[Evaluation on the short term effectiveness of two doses mumps-containing vaccine policy in Shandong, China]

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of mumps prevention and control after implementation of two doses mumps-containing combined vaccine (MuCV) policy by analyzing epidemiological characteristics of mumps and mumps antibody levels in general population. Methods: We obtained data on cases of mumps reported during 2004-2015 from National Notifiable Diseases Reporting System (NNDRS). Descriptive analysis methods were used to describe the epidemiological characteristics of mumps during 2004-2015. MuCV immunization information from 2005 to 2015 was obtained from the immunization information management system in Shandong Province. Antibody data of mumps in healthy people were from a cross-sectional survey according to the principle of stratified random sampling from 0 to 60 years old healthy people in 2015. Commercial ELISA kits were used to detect and quantify human IgG antibodies against mumps virus in sera, and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: The average incidence of mumps from 2004 to 2015 was 11.43/100 000 in Shandong. The incidence of mumps in the central region (14.64/100 000) was higher than that in the eastern and western regions (11.14/100 000, 11.33/100 000). The incidence of mumps was still high in 2009-2013 (stage of one-dose MuCV free, 16.07/100 000) with the highest incidence of 25.33/100 000 and 24.45/100 000 occurred in 2012 and 2013 and the cases were mainly 6 to 9 years old group (172.67/100 000). Since the second dose MuCV was introduced into NIP for 6 years old children in May 2013 in Shandong, the incidence of mump decreased significantly in 2014-2015 (7.81/100 000), especially in children of 6-8 years old who were vaccinated with two doses of MuCV (2009-2013 was 114.02/100 000; 2014-2015 was 45.66/100 000) and lower than 3-5 years old vaccinated one doses of MuCV. A total of 1 785 serum samples were collected from the healthy population, the average seroprevalence was 80.62% and Geometric Mean Concentration (GMC) was 38.11 IU/ml (95%CI: 37.03-39.19 IU/ml) . There was no significant difference about seroprevalence in different regions, while the GMC in middle region was significantly higher compared to east and west region. The prevalence and GMC in children aged 19 months-2 years and 3-5 years old who received one dose of MuCV were significantly higher than those of <19 months old children. The GMC (46.88 IU/ml, 95%CI: 39.43-55.74 IU/ml) in children aged 6-9 years old who received the two doses MuCV was significantly higher than that of aged 3-5 years old children (31.71 IU/ml, 95%CI: 27.23-36.93 IU/ml). Conclusion: The incidence of mumps in Shandong was still at a high level in spite of coverage one doses MuCV to children. Compared with the period of the 1 dose MuCV immunization strategy, the incidence the groups coverage two doses MuCV was significantly reduced and lower the groups coverage one dose MuCV, but the prevalence and GMC were higher than that of the groups coverage one dose MuCV.

Mechanical responses of a-axis GaN nanowires under axial loads

Gallium nitride (GaN) nanowires (NWs) hold technological significance as functional components in emergent nano-piezotronics. However, the examination of their mechanical responses, especially the mechanistic understanding of behavior beyond elasticity (at failure) remains limited due to the constraints of in situ experimentation. We therefore performed simulations of the molecular dynamics (MD) of the mechanical behavior of [Formula: see text]-oriented GaN NWs subjected to tension or compression loading until failure. The mechanical properties and critical deformation processes are characterized in relation to NW sizes and loading conditions. Detailed examinations revealed that the failure mechanisms are size-dependent and controlled by the dislocation mobility on shuffle-set pyramidal planes. The size dependence of the elastic behavior is also examined in terms of the surface structure determined modification of Young's modulus. In addition, a comparison with c-axis NWs is made to show how size-effect trends vary with the growth orientation of NWs.

Oral Sciences PhD Program Enrollment, Graduates, and Placement: 1994 to 2016

For decades, dental schools in the United States have endured a significant faculty shortage. Studies have determined that the top 2 sources of dental faculty are advanced education programs and private practice. Those who have completed both DDS and PhD training are considered prime candidates for dental faculty positions. However, there is no national database to track those trainees and no evidence to indicate that they entered academia upon graduation. The objective of this study was to assess outcomes of dental school-affiliated oral sciences PhD program enrollment, graduates, and placement between 1994 and 2016. Using the American Dental Association annual survey of advanced dental education programs not accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation and data obtained from 22 oral sciences PhD programs, we assessed student demographics, enrollment, graduation, and placement. Based on the data provided by program directors, the average new enrollment was 33, and graduation was 26 per year. A total of 605 graduated; 39 did not complete; and 168 were still in training. Among those 605 graduates, 211 were faculty in U.S. academic institutions, and 77 were faculty in foreign institutions. Given that vacant budgeted full-time faculty positions averaged 257 per year during this period, graduates from those oral sciences PhD programs who entered academia in the United States would have filled 9 (3.6%) vacant faculty positions per year. Therefore, PhD programs have consistently generated only a small pipeline of dental school faculty. Better mentoring to retain talent in academia is necessary. Stronger support and creative funding plans are essential to sustain the PhD program. Furthermore, the oral sciences PhD program database should be established and maintained by dental professional organizations to allow assessments of training models, trends of enrollment, graduation, and placement outcomes.

[Differential evaluation of diagnostic criteria for pediatric obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

Objective:To evaluate the difference of accessing pediatric sleep symptoms and living qualities between 3 diagnostic criteria: American Thoracic Society (ATS), International Classification of Sleep Disorder (ICSD-3), domestic Urumqi criterion (Draft); To investigate the relationship of PSG parameters and quality of life scale OSA-18. Method:Children with snoring who received PSG in Capital Medical University Beijing Tongren Hospital were recruited from Jan 2016 to Apr 2017. Subjects were diagnosed and grouped to SS, ICSD, ATS&ICSD (ATS&ICSD1, ATS&ICSD2) according to 3 criteria: ATS (AHI>5 or OAI>1), ICSD-3 (OAHI≥1) and Urumqi (AHI>5 or OAI>1, with LSaO₂<92%). Subjects' height, weight as well as quality of life scale OSA-18 were recorded. Result:Five hundred and fifteen children were finally included (Male: 350 cases, Female: 165 cases). There were 315, 70 and 130 children in group SS, ICSD, ATS&ICSD respectively. Weights and BMI of ICSD and ATS&ICSD were significantly higher than those of SS (P<0.05), and dysplasia scale of ATS&ICSD was higher than SS (P<0.05); after adjusting height, weight and BMI, sub-scores of sleep disorder were statistically different between 3 groups (P<0.05). Numbers and indexes of respiratory events other than central apneas and hypopneas in group SS, ICSD and ATS&ICSD were increased sequentially and statistically different (P<0.05); numbers and indexes of respiratory events other than mixed apneas in ATS&ICSD2 were significantly higher than that of ATS&ICSD1 (P<0.05). Conclusion:OAHI≥1/h combined with LSaO₂<92% should be used as pediatric OSAHS diagnostic criterion.

Effect of single-dose dexmedetomidine on postoperative recovery after ambulatory ureteroscopy and ureteric stenting: a double blind randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Ambulatory surgery has recently gain popularity, as it is a good method of optimizinghospital resources utilization. To support ambulatory surgery, anaesthetic goals nowrevolve around patients' early recovery with minimal pain and nausea, expedientdischarge home and prompt resumption of activities of daily living. In this study, weevaluated the effect of a single pre-induction dose of dexmedetomidine on anaestheticrequirements, postoperative pain and clinical recovery after ambulatory ureteroscopy andureteric stenting under general anaesthesia.

METHODS

Sixty patients were randomised to receive IV dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg.kg-¹ (Group DEX, n = 30) or IV saline (Group P, n = 30). General anaesthesia was maintained with Sevoflurane: oxygen: air, titrated to BIS 40-60. Pain intensity, sedation, rescue analgesics, nausea/vomiting and resumption of daily activities were recorded at 1 h, and postoperative day (POD) 1-5.

RESULTS

Group DEX patients had significant reduction in sevoflurane minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), mean (SD) DEX vs. Placebo 0.6 (0.2) vs. 0.9 (0.1), p = 0.037; reduced postoperative resting pain at 1 h (VAS 0-10) (mean (SD) 1.00 (1.84) vs. 2.63 (2.78), p = 0.004), POD 1 (mean (SD) 1.50 (1.48) vs. 2.87 (2.72), p = 0.002), POD 2 (0.53 (0.97) vs. 1.73 (1.96), p = 0.001) and POD 3 (0.30 (0.75) vs. 0.89 (1.49), p = 0.001). DEX patients also had less pain on movement POD 1 (3.00 (2.12) vs. 4.30 (3.10), p = 0.043) and POD 2 (2.10 (1.98) vs. 3.10 (2.46), p = 0.040), with higher resumption of daily activities by 48 h compared to placebo, 87% vs. 63%, p = 0.04.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that a single dose of dexmedetomidine was a useful adjuvant in reducing MAC and postoperative pain (at 1 h and POD 1-3), facilitating faster return to daily activities by 48 h.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR), ACTRN12617001120369 , 31st July 2017, retrospectively registered.

[A retrospective study of tumor and fertility outcomes after fertility-sparing surgical treatment of patients with borderline ovarian tumors]

Objective: To study tumors and fertility outcomes after fertility-sparing surgical treatment with borderline ovarian tumors (BOT). Methods: One hundred and nineteen patients with BOT enrolled from 3 hospitals between January 2004 and January 2017 were analysed retrospectively.The clinical data and follow-up results were obtained and analyzed. Results: Among the 119 BOT patients, 55 patients underwent fertility-sparing surgery.The median age was 43 years (interquartile range: 15-80 years). There were 103 patients (86.55%) in stage Ⅰ, and 16 patients (13.45%) in stage Ⅱ and above.The median follow up time was 68 months (range: 4-155). (1)Tumor outcomes: 13 patients recurred and 3 patients died.Progression free survival (PFS) and the overall survival rate had no significant difference between the two groups (85.45% vs 92.19% P=0.309, 96.4% vs 98.4% P=0.492). PFS was related to FIGO stage, invasive implantation and chemotherapy by univariate analysis (P<0.05). The multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that FIGO stage and invasive implantation were independent prognostic factors for PFS (P<0.05). (2) Pregnancy outcomes: 28 patients had a planned for pregnancy in fertility-sparing group, with 13 (46.43%) of them were pregnancy. Conclusions: FIGO stage and invasive implantation were the important factors of prognosis.Fertility-sparing surgery is safe and feasible to preserve the fertility of young patients.

[The clinical study of olfactory dysfunction in IgG4-related disease]

Objective:IgG4-related disease is a newly recognized systemic disease, and its elucidation is progressing. However, little is known about its sinonasal manifestations.The aim of this study was to assess the olfaction of patients with IgG4-related disease.Method:Twenty-two patients with IgG4-related disease underwent the odor stick identification test to measure olfactory function.We analyzed the clinical features, including serum IgG4 levels, involved organs, and sinonasal computed tomography scores to explore the etiology of olfactory dysfunction.Result:Eleven patients with IgG4-related disease were found to have olfactory dysfunction. There were no differences in the clinical features between the olfactory dysfunction group and the normal group.Conclusion:There were no correlation between olfactory function and serum IgG4 level, involved organs or sinonasal computed tomography scores.We found that the prevalence of olfactory dysfunction was high in patients with IgG4-related disease and that it could be reversed.Olfactory dysfunction appears to be a novel important manifestation of IgG4-related disease.

[Value of endoscopic ultrasound in early diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis]

Objective: To investigate the value of endoscopic ultrasound in the early diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 74 patients with liver cirrhosis who were not found to have esophageal or gastric varices by conventional endoscopic examination were enrolled. Endoscopic ultrasound was performed to evaluate its value in the early diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-parametric data between groups, and a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups; the Pearson simple correlation coefficient was used for correlation analysis. Results: Among the 74 patients with liver cirrhosis, 3(4.1%)were not found to have esophageal and gastric submucosal varices, peripheral varices, or perforating branches by endoscopic ultrasound. Among the 71 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic ultrasound, 16(22.5%)had esophageal submucosal varices, and 22(31.0%)had gastric submucosal varices; 58 patients(81.7%)were found to have at least one type of esophageal peripheral varices. The numbers of patients detected to have paraesophageal varices, periesophageal varices, paragastric varices, and perigastric varices were 29(40.8%), 24(33.8%), 28(39.4%), and 22(31.0%), respectively, which were significantly different from the number in patients with chronic liver diseases(P < 0.05). Among the 71 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic ultrasound, 20(28.2%)were found to have perforating branches with esophageal and gastric submucosal varices or peripheral varices, which showed a significant difference from the number in patients with chronic liver diseases(P < 0.05). In patients with liver cirrhosis, esophageal and gastric peripheral varices were associated with esophageal and gastric submucosal varices(P < 0.05). Conclusion: Endoscopic ultrasound has a certain value in the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with liver cirrhosis.

[The Value of SMI in the Evaluation of interventional therapy of liver cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the value of super microvascular imaging(SMI) for evaluating the effect of interventional therapy of liver cancer. Methods: A total of 30 patients with 40 leisions were enrolled in this study, from the tumor intervention department in the third affiliated hospital of suzhou university.This patients were underwent TACE, after the treatment 1 month, CDFI, SMI, and CT were study respectively. Using the continuity correction McNemar matching chi-square test, with P < 0.05 for the standard , CDFI and SMI shows the difference in monitoring the microvascular imaging in and around the tumors leisions. Results: A total of 30 patients, 12 cases were primary liver cancer (7 cases combined with liver cirrhosis), 18cases were metastatic liver cancer; 30 cases including 25 single and 5 multiple. Significant difference were found between CT and SMI in detecting blood flows inside the lesion (χ² = 8.642 9, P < 0.05), and were also found between CT and CDFI in detecting blood flows inside the lesion (χ² = 16.961 5, P < 0.05). The AUROC, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of CDFI were 0.647, 29.4%、100%、29.4%、100%、20.0%, while in SMI were 0.809, 61.8%、100%、61.7%、100%、31.5%, respectively. Conclusions: SMI SMI can detect the microvascular inside the lesions. This new method was superior to CDFI, achieving the same effect as CT.

Anti-apoptotic activity of Japanese encephalitis virus NS5 protein in human medulloblastoma cells treated with interferon-β

BACKGROUND

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) non-structural protein 5 (NS5) exhibits type I interferon (IFN) antagonists, contributing to immune escape, and even inducing viral anti-apoptosis. This study investigated the anti-apoptotic mechanism of JEV NS5 protein on type I IFN-induced apoptosis of human medulloblastoma cells.

METHODS

Vector control and NS5-expressing cells were treated with IFN-β, and then harvested for analyzing apoptotic pathways with flow cytometry, Western blotting, subcellular localization, etc. RESULTS: Annexin V-FITC/PI staining indicated that IFN-β triggered apoptosis of human medulloblastoma cells, but JEV NS5 protein significantly inhibited IFN-β-induced apoptosis. Phage display technology and co-immunoprecipitation assay identified the anti-apoptotic protein Hsp70 as a NS5-interacting protein. In addition, Western blotting demonstrated that NS5 protein up-regulated the Hsp70 expression, and reduced IFN-β-induced phosphorylation of ERK2, p38 MAPK and STAT1. Hsp70 down-regulation by quercetin significantly recovered IFN-β-induced apoptosis of NS5-expressing cells, correlating with the increase in the phosphorylation of ERK2, p38 MAPK, and STAT1. Inhibiting the ATPase activity of Hsp70 by VER-155008 resulted in the elevated IFN-β-induced apoptosis in vector control and NS5-expressing cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicated Hsp70 up-regulation by JEV NS5 not only involved in type I IFN antagonism, but also responded to the anti-apoptotic action of JEV NS5 protein through the blocking IFN-β-induced p38 MAPK/STAT1-mediated apoptosis.

Association of Postoperative High-Sensitivity Troponin Levels With Myocardial Injury and 30-Day Mortality Among Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

IMPORTANCE

Little is known about the relationship between perioperative high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) measurements and 30-day mortality and myocardial injury after noncardiac surgery (MINS).

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between perioperative hsTnT measurements and 30-day mortality and potential diagnostic criteria for MINS (ie, myocardial injury due to ischemia associated with 30-day mortality).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Prospective cohort study of patients aged 45 years or older who underwent inpatient noncardiac surgery and had a postoperative hsTnT measurement. Starting in October 2008, participants were recruited at 23 centers in 13 countries; follow-up finished in December 2013.

EXPOSURES

Patients had hsTnT measurements 6 to 12 hours after surgery and daily for 3 days; 40.4% had a preoperative hsTnT measurement.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

A modified Mazumdar approach (an iterative process) was used to determine if there were hsTnT thresholds associated with risk of death and had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 3.0 or higher and a risk of 30-day mortality of 3% or higher. To determine potential diagnostic criteria for MINS, regression analyses ascertained if postoperative hsTnT elevations required an ischemic feature (eg, ischemic symptom or electrocardiography finding) to be associated with 30-day mortality.

RESULTS

Among 21 842 participants, the mean age was 63.1 (SD, 10.7) years and 49.1% were female. Death within 30 days after surgery occurred in 266 patients (1.2%; 95% CI, 1.1%-1.4%). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that compared with the reference group (peak hsTnT <5 ng/L), peak postoperative hsTnT levels of 20 to less than 65 ng/L, 65 to less than 1000 ng/L, and 1000 ng/L or higher had 30-day mortality rates of 3.0% (123/4049; 95% CI, 2.6%-3.6%), 9.1% (102/1118; 95% CI, 7.6%-11.0%), and 29.6% (16/54; 95% CI, 19.1%-42.8%), with corresponding adjusted HRs of 23.63 (95% CI, 10.32-54.09), 70.34 (95% CI, 30.60-161.71), and 227.01 (95% CI, 87.35-589.92), respectively. An absolute hsTnT change of 5 ng/L or higher was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (adjusted HR, 4.69; 95% CI, 3.52-6.25). An elevated postoperative hsTnT (ie, 20 to <65 ng/L with an absolute change ≥5 ng/L or hsTnT ≥65 ng/L) without an ischemic feature was associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted HR, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.37-4.32). Among the 3904 patients (17.9%; 95% CI, 17.4%-18.4%) with MINS, 3633 (93.1%; 95% CI, 92.2%-93.8%) did not experience an ischemic symptom.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, peak postoperative hsTnT during the first 3 days after surgery was significantly associated with 30-day mortality. Elevated postoperative hsTnT without an ischemic feature was also associated with 30-day mortality.

SARS coronavirus papain-like protease up-regulates the collagen expression through non-Samd TGF-β1 signaling

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SARS-CoV PLpro induced TGF-β1-dependent up-regulation of Type I collagen in vitro and in vivo.

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Non-SMAD pathways in TGF-β1 signaling involved in PLpro-induced collagen expression.

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STAT6 activation was required for TGF-β1-dependent collagen up-regulation by PLpro.

SARS coronavirus (CoV) papain-like protease (PLpro) reportedly induced the production of TGF-β1 through p38 MAPK/STAT3-meidated Egr-1-dependent activation (Sci. Rep. 6, 25754). This study investigated the correlation of PLpro-induced TGF-β1 with the expression of Type I collagen in human lung epithelial cells and mouse pulmonary tissues. Specific inhibitors for TGF-βRI, p38 MAPK, MEK, and STAT3 proved that SARS-CoV PLpro induced TGF-β1-dependent up-regulation of Type I collagen in vitro and in vivo. Subcellular localization analysis of SMAD3 and SMAD7 indicated that non-SMAD pathways in TGF-β1 signaling involved in the production of Type I collagen in transfected cells with pSARS-PLpro. Comprehensive analysis of ubiquitin-conjugated proteins using immunoprecipitation and nanoLC–MS/MS indicated that SARS-CoV PLpro caused the change in the ubiquitination profile of Rho GTPase family proteins, in which linked with the increase of Rho-like GTPase family proteins. Moreover, selective inhibitors TGF-βRI and STAT6 (AS1517499) ascertained that STAT6 activation was required for PLpro-induced TGF-β1-dependent up-regulation of Type I collagen in human lung epithelial cells. The results showed that SARS-CoV PLpro stimulated TGF-β1-dependent expression of Type I collagen via activating STAT6 pathway.

Single-Round Infectious Particle Antiviral Screening Assays for the Japanese Encephalitis Virus

Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus with a positive-sense single-stranded RNA genome that contains a big open reading frame (ORF) flanked by 5′- and 3′- untranslated regions (UTRs). Nearly 30,000 JE cases with 10,000 deaths are still annually reported in East Asia. Although the JEV genotype III vaccine has been licensed, it elicits a lower protection against other genotypes. Moreover, no effective treatment for a JE case is developed. This study constructed a pBR322-based and cytomegaloviruses (CMV) promoter-driven JEV replicon for the production of JEV single-round infectious particles (SRIPs) in a packaging cell line expressing viral structural proteins. Genetic instability of JEV genome cDNA in the pBR322 plasmid was associated with the prokaryotic promoter at 5′ end of the JEV genome that triggers the expression of the structural proteins in E. coli. JEV structural proteins were toxic E. coli, thus the encoding region for structural proteins was replaced by a reporter gene (enhanced green fluorescent protein, EGFP) that was in-frame fused with the first eight amino acids of the C protein at N-terminus and the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) 2A peptide at C-terminus in a pBR322-based JEV-EGFP replicon. JEV-EGFP SRIPs generated from JEV-EGFP replicon-transfected packaging cells displayed the infectivity with cytopathic effect induction, self-replication of viral genomes, and the expression of EGFP and viral proteins. Moreover, the combination of JEV-EGFP SRIP plus flow cytometry was used to determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of antiviral agents according to fluorescent intensity and positivity of SRIP-infected packaging cells post treatment. MJ-47, a quinazolinone derivative, significantly inhibited JEV-induced cytopathic effect, reducing the replication and expression of JEV-EGFP replicon in vitro. The IC50 value of 6.28 µM for MJ-47 against JEV was determined by the assay of JEV-EGFP SRIP infection in packaging cells plus flow cytometry that was more sensitive, effective, and efficient compared to the traditional plaque assay. Therefore, the system of JEV-EGFP SRIPs plus flow cytometry was a rapid and reliable platform for screening antiviral agents and evaluating antiviral potency.

A pilot study of ultrasound evaluation of gastric emptying in patients with end-stage renal failure: a comparison with healthy controls

This prospective study was designed to evaluate gastric volume and content in patients with renal failure and healthy controls after an overnight fast, immediately after a light meal and at 6 h after the meal. Thirty subjects in each group were recruited. At each scanning session, gastric antral cross-sectional area was measured in the supine recumbent and right lateral decubitus positions, and a qualitative assessment of gastric contents was made using the Perlas three-point grading system. Six hours after the meal, the mean (SD) antral cross-sectional area in the supine position was 471 (195) mm² in patients with renal failure and 319 (106) mm² in healthy controls (p = 0.028), whereas in the right lateral position it was 756 (320) and 521 (180) mm² , respectively (p = 0.21). In terms of the qualitative assessments of gastric contents, all subjects had an empty stomach after an overnight fast. Five patients with renal failure and no controls had Perlas grade 2 images, indicating significant gastric contents, 6 h after a meal (p = 0.026). This study supports the use of bedside gastric ultrasound as a point-of-care test for patients with known risk factors for delayed gastric emptying.

DC-STAMP Is an Osteoclast Fusogen Engaged in Periodontal Bone Resorption

Dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP) plays a key role in the induction of osteoclast (OC) cell fusion, as well as DC-mediated immune regulation. While DC-STAMP gene expression is upregulated in the gingival tissue with periodontitis, its pathophysiological roles in periodontitis remain unclear. To evaluate the effects of DC-STAMP in periodontitis, anti-DC-STAMP-monoclonal antibody (mAb) was tested in a mouse model of ligature-induced periodontitis ( n = 6-7/group) where Pasteurella pneumotropica ( Pp)-reactive immune response activated T cells to produce receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), which, in turn, promotes the periodontal bone loss via upregulation of osteoclastogenesis. DC-STAMP was expressed on the cell surface of mature multinuclear OCs, as well as immature mononuclear OCs, in primary cultures of RANKL-stimulated bone marrow cells. Anti-DC-STAMP-mAb suppressed the emergence of large, but not small, multinuclear OCs, suggesting that DC-STAMP is engaged in the late stage of cell fusion. Anti-DC-STAMP-mAb also inhibited pit formation caused by RANKL-stimulated bone marrow cells. Attachment of ligature to a second maxillary molar induced DC-STAMP messenger RNA and protein, along with elevated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) OCs and alveolar bone loss. As we expected, systemic administration of anti-DC-STAMP-mAb downregulated the ligature-induced alveolar bone loss. Importantly, local injection of anti-DC-STAMP-mAb also suppressed alveolar bone loss and reduced the total number of multinucleated TRAP+ cells in mice that received ligature attachment. Attachment of ligature induced significantly elevated tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and RANKL in the gingival tissue compared with the control site without ligature ( P < 0.05), which was unaffected by local injection with either anti-DC-STAMP-mAb or control-mAb. Neither in vivo anti- Pp IgG antibody nor in vitro anti- Pp T-cell response and resultant production of RANKL was affected by anti-DC-STAMP-mAb. This study illustrated the roles of DC-STAMP in promoting local OC cell fusion without affecting adaptive immune responses to oral bacteria. Therefore, it is plausible that a novel therapeutic regimen targeting DC-STAMP could suppress periodontal bone loss.

Tube-side mass transfer for hollow fibre membrane contactors operated in the low Graetz range

Transformation of the tube-side mass transfer coefficient derived in hollow fibre membrane contactors (HFMC) of different characteristic length scales (equivalent diameter and fibre length) has been studied when operated in the low Graetz range (Gz<10). Within the low Gz range, mass transfer is generally described by the Graetz problem (Sh=3.67) which assumes that the concentration profile comprises a constant shape over the fibre radius. In this study, it is experimentally evidenced that this assumption over predicts mass transfer within the low Graetz range. Furthermore, within the low Gz range (below 2), a proportional relationship between the experimentally determined mass transfer coefficient (K_ov) and the Graetz number has been identified. For Gz numbers below 2, the experimental Sh number approached unity, which suggests that mass transfer is strongly dependent upon diffusion. However, within this diffusion controlled region of mass transfer, tube-side fluid velocity remained important. For Gz numbers above 2, Sh could be satisfactorily described by extension to the Lévêque solution, which can be ascribed to the constrained growth of the concentration boundary layer adjacent to the fibre wall. Importantly this study demonstrates that whilst mass transfer in the low Graetz range does not explicitly conform to either the Graetz problem or classical Lévêque solution, it is possible to transform the experimentally derived overall mass transfer coefficient (K_ov) between characteristic length scales (d_h and L). T_his was corroborated by comparison of the empirical relationship determined in this study (Sh=0.36Gz) with previously published studies operated in the low Gz range. This analysis provides important insight for process design when slow tube-side flows, or low Schmidt numbers (coincident with gases) constrain operation of hollow fibre membrane contactors to the low Gz range.

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For the low Graetz range (<2), a proportional relationship between Sh and Gz is found.

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For Gz<2, Sh depends on diffusion but fluid velocity remains important.

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For Gz numbers above 2, Sh satisfactorily described by extension to Lévêque.

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Experimental K_ov can be transformed between length scales (d_h and L) at low Gz.

[The analysis of systemic concomitant disease in sudden deafness patients]

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with underlying disease in sudden deafness.Method:One hundred and seventy-three inpatients suffered from sudden deafness were included in this study. We analyzed the underlying disease of these patients retrospectively.Result:The underlying disease of sudden deafness patients mainly include atherosclerosis risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipemia, hyperhomocystinemia, hyperuricemia) 79.8%, cervical vertebra disease 26.6%, ear disease 19.1%, thyroid disease 13.9%.Conclusion:The characteristics of underlying disease may plays a crucial role in pathogenesis and treatment in sudden deafness patients.

[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and birth defects]

Birth defects are one of the most common adverse birth outcomes, which create a heavy economic burden to the country, society and family. And they are also one of the biggest problems facing public health today. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of toxic pollutants existing in the environment widely, resulting from incomplete organic matter combustion, and can be taken into the body through various ways including the digestive tract, respiratory tract and so on. Recent researches suggest that the exposure of PAHs may be associated with various birth defects, while the special mechanism isn't very clear. This paper is a review of the relationship between PAHs and birth defects from the aspects of epidemiological data, experimental evidence on animals, which indicates that exposure of PAHs during pregnancy may be associated with birth defects including congenital heart defects, neural tube defects and cleft lip/plate. Furthermore, we explored the possible mechanism, including oxidative stress, oxidative damage and the changes of signal transduction pathway in order to provide some recommendations and suggestions on the future work.

[Determination of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone in urine by gas chromatography]

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of 1-hydroxy-2-butanone in urine by gas chromatography. Methods: Urine samples were acidified with hydrochloric acid, and then stored in the refrigerator . After thawing under natural conditions, urine volume of 2.0 ml was extracted by C₁₈ solid phase, using methanol volume of 2.0 ml elution, detected by gas chromatography with FID detector and quantified by external standard method. Results: The measurement range of method is 0.986 ~32.88 μg/ml, correlation coefficient (r) =0.999 7, detection limit is 0.13 μg/ml; The recovery is 88.1% ~92.2% ; The precision is 1.4% ~3.2%. Conclusion: This method has a high sensitivity and simple processing. All technical indicators can meet the requirements of the determination method.

Antiviral Activity of a Novel Compound CW-33 against Japanese Encephalitis Virus through Inhibiting Intracellular Calcium Overload

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has five genotypes (I, II, III, IV, and V). JEV genotype I circulates widely in some Asian countries. However, current JEV vaccines based on genotype III strains show low neutralizing capacities against genotype I variants. In addition, JE has no specific treatment, except a few supportive treatments. Compound CW-33, an intermediate synthesized derivative of furoquinolines, was investigated for its antiviral activities against JEV in this study. CW-33 exhibited the less cytotoxicity to Syrian baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) and human medulloblastoma (TE761) cells. CW-33 dose-dependently reduced the cytopathic effect and apoptosis of JEV-infected cells. Supernatant virus yield assay pinpointed CW-33 as having potential anti-JEV activity with IC₅₀ values ranging from 12.7 to 38.5 μM. Time-of-addition assay with CW-33 indicated that simultaneous and post-treatment had no plaque reduction activity, but continuous and simultaneous treatments proved to have highly effective antiviral activity, with IC₅₀ values of 32.7 and 48.5 μM, respectively. CW-33 significantly moderated JEV-triggered Ca²⁺ overload, which correlated with the recovery of mitochondria membrane potential as well as the activation of Akt/mTOR and Jak/STAT1 signals in treated infected cells. Phosphopeptide profiling by LC-MS/MS revealed that CW-33 upregulated proteins from the enzyme modulator category, such as protein phosphatase inhibitor 2 (I-2), Rho GTPase-activating protein 35, ARF GTPase-activating protein GIT2, and putative 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 2. These enzyme modulators identified were associated with the activation of Akt/mTOR and Jak/STAT1 signals. Meanwhile, I-2 treatment substantially inhibited the apoptosis of JEV-infected cells. The results demonstrated that CW-33 exhibited a significant potential in the development of anti-JEV agents.