Stigma and Efficacy of Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsules Versus Doxepin in the Treatment of Refractory Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aims@#Stigma related with antidepressants is prevalent in patients with functional dyspepsia. It affects medication compliance and efficacy.Herbal medicine acquired a deep-rooted cultural identity in relieving dyspeptic symptoms in Asians. The research was designed to compare the effectiveness of Zhizhu Kuanzhong capsules (ZZKZ) versus doxepin hydrochloride (doxepin) on alleviating stigma and medication nonadherence among patients with refractory FD (rFD). @*Methods@#Patients with rFD from February 2021 to February 2022 were randomly allocated to receive either doxepin (n = 56) or ZZKZ (n = 57) combined with omeprazole for 4 weeks. Medication possession ratio (MPR), the disease- and medication-associated stigma were analyzed. The scales were utilized to assess dyspeptic symptoms (Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire) and psychological conditions (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire). @*Results@#The MPR values for ZZKZ were significantly higher than those for doxepin (P < 0.001). The stigma scores decreased in ZZKZ group while increased in doxepin group compared to baseline after treatment. The proportion of patients showing ZZKZ-associated stigma was significantly lower than doxepin-associated stigma (P < 0.001). The MPR values were negatively correlated with posttreatment stigma scores in both groups (P < 0.001). Dyspeptic symptoms and psychological condition were improved in both groups after treatment, with no significant difference on post-treatment Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, or Patient Health Questionnaire scores between 2 groups. @*Conclusion@#ZZKZ is superior to doxepin in alleviating stigma and medication non-adherence, with comparable efficacy in improving dyspeptic symptoms and psychological condition of patients with rFD.

The therapeutic effect of cimifugin on atopic dermatitis in mice and its mechanism / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effects of cimifugin on mouse atopic dermatitis (AD) induced by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and further explore the mechanism of its action. Methods ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive group (dexamethasone),low dose group,high dose group and administration group of cimifugin. FITC solution was applied to the shaved abdomen of mice in the sensitization stage, and 0.6 % FITC solution was applied to attack the ears of mice in the stimulation stage. The administration groups were given medicine for seven consecutive days. The effects of cimifugin on body weight, thymus index and spleen index of mice were detected. Ear inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by HE staining. The ear swelling of mice was measured, and Th2 cytokines IL-5,IL-13 and the key promoter of allergy IL-33 were detected by ELISA. The epithelial barrier structural proteins, filaggrin, claudinl,occludin and E-cadherin,were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results Compared with the blank group, the model group showed significant AD symptoms. Compared with the model group, cimifugin transdermal administration group significantly reduced ear inflammatory cell infiltration,ear swelling, IL-5,IL-13 and IL-33, and significantly increased the expression of filaggrin and occludin. Conclusions Transdermal administration of cimifugin could significantly inhibit AD in mice, and its mechanism involves repairing epithelial barrier function, restoring filaggrin and occludin, inhibiting allergy promoting factor IL-33, and finally inhibiting AD inflammation.

Comparison of chemical constituents in Artemisiae Argyi Folium from different Dao-di producing areas based on UPLC and HS-GC-MS / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to compare the chemical constituents in 24 batches of Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples collected from three different Dao-di producing areas(Anguo in Hebei, Nanyang in Henan, and Qichun in Hubei). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) method was established to determine the content of 13 nonvolatile components, and headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(HS-GC-MS) was employed for qualitative analysis and comparison of the volatile components. The content of phenolic acids in Artemisiae Argyi Folium was higher than that of flavonoids, and the content of nonvolatile components showed no significant differences among the samples from the three Dao-di producing areas. A total of 40 volatile components were identified, and the relative content of volatile components in Artemisiae Argyi Folium was significantly different among the samples from different Dao-di producing areas. The principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis identified 8 volatile components as the potential markers for discrimination of Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples from different Dao-di producing areas. This study revealed the differences in the chemical composition of Artemisiae Argyi Folium samples from three different Dao-di producing areas, providing analytical methods and a scientific basis for the discrimination and quality evaluation of Artemisia Argyi Folium in different Dao-di producing areas.

Characteristics of the chloroplast genome of Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li from Xinjiang with comparison and phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast genomes of the medicinal plants of Glycyrrhiza / 药学学报

italic>Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li is a medicinal plant resource and is often mixed with traditional licorice herbs. We sequenced the chloroplast genome of Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology, and physical mapping and genomic characterization was carried out. Comparative genomic analysis was performed with Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. The Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li chloroplast genome was 127 864 bp long with 34.25% GC content, consisting of a large single copy and a small single copy. The genome was missing the inverted repeat (IR) region. A total of 110 genes were annotated, including 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. The 301 SSRs, rich in A-T repeats, were detected by MISA. The Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li chloroplast genome showed weak codon preference, and the codons were biased to use A and T bases. Three specific gene fragments of Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li were characterized by homology comparison. Based on Pi analysis, six new high mutation regions (psbZ-psbC, trnC-GCA-rpoB, trnR-UCU-trnG-UCC, ycf2, trnN-GUU-ycf1, ndhA) of medicinal licorice species were determined. The results of phylogenetic analysis indicate that Glycyrrhiza eurycarpa P.C.Li from Xinjiang is an interspecific hybrid taxon closely related to the three medicinal licorice species, and Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat, which is distributed in the same domain, is its male parent. Based on this study, the taxonomic identification, herb-specific DNA fingerprint development, genetic diversity, and molecular plant breeding of medicinal plants of the genus Glycyrrhiza can be established.

Attenuation of Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Apoptosis and Pyroptosis in RSC96 Cells by Salvianolic Acid B / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To determine whether salvianolic acid B (Sal B) exerts protective effects on diabetic peripheral neuropathy by attenuating apoptosis and pyroptosis.@*METHODS@#RSC96 cells were primarily cultured with DMEM (5.6 mmol/L glucose), hyperglycemia (HG, 125 mmol/L glucose) and Sal B (0.1, 1, and 10 µ mol/L). Cells proliferation was measured by 3-(4, 5-cimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-dilphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis rate were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Western blot was performed to analyze the expressions of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bcl-2, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and interleukin (IL)-1β.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with HG at a concentration of 125 mmol/L attenuated cellular proliferation, while Sal B alleviated this injury (P<0.05). In addition, Sal B inhibited HG-induced ROS production and apoptosis rate (P<0.05). Furthermore, treatment with Sal B down-regulated HG-induced PARP, cleaved-caspase 3, cleaved-caspase 9, Bax, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-1β expression, but mitigated HG-mediated down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Sal B may protect RSC96 cells against HG-induced cellular injury via the inhibition of apoptosis and pyroptosis activated by ROS.

[Effect of shikonin on function of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast like synoviocytes].

To observe the effect of shikonin on the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) fibroblast like synoviocytes induced by tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and to explore its mechanism of action from aspects of protein kinase B(Akt) and mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways. TNF-α(20 ng·mL~(-1)) was used in this experiment to induce human RA fibroblast like synovial cell line(MH7 A). After addition of different concentrations of shikonin(0.025, 0.05, 0.1 pmol·L~(-1)), the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion ability of MH7 A cells were detected by MTT test, scratch test, adhesion test, Transwell invasion test, respectively. Protein expression of Akt and MAPK signaling pathway molecules in MH7 A cells was detected by Western blot. The results showed that as compared with the control group, TNF-α could significantly induce the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion of MH7 A cells, and increase the phosphorylation level of Akt, JNK, p38 and extracellular regulatory protein kinase(ERK). As compared with the TNF-α group, shikonin had no significant effect on TNF-α-induced proliferation of MH7 A cells after 24 h treatment, and it could reduce the TNF-α-induced proliferation of MH7 A cells in a concentration dependent manner after 48 h treatment. Shikonin also significantly reduced the TNF-α-induced migration, adhesion, invasion and phosphorylation levels of Akt, JNK, p38, ERK in MH7 A cells within 24 h. These results suggested that shikonin could reduce the proliferation, migration, adhesion and invasion ability of MH7 A cells induced by TNF-α, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of Akt and MAPK signaling pathway activation.

Dynamic Changes and Differences of B-cell Responses between Severe Dengue Disease and Mild Dengue Fever / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】 To find out the possible marker for early warning or therapeutic target of severe dengue disease ，we studied B cell responses during natural dengue virus（DENV）infection and their association with disease severity.【Methods】Sixty-two cases and their blood samples were collected from the patients hospitalized during September to December in 2014 and three groups were designated as mild dengue（DF，n=33），severe dengue（SD，n=29）and control group（Control ，n=6）. Multicolor flow cytometrywas used to analyze the dynamic changes of B cells and plasmablasts in the peripheral blood of patients during the acute phase and the critical phase. The plasmablasts in a succession of samplesfrom the same infected patients （including 3 mild and 3 severe cases） were further analyzed. We also observed the changes of B cells and their subsets ，including naive B cells ，memory B cells and plasmablasts，during primary and secondary infections. 【Results】 The expansion of B cells in the severe group was significantly higher than that in the mild group（P=0.013），especially on day 5 and day 6 after the symptom onset（P = 0.017 and 0.002，respectively）. Compared with those in the control group，the plasmablasts in the mild and severe groups showed significant proliferation（P=0.011 and 0.032，respectively），but no statistical difference was observed between these two groups. The analysis of the serial blood samples showed that the plasmablasts，in mild cases，peaked on day 7 and 8 and returned to baseline on day 10，whereas in the severe group，peaked on day 7 to 9，and still existed at a certain rate after day 10. In mild dengue group，more proliferative B cells，less naive B cells and memory B cells were found in secondary infection than in primary infection（P = 0.028，0.010 and 0.037，respectively），but plasmablasts revealed no difference. In severe dengue group， only naïve B cells significantly decreased in secondary infection （P = 0.018）. 【Conclusion】 B cell responses between mild and severe dengue after DENV- 1 infection present different trends. The significant proliferation of B cells in the early stage of the disease and the persistent existence of plasmablasts may be related to the severity of the dengue disease.

Outcomes of 138 myelodysplastic syndrome patients with HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) patients who received HLA-matched sibling donor allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (MSD-PBSCT) . Methods: The clinical data of 138 MDS patients received MSD-PBSCT from Sep. 2005 to Dec. 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the overall survival (OS) rate, disease-free survival (DFS) rate, relapse rate (RR) , non-relapse mortality (NRM) rate and the related risk factors were explored. Results: ①After a median follow-up of 1 050 (range 4 to 4 988) days, the 3-year OS and DFS rates were (66.6±4.1) % and (63.3±4.1) %, respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of RR and NRM rates were (13.9±0.1) % and (22.2±0.1) %, respectively. ②Univariate analysis showed that patients with grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) or hematopoietic cell transplantation comorbidity index (HCT-CI) ≥2 points or patients in very high-risk group of the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS-R) had significantly decreased OS[ (42.9±13.2) %vs (72.9±4.2) %, χ(2)=8.620, P=0.003; (53.3±7.6) %vs (72.6±4.7) %, χ(2)=6.681, P=0.010; (53.8±6.8) %vs (76.6±6.2) %vs (73.3±7.7) %, χ(2)=6.337, P=0.042]. For MDS patients with excess blasts-2 (MDS-EB2) and acute myeloid leukemia patients derived from MDS (MDS-AML) , pre-transplant chemotherapy or hypomethylating agents (HMA) therapy could not improve the OS rate[ (60.4±7.8) %vs (59.2±9.6) %, χ(2)=0.042, P=0.838]. ③Multivariate analysis indicated that the HCT-CI was an independent risk factor for OS and DFS (P=0.012, HR=2.108, 95%CI 1.174-3.785; P=0.008, HR=2.128, 95%CI 1.219-3.712) . Conclusions: HCT-CI was better than the IPSS-R in predicting the outcomes after transplantation. The occurrence of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD is a poor prognostic factor for OS. For patients of MDS-EB2 and MDS-AML, immediate transplantation was recommended instead of receiving pre-transplant chemotherapy or HMA therapy.

