Objective:To investigate the effects of bFGF on the proliferation of human salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma cell ACC-2 in vitro. Methods:The effect of bFGF on proliferation of ACC-2 cell line was observed by MTT assay; ERK activity was measured by immuno-precipitation; and ERK and I-?B? expressions were assessed by Western blot. Results:bFGF can enhance the proliferation of ACC-2 cell line. Stimulated by bFGF, the proliferation ratio increased significantly. The intracellular ERK activity and p-ERK expression were increased and I-?B? expression was inhibited by different concentrations of bFGF. The above effects of bFGF can be attenuated by MEK inhibitor U0126. Conclusion:bFGF stimulates the proliferation of ACC-2 in the dose dependent manner, which may be due to up-regulating ERK, NF-?B signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of IL-17, the signature cytokine produced by Th17 cells, in OLP lesion. Methods 24 patients with reticular OLP, 19 patients with atrophic-erosive OLP and 13 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study . Real-time quantitative PCR ( real-time qPCR ) was performed to analyze the expressions of the production of IL-17 and CCL20 mRNA. Results The expressions of IL-17 mRNA in reticular OLP and atrophic-erosive OLP were significant higher than that in healthy oral mucosa (P = 0.0095, P <0.0001, respectively), meanwhile, remarkable increased IL-17 expression in atrophic-erosive OLP group was found compared with reticular OLP group (P = 0.0012). Additionally, the expressions of CCL20 mRNA in reticular OLP and atrophic-erosive OLP were significant higher than that in control group (P=0.0357, P<0.0001, respectively), meanwhile, CCL20 expression in atrophic-erosive OLP was higher than that in reticular OLP. The expressions of CCL20 mRNA rises with the increased expression of IL-17, and were positive correlated with IL-17 expressions in OLP lesions (P=0.003). Conclusions IL-17 production can induce chemokine CCL20 expression in OLP lesion. The signal pathway may promote the migration and infiltration of inflammatory cells in OLP lesions.

The estimation of chronologic age based on the stages of third-molar development was evaluated by using the eight stages (A-H) method of Demirjian and the third-molar development was compared, in terms of sex and age, with results of previous studies. The samples consisted of 291 orthopantomograms from young Chinese subjects of known chronologic age and sex (including 139 males with a mean age of 14.67+/-3.62 y and 152 females with a mean age of 14.85+/-3.70 y). Statistical analysis was performed by employing the Mann-Whitney U-test and the t-test. Regression analysis was conducted to obtain regression formulas for calculating dental age from the chronologic age. Our results showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in third-molar development between males and females, at the calcification stages D, E and H. And a strong correlation was found between age and third-molar development in both males (r (2)=0.65) and females (r (2)=0.61). New equations (Age=8.76+1.32 Development stage) for estimating chronologic age were derived. It is concluded that third-molar genesis took place earlier in males than in females. The use of third molars as a developmental marker is appropriate in young adults of Central China. The formula obtained in the present study can be used as a guide for estimation of dental maturity and a standard for age estimation for young adults of Central China.

In this study, the colonization and distribution of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in patients with chronic gastric diseases were investigated and the relationship between the periodontal initial treatment and presence of Hp in oral cavity was examined to better understand the connection between Hp infection and chronic diseases. Primers for PCR amplification were designed according to ureC gene and cagA genes of Hp. Specimens were harvested from different sites of 96 patients with chronic gastric diseases and the specimens of dental plaques, gargles and dorsal mucosa were tested for Hp. The 96 patients were treated by bismuth triple therapy and among them, 52 subjects were additionally given periodontal initial therapy. The eradication rate of gastric Hp and oral Hp detection rate were determined 4 weeks and 1 year after the treatment. The results showed that the detection rates of oral specimens were in the order of dental plaques (82.3%), gargles (51.1%) and scrapings of dorsal mucosa of tongue (37.5%). One year after bismuth triple therapy or the triple therapy in combination with periodontal initial treatment, the eradication rate of gastric Hp was significantly higher in the combination treatment group than in group treated by the triple therapy alone (62.8% vs. 32.4%, P<0. 05). Moreover, the Hp detection rate was significantly lower in the combination group than in the group treated only with the triple therapy. We are led to conclude that Hp is present at various parts of oral cavity, oral Hp might be an important source of gastric Hp and the triple therapy plus periodontal initial treatment can enhance the long-term eradication rate of gastric Hp in patient with both chronic gastric diseases and chronic periodontitis.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease with unknown aetiology. T helper cells appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP. We investigated the possible role of T helper cells, Th1 and Th17, in the lesions and circulation of patients with OLP. Forty patients with OLP and 15 healthy volunteers were recruited. Double immunofluorescence staining was used to detect Th1 and Th17 cells in the OLP lesions, and intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry to evaluate the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood. The levels of serum interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 were assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that Th17 cells, as well as Th1 cells, were present in OLP lesions. The proportion of peripheral Th1 and Th17 cells was significantly increased in patients with OLP. The proportion of Th17 cells in atrophic-erosive OLP was elevated as compared with that in reticular OLP. Serum IL-17 levels in OLP patients were significantly higher than in controls, and those in the atrophic-erosive OLP group were increased as compared with the reticular OLP group. However, the levels of serum IFN-γ were slightly decreased in OLP patients. Our data suggested that Th1 and Th17 cells in the local lesions and peripheral blood may be associated with the pathogenesis of OLP, and that IL-17 may be an important proinflammatory cytokine in OLP. These findings enhance our understanding of OLP pathogenesis.

