Objective To observe the effects of stress treatment for different time on autonomic behaviors and spatial learning-memory abilities of rats and to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Chaihu Shugan San(CSS). Methods Seventy-five 8-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, and low-, middle-, and high- dose CSS groups, 15 rats in each group. Chronic multi-stress model was set up. The rat body weight in various groups was measured. The autonomic behaviors of rats were observed by open field test, and the abilities of spatial learning-memory of rats were examined by Morris water maze test. Results (1)On modeling day 20, 30, the model control group had lighter body weight than the blank control group (P < 0.01); the middle-, high- dose CSS groups had higher body weight than the model control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) , and the high-dose CSS group had the highest body weight, the difference being insignificant compared with the blank control group (P > 0.05). (2)Open field test results showed as follows:Compared with the blank control group, the total distance and central-area distance were shortened (P < 0.01) and the average speed was decreased(P < 0.01) in the model control group at different modeling time points, the effect being positively correlated with the modeling time; compared with the model control group, the total distance and central-area distance were prolonged(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) and the average speed was increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) in the low-, middle-, and high- dose CSS groups at different modeling time points, and the therapeutic efficacy of high- dose CSS group was approach to the blank control group. (3)Morris water maze test results showed as follows: Compared with blank control group, the average latent period was prolonged and the times of platform crossing were decreased in the model control group (P < 0.01); compared with the model control group, the average potential time was shortened and the times of platform crossing were increased in the middle- and high-dose CSS groups (P<0.01), the efficacy being not significantly different from that of the blank control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion The chronic stress may decrease the excitability, reduce autonomic behaviors, and injure spatial learning and memory abilities of rats, the effect being positively correlated with the modeling time. And CSS has an effect on improving the above indexes, in particular the middle-and high-dose of CSS.

BACKGROUND: The long-term stability for both the patient and periodontist remains an important priority after connective tissue graft to manage the gingival recession cases. The goal of this analysis was to assess and compare the connective tissue graft with Pouch/Tunnel technique versus connective tissue graft with coronally advanced tunnel flap for the treatment of maxillary recession cases in severe periodontitis. METHODS: The total sample size was comprised of 200 subjects. The control group, coronally advanced flap along with connective tissue graft (CTG) was comprised of 100 samples and test group, pouch/tunnel technique with connective tissue graft (POT + CTG) was also comprised of 100 samples. The clinical findings included medium root coverage (MRC) and absolute root (CRC) coverage, gingival (GT) distribution and keratinized tissue (KT) gain. Esthetic findings were also evaluated. All findings analyzed initially after 6th months and have been expanded to 4 years. RESULTS: There were no major variations between the MRC and CRC patient classes with non significant values. In the POT + CTG category, GT and KT improvements were slightly greater at 4 years, with a substantial improvement in texture in control group. CONCLUSION Pouch/Tunnel technique along with connective tissue graft allows for the clinical coverage of gingival recessions that is equivalent to Coronally advanced flap with CTG, however this may improves the gingival thickness, KT and esthetic performance.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T genotype and its association with deep vei n thrombophilia in Chinese.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis was conducted to examine mutation with 63 deep vein thrombophilic patients and 80 health controls in Shandong Hans. The genotype frequencies were calculated by gene counting in patients and controls, and an analysis was made on the association of MTHFR C677T mutation with deep venous thrombosis in Shandong Hans.

RESULTSIn case- controls, the frequencies of C/T heterozygote were 41.27% and 43.75%; whereas those of T/T homozygote were 52.38% and 36.25%. Significantly elevated mutation was observed in patients(Chi-square=6.372, P 0.01 OR(T/T)=4.552 95% confidence interval:1.440-14.390, Chi-square =6.742 P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONThe C677T mutation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene is a risk factor associated with deep vein thrombophilia in Shandong Hans.

China ; DNA ; genetics ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; Odds Ratio ; Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-NH Group Donors ; genetics ; Point Mutation ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Thrombophilia ; enzymology ; genetics ; Venous Thrombosis ; enzymology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo map the gene responsible for nonsyndromic hearing impairment in a consanguineous family.

METHODSFirstly, X chromosome scanning was used to exclude X chromosome. Secondly, candidate gene analyzing and genome scanning were performed by homozygosity mapping. Then, additional markers flanking the tightly linked marker were tested to confirm linkage and decide the candidate region.

RESULTSThe nonsyndromic hearing impairment of this family was autosomal recessive. Twenty-five known genes were excluded. Autosomal genome scanning indicated that D17S1293 was tightly linked with disease gene. And further study mapped the disease gene to a 5.07 cM interval bounded by D17S1850 and D17S1818.

CONCLUSIONThe disease gene of the family is mapped to a 5.07 cM interval between D17S1850 and D17S1818, which is a new locus of autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment.

Chromosome Mapping ; methods ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Consanguinity ; Family Health ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Pedigree

Dexmedetomidine displays multiple mechanisms of neuroprotection in ameliorating ischemic brain injury. In this study, we explored the beneficial effects of dexmedetomidine on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h to establish a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Dexmedetomidine (9 µg/kg) was administered to rats 30 min after MCAO through intravenous injection, and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor, 200 µg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before MCAO. Brain damages were evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Nissl staining, and brain water content assessment. BBB permeability was examined by Evans blue staining. Expression levels of claudin-5, zonula occludens-1, occludin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as M1/M2 phenotypes-associated markers were assessed using immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine inflammatory cytokine levels. We found that dexmedetomidine or SB203580 attenuated infarct volume, brain edema, BBB permeability, and neuroinflammation, and promoted M2 microglial polarization after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Increased MMP-9 activity by ischemia/reperfusion injury was inhibited by dexmedetomidine or SB203580. Dexmedetomidine inhibited the activation of the ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways. Moreover, activation of JNK or p38 MAPK reversed the protective effects of dexmedetomidine against ischemic brain injury. Overall, dexmedetomidine ameliorated brain injury by alleviating BBB permeability and promoting M2 polarization in experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.

Aged ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Patient Acuity ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome