AIM: This study was aimed to assess the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) combined with fibronectin on reparative dentinogenesis and odontoblast differentiation, investigate the possible mechanism underlying traumatized pulp repair, which would facilitate the choosing of ideal pulp capping agents. METHODS: 192 teeth from 16 adult cats were used. Class V cavties were prepared on the facial surface. The pulps of cats were exposed mechanically and then capped directly with MTA, MTA combined with fibronectin, calcium hydroxide, fibronectin and starch as control. The pulpal tissue reactions were assessed by light microscopy at healing interval of 1 and 4 weeks.RESULTS: 1 week after pulp capping, no reparative dentin formation was observed in each group. 4 weeks after pulp capping, the dental pulps capped with MTA/fibronectin showed no or slight cellular inflammatory responses and odontoblast differentiation with tublar dentin bridge on the exposed sites. In MTA group, the dental pulps showed slight to moderate cellular inflammatory responses with osteodentin formation. In calcium hydroxide group, the pulps showed moderate to severe inflammatory responses with calcified matrix. In fibronectin and starch group, no dentin bridge formation was observed, the pulps showed severe cellular inflammatory responses.CONCLUSION: (1) MTA combined with fibronectin induced to form complete and tublar dentin bridge. In MTA group, most of the formed dentin bridge was irregular and osteodentin. (2) MTA combined with fibronectin is a bioactive pulp-capping agent and has a great worth in vital pulp therapy.

Objective:To observe the maximum tongue pressure and study the oropharyngeal activity during swallowing of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy so as to correlate the maximum tongue pressure with swallowing function.Methods:The mean maximum tongue pressure of nineteen NPC patients with dysphagia was measured at the anterior (TA), middle (TM) and posterior (TP) positions, followed by video fluoroscopy. Oral transit time (OTT), upper esophageal sphincter(UES)opening time (UOT) and UES opening range (UOR) were correlated with the mean maximum tongue pressures.Results:The maximum pressure at the TM and TP positions was significantly negatively correlated with OTT, but there was no significant correlation with the anterior readings. The maximum pressures at all three tongue positions were, however, positively correlated with UOT and UOR.Conclusion:The maximum pressure at the TA, TM and TP positions is strongly correlated with the swallowing function of NPC patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the possible effect of exposure to GSM 1,800 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF EMF) on epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its possible interference by noise magnetic fields (MF).

METHODSChinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CHL) were exposed to 1,800 MHz RF EMF (modulated by 217 Hz or 50 Hz, or unmodulated), 2 microT noise MF, and RF EMF combined with 2 microT noise MF for 15 min, respectively. The specific absorption rates (SARs) of RF EMF were 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 W/kg. Commercial EGF (1 ng/ml) treatment was used as positive control. EGF receptors on the cell membrane were observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope after indirect immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSEGF receptor clustering was induced after exposure to GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF modulated by 217 Hz or 50 Hz MF at SARs of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 W/kg for 15 min as induced by 1 ng/ml EGF, but not at SAR of 0.1 W/kg. And no EGF receptor clustering was found in cells after exposure to unmodulated RF EMF or 2 microT noise MF. In addition, superposition of 2 microT noise MF could inhibit the EGF receptor clustering induced by GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF.

CONCLUSIONEGF receptor clustering in CHL cells can be induced by GSM 1,800 MHz RF EMF at the lowest SAR of 0.5 W/kg and inhibited by noise MF. The modulation of wave may play an important role in the inducement of receptor clustering after RF exposure.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Lung ; cytology ; Radio Waves ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; metabolism

Objective:To explore the application of reflective circulation fusion link teaching in operating room nursing teaching.Methods:A total of 60 nursing students of operating room accepted by our unit from October 2019 to October 2020 were divided into the control group (30 cases, using routine nursing instruction of operating room) and the experimental group (30 cases, taking reflective circulation fusion link teaching). The assessment results, self-directed learning ability and satisfaction with the teaching before and after the teaching were compared between the two groups. SPSS 26.0 was used for t test and chi-square test. Results:The scores of theoretical knowledge and nursing skills assessment in the two groups were improved, and the scores of the experimental group after teaching were higher than those of the control group[(92.84±5.91) vs. (87.25±7.29); (91.68±7.14) vs. (85.96±8.62)] ( P<0.05); the two groups were both improved in terms of learning awareness, learning behaviors, learning strategies, and learning evaluation and interpersonal skills dimensions, and the scores of the above-mentioned dimensions of the test group after teaching were higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05); the satisfaction scores of improving learning initiative, deepening the understanding and mastery of theoretical knowledge, and enhancing operational skills were higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The application of reflective circulation fusion link teaching in nursing students of the operating room can not only enhance the students' assessment results and self-directed learning ability, but also improve their satisfaction of the teaching.

OBJECTIVETo compare the morphological difference between dermal tissue of normal skin and that of scar in rat, and to explore its structural pattern.

METHODSThe full-thickness skin and the scar tissue formed 3 weeks after wound healing from SD rats were harvested as samples, which were prepared appropriately afterwards. Samples were scanned and imaged with synchrotron radiation technology, micro-CT, and phase-contrast imaging technology. The images were rebuilt with three-dimensional software.

RESULTSThe micro-CT was materialized by using X-ray generated by synchrotron radiation light source. The structure of dermal tissues was clearly shown with the assistance of phase-contrast imaging technology in the process. It was demonstrated that the dermal tissues of normal skin of rat were mainly composed of collagenous fibers, which twined together to form an olive-like structure. These olive-like structures as basic units were arranged randomly in a certain way. The collagenous fibers in dermal tissue of the scar were arranged in a parallel manner, while some fibers were crooked and arranged in a disorderly manner.

CONCLUSIONSDermal tissue of normal skin in rat has stable three-dimensional structure, and its basic structure and manner of composition are obviously different from those of scar dermal tissue.

Animals ; Cicatrix ; diagnostic imaging ; Dermis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; diagnostic imaging ; Synchrotrons ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and pathological implication of transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in intraacinar pulmonary arterioles of children with congenital heart disease and pulmonary hypertension (HP).

METHODSForty-one children with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease were studied including 25 cases of HP (group A), 16 cases without HP (group B) and 10 children without congenital heart disease as the contols (group C). Expression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and ET-1 mRNA in intraacinar pulmonary arteriolar (IAPA) was studied using in-situ hybridization and image pattern analysis of their absorption values (A value). Changes of the intraacinar arterioles and lung tissue were studied by elastic fiber staining and electronic microscopy respectively.

RESULTS(1) There was a significant difference in the amount of intraacinar pulmonary arterioles (partial-muscular and muscular) counted in either group A or B in comparing with that of group C (F values 149.96 and 142.01 respectively, P < 0.01); (2) Electronic microscopy demonstrated endothelial proliferation of the small arteries, thickening of arteriolar wall, increased density of collagen fibers at adventitia and increased thickness of the capillary basal membrane; (3) The A value of TGF-beta1 mRNA expressed in the pulmonary arterioles of groups A and B by in-situ hybridization were 0.1988 +/- 0.0498 and 0.1098 +/- 0.0428 respectively, however, the expression was weak in group C (A value: 0.0578 +/- 0.0096). There were all significant between each two groups (F = 45.95, P < 0.01). The expression of ET-1 mRNA was markedly increased as well in the endothelial cells of pulmonary arterioles in both groups A and B, with A values of 0.1692 +/- 0.0205 and 0.1004 +/- 0.0140 respectively, whereas the expression was weak in group C (A value of 0.0746 +/- 0.0119). There were all significant between each two groups (F = 139.996, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe number of intraacinar pulmonary partial-muscular and muscular arterioles in patients with left-to-right shunt congenital heart defect is drastically increased, along with marked restructuring of the pulmonary vasculatures. In addition, there seems a correlation present between the overexpression of TGF-beta1 mRNA and ET-1 mRNA in intraacinar pulmonary arterioles and the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension in patients with congenital heart disease.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Endothelin-1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Infant ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasible age limits in Chinese elderly patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSThe clinical data of 507 patients with NHL who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from January 1990 to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. They were further followed up by reviewing medical records or by phone. The deadline of follow-up was October 2008.

RESULTSThe 5-year/8-year overall survival (OS) rates were 64.6%/45.7%, 53.0%/ 44.1%, 32.8%/17.5%, 40.0%/22.8%, and 19.8%/0, respectively, in patients aged < 60 years, 60-64 years, 65-69 years, 70-74 years, and > or = 75 years. The OS rate was significantly different between patients aged > or = 75 years and other age groups, and between patients aged 65-70 years and patients younger than 60 years (P < 0.05). Only age, serum albumin, and hemoglobin affected the survival status in elderly NHL patients.

CONCLUSIONSixty-five years can be regarded as the age limit in Chinese NHL patients.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; mortality ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVETissue kallikrein cleaves kininogen substrate to produce vasoactive kinin peptides that have been implicated in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. We investigated the effects of adenovirus-mediated human tissue kallikrein (Ad-hKLK1) gene delivery on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells of SHR (VSMCs(SHR)) induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB).

METHODSPrimary VSMCs(SHR) were isolated and cultured from thoracic aorta of male SHR. The VSMCs(SHR) proliferation induced by PDGF-BB was accessed by cell counting and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT). Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of hKLK1, the cycle-independent kinase inhibitors p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1). The mRNA expressions of bradykinin B1 receptor and B2 receptor were detected by RT-PCR in VSMCs(SHR).

RESULTSProliferation of VSMCs(SHR) induced by PDGF-BB was significantly inhibited post transfection of Ad-hKLK1 (20-100 MOI) in a MOI-dependent manner. The peak inhibition titer of Ad-hKLK1 was 100 MOI with peak inhibition rate of 39.3% (cell counting, n = 3, P < 0.01), 30.2% (MTT, n = 3, P < 0.01) and 36.4% (peak stunning rate of cell-cycle in phase G(0)/G(1)). The inhibitory effects of proliferation and cell-cycle caused by hKLK1 gene delivery could be abolished by Hoe140, a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist. The protein expression of p27(Kip1) and p21(Cip1) increased significantly after the hKLK1 gene delivery, whereas Hoe140 nearly completely blocked these effects (n = 3, P < 0.001, respectively). PDGF-BB also significantly upregulated the mRNA expression of B2 receptor but not B1 receptor in VSMCs(SHR).

CONCLUSIONThe hKLK1 gene delivery could inhibit PDGF-BB induced proliferation in VSMCs(SHR) through Bradykinin B2 receptor and up-regulate expression of p27(Kip1) and p2l(Cip1).

Animals ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kallikreins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Recombination, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of human tissue kallikrein 1(Ad-hKLK1) gene delivery on the neointima formation in carotid arteries of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).

METHODSCarotid artery restenosis was induced in male SHR rats by balloon-injury. Rats were randomly assigned into 4 groups: Sham-operated (n = 6); Angioplasty (phosphate buffered solution 50 microl, n = 8); Vector virus (control virus, 1 x 10(9) IU in 50 microl, n = 8) and Ad-hKLK1(Ad-hKLK1, 1 x 10(9) IU in 50 microl, n = 8). Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks later. The wall-to-lumen area ratio and intima/media ratio in carotid artery were assessed by image analysis in HE stained sections. The mRNA bradykinin receptor (B1R and B2R) expressions were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expression of the cycle-independent kinase inhibitors p27Kip1 and p2lCip1 were determined by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSWall-to-lumen area ratio reduced 35.6% and intima/media ratio reduced 38.8%in Ad-hKLK1 treated SHRs compared to angioplasty group (all P < 0.001). The expression of p27Kip1 and p2lCip1 increased significantly in Ad-hKLK1 treated SHRs compared with angioplasty rats (all P < 0.001). The mRNA expression of B2R was significantly upregulated in angioplasty rats compared with sham-operated rats (P < 0.05) while mRNA expression of B1R was similar between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONhKLK1 gene delivery may effectively reduce neointimal formation via downregulating bradykinin B2R and up-regulating the expressions of p27Kip1, p2lCip1 signaling pathways in carotid arteries of SHRs after balloon injury.

Angioplasty, Balloon ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Humans ; Male ; Neointima ; etiology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Tissue Kallikreins ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo provide basis of reference values for relevant parameters of Chinese Reference Man.

METHODSEighteen kinds of major organ or tissue samples, including muscle, rib, liver, and so on, were obtained from 4 areas (Hebei, Shanxi, Jiangsu, and Sichuan provinces) with different dietary patterns in China in autopsy of 16 healthy adult men, who had just encountered sudden deaths. At the same time, whole blood samples were collected from 10 volunteers living in each of these areas. The concentrations of 56 elements in these samples were detected by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), and Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GF-AAS) techniques. Based on obtained concentrations and reference values of these organ or tissue weights for Chinese Reference Man, the relative elemental burdens in these organs or tissues as well whole body were also estimated.

RESULTSThe concentrations of 56 elements in 18 main organs or tissues were determined all together and their elemental organ or tissue and whole body burdens were estimated. Furthermore, the distributions of important elements for radiation protection in these organs or tissues were emphatically discussed.

CONCLUSIONBy summing with past related results, the total results obtained from the series of research may provide more reliable and better representative basis of these reference values for Chinese Reference Man than before.

Adult ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Body Burden ; China ; Elements ; Humans ; Liver ; chemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Male ; Reference Values