Xiangshao Decoction alleviates gastric mucosal injury through NRF2 signaling pathway and reduces neuroinflammation in gastric ulcer rats.

BACKGROUND: A type of gastric mucosal injury disease known as gastric ulcer (GU) is clearly connected to the aberrant release of gastric acid. Traditional botanicals have the potential for anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and other multitarget therapies, as well as being safe. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential effects of Xiangshao Decoction (XST) on gastric mucosal injury in GU rats and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. METHODS: After identifying XST and its components, we established GU rats and cell models by acetic acid and H2O2 induction, respectively. SOD and MDA indexes in gastric tissues and GES-1 cells, and the serum levels of BDNF, ALT, and AST were detected with relevant kits, changes of the gastric mucosa were observed and recorded, and gastric tissue pathology was observed by H&E staining. The production of ROS in GES-1 cells was detected by fluorescent probes. Cell transfection techniques were used to silence or overexpress NRF2. The mRNA or protein expressions of NRF2, KEAP1, NQO1, HO-1, SOD2, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, IBA1, GFAP, or γ-H2AX in the gastric tissue, hippocampus, or GES-1 cells were measured via qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence staining, or immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The pH of gastric acid, ulcer score, and pathological damage score in GU rats could be reversed by XST administration. Expressions of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α in the gastric mucosal tissues and the hippocampus of GU rats after administration of XST were down. Expressions of NRF2, NQO1, HO-1, SOD2, etc. in the gastric mucosal tissues and BDNF in the hippocampus were up-regulated. The production of ROS and MDA and the expressions of IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and KEAP1 in H2O2-induced GES-1 cells were significantly reduced after XST intervention, while the activities of SOD and the expression of NRF2, NQO1, HO-1, and SOD2 were significantly increased, and these could be blocked by silencing NRF2 expression. CONCLUSIONS: XST can improve oxidative stress injury and inflammatory response in GU rats and cell models, and its mechanism is mediated by the NRF2 signaling pathway.

Analysis of the vestibular aqueduct development on the risk for suffering from idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) is one of the etiology of hearing loss. Clinically, we observed that the VA size of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) did not meet the diagnostic criteria of VA enlargement, but there were individual variations. Through this study, we want to understand the VA development and explore its risk for suffering from ISSNHL. METHODS: 74 patients with ISSNHL were retrospectively reviewed in our department from June 2018 to September 2021. Meanwhile, 57 people with no ear diseases were randomly selected as the control group. All their clinical information were systematically collected. The axial thin-slice CT images of temporal bone were used to observe and measure the VA in ISSNHL and controls. ISSNHL were classified as different types and grades according to pure tone audiometry and the degree of hearing loss, respectively. Logistic regression analysis was adopted to evaluate the risk factors of different types and grades of ISSNHL. RESULTS: The operculum morphology could be funnel-shaped, tubular and invisible, but they had no statistical difference in the morbidity of ISSNHL. The operculum width of the affected sides in the case group was significantly wider than that of the matched sides in the control group (0.84±0.35mm vs 0.68±0.34mm, p=0.009), but the midpoint width had no statistical difference (p=0.447). The operculum width was an independent risk factor for the total hearing loss type (p=0.036, OR=4.49, 95% CI=1.10-18.29), moderate (p=0.013, OR=17.62, 95% CI=1.82-170.95) and profound (p=0.031, OR=4.50, 95% CI=1.14-17.67) grade of ISSNHL. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for the severe grade (p=0.004, OR=12.44, 95% CI=2.19-70.64) of ISSNHL. Both the operculum width (p=0.048, OR=7.14, 95% CI=1.02-50.26) and hypertension (p=0.014, OR=6.73, 95% CI=1.46-30.97) were the risk factors for the flat type of ISSNHL. The midpoint width of the VA, gender, age, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and plasma fibrinogen concentration had no significant effect on the risk for suffering from ISSNHL. CONCLUSION: The development of the VA operculum is a risk factor for some types and grades of ISSNHL. Hypertension remained a risk factor for ISSNHL.

