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.

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

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

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 mechanism of reduction of protection induced by hypoxic postconditioning (HPO) in diabetic myocardiocytes subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R),and the relationship with DJ-1 expression.Methods H9c2 cells cultured in normal culture atmosphere were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=36 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),group H/R,group HPO,plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene transfection group (group D),plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene transfection + H/R group (group DH),and plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene transfection + H/R + HPO group (group DHH).H/R was induced by 4 h of hypoxia followed by 2 h of reoxygenation.H9c2 cells were cultured in high glucose culture medium (30 mmol/L) for 48 h in C,H/R and HPO groups.H/R model was established in H/R and HPO groups.HPO was induced by 3 cycles of 5 min reoxygenation and 5 min hypoxia before the onset of reoxygenation in group HPO.In D,DH and DHH groups,the plasmid carrying DJ-1 gene (pEX-2-EGFP-DJ-1) was transfected into the cells,and then the cells were cultured in high glucose culture medium and subjected to H/R and HPO,respectively.At 2 h of reoxygenation,the cell survival rate was measured using the cell counting kit-8 assay,and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,the autophagosomes were examined with a transmission electron microscope,and the expression of DJ-1 and p62 and ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ (LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ) in cells were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the cell survival rate and DJ-1 expression were significantly decreased,and the LDH activity was significantly increased in H/R and HPO groups (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between H/R and HPO groups (P＞0.05).Compared with group D,the cell survival rate was significantly decreased,and the LDH activity was significantly increased in group DH (P＜0.01).Compared with group DH,the cell survival rate,the number of autophagosomes and LC3 Ⅱ / Ⅰ ratio were significantly increased,and the LDH activity and p62 expression were significantly decreased in group DHH (P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between H/R and DH groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of reduction of protection induced by HPO in diabetic myocardiocytes subjected to H/R is related to high glucose-induced inhibition of DJ-1 expression and decrease in autophagy.

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.

Objective To observe the effect of low arsenic sub-chronic exposure on blood routine test index in rabbits to pave a way for screening early injury of the low arsenic exposure. Methods Twelve healthy male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. They were administrated with As at the concentration of 0(control), 10, 50 and 250 μg/L in the drinking water. Blood samples were collected from the vein of the ear edge in 8 weeks, and blood test routine including leukocyte (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil (GRA), neutrophil percentage (GRA%), monocyte (MON), monocyte percentage (MON%), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), RDW, platelets(PLT), mean platelet volume(MPV), platelet hematocrit(PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW), were detected by the ABX-60 hemocyte analyzer. Results Compared with the control group, the WBC, GRA and GRA% increased in 0, 50 and 250 μg/L groups, but there was no significance(P > 0.05). PLT and MPV had a statistical significance in 4 groups(F = 4.07,4.20, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group[(292.00±16.97)×109/L, (7.10±0.99)fL], PLT decreased in the 250 μg/L group [(221.33±22.50)×109/L] and MPV decreased in the 50μg/L group [(5.57±0.46)fL] significantly (P < 0.05). The other index didn't change obviously. Conclusions Sub-chronic low level arsenic exposure may lead to the change in the blood system. The blood routine test may be considered for early injury of the arsenic poisoning.