Objective To investigate the specific expression of nucleolin in the development of cap-stage tooth germ of mouse embryo,and detect the possible biological function of nucleolin. Methods In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the expression of nucleolin mRNA and protein in the development of tooth germ at embryo day 15(E15).Double staining for apoptotic cells and nucleolin was employed to explore the relationship between nucleoin and apoptosis in tooth germ. Results The expression of nucleolin mRNA and protein was mainly detected in the cervical loop,inner epithelium and the underlying dental papilla.Moreover,nucleolin protein was also located in the primary enamel knot and basement membrane.It was revealed by double staining that the fluorescence images of nucleolin and the location of apoptotic cells were not overlapped. Conclusion The expression pattern of nucleolin mRNA do not completely coincide with that of nucleolin protein at the cap stage of tooth germ.The location for nucleolin protein in the basement membrane suggests that nucleolin may be involved in the reciprocal interactions between the inner epithelium and dental papilla mesenchyme,subsequently affect the morphogenesis of tooth germ.

To assess the normal value of left ventricular twist (LVtw) and examine the changes with normal aging by 2-dimensional ultrasound speckle-tracking imaging (STI), 121 healthy volunteers were divided into three age groups: a youth group (19-45 y old), a middle-age group (46-64 y old) and an old-age group (> or = 65 y old). Basal and apical short-axis images of left ventricular were acquired to analyse LV rotation (LVrot) and LVrot velocity. LVtw and LVtw velocity was defined as apical LVrot and LVrot velocity relative to the base. Peak twist (Ptw), twist at aortic valve closure (AVCtw), twist at mitral valve opening (MVOtw), untwisting rate (UntwR), half time of untwisting (HTU), peak twist velocity (PTV), time to peak twist velocity (TPTV), peak untwisting velocity (PUV), time to peak untwisting velocity (TPUV) were separately measured. The results showed that the normal LV performs a wringing motion with a clockwise rotation at the base and a counterclock-wise rotation at the apex (as seen from the apex). The LVtw velocity showed a systolic counterclock-wise twist followed by a diastolic clockwise twist. Peak twist develops near the end of systole (96%+/-4.2% of systole). With aging, Ptw, AVCtw, MVOtw, HTU and PUV increased significantly (P<0.05) and UntwR decreased significantly (P<0.05). However, no significant differences in TPUV, PTV and TPTV were noted among the 3 groups (P>0.05). It is concluded that LV twist can be measured non-invasively by 2-dimensional ultrasound STI imaging. The age-related changes of LVtw should be fully taken into consideration in the assessment of LV function.
Aging ; Echocardiography ; Heart Ventricles/anatomy & histology ; Heart Ventricles/*ultrasonography ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the influence of low bilirubin level on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. Methods HSCs were isolated and cultured from the liver of SD rats. The effect of bilirubin in different concentration on reactive oxygen in HSCs was determined by DCFH-DA kit. The proliferation of HSCs was tested by CCK-8 test kit.Smoothmuscle α-actin (α-SMA) expression of HSCs was tested by Western blot.The apoptosis of HSCs was tested by flow cytometry.The fibrosis-related genes were tested by PCR. Results HSCs were isolated and cultured successfully.Bilirubin in low concentration (0,1,10,20 mg/L) inhibited the generation of the reactive oxygen.Proliferation and α-SMA expression of HSCs was inhibited by bilirubin (0.624 ± 0.092,0.536 ± 0.127,0.407 ± 0.033,0.399 ± 0.022,F =13.454,P ＜0.05 ; 339 ± 2,336 ± 10,246 ± 7,242 ± 5,3.7 ± 0.3,F =191.107,P ＜ 0.05 ) and the apoptosis of HSCs was promoted by bilirubin(2.69 ±0.07％,2.95 ±0.10％,4.41 ±0.22％,4.91 ±0.86％,F =34.731,P ＜0.05 ).Bilirubin in low concentration changed the expression of fibrosis-related genes in HSCs.The ratio of TIMP-1mRNA/MMP-2mRNA decreased (54 ± 2,65 ± 2,47 ± 2,44 ± 2,F =73.400,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Bilirubin in low concentration inhibits the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells,orobablv bv a mechanism in which bilirubin promoted antioxidative function.