Evaluation of the relationship between maxillary posterior teeth and the maxillary sinus floor using cone-beam computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: Maxillary posterior teeth have close anatomical proximity to the maxillary sinus floor (MSF), and the race, gender, age, side and presence/absence of adjacent teeth may influence the mean distances between the root apices and the MSF. This study aimed to evaluate both the relationship between the maxillary posterior teeth and MSF, and the influence of adjacent teeth loss on the distance between the maxillary posterior roots and MSF. METHODS: Cone-beam computed tomography images were collected from 1011 Chinese patients. The relationship between the maxillary posterior teeth and the MSF was divided into three types: Type OS (the root apex extending below/outside the MSF), Type CO (the root apex contacting with the MSF), Type IS (the root apex extending above/inside the MSF). The minimum vertical distances between the maxillary posterior roots apices and the MSF were recorded. The correlations of the distances with gender and age were analyzed. The distances between the maxillary posterior root apices and the MSF with different types of adjacent teeth loss was evaluated. RESULTS: Type OS was the most common relationship of all posterior root apices (P<0.05). Type IS was highest in the palatal roots (PRs) of the maxillary first molars (MFMs) and the mesiobuccal roots (MBRs) of the maxillary second molars (MSMs) (24.8% and 21.6%) (P<0.05). The frequency of Type IS decreased with age except the premolar roots and PRs of the MSMs (P<0.05). The MBRs of the MSMs had the lowest distances to the MSF (0.8 ± 2.5 mm), followed by the distobuccal roots of the MSMs (1.3 ± 2.7 mm) and the PRs of the MFMs (1.4 ± 3.4 mm) (P<0.05). Age was an important influencing factor to the mean distances while gender had little effects. The distance between the maxillary second premolar root apices and the MSF decreased with the absence of adjacent teeth (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary molars showed greater proximity to the MSF than premolars. Age had significant impacts on the relationship between maxillary posterior roots and MSF. The absence of maxillary first molars will influence the proximity of maxillary second premolar root apices to MSF.

Are personalized tongxie formula based on diagnostic analyses more effective in reducing IBS symptoms?-A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the efficacy and safety ofpersonalized tongxie formulas; to decrease type II errors to minimum. METHODS: Patients were randomized (1:1:1) into three groups given tongxie, placebo, or pinaverium 3 times daily for 4 weeks. Patients in the tongxie group were treated with personalized formulas based on TCM differential diagnosis, i.e., basic type of IBS, IBS due to liver depression and qi stagnation, excess heat in the liver, deficient spleen function, deficient kidney function, and others (groups 1-6). Primary endpoints were significantly greater reductions in abdominal pain and Bristol stool score. Secondary endpoints were reductions in pain and stool frequencies and abdominal discomfort and its frequency. RESULTS: There were significantly more patients whose stool consistencies were improved than pains were relieved in the entire population (p < 0.001), but there was no significantly difference in subpopulation group 3 (p > 0.05). There were significantly more patients whose stool frequencies were reduced than pain frequencies were reduced in the entire population (p < 0.001), but there were no significantly difference in the subpopulation Groups 1, 3, 4, and 6 (p > 0.05). Multiple active ingredients and their mechanisms of actions to relieve IBS symptoms were identified. CONCLUSION: The outcomes in subpopulations may be different from those of the entire population, indicating that personalized formulas are important to achieve optimal outcomes; the active ingredients and innovative mechanisms identified in this study can be the candidates for developing new IBS drugs, and used to manage IBS, respectively. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01641224 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

Semaphorin 3A promotes osteogenic differentiation in human alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) in the osteogenic differentiation of human alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hABMMSCs). To investigate whether Sema3A affects hABMMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, a stable Sema3A-overexpression cell line was generated by infection with the pAdCMV-SEMA3A-MCS-EGFP vector. Cell counting kit-8 and clone formation assays were performed to determine the proliferation ability of hABMMSCs, while cell osteogenic differentiation was assayed using Alizarin Red S staining. In addition, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect the mRNA expression level of osteogenesis-associated genes, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteopontin (Opn) and osteocalcin (Ocn), during the osteogenic differentiation. The results revealed that, compared with the normal control group, the cell morphology of the infected cells was stable and no significant alterations were observed. Overexpression of Sema3A in hABMMSCs significantly increased the cell proliferation ability compared with the control group. Furthermore, the Alizarin Red S staining assay results indicated that the ossification process of hABMMSCs overexpressing Sema3A was evidently faster in comparison with that of the control group cells. Overexpression of Sema3A by pAdCMV-SEMA3A-MCS-EGFP infection also significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of the osteogenic marker genes Runx2, Opn and Ocn. In conclusion, Sema3A was observed to be a key positive regulator in hABMMSC osteogenic differentiation.

Nondestructive evaluation of demineralized enamel in a human incisor and molar using laser ultrasonics.

This study aims to evaluate early caries in human teeth with different geometry structures by using the dispersion curves of a surface acoustic wave (SAW) generated by a pulsed laser. Through the finite element method, SAWs propagating on teeth models with different enamel thickness and curvature radius were simulated, and the influence of the geometry difference on the dispersion curves of SAWs was discussed. Laser ultrasonic experiments were performed on an extracted human incisor and molar with different demineralization conditions. The received dispersive surface wave signals were processed via the spectral analysis method to obtain the dispersion curves, and the difference of the dispersion spectra between the incisor and the molar was analyzed and discussed. The result demonstrates that the laser generating the SAW has the ability to evaluate the elastic properties of early caries with different geometry nondestructively.

The mutation of Trp64Arg in ß3-adrenoreceptor-encoding gene is significantly associated with increased hypertension risk and elevated blood pressure: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was implemented to test the association of a missense mutation, Trp64Arg, in ß3-adrenoreceptor-encoding gene (ADRB3) with both hypertension risk and blood pressure (BP) changes. A systematic search of three publicly-available databases was launched to look for articles published as of December 2016. Qualification appraisal and data extraction were independently done by two researchers. Pooled estimates were expressed as odds ratio (OR) or weighted mean difference (WMD), and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). There were separately 21 (3750/4225 patients/controls) and 17 (6100 subjects) individual studies for hypertension risk and BP changes. Integral analyses revealed that Trp64Arg mutation was associated with the significantly increased risk of hypertension, and particularly, the 64Trp/64Arg heterozygote carriers were 1.23-times more likely to develop hypertension compared with the 64Trp/64Trp homozygote carriers (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02~1.46, P = 0.021). Publication bias was extremely low for all integral comparisons. In stratified analyses, significance was spotted in populations of Chinese descent, in retrospective studies, in hospital-based studies, in age-matched case-control studies, in studies enrolling patients with mean body mass index < 25 kg/m2 and in studies with total sample size ≥ 240. Heterogeneity was improved for most stratified comparisons. Further in hypertensive patients, the 64Trp/64Arg heterozygote carriers had significantly higher systolic (WMD = 0.87 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.39~1.35, P < 0.001) and diastolic (WMD = 0.88 mmHg, 95% CI: 0.59~1.17, P < 0.001) BP than 64Trp/64Trp homozygote carriers. Altogether, ADRB3 gene Trp64Arg mutation was significantly associated with an increased predisposition toward hypertension and elevated systolic/diastolic BP in hypertensive patients, suggesting that Trp64Arg is an important hypertension-susceptibility marker.

Effect of Nd: YAG laser irradiation on surface properties and bond strength of zirconia ceramics.

This study investigated the effect of neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd: YAG) laser irradiation on surface properties and bond strength of zirconia ceramics. Specimens of zirconia ceramic pieces were divided into 11 groups according to surface treatments as follows: one control group (no treatment), one air abrasion group, and nine laser groups (Nd: YAG irradiation). The laser groups were divided by applying with different output power (1, 2, or 3 W) and irradiation time (30, 60, or 90 s). Following surface treatments, the morphological characteristics of ceramic pieces was observed, and the surface roughness was measured. All specimens were bonded to resin cement. After, stored in water for 24 h and additionally aged by thermocycling, the shear bond strength was measured. Dunnett's t test and one-way ANOVA were performed as the statistical analyses for the surface roughness and the shear bond strength, respectively, with α = .05. Rougher surface of the ceramics could be obtained by laser irradiation with higher output power (2 and 3 W). However, cracks and defects were also found on material surface. The shear bond strength of laser groups was not obviously increased, and it was significantly lower than that of air abrasion group. No significant differences of the shear bond strength were found among laser groups treated with different output power or irradiation time. Nd: YAG laser irradiation cannot improve the surface properties of zirconia ceramics and cannot increase the bond strength of the ceramics. Enhancing irradiation power and extending irradiation time cannot induce higher bond strength of the ceramics and may cause material defect.

Scanning laser-line source technique for nondestructive evaluation of cracks in human teeth.

This paper describes the first application of a remote nondestructive laser ultrasonic (LU) system for clinical diagnosis of cracks in human teeth, to our knowledge. It performs non-contact cracks detection on small-dimension teeth samples. Two extracted teeth with different types of cracks (cracked tooth and craze lines), which have different crack depths, are used as experimental samples. A series of ultrasonic waves were generated by a scanning laser-line source technique and detected with a laser-Doppler vibrometer on the two samples. The B-scan images and peak-to-peak amplitude variation curves of surface acoustic waves were obtained for evaluating the cracks' position and depth. The simulation results calculated by finite element method were combined with the experimental results for accurately measuring the depth of crack. The results demonstrate that this LU system has been successfully applied on crack evaluation of human teeth. And as a remote, nondestructive technique, it has great potential for early in vivo diagnosis of cracked tooth and even the future clinical dental tests.

Effect of Er:YAG laser irradiation on bonding property of zirconia ceramics to resin cement.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether or not an erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser could improve the bonding property of zirconia ceramics to resin cement. BACKGROUND DATA: Surface treatments can improve the bonding properties of dental ceramics. However, little is known about the effect of Er:YAG laser irradiated on zirconia ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens of zirconia ceramic pieces were made, and randomly divided into 11 groups according to surface treatments, including one control group (no treatment), one air abrasion group, and nine Er:YAG laser groups. The laser groups were subdivided by applying different energy intensities (100, 200, or 300 mJ) and irradiation times (5, 10, or 15 sec). After surface treatments, ceramic pieces had their surface morphology observed, and their surface roughness was measured. All specimens were bonded to resin cement. Shear bond strength was measured after the bonded specimens were stored in water for 24 h, and additionally aged by thermocycling. Statistical analyses were performed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test for shear bond strength, and Dunnett's t test for surface roughness, with α=0.05. RESULTS: Er:YAG laser irradiation changed the morphological characteristics of zirconia ceramics. Higher energy intensities (200, 300 mJ) could roughen the ceramics, but also caused surface cracks. There were no significant differences in the bond strength between the control group and the laser groups treated with different energy intensities or irradiation times. Air abrasion with alumina particles induced highest surface roughness and shear bond strength. CONCLUSIONS: Er:YAG laser irradiation cannot improve the bonding property of zirconia ceramics to resin cement. Enhancing irradiation intensities and extending irradiation time have no benefit on the bond of the ceramics, and might cause material defect.

Experimental and numerical studies for nondestructive evaluation of human enamel using laser ultrasonic technique.

In this paper, a nondestructive laser ultrasonic technique is used to generate and detect broadband surface acoustic waves (SAWs) on human teeth with different demineralization treatment. A scanning laser line-source technique is used to generate a series of SAW signals for obtaining the dispersion spectrum through a two-dimensional fast Fourier translation method. The experimental dispersion curves of SAWs are studied for evaluating the elastic properties of the sound tooth and carious tooth. The propagation and dispersion of SAWs in human teeth are also been studied using the finite element method. Results from numerical simulation and experiment are compared and discussed, and the elastic properties of teeth with different conditions are evaluated by combining the simulation and experimental results.

[Effect of jaw forward distance on forced inspiratory airflow in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different jaw forward distance on forced inspiratory airflow(FIF) in non-apnea subjects and patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and to evaluate the effective jaw forward distance for the treatment of OSAHS with the oral appliance. METHODS: FIF was measured in 18 non-apnea subjects and 18 OSAHS patients at supine and lateral body positions with different jaw forward distances (the percentages of maximum jaw forward distance): 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%. FIF were converted to percentage values (FIF%, x(-) ± s) followed by averaged. Then the results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and paired t-test with α = 0.05. RESULTS: For non-apnea subjects, there was no significant difference in the FIF values between different jaw forward distances as well as different body positions. For OSAHS patients, the mean FIF% at supine and lateral body positions were 107.1% ± 29.0% and 112.0% ± 33.1% at jaw forward 50%, and were 106.4% ± 20.7% and 116.8% ± 36.4% at jaw forward 75%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those (84.0% ± 18.3% and 98.3% ± 24.0%) at jaw forward 0% or those (92.7% ± 21.8% and 103.7% ± 22.6%) at jaw forward 25%, respectively. But there was no statistical difference in FIF between the two groups of jaw forward 50% and jaw forward 75% and no statistical difference in FIF between supine and lateral body positions in the same forward position. CONCLUSION: Jaw forward 50% is a effective jaw forward distance by oral appliance for the treatment of OSAHS and can improve the airway ventilation in OSAHS patients.

