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

Objective To evaluate the clinical safety for outpatients over 80 years old after phacoemul sification surgery. Methods The 184 cases (226 eyes) of aged patients with cataracts were operated on with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. The safety, complications during and after operation, visual recovery and others were followed up over that period. Results All eyes were operated on without any danger and no serious complications were found. The vision acuity was 0 5 or better in 198 cases (87 6%), 1 0 or better in 102 eyes (45 1%). The main complication was corneal edema in 58 eyes(26 2%), rupture of posterior capsule in 12 eyes (5 3%) and posterior capsular opacity in 16 eyes (7 1%). Conclusions The phacoemulsification and IOL for over 80 years outpatients were safe and effective. The key points are systemic physical examination and careful eye examination. Stimulations during operation and postoperative complications should be prevented.

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

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.

Objective:To analyse the stress distribution of the tooth and inlay with the restoration of resin,porcelain,gold alloy,co-balt chromium materials respectively.Methods:3-D finite element models of mandibular first molar with meiso-occlusal (class II) cavity and different inlays were established.Von-mises stress distribution on the tooth and inlay with vertical load and lingual load at 45°were analyzed.Results:After restoration peak stress of high elastic module materials and dental inlays was higher than that of the low elastic module material inlays,however,the restorations of the different elastic module materials had the similar stress distribution trend.The stress under of lateral load(lingual at 45°)to the teeth inlays was significantly higher than that under vertical load.Peak stress concentration of tooth was on the bottom of the cavity near the pulp chamber dentin;inlay peak stress distribution is mainly in its corresponding to the gingival wall.In the tooth tissues stress level of the contact surface of inlay restoration,the strength was as the fol-lowing:Composite resin inlay >ceramics inlay >the gold alloy ceramics inlay >cobalt chromium alloy inlay.The stress level of the inlay of the four kinds of inlay restoration materials was just opponent with the tooth tissues.Conclusion:Gingival wall is the weakest part of meiso-occlusal(class II)cavity inlay restoration,while near the pulp chamber at the bottom of the cavity is the weakest part of the tooth.Among the 4 materials Under the same load condition,composite resin inlay restoration has minimal tooth stress and uniform stress distribution,and can reduce the posibility of odontoschism and microleakage.