Objective To explore the curative effect of oral cancer radical surgery plus free anterolateral thigh flap repair and analyze the influence factors of skin flap necrosis.Methods The data of 98 patients who underwent oral cancer radical surgery with concurrent free anterolateral thigh flap repair in our hospital from January 2010 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed.The complete survival rate of skin flaps and incidence of complications in all patients were statistically analyzed.The age,diabetes,infection in implanted skin flap area,smoking and mental status,etc.of patients with survived or necrotic skin flaps were compared between patients with survival flaps and patients with flap necrosis,and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed.Results Among the 98 cases,86 cases of flaps survived completely and the survival rate was 87.8%.Fifteen cases with the skin flap necrosis,the incidence of complications was 15.3%,including 7 cases of surgi-cal site infection and 5 cases of skin flap necrosis with massive hemorrhage.The donor site incisions of all patients were primary healing and the patients were satisfied with the postoperative appearance.Among the patients with flap necrosis,the incidence rates of ≥60 years old,with diabetes,infection in flap implanted area,smoking and poor mental state (41.7%,41.7%,58.3%,75.0%,83.3%)were higher than those corresponding proportions in the patients with with survival flaps(P <0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,diabe-tes,infection in implanted skin flap area,smoking and poor mental status were the influencing factors for flap necrosis.Conclusion Oral cancer radical surgery with concurrent free anterolateral thigh flap repair has good curative effects.The age,combined with diabetes,smoking,infec-tion in flap implanted area and poor mental state are the risk factors for flap necrosis in patients with oral cancer after flap repair,which should be given intervention to improve the survival rate of skin flap in clinic.

Objective To investigate the effect of intrathecal(IT)different concentrations of ozone(O_3) on pain threshold,motor function and cerebral spinal fluid(CSF)malondialdehyde(MDA)concentration and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and determine if ozone is toxic to central nervous system(CNS).Methods Thirty New Zealand white rabbits of both sexes aged 3-5 months,weighing 2.5-3.0 kg were randomly divided in 5 groups(n=6 each):groupⅠcontrol;groupⅡpure O_2;groupⅢO_2-O_3 30;groupⅣO_2-O_3 50 and groupⅤO_2-O_3 80.The animals were anesthetized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital.Cerebello-medullary cistern was punctured for IT administration of O_2 and O_3.In groupⅡ2 ml of pure oxygen(O_2)(for medical use)was injected IT.In groupⅢ,ⅣandⅤ2 ml of ozone(O_3)30,50 and 80 mg?L~(-1) was injected IT respectively.Ozone was manufactured by ozone generator(Ozoneline Co,Italy).Before and one day after IT O_3 paw withdrawal latency to heat(PWHL)and to mechanical stimulation(yon Frey filament)(PWML)were measured and motor function was assessed(1=normal,4=severe motor dysfunction and weakness).CSF was obtained at 1,2,4 h after IT O_3 for determination of MDA concentration and SOD activity.Results IT administration of the 3 concentrations of ozone did not affect pain threshold and motor function,but significantly increased SOD activity.MDA concentration decreased significantly at 4 h after IT O_2 or ozone administration in groupⅡ,ⅢandⅣ,but increased significantly at 1 and 2 h after IT ozone in groupⅤ.SOD/MDA was significantly increased at 1,2 and 4h after IT ozone in groupⅢandⅣ,but decreased at 1 and 2 h after IT ozone in groupⅤ.Conclusion IT ozone is toxic to CNS.

BACKGROUND:Keloid is a very chalenging problem in plastic surgery. Its pathogenesis is very complex, resulting from the combined action of many factors, such as various cytokines, signal transduction pathways, extracelular matrix,etc. At present, a critical role for mechanical force and mechanotransduction in the pathogenesis of keloids has been broadly concerned and becomes the focus of studying the pathogenesis of keloids.
OBJECTIVE:To summarize the progress of the mechanosignaling pathway involved in the pathogenesis of keloids in order to further understand the pathogenesis of keloids and provide new ideas for the prevention of keloids.
METHODS: The PubMed database and Elsevier database were retrieved for articles published from January 2000 to July 2014 by computer with key words of “keloid, molecular mechanism, mechanical stress, cutaneous scar, mechanobiology, mechanosignaling pathway” in English. A total of 23 articles were included which related to the molecular signal transduction mechanism and mechanosignaling pathway about keloids.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mechanosignaling transduction pathways, such as transforming growth factor-β/Smad, MAPK, integrin, Wnt/β-catenin, RhoA/ROCK and tumor necrosis factor-α/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, play an important role in the formation and development of keloids. A number of clinical trials have also shown the effectiveness of a part of mechanosignaling transduction pathway inhibitors in wound healing and reducing scar hyperplasia. The research about mechanosignaling transduction pathways involved in keloids has made some progress, but most stil remain in animal experimental stage. Secondly, various mechanosignaling transduction pathways about correlation and intersectionality stil need further studies to achieve a breakthrough in the prevention of keloids.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of intratympanic dexamethasone injections combined with prednisone in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Methods A total of 71 patients diagnosed with sudden hearing loss were treated with intratympanic dexamethasone injections plus prednisone (B group) or prednisone alone (A group). Hearing was evaluated by pure tone audiogram performed before initial treatment and at 4 weeks following the final treatment. Results The total recovery rate after the treatment was 81.8% in the B group and 55.3% in the A group. The diflference between two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The present study suggests that sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients treated with intratympanic dexamethasone combined with prednisone have a higher likelihood of hearing recovery than those treated with prednisone alone.

