Enamel pearl is an ectopic enamel, which usually occurs in the root bifurcate or approaching enamel-cementum site of the first maxillary molar. A case of multiple enamel pearls on the left maxillary third molar is reported in this paper, and relevant literature was reviewed.
Dental Cementum ; Dental Enamel ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Molar ; Molar, Third ; Tooth Root

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide synthase(NOS) is the key factor for the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) . Because NO combines with oxygen, hemoglobin and other substances in vivo easily and deactivates quickly, and it is not exactly determined, so determining the activity of NOS is the important link for further studying the pathogenesis of NO in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)injury.OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different types of NOS in the process of cerebral I/R injury.DESIGN: Randomized and controlled animal experiment.SETTING: Instituteof Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out in the Shandong Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment for Encephalopathy from May to December 2005. Twenty-eight adult healthy male Wistar rats, of clean grade, weighing from 220 to 260 g, were provided by the Experimental Animal Center of Shandong University. The involved rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group (n =4) and cerebral ischemia group (n =24). Six time points were set in cerebral ischemia group: ischemia 1 hour reperfusion 6 hours, 12 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days, 4 rats at each time point.METHODS: Rat models of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion were established by suture-occluded method through inserting a suture into the left internal-external carotid artery. The expressions of different types of NOS at different time points after cerebral I/R were detected by immunohistochemical technique.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ①Toluidine blue-stained two groups of nerve cells; ② The expression and distribution of neuronal NOS (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS(iNOS) at different time points.RESULTS: ①Karyopyknosis and cell debris appeared in the nerve cells of the injured region of cerebral ischemia group,and there were no significant differences of cells among different time points. ② Six hours after reperfusion, the expressions of nNOS, eNOS and iNOS were found in the neurons of brain tissue and increased with the elongation of time of reperfusion. The regions in which different types of NOS in neurons of brain tissue were expressed were cortical area and corpora striata. nNOS and iNOS were highly expressed within 12 hours to 7 days after reperfusion in the brain, and eNOS was highly expressed within a short time period, i.e. 6 hours to 3 days after reperfusion. eNOS expression increasing and decreasing occurred earlier than nNOS and iNOS. But the expressions of three kinds of NOS all reached peak on the first day after reperfusion. The changing tendencies of the expression of three kinds of NOS in the cortical area and corpora striata were the same basically.CONCLUSION: After cerebral I/R injury, the high expression of eNOS occurs early and lasts for a short time, while that of nNOS and iNOS occurs late and lasts for a long time.

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a kind of neurotrophic factor and protects from cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, the expression of IGF-1 is associated with the attack of ischemic stroke. The effects of IGF-1 and its receptor (IGF-1R) on neurobehavioral function are to be further studied.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of IGF-1 and IGF-1R on neurobehavioral function in rat models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.DESIGN: A randomized controlled observation.SETTING: Institute of Cerebrovascular Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College.MATERIALS: The experiments were carried out in Shandong Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Brain diseases. Twenty-eight healthy adult Wistar rats of clean degree, weighing 220-260 g, were provided by the experimental animal center of Shandong University.METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into experimental group (n =24) and sham-operated group (n =4). The middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) models were established by inserting a thread through left external-internal carotid arteries. The sham-operated rats were given the same treatments except inserting thread. ①Neurologic deficit test: The rats in the experimental group were assessed according to Bederson standard after 1-hour ischemia and 6, 12-hour, 1, 3, 7 and 14-day reperfusion respectively. The sham-operated rats were assessed at corresponding time points; Without neurologic deficit was marked as 0 point; flexion of anterior claws as 1 point; unable to act against the pushing from the contralateral side as 2 points; circling while walking as 3 points; shaking as 4 points;unconscious mind as 5 points. ② Sample collection and treatment: The samples in the experimental group were collected after 1-hour ischemia and 6, 12-hour, 1, 3, 7 and 14-day reperfusion, and those in the sham-operated group ere collected at 24 hours postoperatively. The rats were anesthetized, brain samples were got at about 5 mm posterior to optic chiasma after brains were removed completely, then serial coronal sections (5 μm) were prepared, and 1 from 10 sections was stuck to the cover glasses treated with poly-L-lysine. ③ Morphological observation of neurons: The neurons in brain were observed by toluidine blue staining. ④ Detection of IGF-1 and IGF-1R: The expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in cortex and striatum were detected with immunohistochemical technique, 4 fields were randomly selected to count the positive cells under high-power microscope (×400).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① The neurologic deficit; ② Morphological changes of neurons in brain; ③ Expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in cortex and striatum.RESULTS: All the 28 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① The neurologic deficit: The scores of neurologic deficit were (1.50±058) and (1.50±0.78) in rats after 7 and 14-day reperfusion, which were lower than that in rats after 6-hour reperfusion [(3.00±0.00), P ＜ 0.05]. ② Morphological changes of neurons in brain: The neurons in ischemic area appeared as paryopyknosis and became irregular in shape, there were obvious gaps around the cells, also deeply stained as purplish blue, nucleolus disappeared, and there were many scattered cellular fragments. ③ Expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1R in cortex and striatum: The numbers of IGF-1 positive cells in cortex were (8.75±2.06), (11.13±1.14),(19.75±3.18), (17.38±3.11 ) and (11.23±2.28) respectively in rats after 6, 12-hours and 1, 3, 7-day reperfusion, which all were higher than that in sham-operated rats [(3.88±1.46), P ＜ 0.05], the numbers of IGF-1 positive cells in striatum were(8.25±2.21), (11.34±2.21), (18.23±2.64), (18.56±2.34) and (11.31±2.14) respectively in rats after 6, 12 hours and 1, 3, 7days reperfusion , which were also higher than that in sham-operated rats [(4.12±2.24), P ＜ 0.05]. The numbers of IGF-1R positive cells in cortex were (7.63±1.50), (10.50±2.34), (15.55±3.12), (15.37±3.01), (8.86±2.75) respectively in rats after 6, 12-hours and 1,3,7-day reperfusion, which all were higher than that in sham-operated rats [(4.13±1.81), P ＜0.05]. Those in striatum were (8.33±2.31), (10.24±2.09), (14.72±2.17), (14.24±2.77), (8.38±2.05), which were also higher than that in sham-operated rats [(3.76±2.35), P ＜ 0.05].CONCLUSION: The neurological function is damaged after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, but it has a trend of self-recovery. The expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1R are mainly distributed in cortex and striatum. Higher expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1R maintain during 12 hours to 7 days after reperfusion and have a peak value at 1-3 days, which suggests that early expression of IGF-1 and IGF-1R are certain related to the recovery of neurological function.

BACKGROUND: Brain injury can induce the increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in brain,whereas FGFR is a very important player in the cell proliferation and differentiation, angiogenesis, skeletogeny, etc.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of bFGF and its receptor on neuronal apoptosis following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.DESIGN: A randomized grouping design and animal experiment.SETTING: Institute of Cerebrovascular Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College.MATERIALS: Twenty-eight healthy adult Wistar rats of clean degree, weighing 220-260 g, were provided by the experimental animal center of Shandong University. Rabbit-anti-rat bFGF and fibroblast growth factor receptor-1(FGFR-1) monoclonal antibodies were provided by Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, Co.,Ltd.METHODS: The experiment was carried out in Shandong Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Brain diseases.① The rats were randomly divided into experimental group (n =24) and sham-operated group (n =4). Models of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) were established by thread occlusion via left external-internal carotid arteries, and 4 rats in the experimental group were sampled at 1-hour ischemia/6, 12-hour, 1, 3, 7 and 14-day reperfusion respectively. The rats in the sham-operated group were given the same treatment without inserting thread.After anesthesia, the brain was removed completely by cutting head, then the brain tissue at about 5 mm posterior to optic chiasma was cut down, then serial coronal sections (5 μm) were prepared. ② The brain tissues were stained with ematoxylin-eosin (HE), and the forms of neurons were observed under microscope. ③ TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method: there were buffy granules in nucleus which was positively stained (apoptosis). Four fields were randomly selected from cortex and striatum to count positive cells under high-power microscope (×400). ④ The sections were stained with rabbit-anti-rat bFGF and FGFR-1 monoclonal antibodies, 4 fields were randomly selected from cortex and striatum to count positive cells under high-power microscope (×400).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Apoptosis and the expressions of bFGF and FGFR-1.RESULTS: All the 28 rats were involved in the analysis of results. ① In the experimental group, the neurons in the ischemic sites were obviously decreased, some neurons appeared as paryopyknosis and became irregular, also deeply stained as purplish blue, nucleolus disappeared, and there were many scattered cellular fragments. ② In the sham-operated group, there were a few apoptotic neurons in the brain tissue, and the apoptotic neurons were obviously increased after ischemia, which mainly observed in cortexes and striatums of frontal and paritetal lobes. In the experimental group, apoptotic cells in cortexes began to increase gradually at 6 hours, and there were more cells at 12hours and 3 days, which reached the peak value at 1 day, and began to decrease at 3 day, but there were still more apoptotic cells at 14 days than in the sham-operated group. The number of apoptotic neurons and the changing trend in striatums were generally the same as those in cortexes (P ＞ 0.05). ③ In the sham-operated group, there were weak bFGF expression in the neurons of brain tissue, but there were fewer lightly stained positive cells. After cerebral ischemia, the bFGF expressions were increased, mainly observed in cortexes and striatums. The bFGF expression appeared at 6 hours after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and the number was increased gradually and deeply stained as the time of reperfusion prolonged (Figure 3), it reached the peak value at 1-3 days, and then weakened gradually, but it was still higher than in the sham-operated group at 14 days [(5.01 ±1.71), (5.21 ± 1.62) cells/visual field; (2.03± 1.73),(2.46± 1.38) cells/visual field, P ＜ 0.05]. ④ In the sham-operated group, lightly stained FGFR-1 positive cells could be observed in brain tissue. At 6 hours after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the FGFR positive cells began to increased in cortexes and striatums, which were the most at 1-3 days, and gradually decreased after 3 days, and the number was still a little more than that in the sham-operated group at 14 days [(5.01± 1.41), (5.20± 1.33) cells/visual field; (2.25±1.67),(2.32± 1.61 ) cells/visual field].CONCLUSION: After cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, the expressions of endogenous bFGF and FGFR-1 may be activated in cortex and striatum, then inhibit the neuronal apoptosis, and play its neuroprotective role.

Objective:To observe the effects of active immunization with a synthesized repetitive peptides in the extracellular loops of Na/Ca exchanger(NCX)?1 on cardiac structure and function in rats.Methods:A repetitive peptide of 124 HNFTAGDLGPSTIVGSAAFNMF145 was synthesized,which was in line with the extracellular loops of Na/Ca exchanger(NCX)?1.Healthly male Wistar rats of 2 month age were immunized actively with the synthesized peptide as antigen repeated for 12 weeks.The control group was given Freund's adjuvant only.Specific antibodies were detected by ELISA.The cardiac function was observed by Langendorff isolated heart-perfusing assay and the hearts were prepared for routine histological evaluation.Results:All rats immunized with the peptide developed highly positive autoimmunities,indicated by the antibody titers.After 12 weeks of peptide inoculation,the cardiac functioning indexes including LVSP-LVDP,+dp/dtmax and -dp/dtmax increased much more significantly in immunized group than in control.Histological evaluation showed that the myofilaments of the control group arranged regularly and densely with better continuity,whereas the myofilaments of the immunized group were lined with disorder.Some of those were ruptured.The interstitial lymphocyte infiltration was observed.Conclusion:The results indicate that long term immunization with the synthesized repeatitive peptide in line with the extracellular parts of Na/Ca exchanger(NCX)?1 can enhance both systolic and diastolic function of rat heart,but it can also induce injury in the heart structure.This may relate with an increase of myocardial oxygen consumption owing to a long time and continued excitement of membrane ion transporters as well as their active effect in heart contraction to a larger extent.

Objective We have revised the Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system which has been widely recog?nized in the world to a Chinese version and verified its credibility and validity. Methods First we translated and edited the Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system using Chinese.Nine doctors, who were selected from different hospitals, then scored twice on the same video of 90 patients with facial nerve palsy using the Chinese version of the Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system and grading standard separately at one month interval. The consistency and the repeatability of the Chinese version of the Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system were evaluated. Results The Cronbach 's alpha value was 0.92 and the average coefficient of repeatability (CR) was 12.72, indicating that the Chinese version of the Sunny?brook facial nerve grading system had a high degree of internal consistency and repeatability. The ICC values on the as?sessment and evaluation for the internal measurement were 0.97 and 0.98, respectively. The scored results were compara?ble between doctors who were not familiar with this disease and those who were very familiar with the disease. The aver?age ICC was 0.97(95%CI:0.95~0.99). Conclusions The Sunnybrook facial nerve grading system has good reliability and consistency and hereby recommend Chinese doctors to use it.

Objective:To observe the effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction on high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and interleu-kin-6(IL-6)in serum of the rats with periodontitis and the IL-6 expression level in periodontal tissues.Methods:45 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:control group N(n =1 0),periodontitis model group P(n =35).After periodontitis model was identi-fied by the examination of 5 rats,the rest rats were randomly divided into 3 groups(n =1 0)and treated by gavage of saline(group P0 ), metronidazole(group P1 )and Gegen Qinlian decoction(group P2 )respectively for 4 weeks.Then all the rats were sacrificed.Serum was immediately harvested for the test of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels by ELISA.Attachment loss level(AL)was examined by pa-thology.IL-6 expression in periodontal tissues was examined by S-P immunohistochemistry.Results:The inflammation of periodontal tissues in P1 ,P2 were improved more than that in P0 .AL in group P2 were lower than that in other groups(P <0.05).The IL-6 expres-sion in periodontal tissues and the levels of serum hs-CRP and IL-6 of group P2 were lower than those of other groups(P <0.05).Ser-um hs-CRP level was positively correlated with IL-6 level.Conclusion:Gegen Qinlian decoction may inhibit the development of peri-odontitis by depressing the expression of serum hs-CRP and IL-6.

