Objective To evaluate the validity of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) injections for the treatment of scar contracture.Methods 26 patients with scar contracture were randomly assigned into BTXA group and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) group.Pinpoint tattooing was performed on each side of each scar in the plane of its longest axis.A template was used to ensure consistent length.These two tattoo points were measured to assess scar contraction at baseline,at every month for a total of 6 months.Histological analysis was conducted to study the physiological environment and immunohistochemistry to detect the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ at different groups.Results Scar contraction was more relaxed in BTXA group than that in TAC group after 1 month (P＜0.05),especially in the 6th month (the D value in BTXA group and TAC group was (1.23±0.42) cm,and (0.56±0.33) cm respectively).For immunohistochemistry,the expression of α-SMA and myosin-Ⅱ also decreased in BTXA group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The treatment of scar contracture by suitable BTXA injections is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTXA) on the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin(alpha-SMA) and myosin-II of fibroblasts in scars. Methods Fibroblasts were isolated from tissue specimens of scars contracture. Cells from passages 3-5 were randomly divided into 3 groups (control group, low BTXA group (1 U/10(6) Cells), and high BTXA group (2.5 U/ 10(6)Cells)). Growth condition of fibroblasts was observed at 1 , 4, 7 day after BTXA treated. Changes of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSFibroblasts grew well in control group. The proliferation was decreased 4 days later in BTXA groups. Lots of apoptotic cells were seen in high BTXA group at 7th day. Proteins of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts were statistically different between BTXA group and control groups at 4th day (P < 0.05). The expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in low BTXA group was higher than that in high BTXA group at 7th day (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBTXA could induce the apoptosis of fibroblasts and decrease the expression of alpha-SMA and myosin-II in fibroblasts. The inhibitory effect was strengthened with BTXA concentration increase within a certain range.

Actins ; metabolism ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; pharmacology ; Cicatrix ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; metabolism ; Myosin Type II ; metabolism ; Random Allocation

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Lamivudine ; therapeutic use ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo prepare and observe the physicochemical properties of scaffold materials of heterogeneous deproteinized tissue-engineered bone.

METHODSDeproteinized bone was made through a series of physicochemical treatments in pig ribs and analyzed with histological observation, scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectrum, X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive analysis, Kjeldahl determination and mechanics analysis.

RESULTSInterstitial collagen fiber was positive and mucin was negative in deproteinized bone, but, both were positive in fresh bone. Deproteinized bone maintained natural pore network. Its pore size was 472.51 micromolar+/-7.02 micromolar and the porosity was 78.15%+/-6.45%. The results of infrared spectrum showed that collagen was present in deproteinized bone. Both fresh and deproteinized bone had curve of hydroxyapatite. The Ca/P ratios were 1.71+/-0.95 and 1.68+/-0.76 (P larger than 0.05), and the protein contents were 26.6%+/-2.23% and 19.1%+/-2.14% (P less than 0.05) in fresh and deproteinized bone, respectively. There was no significant difference of destruction load under compression and maximal destruction load between fresh and deproteinized bone (P larger than 0.05). The elastic modulus was higher in deproteinized bone than that in fresh bone (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPhysicochemical properties and mechanic strength of deproteinized tissue-engineered bone meet the demands of ideal scaffold materials. But, its immunogenicity should be observed through further experiments for its clinical applications.

Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone and Bones ; chemistry ; physiology ; Hydroxyapatites ; Materials Testing ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the biological safety of manufactured heterologous deproteinized bone and to provide an experimental basis for clinical applications.

METHODSDeproteinized bone (10 mm) and leaching liquor were made from pig ribs with a series of physical and chemical methods, then were evaluated through acute and subacute toxicity test, hemolysis test, pyrogen test, intracutaneous test, intramuscular implantation test and cytotoxity test.

RESULTSNo obvious toxicity, hemolysis, pyrogenic characteristics, skin irritation, inflammatory reaction after intramuscular implantation and cytotoxity were observed.

CONCLUSIONSThe heterologous deproteinized bone has good biological safety and meets all the demands of scaffold material for tissue engineering.

Animals ; Bone Transplantation ; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic ; Hemolysis ; Mice ; Rabbits ; Tissue Engineering ; Transplantation, Heterologous

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of P63 in human salivary gland development and the existing of salivary gland stem cells.

METHODS24 embryonic salivary gland samples in different stage, 10 normal salivary gland samples were collected. HE-stained and immunochemistry stain were used.

RESULTSIt could be seen on the HE-stained sections that the epithelial buds proliferated to form the epithelial branches and duct systems, finally the terminal cells differentiated into ductal, myoepithelial and acinous. During the development of salivary gland, the expression of P63 was gradually reduced. In normal adult salivary gland samples, the positive cell interspersed in the basal layer of intercalated duct, secretory duct and excretory duct.

CONCLUSIONP63 plays an important role in human salivary gland development. The result of our experiment shows the distributive characteristic of salivary gland stem cells, which exist abroad in bud stage, but decrease and only exist in the basal layer of ducts in normal adult salivary gland.

Adult ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Salivary Glands

OBJECTIVETo investigate the regulatory mechanism of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes of condyle in fetal mouse.

METHODSChondrocytes of condyle in fetal mouse were separated and cultured in vitro, the influence of PTHrP on proliferation and differentiation was observed.

RESULTSAfter two weeks' culture in 0.01 nmol/L, 0.1 nmol/L, 1 nmol/L, 10 nmol/L human PTHrP, there was significant difference in the number of cartilage nodule formed between experiment group and control group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in 0.01 nmol/L group (P>0.05). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was significantly intensified in experiment group and control group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, it was found that this function of promotion was lessened after anti-PTHR antibody used.

CONCLUSIONIt can be seen that PTHrP, via its receptor, can promote proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes of condyle, which resemble its modulation mechanism in epiphyseal growth plate cartilage intramembrane in mandibule.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Chondrocytes ; Growth Plate ; Humans ; Mice ; Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein

OBJECTIVETo evaluate a model of temporomandibular disorders established by transzygomatic arch traction of the mandibular ramus in rabbits.

METHODSFifteen adult New Zealand rabbits were subjected to traction in the postero-superior direction unilaterally using elastic force and six rabbits used as the control. Histopathologic change of the disc, joint space and cartilage was observed through Hematoxylin and Eosin staining.

RESULTSAnterior disc displacement or disc deformity in four experimental rabbits was observed on the traction side 2 weeks after operation. At 4 weeks, fibrous adhesions in joint compartment were found in five experimental rabbits. The condyles or articular eminences of some experimental rabbits showed irregularities on the cartilage surface. In the 6 th week, bad disc deformity in four rabbits and severe fibrous adhesions in five rabbits was observed on the traction side, and subchondralbone and calcified cartilage became irregular. In control group, All articular structures were normal.

CONCLUSIONSA animal model of temporomandibular disorders can be established by transzygomatic arch traction of the mandible.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mandible ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; Traction ; Zygoma

OBJECTIVETo analyse the clinical and pathological characteristics of minor salivary gland tumors.

METHODSA retrospective analysis on 615 cases of intraoral minor salivary gland tumors from 1990-2002 with a confirmed pathologic diagnosis was carried out.

RESULTSIn 615 cases of minor salivary gland tumors, 265 cases were benign, 350 cases malignant. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common entity and accounted for 81.1% of all benign tumors. Adenoid cystic carcinoma comprised 32.9% of the malignant sample and was the most frequent malignant tumor. The principal location was the palate. Female was a little more of the benign and a male prevalence was observed on the malignant tumor. The mean age of patients with benign and malignant tumors were 40.9 and 49.1 years old, respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWe consider extraordinary manifestation as histopathology, tumor, primary location, age and sex, presenting the results of a review of our experience with those minor salivary gland tumors.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; pathology ; Salivary Glands, Minor ; pathology ; Sex Factors

OBJECTIVETo explore the correlation between neck lymph node metastasis and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression at the invasive tumor front of oral squamous cell carcinomas(OSCC).

METHODSImmunohistochemistry LsAB technique was used to observe the expression of MMP-2 at the invasive tumor front and center of OSCC, and the correlation between the expression of MMP-2 in OSCC and neck lymph node metastasis were respectively analyzed by statistics.

RESULTSThe results demonstrated that MMP-2 existed in all 71 cases, which the expression of MMP-2 at the OSCC front was more significant than that of MMP-2 at the OSCC center (P < 0.01), and related to neck lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expression of MMP-2 at the OSCC front could be considered as an index of judging the present of neck lymph node metastasis of OSCC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; secondary ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Mouth Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness