Flossing Is Associated with Improved Oral Health in Older Adults

The effect of preventive oral habits is largely unexplored in older individuals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the associations between home use of flossing and prevalence of periodontal disease and caries in older adults. Five-year incident tooth loss was also evaluated. Data on 686 individuals ≥65 y-old from the Piedmont 65+ Dental Study were examined including: 1) interproximal clinical attachment level (iCAL), 2) interproximal probing depth (iPD), 3) numbers of caries, and 4) missing teeth. Flossing behavior was evaluated according to the Periodontal Profile Class (PPC) system. Five-year follow-up data (n = 375) was evaluated for incident tooth loss. Dichotomous and categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square tests as well as covariate-adjusted Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel tests. Multiple linear regression compared clinical parameters based on flossing behavior. Elderly flossers had lower (mean, SE) %iCAL≥3 mm (38.2, 2.38 vs. 48.8, 1.56) and %iPD≥4 mm (8.70, 1.41 vs. 14.4, 0.93) compared to nonflossers (P ≤ 0.005). Flossers showed less coronal caries compared to nonflossers (P = 0.02). Baseline number of missing teeth (mean, SE) was 11.5 (0.35) in nonflossers compared to 8.6 (0.53) in flossers (P < 0.0001). Regular dental visitors had lower oral disease levels compared to episodic dental users. The majority of flossers classified into PPC-Stage I (health) whereas nonflossers classified as PPC-Stages V, VI, and VII (disease). At the 5-y follow-up visit, the average tooth loss for flossers was ~1 tooth compared to ~4 teeth lost for nonflossers (P < 0.0001). Among all teeth, molars showed the highest benefit (>40%) for flossing behavior (P = 0.0005). In conclusion, the extent of oral disease for older individuals was significantly less in flossers than in nonflossers. Flossers showed less periodontal disease, fewer dental caries, and loss of fewer teeth over a 5-y period. These findings further support flossing as an important oral hygiene behavior to prevent oral disease progression in older adults.

[Strategy of nursing care on the face skin injuries caused by wearing medical-grade protective equipment]

For effective resistance to virus attack and infection, reducing virus transmission chance, it is extremely important for the medical staff and related workers to have their own safe protection. This paper summarizes the development causes, common locations, and prevention ways about the device related pressure injuries on the face resulted from wearing medical-grade protective equipment for a long working time. The paper proposes the nursing strategy for device related pressure injuries and other nursing strategy is proposed to take care efficiently the device related pressure injuries. Meantime, a corresponding nursing strategy is also suggested to deal with the correlative skin diseases during the application of medical-grade protective equipment. These paper aims to provide reference for the prevention of device related pressure injuries and the care of skin-related diseases for clinical working staff, especially to the respectable personnel in front line of fighting against Corona virus disease 2019.

A robust model for estimating thermal conductivity of liquid alkyl halides

Thermal conductivity is an essential thermodynamic property in chemical engineering application. As a result, estimating the thermal conductivity of organic compounds is of significance in industry production. Alkyl halides are important organic intermediates and raw materials, but little investigations have been performed to estimate their thermal conductivity. In this study, the structures of compounds were optimized in Gaussian 09W and molecular descriptors were extracted by Dragon software. Finally, we developed a 6-descriptor linear quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model to estimate the thermal conductivity of alkyl halides using the genetic function approximation (GFA) method. Validation proved that the developed model had goodness-of-fit, robustness and predictive ability. The r²_pred and root-mean-square error (RMSE_P) of prediction set for the model were equal to 0.9745 and 0.0035, respectively. Meanwhile, the applicability domain was visualized by means of the Williams plot. This study provides a new model for estimating the thermal conductivity of this important class of chemicals.

Effects of nucleotide supplementation to corn–soybean meal-based diet on growth performance, fecal microflora, and blood profiles of sows and performance of suckling piglets

A total of 45 sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) and their litters were used in this study to evaluate the efficacy of nucleotide supplementation on reproductive performance, growth performance, fecal microflora, and blood profiles in sows and piglets. Sows were allocated to one of three treatments (15 pigs per treatment and the average parity was 4.13). Dietary treatments consisted of (1) CON: basal diet, (2) T1: CON + 0.5% nucleotides, and (3) T2: CON + 1.0% nucleotides. In this study, the average daily feed intake during lactation and back fat at weaning day was increased linearly (P < 0.05) in sows with the increase in nucleotide supplementation levels. Sows receiving increasing levels of nucleotides had linearly increased fecal Lactobacillus counts and decreased Escherichia coli counts at weaning day (P < 0.05). Linear reduction of the epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol in sows was observed at weaning day, whereas superoxide dismutase was increased linearly (P < 0.05). Body weight and average daily gain in piglets were linearly (P < 0.05) increased with the increasing levels of nucleotides. Linear increase (P < 0.05) was also observed on total piglets born, live piglets, and piglet survival. The current study demonstrated the importance of nucleotides in the diets of sows to improve sow and piglet performance.