Objective:To observe the effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction on serum high sensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)expres-sion of rats with periodontitis and atherosclerosis(P-AS).Methods:40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:control group(A,n=1 0),P-AS group(B,n=30).5 rats in group A and B were used for the identification of P-AS model.Then rats with P-AS in group B were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=5)and administered with saline(B1 ),atorvastatin(B2),metronidazole (B3),atorvastatin+metronidazole(B4)and Gegen Qinlian decoction(B5)respectively for 4 weeks.Serum hs-CRP level was assayed by ELISA.Periodontal attachment loss(AL)and artery change were examined by pathology.Results:Serum hs-CRP level in group B1-5 was higher than that of group A(P<0.01 ).Serum hs-CRP level of group B4 and B5 was lower than that of group B1-3(P<0.01 ),B4 vs B5,P>0.05.The inflammation of periodontal tissues in group B2-5 was improved more than that in group B1 .AL in group B4 and B5 were lower than that in other groups(P<0.01 ),B4 vs B5,P>0.05.Histopathological observation of arteries re-vealed that there was no foam cell in group B4 and B5 ,the artery wall in group B4 and B5 was more even and muscle fibers were ar-ranged more regular.Conclusion:Gegen Qinlian decoction may decreas serum hs-CRP expression and depress the development of pe-riodontitis and atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects and mechanism of phycocyanin in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.Methods The model of middle cerebral artery occlusion reperfusion(MCAO/R) was established using the intraluminal filament occlusion with healthy adult male Wistar rats treated by phycocyanin.The apoptosis and the expression of bFGF and FGFR-1,IGF-1 and IGF-1R,iNOS and SOD were respectively determined by TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining to evaluate the effects of phycocyanin on above indexes.Results ① The rats showed neurobehavioral function disorders and the number of nerve cells reduced while apoptotic cells increased in ischemic area after ischemic reperfusion.In phycocyanin group,the number of apoptotic cells reduced siginificantly during reperfusion 12h~3d and the neurobehavioral function was better than that those in control group during reperfusion 7~14d.② In control group,the expressions of bFGF and FGFR-1 increased successfully from reperfusion 6h and reached a maximum at 1d,then subsided gradually in cortex and striatum.In phycocyanin group,the numbers of bFGF and FGFR-1 positive cells were higher than those in control group at the same time-points,which were significantly at reperfusion 1d and 12h~3d respectively.③ The expressions of IGF-1 and IGF-1R increased in cortex and striatum following cerebral ischemic and reperfusion.In phycocyanin group,the numbers of IGF-1 and IGF-1R positive cells in each time-point were higher than those in control group,which was significantly during reperfusion 6h~1d.④ In cotex and striatum,the iNOS and SOD expressed strongly and keep high level during 6h~7d with the maximum at reperfusion 1d.In phycocyanin group,iNOS expressed significantly higher during 12h~1d whlie SOD lower during 6h~1d than those in control group at the same time-point.Conclusion Phycocyanin might play a intrinsic antioxide effect by up-regulating SOD and down-regulating iNOS to inhibit neuronal apoptosis,and enhance the neuronal repairation by means of inducing the expressions of bFGF and IGF-1 following cerebral ischemic reperfusion in rats.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of zoledronate (ZOL) on the osteoclast adhesion and expression of integrin α(v) and β3 in vitro.

METHODSMice RAW264.7 cells were used for osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and osteoclastogenesis was examined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and dentin resorption lacunae examination. The cells were then divided into 2 groups, the control group and ZOL treatment group (treated with 1 x 10(-6) mol · L(-1) ZOL for 2 d). The adhesion ability of osteoclasts and mRNA and the protein expressions of integrin α(v) and β3 were examined by crystal violet staining, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescent chemistry.

RESULTSTRAP staining and dentin resorption lacunae examination revealed the formation of multi-nuclear osteoclasts. ZOL treatment significantly decreased the adhesion ability of osteoclasts (P < 0.01). In the ZOL-treated group, the mRNA levels of integrin α(v) and β3 were 0.66 ± 0.05 and 0.59 ± 0.08, respectively. In the control group, the mRNA levels of integrin α(v) and β3, were 1.01 ± 0.01 and 1.01 ± 0.02, respectively; these values were higher than those in the ZOL-treated group (P < 0.01). The protein level of integrin α(v) and β3 in the ZOL-treated group (31,934.84 ± 112.91 and 18,812.79 ± 194.13) was downregulated by approximately 39.19% and 40.17%, respectively, compared with those in the control group (52,517.81 ± 211.72 and 31,441.93 ± 456.87) (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescent examination showed that the fluorescent intensities of integrin α(v) and β3 in the ZOL-treated group (9.491 ± 0.748 and 4.744 ± 0.759) were also significantly decreased compared with those in the control group (15.159 ± 1.143 and 11.418 ± 1.095) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZOL significantly inhibits osteoclast adhesion and downregulates integrin α(v) and β3, expression, thus contributing to the ZOL-induced inhibition of osteoclast- mediated bone resorption.