High-performance porous polylactide stereocomplex crystallite scaffolds prepared by solution blending and salt leaching.

Biodegradable stereocomplex crystallite polylactide (SC-PLA) porous scaffolds with well-defined pore structures, high heat resistance, mechanical strength, and solvent resistance together with good biocompatibility, were obtained through solution casting of mixed poly(l-lactide) and poly(d-lactide) solution and subsequent leaching of sodium chloride particles. The pore structure of the SC-PLA scaffolds can be perfectly maintained after a high-pressure sterilization treatment at 121 °C, owing to the extensive formation of stereocomplex crystallites in the scaffolds. In vivo pilot study demonstrates that the fibroblasts of rats can infiltrate into the SC-PLA scaffolds well through the open pores. Degradation tests in phosphate-buffered saline solution reveal that the structure of SC-PLA scaffolds was quite stable due to the enhanced hydrolysis-resistance and improved mechanical properties of the scaffolds. These results reveal that SC-PLA scaffolds with good biocompatibility are potentially to be used as implanted biomaterials for the regeneration and restoration of tissues or organs.

A new method for traumatic renal injury in a canine model.

BACKGROUND: Selective transcatheter angiographic embolization (TAE) is an important method for efficient and accurate hemostasis in organ injuries during emergency settings. Sometimes, TAE cannot be performed on patients because of the limitations imposed by their condition. METHODS: A total of 32 canines with traumatic right renal wounds were prepared by stab injuries. The canines were randomly divided into four groups according to different treatments. Group A was the renal neoplasty group (n=8). Group B was the TAE group (n=8). Group C was the group with temporary transcatheter bung associated with the renal neoplasty (TTBR) (n=8), and Group D was the sham surgery control group (n=8). Clinical trauma database, outcomes, and complications were analyzed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of different methods. RESULTS: All canines were rescued in a timely manner. There was gross hematuria in six canines (18.8%). Only one (3.1%) animal died during follow-up because of uremia. The complication rate was not statistically different according to management type (Groups A, B, and C vs. Group D; p=0.332, p=0.372, and p=0.345, respectively). Groups B and C did better in protecting the damaged renal function with respect to creatinine than Groups A and D (p=0.013 and p=0.032, respectively). However, Group C did a better job in protecting the damaged renal function than Group B (p=0.015). CONCLUSION: Use of TTBR can protect the damaged organ's functions more efficiently. Combined with the hybrid operating shelter, the method is a good damage control method for treating similar trauma in emergencies.

The natural therapeutic magnesium lithospermate B potently provides neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Salvia miltiorrhiza, a perennial plant in the genus Salvia and popularly known as "Danshen", is highly valued for its roots in traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs). It has widely used for the treatment of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases in China. Recently, the cerebral protection of magnesium lithospermate B (MLB), a working extract from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has received more attention. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of MLB on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (CI/R) injury using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to CI/R using a thread to occlude the right middle cerebral artery. After 2h of cerebral ischemia, the middle cerebral artery was reperfused for 24 h. Rats were injected with different doses of MLB (15, 30 and 60 mg/kg). Infarct zones, neurological deficit scores, brain water content, glutamate levels and protein expressions were evaluated after 24h of reperfusion. RESULTS: We found that MLB treatment of rats exposed to focal CI/R decreased neurological deficit scores, brain water content, glutamate levels and cerebral infarct zones. We also demonstrated that MLB can inhibit CI/R injury-induced activation of caspase-3, a marker of apoptosis. This protection by MLB against CI/R injury was accompanied by an upregulation of p-Akt in the ischemic hemisphere. Furthermore, the MLB-induced protection was prevented by treatment with a PI3K inhibitor (LY-294002). CONCLUSIONS: The data in the present study suggest a potential protective role of MLB against CI/R injury in rats. The salient finding of the present study is that this protective effect of MLB is likely mediated through an Akt-dependent pathway.

Association between APE1 T1349G polymorphism and prostate cancer risk: evidence from a meta-analysis.

APE1 T1349G polymorphism was considered to be associated with risk of cancer, but studies on the association between APE1 T1349G polymorphism and risk of prostate cancer remained inconclusive. A meta-analysis of published studies was performed to precisely assess the association between APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. PubMed, Embase, and Wanfang databases were searched for published case-control studies investigating the association between APE1 T1349G polymorphism and prostate cancer risk. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association. Overall, seven studies with a total of 3,063 individuals were finally included into the meta-analysis. The heterogeneity analysis did not find obvious heterogeneity among those included studies. Meta-analysis of total seven studies did not find an obvious association between APE1 T1349G polymorphism and prostate cancer risk (G vs T OR (95 % CI) = 1.11 (0.99-1.24); GG vs TT OR (95 % CI) = 1.25 (0.96-1.62); TG vs TT OR (95 % CI) = 1.11 (0.95-1.30); GG/TG vs T OR (95 % CI) = 1.13 (0.97-1.32); GG vs TT/TG OR (95 % CI) = 1.16 (0.91-1.48)). Subgroup analyses by ethnicity showed that APE1 T1349G polymorphism was associated with increased risk of prostate cancer in Caucasians (G vs T OR (95 % CI) = 1.26 (1.02-1.56), P = 0.033; TG vs TT OR (95 % CI) = 1.44 (1.06-1.94), P = 0.019; GG/TG vs T OR (95 % CI) = 1.45 (1.08-1.94), P = 0.013). The meta-analysis suggests that APE1 T1349G polymorphism is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer, especially in Caucasians. More studies are needed to further identify the obvious association above.

Effect of ischemia preconditioning on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

To study the effect of ischemia preconditioning (IP) on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-associated functional injury and expression of renal adhesion molecules in rats.

The ischemia preconditioning plan adopted in this experiment involved renal warm ischemia for 6 min. and blood flow for 4 min., repeated four times. The Wistar rat kidneys used for warm ischemia preconditioning were subjected to 60 min of renal warm ischemia followed by reperfusion. The rat kidneys with ischemia/reperfusion were compared with the ischemia preconditioning group to observe rat renal function and changes in the expression of renal adhesion molecules ICAM-1, P--Selectin, and E-Selectin.

The expression of rat renal adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, P-Selectin, and E-Selectin) with ischemia preconditioning was significantly lower than that of the ischemia/reperfusion group. Serum creatinine was significantly lower than that in the ischemia/reperfusion group after 48 hours.

Ischemia preconditioning has a protective effect on renal function. Reduced expression of renal adhesion molecules is likely a mechanism involved in the observed protection. .

Effect of ischemia preconditioning on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of ischemia preconditioning (IP) on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-associated functional injury and expression of renal adhesion molecules in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ischemia preconditioning plan adopted in this experiment involved renal warm ischemia for 6 min. and blood flow for 4 min., repeated four times. The Wistar rat kidneys used for warm ischemia preconditioning were subjected to 60 min of renal warm ischemia followed by reperfusion. The rat kidneys with ischemia/reperfusion were compared with the ischemia preconditioning group to observe rat renal function and changes in the expression of renal adhesion molecules ICAM-1, P-Selectin, and E-Selectin. RESULTS: The expression of rat renal adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, P-Selectin, and E-Selectin) with ischemia preconditioning was significantly lower than that of the ischemia/reperfusion group. Serum creatinine was significantly lower than that in the ischemia/reperfusion group after 48 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemia preconditioning has a protective effect on renal function. Reduced expression of renal adhesion molecules is likely a mechanism involved in the observed protection.

[Application of bolt-like post crown system in restoration of molar residual root and crown with low occlusogingival distance].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effects of bolt-like post crown system in restoration of molar residual root and crown with low occlusogingival distance and large root bifurcation angle. METHODS: Thirty two molar residual roots and crowns from 25 patients with low occlusogingival distance (<4 mm) and large root bifurcation angle were involved in this study. First, the root canals were prepared according to their natural directions following the standard procedures. Accurate impressions were taken with silicone. The core crown and the post which would inserted the straight root canal were founded together,and the blot-like post which would inserted the root canal with bigger bifurcat were founded alone. Finally, the two parts were cemented together in patient after try-in with RelyX™ Unicem cement. RESULTS: Except 3 patients who were lost during the follow up period, the remaining 22 patients (29 restorations) were followed up for 1 to 5 years. No prosthetic loosening or root fracture was observed during the follow-up period. All the fixed restorations were found with good marginal fitness, well masticatory function and favorable proximal contact relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Bolt-like post crown system is an ideal method for restoration of molar residual root and crown with low occlusogingival distance and large root bifurcation angle. This approach has positive effect on the retention, function and aesthetic outcome of the fixed restorations of molar residual root and crown with low occlusogingival distance.

[Analysis of saponin in Chinese ginsengs by NIR spectroscopy].

In the present paper the saponin in Chinese ginseng was analysed quantitatively by using near infrared spectroscopy. The spectral characteristics of the primary ingredients in Chinese ginseng were obtained by applying second derivative, MSC (Multiple Scatter Correction), and correlation chart to the original absorbance spectra of ginseng. Meantime, in combination with the PLS algorithm the calibration process was performed for the quantitative analysis of saponin in Chinese ginseng. The result obtained shows a fine precision of the method, with RMSEC of 0.154% and correlation coefficient of 0.9828.

[Near infrared determination of the total sugar in Chinese ginsengs].

In the present paper the analysis of the total content of sugar in Chinese ginseng was carried out by using near infrared spectroscopy, and in combination with the PLS algorithm the calibration analysis was performed at the same time. The result shows that the precision obtained through common chemical methods is almost the same as the one through NIR spectroscopy. The SEC (standard error of calibration) is 1.9% and the correlation coefficient is 0.951 7, which proves that this technique is well suitable for rapid quantitative determination of the total content of sugar in Chinese ginseng, and is simple, cheap, and without any chemical pollution, and can present real time result.

[Immunohistochemical study of heme oxygenase-1 expressed in human normal dental pulp cell and tissue].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in dental pulp tissue and to find out the relationship of distribution and function of HO-1. METHODS: 30 pulp tissues were obtained from clinically extracted human healthy premolars and third molars. The expression of HO-1 in dental pulp was detected by means of SABC immunohistochemical technology. RESULTS: HO-1 immunoreactivity was observed in vascular endothelial cells, odontoblasts and some fibroblasts cells. CONCLUSION: The distribution of HO-1 in normal human dental pulp suggests that HO-1 may play an important role in pulp flow regulation, dentin production and its calcifying; it also may play some roles in dental pulp cells metabolism and differentiation.

[Applied research of intermaxillary fixation screw in the jaw fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and generalize the application of intermaxillary fixation screw in the jaw fracture. METHODS: 41 cases of jaw fracture have been treated with intermaxillary fixation screw. RESULTS: Both function and appearance have recuperated in 40 cases except 1 case has light malocclusion. CONCLUSIONS: Application of intermaxillary fixation screw advanced the traditional therapy.