Outcomes and prognostic factors of myelodysplastic syndrome patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes and prognostic factors of myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS) patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) . Methods: 165 cases of MDS who underwent allo-HSCT from Jan. 2010 to Mar. 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, focusing on the overall survival (OS) , disease free survival (DFS) , relapse, non-relapse mortality (NRM) and their related risk factors. Results: Of all the 165 cases, 105 were male and 60 were female. The 3-year OS and DFS rate were 72.5% (95%CI 64.9%-80.1%) and 67.4% (95%CI 59.17%-75.63%) , respectively. The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse and NRM were 12.11% (95%CI 7.03%-18.65%) and 20.44% (95%CI 14.15%-27.56%) , respectively. HCT-comorbidity index (P=0.042, HR=2.094, 95%CI 1.026-4.274) was identified as independent risk factor for OS by the multivariate analysis. Intensive chemotherapy before HSCT or hypomethylation agents treatment had no effects on OS[ (67.0±7.5) %vs (57.7±10.9) %, χ(2)=0.025, P=0.874]. Conclusions: allo-HSCT is a promising means for MDS, and NRM is the major cause of treatment failure. MDS with refractory anemia with excess blasts and secondary acute myeloid leukemia patients may not benefit from intensive chemotherapy or hypomethylation agents treatment before HSCT.

Hesperetin derivative-12 (HDND-12) regulates macrophage polarization by modulating JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway / 中国天然药物

Macrophages show significant heterogeneity in function and phenotype, which could shift into different populations of cells in response to exposure to various micro-environmental signals. These changes, also termed as macrophage polarization, of which play an important role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Numerous studies have proved that Hesperidin (HDN), a traditional Chinese medicine, extracted from fruit peels of the genus citrus, play key roles in anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant and so on. However, the role of HDN in macrophage polarization has never been reported. Additional, because of its poor water solubility and bioavailability. Our laboratory had synthesized many hesperidin derivatives. Among them, hesperidin derivatives-12 (HDND-12) has better water solubility and bioavailability. So, we evaluated the role of HDND-12 in macrophage polarization in the present study. The results showed that the expression of Arginase-1 (Arg-1), interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) were up-regulated by HDND-12, whereas the expression of inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) was down-regulated in LPS- and IFN-γ-treated (M1) RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 were significantly decreased after stimulation with HDND-12 in M1-like macrophages. More importantly, when we taken AG490 (inhibitor of JAK2/STAT3 signaling), the protein levels of iNOS were significantly reduced in AG490 stimulation group compare with control in LPS, IFN-γ and HDND-12 stimulation cells. Taken together, these findings indicated that HDND-12 could prevent polarization toward M1-like macrophages, at least in part, through modulating JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Application of smart phone and supporting set for fundus imaging in primary hospital of rural area / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To describe the application of smart phone and supporting set for acquiring fundus images with slitlamp examination and non-contact lens in primary hospital of the rural area.METHODS:The supporting set for smart phone was purchased from taobao and securely connected to the ocular lens of slitlamp microscopy.The fundus photos were imaged with assistance of non-contact slitlamp lens from Volk.RESULTS:High quality images of various retinal diseases could be successfully taken with smart phone and supporting set by slitlamp examination.The fundus images were send to patients with Wechat as medical records or used for telconsultant.CONCLUSION:High resolution smart phones are wildly used nowadays and supporting sets are very accessible;thus high quality of images could be obtained with minimal cost in rural hospitals.The digital fundus images will be beneficial for medical record and rapid diagnosis with telconsultant.

Application of jellyfish collagen and its hydrolysates in biomedical research / 国际药学研究杂志

Collagen and its hydrolysates are the main functional substances derived from jellyfish, with superior characteristics including the convenient extraction, non-toxicity, high biodegradability and good biocompatibility. As a result, jellyfish collagen and its hydrolysates have become an important material in the field of biomedical research and showed a good application prospect in tissue engineering, biomaterial development and drug delivery. This review focuses on the application of jellyfish collagen and its hydrolysates in the biomedical researches, such as collagen scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering, vascular grafts, aptamer sensors, hemostatic materials, anti-arthritis, anti-hypertension, so as to provide a reference for further studies on the application of the jellyfish collagen and its hydrolysates.

Biotransformation of quercetin by Gliocladium deliquescens NRRL 1086 / 中国天然药物

With an attempt to synthesize high-value isoquercitrin (quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside), we carried out the biotransformation of quercetin (1) by Gliocladium deliquescens NRRL 1086. Along with the aimed product quercetin 3-O-β-D-glycoside (2), three additional metabolites, 2-protocatechuoyl-phlorogucinol carboxylic acid (3), 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid (4), and protocatechuic acid (5), were also isolated. The time-course experiments revealed that there were two metabolic routes, regio-selectivity glycosylation and quercetin 2,3-dioxygenation, co-existing in the culture. Both glycosylation and oxidative cleavage rapidly took place after quercetin feeding; about 98% quercetin were consumed within the initial 8 h and the oxdized product (2-protocatechuoyl-phlorogucinol carboxylic acid) was hydrolyzed into two phenolic compounds (2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid and protocatechuic acid). We also investigated the impact of glucose content and metal ions on the two reactions and found that high concentrations of glucose significantly inhibited the oxidative cleavage and improved the yield of isoquercitrin and that Ca, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Zn inhibited glycosylation. To test the promiscuity of this culture, we selected other four flavonols as substrates; the results demonstrated its high regio-selectivity glycosylation ability towards flavonols at C-3 hydroxyl. In conclusion, our findings indicated that the versatile microbe of G. deliquescens NRRL 1086 maitained abundant enzymes, deserving further research.

Prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis in saliva and filled root canals of teeth associated with apical periodontitis / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

To investigate the prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis in saliva and filled root canals of patients requiring endodontic retreatment for apical periodontitis. Patients with apical periodontitis who were referred for endodontic retreatment were examined. The type and quality of the restoration, symptoms, quality of obturation were recorded. During retreatment, an oral rinse sample and root canal sample were cultured using brain-heart infusion agar and bile esculinazide agar to select for E. faecalis. The 16S rRNA technique was used to identify E. faecalis. A total of 32 women and 22 men (mean age: 38 years; s.d.: 11 years) and 58 teeth were studied. The prevalence of E. faecalis was 19% in the saliva and 38% in the root canals. The odds that root canals harbored E. faecalis were increased if the saliva habored this bacterium (odds ratio=9.7; 95% confidence interval=1.8-51.6; P<0.05). Teeth with unsatisfactory root obturation had more cultivable bacterial species in root canals than teeth with satisfactory root obturation (P<0.05). E. faecalis is more common in root canals of teeth with apical periodontitis than in saliva. The prevalence of E. faecalis in root canals is associated with the presence of E. faecalis in saliva.

Study on factors affecting the quality of life for nurses working in night shifts / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the situation of quality of life (QOL) of nurses working in night shifts and the major factors influencing the QOL, and to provide scientific basis of the further effective intervention for the quality of life.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The nurses working in night shift were sampled randomly in Grade 3A-hospitals of Tianjin, and investigated using WHO Quality of Life-BREF Scale.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three hundred eighty five questionnaires were collected from 398 questionnaires. The average score of subjective QOL perception was 2.90 (the full score is 5), subjective health perception was 2.64 (the full score is 5). The score of physical domain of QOL was 13.21 +/- 2.18; psychological domain of QOL was 13.38 +/- 2.28; social domain of QOL was 14.71 +/- 2.32; environmental domain of QOL was 11.36 +/- 2.31, all of which were significantly lower than norm value (P<0.01). The results analyzed by ordinal logistic regression showed that the factors affecting physical domain of QOL were years of working experience, sleep time, gastrointestinal disorders, family harmony status and regular diet; the factors affecting psychological domain of QOL were family harmony status and gastrointestinal disorders; the factors affecting social domain of QOL were the nature of nursing work and family harmony status; the factors affecting environmental domain of QOL were job title, sleep time, gastrointestinal disorders and regular diet.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The QOL of nurses working in night shifts is lower than that of general people. The corresponding measures should be taken to raise the quality of life of nurses in night shifts.</p>

Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand and osteoprotegerin expression in chronic apical periodontitis: possible association with inflammatory cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been recently shown to play important roles in bone resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between the expression of bone resorption regulators (RANKL and OPG) and inflammatory cell infiltration in chronic apical periodontitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The samples of chronic periapical lesions (n = 40) and healthy periapical tissues (n = 10) were examined for immunohistochemical analysis of RANKL and OPG. Lesion samples were further analyzed for the inflammatory infiltration condition. The inflammatory cell infiltration was scored in relation to immunohistochemical reactivity for CD3, CD20 and CD68.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of RANKL-positive cells and the ratio of RANKL/OPG in chronic apical periodontitis were significantly higher than those in healthy periapical tissues (P < 0.001). The number of RANKL-positive cells was higher in lesions with severe inflammatory infiltration than in those with light inflammatory infiltration (P < 0.05). Significantly increased RANKL expression was found with T lymphocytes (CD3(+)), macrophages (CD68(+)) and B lymphocytes (CD20(+)) infiltration (P < 0.05). No association was found between the ratio of RANKL/OPG and inflammatory cell infiltration.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RANKL expression was increased with T, B lymphocytes and macrophages infiltration, respectively in chronic periapical lesions. RANKL appears to be closely related to periapical inflammatory infiltrates. The relative ratio of RANKL/OPG may be a key determinant of RANKL-mediated bone resorption.</p>

Expression of integrin beta1 in squamous cell carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of integrin beta1 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and explore the relationship between stem cell marker and SCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of integrin beta1 in SCC tissues and SCC cell strain A431 were detected with immunohistochemical methods and cell staining method. The differentiation of SCC cells were induced with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). The changes of integrin beta1 levels before and after induction were detected with RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In highly differentiated SCC tissues, integrin beta1 was constantly expressed in the basal-like cells in the edge of tumor; some cells inside arranged as island also showed positive integrin beta1 expression. In poorly differentiated SCC tissues, island-like integrin beta1-positive cells remarkably increased and distributed in a diffuse way. In SCC A431 cells, integrin beta1 was expressed unevenly in tumor cells. After treatment by ATRA, level of integrin beta1 mRNA in A431 cells significantly decreased compared with untreated control (P < 0.05), and the ratios between the intensity values of integrin beta1 to beta-actin were 0.071 +/- 0.025 and 0.029 +/- 0.018 at 24 h and 48 h, respectively, whereas in controls were 0.148 +/- 0.027 and 0.136 +/- 0.011 (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Integrin beta1 is heterogeneously expressed in both SCC tissues and SCC A431 cells. The expression of Integrin beta1 decreases when the differentiation level of tumor cells increase, indicating that integrin beta1 is closely related with the initiation of SCC and potential cancer stem cells in SCC.</p>

