Changes in expression of estrogen receptor α and β associated with anxiety-like behavior of dams in dams-offspring separation of C57BL/6 J mice / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effects of dams-offspring separation on anxiety-like behaviors of dams, and if these anxiety-like behaviors of dams are associated with estrogen receptorα(ERα) and β( ERβ)in some brain regions. Methods Thirty C57BL/6 J female mice were divided into three groups, control group (CG, n= 10,non-isolated group), short-term separation group( SG,/i= 10, dams were separated from their offspring for 15 minuts per day from the second day to the tenth day after childbirth ) and long-term separation group ( LG, n = 10, dams were separated from their offspring for 3 hours per day from the second day to the tenth day after childbirth ). Anxiety-like behaviors of dams were evaluated in an open-field (OF) and elevated plus-maze test ( EPM ). The level of ERα- immunoreactive neurons (ERα-IRs) and ERβ-immunoreactive neurons (ERβ-IRs) in three brain regions including medial preoptic area (mPOA), hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMH) and medial amygdaloid nucleus ( MeA) were analyzed. Results In OF, compared to CG group and SG group, LG group had significantly less time in center area, crossing number and total distance(P0.05 ). In EPM, compared to CG group and SG group, LG group had significantly less percentage of time, distance in open arms and total distance(P<0.001 ). Compared to CG group and SG group, LG group had significantly less ERa-IRs and ERβ-IRs in mPOA, VMH, and MeA(P<0.01). Conclusion Dams that are long-termly separated from their offspring may have anxiety-like behavior, and this behavior may be related to the significant reduction of ERa and ERβ in these brain regions.

A metabolite of Danshen formulae (IDHP) induces angiogenesis and protects rat brains against focal ischemia via CaMKKβ/AMPK(Thr172)/eNOS(Ser1177) signaling / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE Only limited number of drugs are currently available for treating ischemic stroke. Therapeu?tic angiogenesis has recently emerged as one of the most promising therapies for cerebral ischemic injury. Isopropyl-β-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-α-hydroxypropanoate (IDHP) is a metabolite derived from the botanical formulation for Dantonic?. Here, we investigated the angiogenic efficacy of IDHP in cerebral ischemia. METHODS The in vivo effects of IDHP were evaluated in the C57BL/6 mouse Matrigel plug and rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) models. Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) were used to explore the effects of IDHP on stimulating proliferation, migration and tube formation in vitro. ELISA and Western blotting were used to quantitate the release and expression of relevant target molecules and signaling path?ways. RESULTS IDHP reduced infarct volume and improved sensorimotor function in rats subjected to tMCAO by pro?moting angiogenesis, and promoted Matrigel neovascularization in mice. Moreover, IDHP produced a biphasic modula?tion on proliferation and migration both in HUVEC and HBMEC. It also induced tube formation in a 12-day HUVEC-HDF co-culture model and in Matrigel assays. IDHP-induced angiogenesis was accompanied by increased levels of p-AMPKα (Thr172) and p-eNOS (Ser1177) both in vitro and in vivo, and the decreased level of VEGF in rat brains on day 1 whereas enhanced level of VEGF on day 3 and 7 after tMCAO. Mechanistically, AMPK knockdown or pharmacologi?cally inhibiting AMPK and its upstream kinases (CaMKKβ) inhibited the eNOS phosphorylation induced by IDHP in HUVEC. Furthermore, selective eNOS inhibitor (L-NIO), selective CaMKKβ inhibitor (STO) and AMPKa inhibitor (Com?pound C) blocked the capillary-like tube formation in the co-culture model induced by IDHP (10 nmol · L-1). CONCLU?SION Collectively, these findings showed that IDHP protected rats from cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by promot?ing angiogenesis via activating CaMKKβ/AMPK(Thr172)/eNOS(Ser1177) signaling, and suggest it to be a promising new drug candidate for the prevention and/or treatment of cerebral ischemia and other vascular occlusive diseases.

Occluding dentin tubules with monetite paste / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study was performed to evaluate the occlusion of monetite paste on dentine tubule and provide a new potential method for treating dentine hypersensitivity.@*METHODS@#Calcium oxide, strontium chloride, and polyethylene glycol phosphate were mixed in a certain proportion and ground in a planetary ball mill. The reaction was carried out by adjusting the pH to obtain monetite and hydroxyapatite paste. The morphological characteristics of the paste were observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The structure and composition were analyzed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The extracted third molar was selected to undergo demineralization to establish the @*RESULTS@#XRD and FTIR showed that the composition of the paste was mainly monetite, and the composition of hydroxyapatite paste was mainly composed of hydroxyapatite. SEM revealed that the size of the crystal particles of the synthesized paste was tens to hundreds of nanometers. Monetite and hydroxyapatite paste could produce a thicker mineralization layer on the dentin surface, and the mineralization of the dentin tubules of monetite was deeper than that of hydroxyapatite paste. The microhardness of the monetite paste group was significantly less than those of the hydroxyapatite paste groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Monetite paste could effectively block the exposed dentin tubules and be used for treating dentin hypersensitivity.

Research on sinusoidal alternating magnetic field therapy system based on inverter technology / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To develop a sinusoidal alternating magnetic field therapy system in order to overcome the disadvantages of the single output frequency and the low effective value of the output magnetic field strength of the alternating magnetic field therapy system in the market,of which the frequency and magnetic density both were continuously adjustable. Methods Multi winding Helmholtz coil was used as the magnetic field generator.On the basis of inverter technology,bipolar equivalent area method considering dead zone and variable speed integral incremental PID control algorithm were used to achieve the accuracy control of magnetic frequency and density in the coil.The accuracy of the resulting waveform and the accuracy of the magnetic field strength was verified by simulation calculation and system current and magnetic field strength test.Results The magnetic field treatment system gained high performance,total harmonic distortion (THD)of sine wave met the requirements of international standards.The obtained magnetic density was as expected of the simulation and calculation. Conclusion The device provides continuously adjustable magnetic field,which has a positive effect on the research for the medical staff, and technical references are provided to the research of magnetic field therapy system.

Clinical application of magnetic attachment in the treatment for dentition defect / 安徽医科大学学报

38 patients with dentition defect in our hospital for magnetic attachment dental treatment were analyzed. At the same time,34 cases of patients with dentition defects were ,being treated with conventional prosthodontics, selected to compare the stability of overdentures and masticatory function with magnetic attachment. The stability of overdentures and masticatory function after restored with magnetic attachment was significantly higher than before(P< 0. 01),while there was no difference after 4 weeks. Cementation language,comfort and appearance satisfaction after 4 weeks were significantly higher than before(P < 0. 05). The stability of overdentures,masticatory function, cementation language,comfort and appearance satisfaction after restored with magnetic attachment was significantly higher than conventional prosthodontics(P < 0. 05). It finally indicated that magnetic attachment had the advanta-ges of comfort,convenience and good effect. The stability of overdentures,masticatory function and application sat-isfaction was superior to conventional prosthodontics,and it had an application prospect.

Clinical features, prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome in neonates of different gestational ages in tertiary hospitals in Northwest China / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical features, prevention and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in neonates of different gestational ages (GA) in the tertiary hospitals in Northwest China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 440 neonates diagnosed with RDS between January and December, 2011 in 12 tertiary hospitals in Northwest China were enrolled and classified into three groups: early preterm (GA<34 weeks; n=247), late preterm (GA 34-36(+6) weeks; n=131) and full-term (GA≥37 weeks; n=62). The clinical data, including perinatal factors, prevention and treatment, complications and prognosis, were comparatively analyzed among the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of multiple births in the early preterm group was higher than the other two groups. The two preterm groups showed a higher incidence of premature rupture of membranes than the full-term group. The full-term group had a higher rate of cesarean section without contractions than the two preterm groups. The early preterm group had the highest application rate of antenatal steroids. Compared with the other two groups, the early preterm group had a higher application rate of pulmonary surfactants (PS) and an earlier time of first application of PS. The full-term group had a lower resuscitation rate than the two preterm groups. The early preterm group showed a higher incidence of patent ductus arteriosus and intracranial hemorrhage than the other two groups. The cure rate of RDS (78.2%) was the highest in the full-term group, followed by the late preterm group (58.6%) and the early preterm group (42.9%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>RDS infants of different GA in Northwest China have significant differences in perinatal factors, antenatal prevention, PS treatment, complications and prognosis.</p>

Phage display peptide library for screening the peptides that specifically bind to osteoblasts cells / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the experimental methods that the phage peptide library technology screening human osteoblast specificity polypeptide, which will provide the basis of the experiment of the Ti surface biolization modification.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Human calvarial osteoblasts were used as the target cells for whole-cell biopanning from a 12-mer peptide phage-display library. Cell eluent and cell lysis buffer were cultivate and count respectively after washing. Then the target cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunofluorescence detection to authenticate the positive phage clones by human gingival fibroblast as the absorber cells. The positive phage clones were deduced by DNA sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After four rounds of screening, twenty-two positive phage clones were found out from randomly selected phage monoclonals, whose single-strand DNA were extracted and sequenced. Amino acid sequence of the highest frequency peptide was MGWSWWPETWPM.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The specific peptide against human osteoblasts can be obtained from a phage-display peptide library for use as a new research approach and experimental basis of the biolization modification of the titanium surface.</p>

Effect of dopamine on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases and degradation of dentin collagen / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the inhibition effect of dopamine on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and the effect of dopamine on degradation of dentin collagen for its potential use in caries treatment and dentin adhesive.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the experiment of MMP activity test, 2.0 g/L dopamine + 1.0 g/L highly purified collagenase type VIII from Clostridium histolyticum served as the experimental group, and deionized water + 1.0 g/L highly purified collagenase type VIII from Clostridium histolyticum served as the negative control group, and 2% chlorhexidine + 1.0 g/L highly purified collagenase type VIII from Clostridium histolyticum served as the positive control group, and the mixture volume ratio of the two ingredients in every group was 1:9. After 15 minutes, the enzyme activity of each sample was tested by MMP activity colerimetric quantitative detection kits, and the test was repeated 5 times in each group. In the experiment of collagen degradation, the dentin slices were demineralized with 37% phosphoric acid for 1 min. In sequence, 2 dentin slices were used to observe the morphology, and the remaining 30 dentine slices were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) according to random number table: the negative control ones were stored in 100 µl deionized water and 900 µl collagenase (7 days, 37 °C), the positive control ones were stored in 100 µl chlorhexidine and 900 µl collagenase (7 days, 37 °C) and the experimental specimens were stored in 100 µl dopamine and 900 µl collagenase (7 days, 37 °C). The degraded collagen was investigated by assaying hydroxyproline. The framework of collagen was evaluated with field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The statistical results of completely random design ANOVA showed that the MMP activity and the amount of degraded collagen of the negative control group [(0.089 ± 0.011) µmol · min⁻¹ · mg⁻¹ and (2 837 ± 201) µg/cm²] were significantly higher than those of the positive control group [(0.038 ± 0.006) µmol · min⁻¹ · mg⁻¹ and (1 288 ± 172) µg/cm²] and the experimental group [(0.030 ± 0.009) µmol · min⁻¹ · mg⁻¹ and (1 389 ± 255) µg/cm²] (P < 0.05). SEM observation indicated that the structural integrity of the collagen network on dentin still existed in experiment samples and positive control groups, however, collagen fibrils were destructed and the structural integrity disappeared in the negative control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Dopamine may inhibit MMP activity and reduce the amount of degraded collagen.</p>

Preparation of sodium alginate-nanohydroxyapatite composite material for bone repair and its biocompatibility / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To prepare sodium alginate-nanohydroxyapatite composite material and to explore its feasibility as a bone repair material.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sodium alginate-nanohydroxyapatite composite material was prepared using chemical cross-linking and freeze-drying technology. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and its porosity was measured by liquid displacement method. The fifth passage of bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSCs) were incubated on the composite material and then growth was observed by inverted microscope and SEM. BMSCs were cultured with liquid extracts of the material, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to calculate the relative growth rate (RGR) on 1, 3, 5 d and to evaluate the cytotoxicity. Fresh dog blood was added into the liquid extracts to conduct hemolysis test, the spectrophotometer was used to determine the optical density (OD) and to calculate the hemolysis rate.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sodium alginate-nanohydroxyapatite composite material displayed porosity, the porous pore rate was (88.6 +/- 4.5)%. BMSCs showed full stretching and vigorous growth under inverted microscope and SEM. BMSCs cultured with liquid extracts of the material had good activities. The toxicity of composite material was graded as 1. Hemolysis test results showed that the hemolysis rate of the composite material was 1.28%, thus meeting the requirement of medical biomaterials.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The composite material fabricated in this study has high porosity and good biocompatibility.</p>

