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OBJECTIVE Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome associated primarily with bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Conventional surgical or radiosurgical treatments for VS in NF2 usually result in high risks of hearing loss and facial nerve impairment, while there is no validated medical option to date. This single-institution phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of icotinib, an oral epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with NF2 and progressive VS. METHODS Icotinib was administered daily at 375 mg orally in a continuous 28-day course for up to 12 courses. The primary endpoint of the study was radiographic response assessed by brain MRI using 3D volumetric tumor analysis and defined as a ≥ 20% decrease in VS volume. Hearing function was evaluated as a secondary endpoint, with response defined as a statistically significant increase in word recognition scores. RESULTS Ten eligible patients with a mean age of 23.8 years were enrolled. One patient (10%) with bilateral tumors experienced an objective radiographic response (−23.58% and −22.01%). Three (43%) of 7 patients met the hearing response criteria. At 12 months, the estimated progression-free survival was 82.0% (95% CI 42.3%–95.5%) for volumetric progression and 69.2% (95% CI 37.3%−87.2%) for hearing progression. Common mild to moderate adverse events included rash (90%), diarrhea (50%), myalgia (20%), and nausea/gastrointestinal pain (20%). CONCLUSIONS Icotinib carries minor toxicity and is associated with radiographic and hearing responses in patients with NF2 and progressive VS.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disease caused by complex endocrine and metabolic abnormalities in women of childbearing age. Metformin is the most widely used oral hypoglycemic drug in clinic. In recent years, metformin has been used in the treatment of PCOS, but its mechanism is not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of metformin on PCOS and its mechanism through PCOS mouse model. Female C57BL/6J mice aged 4-5 weeks were intragastrically given letrozole (1 mg/kg daily) combined with a high-fat diet (HFD) for 21 days to establish the PCOS model. After modeling, metformin (200 mg/kg daily) was intragastrically administered. One month later, the body weight and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to detect the pathological changes of ovary. The serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), E

Chitosan extracted from natural products has gained tremendous attention in the field of adsorption and separation due to its inherent biocompatibility and potential applications. In this research, we synthesized a new type of spherical chitosan adsorbent (SCA) by controlling the mass transfer rate of the entanglement of the polymer chains in the recombination process. This SCA is a highly crystalline polymer material with outstanding mechanical strength, high adsorption capacity, a porous surface and suitable particle size distribution. The value of the sphericity of attrition of this SCA was 89.8%, which is the same as that of the commercial macroporous resin with a polystyrene matrix. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves showed a significant change from powder to spherical structure and confirmed that the SCA is highly ordered and crystalline. Optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that the SCA was composed of a tightly stacked fiber structure, indicating the homogeneity of the polymerization. The porous structure of the surface provided a channel for mass transfer, which was indicated by a test of the ion exchange capacity and the adsorption performance of the SCA with Cu(ii) as the adsorbed subject. The adsorption capacity was higher than those of all reported non-composite chitosan materials. Therefore, we have successfully synthesized a completely green, nontoxic and environmentally friendly adsorbing resin equipped with excellent mechanical properties and adsorption capacity for future applications in many new fields.

Background and objective: Transforaminal endoscopy has certain advantages over traditional surgeries (e.g., intervertebral disc fusion) in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, as it is associated with minimal trauma, clear surgical vision, and lower degree of bleeding. However, the therapeutic effects of transforaminal endoscopy on lumbar disc herniation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are poorly understood. The purposes of this study are to indicate the efficacy of transforaminal endoscopy in the treatment of lumber disc herniation in HIV-infected patients and compare the efficacy between transforaminal endoscopy and conventional lumbar disc fusion based on 2-year follow-up and prognosis turnover. Subjects and Methods: This is a prospective, single-center, non-randomized, controlled, 2-year follow-up clinical study. Sixty HIV-infected patients with lumbar disc herniation who will receive treatment in the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center will be included in this study. These patients will be divided into two groups according to the surgical treatment. Patients in the experimental group (n = 30) will undergo nucleus pulposus enucleation under an intervertebral foramen endoscope, while patients in the control group (n = 30) will undergo intervertebral disc fusion. All patients will be followed up postoperatively at 6, 12, and 24 months. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center of China (approval No. [2020]2020-S122-02) on July 28, 2020. All participants will be informed about the study protocol and will be asked to provide written informed consent. This study was designed on November 30, 2018. Patient recruitment will be performed in the period between October 30, 2020 and April 30, 2021. The study outcomes will be analyzed between May 1, 2023 and May 30, 2023. The study will be terminated on June 30, 2023. The primary outcome measure of this study is the change in the symptom improvement rate evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association score at 24 months after the surgery. The secondary outcome measures include the changes in the symptom improvement rate evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association score at 6 and 12 months after the surgery; pain improvement rate evaluated by the Visual Analogue Scale, and improvement in the quality of life evaluated by 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) at 6, 12, and 24 months, as well as the recurrence rate of lumbar disc herniation and the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions at 6, 12, and 24 months after the surgery. Results: In our preliminary study ongoing between January 2016 and January 2018, 86 patients were included and divided into two groups, i.e., the experimental group (n = 48; nucleus pulposus enucleation under intervertebral foramen endoscope) and the control group (n = 38; intervertebral disc fusion). Six-month follow-up results revealed that the mortality of the experimental and control groups was 0 during and 6 months after the surgery, and no deaths occurred due to intervertebral foramen endoscope surgery or postoperative adverse reactions. Six-month follow-up results revealed that the improvement rate of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score and recurrence rate were comparable between the experimental and control groups, and no adverse reactions occurred. However, the improvement rate of the Visual Analogue Scale in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to indicate whether transforaminal endoscopy with minimal trauma in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in HIV-infected patients is associated with better medium- and long-term surgical effects and prognosis as well as turnover than intervertebral disc fusion. The innovation of this study lies in a fact that the subjects are HIV-infected patients with lumbar disc herniation. Trial registration: This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR2000037464) on August 28, 2020. Study protocol: 1.0.

Two new species of the genus Ammophila Kirby (Sphecidae: Ammophilinae) from China are described and illustrated: Ammophila globiverticalis Wang and Ma, n. sp., from Xinjiang, and Ammophila laminituberalis Wang and Ma, n. sp., from Zhejiang. The previously unknown male of Ammophila clypeola Li and Yang is described and a key to the Chinese species of Ammophila is provided.

Non‐small–cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most prevalent type of lung cancers with an increased mortality rate in both developed and developing countries worldwide. Dieckol is one such polyphenolic drug extracted from brown algae which has proven antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. In the present study, we evaluated the anticancer property of dieckol against NSCLC cell line A549. The LC50 value of dieckol was found to be 25 µg/mL by performing 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the antiapoptotic property of dieckol was analyzed by dual staining technique with acridine orange/propidium iodide (AO/PI) stains. It was further confirmed with flow cytometry analysis with Annexin FITC and JC‐1 staining and the anti‐invasive property was assessed by Transwell assay. The molecular mechanism of dieckol anticancer activity was confirmed by estimating the levels of caspases and by estimating the signaling proteins of Pi3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway using the immunoblotting technique. Our data suggest that dieckol is potent anticancer agent, it effectively inhibits the invasive and migratory property A549 cells and it also induces apoptosis via inhibiting Pi3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, activating the tumor suppressor protein E‐cadherin signifying that dieckol is potent natural anticancer drug to treat NSCLC.

To compare the clinical efficacy of CAD/CAM all-ceramic inlay and polymerid porcelain inlay in restoring Class II cavity of posterior teeth.Ninety-seven patients with 100 posterior teeth of ClassII cavity were recruited in this randomized control trial; Among them, 50 patients were grouped into CAD/CAM all-ceramic inlays and 47 patients were grouped into Ceramage polymerid porcelain inlay. According to the modified USPHS criteria, the incidence of postoperative sensitivity, prosthesis fracture, prosthesis falling off, and edge coloration were evaluated 12 months and 24 months after restoration. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS 13.0 software package.Restoration in the 2 groups were successful, there was no significant difference at 12 months (P0.05). Postoperative sensitivity and the incidence of prosthesis falling off in both groups were not significantly different (P0.05); however, the number of prosthesis fracture of the polymerid porcelain was lower than that of the CAD/CAM all-ceramic inlays (P0.05). The incidence of edge coloration of CAD/CAM all-ceramic inlays was lower than that of the polymerid porcelain at 24-month follow-up (P0.05).Restoration with polymerid porcelain is more likely to have a higher success rate than those with CAD/CAM all-ceramic inlays. Patients undergoing CAD/CAM all-ceramic inlays have a lower incidence of edge coloration, compared with those undergoing polymerid porcelain.

