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 The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical value of detecting sentinel lymph node (SLN) with combined radioisotope and blue dye method in early stage cervical cancer. Methods Between March 2005 and April 2006, 50 patients with cervical cancer, who were staged Ⅰ b and Ⅱ a by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), underwent SLN detection with preoperative lymphoscintigraphy. A dose of 148 MBq (4×10-4L) 99Tcm-sulfur colloid (SC) was injected into the uterine cervix at 3 and 9 o'clock position with lymphoscintigraphy taken at 15-60 min after injection. Intraoperative detection of "hot spot" lymph nodes was performed with a handheld gamma probe (γ-detection). During operation, 2-4 ml metend blue dye (BD-detection) was injected into the uterine cervix at the same positions. All patients underwent hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy. The spatial and pathological relationships of the SLN samples were compared between the two methods. SPSS 13.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results The detection rate of SLN with combined radioisotope and blue dye was 96.0% (48/50). γ-detection alone was 92.0% (46/50) and BD-detection alone was 70.0% (35/50, x2=4.92, P<0.05). In 37 patients lymphoseintigraphy showed the same SLN as γ-detection did, with a coincidence rate of 74.0% (37/50). The SLN with metastases were confirmed by histopathology in 11/48 (22.9%) patients. In the remaining 37 patients with SLN negative for metastasis, there was 1 case with non-SLN showing metastasis. In the 2 patients negative for SLN, 1 was positive for non-SLN metastasis. The SLN accuracy rate was therefore 97.9% (47/48), and the negative predictive value was 97.3% (36/37) with one patient false negative. About 72.3 % (115/159) of SLN were found in obturator region, 5.0% (8/ 159) in iuteriliac region, 12.0% (19/159) in external iliac chain, 6.9% (11/159) in common iliac region and 3.8% (6/159) in parametrium. The number of left-sided SLN detected was more than that of the right (x2=5.06, P=0.021 ). Conclusion Combined radioisotope and blue dye technique is a feasible and valuable tool to detect pelvic SLN in patients with early uterine cervical malignancy.

Objective To investigate the clinical results of minimal invasion spinal surgery (MISS) in treating tibial plateau fractures to provide best procedure for such treatment.Methods The study involved 36 cases with tibial plateau fractures resulted from traffic injury,fall-from-height injury and strain injury including 24 males and 12 females at age of 19-65 years (average 42.6 years).According to Schatzker classification,there were seven cases of typeⅠ,five typeⅡ,five typeⅢ,five type IV,sev- en typeⅤand seven typeⅥ.All cases were treated by different methods of MISS.Results Follow up for 8-24 months in 35 cases showed fracture healing within 3-4 months,without severe complications such as poor wound healing,infection or osteofascial compartment syndrome.Meanwhile,no traumatic knee osteoarthritis,inversion or eversion of the knee were found.The mean range of knee motion was 94?,with fine knee function in 32 cases (91.4%) according to Merchant score.Conclusions Treatment of tibi- al plateau fractures should adopt limit incision,indirect reduction and biofixation to take place widespread exposure and rigid plate fixation.MISS is safe and effective for tibial plateau fractures.

Background Whether ocular anterior and posterior chamber exist a blood-aqueous barrier is in controversy.Conventional method can not offer a good evidence because it is unable to detect the aqueous component in the posterior chamber.Objective This study was to investigate the distribution of Gadolinium-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acids(Gd-DTPA)after peripheral iridectomy with magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in rabbit.Methods Monocular peripheral iridectomy was performed on the right eyes in 8 clean New Zealand white rabbits and the fellow eyes were as controls.0.2 ml/kg(0.5 mol/L)Gd-DTPA,a tracer of MRI,was injected into ear vein in vivo to scan the eyes with MRI for the observation of the permeability and distribution.The signal enhanced ratio of interest region associated with time were analyzed.Results The signal in ciliary body of both eyes showed an immediately sharp enhancement within 10 minutes following the injection of Gd-DTPA with a peak intensity at 30-40 minutes,and then the intensity was gradually weaken over time.The signal was stronger in the operative eyes than that in the fellow eyes.The signal in the posterior chamber was gradually increased after operation,however,that in posterior chamber of the control eyes was lower.The interest regions of Gd-DTPA were ciliary,anterior chamber and posterior chamber,and the enhanced signal intensities were consisted in the posterior chamber after operation.However,the increase of the signal was not seen in the posterior chamber in the control eyes.Conclusions The pathway of plasma protein entering into the anterior chamber is very different from that of aqueous secretion.There exists a barrier between the anterior and posterior chamber which might be an integral part of the blood-ocular barrier.

Objective To investigate the effect of underwater treadmill training (UWTT) on patients with hemiplegia after stroke. Methods Based on routine rehabilitation, 15 hemiplegic patients after stroke were treated with UWTT system 20 min/d, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Walking distance and speed in water were tested before and after UWTT. Dynamic balance function and static balance function were also assessed by Active Balancer assessment. Results All the items improved significantly after treatment (P<0.01), except deflection center displacement of X and Y axis (P>0.05). Conclusion UWTT can improve the walking ability and balance function of hemiplegic patients after stroke.

Objective To compare the effect of water bath in different temperature on rang of motion (ROM) of injuried knees. Methods30 patients with limited knee ROM were divided into hot water group (42 ℃) and warm water group (38 ℃) randomly. On the base of routinerebabilitation, patients accepted lower limb special bubbles and swirl bath in their temperature 20 times. Their positive ROM of kneewere measured before and after the treatment. Results The ROM of knee increased in both groups (P<0.001), and increased more in hot watergroup than in warm water group (P<0.05). Conclusion Hot water bath is more effective on ROM of injuried knees.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of short haipin RNA (shRNA) on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and proliferation and invasion behavior of human breast cancer cell MCF-7.

METHODSThe recombinant vector (pSIREN-VEGF-C) was transfected into the human breast cancer cell MCF-7 by liposome and the positive transfected cell clones were screened with puromycin. Expression of VEGF-C in MCF-7 cells after gene transfer was detected by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot assay, respectively. Proliferation and invasion ability of transfected cells were analyzed by MTT and Transwell filter.

RESULTSThe expressions of VEGF-C mRNA and protein were decreased markedly compared with the control group after the transfection and the inhibitive ratio was 95% and 100% respectively (P<0.05). The proliferation of MCF-7 cells transfected by pSIREN-VEGF-C, measured with MTT assays, was significantly decended (P<0.05). The invasion ability of passing through the Transwell filter of MCF-7 cells transfected by pSIREN-VEGF-C were declined evidently (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe recombinant vector (pSIREN-VEGF-C) have been proved not only to be effective and specific for down-regulation of VEGF-C, but also can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of MCF-7 cells significantly.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; genetics ; metabolism

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; therapy ; Humans ; Liver, Artificial ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Renal Dialysis ; Sorption Detoxification

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical roles of Jiawei Shentong Zhuyu Decoction (JSZD) in preventing the occurrence of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), and to observe its effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSTotally 100 patients prepared for surgical operation due to lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random number table, 50 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group additionally took JSZD, one dose per day, taken in two portions, once in the morning and once in the evening. Those in the control group took Celecoxib Capsule (200 mg each time, once per day) and Mecobalamin Tablet (0.5 mg each time, 3 times per day). They only took Mecobalamin Tablet from the 11th day. All patients were treated for 30 days. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was performed before treatment, at week 1, after treatment, at 6 months of followed-ups, and at 12 months of followed-ups. And the levels of TNF-alpha in the peripheral blood were observed before treatment and at one month after treatment.

RESULTSTotally 93 patients completed the followed-up study. The JOA scores were improved after treatment, at 6 and 12 months of followed-ups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The JOA score at 6 months of followed-ups was superior in the treatment group to that of the control group (P < 0.05). Five patients (accounting for 10.6%) suffered from FBSS in the treatment group, while 9 (accounting for 19.6%) suffered from FBSS in the control group. The treatment group was superior to the control group (P < 0.05). The TNFalpha level was improved after treatment in the two groups. Of them, the improvement of TNF-alpha in the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe application of JSZD was effective for preventing the occurrence of FBSS, and improved the serum TNF-alpha level.

Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Failed Back Surgery Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we aimed to investigate the expressions of adhesion molecules on human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils in co-culture system, assess the effects of puerarin on suppressing these adhesion molecules expressions, and explore the roles of two crucial signal-transduction elements p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in modulating adhesion molecules expressions.

METHODSNeutrophils and BEAS-2B cells (one human bronchial epithelial cell line) were co-cultured, and adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface were detected using flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR). Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor κB were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSIn co-culture system, adhesion molecules expressions on BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were enhanced significantly (P<0.05). Correspondingly, the mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were also increased greatly. Moreover, the pretreatment of peurarin obviously suppressed adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface. Furthermore, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor κB in BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were elevated in co-culture system, but decreased significantly after upon the treatment of peurarin (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCoculture boosted the interactions between human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils mimicking airway inflflammation, whereas peurarin decreased the expression of adhesion molecules on cell surface by suppressing the activities of p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways, and exhibiting its anti-inflflammation activity.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bronchi ; cytology ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Cattle ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; DNA Primers ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neutrophils ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism