OBJECTIVETo assess the effect of Spirochetes and Porphyromonus gingivalis (Pg) on the production of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) and oral malodor, respectively.

METHODS117 systemically healthy periodontitis patients were divided into two groups according to organoleptic rating (OR) by organoleptic method: 85 subjects with oral malodor (halitosis group, HG) and 32 cases without oral malodor (no-halitosis group, NHG). VSCs measurements were made with halimeter. Subgingival plaques and tongue coating were taken to calculate the proportion of Spirochetes (with 2% Congo Red Smears, S%) and the amounts of Pg (with indirect immunofluorescence method). The examination will be repeated in 46 HG cases after periodontal therapy.

RESULTSS% in PD < 4 mm sites of HG was significantly higher than that in NHG (P < 0.01). S% in PD >or= 4 mm sites and tongue coating, Pg in all three sites were not different between two groups. In HG, OR and VSCs levels were correlated with S% in tongue coating (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and PD < 4 mm sites (P < 0.05), and not correlated with S% in PD >or= 4 mm sites. OR was related to Pg in PD >or= 4 mm sites (P < 0.05) and there was no relationship between OR and Pg in tongue coating and PD < 4 mm sites. VSCs levels was not correlated with Pg in all three sites. S% in tongue coating and subgingival plaque, Pg in subgingival plaque, OR and VSCs levels were significantly reduced after periodontal therapy (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe direct relationship of Spirochetes and Pg respectively to bad breath was not found obviously. But Spirochetes is one of the microorganism on oral malodor. Periodontal therapy can improve oral malodor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dental Plaque ; microbiology ; Female ; Halitosis ; microbiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Periodontitis ; microbiology ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; metabolism ; Spirochaetales ; metabolism ; Sulfur Compounds ; analysis

Objective To explore the expression level and influencing factors of CD4 +CD25 + regulatory cells(Treg)among male drug -abusers with syphilis.Methods 144 male drug -abusers with syphilis,41 male drug -abusers without syphilis,35 male non -drug abuser with syphilis and 35 male healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study.Expression levels of CD4 +CD25 +Treg of them were detected.A questionnaire interview was conducted among these participants, including drug abuse duration,drug types and abuse ways.Results The levels of Treg expression of drug -abusers with syphilis were significantly higher than that of drug -abusers without syphilis and non -drug abuser with syphilis (P <0.01 ).Despite of the stage of syphilis,types of drugs and abuse way,Treg expression levels with drug abuse duration of"above 1 -year"were significantly higher than those of "1 -year or below"(P <0.01 ).Treg expression levels were positively correlated to drug abuse duration (R2 =0.672,P <0.01)among patients.Among the participants,people both with traditional and new drugs were significantly higher than that with only traditional or new drug (P <0.01).In addition, people both with injecting and non -injecting abuse were significantly higher than that with one way of drug -abuse (P <0.01).Among those with drug abuse duration of "above 1 -year",Treg levels of drug -abusers with traditional drugs and injecting abuse way were remarkably higher than that with new drug and non -injecting abuse respectively (P <0.01). Conclusion Among male drug -abusers with syphilis,suppression of cellular immune function resulting from increased CD4 +CD25 +regulatory T cells is related to drug abuse duration,and is also influenced by drug types and abuse ways.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) in the unstable plaque of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and the impact of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on the EMMPRIN expression in macrophages.

METHODSThe EMMPRIN expression was detected by immunohistochemistry in 11 unstable plaques from patients with ACS. Protein expression of EMMPRIN was evaluated by Western blot on macrophages differentiated from THP-1 which were stimulated with LTB4 in the absence or presence of LTB4 antagonist U75302. There are 8 study groups: 1-THP-1, 2-8-the macrophages derived from THP-1, 2-6-macrophages were stimulated by LTB4 (0, 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-8) and 10(-7) mol/L) for 24 h, 7-8-the macrophages were pretreated by 10(-6) mol/L or 10(-7) mol/L U75302 2 h before the LTB4 (10(-7) mol/L) stimulation.

RESULTSAbundant EMMPRIN expression was detected in macrophages and smooth muscle cells of unstable plaques from ACS patients. As to the THP-1 derived macrophages, EMMPRIN expression was significantly upregulated in a concentration-dependent manner in LTB4 stimulated groups, which was significantly higher in group 3-6 than in the THP-1 group (group 1) and macrophages group (group 2) (all P < 0.05) and pretreatment with U75302 significantly reduced the LTB4 induced upregulation of EMMPRIN in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONEMMPRIN expression is enhanced in macrophages and smooth muscle cells on unstable coronary artery plaques from ACS patients. LTB4 could stimulate EMMPRIN expression on THP-1 derived macrophages suggesting that LTB4 and EMMPRIN might be both involved in the formation and progression of unstable plaques, future studies are warranted to explore if LTB4 and EMMPRIN antagonists are effective or not for treating patients with ACS.

Acute Coronary Syndrome ; metabolism ; pathology ; Basigin ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Humans ; Leukotriene B4 ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) secondary mutations, haplotypes, GJB2 gene mutations on phenotype of 1494C>T mutation, and to study the molecular pathogenic mechanism of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss.

METHODSTwo Chinese Han pedigrees of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss were collected. The two probands and their family members underwent clinical, genetic and molecular evaluations including audiological examinations and mutational analysis of mitochondrial genome and GJB2 gene.

RESULTSClinical evaluation revealed wide range of severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in matrilineal relatives in both families, for which the penetrance of hearing loss was respectively 42.9% and 28.6% when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss were 14.3% and 14.3%. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial genomes identified a known 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation, in addition with distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroups C4a1a and B4b1c, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMitochondrial 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation probably underlie the deafness in both families. Lack of significant mutation in the GJB2 gene ruled out involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression. However, aminoglycosides and other nuclear modifier genes may still modify the phenotype of the 1494C>T mutation in these families. The B4b1c is a newly identified haplogroup in aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss family carrying the 1494C>T mutation. The 1494C>T mutation seems to have occurred sporadically through evolution.

Adult ; Aminoglycosides ; adverse effects ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Hearing Loss ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEThe main purpose of this work was to give the evidence of reasonable and feasible dust control measures which will be taken in the future by analyzing the trend of dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 and identifying working faces with the severe dust contamination in one underground iron mine.

METHODSThe data was from routine monitoring between the years 1991 and 2010, which enclosed the total dust concentrations and silica contents. China National Standard of Occupational exposure limits for hazardous agents in the workplace used to judge whether the dust concentration exceeded the National Standard.

RESULTSThe general trend of total dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 was decreased, especially maximum and average levels. The highest exceeding rate was 43.16% in 1993 and the best years were 2009 and 2010, but the exceeding rates were still over 30%. The dust exposure levels varied with different work faces. The mining and supporting were the most severe dust pollution faces which the highest ultra exceeding rates were 51.61% and 51.48% and the maximum exceeding times were 64.6 and 16.4 respectively. The next was constructing face with 40.23% exceeding rate and 24.6 times more than standard.

CONCLUSIONThe trend of total dust concentration from 1991 to 2010 was decreased, but the dust exceeding rate was still high. The strong measures should be taken to control the dust pollution in this iron mine, especially mining and supporting faces.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Dust ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; Iron ; analysis ; Mining ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis

Objective·To investigate the potential value of serum miRNAs for early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods·Blood samples were collected from 28 emergency patients with suspected ACS in 3 h after enrollment. Eighteen patients were finally diagnosed as ACS and ten as non-ACS according to the ACS guideline. The expression levels of cardiac miR-499 and myocardial injury related miR-652 were measured with qRT-PCR. At the same time levels of troponin I (cTnI) were monitored. Then the correlations between miRNAs and cTnI were analyzed. In addition, 95% reference range was established. Results·The expression levels of serum miRNAs increased in ACS patients within 3 h and serum miR-499 in the ACS patients was 9.2 times the amount in the non-ACS patients (P=0.009). Serum miR-499 (r=0.595, P=0.001) and miR-652 (r=0.579, P=0.001) levels both had positive correlations with cTnI. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of serum miR-499 and miR-652 was 0.786 and 0.583, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of miR-499 were 72.22% and 80.00%, respectively, while 72.22% and 60.00% for miR-652. The reference ranges of serum miR-499 and miR-652 were 0.001-2.723 and 0.122-9.660, respectively. Conclusion·Cardiac miR-499 in serum has potential to be a biomarker for early diagnosis of ACS.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between periodontitis and the low-grade inflammation in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients.

METHODSFifty-seven MS patients, 26 healthy controls were enrolled. Non-stimulated whole saliva was collected. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Concentration of cytokines was compared between MS patients and the healthy controls. Correlations between the cytokines and various periodontal indices, and between the cytokines level and different quantity of metabolic syndrome components were also investigated.

RESULTSLevels of TNF-alpha in saliva of MS patients [(69.30+/-21.01) ng/L] were significantly higher than that in the healthy subjects [(57.85+/-15.69) ng/L, P<0.05], and of IL-1beta in MS patients [(616.42+/-360.05) ng/L] higher than that in healthy subjects [(506.06+/-245.76) ng/L], but the difference was not statistically significant. TNF-alpha was positively correlated with bleeding index (BI). In MS patients, TNF-alpha level and IL-1beta level increased with increasing severity of periodontal disease and increasing component numbers of MS.

CONCLUSIONSPeriodontal inflammation may be one of the sources of low-grade inflammation in MS patients. Both systemic and periodontal conditions may influence the level of salivary TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; complications ; metabolism ; Saliva ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo examine the hypothesis that periodontitis was one of the sources of inflammation in preterm low birth weight (PLBW) mothers and investigate the relationship between PLBW and inflammatory factors.

