Role of cigarette filter on the risk of oral cancer: a case-control study in a Chinese population

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of cigarette filter on the incidence risk of oral squamous cell cancer among male smokers in a Chinese population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A multicentric hospital-based case-control study was applied. Three hundred and nineteen male cases and 428 male controls matching for age ( ± 3 years) were identified from January 2008 to December 2010. Detailed smoking histories were obtained by interviews. Logistic regression model was used to compare the influence of filter and non-filter cigarettes on oral cancer risk.

RESULTS

The adjusted odd ratios (ORs) for oral cancer were 1.30 (95% CI 1.15, 1.48) of filter cigarette smokers, 2.06 (95% CI 1.17, 3.62) of non-filter cigarette smokers, and 1.73 (95% CI 1.33, 2.25) of mixed smokers, as compared with non-smokers. When classified current smokers according to smoking pack year, the ORs of mixed smokers were 2.27 (95% CI 1.06, 4.85) in <20 pack year, 0.81 (95% CI 0.57, 1.14) in 20-39 pack year, and 0.86 (95% CI 0.57, 1.29) in ≥ 40 pack year, as compared to filter cigarette smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

The protective effect against oral cancer of cigarette filter was limited, restricted to smokers of small amount of smoking accumulation. For most smokers, the difference was non-significant between filter and non-filter cigarettes on the risk of developing oral cancer.

1.55 µm InAs/GaAs quantum dots and high repetition rate quantum dot SESAM mode-locked laser

High pulse repetition rate (≥10 GHz) diode-pumped solid-state lasers, modelocked using semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs) are emerging as an enabling technology for high data rate coherent communication systems owing to their low noise and pulse-to-pulse optical phase-coherence. Quantum dot (QD) based SESAMs offer potential advantages to such laser systems in terms of reduced saturation fluence, broader bandwidth, and wavelength flexibility. Here, we describe the development of an epitaxial process for the realization of high optical quality 1.55 µm In(Ga)As QDs on GaAs substrates, their incorporation into a SESAM, and the realization of the first 10 GHz repetition rate QD-SESAM modelocked laser at 1.55 µm, exhibiting ∼2 ps pulse width from an Er-doped glass oscillator (ERGO). With a high areal dot density and strong light emission, this QD structure is a very promising candidate for many other applications, such as laser diodes, optical amplifiers, non-linear and photonic crystal based devices.

Measurements of the mass and width of the η(c) using the decay ψ(3686)→γη(c)

The mass and width of the lowest-lying S-wave spin singlet charmonium state, the η(c), are measured using a data sample of 1.06×10(8) ψ(3686) decays collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We use a model that incorporates full interference between the signal reaction, ψ(3686)→γη(c), and a nonresonant radiative background to describe the line shape of the η(c) successfully. We measure the η(c) mass to be 2984.3±0.6±0.6 MeV/c(2) and the total width to be 32.0±1.2±1.0 MeV, where the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

Stability in brain glucose metabolism following brown adipose tissue inactivation in chinese adults

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The thermogenesis of BAT is believed to be controlled through some pathways initiated in the brain, though the changes in brain activity among different states of BAT-positive subjects are still unclear. We hypothesized that some significant differences of regional cerebral metabolism between various groups were related to the BAT activities regardless of temperature changes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relative regional cerebral glucose metabolism was compared between 15 healthy subjects with activated BAT and 30 healthy controls without activated BAT by using a brain FDG-PET scan. A follow-up PET scan was performed to assess metabolic changes of the brain when BAT activity was eliminated by heat exposure.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, BAT-positive subjects exhibited lower activity in the inferior parietal lobule, limbic system, and frontal lobe and higher activity in the precuneus before heat exposure. Compared with the BAT elimination status, subjects with activated BAT showed a decreased metabolism in the parietal lobe, frontal lobe, culmen, cingulate gyrus, and sublobar region. Compared with controls, BAT-positive subjects after BAT inactivation had significant hypometabolic areas in the temporal lobe and limbic lobe and hypermetabolic areas in the parietal lobe.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings illustrate that changes of regional cerebral metabolism are related to BAT activities regardless of temperature changes. This before-after controlled study supports the finding that the brain responses appear to be active in modulating the metabolic function of BAT activity.

First observation of η(1405) decays into f(0)(980)π0

The decays J/ψ → γ π+ π- π0 and J/ψ → γ π0 π0 π0 are analyzed using a sample of 225×10(6) J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. The decay of η(1405) → f(0)(980)π0 with a large isospin violation is observed for the first time. The width of the f(0)(980) observed in the dipion mass spectra is anomalously narrower than the world average. Decay rates for three-pion decays of the η' are also measured precisely.

Observation of electron-antineutrino disappearance at Daya Bay

The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment has measured a nonzero value for the neutrino mixing angle θ(13) with a significance of 5.2 standard deviations. Antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth reactors were detected in six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (flux-weighted baseline 470 m and 576 m) and one far (1648 m) underground experimental halls. With a 43,000 ton-GWth-day live-time exposure in 55 days, 10,416 (80,376) electron-antineutrino candidates were detected at the far hall (near halls). The ratio of the observed to expected number of antineutrinos at the far hall is R=0.940±0.011(stat.)±0.004(syst.). A rate-only analysis finds sin(2)2θ(13)=0.092±0.016(stat.)±0.005(syst.) in a three-neutrino framework.

Serum levels of selenium in patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer before and after radiotherapy

PURPOSE

This study was to evaluate the influence of radiotherapy on the selenium serum levels of non-small cell cancer patients with brain metastases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective study included 95 non-small cell cancer patients with brain metastases treated by radiotherapy from December 2007 until November 2010. Plasma selenium levels were determined before and at the end of the radiotherapy. Age, body mass index (BMI), prior chemotherapy, pathological type and personal habits (smoking and alcoholism) were recorded for each patient.

RESULTS

The mean age was 63 years; the mean BMI was 27.6. Seventy-six patients (80%) were non-smokers. Sixty-two patients (65.3%) showed no drinking habits and 8 (8.4%) have no prior chemotherapy. Thirty-nine patients (41.1%) were adenocarcinoma, 51 (53.7%) were squamous cell carcinoma and five (5.3%) were large cell carcinoma. At the beginning of radiotherapy, the mean selenium level for all patients was 90.4 μg/l and after radiation this value dropped to 56.3 μg/l. Multivariate analysis showed statistically significant difference in the plasma selenium concentration before and after radiotherapy for age (P<0.001), BMI (P<0.001), smoking (P<0.001), alcoholism (P<0.001), prior chemotherapy (P<0.001) and pathological type (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Significant reduction in plasma levels of selenium was recorded in patients undergoing radiotherapy, suggesting attention to the nutritional status of this micronutrient and other antioxidant agents.

Intraosseous Venous Malformations of the Facial Bone: A Retrospective Study in 11 Patients

Objectives:

To investigate the clinical symptoms, computed tomography (CT) features and treatments of intraosseous venous malformations (IVM) that occur in the facial bone.

Methods and Results:

Eleven patients with facial IVM were treated with two surgical techniques, excision ( n = 4) or curettage ( n = 7). No recurrence was encountered at follow-up (45.8 ± 16.0 months). Postoperative deformities were left in two paediatric patients who were treated with excision.

Conclusions:

The diagnosis of IVM can be difficult and is mainly based on clinical symptoms and CT features. IVM should be differentiated from other lesions, including ameloblastoma, odontogenic cysts, osteosarcoma, aneurysmal bone cysts and arteriovenous malformations, among others. Conventional block biopsy should be replaced by fine needle aspiration cytology for further diagnosis. Curettage is a more appropriate method for IVM compared with excessive en-bloc osteotomy, while transosseous embolo-sclerotherapy may be a promising alternative method. Finally, the terminological confusion between ‘intraosseous haemangioma’ and ‘intraosseous venous malformation’ should be avoided according to the binary classification.

Spin-parity analysis of pp¯ mass threshold structure in J/ψ and ψ(3686) radiative decays

A partial wave analysis of the pp¯ mass-threshold enhancement in the reaction J/ψ→γpp¯ is used to determine its J(PC) quantum numbers to be 0(-+), its peak mass to be below threshold at M=1832(-5)(+19)(stat)(-17)(+18)(syst)±19(model) MeV/c(2), and its total width to be Γ<76 MeV/c(2) at the 90% C.L. The product of branching ratios is measured to be BR[J/ψ→γX(pp¯)]BR[X(pp¯)→pp¯]=[9.0(-1.1)(+0.4)(stat)(-5.0)(+1.5)(syst)±2.3(model)]×10(-5). A similar analysis performed on ψ(3686)→γpp¯ decays shows, for the first time, the presence of a corresponding enhancement with a production rate relative to that for J/ψ decays of R=[5.08(-0.45)(+0.71)(stat)(-3.58)(+0.67)(syst)±0.12(model)]%.

Mapping and fine mapping of quantitative trait loci for the number of vertebrae in a White Duroc × Chinese Erhualian intercross resource population

The number of vertebrae is associated with body size and meat production in pigs. To identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the number of vertebrae, phenotypic values were measured in 1029 individuals from a White Duroc × Chinese Erhualian intercross F(2) population. A whole genome scan was performed with 194 microsatellite markers in the F(2) population. Four genome-wide significant QTL and eight chromosome-wide significant QTL for the number of vertebrae were identified on pig chromosomes (SSC) 1, 2, 6, 7, 10 and 12. The most significant QTL was detected on SSC7 with a confidence interval of 1 cM, explaining 42.32% of the phenotypic variance in the thoracic vertebral number. The significant QTL on SSC1, 2 and 7 confirmed previous reports. A panel of 276 animals representing seven Western and Chinese breeds was genotyped with 34 microsatellite markers in the SSC7 QTL region. No obvious selective sweep effect was observed in the tested breeds, indicating that intensive selection for enlarged body size in Western commercial breeds did not wipe out the genetic variability in the QTL region. The Q alleles for increased vertebral number originated from both Chinese Erhualian and White Duroc founder animals. A haplotype block of approximately 900 kb was found to be shared by all Q-bearing chromosomes of F(1) sires except for one distinct Q chromosome. The critical region harbours the newly reported VRTN gene associated with vertebral number. Further investigations are required to confirm whether VRTN or two other positional candidate genes, PROX2 and FOS, cause the QTL effect.

Enhanced removal of chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and phosphorus using the ameliorative anoxic/anaerobic/oxic process and micro-electrolysis

Synthetic wastewater was treated using a novel system integrating the reversed anoxic/anaerobic/oxic (RAAO) process, a micro-electrolysis (ME) bed and complex biological media. The system showed superior chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal rates. Performance of the system was optimised by considering the influences of three major controlling factors, namely, hydraulic retention time (HRT), organic loading rate (OLR) and mixed liquor recirculation (MLR). TP removal efficiencies were 69, 87, 87 and 83% under the HRTs of 4, 8, 12 and 16 h. In contrast, HRT had negligible effects on the COD and TN removal efficiencies. COD, TN and TP removal efficiencies from synthetic wastewater were 95, 63 and 87%, respectively, at an OLR of 1.9 g/(L·d). The concentrations of COD, TN and TP in the effluent were less than 50, 15 and 1 mg/L, respectively, at the controlled MLR range of 75-100%. In this system, organics, TN and TP were primarily removed from anoxic tank regardless of the operational conditions.

ηπ+ π- resonant structure around 1.8 GeV/c(2) and η(1405) in J/ψ → ωηπ+ π-

We present results of a study of the decay J/ψ → ωηπ+ π- using a sample of (225.2 ± 2.8) × 10(6) J/ψ events collected by the BESIII detector, and report the observation of a new process J/ψ → ωX(1870) with a statistical significance of 7.2σ, in which X(1870) decays to a(0)(±)(980)π±. Fitting to ηπ+ π- mass spectrum yields a mass M = 1877.3 ± 6.3(stat)(-7.4)(+3.4)(syst) MeV/c(2), a width Γ = 57 ± 12(stat)(-4)(+19)(syst) MeV/c(2), and a product branching fraction B(J/ψ → ωX) × B(X→a(0)(±)(980)π±) × B(a(0) (±)(980) → ηπ±) = [1.50 ± 0.26(stat)(-0.36)(+0.72) (syst)] × 10(-4). Signals for J/ψ → ωf(1)(1285) and J/ψ → ω η(1405) are also clearly observed and measured.

Observation of χ(c1) decays into vector meson pairs φφ, ωω, and ωφ

Using (106±4)×10⁻⁶ ψ(3686) events accumulated with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e⁺e⁻ collider, we present the first measurement of decays of χ(c1) to vector meson pairs φφ, ωω, and ωφ. The branching fractions are measured to be (4.4±0.3±0.5)×10⁻⁴, (6.0±0.3±0.7)×10⁻⁴, and (2.2±0.6±0.2)×10⁻⁵, for χ(c1)→φφ, ωω, and ωφ, respectively, which indicates that the hadron helicity selection rule is significantly violated in χ(cJ) decays. In addition, the measurement of χ(cJ)→ωφ provides the first indication of the rate of doubly OZI-suppressed χ(cJ) decay. Finally, we present improved measurements for the branching fractions of χ(c0) and χ(c2) to vector meson pairs.

Analysis of the differentially expressed genes in Microsporum canis in inducing smooth skin and scalp tissue conditions

Microsporum canis is a common zoophilic dermatophyte, which causes a range of infections. To explore the pathogenic mechanism of tinea capitis, we used the suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique to investigate the differences in gene expression between different cultures of Microsporum canis incubated on three different types of mineral media containing child glabrous skin, child scalp tissue and adult scalp tissue. Using dot-blot hybridization and real-time PCR technique, we successfully screened and identified a pair of genes that had expression levels 44.6 and 117 times higher in culture 1 (M. canis cultured in mineral medium with child scalp tissue) than in culture 2 (M. canis cultured in mineral medium with glabrous skin tissue), and another pair of genes with expression levels 78.2 and 9.8 times higher in culture 1 than in culture 3 (M. canis cultured in mineral medium with adult scalp tissue). These four genes were found to have 41%, 53%, 40% and 94% homology to those encoding a hypothetical protein [family of serine hydrolases 1; (FSH1)], PQ loop repeat protein (PQ-LRP), a predicted protein [porphyrin galactose 4; (P-GAL4)] and NADH dehydrogenase subunit (NADH)1, respectively. The upregulation of the FSH1, PQ-LRP, P-GAL4 and NADH1 genes in cultures of child scalp tissue indicates that they are essential in the pathogenesis of tinea capitis caused by M. canis.

Association of Interleukin-11 with Mortality in Patients with Spontaneous Basal Ganglia Haemorrhage

This study evaluated interleukin (IL)-11 as an independent prognostic marker of mortality following intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). Plasma IL-11 levels in patients with ICH were significantly higher than in healthy controls. Multivariate analysis indicated that plasma IL-11 level was an independent predictor for mortality within 1 week of ICH onset and was positively associated with haematoma volume. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified that a baseline plasma IL-11 level > 20.9 pg/ml predicted mortality within 1 week of ICH onset with 81.2% sensitivity and 74.1% specificity. The area under the curve for IL-11 level was significantly smaller than that for the Glasgow Coma Scale score, but similar to that for haematoma volume. IL-11 did not, however, significantly improve the predictive value of the Glasgow Coma Scale or haematoma volume. Thus, IL-11 may be considered as a new independent prognostic marker of mortality and an additional valuable tool for risk stratification and decision-making in the acute phase of ICH.

Reversible changes in brain glucose metabolism following thyroid function normalization in hyperthyroidism

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Patients with hyperthyroidism frequently present with regional cerebral metabolic changes, but the consequences of endocrine-induced brain changes after thyroid function normalization are unclear. We hypothesized that the changes of regional cerebral glucose metabolism are related to thyroid hormone levels in patients with hyperthyroid, and some of these changes can be reversed with antithyroid therapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relative regional cerebral glucose metabolism was compared between 10 new-onset untreated patients with hyperthyroidism and 20 healthy control participants by using brain FDG-PET scans. Levels of emotional distress were evaluated by using the SAS and SDS. Patients were treated with methimazole. A follow-up PET scan was performed to assess metabolic changes of the brain when thyroid functions normalized.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, patients exhibited lower activity in the limbic system, frontal lobes, and temporal lobes before antithyroid treatment. There were positive correlations between scores of depression and regional metabolism in the cingulate and paracentral lobule. The severity of depression and anxiety covaried negatively with pretreatment activity in the inferior temporal and inferior parietal gyri respectively. Compared with the hyperthyroid status, patients with normalized thyroid functions showed an increased metabolism in the left parahippocampal, fusiform, and right superior frontal gyri. The decrease in both FT3 and FT4 was associated with increased activity in the left parahippocampal and right superior frontal gyri.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes of regional cerebral glucose metabolism are related to thyroid hormone levels in patients with hyperthyroidism, and some cerebral hypometabolism can be improved after antithyroid therapy.

Confirmation of the X(1835) and observation of the resonances X(2120) and X(2370) in J/ψ→γπ+π-η'

With a sample of (225.2±2.8)×10(6) J/ψ events registered in the BESIII detector, J/ψ→γπ(+)π(-)η(') is studied using two η(') decay modes: η(')→π(+)π(-)η and η(')→γρ(0). The X(1835), which was previously observed by BESII, is confirmed with a statistical significance that is larger than 20σ. In addition, in the π(+)π(-)η(') invariant-mass spectrum, the X(2120) and the X(2370), are observed with statistical significances larger than 7.2σ and 6.4σ, respectively. For the X(1835), the angular distribution of the radiative photon is consistent with expectations for a pseudoscalar.

A reproducible route to p-ZnO films and their application in light-emitting devices

Although great efforts have been made, reproducible p-type doping is still one of the largest hurdles that hinders the optoelectronic applications of ZnO. In this Letter, a reproducible route to p-type ZnO films employing lithium-nitrogen as a dual-acceptor dopant has been demonstrated, and p-i-n structured light-emitting devices (LEDs) have been constructed. Obvious purple emissions have been observed from the LEDs, confirming the applicability of the p-type ZnO films in optoelectronic devices. The results reported in this Letter provide a reproducible route to p-type ZnO films, and thus may lay a solid ground for future optoelectronic applications of ZnO.

Evidence for ψ' decays into γπ0 and γη

The decays ψ'→γπ(0), γη and γη' are studied using data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e(+)e(-) collider. The processes ψ'→γπ(0) and ψ'→γη are observed for the first time with signal significances of 4.6σ and 4.3σ, respectively. The branching fractions are determined to be B(ψ'→γπ(0))=(1.58±0.40±0.13)×10(-6), B(ψ'→γη)=(1.38±0.48±0.09)×10(-6), and B(ψ'→γη')=(126±3±8)×10(-6), where the first errors are statistical and the second ones systematic.

Bridging the gap between education and practice in public health, with particular reference to less-developed provinces in China

Ongoing healthcare system reform is one of the most important issues in China. There is an increasing awareness that public health education should be reformed to meet the demands of public health practice. This paper summarizes the current status of increasing public healthcare demand and public health service capacity in China, especially in less-developed provinces, and introduces the current public health educational system and public health administration structure. The paper also provides evidence for a considerable gap between public health education and practice, and suggests possible measures to bridge the gap.

First Detection of Virulence in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in China to Resistance Genes Yr24 (=Yr26) Present in Wheat Cultivar Chuanmai 42

Stripe rust disease of wheat caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici was observed on previously resistant bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cv. Chuanmai 42 during the 2008-2009 crop season in Pi County, Sichuan Province, China. More than 10 single pustules were isolated from the diseased leaf samples collected in the field and inoculated on 7-day-old susceptible wheat seedlings cv. Mingxian 169. After 18 to 24 h of incubation at 100% relative humidity in darkness, the plants were moved into the greenhouse, maintained at 15 to 18°C, and supplemented with 10,000 lx of fluorescent light for 10 h per day. The second leaves were clipped when chlorotic spots appeared on leaves (~7 days postinoculation), and plants were covered with glass cylinders to prevent cross contamination. Urediniospores of each isolate were collected 16 days after inoculation and temporarily kept in a dryer at low temperature (3 to 4°C). The virulence spectra of the isolates were tested on Chinese differentials and wheat lines with known Yr genes at the seedling stage (1). A new Yr24 (=Yr26) virulent pathotype, different from currently known pathotypes in China, was identified. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of Yr24 virulence in Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici populations on Chuanmai 42. In addition, the new pathotype was also virulent to Lantian 17, Guinong 22 (Chinese differential), and 92R137 derived wheat lines Nannong 04Y10 and Nannong 05Y628, known to carry Yr24 (2,3). The avirulence/virulence formula of the new pathotype is Yr1, 3, 4, H46, 5, 6, 15, 17, 18, 32, Sp, Sd/Yr2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 24 (=26), 31, and Su. Wheat cultivars and breeding materials, previously protected by Yr24 gene, are now vulnerable to stripe rust epidemics in the region. Pure isolates of the new pathotype (Accession No. 09-6-16-3) are stored in the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS; Beijing) stripe rust collection. References: (1) W. Q. Chen et al. Plant Dis. 93:1093, 2009. (2) G. Q. Li et al. Theor. Appl. Genet. 112:1434, 2006. (3) Z. F. Li et al. Plant Dis. 90:1302, 2006.

Crystalline core/shell Si/SiO2 nanotubes formed via interfacial stress imbalance

Crystalline core/shell Si/SiO2 nanotubes (NTs) with outer diameters of 130-220 nm and lengths of approximately 1 microm have been synthesized using thermal evaporation. High resolution scanning electron microscopy reveals that the NT formation stems from the intrinsic interfacial stress imbalance in the strained Si/SiO2 bilayered film, consequently leading to NTs with different orifice levels. The NT diameters depend strongly on the bilayer film thicknesses and crystal orientations of the Si and SiO2 layers. A modified Timoshenko formula is derived to calculate the dependence of the tube diameter on the bilayer film thickness. The obtained results are consistent well with experimental data.

Sclerotherapy of voluminous venous malformation in head and neck with absolute ethanol under digital subtraction angiography guidance

OBJECTIVES

Venous malformation (VM) is the most common symptomatic low-flow vascular malformation, which predominantly occurs in the head and neck region. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the results of endovascular sclerotherapy of voluminous VM, when the lesion is either >or=15 cm in maximum diameter or the lesion invades more than one anatomical space, in the head and neck region using absolute ethanol under digital subtraction angiography (DSA) guidance.

METHODS

A total of 23 patients with head and neck VMs between October 2005 and December 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received direct puncture ethanol sclerotherapy under DSA guidance. Follow-up assessments were performed at 3-25 months after therapies were completed, and complications were reported in some cases.

RESULTS

All patients were satisfied with the results of therapy. Seventeen patients (73.9%) achieved excellent responses and six patients (26.1%) achieved good responses in magnetic resonance imaging assessments. Minor complications developed during the procedures, all of which were successfully managed with full recovery during follow-ups. Serious complications such as acute pulmonary hypertension, cardiovascular collapse and pulmonary embolism were not encountered.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that sclerotherapy with absolute ethanol under DSA guidance is an important alternative therapy for voluminous and extensive VM, as the procedure is reasonably safe and offers good therapeutic results.

MS-275, an histone deacetylase inhibitor, reduces the inflammatory reaction in rat experimental autoimmune neuritis

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the peripheral nervous system and serves as the animal model of human inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathies. MS-275, a potent histone deacetylase inhibitor currently undergoing clinical investigations for various malignancies, has been reported to demonstrate promising anti-inflammatory activities. In our present study, MS-275 administration (3.5 mg/kg i.p.) to EAN rats once daily from the appearance of first neurological signs greatly reduced the severity and duration of EAN and attenuated local accumulation of macrophages, T cells and B cells, and demyelination of sciatic nerves. Further, significant reduction of mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1beta, interferon-gamma, interleukine-17, inducible nitric oxide synthase and matrix metalloproteinase-9 was observed in sciatic nerves of MS-275 treated EAN rats. In lymph nodes, MS-275 depressed pro-inflammatory cytokines as well, but increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukine-10 and of foxhead box protein3 (Foxp3), a unique transcription factor of regulatory T cells. In addition, MS-275 treatment increased proportion of infiltrated Foxp3(+) cells and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages in sciatic nerves of EAN rats. In summary, our data demonstrated that MS-275 could effectively suppress inflammation in EAN, through suppressing inflammatory T cells, macrophages and cytokines, and inducing anti-inflammatory immune cells and molecules, suggesting MS-275 as a potent candidate for treatment of autoimmune neuropathies.

Comparison of dental education and professional development between mainland China and North America

Different educational and professional developments within the dental field create different sets of missions, norms, and practices regarding dental diseases and their appropriate treatment. This review has addressed differences in dental education and professional development between mainland China and North America. Many factors influence the choice of model and it is very difficult to predict which model will become predominant. However, there is growing sentiment that the independent faculty model in North America is logical and superior to the model, which 'integrates' dental and medical education in mainland China. Many North America dental schools place a high priority on preclinical and clinical training in the curriculum in order to expose students to patient oral health needs and systemic dental problems much earlier than in mainland China. North America dental schools promote and embrace students self-learning skills by the use of PBL, CRL, and TRAD education methodologies and new e-based technologies and approaches whereby students learn rather than are taught. In mainland China, the traditional lecture-based format is still employed in the majority of dental schools; however, strategies to enhance students self-learning skills is increasingly utilised in most well-known Chinese dental schools. The Chinese dental education model, which treats dentistry as a sub-specialty of medicine, has brought about fundamental differences, with the dentist functioning essentially as a stomatologist. For example, China has built up a large oral and maxillofacial surgery society, and craniofacial surgery is performed to a much broader extent by Chinese dentists than by most North American counterparts. In North America, dentists engage in full-time work, attend continuing training/education programmes, belong to an association, gain legal status, and construct a code of ethics emphasising the quality of care delivered to the public. Currently, continuing dental education in North America is available through a variety of venues involving licensing authorities, universities and private programmes. The concept of professional development in mainland China is relatively new and is still considered primarily in the context of promotion or achieving a higher professional title. Mandatory continuing dental professional education requirements do not guarantee the competence of members of the profession. Today, the Chinese government and society place increasing emphasis upon the accountability of self-regulating professions. Rather than attempting to summarise the current scope of dental education and professional development between mainland China and North America, this paper hopes to enhance mutual understanding, and promote greater academic exchanges in dental education.