Humans ; Periodontal Diseases ; therapy ; Tissue Engineering

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of dynamic mild hypothermia on patients with severe brain injury. Methods One hundred and seventy-four patients with severe brain injury, admitted to our hospital from 2003 to 2009, were chosen and randomly assigned to mild hypothermia treatment group, short-term mild hypothermia treatment group and control group; their clinical outcomes and complications were recorded. Results The difference on effective rate of the 3 groups was significant (84.48%, 67.24%, 48.27%, respectively, P<0.05); the mortality in the 3 groups was 8.62%, 15.51%, 36.20%, respectively. No significant difference of complications was showed in the 3 groups (46.55%, 46.55% and 48.27%, respectively, P>0.05). Conclusion Dynamic mild hypothermia therapy can improve the outcomes of severe brain injury according to the patients' condition.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Kangquan Recipe (KQR) on sex steroids and cell proliferation in an experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) model in rats.

METHODSSeventy-two SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: the normal group, the model group, the finasteride group, and the low-, middle-, and high-dose KQR groups, 12 in each group. Except those in the normal group, the rats were injected with testosterone after castration for the establishment of BPH model and then given respectively with normal saline, finasteride, and low-, middle-, and high-dose of KQR for 30 days. The levels of plasma testosterone (T) and estradiol (E(2)) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the mRNA expression ) of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in prostate tissue was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after administration.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the prostate weight, the plasma T, and the mRNA expression of PCNA were significantly lower, and the plasma E(2) and the ratio of E(2)/T were higher in the three KQR groups (P<0.05 or P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the prostate weight, plasma T and E(2), and ratio of E(2)/T among the finasteride group and the three KQR groups (P>0.05). The mRNA expressions of PCNA were significantly higher in the middle- and low-dose of KQR groups than those in the finasteride group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONKQR shows multitarget effects on experimental BPH rats, and the mechanism might be related with regulating the balance of plasma T and E(2) and decreasing the PCNAmRNA expression in prostate tissue to restrain cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cookbooks as Topic ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prostate ; drug effects ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; blood ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured dermal papilla cells (DPC), and their possible effect on biological behaviour of DPC.

METHODSThe expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC was detected by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTThe expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC was stronger, but became negative in late passages (>6 passages). The stronger the expression of ET-1 and SCF in DPC, the higher ability of DPC to induce hair follicle regeneration.

CONCLUSIONThe expression strength of ET-1 and SCF is related to the ability of DPC inducing hair follicle regeneration.

Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; genetics ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; genetics ; Hair Follicle ; chemistry ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Stem Cell Factor ; analysis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells on collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture.

METHODSThe hair follicle organotypic culture was prepared with different concentrations of rat tail collagen, different number of dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells in DMEM medium, after cultured for 10 days the diameter of collagen gel was measured.

RESULTThe concentration of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells significantly influenced on collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture (P<0.01). The contraction of collagen gel was negatively related to the concentration of rat tail collagen, while the concentration of dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells was positively related to the contraction of collagen gel.

CONCLUSIONThe key factor influencing collagen gel contraction in organotypic culture is the concentration of rat tail collagen, hair follicle dermal papilla cells and hair follicle epithelium cells.

Animals ; Cell Division ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen ; physiology ; Gels ; Hair Follicle ; cytology ; Rats

BACKGROUNDDermal papilla cells (DPC) are a group of mesenchyme-derived cells at the base of the hair follicle, where they regulate and control hair follicle growth through the expression and secretion of cytokines. Nevertheless, the role of DPC derived chemokines and other cytokines in the hair follicle biology remain speculative. In this study, we investigated the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and stem cell factor (SCF) in different passages of cultured DPC and their effects on the biological behaviour of DPC.

METHODSThe expression of bFGF, ET-1 and SCF in different passages of cultured DPC and their possible effects on the biological behavior of DPC are investigated using in situ hybridization and immunochemistry. In addition, we performed transplantation of hair follicle cells into nude mice. The cultured DPC, dermal sheath cells and fibroblast of human scalp, respectively, were mixed with cells of the hair follicle epithelium in different ratios, and then were cultured in hair follicle organotypic cultures or implanted into the subcutis of nude mice.

RESULTSThe expression of ET-1 and SCF in early passages of cultured DPC became stronger, but turned weaker and even negative in late passages (> 6 passages). Hair follicle-like structures were formed after DPC combined with the cells of hair follicle epithelium cells in hair follicle organotypic cultures. When hair follicle organotypic cultures were implanted into the subcutis of nude mice, the relative intact hair follicles were formed. After the transplantation of hair follicle cells into the nude mice, the hair follicle-like structure was formed in the group that contained DPC mixed with hair follicle epithelium cells. However, no hair follicles were formed in the other two groups. It was found that the higher the expression of ET-1 and SCF in DPC, the stronger the ability of DPC to induce hair follicle regeneration.

CONCLUSIONSThe cultured DPC can induce hair follicle regeneration and sustain hair growth in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the expression of ET-1 and SCF is correlated with the ability of DPC inducing hair follicle regeneration.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; analysis ; Hair Follicle ; physiology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Regeneration ; Skin ; chemistry ; cytology ; Stem Cell Factor ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of both fermented Cordyceps powder (CS) and prednisone on the Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation in the kidney tubules of rats with acute aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAAN).

METHODSTotally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the CS group, the prednisone group, and the CS plus prednisone group, 10 in each group. The AAAN rat model was induced by intragastric administration of pure aristolochic acid A at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for 3 days. Rats in the CS group were administered with CS at the daily dose of 5.0 g/kg by gastrogavage, while those in the prednisone group were administered with prednisone at the daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Rats in the CS plus prednisone group were treated by CS and prednisone. All treatment lasted for 3 successive weeks. Kidney functions [urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr)] were detected. The pathological changes of kidneys were observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The apoptosis of the renal tubular epithelial cells was detected by TUNEL. The protein expressions of Notch2 and Hes-1 in the renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemical assay and Western blot.

RESULTSResults of HE staining showed the structure in the nephridial tissue was regular in rats of the normal group. The renal tubular necrosis occurred in the rats of the model group. The pathological changes of kidneys were obviously improved in the CS group, the prednisone group, and the CS plus prednisone group. Compared with the normal group, levels of BUN and SCr, semi-quantitative score of the tubular interstitial tissue, ratio of apoptotic cells, and expressions of Notch2 and Hes-1 proteins significantly increased in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the aforesaid indices significantly decreased in the 3 treatment groups (P < 0.01). All indices decreased most obviously in the CS plus prednisone group (P < 0.05, P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONSNotch2/hes-1 signaling activation might be associated with apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Both CS and prednisone could play a nephroprotective role for AAAN. But CS plus prednisone could achieve the best effect. Inhabiting the Notch2/hes-1 signaling activation could be its nephroprotective mechanism.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Aristolochic Acids ; toxicity ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Cordyceps ; Female ; Homeodomain Proteins ; metabolism ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Kidney Function Tests ; Kidney Tubules ; metabolism ; Male ; Prednisone ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Notch2 ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transcription Factor HES-1

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Foot Injuries ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; surgery ; Surgical Flaps

OBJECTIVETo study the annual incidence of injuries and the relationship between behavior problems and injuries among school-age children.

METHODSA prospective cohort study on injuries for 1-year follow-up period was conducted among 2 005 school-age children selected by cluster sampling from three primary schools in Maanshan city. They subjects were divided into two groups with or without exposure according to behavior problems rated by the Rutter Child Behavior Questionnaire at the beginning of the study. Nonparametric test was performed to analyze the differences in injuries between the two groups of children, and the influential factors for injuries were analyzed with multi-classification ordinal response variable logistic regression model.

RESULTSThe overall incidence rate for injuries in school-age children was 42.51%, while among children with and without behavior problems were 64.87% and 38.85%, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups (u = -6.054, P = 0.000). However, the incidence rates of injuries in school-age children with antisocial (A) behavior, neurotic (N) behavior and mixed (M) behavior were 66.99%, 67.41% and 61.40%, respectively. No significant differences were found among them (u(A,N) = -0.052, P = 0.958; u(A,M) = -0.400, P = 0.689; u(N,M) = -0.364, P = 0.716). Multivariate analysis indicated that injuries in school-age children were associated with children behavior problems, maternal age at childbirth, bad conditions during mother pregnancy, education background of mother, prevention measures for safety at home and the child accompanied to travel between school and home by adults. Behavior problems of children seemed to be the major risk factors for injuries.

CONCLUSIONChildren with behavior problems represented a significant risk group for injuries among school-age children. When planning intervention strategies on injuries, behavior problems should be emphasized to ensure optimal effectiveness of intervention.

Child ; Child Behavior ; psychology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of different optical impression methods in Cerec 3D/Inlab MC XL system on marginal and internal fit of all-ceramic crowns.

METHODSA right mandibular first molar in the standard model was used to prepare full crown and replicated into thirty-two plaster casts. Sixteen of them were selected randomly for bonding crown and the others were used for taking optical impression, in half of which the direct optical impression taking method were used and the others were used for the indirect method, and then eight Cerec Blocs all-ceramic crowns were manufactured respectively. The fit of all-ceramic crowns were evaluated by modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, and the data were statistically analyzed with SAS 9.1 software.

RESULTSThe clinically acceptable rate for all marginal measurement sites was 87.5% according to USPHS criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in marginal fit between direct and indirect method group (P > 0.05). With SEM imaging, all marginal measurement sites were less than 120 microm and no statistically significant difference was found between direct and indirect method group in terms of marginal or internal fit (P > 0.05). But the direct method group showed better fit than indirect method group in terms of mesial surface, lingual surface, buccal surface and occlusal surface (P < 0.05). The distal surface's fit was worse and the obvious difference was observed between mesial surface and distal surface in direct method group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONUnder the conditions of this study, the optical impression method had no significant effect on marginal fit of Cerec Blocs crowns, but it had certain effect on internal fit. Overall all-ceramic crowns appeared to have clinically acceptable marginal fit.

Ceramics ; Computer-Aided Design ; Crowns ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Prosthesis Design ; Humans