Intentional replantation combined root resection therapy for the treatment of type III radicular groove with two roots: A case report.

BACKGROUND: A radicular groove is an anatomic malformation that usually initiates at the central fossa, extending along the root at varying lengths and depths and predisposes the involved tooth to a severe periodontal defect. Severe grooves that extend to the root apex often lead to complex combined periodontal-endodontic lesions. They are a serious challenge for doctors to diagnose and treat. CASE SUMMARY: In this report, we described a patient with a maxillary lateral incisor with a deep palatogingival groove with two roots, which led to complex combined periodontal-endodontic lesions. Suggested treatment modalities included curettage of the affected tissues, elimination of the groove by grinding and/or sealing with a variety of filling materials, and surgical procedures. In this case, a combination of endodontic therapy, intentional replantation, and root resection were used, which resulted in periodontal/periradicular healing after 12 mo. CONCLUSION: Intentional replantation and root resection offer a predictable procedure and should be considered a viable treatment modality for the management of palatogingival grooves, especially for two-rooted teeth.

28-Day hindlimb unweighting reduces expression of Rho kinase and inhibits its effects in femoral artery of rat

Previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent roles of Rho kinase (ROCK) in the decreased vasoconstriction of rat hindquarter vessels induced by hindlimb unweighting (HU). The present study was designed to determine the unclear role of ROCK in the mediation of HU-induced decreased femoral arterial vasoconstriction. 28-day HU rat was adopted as the animal model. With or without Y-27632, a ROCK inhibitor, isometric force of femoral artery was measured. The expression of ROCK and its effects on downstream targets were also examined. Results showed that (1) HU caused a significant decrease of the phenylephrine (PE)-evoked and potassium chloride (KCl)-evoked femoral arterial vasoconstriction (P < 0.05), confirming the functional findings by previous studies. (2) Inhibition of ROCK with Y-27632 produced an equal reduction of the vasoconstriction in CON and HU. (3) HU significantly decreased ROCK II expression and the effects of ROCK on myosin light-chain phosphatase (MLCP) and MLC (P < 0.05), but increased p65 nuclear translocation (P < 0.05) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression (P < 0.05). (4) HU significantly (P < 0.05) increased NO production in femoral arteries, with Y-27632 significantly (P < 0.01) amplifying this effect. These findings have revealed that 28-day HU reduced the expression and effects of ROCK on downstream targets both directly (MLCP and MLC) and possibly indirectly (NF-κB/iNOS/NO pathway) related to vasoconstriction in femoral arteries

Simulated microgravity promotes monocyte adhesion to rat aortic endothelium via nuclear factor-κB activation.

Microgravity-induced vascular remodelling may play an important role in post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of simulated microgravity on monocyte adhesion to aortic endothelium in hindlimb unweighted rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms associated with this event. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 4-week hindlimb unweighting to simulate microgravity. The recruitment of monocytes to the abdominal aorta was investigated by en face immunofluorescence staining and monocyte binding assays. The expression of the adhesion molecules E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as well as the cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, western blot, and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses. Additionally, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation and the messenger RNA expression levels of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and MCP-1 were assessed with the administration of an NF-κB inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. Results showed that simulated microgravity significantly increased monocyte recruitment to the aortic endothelium, protein expression of E-selectin and MCP-1, and NF-κB activation in the abdominal aorta of rats. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate treatment not only significantly inhibited NF-κB activity but also reduced the messenger RNA levels of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and MCP-1 as well as monocyte recruitment in the abdominal aorta of hindlimb unweighted rats. These results suggest that simulated microgravity increases monocyte adhesion to rat aortic endothelium via the NF-κB-mediated expression of the adhesion molecule E-selectin and the cytokine MCP-1. Therefore, an NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response may be one of the cellular mechanisms responsible for arterial remodelling during exposure to microgravity.

28-Day hindlimb unweighting reduces expression of Rho kinase and inhibits its effects in femoral artery of rat.

Previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent roles of Rho kinase (ROCK) in the decreased vasoconstriction of rat hindquarter vessels induced by hindlimb unweighting (HU). The present study was designed to determine the unclear role of ROCK in the mediation of HU-induced decreased femoral arterial vasoconstriction. 28-day HU rat was adopted as the animal model. With or without Y-27632, a ROCK inhibitor, isometric force of femoral artery was measured. The expression of ROCK and its effects on downstream targets were also examined. Results showed that (1) HU caused a significant decrease of the phenylephrine (PE)-evoked and potassium chloride (KCl)-evoked femoral arterial vasoconstriction (P < 0.05), confirming the functional findings by previous studies. (2) Inhibition of ROCK with Y-27632 produced an equal reduction of the vasoconstriction in CON and HU. (3) HU significantly decreased ROCK II expression and the effects of ROCK on myosin light-chain phosphatase (MLCP) and MLC (P < 0.05), but increased p65 nuclear translocation (P < 0.05) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression (P < 0.05). (4) HU significantly (P < 0.05) increased NO production in femoral arteries, with Y-27632 significantly (P < 0.01) amplifying this effect. These findings have revealed that 28-day HU reduced the expression and effects of ROCK on downstream targets both directly (MLCP and MLC) and possibly indirectly (NF-κB/iNOS/NO pathway) related to vasoconstriction in femoral arteries.

Exogenous nerve growth factor protects the hypoglossal nerve against crush injury.

Studies have shown that sensory nerve damage can activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, but whether the same type of nerve injury after exercise activates the p38MAPK pathway remains unclear. Several studies have demonstrated that nerve growth factor may play a role in the repair process after peripheral nerve injury, but there has been little research focusing on the hypoglossal nerve injury and repair. In this study, we designed and established rat models of hypoglossal nerve crush injury and gave intraperitoneal injections of exogenous nerve growth factor to rats for 14 days. p38MAPK activity in the damaged neurons was increased following hypoglossal nerve crush injury; exogenous nerve growth factor inhibited this increase in acitivity and increased the survival rate of motor neurons within the hypoglossal nucleus. Under transmission electron microscopy, we found that the injection of nerve growth factor contributed to the restoration of the morphology of hypoglossal nerve after crush injury. Our experimental findings indicate that exogenous nerve growth factor can protect damaged neurons and promote hypoglossal nerve regeneration following hypoglossal nerve crush injury.

Simulated microgravity induces an inflammatory response in the common carotid artery of rats.

Post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance is one of the most important adverse effects after exposure to space microgravity, and there are still no effective countermeasures. It has been considered that arterial remodeling may play an important role in the occurrence of post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance, but the cellular mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether an inflammatory response exists in the common carotid artery of rats exposed to simulated microgravity. For this, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 4 weeks of hindlimb unweighting to simulate microgravity. The expression levels of the adhesion molecules E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and the cytokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in the common carotid artery of simulated microgravity rats were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, quantitative RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses. The recruitment of monocytes in the common carotid artery of rats exposed to simulated microgravity was investigated by en face immunofluorescence staining and monocyte binding assays. Our results provided convincing evidence that there is an inflammatory response in the common carotid artery of rats exposed to simulated microgravity. Our work suggests that the inflammatory response may be a novel cellular mechanism that is responsible for the arterial remodeling that occurs during exposure to microgravity.

Nitric oxide synthase activity in the abdominal aorta of rats is decreased after 4 weeks of simulated microgravity.

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of simulated microgravity on the arterial dilatory responsiveness and L-arginine (L-Arg)-nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP pathway in the abdominal aorta of rats. 2. Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley were randomly divided into control and simulated microgravity groups. Rats in the simulated microgravity group were subjected to hindlimb unweighting (HU). After 4 weeks, arterial dilatory responsiveness was examined in vitro in isolated abdominal aortic rings. Western blotting was used to measure endothelial (e) and inducible (i) NO synthase (NOS) protein content. Total concentrations of nitrate and nitrite (NO(x)), the stable metabolites of NO, were determined by the chemiluminescence method. Nitric oxide synthase activity in the abdominal aorta was determined through the conversion of [(3)H]-L-Arg to [(3)H]-L-citrulline. 3. The data showed that the dilatory responses of the arterial rings to L-Arg and acetylcholine decreased in rats exposed to simulated microgravity, but the dilatory responses to sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo-cGMP were similar in both simulated microgravity and control rats. The expression of eNOS and iNOS did not differ significantly between the two groups. The NO(x) concentration in the abdominal aorta of HU rats was significantly less than that in control rats. Nitric oxide synthase activity in the aorta decreased after 4 weeks of HU. 4. The data indicate that endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in the abdominal aorta decreased due to 4 weeks of simulated microgravity in rats and that this impaired dilatory responsiveness may result from decreased NOS activity.

2D-DIGE proteomic analysis of changes in estrogen/progesterone-induced rat breast hyperplasia upon treatment with the Mongolian remedy RuXian-I.

RuXian-I has traditionally been used as a remedy for breast hyperplasia in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. As a first step toward the investigation of biomarkers associated with RuXian-I treatment, a proteome-wide analysis of rat breast tissue was conducted. First, rat breast hyperplasia was induced by injection of estradiol and progesterone. After treatment with RuXian-I, there is a marked decrease in the hyperplasia, as can be shown by decreases in the nipple diameter and the pathological changes in breast. Subsequently, we used an approach that integrates size-based 2D-DIGE, MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS, and bioinformatics to analyze data from the control group, the model group and the RuXian-I treatment group. Using this approach, seventeen affected proteins were identified. Among these, 15 (including annexin A1, annexin A2, superoxide dismutase [Mn], peroxiredoxin-1, translationally-controlled tumor protein and a B-crystallin) were significantly up-regulated in the model group and down-regulated upon treatment with RuXian-I, and two (Tpil protein and myosin-4) have the opposite change trend. The expression of annexin A1 was confirmed using immunohistochemistry. The expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was confirmed biochemically. These results indicated that RuXian-I treats rat breast hyperplasia through regulation of cell cycle, immune system, metabolic, signal transduction, etc. The differential expressions of these proteins (annexin A1, superoxide dismutase [Mn], alpha B-crystallins and translationally controlled tumor protein, among others) were associated with occurrence and metastasis of breast cancer. These findings might provide not only far-reaching valuable insights into the mechanism of RuXian-I action, but also leads for prognosis and diagnosis of breast hyperplasia and breast cancer.

[Study on the counting of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium colorimetric method].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric method and the applied condition for the normal bacteria in the mouth, as Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sanguis (S. sanguis), Haemophilus actinomycetemcomitans (H. actinomycetemcomitans). METHODS: Colony forming units (CFU) which was the standard antitheses was used to count bacteria. This study would gain some parameters by changing wavelength, reactive time, dosage and so on. MTT colorimetric method was applied in the counting of S. mutans, S. sanguis and H. actinomycetemcomitans. RESULTS: When counting S. mutans, the best wavelength was 510 nm, the best range was 1.5 x 10(5) - 1.0 x 10(7) CFU x mL(-1). When counting S. sanguis, the best wavelength was 545 nm, the best range was 1.5 x 10(5) - 2.0 x 10(7) CFU x mL(-1). When counting H. actinomycetemcomitans, the best wavelength was 557 nm, the best range was 1.0 x 10(6) - 5.0 x 10(7) CFU x mL(-1). MTT colorimetric method can be used for different aged S. mutans, S. sanguis and H. actinomycetemcomitans. CONCLUSION: Oral bacteria could be counted by MTT colorimetric method, which is fast and convenient.

[Effect of Drynaria fortunei naringin on the total protein content and ultra-structure of human periodontal ligament cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Drynaria fortunei naringin on the total protein content and ultra-structure of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). METHODS: Through enzyme digestion combined tissue-culture method, primarily culture and identify the human periodontal ligament cells. Coomassie brilliant blue staining was used to detect the total protein content of hPDLCs with the effects of difference concentration of Drynaria fortunei naringin at difference times. Transmission electron microscope was used to study the ultra-structure of hPDLCs with the effects of Drynaria fortunei naringin. RESULTS: In vitro, the addition of Drynaria fortunei naringin at dose of 100, 10, 1, 0.1 mg x L(-1) in cultures resulted in an increase of total protein content at the 3rd, 5th, 7th day, but the maximum response was obtained with 1 mg x L(-1) Drynaria fortunei naringin. There were more rough endoplasmic reticulums, mitochodrias and ribosomes in the experimental group than in the control. CONCLUSION: Drynaria fortunei naringin may stimulate the protein synthesis and metabolism of hPDLCs.

[Effects of Drynaria fortunei naringin on proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity of human periodontal ligament cells].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biological effects of Drynaria fortunei naringin on the proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLC). METHODS: hPDLC were primarily cultured and identified in vitro through enzyme digestion combined tissue culture method. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method was used to observe the proliferation of hPDLC with the effects of different concentrations of Drynaria fortunei naringin at difference times. The method recommended by International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) was adopted to investigate the effect of Drynaria fortune naringin on the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of hPDLC. At the same time, we used bright blue method to detect the contents of protein in each sample. Then ALP activity in per milligram protein was accounted. RESULTS: Significant proliferative promotion to hPDLC by Drynaria fortunei naringin could be observed at the dose of 10, 1, 0.1 mg x L(-1). Significant ALP activity of hPDLC promotion of Drynaria fortune naringin could be observed at the dose of 100, 10, 1, 0.1 mg x L(-1) and the dose of 1 mg x L(-1) Drynaria fortune naringin had greatest promotion on ALP activity of hPDLC. CONCLUSION: Drynaria fortune naringin might significantly promote the proliferation and increase the ALP activity of hPDLC.

[Effect of an early application of chaiqin chengqi decoction in treating severe acute pancreatitis complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of an early application of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (CQCQD) on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: Forty patients of SAP-ARDS were equally randomized into the early-treated group (ET) and the late-treated group (LT), CQCQD was administered to them immediately and 3 days later after hospitalization respectively. Baseline materials in the two groups at the entry were insignificantly different (P > 0.05), and the same conventional Western medical therapy were available to them all. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Heath Evaluation II (APACHE I) scores, the incidence and sustained time of complications, the occurrence of infection, requirement of operation shifting on day 7, as well as the duration resided in hospital and mortality in patients were observed and compared. RESULTS: Comparisons of the above-mentioned clinical indexes between groups showed that the APACHE II score was lower (5.1 +/- 2.0 scores vs 9.3 +/- 4.3 scores, P < 0.01); the incidence of shock was lesser (1/20 vs 7/19); the duration of ARDS, renal failure, cardiac insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, cerebropathy and enteroplegia, as well as the duration in hospital and the requirement of operation shifting were all shorter significantly (P < 0.05) in the ET group than those in the LT group, but no statistical difference (P > 0.05) was shown in terms of the infection incidence and the mortality. CONCLUSION: An early application of CQCQD in the treatment of SAP could shorten the duration of complications and the couse of disease, lower the requirement of operation shifting. But further study with large samples for explore its impact on the infection incidence and the mortality is needed.

[Impact of Chai Qin Cheng Qi Decoction on cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in rats with severe acute pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To test the change of true choline esterase (TChE) and cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT) and their correlation with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the impact of Chai Qin Cheng Qi Decoction (CQCQD) on cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (pseudo-operated), SAP group and CQCQD-treated group, each with 10 rats. Blood samples were taken six hours after injection of testing agents for biochemical test, which included the test of amylase, TNF-alpha, IL-6, TChE, and ChAT. RESULTS: The rats in SAP group had higher levels of serum IL-6, TNF-alpha and TChE and lower levels of serum ChAT than those in control group (P < 0.05). The serum IL-6 was positively correlated with TChE (r = 0.95, P = 0.000) and negatively correlated with ChAT (r = -0.91, P = 0.000). The TNF-alpha was also positively correlated with TChE (r = 0.93, P = 0.000) and negatively correlated with ChAT (r = -0.95, P = 0.004). The rats in CQCQD-treated group had lower levels of serum IL-6, TNF-alpha and TChE and higher levels of serum ChAT than those in SAP group (P < 0.01). The increase of white blood cell, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase was observed in the control group first and followed by the CQCQD-treated group and SAP group sequentially (P < 0.05). Conclusions Cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway plays an important role in the pathological changes of SAP in rats. CQCQD can relieve the systemic inflammatory response syndrome and reduce the functional damage of organs through interference on the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway. More studies are needed to reveal the mechanism of such impact.

[Clinical study on severe acute pancreatitis associated with hypoalbuminemia in early stage].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the occurring mechanism and clinical characteristics of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) associated with hypoalbuminemia in early stage and its influence on prognosis of SAP and the preventive and therapeutic management of this disease. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-eight cases diagnosed as SAP complicated by hypoalbuminemia in early stage were accepted in our hospital from August 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004, and they were divided into 2 groups according to the level of plasma albumin: mild hypoalbuminemia (30 to 35 g/L) group and severe hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/L) group. The complications in the early stage, related parameters, and the incidence rate of infection and mortality in the later stage were evaluated respectively. RESULTS: The incidence rates of renal dysfunction, shock, cardiovascular failure and gastrointestinal hemorrhage, the score of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II ) and the frequencies of pulse and breath in the severe hypoalbuminemia group were all higher than those in the mild hypoalbuminemia group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The differences of incidence rate of hepatic failure and the scores of Ranson and Balthazar CT between these two groups had no statistical significance (P>0.05). The incidence rate of infection and the mortality in the severe hypoalbuminemia group were higher than those in the mild hypoalbuminemia group (P<0.01) in the later stage of SAP. CONCLUSION: Hypoalbuminemia in the early stage can accelerate the deterioration in pathophysiology of SAP. The lower level of the plasma albumin is in the early stage, the more complications and the higher incidence rate of infection and mortality will be in the later stage. To relieve the extent of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and abundant supplement of albumin, amino acid and lipid in time may be crucial to prevent the occurrence and deterioration of hypoalbuminemia.

[Clinical study of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction in treating severe acute biliary pancreatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effects of Chaiqin Chengqi Decoction (CQCQD) in treating severe acute biliary pancreatitis. METHODS: Ninety patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis were treated with CQCQD, and they were divided into two groups: early-treated group (54 patients treated with CQCQD within 3 days after the onset of severe acute biliary pancreatitis) and late-treated group (36 patients treated with CQCQD between 3 and 7 days after the onset of severe acute biliary pancreatitis). The complication incidence rate, operation rate, mortality rate and hospitalization period were examined. RESULTS: The incidence rates of encephalopathy, infection and gastrointestinal hemorrhage were lower in the early-treated group than those in the late-treated group (P<0.05). The hospitalization periods of the early- and late-treated groups were (24.9+/-18.4) days and (51.6+/-45.9) days respectively (P<0.05). The general mortality rate was 14.4%. The mortality rate of the early-treated group (7.4%) was significantly lower as compared with that of the late-treated group (25.0%) (P<0.05). The operation rate of the early-treated group (11.1%) was also significantly lower as compared with that of the late-treated group (27.8%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Treating severe acute biliary pancreatitis with CQCQD in early stage may reduce the complication incidence rate, shorten the hospitalization period, and decrease the operation rate and mortality rate.