Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine on the survival of patients with stage I gastric cancer and high-risk factors: a real-world retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy for improving the survival of patients with stage I gastric cancer (GC) and high-risk factors in a real-world setting. METHODS: The clinical data of patients who were diagnosed with stage I GC from March 1, 2012 to October 31, 2020 were collected. Prognostic analysis was performed to explore the high-risk factors that affected the survival of the patients. A Cox multivariate regression model was used to compare the hazard ratios for the mortality risk of patients, especially those with high-risk factors. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were utilized to assess the survival time. RESULTS: Prognostic analysis demonstrated that female sex, tumor invasion into blood vessels, and Ib stage were independent risk factors. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of the TCM group those of the non-TCM group were 100.0% 91.0%, 97.6% 64.5%, and 81.4% 55.5%, respectively. A significant difference in median overall survival (mOS) was found between the two groups (χ = 7.670, = 0.006). Subgroup analysis showed that the mOS of female patients and stage Ib patients in the TCM group were longer than those in the non-TCM group ( ≤ 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: TCM treatment can improve the survival of patients with stage I GC and high-risk factors.

Endovascular recanalization treatment of non-acute symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion: a single center retrospective case series study / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors, periprocedural complications, and long-term outcomes of successful recanalization after endovascular treatment in patients with non-acute symptomatic internal carotid artery occlusion.Methods:Patients with non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion received endovascular treatment in the Nanjing Stroke Registration System between January 2010 and December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Clinical endpoint events were defined as successful vascular recanalization, periprocedural complications (symptomatic embolism and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage), neurological function improvement, and recurrence of ipsilateral ischemic events. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent influencing factors of successful vascular recanalization. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to investigate the correlation between endovascular treatment outcomes and neurological function improvement, as well as ipsilateral ischemic cerebrovascular events. Results:A total of 296 patients were included, of which 190 (64.2%) were successfully recanalized. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that symptoms manifest as ischemic stroke (odds ratio [ OR] 3.353, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.399-8.038; P=0.007), the time from the most recent symptom onset to endovascular therapy within 1 to 30 d ( OR 2.327, 95% CI 1.271-4.261; P=0.006), proximal conical residual cavity ( OR 2.853, 95% CI 1.242-6.552; P=0.013) and focal occlusion (C1-C2: OR 3.255, 95% CI 1.296-8.027, P=0.012; C6/C7: OR 5.079, 95% CI 1.334-19.334; P=0.017) were the independent influencing factors for successful vascular recanalization. Successful recanalization did not increase the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 7 d after procedure (3.2% vs. 0.9%; P=0.428). The median follow-up time after procedure was 38 months. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, successful recanalization was significantly associated with postprocedural neurological improvement (hazard ratio 1.608, 95% CI 1.091-2.371; P=0.017), and significantly reduced the risk of recurrence of long-term ischemic events (hazard ratio 0.351, 95% CI 0.162-0.773; P=0.010). Conclusion:In patients with non-acute internal carotid artery occlusion, successful endovascular recanalization can effectively reduce the risk of long-term ischemic events without increasing the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.

MANF brakes TLR4 signaling by competitively binding S100A8 with S100A9 to regulate macrophage phenotypes in hepatic fibrosis

The mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) has been recently identified as a neurotrophic factor, but its role in hepatic fibrosis is unknown. Here, we found that MANF was upregulated in the fibrotic liver tissues of the patients with chronic liver diseases and of mice treated with CCl4. MANF deficiency in either hepatocytes or hepatic mono-macrophages, particularly in hepatic mono-macrophages, clearly exacerbated hepatic fibrosis. Myeloid-specific MANF knockout increased the population of hepatic Ly6Chigh macrophages and promoted HSCs activation. Furthermore, MANF-sufficient macrophages (from WT mice) transfusion ameliorated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in myeloid cells-specific MANF knockout (MKO) mice. Mechanistically, MANF interacted with S100A8 to competitively block S100A8/A9 heterodimer formation and inhibited S100A8/A9-mediated TLR4-NF-κB signal activation. Pharmacologically, systemic administration of recombinant human MANF significantly alleviated CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in both WT and hepatocytes-specific MANF knockout (HKO) mice. This study reveals a mechanism by which MANF targets S100A8/A9-TLR4 as a "brake" on the upstream of NF-κB pathway, which exerts an impact on macrophage differentiation and shed light on hepatic fibrosis treatment.

