Search

The aim is to establish a model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by feeding with high-fat, high-fructose, and high-cholesterol diet (HFFCD) in golden hamsters, and to investigate the characteristics of the NAFLD model and metabolite changes of liver tissue. Golden hamsters were fed HFFCD or control diets for six weeks. Body weight, abdominal fat index, and liver index was assessed, serum parameters, hepatic histology, and liver metabolites were examined. The results showed that body weight, abdominal fat, and liver index of hamsters were significantly increased in the model group, the level of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly increased in model group as well, and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly decreased. In addition, lipid deposition in liver tissue formed fat vacuoles of different sizes. Metabonomics analysis of the liver showed that the metabolic pathways of sphingolipid, glycerophospholipids, and arginine biosynthesis were disordered in the NAFLD model. The modeling method is simple, short time, and uniform. It can simulate the early fatty liver caused by common dietary factors, and provides an ideal model for the study of the initial pathogenesis and therapeutic drugs for NAFLD.

Most of existing augmented designs are to add some runs in the follow-up stages. While in many cases, the level of factors should be augmented and these augmented designs are called level-augmented designs. According to whether the experimental domain is extended or not, they can be divided into range-extended and range-fixed level-augmented designs. For different types of initial designs, the symmetrical and asymmetrical level-augmented designs are discussed, respectively. Based on the property of robustness, a uniformity criterion is a suitable choice to obtain an optimal level-augmented design when the model is unknown. In this paper, the wrap-around $$L_2$$ -discrepancy (WD) is chosen as the uniformity measure. We give the expressions and the tight lower bounds of WD of level-augmented designs under some special parameters. A method to construct a special case of symmetrical level-augmented designs is given. Some examples and level-augmented uniform designs are also provided.

Metazoans harbor a wealth of symbionts that are ever-changing the environment by taking up resources and/or excreting metabolites. One such common environmental modification is a change in pH. Conventional wisdom holds that symbionts facilitate the survival and production of their hosts in the wild, but this notion lacks empirical evidence. Here, we report that symbiotic bacteria in the genus Enterococcus attenuate the oviposition avoidance of alkaline environments in Drosophila. We studied the effects of alkalinity on oviposition preference for the first time, and found that flies are robustly disinclined to oviposit on alkali-containing substrates. This innate repulsion to alkaline environments is explained, in part, by the fact that alkalinity compromises the health and lifespan of both offspring and parent Drosophila. Enterococcus dramatically diminished or even completely reversed the ovipositional avoidance of alkalinity in Drosophila. Mechanistically, Enterococcus generate abundant lactate during fermentation, which neutralizes the residual alkali in an egg-laying substrate. In conclusion, Enterococcus protects Drosophila from alkali stress by acidifying the ovipositional substrate, and ultimately improves the fitness of the Drosophila population. Our results demonstrate that symbionts are profound factors in the Drosophila ovipositional decision, and extend our understanding of the intimate interactions between Drosophila and their symbionts.

Mycena, a symbiont of Gastrodia elata, promotes seed germination of G. elata and plays a crucial role in the sexual reproduction of G. elata. However, the lack of genetic transformation system of Mycena blocks the research on the interaction mechanism of the two. In order to establish the protoplast transformation system of Mycena, this study analyzed the protoplast enzymatic hydrolysis system, screened the resistance markers and regeneration medium, and explored the transient transformation. After hydrolysis of Mycena hyphae with complexes enzymes for 8 h and centrifugation at 4 000 r·min~(-1), high-concentration and quality protoplast was obtained. The optimum regeneration medium for Mycena was RMV, and the optimum resistance marker was 50 mg·mL~(-1) hygromycin. The pLH-HygB-HuSHXG-GFP-HdSHXG was transformed into the protoplast of Mycena which then expressed GFP. The established protoplast transformation system of Mycena laid a foundation for analyzing the functional genes of Mycena and the molecular mechanism of the symbiosis of Mycena and G. elata.

Objective:To explore the role of microRNA (miR-21) in new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) as mediated by different concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).Methods:Fibroblasts isolated from the hips of patients with AS were induced to osteogenesis. These cells were then stimulated with varying concentrations of TNF-α. MicroRNA-21 expressions were evaluated using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and osteogenesis was detected via Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining and measurement of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Relative expressions of p-STAT3, Nuclear STAT3, cytoplasm STAT3, Runx2, BMP2, osteopontin, osteocalcin, and LC3B in AS fibroblasts were measured after exposure to different concentrations of TNF-α. The STAT3-inhibiting small interfering RNA allowed further exploration on its impact on miR-21 and primary miR-21 expressions. A proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA) Balb/c mouse model was established in order to monitor sacroiliac joint (SIJ) inflammation and subsequent damage through magnetic resonance image. Serum miR-21 and TNF-α expressions were evaluated using RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. At week 16, mice models were transfected intravenously with miR-21 overexpressing agomir and miR-21 inhibiting antagomir for 7 successive days. The rate of abnormal bone formation at SIJ was evaluated using microcomputed tomography and hematoxylin and eosin staining at week 24. Western blot analysis enabled quantification of STAT-3, JAK-2, and interleukin (IL)-17A expressions present in the SIJ.Results:The in vitro miR-21 expression and osteogenesis activity were noted to be augmented in the setting of low TNF-α concentrations (0.01-0.1 ng/mL) while they were depressed in settings with higher TNF-α concentrations (1-10 ng/mL). Samples with the most distinct ARS manifestation and ALP activity as well as the highest miR-21 expressions were those who received 0.1 ng/mL of TNF-α. Primary miR-21 was found to be notable raised by Si-STAT3, while the converse effect was seen in mature miR-21 expressions. Intravenous injection of exogenous miR-21 contributed to new bone formation and significantly elevated expressions of STAT3, JAK2, and IL-17 in PGIA mice.Conclusions:The results revealed that miR-21 may act as a potential mediator between new bone formation and inflammation in AS.

Increased expressions of miR-21 have been detected in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. The current study was performed to examine the serum miR-21 expression with radiographic severity in AS patients, which was determined based on the modified New York (NY) criteria for sacroiliac joints assessment and modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) system for spine involvement. Bone mineral density at lumbar 1–4 and femoral neck were examined by dual-energy absorptiometry (DXA). Serum miR-21 expressions were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to identify the diagnostic value of miR-21 expression levels regarding the NY criteria. Elevated levels of serum miR-21 expressions were detected in AS patients compared with healthy controls. AS patients with modified NY grade 4 showed significantly higher miR-21 expression than grade 3 and grade 2. AS patients with spinal syndesmophytes had significantly higher serum miR-21 expressions than non-syndesmophyte patients. Increased miR-21 expressions were significantly related to the disease radiographic severity. In addition, serum miR-21 expressions were negatively associated with lumbar 1–4 and femoral neck bone mineral density. In summary, serum miR-21 expressions were related to structural damage and radiological progression in AS, indicating that miR-21 may act as a switch between inflammation and new bone information and regulate different signal ways between lesioned enthesis and trabecular bone.

The Bi2WO6 was prepared by the hydrothermal method and its sonocatalytic activity was studied in the degradation of methyl orange (MO) solutions. The effects of catalytic activity of Bi2WO6 on dye were inspected by the change in absorbance of dye with UV-vis spectrometer. The influences of operational parameters such as the addition amount of Bi2WO6, pH, the initial concentration of dyes, ultrasonic power and irradiation time on the degradation ratio were investigated. In addition, the obtained results indicated that the kinetics of sonochemical reactions of MO were consistent with the pseudo first-order kinetics and Bi2WO6 had excellent reusability and stability during the sonochemical degradation processes. The generation and kinds of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their influence on the sonochemical degradation of MO were determined by the methods of oxidation-extraction spectrophotometry and ROS scavengers. The results indicate that the degradation of MO in the presence of Bi2WO6 under ultrasonic irradiation is related to the generation of ROS, in which both singlet molecular oxygen ((1)O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH) play important roles in the sonochemical degradation of MO. These experimental results provide a sound foundation for the further development of Bi2WO6 as a sonocatalyst in wastewater treatment.

A new coordination polymer, [Cu(L)(bpmb)]n (I) (L = benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid, bpmb = 1,2-bis(pyridine-3-ylmethoxy)benzene), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by single X-ray diffraction, IR, element analysis, and thermal analysis. The compound I shows a two-dimensional corrugated sheet with 4462 topology. In addition, the luminescent property of I is investigated.

Photocatalysis is a green technology for the treatment of all kinds of contaminants and has advantages over other treatment methods. Recently, much effort has been devoted to developing new photocatalytic materials based on metal–organic frameworks for use in the degradation of many kinds of organic contaminants. With the aim of searching for more effective photocatalysts, the title three-dimensional coordination polymer, [Cd2(C8H4O4)2(C18H16N2O2)]n, was prepared. The asymmetric unit contains one CdIIcation, one benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate anion (denotedL2−) and half of a centrosymmetric 1,4-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethoxy)benzene ligand (denoted bpmb). Each CdIIcentre is five-coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from twoL2−ligands and by one N atom from a bpmb ligand, forming a disordered pentagonal pyramidal coordination geometry. The CdIIcentres are interlinked byL2−ligands to form a one-dimensional [Cd2L2]nchain. Adjacent chains are further connected by bpmb linkers, giving rise to a two-dimensional network, and these networks are pillared by bpmb to afford a three-dimensional framework with a 33.42.63.71.81topology. Each grid in the framework has large channels which are filled mainly by the two other equivalent frameworks to form a threefold interpenetrating net. The compound exhibits relatively good photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV irradiation.

Two new menthane monoterpenes, wardicines A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the fruits of Illicium wardii A.C. Smith. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. Cytotoxicities of compounds 1 and 2 against three human tumor cell lines A549, HCT-116, and CCRF-CEM were also evaluated, but no significant activities were observed for the two compounds.

In this work, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and eosine B (EB) were selected as a model protein and sonosensitizer, respectively. The sonodynamic damage to protein in the presence of EB and its mechanism were studied by means of absorption and fluorescence spectra. The results indicated that the synergistic effects of ultrasound and EB can efficiently damage the BSA molecules, and the damage of protein could be mainly due to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The damage degree of protein increased with the increase of ultrasonic time and EB concentration because of the increased quantities of ROS. Hydroxyl free radical (OH) was the major mediators of the ultrasound-inducing proteins damage in the presence of EB. In addition, the quantities of ROS from the diphenylcarbazide (DPCI)-EB solutions and the DPCI-fluorescein (FS) solutions with or without ROS scavengers were contrasted, respectively. The results show that FS mainly produce OH, but the quantities of ROS in the presence of FS were lower than those of EB, which indicates that the nitro and bromine substituent groups on the benzene ring of FS increase the quantity of ROS, but do not change the kinds of ROS.

Four diterpenoids (1–4), together with four known ones (5–8), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Gaultheria yunnanensis. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR and MS analysis. All 8 compounds were assayed for inhibitory effects against nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 release in LPS-induced RAW 246.7 macrophages. 18-Hydroxyferruginol (6), gaultheronoterpene (7), and 12-hydroxydehydroabietic acid (8) showed weak inhibitions against TNF-α production, while no significant inhibitory activity was observed for the other evaluated compounds.

Two new lignans, 9-salicyl-(+)-isolariciresinol (1) and gaultheroside G (2), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Gaultheria yunnanensis. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR and MS analyses. Gaultheroside G (2) was found to have an unusual ether linkage between the 2 and 9' positions of aryl-tetralin lignan skeleton. All nine compounds were assayed for inhibitory effects against nitric oxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 release in LPS-induced RAW 246.7 macrophages, while no significant activities were observed for the evaluated compounds.

Two novel abietane diterpenoids, wardinols A and B (1 and 2, resp.), together with five known diterpenoids, 3–7, were isolated from the fruits of Illicium wardii A.C.Sm. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of intensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Wardinol A (1) is a rare 9,10-epoxy-9,10-secoabietane diterpenoid. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against three human tumor cell lines, A549, HCT116, and CCRF-CEM.

The common point coordinate precision affect accuracy of coordinate transformation. In order to overcome the individual common point coordinate precision is too low or the error is large under some condition, a new method of high-precision coordinate transformation based on bursa model was discussed, which used the theory of robust resistance estimation to solve and calculate the high-precision coordinate transformation parameters, finally achieved the purpose of high-precision coordinate transformation. By calculation and comparison with experimental date, the result show that the method is practical and effective, so it is completely feasible in application surveying engineering.

Bi2O3Chaplet-like Nanoparticles have been fabricated. Most of them have the average inner diameter of 200nm and the mean rim thickness of 20nm. Photoluminescence spectra of the nanorings at room temperature were investigated, which demonstrated that the rings present excellent optical properties. The influence of aging time on the morphology and structure of β-Bi2O3superstructures was also studied, indicating that the nanorings superstructures were transformed into nanoplates after a long aging time. The formation mechanism of the β-Bi2O3superstructures was also explored. This approach will be further extended to solvent-controlled fabrication of related minerals with novel complex superstructures.

The consensus problems of two situations for singular multi-agent systems with fixed topology are discussed: directed graph without spanning tree and the disconnected undirected graph. A sufficient and necessary condition is obtained by applying the stability theory and the system is reachable asymptotically. But for normal systems, this can’t occur in upper two situations. Finally a simulation example is provided to verify the effectiveness of our theoretical result.

Consensus of singular multi-agent systems is studied, where the dynamics of each agent is described by a continuous-time singular system. Based on the controllability theory of singular systems, the consensus problem under consideration is transformed into the stability problem of a low-order normal system. Moreover, a sufficient and necessary condition for consensus is obtained by applying the stability theory. Finally, simulation examples are provided to validate the theoretical results.

Noise identification is one of the most important issues in radar and sonar engineering, in which Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) statistic is widely adopted. Although KS statistic is the most reliable method till now, it does not have high precision as people believe. The performance of KS statistic is studied in this work, while an experiment is carried out to show the precision of KS statistic, including both test and recognition. The result could help researchers decreasing error of using KS statistic in the future.

Investigation of a Chinese folk medicine, Artemisia dubia (syn. Artemisia subdigitata), has resulted in the isolation of eight new guaianolides (artemdubolides A-H, 1-8), and nineteen known sesquiterpene lactones. Their structures were elucidated primarily on the basis of spectroscopic methods, including extensive 2D NMR experiments. The cytotoxic activities of compounds 1-8 were evaluated against A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma), Colo205 (human colon carcinoma), HepG2 (human hepatoma), and MDA-MB-435 (human melanoma) cell lines. Compounds 2 and 5 showed weak cell growth inhibition of Colo205 and MDA-MB-435 cells.

A new triterpenoid named 19-hydroxy swinhoeic acid, together with four known compounds were isolated from the whole plants of Coluria longifolia Maxim. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis and comparison with previously reported data. Cytotoxicities of the five compounds against HepG2 cell lines were also evaluated, unfortunately, no obvious activities were observed.

Fluorescence, absorption, time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic techniques as well as molecular modeling methods were used to study the binding characterization of promethazine (PMT) to human serum albumin (HSA) and the influence of flavonoids, rutin and baicalin, on their affinity. The results indicated that the fluorescence quenching mechanism of HSA by PMT is a static quenching due to the formation of complex. The reaction was spontaneous and mainly mediated by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The binding distance between the tryptophan residue of HSA and PMT is less than 8nm, which indicated that the energy transfer from the tryptophan residue of HSA to PMT occurred. The binding site of PMT on HSA was located in sites I and the presence of PMT can cause the conformational changes of HSA. There was the competitive binding to HSA between PMT and flavonoids because of the overlap of binding sites in HSA. The flavonoids could decrease the association constant and increase the binding distance. In addition, their synergistic effect can further change the conformation of HSA. The decrease in the affinities of PMT binding to HSA in the presence of flavonoids may lead to the increase of free drug in blood, which would affect the transportation or disposition of drug and evoke an adverse or toxic effect. Hence, rationalising dosage and diet regimens should be taken into account in clinical application of PMT.

The application of novel electrosynthesized polydopamine (PDA)-imprinted film as a recognition element for the capacitive sensing of nicotine is reported. The PDA-imprinted film was electropolymerized directly on the gold electrode surface in the presence of nicotine without an additional self-assembled thiol sublayer. The compact PDA film has various functional groups that aid the imprinting procedure. Furthermore, the film shows good capacitive response since it is insulating in nature and ultrathin. The sensor's linear response range for nicotine was between 1-25 micromol L(-1), with a detection limit of 0.5 micromol L(-1). The proposed molecularly imprinted polymer capacitive (MIPC) sensor exhibited good selectivity for nicotine. The reproducibility and repeatability of the MIPC sensor were all found to be satisfactory. The results from sample analysis confirmed the applicability of the MIPC sensor to quantitative analysis.

Electro-optical properties of polymer-stabilized sphere phase liquid crystal (PS-SPLC) switching devices are analyzed and validated experimentally. The experimental results show the voltage-dependent transmittance curves of PS-SPLC devices. A diffraction approach, called extended anomalous diffraction approach, is proposed to fit the experimental data. Good agreement between experiment and model is obtained. The scattering model provides practical guidance for the improvement of PS-SPLC displays performance and optimization.

isolation, structure and cytotoxicity of two novel abietane diterpenoids, wardinol A (I) and B (II), along with five known diterpenoids

To compare the clinical efficacy of trapezoid pad coordinate with small splint fixation treatment with plaster slab fixation treatment for comminuted Colles fracture.From October 2010 to March 2012,80 outpatients with comminuted Colles fracture were divided into two groups. There were 40 patients in trapezoid pad splint fixation treatment group and 40 patients in pipe type plaster control group. There were 13 males and 27 females in trapezoid pad splint fixation treatment group,with an average age of (62.1 +/- 19.2) years old. And there were 15 males and 25 females in pipe type plaster control group,with an average age of (60.2 +/- 19.5) years old. After treated with manipulative reduction,the fractures were fixed with pipe plaster in the control group, and were fixed with trapezoid pad joint by small splint in the treatment group. The patients in both groups were regularly taken X-ray recheck and changed dressings to obtain the clinical healing. Patients were guided to do functional exercise after splints were taken off. The therapeutic effects were evaluated according to Gartland-Werlley wrist score when splints taken off and after 2 months.According to wrist score, the average scores in the treatment group were (8.1 +/- 2.8) when splints taken off and (5.3 +/- 4.5) after 2 months. And the average scores in the control group were (10.3 +/- 2.6) when splints taken off and (8.4 +/- 5.8) after 2 months. The score in the treatment group was higher than that of control group. The average shortened lengths of radius were (4.8 + 1.7) mm in the treatment group and (8.2 +/- 2.1) mm in the control group. The shortened length of control group was larger than that of treatment group.Trapezoid pad coordinated with small splint fixation is better than traditional pipe type plaster for treating comminuted Colles fracture.

The Minimum Steiner tree (MST) problem in the Euclidean plane is an nonlinear programming hard (NP-hard) problem, polynomial time algorithm is absent for solving the MST for a group of arbitrary terminal points, and the most difficulty is how to determine the position and number of Steiner points. A new method to solve MST problem by using an artificial immune algorithm was proposed in this paper. According to the breadth - first traversal sequence of minimum spanning tree, the terminal points can be divided into different convex hull sets, and the full Steiner tree (FST, named by Melzak) can be structured from the convex hull. The Steiner points can be vaccinated to minimum spanning tree as a vaccine, and the shortest length of the tree is the solution of MST. The average optimization effect of artificial immune algorithm is shorter 5.3% than the minimum spanning, and the performance of algorithm is remarkable and outstanding effectively with some engineering examples.

It is well known that the Steiner minimal tree problem is one of the classical nonlinear combinatorial optimization problems. A visualization experiment approach succeeds in generating Steiner points automatically and showing the system shortest path, named Steiner minimum tree, physically and intuitively. However, it is difficult to form stabilized system shortest path when the number of given points is increased and irregularly distributed. Two algorithms, geometry algorithm and geometry-experiment algorithm (GEA), are constructed to solve system shortest path using the property of Delaunay diagram and basic philosophy of Geo-Steiner algorithm and matching up with the visualization experiment approach (VEA) when the given points increase. The approximate optimizing results are received by GEA and VEA for two examples. The validity of GEA was proved by solving practical problems in engineering, experiment, and comparative analysis. And the global shortest path can be obtained by GEA successfully with several actual calculations.

Godson-2H is a complex SOC of Godson series, which is a 117mm2, 152 million transistors chip fabricated in 65nm CMOS LP/GP process technology. It integrates a 1GHz processor core and abundant high and low speed peripheral IO interfaces. Large scale and extremely strict low power requirements make great challenges in the chip design phase. To meet low power constraints in different application scenarios, most of state-of-art low power methods are carefully adopted. This paper describes the most effective low power design methods used in Godson-2H, which are dynamic voltage and frequency scaling, power gating and aggressive multi-voltage design.

Incarvilleatone (1), an unprecedented dimeric cyclohexylethanoid analog with a racemic nature, was isolated from the whole plant of Incarvillea younghusbandii. HPLC chiral separation of 1 gave two enantiomers (−)-incarvilleatone and (+)-incarvilleatone. The structure of 1 was established by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The absolute configurations of enantiomers were determined by quantum mechanical calculation. (−)-Incarvilleatone exhibited a potent inhibitory effect against NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages.

It is well known that the Steiner minimal tree problem is one of the classic nonlinear combinatorial optimization problems. A visualization experiment approach succeeds in generating Steiner points automatically, and showing the system shortest path, named Steiner minimum tree, physically and intuitively. However, it is difficult to forming stabilized system shortest path when the number of given points are increased and irregular distribution. A new algorithm, geometry-experiment algorithm(GEA), is constructed to solve system shortest path using the nature of Delaunay diagram and basic philosophy of Geo-Steiner algorithm, and matching up with the visualization experiment approach(VEA) when given points are increasing in this paper. The approximate optimizing results are received by GEA and VEA for some practical power transmission grid system. The validity of GEA was proved by solving practical problems in engineering, experiment and comparative analysis. And the global shortest path can be obtained by GEA successfully with several actual calculations.

To evaluate the expression of RAR-beta gene in cervical carcinoma cell lines SiHa, HeLa, C33A and Caski and to analyze the relation between their gene expression and the promoter methylation of RAR-beta DNA.The expression of mRNA and protein of RAR-beta gene in the four cell lines were analyzed by RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence, respectively. Methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to check whether there was methylation in the promoter of RAR-beta gene. The demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-cdR) was used to treat methylated cell lines and the change of RAR-beta gene methylation and RAR-beta gene expression defects were observed. The cell proliferation was assayed with 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method.The mRNA and protein expression levels of RAR-beta in cell lines SiHa, HeLa, Caski and C33A were 0.25 +/- 0.08, 0, 0.60 +/- 0.19, 3.12 +/- 0.92 and 0.23 +/- 0.07, 0, 0.14 +/- 0.05, 0.68 +/- 0.21, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of RAR-beta in SiHa, HeLa and Caski cell lines were decreased or silenced, whereas its expression increased in C33A cell line. MSP method showed that there were RAR-beta gene methylation in SiHa, HeLa and Caski cell lines, while there was no RAR-beta gene methylation in C33A cell line. After treated with 5-Aza-cdR, the mRNA and protein expression levels of RAR-beta in SiHa, HeLa, Caski and C33A cell lines were 1.82 +/- 0.59, 2.13 +/- 0.62, 1.67 +/- 0.43, 2.95 +/- 0.89 and 0.69 +/- 0.21, 0.83 +/- 0.29, 0.56 +/- 0.16, 0.64 +/- 0.20 respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of RAR-beta had a significant difference between before and after interference with 5-Aza-cdR in SiHa, HeLa, and Caski cell lines (P0.05). However, they had no significant difference between before and after interference with 5-Aza-cdR in C33A cell line (P0.05). The 5-Aza-cdR treatment could suppress cell proliferation.The RAR-beta gene expression defects play an important role in the carcinogenesis of cervical cancer. Aberrant methylation in promotor region of RAR-beta gene may be an important mechanism for the loss of expression of RAR-beta gene.

Incidence of scapular spine (SS) fractures as a result of complications of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty is relatively high leading to inferior clinical outcomes and an increased risk of revision and dislocation. Fractures of SS because of trauma, including the acromion, constitute 6% to 23% of scapula fractures. The purpose of this study was to classify the SS and present specific geometrical parameters according to osteologic features. A total of 319 intact dry scapulae were collected and classified based on morphological characteristics and shape of the SS. Nine bony landmarks were also chosen and described for their relevance to regions of interest for scapular fixation. Five specific types of SS were noted and the most prevalent groups were Type 1 (Fusiform shape) (47.17%) and Type 5 (Horizontal S-shape) (19.18%). Overall, Types 3, 4, and 1 showed thicker landmark values compared to Type 5, with Type 2 having smaller values. Our classification into 5 distinct types allowed appreciation of the anatomical variance of SSs. The contours of Types 5 and 1 presented a more complex morphology and may lead to a worse surgical approach due to a fracture. As Types 2 and 5 were much thinner than the other types, these may be more susceptible to fractures.

To probe the mechanism of electro-scalp acupuncture in treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT).Five cases of PD received electro-scalp acupuncture at Dingnie Qianxiexian (MS 6), Epangxian III (MS 4), Dingpangxian I (MS 8), Dingpangxian II (MS 9) and Zhenxia Pangxian (MS 14). Contralateral points were selected for pathologic change on one side and bilateral points were selected for pathologic lesion on both sides. All the patients received 99mTc-TRODAT-1 SPECT examination before and after acupuncture treatment of 6 weeks. And activities of dopamine transporter (DAT) were analyzed by the ratio of striatum/occipital lobe (ST/OC), which was evaluated by means of technique of regional of interesting (ROI).The ratio of ST/OC on the same side of the affected extremity before and after treatment were 1.19 +/- 0.15 and 1.24 +/- 0.31 respectively. And on the other side were 0.90 +/- 0.12 and 0.95 +/- 0.25 respectively. They were increased after treatment (P0.05).Electro-scalp acupuncture can decrease the loss of DAT and improve the activities of DAT in the striatum of the patient of PD.

To observe the therapeutic effect of scalp electroacupuncture on Parkinson disease (PD) of grade 1.5-3.0 on Hoehn-Yahr scale.Thirty patients with Parkinson disease were randomized equally into the treatment group and control group. Patients in the treatment group were treated by scalp eletroacupuncture at the contralateral points of MS6, MS4, MS8, MS9 and MS14 in cases of unilateral lesions or at the bilateral points for bilateral lesions, with also medication with Madopar. The patients in the control group were given Madopar only. The scores of Webster scale and the motor function of United Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were used to for assessment before and after the therapeutic course (6 weeks).Tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia were obviously improved in both the groups (P0.05). The difference in the score of Webster scale was not significant between the two groups (P0.05), but the treatment group showed greater improvement in motor functions than the control group (P0.05).Scalp electroacupuncture is effective and safe for therapy of Parkinson disease.

To study on the anatomical layers and depth of Yifeng (TE 17) so as to provide anatomical basis for clinical treatment.Fifteen fresh adult corpse samples, 10 males and 5 females, were randomly taken for investigating the anatomical structures and nerve-blood vessel relationship at the acupoint area of Yifeng (TE 17) with layer anatomical method layer by layer.Anterior of Yifeng (TE 17) is posterior border of condylion, the part backward is the aponeurosis of sternocleidomastoid muscle and anterior border of papillary. Structures of this point are skin, subcutaneous fascia, the posterior border of parotid, venous plexus of infratemporal fossa in turn. And the superficial layer of the point are the branches of great auricular nerve and external jugular vein. The structures of the deep layer are occipital artery, branches of upper jaw's artery and vein, pterygoid venous plexus and facial nerve, mandibular nerve. The average dangerous depth is (35.52 +/- 6.31) mm.There are important nerves and blood vessels around Yifeng (TE 17), which should be noted in acupuncture.