BACKGROUND:Our preliminary studies have shown that basic fibroblast growth factor can induce the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into disc cells of the temporomandibular joint, and for basic fibroblast growth factor, 10μg/L is superior to 5μg/L in col agen synthesis.
OBJECTIVE:To observe ultrastructural changes of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells after being induced by different concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor.
METHODS:We cultured primary sheep bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and selected passage 3 and 4 cells at good growth state. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were stimulated with 5 and 10μg/L basic fibroblast growth factor and their growth state was observed under inverted phase contrast microscope. Uninduced cells served as controls. The slides with cellcrawling pieces were stained with Safranin O, picrosirius and type I col agen immunohistochemistry at days 7, 14 and 21, respectively. Simultaneously we col ected the cells at day 21 to observe the ultrastructural changes of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After being induced with different concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were able to differentiate into disc cells of the temporomandibular joint;and after being induced with 10μg/L basic fibroblast growth factor, cells were more like fibroblast-like cells of the temporomandibular joint disc. These findings indicate that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells have morphological basis for differentiation to the fibroblast-like cells of the temporomandibular joint disc.

This article described the application of the phantom system in the experiment teaching of Endodontics.Through the process of teaching,we realized that the way of simulation in the experiment teaching not only can enhance the enthusiasm of students,but also can consolidate the basis of theoretical knowledge and improve the clinical skills of students.The system has become the necessary equipment and means in experimental teaching of modern stomatology.It is worth further promotion and application in dental teaching.

Objective To evaluate the role of ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway in sevoflurane postconditioning-induced reduction of oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD)injury in rat hippocampal slices.Methods Male adult SD rats weighing 80-100 g were anesthetized with ether and decapitated.The hippocampi were removed and sagittally sliced(400μm thick)and placed in artificial cerebrospinal fluid(aCSF)aerated with 95％ O2-5％CO2.Fifty hippoeampal slices were randomly divided into 5 groups(t =10 each):OGD group; 4％ sevoflurane postconditioning group(group Sevo); PD98059(specific inhibitor of ERK)group(group PD); dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)group; 4％ sevoflurane postconditioning + PD98059 group(group SPD).OGD was induced by incubating the slices in glucose-free aCSF aerated with 95％ N2-5％ CO2 for 15 min in group OGD.The hippocampal slices were perfused with aCSF saturated with 4％ sevoflurane for 30 min after OGD was induced in group Sevo.The hippocampal slices were perfused with aCSF containing PD98059 50 μmol/L for 10 min after OGD was induced in group PD.The hippocampal slices were perfused with aCSF containing DMSO 1 mol/L for 10 min after OGD was induced in group DMSO.The hippocampal slices were perfused with aCSF containing PD98059 50 μmol/L and aerated with 4％ sevoflurane for 30 min after OGD was induced in group SPD.The hippocampal slices were then perfused with plain aCSF for 1 h again in all the groups.The electrophysiological technique was used 1o record the amplitude of orthodromic population spike(OPS)in the stralum pyramidale of the CAI region.TTC staining was used to determine the degree of tissue injury.Results Compared with group OGD,the recovery amplitude and rate of OPS were significantly increased,and the degree of tissue injury was significantly decreased in group Sevo(P ＜0.01),while no significant change was found in each parameter in the other three groups(P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group Sevo,the recovery amplitude and tale of OPS were significandy decreased,and the degree of tissue injury was significantly increased in groups PD,DMSO and SPD(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway is involved in sevoflurane postcondilioning-induced reduction of OGD injury in tat hippocampal slices.

OBJECTIVEThis study is performed to investigate the cell topographies and biomechanical properties of two different types of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs from goats by using JPK Nano Wizard 3 biological atomic force microscopy (AFM). This process provides a guideline for selecting seed cells for TMJ disc tissue engineering.

METHODSTMJ disc cells from primary goats were cultured by monolayer culture method. AFM was used to contact scan the topographies of the two types of TMJ disc cells under physiological environment. Approximately 20 chondrocyte-like and fibroblast-like cells were selected randomly to plot the force-versus-distance curves of the cytoplasm and nucleus. Young's modulus and adhesion were analyzed by JPK Data Processing.

RESULTSThe triangle-shapednucleus of the chondrocyte-like cell occupied a large portion of the cell. Cytoskeleton was arranged dendritically on the surface. Pseudopodia were extended from cell edges. The spindle-shaped nucleus of the fibroblast-like cell occupied a significantly larger region compared with the cytoplasmic region. Cytoskeleton was arranged regularly. Cell edges were smooth with less pseudopodia extended. No difference was found in the surface roughness between the two types of cells. According to the force-versus-distance curves, the Young's moduli of the two types of cells were not statistically different (P>0.05), but differences were found in the cytoplasmic regions (P=0.047). No statistical difference was found in the adhesions between the two types of cells (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe AFM topography and curves were compared and analyzed. The two types of TMJ disc cells exhibited significantly different topographies, but only slight difference in their mechanical abilities.

Objective To investigate the impact of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) on macrovascular complications in elderly type 2 diabetic patients.Methods A total of 1170 hospitalized elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the study through systematic sampling and underwent testing for blood biochemical indicators, thyroid function and C peptide.Parameters for macro-vascular complications, including the ankle/brachial index (ABI), transcranial Doppler vascular ultrasound (TCD), electrocardiogram (ECG), ejection fraction (EF), history of coronary heart disease, and hypertension grading were also monitored.Results All the subjects were divided into two groups based on the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level: the euthyroid group (4 mU/L≥TSH＞0.4 mU/L) and the SCH group (TSH＞4 mU/L), and the latter was further sub-grouped into the mild SCH group (10 mU/L≥TSH＞4 mU/L) and the severe SCH group (TSH＞10 mU/L).ABI was significantly decreased in SCH (R/L: 0.86/0.92, P＜0.01).Levels of basal C-peptide (CP0) and post glucose-challenge C-peptide (CP1-3) were higher in the SCH group than in the euthyroid group [(2.16±0.93)pg/L vs.(1.56±1.05)pg/L, (0.53±0.25)pg/L v, (0.38±0.37),(0.72±0.23) pg/L vs.(0.56 ±0.32) pg/L, (6.21± 2.69) pg/L vs.(4.46 ± 2.62) pg/L,respectively, P＜0.01 for all].EF was higher in the SCH group than in the euthyroid group[(70.87± 6.66)％ vs.(65.10 ± 8.08％), P＜ 0.01].There were no significant differences in other biochemical indicators, ECG, TCD, history of coronary heart disease, hypertension grading and intervention treatment (P＞0.05 for all).Conclusions Lower extremity atherosclerotic disease has a higher incidence in elderly type 2 diabetic patients with SCH and occurs earlier than other macrovascular complications.Elevated TSH levels and insulin resistance may be the major causes.

Objective To observe the changes of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 expression in the pathological scar tissue after scar-skin replantation and to explore the mechanism of treating pathological scars with scar-skin replantation through a rabbit ear model.Methods Rabbit ears were used to establish the hypertrophic scar animal model in this study.Specimens were taken for three times:normal skin,hypertrophic scar and scar-skin replantion separately.We then performed HE staining,Masson staining and immunohistochemical staining to observe the expression of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in these three groups of specimens.Results The expression of both MMP-1 and TIMP-1 significantly increased in the hypertrophic scar tissue after scar-skin replantation compared with the control group (P＜0.01).The expression of MMP-1 increased more significantly than that of TIMP-1 (P＜0.01).Conclusions The mechanism of scar-skin replantation's effect in the treatment for hypertrophic scar is relevant to the imbalance in the interaction between MMP-1 and TIMP-1 in the scar tissue.