The clinical treatment of complicated root canal therapy with the aid of a dental operating microscope.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical application of the dental operating microscope (DOM) in the management of complicated root canal therapy. METHODS: 345 teeth with 546 root canals which could not be successfully managed by conventional methods received therapy under the DOM with ultrasonic instruments by the same endodontists. The aetiology of the canals included calcification, broken instrument, missed canal and canal perforation. The teeth and canals successfully managed were then calculated. RESULTS: 406 canals were successfully managed with a rate of 74.4%; 246 teeth were successfully managed with a rate of 71.3%. The rates in each category of the complicated root canals were: 74.0% for calcified canals, 72.3% for canals blocked by broken instruments, 82.5% for missed canals and 72.7% for canal perforations. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical application of the DOM is an effective way of managing complicated root canal therapy.

Effects of head and body positions on 2- and 3-dimensional configuration of the oropharynx with jaw protruded: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of altering changing head and body positions on the 2- and 3-dimensional (3D) configuration of the oropharynx with jaw protrusion. STUDY DESIGN: Twelve healthy individuals (8 male, 4 female) with no history of sleep disturbances were invited to participate. For each subject, an acrylic splint was made with the mandible in protruded position. Subjects were imaged using magnetic resonance imaging in 4 different jaw, head, and body positions: 1) supine without protrusion; 2) supine with jaw protrusion; 3) supine with head rotation and jaw protrusion; and 4) laterally recumbent position with jaw protrusion. The 2- and 3D images of the upper airway in different positions were reconstructed by using a free DICOM reconstruction software. The dimension changes (anteroposterior and lateral dimensions, cross-sectional area, and volume) of the oropharynx (divided into retropalatal region and retroglossal region) were calculated and analyzed. Statistical analyses were performed using the Bartlett test and 1-way analysis of variance with α = .05. RESULTS: Compared with nonprotruded position, dimensions of the oropharynx for both retropalatal region and retroglossal regions were found to be greater than with jaw protrusion. Head and body positions had little effect on configuration of the oropharynx with jaw protrusion in either 2- or 3D. The only change noted was a greater anteroposterior dimension of retropalatal region with head rotation and lateral supine position compared with the supine position. CONCLUSIONS: Head and body positions have little effect on 2- and 3D airway dimensions on supine patients with jaw protrusion.

[Construction of recombinant E. coli-L. interrogans shuttle plasmid pGKINVA and screening recombinant leptospira strains].

OBJECTIVE: To further investigate pathogenic function of invA in Leptospira, recombinant L. biflexa-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pGKINVA was constructed, and electropored into L. biflexa strain Patoc I . METHODS: The invA gene was cloned into shuttle vector pGKble24 to construct a recombinant L. biflexa-Escherichia coli shuttle vector pGKINVA. The recombinant vectors were electropored into L. biflexa serovar Patoc strain Patoc I . RESULTS: A 558 bp invA was amplified from L. interrogans serovars Lai strain 017 and ligated with Aat II and Xma I digested pGKble24. After screening by kanamycin and blue/white color, the recombinant pGKINVA was obtained and sequenced. Subsequently, the recombinant pGKINVA was electropored into L. biflexa strain Patoc I. The selected mutants were identified by PCR. CONCLUSION: Recombinant L. biflexa-Escherichia coli shuttle vector with invA insert was constructed and two strains of pGKINVA transformed Leptospira were obtained. These pGKINVA transformed Leptospira strains would provid an experimental model to investigate potential pathogenic functions of invA in vivo.

[Expression and immunity reaction of a novel gene OmpL17 of the strong virulent L. interrogans serovar Lai in China].

This study was conducted to potentiate the expression of outer membrane protein OmpL17 of the strong virulent L. interrogans serovar Lai and investigate its immunogenicity in rabbits. The OmpL17 was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-1lambdaT. The recombination expression plasmid pGEX-OmpL17 was transformed into E. Coli JM109. The GST fused protein GST-OmpL17 was expressed after induction by IPTG, then GST-tag was by thrombin and purified using Bulk GST purification Modules. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting analysis indicated that the molecular weight of GST-OmpL17 and OmpL17 was about 54 KDa and 28 KDa respectively. The outer membrane protein OmpL17 was subcutaneously injected into rabbits and high titre anti-OmpL17 antibody was obtained (1:4896) which could conjugate specifical with OmpL17. In conclusion, OmpL17 and specifical anti-OmpL17 antibody were obtained, which provided an experimental basis for researching pathogenic effect and immunity functions of OmpL17.