdw can enhance the effect of polygonum extract on chronic prostatitis, reduce inflammatory response and improve tissue repair of the prostate in rats.</p>

A preliminary study on the effects of meteorological factors on intracerebral hemorrhage death using the BP neural network model / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective Using the Back Propagation (BP) Neural Network Model to discover the relationship between meteorological factors and mortality of intracerebral hemorrhage,to provide evidence for developing an intracerebral hemorrhage prevention and control program,in Harbin.Methods Based on the characteristics of BP neural network,a neural network Toolbox of MATLAB 7.0 software was used to build Meteorological data of 2007-2009 with intracerebral hemorrhage mortality to predict the effect of BP neural network model,and to compare with the traditional multivariate linear regression model. Results Datas from the multivariate linear regrcssion indicated that the cerebral hemorrhage death mortality had a negative correlation with maximum temperatureand minimum humidity while having a positive correlation with the average relative humidity and the hours of sunshine.The linear correlation coefficient of intracerebral hemorrhage mortality was 0.7854,with mean absolute percentage (MAPE) as 0.21,mean square error (MSE) as 0.22,mean absolute error(MAE) as 0.19.The accuracy of forecasting was 81.31％ with an average error rate as 0.19.The Fitting results of BP neural network model showed that non-linear correlation coefficient of intracerebral hemorrhage mortality was 0.7967,with MAPE as 0.19,MSE as 0.21,MAE as 0.18.The forecasting accuracy was 82.53％ with the average error rate as 0.17.Conclusion The BP neural network model showed a higher forecasting accuracy when compared to the multiple linear regression model on intraccrebral hemorrhage mortality,using the data of 2010' s.

Study on the effects of different vitamin A levels on thyroid cell apoptosis and related gene expression of mice taking excessive iodine / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To explore the effects of different vitamin A(VA) levels on thyroid cells apoptosis and its gene expression of mice taking excessive iodine. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to body weight 3 weeks after born: normal control(NI) group, high iodine(HI) group, low vitamin (LVA) group, high iodine plus low vitamin A(HI+LVA) group, high iodine plus vitamin A1 (HI+VA1) group, high iodine plus vitamin A2(HI+VA2) group. The VA was given in food(4000,4000,0,0,8000,16 000 U/kg), and the iodine was given as potassium iodate in water (I-:50,3000,50,3000,3000,3000 μg/L). The apoptosis was tested using in situ end labehng(TUNEL) method. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to measure the level of mRNA of apoptosis gene(Fas, FasL, Bcl-2) in tissues. Results Apoptotic index measured by TUNEL method was rising along with the mice age. Compared to NI group[(14.09±5.68)%], apoptotic index was significantly increased in HI[(20.91±9.57)%], HI+LVA[(20.29±9.90)%]and HI+VA2 [(19.51±8.25)%]groups in the three months(P < 0.05). Compared to NI group[(16.80±9.90)%], apoptotic index was significantly increased(P < 0.05) in HI[(23.22±8.58)%],LVA[(22.56±6.17)%],HI+LVA [(25.99±9.62)%],HI+VA1 [(21.65±7.74)%]groups in the six months. Compared with the NI group(Fas: 1.29±0.25,1.27±0.26; FasL: 1.60±0.13,1.65±0.13), the mRNA levels of Fas and FasL in HI group(Fas: 1.57±0.36,1.49±0.35; FasL: 1.85±0.46,1.84±0.32) were increased, but the differences were not remarkable(P > 0.05) in the three and six months. Compared with the HI group, the mRNA levels of Fas in HI+ VA1, HI+VA2(1.33±0.35, 1.30±0.26) groups were decreased to the level in NI group in the six months. The mRNA levels of Fas and FasL were not different (P > 0.05) between HI+LVA(I.60±0.27,1.88±0.46) and HI groups in the three months. The mRNA levels of Bcl-2 were not remarkably differences in the three months (1.05±0.19,0.96±0.33,0.95±0.26,1.18±0.27,1.10±0.19,0.98±0.36, all P > 0.05), and in the six months (1.35±0.28,1.60±0.25,1.48±0.18,1.71±0.26,1.66±0.29,1.56±0.35, all P > 0.05). Conclusions Excessive iodine can cause thyroid cells apoptosis in mice. Supplementation of suitable amount of VA can regulate the levels of the apoptosis-related genes expression, and partly antagonize the apoptosis caused by high iodine.

Study of mandibular anterior alveolar bone thickness in subjects with different facial skeletal types / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the association of vertical facial skeletal types and sagittal facial skeletal types with anterior alveolar bone thickness.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Among 168 cases with malocclusion in early permanent dentition stage, 93 patients were male and 75 patients were female. All patients (aged 10-14 years) were divided into 9 groups by different facial skeletal types, mandibular anterior alveolar bone thickness in patients' lateral cephalometric films were measured. ANOVA were performed to measurement results with the SPSS 13.0 statistical software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Though sagittal facial skeletal types were the same, there were significant differences between different vertical facial types groups. The order was low-angle group, average-angle group and high-angle group according to the size. A high-angle individual often had a thin anterior alveolar bone while a low-angle individual often had the opposite morphology character. There was no statistical significance between skeletal type I, II and III. But group of skeletal type III also had a thin alveolar bone thickness which had no significant difference with high-angle group. Low-angle group III had no significant difference with average-angle group I and II in alveolar bone thickness.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Sagittal facial skeletal types have little influence on anterior alveolar morphology, but the vertical facial skeletal types have strong connection with anterior alveolar bone thickness.</p>

Quality improvement of cleft lip and palate treatment.

