The Circadian System Is Essential for the Crosstalk of VEGF-Notch-mediated Endothelial Angiogenesis in Ischemic Stroke / 神经科学通报·英文版

Ischemic stroke is a major public health problem worldwide. Although the circadian clock is involved in the process of ischemic stroke, the exact mechanism of the circadian clock in regulating angiogenesis after cerebral infarction remains unclear. In the present study, we determined that environmental circadian disruption (ECD) increased the stroke severity and impaired angiogenesis in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model, by measuring the infarct volume, neurological tests, and angiogenesis-related protein. We further report that Bmal1 plays an irreplaceable role in angiogenesis. Overexpression of Bmal1 promoted tube-forming, migration, and wound healing, and upregulated the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Notch pathway protein levels. This promoting effect was reversed by the Notch pathway inhibitor DAPT, according to the results of angiogenesis capacity and VEGF pathway protein level. In conclusion, our study reveals the intervention of ECD in angiogenesis in ischemic stroke and further identifies the exact mechanism by which Bmal1 regulates angiogenesis through the VEGF-Notch1 pathway.

Assessment of therapeutic effects of low-energy laser for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of low-level laser therapy(LLLT)for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome(BMS)in elderly patients.Methods:As a randomized controlled study, 60 elderly BMS patients treated in the department of stomatology of Beijing Hospital from September 2018 to August 2021 were randomly divided into a laser group and a control group, including 7 man and 53 women, with an average age of(68.27±6.38)years.Patients in the laser group were treated with LLLT, and patients in the control group were treated with non-energy red light and oryzanol.The visual analogue scale and self-rating anxiety and depression scale were used to evaluate the two groups of patients.Results:After LLLT, the effectiveness rate of the laser group was 86.67%(26/30)on the 28th and 90th day, which was significantly higher than 63.33%(19/30)of the control group( χ2=4.356, P=0.037). When data for pre-treatment, the 28th day after treatment and the 90th day after treatment for the laser group were compared, results showed that after LLLT, pain symptoms of BMS patients were relieved and it lasted for some time, and anxiety and depression also improved, but there were episodes of relapse as time went on.Visual analogue scale and self-rating anxiety scores and depression scale scores of BMS patients for pre-treatment, the 28th and 90th days after treatment in the two groups were compared.Only self-rating anxiety scale scores of the laser group was lower than those of the control group on the 28th day, with statistical significance( t=2.622, P=0.011), indicating that LLLT could alleviate anxiety for BMS patients in the short term, but had no significant effect on patient depression.However, in the long term, LLLT had no significant effect on relieving anxiety and depression. Conclusions:LLLT has a certain effect on improving pain symptoms and anxiety in elderly BMS patients.

Progress on coat color regulation mechanism and its association with the adaptive evolution in mammals.

The various coat colorations exhibited in different mammalian groups is an attractive biological phenomenon, and is also one of the excellent models for studying and understanding mammalian adaptive evolution. Coat color polymorphism in mammals plays an important role in avoiding predator, predation, courtship, and protection against UV radiation. The coloration of hair or coat in mammal is determined by the quantity, quality and distribution of melanin in the body. Pigmentation in cells is a complicated cell process, including the differentiation and maturation of melanocytes, the morphogenesis of melanosome, the anabolism of melanin and the transportation of melanin in melanocytes. Every stage or phase of pigmentation in cells can always proceed with the participation of some important functional genes. The complex regulatory network formed through interactions between these genes has greatly led to different coat colors. With the coat color polymorphisms, mammals can adapt to various environments. Revealing the genetic basis of different coat colors in mammals has been an important research focus in genetics and evolutionary biology. In this review, we summarize the main advance in molecular mechanisms of pigmentation in cells and the genetic basis of coloration-related adaptations in mammals. Our review is expected to provide new clues for molecular mechanism studies on coat color polymorphism and adaptive evolutions in mammals.

Observation of clinical effect of photodynamic therapy on oral leukoplakia in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy on oral leukoplakia in elderly patients.Methods In this prospective study,fifteen elderly patients with oral leukoplakia were treated with 5 aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy(ALA PDT).After 2 hours of dressing,patients were irradiated using a 635nm semiconductor laser with the power density of 300mW/cm2.Each lesion was irradiated for 6 minutes with energy density of 100J/cm2.The curative effect was evaluated and the adverse reactions were recorded based on the observation of lesion changes.Results Of the 15 lesions in 15 patients,4 lesions were treated once,3 lesions were treated twice.And 6 lesions were cured after three treatments,and 2 patients were cured after four treatments.The average treatment frequency was (2.4 ± 1.1) treatment.The postoperative adverse reaction was pain.The average visual analogue scale was (2.2 ± 0.8) scores after operation,and the duration of pain was(2.6±1.1)days after operation.There was no recurrence for 3 to 9 months after operation.No abnormalities of oral sensation and function were found in patients.Conclusions ALA-PDT is an effective method for the treatment of oral leukoplakia in elderly patients.

Observation of clinical effect of photodynamic therapy on oral leukoplakia in elderly patients / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective@#To observe the clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy on oral leukoplakia in elderly patients.@*Methods@#In this prospective study, fifteen elderly patients with oral leukoplakia were treated with 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy(ALA-PDT). After 2 hours of dressing, patients were irradiated using a 635nm semiconductor laser with the power density of 300mW/cm2.Each lesion was irradiated for 6 minutes with energy density of 100J/cm2.The curative effect was evaluated and the adverse reactions were recorded based on the observation of lesion changes.@*Results@#Of the 15 lesions in 15 patients, 4 lesions were treated once, 3 lesions were treated twice.And 6 lesions were cured after three treatments, and 2 patients were cured after four treatments.The average treatment frequency was(2.4±1.1)treatment.The postoperative adverse reaction was pain.The average visual analogue scale was(2.2±0.8)scores after operation, and the duration of pain was(2.6±1.1)days after operation.There was no recurrence for 3 to 9 months after operation.No abnormalities of oral sensation and function were found in patients.@*Conclusions@#ALA-PDT is an effective method for the treatment of oral leukoplakia in elderly patients.

Study on the oral mucosal diseases in patients with cerebrovascular diseases / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the prevalence of oral mucosal diseases (OMD) in patients with cerebrovascular disease.@*Methods@#A total of 182 patients with cerebrovascular disease and 166 controls were examined for OMD to compare the differences of prevalence rates.@*Results@#The prevalence of OMD in patients with cerebrovascular disease appeared higher than that in the control group. Oral candidiasis was most commonly seen (11.1%, 20/182), followed by fissured tongue (5.0%, 9/182), traumatic ulcer (2.8%, 5/182), herpes labialis (2.2%, 4/182), recurrent oral ulcer (1.6%, 3/182), chronic cheilitis (1.6%, 3/182) and oral leukokeratosis (1.6%, 3/182).@*Conclusion@#Patients with cerebrovascular diseases were susceptible to OMDs, especially to oral candidiasis that called for more attention.

Microarray analysis of differentially expressed background genes in rats following hemorrhagic shock.

To uncover the contribution of the diversity of the genetic backgrounds to the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic shock, we employed male Sprague-Dawley rats to establish a controlled 2.5 ml/100 g total body weight fixed-volume hemorrhagic shock and left lobular hepatectomy model. RNA was isolated from the liver samples taken from the rats (survival group: rats survived over 24 h after shock; and dead group: rats died within 1 h after shock, n = 3 per group), and subjected to microarray using the illumina(TM) chips for rat cDNA (27,342 genes, >700,000 probes). The results demonstrated that the rats had about 50% survival rate and 100 genes were identified differentially expressed in the two groups. Of these genes, 47 genes were up-regulated and 53 genes down-regulated. Real-time PCR confirmed the differential expression for Aldh1a1, Aldh1a7, Aoc3, Cyp26al, Hdc and Ephx2 genes. Pathway analysis revealed that these genes are involved in circadian rhythm, beta-Alanine metabolism, histidine metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, vitamin B6 metabolism, as well as arginine and proline metabolism. Therefore, our study provided a global molecular view on the contribution of genetic backgrounds to the response to hemorrhagic shock.