A community-based study on relations between metabolic syndrome and carotid atherosclerosis in a middle-aged population / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the association between metabolic syndromes (MS) and carotid atherosclerosis and to estimate the predictive effects of MS under 3 different definitions.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 community-based populations in Beijing,in 2008.1266 subjects (598 men,668 women),aged 45-69,were included in the analyses.MS was defined by the criteria of International Diabetes Federation (IDF),the revised NCEPATPm (ATP Ⅲ-R) and "The Guidelines of Dyslipidemia Control for Chinese Adult" ( "Guidelines" ) in 2007.Results The prevalence rates of MS by the 3 criteria were 39.0%,43.3% and 30.9% respectively.The Kappa value for the measure of the agreement between each pair of the 3 definitions were 0.911,0.719 and 0.730 respectively.The intima-media thickness in common carotid artery (CCA-IMT) was significantly higher (P＜0.001) in all MS groups than in non-MS groups,diagnosed with the 3 criteria independent of age,gender,LDL-C,and current smoking status.After adjustment of age,gender,LDL-C,and current smoking status,the classification of MS significantly increased the risk of prevalence of carotid atberosclerotic plaques,compared to the non-MS group.OR value were 1.499 (95% CI:1.157-1.942) for IDF,1.696 (95% CI:1.314-2.189) for NCEP-R,1.763 (95% CI:1.344-2.312) for "Guideline" respectively.Conclusion Our research findings indicated that,when MS were defined with the 3 definitions,prediction on the risk of sub-clinical atberosclerosis would work beyond some of the conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking,LDL-C.There might exist some differences in gender issue on the strength of association between MS when diagnosed by different criteria and carotid plaque.

Health status of mothers undergoing in vitro fertilization and their offspring / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To review the health status of mothers undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF) and their offspring.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Health status of 210 IVF mothers and offspring performed from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2002 was compared with that of those who conceived naturally retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A significant differences were found in rates of multiple births, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy,cesarean section, preterm delivery,low (and very low) birth weight infant,malformation(33.33 % with compared 1.72 %, 10.87 % with compared 4.59 %, 89.85 % with compared 65.57 %, 24.64 % with compared 6.27 %, 25.68 % with compared 8.23 %, 3.83 % with compared 1.17 %, all P<0.01) between IVF and those conceived naturally. The rates of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy,preterm delivery, low (and very low) birth weight infant were related to the rate of multiple births OR. 95 %CI were 3.49, 1.16-10.50; 13.65, 5.39-34.58; 14.91, 5.53-40.17; respectively. There was no statistical difference in neonatal outcome between normal IVF and intra-cytop-lasmic sperm injection (P>0.05); no difference in height and weight between full-term and preterm (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Assisted reproductive technologies increase multiple births rate, resulting in high rates of hypertensive disorders, preterm delivery, low (and very low) birth weight infant.</p>

Clinical evaluation of different angulation radiograph in diagnosing multiple canals of mandibular first premolars in vivo / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the efficiency of different angle projection radiograph in diagnosing multiple canals of mandibular first premolars.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-eight mandibular first premolars that needed endodontic treatment in vivo were selected. The radiograph was taken at a horizontal angles of 0, 20-30 degrees from mesial or distal direction of the tooth preoperative. According to the different angle projection radiographic evaluation, radiographic diagnosis of multiple canals were suspected. After the root canal orifice were detected and located with K files, the root canals were prepared using crown-down technique and obturated using cold lateral condensation technique. The configurations and numbers of root canals were identified and recorded. The postoperative radiograph was taken. According to configurations and postoperative radiograph, the root canal configuration was classified into type I -V.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In eighty-eight mandibular first premolars, 31 multiple canals teeth were suspected in preoperative radiographic diagnosis, 30 multiple canal teeth were detected under clinical evaluation. In case of 31 multiple canal teeth suspected by preoperative radiographic diagnosis, 3 teeth were not found multiple canals under clinical evaluation. While in case of 2 teeth of one canal suspected by preoperative radiographic diagnosis, multiple canal was detected under clinical evaluation. In 31 multiple canal teeth suspected by preoperative radiographic diagnosis, 13 teeth were detected at a horizontal angles of 0 degree and 25 teeth were detected at a horizontal angles of 20-30 degree, 7 teeth were suspected at different angle projection. Clinical detected rate of multiple canal in mandibular first premolar were 34.09% (30/88), 70.00% of which were type IV and V.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Different angulation radiograph of preoperative will assist to increase clinical detection rate of multiple canals in mandibular first premolar.</p>