Objective:To investigate the incidence trends and clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducting using the following data:3,766 cases with thyroid disease in the People's Hospital of Wuhan University between January 2001 and July 2013;and 977 cases with thyroid cancer in the Hubei Cancer Hospital between Janu-ary 2006 and July 2013. Results:The incidence of thyroid cancer increased significantly since 2008, ranging from 14.94%to 18.10%(P<0.05). In particular, the PTC cases ranged from 85.33%to 90.89%(P<0.05). A total of 1,416 cases were diagnosed as PTC with a male to female ratio of 1:3.75. The positive rate of neck lymph node metastasis (NLNM) was significantly different in terms of gender and age (P<0.05). Significant differences were also found between the unifocal group and the multifocal group;the positive rate of NL-NM was 77.94%in the latter group. The rate of NLNM in PTC was 72.29%, which had higher significance compared with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or with nodular goiter. Conclusion: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing. Cases involving males aged below 45 years old and with>1 cm tumor diameter and multifocal PTC are more likely to be complicated with NLNM.

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease with unknown aetiology. T helper cells appear to play an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP. We investigated the possible role of T helper cells, Th1 and Th17, in the lesions and circulation of patients with OLP. Forty patients with OLP and 15 healthy volunteers were recruited. Double immunofluorescence staining was used to detect Th1 and Th17 cells in the OLP lesions, and intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry to evaluate the proportion of Th1 and Th17 cells in peripheral blood. The levels of serum interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-17 were assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It was found that Th17 cells, as well as Th1 cells, were present in OLP lesions. The proportion of peripheral Th1 and Th17 cells was significantly increased in patients with OLP. The proportion of Th17 cells in atrophic-erosive OLP was elevated as compared with that in reticular OLP. Serum IL-17 levels in OLP patients were significantly higher than in controls, and those in the atrophic-erosive OLP group were increased as compared with the reticular OLP group. However, the levels of serum IFN-γ were slightly decreased in OLP patients. Our data suggested that Th1 and Th17 cells in the local lesions and peripheral blood may be associated with the pathogenesis of OLP, and that IL-17 may be an important proinflammatory cytokine in OLP. These findings enhance our understanding of OLP pathogenesis.
Child ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-17 ; immunology ; Lichen Planus, Oral ; immunology ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th17 Cells ; immunology

Inflammation and lung function decline are the main pathophysiological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Acupuncture can improve lung function in patients with COPD, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Orexins (OXs), which are found in peripheral plasma, are neuropeptides that regulate respiration and their levels are related to COPD. Therefore, we hypothesized that acupuncture might alter OXs, reduce lung inflammation and improve lung function in COPD.

To investigate the relationship between proliferative capacity of salivary gland cells in contiguous acini of parotid tumors and recurrent neoplasma, DNA contents of 30 fresh specimens of parotid were studied by using cytometry in tumors, normal and shallow or deep lobe acini of the masses. The results showed that the DI was 1.369, S % 16.95, PI 26.18 in malignant tumors;DI was 1.171, S % 12.41, PI 15.54 in recurrent pleomorphic adenoma; DI was 1.141, S % 12.74, PI 13.07 in pleomorphic adenoma, DI was 0.999, S % 5.10, PI 8.00 in normal acini. Analysis of variance showed there was a significant difference (P＜0.01). The average DNA contents of shallow on deep lobe of contiguous tumors was 1.08 in DI, 10. 65 in S %, 13.49 in PI in malignant tumor, 1.06 in DI, 8.96 in S % and 9.85 in PI in pleomorphic adenoma, which were all higher than in normal acini (P＞0.05). It was concluded that the levels of DI and S % of parotid tumor and its contiguous acini are related to degree of malignancy or recurrent condition of the tumors, suggesting contiguous acini of parotid tumors had the strong capacity of proliferation,which might play an important role in recurrent or malignant change of the parotid tumors.

To investigate the relationship between proliferative capacity of salivary gland cells in contiguous acini of parotid tumors and recurrent neoplasma, DNA contents of 30 fresh specimens of parotid were studied by using cytometry in tumors, normal and shallow or deep lobe acini of the masses. The results showed that the DI was 1.369, S % 16.95, PI 26.18 in malignant tumors;DI was 1.171, S % 12.41, PI 15.54 in recurrent pleomorphic adenoma; DI was 1.141, S % 12.74, PI 13.07 in pleomorphic adenoma, DI was 0.999, S % 5.10, PI 8.00 in normal acini. Analysis of variance showed there was a significant difference (P＜0.01). The average DNA contents of shallow on deep lobe of contiguous tumors was 1.08 in DI, 10. 65 in S %, 13.49 in PI in malignant tumor, 1.06 in DI, 8.96 in S % and 9.85 in PI in pleomorphic adenoma, which were all higher than in normal acini (P＞0.05). It was concluded that the levels of DI and S % of parotid tumor and its contiguous acini are related to degree of malignancy or recurrent condition of the tumors, suggesting contiguous acini of parotid tumors had the strong capacity of proliferation,which might play an important role in recurrent or malignant change of the parotid tumors.