OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of repeated injections of L-NMMA on a goat model with osteoarthrotic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease.

METHODSEight goats were selected in this study. Bilateral TMJ osteoarthrosis (OA) was induced by injecting 0.5% collagenase. L-NMMA was injected into one side of TMJs at 4 weeks after collagenase injection (one time every three days). Another joint as control was simultaneously injected using 0.9% saline solution. All goats were killed at 12 weeks after collagenase injection. The TMJ specimens were harvested and processed for histological examination. Modified Mankin's grading score system was used for evaluating changes in the TMJ.

RESULTSThe control side of TMJs showed severe osteoarhrotic changes in the condyle whereas the L-NMMA-treated TMJs showed less degenerative alterations. The histologic score was 3.83 in the L-NMMA treated side, and 6.33 in the control. There was a significant difference in osteoarthrotic changes between the L-NMMA-treated and control TMJs (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSRepeated intra-articular injection of L-NMMA into TMJ may play a role in inhibiting TMJOA progression.

Animals ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Goats ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Male ; Osteoarthritis ; drug therapy ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; drug therapy ; omega-N-Methylarginine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the adaptive alteration in bilaminar zone of rabbits' temporomandibular joint following disc displacement.

METHODSTwenty-six Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. Among these rabbits,6 were used as controls. The right discs of other 20 rabbits were displaced anteriorly by operation. Four of these rabbits were killedatn 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks respectively after surgery. The TMJS were studied by HE staining, Alcin bluen staining and in situ detection of type II collagen mRNA expression.

RESULTSThere appeared cartilage metaplasia after one week following disc displacement. Typical chondrocytes could be found in the bilaminar zone. The new chondrocytes expressed type II collagen.

CONCLUSIONSThe bilaminar zone of TMJ will be remodeled following disc displacement and become a disc-like tissue to function as a disc.

Animals ; Collagen Type II ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Joint Dislocations ; metabolism ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc ; metabolism ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; metabolism ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of LPS and/or TNF-alpha on periodontal ligament cell (PDLC) proliferation and OPG secretion.

METHODSHealthy premolars extracted for orthodontic reasons from a 12 years old boy were obtained, and periodontal tissues were collected and cultured to obtain PDLCs. Cloned PDLCs were obtained by means of limited dilutions, and were characterized as follows: alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen III production and bone-like nodules formation. LPS and rhTNF-alpha were added into culture media and their effects on PDLC proliferation and OPG secretion were observed. The OPG concentrations in cell culture supernatants were detected by sandwich ELISA. Living cell numbers were demonstrated by MTT test. The average levels of OPG secretion by a single cell were calculated by dividing OPG concentration with MTT result.

RESULTSrhTNF-alpha above 10 micro g/L decreased the mtt and opg detecting results, but increased the opg/mtt values (P < 0.05). However, LPS had no effect on mtt, opg or opg/mtt values. Neither it had any interaction with rhTNF-alpha (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTNF-alpha prohibits the proliferation of PDLCs but enhances their OPG secretion. However, LPS has no effect on neither side. Our works support the hypothesis that there may be an inverse feedback regulation pattern of increasing periodontal OPG production against local bone resorption activity. PDLCs might not be the natural target cells of LPS' direct cytotoxic effect.

Child ; Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Osteoprotegerin ; Periodontal Ligament ; metabolism ; pathology ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo measure the lingual surfaces of the teeth in normal occlusion and obtain the data for lingual brackets' bonding and modifying for Chinese.

METHODS50 casts of nonorthodontic subjects with ideal occlusion were examined using the YM-2115 3D measurement instrument. The data was calculated by the relevant software and analysed statistically.

RESULTSThe reference values of the lingual surfaces of the teeth in normal occlusion were obtained. These include crown angulation(tip), crown inclination(torque), offset angles of molars and crown facial prominence.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the data of foreigners, the characteristics of the lingual surface of the teeth in Chinese normal occlusion has many differences. The accurate placement of the lingual orthodontic brackets should be assisted by laboratory techniques because of the highly variable morphology of the lingual surfaces of the teeth.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; statistics & numerical data ; Dental Occlusion ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Orthodontic Appliance Design ; statistics & numerical data ; Reference Values ; Tongue ; anatomy & histology ; Tooth ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo construct and detect the targeted anti-caries fusion DNA vaccine pGJA-P encoding the A-P fragment of pac, glu fragment of gtfB and extracellular region of the human CTLA4 and the Fc region of human Iggamma(1) gene for the targeting antigen to APC.

METHODSThe extracellular region of the human CTLA4 and the Fc region of human Iggamma(1) genes were amplified by RT-PCR from human lymphocytes, and the genes were cloned into pUC(m-T) vector respectively. After sequencing, Fc region of human Iggamma(1) gene was cloned to the downstream of CTLA4 gene fragment as the recombinant plasmid pGJ. The fusion gene was then inserted into the plasmid pGLUA-P to get the recombinant plasmid pGJA-P. The CHO cells were transfected with liposome and the expression of fusion protein in cultured supernatants were detected using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe plasmids pGJ and pGJA-P carried the CTLA4-Ig fusion gene and CTLA4-Ig fusion gene, A-P fragment of pac gene and glu fragment of gtfB gene respectively. The expressed protein could response to specific anti-PAc antibody.

CONCLUSIONThe targeted fusion anti-caries DNA vaccine pGJA-P is constructed successfully and expressed in eukaryotic cells correctly.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; Antigens, Differentiation ; genetics ; immunology ; CHO Cells ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Cricetinae ; Dental Caries ; prevention & control ; Glucosyltransferases ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Streptococcus mutans ; genetics ; immunology ; Vaccines, DNA ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study whether the caries status of the primary dentition correlated with status of the permanent in the same cohort over an eight-year period. To determine whether the caries status of the primary dentition can be used to predict caries in the permanent dentition.

METHODSA total of 362 children, 3 - 4 years old in the baseline study in 1992 were re-examined in 2000 based on WHO criteria and methods.

RESULTSStatistically significant associations were observed between the caries prevalence in primary and permanent teeth (P < 0.01) and between DMFT(s) and dmft(s) (P < 0.01). Children who had caries in the primary teeth were nearly three times more likely to have caries in the permanent teeth (RR = 2.6,95% CI = 1.4 - 4.7, P < 0.001). The highest sensitivity (93.9%) for prediction caries in the permanent dentition was found in caries presence on any of the eight primary molars, for which the relative ratio was 3.3 (95% CI = 1.8 - 6.1, P < 0.001) and the positive prediction value was 85.4%.

CONCLUSIONThe study determinate clearly that caries status in the primary teeth can be used as a risk indicator for predicting caries in the permanent dentition.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries ; epidemiology ; Dentition, Permanent ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Tooth, Deciduous

OBJECTIVETo study the role of heat shock protein (HSP) 60 and HSP70 in the pathogenesis of oral lichen planus (OLP).

METHODSThe immunohistochemical SP methods were used to detected the expression of HSP60 and HSP70 in 62 cases of oral lichen planus, 10 cases of normal oral mucosa, 21 cases of chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), 10 cases of benign lymphoadenosis of mucosa, 46 cases of leukoplakia. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the expression of HSP60 mRNA and HSP70 mRNA in 12 cases of OLP and 5 cases of normal oral mucosa.

RESULTSHSP60 was expressed at much higher levels in OLP than other groups. The expression of HSP70 decreased in epithelial cells in erosive lichen planus group. HSP60 mRNA and HSP70 mRNA were expressed at high level in OLP.

CONCLUSIONHSP60 and HSP70 play an important role in pathogenesis of OLP.

Chaperonin 60 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Humans ; Lichen Planus, Oral ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mouth Mucosa ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo explicit whether the expression of the mineral-related proteins is regulated by cbfa1 in human dental papilla cells.

METHODSHuman dental papilla cells were cultured in vitro and transfected with pcDNA3-cbfa1 recombinant plasmids. After selected with G418 sulfate, a cell clone named PC-3, which could stably express the cbfa1 mRNA and protein, was proved by PCR and western blot. Then the amount of ALP and OC and the expression of OPN, BSP, ON, DMP1, DSP and DSPP were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and PCR methods.

RESULTSWe established the human dental papilla cells model PC-3 which could stably express the cbfa1 mRNA and protein. Compared with normal cells, a lot of mineral-related proteins such as ALP, OC, OPN, BSP, ON, DMP1 were upregulated in PC-3 cells.

CONCLUSIONSIn human dental papilla cells, cbfa1 can induce the expression of most mineral-related genes and proteins. It may implicate that cbfa1 must play a key role during tooth development and mineralization.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; biosynthesis ; Cells, Cultured ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; physiology ; Dental Papilla ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Osteocalcin ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo gain a clear idea of the function of middle ear and hearing in cleft palate with secretory otitis media after pressure equalization tube insertion.

METHODS53 cleft palate cases with secretory otitis media including 62 ears were divided into treatment and control groups. They were examined by tympanogram and hearing threshold.

RESULTSHearing threshold in treatment group after PE tube insertion respectively was 23.3 dB and 23.4 dB in the near future and at a specified future date. It was normal. But there were still 64% tympanogram B and C.

CONCLUSIONSPE tube insertion could solve hearing problem, but could not improve the function of middle ear.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cleft Palate ; complications ; Ear, Middle ; physiology ; Female ; Hearing ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Middle Ear Ventilation ; Otitis Media with Effusion ; etiology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo classify the clinical symptoms of oligodontia and summarize the characteristics of the diseases.

METHODS33 patients with congenitally permanent teeth missing (6 or more than 6) were taken clinical examination, diagnosis, prosthetic treatment and made records of the status of tooth agenesis, systemic symptoms, and family history.

RESULTSThe symptoms of oligodontia were clinically classified into two groups: oligodontia with or without systemic syndromes. And the former has two typical kinds of diseases: anhidrotic/hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (EDA) and Rieger syndrome.

CONCLUSIONSCorrect diagnosis and early treatment for these patients are of very importance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anodontia ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Ectodermal Dysplasia ; diagnosis ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Syndrome