Impact of early childhood caries on oral health-related quality of life of preschool children

AIM

Child oral health-related quality of life (COHRQoL) has been assessed in developed areas; however, it remains unstudied in mainland China. Studies on COHRQoL would benefit a large number of children in China suffering from oral health problems such as dental caries. This study explored the relationship between COHRQoL and early childhood caries, adjusted by socioeconomic factors, in 3- to 4-year-old children in a region of southern China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 1062 children aged 3-4 years were recruited by cluster sampling and their oral health statuses were examined by a trained dentist. The Chinese version of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) and questions about the children's socioeconomic conditions were completed by the children's parents. A negative binomial regression analysis was used to assess the prevalence of early childhood caries among the children and its influence on COHRQoL.

RESULTS

The total ECOHIS scores of the returned scale sets ranged from 0 to 31, and their average scores was 3.1±5.1. The negative binomial analysis showed that the dmfs indices were significantly associated with the ECOHIS score and subscale scores (P<0.05). The multivariate adjusted model showed that a higher dmft index was associated with greater negative impact on COHRQoL (RR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.07, 1.13; P < 0.05). However, demographic and socioeconomic factors were not associated with COHRQoL (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The severity of early childhood caries has a negative impact on the oral health-related quality of life of preschool children and their parents.

Long interspersed nucleotide acid element-1 ORF-1 protein promotes proliferation and invasion of human colorectal cancer LoVo cells through enhancing ETS-1 activity

The human proto-oncogene long interspersed nucleotide acid element-1 (LINE-1) open reading frame-1 protein (ORF-1p) is involved in the progress of several cancers. The transcription factor ETS-1 can mediate the transcription of some downstream genes that play specific roles in the regulation of cancerous cell invasion and metastasis. In this study, the effects of LINE-1 ORF-1p on ETS-1 activity and on the proliferation and invasion of human colorectal cancer LoVo cells were investigated. Results showed that the overexpression of LINE-1 ORF-1p enhanced the transcription of ETS-1 downstream genes and increased their protein levels, and downregulation of the LINE-1 ORF-1p level by small interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the transcriptional activation of ETS-1. In addition, overexpression of LINE-1 ORF-1p promoted LoVo cell proliferation and anchor-independent growth, and a knockdown of the LINE-1 protein level by siRNA reduced the proliferation and anchor-independent growth ability of LoVo cells. In vivo data revealed that LINE-1 ORF-1p overexpression increased LoVo tumor growth in nude mice, whereas the siRNA knockdown of endogenous LINE-1 ORF-1p expression decreased LoVo cell growth in nude mice. Therefore, LINE- 1 ORF-1p could promote LoVo cell proliferation and invasion both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that it might be a useful molecular target for the treatment of human colorectal cancer.

A comparative numerical study of rotating and stationary RF coils in terms of flip angle and specific absorption rate for 7 T MRI

While high-field magnetic resonance imaging promises improved image quality and faster scan time, it is affected by non-uniform flip angle distributions and unsafe specific absorption rate levels within the patient, as a result of the complicated radiofrequency (RF) field-tissue interactions. This numerical study explored the possibility of using a single mechanically rotating RF coil for RF shimming and specific absorption rate management applications at 7 T. In particular, this new approach (with three different RF coil element arrangements) was compared against both an 8-channel parallel coil array and a birdcage volume coil, with and without RF current optimisation. The evaluation was conducted using an in-house developed and validated finite-difference time-domain method in conjunction with a tissue-equivalent human head model. It was found that, without current optimisation, the rotating RF coil method produced a more uniform flip angle distribution and a lower maximum global and local specific absorption rate compared to the 8-channel parallel coil array and birdcage resonator. In addition, due to the large number of degrees of freedom in the form of rotated sensitivity profiles, the rotating RF coil approach exhibited good RF shimming and specific absorption rate management performance. This suggests that the proposed method can be useful in the development of techniques that address contemporary RF issues associated with high-field magnetic resonance imaging.

The first inhibitor-based fluorescent imaging probe for aminopeptidase N

Höltke and his co-workers firstly reported the synthesis and characterization of an inhibitor-based fluorescent imaging probe for aminopeptidase N. This fluorescent probe demonstrated high binding affinity to APN and could specifically bind to APN high expressed cells, thus revealed the distribution of APN. As a milestone, this outstanding work provided a useful tool to understand APN pathophysiology.

The inhibition of eugenol on glucan is essential for the biofilm eradication effect on caries-related biofilm in an artificial mouth model

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of herbal extracts on caries-related bacteria, glucan and biofilm in vitro. Sensitive tests of bacteria were carried out by broth dilution method on a 96-microwell plate. Glucan inhibition tests were carried out using the phenol sulphate method. A minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) test was performed in an artificial mouth model. The results of the MBIC of agents were 8, 16 and 32 mg mL(-1) for eugenol, tannic acid and magnolol, respectively. For the results of glucan inhibition tests, over 63%, 28% and 27% inhibition occurred on insoluble glucan syntheses of Streptococcus sobrinus for eugenol, magnolol and tannic acid, respectively. Over 46%, 16% and 13% inhibition on soluble glucan syntheses for eugenol, magnolol and tannic acid, respectively, were also observed. In conclusion, the inhibition of eugenol on glucan is essential for the biofilm inhibition effect on caries-related biofilm in an artificial mouth model in vitro.

Isolation and characterization of 19 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers in the devil stinger, Inimicus japonicus (Synanceiidae)

Inimicus japonicus, the devil stinger, has an extensive distribution along the coast of China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula. Nineteen highly polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated and characterized in I. japonicus. Twenty-eight individuals from a wild population were tested for polymorphism using this set of polymorphic microsatellite markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 14. The ranges of observed and expected heterozygosity were 0.500-0.892 and 0.521-0.910, respectively. Significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were detected at two loci. To the best of our knowledge, these were the first microsatellite loci characterized from the Synanceiidae; they can be used for estimating genetic diversity, population structure studies, parentage analysis, genetic linkage map construction, germplasm classification and identification, gene identification, quantitative trait loci mapping, and marker-assisted selection in breeding of I. japonicus and other species of this family.

Modeling the effects of carriers on transmission dynamics of infectious diseases

An S-Ic-I-R epidemic model is investigated for infectious diseases that can be transmitted through carriers, infected individuals who are contagious but do not show any disease symptoms. Mathematical analysis is carried out that completely determines the global dynamics of the model. The impacts of disease carriers on the transmission dynamics are discussed through the basic reproduction number and through numerical simulations.

Joint effects of mitosis and intracellular delay on viral dynamics: two-parameter bifurcation analysis

To understand joint effects of logistic growth in target cells and intracellular delay on viral dynamics in vivo, we carry out two-parameter bifurcation analysis of an in-host model that describes infections of many viruses including HIV-I, HBV and HTLV-I. The bifurcation parameters are the mitosis rate r of the target cells and an intracellular delay τ in the incidence of viral infection. We describe the stability region of the chronic-infection equilibrium E* in the two-dimensional (r, τ) parameter space, as well as the global Hopf bifurcation curves as each of τ and r varies. Our analysis shows that, while both τ and r can destabilize E* and cause Hopf bifurcations, they do behave differently. The intracellular delay τ can cause Hopf bifurcations only when r is positive and sufficiently large, while r can cause Hopf bifurcations even when τ = 0. Intracellular delay τ can cause stability switches in E* while r does not.

Metal-assisted electrochemical etching of silicon

In this paper the metal-assisted electrochemical etching of silicon is introduced. By electrochemical measurement and sequent simulation, it is revealed that the potential of the valence band maximum at the silicon/metal interface is more negative than that of the silicon/electrolyte interface. Accordingly, holes injected from the back contact are driven preferentially to the silicon/metal interface. Consequently, silicon below metal is electrochemically etched much faster than a naked silicon surface without metal coverage. Metals such as Ag and Cu have been utilized to catalyze the electrochemical etching. Feature sizes as small as 30 nm can be achieved by metal-assisted electrochemical etching. Meanwhile, the metal-assisted electrochemical etching method enables convenient control over the etching direction of non-(100) substrates, and facilitates the fabrication of orientation-modulated silicon nanostructures.

Multiple stable periodic oscillations in a mathematical model of CTL response to HTLV-I infection

Stable periodic oscillations have been shown to exist in mathematical models for the CTL response to HTLV-I infection. These periodic oscillations can be the result of mitosis of infected target CD4(+) cells, of a general form of response function, or of time delays in the CTL response. In this study, we show through a simple mathematical model that time delays in the CTL response process to HTLV-I infection can lead to the coexistence of multiple stable periodic solutions, which differ in amplitude and period, with their own basins of attraction. Our results imply that the dynamic interactions between the CTL immune response and HTLV-I infection are very complex, and that multi-stability in CTL response dynamics can exist in the form of coexisting stable oscillations instead of stable equilibria. Biologically, our findings imply that different routes or initial dosages of the viral infection may lead to quantitatively and qualitatively different outcomes.

Rapid and sensitive detection of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus by loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with a lateral flow dipstick

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) allows rapid amplification of nucleic acids under isothermal conditions. In this report, a 20-min LAMP amplification of the DPOL gene of infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV) using a biotin-labeled primer was combined with lateral flow dipstick (LFD) chromatography for rapid and simple visual detection of ISKNV-specific amplicons. The LFD process involves a 5-min specific hybridization with an FITC-labeled DNA probe to confirm the presence of complement ISKNV amplicons that were biotinated in LAMP. The resulting DNA duplexes, consisting of labeled probes and amplicons, migrate along the LFD strip by chromatography for 5 min and are trapped at the test line and visualized by biotin labeling. The detection limit of ISKNV by LAMP-LFD was 10 copies. The results show that the LAMP-LFD method has the advantages of better sensitivity and speed and less dependence on equipment than the standard PCR for specifically detecting low levels of ISKNV DNA, and this can be useful in the field as a routine diagnostic tool.

Sickle cell disease caused by heterozygosity for Hb S and novel LCR deletion: Report of two patients

The b-globin gene LCR is located approximately 6 kb upstream of the embryonic epsilon-globin gene, and is made up of five DNase I hypersensitive sites (HSs), HS 1-5. LCR plays a pivotal role in regulating the expression of downstream epsilon-, (G)gamma-, (A)gamma-, delta-, and beta-globin genes in cis [1]. Deletions removing the LCR and parts of the downstream beta-globin gene cluster in patients have been described [2]. These individuals present with a (gammadeltabeta)0-thalassemia carrier phenotype. We now report two patients with severe sickle cell disease who were compound heterozygous for Hb S mutation and novel LCR deletion. In one case, HS 1-3 were deleted; in the other, HS 1-5 were deleted. In both cases, the b-like globin genes in cis to the LCR deletions were intact. Genotypically, both patients appeared to have sickle cell trait. Coinherited with either LCR deletion, these individuals presented as sickle cell disease patients. The breakpoints of these LCR deletions were defined. These results affirm that HS 2 and 3 are primarily responsible for conferring erythroid specific high-level expression of cis-linked beta-like globin genes. Furthermore, LCR deletions might cause hemolytic disease of newborns.

First record of the natural occurrence of hexaploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus in Hubei Province, China

Natural occurrence of hexaploid loach Misgurnus anguillicaudatus detected in central China is reported here for the first time. The evidences from karyotyping, DNA content analysis and nuclear volume measurements were described to confirm the hexaploid nature of the identified individual.

Enhancing embryo yield in superovulated holstein heifers by immunization against inhibin

Eight heifers, aged 16-17 months and showing normal oestrous cycles, were immunized against a recombinant porcine inhibin alpha subunit immunogen, together with another 10 heifers of the same age as controls and treated with placebo immunogen. Primary (1 mg immunogen) and two booster (0.5 mg immunogen each) immunizations were administered at 28-day intervals. Ten days after the second booster immunization, both groups of heifers underwent a superovulation treatment. Each animal was given an intravaginal progesterone releasing sponge, which was withdrawn 7 days following an i.m. injection of 0.5 mg cloprostenol. Heifers were treated with FSH for 4 days and artificially inseminated after oestrus occurred. The embryos were flushed and evaluated 7 days after insemination. Immunization significantly (p < 0.01) increased blood antibody titres against recombinant porcine inhibin alpha subunit, from pre-immunizaion and control values of approximately 0.06 of ELISA 450 nm reading to 0.6 to 0.7 after two or three immunizations. The immunized heifers produced on average 15.8 +/- 2.8 embryos, significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the yield of 8.3 +/- 1.5 in the controls. The number of transferable embryos were non-significantly higher in immunized than in control heifers (9.6 +/- 3.1 vs 5.8 +/- 1.6, p > 0.05). The peak plasma oestradiol concentrations were significantly higher in immunized than in control heifers, both immediately after FSH treatment and 20 days thereafter. Plasma P4 concentrations after superovulation were in the range of 20 ng / ml in the immunized heifers, significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the values approximately 15 ng / ml in control heifers. These results indicated that prior immunization against inhibin alpha subunit stimulated production of antibodies against inhibin, which enhanced follicular developmental response to superovulation and lead to higher yield of total and transferable embryos. Therefore immunization combined with the conventional superovulatory gonadotrophin treatment, can be a simple and efficient method to produce low cost bovine embryos.

Global dynamics of a staged-progression model with amelioration for infectious diseases

We analyze the global dynamics of a mathematical model for infectious diseases that progress through distinct stages within infected hosts with possibility of amelioration. An example of such diseases is HIV/AIDS that progresses through several stages with varying degrees of infectivity; amelioration can result from a host's immune action or more commonly from antiretroviral therapies, such as highly active antiretroviral therapy. For a general n-stage model with constant recruitment and bilinear incidence that incorporates amelioration, we prove that the global dynamics are completely determined by the basic reproduction number R(0). If R(0)≤1, then the disease-free equilibrium P(0) is globally asymptotically stable, and the disease always dies out. If R(0)>1, P(0) is unstable, a unique endemic equilibrium P* is globally asymptotically stable, and the disease persists at the endemic equilibrium. Impacts of amelioration on the basic reproduction number are also investigated.

Molecular cloning and characterisation of the Magang goose prolactin gene

In studying the roles of prolactin in regulation of seasonal reproduction, incubation, broodiness and laying performance in goose, the goose PRL gene was cloned in Magang goose. The goose PRL cDNA shared 98.4%, 92.2%, 92%, and 91.9% sequence homology to duck, turkey, chicken and quail PRLs, respectively. The goose PRL gene consisted of 5 exons and 4 introns, just as in other species. The 5' proximal regulatory region shared high homology with those in other avian species as well, and, apart from other non-specific transcription factor binding sites, contained 2 regulatory element binding sites, a Pit-1 (-130/-122) and a VIP response element (-64/-53). The deduced 199-residue mature goose PRL shared 98.5%, 94%, 93%, and 92% homology to duck, quail, chicken, and turkey PRLs, respectively. When compared with other vertebrates, all residues were found to be highly conserved at the key positions in the 4 conserved domains (PD1-PD4), including the 6 cysteine residues at positions 4, 11, 58, 175, 191, and 199. The only exception was a substitution of Arginine by Histidine at position 176 in the mature PRL peptide. These findings render goose PRL as having a similar hydropathy profile and similar secondary and tertiary structures with other PRLs. Goose PRL also possesses an N-linked glycosylation site (Asn-X-Ser), at position 6, and an alternative glycosylation site (Asn-Gly-Cys), at position 56. Five PRL isoforms were detected in goose, as well as in chicken pituitary glands, by immunoblotting analysis. Results of this study not only provided a starting point for further study of PRL function, synthesis, and secretion in goose species, but also for breeding new goose lines efficiently using the genomic information.

Changes of bacterial diversity and main flora in chilled pork during storage using PCR-DGGE

This study was designed to explore the bacterial diversity and the main flora in chilled pork by polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). Longissimus muscle was removed from pork carcasses at 24 h postmortem. The muscle was tray- and vacuum-packaged at 4 degrees C for 2, 4, 7 days to extract the bacteria total DNA, respectively. The results indicated that the bacterial diversity of chilled pork decreased with storage time regardless of packaging method. Nine types of bacteria were identified, including Arthrobacter sp., Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Moraxella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Lactobacillus sp., Aeromonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Brochothrix thermosphacta. For tray-packaged pork, Pseudomonas sp. and B. thermosphacta were the dominant micro-organisms. The differences in the species found were related with the presence of Lactobacillus sp. in vacuum-packaged meat. The results of the present study might be useful to study the changes of the contaminating bacteria and their characteristics in chilled pork.

Global dynamics of a staged progression model for infectious diseases

We analyze a mathematical model for infectious diseases that progress through distinct stages within infected hosts. An example of such a disease is AIDS, which results from HIV infection. For a general n-stage stage-progression (SP) model with bilinear incidences, we prove that the global dynamics are completely determined by the basic reproduction number R0: If R(0) =/< 1; then the disease-free equilibrium P(0) is globally asymptotically stable and the disease always dies out. If R(0) > 1; P0 is unstable, and a unique endemic equilibrium P(*) is globally asymptotically stable, and the disease persists at the endemic equilibrium. The basic reproduction numbers for the SP model with density dependent incidence forms are also discussed.

Mathematical analysis of the global dynamics of a model for HIV infection of CD4+ T cells

A mathematical model that describes HIV infection of CD4(+) T cells is analyzed. Global dynamics of the model is rigorously established. We prove that, if the basic reproduction number R(0) < or = 1, the HIV infection is cleared from the T-cell population; if R(0) > 1, the HIV infection persists. For an open set of parameter values, the chronic-infection equilibrium P* can be unstable and periodic solutions may exist. We establish parameter regions for which P* is globally stable.

Identification of hepatitis B virus X gene mutation in Hong Kong patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Chronic infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in man. The viral transactivator HBV X (HBx) gene plays a critical role in the molecular pathogenesis of HBV-related HCC.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were particular HBx mutations associated with the Chinese Hong Kong patients with HCC.

STUDY DESIGN

We have examined HBx in 113 tumor tissue samples from patients with HCC and 48 serum samples from the same group. In addition, we also examined the expression of HBx protein and the index of apoptotic cell death in tumor tissues of HCC. The entire coding region of HBx gene from the sample was sequenced and aligned with the published HBx gene sequence.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

We have identified total 54 different types of mutations in HBx gene. HBx mutations occurred in a very high percentage of samples tested. Mutation of HBx was found in 95.2% and 95.3% of the tumor tissue and serum samples, respectively. Most of samples contained more than one type of the mutation. Relative risk analysis indicated that the mutations in 12 sites of tissue HBx and nine sites of serum HBx were highly associated with HCC, suggesting a potential role of these mutants in carcinogenesis. An insert mutation at position 204: Insert 204AGGCCC, was always found to co-exist with point mutations at 260 (G-->A) and 264 (G/C/T-->A). Furthermore, this particular pattern of HBx mutation was most frequently detected. Immunochemical staining of HBx protein revealed that the nuclear localization of HBx protein in hepatocytes of tumor tissues was highly associated with this particular pattern of HBx mutation. In conclusion, HBx mutation occurs frequently in HCC samples tested and a sample usually has multiple types of mutations. A special pattern of insert at 204 and point mutations at 260 and 264 was identified, and it appears to be associated with the nuclear localization of HBx protein. The development of multiple types of mutations in a given sample may contribute to the process of multiple steps in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Backward bifurcation in a model for HTLV-I infection of CD4 T cells

Human T-cell Lymphotropic Virus Type I (HTLV-I) primarily infects CD4+ helper T cells. HTLV-I infection is clinically linked to the development of Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma and of HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis, among other illnesses. HTLV-I transmission can be either horizontal through cell-to-cell contact, or vertical through mitotic division of infected CD4+ T cells. It has been observed that HTLV-I infection has a high proviral load but a low rate of proviral genetic variation. This suggests that vertical transmission through mitotic division of infected cells may play an important role. We consider and analyze a mathematical model for HTLV-I infection of CD4+ T cells that incorporates both horizontal and vertical transmission. Among interesting dynamical behaviors of the model is a backward bifurcation which raises many new challenges to effective infection control.