AIM: To assess the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) combined with type I collagen on pulp capping in cats. METHODS: Freshly exposed pulps of thirty cats were capped with four different pulp capping agents: rhBMP-2/collagen I, calcium hydroxide, type I collagen and bovine serum albumin as control. The reparative dentinogenesis and osteocalcin content were assessed after 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks by means of histology and radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: the pulpal tissues of the teeth capped with rhBMP-2/collagen showed mild inflammation and odontoblast differentiation with tublar dentin bridge on the exposed site. The level of bone ?-carboxyglutamic containing protein(BGP) in the group of rhBMP-2 with collagen I was significantly higher than that of the other three groups (P

OBJECTIVETo offer evidences for quality control of medicinal plant of Dactylicapnos scandens.

METHODPharmacognostic studies were carried out through field collection, morphological and microscopic characteristics, and TLC.

RESULTObservation and description of the experimentation were made.

CONCLUSIONDactylicapnos scandens can be identified from Genus of Dactylicapnos which has the similar morphological characteristics. The morphological and microscopic characteristics and the results of TLC can be used as evidences for quality control of this medicinal plant.

Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Papaveraceae ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Leaves ; anatomy & histology ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; Plant Stems ; anatomy & histology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Quality Control

AIM:To evaluate therapeutic effect of Zhiqi oral solution on adult periodontitis. METHODS: Supragingival scaling and root planning were carried out in 100 patients with adult periodontitis. Then the patients with periodontitis were divided into two groups randomly. 32 patients in the control group took orally Metronidazole and 68 patients in the experimental group took orally Zhiqi oral solution. The pain reaction, bleeding index, probing depth, plaque index, changes of microorganisms in periodontal pocket and side effect before and after the treatment were observed at a 30 days observation period. RESULTS:Zhiqi oral solution had a therapeutic effect on periodontitis, compared with the control group ( P

The Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicine for its special biological activities. The content of rhein, one of its major compounds, was an important standard for the quantity control of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma. The major method used for the detection of rhein was instrumental analysis like HPLC, but it was complex, time-consuming and cannot detect large samples at the same time. The enzyme-linked imunmosorbent assay (ELISA) was accurate, reliable, simple, low costs, and of a high-throughout. Recently, it was widely used for the determination of those small molecule compounds in some traditional Chinese medicinal plants. In this study, an artificial antigen were synthesized by the carbodiimide (CDI) method. Rhein-bovine (rhein-BSA) conju gate and rhein-ovalbumin (rhein-OVA) conjugate, were produced as the immunogen and coating antigen, respectively. The conjugate and the hapten number in the conjugate were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (UV). The conjugation ratio of Rhein and BSA was about 4.0:1, rhein acid and OVA was 2.6 : 1, respectively. Rhein-BSA conjugate was used to immunize Bal b/c mice to produce antiserum. The antiserum titer of the Rhein were higher than 8000 detected by ELISA. The successfully synthesized conjugate antigen rhein-BSA implies its feasibility in the establishment of fast immunoassay for the rhein content determination.
Animals ; Anthraquinones ; analysis ; immunology ; Antibodies ; analysis ; immunology ; Antigens, Plant ; analysis ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; instrumentation ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Rheum ; chemistry ; immunology ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; immunology

Background and purpose:Antracycline combined with paclitaxel is more widely applied in breast cancer as neoadjuvant chemotherapy.There are differences in applications of different paclita~els.In this research,the efficacy and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with ET,ED regimen were compared for the patients with stageⅢbreast cancer.Methods:64 cases of stageⅢbreast cancer patients were divided in two groups.Before surgery,one group had received ET(EPI ivgtt 60 mg/m~2 d_1?21,PTX ivgtt 175 mg/m~2 d_2?21),the other group had received ED(EPI ivgtt 60 mg/m~2 d_2?21,DOC ivgtt 75 mg/m~2 d_2?21)neoadjuvant chemotherapy for three weeks. Curative effect and side effects were evaluated after 2-4 cycles.Results:Total effective rate was 87.5%.Effective rate in ED group was 92.9%,and effective rate in ET group was 83.5%.There was no significant difference(P=0.253).In pCR cases,8 cases in ED group achieved pathologically complete response compared to 3 cases in ET group(P=0.033). The number of patients in ED group(24 cases)hadⅣ-Ⅴgrade pathology evaluation after chemotherapy,it was higher than that in ET patients(21 cases).There was a significant difference(P=0.017).In both groups side effects including hair loss,nausea and vomiting,liver dysfunction were similar.Incidence rate of peripheral neurotoxicity in ET group was higher than that in ED group(P=0.002).Incidence rates of leukopenia,skin rash and phlebitis in ED group were higher than that in ET group.There was a significant difference between two groups in the leukopenia(P=0.034). Conclusions:For the patients with stageⅢbreast cancer patients,both two regimens could achieve better curative effect.ET and ED regimen have similar effect.But in ED regimen,the number ofpCR cases was obviously higher than in ET group.In both groups side effects were similar.There were significant differences in terms of leukopenia and peripheral neurotoxicity,but the side effects could be tolerated.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical results of arthroscopic single and double-bundle ACLs reconstructions.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to May 2010,45 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear were divided into two groups. In the first group,the anterior cruciate ligament were anatomical reconstructed with double-bundle semitendinous tendon, and in the second group the anterior cruciate ligaments were anatomical reconstrucated with single bundle semitendinous tendon. There were 22 patients (15 males and 7 females) in double-bundle group, with an average age of (27.04 +/- 3.68) years; 18 patients (13 males and 5 females) in single bundle group, with an average age of (28.16 +/- 4.76) years. Therapeutic effects between two groups were compared according to the IKDC, Lysholm scoring standards and Lachman test, knee pivot shift test, KT-1000.

RESULTSTwenty-two patients in double-bundle group and 18 patients in single-bundle group were followed-up, and the mean duration was 12 months. The IKDC score of patients in single-bundle group improved from preoperative 41.40 +/- 6.30 to postoperatively 95.70 +/- 3.10, Lysholm score increased from preoperative 47.20 +/- 6.30 to postoperative 94.20 +/- 2.40. And the IKDC score of patients in double-bundle group improved from preoperative 40.90 +/- 6.10 to postoperative 96.10 +/-3.40, Lysholm score increased from preoperative 48.10 +/- 6.50 to postoperative 95.10 +/- 2.49. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The Lachman test was positive in 2 patients (1 patient in double-bundle group and 1 patient in single-bundle group); and pivot shift test was positive in 2 patients (1 patient in double-bundle group and 1 patient in single-bundle group). KT-1000 of patients in double-bundle group was (1.5 +/- 1.2) mm, and (1.9 +/- 1.5) mm in single-bundle group, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONArthroscopic single-bundle reconstruction and double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have no significant differences in clinical effects.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; methods ; Arthroscopy ; methods ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Kangning granules on inflammatory and immunology.

METHODPedal swelling induced by 1% agar in mice, dermal capillary hyper-permeability induced by histamine in rats were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory of Kangning granules, and the clearance rate of intravenous charcoal particles was used to study its effect on non-specific immunologic functions. Serum haemolysin level and the number of antibody secretory cells in spleen were determined to assess its effects of specific immunologic functions. MTT colored method was used to determine the effect of Kangning granules on T- or B-Lymphocytes proliferation.

RESULT5, 10, 20 g x kg(-1) of Kangning Granules significantly inhibited pedal swelling induced by agar in mice (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). 2.4, 4.8, 9.6 g x kg(-1) of Kangning Granules evidently decreased dermal capillary hyper-permeability induced by histamine in rats (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). 10, 20 g x kg(-1) of Kangning Granules enhanced the phagocytic function and phagocytosing velocity in mice (P < 0.05). 5, 10, 20 g x kg(-1) of Kangning Granules obviously increased serum haemolysin level and the number of antibody secretory cells in spleen (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). 20 g x kg(-1) of Kangning Granules promoted B-Lymphocytes proliferation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONKangning granules significantly inhibited inflammatory reaction and increase immune functions in animals.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Capillary Permeability ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Echinacea ; chemistry ; Edema ; pathology ; Female ; Foot Diseases ; pathology ; Immunologic Factors ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

BACKGROUNDConnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent fibrogenic cytokine which has been associated with progressive glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. We investigated the role of CTGF on the progression of a rat model of radiation nephropathy.

METHODSThe model of radiation nephropathy in rats was established as follows: control group (n = 12), underwent only laparotomy; irradiated group (n = 20), underwent a laparotomy, then the rats were subjected to a single dose 25 Gy X-ray to the kidneys. The rats were followed up one, three, six and nine months after renal exposure to radiation.

RESULTSRenal dysfunction was noted early in irradiated rats. Histological analysis showed focal glomerular sclerotic lesions at an early stage after irradiation. Radiation-induced glomerular and tubulointerstitial injuries were particularly severe the sixth month after irradiation as compared to the control group (P < 0.01). By immunohistochemistry, increased expression of CTGF was noted in the irradiated kidneys, which began to increase from the first month after irradiation, and remained significantly higher at the sixth and ninth month after irradiation (P < 0.01). Upon Western blot analysis CTGF protein expression showed an increase in the radiation treated kidneys compared with the control rats. The expression of CTGF closely correlated with the progression of radiation nephropathy. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, vimentin, type III collagen and type IV collagen was also high in the irradiated kidney as compared to control rat kidneys (P < 0.05), and was most severe at the sixth and ninth month after irradiation (P < 0.01). By double immunostaining, CTGF expressing cells were found to be alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblasts and vimentin-positive tubular epithelial cells. Glomerular expression of CTGF closely correlated with the glomerular expression of alpha-SMA (r = 0.628, P < 0.01), vimentin (r = 0.462, P < 0.05) and accumulation of type IV collagen (r = 0.584, P < 0.01) in the irradiated kidney. Similarly, the expression of CTGF was positively correlated with the expression of alpha-SMA (r = 0.613, P < 0.01), vimentin (r = 0.629, P < 0.01), deposition of type III collagen (r = 0.741, P < 0.001) and type IV collagen (r = 0.799, P < 0.0001) in the tubulointerstitium of the irradiated kidney. Finally the expression of CTGF after the irradiation of the kidney positively correlated with the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of CTGF may play an important role in the development and progression of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in radiation nephropathy.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Collagen Type III ; analysis ; Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor ; analysis ; physiology ; Kidney ; radiation effects ; Kidney Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; etiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Vimentin ; analysis

