Childhood polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) exposure and executive function in children in the HOME Study

Prenatal exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) have been reported to impair executive function in children, but little is known whether childhood PBDE exposures play a role. Using the Health Outcomes and Measures of the Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort in the greater Cincinnati area, we investigated the association between repeated measures of PBDEs during childhood and executive function at 8 years in 208 children and whether effect modification by child sex was present. We used child serum collected at 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years to measure PBDEs. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function was completed by parents to assess executive function at 8 years. We used multiple informant models to examine childhood PBDEs during several exposure windows. Null associations were observed between early childhood PBDEs and executive function. However, we observed significant adverse associations between a 10-fold increase in concurrent concentrations of BDE-28 (β = 4.6, 95% CI 0.5, 8.7) and BDE-153 (β = 4.8, 95% CI 0.8, 8.8) with behavioral regulation. In addition, PBDEs at 8 years were significantly associated with poorer emotional and impulse control. No associations were noted between childhood PBDEs and metacognition or global executive function. However, child sex significantly modified the associations, with significantly poorer executive function among males with higher concurrent BDE-153, and null associations in females. Our study findings suggest that concurrent PBDE exposures during childhood may be associated with poorer executive function, specifically behavior regulation. Males may also be more sensitive to adverse associations of concurrent PBDEs on executive function.     

HPLC-MS/MS同时测定广金钱草中8种成分在大鼠胆汁中的浓度及其排泄动力学研究

建立同时测定灌胃给予大鼠广金钱草提取物后胆汁中7种黄酮和1种酚酸类化合物浓度的HPLC-MS/MS,并用于胆汁排泄研究。大鼠灌胃给予广金钱草提取物后,分别在0~1,1~2,2~4,4~6,6~8,8~12,12~24 h时间段收集胆汁。色谱柱采用Diamonsil C18column(4.6 mm×150 mm,5μm),柱温40℃。以甲醇-0.01%乙酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱,流速0.8 m L·min~(-1)。质谱采用电喷雾离子源(ESI),负离子模式下检测,多反应离子监测(MRM)模式进行定量。结果表明8种成分在测定浓度范围内线性关系良好(r≥0.991 5),日内、日间精密度RSD15%,准确度RE-15%~15%,稳定性良好。提取回收率63.2%,内标归一化的基质因子RSD均未超过15%,符合要求。大鼠胆汁排泄研究结果显示,8种成分在胆汁中的原型排泄率均比较小,并且不同个体之间差别较大。该研究方法灵敏度高,选择性好,样品处理简单,可用于灌胃给予大鼠广金钱草提取物后胆汁中8种成分的排泄动力学研究。     

舒郁抑斑方对慢性心理应激促发动脉粥样硬化大鼠的保护作用

舒郁抑斑方(SYYB)对伴有慢性心理应激的冠心病患者有较好的治疗作用。为观察SYYB对慢性心理应激促发大鼠动脉粥样硬化(athero-sclerosis,As)早期病变形成及其炎症反应的影响,采用高脂饵食+维生素D3(VD3)腹腔注射建立大鼠As早期病变模型(As),在此基础上采用不可预知慢性应激刺激法(As+CUMS),观察慢性心理应激是否加重大鼠病变及SYYB(6.6,13.2,26.4 mg·kg~(-1))的干预作用。采用悬尾实验和新奇实验法观察大鼠行为学改变,检测血清应激激素促肾上腺素(adrenocortico-tropic hormone,ACTH)、皮质醇(cortisol,Cor)、去甲肾上腺素(noradrenaline,NE)的含量,称量胸腺、肾上腺的质量,综合评价SYYB对模型大鼠心理应激的影响。取主动脉弓HE染色观察血管组织病理改变,测定血清甘油三酯(triglycerides,TG)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C),评价SYYB对大鼠As病变的影响。检测血清高敏C反应蛋白(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs CRP)、白细胞介素-1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6),评价SYYB对As大鼠炎症反应的影响。实验结果显示,与空白组相比,As组TC,TG含量增高,HDL-C明显降低,HE染色可见主动脉壁增厚。As+CUMS组TC,TG含量显著增高,HDL-C明显降低,HE染色可见主动脉弓内膜增厚,泡沫细胞形成,行为学评价及血清应激激素检测结果显示动物存在慢性应激反应,该实验As+CUMS模型复制成功。SYYB可降低血清中TC,TG含量,减轻主动脉泡沫细胞、钙化灶及炎性细胞浸润,对血清中ACTH和Cor,NE有明显的降低作用,同时有效降低了血清中动脉粥样硬化相关的炎性标志物hs-CRP,IL-1和IL-6。提示SYYB对心理应激促发As大鼠的保护作用,其作用与改善神经-内分泌网络平衡及调节相关炎症反应有关。     

Requirement and supply of dental services in Victoria

The appropriateness of dental manpower has become a great uncertainty in the changing practice of dentistry. This paper presents research on the requirement for and supply of dental services in Victoria between 1984 and 1996. The requirement for dental services was found to be increasing due to population growth and higher per capita demand due to decreased endentulism. The supply of dental services was found to be mildly decreasing due to balanced supplementation and attrition processes and subtle sex ratio and age distribution changes among dentists. The resulting market excess, even after consideration of idle capacity and transfer of services supplied to dental therapists, provides a marked contrast to many, but not all, developed countries. It also offers an opportunity to shape occupational and specialty distribution to the advantage of dental professions and the public.     

Mandibulofacial dysostosis. Case report

A case of mandibulofacial dysostosis (Treacher Collins syndrome) is presented. Clinical features and skull radiographs revealed typical anomalies associated with the syndrome. Cleft of the soft palate and unerupted multiple supernumerary teeth were present in this case. No haematological, biochemical or immunological abnormalities could be detected in the patient. Pedigree analysis showed an autosomal dominant mode of transmission of the disease. Chromosomal studies did not reveal any structural or numerical discrepancies.     

Odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma: a case report with reference to the relation between apoptosis and ghost cells

The neoplastic variant of calcifying odontogenic cyst has various designations, and its malignant counterpart has been reported as aggressive epithelial odontogenic ghost cell tumor or odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma. We present a case of odontogenic ghost cell carcinoma with reference to the relation between the ghost cells and apoptosis. A 33-year-old man complained of a mandibular mass. The mass occupied the entire right side of the mandible with destruction of both buccal and lingual bone. The mass also infiltrated into submandibular and sublingual spaces. Histologically, the mass was composed of a solid proliferation of hyperchromatic and pleomorphic epithelial cells with abnormal mitoses. Islands of ghost cells were frequently admixed with nucleated cells, and there were foci of ameloblastic differentiation. Immunohistochemical stains for cytokeratins, involucrin, and apoptosis-related proteins such as Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), and Bax were done. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was also performed. The nucleated cells adjacent to the ghost cells expressed cytokeratins and involucrin, but the ghost cells had no reaction. Bcl-2 was negative. Both Bcl-X(L) and Bax were demonstrated in the nucleated cells adjacent to the ghost cells. The ghost cells exhibited Bax protein. Some nucleated cells adjacent to the ghost cells were positive with TUNEL assay. The above results indicate that ghost cells undergo abnormal terminal differentiation as an apoptotic process.     

Terminology of facial morphology in the vertical dimension

Consideration of facial type plays an important role in the formulation of an orthodontic treatment plan and prognosis of treatment. Of particular importance is the vertical relationship, that is, whether an individual is long-faced (dolichofacial), or short-faced (brachyfacial). The vertical facial type provides a clue regarding the growth direction of the facial complex, and should be used with an anteroposterior classification to describe a patient's face. The potential for confusion in communicating vertical facial types exists due to the nature of the terminology in use. For example, the term dolichoprosopic as used in the Bimler analysis has an opposite meaning to the term dolichofacial. It would seem prudent that if such terminology is to be employed there should be some attempt at standardization, and at least an appreciation of the derivations of the terms, and their differences.     

Maxillary ameloblastoma. Case report and review of the literature

A case of maxillary ameloblastoma is presented. A non-healing, asymptomatic ulcerative lesion in the maxillary tuberosity region did not respond following relief of physical irritation. The clinical appearance of the lesion was compatible with that of a malignant tumour, but the histopathology was consistent with a diagnosis of ameloblastoma of the maxilla.