[Effects of overexpression of Notch intracellular domain on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of overexpression of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSC). Methods: The third generation hPDLSC with stable overexpressing of NICD were assigned as experimental group, normal hPDLSC were as negative control group and hPDLSC transfected with empty vector were as blank control group. The effect of overexpressing NICD on proliferation ability of hPDLSC was detected by using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Alizarin Red staining and real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) were used to detect the effects of NICD on cementum attachment proteins (CAP), osteocalcin (OCN), Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and Notch signal pathway receptor Notch1. The effect of overexpressing NICD on hPDLSC osteogenic protein RUNX2 and flag marker protein (used to label NICD) were detected by using Western blotting. Results: CCK-8 results showed that there were no significant differences in A values amongst the three groups for 1-2 days (P>0.05). The number of cells in the experimental group was significantly increase than that of the two control groups from the third to seventh days (A values were 0.203±0.016, 0.364±0.014, 0.449±0.020, 0.549±0.020 and 0.570±0.020, respectively) (P<0.05). Alizarin red staining showed that compared with the blank control group and negative control group, the mineralized nodules in the experimental group had smaller formation range and lighter color, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). The expressions of CAP gene (0.751±0.058, 0.887±0.025), osteocalcin gene (0.592±0.051, 0.670±0.045) and RUNX2 gene (0.319±0.038, 0.684±0.055) at 14 and 21 days in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the negative control group respectively (P<0.05). However, the expression levels of Notch1 gene at 14 and 21 days (2.507±0.047, 4.041±0.219) were significantly higher than those of negative and blank control groups (P<0.05). The results of Western blotting showed that the expressions of flag marker protein (0.167±0.007, 0.204±0.010) at 14 and 21 days in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the negative and blank control groups (P<0.05). However, the expressions of RUNX2 protein (0.075±0.006, 0.074±0.013) at 14 and 21 days were significantly lower than that in the negative control group (0.092±0.003, 0.118±0.008) and blank control group (0.174±0.006, 0.212±0.008) (P<0.05). Conclusions: Overexpression of NICD can promote the proliferation capacity of hPDLSC and inhibit its osteogenic differentiation.

Changes in body fluid markers in intestinal ischemia.

New Zealand rabbits were assigned randomly to three groups: sham operation, intestinal simple obstruction, and strangulation obstruction. To relate possible changes in the body fluid content of biochemical markers to the strangulation process, subsequent samples of blood and peritoneal fluid, for the determination of levels of creatine kinase (CK), lactic acid (LA), xanthine oxidase (XO), and inorganic phosphate (IP), were obtained at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-hour intervals, and intestinal histological specimens were graded blindly. Significant increases in plasma LA (3.93 +/- 0.26 v 2.99 +/- 0.37; P < .05), peritoneal LA (5.03 +/- 1.14 V 3.33 +/- 0.86; P < .05), and CK (940 +/- 146 v 772 +/- 165, P < .05) occurred after 1 hour of ischemic injury. Except for serum CK, all parameters in the blood and peritoneal fluid in group 3 were markedly elevated within 4 hours. The serum CK remained almost unchanged throughout the 6-hour study period. The results suggest that plasma LA, peritoneal LA, and CK are sensitive indicators in the early diagnosis of bowel ischemia; the determination of both serum and peritoneal XO and IP was also helpful for early diagnosis; in contrast, serum CK was not a useful indicator. The value of any biochemical marker as an early diagnostic tool for intestinal ischemia depends not only on its quantity but also on its location and mechanism of release.

Observation on erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in infants and children with Hirschsprung's disease.

In 31 cases of Hirschsprung's disease, the mean value of erythrocyte AChE activity was discovered to be 91.24 +/- 10.24 u/mL, being significantly higher than that from 127 normal children of 73.51 +/- 9.36 u/mL (P less than 0.001); whereas serum ChE mean value of 14.49 +/- 4.04 u/mL showed no difference from normal control (16.89 +/- 8.86 u/mL, P greater than 0.05). In addition, the erythrocyte AChE activity of six newborns with Hirschsprung's disease was also found to be much higher than its own normal control. It was therefore, concluded that this assay may be of supplementary diagnostic significance in diagnosing neonatal Hirschsprung's disease.

[Treatment of intestinal invagination with particular emphasis on reduction by colonic insufflation. Report on 5110 cases]. / Traitement de l'invagination intestinale avec regard spécial sur la réduction par l'insufflation du côlon. Expérience de 5110 cas.

The author reports 5110 cases of intussusception in infancy and childhood treated during the last 21 years. He makes a complete analysis on age, sex and seasonal frequency of 1597 cases met in the first six year period (1960 to 1965). Then, a statistic of 4 chief symptoms of 1000 consecutive cases under two years of age is given: abdominal pain 95,2%, vomiting 91,7%, bloody stool 83,3%, and sausage-shaped mass 73,6%. Among 5110 cases, only 512 were laparotomized, there were demonstrable organic causes in 22 cases. The method of reduction by colonic insufflation is described in detail step by step, with its indications, counterindications and possible complications. The author also presents his air insufflation apparatus with automatic control of the intracolonic pressure. Finally, he emphasizes the advantages of this method: of 4841 cases submitted to colonic insufflation, complete reduction was achieved in 4598, i.e. 94.98%, the rate of reduction is higher than that of barium enema. Thus, this method greatly decreased the need of operation, and consequently reduce the mortality and morbidity of the disease. Reduction of intussusception by colonic insufflations performed ambulatory and at a very low cost.

Successful separation of xiphoomphalopagus twins.

A pair of female xiphoomphalopagus twins were delivered by Caesarean section at 35th week of gestation on March 2, 1982, their combined weight being 4,800 g. Examinations revealed that they were conjoined from the xiphoid process down to the umbilicus. Infant A also had congenital heart defect (VSD). X-ray and echography showed that they had a fused liver and two independent biliary systems and alimentary tracts. After 6 weeks, the twins gained weight up to 7,000 g. The separation operation was performed at 1 1/2 months of age. During operation it was demonstrated that the xiphoid process and costal cartilages were fused together and the peritoneal cavities were of free communication above the umbilicus, and the livers merged into a single common liver. The large single liver was divided by electrocautery, resulting in a section surface of 8 X 7.5 cm. After separation, the closure of the abdominal wall in both infants presented some difficulties which were resolved by making relaxation incisions on either flanks. In the post operative period, the ventral wounds of both infants were disrupted for several centimetres and infant B had wound infection. The granulating area of skin defect on either relaxation incision of the flanks and ventral denuded wound were covered with full-thickness dead-foetus homografts. The wounds were well healed. Eventually both infants were discharged in good condition at 2 1/2 months after operation. Now they live well at 2 1/2 years of age.