AIM:ToexplorewhetherMCP-1-JAK2/STAT3signaltransductioninthespinaldorsalhornin-volves the formation and development of rat type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).METHODS: The male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with a high-fat and fructose diet for 8 weeks,and then received a single intraperitoneal streptozocin in-jection to prepare the type 2 DNP model.The type 2 DNP rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=16):DNP group, MCP-1 neutralizing (DM) group, DNP+AG490 (DA) group and solvent control (SC) group.A catheter of PE-10 was placed into the subarachnoid space of the rats in groups DM , DA and SC.After 3 d, the rats in DM,DA and SC groups were injected with MCP-1 inhibitor 10μL at 0.1 mg/L, AG490 10μL at 1 mmol/L and DMSO 10μL at 3.5%once a day for 14 days, respectively.Another 16 normal rats were selected as control (C) group and were fed with common forage. The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1, 3, 7 and 14 d after subarachnoid injection .The lumbar segments 4-6 of the spinal cord were removed at the same time for determination of the expressions of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 by Western blot .RESULTS:Compared with C group , MWT was significantly de-creased, TWL was shortened and the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in the spinal dorsal horn was up-regulated at 1, 3, 7 and 14 d in DNP and SC groups (P<0.05).Compared with DNP group, MWT was significantly increased, TWL was prolonged and the expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 in spinal dorsal horn was down-regulated at 1, 3, 7 and 14 d in DM and DA groups (P<0.05).No significant difference in the MWT, TWL and expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 between DNP group and SC group was observed (P>0.05).CONCLUSION:The MCP-1-JAK2/STAT3 signal transduction in the spinal dorsal horn involves the formation and development of DNP in rats .

10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.26.015

Objective To investigate the morphology of proximal contact areas (PCA) and gingival embrasures of the maxillary anterior dentition in Shanghai adolescents, hoping to provide evidence for clinical treatment of maxillary anterior tooth esthetic restoration. Methods Totally 62 dental models of Shanghai adolescents with normal occlusion were collected with silicon rubber, and each case was scanned by Sirona inlab inEos Blue and measured by CAD/CAM bundled software. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS18.0 software. Results The mean proximal contact area proportion (PCAP) between central incisors (CI-CI), central and lateral incisors (CI-LI), and lateral incisors and canines (LI-CA) were (47. 7 ± 5. 1) %, (34.6 ± 5.0)%, and (24. 2 ± 4. 2)% in central incisor of square shape, (43. 1 ± 3. 7)%, (31. 3 ± 4. 1)% and (22. 3 ± 3. 7)% in ovoid shape, and (38. 8 ± 5. 3)%, (33. 1 ± 5. 7)% and (23. 2 ± 3. 7)% in the tapered shape. Linear relation was found between PCA and clinic crown length of ipsilateral central incisor in the position of CI-CI and LI-CA in square and ovoid shapes. There were significant differences in the clinic crown length of central incisors (P<0. 01), midline papilla height (PH) (P<0. 01) and gingival embrasure angle (GEA) (P<0. 01) between different shapes of central incisor of square, ovoid, and tapering. Conclusion The shapes of central incisors are closely related to the PCAP, PH and GEA, which provides reference for clinical anterior and soft tissue restoration.

[Abstract ]Objective:To estimate dental maturation norms of permanent dentition in a group of Nanjing children using Nolla's tech-nique.Methods:549 cases of panoramic radiographs (279 males and 270 females)of Nanjing children at the age range of 3 to 16 years were collected for the study.All permanent mandibular teeth on the left side (except for the third molars)were scored according to Nolla's method,and data were presented in tables and used to plot dental maturation curves for the Nanjing boys and girls.Results:Females were found to be more advanced in the degrees of dental development.Dental maturation is significantly associated with chron-ological age (for males and females:r =0.959,P <0.001 and r =0.953,P <0.001,respectively).The mathematical model of them was established,and then the fitting equation was obtained.Conclusion:The dental maturation curve and chronology of permanent dentition can provide the growth norms of permanent teeth for Nanjing children and facilitate the way for dentists to assess the growing children during diagnosis and treatment planning.

OBJECTIVEEndothelial apoptosis plays an important role in the initiation of atherosclerosis. It would be useful to clarify whether activation of non-neuronal muscarinic receptor (NNMR) could prevent endothelial apoptosis and atherosclerosis. We investigated the effects of NNMR activation on regulating rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) apoptosis induced by homocysteine, an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis, and further studied its molecular mechanism.

METHODSRAECs were incubated using homocysteine at the concentration of 2.7 mmol/L for 36 h. RAECs were also pre-treated with carbachol or arecoline to examine their effects. RT-PCR was used to assess changes in the gene expression related to cell apoptosis.

RESULTSIncubation of RAECs with homocysteine at the concentration of 2.7 mmol/L resulted in morphologic changes, such as cellular shrinkage, membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and margination. These could be attenuated by pretreatment with carbachol and arecoline at the concentration of 10 micromol/L for 12 h. Homocysteine induced apoptosis in RAECs and the molecular mechanisms were associated with the regulation of fas, fas-L and caspase-8 in the death receptor pathway, bcl-2, bcl-xL and bax in the mitochondrial pathway, caspase-12 in the endoplasmic reticulum pathway and caspase-3, caspase-6 and p53 as downstream effectors. Carbachol and arecoline attenuated the effects of homocysteine on genes in the death receptor pathway, in the mitochondrial pathway and in the downstream pathway. Atropine could reverse all of the effects of arecoline.

CONCLUSIONActivation of NNMR by carbacol and arecoline inhibits homocysteine-induced endothelial cell apoptosis mainly through regulation of death receptor pathway, mitochondrial pathway and downstream effectors.

Animals ; Aorta ; cytology ; Apoptosis ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; metabolism ; Arecoline ; Carbachol ; Cell Cycle ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Homocysteine ; adverse effects ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Rats ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on mononuclear cells in peripheral blood and changes of serum vitamin D level in children with bronchiolitis.Methods The children who were diagnosed as bronchiolitis and received treatment in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from October 2013 to January 2014 were chosen as the pre-treatment group,and then divided them into moderate group and severe group according to the clinical symptoms,20 cases for each group.Then the cases in pre-treatment group who recovered after treatment were recruited as the after-treatment group,and the children who were healthy and medical examination in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in the same period were recruited as the healthy control group.The expressions of TLR4 on CD14 labeled mononuclear cells in the periphera were measured by flow cytometry.The level of 25 (OH) D in serum was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results (1) The expression level in children with bronchiolitis of TLR4:the mode-rate group [(18.98 ±2.29)％] and severe group [(30.13 ±2.13)％] increased significantly (P ＜0.05) compared with control group [(1.17 ± 0.57) ％].And the expression level of moderate group [(2.02 ± 0.48) ％] and severe group [(11.43 ± 1.52) ％] decreased significantly after treatment (P ＜0.05).(2) Serum vitamin D level in children with bronchiolitis of the moderate group[(17.16 ± 3.34) μg/L] and severe group [(6.56 ± 2.28) μg/L] were lower than healthy control group [(53.69 ± 20.18) μg/L] before treatment (P ＜ 0.05),especially the severe group [(6.56 ±2.28) μg/L].The level of moderate group [(9.59 ± 2.31) μg/L] and severe group [(4.70 ± 0.67) μg/L] became lower after treatment (P ＜ 0.05).(3) Both severe group (r =-0.491,P ＜ 0.05) before treatment and moderate group (r =-0.436,P ＜ 0.05) after treatment showed negative correlation between TLR4 on mononuclear cells in peripheral blood and serum 25 (OH)D level in children with bronchiolitis.And no correlation was found among healthy control group,moderate group before treatment and severe group after treatment (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The conditions of children with bronchiolitis was positively correlated with the expression level of TLR4,and negatively correlated with the vitamin D level.The serum 25 (OH) D decreased steadily during the treatment.The expression of TLR4 in monocytes has a certain correlation with the level of vitamin D in children with bronchiolitis.

Objective To investigate the role of ceramide pathway in cell proliferation and early apoptosis induction in U251 glioma cell after cannabinoid receptora agent anandmide(AEA)treatment.Methods U251 gliom cells were treated with AEA(1-10 μmol/L),Ceramide(5-20 μmol/L) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) (10 μmol/L) pretreatment.The growth inhibition rate of U251 was investigated by MTT assay.The early events of the apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry using annexin-V/propium iodide(PI) double staining method.Results Different concentrations of AEA inhibited the proliferation of human glioma U251 cells,and had synergistic effect with CM by FB1(10 μmol/L)pretreatment for 24 h.After exposure to AEA(10 μmol/L)for 24 h,U251 gliomacells could undergo the early cell apoptosis which was affected by FB1(10 μmol/L).Conclusion AEA through the CM de novo synthesis pathway,and CM concentration was lazy in collaboration,thus inhibiting human glioma U251 cell proliferation and induce early apoptosis.

Objective To explore differences in phototest and photopatch test results, and in skin color?related parameters between healthy subjects and patients with chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD), and to examine their relationship with the melanocortin?1 receptor gene(MC1R)Arg163Gln variant. Methods Phototests were performed by using a sun simulator SUN1000, and skin color was analyzed by using Hexameter MX18 in 25 patients with CAD and 25 healthy subjects. The MC1R genotype at position?163 was determined by PCR. Photopatch tests were performed on 25 patients with CAD and 5 healthy subjects using a standard series of photoallergens(RuiMin)and an ultraviolet (UV)phototherapy equipment, SS?03A. Results Regarding phototest results, both UVA?minimal persistent pigment darkening dose(MPPD)and UVB?minimal erythema dose(MED)were significantly lower in CAD patients compared with healthy controls (both P < 0.05), with the reduction in UVB?MED being particularly notable. Sixteen patients (64%)in the CAD group had positive photopatch reactions, including 13(52%)cases of photoallergy. Skin color?related parameters were measured at four sites. Skin hemoglobin levels on the cheek, forehead, back of hands, inner upper arms were all significantly higher in CAD patients than in healthy controls(all P<0.05). However, skin melanin levels on the cheek, forehead and inner upper arms were similar between the two groups, and only those on the back of hands were significantly higher in CAD patients than in controls(P<0.01). Skin melanin and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in exposed than in unexposed (inner upper arms) areas in CAD patients (all P < 0.05). The frequency of the CGA genotype at position?163 in the MC1R gene was similar between CAD patients and controls(P>0.05), but that of the CAA genotype differed significantly between the two groups(P<0.01). UVA?MPPD and UVB?MED were both significantly lower in CAD patients with the CAA genotype at position?163 in the MC1R gene than in those without the genotype(P=0.055, 0.325, respectively). Conclusions Skin photobiological testing plays a critical role in the diagnosis of CAD. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of the CAA genotype at position?163 in the MC1R gene in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of CAD.

According to the TCM theory, human growth, development and aging are closely related to kidney function and the main cause of human senility is deficiency of “kidney essence”. Recent studies showed that the “kidney” in TOM include the regulatory function of the neuroendocrine and immune systems.
In this paper, the effect of Guzhen Recipe (_??__??__??_), an aging retarding prescription composed of kidney tonifying herbs such as Radix Polygoni Multiflori (_??__??_), Herba Cistanchis (_??__??_) Rubus Chiagii (_??__??__??_) etc. on the hippocampus and HPAT axis in senile rats were observed. The results showed : (1) With age the number of glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) in the hippocampus, the concentrations of NE, DA, 5-HT in the hypothalamus were markedly decreased, while the plasma corticosterone concentration in senile rats was obviously increased. (2) The thymocyte GCR nuclear transition rate was increased significantly ; (3) The contents of cytoplasmic protein, nuclear RNA and DNA, the thymus weight/body weight ratio, the serum thymic factors as well asthe rate of lymphocyte transformation, the activity of IL-2 and NK cells in senile rats were obviously decreased compared to those of young control rats. Guzhen recipe however, was capable of improving these changes in the neuroendocrine-thymic net work in senile rats to varying degrees, suggesting that the kidney with Chinese Medicine might retard the functional degeneration of thymic endocrine partly by improving the feedback regulation of the hippocampal GCR and increasing the concentrations of NE and 5-HT of hypothalamus, thus decreasing the plasma corticosterone ; Simultaneously weakening the nuclear transition rate of thymocyte GCR, which in turn improving the immune function of the senile animal.
We concluded that Guzhen Recipe may retard the functional degeneration of both the hypo-thalamuspituitary-gornadal-thymic and hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroidal-thymic axis. All the above results revealed that retarding the aging effect using TCM in volves multiple-leves, multiple-systems and links. Using holistic regulation, imbalance links in aging process are modulated and the equilibrium of Yin and Yang are maintained. This is an important characteristic of the TCM to retard aging.
This research was supported by funds from National Natural Science Foundation of China No. 38970908.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of aortic dissection. Methods Clinical data including manifestations,imageology, treatment and turnover in 23 patients with aortic dis-section, hospitalized in our hospital from January 2006 to April 2008, were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were 8,5 and 10 cases classified in type Ⅰ ,type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ,all of them were complicated with hypertension. Typi-cal syndromes were manifested in 20 patients (86.9%) and were not in the others (13.0%). Surgical operation were performed in 6 patients of type Ⅰ and 5 patients of type Ⅱ, and endovascular repairments were performed in Ⅰ patient of type Ⅰ and 10 patients of type Ⅲ. All the patients were recovered except that two patients of type Ⅰ died. Conclusions Most patients with aortic dissection present typical manifestision. CT or MRI is one of the most valua-ble diagnosis. The patients in type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ should be treated with the surgical operation, and the patients in type Ⅲ with endovascular stent-graft repairment.