Animals ; Binding Sites ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Enzyme Activators ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Glucokinase ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Molecular Conformation ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Sulfones ; pharmacology ; Thiazoles ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the strengthening of fluorophlogopite-based dental machinable ceramic through developing a new type of calcium-mica-based ceramic.

METHODSBased on the analysis of the crystal structure of the fluorophlogopite ceramic of Dicor MGC, the structure of a new type of calcium-mica-based ceramic was designed and the corresponding composition of the new material was experimented. And the new glass-ceramic was obtained through the treatment of glass preparation and nucleation. Then crystal content of the glass ceramic was analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and the 3-point bending strength of the new ceramic was recorded.

RESULTSA new type of calcium-mica-based glass ceramic was developed and had the 3-point bending strength of (210.2 +/- 14.7) MPa. Compared with the strength of fluorophlogopite-based dental machinable ceramic, such as Dicor MGC, which was reported in the range of 150 approximately 180 MPa within inclusive studies, the higher strength of the new ceramic was recorded.

CONCLUSIONSThe fluorophlogopite-based dental machinable ceramic could be reinforced through internal strengthening.

Aluminum Silicates ; chemistry ; Dental Materials ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Tensile Strength

Oxidative stress can induce significant cell death by apoptosis. We explore whether prior exposure to H2O2 (H2O2 preconditioning) protects PC12 cells against the apoptotic consequences of subsequent oxidative damages and what role the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels play in the preconditioning protection. PC12 cells were preconditioned with 90 min exposure to H2O2 at 10 micromol/L, followed by 24-h recovery and subsequent exposures to different concentrations (20, 30, 50 and 100 micromol/L) of H2O2 for 24 h respectively. We used PI staining flow cytometry (FCM) to observe the apoptosis of PC12 cells. It was shown that 24-h exposures to H2O2 at 20, 30, 50 and 100 micromol/L respectively induced substantial cell apoptosis, which was greatly prevented in the preconditioning cells, indicating that H2O2 preconditioning protected PC12 cells against apoptosis induced by H2O2. Administration of pinacidil (10 micromol/L), an K(ATP) channel activator, significantly attenuated the apoptosis of PC12 cells induced by H2O2 at 30 and 50 micromol/L for 24 h respectively. Glybenclamide (10 micromol/L), a K(ATP) channel inhibitor, significantly suppressed or abolished the protective effects caused by the pinacidil but not by H2O2 preconditioning. However, when both H2O2 preconditioning and pinacidil were co-applied, their protection against the apoptosis of PC12 cells was much stronger than that of the individual one of them. These results suggest that H2O2 preconditioning protects PC12 cells against apoptosis and that the activation of K(ATP) channels is not involved in, but synergetically enhances adaptive protection of H2O2 preconditioning.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Oxidants ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; PC12 Cells ; Potassium Channels ; metabolism ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of cofilin on the actin cytoskeleton reorganization in osteoblasts induced by fluid shear stress.

METHODSFluid shear stress (1.2 Pa) was applied to osteoblasts for 0 (control group), 15, 30, 45, 60, 120 min in vitro. Cells were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-phalloidin for fiber-actin, and confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM) was used to observe the fluorescence of fiber-actin. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of the cofilin and the phospho-cofilin.

RESULTSActin filaments became organized into stress fibers that were thicker and more abundant than those in non-flowed cells. The fluorescence intensity (38.00 ± 6.88) of fiber-actin after 120 min (42.93 ± 6.41) loading it was 2.8 times as much as that in control group (15.41 ± 3.60, P < 0.05). Additionally, the level of phospho-cofilin protein was dramatically elevated after loading. Fluid shear stress induced an initial decrease of cofilin at 60 min. However, at 120 min cofilin (0.254 ± 0.026) increased to 1.5 times as much as that at 60 min (0.162 ± 0.004).

CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that cofilin phosphorylation mediates fiber-actin reorganization in the osteoblasts induced by fluid shear stress.

Actin Cytoskeleton ; ultrastructure ; Actin Depolymerizing Factors ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Osteoblasts ; ultrastructure ; Phosphorylation ; Stress, Mechanical

Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; POEMS Syndrome ; diagnosis ; Syphilis ; diagnosis

OBJECTIVETo study the application of tissue granule of oral mucous in plastic surgery.

METHODSTissue granule of oral mucous was placed on glutin sponge and they were used for urethral (12 cases) and vaginal (14 cases) reconstruction in 26 cases.

RESULTSSatisfactory results were achieved in 24 cases. One case of urethral fistula and one case of urethral meatus stricture were happened. The two cases underwent secondary operation.

CONCLUSIONSTissue granule of oral mucous membrane is good supply for repairing mucous defect. It has the advantages of high growth and survival rate, and less shrinkage. It is useful for urethral or vaginal reconstruction which are covered with mucous membrane.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; surgery ; Male ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Urethra ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Vagina ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the sera of rabbits fed with Tongxinluo on the expression and secretion of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in U937 monocyte-derived macrophages.

METHODSAtherosclerosis was induced in rabbits by high-cholesterol feeding, and the serum was obtained from the rabbits after administration of the aqueous solution of Tongxinluo or simvastatin by gavage. U937 monocyte-derived macrophages were incubated with the sera at different concentrations for 24 hours, and the changes in MMP-9 and TIMP-1 gene expression and secretion were detected by RT-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

RESULTSThe serum of rabbits fed with Tongxinluo concentration-dependently inhibited the expression and secretion of MMP-9 in U937 macrophages, but did not affect TIMP-1 expression or secretion.

