[Influence of the dentin smear layer trait on the bond strength of the self-adhesive resin cements].

OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to evaluate the influence of smear layer on the bonding effectiveness and durability of the self-adhesive resin cements to dentin. METHODS: A total of 48 fresh caries-free third molars with exposed dentin surface were divided into two groups. The dentin surfaces were treated using a standard grit diamond bur (group A) or further polished using a fine grit diamond bur (group B) and then bonded with either of the two self-adhesive resin cements, namely, Clearfil SA Cement (CSA, Kuraray) and Multilink Speed (MS, Ivoclar Vivadent). After 24 h or 2-year water storage, a microtensile bond strength test was performed. RESULTS: In group A, the dentin surface was rough, the smear layer was thick, and the dentin tubule orifice detritus showed low embolism value. In group B, the dentin surface roughness decreased, the embolism proportion increased, and the smear layer became thin. The initial bonding strengths of CSA and MS in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (P<0.05). The bonding strengths of CSA and MS significantly decreased after two years of water storage (P<0.05). For CSA, the bond strength of group B was significantly lower than that of group A (P<0.05). For MS, the differences in the bonding strength between groups A and B were insignificant (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The properties of the smear layer and the types of self-adhesive resin cement used affected the bond strength and durability.

[An exploration on computerized examination system of dental objective structured clinical examination].

PURPOSE：In view of the present problems of clinical skill examination, in order to evaluate the candidate's clinical ability comprehensively and objectively, we constructed and implemented dental objective structured clinical examination system mainly based on computer. METHODS：This system was a multi-station examination which had 3 parts and 8 sites. The stations were composed of a variety of testing methods, including choice questions, auxiliary examinations, case analysis and basic operation skill. RESULTS: By using the computerized dental objective structured clinical examination system, we could smoothly test the ability of stomatological students in a relatively short time. The clinical ability, learning ability and professional quality could be evaluated more objectively in many ways. CONCLUSIONS：This system help students adapt to early examination of medical practitioners, improve students' clinical skills, and is worthy of wide application.

Role of Rho-mediated ROCK-Semaphorin3A signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease in a mouse model.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to elucidate the role of Rho-mediated ROCK-Semaphorin3A signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) in a mouse model. METHODS: One-hundred twelve eight-week male C57BL/6 mice were selected. The mouse model of PD was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP. All mice were divided into four groups (28 mice in each group): Blank group, Model group, Rho knockout (Rho+/-) group and ROCK knockout (ROCK+/-) group. Changes of behavior of the mice were studied through automatic moving test and rotarod test. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expressions of TH, CD11b and GFAP. High performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) was performed for detection of dopamine and its metabolic product. The mRNA and protein expressions of Rho, ROCK, Sema3A, PlexinA and NRP-1 were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS: Rho and ROCK knockout improved the damage caused by MPTP on the behavior of mice and protected dopaminergic neurons from injury, along with the increases of dopamine and its metabolic product. The mRNA and protein expressions of Rho, ROCK, Sema3A, PlexinA and NRP-1 were increased in PD mice in the Model group compared with those in the Blank group. Compared to the Model group, the mRNA and protein expressions of Rho, ROCK, Sema3A, PlexinA and NRP-1 were reduced in the Rho+/- and ROCK+/- groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that Rho and ROCK knockout may improve the behavior of mice and prevent MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurons damage by regulating Sema3A, PlexinA and NRP-1 in a mouse model of PD.

[Influence of light irradiation mode on microhardness of dual cured resin cements].

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of different light irradiation modes on microhardness of dual-curing resin cements. METHODS: The cylindrical specimens (1 mm in thickness and 7.5 mm in diameter) of 5 self-adhesive resin cements (Biscem, Clearfil SA Cement, G-CEM LinkAce, Maxcem Elite and RelyX U100) and 2 universal resin cements(DUOLINK and Nexus 3) were irradiated respectively by a continuous mode (light-curing for 20 s) and a delayed mode (light-curing 5 s + auto-curing 60 s + light-curing 20 s), and then they were placed dry in a light-proof thermostat at 37 degrees centigrade. Surface microhardness of specimen was detected at 0.5, 24 h and 4 weeks post-irradiation. After that period of time, all specimens were soaked in ethanol for 24 h, their hardness were detected again, and the percentage of hardness reduction after soaking were calculated. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software package. RESULTS: The hardness of all resin cements under both irradiation modes increased mainly within 24 h post-irradiation. The irradiation mode did not affect the hardness of all resin cements 4 weeks after irradiation significantly (P>0.05), except for Biscem. However, after ethanol softening, 5 self-adhesive resin cements cured by the continuous mode had higher hardness reduction percentage than that cured by delayed mode (P<0.05); while hardness reduction percentage of 2 universal resin cements had no significant difference between continuous and delayed cure modes (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The self-adhesive resin cements cured by delayed mode had better anti-softening ability. Supported by Nanjing Medical Science and Technology Development Fund (ZKX09035), Nanjing Science and Technology Development Fund (201001083) and Nanjing Medical Science and Technology Development Fund (YKK10125).

[Post-stroke depression treated with acupuncture and moxibustion: an evaluation of therapeutic effect and safety].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of post-stroke depression (PSD) by regulating the liver and strengthening the root prescription. METHODS: In light of the random controlled trial principle, 123 cases were randomized into an acupuncture-moxibustion group (42 cases), a medication group (40 cases) and an acupuncture + medication group (41 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the therapy of regulating the liver and strengthening the root was applied. Acupuncture was given at Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3), Baihui (GV 20, Yintang (GV 29), etc. The granule moxibustion was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Xiawan (CV 10), Guanyuan (CV 4) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment was given once a day and stopped in weekend. In the medication group, paroxetine hydrochloride tablets were prescribed for oral administration, 20 mg each day after breakfast. In the acupuncture + medication group, the therapies were adopted as the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the medication group. In the 2nd and 4th week of treatment, HAMD was used as the primary index and Barthel index as the secondary one for the efficacy assessment in the three groups respectively. The spleen and stomach syndrome scale of TCM was used for the assessment of TCM syndrome efficacy. Treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) was applied for the safety assessment. RESULTS: In the 4th week of treatment, the markedly effective rates were 69.0% (29/42), 65.0% (26/40) and 70.7% (29/41) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group, the medication group and the acupuncture + medication group respectively. The efficacies of anti-depression were similar in comparison among groups (P > 0.05). In the 2nd week of treatment, the improvement of HAMD score was significant in the acupuncture + medication group as compared with that before treatment and in comparison with the medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). As for improving Barthel index, reducing the spleen and stomach symptom score of TCM and decreasing the score of TESS, the results in the acupuncture-moxibustion group and the acupuncture + medication group were superior to those in the medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The therapy of acupuncture and moxibustion with regulating the liver and strengthening the root achieves the definite efficacy of anti-depression and presents the quite high safety in treatment.

[Technological experience of occlusal reconstruction with IPS e.max Press for severely worn dentition].

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of occlusal reconstruction with IPS e.max Press for patients suffering from severely worn dentition, and to summarize the technological experience. METHODS: IPS e.max Press was used to reconstruct occlusion for one patient with severely worn dentition. Provisional restorations were fitted in worn teeth to rehabilitate the vertical dimension and centric relationship almost 3 months before final treatment. Face bow was used to transfer the general information of provisional restorations to articulator, including the plane of occlusion, anatomical outline and intercuspal position of teeth. RESULTS: After 24 months of follow-up, the masticatory efficiency and facial appearance were improved significantly, and TMJ disorder was not observed. The patient was satisfied with the prostheses. CONCLUSIONS: IPS e.max Press is an effective and reliable treatment of occlusal reconstruction.The short term effect is promoting. Supported by Clinical Medical Research Fund of Bureau of Science and Technology, Jiangsu Province(SBL201230169).

[Observation on relations between onset seasons of peripheral facial paralysis and therapeutic courses and effect of acupuncture].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influences of seasonal factors on peripheral facial paralysis by acupuncture. METHODS: Four hundred cases of facial paralysis were divided into spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, 100 cases in each group. All these cases were treated by routine puncture. Fengchi (GB 20), Yifeng (TE 17), Qianzheng (Extra), Jiache (ST 6), and Dicang (ST 4), etc. were applied at affect side, once a day. 2 months observation was carried on to compare the clinical therapeutic effects and average courses. The facial symptoms, physical sign and functional activities were taken as observation indexes of therapeutic effect. RESULTS: The effect rate was 78.0% (78/100) in spring group, 82.0% (82/100) in summer group, 89.0% (89/100) in autumn group and 92.0% (92/100) in winter group; the effect rate in summer or autumn group was superior to those in spring group and in summer group (all P < 0.05); the average course was (47.6 +/- 22.3) days in spring group, (43.7 +/- 18.4) days in summer group, (31.5 +/- 11.3) days in autumn group and (22.6 +/-9.2) days in winter group, indicating the significant differences between groups except that between spring and summer group (all P < 0.01). The cured and markedly effective rate was 80.1% (161/201) for wind cold type, 53.5% (61/114) for wind heat type, and 36.5% (31/85) for damp heat type, indicating that it of wind cold type was superior to that of wind heat type or damp heat type (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The syndrome distribution and courses of peripheral facial paralysis are different in different seasons, hence, the diseases should be treated according to attack time and syndromes.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB 39) combined with Chinese herbs pyrogenic dressing therapy for treatment of calcaneus spur].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB 39) combined with Chinese herbs pyrogenic dressing therapy and common acupuncture on calcaneus spur. METHODS: A single-blind, randomized and controlled trial was adopted. Sixty-six cases were randomly divided into an observation group (n=34) and a common acupuncture group (n=32). The observation group was treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB 39) combined with Chinese herbs pyrogenic dressing therapy and the common acupuncture group with common acupuncture, Yanglingquan (GB 34), Kunlun (BL 60) etc. selected. The markedly effective rate and the changes of heel pain scores, heel swelling scores, heel burning sensation scores, and walking function scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS: The markedly effective rate of 64.7% (22/34) in the observation group was higher than 37.5% (12/32) in the common acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, all the scores in the two groups were significantly improved as compared with before treatment (all P<0.05), and the observation group was better than the common acupuncture group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB 39) combined with Chinese herbs pyrogenic dressing therapy on calcaneus spur is superior to that of common acupuncture.

[Spontaneous odontogenic differentiation and critical gene expression of mouse dental papilla mesenchymal cell in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the spontaneous odontogenic differentiation of mouse dental papilla mesenchymal cells in blood serum medium. And to detect the critical gene expression of correlated transcription factors what are specific to odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation. METHODS: The primary dental papilla mesenchymal cells what had been obtained from E16.5 d murine embryo were serially subcultivated in the simple serum medium and the serum medium supplemented with LIF (leukocyte inhibitory factor) respectively. It was observed whether the dental papilla mesenchymal cells differentiated into odontoblast phenotype or kept the undifferentiation phenotype. The mRNA expression of specific transcription factors were detected in cells with or without odontogenic differentiation. RESULTS: The fourth generation and behind of mouse dental papilla mesenchymal cells what were cultured in simple serum medium could spontaneously differentiate to odontoblast, while the undifferentiation phenotype of dental papilla mesenchymal cells could be lasting to ninth generation when they cultured in medium supplemented with 10(6) U/L LIF. Whether the dental papilla cells differentiate to odontogenic phenotype or not, the members of HOX gene family such as Msx1/Msx2, Pax9 and Lhx6/Lhx7 got completely expression. These transcription factors were specific to odontogenic mesenchymal cells. Also the specific gene of mineralized tissue cells such as DSPP, Sox9, Cbfa1 and Osx initiated to express after the odontoblast differentiation. CONCLUSION: Not only this spontaneous odontogenic differentiation model of mouse dental papilla mesenchymal cells can be the positive control, but also the mode of gene expression can provide an evidence for studying how gene changes when adult stem cells are induced to odontogenic differentiation.

[Expression of odontogenic and osteogenic genes in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with overexpression of mouse dentin sialophosphoprotein].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the overexpression of dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) and the expression of specific gene involved in odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation in transfected cells. METHODS: Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) were cultured and then transfected with DSPP gene by adenovirus-mediated way in vitro. The transfection efficiency of DSPP gene was assessed by the marker gene green fluorescent protein (GFP). With having observed the morphological transformation of transfected BM-MSC, we studied whether the transfected BM-MSC would express odontogenic and osteogenic genes by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The mouse BM-MSC were obtained and the adenovirus mediated DSPP gene used to transfect BM-MSC successfully. The transfected efficiency was 42.7%. The transfected BM-MSC were induced to differentiate into odontoblast-like cells and meanwhile expressed specific odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation genes such as DSPP, DMP1, Msx1/2, Pax9, Lhx6/7, Sox9, Cbfa1, Osx, Col I. CONCLUSION: The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can make differentiation with the overexpression of dentin sialophosphoprotein and express specific odontogenic and osteogenic differentiation genes.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion on cervical hyperosteogeny].

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic effects of acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion and routine acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2) on cervical hyperosteogeny. METHODS: Single blind, randomized and controlled methods were used and 91 cases were divided into an observation group of 46 cases and a control group of 45 cases. The observation group was treated by acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion, i.e. acupuncture at Chonggu (EX), Dazhui (GV 14), Taodao (GV 13) and moxibustion at pain points with cake made by Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae and Radix Paeoniae Alba; the control group was treated with acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2). Changes of sourness and pain of the neck, the shoulder and back, pressure pain and cervical activity scores were used for assessment of therapeutic effects. RESULTS: The markedly cured rate of 76.1% in the observation group was better than 42.2% in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of all the items were significantly improved in the two groups (all P<0.05), and the observation group in sourness and pain of the neck, the shoulder and back, and cervical activity were better than the control group (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The therapeutic effect of acupuncture at "cervical three points" combined with cake-separated moxibustion on cervical hyperosteogeny is superior to routine acupuncture at Jiaji (EX-B 2).