Improvement of quality of care for children with clefts requires longitudinal assessments of the outcomes of treatment. The aim of this study was to review the teamwork periodically to evaluate the clinical treatment outcome. In this retrospective study, the outcome of the dental arch relationship was studied using a Goslon yardstick between two cohorts of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate patients. Consecutive series of 9-year-old patients (27 boys, 20 girls) born in 1983- 1984 and 1992-1993 from two cleft centers were compared. All the patients were treated according to the same protocol. The results show no statistically significant difference between the cohorts of 1980s and 1990s (P = .170). The treatment results of center A as measured in this study are better than those of center R (P = .003). A possible explanation for this difference in performance can be the fact that the number of surgeons involved in the care in the center R is higher than that in A.

[Observation of the therapeutic effect of qianlie sanyu capsule on benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Qianlie Sanyu Capsule on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Seventy-two patients with BPH were randomly divided into a treatment group (40 patients) and a control group (32 patients), the former treated by Qianlie Sanyu Capsule and the latter by Longbishu. Observation were made on the changes of the patients' urination' symptoms, living quality, prostatic volume, Qmax uroflowmetry and excel urine before and after treatment. RESULTS: The total efficacy rates were 92.5% in the treatment group, and 72.5% in the control group. Comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.01). The urination symptoms, living quality, Qmax uroflowmetry and the excel urine were better improved in the Qianlie Sanyu group than in the Longbishu. There were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05), but none in reducing effect on the prostatic volume. CONCLUSION: Qianlie Sanyu Capsule is an effective drug for BPH.

Observation of the therapeutic effect of qianlie sanyu capsule on benign prostatic hyperplasia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical efficacy of Qianlie Sanyu Capsule on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-two patients with BPH were randomly divided into a treatment group (40 patients) and a control group (32 patients), the former treated by Qianlie Sanyu Capsule and the latter by Longbishu. Observation were made on the changes of the patients' urination' symptoms, living quality, prostatic volume, Qmax uroflowmetry and excel urine before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total efficacy rates were 92.5% in the treatment group, and 72.5% in the control group. Comparison between the two groups showed significant difference (P < 0.01). The urination symptoms, living quality, Qmax uroflowmetry and the excel urine were better improved in the Qianlie Sanyu group than in the Longbishu. There were significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.05), but none in reducing effect on the prostatic volume.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Qianlie Sanyu Capsule is an effective drug for BPH.</p>

The effect of fluid shear stress on the NO synthesis of rat osteoblast-like cells / 生物医学工程学杂志

This study sought to elucidate the function of NO during the signal transduction wherein fluid shear stress regulates the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells. The isolated rat osteoblast-like cells were exposed to fluid shear stress 12 dyn/cm2 for 5, 10, 15, 30, 60 and 120 min respectively with the use of a flow chamber. The NO release was examined. After the exposure to fluid shear stress, the NO synthesis of rat primary osteoblast-like cells increased significantly (P<0.05) when compared with the control. After 60 minutes of exposure, the release of NO began to increase significantly (P<0.05), but no significant increase as such was seen in the control (P>0.05). NO synthesis may be one of the signal transduction pathways which transduce the fluid shear stress into osteoblast cells. In early stage, it may be induced by cNOS and in late stage by iNOS.

Heterotopic chondrogenesis of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells loading on alginate gel / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and chondro-inductive culture of human adipose tissue-derived stromal cells and to study their heterotopic chondrogenesis by loading them on alginate gel.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Liposuction human adipose tissues were minced and digested with collagenase type I. The obtained stromal cells were primarily cultured in BGJb medium for ten days. Secondary harvested cells were cultured in DMEM-F12 medium supplemented with 10%FBS, 6.25 mg/L insulin, 10 mg/L TGF-beta1, 50 mg/L of freshly prepared L-ascorbate for 14 days. After in vitro assay of chondrogenic phenotypes, the cells at density of 10(10)/L were mixed with 1.2% alginate sodium and 102 mmol/L CaCl(2). The cross-linking cell-alginate gel were injected into four BALB/C athymic mice subcutaneously (1 ml for each mouse). Meanwhile, the auto-controls were set by injecting equal dose of simple alginate gel and pure cells in two opposite buttocks of the same mouse subcutaneously. Two mice were sacrificed at fourth and eighth week postoperatively and all samples were removed, fixed, embedded in paraffin and cut into sections of 5 micro m thick. HE staining, Alcian blue and modified Masson's trichrome staining were employed to observe chondrogenesis histologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Alcian blue and immunocytochemical staining revealed chondroitin sulfate and collagen II in cell matrix after having been chondro-inductive cultured for 14 days. At intervals of fourth and eighth week, heterotopic chondrogenesis is (cartilage formed) within cell-alginate injected sites were found in all mice but negatively in auto-controls. Histologically the hypertrophic chondrocytes were among cartilage matrix in different staining. All alginate gel and solitory cells absorbed within two to three weeks postoperatively in auto-controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It seems that stromal cells derived from human adipose tissue presents a potential for chondrogenic differentiation.</p>