CONCLUSIONTongxinluo may stabilize the atherosclerotic plaques by inhibiting the expression and secretion of MMP-9.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; etiology ; Cholesterol, Dietary ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Rabbits ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serum ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; U937 Cells

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cytoskeleton integrity on the expression of c-fos gene in osteoblasts induced by fluid shear stress.

METHODSBALB/c mouse primary osteoblasts were divided into four groups (according to fluid shear stress loaded or not and cytochalasin D used or not). The Tagman probe real-time PCR and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the expression levels of c-fos mRNA, c-fos protein and cytoskeleton, respectively. The data were analysed using two-way ANOVA.

RESULTSIn control group and cytochalasin D group, fluid shear stress could significantly increase the expression levels of c-fos mRNA (0.1637 +/- 0.0303 and 0.0104 +/- 0.0070, respectively) and protein (177.14 +/- 9.37 and 150.95 +/- 6.17, respectively) in osteoblasts, compared with the unloaded osteoblasts of the control group and the cytochalasin D group (0.0057 +/- 0.0021 and 0.0032 +/- 0.0014, respectively for c-fos mRNA, and 117.96 +/- 4.11 and 119.77 +/- 5.19, respectively for protein, P < 0.05). Induced by the fluid shear stress, the expression levels of c-fos mRNA and protein in cytochalasin D group were lower than control group, and the difference had statistical significance (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe cytoskeleton integrity in osteoblasts was essential to the expression of c-fos gene induced by fluid shear stress.

Analysis of Variance ; Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytochalasin D ; pharmacology ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Osteoblasts ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rheology ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of garlicin on the levels of interferon gamma (INF-gamma) and interleukin 4 (IL-4) in blood of allergic rhinitis rat model.

METHODSThirty healthy female SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, negative control group and experimental group, 10 rats for each group. Ten rats (experimental group) were sensitized and intranasally challenged by ovalbumin, aluminium hydroxide hydrate gel and Bordetella pertussis inactive microorganism suspension adjuvants, as allergic rhinitis models, and then injection of garlicin(0.4 ml) intraperitoneally per day for 10 days. Control group rats were immunized as experimental group, and then injection of physiological saline as equal volume as garlicin. Negative control group rats were investigated using physiological saline. Blood of intrajugular vein of rat was extracted for separated plasma Enzyme liked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to detect the serum levels of IL-4 and IFN-gamma.

RESULTSThe serum levels (x +/- s) of IL4 were (22.81 +/- 8.79) pg/L, (41.43 +/- 4.93) pg/L, (9.93 +/- 2.07) pg/L, and those of IFN-gamma were (22.32 +/- 11.20) pg/L, (11.35 +/- 2.45) pg/L and (21.69 +/- 5.93) pg/L, respectively, among experimental group, control group and negative control group. The serum level of IL-4 in experimental group rats was lower than value of control group rats (t = 3.22, P < 0.05), while higher than negative control group (t = 4.17, P < 0.05). The serum level of IFN-gamma was increased significantly in experimental group rats with significant difference when compared with value of control group rats (t = 3.84, P < 0.05), while no difference was shown between experimental group and negative control group (t = 1.47, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSGarlicin could increase serum level of INF-gamma and decrease serum level of IL4 significantly in allergic rhinitis rat model. It played an important role on regulating serum levels of cytokines of Thl and Th2.

Allyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Disulfides ; pharmacology ; Female ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; blood ; Th1 Cells ; drug effects ; Th2 Cells ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differential expression of toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and their potential role in the pathogenesis of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma.

METHODSNormal canal skin of 30 patients with tympanosclerosis were enrolled as control, 30 cases with chronic suppurative otitis media and 30 patients with cholesteatoma were studied. Real-time PCR, Western blot and Immunohistochemistry were preformed to detect the expression of TLR2/TLR4 in normal canal skin, mucosa and granulation tissue of chronic suppurative otitis media, mucosa, granulation tissue, cholesteatoma epithelium of cholesteatoma, and the differential expression were analyzed.

RESULTS(1) the mRNA and protein expression of TLR2 and TLR4 were detected in all normal canal skin, mucosa and granulation tissue of chronic suppurative otitis media, mucosa, granulation tissue, cholesteatoma epithelium of cholesteatoma. (2) Both mRNA and protein level of TLR2/TLR4 in mucosa of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma were higher than those in normal canal skin, but lower in cholesteatoma epithelium, there was no significant difference in mucosa of the two otitis media groups. (3) The mRNA and protein expression of TLR2/TLR4 in granulation tissue of chronic suppurative otitis media and cholesteatoma were significant increased when compared with normal canal skin, and TLR2 expression level was higher in granulation tissue of cholesteatoma than in chronic suppurative otitis media. (4) TLR2/TLR4 positive cells mainly infiltrated in granulations, significantly more than in normal skin, while fewer in the epithelium of cholesteatoma.

CONCLUSIONSDifferential expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in mucosa suggests middle ear is a TLR2/TLR4 participated functional modulation of the innate immune system and also suggests that they may play a different role in the pathophysiology of chronic otitis media and cholesteatoma.

Case-Control Studies ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; metabolism ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism