0.05).Histopathologic examination showed no changes in the right gastrocnemius muscles injected with BTXA gel,but ultrastructurally the myopathic changes were clearly visible,like diffuse sarcomere disruption and saroplasmic reticulum expanding.The myofibre degeneration showed no remission 12 months after BTXA gel injection.Conclusion BTXA is dissolved in gel evenly.The long-lasting myofibre degeneration in BTXA gel paralyzed muscles may reflect that the paralyzed muscles fail to regain their unique function and recovery of muscle contraction.

Objective:To study the effects of periodontal scaling on microorganism in periodontal pocket and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with periodontitis.Methods:60 cases of periodontitis were selected and divided into 2 groups randomly with 30 in each group.The patients in scaling group were treated by periodontal scaling, those in control group by gargle with chlohexidine.Before and after treatment the microorganism in pocket bottom of each patient was measured by Congo red negative dyeing.Gingival index(GI), probing depth(PD) and gingival crevicular fluid(GCF) were also measured, the relationship between periodontal scaling and clinical indices was analysed.Results:In scaling group the percentage of coccoid cells in pocket bottom increased more after scaling,that of bacillus,spirochetes decreased, PD,GCF value were all decreased (P0.05).Conclusion:Periodontal scaling can decrease the percentage of pathogenesis bacteria in periodontal pocket bottom and decrease PD,GI and GCF values.

OBJECTIVETo investigate in vivo survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after partial blockage of optic nerve (ON) axoplasmic flow by sub-retinal space or vitreous cavity injection of brain-derived neural factor (BDNF) produced by genetically modified neural progenitor cells (NPCs).

METHODSAdult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat RGCs were labeled with granular blue (GB) applied to their main targets in the brain. Seven days later, the left ON was intra-obitally crushed with a 40 g power forceps to partially block ON axoplasmic flow. Animals were randomized to three groups. The left eye of each rat received a sham injection, NPCs injection or an injection of genetically modified neural progenitors producing BDNF (BDNF-NPCs). Seven, 15 and 30 days after ON crush, retinas were examined under a fluorescence microscope. By calculating and comparing the average RGCs densities and RGC apoptosis density, RGC survival was estimated and the neuro-protective effect of transplanted cells was evaluated.

RESULTSSeven, 15 and 30 days after crush, in the intra-vitreous injection group, mean RGC densities had decreased to 1885 +/- 68, 1562 +/- 20, 1380 +/- 7 and 1837 +/- 46, 1561 +/- 58, 1370 +/- 16, respectively with sham injection or neural progenitors injection. However, RGCs density in the groups treated with intra-vitreous injection of BDNF-NPC was 2101 +/- 15, 1809 +/- 19 and 1625 +/- 34. Similar results were found in groups after sub-retinal injection. Higher densities were observed in groups treated with BDNF-NPCs. There were statistically significant differences among groups through nonparametric tests followed by the Mann-Whitely test. RGC apoptosis density in BDNF-NPC at each follow-up time was less than in other groups.

CONCLUSIONSA continuous supply of neurotrophic factors by the injection of genetically modified neural progenitors presents a highly effective approach to counteract optic neuropathy and RGC degeneration after partial ON axoplasmic flow blockage.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Axonal Transport ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; Cell Survival ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Glaucoma ; therapy ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; physiology ; Vitreous Body ; metabolism

Objective To optimize the extraction process of flavonoids from Plantago asiatica L.rich in plantagoside by response surface methodology,and to explore the protective effect and mechanism of plantain flavonoids on H2O2-damaged L02 cells.Methods The effects of various parameters,including ethanol concentration,extraction temperature and the liquid-solid ratio on the yield of flavonoids from P.asiatica and the transfer rate of plantagoside were studied by single factor experiment.The central composite design(CCD)and response surface methodology(RSM)were employed on this basic to screen the optimized extraction conditions,which yielded the highest extraction rate of flavonoids from P.asiatica and the maximum transfer rate of plantagoside.The protective effect of flavonoids from P.asiatica on H2O2-damaged L02 cells was assessed through the analysis of cell survival rate,apoptosis rate,mitochondrial membrane potential,malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)levels,oxide dismutase(SOD)concentration,and the expression levels of HO-1,Nrf2,and SOD proteins.Results The results showed that the highest yield of extraction rate of flavonoids from P.asiatica(1.82％)and the maximum transfer rate of plantagoside(35.01％)were achieved under the optimized extraction condition:extraction temperature of 80 ℃,ethanol concentration of 65％and liquid-solid ratio of 15:1.Flavonoids from P.asiatica extracted under these parameters significantly reduced the apoptosis rate(P<0.001)and the degree of mitochondrial membrane potential damage(P<0.001),increased the expressions of SOD and GSH(P<0.001),and reduced the MDA level(P<0.01,P<0.001)in H2O2-damaged L02 cells at concentrations ranging from 25 to 100 μg·mL-1.In addition,100 μg·mL-1 flavonoids from P.asiatica were found to regulate the expressions of HO-1,Nrf2 and SOD in H2O2-damaged L02 cells.These flavonoids decrease the expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 proteins,while enhance the expression of SOD protein in H2O2-damaged L02 cells(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion The extraction process for flavonoids from P.asiatica,which was optimized using the response surface method,is operationally simple and yields a high transfer rate of the key active component,plantagoside.This approach offers valuable insights for the actual production of flavonoids from P.asiatica.Besides,flavonoids from P.asiatica could reduce oxidative stress level in H2O2-damaged liver cells,which exhibited a certain protective effect on L02 cells against oxidative damage.This study provides a foundational basis for the development and application of flavonoids from P.asiatica as liver-protective health supplements.