Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) can provoke the apoptosis of retinal cells and downregulate the expression of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) in the retina.Capsaicin promotes the release of CGRP and elicits protective effects on human organs.However,whether CGRP protects retinal cells in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is still unclear.Objective The study was designed to examine the effect of capsaicin on the apoptosis of retinal cells in diabetic rats and its relationship with CGRP.Methods Forty clean healthy adult male Sprague-Dawey rats were randomly divided into the diabetes group,capsaicin pretreated group,streptozocin (STZ)control group,capsaicin control group and plain control group,with 8 rats per group.The diabetic model was established by the intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg in all rats except those of the plain control group.0.4 mL of a 1％ capsaicin injected at 20 mg/kg was subcutaneously injected for 3 consecutive days prior to model establishment in the capsaicin pretreated group,after which 1.2 mL of STZ was intraperitoneally injected on the fourth day.Rats from the STZ control group were administered intraperitoneally 1.2 mL of 0.1 mol/L,pH 4.5,citrate buffer.The capsaicin control group received subcutaneous injections of 0.4 mL of 1％ capsaicin at 20 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days,after which 1.2 mL of 0.1 mol/L,pH 4.5,citrate buffer was administered intraperitoneally.The rats were sacrificed at the tenth week after model establishment and retinal specimens were prepared for the apoptosis assay by TUNEL staining and the quantitative analysis of caspase-3 activity.Expression of CGRP in the retina and serum was detected using ELISA.The use of experimental animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results Retinal cell apoptosis was mainly localized to the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) layer.The apoptosis rate of RGCs was (43.4±5.0)％ in the DR model group and (30.0±5.1)％ in the capsaicin pretreated group,showing a significant difference (t =5.930,P＜0.01).Compared with the DR model group and capsaicin pretreated group,the apoptosis rates of the DR control group (12.4±9.9) ％ and the capsaicin control group (17.6-±6.1) ％ were significantly lower (t =8.800,t =4.925,P＜0.01).The apoptosis rate of the plain control group was (16.2±6.9)％,exhibiting significant differences in comparison with the DR control group and capsaicin control group (t =-0.989,t =0.951,P＞0.05).The specific activity of caspase-3 was (2.19±0.86) in the DR model group and (1.96±0.56) in the capsaicin pretreated group,presenting a significant difference (t =-0.515,P＜0.05).Those of the DR control group and capsaicin control group were (1.47±0.14) and (0.74±0.27),respectively,with considerable decline in comparison with the DR model group and capsaicin pretreated group (t=2.142,t=2.797,P＜0.05).The retinal and serum CGRP levels were (424.4±44.2)and (148.8±39.1) ng/L,respectively,displaying significantly lower levels than (543.2±74.4) and (237.5±78.7) ng/L (t =3.070,2.359,P＜0.05) from the capsaicin pretreated group.Conclusions Apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells occurs in the STZ-induced diabetic rats.Pretreatment of capsaicin reduces retinal cell apoptosis,which may be associated with an increase of CGRP in the retina.

Objective To evaluate the impact of donor age on early remnant liver function and regeneration after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) donation.Methods 43 living donors were divided into 2 groups:donor age ＞ 50,n =8,and donor age ＜ 30,n =35.Alanine aminotransferase (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase (AST),total bilirubin (TB) and liver regenerative ratio (LRR) of donors between the 2 groups were compared.Results There were no significantly different in ALT,AST and TB on days 1,2,3,5 after LDLT between the 2 groups (respectively t =0.147,1.030,-0.903,0.013,0.043,1.362,0.817,0.003,1.121,0.241,1.061 and 0.943,all P＞0.05).There was significant difference between LRR on day 7 (t =-0.965,P =0.042),but the difference was not statistically significant in LRR when evaluated on day 15 after LDLT (t =0.585,P =0.385).Conclusions Remnant liver regeneration on the first week is reversely affected by donor's age after hepatectomy,while the influence of age decreases significantly after 2 weeks.

Objective To evaluate donor remnant liver regeneration and influencing factors at different stages after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT).Methods 68 living donors were included in this study,We did CT volumetric measurement of the liver by using IQQA-Liver workstation.Liver regenerative ratio (LRR) at different stages of donors after LDLT were calculated and compared,correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analysis were calculated.Results The difference between LRRs at different stages after LDLT were significant (F =3.323,P =0.009),there were significant difference between LRR of 7-day and 1-month,3-month (respectively t =-2.065,-2.214,all P ＜ 0.05).The inclusion of middle hepatic vein and donor gender had no influence on LRR (respectively t =0.600,-0.622,1.464,0.926,-1.228,0.624,-0.688,0.131,all P ＞ 0.05).There were negative correlation between the remnant liver volume and LRRs (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions MSCT is a valid modality to evaluate remnant liver regeneration after LDLT.Most evident remnant liver regeneration occurs in early stage after adult LDLT.

