Activation of the P2X7 receptor in the dental pulp tissue contributes to the pain in rats with acute pulpitis.

Treatment of acute pulpitis (AP) is beneficial for pain relief and pulp regeneration. The purinergic P2X7 receptor activation is responsible for the formation and maintenance of inflammation and pain. This study aims to determine the role of the pulp tissue P2X7 receptor to activate the mechanisms of the AP in rats.

A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to the Treatment of Liver Cirrhosis.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of treating cirrhosis using a multidisciplinary team approach (MDT) and to pinpoint the key factors influencing its implementation.

Methods: The data of 307 patients with decompensated cirrhosis were studied retrospectively. Patients who received more than two treatment measures were assigned to the MDT group (n=228), and patients who received symptomatic medical drug treatment only were assigned to the traditional treatment group (n=79).

Highly sensitive nucleic acid detection and transaminase level in treatment decisions for Chinese patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis.

Objective: To explore the usefulness of highly sensitive nucleic acid detection for assisting with the accurate antiviral treatment of patients with cirrhosis that was caused by hepatitis.

Methods: There were 377 patients with hepatitis B with cirrhosis and 119 patients with hepatitis C with cirrhosis, either as hospitalized patients and outpatients, who were enrolled into the study. Among them, 299 were men and 197 were women between 23 and 82 years of age.

Microscopic removal of type III dens invaginatus and preparation of apical barrier with mineral trioxide aggregate in a maxillary lateral incisor: A case report and review of literature.

Background: Invaginated teeth pose greater challenges in clinical management because of their complex configuration. With advancements in equipment and materials, such as the dental operation microscope, cone-beam computed tomography and mineral trioxide aggregate, the preservation rate of type III dens invaginatus could be greatly increased.

Case Summary: This case report presented a 31-year-old woman with complaints of spontaneous swelling and pain in the right maxillary lateral tooth.

In Vitro Evaluation of a Novel Osteo-Inductive Scaffold for Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone-Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Background: Demineralized bone matrices (DBMs) were demonstrated to be a promising candidate for bone regeneration by previous studies. However, the limited osteoinductivity of DBMs was insufficient for a better repairing of bone defect. Osteoblasts (OBs), the major cellular component of bone tissues, play an important role in the formation of new bone.

Protective effect of RNA interference targeting Ikkβ on hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is an important regulatory factor in cells. NF-κB has a wide range of biological activities. After activation, it participates in the transcription and regulation of many genes and plays a role in infection, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, cell multiplication, and apoptosis.

Multimodal therapy and twenty years of valid management of a patient with chronic hepatitis B in a less developed Western Region in China---case report and review of the literature.

Background: For patients with chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis in less developed western regions in China, due to constraints of local economic conditions, the choice of treatment measures is often limited. However if patients recieved valid management and effective treatment, they were able to maintain their health and benign prognosis.

Case Presentation: This study narrates the long-term treatment and careful follow-up of a patient with chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis in a less developed western region in China, and analyzes the prognosis of the disease and countermeasures.

[The influence of salvia miltiorhiza on the expression of TGF-β1 in periodontal tissue during orthodontic tooth movement in rats].

Purpose: To investigate the effect of salvia miltiorhiza on the expression of TGF-β1 within periodontal tissues during orthodontic tooth movement in rat.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (group A, B, C and D). Group A and B were used as orthodontic tooth movement model based on afterburner time.

[Distribution of the muscle spindles in human masticatory muscles].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics in the topographic distribution of the muscle spindles in human masticatory muscles.

Methods: The muscle spindles of the masticatory muscles on both sides of 3 human corpses fixed in formalin for more than 1 year were observed histologically and analyzed quantitatively using an image analysis system.

Results: The mean muscle spindle density was 32.

[Stereology investigation of muscle spindles in human masseter and temporalis muscle].

Objective: To find out the characteristic topographic distribution of the muscle spindles in human masseter and temporal muscle, and to clarify the neurobiology roles of masticatory muscles during chew and adjusting mandibular position.

Methods: The muscle spindles of masseter and temporal muscle on both sides of 5 human corpses fixed in formalin for more than 1 year were observed and quantitatively analyzed by picture analysis equipment.

Results: The muscle spindles were maldistributed and spindles were commonly clustered in some individual portions, and the muscle spindle figures were diversiform, which were predominantly composed of the spindle simple and spindle complexes.