Design and evaluation of a kind of biomimetic peptides of dentin matrix protein-1 / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To design a kind of biomimetic polypeptide of dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1), which can bind to dentine collagen fibers and initiate mineralization.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A novel polypeptide was developed by connecting the collagen binding domain of DMP-1 "DSESSEEDR" to the hydrophilic C-terminal of amelogenin "TKREEVD". The polypeptide was synthetically prepared by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis. Human dentine slices were completely demineralized by hydrochloric acid to expose the dentine collagen. Fluorescein isothiocyanate coupled polypeptide was applied to the exposed dentine collagen. Fluorescent microscopy was used to examine the polypeptide specially bond to the dentine collagen. Nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite was initiated by immersing the polypeptide into calcium chloride and sodium hypophosphate solutions respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area diffraction (SAD) were used to examine the hydroxyapatites formed. RESULTS Fluorescent dentine collagen was identified in the demineralized dentine specimens. Nucleation and growth of crystals were detected after immersing the polypeptide into calcium chloride and sodium hypophosphate solutions by SEM and TEM. SAD confirmed the crystals were hydroxyapatites.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The polypeptide of "DSESSEEDRTKREEVD" can simulate DMP-1 binding collagen and initiate hydroxyapatite nucleation and growth. It may be a potential molecular tool for dentine remineralization.</p>

Ethnic differences on nutritional status of children under 3 years old in poor counties of the western China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To explore the ethnic differences on nutritional status of children under three years old,in the western areas of China and to indentify the affecting factors.Methods 14 072children under the age of three years and their mothers were recruited,using the proportion population sampling method in 45 counties in the western areas of China.Height and weight were used as the measurement on nutrition of children.Results Height and weight of children with Han,Uyghur,Tibetan and Zhuang ethnicities were all lower than the WHO standards and with differences on height and weight among them.There were also ethnic differences on the status of malnutrition.Prevalence rates of stunting were 14.7％,20.3％,26.9％ and 26.5％ for Han,Uyghur,Tibetan and Zhuang ethnicities,respectively.Prevalence rates of underweight were 6.1％,10.7％,6.8％ and 15.5％ among the Han,Uyghur,Tibetan and Zhuang ethnicities,respectively.The prevalence rates of wasting were 4.2％,5.3％,2.9％,8.9％,and of under nutrition were 19.2％,25.5％,30.3％ and 36.5％ for the Han,the Uyghur,the Tibetan and the Zhuang ethnicities,respectively.When factors as family size,years of schooling of parents,family numbers,sex,age (months),mother' s height and weight,ways of feeding and sources of family income etc.were adjusted,children with Uyghur,Tibetan,Zhuang and other ethnicities were still presented more malnutrition than the children with Han ethnicity.Conclusion There were differences on malnutrition status of children under the age of three years among the studies on different ethnicities.Undemutrition was less than nutritional status,seen in children of the Han nationality than other minority ethnicites.Ethnicity seemed to be related to differences in the nutritional status of children in western China while children of the Han nationality would be better than other minorities on nutritional status if they were in same living conditionals.

Synthesis and evaluation of a novel injectable and water-swelling gingival displacement materials / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To synthesize and evaluate a novel injectable and water-swelling gingival displacement materials.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A kind of water-swelling polymer, kaolin and aluminum chloride were mechanically mixed at certain ratio in water solution, resulting to a novel paste materials for gingival displacement. Then, its stability in aqueous solution and water swelling properties were evaluated in vitro. The effect on gingival displacement was evaluated by animal experiments in dogs. A commercial gingival displacement materials paste of Expasyl was used as control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>While contacting with water, the novel gingival displacement paste did not collapse, maintained its integrity structure, and could expand for adsorbing water. Animal experiments in dogs showed that the materials could lead to displace the gingival margins from the dental root surfaces.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The novel injectable and expanded gingival displacement material is efficient to retract free gingival margin with potential clinical application.</p>

A study on the effect of biomineralization and phosphorylation performed on the titanium implant surfaces / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To suggest a chemical surface treatment for titanium and to initiate the formation of hydroxycarbonated apatite (HCA) on titanium surface during in vitro bioactivity tests in simulated body fluid (SBF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>To improve the bone-bonding ability of Ti implants, commercially pure titanium (cpTi) by a simple chemical pre-treatment in orthophosphoric acid (H(3)PO(4)) with different density was activated, and then the phosphorylation specimens were soaked in SBF to investigate the function of biomineralization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs showed that the surfaces of the pre-treated samples were characterized by a complex construction, which consisted of a mesh-like morphology matrix (a micro-roughened surface) and an uniform surface with different morphous of titanium dihydrogen orthophosphate [Ti(H(2)PO(4))(3)] crystal. After 14 days in SBF a homogeneous biomimetic apatite layer precipitated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These data suggest that the treatment of titanium by acid etching in orthophosphoric acid is a suitable method to provide the titanium implant with bone-bonding ability.</p>

Biomimetic synthesis and cytocompatibility of agar-hydroxyapatite composites / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Studies regarding synthesizing composite bone repair materials with organic macromolecules as mineralizers template are the hot research spot. However, reports concerning using agar as bone repair materials are few. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize a novel agar-hydroxyapatite composite material, and to evaluate its physical and chemical properties as well as cytocompatibility.METHODS: ①A certain amount of the non-nano-hydroxyapatite in hydrochloric acid solution was added into a certain amount of agar sol, and the reaction system was adjusted with PH value of 7-8. And then the precipitate was lyophilized to obtain the composite of agar-hydroxyapatite.②The third generation of rat bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) was co-cultured with agar-hydroxyapatite. And the growth of cells was observed at days 1, 3 and 5 after culture. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The results of X-ray diffraction patterns, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), thermal analyzer, transmission electron microscope, and scanning electron microscope showed that agar could manipulate the growth of hydroxyapatite, and hydroxyapatite nanocrystals was equably formed on the agar-fibers with high porosity. The BMSC grew well in the composite and form a clear cytoskeletal at days 3 and 5 after culture. The results reveal that agar-hydroxyapatite composite has good physical and chemical properties and cytocompatibility.

Progress in researches of in-vivo re-endothelialization at the site of implanting cardiovascular devices / 生物医学工程学杂志

Restenosis and thrombus at the site of implanting cardiovascular devices remains a significant problem in the practice of interventional cardiology. Recently, lots of studies reveal that endothelial impairment was considered as one of the most important mechanisms contributing to restenosis. The method of accelerating endothelial regeneration at the injury site could prevent restenosis and thrombus, so such methods are of importance for improving the effectiveness of interventional therapy for atherosclerosis. This paper summarized the progress in researches in-vivo re-endothelialization at the site of intravascular stent.

Study on the indeterminate results of characterization and verification of HIV antibody from Western blot test / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To study the serological characterization of indeterminate Western blot(WB)results of HIV antibody and to find a new way to verify the HIV antibody indeterminate results and provide references for editing"National Guideline for Detection of HIV/AIDS".Methods All of the 42 subjects who were confirmed as indeterminate HIV antibody in People'Libaretion Amry HIV Confirmation Laboratory from 2005 to 2006,were collected.Line immunoassay.HIV viral load test and HIV-1 p24 were tested and followed up for 3-6 months'to compare the changes of WB bands patterns.Results (1)For the 42 individuals with indeterminate HIV antibody.a total of 8 different patterns of bands were found in WB test including 45.2% of them were p24 monoband,30.9% were gp160 monoband,11.9% were gp160 with p24,2.4%(only one case)were gp160gp120 ±,gp41p24,p24p17,gp41 or gp120respectively.It was noticed that the most patterns of common bands with indeterminate results were p24 monoband.gpl60 monoband and gpl60 with p24.which composed 88.0% of the whole indeterminate WB band patterns.(2)Twenty three cases had been followed up for more than 3 months with 22 giving no WB band image change and were confirmed as HIV sero-negative.The other one with case gp160 and p24 had developed to more bands in the period of 77 days follow-up with more bands,including gpl60,gp120,p66,p31,p24 and p17,showed up and was confirmed as HIV primary infection.(3)Line immunoassay was applied to all of those 23 cases who had been followed up and the results showed that only one serological change was found and the case was confirmed to be HIV-positive.Among the other 22 cases without serological changes.16 cases were proved to be HIV-negative,6 cases were still indeterminate.The specificitv was 72.7%.P24 antigen test showed negative in all the 23 cases,including the case which later was confirmed as HIV-positive.Of all the 23 originally indeterminate cases,viral loads were tested in 7 eases.Positive result was found in the case which was proved later to be HIV-positive.No viral loads were detected in the other 6 cases(＜LDL).Conclusion The most common band patterns of indeterminate HIV antibody were mainly p24 monoband,gp160 monoband or with p24.Most of them (95.6%)were not infected by HIV,the bands showed up in WB test and demonstrated as non-specific reactions.Line immunoassay could determine about 70% of the indeterminate reactions.Results from viral load test also suggested that it was an efficient method to discriminate indeterminate results.With these two techniques,HIV serology could be diagnosed without 3 months'follow-up in primary infection which gave indeterminate WB results.

