Periodontitis is a chronic infective disease characterized as the destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which are ideal adult stem cells for the regeneration of supporting tissues, may play important roles in restoring the structure and function of the periodontium and in promoting the treatment of periodontal disease. As a consequence, the characteristics, especially osteogenic differentiation mechanism, of these stem cells have been extensively investigated. The regulation of the physiological behavior of these stem cells is associated with BMAL1 gene. This gene is a potential treatment target for periodontal disease, although the specific mechanism remains inconclusive. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of BMAL1 gene and its ability to regulate the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells.
ARNTL Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Adult ; Adult Stem Cells ; Bone Marrow Cells ; physiology ; Cell Differentiation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; physiology ; Osteogenesis ; physiology ; Periodontal Ligament ; Periodontitis ; Periodontium ; Regeneration ; Tooth

Objective To investigate the effect of nicergoline on cognitive ability and executive function for patients with vascular cognitive impairment without dementia (VCIND).Methods Totally 68 patients with VCIND were divided into conventional treatment group (33 cases) and nicergoline treatment group (35 cases,nicergoline 10 mg,tid added on basal conventional treatment).All of cases were continuously treated for 12 weeks.Cognitive ability and executive function before and after treatments were evaluated.Results Test scores of immediate free recall of a list of words,the numbers and symbols transformation,the word fluency,clocks and watches painting,and minimental state examination (MMSE) were significantly higher in nicergoline treatment group than in conventional treatment group (P＜0.05).Conclusions Nicergoline may improve attention and memory as well as cognitive ability in patients with vascular cognitive impairment without dementia.

Objective To investigate the effects of anti-cell membrane associated DNA (mDNA) antibodies in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) lacking of specific autoantibodies including anti Sm,anti ds-DNA,and anti-nucleosome antibodies.Methods Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to measure anti-mDNA antibodies in serum of 145 SLE patients,and indirect immunofluorescence,Western-blot and ELISA were used to detect the anti-dsDNA ,anti-Sm and anti- nueleosome antibodies respectively to analysis the value of anti-mDNA antibodies on the specific autoantibodies negative patients with SLE.Results The sensitivity for anti-mDNA antibodies (69.7%) in SLE was significantly higher than anti-Sm (19.7%),anti-dsDNA ( 31.9% ) and anti-nucleosome (45.8% ).The incidences of anti-mDNA antibodies in SLE lacking of anti-dsDNA,Sm and anti-nueleosome antibodies (AnuA) were 64.3% ,70.2% and 60.3% respectively.Conclusion Anti-mDNA antibodies are serologic marker of SLE and important in diagnosis of SLE lacking of anti-dsDNA,Sm and nucleosome antibodies.

Objective To study the difference in clinical characteristics and experimental profiles of primary Sj gren's syndrome(pSS)with a different onset age.Methods The clinical and laboratory data of 136 pSS patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results The prevalence of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies de- clined with later onset.As compared with patients with disease onset older than 45,patients with disease onset younger than 45 had higher rheumatoid factor,circulating immune complex and lower C3.The prevalence of parotitis was higher in patients with disease onset younger than 45 than those with disease onset older than 45. The two groups had similar extra-glandular involvement.Conclusion The younger onset pSS patients have more abnomlalities in inmmnological parameters,and more parotiditis,implying that young onset pSS have more strong immune responses.

Objective To evaluate the usefulness of diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening diseases.Methods 42 patients with gallbladder wall thickening (16 patients with carcinoma and 26 patients with benign lesion) were included in this study.All patients performed conventional MRI and DWI.The diagnostic performances of three methods (conventional MRI,visual assessment of color fusion image from DWI and T2WI,and ADC measurement) were evaluated by two radiologists.Results The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.570,0.849,0.901 for conventional MRI,visual assessment and ADC measurement respectively.The accuracy,sensitivity and specificity were 59.5%,62.5%,57.7% for conventional MRI,85.7%,81.2%,88.5% for visual assessment of color fusion image,and 83.3%,80.0%,85.2% for ADC measurement,respectivily.The mean ADC value of gallbladder cacinoma[(1.15±0.35)×10-3mm2/s]was significantly less than that of gallbladder benign lesion [(1.99±0.61)×10-3mm2/s](P<0.01).Conclusion The DWI(visual assessment of color fusion image and ADC measurement)might be a useful tool for diagnosis and differential diagnosis of the gallbladder wall thickening diseases.

Animals ; Drug Tolerance ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Morphine ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND:The method in repair of primary lumbar intervertebral infection is different in different positions, mainly containing anterior, posterior and anteroposterior pathways. In posterior pathway, muscle gap approach is recognized by many fel ows. This program has its special advantage compared with conventional posteromedial approach. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical effects of debridement, bone graft and internal fixation of pedicle screw placement in repair of primary lumbar intervertebral infection through posterior paraspinal muscle approach. METHODS:Clinical data of 13 patients with primary lumbar intervertebral infection were analyzed retrospectively. There were one case of L 2-L 3 , two cases of L 3-L 4 , four cases of L 4-L 5 and six cases of L 5-S 1 . Lumbar pain was obvious in al patients. Nine cases suffered from radioactive lower limb pain. Al patients received debridement, bone graft and internal fixation of pedicle screw placement through paraspinal muscle approach via posteromedial incision. After treatment, clinical effects were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale and lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Al patients were fol owed up for 12-18 months, no recurrence. X-ray review demonstrated bony fusion, so loosening and breakage were not found in al patients. Visual Analog Scale scores revealed that Visual Analog Scale score was 8.15 preoperatively, 2.15 at 1 week postoperatively, 1 at final fol ow-up, showing significant difference (P<0.05). There was significant difference in pain between pre-treatment and post-treatment, and pain apparently relieved after treatment. Lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association score showed that effective outcomes were found in al patients after treatment, including nine cases of excel ent effects, three cases of good effects, one case of average effects, with the excel ent and good rate of 92%. Above findings confirmed that one-stage debridement, bone graft and internal fixation of pedicle screw placement through posterior muscle gap approach provides a good repair method for patients with primary lumbar intervertebral infection. It can achieve intervertebral space directly through intervertebral foramen, retain the central spinous process and lamina, reduce the injury to paraspinal muscle, and keep spinal ligament complex. However, strong spine fixation contributes to bone fusion, and keeps the stability of the spine after repair.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effects of Berberine Capsule (BC) on patients with mild hyperlipidemia.

METHODSTotally 102 mild hyperlipemia patients were recruited. All patients were suggested to have proper diet and physical activity as basic therapy for 1 month of run-in period. Totally 97 patients completed it. Then they were randomly assigned to the berberine group (the treatment group, 49 cases) and the placebo group (the control group, 48 cases). Patients in the treatment group took BC 300 mg, while those in the control group took placebo 300 mg, thrice per day for 3 successive months. Then placebos and BC were interrupted for 2 months (as washout period). All subjects received only diet control and physical activity during washout period. After washout period, placebos and BC were re-administered to all patients in the same way for 3 months. Body mass index (BMI), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C were assessed after run-in period, washout period, at month 1, 2, 3 after the first therapy, at month 1, 2, 3 after second treatment, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the end of run-in period, TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (P < 0.05) after first 3 months of treatment. Compared with 3 months after the first therapy, TG, TC, and LDL-C increased and HDL-C decreased in the treatment group after washout period (P < 0.05). Compared with the end of wash- out period, TC and LDL-C decreased in the treatment group at month 2 after second treatment (P < 0.05); TG, TC, and LDL-C decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and HDL-C increased (P < 0.05) at month 3 after second treatment. Compared with the control group at month 3 after second treatment, TG, TC, and LDL-C all decreased, and HDL-C increased in the treatment group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC was effective in improving blood lipid level in mild hyperlipidemia patients.

Berberine ; therapeutic use ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Body Mass Index ; Capsules ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood

Objective:To provide imaging evidence for the treatment of anterior disc displacement without reduction by the injection of sodium hyaluronate into temporomandibular joint (TMJ).Methods:40 patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction were injected 3 times with sodium hyaluronate into the TMJ.Patient's TMJ and clinical symptoms were examined 3,9 and 12 months after treatment.The clinical parameters of Fricton's Craniomandibular Index(Fricton index),maximal mouth opening(MMO),pain intensity of a visual analog scale(VAS) and CBCT radiographic data of 48 TMJs from 40 patients were analysed.Results:The CBCT images showed that at 9 and 12 months follow-up the surface of the condylus became smooth,the density of the cortical bone and the adjacent subcortical bone increased and osteophyte in condylar head decreased(P =0.026,P =0.001).As for disc displacement without osteoarthritts,9 months after treatment condylus were moved forward(P =0.038).VAS and Fricton index were reduced(P ＜0.05),MMO was increased (P ＜ 0.05).3-12 months after treatment,there was no statistical difference of Fricton index (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion:Injection of sodium hyaluronate into TMJ can remodel the condylar bone surface but cant make condyle back to the middle of acetabulum.

ABSTRACT:Objective To analyze the stress changes of tooth tissues in the medial-occlusal (Class Ⅱ)cavity restored with different kinds of inlay materials by the three-dimensional (3-D)finite element.Methods The inlay restored 3-D finite element model of medial-occlusal (Class Ⅱ)cavity was established by CBCT scanning method and reverse engineering software Mimics,Geomagic Studio,Pro/E5.0 software,and finite element analysis software. The Von-mises stress and change tendency of tooth tissues and four different kinds of inlay materials were compared after taking vertical loading and tongue 45°to loading.Results There were different stress levels of tooth tissues among different inlays of medial-occlusal (MO)Class Ⅱ cavity.The stress level of the cobalt chromium alloy inlay was the largest,the stress level of the gold alloy inlay was lower,and the stress level of the composite inlay was the lowest.Dental tissues stress distribution was similar for the four different restorative materials,and focused on hole bottom of dentin near the pulp in dentin.Conclusion Compared with ceramics,gold alloy and cobalt chromium inlay restoration,restoration with composite resin inlay can reduce the organization stress of the remaining tooth in the medial-occlusal (Class Ⅱ)cavity type.