Biliary Tract Diseases ; Humans ; MicroRNAs

Objective To investigate the effects of Kr üppel-like factor 2 ( KLF2 ) on oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced expression of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) and proinflammatory cyto-kines (MCP-1 and IL-6) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods Human umbili-cal vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and then stimulated with 50μg/ml ox-LDL for 24 hours. HUVECs were infected with adenovirus vectors over-expressing human KLF2 at an appropriate multiplicity of infection.KLF2-siRNA duplexes were transfected into HUVECs to silence the gene expression .HUVECs were collected at time points of 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after infection.Real-time quantitative-PCR was performed to measure the expression of miR-146a at mRNA level.Silenced endogenous miR-146a using LNA-anti-miR-146 a was transfected into HUVECs with lipofectamine 2000 .The levels of MCP-1 and IL-6 in supernatants were detected by ELISA .Results KLF2 remarkably inhibited the expression of miR-146 a in unstimulated and ox-LDL-stimulated HUVECs in a time-dependent manner .The ox-LDL induced ex-pression of miR-146a, MCP-1 and IL-6 in HUVECs were significantly decreased by KLF2.Silenced expres-sion of miR-146a downr-egulated the ox -LDL induced expression of MCP-1 and IL-6 in HUVECs.Moreover, silenced miR-146 a could partly reverse the inhibitory effects of KLF 2 on ox-LDL induced expression of MCP-1 and IL-6 in HUVECs.Conclusion KLF2 inhibited ox-LDL induced expression of MCP-1 and IL-6 in HUVECs partly through down-regulating the expression of miR-146a.

This paper introduced the development of 36-Item Short Form of Health Survey (SF-36), and application of researches in China, especially the applications in gynecological chronic pelvic pain related diseases, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis,etc. It would be a tool of assessment for clinical study if combined with the specific disease quality of life questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: The environmental change of regeneration of peripheral nerve fiber can accelerate the regeneration of nerve fiber and the recovery of nerve function. Physiotherapy can improve the local microcirculation of the injured area, and promote and stimulate the recovery course of trauma. Therefore, whether choosing different physiotherapies and controlling irradiation dose can speed up the regeneration of nerve fiber?OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of different physiotherapies in promoting the regeneration of injured nerve fiber.DESIGN:Randomized grouping and controlled animal experiment.SETTING: Laboratory of Anthropotomy and Histo-Embryology Department,Peking University Health Science Center.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Laboratory of Anthropotomy and Histo-Embryology Department, Peking University Health Science Center, from September 2001 to September 2002. Fifteen adult male SD rats, weighting 185-220 g, were selected.INTERVENTIONS: The model of sciatic nerve injury was established and randomly assigned to 3 groups. Bio-spectrum group and infrared group with 5rats in each received the corresponding physical irradiation. Injury control group was given no irradiation. The slices of sciatic nerve at the operation side of the animals in the three groups were collected on day 14 after operation. The degeneration rate of the injured nerve fiber was observed under the optical microscope to make indirect assessment of the protective effect of physiotherapy after the nerve was injured.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The degeneration rate of nerve fibers at the breakpoint and at 4 points near the spinal cord ( 1,2,3,4 mm) and away from the spinal cord( 1,2,3,4 mm).difference in the degeneration rate of nerve fibers at the breakpoint away from the spinal cord in bio-spectrum group and infrared group as compared with the degeneration rate of nerve fibers in bio-spectrum group(68% ) and infrared group(89% ) was obviously reduced and that in control group was the the spinal cord in the 3 groups showed decreasing trend: the closer to the spinal cord, the fewer the degenerative nerve fibers. The number of degenerative nerve fibers was the smallest in bio-spectrum group, second smallest in infrared group, and the largest in control group.CONCLUSION: The assisting physiotherapy can decrease the number of regenerative nerve fibers, thus promoting and accelerating their recovery. Irradiation with bio-spectrum equipment is more effective.

Objective To investigate into hand hygiene facilities and worker's practice of hand hygiene during 120 ambulance services in a capital city.Methods With the standard Observation Form publicized by the World Health Organization,field observation was carried out to monitor hand hygiene facilities and the practice of hand hygiene in workers during ambulance services provided by four service centers.Results A total of seven ambulances and 80 times of services were observed across a span of 21 days.The provision and position of hand hygiene facilities were found very limited in these ambulances.Of 656 times of presence of indictors for hand hygiene,the overall compliance rate was 3.04％ reflecting the practice of hand hygiene in ambulance workers.The compliance rate was found to be 0 (0/291),1.96％ (1/51),13.64％ (3/22),5.21％ (16/307) and 0(0/2) before touching patients,after body fluids exposure risk,before clean/aseptic procedures and after touching patients' surroundings respectively.Conclusions Poor practice of hand hygiene which was revealed in 120 ambulance services suggests the great need for education and training to improve patient safety and occupational health.

Objective To investigate the expression of Nogo-A in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons of mouse embryos and its time course changes. Methods Sections of retinofugal pathway of C57 mouse embryos at different developmental stages were immunostained with Nogo-A specific antibody and observed by a confocal microscopy. The identity of Nogo-A positive cells was partially revealed by double-staining together with Tuj-1. Results At the early stage of E12, Nogo-A was densely expressed in some radially-orientated cells in retina. The immunopositive signals appeared in the cytoplasm, on the cell membrane and axons. The double-labeling together with Tuj-1, a neuronal marker, showed that nearly all the RGCs and their axons expressed Nogo-A protein. At the later stage of E13, the number of Nogo-A positive neurons in retina decreased dramatically. And those Nogo-A positive RGCs were specifically located in the ventricular part and the ciliary margin zone of the retina. At this stage, only a very few axons maintained their Nogo-A expression in the fiber layer of the retina, while most lost their Nogo-A distribution. When most RGCs had fully differentiated at E15, there was no detectable Nogo-A immunopositive staining in the retina and only a few retinal fibers were Nogo-A immunopositive. The similar expression patterns of Nogo-A was found in a few axons along the optic disc, optic stalk, optic chiasm and optic tract. Worthy of note, the retinal axons with Nogo-A distribution in the optic tract were exclusively found in the superficial area, where the newly-arrived axons were traveling through during development. Conclusion The expression pattern and its time course change suggested that Nogo-A was an important protein expressed by the newly differentiated RGC neurons and their projecting axons, whilst the mature RGCs down-regulated their expression. Nogo-A in the new born RGCs might play some cell-intrinsic roles such as decreasing axon branching in vivo.

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the influence of different designs and porcelain/glaze firing on the marginal and internal fit of three kinds of computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) zirconia ceramic implant-supported crowns.

METHODSThree groups of zirconia ceramic implant-supported crowns with different designs were produced from copings by using a Cercon CAD/CAM system (n = 8). The first two groups comprised double-layer crowns (zirconia coping + veneer) with regular (Group A) and full circumferential zirconia-collar marginal designs (Group B). The third group was composed of anatomic single-layer zirconia crowns without cores (Group C). Initially, the marginal and internal gaps of the copings and crowns were individually replicated by light-body silicon and then measured by micro-computed tomography scanning before and after porcelain/glaze firing. Five measurements were employed: vertical marginal gap (MG); horizontal marginal discrepancy (HMD); chamfer area (CA); axial wall (AW); and axial-occlusal transition area (AOT). Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS 17.0.

RESULTSHMD measurements in Group A were statistically higher than those in Groups B and C (P < 0.05), regardless of whether the values were obtained before or after porcelain/glaze firing. By contrast, the HIMD measurements in Groups B and C showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). Moreover, no differences were noted in MG, CA, AW, and AOT among the three groups (P > 0.05). All the measurements in the three groups showed no significant change after porcelain/glaze firing (P > 0.05), except for MG in Group A, which significantly decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe marginal fits of the double-layer crowns with full circumferential zirconia-collar and the anatomic single-layer zirconia crowns were superior to that of the double-layer crowns with regular margins. The MG of the crowns with regular margins was obviously influenced by porcelain firing.

Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Zirconium

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of different auxiliary resistance forms on the resistance and marginal fitness of complete crowns for short molar preparations.

METHODSA total of 70 Nissin resin teeth were prepared with 20° total occlusal convergence, 2.5 mm of occlusocervical height, and a shallow finish line on a milling machine. The milled preparations were then randomly assigned to 7 groups of 10. The first group was used as the control group. A total of 30 dies were modified by preparing interproximal grooves with angles of 0°, 6°, and 20° centered on the mesial and distal surfaces of the dies. The rest of the teeth were prepared with occlusal holes in the center of the occlusal surface milled with the same burs to form 0°, 6°, and 20° holes. Cobalt-chromium copings were fabricated for all specimens. The marginal gap of specific points on the axial surface was measured before and after cementation. The resistance of each specimen was evaluated by applying an external force at an angle of 45° to the long axis of the die by using a universal testing machine in a lingual to buccal direction. The maximum force applied before crown dislodgement was measured. Data were analyzed using the SAS 9.2 software.

RESULTSThe results showed that the 0° groove, 0° hole, and 6° hole were effective in improving the resistance of the complete crowns (P<0.05). The 0° groove, 6° groove, 0° hole, 6° hole, and 20° hole had significant difference with the control group in terms of marginal discrepancies (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAuxiliary resistance forms with less degree indicate greater resistance force but worse marginal fitness. In clinical practice, if the resistance of a preparation is enough, the auxiliary resistance forms should be avoided from being used.

Cementation ; Crowns ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Dental Prosthesis Retention ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth Crown

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of eugenol-containing and resin-containing endodontic sealers on the bond strength of fiber posts using different strategies of root canal irrigation.

METHODSForty-eight mandibular premolars were endodontically treated. The specimens were randomly assigned into two groups according to different endodontic sealers. Group A used Endofil (eugenol-containing endodontic sealer), and group B used AH-plus (resin-containing endodontic sealer). After post space preparation, each group was randomly assigned into three subgroups according to the strategies of root canal irrigation (eight premolars in each subgroup). Group Al and B1: 0.9%NaCl irrigation; Group A2 and B2: 17% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA)+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl irrigation; Group A3 and B3: ultrasonic agitation associated with 1 7%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaCl. One week after the cementation of fiber posts using RelyX™ Unicem, a push-out test was performed to measure the bond strength of the posts. The microstructure of the root canal surface was examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSThe bond strengths of the six groups were as follows: Al (7.96±2.23) MPa, A2 (9.95±2.89) MPa, A3 (18.88±3.69) MPa, B1 (11.41±3.71) MPa, B2 (14.00±4.04) MPa, and B3 (19.14±3.27) MPa. Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the different endodontic sealers and the strategies of root canal irrigation (P<0.05). Lower bond strength was found in group Al but not in group BI (P<0.05), and the same result was revealed when comparing group A2 and B2. No significant difference was observed between group A3 and B3 (P>0.05). SEM showed that the root canal in group A3 and B3 achieved the cleanest surface with nearly all dentine tubules opened.

CONCLUSIONThe eugenol-containing endodontic sealer can impair the bond strength of fiber posts compared with the resin-containing sealer when the root canal is irrigated by 0.9% NaCl or 17%EDTA+5.25%NaClO+0.9%NaC. No difference was observed between the two sealers when using 17%EDTA+5.25% NaCIO+0.9%NaCl combined with ultrasonic irrigation.

Bicuspid ; Cementation ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dental Stress Analysis ; Dentin ; Humans ; Post and Core Technique ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; Root Canal Irrigants ; Root Canal Therapy

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to investigate the influence of coping material and porcelain firing on the marginal and internal fit of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) of zirconia ceramic implant- and titanium ceramic implant-supported crowns.

METHODSZirconia ceramic implant (group A, n = 8) and titanium metal ceramic implant-supported crowns (group B, n = 8) were produced from copings using the CAD/CAM system. The marginal and internal gaps of the copings and crowns were measured by using a light-body silicone replica technique combined with micro-computed tomography scanning to obtain a three-dimensional image. Marginal gap (MG), horizontal marginal discrepancy (HMD), and axial wall (AW) were measured. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0.

RESULTSPrior to porcelain firing, the measurements for MG, HMD, and AW of copings in group A were significantly larger than those in group B (P < 0.05). After porcelain firing, the measurements for MG of crowns in group A were smaller than those in group B (P < 0.05), whereas HMD and AW showed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Porcelain firing significantly reduced MG (P < 0.05) in group A but significantly increased MG, HMD, and AW in group B (P < 0.05) HMD and AW were not influenced by porcelain firing in group A (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe marginal fits of CAD/CAM zirconia ceramic implant-supported crowns were superior to those of CAD/CAM titanium ceramic-supported crowns. The fits of both the CAD/CAM zirconia ceramic implant- and titanium ceramic implant-supported crowns were obviously influenced by porcelain firing.

Ceramics ; Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Humans ; Titanium ; X-Ray Microtomography ; Zirconium