To evaluate the effect of age on the potential of dental pulp regeneration in young permanent teeth with periapical periodontitis.A total of 30 mandibular premolars from 9-18 years old patients with pulp necrosis were divided into 2 groups, group A (younger age group): 9-13 years old, and group B (older age group): 14-18 years old. Revascularization procedures were performed for all patients. Follow-up was done for up to 18 months. Standardized radiographs of cone-beam CT (CBCT) were digitally evaluated for increase in root length and thickness. The data were analyzed by nonparametric two sample rank sum test using SPSS13.0 software package.After 18 months of follow-up, the clinical symptoms of the two groups disappeared. The cure rate of group A was significantly higher than that of group B (P=0.003). Radiographic analysis showed that the root length and root canal wall thickness in group A was significantly greater than those in group B (P0.05).Root canal revascularization can be widely used in the treatment of dental pulp necrosis in young permanent teeth. The closer the age is to the eruption time, the higher the potential of dental pulp regeneration, and the more suitable for root canal revascularization.

In this paper, according to the characteristics of floods, the closeness centrality of complex network is improved to analyze the evolution of flood disaster social stability risks. Based on the investigation conducted on the flood occurred in Hunan Province in August 2013, and related papers, the topology map for the evolution of flood social stability risk is analyzed and constructed by means of the improved closeness centrality. On this basis, the evolution of social stability risks incurred in floods is divided into three grades, in which such risks as house collapse, crops ruining, looting shopping, social panic etc. produce the maximum impacts on the entire evolution system. So, during the disaster relief, priority should be given to resolve the difficulties in meeting the basic necessities that are closely associated with people’s life.

This paper used artificial neural network to forecast the cooling load in the building in 24 hours. The unloading experiment kept the indoor thermal comfort at the ideal range of PMV=0~0.5 and PPD=5~10. Finally, dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, wet-bulb temperature and forecast cooling load were used for modeling by neural network. We can use this model to forecast how much load can be unloaded in summer peak hours accurately. This method controls the demand response for central air conditioning system, not only maintaining comfortable indoor environment, but also attaining the goals for reducing the electric expenses.

Background: Variation in metabolic genes is regarded as an important factor in processes leading to cancer. However, the effect of GSTT1 null genotype is divergent in the form of lung cancer. Methods: Studies were conducted at different research databases from 1990 to 2013 and the total odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for lung cancer. Review Manager 5.2 and STATE 12 are employed. Results: Total OR value is calculated from 17 articles with 2,118 cases and 2,915 controls. We discovered no significant increase in lung cancer risk among subjects carrying GSTT1 null genotype [OR = 1.15; 95% CI 0.97-1.36] in this metaanalysis. Conclusion: The GSTT1 deletion polymorphism does not have a significant effect on the susceptibility to lung cancer overall in China.

Solvothermal reactions of 4-cyanobenzoic acid (HL1), NaN3, hydrated ZnSO4 in the presence of ancillary ligands pyrazine or 4,4′-dimethylbipyridine (Me2bpy) afforded a 3-D coordination polymer [Zn(L2)(H2O)]n (1) and a 2-D layer [Zn3(Me2bpy)(N3)2(L2)]n (2) (L2 = 4-tetrazolylbenzenecarboxylate), respectively in which pyrazine significantly alters the self-assembly of 1 and the coordination of Me2bpy in 2 leads to a novel linearly trinuclear [Zn3(Me2bpy)2(N3)2]4 + subunit functioning as a secondary building block (SUB). Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and solid state luminescent properties have been measured at room temperature.

Two double helical compounds with a general cationic structure [MII2(L1)2(Cl)3]+ have been obtained by treatment of L1 (L1 = 2-pyridyl methyl ketazine) and hydrated MIICl2 in MeOH, which were isolated as a PF6- salt (M Ni, 1) and a ClO4− salt (M Mn, 2), respectively. They represent first examples of double helicates of diazine complexes containing pseudo octahedral-coordinated metal ions. Their crystal structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography and the corresponding magnetic properties have been investigated in detail.

