Periodontal conditions in Swiss army recruits: a comparative study between the years 1985, 1996 and 2006

AIM: To compare the periodontal conditions of Swiss Army recruits in 2006 with those of previous surveys in 1996 and 1985. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of six hundred and twenty-six Swiss Army recruits were examined for their periodontal conditions, caries prevalence, stomatological and functional aspects of the masticatory system and halitosis. In particular, this report deals with demographic data, the assessment of plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI) and pocket probing depth (PPD). RESULTS: Two per cent of all teeth were missing, resulting in a mean of 27.44 teeth per subject, and 77% of the missing teeth were the result of pre-molar extractions due to orthodontic indications. The mean PlI and GI were 1.33 and 1.23, respectively. On average, 27% of the gingival units bled on probing. The mean PPD was 2.16 mm (SD 0.64). Only 3.8% of the recruits showed at least one site of PPD > or = 5 mm, and 1.4% yielded more than one site with PPD > or = 5 mm. In comparison with previous, this survey yielded lower bleeding on probing (BOP) percentages than in 1985, but slightly higher scores than in 1996. This may be attributed to increased PlI scores in 2006. However, PPD remained essentially unaltered from 1996 to 2006 after having improved significantly from 1985. CONCLUSION: A significant improvement of the periodontal conditions of young Swiss males was demonstrated to have taken place between 1985 and 1996, but no further changes during the last decade were noticed.     

Molecular Cloning of a Novel cDNA From Mus Muscular BALB/c Mice Encoding Glycosyl Hydrolase Family 1： A Homolog of Human Lactase-Phlorizin Hydrolase

Objective To study the mechanism of lactose intolerance （LI） by cloning the mouse lactase cDNA and recombining a vector. Methods Total murine RNA was isolated from the small intestine of a 4-week-old BALB/c mouse （δ）. Crene-specific primers were designed and synthesized according to the cDNA sequences of lactase-phlorizin hydrolase （LPH） in human, rat, and rabbit. A coding sequence （CDS） fragment was obtained using RT-PCR, and inserted into a clone vector pNEB-193, then the cDNA was sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics. Results The cDNA from the BALB/c mouse with 912 bp encoding 303 amino acid residues. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence using bioinforrnatics revealed that this cDNA shared extensive sequence homology with human LPH containing a conserved glycosyl hydrolase family 1 motif important for regulating lactase intolerance. Conclusion BALB/c mouse LPH cDNA （GenBank accession No： AY751548） provides a necessary foundation for study of the biological function and regulatory mechanism of the lactose intolerance in mice.     

大黄素对自身免疫性甲状腺炎小鼠的作用机制研究*

目的 探讨大黄素治疗自身免疫性甲状腺炎（AT）小鼠的作用机制。方法 选择60只小鼠随机 分为正常组、模型组和实验组,每组20只。实验组给予75 mg/kg 大黄素灌胃,对照组和模型组灌胃等剂量 生理盐水,均1次/d,连续8周。采用酶联免疫吸附试验测定甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TGAb）和甲状腺过氧化物 酶自身抗体（TPOAb） 水平;观察甲状腺淋巴细胞浸润程度;采用流式细胞术测定T 淋巴细胞亚群变化。 结果 正常组、模型组和实验组小鼠血清TGAb 和TPOAb 水平比较,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）;实验组 低于模型组（P <0.05）。3 组小鼠淋巴细胞浸润程度比较,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）;实验组低于模型组 （P <0.05）。3 组小鼠CD3+CD4+和CD3+CD8+比较,差异有统计学意义（P <0.05）;实验组低于模型组 （P <0.05）。结论 大黄素可下调AT 小鼠血清TGAb 和TPOAb 水平,减轻淋巴细胞浸润程度,调节小鼠免 疫功能。     

康复新液治疗溃疡性结肠炎小鼠的效果

目的：建立溃疡性结肠炎（UC）动物模型并评价康复新液（KFX）对UC的修复效果。方法：建立硫酸葡聚糖（DSS）诱导的UC小鼠模型,分为0.9%氯化钠溶液组（Saline组）、地塞米松灌肠液组（DXM组）和KFX组;评价UC小鼠治疗后症状缓解、脾肿胀、结肠长度、结肠组织髓过氧化物酶（MPO）水平,对比评价康复新液的治疗效果。对治疗后结肠组织进行HE染色、免疫组织化学染色、免疫荧光染色,比较3组小鼠结肠形态的修复效果。结果：与Saline组比,DXM组和KFX组UC小鼠腹泻和便血症状、脾肿胀明显缓解,结肠肿胀明显减轻,结肠长度增长,结肠组织MPO水平明显降低（P ＜0.05）。HE染色表明,与DXM组比,KFX组治疗后小鼠结肠黏膜上皮、隐窝、肌层黏膜和黏膜下层更为完整、各层分界分明,未见明显的肿胀与炎症细胞浸润,表明受损结肠形态有效修复。免疫组织化学染色表明,与DXM组比,KFX组炎症因子分泌明显减少（P ＜0.05）,表明结肠组织有效修复。免疫荧光染色表明,与DXM组比,KFX组的紧密连接蛋白分泌明显有所增加（P ＜0.05）,表明受损结肠组织黏膜屏障得到有效修复。结论：KFX能有效缓解UC症状并修复受损的结肠形态。     

MMP-2、TIMP-2与人胆管癌QBC939裸鼠移植瘤生长相关性的研究

目的探讨人胆管癌QBC939裸鼠移植瘤内基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、金属蛋白酶组织抑制剂-2(TIMP-2)的表达与肿瘤发生、发展的关系。方法建立人胆管癌裸鼠移植瘤模型,并随机分成对照组、干预组(羟基喜树碱,2.5 g.kg-1)和实验组(羟基喜树碱,10 g.kg-1),观察裸鼠移植瘤体生长情况及瘤体病理组织学。结果所有移植瘤标本病理组织学检查符合胆管中分化腺癌;与对照组比,实验组可明显提高移植瘤内TIMP-2的含量,降低MMP-2/TIMP-2的比值;移植瘤体积与前者呈负相关,与MMP-2/TIMP-2呈正相关。结论实验组可降低移植瘤MMP-2/TIMP-2比值,抑制移植瘤的生长,对人胆管癌裸鼠移植瘤细胞外基质的降解可能具有抑制作用。     

模拟失重对成年小鼠闪光视网膜电图和视网膜微循环的影响

目的:小鼠通过悬尾来模拟失重状态下体液头向重分布,然后观察视网膜电图(ERG)和视网膜微循环的变化。方法:正常成年雄性C57BL/6J小鼠随机分到3个实验组和3个对照组,最终每组6只。具体分组如下:实验1组(尾悬15d),实验2组(尾悬30d),实验3组(悬吊30d后恢复体位30d);对照1组(正常饲养15d),对照2组(正常饲养30d),对照3组(正常饲养60d)。时间满足后马上检测暗适应闪光ERG,记录混合反应和振荡电位(OPs),并进行荧光素眼底血管造影(FFA)。然后提取视网膜组织,用免疫组化法检测感光细胞视色素或视蛋白的表达,用TUNEL试剂盒检测视网膜组织细胞的凋亡情况。结果:悬吊15d组,暗适应ERG的混合反应,b波较大而OPs振幅明显降低,后者第二个子波(O 2)幅值197±33μV,15d未悬吊组336±47μV(t=-5.938,P<0.001)。悬吊30d组,小鼠ERG恢复,O 2幅值264±39μV,与30d未悬吊组308±41μV无差异(t=-1.887,P>0.05)。悬吊15d组FFA,视网膜微血管较对照组更密集,呈迂曲扩张的表现,其他实验组基本正常。各实验组感光细胞视色素或视蛋白的表达未见明显异常,视网膜未见凋亡阳性细胞。结论:模拟失重状态下体液头向重分布,短期内小鼠ERG和视网膜微循环可能受到影响,但未对视网膜产生明显的永久性损伤。     

Lithium,Inositol and Mitochondria

Our recent DNA-microarray and proteomics studies searching for pathways affected both by chronic lithium treatment and by knockout of each of two genes (IMPA1 or Slc5a3) encoding for proteins related to inositol metabolism, indicated up-regulation of mitochondria-related genes and autophagy-related proteins in the frontal cortex. Differently from previously reported observations of aberrant mitochondrial function in bipolar patients which leave a causality relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and bipolar disorder an open question, the behavioral results of our recent report following rotenone treatment tempt us to speculate that mitochondrial dysfunction predisposes manic behavior and that drugs targeted to ameliorate mitochondrial function are potential preventers of bursting manic episodes. However, the promiscuity of the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired autophagy in the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders raises questions regarding the credibility and relevance of these findings.     

CB1 receptor‐mediated signaling underlies the hippocampal synaptic,learning, and memory deficits following treatment with JWH‐081, a new component of spice/K2 preparations

Recently, synthetic cannabinoids have been sprayed onto plant material, which is subsequently packaged and sold as “Spice” or “K2” to mimic the effects of marijuana. A recent report identified several synthetic additives in samples of “Spice/K2”, including JWH‐081, a synthetic ligand for the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1). The deleterious effects of JWH‐081 on brain function are not known, particularly on CB1 signaling, synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. Here, we evaluated the effects of JWH‐081 on pCaMKIV, pCREB, and pERK1/2 signaling events followed by long‐term potentiation (LTP), hippocampal‐dependent learning and memory tasks using CB1 receptor wild‐type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice. Acute administration of JWH‐081 impaired CaMKIV phosphorylation in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas inhibition of CREB phosphorylation in CB1 receptor WT mice was observed only at higher dose of JWH‐081 (1.25 mg/kg). JWH‐081 at higher dose impaired CaMKIV and CREB phosphorylation in a time‐dependent manner in CB1 receptor WT mice but not in KO mice and failed to alter ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, SR treated or CB1 receptor KO mice have a lower pCaMKIV/CaMKIV ratio and higher pCREB/CREB ratio compared with vehicle or WT littermates. In hippocampal slices, JWH‐081 impaired LTP in CB1 receptor WT but not in KO littermates. Furthermore, JWH‐081 at higher dose impaired object recognition, spontaneous alternation and spatial memory on the Y‐maze in CB1 receptor WT mice but not in KO mice. Collectively our findings suggest that deleterious effects of JWH‐081 on hippocampal function involves CB1 receptor mediated impairments in CaMKIV and CREB phosphorylation, LTP, learning and memory in mice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Changes in corneal innervation and pain responses in fungal keratitis

AIM: To characterize changes in the cornea nerve and pain responses in fungal keratitis (FK). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of in vivo confocal microscopy images of 11 FK corneas was performed, and the results were compared with those for 11 normal corneas. Subbasal corneal nerves were analyzed for total nerve number, main nerve trunk number, branching patterns and tortuosity. C57BL/6 mice were infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. Disease severity was determined through clinical scoring and slit lamp photography. Corneas were harvested at 1, 3, 5, and 7d post infection (p.i.) and assessed for β III tubulin. Corneal mechanical sensitivity thresholds were detected by von Frey test. β-endorphin (β-EP) and μ receptor protein expression was detected through Western blotting. RESULTS: Total nerve number, main nerve trunk number, and nerve branching were significantly lower in FK patients than in controls, but tortuosity was not significantly different. In infected mice, subbasal nerve density decreased from 1d p.i., reaching a minimum at 5d p.i. Clinical scores rose at 1d p.i., peaked at 3d p.i., and decreased at 5d p.i. Mechanical sensitivity thresholds showed the same trends. β-EP and μ receptor protein expression increased after infection. CONCLUSION: Corneal nerve density is lower in FK patients and Aspergillus fumigatus-infected mice than in controls. Pain sensitivity decreases with postinfection corneal ulcer aggravation. β-EP and μ receptor proteins are both upregulated in infected mouse corneas.