OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of different porcelain surface treatment methods on the shear bond strength of metal brackets bonded to porcelain.

METHODS80 porcelain facets were divided randomly into two groups according to different adhesive material that was used to bond metal brackets. Adhesive material were Jing-Jin enamel adhesive and light-cured composite resin. Each group was further divided into 4 subgroups according to different surface treatment methods, which were acid etching with 37% phosphoric acid (H3PO4), acid etching with 9.6% hydrofluoric acid (HF), deglazing by grinding and silanating the porcelain surface. All specimens were stored in 37 degrees C water for 24 hours and then the shear bond strength and the porcelain fracture after debonding was determined. The porcelain surfaces after HF etching, H3PO4 etching and deglazing by grinding were examined by scanning electron microscopy respectively.

RESULTSThe shear bond strengths in the HF etching groups, the deglazing groups and the silanating groups were much greater than that in the phosphoric etching groups (P < 0.01). Adequate orthodontic bonding strength was achieved both when bonded with light-cured composite resin after deglazing by grinding and when bonded with either of these adhesives after HF etching or surface silanating. There were no differences in the rates of porcelain fractures among groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHF etching, deglazing by grinding and silanating can all increase the shear bond strength between metal bracket and porcelain. Surface silanating of porcelain is a better surface treatment when metal brackets bonded to porcelain.

Composite Resins ; Dental Bonding ; Dental Enamel ; Dental Porcelain ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Metals ; Orthodontic Brackets ; Resin Cements ; Shear Strength ; Surface Properties

OBJECTIVETo examine the absence of the third molar germs in orthodontic patients and to evaluate the relationship between third molar germs and malocclusion.

METHODSThe subjects comprised 234 patients (male 92, female 142) from the orthodontic clinic whose ages were 14-18. The assessments of the third molar germs were made from panoramic radiographs, and the assessments of ANB angle were made from lateral cephalograms. All the data were analyzed by statistic chi2 test.

RESULTSThe percentage of male who missed one or more third molar gems (37.0%) was higher than that of female (24.6%). There was no significant difference between the absent frequencies of third molar germs on left and right sides in either maxilla or mandible. The absent percentage of third molar germs in skeletal III subjects was higher than those in both skeletal class I and II subjects. The absent difference of third molar germs was in upper arches (P < 0.05), but not in lower arches (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in absent percentage of third molar germs between skeletal class I and II subjects.

CONCLUSIONMale patients have higher absent frequencies of third molar germs than female ones. Skeletal class III patients have higher absence of third molar germs in upper jaws than skeletal class I and II patients.

Adolescent ; Anodontia ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar, Third ; abnormalities ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Tooth Germ ; abnormalities

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of skeletal Class III malocclusion in mixed dentition on speech articulation and to look for which factors lead to the speech errors.

METHODSThirty-eight children with skeletal Angle Ill malocclusion in mixed dentition were selected as a sample group and 40 children with normal occlusion in mixed dentition as a control group. Two phoneticians evaluated their articulations and wrote down error phonemes respectively. The correlation analysis was undertaken between the number of errors and the measurements of patients' cephalometry.

RESULTSThe number of errors were correlated significantly with overbite, UI-LI, OBJ (OB+OJ) and TD-PW.

CONCLUSIONThere is articulatory malfunction in the majority of skeletal Angle III malocclusion patients in mixed dentition. Articulatory malfunction is related to the position of incisors and the tongue.

Cephalometry ; Child ; Dental Occlusion ; Dentition, Mixed ; Humans ; Incisor ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III

BACKGROUNDBlood coagulation factor VII (FVII) is physiologically synthesized in the liver and released into the blood. Binding of FVII to tissue factor (TF) is related to the metastatic potential of tumor cells, also a significant risk factor in the development of hepatic metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). It has been found that some cancer cells can produce FVII extrahepatically. However, little is known about FVII and CRC. We therefore hypothesized that CRC cells may synthese FVII, leading to tumor invasion and metastasis.

METHODSWe detected the expression of FVII protein in 55 CRC specimens by immunohistochemical staining. The FVII mRNA in 45 of 55 CRC cases, 6 colon cancer cell lines and one hepatoma cell line was measured by real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Transwell invasion assays were performed to evaluate the changes of cell migration and invasion of LoVo cancer cells in vitro. We further observed the likely effectors regulated by the TF/FVIIa complex Western blotting assay.

RESULTSExtrahepatic synthesis of FVII was detected in the cytoplasm of 32 (58.2%) CRC specimens by immunohistochemistry, but not in normal mucosa. Liver metastasis (P = 0.003) and TNM staging (P = 0.005) were significantly correlated with FVII antigen expression. The positive ratios in stages I, II, III and IV were 33.3%, 40.0%, 52.4% and 87.5%, respectively. The expression of FVII mRNA in CRC with hepatic metastasis was significantly higher than CRC without hepatic metastasis (5.33 ± 2.88 vs. 1.47 ± 0.51, P = 0.03). Ectopic FVIIa induced a slight increase (1.34-fold) in the number of migrating cells, which was inhibited by the specific TF antibody. The formation of TF/FVIIa complex resulted in a marked increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 (3.5-fold) and MMP-9 (4.7-fold) in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSExtrahepatic synthesis of FVII by CRC cells may promote tumor invasion and metastasis. MMPs, as downstream effectors of TF/FVIIa signaling, facilitate the development of metastasis in colon cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Factor VII ; analysis ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Neoplasm Staging ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Thromboplastin ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo predict the target genes of rno-microRNA-296-5p (miR-296) using bioinformatics software and databases, and to provide a theoretical basis for further studies of biological effects of miR-296 in fetal lung development.

METHODSPubMed and Google were used to search for all reported literature on miR-296. The miRBase database was used to determine the sequence and evolutionary conservatism of miR-296. The TargetScans database was used to predict the target genes of miR-296. The DAVID Bioinformatics Resources 6.8 database was used for the functional enrichment analysis of the target genes. The KEGG database was used to analyze the signaling pathways of target genes.

RESULTSmiR-296 was reported to play important roles in many biological processes and have a high degree of sequence conservation among species. The target genes of miR-296 were involved in biological processes, cell components, and molecular function. Those target genes were significantly enriched in the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe bioinformatics analysis of the target genes of miR-296 provides a basis for studying biological effects and mechanism of action of miR-296 in lung development.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Humans ; Lung ; embryology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; physiology ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; physiology ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; physiology

AIM:To explore the therapeutic effect of a novel Rho kinase inhibitor FSD-C10 onβ-amyloid pro-tein precursor (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS1) double transgenic mice.METHODS: The transgenic mice overexpressing hu-man APP with the Swedish mutation (695) and human PS1 with ΔE9 mutation at the age of 8 months were used in this study.The mice were randomly divided into model group and FSD-C10 intervention group, and wild-type mice at the same age served as normal controls .The mice in FSD-C10 intervention group were treated with FSD-C10 (25 mg· kg-1 · d-1 ) for 2 months by intraperitoneal injection .The mice in model group and the wild-type mice were injected with saline in the similar manner.Morris water maze (MWM) test was applied to examine the capacity of learning and memory .The Aβ1-42 deposition, Tau protein phosphorylation , and the expression of β-site APP-cleaving enzyme ( BACE) as well as inflammato-ry molecules, such as TLR-4 and NF-Κb, and M1/M2 microglial markers, such as Inos and Arg-1, were determined by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot .RESULTS: Compared with model group , FSD-C10 significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice , accompanied by reduced Aβ1-42 deposi-tion, Tau protein phosphorylation and BACE expression in the hippocampus .The intervention of FSD-C10 decreased the protein levels of TLR-4 and p-NF-Κb, reduced the expression of Inos and increased the expression of Arg-1 in the brain tissues.CONCLUSION:The novel Rho kinase inhibitor FSD-C10 improves the capacity of spatial learning and memory in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice , which may be related to the inhibition of TLRs/NF-Κb signaling pathway , the reduction of the secretion of inflammatory molecules and the polarization of anti-inflammatory M2 microglia, thus improving the in-flammatory microenvironment of the brain in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of inflammation- and fibrosis-related genes in perinephric and subcutaneous adipose tissues in patients with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-independent Cushing's syndrome.

METHODSThe perinephric and subcutaneous adipose tissues adipose tissues were obtained from 8 patients with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome undergoing laparoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2), TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 1 (TIMP-1), early growth response 1 (EGR1), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β(CEBPβ), uncoupling protein 1(UCP-1), PPARγ coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α) and cell death-inducing DFFA-like effector a (CIDEA).

RESULTSThe mRNA level of CIDEA was significantly higher in the perinephric adipose tissue (peri-N) than in the subcutaneous adipose tissue (subQ) (P<0.05). The expressions of CEBPβ, UCP-1, and PGC1α mRNA in the peri-N were similar with those in the subQ. The expressions of IL-6, TIMP1 and EGR1 mRNA in the subQ were significantly higher than those in the peri-N (P<0.05). No significant difference in TNF-α and MMP-2 mRNA levels was found between peri-N and subQ.

CONCLUSIONThe expression levels of the inflammation- and fibrosis-related genes are higher in the subQ than in the peri-N of patients with ACTH-independent Cushing's syndrome, suggesting that chronic exposure to endogenous hypercortisolism may cause adipose tissue dysfunction.

