Establishment of an Evaluation Method for Gene Silencing by Serial Pulmonary Administration of siRNA and pDNA Powders: Naked siRNA Inhalation Powder Suppresses Luciferase Gene Expression in the Lung

In order to evaluate the in vivo effect of inhaled formulations, it is a gold standard to create a lung metastasis model by intravenously injecting cancer cells into an animal. Because the cancer grows from the blood vessel side, there is a possibility of underestimating the effect of an inhaled formulation administered to the lung epithelium side. In addition, the metastasis model has disadvantages in terms of preparation time and expense. The present study aimed to establish a new method to evaluate the effect of an inhaled small interfering RNA (siRNA) formulation that is more correct, more rapid, and less expensive. We investigated whether siRNA can suppress gene expression of plasmid DNA (pDNA) by serial pulmonary administration of siRNA and pDNA powders prepared by spray-freeze-drying. We revealed that formulations of dry siRNA powder significantly suppressed gene expression of pDNA powder compared with a control group with no siRNA. Naked siRNA inhalation powder with no vector showed the suppression of gene expression equivalent to that of an siRNA-polyethyleneimine complex without damaging tissues. These results show that the present method is suitable for evaluating the gene-silencing effect of inhaled siRNA powders.     

Efficacy of dry needling in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorders related to the masseter muscle

ABSTRACT

Objective

This randomized, single-center clinical trial aimed to compare the efficacy of superficial dry needling (SDN) and deep dry needling (DDN) in patients with myofascial temporomandibular disorder (MTMD) related to the masseter muscle.Methods: Forty patients showing MTMD with trigger points in the masseter muscle were randomly assigned to groups. Dry needling of the masseter muscle was performed once per week for three weeks. Pressure pain threshold (PPT) measurements, visual analog scale scores, and maximal jaw opening were assessed.Results: Both patient groups showed significant pain reduction, but the SDN group showed significantly better pain reduction. The PPT measurements obtained in the follow-up examinations at three and six weeks were significantly better than the values in SDN and DDN groups.Discussion: SDN showed better pain-reduction efficacy in patients with MTMD. Further research with a larger size sample and a longer follow-up period will help elucidate the benefits of SDN.     

Corneal Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis

Purpose: Corneal involvement in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is rare, but due to rich collagen composition cornea is especially vulnerable to connective tissue diseases. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate corneal parameters of SSc patients.

Methods: The study included 32 SSc patients and 39 control subjects with no ocular symptoms or ocular surface disorders. All study participants underwent Pentacam evaluation and objective signs of dry eye disease (DED), and clinical parameters were evaluated.

Results: All pachymetric values, most of the corneal front surface, corneal volume, as well as anterior chamber depth measurements were significantly lower in the SSc group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Significant negative correlation was found between corneal parameters and age on the one hand, and disease duration on the other.

Conclusions: Early recognition of corneal impairment, a possible extraintestinal manifestation of SSc, should be included in the check-up of the disease in order to reduce sight-threatening complications.     

复方氯己定含漱液预防干槽症临床观察

目的:评价复方氯己定含漱液预防下颌阻生智齿拔除术后干槽症的临床效果。方法:临床搜集需拔除下颌阻生智齿的342例患者,共342颗牙,随机分为复方氯己定含漱液组(A组)、口服抗生素组(B组)和消炎抗菌可溶止血纱布组(C组),比较3组术后干槽症的发病率。结果:A组干槽症发病率显著低于C组(P<0.05);A组与B组、B组与C组间比较,干槽症发病率均无显著性差异(均P>0.05)。结论:下颌阻生智齿拔除后,口腔应用复方氯己定含漱液可有效预防术后干槽症的发生。     

Rate of intrusion of maxillary incisors in Class II Div 1 malocclusion using skeletal anchorage device and Connecticut intrusion arch

BackgroundNonsurgical correction of deep bite involves either extrusion of posterior teeth, intrusion of incisors, or combination of both. The introduction of skeletal anchorage device with microimplant provides near absolute anchorage without producing any untoward effects on anchor unit. Connecticut Intrusion Arch (CIA) provided an efficient system of intruding anterior segment without producing much adverse affects on anchor teeth.MethodsThe study comprised of 30 patients of Class II Div 1 malocclusion with overbite of >6 mm and required therapeutic extractions of all first premolars, randomly distributed into two groups. Group 1 was treated using orthodontic microimplants, while Group 2 treated with CIA. Lateral cephalograms were taken pre-intrusion (T1) and post-intrusion at the end of six months (T2).ResultsThe rate of intrusion was 0.51 and 0.34 mm/month for Group 1 and Group 2 respectively. The average amount of change in centroid point to PP distance and U1-SN angle was significantly higher in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (P < 0.001). The average amount of change in U6 to PP distance did not differ significantly between two study groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe amount of intrusion is significantly higher in SAD group. Although vertical molar positional change was higher in CIA group than the SAD group, it was not changed significantly in both treatment modalities. SAD group overall had better results and was easier in handling during intrusion.     

Relationship between unhealthy sleep status and dry eye symptoms in a Japanese population: The JPHC-NEXT study

PurposeTo investigate whether and how unhealthy sleep habits (i.e., the frequency of difficulty falling or staying asleep, and the frequency of waking up tired) and the duration of sleep are related to the prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) in a general population.MethodsThis study included a total of 106,282 subjects aged 40–74 years who participated in a baseline survey of the Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study for the Next Generation. DED was defined as the presence of clinically diagnosed DED or severe symptoms. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the relationships of various components of sleep status with DED.ResultsHigher frequencies of having difficulty falling or staying asleep, and waking up tired were significantly related to increased DED in both sexes (P_trend<0.001). Compared with those with 8 h/day of sleep, shorter sleepers had an increased prevalence of DED in both sexes, although DED was increased among men who slept ≥10 h/day. By comparing participants with the greatest vs. the least difficulty of falling asleep, the multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval [CI]) were 2.23 (95% CI, 1.99–2.49) for men and 1.91 (95% CI, 1.76–2.07) for women. When analyzed separately, the magnitude of each relationship was stronger with severe DED symptoms than with clinically diagnosed DED.ConclusionsSleep deprivation and poor sleep quality were significantly related to DED in a Japanese population.     

Changes in salivary secretion and sense of taste following cochlear implantation: a prospective study

Conclusion: A set of methods for evaluating changes in salivary secretion and sense of taste following cochlear implantation (CI) was applied and tested. No association between implantation and objectively assessed sense of taste was found. However, a statistically significant decrease in non-stimulated salivary flow on the day after surgery was found. Objectives: To develop and test a research method describing the course of changes in salivary secretion and sense of taste following CI. Methods: This was a longitudinal study examining 13 patients undergoing CI at Odense University Hospital in 2012. Questionnaires, sialometry and gustatory testing were applied. Results: A general postoperative decrease in salivary secretion could not be found. However, a 29.9% mean reduction in non-stimulated salivary flow was observed when looking specifically at the visit the day after surgery (p = 0.001). When adjusting for perioperative administration of glycopyrrolate (p < 0.001) and atropine (p = 0.178), the former was highly associated with a 69.7% mean decrease in non-stimulated salivary flow at the visit the day after surgery. The third examination was still, independent of glycopyrrolate administration, borderline significantly associated with a 14.5% mean decrease (p = 0.054). We did not find any significant decrease in sense of taste following implantation.     

干湿化学法对乳糜状态标本部分生化指标检测结果的影响

目的比较干、湿化学法对乳糜状态标本部分生化指标检测结果的影响。方法收集50例乳糜样标本,分别用日立7180和VITROS 350对丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)、葡萄糖(GLU)、肌酐(Cr)、总蛋白(TP)五项指标进行检测。结果 GLU、Cr、TP用两种方法测定结果差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);而ALT、AST结果比较,两种方法间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),但二者结果具有良好的相关关系。结论定期对不同生化分析仪的测定结果进行比对和校准,是保证检验结果准确性的一种可靠方法。     

尾加压素受体拮抗剂对急性肺损伤的干预效应

目的探讨尾加压素受体拮抗剂(urotensin receptor antagonist,URA)对损伤肺的影响。方法健康SPF级Sprague Dawley(SD)大鼠49只,随机分为A、B、C三组:抽取7只注射生理盐水作为正常对照(A组);B、C两组各21只,二组所有大鼠用油酸复制急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI)模型,B组为模型对照组,C组在模型基础上加用URA为干预组。三组均于注射后3h各抽动脉血作血气分析测定血氧分压,A组抽动脉血后全部活杀取肺,B、C两组分别于3(抽动脉血后)及12、24h三个时间段各取7只活杀取肺,右肺称湿重后烘干,左肺立即以中性福尔马林固定作病理切片。结果A组大鼠注射生理盐水后无异常表现,B、C两组注射油酸后均出现呼吸急促、活动减少或不合群、紫绀等表现,与A组相比,B、C两组动脉血氧分压(PaO2)明显下降(P<0.05),肺湿/干(W/D)比值明显升高(P<0.05),但A、B两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。C组活动能力改善较B组更快,肺组织病理符合急性肺损伤变化,随时间延长,炎症细胞、红细胞、肺水肿进行性加重,但C组红细胞渗出较B组有所减少。结论尾加压素受体拮抗剂可能对急性肺损伤动物肺损害有保护作用。