OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) on experimental periodontitis in rats.

METHODSForty-two Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Rats in the normal group (NL group) did not undergo any procedure, whereas the other rats were ligatured and treated with saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) (LO group) or treated with CORM-2 (10 mg kg(-1) per day) (CO group). A 3-0 silk suture was placed around the mandibular first molars. Rats were sacrificed after 3, 7, and 10 d. Blood samples were collected from all animals for tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) analysis. Changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically, and periodontal tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the infiltration of inflammatory cells.

RESULTSLigature placement increased alveolar bone loss and inflammatory cell infiltration in periodontal tissue. Alveolar bone loss in CO group was significantly higher than that in NL group, but was lower than that in LO group (P<0.05). The ratio of inflammatory cell infiltration in LO group was significantly higher than that in CO and NL groups, and that in CO group was lower than in LO group (P<0.05). Serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta in the LO group were significantly higher than those in the CO and NL groups, and those in CO group were lower than in LO group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSystemic administration of CORM-2 reduced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats.

Alveolar Bone Loss ; Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; Periodontitis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between Angle's class III patients' occlusion plane and anterior overbite by controlling the changes in occlusion plane during orthodontic treatment.

METHODSIn total, 90 Angle's class III adult orthodontic patients were selected as the experimental group, and 30 normal adults were selected as the control group. According to the overbite, the class III patients were divided into three groups, and 14 indicators were measured. ANOVA and multiple comparison analysis were used to analyze the difference between class III patients, and linear analysis was used to analyze the correlation between anterior overbite and anterior-posterior occlusion plane.

RESULTSIn class Ill patients, posterior occlusion plane and anterior overbite size were negatively correlated (r = -0.24, P < 0.05), whereas anterior occlusal plane and anterior overbite size were positive correlated (r = 0.23, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe shape of the occlusion plane varies in different anterior overbite patients. During orthodontic treatment in different overbite class III patients, the vertical height of the posterior teeth and the rotation of the occlusion plane should be controlled.

Adult ; Dental Occlusion ; Humans ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III ; Overbite ; Tooth

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Wenshen Xiaochuan Paste Recipe (WXPR) in preventing bronchial asthma, and to explore the mechanism. Methods Eighty patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. Each group had 40 patients. The control group was treated by conventional western medicine such as inhalation of steroid, and the treatment group was given oral use of WXPR based on the treatment for the control group. Treatment for both groups covered 60 days, and the follow-up lasted 10 months. The clinical outcomes included the clinical efficacy and immune indexes of peripheral blood T lymphocyte subsets CD3+, CD4+, CD8+and CD4+/CD8+ratio, and the serum IgE level. Results (1) After treatment and 12 months later, the scores of asthma control test (ACT ) in the two groups were increased obviously as compared with those before treatment, and there were statistically significant differences (P<0.05 or P<0.01) . The differences of ACT scores between the two groups were insignificant after treatment ( P>0.05) , but were significant ( P<0.05) 12 months later. (2) Within one year after treatment, the frequency of acute asthma attack was decreased in both groups (P<0.05 compared with that before treatment), and the treatment group had better effect on decreasing the attack frequency than the control group (P<0.05). (3) After treatment, the serum IgE, CD4+level, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were decreased significantly, while CD8+ level was increased in the treatment group, and there were statistically significant differences ( P<0.05 compared with those before treatment). However, the differences of immune indexes in the control group were insignificant before and after treatment ( P>0.05). The improvement of immune indexes in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion WXPR has good clinical efficacy in preventing and treating bronchial asthma. The mechanism is related with the inhibition of airway inflammation and improvement of immune function probably through regulating T lymphocyte subsets and lowering serum IgE level in asthma patients.

OBJECTIVETo compare the ability of osthole (OST) and genistein (GEN) in enhancing bone peak bone mass of rats to prevent osteoporosis.

METHODSThirty-six female one-month-old SD rats of (125 +/- 3) g body weight were randomly divided into three groups, 12 rats in each group, one group was orally administered osthole at 9 mg x kg(-1) d(-1), one group was given genistein at 10 mg x kg(-1) d(-1) and another was given equal quantity of distilled water as the control. The body weight was monitored weekly and the bone mineral density (BMD) of total body was measured every month. All rats were sacrificed after three months, the femoral bone mineral density, the serum levels of osteocalcin (OC) and anti-tartaric acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP 5b) were measured by Elisa. The bone microarchitectures were analyzed with micro-CT and the bone biomechanics properties were tested with universal material machine.

RESULTSNo significant differences were observed between O-treated or GEN group and the control for the food-intake and body weight during three months. However, the rats treated with OST had significant higher BMD for both total body and femur than the control and GEN group. The O-treated rats also had higher level of serum OC and lower level of TRACP 5b. Besides, they owned bigger bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular number but smaller trabecular spacing. In the three point bending tests of femurs,they were found to have larger maximum load, the young's modulus and structural model index (SMI).

CONCLUSIONOrally administered osthole could efficiently increase the peak bone mass of rats,which provide new ideas for preventing osteoporosis.

Acid Phosphatase ; blood ; Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Female ; Femur ; diagnostic imaging ; drug effects ; pathology ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Isoenzymes ; blood ; Osteocalcin ; blood ; Radiography ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase

Objective To explore the effect of high voltage alternating electric field therapy on fracture healing in rats. Methods An animal model of cortical bone defect was successfully established in the unilateral proximal tibia of 41 rats.They were then randomized into an experimental group (21 rats) and a control group (20 rats).The animals in the experimentsl group were given high voltage alternating electric field therapy for 30 minutes daily,while those in the control group only had sham exposure to the high voltage alternating electric field therapy.Rats in each group were sacrificed at days 7,14,21 and 28 post-operation.After blood collection,the operated tibias of the rats were resected with muscle and other soft tissue removed.Bone mineral density (BMD) of the callus at the fracture point was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).The calluses were then cut down and fixed,decalcificated and sliced for histological observation.At the same time serum osteocalcin ( OC ) and bone alkaline phosphatase (RAP) were also detected by ABC-ELISA. Results The BMD examination showed that callus BMD in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group at days 14 and 28.Serum OC and RAP in the experimental group were also higher at days 14 day 21,and OC was still significantly higher in the experimental group at day 28.Histological examination showed that in the early stages of bone healing hematoma absorption and organization appeared earlier in the experimental group than in the control group,with remarkable osteoblast and chondroblast proliferation.While at the later stage,bone trabeculas connection and mineralization also appeared earlier in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions High voltage alternating electric field therapy may promote fracture healing by accelerating hematoma absorption and organization,elevating osteoblast proliferation and differentiation as well as promoting extracellular matrix secretion and mineralization.The underlying therapeutic mechanism might be related to the increased expression of OC and RAP caused by exposure to the high voltage alternating electric field.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of penile frenulum lengthening in the treatment of premature ejaculation (PE).

METHODSThirty-four males with PE were enrolled in this study, of whom 8 had received circumcision six months before and 4 had redundant prepuce, all with short frenulum. Those with a history of circumcision underwent reconstruction and lengthening of the frenulum, and those without received frenulum lengthening only.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline, the intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT) was significantly increased at 1 month after operation ([1.35 ± 0.49] vs [5.71 ± 2.69] min, t = -9.42, P <0.01), (1.42 ± 0.5) vs (5.31 ± 2.74) min in the patients without circumcision (t = -7.41, P <0.01), (1.12 ± 0.35) vs (7.00 ± 2.20) min in those with circumcision (t = -7.24, P <0.01), and (1.50 ± 0.58) vs (4.75 ± 1.71) min in those with redundant prepuce (t = -3.81, P <0.05). Totally, 94% of the patients were satisfied with their sexual intercourse postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONPenile frenulum plays an important role in penile erection. Reconstruction and/or lengthening of the frenulum can prolong penile erection and IELT in PE patients.

Adult ; Circumcision, Male ; rehabilitation ; Coitus ; Ejaculation ; Foreskin ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Premature Ejaculation ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods

In this study, UPLC-MS/MS was adopted to determine the contents of five ephedrine alkaloids (Norephedrine, Norpseudoephedrine, Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine, Methylephedrine) in plasma and urine in rats after the combined administration of Ephedrae Herba-Gypsum Fibrosum and calculate relevant pharmacokinetic parameters, in order to discuss the effect of the combined administration of Ephedrae Herba-Gypsum Fibrosum on plasma pharmacokinetics and urinary excretion characteristics. According to the results, after being combined with Gypsum, the five ephedrine alkaloids showed similar pharmacokinetic changes, such as shortened t(max), accelerated absorption rate, but reduced AUC(0-t) and V(z)/F, which may be related to the increase in urine excretion. Besides, Gypsum was added to enhance C(max) of Pseudoephedrine and prolong MRT(0-t) of Methylephedrine, so as to enhance the anti-asthmatic effect of Ephedrae Herba and resist the toxic effect of Norephedrine and Ephedrine. This study proved the scientific compatibility of Ephedrae Herba-Gypsum Fibrosum and provided a reference for studies on the prescription compatibility regularity and relevant practices.
Alkaloids ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; urine ; Animals ; Calcium Sulfate ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Ephedra ; chemistry ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urine ; chemistry

Objective:To investigate the association between glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP1) gene polymorphism and toxici-ties related to high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods:GSTP1 genotypes and allelic frequencies in 51 children with ALL were determined by Nest PCR, denaturing gel gradient electrophoresis (DGGE), and DNA sequencing. HD-MTX adverse reactions were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCICTC). Results:We identified three SNPs of GSTP1, including rs1695 (A313G), rs1138272 (G439T), and rs4891 (T555C). The wild types, het-erozygous types, and homozygous types of GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 polymorphisms were detected in 32 cases (62.7%), 16 cases (31.4%), and 3 cases (5.9%), respectively. GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 polymorphisms included only one heterozygous type and one homozygous type. The allele frequencies of the three SNPs were 21.6%, 2.9%, and 21.6%. The AG+GG/TC+CC genotype of GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 was associated with decrease in the odds of peripheral hemoglobin (OR=0.25, 95%CI=0.06-1.00, P=0.049). The AG+GG/TC+CC genotype of GSTP1 rs1695/rs4891 in standard and intermediate-risk ALL children was significantly correlated with higher odds of gastrointesti-nal toxicity (OR=0.125, 95%CI=0.02-0.78, P=0.026). Conclusion:GSTP1 rs1695 (A313G)/rs4891 (T555C) gene polymorphism is as-sociated with the reduction of peripheral hemoglobin in ALL children and with the odds of gastrointestinal toxicity in standard and inter-mediate-risk ALL children who receive high-dose methotrexate.

Leukemia seems to depend on a small population of "leukemia stem cells (LSCs)" for its growth and metastasis. However, the precise surviving mechanisms of LSCs remain obscure. Cellular senescence is an important obstacle for production and surviving of tumor cells. In this study we investigated the activated state of a pathway, in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) induces cellular senescence through DNA damage and phophorylation of p38 MAPK (p38), in myeloid leukemic CD34(+)CD38(-) cells. Bone marrow samples were obtained from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML, n=11) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML, n=9). CD34(+)CD38(-) cells were isolated from mononuclear cells from these bone marrow samples, and K562 and KG1a cells (two kinds of myeloid leukemia cell lines) by mini-magnetic activated cell sorting. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from human cord blood served as controls. Intracellular ROS level was detected by flow cytometry. DNA damage defined as the γH2AX level was measured by immunofluorescence staining. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of p21, a senescence-associated gene. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were employed to determine the p38 expression and activation. The proliferation and apoptosis of CD34(+)CD38(-) cells were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Our results showed that ROS and DNA damage were substantially accumulated and p38 was less phosphorated in myeloid leukemic CD34(+)CD38(-) cells as compared with HSCs and H(2)O(2)-induced senescent HSCs. Furthermore, over-phosphorylation of p38 by anisomycin, a selective activator of p38, induced both the senescence-like growth arrest and apoptosis of CD34(+)CD38(-) cells from K562 and KG1a cell lines. These findings suggested that, although excessive accumulation of oxidative DNA damage was present in LSCs, the relatively decreased phosphorylation of p38 might help leukemic cells escape senescence and apoptosis.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of 23G vs 20G pars plana vitrectomy ( PPV ) combined with internal limiting membrane peeling, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for macular epiretinal membrane with cataract. ·METHODS: Totally 45 eyes of 45 patients with macular epiretinal membrane and cataract were enrolled in this retrospective non-randomized controlled clinical study. All eyes were treated with PPV combined with internal limiting membrane peeling, phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. There were 20 eyes in 23G PPV group, and 25 eyes in 20G PPV group. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , intraocular pressure (IOP), counting of corneal endothelial cells ( CEC) and central retinal thickness ( CRT ) were examined before surgery. BCVA results were converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution ( LogMAR ) visual acuity. All operations were performed by the same doctor. Operation time for vitrectomy and membrane peeling, average ultrasound energy ( AVE) and effective phacoemulsification time ( EPT ) were recorded. BCVA and CRT were observed postoperatively at 30d and 90d, counting of CEC was observed postoperatively at 90d. IOP was observed postoperatively at 1d and 7d. ·RESULTS:The mean operation time for vitrectomy were 12. 57± 1. 35min in 23G group and 17. 30 ± 1. 19min in 20G group. The difference was statistically significant ( t =-12. 488, P<0. 01). There were no statistical significances in operation time for membrane peeling, AVE and EPT between 23G and 20G groups ( t=-0. 68,-1. 186,-0. 737, P=0. 500, 0. 242,0. 465). On 1d after surgery, IOP in 23G group was lower than that in 20G group, the difference was statistically significant (t= -2. 345, P=0. 024). The BCVA and CRT of the two groups both improved after operations. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of IOP, BCVA, and CRT ( F = 0. 465, 1. 895, 0. 689; P = 0. 499, 0. 176, 0. 411). IOP, BCVA and CRT were significant statistical different in different time-point within each group ( F=291. 245, 103. 06, 665. 402, P<0. 01 ). Different surgical methods of 23G and 20G had interactive effects on IOP with different time points ( F = 13. 245, P<0. 01 ), but different surgeries had no interactive effects on BCVA and CRT with different time points (F=1. 212, 2. 293;P=0. 283, 0. 129). The counting CEC in 23G group was more than that in 20G group postoperatively at 90d, the difference was statistically significant (t=2. 049, P=0. 048). ·CONCLUSION: The 23G PPV combined with internal limiting membrane peeling, phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation for macular epiretinal membrane with cataract is effective. Compared with 20G PPV, 23G PPV has advantages in operation time for vitrectomy and counting CEC. But lower IOP is likely in 23G PPV on 1d after surgery