The LIM homeobox gene, L3/Lhx8, is necessary for proper development of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.

Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) are involved in cognitive functions such as learning and memory, and are affected in several neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's disease). Despite their importance, the molecular mechanisms of their development are not fully elucidated. A recent report demonstrated that some BFCNs in adult rat are positive for L3/Lhx8, a LIM homeobox transcription factor. To examine the function of L3/Lhx8 in the development of BFCNs, we generated L3/Lhx8 gene-disrupted mice. In these mice, cells expressing cholinergic neuron markers, such as choline acetyltransferase, vesicular acetylcholine transporter and p75 low-affinity NGF receptor, were markedly reduced in the basal forebrain, whereas other cholinergic neurons including brain stem and spinal motor neurons expressed the markers. Neurotransmitter phenotypes other than cholinergic in the basal forebrain appeared intact. From these results, we suggested that L3/Lhx8 has a pivotal and specific role in the development and/or maintenance of BFCNs.

Influence of post-core on the strength of endodontically treated and crowned teeth / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the influence of post-core structure on the strength of endodontically treated and crowned teeth with or without a 2.0 mm dentine ferrule.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 60 recently extracted human maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated and randomly divided into five groups of 12. They were given following treatments: Group A, endodontically treated; Group B, endodontically treated and crowned (PFM); Group C, cast metal post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule and crowned (PFM); Group D, cast metal post-core with no dentine ferrule and crowned (PFM); Group E, prefabricated post and composite core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule and crowned (PFM). All specimens were stored at 100% humidity at room temperature for 30 days before testing. Each specimen was in a special jig on the MTS 810 universal material testing machine and subjected to a load at a 135-degree angle to the long axis until failure, with crosshead speed of 0.02 cm/minute. Analysis of variance followed by the Newman-Keuls pairwise multiple comparison tests was used to compare the results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a statistically significant difference between different restorative methods. The cast metal post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule and crowned teeth had the highest fracture strength (1793.59 +/- 387.93N), followed by endodontically treated intact teeth (1466.68 +/- 240.11N). No significant difference in the fracture strength was found among the other three groups (958.49 +/- 286.02N; 992.98 +/- 291.00N; 994.94 +/- 285.04 N). There was a statistically significant difference in the fracture resistance between crowned teeth with and without 2.0 mm dentine ferrule (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Not all post-core structure could improve the strength of endodontically treated teeth. The dentine ferrule can effectively improve the fracture resistance of endodontically treated and crowned teeth.</p>

Fracture strength of custom-fabricated celay all-ceramic post and core / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The purpose of this study is to compare the fracture strengths of custom-fabricated Celay all-ceramic post-core, custom cast metal post-core, and prefabricated stainless steel post (Parapost) plus composite resin core with or without a 2.0 mm dentine ferrule.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 60 recently extracted human maxillary central incisors were endodontically treated and divided into five groups of 12. They were given the following treatments: Group A: Celay ceramic post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule, Group B: Celay ceramic post-core with no dentine ferrule, Group C: cast metal post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule, Group D: cast metal post-core with no dentine ferrule, and Group E: prefabricated post and composite core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule. All specimens were stored at 100% humidity at room temperature for 30 days before testing. Each specimen was in a special jig at a 45 degrees angle to the long axis and subjected to a load on MTS 810 universal material testing machine until failure, with crosshead speed of 0.02 cm/min. Analysis of variance followed by the Newman-Keuls pairwise multiple comparison test was used to compare the results of the groups tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a statistically significant difference between five groups (P < 0.01). Celay ceramic post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule (758.35 N +/- 119.26 N) and cast metal post-core with 2.0 mm dentine ferrule (756.63 N +/- 166.22 N) had a significantly larger mean failure threshold for fracture than the other three groups which had no significant difference between each other. There was a statistically significant difference between the fracture resistance of Celay post-core restored teeth with and without 2.0 mm dentine ferrule.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The custom-fabricated Celay post-core could be a choice for clinical use in endodontically treated tooth when the final restoration is an all-ceramic crown and the preparation has a 2.0 mm dentine ferrule.</p>