[The evaluation of training program "resident team leader in the Department of General Internal Medicine" at Peking Union Medical College Hospital]

Objective: To evaluate senior resident training program "resident team leader in the Department of General Internal Medicine" at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Methods: We surveyed the residents or the fellows who had been selected as resident team leaders and received the training from October 2014 to September 2018 on their comments and suggestions. Results: Twenty-two rotated senior residents who were selected as team leaders in the Department of General Internal Medicine completed the survey. Almost all (21/22, 95.5%) of the respondents reported that they learnt more in general as team leaders by Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The mean VAS scores of clinical skills were 7.23±1.27, 7.86±1.32 in teaching abilities, 8.14±0.89 in leadership evaluation. Scales as chief resident assistants were 8.44±1.26. Sixteen respondents (72.7%) considered that pre-job training by attending doctors was necessary. Another 8 (36.4%) respondents addressed their demands on training of teaching skills. Conclusions: The senior resident training program "resident team leader in the Department of General Internal Medicine" improves the competency of rotated senior residents. It is a valuable pilot study on senior resident training and worthy of further application in other departments and hospitals.

IL-37- and IL-35/IL-37-Producing Plasma Cells in Chronic Periodontitis

Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases and is induced by the interaction between oral microorganisms and the host immune system. Plasma cells are of special interest in chronic periodontitis (CP), as they represent ~50% of infiltrated immune cells in periodontal lesions. Plasma cells constitute the only known cell type capable of antibody production; however, recent evidence supports an emerging role for distinct sets of plasma cells in cytokine production. However, the presence of cytokine-producing plasma cells in CP is unknown. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to detect significantly elevated levels of IL-35 and IL-37 (2 recently identified anti-inflammatory cytokines) in CP gingival tissue as compared with healthy tissue. Remarkably, we demonstrate that CD138⁺ CD38⁺ plasma cells are the major immune cell type in CP gingival tissues and that these cells produce IL-35 and IL-37. We used immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy analysis to identify a subset of plasma cells with robust cytoplasmic expression of IL-37-we denote this subset as IL-37-producing plasma cells (CD138⁺CD38⁺P_IL-37). Another subset of plasma cells coproduces IL-35 and IL-37 and is denoted as IL-37/IL-35-coproducing plasma cells (CD138⁺CD38⁺P_IL-35/IL-37). We determined that these 2 plasma cell subsets are IgG⁺plasma cells. Moreover, we show that human recombinant IL-35 and IL-37 exhibit a dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclast formation in vitro (~78.9% and 97.7% inhibition in 300 ng/mL of IL-35 and IL-37, respectively, P < 0.05). Overall, our findings suggest that P_IL-37 and P_IL-35/IL-37 exist as subsets of plasma cells in CP lesions and that these 2 new types of plasma cells may regulate periodontitis pathogenesis by inhibiting alveolar bone loss through directly blocking osteoclast formation. Importantly, these data suggest a novel role of plasma cells and offer potential new mechanistic and regulatory targets to be investigated in the context of periodontal health and disease.

Cytotoxic effect of oxaloacetate on HepG2-human hepatic carcinoma cells via apoptosis and ROS accumulation

Oxaloacetate (OA) is one of the intermediates of the Krebs cycle. In addition to its role in energy production, OA may have other effects on the cell. We report here that OA could have a cell type dependent cytotoxic effect on the human hepatic carcinoma cell line HepG2 through induction of apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In our study, OA decreased the viability and colony formation of HepG2 cells and induced cell death. Caspase-3 activity was increased, the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was up-regulated, and the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was down-regulated in OA-treated HepG2 cells indicating that apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway was involved in the cell death. The ROS level in OA-treated HepG2 cells was increased. The anti-oxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and glutathione (GSH) prevented the OA-induced decrease in cell but did not alter the enhanced apoptotic Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio. These results suggest that the OA-induced apoptosis of HepG2 cell is not driven by oxidative damage and at least two distinct mechanisms, one mediated by ROS and one involving apoptosis, result in the cytotoxic effects of OA on HepG2 cells. These studies expand the biological functional repertoire of OA and provide a mechanism by which hepatocellular carcinoma may be targeted by OA.

Transforming Growth Factor-β Partially Reversed the Immunosuppressive Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mice

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess powerful immunosuppression capacity. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a well-known anti-inflammatory cytokine and plays an important role in various inflammatory processes. We hypothesized that TGF-β could synergize with MSCs in suppressing immune responses, and therefore established a mouse skin graft model to evaluate the effect of MSCs and MSCs combined with TGF-β on transplantation immunity in vivo.

METHODS

Balb/c and C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the skin graft model. The recipients were divided into 3 groups and received intravenous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), BMSCs pretreated with TGF-β, and 0.9% saline solution, respectively. Skin graft survival time, pathological detection, the ratio of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell of spleens, and the level of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10, and TGF-β expression were tested.

RESULTS

The survival time of skin grafts were prolonged in both BMSC (12.5 ± 1.35 days) and BMSC-TGF-β (10.6 ± 1.90 days) recipients compared to the blank control recipients (8.0 ± 1.05 days). The ratio of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell of spleens from BMSC and BMSC-TGF-β recipients was higher than that of the blank control, and the upregulated proliferation in the BMSC group occurred earlier and was prolonged compared to the BMSC-TGF-β group. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-2 was inhibited in both the BMSC and BMSC-TGF-β groups compared to the blank, while the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β was boosted. In contrast to the BMSC group, the BMSC-TGF-β group exhibited a weaker effect on the expression of cytokines.

CONCLUSION

TGF-β partially reversed the immunosuppressive effect of MSCs in vivo. This immunoregulatory feature may have potential applications for treating transplant rejection.

[Preparation of bioactive denatured acellular dermal matrix from burn mice riched in mice bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells]

Objective: To investigate the preparation of bioactive denatured acellular dermal matrix (DADM) from burn mice riched in mice bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Methods: Twelve BALB/c mice were collected and 20% total body surface area scalds (hereinafter referred to as burns) with deep partial thickness were inflicted on the back skin of each mouse. After removing epidermis, the burned skin were collected and divided into Triton X-100 group and elhylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) group according to the random number table, with 15 samples in each group. Samples in Triton X-100 group and EDTA group were respectively placed in mixture of 2.5 g/L Triton X-100 and 2.5 g/L trypsin solution and mixture of 0.2 g/L EDTA and 2.5 g/L trypsin solution for sustained vibration and elution for 24 hours to make mice DADM. The general appearance of DADM was observed. The structure and arrangement of collagen fibers of DADM were observed by scanning electron microscope and tissue structure of DADM were observed by fluorescence microscope. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from mice were transplanted in mice DADM in the two groups with concentration of 2×105 cells per well to prepare bioactive mice DADM. After cultured for 3 days, tissue structure of bioactive mice DADM was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, distribution and number of BMSCs of bioactive mice DADM were observed by immunofluorescence staining. Proliferation of BMSCs of bioactive mice DADM after cultured for 2 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 5 d was detected by cell count kit-8. Data were processed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement and t test. Results: (1) Mice DADM in the two groups were white in appearance with certain tenacity and elasticity. Mice DADM in the two groups maintained good three-dimensional porous network structure. Collagen fibers of mice DADM in EDTA group were with good continuity, and collagen fibers of mice DADM in Triton X-100 group were fractured in varying degrees. Mice DADM in the two groups were decellularized completely, and the collagen fibers were loose and arranged disorderly. The continuity of tissue structure of mice DADM in EDTA group was better than that of mice DADM in Triton X-100 group. (2) After cultured for 3 days, the BMSCs in bioactive mice DADM in the two groups were evenly distributed. The number of bioactive BMSCs in mice DADM in EDTA group was 37±7, which was significantly more than that of mice DADM in Triton X-100 group (25±8, t=0.128, P<0.05). The proliferation of bioactive BMSCs in mice DADM in Triton X-100 group and EDTA group was similar at 2 hours and on day 1 after cultured (t=1.292, 0.656, P>0.05). On 3, 5 days after cultured, the proliferation of bioactive BMSCs in mice DADM in EDTA group was significantly higher than that of mice DADM in Triton X-100 group (t=2.309, 14.128, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: Mice DADM prepared by decellularization of EDTA has better three-dimensional porous network structure and good continuity of collagen fiber. The BMSCs in bioactive DADM from burn mice prepared by transplanting BMSCs are evenly distributed with large quantity and strong proliferative capacity, which has the potential to be good autologous dermal substitute.

[Clinical features of adult patients with chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of adult-onset chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV). Methods: A total of 21 adult patients with CAEBV who were admitted to the department of General Internal Medicine at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2006 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data, disease duration, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, treatments and prognosis were reviewed. Results: Eighteen females and 3 males were enrolled with a mean age of 39 years. The most common clinical manifestations included fever in 20 patients, splenomegaly in 20 patients, lymphadenopathy in 18 patients, and hepatomegaly in 10 patients, followed by laryngopharyngeal disorders in 6 patients, pleural effusion and peritoneal effusion each in 5 patients, rash in 4 patients, interstitial lung disease in 3 patients, gastrointestinal hemorrhage in 2 patients, and peripheral neuropathy and pulmonary hypertension each in 1 patient. Six patients were complicated with hemophagocytic lymphohis-tioncytosis(HLH) that developed 5-17 (mean: 9) months following CAEBV onset, all of whom experienced hyperpyrexia, pancytopenia, lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and liver dysfunction, 3 with hepatomegaly. Nineteen of the 21 patients had received steroid therapy including 10 combined with immunosuppressive agents, 11 with antiviral therapy, and 8 with intravenous immunoglobulin. Thirteen patients died, including 10 of multiple organ failure, (including 6 of HLH) 2 of severe pulmonary infection, and 1 of lymphoma. Six patients remained on follow-up, yet 2 were missing. Conclusions: CAEBV is expected with severe condition and poor prognosis, which is likely to be complicated with HLH. Clinical physicians should pay attention to adult patients with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, which suggests possible CAEBV.

Loss-induced transparency in optomechanics

We study optomechanically induced transparency (OMIT) in a compound system consisting of coupled optical resonators and a mechanical mode, focusing on the unconventional role of loss. We find that optical transparency can emerge at the otherwise strongly absorptive regime in the OMIT spectrum, by using an external nanotip to enhance the optical loss. In particular, loss-induced revival of optical transparency and the associated slow-to-fast light switch can be identified in the vicinity of an exceptional point. These results open up a counterintuitive way to engineer micro-mechanical devices with tunable losses for e.g., coherent optical switch and communications.

[Analysis on probability of premature death and cause eliminated life expectancy of major non-communicable diseases in Chongqing Municipality, 2016]

Objective: To analyze the premature death probability and cause-eliminated life expectancy of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes in Chongqing residents in 2016 so as to provide recommendation for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control in Chongqing. Methods: Death cases of Chongqing Municipality between January 1(st) and December 31(st), 2016 were reported through death case registry system of national center for disease prevention and control. Death cases were sorted by international classification of disease (ICD-10). Mortality rate, standardized mortality rate, constituent ratio, premature death probability, life expectancy, and cause-eliminated life expectancy of four major NCDs were analyzed. Results: A total of 218 004 death cases were reported in Chongqing, 2016, and the mortality rate was 731.73/100 000. Of them, a total of 179 637 death cases of the four major NCDs including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes were reported, accounting for 82.40% of all death cases. The mortality rate and standardized mortality rate of four major NCDs was 602.95/100 000 and 455.82/100 000, respectively. The premature death probability of four major NCDs was 15.96%, and males (25.39%) had a higher premature death probability than females (10.78%). The premature death probability of cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes were 6.01%, 8.32%, 2.05%, and 0.43%, respectively. Life expectancy would increase by 6.02, 3.19, 1.89, and 0.19 years, after eliminating cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes respectively. Conclusion: The premature death probability of major NCDs was high in Chongqing, and males had a higher premature death probability than females did. Intervention and health management of the population should be conducted according to different gender-based risk factors to reduce the premature death probability.

[A case report of primary ectopic meningioma on occipital subcutaneous soft tissue]

A 65 years old male patient found one lump (A) located in left occipital subcutaneous soft tissue, which was gradually enlarging since thirty years ago. And the patient found another lump (B) located in left shoulder since five years ago. The pathological results showed typical features and immunophenotype of (A) lump resembling intracranial meningothelial meningioma, and (B) lump was a lipoma. No local recurrence or metastasis could been found for 2 months after excision.