A quantitative research on clinical parameters of gingival contour for anterior teeth esthetic analysis and design.

OBJECTIVES: To provide reference for computer-aided esthetic analysis and design of the maxillary anterior teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intraoral scanner was used to obtain the maxillary three-dimensional digital models of subjects with healthy periodontal tissue. In SpaceClaim, the occlusal plane was established as the horizontal reference plane to measure the positional relation between the gingival zenith (GZ) of the maxillary anterior teeth, the angle formed between the gingival line and the maxillary midline (GLA), the distance between the GZ of the lateral incisor and gingival line (LID), and the distance between the GZ and the vertical bisected middle surface along the long axis of the clinical crown (VBMS). RESULTS: The GLA was 92.7 ± 3.2°. The GZ of the canine, lateral incisor, and left central incisor were located to the GZ of the right central incisor coronally at 0.68 ± 0.91, 0.65 ± 0.66 mm, and apically at 0.12 ± 0.42 mm, respectively. The LID was 0.65 ± 0.92 mm. The GZ of the canine, lateral incisor, and central incisor were located distally to the VBMS at 0.00 ± 0.06, 0.27 ± 0.19, and 0.73 ± 0.21 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION: The GZ at different tooth position are in different heights. The direction and degree of the GZ deviation from the VBMS are also related to tooth position. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The clinical parameters of the gingival contour obtained in this research can be used for patients with unsound contour of periodontal soft tissue to do the anterior teeth esthetic analysis. Besides, it can also be used to determine the proper position between the GZs of the maxillary anterior teeth in anterior teeth esthetic design.

Oscillating high glucose enhances oxidative stress and apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate the toxic effect of oscillating high glucose (OHG) versus persistent high glucose (PHG) in inducing oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) in vitro. METHODS: HCAECs were incubated for 72 h continuously in normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L glucose), PHG (25 mmol/L glucose), OHG (5.5 mmol and 25 glucose mmol/L alternating every 6 h) and mannitol, respectively. Cellular viability, concentration of oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA and GSH) in the supernatants of cell culture, and intracellular ROS level were quantitated after exposure to different concentrations of glucose for a total 72 h. Apoptosis of HCAECs cultured with various glucose levels was evaluated by annexin V-FITC and PI staining followed by analysis with flow cytometry. The expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blotting at the end of the experiment. RESULTS: HCAECs cultured with PHG showed decreased cellular viability compared to those with normal level of glucose (p < 0.05). The decrease was more pronounced under OHG condition (p < 0.05). Cellular oxidative stress was provoked in HCAECs exposed to PHG with marked increased MDA level, reduced GSH concentration and elevated ROS production (p < 0.05). The stress was further amplified in the setting of OHG (p < 0.05). The cellular apoptosis was enhanced by culturing with PHG, and to a greater extent when incubated with OHG. Both expressions of HO-1 and Nrf2 were suppressed in HCAECs in persistent hyperglycemia condition, while the inhibition was more intense in the fluctuating hyperglycemia condition (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that OHG could be more detrimental to HCAECs than PHG. This is probably due to the enhancement of oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis induced by frequent glucose swings through the inhibition of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Extended expression of B-class MADS-box genes in the paleoherb Asarum caudigerum.

Asarum caudigerum (Aristolochiaceae) is a paleoherb species that is important for research in origin and evolution of angiosperm flowers due to its basal position in the angiosperm phylogeny. In this study, a subtracted floral cDNA library from floral buds of A. caudigerum was constructed and cDNA arrays by suppression subtractive hybridization were generated. cDNAs of floral buds at different stages before flower opening and of leaves at the seedling stage were used. The macroarray analyses of expression profiles of isolated floral genes showed that 157 genes out of the 612 unique ESTs tested revealed higher transcript abundance in the floral buds and uppermost leaves. Among them, 78 genes were determined to be differentially expressed in the perianth, 62 in the stamens, and 100 genes in the carpels. Quantitative real-time PCR of selected genes validated the macroarray results. Remarkably, APETALA3 (AP3) B-class genes isolated from A. caudigerum were upregulated in the perianth, stamens and carpels, implying that the expression domain of B-class genes in this basal angiosperm was broader than those in their eudicot counterparts.

Simulated weightlessness aggravates hypergravity-induced impairment of learning and memory and neuronal apoptosis in rats.

It has been demonstrated that altered gravity may lead to impairments in cognitive functions. However, the effect of a combination of hypergravity and weightlessness on cognitive functions is not well understood. In the present study, we report the effects of high sustained hypergravity after 7 days' simulated weightlessness on learning and memory abilities and neuronal apoptosis in rats. In the Y-maze tests, hypergravity (HG) or simulated weightlessness (SW) significantly decreases accuracy, and increases reaction time of rats compared to that of controls. On the contrary, in the passive avoidance test, HG or SW treatment significantly shortens latency and prolongs total time compared to those of controls. In addition, TUNEL staining shows a few apoptotic cells in cortex and hippocampus in the HG, SW and HG+SW groups, and the number of TUNEL positive cells was found to be the most in the HG+SW group. Furthermore, rats with combined HG and SW treatment reveal a synergistic effect in both the Y-maze and the passive avoidance tests, as well as increased neuronal cell death. These findings suggest that simulated weightlessness may exacerbate hypergravity-induced impairment of learning and memory, likely caused by neuronal cell death in rats.

Cloning and characterization of a putative 12-oxophytodienoic acid reductase cDNA induced by osmotic stress in roots of foxtail millet.

Foxtail millet is a gramineous crop with low water requirement. Cloning of osmotic responses-related genes from foxtail millet is a key step for understanding the mechanism of its tolerance to drought. Here we reported the cloning and characterization of a cDNA (SiOPR1) encoding a putative 12-oxophytodienoic acid reductase 1 from foxtail millet by using RACE methods. Sequence analysis showed that SiOPR1 encoded a polypeptide of 374 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 41.9 kDa and pI of 5.14. Multiple alignment result showed that OPR1 protein was very conservative among gramineous crops. RNA gel blot analysis results indicated that SiOPR1 was up-regulated by osmotic stress, and its expression was limited in the roots of foxtail millet. However, SiOPR1 expression was not affected by ABA, NaCl and MeJA treatments both in roots and shoots. Therefore, it is suggested that SiOPR1 gene play an important role in response to drought stress.

Acceleration after-effects on learning and memory in rats: +10 Gz or +6 Gz for 3 min.

High sustained positive Gz (+Gz) exposures have been shown to have a pathophysiological impact on the brain in rats. However, the consequence for brain function such as learning and memory remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated locomotor activity, learning ability and memory in rats over 6 days (d) following +6 Gz/3 min and +10 Gz/3 min exposures. In an open field test, rats treated with +10 Gz showed a significant increase in the time spent in the center square immediately and 2d after exposure compared with control rats. In contrast, the number of grid crosses and number of rears of rats decreased significantly immediately after +6 Gz and +10 Gz exposures. In addition, a Y-maze test revealed that +Gz exposures reduced the number of correct responses and increased total reaction time in rats, and the number of correct responses was negatively correlated with the total reaction time in all groups throughout the period of study. Moreover, the passive avoidance test exhibited that the latency increased significantly on 0 d and decreased significantly on 6 d after +Gz exposures compared with control. Thus, +6 Gz/3 min and +10 Gz/3 min exposures may transiently decrease locomotor activity, impair learning, and induce a deficit in memory retention in rats.

Changes of hippocampus somatostatin and learning ability in rats after +Gz exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes of learning ability and somatostatin (SS) changes after positive acceleration (+Gz) exposures. METHOD: Eighty male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Con), +6 Gz/3 min group (+6 Gz), and +10 Gz/3 min group (+10 Gz), 8 rats in each group. Changes of learning ability in rats were observed at 0 d, 2 d, 4 d and 6 d after +Gz exposure. SS in hippocampus was measured by RIA at 0 d, 2 d and 4 d after +Gz exposures (there were 8 rats every time, in each group). RESULT: In Y-maze test, number of correct response decreased significantly (P<0.01), and total reaction time increased significantly (P<0.01) in +6 Gz and +10 Gz groups as compared with control group; number of correct response and total reaction time in +10 Gz group changed significantly at 0 d (P<0.01 or P<0.05) as compared with +6 Gz group. RIA showed that, content of SS in hippocampus declined at 0 d and 2 d (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in +6 Gz and +10 Gz groups as compared with control group. CONCLUSION: +Gz exposure could impair learning ability of rats, and inhibit expression of SS in hippocampus.

[Effects of high +Gx during simulated spaceship emergency return on learning and memory in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of high +Gx during simulated spaceship emergency return on learning and memory in rats. METHOD: Thirty two male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, 7 d simulated weightlessness group, +15 Gx/180 s group and +15 Gx/180 s exposure after 7 d simulated weightlessness group, with 8 rats in each group. The changes of learning and memory in rats were measured after stresses by means of Y-maze test and step-through test. RESULT: In Y-maze test, as compared with control group, percentage of correct reactions decreased significantly (P<0.01) and reaction time increased significantly (P<0.01) in hypergravity after simulated weightlessness group at all time after stress; as compared with +15 Gx group or simulated weightlessness group, percentage of correct reactions decreased significantly (P< 0.05) and reaction time increased significantly (P< 0.05) immediately after stress. In step-through test, as compared with control group, total time increased significantly (P<0.01) in hypergravity after simulated weightlessness group at 1 d after stress; latent time decreased significantly (P<0.01) and number of errors increased significantly (P< 0.01) at all the time after stress. As compared with +15 Gx group, total time increased significantly (P<0.05) immediately, 1 d after stress. As compared with simulated weightlessness group, total time and number of errors increased significantly (P<0.05) immediately after stress. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that +15 Gx/180 s and simulated weightlessness may affect the ability of learning and memory of rats. Simulated weightlessness for 7 d can aggravate the effect of +Gx on learning and memory ability in rats.

