A comparative study of microbial changes in dental plaque before and after single- and multiappointment treatments in patients with severe early childhood caries.

BACKGROUND: The status of dental caries is closely related to changes in the oral microbiome. In this study, we compared the diversity and structure of the dental plaque microbiome in children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) before and after general anaesthesia and outpatient treatment. METHODS: Forty children aged 3 to 5 years with S-ECC who had completed whole-mouth dental treatment under general anaesthesia (C1) or in outpatient settings (C2) were selected, 20 in each group. The basic information and oral health status of the children were recorded, and the microbial community structure and diversity of dental plaque before treatment (C1, C2), the day after treatment(C2_0D), 7 days after treatment (C1_7D, C2_7D), 1 month after treatment (C1_1M, C2_1M), and 3 months after treatment (C1_3M, C2_3M) were analysed via 16 S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. RESULTS: (1) The alpha diversity test showed that the flora richness in the multiappointment group was significantly greater at posttreatment than at pretreatment (P < 0.05), and the remaining alpha diversity index did not significantly differ between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The beta diversity analysis revealed that the flora structures of the C1_7D group and the C2_3M group were significantly different from those of the other time points within the respective groups (P < 0.05). (2) The core flora existed in both the pre- and posttreatment groups, and the proportion of their flora abundance could be altered depending on the caries status of the children in both groups. Leptotrichia abundance was significantly (P < 0.05) lower at 7 days posttreatment in both the single- and multiappointment groups. Corynebacterium and Corynebacterium_matruchotii were significantly more abundant in the C1_1M and C1_3M groups than in the C1 and C1_7D groups (P < 0.05). Streptococcus, Haemophilus and Haemophilus_parainfluenzae were significantly more abundant in the C1_7D group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single session of treatment under general anaesthesia can cause dramatic changes in the microbial community structure and composition within 7 days after treatment, whereas treatment over multiple appointments may cause slow changes in oral flora diversity.

Yuleshu oral mixture combined with conventional therapy for chronic prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical effects of Yuleshu oral mixture combined with conventional therapy on chronic prostatitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-eight patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) were equally randomized to a control and an experimental group to receive conventional therapy (oral antibiotics, alpha blockers, proprietary Chinese medicine for activating blood circulation and massage of the prostate) and conventional therapy combined with Yuleshu oral mixture respectively. Before and after treatment, the severity of symptoms and sexual function of the patients were evaluated using NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5, their anxiety, depression and other emotional problems assessed with Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and the results subjected to statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both the experimental and control groups showed significant improvement in prostatitis symptoms and sexual function after treatment as compared with the baseline (P < 0.01), even more significant in the former than in the latter group, especially in pain symptoms (7.89 +/- 2.82 vs 10.41 +/- 2.55, P < 0.01). Before and after treatment, the HAMA and HAMD score had no significant difference in the control, but there was significant difference in the experimental group. The experimental group exhibited remarkably higher scores after than before treatment on HAMA (24.30 +/- 5.07 vs 13.80 +/- 3.62, P < 0.01) and HAMD (23.81 +/- 5.01 vs 16.23 +/- 5.93, P < 0.01), but not the control group (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Yuleshu oral mixture can effectively relieve anxiety, depression and other psychological problems in CP/CPPS patients, and improve their clinical symptoms as well. Therefore, it is an effective drug for chronic prostatitis.</p>

Transforming growth factor-β1 short hairpin RNA inhibits renal allograft fibrosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is known to be a key fibrogenic cytokine in a number of chronic fibrotic diseases, including chronic allograft nephropathy. We examined the effects of inhibition of TGF-β1 expression by RNA interference on renal allograft fibrosis, and explored the mechanisms responsible for these effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A Sprague-Dawley-to-Wistar rat model of accelerated kidney transplant fibrosis was used. Sixty recipient adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: group J (sham-operated group), group T (plasmid-transfected group), group H (control plasmid group), and group Y (transplant only group). Rats in group T were transfected with 200 µg of TGF-β1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to examine the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3/7, E-cadherin, and type I collagen. The distribution of type I collagen was measured by immunohistochemistry. The pathologic changes and extent of fibrosis were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining. E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin immunohistochemical staining were used to label tubular epithelial cells and fibroblasts, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Plasmid transfection significantly inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, as well as that of its target gene, type I collagen (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). In addition, the degree of fibrosis was mild, and its development was delayed in plasmid-transfected rats. In contrast, TGF-β1-shRNA transfection maintained the expression of E-cadherin in tubular epithelial cells while it inhibited the transformation from epithelial cells to fibroblasts. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were lower in the plasmid group than in the control groups (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>This study suggests that transfection of a TGF-β1-shRNA plasmid could inhibit the fibrosis of renal allografts. The mechanism may be associated with the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7, resulting in suppressed epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and extracellular matrix synthesis.</p>

Exosomes derived form bladder transitional cell carcinoma cells induce CTL cytotoxicity in vitro / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To isolate and purify exosomes derived from human bladder transitional cell carcinoma T24 cells, analyze the morphology and protein composition, and investigate the antitumor effect of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes induced by exosomes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Exosomes were isolated and purified by ultrafiltration and sucrose gradient centrifugation, and characterized by electron microscopy and Western blot. Dendritic cells were amplified and purified from peripheral blood and pulsed with exosomes. Then they were co-cultured with T cells, and divided into 3 groups: exosome-pulsed DC group, unplused DC group and control group. Alamar-Blue assay was used to evaluate the specific cytolytic activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The exosomes were in size about 30 approximately 90 nm saucer-shaped membranous vesicles. HSP70, ICAM-1 and CK20 were detected by Western blot. The CTL induced by DC pulsed with exosomes had significant cytolytic activity (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The exosomes derived from T24 cells are loaded with immunoprotein HSP70 and ICAM-1, and DC pulsed with exosomes can promote the anti-tumor effect of CTLs in vitro.</p>

[Clinical analysis of 182 cases with facial nerve injury].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recovery patterns and the influencing factors of facial nerve injury in maxillofacial surgery by retrospective analysis of a serial clinical data. METHODS: A total of 182 patients with facial nerve injury were reviewed. The cause of injury, the initial facial nerve function after trauma, the treatment, the initial recovery time of facial nerve function and the total recovery time were recorded. The factors that influenced the outcome of facial nerve function were analyzed. RESULTS: The facial nerve branch injury was common in maxillofacial injury. The injury pattern, location, age and reconstruction time all had effects on the function recovery of the facial nerve. Within 6 months, 45 of 49 (92%) anatomic injured patients completely recovered in 6 months; 53 of 59 patients (90%) began to recover when nerve had been ruptured. In 12 months, 33 of 35 patients (94%) after nerve anastomosed and 5 of 8 patients (62%) with nerve transplantation got complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Preserving the facial nerve during surgery is very important. If the facial nerve is injured, reconstructive surgery should be applied as soon as possible.