Objective To evaluate the impact of donor age on graft short-term outcome after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).Method Thirty living recipients were divided into 2 groups according to donor age:older donor group (O group,donor age ＞50,n =5) and younger donor group (Y group,donor age ＜30,n =25).Alanine transarninase (ALT),aspartate transaminase (AST),total bilirubin (TB),prothrombin time (PT) on the postoperative day 1 to 5 and graft liver regenerative ratio (LRR) on the postoperative month 0.5,1,3,and 6 between 2 groups were determined and compared.Result TB on postoperative day 1,2,3,4 and 5 was significantly higher in O group than in Y group there were significant differences between two groups (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference of other liver function parameters 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).There was no significant difference in LRRs on the postoperative month 0.5,1,3 and 6 months postoperatively between 2 groups after LDLT (P＞0.05).Conclusion Although allografts from older donors in LDLT have prolonged jaundice than those of their younger counterparts,after strictly preoperative evaluation,donor age has little effect on short-term outcomes of graft after LDLT.

Objective To evaluate graft regeneration and influencing factors after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using MSCT.Method Sixty-three living recipients were included in this study.We measured graft volume periodically by using MSCT and IQQA-Liver workstation.The liver regenerative ratio (LRR) of different stages of recipients after LDLT was calculated and compared,and stepwise regression analysis was done to set up the regression equation.Result Within 0.5 month after LDLT,graft volume was increased rapidly,and LRR reached maximum [(106.11 + 30.90)％],then decreased slowly.There was significant difference in LRR among 0.5,1 month and 3,6 months after LDLT (P＜0.05).The following factors,including whether the graft containing middle hepatic vein or not,age and sex of recipients,had no significant influence on LRR after LDLT (P＞0.05).The status of liver function of recipients preoperatively had significant influence on LRR 0.5 month after LDLT (P＜0.05).There was significantly negative correlation between the graft volume and LRRs of recipients at different stages after LDLT (P ＜ 0.05).Regression equation could be derived.Conclusion Most evident graft regeneration occurs in early stage after adult LDLT.There are many and different factors influencing graft regeneration at the different stages after LDLT.Graft volumetric measurement by using MSCT is a valid modality to evaluate graft regeneration after LDLT.

Objective:To investigate the craniofacial features in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD).Methods:The facial features,cervical vertebral bone age and skeletal abnormalities of 8 patients with CCD were studied by analyzing facial photos,cephalo-metric and panoramic radiographs.Results:4 patients were in the early growth stage and the other 4 in the late period of development. The bossing forehead and inclined eye fissure were observed in all patients,but underdevelopment of midfaces were not obviously pres-ented in younger patients.Morphological abnormalities of craniofacial bones,such as ascending ramus,coronoid process,nasal bones and disappearence of gonial angle were observed in all patients.Conclusion:Some craniofacial malformations in patients with CCD may be presented earlier than underdeveloped midface,which can be helpful for early diagnosis of CCD.

BACKGROUND:Resin infiltration is a novel approach in treating non-cavitated caries lesions on smooth surfaces, and the effectiveness comparison between resin infiltration and remineralizing therapy is required.
OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects of resin infiltration and remineralizing therapy on inhibition of non-cavitated lesions in vitro.
METHODS:Three subsurface lesions were created on 35 bovine labial specimens. One of the lesions was permeated with Icon? infiltrant, one was applied by 0.1%NaF solution daily for 7 consecutive days, whereas one lesion remained as the untreated control. Subsequently, half of each specimen was covered with nail varnish
(baseline) and the other half was re-exposed to a demineralizing solution for 5 days (experimental). The specimens were cut perpendicularly to the surface, stained with Rhodamine B and observed with fluorescence microscope.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:For lesions permeated with Icon? infiltrant and applied by 0.1%NaF solution, the progression of lesion depth was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with the untreated control. Lesions permeated with Icon? infiltrant got more significantly reduced lesion progression (P<0.05) compared with the ones applied by 0.1%NaF solution. It can be concluded that both resin infiltration and remineralizing therapy have active effects on inhibition of non-cavitated lesions, and fil ing the pores with Icon? infiltrant can inhibit further demineralization even better.

Objective To investigate the remineralization effects of the Aominqing dental desensitizer and the fluoride dentifrice on the demineralized enamels. Methods Sixty-three teeth were randomly divided into three groups after demineralization , then was remineralized for eight days by using Aominqing dental desensitizer, fluoride dentifrice (1.1 g/L), and deionized water, respectively. The thin sections of teeth were analyzed under the con-focal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The morphology of the surface of teeth was observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results Under CLSM, the evaluation parameter area of the fluorescent lesion (A,μm2) processed by Aominqing and by fluoride was (3.19 ± 0.19) × 104, (3.61 ± 0.26) × 104 μm2, respectively. The total fluorescence (TF) was (0.61 ± 0.09) × 106, (0.89 ± 0.15) × 106, average fluorescent of the lesion(AF) was (18.98 ± 1.56), (24.65 ± 2.39), and the above parameters were all less than those in the blank control group [A=(4.89 ± 0.24) × 104 μm2,TF=(1.78 ± 0.21) × 106, AF = 36.29 ± 2.57] (P < 0.01). The evaluation parameters in the Aominqing group were less than those in the fluoride dentifrice group(P < 0.05). Under SEM, the surface of the group processed by Aominqing was the smoothest, compared to the fluoride dentifrice group and the blank control group. Conclusions Both Aominqing dental desensitizer and fluoride dentifrice (1.1 g/L) have the remineralization effects on the demineralized enamels, and the former has a stronger effect.

Background The characters of diabetic retinopathy (DR) include capillary occlusion,microcirculation disturbance and retina neovascularization near ischemic areas of the retina.The pathogenic mechanism is still incompletely clear,but the primary mechanism of DR is the change of permeability of retinal blood capillary.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lycium bararum polysaccharides (LBP) on the blood glucose,blood fat and permeability of blood-retinal barrier in diabetic rats.Methods Fifty-four clean adult SD rats were randomized into 4 groups.The diabetes mellitus models were created in 36 SD rats by injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin(STZ) via caudal vein.The rats with the blood glucose ＞ 16.7 mol/L were defined as the diabetic mellitus in 72 hours after injection.LBP of 200 rmg/( kg · d) was intragastriccally administered in 18 models once a day in LBP group,and equal volume of normal sodium was used at the same way in 18 models in DM group,and 18 normal rats were as normal control group.The rats were killed in 4,8 and 12 weeks respectively for the detect of blood glucose level,triglyceride,total cholesterol.The retina tissue were isolated for the quantification of vascular permeability using Evans blue method.Results The blood glucose level was significantly elevated in the DM group and LBP group compared with normal control group,and that in LBP group was obviously declined in comparison with the DM group with a 57％,40％,36％ fall off in 4,8,12 weeks respectively,showing a statistically significant differences( P＜0.05 ).The triglyceride concentration was considerably raised in the DM group compared with normal control group in all of the time points( P＜0.01 ),however,the rise of triglyceride concentration was found only in 12 weeks in LBP group(P＜0.05).The cholesterol level was increased in 8 and 12 weeks in DM group compared with normal control group and that of LBP group went up only in 12 weeks (P＜0.0l ).The Evans blue contents in dry retina tissue were(26.23±2.00),(29.78± 1.78 ) and( 34.08±3.03 ) μg/g in 4,8,12 weeks in the DM group,and those of LBP were ( 13.27 ±0.77 ),( 18.01 ± 1.77 ),( 25.05 ±:1.50 ) μg/g,showing statistical differences between two groups ( P＜0.01 ).However,in comparison with normal control group ( 12.34 ±4.30,12.76 ± 2.11,12.45 ±4.40 μg/g),the Even blue content were elevated in various time points (P＜0.01 ).Conclusions LBP can suppress the increase of the blood-retinal barrier permeability in STZ-induced diabetic rat by lowing the levels of blood glucose,triglyceride and total cholesterol.These results suggest that LBP has a therapeutical effect on DR.

Background Acute stress can provoke the apoptosis of retina cells and induce increasing expression of calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP)in retina.However,the role of CGRP in pathology of the stressinduced apoptosis of the retina ceils is still elusive.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of endogenous CGRP on retinal cell apoptosis induced by stress of acute myocardial ischemia after coronary artery occlusion in rats. Methods The acute myocardial ischemia model was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery in 12 male Sprague-Dawley rats.The rats were randomized into CGRP8-37 injection group and normal saline injection group,6 rats 12 eyes for every group.CGRP8-37(10-7 mol/L),a specific antagonist of CGRP receptor,was intravenously injected in CGRP8-37 group by caudal vine at 15 minutes prior to the coronary artery occlusion,and the equivalent amount of normal saline was used at the same fashion in normal saline group.The retinal samples of the rats were collected at 3 hours after coronary artery occlusion for TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity detection respectively. Results The cellular displacement was observed in inner and outer nuclear layer,and vacuolar degeneration of retinal ganglion cells was found in the coronary artery occlusion animals.The total apoptosis index of retinal cells in CGRP8-37 group was significantly higher than that in normal saline group (42.8％±2.8％ vs 37.5％±2.9％,t=-3.244,P<0.01).The retinal capase-3 activity was significantly enhanced in the CGRP8-37 group compared with saline group(11.3±3.1 fold vs 4.9±1.2 fold,t=-4.603,P<0.01)at 3 hours of coronary artery occlusion.Conclusion The results suggest that the endogenous CGRP may play an anti-apoptotic role in the stress.induced retinal cell injury.