Search

Objective: To explore the correlation of cytochrome B-245 alpha chain ( CYBA ) rs4673 and cholesteryl ester transfer protein ( CETP ) rs12720922 polymorphisms with the susceptibility of gene-ralized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP)., Methods: The study was a case-control trial. A total of 372 GAgP patients and 133 periodontally healthy controls were recruited. The CYBA rs4673 and CETP rs12720922 polymorphisms were detected by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Logistic regression models were used to analyze the correlation of CYBA rs4673 and CETP rs12720922 variants with the susceptibility of GAgP. The interaction between the two gene polymorphisms to the susceptibility of GAgP was analyzed by the likelihood ratio test. The interaction model adopted was the multiplication model., Results: The mean age of GAgP group and control group was (27.5±5.2) years and (28.8±7.1) years respectively. There was significant difference in age between the two groups ( P < 0.05). The gender distribution (male/female) was 152/220 and 53/80 respectively, and there was no significant difference between GAgP group and controls ( P >0.05). For CYBA rs4673, the frequency of CT/TT genotype in the GAgP group was significantly higher than that in the controls [18.0% (66/366) vs . 10.6% (14/132), P < 0.05]. After adjusting age and gender, the individuals with CT/TT genotype had a higher risk of GAgP ( OR =1.86, 95% CI : 1.01-3.45, P < 0.05), compared with CC genotype. There was no statistically significant difference in distributions of the CETP rs12720922 genotypes (GG, AA/AG) between GAgP patients and healthy controls ( P >0.05). A significant interaction between CYBA rs4673 and CETP rs12720922 in the susceptibility to GAgP was observed. The GAgP risk of the individuals with CYBA rs4673 CT/TT and CETP rs12720922 GG genotypes was significantly increased ( OR =3.25, 95% CI : 1.36-7.75, P < 0.01), compared with those carrying CC and AA/AG genotypes., Conclusion: CYBA rs4673 CT/TT genotype is associated with GAgP susceptibility. There is a significant interaction between CYBA rs4673 CT/TT genotype and CETP rs12720922 GG genotype in the susceptibility of GAgP.

Objective: To evaluate the changes of heart structure and function in elite Chinese weightlifters by spot tracking technique., Methods: Chinese elite male weightlifters (weightlifter group, n =16) and age-matched healthy men (control group, n =16) were included as subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography and speckle-tracking automatic functional imaging were used for two-dimensional myocardial strain measurements., Results: The thickness of septum and left ventricular (LV) posterior wall and the myocardial mass index of LV were all higher than those of the control group [(9.3±1.3) mm vs. (8.0±0.4) mm, (9.2±0.8) mm vs. (8.0±0.8) mm, (77.8±12.8) g/m 2 vs. (67.8±11.2) g/m 2 , all P < 0.05]. Although the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and global long axis strain value (LVGLS) were not significantly different from those in the control group, the LV mean Sm and Em reflecting the systolic and diastolic functions of the LV were lower than those in the control group ( P < 0.05). Further myocardial strain analysis showed that the absolute value of the long axial strain of the basal anteroseptal and mid-inferoseptal segments of the weightlifters were significantly lower than those of the control group [|(-15.1±4.2)%| vs. |(-18.7±3.0)%|, |(-18.8±2.6)%| vs. |(-21.3±2.8)%|, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in other segments. The athletes were divided into two groups according to their best performance in the National Youth Games. The athletes were divided into two sub-groups according to their performance in the National Youth Games. The thickness of the septum in the sub-group with better performance (who ranked the 1 st to 8 th ) was larger [(10.2±1.1) mm vs. (8.5±1.0) mm, P < 0.05], and the absolute value of the long-axis strain in the mid-inferoseptal segment was lower [|(-17.1±2.1)%| vs. |(-20.4±2.1)%|, P < 0.05]., Conclusion: The thickening of septum is more obvious in the excellent weightlifters, accompanied by the decrease of myocardial systolic function. The speckle-tracking technique of echocardiography can identify the changes of the heart structure and function of elite athletes at an early stage, which may provide a basis for sports medicine supervision and the selection of excellent talents.

Objective: To investigate the potential association between FADS1 rs174537 polymorphism and serum proteins in patients with aggressive periodontitis, which may provide benefits for diagnosis and treatment of aggressive periodontitis., Methods: A total of 353 patients with aggressive periodontitis (group AgP) and 125 matched controls (group HP) were recruited in the study. Genotyping of FADS1 rs174537 and serum biochemical indexes were tested at the study's start. The relationships between the levels of TP, GLB, ALB, A/G and genotyping were analyzed., Results: (1) The detection rate of allele G in group AgP was higher than that in group HP(68.1% vs. 61.2%, P=0.046,OR=1.35,95% CI 1.00-1.83); the detection rate of genotype GG in group AgP was higher than in group HP(45.5% vs. 34.4%,P=0.029, OR=1.60, 95% CI 1.05-2.44). (2) In group AgP, the patients with GG genotype exhibited significantly lower TP, GLB than the patients with GT+TT genotype [(77.08 ± 7.88) g/L vs. (79.00 ± 4.66) g/L, P=0.007; (28.17 ± 7.63) g/L vs.(29.88 ± 3.49) g/L,P=0.007) and the higher A/G(1.72 ± 0.22 vs.1.67 ± 0.22, P=0.040), but there was no significant difference in ALB between the patients with GG genotype and the patients with GT+TT genotype. In group HP, there were no significant differences in TP, GLB, A/G and ALB between individuals with genotype GT+TT and with genotype GG. (3)Compared with individuals with genotype GT+TT in group HP, the AgP patients with genotype GT+TT exhibited significantly higher TP, GLB [(79.00 ± 4.66) g/L vs. (75.20 ± 4.53) g/L, P<0.01; (29.88 ± 3.49) g/L vs.(26.55 ± 2.94) g/L, P<0.01) and the lower A/G(1.67 ± 0.22 vs. 1.88 ± 0.30, P<0.01), but there was no significant difference in ALB. There were no significant differences in TP, GLB, A/G and ALB the between the AgP patients with genotype GG and the healthy subjects with the same genotype either., Conclusion: FADS1 rs174537 polymorphism is associated with aggressive periodontitis. The patients with genotype GG in group AgP had relatively lower TP,GLB and higher A/G. Genotype GG might be a risk indicator for aggressive periodontitis by reducing host defense capability and contributing to inflammatory response in the occurrence and development of aggressive periodontitis.

Objective: To analyze the serum IgG titers to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(Aa) and associated factors in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP)., Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 62 AgP patients and 45 periodontal healthy controls, unstimulated whole saliva and pooled subgingival plaque samples of AgP patients were also collected for the detection of Aa (PCR method). Serum IgG titers to Aa serotype c were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay (ELISA)., Results: The detection rates of serum IgG to Aa serotype c in the AgP patients and the healthy controls were both 100%. The AgP patients exhibited significantly higher IgG titers to Aa serotype c than the healthy controls (11.1±1.9 vs. 9.1±1.8, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in serum IgG levels to Aa serotype c and in the prevalence of high-responding patients to Aa serotype c between the incisor-first molar type AgP patients and generalized AgP patients. Serum IgG titers to Aa serotype c in the Aa-positive AgP patients (the patients who were Aa-positive in subgingival plaque or saliva) were significantly higher than those of the Aa-negative patients (11.9±1.3 vs. 10.7±2.1, P<0.05)., Conclusion: Serotype c was the main serotype of Aa in Chinese patients with AgP. Serum IgG responses in generalized AgP patients were comparable to those in incisor-first molar type AgP patients.

Objective: To evaluate the differences of clinical parameters and putative periodontal pathogens in sites of different probing depth (PD) reduction after non-surgical periodontal treatment in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP)., Methods: Clinical examinations including plaque index, probing depth (PD), attachment level (AL) and bleeding index (BI), and full-mouth periapical photographs were collected from 20 patients with AgP. All the patients received non-surgical periodontal treatment, including oral hygiene instruction, supra-gingival scaling, subgingival scaling and root planing (SRP) and were followed up for 6 months post-therapy. Gingival crevicular fluids (GCF) were collected at 1 site in each quadrant before and at the end of 6 months post-therapy. Six kinds of putative periodontal pathogens and 6 kinds of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were detected in the GCF samples., Results: The baseline clinical parameters of PD, AL and BI, the baseline concentration of succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid, and the prevalence of Treponema denticola were significantly higher in sites with PD reduction more than 2 mm sites compared with PD reduction no more than 2 mm sites [(7.7 ± 1.2) mm vs. (5.1 ± 1.8) mm, (6.3 ± 1.9) mm vs. (4.5 ± 2.2) mm, 3.8 ± 0.4 vs. 3.3 ± 0.8, 1.66 mmol/L vs. 1.10 mmol/L, 31.67 mmol/L vs.17.78 mmol/L, 3.31 mmol/L vs.1.95 mmol/L, 84.6% vs. 56.1%, P<0.05]. However, there were no significant differences in the clinical parameters, the 6 kinds of putative periodontal pathogen detection and SCFAs concentration between the 2 groups at the end of 6 months post-treatment. In sites with PD>5 mm at the end of 6 months post-therapy, all were found with red complex bacteria infection., Conclusion: The baseline clinical parameters are important factors in predicting PD reduction after non-surgical periodontal treatment in patients with AgP. In sites with deep pockets after non-surgical periodontal treatment, the active control of red complex bacteria is recommended.

Objective: To investigate the value of myocardial performance index (MPI) in assessing LV function in patients with primary hypertension (HP)., Methods: We studied 130 patients with HP (mean age 54.9±13.3 years)and 155 healthy control subjects (mean age 52.4±11.6 years). MPI was determined by tissue doppler imaging using the following formula: MPI=(isovolumic contraction time + isovolumic relaxation time)/ ejection time. The HP group was divided into hypertrophy subgroup( LVMI≥115 g/m(2) in males, or ≥95 g/m(2) in females) and normal mass subgroup(LVMI <115 g/m(2) in males, or<95 g/m(2) in females)., Results: MPI was significantly different in control group, normal mass subgroup and hypertrophy subgroup(0.72±0.23 vs. 0.54± 0.17 vs. 0.45±0.11, P<0.001). Hypertrophy subgroup had significant higher MPI than normal mass subgroup(P =0.046), and both the groups had significant higher MPI than control group(all P<0.001). MPI was positively associated with age(r=0.369,P<0.001), Left ventricular end diastolic diameter(r=0.169, P<0.05), Sm(r=-0.211, P<0.001) and Em(r=-0.383, P<0.001) in control group. In multiple linear regression analysis, MPI was independently related to age (β=0.492, t=7.222,P<0.001) in control group. Among the HP patients, MPI was positively associated with left atrial area (r=0.293, P<0.001),intra ventricular septum(IVS) diameter (r=0.453, P<0.001), LVMI (r=0.453, P<0.001), relative wall thickness(r=0.458, P<0.001), and negatively associated with Sm(r=-0.414, P<0.001), Em(r=-0.508, P<0.001), left ventricular ejection fraction (r=-0.305, P<0.001) in bivariate analysis. In the multiple linear regression analysis, MPI was independently related to Em (β=0.401, t=4.256,P<0.001) and IVS diameter (β=-0.365, t=-3.878,P<0.001) in the HP patients., Conclusion: The HP patients had elevated MPI, especially in the ones with LV hypertrophy. Tissue doppler imaging (TDI) derived MPI could be a useful index to evaluate the overall cardiac function in HP patients.

Objective: To assess whether epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is associated with coronary flow reserve (CFR) and could be used to detect coronary microvascular dysfunction., Methods: We enrolled 62 nondiabetic patients who underwent computed tomography angiography or invasive coronary angiography and had no obstructive coronary artery disease. CFR and EAT thickness were measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE)., Results: In the study, a total of 62 patients were enrolled, echocardiographic coronary flow reserve were obtained in 61 of the patients with a mean age of (59±10) years. 34 patients (56%) had reduced CFR (CFR<3, 2.52±0.32) suggesting microvascular dysfunction and 27 patients (44%) had normal CFR (CFR≥3, 3.56±0.52). EAT thickness was significantly increased in the patients with microvascular dysfunction as compared with those without [(3.4±0.8) mm vs. (2.3±0.6) mm, P<0.001]. EAT thickness was strongly related to CFR (r=-0.668, P<0.001). By Logistic regression analysis, EAT thickness was the independent predictor of coronary microvascular dysfunction (OR=7.78, 95%CI: 2.44-24.79). EAT thickness>2.9 mm had 82.4% sensitivity and 92.3% specificity to detect CFR<3 (area under ROC curve 0.860, P<0.001)., Conclusion: EAT thickness was significantly increased in patients with coronary microvascular dysfunction. EAT thickness was independently associated with impaired CFR. EAT>2.9 mm had high sensitivity and specificity to detect coronary microvascular dysfunction.

Objective: To investigate whether plasma levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)., Methods: Between October 2007 and March 2012,we continuously enrolled 200 participants registered to Department of Cardiology, Peking University Third Hospital, who were divided into 2 groups: DM group (n = 95) and control group (n = 105). Quantification of CFR was administrated after rest and after adenosine by noninvasive Doppler echocardiography in all the subjects. The CFR, which was performed in the distal part of left descending artery, was used as an indicator of coronary endothelial dysfunction., Results: The plasma levels of LDL-C were significantly higher in the patients with DM than in the controls [(3.05 ± 0.73) mmo/L vs. (2.74 ± 0.72) mmo/L, P = 0.003)], while the plasma levels of HDL-C were significantly lower in the patients with DM than in the controls [(1.08 ± 0.24) mmo/L vs. (1.17 ± 0.29) mmo/L, P = 0.044]. Furthermore, a lower CFR value was seen in the patients with DM than in the controls [(2.74 ± 0.63) vs. (3.20 ± 0.69), P < 0.001]. The plasma levels of LDL-C were negatively correlated with the CFR values in all the subjects (r = -0.17, P = 0.015) and in the DM group (r = -0.23, P = 0.021). The LDL-C remained independently correlated with the CFR in the DM group (P = 0.036). However,no significantly correlation was found between HDL-C and CFR in the DM group or in all the subjects., Conclusion: LDL-C is independently associated with CFR in patients with diabetic mellitus.

Objective: To establish a predictive model for long-term tooth loss of patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP) after periodontal treatment., Methods: Patients diagnosed as AgP in Department of Periodontology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, who were re-evaluated 3 to 11 years after periodontal treatment were enrolled (n=85). Logistic regression was performed to select background, periodontal and radiographic factors which were related to long-term post-treatment tooth loss. A predictive model was built and analyzed by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve., Results: After periodontal treatment, 55 teeth from 22 patients lost further. High prevalence of baseline bone loss, root abnormality, and residual severe bleeding sites, as well as poor compliance to maintenance were detected as risk factors in the predictive model. ROC analysis found the sensitivity and specificity of the model could reach up to 80% simultaneously., Conclusion: Predictive model for post-treatment tooth loss of patients with AgP is an important adjunct in clinical practice.

Objective: Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, etc. are metabolic product of putative periodontal pathogens, which play significant roles in periodontitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Treponema denticola (T. denticola), and the concentration of SCFAs in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP)., Methods: GCF was sampled from 4 sites per individual in 20 patients with AgP and 14 healthy controls. Concentrations of SCFAs, including succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid in the supernant of GCF were analyzed by high performance capillary electrophoresis (HPCE), P. gingivalis and T. denticola in the deposit of the same GCF were detected by PCR with their electrophoretic band quantified., Results: The concentrations of succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid, the prevalence and PCR band quantity of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in GCF were all significantly higher in patients with AgP than that of healthy controls. In patients with AgP, butyric acid concentration was significantly higher in P. gingivalis positive sites than negative sites [2.87 (0.99, 4.36) mmol/L vs. 0.33 (0.00, 1.44) mmol/L, P<0.05], the concentrations of succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isovaleric acid were positively correlated with PCR band quantity of P. gingivalis (r value was 0.334, 0.548, 0.411, 0.493, 0.273, respectively, P<0.05); the concentrations of SCFAs were significantly higher in T. denticola positive sites than negative sites: succinic acid, 1.67 (1.15, 2.11) mmol/L vs. 0.80 (0.48, 1.06) mmol/L; acetic acid, 31.95 (23.77, 43.13) mmol/L vs.12.51 (7.57, 15.69) mmol/L; propionic acid, 11.86 (6.55, 14.98) mmol/L vs. 2.82 (1.71, 7.03) mmol/L; butyric acid, 3.45 (2.41, 4.78) mmol/L vs. 0.54 (0.00, 1.56) mmol/L; isovaleric acid, 2.23 (1.05, 3.85) mmol/L vs. 0.62 (0.00, 2.33) mmol/L. The concentrations of succinic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid were positively correlated with PCR band quantity of T. denticola (r value was 0.443, 0.702, 0.625, 0.557, respectively, P<0.05)., Conclusion: SCFAs concentrations reflect the quantity of P. gingivalis and T. denticola in patients with AgP, and may be an indicator to the disease progression in patients with AgP.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy(PPCM) is a rare but serious form of cardiac failure affecting women in the last month of pregnancy or early puerperium within six months. Clinical presentation of PPCM is similar to that of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, and maternal mortality is high. An 18 year-old primigravida was admitted to our hospital at the end of forty-one weeks of gestation. She was diagnosed with PPCM complicated with heart failure. Preoperative optimization was done with a view to managing left ventricular failure. Continuous epidural anesthesia in the sitting position with lidocaine was used for cesarean section. The baby was delivered successfully. Intravenous furosemide 20 mg, morphine 10 mg, cedilanid 0.4 mg were given. Nitroglycerin and milinone infusions continued throughout the surgery titrated to the hemodynamics. The patient received inotropic agents, dieresis, vasodilators and anticoagulants post-operatively. Both the mother and the baby were discharged safely 9 days after operation.

Objective: To compare the outcomes of bovine porous bone mineral (BPBM) containing bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) and BPBM alone in periodontal intra-bony defects., Methods: In the study, 22 intrabony defects of 9 patients with periodontitis were recruited. All the patients had at least one pair of intrabony defects of ≥3 mm. The split-mouth and single blind methods were used. The defects were randomly assigned to BPBM containing BMP (test) or BPBM alone (control). After debridement, the intrabony defects were treated by bone graft. Assessments at baseline and after 6 months included plaque index, attachment level, probing pocket depth, bleeding indexes on probing and gingival recession. The early wound-healing, adverse effects and patients' perceptions were also recorded., Results: The gain in clinical attachment was (3.0±1.2) mm in the test group and (3.2±1.1) mm in the control group. The pocket reduction was (3.4±1.5) mm in the test group and (2.8±1.0) mm in the control group. The reduction of bleeding index was 1.9±1.3 in the test group and 2.3±0.8 in the control group. There was no statistical difference between the test group and control group (P>0.05)., Conclusion: Both treatment modalities led to similar significant clinical improvements.

Objective: To compare the short-term clinical effects following non-surgical periodontal treatment with Er:YAG laser or with combination of ultrasonic subgingival scaling and root planing with hand instrument (SRP) for patients with chronic periodontitis., Methods: In the study, 17 patients with chronic periodontitis were randomly treated in a split-mouth design with Er:YAG laser (test group) or a combination of ultrasonic subgingival scaling and root planing with hand instrument (control group). The degree of discomfort experienced during the treatment was graded by the patient using visual analogue scale (VAS) immediately after the completion of test and control treatment procedures. The following clinical parameters were recorded by a calibrated and blinded examiner: plaque index (PLI), bleeding index (BI), probing depth (PD) and attachment loss (AL)., Results: The mean VAS score of Er:YAG laser treatment [3 (2, 4.5)] was significantly lower than that of control treatment [5 (4, 6), P=0.013]. Both the groups showed significant reduction of PLI, PD, AL and BI values 2 months and 4 months after treatment. For sites with PD≥4 mm at baseline, the sites treated with Er:YAG laser demonstrated mean PD change from (5.6±1.1) mm to (3.6±1.1) mm and to (3.4±1.0) mm at the end of 2 months and 4 months respectively and demonstrated mean AL change from (5.1±1.5) mm to (3.9±1.6) mm and to (3.8±1.7) mm at the end of 2 months and 4 months respectively, meanwhile the BI value showed significant decrease, P=0.000; the sites treated with conventional SRP demonstrated mean PD change from (5.6±1.1) mm to (3.8±1.1) mm and (3.5± 1.0) mm at the end of 2 months and 4 months respectively and demonstrated mean AL change from (4.8±1.6) mm to (3.8±1.6) mm and (3.6±1.8) mm at the end of 2 months and 4 months respectively, and the BI value also showed significant improvement. No statistical difference for all clinical parameters were found between the two treatment groups., Conclusion: The present results indicate that non-surgical periodontal therapy with Er:YAG laser is safe and effective, and Er:YAG laser therapy could be used for patients who was sensitive to pain.

Objective: To evaluate the subgingival prevalent rates of 6 periodontal pathogenic bacteria in gingival crevicular fluids of CP patients before and after treatment, to analyze the relationship between the prevalent variance and periodontal clinical parameters, and to provide a microbiologic method of evaluating curative effect and estimating the prognosis., Methods: Gingival crevicular fluids of 13 CP patients were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, 2 months and 4 months after periodontal mechanical treatment. Also, gingival crevicular fluids were collected from 11 healthy subjects. Six periodontal pathogenic bacteria including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg), Tannerella forsythensis (Tf), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Fusobacterium nucleatum(Fn), Prevotella nigrescens (Pn) were detected by 16S rRNA based PCR., Results: The PLI, PD, BI of the CP patients 2 months and 4 months after periodontal mechanical treatment were evidently less than those before treatment. These 4 months after treatment were a little more than those 2 months after. The six bacteria were more frequently detected in the CP patients at baseline than in healthy controls. The prevalent rates of Tf (42.1%, 73.7%, 70.2%), Pg (47.4%, 68.4%, 77.2%), Aa (15.8%, 22.8%, 7.0%), Pn (38.6%, 57.9%, 64.9%), Pi(15.8%, 38.6%, 42.1%) 2 weeks, 2 months and 4 months following treatment were significantly lower than those at baseline (Tf 96.5%, Pg 93.0%, Aa 36.8%, Pn 86.0%, Pi 84.2%), but the prevalent rates of all the detected bacteria 2 months after treatment were higher than those at 2 weeks after., Conclusion: Tf, Pg, Aa, Pn and Pi may cooperate in the development of CP. The changes of periodontal pathogenic bacteria could be detected before the changes of clinical parameters and the patients should be re-evaluated and re-treated regularly within 2 months after treatment.

Objective: To characterize serum antibody response to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) serotype c in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients, and to observe the correlation of IgG titer with clinical parameters., Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 30 CP patients and 45 periodontal healthy controls, and unstimulated whole saliva and pooled subgingival plaque samples of CP patients were also collected for detection of Aa (PCR method). Serum IgG titers to Aa were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)., Results: The detection rates of serum IgG to Aa serotype c in CP patients and healthy controls were both 100%. CP patients exhibited significantly higher IgG titers to Aa serotype c than healthy controls [(10.9+/-1.9) vs (9.1+/-1.8), P=0.000], and the prevalence of high-responding patients in CP group was also significantly higher than that of healthy controls (23.3% vs 0%, P=0.003). Serum IgG titers to Aa serotype c in Aa-positive CP patients (Aa-positive in subgingival plaque or saliva, n=7) were significantly higher than those of Aa-negative patients [(12.6+/-1.6) vs (10.4+/-1.7), P=0.005)]. Serum IgG titers to Aa in CP patients tended to be positively related to mean probing depth of whole mouth (r=0.344, P=0.068)., Conclusion: Serotype c was the main serotype of Aa in CP patients. Serum IgG antibody to Aa serotype c did not seem to have a protective effect against periodontal infection.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and periodontitis., Methods: Ninety patients with aggressive periodontitis(AgP), 34 patients with chronic periodontitis and 91 healthy controls were recruited in this study. VDR gene was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) with Taq I restriction endonuclease., Results: The detection frequency of Tt genotype was higher in the aggressive periodontitis patients than in the healthy controls (16.7% vs 7.7%, P>0.05). The difference between the female aggressive periodontitis patients and healthy controls (20.8% vs 4.2%, P<0.05) was statistically significant, but no difference was found between the male patients and controls (10.8% vs 11.6%, P>0.05). There was a strong association between aggressive periodontitis and Tt genotype in females (AgP patients vs healthy controls, OR=6.02). The detection frequency of Taq I ER-alpha genotypes was not statistically different between the chronic periodontitis patients and healthy controls., Conclusion: In female Han Chinese population, the Tt VDR genotype may be associated with aggressive periodontitis.

Objective: To explore the association of the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in N-formylpeptide receptor (FPR) gene with the susceptibility of aggressive periodontitis (AgP)., Methods: A total of 94 AgP patients and 73 healthy controls were entered into the study. Peripheral blood sample was obtained from each subject by venepuncture. Genomic DNA was isolated from each sample. The target fragment of FPR gene was amplified by PCR. The SNPs in FPR gene were detected by denature high performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) combined with DNA sequencing., Results: There were two non-synonymous SNPs in the 370 bp FPR gene fragment: 289C/A and 301G/C. The 289C/A was a novel SNP. No variation in nucleotides 329 and 378 was detected. There were no statistically significant differences in distributions of the genotypes and alleles for FPR289 and FPR301 between AgP patients and healthy controls. Using multivariate logistic regression (adjusted for age and gender), it was showed that the adjusted ORs of AgP for the C(+) genotype and allele C of FPR301 combined with smoking were 5.74 and 5.20 respectively., Conclusion: The presence of the C(+) genotype/allele C of FPR301 together with smoking conferred a higher risk for AgP. The result suggests that the SNPs in FPR gene may not be associated with the susceptibility of AgP in Chinese.

Objective: To validate a Doppler index of diastolic filling (E/Em) during exercise in the early stage of the patients with acute myocardial infarction,and investigate its association with exercise capacity., Methods: The study enrolled consecutive 60 patients with first ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)in Killip I-II stage and who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) from March 2008 to August 2008(as study group), At 10-14 days after acute myocardial infarction, Cardiopulmonary Exercising Testing (CPET, Modified Bruce flat treadmill protocol, symptom-limited flat exercise tolerance test) was conducted with Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) evaluation at rest and instantly during exercising peak. Doppler index of diastolic filling was also measured at rest and immediately after Cardiopulmonary Exercising Testing in 30 age-matched patients as control whose coronary angiography (CAG) or coronary computed tomography was negative., Results: All patients completed the TDI evaluation at rest and after CPET. There was no significant difference in E/Em measured by TDI in control group at rest and during exercise. In study group, 29(48%,29/60) patients had a normal E/Em both at rest and exercise, 21(35%,21/60) patients had elevation of E/Em at rest, and 10(17%,10/60) patients had elevation of E/Em only during exercise. There was a good negative correlation between E/Em and metabolic equivalent at rest (r=-0.54, P<0.01) and during exercise (r=-0.40, P<0.01). The patients which E/Em>10 at rest(METs is 4.6+/-1.6, P<0.01) and patients who had E/Em>10 only during exercise (METs is 5.8+/-1.6, P<0.01) had a reduced exercise capacity compared with the patients with normal E/Em both at rest and during exercise (METs is 6.2+/-1.8)., Conclusion: The ratio of early diastolic transmitral velocity to early diastolic tissue velocity (E/Em) by the stress echocardiography can be used to reliably identify the patients with acute myocardial infarction with elevated LVFP during exercise and reduced exercise capacity.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of 3 anaerobic microorganisms including Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf) and Treponema denticola (Td) in saliva and pooled subgingival plaque of different types of periodontitis and compare the detections of three microorganisms between saliva and pooled subgingival plaque sample from the same patient, and analyze the relationship between prevalence of these pathogens in saliva and periodontal parameters., Methods: Non-stimulated saliva samples and pooled subgingival plaque samples were collected from 50 patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP), 48 patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 25 subjects with no periodontitis, and three microorganisms including Pg, Tf and Td were detected in these samples by PCR method., Results: Prevalence of three microorganisms in pooled subgingival plaque and saliva samples of AgP patients and CP patients were significantly higher than subjects with no periodontitis (P<0.01). The prevalence of Pg in Subgingival plaque and saliva was as follows: AgP, 100% vs 100%; CP, 93.8% vs 93.8%; Subjects with no periodontitis, 32% vs 48%. The prevalence of Tf in Subgingival plaque and saliva was as follows: AgP, 96% vs 88%; CP, 97.9% vs 89.6%; Subjects with no periodontitis, 32% vs 24%. The prevalence of Td in Subgingival plaque and saliva was as follows: AgP, 94% vs 86%; CP, 89.6% vs 70.8%; Subjects with no periodontitis, 12% vs 16%. The agreement between saliva and pooled subgingival plaque samples of these three microorganisms from the same patient was high. The presence of three microorganisms in saliva was all associated with bleeding index of gingiva, and odds ratio of Pg was 13.5 (P<0.01)., Conclusion: Pg, Tf and Td were widely distributed in saliva and subgingival plaque of patients with AgP and CP. Presence of Pg, Tf and Td in saliva was related to periodontal parameters of gingiva, and saliva could be used as a promising sample for oral detection of these 3 microorganisms.

Objective: To measure the anti-Pg (porphyromonas gingivalis, Pg) IgG antibody titers in serum in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP); to study the association of IgG titers with periodontal status (alveolar bone loss); to analyze the age, gender or smoking status on IgG levels in patients with aggressive periodontitis., Methods: (1) Ninety-one AgP subjects with an average age of 27.6 years (females 56, males 35, and 14 male-smokers) were collected. Thirty-five healthy subjects with an average age of 29.4 years (males 10 and females 25) were also collected as control group. (2) Questionnaire, clinical evaluations and assessments of alveolar bone loss were made. (3) Patients were categorized into two groups: severe AgP group (58 subjects, with >14 teeth of moderate-severe alveolar bone loss); light-moderate group (33 subjects). (4) To collect serum sample of patients and determine the anti-Pg IgG antibody titers in serum using ELISA., Results: (1) The mean IgG antibody titers to Pg in AgP group (8.55 +/-3.24) were significantly higher than that in control group (4.78+/-2.58, P=0.0004). (2) No significant difference [(8.38+/-3.73) and (8.67+/-2.90), respectively] of mean anti-Pg IgG titers was found between male and female. (3) The mean of anti-Pg IgG titers (9.26+/-2.58) in elder group (aged>25) was significantly higher than that in younger patients (6.96+/-3.98, P=0.0014). (4) Smokers had significantly lower anti-Pg IgG titers (7.33+/- 3.72) than non-smokers (8.78+/-3.12, P=0.016). (5) Anti-Pg IgG titers in severe AgP group was significantly higher than that in light-moderate AgP group. (6)The results of multi-factor regression analysis showed that smoking, age and status of alveolar bone loss were the factors affecting anti-Pg IgG titers., Conclusion: The titers of IgG antibody to Pg in serum were related to age, smoking and periodontal status in AgP patients.

Objective: To explore the relationship between plasmatic 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25OHD3) level and plasmatic osteocalcin level in patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP)., Methods: Thirty four AgP patients and 29 healthy controls were included in this study. 25OHD3 and osteocalcin levels in plasma were measured using commercially available radioimmunoassay kits. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were measured using a standard hospital analytical technique., Results: Plasmatic 25OHD3 level was significantly higher in AgP patients than that in healthy controls (8.65 microg/L vs 3.10 microg/L; P<0.01). Osteocalcin level was also significantly higher in AgP patients than that in healthy subjects (1.0 microg/L vs 0.8 microg/L; P=0.028). AST level was significantly lower in AgP patients than that in healthy controls(20.0 U/L vs 23.0 U/L). No correlations between the plasmatic levels of 25OHD3 and osteocalcin were detected in AgP patients or in healthy controls (r=0.271, P=0.12; r=-0.356, P=0.58)., Conclusion: Plasmatic 25OHD3 and osteocalcin concentrations were not correlated but might be influenced by AgP.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence rates of human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus-1(EBV-1) in subgingival plaque and analyze the relationship between herpesviruses, periodontal pathogenic bacteria and periodontal clinical parameters in Chinese patients with aggressive periodontitis(AgP)., Methods: A total of one hundred and twenty subgingival plaque samples were collected from 89 AgP patients and 31 healthy subjects. HCMV and EBV-1 were detected using nested polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Contemporaneously, 8 periodontal pathogenic bacteria including Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans(Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis(Pg), Tannerella forsythensis(Tf), Prevotella intermedia(Pi), Campylobacter rectus(Cr),Fusobacterium nucleatum(Fn), Treponema denticola(Td), Prevotella nigrescens(Pn) were detected by 16S rRNA based PCR., Results: HCMV was more frequently detected in AgP patients (43.8%) than in healthy controls (12.9%, P<0.01). The prevalence rates of HCMV and EBV-1 in AgP patients with 6-8 kinds of bacteria detected were 54.4% and 17.4%, respectively, significantly higher than those with 3-5 kinds of bacteria detected (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The prevalence rates of HCMV and EBV was higher in AgP patients than in healthy controls. Herpesviruses and periodontal pathogenic bacteria may cooperate synergistically in the development of AgP, which could be considered as a pathogenetic consortium in future investigation of periodontaltitis.

Objective: To analyze the clinical and echocardiographic features of constrictive pericarditis., Methods: Thirty-six patients diagnosed as having constrictive pericarditis from Oct. 1989 to Jun. 2007 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinical manifestations and echocardiographic features were analyzed., Results: The main clinical manifestations were fatigue, effort dyspnea(100%), and sign of pressure elevation of vena cava(97%). Echocardiographic features included thickening of pericardium(67%), abnormal motion of septal and posterior wall of left ventricle in diastole(83%, 75% respectively), left and right atrial enlargement(92%,39% respectively), early filling changes of mitral flow with respiration(93%), inferior vena cava dilation and without respiration variation(100%), mitral annulus paradoxical enhanced motion in early diastole., Conclusion: Clinical manifestations of pressure elevation of vena cava were indicators for diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis. Echocardiography could be a valuable method for confirming the diagnosis.

Objective: To study the effects of hyperhomocysteinemia on cardiac remodeling and systolic function., Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided randomly into experiment and control group. 12 rats of experiment group were bred with 1 g/(kg.d) L-methionine. After 4 weeks, 6 of them were killed (HHcy), others were continuously bred with normal diet for 4 weeks (Quit hcy, QHcy). Twelve rats of control group with normal diet for 4 and 8 weeks. The plasma Hcy concentrations were measured by immuno-fluorescence technique. Left ventricular structure and systolic function were assessed by echocardiography. The cardiac morphology and collagen were studied by optical microscopy and image analysis system after hematoxylin eosin-staining and picrosirius red-staining. Immuno-histochemistry for actin-smooth muscle and factor VIII-related antigen was performed to identify changes in cardiac smaller arteriolar and microvascular numbers., Results: The plasma Hcy concentration was (106.19+/-19.75) micromol/L in HHcy, (6.52+/-0.94) micromol/L in QHcy and (4.90+/-0.10) micromol/L in the control. Left ventricular systolic function was decreased 10.7% in HHcy. Left ventricular wall strain and cardiac smaller arteriolar wall thickness were increased by 62.1% and 2.9 fold in HHcy, 27.1% and 2.4 fold in QHcy as compared with the control. Cardiomyocyte diameter was not changed in HHcy and increased by 15.4% in QHcy as compared with the control. Microvascular number was decreased by 45.9% in HHcy as compared with the control, but smaller arteriolar number did not differ among the groups. Left ventricular systolic function and microvascular number resumed in QHcy. Interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition was significantly increased in HHcy and QHcy., Conclusion: Hyperhomocysteinemia may increase cardiomyocyte diameter, cardiac smaller arteriolar wall thickness and left ventricular wall strain; decrease microvascular number; induce interstitial and perivascular collagen deposition, directly and indirectly affect on cardiac remodeling and systolic function. The cardiac remodeling couldn't resume completely with plasma Hcy concentration being decreased.