Preparation and cytocompatibility of apatite-porous fibers composite / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this article was to prepare apatite-porous fibers composite through biominetic synthesis and to investigate its cytocompatibility.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Phosphate groups were incorporated into the surface of natural porous fiber-corncob by chemical modification. After precalcification, corncob was immersed into simulated body fluid. The surface of composite was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction. Infant rat calvarias osteoblasts were isolated and expanded in vitro and the cells were seeded onto composite. Osteoblasts growth, proliferation and differentiation were assessed through SEM, MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Apatite crystal was formed on the surface of corncob after reaction. Cell adhered and spread well on the surface of the composite, having high abilities of proliferation and synthesis of ALP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There is good compatibility between the osteoblast and apatite-porous fibers composite. This composite may serve as a potential biomaterial used in bone repair and regeneration.</p>

Application of all-trans retinoic acid combining chemotherapy and As4S4 in the maintenance treatment of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the efficacy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) combining chemotherapy and As4S4 with ATRA combining chemotherapy for the maintenance treatment of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients with APL induced to complete remission by ATRA and consolidated by chemotherapy were randomly divided into two groups. Thirty patients as As4S4 group received ATRA + As4S4 + chemotherapy, and another thirty patients as non-As4S4 group were treated only with ATRA + chemotherapy as maintenance therapy. The therapeutic effects, side effects and PML-RARalpha gene expression were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The three-year continuous complete remission (CCR) rate was 90.0% for As4S4 group and 61.1% for non-As4S4 group, the difference being statistically significant. Significant difference was also found in the positive rate of PML-RARalpha fusion gene between the two groups. The side effects were mild.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>APL patients in maintenance therapy with ATRA + 6-MP + MTX + As4S4 can obtain a higher CCR.</p>

The introduction of breastfeeding in children under age of three in the counties of western China in 2005 / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The study was to describe the breastfeeding status of children under the age of three in counties of western China and to provide evidence to the government for decision-making on intervention.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study with probability-proportional-to-size (PPS) sampling method was used. The information on breastfeeding was obtained through memory of the mothers. Fourteen thousand and seventy-seven children were studied. Data on breastfed status in counties of western China was compared with those of the children from the survey of the counties of western China in 2001.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The breastfeeding rate of children under 3 years old in western China was 96.5%. However, the overall breastfed rate of children under 6 months were only 33.4%, with rates of 11.4% and 22.0% on exclusively and predominantly breastfed groups respectively. Timely first-suckling rate was 43.5% with the continued breastfeeding rate (1 year) as 64.9%, but the continued breastfeeding rate (2 year) was only 9.7%. Reasons causing mothers to wean would include according to her own intention and to be able to attend the physical labor while exclusive breastfeeding under 6 months was for the growth and development of children, which might reduce the two-week prevalence of diarrhea. Major risks of exclusive breastfeeding of children under 6 months were seen as: level of education of the mothers, economic depression of the counties and mother's nationality (if as minority).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Most of the children were ever or being breastfed at the time of interview with timely first-suckling took place earlier than in 2001. However continued breastfeeding did not last long. During these five years, the exclusive breastfeeding rate had been at low level, especially at the economic depression and the minority area.</p>

The protective role of adiponectin in Con A-induced mouse liver injury / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the role of adiponectin in regulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) production and preventing fulminant autoimmunological damage of hepatocytes following concanavalin A (Con A) injection into mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three days after recombinant plasmids pAA-neo-mAd were injected into the mice via the tail veins, Con A was injected into the mice. Mice transfected with empty pAA-neo vector served as controls. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TNF alpha and adiponectin were detected, and histological examination of livers was carried out at different time points after the Con A injection. All results were subjected to statistical analyses.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Histological examinations showed that the damage in livers of mice with high serum adiponectin levels was milder than that of the controls. The serum levels of ALT and TNF alpha were both lower than those of the controls (P less than 0.01, respectively). Statistical analyses showed the serum levels of ALT was negatively related to the levels of adiponectin in the sera (r=-0.5034).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Adiponectin is effective in protecting hepatocytes from Con A-induced immunological injury. The mechanism of this protective effect may be caused by inhibiting the synthesis and/or release of TNF alpha.</p>