Pancreatic stone protein (PSP) is the product of exocrine pancreas mainly synthesized and secreted by the pancreas acinar cells, a small amount secreted by gastrointestinal cells. PSP is one of stress protein family members secreted in the pancreas. PSP increased in acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, inlfammatory bowel disease and gastrointestinal tumors. In recent years, some studies showed that PSP has potential clinical value in pancreatic injury and sepsis. In this article, we reviewed the progress of pancreatic stone protein in pancreatic injury and sepsis.

Professor WU Lianzhong's experience of neck acupoints application is introduced. The characteristics,locations, acupuncture manipulations ,efficiency and main functions of neck acupoints including Tiandixue (Extra), Jingbixue (Extra), and cervical Jiaji (EX-B 2) are stated. According to the TCM thought of treatment based on syndrome differentiation,WU Lianzhong's special theory of neck acupoints application is explained so as to provide experience for improving acupuncture effects.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Dizziness ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Neck ; anatomy & histology ; Qi

BACKGROUND:The stress distribution in the periodontal ligament of bending root can provide reference for the size and manner of force in orthodontic treatment. On this account, it can optimize the design of orthodontic force. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the stress distribution of root and periodontal ligament in the bending roots of the
maxil ary first molar under different orthodontic forces.
METHODS:The maxil ary first molars with normal roots and bending roots were selected, and then the finite element models of maxil ary first molars and periodontal ligaments were established through CT scan and
Workbench 11.0 finite element analysis software. The models were loaded with six different methods to analyze the stress distribution.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The stress distribution of bending root was mainly concentrated in the tooth
neck, fol owed by the apex. During the overal tooth movement, the stress was smal est on the root, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. Correction of bending roots needs more accurate positioning and traction.

Background The impact of statins on inflammation are independent of cholesterol-lowering effect.Recent studies showed that Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),a mediator of innate immune responses,is involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis.Objective To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on LPS-induced TLR4 expression and downstream signals and to explore the molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammation by statins.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC)were pretreated with atorvastatin(1 or 10 ?mol/L)or NF-?B inhibitor CAPE for 30 min,then incubated by purified LPS for 24 hours.TLR4,ICAM-1 and E-selectin mRNA were measured by RT-PCR;the percentage of TLR4 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry.The activation of NF-?B(p65)were detected by Western blot.Results Atorvastatin(1-10 ?mol/L)prevented LPS-induced increases in TLR4,ICAM-1 and E-selectin expression [TLR4 mRNA(1.24?0.21)vs LPS(1.82?0.27),P

Visualization of medical images has become an important method for the basic medical research as well as clinical diagnosis and treatment.Construction of the highly sophisticated three-dimensional(3D) models of the human body by computers has become an essential foundation for current medical research and disease treatment methods.Visualization Toolkit(VTK) is a kind of famous software in scientific visualization fields.It is convenient and efficient for programming.This paper implements three typical algorithms,Contour-connecting,Marching Cubes and Ray-casting,of medical image 3D visualization using VTK with VC++.Results show that VTK is a powerful tool with many advantages,such as simple operation,fast,and good interaction ability and can be widely used in 3D reconstruction of medical images.

Objective:To examine the expression pattern of DSP,DMP1,CBFA1,BMP2 in rat dental pulp stem cells(RDPSCs).Methods:Immunohistochemical staining was carried out using antibodies against DSP,DMP1, CBFA1 ,BMP2 in rat dental pulp stem cells. Mineralization was induced in the RDPSCs and expression of DSP and DMP1 was measured after induction.Results:CBFA1 and BMP2 were positive in RDPSCs. Only a few RDPSCs were stained positive for DMP1. DSP expression was observed in the minority of these cells. However, the majority of the RDPSCs were found strongly positive for DSP and DMP1 after mineralization induction.Conclusion:Positive expression of CBFA1 and BMP2 indicates the premature nature of RDPSCs. The dentin-specific expression of DSP demonstrates that the RDPSCs can differentiate along odontoblastic lineage.

Objective To discuss the foreground of application of reverse engineering reconstruction of dental models and to establish the foundation of developing a system for complete denture CAD/CAM. Methods The models of an edentulous jaw were measured with reverse engineering, and the 3D models were reconstructed with a computer. Results 3D models of the edentulous jaw were achieved. The characteristics of these 3D images were clear and accurate. Conclusion CAD models are reconstructed with reverse engineering accurately and technical problems in 3D model of complete denture CAD/CAM are resolved.

Objective To investigate whether ornithine decarboxylase antizyme inhibitor-1(OAZI-1) can enhance the immunogenicity of Melan-A and induce antitumor immune effect in the experimental animals.Methods The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-) /OAZI-1, pcDNA3.1 (-)/Melan-A and pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 were constructed and used to immunize BALB/c mice.The spleen lymphocytes were prepared from the immunized mice and then used to determine the lymphocyte subsets by flow cytometry assay and tumor-killing activity by LDH release assay.The blood samples were collected from the immunized mice and used to test the serum INF-γ by ELISA.Results The eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)/OAZI-1, pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A and pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 were successfully constructed.All three gene vaccines could increaseCD4+ T cell ratio (P<0.05), among of them, the ratio in the pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 and pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A immunized groups increased more significantly than other groups but no obvious differences was observed between these two groups.Similarly, all three gene vaccines could also increased CD8+T cells ratio significantly (P<0.05), but, comparing with all other groups, the highest increase was observed in the pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 immune group (P<0.05).The pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 gene vaccines significantly increased cytotoxic activity of the spleen lymphocyte in the immune mice(P<0.05).Among the three gene vaccines only pcDNA3.1(-)/Melan-A-OAZI-1 could significantly increased the INF-γ level in the mice serum (P<0.05).Conclusions OAZI-1 can improve antitumor immunity by promoting tumor antigen presentation.

NHL proteins, which play important roles in regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, have been extensively studied on mammals. Here, we cloned a member of NHL protein family namely BmBrat in silkworm. The full-length cDNA sequence of BmB rat was obtained by means of the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), including 3 614 bp. The ORF is 2 580 bp long, encoding a protein with 859 amino acid residues. The molecular weight is 94.3 kDa and the isoeledtric point (pI) is 6.65. The BmBrat expression profile was detected by RT-PCR at L5D3 larval stage, and it was expressed in all tissues, including silk gland, midgut, fat body and malpighian tubule. However, it was highly expressed in ovary and head. The expression profile was also detected at different stage of embryo development, and reached a peak at the 4th and 5th days of the embryonic period. Anti-BmBrat polyclonal antibody was generated f6llowing prokaryotic expression, protein purification and mice immunization, which is highly specific and effective for recognizing BmBrat protein through Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Subcellular localization of BmBrat in hemocytes revealed that it was specifically expressed in cytoplasm. This study provides a foundation for further research of the biological function of BmBrat gene.
Animals ; Bombyx ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; Insect Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Larva ; Mice

BACKGROUND:Studies addressing reconstruction of tooth tissue engineering have shown that tooth structure can be constructed using tissue engineering technology. Tooth root and its periodontal attachment are critical for tooth survival and functions, based on which, whether we can target root tissues with simple structure for tissue engineering construction by bypassing a complex dental tissue engineering concept with the structural integrity?
OBJECTIVE:To construct a tissue-engineered dental root by seeding dental papil a cells, as seed cells, into poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/sodium alginate hydrogel.
METHODS:Rabbit dental papil a cells were isolated and cultured. The cells were then mixed with 1%sodium alginate hydrogel at a final density of 6×109/L. The cellsuspension was seeded into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) scaffold with predetermined shape of human tooth and solidified with calcium chloride. Final y, the cel-scaffold composites were subcutaneously implanted into the back of nude mice. The specimens were harvested after 4 and 8 weeks respectively and processed for gross inspection, X-ray and CT examination and histological observation.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The newly formed tissue kept the original shape of human dental root 4 and 8 weeks post-implantation. After 4 weeks of implantation, the specimen density was low;the root implants appeared to be incompletely mineralized, alginate hydrogels were degraded, but the copolymer scaffold was not degraded;a number of dentin-like structure appeared, and a fibrous membrane structure was visible on the surface of specimens paral el to the root surface, but the structure was not continuous, and no pulp cavity formed. After 8 weeks, the newly formed tissue was highly mineralized close to root tissue of the nature tooth;the copolymer scaffold was mostly degraded;specimens appeared to have a large number of mature dentin-like structure, and form continuous fibers membrane on the surface paral el to the root surface, below which, cementum-like structure formed. Artificial dental root with biological y similar structures of human dental roots can be constructed using the method of tissue engineering.