METHODSThe samples of saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected from 83 PLBW mothers (PLBW group) and 44 normal birth weight (NBW) mothers (NBW group). The levels of IL-1beta and IL-6 were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of cytokines in saliva and GCF were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSIL-1beta level in saliva of PLBW group was higher than which of NBW group significantly [(78.32+/-11.81) ng/L vs. (39.66+/-11.89) ng/L, P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference on IL-6 level in saliva [(17.45+/-3.13) ng/L vs. (16.28+/-0.66) ng/L], IL-1beta level in GCF [(93.58+/-13.22) ng/L vs. (81.38+/-9.28) ng/L] and IL-6 level in GCF [(15.35+/-0.28) ng/L vs. (14.87+/-0.37) ng/L) between two groups, but those of PLBW group were higher than NBW group. Significant negative correlations existed between gestational age at delivery and probing depth. It was also found significant negative correlations between gestational age at delivery and IL-6 (r=-0.274, P<0.01), between the weight of the new born infants and IL-6 levels in saliva (r=-0.424, P<0.01), IL-1beta level in GCF (r=-0.231, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was a tendency presenting the higher inflammatory cytokine in GCF and saliva, the shorter gestation period and the lower birth weight. The levels of cytokine in saliva and GCF were higher in PLBW mothers. The correlation may be exist between maternal periodontitis and PLBW.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; chemistry ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Periodontal Attachment Loss ; metabolism ; Periodontal Index ; Periodontitis ; metabolism ; Premature Birth ; Saliva ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible association between mother's periodontal status and preterm low birth weight (PLBW) in Beijing.

METHODSThe periodontal status of 83 women who bore a preterm low birth weight infant (PLBW group) and 44 women who bore a normal birth weight infant (NBW group) within two years in four hospitals in Beijing were evaluated. These women were all generally healthy. The clinical periodontal parameters including plaque index (PLI), probing depth (PD), attachment loss (AL) and bleeding index (BI) recorded.

RESULTSThe percentages of PD > or = 4 mm sites, AL > or = 2 mm sites and BOP(+) sites in two groups were 8.1% vs 6.9%, 12.8% vs 6.1% and 70.4% vs 66.9%, respectively, which showed significantly higher in PLBW group than in NBW group(P < 0.01, P < 0.001, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThere was possible association between mother's periodontal status and preterm low birth weight in the investigated area. Poor periodontal status may be one of the risk factors of PLBW.

China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Mothers ; Periodontal Diseases ; epidemiology ; Premature Birth ; etiology ; Risk Factors

Aim To assess the effects of Trillium Tschonoskii Maxim ( TTM ) decoction on Tau protein phosphorylation and synaptic development in AD model rats induced by high activity GSK-3β. Methods The SD rats were divided into five groups of ten animals, named sham-operated group ( blank group) , AD model group, TTM group (0. 5, 0. 25, 0. 125 g·kg-1 · d-1 ) . Treatment group received gavage once a day for seven days with TTM decoction, while other groups by gavage once a day for seven days with drinking water. On 2nd day by gavage, Morris water maze test was used to assess the spatial learning and memory ability of the rats. After five days' training, rats in the treat-ment groups and AD model group were injected wort-mannin ( WT, PI3K specific inhibitor ) and GF-109203X (GFX, PKC specific inhibitor) (100 μmol ·L-1 of each, total volume of 10 μL) into the right lateral ventricle. Western blot was used to detect the levels of phosphorylation Tau protein at multiple sites and the expression level of PI3K, Akt, PKC, GSK-3β(S9, T216) and synapse-associated proteins. Immu-nohistochemical method was used to detect the hyper-phosphorylation of Tau protein in hippocampus of rats. Golgi staining was applied to detect the number and morphological changes of synaptic development and dendritic spines. Nissl' s staining was employed to ob-serve the development of neonatal neurons in hippo-campus and cortex. Results Western blot showed that the phosphorylation level of Tau in hippocampus increased in model group, and the activity of GSK-3βwas up-regulated. Among them, however, in middle dose TTM group, the phosphorylation level of Tau in hippocampus decreased and the activity of GSK-3βde-creased. The expression levels of p-PKC and p-Akt in low and middle dose treatment group were higher than those in model group, thus increasing the activity of PKC and Akt to inhibit the activity of GSK-3β kinase. Immunohistochemistry also indicated that TTM could decrease the biological effects of Tau phosphorylation in hippocampus of AD rats. Western blot showed that TTM could increase the expression levels of synapsin-1 , syn-aptophysin and GluR-1 in hippocampus of AD rats. Nissl staining showed that the number of Nissl bodies in hippocampal neurons of AD model group were signif-icantly fewer than those of sham operation group, which could be increased by TTM middle and high dose group, and the complexity and dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons in AD rats could be en-hanced as well. Conclusion TTM can effectively im-prove the cognitive function of AD rats induced by the increase of GSK-3β activity, and its possible mecha-nism may be via down-regulating the activity of GSK-3β and inhibiting the phosphorylation of tau protein and promoting the development of neurons.