Preservation of root cementum: a comparative evaluation of power‐driven versus hand instruments

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of three distinct periodontal treatment methods in comparison with hand instrumentation on residual cementum of periodontal diseased teeth. Cementum can influence the activities of periodontal cells and may play an important regulatory role in periodontal treatment. The ideal method for periodontal therapy involves removal of biofilm, calculus and endotoxin while preserving root cementum. Material and methods: Forty‐eight caries free, single‐rooted teeth in patients diagnosed with severe chronic periodontitis were treated using four different methods prior to extraction. The teeth were instrumented subgingivally at one approximal site either by hand curettes (HC), piezoelectric ultrasonic scalers (U), piezoelectric ultrasonic scalers following air polishing (U + AP) or air polishing (AP) alone. Following extraction of teeth, instrumented and non‐instrumented sites were analysed with a dissecting microscope and SEM for measurement of the amount of and surface characteristics of residual cementum. Results: The percentage of coronal cementum remaining following subgingival instrumentation was 84% for U, 80% for U + AP, 94% for AP and 65% for HC. Although subgingival instrumentation of apical portions of the cementum demonstrated 6% less retained cementum in comparison with coronal portions, the amount of retained cementum with AP was still significantly greater than with HC. SEM results found the smoothest root surfaces were produced by the HC followed by the AP, while root surfaces instrumented by U or U + AP presented grooves and scratches. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that AP was superior to U devices in preserving cementum, whereas HC were the most effective instruments in removing cementum.     

Quercetin Attenuates Benzo(α)pyrene-induced CYP1A Expression

<正>We studied effects of nutrient quercetin on cytochromes’Р450 1А(CYP1A)activities(measured spectrofluorimetrically using 7-ethoxy-resorufin for CYP1A1 and 7-methoxy-resorufin for CYP1A2 as substrates),on mR NA levels(measured by RT-PCR),and on DNA-binding activities(evaluated by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay)of proteins regulating CYP1A expression in untreated and benzo(α)pyrene(Ba P)-treated rats.Wistar rats     

补肾中药靶向经穴给药对骨质疏松患者的归经调节

目的:通过临床实验观察补肾方药靶向经穴位给药治疗骨质疏松症的疗效,分析靶向给药与药物归经的相关性。方法:①观察对象:选择2004-08/2006-12河北医科大学骨质疏松专科门诊和石家庄市桥东区医院门诊骨质疏松患者180例(患者知情同意,并经单位伦理委员会批准)。②实验分组:采用随机数字表法将180例患者分为6组:补肾方药口服组,外贴肾经组,外贴膀胱经组,依普拉封组,骨疏康组,非经非穴位组,每组30例,平均年龄(60.5±6.0)岁,平均病程(6.32±2.03)年。6组一般资料差异无显著性(P>0.05),具有可比性。补肾方药由地黄、淫羊藿、山药、丹参、骨碎补、独活等药物组成,每5丸含原药材3g;抗骨松贴剂:由地黄、淫羊藿、山药、丹参、骨碎补、独活等药物组成);依普拉封为正大青春宝药业有限公司产品;骨疏康颗粒由熟地黄、淫羊藿、黄芪、丹参、骨碎补、木耳、黄瓜子组成。③实验干预:补肾方药口服组:口服补肾方药10丸/次,3次/d,连续服用6个月。外贴肾经穴位组:选择足少阴肾经原穴太溪和络穴大钟;外贴膀胱经穴位组:选择足太阳膀胱经背部肾俞穴和络穴飞扬;外贴非经非穴位组:选择大腿外侧和后背部较广阔没有经络循行的区域;外贴组每个穴位贴2g生药量,每2天1次,左右交替进行。依普拉封组:口服依普拉封200mg/次,3次/d。骨疏康组:口服骨疏康颗粒10g/次,2次/d,各组均以6个月为1疗程,用药期间不进行任何其他中西医抗骨质疏松治疗。④实验评估:比较6组的骨痛症状与骨密度、血清Ca、P、碱性磷酸酶、尿羟脯氨酸,甲状旁腺素、降钙素、雌二醇、睾酮等指标的变化情况。进行综合疗效评价,评估标准分为显效、有效、无效。结果:180例患者全部进入结果分析。①补肾方药口服组、外贴肾经组、外贴膀胱经组、依普拉封组、骨疏康组治疗后,升高骨密度、雌二醇、睾酮、降钙素;降低甲状旁腺素;总有效率分别为90.0%,83.33%,83.33%,83.33%,83.33%。②非经非穴位组治疗后,骨密度、雌二醇、睾酮、降钙素、甲状旁腺素与治疗前比较差异无显著性(P>0.05);总有效率为46.67%。结论:靶向经穴给药可明显提高补肾方药的归经调节作用,至少在骨和性腺两个靶点起作用。     

Long‐term evaluation of chromosomal breakages after radioisotope synovectomy for treatment of target joints in patients with haemophilia

Summary. Radioisotope synovectomy (RS) is defined as the intra‐articular injection of radioisotopic agents with the aim of fibrosis on hypertrophic synovium in the target joint. The aim of this study was to investigate genotoxic effects on lymphocytes and malign transformation induced by Yttrium⁹⁰ (Y⁹⁰) and Rhenium¹⁸⁶ (Re¹⁸⁶) in children with haemophilia undergone RS. Forty haemophilia patients were enrolled. The mean age was 16.4 ± 6.2 years (range: 8–40). Y⁹⁰ was used for knees, Re¹⁸⁶ was used for other joints. For safety, cytogenetic analysis was performed to determine potential chromosomal changes after RS procedure at three different time points as prior to procedure, 3rd day and 90th day. For the stimulation of chromosomal breakages, diepoxybutane was used (DEB test). Chromosomal breakages (CBs) were found in 23 patients (67.6%) prior to RS. We have found CBs additionally in nine of 11 patients who had no CBs prior to RS after 3 days of radioisotope exposure. At that time, the patients who had CBs were 29 (85.2%). At day 90, only 21 patients revealed (61.7%) CBs. The mean frequency of CBs slightly but not significantly increased in the 3rd day. However, there was a significant decreasing trend between 3rd and 90th days. Radioisotope synovectomy with Y⁹⁰ and Re¹⁸⁶ does not seem to induce the genotoxic effects significantly on peripheral blood lymphocytes. However, CBs even after one year in the re‐evaluation of four patients, significant decrease in the number of CBs between the 3rd and 90th days and de novo CBs after exposure may be accepted as warning signals for young population. It should also be pointed out that families and patients be informed properly related with historical and potential dangers of radioisotopic agents.     

Hypoglycaemic activity of commelina africana and ageratum conyzoides in relation to their mineral composition

Background

Many plants with antidiabetic properties probably act in part through their content of fibre, vitamins, bioactive or mineral content

Objectives

This study investigated the mineral, proximate, phytochemical compositions and hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana and Ageratum conyzoides extracts in diabetic rats, and the likely relationship between this property and the mineral, proximate and phytochemical compositions of the plants.

Methods

The plants were subjected to mineral, proximate composition and phytochemical analysis. Attempt was made to see (if any) the relationship between the hypoglycaemic effect and the mineral, proximate compositions and phytochemistry of the plants. Alloxan-induced diabetic animals were administered 500mg/kg body weight aqueous extracts of the plants and glibenclamide as the reference hypoglycaemic agent.

Results

Aqueous extract of Ageratum conyzoides reduced fasting blood glucose of experimental animals by 39.1% while Commelina africana reduced the same by 78.0%. Alkaloids, cardenolides, saponins, and tannins were detected in both plants. Anthraquinones was absent in C. africana but a trace of it was detected in A. conyzoides. The hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana was comparable with the reference hypoglycaemic agent. Ageratum conyzoides showed comparably weaker hypoglycaemic effect than exhibited by reference hypoglycaemic agent. Comparatively, Commelina africana had higher mineral concentrations (except Na) than Ageratum conyzoides.

Conclusions

Plants'' extracts minerals (magnesium, potassium and iron) and bioactive components (alkaloids and cardenolides) seemingly enhanced their hypoglycaemic effect. Furthermore, these minerals, alkaloids and cardenolides could be helpful in ameliorating complications of diabetes like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.     

动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者血同型半胱氨酸的变化

目的:探讨同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)与动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死的关系. 方法:采用高效液相色谱法检测98例动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死患者血浆Hcy水平,并与50例对照组进行比较分析. 结果:病例组空腹血浆Hcy含量(21.4±2.3) μmol/L显著高于对照组(10.2±1.5) μmol/L(P﹤0.01). 血浆Hcy升高率,病例组(48.0%)高于对照组(6.0%),两者存在极显著差异. 结论:高Hcy血症作为一种新的独立危险因素参与了动脉粥样硬化性脑梗死的发生、发展过程.