Background Research demonstrated that mitochondrial pathway plays a key role in cell apoptosis.Purendan supermicropowder(PRD),a traditional Chinese medicine,may be a potentially effective therapy for neuron apoptosis in diabetic retina.Objective This study was carried out to investigate the effects of PRD on aldose reductase(AR)activity,neuron apoptosis and mitochondrial pathway in retina of diabetic rat.Methods Thirty-six clean male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,diabetes model group,PRD treatment group randomly and 12 rats for each group.The diabetes models were established by intraperitoneal injection of 25 mg/(kg · d)streptozotocin(STZ)for 3 consecutive days,and blood glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol/L was taken as the standard.PRD solution of 1.8 g/(kg · d)was lavaged in 12 models for 3 months.The eyeballs were enucleated for the preparation of retinal tissue homogenate and slice.AR activity in the retina was detected by ultraviolet spectrophotometry,and neuron apoptosis in retina was assayed by TUNEL staining.Western blot was used to assess the expressions of bcl-2,bax,cyt-c and caspase-3 protein in the retina.The use of animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Committee(Version 1988).Results Statistically significant differences were found in AR activity and AI among the normal control group,diabetic group and PRD groups(F=90.115,165.540,P＜0.01),and those of diabetic group were evidently higher than the normal control group and PRD group(P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The positive TUNEL cells mainly located in inner nuclear layer and retinal ganglion cell layer.The expressions of bax,cyt-c,caspase-3,bcl-2 and bcl-2/bax in retina were obviously different among these three groups(F =51.332,41.262,25.888,38.564,47.870,P＜0.01),and the expression of bax,cyt-c and caspase-3 protein in diabetic group evidently elevated in comparison with the normal control group and PRD group(t ＝ 10.32,11.04,6.91,P ＜ 0.01)and the expressions of bcl-2 protein and bcl-2/bax value were significantly lower in diabetic rats than in the normal control rats(t =18.05,12.23,P＜0.01).AR activity by AI of retina,the expressions of bax,cyt-c and caspase-3 proteins in retina were obviously lower in PRD group than in diabetes model rats(P ＜ 0.01),and the expression of bcl-2 protein and bcl-2/bax value were significantly higher in PRD group than in diabetes group(P＜0.01).Conclusions PRD can protect retina against the damage caused by high glucose by suppressing AR activity by downregulating the expressions of bax,cyt-c,caspase-3 proteins,increasing the expressions of bcl-2 protein in retina of diabetic rats and further inhibiting the mitochondrial pathway and reducing cell apoptosis in retina of diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVETo explore the indications of arthroscope for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and investigate the correlation between knee osteoarthritis imaging and effects of arthroscope.

METHODSFrom 2005.8 to 2008.4, 86 patients with knee osteoarthritis underwent arthroscope examination and treatment. Among the patients, 44 patients were male, and 42 patients were female, ranging in age from 46 to 67 years, averaged 56.3 years. Arthrodial cartilage of knee was graded by ICRS MR, and by Kellgern Laqrence X-ray. All the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 30 months. The Lysholm score was evaluated at the follow-up time.

RESULTSAmong 86 knees in 86 cases, cartilage injury degree of knees was graded as follows: grade 4 in 30 cases, grade 3 in 22 cases, grade 2 in 20 cases, grade 1 in 12 cases, grade 0 in 2 cases, mean grade (2.77 +/- 1.138). Postoperative Lysholm score ranged from 59 to 100, averaged (95.17 +/- 7.556), Kendall's correlation coefficient was -0.089, P = 0.317. There was no correlations between cartilage injury degree and Lysholm score. X-ray of knees was graded as follows: grade 4 in 0 cases, grade 3 in 24 cases, grade 2 in 38 cases, grade 1 in 17 cases, grade 0 in 7 cases, mean grade was (2.13 +/- 0.67), the Kendall's correlation coefficient was -0.851 with negative correlations (P = 0.036) between postoperative Lysholm score and K/L grade.

CONCLUSIONThere is no correlation between the grade of knee cartilage injury confirmed by MRI (1.5T) and effects of arthroscopy, and the grade is not a gold standard as an operation indication in arthroscope procedure. The K/L grade in X-ray had important effects.

Aged ; Arthroscopes ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography