[Soft tissue profile changes by Frankel-III appliance on correcting Angle Class III malocclusion in mixed dentition].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the soft tissue profile changes of functional Angle Class III malocclusion in mixed dentition, and to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with Frankel-III appliances. METHODS: Fifteen cases of Angle Class III malocclusion in mixed dentition, 8 males and 7 females, were selected. The mean age of the patients was 9.5 years old, ranging from 7 to 12 years old. Lateral cephalometric radiograph was taken before and after the treatments and analyzed. The data was analyzed by paired t test with SPSS17.0 software package. RESULTS: After the patients were treated with Frankel-III appliances in mixed dentition, Sn-Ns-Si, Ns-Sn-Pos , LiSi-Sn increased, S-Ns-Si, S-Ns-Pos,LL-EP decreased with significant difference (P<0.01). S-Ns-Sn, LsSn-Sn,Sn-Me,Ns-Me,Ul-EP increased with significant difference (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All findings indicate that functional Angle Class III malocclusion can be corrected with Frankel-III appliances. The relationship among nose, upper lip, lower lip and chin become harmonious after treatment. The maxillary and mandibular soft tissue changes are distinct and soft tissue profile changes from Class III to Class I.

[The role of DNA double strains damage repairing mechanisms in high glucose-induced endothelial senescence].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the roles of DNA double stains damage repairing mechanisms in high glucose-induced cellular senescence. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with different concentrations of glucose (5.5 mmol/L, 11 mmol/L, 22 mmol/L and 33 mmol/L) for 72 hrs before the assay of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining. The superoxides were detected by flow cytometry. The levels of NO were detected by enzyme assay. Gamma-H2AX and phosphorylated P53 protein were measured by Western blot. Changes after co-incubation with KU55993 (an inhibitor of ATM) were examined with methods mentioned above. RESULTS: Compared with control group, percentage of positive cells of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining increased significantly in high glucose groups. The corresponding levels of reactive oxygen increased and NO decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Intra-cellular levels of gamma-H2AX and phosphorylated P53 protein were significantly increased in high glucose groups. Statistical significances were revealed between high-glucose group and control group, as well as among different high-glucose groups, but no significant difference was observed between mannitol and control group. KU55993, an inhibitor of ATM, significantly reduced the levels of gamma-H2AX, phosphorylated P53 protein, and positive rate of senescence-associated beta-galactosidase staining. CONCLUSION: High glucose may promote DNA double strains damage by enhancing oxidative stress and decreasing NO, and thus accelerate cellular senescence. ATM-P53 pathway, the key proteins related to DNA double strain damage repairing mechanisms, may play an important role in high glucose induced cellular senescence and atherosclerosis.

[Blood pressure variability correlates with target-organ damage in elderly patients with hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV)and target-organ damage in elderly patients with hypertension. METHODS: A total of 197 elderly patients were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: those with hypertension (n=146) and those without hypertension (Control, n=51). The 24 h systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (24 h SBPV/DBPV),24 h average systolic and diastolic blood pressure (24 h SBP/DBP), day time systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (d SBPV/DBPV),and night time systolic and diastolic blood pressure variability (n SBPV/DBPV)were measured. The hypertensive group was further divided into low and high variability groups according to the 50th percentile of 24 h SBPV. The carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), left ventricular mass index (LVMI), 24 h microalbuminuria (MA) and basic clinical and laboratory parameters were compared among the groups. The correlations between blood pressure variability and IMT, LVMI, and MA were analyzed with multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: The patients with essential hypertension had significantly higher 24 h SBPV (P < 0.001) and d SBPV (P < 0.05) than those without hypertension. The patients with higher blood pressure variability had greater incidence of plaque and cardiovascular disorder, as well as IMT, LVMI and MA (P < 0.001). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) differed significantly among the three groups of participants (P < 0.05). The multivariable regression analysis showed that 24 h SBPV was independently correlated with IMT, LVMI and MA. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with hypertension have high BPV, which is an important independent predictor of target-organ damage.

[Effect of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides L. on the expression of MCP-1 in aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of total flavonoids of Hippophae rhamnoides L. (TFH) on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) in aorta of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and to study the relationship of expression of MCP-1 in aorta and intimal medial thickness (IMT) of aorta. METHODS: Twelve-week-old male SHR (n=12) were randomly devided into three groups to receive TFH [30 mg/(kg x d), n=4], Enalapril [10 mg/(kg x d), n= 4] and Hydrochlorothiazide [25 mg/(kg x d), n=4] for 12 weeks, respectively. Another 4 SHR and 4 WKY which receive placebo served as positive control group and negative control group. The systolic blood pressure (SBP), intimal medial thickness and inside diameter of aorta of the rats were measured. The expression of MCP-1 in aorta was examined by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry and the concentration of serum MCP-1 protein by ELSA. RESULTS: Twelve weeks later, systolic blood pressure in TFH was significantly decreased, compared with that in Enalapril and Hydrochlorothiazide without statistical differences. TFH markedly reduced the intimal medial thickness of aorta and expression of MCP-1 in aorta, similar with Enalapril, stronger than Hydrochlorothiazide. CONCLUSION: TFH can markedly decrease SBP of SHR and the decrease value of the TFH group was similar with that of the Enalapril and Hydrochlorothiazide group. TFH may inhibit the expression of MCP-1 in aorta and intimal medial thickness of aorta beyond BP Lowering effect. The effect of THF on the expression of MCP-1 and intimal medial thickness of aorta was similar with Enalapril. TFH may through inhibite the expression of MCP-1 in aorta to reduce the intimal medial thickness of aorta and protect hypertensive injury in target organs.