[Purification and characterization of two PR-10 protein isoforms from the crude drug of Angelica sinensis]

Two proteins of similar molecular weight (named as ASPR-C-1 and ASPR-C-2) from the crude drug of Angelica sinensis were purified and characterized by 80% ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-50 gel filtration chromatography, and DEAE-Sepharose anion exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of ASPR-C-1 and ASPR-C-2 on SDS-PAGE was 17.33 kDa and 17.18 kDa, respectively. They were mainly monomeric in solution, but partially formed dimers and they were glycoproteins with glycosyl content of 2.6% and 8.2%, respectively. Both ASPR-C-1 and ASPR-C-2 were identified to be members of pathogenesis-related 10 family of proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and have ribonuclease activities with the specific activity of 73.60 U/mg and 146.76 U/mg, respectively. The optimum pH of the two isoforms was similar, at about 5.6, while their optimum temperatures were different. The optimum temperature of ASPR-C-1 was 50 ℃, and that of ASPR-C-2 was 60 ℃. Both isoforms presented highest thermal stability at 60 ℃. However, ASPR-C-2 was more thermotolerant than ASPR-C-1. The latter was rapidly inactivated and retained only about 20% residual activity while the former still maintained about 80% of its original activity at a higher treatment temperature (80 to 100 ℃). In addition, Fe²⁺ had an activating effect on the ribonuclease activities of two isoforms while Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, EDTA (Elhylene diamine tetraacetic acid), dithiothreitol and sodium dodecylsulphate showed different degrees of inhibition of the enzyme activities. Our findings provide a foundation for further research on the biological function of PR-10 protein from Angelica sinensis.

[Neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery for posterior cranial fossa lesion]

Objective: To study the value of neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery technique in the treatment of posterior cranial fossa lesion. Methods: Clinical data of 36 patients with posterior fossa lesions who accepted neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery (NEAM group) in the department of neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from January 2014 to December 2016, were retrospectively enrolled. A total of 113 cases diagnosed with the same lesions and accepted conventional microneurosurgery (non-NEAM group) in the same period were analyzed as control group. The total tumor resection rate, postoperative leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, intracranial infection, operating time and the recovery of facial nerve function were compared between the two groups. Results: Ninety-three patients with acoustic neuroma were analyzed, which were divided into non-NEAM group 78 cases (removed posterior lip of internal auditory canal in different degrees) and NEAM group 15 cases (not removed posterior lip of internal auditory canal). The total tumor resection rate and postoperative facial nerve function had no significant statistical differences between two groups. The operating time of NEAM group was longer than that of non-NEAM group (P=0.048, P<0.05), but the rate of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and intracranial infection did not increase. Twenty-seven cases were diagnosed with cerebellopontine angle cholesteatoma. These cases were divided into two groups, 17 cases in non-NEAM group and 10 cases in NEAM group. NEAM group have higher total tumor resection rate (P=0.014, P<0.05), better short-term postoperative facial nerve function (P=0.039, P<0.05), and longer operating time (P=0.015, P<0.05), compared with non-NEAM group. No significant statistical differences were observed on long-term postoperative facial nerve function and postoperative complications. Of the 16 cases diagnosed tentorial meningioma, 10 cases were in non-NEAM group and 6 cases in NEAM group. Six cases in non-NEAM group and 4 cases in NEAM group were total removal. For the mean operating time, non-NEAM group was (6.6±1.0) hours and NEAM group was (7.1±0.7) hours. Thirteen cases were with fourth ventricular cholesteatoma, which all were totally resected, and 8 cases were in non-NEAM group and 5 cases in NEAM group. For non-NEAM group, 5 cases dissected cerebellar vermis and the mean operating time is (6.0±0.7) hours. However, NEAM group all did not dissect cerebellar vermis and the mean operating time is (6.4±0.4) hours. Conclusions: Neuroendoscopy assisted microneurosurgery for cranial fossa lesions was benefit to totally resect tumor and reduce unnecessary injury. It needed longer operating time, but not increase postoperative intracranial infection.

[Dynamic retraction microneurosurgery for the treatment of medial tentorial meningiomas]

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and clinical significance of dynamic retraction microneurosurgery for the treatment of medial tentorial meningiomas. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2016, a cohort of 28 patients with medial tentorial meningiomas were treated by microneurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University. Patients who treated intraoperatively with dynamic retraction surgery from January 2014 to December 2016 were assigned into dynamic retraction group, and those with fixed retractors intraoperatively from January 2011 to December 2013 were assigned into retractor group. The surgical approaches tailored in our patients were based on predominant direction of tumor extension. The extent of tumor resection was scored according to the Simpson's classification scale. Comparisons of tumor size, operation time, hospitalization time, retraction-related injury, tumor Simpson resection grade and Karnofsky Performance Scale(KPS) score six months after surgery were also made between two groups. Results: A total of 12 patients(retractor group) were treated with the use of self-retaining brain retractors intraoperatively and dynamic retraction surgical procedure was performed intraoperatively in 16 patients(dynamic retraction group). The difference between two groups with regard to sex, age, tumor size, operation time and tumor Simpson resection grade was not statistically significant(all P>0.05). The mean duration of hospital time was shorter in the dynamic retraction group than that in the retractor group(18.3 d±1.8 d vs 20.2 d±1.3 d, P=0.004). The dynamic retraction group had lower incidence of retraction-related injury compared with the retractor group(1/16 vs 6/12), P=0.022]. The dynamic retraction group had better neurological recovery rate with KPS >80 evaluated six months after surgery compared with the retractor group(14/16 vs 5/12, P=0.017). Conclusions: Dynamic retraction microneurosurgery for the treatment of medial tentorial meningiomas is feasible, which can obviate or reduce the amount of brain retraction needed, and may be of help in lowering the risk of postoperative neurological deficits and complications and leading to reduced hospitalization cost and improved surgical outcomes.

[Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations in childhood and adolescence-onset schizophrenia: a resting state fMRI study]

Objective: To explore the whole brain activity features of childhood and adolescence-onset schizophrenia using resting state fMRI. Methods: A total of 63 childhood and adolescence-onset schizophrenia patients (patients group), admitted to the second affiliated hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from October 2013 to October 2015 and fulfilled our inclusion criteria, and 39 healthy controls with age, sex and education matched (control group) were enrolled, then a resting-state fMRI scan was conducted for each participant. Fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) approach was used to explore the differences of resting-state brain function between patients and controls. Results: Compared with the healthy control group, patients group showed significantly decreased fALFF in left superior temporal gyrus and parietal lobe (MNI coordinate: x=-42, -57; y=-3, -21; z=-12, 9; voxels: 22, 32; t=-4.792 3, -5.269 7; Alphasim corrected, corrected P<0.05); patients group showed significantly increased fALFF in left frontal lobe and medial frontal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, Postcentral Gyrus, caudate, (MNI coordinate: x=-42, -21, 12, 27, 15; y=54, 39, 48, -18, 15; z=0, 21, 33, 30, 9; voxels: 12, 21, 17, 28, 18; t=4.784 8, 4.90 7, 4.861 5, 5.444 1, 4.270 4; Alphasim corrected, corrected P<0.05). When included age as a covariant, the analysis found that the brain region with significant fALFF change was the left thalamus with decreased fALFF (MNI coordinate: x=-6, y=-12, z=24; voxels: 9; t=-4.268 4; Alphasim corrected, corrected P<0.05) in patients group, while for other brain regions, there was no obvious change in the fALFF, compared with healthy group. Conclusion: Compared with control group, the results indicate that there are intrinsic brain activity abnormalities of some brain regions in childhood and adolescence-onset schizophrenia.

[Effect of immobilization on biosensor for benzene derivates detection]

A whole cell sensor, Pseudomonas fluorescens A506 (pTS), was immobilized by sodium alginate and the factors of cell density, immobilization time and beads usage were optimized. The performance of the immobilized cells was compared with that of the free cells. After 2 h immobilization,the increasing speed of fluorescent signal of immobilized cells was 2.26 times as high as that of the free cells,and the peak value was 2.23 times as high during the detection time ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 h. The constantly lower growth and density of the immobilized cell implied the enhanced signal intensity of single cells after immobilization. Meanwhile, the cell density decreased as the immobilization time prolonged. Cell density and immobilization time were the dominant factors affecting the detection signal. For benzene at higher concentrations, the immobilized biosensor showed more rapid signal response at the early period of detection.

[Both of adenolymphoma and pleomorphic adenoma occurred in unilateral parotid gland: a case report]

A case diagnosed as adenolymphoma and pleomorphic adenoma in unilateral parotid gland was reported. The clinic pathological features, possible mechanism, diagnosis and treatment were discussed based on previously reports in the literature.

[Malignant inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the left mandible: a case report]

A case of malignant inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor was reported. The relevant literatures were reviewed to discuss the clinical and pathologic characteristics, diagnosis and therapy of malignant inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.

[Anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects of curcumin on oral cancer cells]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this article is to examine the effect of curcumin on the proliferation and metastasis of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma and analyze its mechanism.

METHODS

SCC-4 were treated with curcumin of 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 100 micromol x L(-1) in 24 h. MTT assay, Matrigel invasion assay, flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy were used to examine the effect of curcumin on the growth and metastasis of SCC-4. cDNA microarray and RT-PCR were employed to analyze the expression of genes treated by curcumin.

RESULTS

The results showed that curcumin could concentration-dependently inhibit SCC-4 cell proliferation at the concentration range from 20 to 100 micromol x L(-1). Furthermore, Matrigel invasion assay indicated that curcumin can reduce SCC-4 cell invasion under the dosage of 20, 30, 60 micromol x L(-1). Flow cytometry also showed that curcumin can influence the distribution of cell cycle of SCC-4 cell with the dosage of 20, 30, 60 micromol x L(-1). And the dosage of 30 micromol x L(-1) curcumin could lead to the recruitment of alpha-tubulin. cDNA microarray showed that 87 genes were activated and 198 genes were inhibited with the effect of curcumin. These results were validated by the real time quantitative RT-PCR.

CONCLUSION

According to the results, it suggests that curcumin has the potential as the leading compound for anti-cancer proliferation and invasion in oral cancer treatment, and cdc27, EGFR substrate 15, PPAR-alpha and H2A histone may play an important role among this multiple anticancer-targeting ability.

Regeneration of foreign genes co-transformed plants of Medicago sativa L by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Gene encoding sulphur amino acid-rich protein (HNP) and rol genes were transferred into Medicago sativa L (alfalfa) mediated by Agrobacterium tumafeciens. Regeneration of transgenic plants was induced successfully from hairy root tissue of cotyledon in alfalfa. Cotyledon tissues were an ideally transformed recipient. There was a negative correlation between age of hairy roots and embryogenesis frequency in alfalfa. Production of co-transformed plants with greater yield and super quality was important for development of new alfalfa varieties.

[Effect of grazing on microbiological processes of N2O production in grassland soils]

A laboratory incubation study on effect of grazing on microbiological processes of N2O production in Aneurolepidium chinese grassland soils by using the acetylene-inhibition method was firstly conducted and the seasonal variations of related bacteria groups and N2O fluxes were analyzed. Results suggested that grazing behavior altered the soil structure which were benefit to microbiological denitrification so that N2O emission from this steppe soil was reduced. It was the heterotrophic nitrification that is the key microbiological process for N2O production in the non-grazing and grazing semi-arid typical grassland soils in Inner Mongolia. The reasons why N2O flux from Inner Mongolia semi-arid typical grassland soils was lower were also explained in this paper.

[Study on the clinical misdiagnosis of hepatolenticular degeneration]

OBJECTIVE

To study the proportion and frequency of misdiagnosis of hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD), diseases easily confused with HLD, and the relation between misdiagnosis and curative effect so as to sum up experience and improve diagnosis.

METHODS

1 011 cases with the confirmed diagnosis of HLD who were hospitalized in the Hospital Affiliated to the Institute of Neurology, Anhui College of TCM from November 1993 to June 2000 were analyzed. Those patients who had attended two or more than two hospitals and had been misdiagnosed as other diseases or failed to get a clear diagnosis for 3 months and over before hospitalization were included in the group of clinical misdiagnosis or the group without a definite diagnosis. Relevant data were analyzed.

RESULTS

516 cases (51.04%) were misdiagnosed, 193 cases (19.09%) failed to be diagnosed as a specific disease, only 302 cases (29.87%) had been diagnosed as HLD within 3 months after the onset. The 516 cases had been misdiagnosed as more than 100 different diseases, including all types of hepatitis, cirrhosis, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, arthritis, nephritis, encephalitis, encephalopathy, psychosis, anaemia, and so on. The curative effect was much better in the group with early diagnosis than in the groups with misdiagnosis and without a clear diagnosis (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

HLD is often misdiagnosed as other diseases or fails to get a clear diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment without delay is critical to the prognosis. Patients with symptoms described in this article should be examined for the presence of corneal K-F ring and copper metabolism teat should be made when necessary.

[The preliminary analysis on the changes of the oral functional space in Class II division 1 malocclusion after triggered by functional appliance]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to study the area changes of the oral functional space in the patients with Angle's Class II division 1 malocclusion after triggered by FR-I functional appliances.

METHODS

Twenty patients with Angle's Class II division 1 malocclusion were selected, and the patients were selected by the standards of an horizontal growth pattern with normal maxilla, retracted mandible and short lower facial height. All patients were triggered by FR-I functional appliances and achieved the Angle's Class I occlusion after treatments. The average periods of the treatments were about 9 months. The assessments were made from the lateral cephalograms taken in centric occlusion before and after treatments. The upper and behind borders of the oral functional space are hard palate and soft palate, the forward border is the lingual side of upper and lower incisors, the lower border is the line between apex of lower incisor and lower first molar. The graphics from the lateral cephalogram were painted and input into the computer by scaner, which were measured by special software. Self-controls of individuals before and after treatments were used in statistic analysis.

RESULTS

The paired-samples t test confirmed the oral functional space was enlarged after triggered by FR-I functional appliance, which was induced by obviously increased mandibular body and ramus, anterior lower facial height and posterior facial height. At the same time, the angle of Y axis increased and the upper incisor inclined lingually, but the inclining angle of lower incisor was not obvious.

CONCLUSION

Enlarged oral functional space facilitates the development of the maxilla, mandible and alveolar bones and consummates the functions of oral and jaw system. This study aids the design and application of FR-I functional appliance.

[HA-coated titanium implants used as orthodontic anchorage. An experimental investigation of implant stability and peri-implant neck tissue in dogs]

This study was aimed at the feasibility of using HA-coated titanium endosseous implants as orthodontic anchorage. These implants installed in dog's mandibles were loaded with the orthodontic force of 150 g for 3 months. The stability of the implant and the peri-implant neck tissue were investigated with radiograph and index evaluation. The findings demonstrated that no implant was mobile or loose or dislocated. The soft tissue around the cervical part of the implants had a slight inflammation because of bad oral hygiene and the stimulation of residual food attached to the stainless string. However, no resorption of marginal alveolor bone was found under sustained orthodontic force. The above results suggest that the HA-coated titianium implant can be used as anchorage for short-term orthodontic treatment.

Biomechanical role of the posterior elements, costovertebral joints, and rib cage in the stability of the thoracic spine

STUDY DESIGN

This is a biomechanical study of the thoracic spine. Various ligaments and joints were resected sequentially and nondestructive cyclic loading tests were performed. Effects of each resection were analyzed biomechanically.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of the posterior elements, costovertebral joints, and rib cage in the stability of the thoracic spine.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

There have been no experimental studies concerning the mechanical interaction between the thoracic spine and rib cage.

METHODS

Eight canine rib cage-thoracic spine complexes, consisting of the sixth to eighth ribs, sternum, and T5-T9 vertebrae, were used. Six pure moments along three axes were applied to the specimens, and angular deformation of T6-T7 was recorded. After testing the intact specimen, resection of the stabilizers was conducted incrementally in the following manner: 1) removal of the posterior elements at T6-T7, 2) resection of the bilateral seventh costovertebral joints, and finally, 3) destruction of the rib cage. The same loading tests were repeated at each stage. The ranges of motion and neutral zones were calculated by digitization.

RESULTS

A large increase in the range of motion in flexion-extension was observed after resection of the posterior elements and in lateral bending and axial rotation after resection of the costovertebral joints. A significant increase in the neutral zone in lateral bending and axial rotation was observed after bilateral resection of the costovertebral joints and destruction of the rib cage.

CONCLUSIONS

The costovertebral joints and rib cage play an important role in providing stability to the thoracic spine. The state of the costovertebral joints and rib cage should be assessed to evaluate the stability of the thoracic spine.

[Plasmid analysis and antibiotic resistance pattern measurement of Shigella in Chengdu]

A total of 81 strains of Shigella isolated from sporadic cases and cases in an outbreak of Shigella sonnei infection was analysed by plasmid profiles and antibiotic resistance patterns. The strains had a high resistance patterns. The strains had a high resistance of ampicillin, tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol; while 97.2% of the strains were susceptible to gentamicin, kanamycin. The results showed that 50% of the strains harbored plasmid patterns within each species, which indicated that many genetically different strains of Shigella were responsible for dysentery epidemics in Chengdu. According to the results of the plasmid analysis and antibiotic resistance pattern measurement made in the outbreak strains, it was clearly seen that most of the strains were similar or fundamentally similar, which suggested that one or two strains with genetical homology were the main causative agent for the outbreak. We think that plasmid profiles and antibiotic resistance patterns are applicable to the identification of the outbreak strains of dysentery as an efficient epidemiologic tool.