Objective To determine the prevalence of dental anxiety in children patients before tooth extraction.Methods　A modified Children's Fear Survey Schedule-Dental Subscale (CFSS-DS) and Venham's clinical ratings of anxiety and cooperative behavior were used in 150 children patients ranging in age from 5 to 12 years olds before tooth extraction. The former scale was answered by parents on behalf of their children, and the latter ratings was assessed by the author. Results　CFSS-DS scores and clinical ratings of behavior of the children were significantly higher in the children whose oral hygiene condition, dental experience, tooth extraction experience, spirit status on that day and whose mother's educational background were bad or low. A step regression analysis showed that oral hygiene condition had most significant interrelationship with both of the two scales（P＜0.01）. The correlation of the two scales was high (r=0.67).Conclusion　Children’s oral hygiene condition, dental experience, tooth extraction experience, spirit status on that day and their mother’s educational background are closely related to the dental anxiety level. Oral hygiene condition is the most important predictor of anxiety level before extraction and clinical ratings of behavior during extraction.

Atrioventricular Block ; chemically induced ; Child ; Humans ; Male ; Mercury Poisoning ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors 1-3 (S1P1- 3) in the corpus cavernosum of castrated male rats and its relationship with the NOS/NO/cGMP and RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathways.

METHODSWe equally randomized 18 eight-week-old healthy male SD rats into a sham-operation control, a castration, and a testosterone replacement (TR) group and harvested the bilateral testes and epididymides from the rats in the latter two groups, followed by 4 weeks of subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate at 3 mg per kilogram of the body weight per day for those in the TR group and that of plant oil for those in the control and castration groups. At the age of 12 weeks, we measured the serum testosterone (T) level and maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) of the animals and determined the expressions of SlP1-3, eNOS, P-eNOS, ROCK1, and ROCK2 in the corpus cavernosum by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe serum T level was significantly decreased in the rats of the castration group as compared with those of the control and TR groups ([0.41 ± 0.04] vs [16.01 ± 1.02] and [15.84 ± 1.32] nmol/L, P < 0.01), with no statistically significant difference between the latter two groups. The ICPmax/MAP at 0 V, 3 V, and 5 V electric stimulation was remarkably lower in the rats of the castration group (0.088 ± 0.014, 0.323 ± 0.014, and 0.432 ± 0.012) than in those of the control group (0.155 ± 0.011, 0.711 ± 0. 010, and 0.819 ± 0.024) and TR group (0.153 ± 0.012, 0.696 ± 0.017, and 0.763 ± 0.027) (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the latter two groups. With GAPDH as internal control, the animals of the castration group showed markedly reduced expressions of S1P1 ([49.99 ± 3.39]%), eNOS ([46.82 ± 3.81]%) , and P-eNOS ([45.42 ± 4.35]%) in comparison with those in the control group ([72.57 ± 3.06], [89.76 ± 3.98], and [82.53 ± 8.92] and TR group ([71.77 ± 4.43], [87.19 ± 4.23], and [79.82 ± 7.38]%) (P < 0.01) , while the expressions of S1P2, S1P3, ROCK1, and ROCK2 were significantly upregulated in the castration group ([82.35 ± 4.13], [61.03 ± 5.14], [74.50 ± 4.02], and [69.83 ± 5.75]%) as compared with those in the control group ([41.67 ± 1.68], [31.66 ± 2.67], [35.69 ± 5.56], and [39.85 ± 7.17]%) and TR group ([42.80 ± 3.87], [32.25 ± 4.22], 38.06 ± 5.21], and [42.36 ± 4.44]%) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAndrogen deficiency induces significant reduction of ICPmax/ MAP in male rats, which is possibly associated with the decline of S1P1 in the corpus cavernosum, inhibition of the eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling pathway, increased expressions of S1P2 and S1P3, and activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway.

Animals ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; metabolism ; Orchiectomy ; Penis ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Lysosphingolipid ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; pharmacology ; rho-Associated Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To compare the roles of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NF-κB signal pathway in acute lung injury (ALl) induced by blunt chest trauma and by blunt chest trauma-hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) in rats.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 240-280 g,were randomly assigned into 3 equal groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),blunt chest trauma group (T group),and blunt chest trauma and hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (group THSR).Lung contusion was induced in anesthetized rats by dropping a 300 g weight onto a precordial protective shield to direct the impact force away from the heart and toward the lungs.Blood was withdrawn via the femoral artery 5 min later until MAP was decreased to 35-45 mmHg within 15 min and maintained at this level for 60 min,followed by resuscitation.At 6 h after the model was established,the arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis and detection of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentrations in serum.Oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) was calculated.The rats were then sacrificed and pulmonary specimens were obtained for determination of TLR4 expression and NF-κB ac tivity (by immunohistochemistry and Western blot) in lung tissues and for microscopic examination.Results Compared with group S,PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly decreased,PaCO2 and TNF-α concentrations in serum were increased,TLR4 expression was up-regulated,and NF-κB activity was enhanced in T and THSR groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group T,PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 were significantly decreased,PaCO2 and TNF-α concentrations in serum were increased,TLR4 expression was up-regulated,and NF-κcB activity was enhanced in THSR group (P ＜ 0.05).The histopathological damage to lung tissues was aggravated in THSR group as compared with T group.Conclusion The role of TLR-4/NF-κB signal pathway in ALI induced by blunt chest traumahemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) is significantly stronger than that in ALI induced by blunt chest trauma alone in rats.

Objective To evaluate the role of pretreatment with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the protective effect of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) on rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVECs) during oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD).Methods BMVECs were sub-cultured in vitro and divided with a random number table into 7 groups:normal control group,normal control + Ang-1 group,OGD group,OGD + Ang-1 group,OGD + DHA group,OGD + DHA + Ang-1 group,and OGD + DHA + GW9662 + Ang-1 group.The normal control and normal control + Ang-1 groups were cultured in DMEM containing serum,5 mmol/L glucose,and 1.25 mmol/L pyruvate;OGD groups were cultured in glucose-and serum-free DMEM.DHA (40 μmol/L) was added to OGD + DHA,OGD + DHA + Ang-1,and OGD + DHA + GW9662 + Ang-1 groups,and 5 μmol/LGW9662 [inhibitor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ)] to OGD + DHA + GW9662 +Ang-1 group,before pretreatment for 1 hour in 5％ CO2 and 95％ air.After the pretreatment,Ang-1 (250 ng/ml)was added to normal control + Ang-1,OGD + Ang-1,OGD + DHA + Ang-1,and OGD + DHA + GW9662 +Ang-1 groups.The cells were cultured in 94％ N2∶ 5％ CO2∶ 1％ O2 for 24 hours,except for normal control and normal control + Ang-1 groups,which were cultured in 5％ CO2 and 95％ air instead.The cell apoptosis rate was detected with flow cytometry,expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,Tie-1,Tie-2,pTie-2,pAkt,ZO-1proteins with Western blot.Results Compared with normal control group,the cell apoptosis rate in OGD,OGD + Ang-1,OGD + DHA,OGD + DHA + Ang-1,and OGD + DHA + GW9662 + Ang-1 groups were significantly increased (P =0.000,0.000,0.000,0.004,0.000);the expression levels of Bax,caspase-3,and Tie-1 were significantly enhanced (Bax:0.62 ± 0.03,0.38 ± 0.03,0.45 ± 0.03,0.26 ± 0.02,0.33 ± 0.02vs.0.16 ±0.01;caspase-3:0.76 ±0.05,0.42 ±0.04,0.52 ±0.02,0.32 ±0.02,0.40 ±0.02 vs.0.15 ±0.01;Tie-1:0.51 ±0.03,0.25 ±0.01,0.33 ±0.02,0.16±0.01,0.22±0.02 vs.0.12 ±0.01;all P=0.000);the expression levels of Bcl-2,Bcl-2/Bax,Tie-2,and pTie-2 were significantly decreased [Bcl-2:0.09±0.01,0.20±0.01,0.16±0.02,0.31±0.01,0.22±0.01 vs.0.34±0.01;Bcl-2/Bax:(14.93±1.86)％,(68.03±5.56)％,(36.93 ±2.22)％,(119.1 ±13.3)％,(64.23 ±6.07)％ vs.(208.33 ±7.37)％;Tie-2:0.07±0.01,0.16±0.02,0.11 ±0.01,0.21±0.01,0.18±0.01 vs.0.26±0.01;pTie-2:0.05±0.01,0.15 ±0.01,0.07 ±0.01,0.22 ±0.02,0.16±0.01 vs.0.27 ±0.01;allP=0.000],in addition,pAkt and ZO-1 in OGD,OGD + Ang-1,OGD + DHA,and OGD + DHA + GW9662 +Ang-1 groups were also significantly reduced (pAkt:0.13 ±0.01,0.26 ±0.01,0.14 ±0.01,0.28 ±0.02vs.0.39±0.02;ZO-1:0.08±0.01,0.18±0.01,0.10±0.01,0.19±0.01vs.0.23±0.02;allP=0.000).Compared with the OGD group,OGD + Ang-1 and OGD + DHA + Ang-1 groups demonstrated significantly reduced cell apoptosis (both P =0.000).Compared with normal control + Ang-1 group,the expression levels of pTie-2,pAkt,and ZO-1 were significantly decreased in OGD + Ang-1 and OGD + DHA +Ang-1 groups (pTie-2:0.15 ±0.01,0.22 ±0.02 vs.0.52 ±0.02;pAkt:0.26 ±0.01,0.37 ±0.04 vs.0.67 ± 0.05;ZO-1:0.18 ± 0.01,0.24 ± 0.02 vs.0.39 ± 0.05;all P =0.000).Compared with OGD +Ang-1 group,OGD + DHA + Ang-1 group had significantly decreased cell apoptosis and expression levels of Bax,caspase-3 and Tie-1,and significantly increased expressions of Bcl-2,Bcl-2/Bax,Tie-2,pTie-2,pAkt,and ZO-1 (all P =0.000),while OGD + DHA + GW9662 + Ang-1 group showed no significant differences in these indexes (P =0.202,0.770,0.382,0.448,0.233,0.736,0.143,0.526,0.495,0.670).Conclusion Pretreatment with DHA may enhance the protective effect of Ang-1 on rat BMVECs under the condition of OGD,possibly via activating PPAR-γ,suppressing Tie-1 expression,and hence amplifying the activation of Tie-2.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts on the muscle strength in the patients of stroke-induced acroparalysis treated with Xunjingcuiqi needling technique.

METHODSOne hundred patients were randomized into a Xunjingcuiqi group and a routine acupuncture group, 50 cases in each group. In the routine acupuncture group, the routine acupuncture technique was adopted at the main acupoints, such as Shangxing (GV 23), Baihui (GV 20), Dicang (ST 4), Quchi (LI 11), Huantiao (GB 30) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc. In Xunjingcuiqi group, on the basis of the routine acupuncture technique, Xunjingcuiqi needling technique (pricking technique was quickly applied with the filiform needle along the running course of meridian to promote the conduction of meridian qi) was added. For the patients being hard to feel the needling sensation and with the muscle strength of 0 to 1 degree, Dongzhencuiqi technique was supplemented at shu-stream points of yang meridians (after qi arrival, the needling manipulation with limb movement was given to promote the conduction of meridian qi). The treatment was given once every day in the two groups. Ten treatments made one session. Three sessions of treatment were required. At the end of each session treatment, the muscle strength and clinical efficacy were assessed.

RESULTSIn the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment, 20, 24 and 36 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and 6, 10 and 15 cases achieved the 3 to 5 degrees muscle strength in the routine acupuncture group. The differences were significant statistically in comparison of the two groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The markably effective rates were 60.0% (30/50), 64.0% (32/50) and 70.0% (35/50) after the 1st, 2nd and 3rd sessions of treatment in Xunjingcuiqi group, respectively; and those were 38.0% (19/50), 44.0% (22/50) and 46.0% (23/50) in the routine acupuncture group, respectively. The differences were significant in the 1st and 3rd sessions of treatment between the two groups (both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONXunjingcuiqi needling technique combined with routine acupuncture achieves the apparent superior efficacy on acroparalysis induced by ischemic stroke as compared with the simple routine acupuncture. Xunjingcuiqi needling technique obviously improves muscle strength and shortens the duration of sickness.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paralysis ; etiology ; therapy ; Qi ; Stroke ; complications ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To compare the roles of inflammatory response in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by blunt chest trauma verus by blunt chest trauma-hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) in rats.Methods Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8 weeks,weighing 240-280 g,were randomly assigned into 3 equal groups (n =10 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (S group),blunt chest trauma group (T group),and blunt chest trauma and hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation group (THSR group).Lung contusion was induced in anesthetized rats by dropping a 300 g weight onto a precordial protective shield to direct the impact force away from the heart and toward the lungs.Blood was withdrawn via the left femoral artery 5 min later until MAP was decreased to 35-45 mmHg within 15 min and maintained at this level for 60 min,followed by resuscitation.At 6 h after the model was established,the arterial blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis and detection of serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),IL-1β and IL-10 (by ELISA).The rats were then sacrificed and pulmonary specimens were obtained for determination of contents of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-10 in lung tissues and for microscopic examination.Results Compared with group S,PaO2 was significantly decreased,and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-10 in serum and lung tissues were increased in T and THSR groups.Compared with group T,PaO2 was significantly decreased,and the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β and IL-10 in serum and lung tissues were increased in group THSR.The histopathological damage to lung tissues was aggravated in THSR group as compared with T group.Conclusion The role of inflammatory response in ALI induced by blunt chest trauma-hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (double hits) is significantly stronger than that in ALI induced by blunt chest trauma alone in rats.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between DJ?1 and diabetes mellitus ( DM )?caused influence on cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning in rats. Methods Adult male Sprague?Dawley rats, aged 3 months, weighing 220-250 g, were used in the study. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 1% streptozotocin 60 mg∕kg and confirmed by blood glucose≥16.7 mmol∕L. Forty?eight rats with DM were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table:sham operation group ( group DM?S ) , myocardial ischemia?reperfusion ( I∕R ) group ( DM?IR ) and ischemic postconditioning group (DM?IPO group). Another 48 normal rats received the equal volume of citrate buffer solution instead and served as control. Those rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n=16 each) using a random number table: sham operation group ( S group) , myocardial I∕R group ( IR group) and ischemic postconditioning group (IPO group). At 12 weeks after streptozotocin injection, myocardial I∕R was produced by 30 min occlusion of the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery followed by 120 min reperfusion. Ischemic postconditioning was induced by 3 cycles of 10 s reperfusion followed by 10 s limb ischemia at the end of 30 min limb ischemia. At 120 min of reperfusion, the animals were sacrificed, and hearts were removed for determination of myocardial infarction size ( using TTC ) , and expression of DJ?1, phosphatase and tensin homologue ( PTEN) protein, and phosphorylated Akt ( p?Akt) in myocardial tissues ( by Western blot) . Results The infarction size was significantly increased in diabetic and nondiabetic rats during myocardial I∕R. The expression of DJ?1, PTEN protein and p?Akt was significantly higher during myocardial I∕R in nondiabetic rats, and the expression of PTEN protein and p?Akt was up?regulated, and no significant change was found in DJ?1 expression during myocardial I∕R in diabetic rats. Ischemic postconditioning reduced infarction size during myocardial I∕R and up?regulated the expression of DJ?1 and p?Akt, and down?regulated the expression of PTEN protein in nondiabetic rats, but not in diabetic rats. Compared with nondiabetic rats, the expression of DJ?1 and p?Akt was down?regulated, and the expression of PTEN protein was up?regulated after ischemic postconditioning in diabetic rats. Conclusion The mechanism by which DM abolishes cardioprotection induced by ischemic postconditioning is associated with down?regulation of DJ?1 expression in rats.

Objective To explore the survival mechanism of hippocampal ne urons after damage of hypoxia-ischemia and reperfusion of brain.Methods Seven days old SD rats(n=56) were randomly divided into hypoxia-ischemia br a in iniury(HIBD) group and sham group.The HIBD and reperfusion model was establis hed.The flowing of blood was de tected by multicolor Doppler.The p-CREB(phosphorylated c-AMP response element bi nding protein)and c-Jun were immunohistochemically evaluated in hippocampus.Thi onin staining was used to observe the apoptosis.Results The expression of p-CREB reache d the peak at 3,24 h postreperfusion in the right hippocampus of HIBD group,and then decreased to the normal level on the 7th day.In contral group the same reg ions showed basic immn-noreactivity.While c-Jun reached the peak at 6 h postreperfusion,then with a slightly decrease at 24 h;and at 48 h the other peak appeared,then with a gradual decline .On the 7th day the mumber of positive cells were still significanthy more than control group(P0.05).The sham animal showed very few apoptosis cells in the regio ns of hippocampus.Conclusions The persistent activation of CREB in the hippocampus regulates,the expression of c-Jun through the signal transductions and is involved in the course of neuron s′ survival and repair during the period of post hypoxia-ischemia reperfusion.I t is very important for the protection of the pyramidal hippocampal neurons on t he damaged side,especially for the sensitive region CA1. J Appl Clin Pediatr,2005,20(2):133-135

Objective To evaluate the role of phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) in diabetes mellitus-induced reduction of hypoxic postconditioning (HPO)-induced protection of cardiomyocytes and the relationship with glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.Methods H9c2 cells incubated in high-glucose (30 mmol/L) medium for 24 h were divided into 6 groups (n =5 each) using a random number table:normoxia group (group N),hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) group,group HPO,PTEN gene silencing normoxia group (group P-N),PTEN gene silencing H/R group (group P-H/R),and PTEN gene silencing HPO group (group P-HPO).H9c2 cells were exposed to 95％ N2-5％ CO2 for 4 h followed by 2 h reoxygenation with 90％ O2-10％ CO2.HPO was induced by 3 cycles of 5 min reoxygenation followed by 5 min hypoxia before reoxygenation.At the end of reoxygenation,the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP were assessed by JC-1 fluorescence assay,the cell apoptosis was detected by AnnexinV-FITC/PI flow cytometry,and the expression of PTEN and phosphorylated GSK-3β (p-GSK-3β) was determined by Western blot.The JC-1 monomer/polymer ratio and apoptosis rate were calculated.Results Compared with group N,the amount of LDH released,JC-1 monomer/polymer ratio and apoptosis rate were significantly increased,and the expression of PTEN was up-regulated in H/R and HPO groups (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between group H/R and group HPO (P＞0.05).Compared with group HPO,the amount of LDH released,JC-1 monomer/polymer ratio and apoptosis rate were significantly decreased,PTEN expression was down-regulated,and the expression of p-GSK-3β was up-regulated in group P-HPO (P＜0.05).Compared with group N,the expression of PTEN was significantly down-regulated,and no significant changes were found in the other parameters mentioned above in group P-N (P＞0.05).Compared with group H/R,the expression of PTEN was significantly down-regulated,and no significant changes were found in the other parameters mentioned above in group P-H/R (P＞0.05).Conclusion PTEN is involved in diabetes mellitus-induced reduction of HPO-induced protection of cardiomyocytes,and the mechanism is associated with PTEN-induced activation of GSK-3β-modulated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.