Chronic ß-adrenergic stress contributes to cardiomyopathy in rodents with collagen-induced arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a much higher incidence of cardiac dysfunction, which contributes to the high mortality rate of RA despite anti-arthritic drug therapy. In this study, we investigated dynamic changes in cardiac function in classic animal models of RA and examined the potential effectors of RA-induced heart failure (HF). Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) models were established in rats and mice. The cardiac function of CIA animals was dynamically monitored using echocardiography and haemodynamics. We showed that cardiac diastolic and systolic dysfunction occurred in CIA animals and persisted after joint inflammation and that serum proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß, TNF-α) levels were decreased. We did not find evidence of atherosclerosis (AS) in arthritic animals even though cardiomyopathy was significant. We observed that an impaired cardiac ß1AR-excitation contraction coupling signal was accompanied by sustained increases in blood epinephrine levels in CIA rats. Furthermore, serum epinephrine concentrations were positively correlated with the heart failure biomarker NT-proBNP in RA patients (r2 = +0.53, P < 0.0001). In CIA mice, treatment with the nonselective ßAR blocker carvedilol (2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1, for 4 weeks) or the specific GRK2 inhibitor paroxetine (2.5 mg·kg-1·d-1, for 4 weeks) effectively rescued heart function. We conclude that chronic and persistent ß-adrenergic stress in CIA animals is a significant contributor to cardiomyopathy, which may be a potential target for protecting RA patients against HF.

[Application of psychological scales recommended by DC/TMD in patients with temporomandibular joint disorders].

PURPOSE: To observe psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms of temporomandibular disorders(TMD) patients using psychological scales recommended by DC/TMD and evaluate their clinical significance as the psychological axis for TMD diagnosis. METHODS: The experimental group included 100 TMD patients, and the control group comprised 100 normal prosthodontics outpatients without TMD symptoms. General information were collected including age, gender, education level, and personal income. The anxiety disorder scale (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7), depression symptom scale (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9) and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15) were used to evaluate patients' psychological conditions. SPSS 20.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Patients less than 30 years old and between 30-50 years had similar TMD occurrence rates, both significantly higher than those older than 50 years old(P＜0.05). The proportion of highly educated patients in TMD group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05), while the income level was not a risk factor for TMD (P=0.642). The incidence and average scores of anxiety, not the depression or somatic symptoms, in experimental group were significantly higher than the control group(P＜0.05). The level of anxiety and depression in painful TMD patients was significantly higher than patients with joint disease(P＞0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Gender(female), age (＜50 years old) and high education level (undergraduate and above) are risk factors of TMD, but the income level is irrelevant. The incidence and scores of anxiety in TMD patients are higher than normal prosthodontics outpatients, while there is no significant difference in the incidence of depression and somatic symptoms between two groups.

[Satisfaction and clinical assessment of 56 adult patients with biofunctional complete denture].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the patient satisfaction and the clinical effect of biofunctional complete denture via questionnaire survey. METHODS: Fifty-six patients(26 males and 30 females) with biofunctional complete denture were asked to fill in a questionnaire about satisfaction and the type-variety of food after repair for 1 week, 1 month and 3 months during regular follow-up visits or telephone visits. SPSS 26.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: After 3 months of wearing bio-functional complete denture, the average score of the five indicators of aesthetic degree, speech function, chewing function, retention function and comfort level of the patients were >6, reaching the level of "satisfactory" or "fair"; among which the aesthetic degree was the highest (7.71±1.46). The food type score reached 33.96±1.21 at the third month. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that each group of indexes changed significantly over time (P<0.05). Except that the mean value of aesthetics score was equal at 3 months and 6 months, the other indexes all increased along time. Among 56 patients, two had 5 or more times of modification due to pain, accounting for 3.57%. CONCLUSIONS: Bio-functional complete denture can achieve good clinical effect in the early stage of denture repair in patients with dentition loss.

Atorvastatin attenuates intermittent hypoxia-induced myocardial oxidative stress in a mouse obstructive sleep apnea model.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a hallmark of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is associated with various cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we assessed the effect of the lipid reducing agent atorvastatin on CIH-induced myocardial oxidative stress and apoptosis in a mouse OSA model. Forty-eight C57BL/6J mice were evenly divided among normoxia + vehicle, normoxia + atorvastatin, CIH + vehicle, and CIH + atorvastatin groups. CIH consisted of a hypoxia-reoxygenation cycle in which oxygen concentrations fluctuated from 21% to 6% and back over two minutes for 8 hours each day (30 events/hour). CIH exposure continued for 12 weeks. Atorvastatin (5 mg/kg) was administered from week 6 through the end of the experiment. CIH increased malondialdehyde levels and decreased superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 levels in cardiac tissue, indicating a reduction in antioxidant activity. Atorvastatin significantly reversed those effects (p < 0.05). CIH also increased B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X and cleaved caspased-3 levels as well as the myocardial apoptotic rate, as indicated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling. Atorvastatin had no effect on those changes (p > 0.05). Thus, atorvastatin administration exerts antioxidant but not anti-apoptotic effects after CIH and may therefore have therapeutic potential in OSA patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.

Roles of the CXCL8-CXCR1/2 Axis in the Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy.

In humans, Interleukin-8 (IL-8 or CXCL8) is a granulocytic chemokine with multiple roles within the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as recruiting immunosuppressive cells to the tumor, increasing tumor angiogenesis, and promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). All of these effects of CXCL8 on individual cell types can result in cascading alterations to the TME. The changes in the TME components such as the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the immune cells, the extracellular matrix, the blood vessels, or the lymphatic vessels further influence tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Emerging roles of the microbiome in tumorigenesis or tumor progression revealed the intricate interactions between inflammatory response, dysbiosis, metabolites, CXCL8, immune cells, and the TME. Studies have shown that CXCL8 directly contributes to TME remodeling, cancer plasticity, and the development of resistance to both chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Further, clinical data demonstrate that CXCL8 could be an easily measurable prognostic biomarker in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors. The blockade of the CXCL8-CXCR1/2 axis alone or in combination with other immunotherapy will be a promising strategy to improve antitumor efficacy. Herein, we review recent advances focusing on identifying the mechanisms between TME components and the CXCL8-CXCR1/2 axis for novel immunotherapy strategies.

[Evaluation of the effectiveness of cold-light whitening technique on tetracycline pigmentation teeth and aged extrinsic stain teeth].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of cold-light whitening technique on tetracycline pigmentation teeth and aged extrinsic stain teeth. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-two cases bleached by cold-light whitening technique were included in this study. The patients' teeth were divided into 3 groups: aged extrinsic stain teeth, mild tetracycline pigmentation teeth and moderate tetracycline pigmentation teeth. Visual determination of shade and Olympus crystaleye spectrophotometer were used to measure the tooth discoloration after bleaching. SPSS17.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Visual determination showed that the efficiency of aged extrinsic stain teeth was significantly higher than that of mild and moderate tetracycline teeth group (P<0.05). Colorimetric method showed that the △E of moderate tetracycline teeth was significantly lower than aged extrinsic teeth and mild tetracycline teeth (P<0.05) . The △E of cervix changed more significantly than that of central and incisal edge in both mild and moderate tetracycline teeth group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of cold-light whitening technique on aged extrinsic stain teeth is better than that of the tetracycline pigmentation teeth. Cold-light whitening technique can improve pigmentation of tetracycline teeth cervix．.

Correlations between ACE single nucleotide polymorphisms and prognosis of patients with septic shock.

The aim of the present study is to investigate association between septic shock (SS) and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). From October 2009 to December 2016, 238 SS patients and 242 healthy individuals were selected for our study. ACE activity was detected, ACE rs4291 and rs4646994 polymorphisms were detected using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was employed to evaluate the association between ACE SNPs and patients' survival and univariate and multivariate analyses to estimate risk factors for SS. ACE activity in the case group was increased in comparison with the control group. Allele and genotype frequencies of rs4291 and rs4646994 were different between the case and control groups. The TT genotype frequency of the rs4291 polymorphisms and the DD genotype of the rs4646994 polymorphisms of the case group were higher than those in the control group. The AT and TT genotypes indicated a significant elevation of ACE activity than the AA genotype, while a significant decline was found in the DI and II genotypes in comparison with the DI genotype. Patients with TT or DD genotypes had increased fatality rate within 7 and 30 days when compared with those with non-TT or non-DD genotypes. Lower sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores, rs4291, serum ACE and rs4646994 were all considered as risky factors for SS patients. The study demonstrates that TT genotype of rs4291 or DD genotype of rs4646994 may be indicative of a higher risk of SS and a poorer prognosis in SS patients.

[Occlusal adjustment treatment of pathological migration of the anterior teeth: report of one case].

This report presented a case of pathological movement of maxillary incisor. A 45-year-old female complained of increasing of the gap between the upper central incisors and increased mobility in the past two years. Clinical examination and Tscan Ⅲ showed the existence of deflective contacts between RCP and ICP. Fractionated treatment of adjustment of the deflective contacts led to relief of upper incisor mobility, and periapical films showed new bone formation.

[Sodium houttuyfonate inhibits virulence related motility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) is a derivative of effective component of a Chinese material medica, Houttuynia cordata, which is applied in anti-infection of microorganism. But, the antimicrobial mechanisms of SH still remain unclear. Here, we firstly discovered that SH effectively inhibits the three types of virulence related motility of.Pseudomonas aeruginosa, i.e., swimming, twitching and swarming. The plate assay results showed that the inhibitory action of SH against swimming and twitching in 24 h and swarming in 48 h is dose-dependent; and bacteria nearly lost all of the motile activities under the concentration of 1 x minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (512 mg x L(-1) same as azithromycin positive group (1 x MIC, 16 mg x L(-1)). Furthermore, we found that the expression of structural gene flgB and pilG is down-regulated by SH, which implies that inhibitory mechanism of SH against motility of P. aeruginosa may be due to the inhibition of flagella and pili bioformation of P. aeruginosa by SR Therefore, our presented results firstly demonstrate that SH effectively inhibits the motility activities of P. aeruginosa, and suggest that SH could be a promising antipseudomonas agents in clinic.

[Effect of sodium houttuyfonate in enhancing imipenem's activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the resistant effect of houttuyfonate sodium (SH) combined with imipenem (IMP) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) biofilms. METHOD: The two-fold dilution method was used to examine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested drug. The crystal violet staining was applied to detect the effect of the combination of 1/2MIC, 1MIC, 2MIC of SH, single IMP, 1/2MIC of SH and IMP of various concentrations on the clearance rate of adherent bacteria, growth of biofilms and alginate production. Fluorescein diacetate (FDA)-propidium iodide (PI) doubling staining assay was employed to observe the bacterial viability and morphological changes after membrane dispersion of each drug group. RESULT: Sodium houttuyfonate could enhance the effect of IMP against pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Particularly, the combination group with the concentration of 2MIC showed the highest effect, with P < 0.001 compared with the negative control group. The above results were proved by the bacterial viability and biofilm morphology under fluorescence microscope. CONCLUSION: After being combined with imipenem, sodium houttuyfonate shows a higher effect against biofilms. It is expected that the combination of the two drugs could improve the clinical efficacy of associated infections.

[Advances in the study of synergistic effect of anti-biofilm agents].

Biofilms are communities of surface-associated bacteria or fungi embedded in a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix that are notoriously difficult to be eradicated and are sources of many recalcitrant infections. Treatment for biofilm infection with any individual drug is always less effective, while the combinations of different types of drugs are superior to monotherapy concerning the removing of biofilms. This paper focus on research progress in recent years for synergistic effect of drugs in combination against biofilms formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.

[The evaluation of intercuspal occlusion of healthy people with T-Scan II system].

PURPOSE: To observe the occluding movement from mandibular postural position to intercuspal position in healthy people. METHODS: The occluding movement in 30 healthy people from mandibular postural position to intercuspal position was recorded by T-Scan II system. The distribution of occlusal force, the center of force, the percentage of intercuspal position occlusal force in Max force and the occlusion time was analyzed by T-Scan II system and SAS 9.0 software package. RESULTS: The results showed that there was no significant difference between the occlusal force of the two sides under the intercuspal position mode(P=0.3242). The average percentage of intercuspal position occlusal force in Max force was 96.89%. The confidence interval (CI) was 90.88%-100%. The average occlusion time was (0.2015 ± 0.0861)s. There was no correlation between the occlusion time and the percentage of intercuspal position occlusal force in Max force. CONCLUSIONS: We could introduce the position of the center of force, the percentage of intercuspal position occlusal force in Max force and the occlusion time to estimate the occlusal condition, and to judge the effect of occlusal therapy. ).

Cytoskeletal reorganization mediates fluid shear stress-induced ERK5 activation in osteoblastic cells.

Mechanotransduction is a complicated process, of which mechanosensation is the first step. Previous studies have shown that the cytoskeleton plays a crucial role in mechanosensation and the mediation of intracellular signal transduction. However, the mechanism of mechanotransduction in the bone remains elusive. Here, we investigated the potential involvement of a novel MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) member, ERK5 (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5), in the response of osteoblastic cells to FSS (fluid shear stress). Our results demonstrated that ERK5 was rapidly phosphorylated in pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells upon FSS, and the integrity and reorganization of the cytoskeleton were critical in this process, in which the cytoskeleton-dependent activation of FAK (focal adhesion kinase) may be involved in the activation of ERK5 induced by FSS. Moreover, we found that cytoskeletal disruption led to significant down-regulation of ERK5 phosphorylation, but had no effect on ERK5 nuclear localization. Furthermore, the cytoskeleton rapidly reorganized in response to FSS, but long-time fluid load, even at a physiological level, led to cytoskeletal disruption, suggesting that other pathways may be involved in long-term mechanotransduction. Taken together, our data provide new insight into the mechanisms of mechanosensation by highlighting the link between ERK5 activation and cytoskeletal reorganization in osteoblasts undergoing FSS.

[Effects of houttuyfonate sodium on eliminating adhesion of Psedomonas aeruginosa and forming biofilms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of houttuyfonate sodium (HS) on eliminating adhesion of Psedomonas aeruginosa (Pa) and forming biofilms. METHOD: Pa biofilms were established in 96-hold plates. MTT assay was used to evaluate the changes in metabolism of biofilms and assess the minimum eliminating concentration and minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration for adherent Pa. The colony counting method was used to observe the effect of HS on Pa adhesion and biomass in biofilms. SEM was employed to examine the effect of HS on adhesion of tested Pa and morphology of biofilms. RESULT: MEC80 and MEC50 of HS for adherent Pa was 500 mg x L(-1) and 125 mg x L(-1), respectively. Meanwhile, its SMIC80 for either early or mature biofilms of Pa was 500 mg x L(-1), and SMIC50 for early and mature biofilms of Pa were 31.25, 1.95 mg x L(-1), respectively. At the concentration of 250 mg x L(-1), the number of viable bacteria in the state of adhesion and in initial and mature biofilms decreased significantly, compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of bacteria on adherent carriers notably reduced under SEM. Following the continuous administration, there were no visible biofilms on carriers in the mature biofilm phase, with the biomass remarkably shrinking and the bacterial morphology changing from bacillus into coccobacillus. CONCLUSION: HS displayed powerful effect on eliminating adherent Pa, and can inhibit Pa biofilm from being formed through continuous administration.

[Effect of position of artificial occlusal interference on mandible moving track during lateral movement].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of position of occlusal interference on the track of mandibular incisal point during lateral movement. METHODS: The changes of track of mandibular incisal point along with the changing of occlusal interference position were recorded by Arcus DigMa mandibular moving track analysis system. The relativity between occlusal interference position and mandibular incisal point moving track on arrowy axis, vertical axis and horizontal axis was analyzed. Regression analysis was performed for linear correlation between occlusal interference position and mandible lateral moving track using SAS 9.0 software package. RESULTS: The results showed that along with the retrusive of occlusal interference, the moving distance of mandibular incisal point on horizontal axis both to contralateral side and to ipsilateral side tended to increase. The linear regression equation of mandibular incisal point moving distance on horizontal axis along with the occlusal interference position was as follows,to ipsilateral side,y;=8.2262+0.1082 x 1,delta=0.1786,P<0.001; to contralateral side,y;=9.1098+0.07099 x 1-0.02650 x 2,delta=0.05989,P<0.001. CONCLUSION: The position of occlusal interference affects the track of mandibular incisal point during lateral movement significantly, along with the retrusive occlusal interference, the mandible lateral moving distance on horizontal axis tends to be increased and shows linearity.Supported by Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (Grant No. T0202).