Adrenalectomy ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta ; metabolism ; Cushing Syndrome ; metabolism ; surgery ; Early Growth Response Protein 1 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Subcutaneous Fat ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Uncoupling Protein 1 ; metabolism

Objective:To calculate the individual financing amount of residents under different compensation schemes in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region,and to analyze the feasibility of financing individual residents in the process of integration of basic medical insurance for urban and rural residents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.Methods:Based on the absolute correlation model,the relative correlation model and the comprehensive correlation degree,it calculated the individual financing quota of different compensation schemes in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2011 to 2015,and analyzed the feasibility of its financing.Results:The increase in the amount of funds required for the residents in 5 years was more than 2 times,and the average annual growth rate was more than 25％.These three types of compensation programs(30％ outpatients + 70％ hospitalized).The correlation degree of the compensation scheme (40％ outpatient service + 70％ hospitalization) was between 0.60 and 0.85.The correlation degree of the compensation scheme was relatively high,which reached to 0.920.The correlation degree of these five compensation schemes was relatively low,which reached to 0.508.Conclusion:The amount of funding required for individual residents in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region increased by years.The three types of compensation programs(30％ outpatient service + 70％ hospitalization) were more feasible than the four types of compensation programs(40％ outpatient service + 70％ hospitalization).

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of schisandrin(SCH)on fetal neural tube defects(NTDs)of mice and its mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice were mated with female and male at a ratio of 2:1.Pregnant female mice with vaginal plug after mating were randomly divided into control group,model group,SCH group,and folic acid group,with 9 mice in each group.The NTDs fetal mice model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of all-trans retinoic acid(atRA)(7.5 mg/kg)on embryonic day 7.5(E 7.5 d).During E 0.5 d-E 11.5 d,pregnant rats in folic acid group were given folic acid[61.0 μg/(kg·d)]by gavage once a day,and pregnant rats in SCH group were given SCH[8.0 mg/(kg·d)]by gavage once a day.Fetal mice were removed by cesarean section on E 11.5 d.PC12 cells were divided into control group,model group and SCH group.PC12 cells were treated with atRA(20 μmol/L)for 12 hours to establish cell damage model in model group,and treated with SCH(2.5 μmol/L)for 24 hours in SCH group.Fetuses were identified NTDs by stereoscopic microscopy.HE staining was used to observe the closure of the neural tube.The expression levels of p-PI3K,Akt and p-Akt molecules in PI3K/Akt signaling pathway were detected by Western Blotting.Results Compared with control group,the incidence of NTDs was significantly increased in mice of model group(P<0.01);compared with model group,the incidence of NTDs was decreased in folic acid group and SCH group(P<0.01);compared with folic acid group,SCH group had a lower incidence of NTDs(P<0.01).Western Blotting results showed that compared with control group,the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt protein in fetal tissues of model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01,P<0.05);compared with model group,there was no significant difference in expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt in fetal tissues of folic acid group(P>0.05),while the expression of p-PI3K and p-Akt protein in SCH group was significantly higher(P<0.05).Compared with control group,PC12 cells in model group showed lower expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt(P<0.05);compared with model group,PC12 cells in SCH group showed higher expression levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt(P<0.05).Conclusions SCH can reduce the incidence of atRA-induced NTDs in fetal mice,and its preventive effect is better than folic acid,which may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the effects of Wuzi Yanzong Pill(WYP)on motor function in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease(PD)and to explore its potential mechanisms.Methods Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group and WYP group,with 8 mice in each group.Mice in model and WYP group were intraperitoneally injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine for 7 consecutive days to establish a PD model.From the 1st day of model preparation,mice in WYP group were gavaged with WYP solution[16 g/(kg·d)]twice daily for 14 consecutive days.At the same time,mice in control group and model group were gavaged with 0.9%NaCl solution[50 ml/(kg·d)]twice a day.Gait experiment was utilized to assess the behavioral performance of mice in each group.Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to detect the number of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive cells in the substantia nigra region,the fluorescence intensity of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and the number of NeuN neurons co-labeled with Nrf2 in each group.Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of TH,Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap-1),Nrf2,and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in the brain tissue of mice in each group.Results The gait experiment results showed that,compared with control group,standing time of the left front paw,right front paw,left hind paw,and right hind paw of the mice in model group was significantly shortened(P<0.01),while swinging time of the left front paw,right front paw,left hind paw,and right hind paw was significantly prolonged(P<0.05).Compared with model group,standing time of the left front paw and right hind paw of the mice in WYP group was significantly prolonged(P<0.05),while swing time of the left front paw and right front paw was significantly shortened(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting results showed that,compared with control group,in model group the number of TH-positive cells,average fluorescence intensity of Nrf2,and HO-1 levels decreased(P<0.01),while the Keap-1 protein level increased(P<0.01),and the number of Nrf2 expression on NeuN neurons decreased(P<0.001).Compared with model group,the number of TH-positive cells,average fluorescence intensity of Nrf2,HO-1 level,and the number of Nrf2 expression on NeuN neurons in the brain tissue of mice in WYP group increased(P<0.05),while Keap-1 protein level decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions WYP could alleviate the motor dysfunction and protect dopaminergic neurons in PD mice.The underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress response.