BACKGROUND:It has been found that the compressive strength and flexural strength of nano-hydroxyapatite combined with light-cured resin matrix can neet the requirements of dental restorative materials. OBJECTIVE:To detect the cytotoxicity of nano-hydroxyapatite/composite resin, and to analyze its effects on the dental restoration. METHODS:In vitro test:passage 5 periodontal ligament fibroblast-like cel s and L-929 cel s suspensions were cultured in the 10%, 50%, 100%of nano-hydroxyapatite/composite resin extracts, respectively, and fresh maintenance medium functioned as negative control group. Absorbance values were detected within 7-day culture. In vivo repair test:57 cases with tooth defect were enrol ed containing 37 males and 20 females aged from 15 to 31 years old, and al were subjected to nano-hydroxyapatite/composite resin treatment. A 3-year fol ow-up was undergone to detect the completeness, marginal adaptation and color matching of the restoration, as wel as the periodontal probing depth, sulcus bleeding index, tooth mobility, dental plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid and aspartate aminotransferase level. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In vitro test results showed that the different concentrations of nano-hydroxyapatite/composite resin extracts had no effects on both periodontal ligament fibroblast-like cel s and L-929 cel s. In vivo repair test results found that after 3 years of fol ow-up, the periodontal probing depth, sulcus bleeding index, tooth mobility, dental plaque index, gingival crevicular fluid and aspartate aminotransferase level of patients were significantly decreased than those before repair (P<0.05), but the alkaline phosphatase level revealed no significant change (P>0.05). Unfortunately, three cases with incomplete restoration, four cases with color mismatching, and three cases with the inadaptable edge occurred. To conclude, the nano-hydroxyapatite/composite resin holds good biocompatibility and no cytotoxicity, which can maintain a good periodontal health condition in the dental restoration.

Objective To report the clinical characteristics, biochemical profiles, diagnosis and treatment of one Chinese pedigree with glucocorticoid remediable aldosteronism. Methods Plasma and urine aldo~sterone and cortisol and plasma renin activity were dynamically tested and diagnostic therapy was undergone in 3 affected subjects. Results All of 4 affected members had hypertension, hypokalemia, 3 patients had low basic and provoked renin activity (0.017?0.015 vs 0.13?0.08)?g?L -1 ?h -1 . 3 patients were treated with 2 mg dexamethasone for 5～7 days, then the medication was reduced gradually and maintained at 0.5～0.75 mg per day after 1～1.5 month(s). 5 days after treatment, the plasma aldosterone concentrations (PACs) decreased significantly from (192?9)ng/L to (87?7)ng/L (P

OBJECTIVE: To determine the protective effects of nourishing spleen yin recipe (Zibu Piyin Recipe, ZBPYR), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in neuronal cells responding to the stress by using sero-pharmacological method. METHODS: The mouse neuroblastoma cell line Neuro2a cells were treated with tunicamycin (Tm, an inhibitor of N-glycosylation). The ZBPYR-treated cell group was established by incubating cells with ZBPYR serum for one hour and treated with Tm. Reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was utilized to detect the mRNA expressions from two genes after treatments, ER molecular chaperone glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and transcriptional factor CCAAT/ enhancer-binding protein-homologous protein (CHOP). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay was also carried out to determine the LDH leakage from Neuro2a cells after treated with Tm and staurosporine (STS). RESULTS: The ZBPYR-treated cell group at all tested ZBPYR dosages showed significantly reduced expressions of both genes compared with Tm (5 microg/ml) treated control group (P<0.05). Therefore, ZBPYR serum inhibited the expressions of GRP78 and CHOP in mRNA level under ER stress induced by Tm. Different concentrations of ZBPYR serum pretreatment reduced the LDH leakage compared with the Tm and STS groups (P<0.05). Therefore, ZBPYR serum may inhibit the LDH leakage induced by Tm and STS. CONCLUSION: ZBPYR has neuroprotective effects. The mechanisms may be associated with inhibition of ER stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective To investigate the synergistic effects of simulated microgravity and noise on the audito‐ry functions and corti organs in rats .Methods A total of 48 healthy rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=12):control group (Group A) ,microgravity only group (Group B) ,noise only group (Group C) and microgravity+noise group (Group D) .The microgravity environment was simulated by suspending the posterior limb using Morey-Holton method .The noise exposure was the simulation of the noise environment in spaceship including steady -state noise (72 ± 2) dB SPL and impulse noise up to 160 dB SPL .The control group was kept in normal conditions without any exposure .Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) ,HE stainings ,immunofluorescence stainings and scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) were tested after 1week and 2 weeks exposure respectively (n=6) .Results The average of ABR threshold shifts of 2 weeks exposure were higher than those of 1 week in each group .Group D showed the highest ABRs (P<0 .01) .The HE stainings showed different degrees of injury in corti organs in all experimental groups ;which Group D being the most serious ,followed by Group C .The results of immunefluorescence in hair cells showed that swelling necrosis was the main damage of cochlear hair cell after 1 week's exposure .The swelling rate of Group D was the highest ,followed by Group C .Nucleus missing in hair cells was observed after 2 weeks'exposure . Group D had the highest missing rate and the main missing of Group B happened in the inner hair cells .SEM showed that the most serious damage of stereociliums in Group D ,followed by Group C ,then Group B .Conclusion The synergistic effects of simulated microgravity and noise lead to significant damage of the auditory function and cochlea Corti organs in rat .