[Effects of low gravity preconditioning on rat learning and memory impairment induced by high gravity exposure].

OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of low gravity preconditioning against learning and memory function impairment induced by high gravity exposure in rats. METHOD: Twenty-four male SD rats were randomized equally into control group, high gravity exposure group (+10 Gz/3 min) and low gravity preconditioning group (LGP group, preconditioned by a daily exposure to +4 Gz/3 min for 3 days before +10 Gz/3 min exposure). Both the learning and memory abilities of the rats in the 3 groups were examined after +10 Gz/3 min exposure. RESULTS: In open field test, the rats exposed to +10 Gz/3 min, in comparison with the control rats, exhibited significantly declined total square-crossing and rearing (SCR) on days 0 and 2 (P<0.05), with also significantly prolonged stay in the central square at 0 d(P<0.01). In the low gravity preconditioned rats, SCR declined and length of stay in the central square increased significantly on day 0 (P<0.01). Compared with the rats in +10 Gz/3 min group, the rats in the LGP group showed decreased length of stay in the central square on day 2, and such changes was statistically significant on day 6 (P<0.05), but there was no difference in SCR at all time points. In Y-maze test, the number of times of right reaction (RR) decreased and the reaction time (RT) increased significantly in +10 Gz/3min group compared with those of the control group (P<0.01), whereas no significant differences were found between the control group and LGP group. Compared with +10 Gz/3 min group, the RR was increased (P<0.01) and RT shortened significantly (P<0.01) in LGP group. In the step-through test, the latent time (LT) increased (P<0.05) on day 0 but was then shortened significantly on day 6 in + 10 Gz/3min group (P<0.01), and no difference was found between LGP group and the control group. LT on day 6 increased significantly (P<0.01) in LGP group as compared with the +10 Gz/3 min group. CONCLUSION: High gravity exposure-induced rat learning and memory impairment can be markedly improved by lower gravity preconditioning.

[Effects of combined stress of high +Gz and noise on learning and memory in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of combined stress of noise and + Gz on learning and memory in rats. METHOD: Thirty-two male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, +10 Gz/3 min group, 90 dB(A)/30 min noise group, combined stress group (+10 Gz/3 min and 90 dB(A)/30 min), 8 rats in each group. Changes of learning and memory after stresses were measured by means of Y-maze test, open field test and step-through test. RESULT: As compared with control group and noise group, the number of correct reactions decreased significantly (P<0.01) and the reaction time increased significantly (P<0.01) in combined stress group at all time after stress; time stay in center grille (TSCG) increased significantly immediately after stress (P<0.01). When compared with control group, total time (TT) and number of error (NE) increased significantly (P<0.01) while latent time (LT) decreased significantly immediately and 6 d after stress (P<0.01). As compared with +10 Gz group, number of correct reactions in combined stress group decreased significantly (P<0.05) and reaction time increased significantly (P<0.01) immediately after stress. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that combined stress of noise and +Gz may impair learning and memory of rats, and +Gz seems to contribute more to the combined effects.

[Effects of self-generated LBNP training on cardiovascular function and lower body negative pressure (LBNP) tolerance].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes of cardiac function and lower body negative pressure tolerance after self-generated Lower Body Negative Pressure device training and provide experimental evidences for its appliance. METHOD: Twelve healthy male subjects were randomly divided into two groups, and received training on two conditions for entirely closing the valve or opening to -30 mmHg of peak LBNP separately. The group A was trained for five days and three minutes per day. Heartfunction, HUT and tolerance of LBNP were measured in pre-training, 3 d and post-training. The group B was trained for ten days and five minutes each day. All the measurements that was the same as in group A were made. RESULT: Heart function of group A decreased and tolerance of LBNP increased significantly (P<0.05). In group B, heart function increased significantly after 8 days training, so did tolerance of LBNP. CONCLUSION: It suggested that lower body negative pressure tolerance could be improved by self-generated Lower Body Negative Pressure device training. The changes of cardiac function, however, were based on the project of training.