Effect of 650-nm low-level laser irradiation on c-Jun, c-Fos, ICAM-1, and CCL2 expression in experimental periodontitis.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of 650-nm low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) as an adjunctive treatment of experimental periodontitis. To investigate possible LLLI-mediated anti-inflammatory effects, we utilized an experimental periodontitis (EP) rat model and analyzed c-Jun, c-Fos, ICAM-1, and CCL2 gene expressions on PB leukocytes and in the gingival tissue. Total RNA was isolated from the gingivae and peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes of normal, EP, scaling, and root planing (SRP)-treated EP and LLLI + SRP-treated EP rats, and gene expressions were analyzed by real-time PCR. The productions of c-Jun, c-Fos, ICAM-1, and CCL2 in gingivae were analyzed immunohistochemically. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to determine osteoclast activity in alveolar bone. The c-Jun and ICAM-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were significantly decreased in the EP rat gingival tissue treated by SRP + LLLI than by SRP, the c-Jun, ICAM-1, and c-Fos mRNA levels on PB leukocytes reduced after LLLI treatment but did not show any significant differences in both groups. There was no significant difference in CCL2 mRNA levels on PB leukocytes and in gingivae between the SRP + LLLI and the SRP groups. The c-Fos mRNA levels in gingivae did not show significant difference in both groups. Immunohistochemistry showed that the CCL2, ICAM-1, c-Jun, and c-Fos productions were significantly reduced in rats of the SRP + LLLI group compared with the only SRP group. LLLI significantly decreased the number of osteoclasts as demonstrated by TRAP staining. The 650-nm LLLI might be a useful treatment modality for periodontitis.

[A meta-analysis on effectiveness of acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion therapies for chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (CPID) by Meta-analysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of CPID were searched from Databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific and Technological Journals (VIP), WanFang, China Biomedicine (CBM) and PubMed up to 15 October, 2012. Two researchers independently selected the eligible literature according to the designed selection and exclusion criteria, extracted data and made an evaluation on the quality of the included studies by using the Jadad 5-point scale. The Meta-analysis was carried out using software Stata 11.0. RESULTS: A total of 26 studies involving 2 280 patients were included. Results of Meta-analysis showed significant differences between acupuncture-moxibustion intervention group and control group in terms of total effective rate [OR = 5.63, 95% CI (4.24, 7.47), P < 0.0001], cure rate [OR = 3.18, 95% CI (2.59, 3.89), P < 0.0001], and recurrence rate [OR = 0.11, 95% CI (0.03, 0.47), P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture-moxibustion is effective in the treatment of CPID. Due to the Jadad scores of these included studies are low, high quality studies are definitely needed to confirm the conclusion.

[Reduning injection for community-acquired pneumonia: meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Reduning injection for treating community-acquired pneumonia. METHOD: Literatures about randomized controlled trials of Reduning injection for treating community-acquired pneumonia were reviewed. The methodological quality of the trials was assessed by the Jadad scale, and evaluation was performed. RESULT: Seven RCTS were included. Reduning combined group (Reduning injection plus antibiotics and basic therapy) was compared with antibiotics group (antibiotics plus basic therapy). Meta-analysis showed that the relative risk (RR) for the total cure rate was 1.34, and 95% confidence interval (CI) was [1.19, 1.51]; RR for the total effective rate was 1.10, and 95% CI was [1.06, 1.15]. The weighted mean difference (WMD) in disappearance time of fever between the two groups was - 1.42, and 95% CI was [- 2.58, -0.26]; The WMD between the two groups for the total obvious effect rate of cough and expectoration were - 2.36, and 95% CI was [- 3.41, - 1.31]; Improve the time of pulmonary rales MD -2.30, 95% CI [- 2.61, - 2.00]; The WMD between the two groups in absorption of chest x-ray shadow was -2.36 and 95% CI [-2.52, -2.20]. Serious systematic adverse reactions had not been reported in the trials. CONCLUSION: The effect of combined therapy with Reduning injection plus antibiotics and basic therapy is better than that of antibiotics plus basic therapy. Reduning injection can improve the symptoms of cough and expectoration, shorten the fever time and facilitate the absorption of chest x-ray shadow without any significant adverse reactions. However, further high quality trials are needed.