CHARGE syndrome in a neonate with esophageal atresia / 中华围产医学杂志

This article reported a case of neonatal CHARGE syndrome complicated by congenital esophageal atresia. A prenatal ultrasound examination at 30 weeks of gestation revealed polyhydramnios and a small magenblase of the fetus, then fetal MRI suggested congenital esophageal atresia. The infant was born with severe asphyxia at 37 +5 gestational weeks by cesarean section due to placental abruption with a birth weight of 2 310 g. Gastric tube could not be placed after resuscitation. Congenital esophageal atresia complicated by tracheoesophageal fistula was diagnosed by esophageal imaging. Bilateral choanal atresia was detected by electronic nasopharyngoscopy and MRI. Moreover, skull defect, suspected meningocele were also observed. CHARGE syndrome was confirmed by whole exome sequencing, revealing a frameshift deletion of c.2155delA (p.Thr719GlnfsTer9) in the CHD7 gene. The infant died after withdrawing treatment.

Different T-cell subsets in glioblastoma multiforme and targeted immunotherapy.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor with a high mortality rate. Surgical resection combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the standard treatment for GBM patients, but the 5-year survival rate of patients despite this treatment is low. Immunotherapy has attracted increasing attention in recent years. As the pioneer and the main effector cells of immunotherapy, T cells play a key role in tumor immunotherapy. However, the T cells in GBM microenvironment are inhibited by the highly immunosuppressive environment of GBM, posing huge challenges to T cell-based GBM immunotherapy. This review summarizes the effects of the GBM microenvironment on the infiltration and function of different T-cell subsets and the possible strategies to overcome immunosuppression, and thus enhance the effectiveness of GBM immunotherapy.

Effect of MANF on proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of colorectal cancer Caco-2 cells / 中国药理学通报

Aim To construct colorectal cancer Caco-2 cell line with overexpression of mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) and to investigate the effects of MANF on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of human colorectal cancer Caco-2 cells. Methods Caco-2 cells were transfected with MANF-GFP plasmid and GFP empty vector plas-midrespectively. Real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Westernblot (WB) were used to detect the the expression level of MANF. Transwell was used to detect the effect of MANF on the migration and invasion ability of Caco-2 cells. CCK8 was used to dectet the influence of MANF on the proliferation of Caco-2 cells. WB and flow cytometrywere used to detect the activation ofcaspase-3andthe apoptosis rateof Caco-2 cells. Luciferase experiment was used to verify the effect of MANF on NF-κB pathway. Results MANF-GFP plasmid was successfully expressed in Caco-2 cells. The migration and invasion ability of Caco-2 cells were effectively reduced (P <0. 01), and the a-bility of the cell proliferation was downregulated (P < 0.01) in the MANF overexpression group; the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein and apoptosis of Caco-2 cells were upregulated; compared with the control group, the transfection of MANF plasmid significantly reduced the transcription activity of NF-κB (P < 0. 01). Conclusions MANF can inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion of Caco-2 cells, while promote its apoptosis by negatively regulating NF-κB signal pathway.

Preliminary evaluation of carotid artery thrombosis by optical coherence tomography / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To identify the morphological features and clinical significance of intra-vascular thrombus in carotid stenosis using optical coherence tomography (OCT).Methods:Twelve patients with carotid artery thrombosis detected by OCT assessment in Jinling Hospital between January 2017 and January 2020 were included. Serial area measurements within the athero-thrombotic target lesion were performed to evaluate the OCT-thrombus score, length, area and volume. The clinical data and plaque morphological features were also assessed.Results:Among the 12 patients demonstrating thrombus on OCT, eight patients presented with white thrombus, two patients presented with red thrombus, and another two patients displayed both white thrombus and red thrombus. OCT-thrombus scores were 1-32. The OCT-thrombus score was correlated to the OCT-thrombus volume ( ρ=0.739, P=0.006) and the thrombus length ( ρ=0.932, P<0.001). All lesions were presented with fibrous cap disruption, and 10 lesions were presented with thin-cap fibroatheroma. In view of the OCT findings, all patients received carotid balloon angioplasty and stent implantation. During an average follow-up of 14.2 months, none of the 12 patients had fatal stroke or recurrent ischemic stroke. Conclusions:OCT can be used to assess intra-carotid thrombus and its more detailed morphological characteristics, offering more possibilities in quantitative analysis of thrombus burden.

Progress on acupuncture intervention for perioperative stress response / 中国针灸

To summarize the application value of acupuncture in perioperative stress response. Perioperative acupuncture can not only effectively relieve pain and stress response during operation, but also relieve psychological stress response represented by preoperative anxiety before operation, and regulate adaptive immune response after operation. Acupuncture, as a safe non-drug therapy, shows its core advantage of participating in the multidisciplinary intervention of enhance recovery after surgery (ERAS). The future studies need to explore and evaluate the role of acupuncture during perioperative period from multiple dimensions, and gradually reveal the mechanism of acupuncture while establishing the evidence-based basis for acupuncture during perioperative period.

Diagnostic Performance and Interobserver Consistency of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2: A Study on Six Prostate Radiologists with Different Experiences from Half a Year to 17 Years / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>One of the main aims of the updated Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2 (PI-RADS v2) is to diminish variation in the interpretation and reporting of prostate imaging, especially among readers with varied experience levels. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze diagnostic consistency and accuracy for prostate disease among six radiologists with different experience levels from a single center and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PI-RADS v2 scores in the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa).</p><p><b>Methods</b>From December 2014 to March 2016, 84 PCa patients and 99 benign prostatic shyperplasia patients who underwent 3.0T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging before biopsy were included in our study. All patients received evaluation according to the PI-RADS v2 scale (1-5 scores) from six blinded readers (with 6 months and 2, 3, 4, 5, or 17 years of experience, respectively, the last reader was a reviewer/contributor for the PI-RADS v2). The correlation among the readers' scores and the Gleason score (GS) was determined with the Kendall test. Intra-/inter-observer agreement was evaluated using κ statistics, while receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve analyses were performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the scores.</p><p><b>Results</b>Based on the PI-RADS v2, the median κ score and standard error among all possible pairs of readers were 0.506 and 0.043, respectively; the average correlation between the six readers' scores and the GS was positive, exhibiting weak-to-moderate strength (r = 0.391, P = 0.006). The AUC values of the six radiologists were 0.883, 0.924, 0.927, 0.932, 0.929, and 0.947, respectively.</p><p><b>Conclusion</b>The inter-reader agreement for the PI-RADS v2 among the six readers with different experience is weak to moderate. Different experience levels affect the interpretation of MRI images.</p>

Mindfulness Meditation for Primary Headache Pain: A Meta-Analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>Background</b>Several studies have reported that mindfulness meditation has a potential effect in controlling headaches, such as migraine and tension-type headache; however, its role remains controversial. This review assessed the evidence regarding the effects of mindfulness meditation for primary headache pain.</p><p><b>Methods</b>Only English databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials [the Cochrane Library], PsycINFO, Psychology and behavioral science collection, PsyArticles, Web of Science, and Scopus) were searched from their inception to November 2016 with the keywords ("meditation" or "mindfulness" or "vipassana" or "dzogchen" or "zen" or "integrative body-mind training" or "IBMT" or "mindfulness-based stress reduction" or "MBSR" or "mindfulness-based cognitive therapy" or "MBCT" and "Headache" or "Head pain" or "Cephalodynia" or "Cephalalgia" or "Hemicrania" or "Migraine"). Titles, abstracts, and full-text articles were screened against study inclusion criteria: controlled trials of structured meditation programs for adult patients with primary headache pain. The quality of studies included in the meta-analysis was assessed with the Yates Quality Rating Scale. The meta-analysis was conducted with Revman 5.3.</p><p><b>Results</b>Ten randomized controlled trials and one controlled clinical trial with a combined study population of 315 patients were included in the study. When compared to control group data, mindfulness meditation induced significant improvement in pain intensity (standardized mean difference, -0.89; 95% confidence interval, -1.63 to -0.15; P = 0.02) and headache frequency (-0.67; -1.24 to -0.10; P = 0.02). In a subgroup analysis of different meditation forms, mindfulness-based stress reduction displayed a significant positive influence on pain intensity (P < 0.000). Moreover, 8-week intervention had a significant positive effect (P < 0.000).</p><p><b>Conclusions</b>Mindfulness meditation may reduce pain intensity and is a promising treatment option for patients. Clinicians may consider mindfulness meditation as a viable complementary and alternative medical option for primary headache.</p>

Sub-anesthesia Dose of Isoflurane in 60% Oxygen Reduces Inflammatory Responses in Experimental Sepsis Models / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Sepsis is a major cause of mortality in Intensive Care Units. Anesthetic dose isoflurane and 100% oxygen were proved to be beneficial in sepsis; however, their application in septic patients is limited because long-term hyperoxia may induce oxygen toxicity and anesthetic dose isoflurane has potential adverse consequences. This study was scheduled to find the optimal combination of isoflurane and oxygen in protecting experimental sepsis and its mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of combined therapy with isoflurane and oxygen on lung injury and sepsis were determined in animal models of sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or zymosan. Mouse RAW264.7 cells or human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were treated by LPS to probe mechanisms. The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling molecules were examined by Western blot and cellular immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) isoflurane in 60% oxygen was the best combination of oxygen and isoflurane for reducing mortality in experimental sepsis induced by CLP, intraperitoneal injection of LPS, or zymosan. The 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 60% oxygen inhibited proinflammatory cytokines in peritoneal lavage fluids (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-β]: 149.3 vs. 229.7 pg/ml, interleukin [IL]-1β: 12.5 vs. 20.6 pg/ml, IL-6: 86.1 vs. 116.1 pg/ml, and high-mobility group protein 1 [HMGB1]: 323.7 vs. 449.3 ng/ml; all P< 0.05) and serum (TNF-β: 302.7 vs. 450.7 pg/ml, IL-1β: 51.7 vs. 96.7 pg/ml, IL-6: 390.4 vs. 722.5 pg/ml, and HMGB1: 592.2 vs. 985.4 ng/ml; all P< 0.05) in septic animals. In vitro experiments showed that the 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 60% oxygen reduced inflammatory responses in mouse RAW264.7 cells, after LPS stimulation (all P< 0.05). Suppressed activation of NF-κB pathway was also observed in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages and human PBMCs after LPS stimulation or plasma from septic patients. The 0.5 MAC isoflurane in 60% oxygen also prevented the increases of phospho-IKKβ/β, phospho-IκBβ, and phospho-p65 expressions in RAW264.7 macrophages after LPS stimulation (all P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined administration of a sedative dose of isoflurane with 60% oxygen improves survival of septic animals through reducing inflammatory responses.</p>

Fluorescence Excitation-Emission Matrix Spectra Coupled with Physic and Mathematic Isolation to Study Composition of Dissolved Organic Matter / 分析化学

Combunung wuth fluorescence excutatuon-emussuon matrux ( EEM ) spectra and parallel factor analysus, suze exclusuon chromatography ( SEC ) equupped wuth multu-excutatuon/emussuon scan model fluorescence detector was used for the analysus of the composutuon of dussolved organuc matter ( DOM) usolated from landfull leachates wuth dufferent ages. The analytucal results showed that the two leachate-deruved DOMs both comprused proteun- and humuc-luke substances. However, there were four kunds of proteun-luke matter un young landfull leachates, u. e. , proteun wuth hugh molecular weught, proteun-luke matter bound to humuc-luke substances wuth hugh or low molecular weught, and peptude/amuno acuds. Whule there were only two kunds of proteun-luke matter un old landfull leachates, u. e. , proteun wuth hugh molecular weught and proteun-luke matter bound to humuc-luke substances wuth hugh molecule weught. Compared wuth SEC, EEM spectra coupled wuth parallel factor analysus could udentufy the proteun-luke matter bound wuth humuc-luke substances or those presented as non-humuc-luke substances, though ut could not udentufy the proteun-luke matter presented as proteun and that presented as peptude/ amuno acuds. The experumental results demonstrated that EEM spectra coupled wuth PARAFAC analysus and SEC could be used to characteruze proteun- and humuc-luke matter presented as dufferent specues.

Medium and long term results of high tibial osteotomy for the treatment of knee joint osteoarthritis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the medium and long term results of high tibial osteotomy(HTO) for the treatment of knee joint osteoarthritis(OA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2001 to December 2005, 45 patients(63 knees)with medial compartment OA were treated with HTO, including 10 males (15 knees) and 35 females (48 knees), ranging in age from 45 to 64 years old with an average of (55.76±5.54) years old. Preoperative normal anteroposterior and lateral X ray films of weight bearing knee were conducted, with an accurate measurement of the femoral tibial angle(FTA), and the mass of lateral tibial osteotomy was determined according to the preoperative FTA. Routine HTO was performed after epidural anesthesia. Most patients were treated with middle part fibulae osteotomy, and some patients were treated with the release of proximal tibiofibular joints. The functional exercise no weight bearing ambulation and weight bearing exercise began on the second day after operation 2 weeks after operation and 8 to 10 weeks after operation respectively. All the cases should be examined with X ray postoperatively on the second day, 8 to 10 weeks, 6 months, 1 year after operation and once a year. The VAS, HSS and KSS were used to evaluate knee pain, deformity, function, and range of motion preoperatively, 3 to 5 years postoperatively, 10 to 14 years postoperatively in all the patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Forty three patients (61 knees) were followed up for more than 10 years. All the incisions were healed at the first stage. The bone healing was achieved 8 to 10 weeks after operation. The knee joint was evaluated according to the HSS standard 10 to 14 years after operation, and the average score was 76.24±5.27. Twenty seven patients got an excellent result, 25 good, 7 fair and 2 poor. The VAS, HSS and KSS scores of postoperative 3 to 5 years and 10 to 14 years were better than those of before operation. There were no obvious differences of scores between postoperative 3 to 5 years and postoperative 10 to 14 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The long term curative effect of high tibial osteotomy in the treatment of knee OA(medial compartment arthritis) is satisfied, if the indications for surgical treatment are appropriate, and postoperative active exercises are performed.</p>

Mechanism Study of Kang’ai Fangyi Tablets in Inhibiting Angiogenesis of 4T1 Breast Cancer / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To study the angiogenesis-inhibitory mechanism of Kang’ai Fangyi Tablets ( KFT) , a Chinese compound recipe with the action of inhibiting cancer metastasis, for 4T1 breast cancer. Methods BALB/c mice were divided into blank control group, model group, Cytoxan ( CTX, 0.04 g·kg-1·d-1) group, and KFT ( 5.2 g·kg-1·d-1) group. Mice model of 4T1 breast cancer was established. Except that the blank control group and model group were given the saline, the mice in the medication groups were given the corresponding medicine. After medication for 4 weeks, the mice were executed, and then we calculated the mass of tumor, the inhibition rate of tumor mass, and the number of lung metastatic nodules. The number of microvessel and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by immunohistochemical method. Results Compared with the model group, mice tumor mass was decreased ( P<0.05) , the number of pulmonary metastatic nodules was reduced ( P<0.05) , and the number of tumor microvessel and VEGF expression in the isolated tumor mass showed the decreasing trend in KFT group. Conclusion KFT can inhibit 4T1 breast cancer growth and metastasis by reducing the tumor microvessel formation and by affecting the expression of VEGF.

Inhibitory effect of suramin on inflammatory response in pulmonary tissue and peripheral blood in LPS-induced septic mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of suramin on inflammatory response in pulmonary tissue and peripheral blood in septic mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, and suramin(5 mg/kg) or normal saline was intravenously injected 30 min before LPS(5 mg/kg)infusion, respectively. The contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in pulmonary tissue and peripheral blood were detected by ELISA. Suramin or saline-pretreated human mononuclear THP-1 cells were treated with 100 ng/mL LPS in vitro. The expression of TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA and the activity of NF-κB were analyzed by quantitative PCR and Western blotting at different time points after LPS treatment, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the saline group, the TNF-α and IL-6 levels in pulmonary tissue and peripheral blood were significantly reduced in suramin group at 24 h after LPS treatment(all P<0.01); while there was no significant difference at 72 h between two groups(all P>0.05). The expression of TNF-α, IL-6 mRNA and the activity of NF-κB was decreased in suramin group at different time points after LPS treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Suramin can protect LPS-induced acute lung injury through down-regulation of systemic and pulmonary pro-inflammatory factors, which may be associated with the inhibition of NF-κB activity.</p>

Diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism with blood samples by liquid-based cytology technique / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To establish the diagnosis of amniotic fluid embolism with blood samples by liquid-based cytology technique and to study the validity of method.@*METHODS@#The blood samples were collected from patients who suffered from amniotic fluid embolism. The components of amniotic fluid in blood samples were examined with blood smear by two direct smear methods (supernatant smear, sediment smear) and two liquid-based cytology methods (automatic smear, manual smear). The positive detection rate of each method was calculated.@*RESULTS@#The positive detection rates of two liquid-based cytology methods (84.6% and 92.3%, respectively) were much higher than those of two direct methods (53.8% and 61.5%, respectively).@*CONCLUSION@#The liquid-based cytology technique could improve the positive detection rate of amniotic fluid embolism.

Effect of hypoxia on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase mRNA in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts in vitro / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP) in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLF).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HPDLF were cultured in α-minima essential medium (α-MEM) and subcultured at confluence. In the hypoxic groups, cells were incubated in a humidified atmosphere of 1%O(2), 5%CO(2), 94%N(2) at 37°C for 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. In the normoxic control group, cells were incubated under normoxic conditions of 20%O(2), 5%CO(2), 75%N(2). The mRNA expression of MMP and TIMP was measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The data was analyzed by Student's t test, one-way ANOVA and LSD test with SPSS 13.0 software package.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA in the hypoxia groups was higher than that in control. The expression of MMP-2 mRNA in hypoxic groups showed a significantly increasing trend. There was significant difference between the hypoxic group and the normoxic control group in the expression of MMP-2 mRNA in HPDLF (P < 0.01). The expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 mRNA in hypoxic groups of 12 h was momentarily increased. There was significant difference between the hypoxic 12 h group and the normoxic control group in the expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 mRNA in HPDLF (P < 0.05). However, with prolonged hypoxia time, the expression of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 mRNA in hypoxic groups showed a significantly declining trend, there were significant differences between the hypoxic 12, 24 and 48 h group and the normoxic control group in the expression of TIMP-2 mRNA in HPDLF (P < 0.05). The expression of MMP-1 mRNA in hypoxic groups of 12 h was momentarily decreased and then increased after 24 h of hypoxia. There were significant differences between the hypoxic 48 h group and the normoxic control group in the expression of MMP-1 mRNA in HPDLF (P < 0.05). There were significant differences between the hypoxic 12 h group and the normoxic control group in the ratio of MMP-1/TIMP-1 mRNA (P < 0.05). The ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA in the hypoxia group significantly increased compared with normoxic group. There were significant differences between the hypoxic group and the normoxic control group in the ratio of MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Hypoxia could change the expression of MMP and TIMP mRNA and other relevant growth factors and also lead to the imbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 mRNA expression. It is suggested that the imbalance of MMP-2/TIMP-2 expression may be closely correlated with the occurrence and development of periodontal disease and play an important role in the process of periodontal tissue destruction in periodontitis.</p>

Expression of periodontal ligament-associated protein-1 in normal periodontal tissues and cells in rat / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the expression of periodontal ligament-associated protein-1 (PLAP-1) in the periodontal tissues and periodontal ligament cells (PDLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PLAP-1 expression in normal periodontal tissue was examined by immunohistochemistry. The protein expression and mRNA transcription of PLAP-1 in PDLC were investigated by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PLAP-1 was expressed in periodontium but not in cementum, alveolar bone and gingival tissues. PLAP-1 expression was observed in cell plasma, but not in nuclei. There was a 350 bp electrophoresis band representing PLAP-1 mRNA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PLAP-1 may play a role in physiology of periodontal tissues and cells in normal adult rats.</p>

Effect of purple sweet potato on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of purple sweet potato on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, high-fat control group, high purple sweet potato groups, low purple sweet potato group. The rats were fed with different diets for 6w respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum TC, TG levels were significantly lower in high dosage group than in high-fat control group; while only serum TG was significantly lower in low dosage group than in high-fat control group, these changes started at the third week and lasted to the end of experiment. Serum LDL-C and AI levels were significantly lower in high and low dosage group than in high-fat control group, whereas, serum HDL-C was significantly higher than that in high-fat control group at w3 and lasted to the end of experiment. Serum SOD was significantly higher in high and low dosage group than in high-fat control group, whereas, serum MDA was significantly lower than that in high-fat control group at w6.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Purple sweet potato can decrease serum lipids and reduce hepatic oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats.</p>

MRI features of Hirayama disease at different cervical flexion angles / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To analyze MRI features of different cervical flexion positions in Hirayama disease (HD) and discuss the effects on these features by different cervical flexion angles.Methods The cervical MR images of neutral and different flexion positions (20°, 25°, 30°, 35° ,40°) of 20 patients, who were clinically diagnosed as HD,were studied.At flexion positions, the appearance of anterior shifting of the posterior wall of the cervical dural canal and widening of epidural space was recorded.The maximum sagittal diameters (d) of widened cervical epidural space and the cervical canal sagittal diameters (D) on the same level were measured to calculate d/D value for quantitative evaluation of the two signs.Comparisons of appearance of the signs among different flexion positions were made using F/sher's exact test.Repeated measures analysis of variance (rmANOVA) was used to compare mean d/D values among groups with different positions, and paired comparisons were also performed.Results The appearance of anterior shifting of the posterior wall of the cervical dural canal were different between 20° group (70%, 14/20) and other 4 larger angles groups (100%) (χ2 =5.76, P=0.020).The d/D values were 0.51±0.06,0.54±0.08,0.57±0.09,0.61±0.09,0.59±0.07 respectively at abovementioned 5 flexion positions, which were different among groups( F = 3.450 ,P = 0.013 ).The value was greater at 35° than that at 20° and 25°( P <0.05 ), and it was also greater at 40° than that at 20° ( P < 0.05 ).Conclusion Cervical flexion angle has an effect on anterior shifting of the posterior wall of the cervical dural canal and widening of epidural space.