Glutamatergic Neurons in the Caudal Zona Incerta Regulate Parkinsonian Motor Symptoms in Mice / 神经科学通报·英文版

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common and fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder. In recent years, it has been recognized that neurotransmitters other than dopamine and neuronal systems outside the basal ganglia are also related to PD pathogenesis. However, little is known about whether and how the caudal zona incerta (ZIc) regulates parkinsonian motor symptoms. Here, we showed that specific glutamatergic but not GABAergic ZIc

Effect of KH2PO4 on the odonto- and osteogenic differentiation potential of human stem cells from apical papillae / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effects of KH2PO4 on the odonto- and osteogenic differentiation potential of human stem cells from apical papillae (SCAP) in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>SCAP were isolated and cultured respectively in alpha minimum essential medium (α-MEM) or α-MEM containing 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, alizarin red staining, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to examine the odonto and osteogenic potential of SCAP in the two media.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SCAP cultured in α-MEM containing 1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4 exhibited a higher ALP activity [(0.370 ± 0.013) Sigma unit×min(-1)×mg(-1)] at day 3 than control group [(0.285 ± 0.008) Sigma unit×min(-1)×mg(-1)] and KH2PO4-treated SCAP formed more calcified nodules at day 5 [(0.539 ± 0.007) µg/g] and day 7 [(1.617 ± 0.042) µg/g] than those in normal medium [(0.138 ± 0.037) µg/g, P < 0.01]. The expression of odonto- and osteogenic markers were significantly up-regulated after the stimulation of KH2PO4 at day 3 and 7 respectively, as compared with control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>1.8 mmol/L KH2PO4 can promote the odonto and osteogenic differentiation potential of human SCAP.</p>

Comparison of the biometric measuring outcomes between Lenstar and A-scan ultrasound biometry or keratometer in cataract patient / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background The accuracy of biometric measurement is critical for precise diagnoses and prognosis evaluation of ocular diseases.Objective The present study was to evaluate the differences of Lenstar with A-scan ultrasound biometry or keratometer in ocular bio-measurement.Methods Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before examination.Total 43 eyes of 40 age-related cataract patients were enrolled in this study.Axial length,corneal curvature (K1,K2,Km) and intraocular lens (IOL) power were measured with Lenstar,A-scan ultrasound biometry and keratometer,separately.The differences of measuring outcomes were compared between these two methods according to a paired samples t test,and the agreement analysis of measuring outcomes between Lenstar and A-scan ultrasound biometry or keratometer was performed by Blant-Altman plots.Results Thirty-five eyes finished the clinical bio-measurement.The axial length was (23.341 ± 1.208) mm and (23.268 ±1.157)mm based on Lenstar method and A-scan ultrasound biometry method,respectively,with a insignificant difference between them(t =0.260,P=0.796).No significant differences were found in the K1,K2 and Km values between Lenstar and keratometer methods (t =0.526,P =0.601 ; t =0.927,P =0.357 ; t =0.213,P =0.832).The IOL power was (20.371 ±2.827) D and (20.729 ± 2.672) D,respectively in Lenstar method and keratometer method,without statistically significant difference between them (t =0.543,P =0.589).Bland-Altamn agreement analysis showed that the dots of 11％ (4/35),0％ (0/100),9％(3/35),9％ (3/35),6％ (2/35) were out of 95％ confidence limit,and the absolute values of maximal difference value between Lenstar and A-scan ultrasound biometry or keratometer methods was 0.39 mm,1.31 D,1.30 D,0.77 D and 1.00 D in ocular axial length,K1,K2 and Km values and IOL power,respectively.Conclusions As a new bio-measuring method,Lenstar can offer multiple biometric parameters by single procedure.However,an inconsistent measuring outcome is seen between Lenstar and Ascan ultrasound biometry or keratometer.So whether Lenstar can replace A-scan ultrasound biometry or keratometer still need further large simple clinical trail.

Bilateral maxillary fused second and third molars: a rare occurrence / 国际口腔科学杂志·英文版

This case report describes the diagnosis and endodontic therapy of maxillary fused second and third molars, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A 31-year-old Chinese male, with no contributory medical or family/social history, presented with throbbing pain in the maxillary right molar area following an unsuccessful attempted tooth extraction. Clinical examination revealed what appeared initially to be a damaged large extra cusp on the buccal aspect of the distobuccal cusp of the second molar. However, CBCT revealed that a third molar was fused to the second molar. Unexpectedly, the maxillary left third molar also was fused to the second molar, and the crown of an unerupted supernumerary fourth molar was possibly also fused to the apical root region of the second molar. Operative procedures should not be attempted without adequate radiographic investigation. CBCT allowed the precise location of the root canals of the right maxillary fused molar teeth to permit successful endodontic therapy, confirmed after 6 months.