Purpose::The removal of small foreign bodies embedded within the deep soft tissues of the maxillofacial region is a complex and challenging task for maxillofacial surgeons. The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of the combination of intraoperative CT and surgical navigation for the removal of small foreign objects in the maxillofacial region.Methods::A serial case study was conducted involving all consecutive patients who underwent surgical removal of small foreign bodies in the maxillofacial region. The combination of intraoperative CT and a surgical navigation system was used at a single medical institution from January 2018 to December 2022. Comprehensive data, including patient demographics, characteristics of the foreign bodies, previous surgical interventions, duration of the surgical procedure, and removal success rate were collected for this study. Relevant data were recorded into Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0.Results::Nine patients (6 males and 3 females) were included in this study, with an average age of 37 years. Each patient had previously undergone an unsuccessful removal attempt utilizing conventional surgical methods based on preoperative CT imaging or C-arm guidance at a local healthcare facility. Four patients also experienced unsuccessful attempts with preoperative CT image-based navigation systems. However, by employing the combined approach of intraoperative CT and surgical navigation, the foreign bodies were successfully removed in all 9 patients. The mean duration of the surgical procedure was 59 min, and the average size of the foreign bodies was approximately 26 mm 3. Postoperative follow-up exceeding 6 months revealed no complications. Conclusion::The combined use of a surgical navigation system and intraoperative CT represents a potent and effective strategy for the precise localization and subsequent removal of small foreign bodies from the soft tissue structures of the maxillofacial region. This integrative approach appears to increase the success rate of surgical interventions in such cases.

OBJECTIVES: To study the association of ventricular septal defect (VSD) with rare variations in the promoter region of HAND2 gene, as well as related molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 349 children with VSD and 345 healthy controls. The target fragments were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to identify the rare variation sites in the promoter region of the HAND2 gene. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to perform a functional analysis of the variation sites. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to investigate related molecular mechanisms. TRANSFAC and JASPAR databases were used to predict transcription factors. RESULTS: Sequencing revealed that three variation sites (g.173530852A>G, g.173531173A>G, and g.173531213C>G) were only observed in the promoter region of the HAND2 gene in 10 children with VSD, among whom 4 children had only one variation site. The dual-luciferase reporter assay revealed that g.173531213C>G reduced the transcriptional activity of the HAND2 gene promoter. EMSA and transcription factor prediction revealed that g.173531213C>G created a binding site for transcription factor. CONCLUSIONS The rare variation, g.173531213C>G, in the promoter region of the HAND2 gene participates in the development and progression of VSD possibly by affecting the binding of transcription factors.
Child ; Humans ; Base Sequence ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular/genetics* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Transcription Factors/genetics*

Objective To investigate the status of endemic fluorosis in Boxing County in Shandong Province at present,and to provide the scientific evidence for making strategies in prevention and control.Methods Children aged 8-12 years old and adults above 30 years old were selected from 8 endemic fluorosis villages in 2 fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years old were diagnosed by Dean method and skeletal fluomsis diagnosed by clinic and X-Rays.Results Eight villages in 2 towns were chosen underwent epidemiological investigation.Eight villages had water fluoride content＞4.50 mg/L.the highest water fluoride content was 5.78 mg/L.The total rate of dental fluorosis of children aged 8-12 years old WaS 90.70%(195/215),the index of dental fluorosis was 2.15 and the rate of dental damage was 24.65%(53/215).The rate of skeletal fluorosis detected by clinic and X-rays in adults older than 30 years old were 30.71%(78/254)and 16.54%(42/254),respectively.The averaged fuoride level in urine wa8 over 1.50 mg/L in 98.95%(189/191)of children aged 8-12 years old and in 97.92%(235/240)adults older than 30 years old,with the highest respectively being 14.50 mg/L and 17.99 mg/L.Conclusions In Boxing County in Shandong Province,endemic fluorosis is not effectively controlled.So endemic fluorosis control mfist be strengthened.

The purpose of the present study was to explore the expression changes of intermedin/adrenomedullin 2 (IMD/ADM2), a novel small molecular bioactive peptide, and its receptors, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying proteins (RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3) in the right ventricle of rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4-week hypoxia group and normal control group (each n=10). The rats in hypoxia group were placed in an isobaric hypoxic chamber, in which O(2) content was maintained at 9%-11% by delivering N(2), and CO(2) content was maintained at <3% for 4 weeks (8 h/d, 6 d/week). The rats in the control group were housed in room air. The protein levels of IMD/ADM2 and adrenomedullin (ADM) in blood plasma and right ventricular tissue were measured by radioimmunoassay. The mRNA expressions of IMD/ADM2, ADM and their receptors CRLR, RAMP1, RAMP2, RAMP3 in right ventricular tissue were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the ratio of right ventricle weight to left ventricle plus septum weight [RV/(LV+S)] and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were higher in hypoxia group than those in the control group (all P<0.01), suggesting that the rat model of pulmonary hypertension was successfully established. However, the mean carotid arterial pressure (mCAP) between the two groups had no significant difference. Compared with that in the control group, ADM contents in plasma and right ventricular tissue in hypoxia group increased by 1.26 and 1.68 folds (all P<0.01), respectively. Likewise, IMD/ADM2 contents in blood plasma and right ventricular tissue in hypoxia group increased by 0.90 and 1.19 folds (P<0.01), respectively, compared with that in the control group. The data of RT-PCR showed that mRNA levels of ADM, IMD/ADM2 and RAMP2 in hypoxia group increased by 155.1% (P<0.01), 80.9% (P<0.01) and 52.9% (P<0.05), respectively, compared with those in the control group. There were no significant differences in mRNA expressions of CRLR, RAMP1 and RAMP3 between the two groups (all P>0.05). Taken together, the results show that the level of IMD/ADM2 increases in the rats with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.
Adrenomedullin ; metabolism ; Animals ; Calcitonin Receptor-Like Protein ; metabolism ; Heart Ventricles ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia ; complications ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor Activity-Modifying Proteins ; metabolism

AIMTo investigate the changes and probable roles of adrenomedullin2/intermedin (AIDM2/IMD), a novel micromolecular bioactive peptide, in the lungs of rats with chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

METHODSTwenty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC) and normobaric hypoxia group (4H). The protein levels of ADM and ADM2/IMD) in the plasma and lung were measured by radioimmunoassay and immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expressions of ADM, ADM2/IMD and their receptors C (RLR, RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3 in the lung tissue were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS(1) The rat model of chronic pulmonary hypertension was confirmed by the increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and weight ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum [RV/(LV + S)] in 4H group compared to NC group. (2) The concentrations of ADM in the plasma and lung homogenate of 4H group were 2.3 and 3.2 folds of NC group, respectively (all P < 0.01). The levels of ADM2/IMD were higher 89.6% and 45.0% in the plasma and lung homogenate of 4H group than those of NC group (respectively, P < 0.01, P < 0.05). (3) The mRNA expressions of ADM2/IMD and ADM in the lung of 4H group were up-regulated (respectively, P < 0.01, P < 0.05 vs. NC group). The expressions of CRLR and RAMP1 mRNAs were down-regulated (all P < 0.01 vs. NC group), while the levels of RAMP2 and RAMP3 mRNAs were no significant difference between the two groups. (4) The strong ADM2/IMD immunostaining was detected in the endothelial and adventitial cells of the rat pulmonary arteriole.

CONCLUSIONADM2/IMD, like its paralog ADM, might be closely related to the chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats. The disorders of the gene expression and/or the synthesis and metabolism of ADM2/IMD and its receptor CRLR/RAMP1 possibly take part in the pathogenesis of chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Adrenomedullin ; metabolism ; Animals ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; etiology ; metabolism ; Hypoxia ; complications ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Neuropeptides ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of intestinal microflora alteration on specific and nonspecific immune function and hematopoietic function of mice.

METHODSSixty BALB/C mice were divided at random into two groups, experimental group and control group, with 30 mice in each. The mice in the experimental group were given kanamycin 50 mg while those in the control group were given distilled water intragastrically everyday for consecutive 10 days. After the 10 day treatment all the mice were sacrificed, and the cecal contents were collected for quantitative analysis of the intestinal bacterial flora. Certain indexes of immune function, including phagocytosis rate of macrophages, number of T lymphocytes positively stained by esterase and serum interleukin 2 (IL-2) content, and the weight of the spleen, granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor etc. as indexes of hematopoietic function were determined.

RESULTSIn the group, the quantity of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.01). The number of PFC (plaque forming cells), the phagocytosis rate of macrophage, the number of T lymphocytes with positive NANE staining, the level of IL-2 significantly decreased when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). The weight of the spleen in the experimental group decreased when compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Levels of IL-3, GM-CSF, the total number of WBC and the proportion of neutrophil remarkably decreased as compared to that in the control group (P < 0.01). Analysis of the correlations between normal microflora, immunologic and hematopoietic indexes showed that marked positive correlations between the quantity of Bifidobacteria and each immune index including the levels of IL-3 and GM-CSF. There was a positive correlation between IL-2 and IL-3, IL-2 and GM-CSF as well.

CONCLUSIONThe application of antibiotics may cause changes in the structure and quantity of intestinal microflora. The dysbacteriosis may decrease the immune function of organism. The dysbacteriosis may decrease the hemopoietic function. The dysbacteriosis, the decrease in immune and hematopoietic function may affect one another. The balance in microecosystem should be emphasized and antibiotics should be applied rationally to reduce the side effects such as dysbacteriosis.

Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Esterases ; biosynthesis ; Feces ; microbiology ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; analysis ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Kanamycin ; pharmacology ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Models, Animal ; Organ Size ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; Spleen ; drug effects ; pathology ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDHuman urotensin II (UII) is the most potent mammalian vasoconstrictor identified so far. Our previous study showed that UII is a potent mitogen of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) inducing ASMC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The signal transduction pathway of UII mitogenic effect remains to be clarified. This study was conducted to investigate the signal transduction pathway in the proliferation of ASMC induced by UII.

METHODSIn primary cultures of rat ASMCs, activities of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and calcineurin (CaN) induced by UII were measured. The effect of CaN on PKC and MAPK was studied by adding cyclosporin A (CsA), a specific inhibitor of CaN. Using H7 and PD98059, inhibitors of PKC and MAPK, respectively, to study the effect of PKC and MAPK on CaN. The cytosolic free calcium concentration induced by UII was measured using Fura-2/AM.

RESULTSUII 10(-7) mol/L stimulated ASMC PKC and MAPK activities by 44% and 24% (P < 0.01), respectively, after incubating for 20 minutes. It increased CaN activity in a time-dependent manner, being 1.68 times as that of control for 24 hours (P < 0.01). It promoted the cytosolic free calcium concentration increase of 18% (P < 0.01). CsA 10(-6) mol/L and H7 50 micromol/L inhibited UII-stimulated CaN activity by 45% (P < 0.01) and 21% (P < 0.05), respectively, while PD98059 50 micromol/L had no effect on CaN activity (P > 0.05). CsA 10(-6) mol/L inhibited UII-stimulated PKC activity by 14% (P < 0.05), while having no effect on MAPK activity (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSUII increases cytosolic free calcium concentration and activates PKC, MAPK and CaN. The signal transduction pathway between PKC and CaN has cross-talk.

Animals ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Enzyme Activation ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Mitogens ; pharmacology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Trachea ; cytology ; Urotensins ; pharmacology

In this study, we observed the levels of adrenomedullin (ADM) and proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP) in myocardium and aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) in comparison with Wistar-kyoto (WKY) rats. Contents of ADM and PAMP were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in plasma, myocardium and aorta. The amount of Pro-ADM mRNA of myocardium and aorta was determined by competitive quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In SHRs the amounts of Pro-ADM mRNA of myocardium and aorta were 66.7% (P<0.01) and 73% (P<0.01) higher than those in WKY rat, respectively. In SHRs, the levels of ADM in plasma, myocardium and aorta were 29%, 76.7% and 79% (all P<0.01) higher than those in WKY rats, respectively. The level of PAMP in SHRs was increased by 42.5% in plasma (P<0.01), 47.2% in myocardium (P<0.0.1) and 27.3% in aorta (P<0.05) compared to WKY rats, respectively. In addition, the ratio of ADM content to PAMP content in SHRs group was increased compared with that in WKY group (2.0+/-0.25 vs 1.64+/-0.3 and 2.2+/-0.18 vs 1.56+/-0.28, in myocardium and aorta, respectively, P<0.01). These results suggest that ProADM gene expression is up-regulated and the increase in ADM and PAMP is different in SHRs. The significance of inconsistency of increase in ADM and PAMP in SHRs needs to be further investigated.
Adrenomedullin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aorta ; metabolism ; Female ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo observe the alterations of taurine transport, taurine transporter (TAUT) and cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase (CSD) mRNA in the calcification of myocardial cells in vitro.

METHODS3H-taurine measured the amount of taurine uptake. TAUT and CSD mRNA consents were measured using competitive quantitative RT-PCR in cultured and calcified myocardial cells.

RESULTSIn calcification of myocardial cells, taurine concentration was decreased by 27% (P < 0.05), taurine uptake was markedly reduced, Vmax reduced by 39% (P < 0.01), there were no statistical significance of Km values between the two groups. TAUT mRNA decreased by 45% (P < 0.01), but CSD mRNA increased by 25% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe data suggest that there were impediment of taurine transport in calcification of myocardial cells, as TAUT mRNA level was decreased, but CSD mRNA concentration was improved.

Animals ; Biological Transport ; Calcinosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Carboxy-Lyases ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Taurine ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism

The alterations of taurine transport and the expression of taurine transporter (TAUT) mRNA in myocardium and aortic wall were investigated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. It was demonstrated that plasma taurine concentration and taurine release from myocardium and aortic wall in SHR were higher than those in WKY rats, whereas taurine content, taurine uptake and TAUT mRNA in myocardium and aortic wall of SHR were lower than those of WKY rats. In SHR, the maximal velocity (V(max)) of taurine transportation in myocardium and aortic wall was lower by 24% (P<0.05) and 35% (P<0.05) than that in WKY, their michaelis constants (Km) values were higher by 16% (P<0.05) and 39% (P<0.05), respectively. The results suggest that there is dysfunction of taurine transport in myocardium and aortic wall in SHR, which may be partly resulted from the decrease of TAUT activity and affinity, and down-regulation of TAUT gene expression.
Animals ; Blood Vessels ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Heart ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Taurine ; metabolism