Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is clinically important because of its prevalence, chronicity, and therapy-refractoriness of the pain. In this study, we investigated the effect of infliximab in a mouse model of TMJ pain using a specially-engineered transducer for evaluating the changes in bite force (BF). The mice were randomly divided into three groups (7 mice per group): the control group, the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) group, and the infliximab group. BF was measured at day 0 (baseline BF). After measuring the baseline BF, CFA or incomplete Freund's adjuvant was injected into both TMJs and then the changes in BF were measured at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 13 after the TMJ injection. For measuring the BF, we used a custom-built BF transducer. Control, CFA, and infliximab groups showed similar baseline BF at day 0. From day 1, a significant reduction in BF was observed in the CFA group, and this reduction in BF was statistically significant compared to that in the control group (P < 0.05). This reduction in BF was maintained until day 7, and BF started to recover gradually from day 9. In the infliximab group also, the reduction in BF was observed on day 1, and this reduction was maintained until day 7. However, the degree of reduction in BF was less remarkable compared to that in the CFA group. The reduction in BF caused by injection of CFA into the TMJ could be partially alleviated by the injection of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha, infliximab.Graphical Abstract

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Environmental factors (e.g., BaP) have been pointed out as one of the etiologies of pancreatic cancer. However, very limited experimental assays are available to identify pancreatic specific environmental mutagens or susceptibility genes. In this study, we have developed a simple in vitro cell culture model system that can be used to study the molecular and biochemical aspects of carcinogenesis in a near-normal immortalized pancreatic ductal epithelial cell lines. In order to demonstrate that xenobiotic stress response is intact in these cells we employed standard molecular biology techniques. For examples, luciferase reporter and/or real-time quantitative PCR assays were used to determine stress-induced CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 gene expression. Western blotting and immunocytochemistry assays were used to demonstrate that TCDD or BaP could activate AhR signaling. For exploring the carcinogenesis mechanism, we incubated cells with [3H]BaP and determined BaP-DNA binding activity by measuring its radioactivity. BaP-DNA adduct formation was further confirmed by [32P]-postlabeling assay. Finally, we demonstrated the effects of endogenous AhR or BRCA1 in BaP-DNA adduct accumulation in our cell system: As results, no apparent BaP-DNA adduct accumulation by [32P]-postlabeling assay was found in either control-siRNA or AhR-siRNA pretreated cells. On the other hand, a significant increase of BaP-DNA adduct accumulation was found in BRCA1 knockdown cells. In conclusion, we suggest that this in vitro model may provide the feasibility for future studies on the molecular basis of pancreatic ductal cell carcinogenesis caused by dietary mutagens.

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety between two different doses of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) injection with temporal retina-sparing laser (TRSL) photocoagulation for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We retrospectively evaluated 22 eyes of ROP infants who underwent IVB combined with partial TRSL for stage 3+ zone I or posterior zone II ROP. Laser photocoagulation was applied on the avascular retina, sparing two-disc-diameter width temporal avascular area anterior to ridge. A half dose (0.625 mg) or minimal dose (0.25 mg) of IVB was conducted. Four eyes in minimal dose group were retreated with IVB and laser photocoagulation on the spared retina. Of those 4 retreated eyes, three developed preretinal hemorrhage around the ridge after the first treatment, resulting in fibrotic macular dragging. A half dose of IVB may be more effective than a minimal dose with partial TRSL for ROP. Preretinal hemorrhage may be a harbinger of poor prognosis.