[Effect of position of artificial occlusal interference on mandible moving track during protrusive movement].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of position of occlusal interference on track of mandibular incisal point during protrusive movement. METHODS: The changes of track of mandibular incisal point along with the changing of occlusal interference position were recorded by Arcus DigMa mandibular moving track analysis system. The relativity between occlusal interference position and mandibular incisal point moving track on arrowy axis, vertical axis and horizontal axis was analyzed. Regression analysis was used for linear correlation between occlusal interference position and mandible protrusive moving track by SAS 9.0 software package. RESULTS: The results showed that along with the retrusion of occlusal interference, the move distance of mandibular incisal point on arrowy axis tended to increase, while on vertical axis ineffective change happened and on horizontal axis tended to lean to the contralateral side. The linear regression equation of mandibular incisal point move distance on arrowy axis along with the occlusal interference position was: y=4.9429+0.1336x(1), delta=0.3144, P<0.001. CONCLUSION: The position of occlusal interference affected the track of mandibular incisal point during protrusive movement significantly, such as that along with the retrusion of the occlusal interference, the mandible protrusive moving track tended to be more anterior and partially to the contralateral side. There was a linear correlation between occlusal interference position and mandible moving track on the arrowy axis.

[The effect of the position of artificial premature on mandible moving track during opening movement].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of the position of premature on track of mandibular incisal point during opening movement. METHODS: The changes of the track of mandibular incisal point along with the change of premature position were recorded by Arcus DigMa mandibular moving track analysis system. The relativity between the premature position and mandibular incisal point moving track on arrowy axis, vertical axis and horizontal axis was analyzed. Regression analysis was used for linear correlation between premature position and mandible opening moving track. RESULTS: The results showed that along with the retrusion of premature, the moving distance of mandibular incisal point tended to increase on arrowy axis, while decrease on vertical axis and lean to the contralateral side on horizontal axis. The linear regression equation of mandibular incisal point moving distance on vertical axis along with the premature position was: y=34.7095-0.1590x(1), delta=0.5549, P<0.001. CONCLUSION: The position of premature influenced the track of mandibular incisal point during opening movement significantly. With the retrusion of premature, the mandible opening moving track tended to be more posterior and shifting to the contralateral side, and the opening dimension tended to decrease. There was linear correlation between premature position and mandible moving track on the vertical axis.

[Epidemic investigation on 3 to 6 years children's bruxism in Shanghai.].

PURPOSE: The present investigation analyzed the states of children bruxism in Shanghai, aiming for early diagnosis and early treatments. METHODS: The investigation was conducted through questionnaising 779 3-to-6-years-old children's parents. The data were processed using Chi square test. RESULTS: (1)The prevalence of children bruxism in Shanghai was about 38.4%; (2)151 males (40.6%) and 148 females (36.4%) had bruxism, which indicated no statistic difference in two genders(X2=1.47, P>0.05);(3)There seemed to exist hereditary difference between children with or without bruxism(X2=102.98, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: There is a high bruxism prevalence among children aged from 3 to 6 years in Shanghai, which should be concerned about by the healthy care workers in order to make early diagnosis and treatment.

[The influence of occlusion on the incidence of bruxism in 779 children in Shanghai].

PURPOSE: To explore the influence of occlusion on the incidence of bruxism in children. METHODS: The incidence of bruxism in children was investigated from the questionnaire of 779 children's parents. The occlusion of these children was checked by professionals. The influence of the occlusion on the incidence of bruxism in children was analysed. Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The occlusion of children with bruxism and children without bruxism had no significant difference (P>0.05). The incidence of bruxism did not increase in the children with mixed dentition(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The occlusion does not affect the incidence of bruxism in children. The mixed dentition does not increase the incidence of bruxism in children.

[Influence of the relaxation splint and stabilization splint on the EMG parameters of the masticatory muscles].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of the type of occlusal splint on the masticatory muscles (TA,MM). METHODS: TA and MM EMG during ICP maximal clenching were recorded in 20 dentate normal subjects, when they weared no occlusal splint, relaxation splint and mandibular stabilization splint. RESULT: With the insertion of relaxation splint and mandibular stabilization splint, the EMG parameters of TA and MM during ICP maximal clenching was dramatically reduced (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The relaxation splint and mandibular stabilization splint can relax the masticatory muscles.