BACKGROUND: Hydroxyapatite has favorable biocompatibility, can protect pulp tissue and promote the formation of osteoid dentin and the concrescence of pulp tissue. However, hydroxyapatite has no capability of anti-infection. Increasing scholars deem that antibacterials should be added with the hydroxyapatite during the treatment of vital pulp conservation to elevate curative effects.OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effects of self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/norvancomycin composite as pulp capping material and to make a comparison with calcium hydroxide.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The present randomized controlled observation experiment was performed at the General Dental Clinic, the Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical College between January 2004 and June 2005.PARTICIPANTS AND MATERIALS: A total of 60 patients (60 teeth) that suffered from deep caries or pulp exposure, could return visit on time, and agreed to sign informed consents were selected for this study. These patients comprised of 28 males and 32 females, aged 9-40 years. Diagnosis criteria: Teeth with food impaction pain and/or caloric stimulation pain which can relieve after stimulation removal; in addition, with no spontaneous pain, radiating pain, and hypnalgia. Self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/2.5% norvancomycin composite were prepared in the Department of Dental Material, Shanghai Second Hospital. Self-hardening calcium hydroxide was provided by Dentsply Company, USA.METHODS: All 60 patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 30 patients (30 teeth) per group. Self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/2.5% norvancomycin composite and self-hardening calcium hydroxide were applied as pulp capping agents in the experimental and control groups, respectively. Pulpal tissue reactions were assessed after 8 weeks. Teeth with normal response were restored permanently, and the others were given root canal treatment.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pulpal tissue reaction of patients.RESULTS: In the experimental group, one case showed vague pain after 1-week pulp capping and received root canal therapy, with success rate of 97%. In the control group, two cases presented with vague pain after 3-day and 1-week pulp capping, respectively, and also received root canal therapy, with success rate of 93%.CONCLUSION: Self-solidifying hydroxyapatite/norvancomycin composite acquires a high success rate of pulp capping, with curative effects similar to calcium hydroxide, it is a good pulp capping agent for vital pulp preservation.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; cytology ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides ; toxicity ; Lung ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; Peroxidase ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To detect levels of IL - 4 and INF - ? in induced sputum dynamically in children with mycnplasma pneamo-niae pneumonia( MPP), and to analyze the function of Th1 /Th2 cell factor immune response in the genesis and development of MPP, so as to evaluate the clinical value of induced sputum method in MPP research. Methods There were 38 cases who were diagnoses as MPP using 3% high osmotic pressure of saline water to ultrasonic atomizing inhalation for inducing sputum. ELISA was used to detect IL-4 and INF-?. Results The content of IL-4 in acute stage was higher than that in convalescence stage in induced sputum of MPP children. Severe stage was higher than mild stage. However, the comparison between acute and convalescence stage didn't have statistics difference in the content of INF-?, neither did the comparison between severe and mild stage. IL- 4/INF- ? in acute stage was higher than that in convalescence stage. Severe stage was higher than mild stage. In convalescence stage, the comparison of INF - ?, IL - 4, IL - 4/INF - ? between the severe and the mild didn' t have statistic significance. Conclusions IL-4 and INF - ? have participated in the monogenesis of MPP. The disequilibria of Th1 /Fh2 is existed in MPP and Th2 reaction predominates. So induced sputum analysis can be a better way to judge the light or heavy press degree of MPP practically, conveniently and sensitively.

Treatment with traditional Chinese medicinal composite is one of the most important characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Studying material base of TCM composite and its mechanism is a key to modernizing the industry of Chinese medicinal herbs. The research for TCM composite can be carried out from many different angles, including multiple components, multiple actions, multiple levels and multiple targets. Such a way to study TCM composite will be beneficial to improving the theory of TCM composite, guiding clinical administration and developing new products.

Objective To explore the effect of experimental design in the experimental teaching of fundamental nursing. Methods 168 and 199 baccalaureate nursing students were in the control and experimental group respectively, the control group received traditional experimental teaching method, and the experimental group must complete the experimental design before entering the lab. The teaching effect between the two groups were compared. Results The mean operation score of the experimental group was significantly higher than the control group, the proportion of those students who reflected their teaching method could enhance creative ability, problem-solving ability and practical ability was higher in the experimental group, 100% teachers reflected experimental design could improve operation level, strengthen theoretical knowledge, animate teaching atmosphere. Conclusions Experimental design could arouse students' enthusiasm and initiative to study, advocate them to think and ask.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Humans ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma ; drug therapy ; microbiology

The etiological agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was identified as a new coronavirus, termed SARS-CoV. Establishment of an efficient and sensitive diagnostic system of SARS-CoV genetic materials is crucial for SARS control. In this study, we quantified SARS-CoV mRNAs in both infected cell culture lysate and in supernatant by using Real-time quantitative revere transcription-PCR based on EvaGreen鈩?dye and Taqman-MGB probes. For extensive evaluation of sensitivities and specificities, 13 pairs of primers and 4 probes were designed based on different genes of SARS-CoV. Glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was selected as the internal control gene. Results showed that S-gene-specific PCR was the most sensitive for detection, but because of its sequence variability in the different viral strains, primers and a probe based on the N gene were suitable substitutions. Meanwhile, we found the mRNA concentrations in cell culture lysates were much higher than in cell supernatant and facilited more sensitive detection of the SARS-CoV.

AIM: To determine the effect of suction duration on thickness and diameter of corneal flap created by microkeratome in porcine eyes in laser in situ kerato-mileusis (LASIK).METHODS: Sixty porcine eyes were randomly assigned to three groups according to different suction durations: group 1 (10 seconds), group 2 (20 seconds), and group 3 (30 seconds). A Moria M2 microkeratome (Moria, France) with a 160μm head was used to create a corneal flap. Corneal flap thickness was measured by automated ultrasonic pachymetry, and the flap diameter was measured by a vernier caliper.RESULTS: The flap thickness of group 1, group 2 and group 3 was 146.05±13.46μm, 157.35±18.95μm and 169.25±21.02μm, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference among three groups (P=0.001). The mean flap diameter in groups 1, 2 and 3 was 8.63±0.19mm, 8.89±0.24mm and 9.06±0.18mm, respectively. A statisti-cally significant difference was found among groups (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: In LASIK in porcine eyes, an increase in suction duration resulted in a thicker and greater flap.

AIM:To explore whether angiotensin Ⅱtype 2 receptor antagonist EMA 401 decreases neuropathic pain and the expression of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43), protein kinase C (PKC) and calmodulin (CaM) in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) during chronic constriction injury (CCI) in rats.METHODS:SD rats were used to establish CCI model and randomly divided into 4 groups.The rats in model group were given equal volume of normal saline by intra-gastric administration .The rats in low dose ( LD) group were given 5 mg/kg EMA401 by intragastric administration .The rats in middle dose ( MD) group were given 10 mg/kg EMA401 by intragastric administration .The rats high dose ( HD) group were given 20 mg/kg EMA401 by intragastric administration .The rats in sham operation group received equal volume of normal saline by intragastric administration .Thermal withdrawal latency ( TWL ) and mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) were measured before operation and 7 d, 14 d and 28 d after CCI.After behavioral test, DRG of lumbar spinal was obtained from each group , and was used to determine Ca 2+concentration by o-cresolphthalein complexone microplating method, and the expression of GAP-43, PKC and CaM at mRNA and protein levels by Western blotting and RT-PCR.RE-SULTS:Compared with model group, EMA401 significantly increased the TWL and MWT (P <0.05).Meanwhile, EMA401 significantly reduced Ca 2+concentration and the expression of GAP-43, PKC and CaM at mRNA and protein levels in the DRG (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:EMA401 may attenuate neuropathic pain of CCI by inhibiting Ca 2+concentra-tion and the expression of GAP-43, PKC and CaM.