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of simulated noise-weightlessness combined factors on auditory brainstem response thresholds and the cochlear structure after a medium-long term (2-8 weeks). METHODS Healthy adult rats were randomly divided into male/female experimental and control groups. The male and female experimental groups were exposed to simulated noise-weightlessness environment and exerted impulse noise exposure at the end. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold was recorded at the beginning, the 2nd, 4th and 8th weeks and after impulse noise exposure exerting. The cochlea was also examined by scanning electron microscopy each time after ABR threshold record. RESULTS ABR thresholds in experimental groups after impulse noise exposure were significantly increased (P<0.05). Female experimental group were lower than those of the male experimental group at 2 and 4 weeks (P<0.05). Scanning electron microscope observation showed that the inner and outer hair cell were losing and lodging, and the longer exposed to the compound factors, the heavier pathological changes observed on the cochlear hair cell. CONCLUSION Noise-weightlessness combined factors can cause the morphology and function damage of rat cochlear in medium-long term. The damage of impulse noise was more than steady noise on rat auditory function. Sex differences was also observed. Rat cochlear hair cell pathological changes increased with the exposed time.

Objective To design and construct a controlled adenovirus vector in degradating by itself after induction for solving the problem of stimulating host immune and producing replication adenovirus and providing a secure exogenous gene vectors for clinical practice. Methods Based on the traditional adenovirus vector AdEasyTM system, we inserted the Cre gene which belongs to Cre-LoxP system into the downstream of Tet-On inducible expression system. Two LoxP sites were inserted into two sides of the shuttle plasmid′s right arm genome. Then, the full-length human insulin gene was inserted HindIII enzyme site. After the recombinant adenovirus infected the rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells , fluorescent protein expression and insulin secretion were detected before or after induction by Dox. Results A new controlled recombinant adenovirus vector carrying human insulin gene was constructed successfully, and was named AdEasyN/INS. After the transfection of this new vector into QBI-293A cells and rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells , green fluorescent protein could be observed. After induction by Dox, both of the ratio of fluorescent cells/total cell and the levels of insulin significantly decreased. Conclusion Construction and preliminary validation of a controlledrecombinant adenovirus vector carrying human insulin gene is constructed successfully , it could infect rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and degradate by itself after Dox induction, realize the controllability of exogenous gene carrier.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Zibu Piyin Recipe (ZBPYR) on spleen yin deficiency diabetes-associated cognitive disorder (DACD). Methods The rats were randomly divided into control group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, spleen yin deficiency group, spleen yin deficiency DM group and spleen yin deficiency DM+ZBPYR group (treatment group). Type 2 DM models were established by high-fat food feeding and low dose STZ intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks. Then the classical compound method was used to construct spleen yin deficiency rat models by improper diet, over exertion and yin fluids exhaustion. The treatment group was given ZBPYR by gavage for 15 days, and the other groups were given the same amount of normal saline. Then cerebral cortex, hippocampus, stomach and liver were obtained and the changes of protein expression of PDHE1α in them were observed by Western Blot. Results The protein expression of PDHE1αin cortex of DM group and spleen yin deficiency DM group were lower than control group (P<0.05). PDHE1α expression of treatment group in cortex and stomach increased more significantly than spleen yin deficiency DM group (P<0.05). The expression of PDHE1α protein showed no significant difference among all groups in hippocampus and liver. Conclusion ZBPYR improved spleen yin deficiency DACD by regulating PDHE1αin cortex and stomach.

Objective To develop a dental crown remover with the strength provided constantly and adjusted freely.Methods The remover was composed of a shell, a crown hook, a conduction mechanism, a strength generating mechanism and a percussion mechanism. The spring had the explosive force formed in the crown head to destruct the cohesion of the cement.Results The remover could remove the crown, with one hand freed for the protection of abutment and mucous membrane.Conclusion The remover has simple structure and easy operation, and is worth popularizing clinically.

This study was aimed to observe the protection ofZi-Bu Pi-Yin recipe (ZBPYR) on the cortex mitochondrial dysfunction of diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction rats. SD rats were randomly divided into four groups, which were the control (Con) group, the diabetes (DM) group, the ZBPYR treatment (ZBPYR1) group and the ZBPYR protection (ZBPYR2) group. Morris water maze test was taken to evaluate the learning and memory ability of rats. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to detect the ultrastructure and quantity changes of cortex mitochondria. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Cyto C. The results showed that compared to Con group, the learning and memory ability were decreased in the DM group (P < 0.05); the learning and memory ability of the ZBPYR1 group was improved compared to the DM group (P < 0.05); compared to the DM group, the ZBPYR2 group was significantly improved (P < 0.01). Compared with the Con group, the number of cortex mitochondria in DM group was decreased (P< 0.05), and the structure was disordered, blurred, or even completely destroyed. After ZBPYR intervention, these pathological changes were reduced obviously. And the number of mitochondria in the ZBPYR2 group was increased than that of the DM group (P < 0.05). The expression of Cyto C in cytoplasm of the DM group was significantly higher than that of the Con group (P < 0.01). After ZBPYR intervention, the expression of Cyto C was decreased. It was concluded that ZBPYR regulated the mitochondrial morphology and changes of volume in the cortex, prevented the releasing of Cyto C from mitochondria to cytoplasm, and improved the cognitive function of diabetes rats.