Solvothermal reactions of 4-cyanopyridine N-oxide, NaN3, and hydrated MCl2 (M = Cu, Co) in a mixture of EtOH/H2O afford the 3D polymer [CuI(4-ptz)]n (1) and the mononuclear complex [CoII(4-ptz)2(H2O)4] (2) (4-ptz = 5-(4-pyridine N-oxide) tetrazolate). The crystal structures of both compounds were determined by X-ray crystallography, in which the ligand 4-ptz exhibited different coordination modes. The thermal stability of 1 was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the solid state luminescence property of 1 was investigated at room temperature.

Wang, Chun-Hong, Li, Qiang, Ma, Li (2016): Two new species of the genus Podalonia Fernald from China and a key to the Chinese species of the genus (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae). Zootaxa 4158 (3): 443-450, DOI: http://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4158.3.9

Due to the improvement of production technology and the adjustment of energy structure, as well as the town-ownership and private-ownership coal mines (TPCM) were closed or merged by national policy, the number of underground miner has changed comparing with 2004 in China, so collective dose and normalization collective dose in different type of coal mine should be changed at the same time. In this paper, according to radiation exposure by different ventilation condition and the annual output, the coal mines in China are divided into three types, which are named as national key coal mines (NKCM), station-owned local coal mines (SLCM) and TPCM. The number of underground coal miner, collective dose and normalization collective dose are estimated at present base on surveying annual output and production efficiency of raw coal in 2005-2014. The typical total value of the underground coal miners recommended in China is 5.1 million in 2005-2009, and in which there are respectively included 1 million, 0.9 million and 3.2 million for NKCM, SLCM and TPCM. There are total of 4.7 million underground coal miner in 2010-2014, and the respectively number for NKCM, SLCM and TPCM are 1.4 million, 1.2 million and 2.1 million. The collective dose in 2005-2009 is 11 335 man·Sv·y-1, and in which there are respectively included 280, 495 and 10 560 man·Sv·y-1 for NKCM, SLCM and TPCM. As far as 2010-2014, there are total of 7982 man·Sv·y-1, and 392, 660 and 6930 man·Sv·y-1 for each type of coal mines. Therefore, the main contributor of collective dose is from TPCM. The normalization collective dose in 2005-2009 is 0.0025, 0.015 and 0.117 man·Sv per 10 kt for NKCM, SLCM and TPCM, respectively. As far as 2010-2014, there are 0.0018, 0.010 and 0.107 man·Sv per 10 kt for each type of coal mines. The trend of normalization collective dose is decreased year by year.

Neopanaxadiol (NPD), the main panaxadiol constituent of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), has been regarded as the active component for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. However, few references are available about pharmacokinetic evaluation for NPD. Accordingly, a rapid and sensitive method for quantitative analysis of NPD in beagle dog plasma based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was developed and validated. Analytes were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction and chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Zorbax Stable Bond C

In order to detect the boundary points of clustering efficiently, we proposed a novel algorithm which combined grid technology and gradient operator. In this algorithm the grid technology is used to enhance the speed of the data processing, and Prewitt gradient operator is applied to calculate gradient in 3×3 grid region from eight directions, the maximum being the central grid gradient. The gradient is used to judge whether the grid is the boundary grid or not, and a point in the boundary grid is a boundary point. Putting the method of image boundary processing into the practice of processing cluster boundary is a fresh idea for the research on cluster boundary. The experimental results indicate that this algorithm can effectively detect boundary of clusters in datasets with noises/outliers and have high running efficiency.

In this paper, the evolution and control of society risks caused by severe emergency infectious disease will be analyzed and studied. Firstly, the evolution chain of society risks caused by severe emergency infectious disease is constructed to analyze the evolution rule of society risks and identify the essential factors in counter measures. Then, the system dynamics model is established and employed to simulate the effects of society risk control with various countermeasures. Finally, based on the simulation results, a conclusion is drawn: improving medical treatment capacity, strengthening quarantine level under epidemic situation and enhancing the effective ness of dealing with public opinions are effective in controlling society risks. Especially when the three aspects mentioned above are promoted at the same time, the society risk control can achieve a more notable effect.

In this study, we searched multiple databases for all relevant original articles (1996-2013). To investigate blood lead levels (BLL) and possible risk factors for lead exposure among children in China A total of 388 articles met our inclusion criteria. The overall geometric mean (GM) BLL was 71 µg/L, and the prevalence of elevated BLL (EBLL, defined as BLL ⋝ 100 µg/L) was 18.48% among children. The prevalence of EBLL remained significantly higher among boys. In children less than 6 years of age, there were significantly increasing trends in both BLL and prevalence of EBLL in an age-dependent manner. The ban on leaded gasoline significantly reduced the BLL as well as EBLL prevalence; however, children whose parents had lower educational levels or were exposed to lead in the workplace had a higher EBLL prevalence. Despite its decline over time, the average BLL among children in China remains higher than the average level most recently reported in the United States. Childhood lead poisoning remains a public health problem in China.

Based on the branch analysis data from 36 sample trees in a Korean pine plantation in Mengjiagang Forest Farm of Heilongjiang Province, Northeast China, and by using Mitcherlich and Richards equations as the models of branch diameter and branch length growth, respectively, the effects of sampling plot and sample tree were investigated, and the nonlinear mixed models of branch diameter and branch length growth were established by the PROC NLMIXED procedure of SAS software. The evaluation statistics such as Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), -2Log likelihood, and likelihood ratio test (LRT) were used to compare the prediction precisions of the models. When considering plot effect, and taking alpha1 and alpha3 and beta1 and beta3 as the random parameters, respectively, the models of branch diameter and branch length growth had the best performance. When considering tree effect, and taking alpha2 and alpha3 and beta2 and beta3 as the random parameters, respectively, the models of branch diameter and branch length growth had the best performance. The nonlinear mixed model could not only reflect the mean variation of branch growth, but also show the differences among the individual trees. No matter considering plot effect or tree effect, the fitting precision of the nonlinear mixed model was better than that of the ordinary regression analysis model. Moreover, the fitting precision of the nonlinear mixed model was better when considering tree effect than considering plot effect.

Oncolytic adenoviruses are modified based on adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5), which belongs to subgroup C and depends on Coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR) to recognize target cells. However, expression of CAR is generally low or lost in certain tumors including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By contrast, CD46 is highly expressed in various types of malignant tumor cells. Therefore, we constructed an adenovirus vector expressing the human RANTES/CCL5 gene regulated by oxygen-dependent degradation domain (ODD) and analyzed its antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo. The human RANTES/CCL5 gene was fused with ODD by PCR and the recombinant oncolytic adenovirus containing RANTES-ODD, SG511-CCL5-ODD, was constructed by the Gateway system, which infected cells by binding CD46. Viral replication experiments were performed to evaluate the selective replication ability of SG511-CCL5-ODD. RANTES expression was determined by ELISA. The chemotactic test was used to analyze the ability of the expressed RANTES to recruit NK92 cells. The antitumor effects of SG511-CCL5-ODD were examined in HCC xenografts in nude mice. A chimeric oncolytic adenovirus, SG511-CCL5-ODD, was constructed successfully. Cells infected with the recombinant virus were able to express RANTES selectively in different environments controlled by ODD and the expressed RANTES was able to recruit NK92 cells by its chemotactic effect in vitro and improve the anticancer immune response in HCC xenografts in nude mice. The chimeric adenovirus SG511-CCL5-ODD highly expressed the RANTES-ODD fusion gene in the hypoxia of HCC under the control of the ODD and effectively attracted NK92 cells and a high number of immunocytes. These factors had complementary advantages and, in combination, exerted enhanced antitumor efficacy.

In order to improve the management level, promote informationization and automation in textile enterprise, a kind of loom's monitor system based on DSP and CAN bus for rapier loom is discussed in this article. The system is designed by connecting the computers from every workshops (detect real-time computer) with computer from offices (monitor computer) through intranet. It has functions of data recording, data analyzing, data monitoring and alarming. It can trace dynamically the processing of rapier loom's running. For illustration, there gives the detail design for the monitor system, discuss the architecture of network, the whole software design of the system and the key to design database. Empirical results show that it gives an approach for the textile enterprise to realize information and modernization.

As an image-spectrum merging technology, hyperspectral imaging has been used in battlefield reconnaissance rapidly. According to the definition of MTF based on contrast, the theoretical model of the MTF of line-array CCD was presented. The effect of the relative position of linearray CCD and input signal on MTF was analyzed. The results indicate that at the frequency-division of Nyquist frequency, the relative position has a strong effect on the MTF, which becomes much stronger with frequency increase, while at other frequency, the effect of the relative position on MTF depends on the percent error zeta, e.g. the bigger the value of [zeta], the weaker the effect of the relative position on MTF. In the frequency range of [zeta]0.1%, the effect of the relative position on MTF can be ignored. The above conclusions have directive significance in the design of MTF measure system of hyperspectral imager.

To evaluate the effect of the prognostic factors on long-term surgical outcome in myringoplasty.Retrospective cohort 205 patients (223 ears) with sandwich temporal fascia myringoplasty were analyzed using the multiple logistic regression analysis. The charts of inpatients had undergone myringoplasty before at least 2 years between January 1999 and November 2003 at Beijing Tongren Hospital. Postoperative follow-up rate was 78.2%. Their ages ranged from 12 to 65 years (mean = 34. 3 years). Their durations of disease ranged from 1 month to 25 years (mean = 16.07 months). The effect of prognostic factors on myringoplasty were investigated by variables noted from patients' files such as age, sex, causes of disease, duration of disease, period of dry ear of disease, operation types, places of tympanic membrane perforation, size of tympanic membrane perforation, status of middle ear and status of eardrum.There were 11 ears with re-perforation of eardrum at the last follow-up. Successful closure of the tympanic membrane perforation was obtained in 95.1% of the ears (212 ears) with 2 to 5 years follow-up. There were 26 ears with other complications at the last follow-up. Operations were successful in 186 patients. The overall take rate of the myringoplasty was 83.4%. Multiple logistic regression analysis (ward) was subsequently carried out on these prognostic factors on overall take rate of the myringoplasty and yielded the following classification. Relative importance of the predictive variables was as follows: size of tympanic membrane perforation (OR = 1.900), duration of disease (OR = 1.003) and period of dry ear of disease (OR = 0.908). Hearing outcomes: the average air-bone gap improvement was 7.0 dB and the average air conduction improvement was 6.8 dB for all 175 myringoplasty procedures.A long term follow-up was important. Late atelectatic pocket was a late complication and a cause of failure. A relatively smaller tympanic membrane perforation, a relatively shorter duration of disease and a relatively longer period of dry ear of disease were found to be significant prognostic factors positively influencing the success rate of myringoplasty.

We investigated the relationship between oxidative stress and osteoblasts viability in osteoblasts exposed to various concentrations of fluoride in this study. Primary calvarial osteoblasts from neonatal Kunming mice were cultured and subcultured to the third generation. Osteoblasts were incubated with sodium fluoride (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 20 mgF(-)/L) for 24, 48, and 72 h. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) analysis showed cell viability significantly increased after osteoblasts exposed to low concentrations of fluoride (0.5 to approximately 2 mgF(-)/L) for 24 to approximately 72 h. Oxidative stress analysis showed that low concentration of fluoride excited lipid peroxidation in osteoblasts and increased activity of antioxidant enzymes in varying degrees. We demonstrated that changes of osteoblasts viability of the low-dose fluoride groups are different from those of high-dose fluoride groups; however, both low and high doses of fluoride caused active state of oxidative stress in osteoblasts, which suggesting that oxidative stress may be excited by the active osteoblasts viability induced by a low dose of fluoride.

To investigate the impacts of the combined administration of ascorbic acid and thiamine on certain biochemical and morphologic indexes of testes in mice exposed to lead.s 75 male mice were divided into control groups, groups received with 0.2% lead acetate and groups treated by the same lead acetate dose in combination with ascorbic acid and thiamine (subdivided into:low, middle and high-dose) ad libitum with 15 mice in each. 5 mice in each group were sacrificed at 2, 4 and 6 weeks respectively, and then testes were separated from mice. To evaluate the lead toxicity in testis, the levels of TGFbeta1 and Caspase-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry, apoptotic cell was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL); DNA damage of germ cells was assessed by single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE or Comet assay).The levels of TGFbeta1 and Caspase-3, apoptotic index were significantly higher in groups given by lead than those in control groups( P0.05 ). After intervention of low and middle-dose vitamins, DNA damage and the number of apoptotic cell in testis were obviously lower than those of groups exposed to lead( P0.05 ) . Also, the impaired tissues were markedly ameliorated under light microscope. Groups administrated with vitamins at the highest dose, however, promoted testicular cell apoptosis via elevated expression of TGFP, and Caspase-3, percentage of tail cell and tail length were reduced significantly.Thiamine and ascorbic acid could antagonize the action of certain toxicity of testes in mice treated by lead acetate.

In this paper, some familiar algorithms of edge detection in ultrasound B-scan images are analyzed and studied. The results show that Sobel, Prewitt and Laplacian operators are sensitive to noise, Hough transform adapts to the whole detection, while LoG algorithm's average is zero and it couldn't change the whole dynamic area. Accordingly LoG algorithm is preferable.

To investigate the allele frequencies of the apolipoprotein (apo)E-CI-CII cluster gene in Hans of Chinese, and its relation to serum lipid levels.The study subjects consisted of healthy individuals (male: 196, female: 154; average age: 63.6 +/- 12.0 years) who were randomly selected from health screening. ApoE genotypes were identified by multi-AMRS PCR and both the ApoCI promoter polymorphisms and AvaII polymorphisms of the apoCII gene were detected by using PCR-RFLP. The serum lipid levels were determined using an automatic chemistry analyzer.For ApoE gene, the frequency of E3/3 was 73.4%, it represents the most common genotype from of the polymorphism. The frequencies of E2/2, E2/4 and E4/4 genotypes were all smaller than 1%. For the ApoCI locus, the frequencies of H1/ 1, H2/2 genotypes were 79.7% and 1.7%, respectively. Both the ApoE and ApoCI polymorphisms showed the lack of association with plasma levels in this population. The linkage disequilibrium between ApoE with ApoCI wasn't found, either. The allele frequencies of ApoCII gene were T1 : 70.7% and T2 : 29.3%, respectively. The TG level in subjects carrying with T1/2 (1.49 +/- 0.96 mmol/l) was significant higher than that in subjects with T1/1 (1.29 +/- 0.72 mmol/l), P0.05. No significant differences were found between male and female in genotype distribution and allele frequencies of the ApoE-CI-CII gene cluster.This result suggested that it might be one of the factors in explaining the lower prevalence rate of atherosclerosis in the China population.

To study the genetic association of apolipoprotein (apo) E and apoCI gene polymorphisms with coronary heart disease (CHD) in China.apoE genotypes were identified by multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (multi-ARMS) and the apoCI promoter polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 186 cases with CHD (age: 65.0 +/- 10.5 years) and 350 controls (age: 63.6 +/- 8.3 years). The haplotype frequencies were estimated.The frequencies of apoE E4/3 genotype (26.9%) and epsilon4 (14.5%) in CHD group were significantly higher than that in the control group (12.6%, 7.0%), P0.05. The significant difference was also found for the apoCI locus and the CHD group showed higher rate of both for the H2 allele and genotypes, carrying this allele. Estimation of the haplotype frequencies indicated that the association between the apoE-CI haplotype and CHD was significantly strong. The apoE-epsilon4/apoCI-H2 was estimated to be responsible for 9.86% of CHD.When the subjects carrying both epsilon4 and H2 alleles, they would have higher risk of suffering from CHD than controls.

This paper has addressed the H/sub /spl infin// design problem of the state-feedback controller for uncertain descriptor system with time-delay. Based on the Lyapunov method , it was proven that the existence condition of such controllers is equivalent to a linear matrix inequality feasibility. A parameterized representation of the controller is characterized in terms of the feasible solutions to the LMI . Finally, an example is given to illustrate the validity of the proposed method.

To investigate the association between the ApoE and LDLR-R gene loci on coronary heart disease (CHD) and their interaction with alcohol drinking and smoking in Hans of Chinese.A questionnaire survey of the behaviors of smoking and drinking, dietary custom, and anamnesis, was conducted among 146 cases of CHD, aged 64 +/- 11, and 340 controls, aged 63 +/- 12. Peripheral blood samples were collected and the total DNAs were extracted. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were examined. The ApoE genotype was identified by the method of multiplex amplification refractory mutation system and AvaII polymorphisms of the LDL-R gene were detected by using the method of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The interaction between the genes and alcohol drinking and smoking was analyzed by using multivariate logistic regression models.(1) Both the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure of the CHD patients (132 mm Hg +/- 21 mm Hg, and 81 mm Hg +/- 13 mm Hg, 1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were significantly higher than those of the controls (123 mm Hg +/- 17 mm Hg and 77 mm Hg +/- 11 mm Hg, both P0.05). The level of TG was 1.6 +/- 0.9 mmol/L in the CHD group, significantly higher than that in the control group (1.4 +/- 0.8 mmol/L, P0.05). However, there was no difference in the levels of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C between the 2 groups (all P0.05). (2) For the ApoE gene, the frequencies of E4/3 genotype and epsilon 4 allele were 24.0% and 13.4% respectively in the CHD group, both significantly higher than those in the control group (12.9% and 7.2% respectively, both P0.05). For the LDLR-AvaII locus, no difference was found in different genotypes between the CHD and control groups. However, the proportion of those with epsilon 4 locus and AvaII(+) locus simultaneously was 60% in the CHD group, significantly higher than in the control group (31.8%, P0.05). (3) After adjustment of confounding variables, such as age, sex, blood pressure, and body mass index, the binary logistic analysis showed a significant gene-environment interaction (P0.05). The OR value were: for epsilon 4-AvaII(+): 2.99 (95% CI: 1.36 approximately 6.66, P0.01), for epsilon 3-often drinking: 2.60 (95% CI: 1.35 approximately 5.02, P0.01), for epsilon 3-smoking 2.58 (95% CI: 1.16 approximately 5.71, P0.05), for epsilon 4-stopped smoking 3.12 (95% CI: 1.23 approximately 8.09, P0.05), for epsilon 4-smoking: 5.30 (95% CI: 1.21 approximately 23.22, P0.05), and for AvaII(+)-often drinking: 2.49 (95% CI: 1.12 approximately 5.52, P0.05) respectively.The carriers of epsilon 3, epsilon 4 or AvaII(+) alleles would have higher risk of suffering from CHD if they are drink alcohol or smoke heavily.

To evaluate relationship between ApoE gene polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD).Meta-analysis was applied with a random-effect model for the collected data.Difference in pooled frequencies, d, of apoE genotypes E3/2, E4/2, E3/3, E4/3 and E4/4 between case and control groups were 2.3%, -0.8%, -8.5%, 10.5% and 0.9%, respectively. Difference in pooled frequencies, d, of apoE alleles epsilon2, epsilon3 and epsilon4 were -1.5%, -4.2% and 5.8%, respectively, with a statistical significance between four groups.apoE gene polymorphism was involved in coronary heart disease. Persons with apoE E3/3 genotype or epsilon3 allele were not susceptible to CHD, but those with apoE E4/4 genotype or epsilon4 allele had higher risk suffering from CHD than others.

To assess the relationship between SULT1A1 Arg213His polymorphism and breast cancer in Hans of Chinese women, as well as the interaction of the polymorphism and related risk factor of breast cancer.Distribution of Arg213His polymorphism of the SULT1A1 gene was detected by using PCR-RFLP in 209 cases of breast cancer and 426 matched healthy controls. The OR of susceptibility of SULT1A1 genotypes to breast cancer and the r value of interaction with exposure factors using multivariate logistic regression.(1) There was no significant difference in genotype of Arg/Arg, Arg/His and His/His of SULT1A1 between case and control (P = 0.12). The frequency of His allele was 13.6% and 9.5% in were determined case and control, respectively, P = 0.03; (2) Compared with Arg/Arg genotype, the risk of Arg/His and His/His was increased, P for trend = 0.04; The OR of His allele (Arg/His + His/His) was 2.60 (95% CI: 1.12 - 6.05, P = 0.04); (3) As for the interaction between gene and related exposure factors, His allele strengthen the effect of endogenous estrogen exposure (interaction index r1), and weaken the effect of factors related to exposure of some procarcinogen in dietary (r1), both being multiplicative interaction model.SULT1A1 His allele is positively associated with the risk of breast cancer, and an interaction exist between this allele and related exposure factors.

Objective: To investigate the effect of bcr-abl fusion gene on CML cell apoptosis. Methods: Apoptosis of exvivo cultured K562 cells were observed after exposure to synthetic 18 mer antisense oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to the bcr-abl junction (b3a2). Results: Apoptosis of K562 cells was significantly increased associated with inhibition of bcr-abl expression. Conclusion: bcr-abl fusion gene formation due to chromosome translocation may be the major mechanism of CML via inhibition of apoptosis.