Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on the Biological Activity of Human Periodontal Ligament Cells.

, Objective. To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the biological activity of primary cultured human periodontal ligament cells (PDLC). Methods. The effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on the proliferation activity, protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of primary cultured human periodontal ligament cells were investigated by thiazole blue (MTT) colorimetric method, Coomassie brilliant blue method, and enzyme kinetics method. The effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry, and the cells were labeled with calcium ion-sensitive fluorescent probe Fluo3/AM, and the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on intracellular free calcium concentration was detected by laser scanning confocal microscope. Results. Compared with the control group, the experimental groups of ginsenoside Rg1 at various concentrations could significantly promote cell proliferation, and the effect time was the longest in the concentration range of 0.01-0.05 µmol/L;, Rg1 0.01umol/L and 0.05umol/L. The protein content in the 72-hour cell culture medium of the µmol/L group was significantly higher than that of the control group; the ALP activity in the 72-hour cell culture medium of the Rg1 0.01 µmol/L, 0.05 µmol/L, and 0.1 µmol/L groups was significantly higher than that of the control group; FCM assay showed that after 0.1 µmol/L Rg1 for 48 hours, compared with the control group, the proportion of cells in the early stage of DNA synthesis (G1%) of PDLC was significantly reduced, while the proportion of cells in the DNA synthesis stage (S%) and the value of cell proliferation index PrI (S + G2M)% were significantly increased; Rg1 increased intracellular calcium in PDLC cells at first and then decreased and finally maintained at a slightly higher resting calcium level than before drug addition. Conclusion. Ginsenoside Rg1 can increase the proliferation activity, protein synthesis, and alkaline phosphatase activity of periodontal ligament cells within a certain concentration range; Rg1 reduces the cells in G1 phase and increases cells in S phase of periodontal ligament fibroblasts. Change the concentration of free calcium ions in cells and promote more cells to enter a proliferative state.

Mindfulness Promotes Online Prosocial Behavior via Cognitive Empathy.

Mindfulness plays an important role in promoting prosocial behavior and well-being. With the spread of Internet usage, people's online prosocial behavior (OPB) has garnered great attention. Based on the link between online and offline behaviors, we predict that mindfulness can also facilitate OPB. We examined the association of mindfulness and OPB and the mediating effect of empathy. A total of 674 Chinese undergraduate students completed self-report measures of these constructs. The results showed that different dimensions of mindfulness predicted empathy, which in turn predicted OPB. Perspective taking was the main mediator in the mindfulness-OPB link. Mindfulness improves receptiveness to others' needs and feelings, thereby enhancing the willingness to help them, even in none-face-to-face situations.

[L-shaped reductors combined with pedicle screw internal fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar bursting fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of self-made L-shaped reductors combined with pedicle screw internal fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar bursting fractures. METHODS: From Mar. 2003 to Oct. 2006, a total of 34 patients with thoracolumbar bursting fractures were treated. Among the patients, 26 patients were male and 8 patients were female, with an average age of 42 years (ranged from 18 to 67 years). The course of injury ranged from 6 hours to 7 days. The site of fractures: 3 patients in T11, 9 patients in T12, 15 patients in L1, 7 patients in L2. Preoperative CT showed that posterior wall of the fractured vertebral body were incomplete, bone broke into the spinal canal and compressed epithet dural sac. All the patients had symptoms of varying degrees of nerve injury. The posterior median approach was adopted, and self-made L-shaped reductors were used to press and restore the fractured bones that intruding to vertebral canal through the anterior of vertebral canal, then posterolateral fusion was made. Based on postoperative X-ray and CT inspection the effects were observed by injured vertebral height, cobbs angle, spinal canal stenosis, and symptoms of recovery. RESULTS: All the patients were followed-up with an average of 2 years. The mean anterior and posterior vertebral height increased to normal as (95.23 +/- 1.90)% and (98.37 +/- 1.45)% respectively, which were higher than those of per-operation. The post-operative average Cobb angle was (4.93 +/- 1.41) degrees, which was smaller than that of pre-operation. Postoperative CT showed that the average ratio of protruded bones to the spinal canal anteroposterior diameter was (6.77 +/- 1.57)%, which was smaller than that of pre-operation. All of neurological functions were improved over one grade. CONCLUSION: L-shaped reductors combined with pedicle screw internal fixation for the treatment of thoracolumbar bursting fractures has many advantages of simple works, good reduction, fixed securely and better results, and so on.