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PURPOSE: To study the influence of post-cure treatment on the monomer conversion of 3 light-cured composite resins. METHODS: Three kinds of light-cured composite resin: CHARISMA®, DenFil™ Flow and nano-hydroxyapatite composite resin were double-side cured for 40 s. The materials without any secondary treatment were used as control group (group A). Group B were lighted in Translux® CU light cure case for 5 min. Group C were subjected to post-cure heat treatment for 7.5 min at 140X1 and Group D were post heated in 132°C and pressured 0.2 MPa for 6.5 min. Degree of conversion (DC) of all the samples was measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software package. RESULTS: The monomer conversion of light-cured composite resins improved at different degree after post-cure treatment, and group C was the most favorable group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, group B and C had significant differences (P<0.05) except when the DenFil™ Flow and CHARISMA® were lighted for 5 minutes (P>0.05). Among the experimental groups, there was no significant difference between each group of DenFil™ Flow groups, CHARISMA ® illumination and hot -pressing groups, and n -HA composite resin illumination compared with 140°C groups. CONCLUSIONS: Post-cure treatment can increase the monomer conversion of light-cured composite resin so as to improve material performance, particularly for the heat treatment for 7.5 min at 140°C. Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2013HM044) and Medical and Science Development Project of Shandong Province (2013WS0308). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Electrospinning technology was used to construct PCL composite nanofiber scaffold material of BMP-2 sustained-release nanospheres, and the effect of this nanospheres on proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated., Methods: Solvent removal method and electrostatic self-assembly technology were used to prepare BMP-2 loaded chitosan nanospheres, the morphology, particle size and composition, BMP-2 protein encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro sustained release were tested. Electrospinning technology was ued to prepare PCL composite scaffold material containing BMP-2 nanospheres, and its morphology, hydrophilicity,and sustained release of BMP-2 protein were examined. In vitro cytology experiment was conducted to observe the growth of cells in the material, and the formation of ALP, related genes, and mineralized nodules during the process of osteogenic differentiation of the material were detected. SPSS 21.0 software package was used for statistical analysis., Results: The nanospheres structure with stable structure was successfully prepared, with a high drug loading rate and sustained release of BMP-2. The PCL/BNPs scaffold material group had good hydrophilic properties and was conducive to cell proliferation and differentiation. The results of in vitro cell experiments showed that the cells spread well on the scaffold and the number of adhesions increased. ALP and related osteogenic genes COL1, OPN, RUNX2 increased, and the size and number of calcium nodules increased significantly., Conclusions: The polycaprolactone composite fiber scaffold material of BMP-2 sustained-release nanospheres can provide a new choice for the development of bone tissue engineering.

Purpose: To observe the effect of concentrated growth factor(CGF) on the biological properties of osteoblasts., Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in CGF environment and a blank control group was established. The adhesion of osteoblasts to CGF surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were detected at 1, 4 and 7 d by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Alkaline Phosphatase Assay Kit. The expression of mineralized nodules and osteogenesis-related gene Runx2 was observed by alizarin red staining. CGF extract was cultured for 24 h. Peptide staining was used to observe morphological changes in the cytoskeleton. SPSS 21.0 software package was used for statistical analysis., Results: CCK-8 showed cells incubated for 1, 4 and 7 d in the experimental group had a stronger proliferation ability compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ALP activity test showed that there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05) at 1 d; but after 4 days of culture, cell in the experimental group had an increased ALP activity compared with the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The results of alizarin red staining showed that the number of calcified nodules in the CGF group increased and the area was larger. In the phalloidin staining and DAPI staining, the number of cells in the CGF group increased, the cell spreading surface increased, and the actin shape was clearer. CGF significantly promoted Runx2 mRNA expression(P<0.05)., Conclusions: High concentration of CGF can promote the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and the expression level of related osteogenic gene Runx2.