BACKGROUND:There are a lot of adipose-derived stem cel s in the vascular stroma. These cel s are shown to play a very important role in the fat granule transplantation.
OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of adipose-derived stem cel s in the fat granule transplantation.
METHODS:Normal adipose tissues were obtained from 10 male BALB/C mice, SPF grade. Adipose-derived stem cel s and fat granules were extracted from the abdominal fat tissues. Another 24 nude mice acted as recipients and were assigned into control, fat granule transplantation or mixed transplantation (adipose-derived stem cel s+fat granules) groups. In the latter two groups, fat granule suspension and suspension of fat granules and adipose-derived stem cel s were injected into the shoulder of rats, respectively. In the control group, the same volume of cel medium was injected. Four weeks later, separated plasma and grafts were taken out for indicator measurement.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the fat granule transplantation group, the mixed transplantation could remarkably increase the weight of grafts, while reduce the absorption of grafted fat tissues (P<0.01). After transplantation, the highest level of vascular endothelial growth factor in the plasma was obtained in the mixed transplantation group fol owed by fat granule transplantation group and control group (P<0.01). Level of basic fibroblast growth factor and microvessel density were significantly higher in the mixed transplantation group than the fat granule transplantation group (P<0.01). Better cel morphology and higher number of fat droplets were found in the mixed transplantation group compared with the fat granule transplantation group. Al these results indicate that adipose-derived stem cel transplantation can remarkably promote the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor, improve graft microcirculation, and improve morphology and function of fat granules.

Objective To investigate the difference between simple continued traction and areola dermal flap filling in inverted nipple correction surgery.Methods There were 60 nipples of 32 patients in simple continuous traction group and 62 nipples of 32 patients in dermal flap filling group.Follow-up was conducted for 12 months.The surgical results were compared with statistical analysis.Results Wound healing,nipple shape,blood supply,feeling and breast-feeding function in simple continuous traction group were better than those of the dermal flap filling group.There was no statistically significant difference in diameter and height of nipple,nipple retraction and relapse rate between the two groups.Conclusions Simple continuous traction is superior to dermal flap filling.Both methods are safe and effective for the treatment of various types of inverted nipple and two groups of patients have improved in symptoms and appearance.

Objective To treat axillary osmidrosis by using three procedures (small incision apocrine curettage,cut-off operation and aspiration surgery),to observe the postoperative complications,efficacy and the pathological changes of skin,and to explore the advantages of these three procedures.Methods Seventy-five cases of evere bilateral axillary osmidrosis were involved in this study,totally 150 axillary surgery area,which was randomly divided into different group:Group A (curettage group); Group B (cut-off group) and Group C (aspiration group).Different surgical treatment was conducted in the three groups of operation area.Results Incidence of complications was 28.30 ％ and total effective rate was 94.34 ％ in Group A; in Group B,incidence of complications was 6.38 ％,and total effective rate was 97.87 ％ ; in Group C,incidence of complications was 4.00 ％ and total effective rate was 78.00 ％.The incidence of complications was significantly different between Groups A and B and between Groups A and C,but not significant difference between Groups B and C.The cure rate and efficiency were not significant difference between Groups A and B groups,but significant difference was found between Groups A and C and Groups B and C.HE staining results showed that the dermal tissues were partially destroyed in Group A and B,and no apocrine sweat glands were not seen within the dermis and subcutaneous tissues; in Group C,the dermal tissue was rarely destroyed,and a lot of apocrine sweat glands were reserved within the dermis and subcutaneous tissues.Conclusions Efficacy of curettage and cut-off procedures is better,but that of aspiration is worse in the treatment of axillary asmidrosis.The complications of cut-off surgery and aspiration are less,but urettage has more complications.Therefore,the efficacy of cut-off operation is the best with least complications among the three procedures.

The purpose of this review is to provide a reference for researchers in investigating the tissue engineering of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc. Currently tissue engineering of the TMJ disc is in its infancy, and cell source is one of the key factors that define the development of the tissue engineering of TMJ disc. In this paper, 6 kinds of cells: the TMJ disc native cells, chondrocytes, dermal fibroblasts, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells, and embryonic stem cells are introduced. In addition, the possibility that these cells can be used as cell sources for TMJ disc tissue engineering is described.
Animals ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; Humans ; Joint Prosthesis ; Skin ; cytology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; cytology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; therapy ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; trends