In this study, the effect of prophylactic anti-inflammation on the development of smoke-induced emphysema was investigated. Young male guinea-pigs aged 1.5-2 months (weighing 198.3+/-26.9 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A (cigarette smoke exposure only), group B (cigarette smoke exposure plus pentoxifylline-rich (PTX, 10 mg/d) forage feeding), group C (cigarette smoke exposure plus intermittent cortical steroid injection (Triamcinolone acetonide, 3 mg, i.m., every three weeks) and control group (group D: animals with sham smoke exposure, raised under the same conditions). Animals in group A, B and C were exposed to smoke of cigarettes for 1 to 1.5 h twice a day, 5 days a week. All animals were killed at the 16th week and followed by morphometrical analysis of the midsagittal sectioned lung slices. Smoke exposure of 16 weeks resulted in visible emphysematous development in Group A but not in Group B and C. It was evidenced by the indicator of air-space size, mean linear intercept (Lm): 120.6+/-16.0 microm in Group A; 89.8+/-9.2 microm in Group B and 102.4+/-17.7 microm in Group C. The average Lm in either group B or group C was shorter than that in Group A (ANOVA and Newman-Keuls test, F=8.80, P=0.0002) but comparable to that (94.8+/-13.2 microm) in group D (P>0.05). It is concluded that long-term prophylactic anti-inflammation inhibits pulmonary emphysema induced by cigarette smoking in the guinea pigs.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/*pharmacology ; Pentoxifylline/pharmacology ; Pulmonary Emphysema/etiology ; Pulmonary Emphysema/pathology ; Pulmonary Emphysema/*prevention & control ; Random Allocation ; Smoking/*adverse effects ; Triamcinolone Acetonide/*pharmacology

Objective To study the efficacy of microvascular decompression in treating cranial nerve diseases. Methods 156 patients were treated with microvaseular decompression,of whom 119 were with trigeminal neuralgia,34 with hemifacial spasm and three with glossopharyngeal neuralgia.Rusults The overall effective rate was 96.8%(151/156) and the corresponding effective rate for the above three conditions were 94.2%,97.1% and 66.7%. Conlusions Mierovaseular decompression iS an effective treatment for cranial nerve diseases.

Objective： To study the changes of water molecular diffusion in the ischemic region by using MR dephase technique and discuss the potential mechanism of the diffusion changes at early stage. Methods: Totally 43 cases were studied retrospectively. There were 10 cases whose MRI examinations were performed within 6 hours，12 cases from 7－24 hours，7 cases from 2－7 days, 8 cases from 8－14 days, 6 cases from 15 days to 2 months. The apparent diffusion coefficients in the ischemic region were calculated. Results: The ADCav in the grey matter was 8.61×10－4mm2*s－1. The ADCav decreased to (4.72×10－4±1.51×10－4) mm2*s－1 in ischemic region at superacute stage, ADCav ratio to contralateral corresponding region was 0.55±0.18, and ADCav increased to (5.68×10－4±1.22×10－4) mm2*s－1 during the time range of 2-7 days, （9.22×10－4±2.07×10－4） during the time range of 8－14 days, and approaching （26.42×10－4+9.65×10－4） mm2*s－1 during the time range of 2 months. The pearson product- moment correlation between the changes of diffusion value and time was sighificent (r=0.95, P<0.001). ADCv increased at superacute stage and decreased over time. Conclusion: The diffusion of water molecules in ischemic region decreased at superacute stage, and the ADC increased over time. The anisotropy increased at superacute stage and decreased as the course developed. DWI could detect ischemic lesion much earlier than CT and routine MR examination. DWI has great value in the diagnosis of superacute stroke. The mechanism of the diffusion changes at early stage may be the intracellular toxicity edema.