Purpose: To explore the effect of cinnamaldehyde(CA) on osteogenic function and BMP-2 expression of mice osteoblast., Methods: MC3T3-E1 sub-clone 14 cells were cultured in the presence of CA at 0(control group), 10, 20, 40, 80, 160， 320 μg/mL. The cell proliferation rate was measured by MTT assay 1, 3, 5 d after exposure. Activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected at 3, 5, 7 d to observe the effect of 6 concentrations of CA on osteoblast function. The mRNA expression of BMP-2 was quantified by real-time PCR(RT-qPCR) 1, 3, 5 d after exposure to (10,20 μg/mL) CA. The data were analyzed by SPSS 17 software package., Results: MTT assay showed that compared with the control group, when 10, 20 μg/mL of CA acted on MC3T3, the absorbance value decreased slightly but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05), while ALP activity increased significantly. CA increased the mRNA expression of BMP-2 at the concentration of 10, 20 μg/mL (P<0.05),decreased the osteoblast proliferation, ALP activity and the mRNA expression of BMP-2 at the concentration of 40, 80, 160， 320 μg/mL (P<0.05); as the concentration of CA increased, the effects became more significant., Conclusions: CA(10, 20 μg/mL) exerted positive effects on osteogenic function, increased the ALP activity and the mRNA expression of BMP-2. It is suggested that the activity of osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic function may be related to the expression of BMP-2.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of IL-1β on inflammatory factors synthesis of human gingival fibroblasts on different surfaces of titaniums in vitro., Methods: Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured on 3 different kinds of titaniums. The cells were stimulated with IL-1β, and the IL-6 and IL-8 production was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) after 3, 6 and 24 h. The date was statistically analyzed with SPSS13.0 software package., Results: A significant increase of the expression of gingival fibroblasts to inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8) after IL-1β was noted; PCR results of the production of inflammatory factors in gingival fibroblasts with the intervention of IL-1β showed that the production of inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8) on titanium and titanium alloy were less than that on the titanium nitride., Conclusions: IL-1β can stimulate high expression of inflammatory factors; The production of IL-6 and IL-8 on titanium and titanium alloy are less, suggesting that implant made of titanium and titanium alloy can reduce the incidence of peri-implant inflammation, and improve the successful rate of implantation.

Objective: To investigate the effects of smokeless tobacco extract (STE) on biological properties of osteoblast, and to identify possible pathological mechanisms of osseointegration., Methods: MC3T3-E1 Sub-clone 14 cells were cultured in the presence of STE at 0 (control group),0. 01,0. 1,1,5,10 g/L. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay 1 d, 3 d, 5 d, and 7 d after exposure. The F-actin cytoskeleton of MC3T3 was stained with Rhodamine and DAPI, and then examined under a confocal laser scanning microscope 24 h after exposure to STE. The mRNA expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and core-binding factor αl(Cbfαl) were quantified by real- time PCR (RT-qPCR) 48 h after exposure to STE., Results: The MTT assay showed that 0. 01-10 g/L STE inhibited MC3T3 proliferation (P<0. 05). Prolonged time enabled 5-10 g/L STE to inhibit MC3T3 proliferation (P<0. 05). Network structure in F-actin cytoskeleton was demonstrated in the controls. In the cells exposed to STE, F-actin cytoskeleton started to change with disruptive structures. As the concentration of STE increased, the changes became more significant. STE increased the mRNA expression of IL-6 at the concentration of 5 g/L and 10 g/L (P<0.05), decreased the mRNA expression of Cbfα1 at the concentration of 0. 1-10 g/L (PO<0. 05)., Conclusion: Tobacco may inhibit osteoblast proliferation, destroy F-actin cytoskeleton structure, increase the mRNA expression of IL-6 and decrease the mRNA expression of Cbfα1, and inhibit cell differentiation and adhesion accordingly. Smoking is a disadvantage to osseointegration.

Objective: To introduce the application of slender narrow pedicle flap in repairing facial tissue defects after skin carcinoma excision, and investigate its survival mechanism., Methods: The slender narrow pedicle iateral maxillocevical flap was designed with its pedicle including skin fascia or only the fascia located in front of auricle or behind of it, repaired 26 cases of facial defects, including 5 temporal skin basal cell carcinoma, 6 skin squamous cell carcinoma, and 1 facial skin malignant melanoma, 8 skin basal cell carcinoma, 5 skin squamous cell carcinoma, 1 skin mucinous carcinoma. In 26 cases, 24 cases their pedicles in front of the auricle, 2 cases behind of the auricle; 4 cases their pedicles only including fascia. The size of the flaps ranged from 3.0 cm x 2.5 cm to 10.0 cm x 8.0 cm. The width and length of the pedicle ranged 1.0-1.5 cm and 2-6 cm., Results: 26 cases of the slender narrow pedicle flaps all survived and the results were satisfactory except 5 cases of distal congestion, then gradual recovery., Conclusions: This slender narrow flap don't include any major blood vessel, without dissecting the blood vessels in operating. Due to its slender pedicle, the whole flap looks like "pingpang bat", the flap rotation is easy and its coverage area is very large, without cat ears. The postoperative appearance (color, texture, cosmetic aspect) is satisfactory. This slender narrow flap is an extraordinary new flap design and is ideal for the repair of the facial tissue defect after skin carcinoma excision.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the ratio of length to width of slender narrow pedicle and random flap survival area, and to provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of slender narrow pedicle flaps., Methods: 25 pigs were randomly divided into 5 groups, 5 pigs in each group. The ratio of length to width of slender narrow pedicle in 5 groups respectively was: 0:2, 1:2, 2:2, 3:2, 4:2. Every ratio' s slender narrow pedicle was carrying five different size of random flaps, which were 2 cm x 2 cm(A), 3 cm x 3 cm(B),4 cm x 4 cm(C), 5 cm x 5 cm(D), 6 cm x 6 cm(E), respectively. Flap A was control flap. In each group, flap A, B, C, D and E were created in each pigs' bilateral back. The order in both sides back is contrary. The flaps were evaluated with the general observation, fluorescence examination, blood flow ECT test, pathological expression and computerized analysis of survival area., Results: (1) The living process and pathologic process of traditional flap and slender narrow pedicle flap were consistent. It could not postpone the flap living process when the flap pedicle became long and narrow. (2) When the ratio of the length to width of the slender narrow pedicle was constant, along with the flap area increased, the flap survival area also increased, but when the flap reached a certain area , the distal flap would necrosis,the flap survival area would not reduce. (3) When the flap size remained unchanged, along with the ratio of the length to width of the slender narrow pedicle increased, the flap survival area was not affected, but when the ratio of the length to width of the slender narrow pedicle increased to a certain limit, distal flap would necrosis, the flap survival area would reduce., Conclusions: (1) Pedicle width of random flap can be much smaller than flap width. The ratio of pedicle width to flap length is far less than traditional ratio. (2) The pedicle of random flap can be designed as slender shape, so that the whole flap looks like "pingpang bat", which makes the narrow pedicle flap rotate easily. (3) A certain ratio of the length to width of a slender narrow pedicle has a maximum flap survival area, and increasing the flap size or ratio of the length to width of a slender narrow pedicle in a certain extent will not lead to flap necrosis.

Objectives: To establish a clinical method for measuring the displacement of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) precisely irrespective of ulnar variance, and to derive normal population translation references with palmar and dorsal stress., Methods: Thirty-seven normal distal forearms were scanned with computed tomography using an apparatus designed by Pirela-Cruz. Each extremity was scanned in two positions: maximal ulnar palmar and dorsal stress. The digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) CT images were then imported into Mimics 10.0 for three-dimensional reconstruction. On the DRUJs 3D images, choose the most prominent point of the palmar and dorsal margins of the sigmoid notch and the excavate ulna fovea as the reference points A, B and C. A perpendicular line was then drawn from the point C to a line connecting points A and B with the intersection D. Calculate the ratio of AD/AB and DB/AB. Two observers measured all the DRUJs independently and one repeated the measurements one month later to determine the interobserver and intraobserver reliability., Results: The mean ratio values of palmar (AD/AB) and dorsal (DB/AB) translation were 0.39 ± 0.07 and 0.37 ± 0.07, and the normal references (x(-) ± 2 s) were from 0.25 to 0.50 and from 0.23 to 0.50, respectively. No significant differences were observed in terms of positions, genders and dominant hands. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values for interobserver and intraobserver reliability (DB/AB, AD/AB) were 0.84, 0.80, 0.93 and 0.92, respectively., Conclusions: This new method could accurately measure the displacement of DRUJs with acceptable reliability, even with ulna positive or negative variance. Instability of DRUJ may be indicated when AD/AB is less than 0.25 or BD/AB is less than 0.23.

Objective: To discuss and evaluate whether a remote critical care program network can improve clinical and economic performance across multiple intensive care units (ICUs)., Methods: The consultative center composed of intensivists and physician extenders to provide remote consultations for the critical patients. Supporting software, including electronic data display and communication interface were available both in the ICU center and at the remote sites. Clinical and economic performance after 1 year application of the program was compared with the performance before the intervention., Results: During January 2008 to July 2009, there had been 63 hospitals in Zhejiang Province joined the network. A total of 1 617 patients had received remote critical care consultations. One hundred and seventy-three remote teaching ward rounds and 72 lectures had been conducted on the network during this period. The before-and after-data comparison for 23 hospitals which had joined the network for longer than 1 year showed that, the program had decreased ICUs raw mortality by 11.6% (12.9% vs. 14.6%), and reduced transfer rate by 38.3% (2.9% vs. 4.7%), and ICUs bed occupancy rate increased by 6.1% (83.4% vs. 78.6%)., Conclusion: The application of a remote critical care program was associated with improved clinical outcomes of critically ill patients and hospital financial performance.

The use of chemometric techniques and multivariate experimental designs for the photocatalytic reaction of reactive scarlet BES in aqueous solution under ultraviolet light irradiation is described. The efficiency of photocatalytic degradation was evaluated by the analysis of the parameter of decoloration efficiency determined by UV absorption at 540 nm using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer in different conditions. Five factors, such as the amount of titanium oxide ([TiO2]), the concentrations of reactive scarlet BES (c(0)), irradiation time (t), the pH value (pH) and temperature (T), were studied. [TiO2]. c(0), t and pH selected on the basis of the results of variance analysis by Plackett-Burman design were used as independent variables. Training sets and test sets of back propagation neural network (BPNN) were formed by Box-Behnken design and uniform design U10 (10 x 5(2) x 2) respectively. The process of photocatalytic degradation of the target object was simulated by the BPNN model. The correlation coefficient (r) of the calculation results for training set and test set by BPNN is 0.996 4 and 0.963 6 respectively, and the mean relative errors between the predictive value and experimental value of decoloration efficiency are 6.14 and 7.76, respectively. The modeled BPNN was applied to analyze the influence of four factors on decoloration efficiency. The results showed that the initial conditions of c(0) being lower, pH 5.0 and appropriate amount of [TiO2] contribute to improving the decoloration efficiency of reactive scarlet BES. Under the condition of c(0) = 40 mg x L(-1), the optimized experimental condition of the system was obtained: [TiO2] = 1.20 g x L(-1) and pH 5.0. Under the optimized experimental condition, the experimental value of decoloration efficiency is 98.20% when irradiation time is 35 minutes and the predictive value of decoloration efficiency is 99.16% under the same condition. The relative error of decoloration efficiency between the predictive value and experimental value is only -0.96%. The experimental value is very close to the model predicted value.

Objective: To study the application of island sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap in repairing the buccal composite tissue defect especially penetrated tissue defect., Methods: The flap pedicle included upper part OF sternocleidomastoid muscle and occipital artery. The rotation point was located at 2 cm below the mastoid. The distance between the pivot point and distal border of the defect was the length of the muscular flap. The width of the flap was slightly larger than the defect, but should not be more than 7 cm. The lower border of the flap should not exceed 2 cm below the collar bone. The flap was elevated from the starting point of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and beneath it. The pedicle only contained muscle. The flap was transferred to the defect through the tunnel between the pedicle and defect. The wounds at donor sites were closed directly or with skin graft or local flaps., Results: 12 cases were treated, including 10 cases of buccal soft tissue tumors and 2 cases of buccal penetrated defects. All the musculocutaneous flaps survived with good texture, color and thickness., Conclusions: The island sternocleidomastoid myocutaneous flap is an ideal flap for large buccal composite tissue defect with reliable blood supply. It is easily performed and very practical.

This study was aimed to investigate the suppressive effect of regulatory T (Treg) cells on the T cell lymphoma EL4 cell line and to explore its mechanism. C57BL/6 Mouse Treg cells were isolated by MACS (magnetic cell sorting). The purity and the expression of Foxp3 were detected by flow cytometry. The suppressive effect of sorted Treg cells on EL4 cells was detected by MTT assay. The secretion of TGF-beta1 and IL-10 was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells could be successfully isolated by MACS with the purity reaching 91.6% and the expression level of Foxp3 was 78.9%. The ratio of viable cells was more than 95%. Regulatory T cells could suppress the proliferation of EL4 cells effectively in the presence of antigen presenting cells (APCs). And the suppressive effect was most significant at 1:1 ratio. In addition, the suppression still existed without APCs. TGF-beta1 and IL-10 could not be detected by ELISA. It is concluded that the Treg cells can suppress T lymphoma cell in vitro. The suppressive effect of Treg cells works in dose-dependent manner, but not in cytokine-dependent manner. The mechanism of this suppression may take effect through cell-cell contact.

Objective: To study the mortality and pathogens of candidemia in patients at hospital intensive care unit (ICU)., Methods: Clinical data of candidemia cases admitted to ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University in recent five years were analyzed retrospectively. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used., Results: A total of 6034 patients were discharged in the ICU over the 5-year period, and 75 were diagnosed as candidemia. The annual morbidity rates of candidemia from 2002 to 2006 were 0.67%, 1.46%, 1.21%, 1.15% and 1.56%, respectively. 36 cases died of the disease, with the mortality as 48%. The annual mortality rates from 2002 to 2006 were 50%, 64%, 33%, 41% and 52%, respectively. In this period, 78 positive blood culture samples strains from ICU were identified as Candida, among which Candida albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C.lusitaniae accounted for 46.2%, 21.7%, 17.9%, 12.8% and 1.3%, respectively. Average APACHE II scores of the patients with candidemia were 17.21 +/- 4.38 (range: 9-27). During the 5-year period, the annual morbidity of candidemia had increased from 0.67% to 1.56% while the ratios of candidemia due to non-albicans Candida species (NAC) increased from 50.0% to 56.5%. When analyzing the C. albicans group and NAC group with single factor and multiple conditional logistic regression method, we found that age (66 +/- 14 vs. 53 +/- 16, P = 0.001, OR = 1.077, 95% CI: 1.031- 1.124) and hypoproteinemia (61.8% vs. 81.6%, P = 0.033, OR = 0.206, 95% CI: 0.048-0.880) both showed statistical significance., Conclusion: Candidemia cases in ICU increased gradually and causing higher mortality. The number of patients with candidemia caused by NAC increased in recent 5 year. Age was proved to be a risk factor for those candidemia caused by C. albicans. Hypoproteinemia was proved to be risk factors for the candidemia caused by NAC.

Objective: To investigate the impact of intravenous nutrition on plasma free amino acid spectrum and immune function for patients with sepsis., Methods: Forty severe sepsis patients were divided into two groups: Group B (amino acids + glucose + fat emulsion) and Group A (glucose + fat emulsion), 20 healthy individuals were enrolled as control group. The concentration of free amino acid and immune globulin were determined after 3 days., Results: In Group A, the levels of valine, leucine, isoleucine, alanine, serine, glutamic acid, histidine, proline and glycine were decreased; while the levels of threonine, cysteine, the ratio of phenylalanine and tyrosine (Phe/Tyr) were higher than those in control group. Meanwhile, peripheral blood IgM, complement C3 and C4 were decreased. In group B, all amino acid levels were improved, but the level of alanine, serine, glutamic acid, histidine and proline still lower than those in control group. Similarly, the levels of IgM, complement C3 and C4 in group B were increased., Conclusion: Intravenous nutrition can support the basal requirement of amino acid and improve the immune function of patients with sepsis.

Objective: To establish a method to predict therapeutic effect of Rituximab and explore the feasibility and potential of IL-2 improving antitumor activity of Rituximab with upregulated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) in patients with B-cell lymphoma., Methods: Eighteen B-cell lymphoma patients and 13 health volunteers entered the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) were isolated as effector cells, and Daudi (Burkitt's lymphoma) cells as target cell, the cytotoxicity and ADCC mediated by Rituximab (10 microg/ml) of PBMNC at different E:T ratios were performed by standard 51Cr-release-assay in vitro with or without IL-2-activation. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to identify PBMNC phenotype with or without IL-2-activation., Results: A marked decrease of cytotoxicity and Rituximab mediated ADCC in the patients as compared with that in health volunteers, the results being (5.80 +/- 1.16)%, (14.32 +/- 1.50)% and (14.29 +/- 1.68)%, (24.14 +/- 1.53)% (t = 3.693, P = 0.001 and t = 3.372, P = 0.003) respectively. The decrease was correlated with the therapeutic effect of Rituximab (r = 0.781, P < 0.05). The cytotoxicity and Rituximab mediated ADCC in the patients could be partly recovered after IL-2 activation from (5.80 +/- 1.16)%, (14.32 +/- 1.50)% to (15.43 +/- 2.62)%, (35.79 +/- 2.58)% (t = 3.35, P = 0.003 and t = 7.17, P < 0.001) respectively., Conclusions: It may be a useful method for predicting the effect of Rituximab in B-cell lymphoma patients to analyze the cytotoxicity and ADCC of their PBMNC. The impaired activity of PBMNC could be partly recovered when IL-2 was administered before the use of Rituximab.

Objective: To explore the HLA-DR expression on CD14(+) monocyte in peripheral blood of critically ill patients after surgery and observe its relationship with prognosis of patients., Methods: HLA-DR expression on CD14(+) monocytes in peripheral blood was measured in critically ill patients after surgery (30 cases) by using flow cytometry on the day 1, 4 and 7 after entered the ICU, and were compared with those in the healthy volunteers (28 cases). APACHE II score, sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, age, sex and 28 d prognosis were recorded., Results: The HLA-DR expression on CD14(+) monocyte in peripheral blood in critically ill patients after surgery were lower than that of healthy volunteers (P < 0.01). The CD14(+) monocyte HLA-DR expression on day 1 after entered ICU was not correlated with APACHE II score, SOFA and 28 d prognosis. However, compared with those with decreased HLA-DR expression, those with increased monocyte HLA-DR expression on day 7 had a better 28 d survival rate (P < 0.01)., Conclusions: In critically ill patients after surgery, the decreased HLA-DR expression on CD14(+) monocyte in peripheral blood on day 1 after entered ICU could not be regarded as a prognostic parameter, but it is significative to monitor the increased expression of HLA-DR on CD14(+) monocyte for evaluating the 28 d prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the changes in serum lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels in severe sepsis patients, and their relationship with severity and prognosis of patients., Methods: Serum concentration of LBP and sCD14 were measured by enzyme linked immuno adsorbent assay (ELISA) at different periods after the onset of severe sepsis in 41 patients. Serum concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were determined within 24 hours of onset of severe sepsis. The relationship between all the determinations and the clinical picture and prognosis of the patients was analyzed., Results: Significantly higher than normal serum concentrations of LBP and sCD14 were found in severe sepsis patients (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in LBP serum levels between non-survivors and survivors (all P>0.05). But sCD14 serum levels were significantly higher in non-survivors (all P<0.05). There was no correlation between serum LBP levels and PCT or acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) at day 0. Serum LBP level was positively correlated with that of LPS significantly. There was significant positive correlation between serum sCD14 levels and PCT, APACHE II at day 0, but no correlation between sCD14 and LPS., Conclusion: Significantly elevated serum concentrations of LBP and sCD14 are found in severe sepsis patients. LBP level reflects mainly systemic inflammatory response induced by LPS, and it cannot be used as an indicator of severity of sepsis and prognosis of the patient. In contrast, serum sCD14 level may be used as a prognostic marker in severe sepsis, as it can reflect the severity of sepsis in certain degree.

Objective: To study genetic damage of workers alone occupationally exposed to methotrexate (MTX) with three end-points., Methods: The blood samples from 21 workers exposed to MTX and 21 controls were detected with micronucleus test, comet assay, hprt gene mutation test and TCR gene mutation test., Results: The mean micronuclei rate (MNR) and mean micronucleated cells rate (MCR) in 21 workers were 10.10 per thousand +/- 0.95 per thousand and 8.05 per thousand +/- 0.75 per thousand, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (5.48 per thousand +/- 0.82 per thousand and 4.38 per thousand +/- 0.58 per thousand) in control (P < 0.01). The mean tail length (MTL) of 21 workers and 21 controls were (1.30 +/- 0.06) microm and (0.07 +/- 0.01) microm, respectively, there was significant difference between workers and controls (P < 0.01). But the difference between workers and controls for mean tail moment (MTM) was not significant (P > 0.05). The average mutation frequency (Mf-hprt) of hprt and (Mf-TCR) of TCR in workers were 1.00 per thousand +/- 0.02 per thousand and (6.87 +/- 0.52) x 10(-4), respectively, which were significantly higher than those [0.86 per thousand +/- 0.01 per thousand and (1.67 +/- 0.14) x 10(-4)] in control (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: The genetic damage to some extent appeared in workers occupationally exposed to methotrexate.

A new approach was proposed so that noises invisible spectra are eliminated by wavelet packets, and the specimen numbers of calibration samples are increased by linear interpolation. It can used to solve problems of few specimen numbers and many variables in simultaneous spectrophotometric determination. Thus forecasting resultant veracity is improved. The contents of Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn in aluminous-alloy was determined simultaneously by using wavelet packets analysis-linear interpolation-RBF (radial basis function) neural networks (WPA-Interp-RBF). Wavelet packets analysis can eliminate noises to a desired level. Linear interpolation makes specimenof training samples cover recognizable room better. So RBF can abstract more characteristic information and improve its performance. Relative error(RE) of sample is reduced remarkably with desired results.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and the factors affecting its prognosis., Methods: From 1994 to 2002, 138 patients with DLBCL were confirmed by morphological and immunohistochemical examination. Sex, age, clinical stage, performance status (PS), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), number of extranodal lesions, treatment response, cycles of chemotherapy, B symptom, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), 5-year survival rate and median survival time (mST) were included as the analysis indeces., Results: Lymph nodes were involved in 87.7% of the patients, and extranodal lesions were found in 60.1%. Five-year survival rate was 41.3% for the entire group. Age, stage, PS, serum LDH, number of extranodal lesions, international prognostic index (IPI) and remission rates were significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) and mST (P < 0.05), However, sex, chemotherapy cycles, B symptom, ESR were not related to OS and mST (P > 0.05). Age, stage, remission rates were identified as independent factors affecting the prognosis. Combination of surgery and chemotherapy was quite impressive in the prolongation of survival of patients with extranodal lesions and gastrointestinal lymphoma compared to those by chemotherapy alone., Conclusion: Age, stage, PS, serum LDH, number of extranodal lesions, IPI, chemotherapy cycles and remission rates are significant factors affecting the prognosis in DLBCL patients. Age less than 40 years or >/= 65 years, Stage III-IV, partial remission or progressive disease are demonstrated as poor prognostic factors. Combined treatment is the strategy suggested for DLBCL patients with extranodal lesions.

Background & Objective: Incidence of liver non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is increasing. This study was to explore clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of liver NHL., Methods: Records of 45 patients with liver NHL treated in our hospital from Jan. 1998 to May 2002, 9.6% of all NHL patients treated in the same period, were retrospectively analyzed with statistic software package of SPSS10.0., Results: Of 45 patients, 32 were male,and 13 were female, the median age was 50 years. Immunophenotyping revealed that 24 cases were T cell original, 19 were B cell original, and 2 were undefined. According to International Work Formulation (IWF), 92% of 45 patients belonged to intermediate-grade. Clinical features of liver NHL were presented with fever, jaundice, hepatosplenomegalia, and liver dysfunction. Combination treatment based on chemotherapy was the major therapy. Median survival time was 4 months, overall 1-, and 2-year survival rates were 22%, and 18%., Conclusion: Early diagnose liver NHL is difficult, its treatment effect and prognosis are poor, combination therapy should be given as early as possible.

Background & Objective: There has always been a significant morbidity difference of renal cell carcinoma between the Oriental and Occidental countries. The high soybean consumption in Oriental countries may be one of the reasons. We investigated the effect of a tyrosine protein kinase inhibitor extracted from soybean, namely genistein, on the proliferation of a renal cell carcinoma cell line, GRC-1; and analyzed the correlation between this effect and a well-known anti-oncogene, p27., Methods: Inverted microscopy, MTT method, and flow cytometry (FCM) were used to examine the changes in proliferation of GRC-1 cells after treatment with genistein; and the intracellular p27 protein expression was determined by Western blot analysis., Results: (1)After treatment with genistein, changed morphology of the GRC-1 cells was observed. Cell junctions decreased. In the presence of 20 micromol/L genistein, GRC-1 cells showed shuttle-shaped, and fewer pseudopodia, mitoses and cell junctions were observed. In the 40 micromol/L genistein group, many cells broke into debris, and became extremely irregular in shape. Meanwhile, mitoses and cell junctions were rarely seen. (2)Treated with 20 micromol/L genistein, 73.8% GRC-1 cells were in G(1) phase, 26.2% in G2 phase 72 hours after treatment; while in control group, 31.6% in G(1) phase and 3.8% in G2 phase, respectively. (3)After exposure to 20 micromol/L genistein for 72 hours, Western blot suggested that the band of p27 was 65.4+/-4.7 in gray scale value, while the control group was 52.3+/-6.3., Conclusion: Genistein can inhibit the proliferation of renal cell carcinoma cells, and cause cell cycle arrest at G(1)/M, G(2)/S phase. The possible underlying mechanism may involve its upregulation of p27 expression in the renal cancer cells.

Oligosaccharide characterization has been of utmost interest in various areas such as medicine, biochemistry, and food chemistry. These biologically relevant molecules are ideally suited for mass spectrometric investigation, because of the capability of this technique in offering structure and relative molecular mass information. Therefore, liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) was applied to characterize the acetolysis of mannan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The electrospray using Na+ as adducts proved to be superior to the LC-MS for the determination of mannoligosaccharides. LC separation was accomplished by the use of NH2 column and the elution by acetonitrile-water (70:30, volume ratio). The results showed that mannoligosaccharides side chain consisted of mannose, mannobiose, mannotriose and mannotetraose. The method developed is accurate, fast and convenient and can be used to characterize the relative molecular mass of the oligosaccharides.