[Method of detection of negative terminology in Chinese electronic medical record]

The method for detecting the negative terms in Chinese electronic medical record (EMR) is useful in providing evidence for constructing concept index. In this respect, we adopted an improved method which combined maximum matching with mutual information in order to extract terms in EMRs. This method can overcome the influence of overlay ambiguity. In addition, for the determination of negative semantic, we also adopted an improved method which combined rule-based method with word co-occurrence. This new method can reduce the probability of appearance of false positive terms caused by punctuation input errors. The result showed that the negative predictive value is 7.85% higher than the rule-based method.

[Measurements of IR absorption across section and spectrum simulation of lewisite]

The vapor infrared transmission spectra of varied concentration of lewisite-1 were measured by a long-path FT-IR spectrometer, and its characteristic frequencies are 814, 930, 1563 cm(-1); their infrared absorption cross section (a) were determined using Beer-Lambert law. The corresponding sigma values are 3.89 +/- 0.01, 1.43 +/- 0.06, 4.47 +/- 0.05 ( X 10(-20) cm2 x molecule(-1)). Two little teeny peaks, 1158, 1288 cm(-1) were found in the measured spectra. Density Functional Theory (DFT) was applied to calculated the infrared spectra of lewisite-1, -2, -3 on a b3lyp/6-311+g(d, p) level by Gauss09 package. The vibration modes were assigned by Gaussview5. 08. The calculated spectra and experimental spectra are in good agreement with each other in 600-1600 cm(-1) range, for the Person's r is 0.9991. The calculated spectra also showed three characteristic frequencies (293, 360, 374 cm(-1)) related to As atom. 0.977 was a scaling factor we determined for lewisite-1 through least-square error and its performance to scale lewisite-1, -2, -3 was acceptable. The results of this work are useful for monitoring environmental atmospheric concentrations of lewisite.

Long-Lasting Efficacy of an Experimental 1450 ppm Fluoride/Zinc-Based Dentifrice as Measured by Calcium Buildup Using an In Situ Intra-Oral Device After 12 Hours: A Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of an experimental 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP)/zinc-based dentifrice (Test), a clinically proven 1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-based dentifrice (Positive Control), and a 1000 ppm fluoride as SMFP and 450 ppm fluoride as sodium fluoride (NaF) dentifrice (Negative Control) in delivering 12-hour anti-tartar benefits as measured by calcium buildup after a single product brushing.

METHODS

Fourteen (14) adult subjects completed this single-center, double-blind, randomized, cross-over clinical study conducted in Piscataway, New Jersey. An intra-oral appliance was custom-made for each subject as a surface on which the anti-calculus agents' inhibition of early calculus formation could be analyzed. After brushing with their assigned toothpaste, each subject wore their respective appliance for 12 hours overnight. When the appliance was removed, it was washed, suspended in 0.1 MHCL to release Ca2+ from deposits, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) for deposited calcium. There was a one-week washout period between each product use. Statistical analyses were performed on the mean level of calcium (μg). Comparisons of the treatment groups with respect to 12-hour post-brushing (overnight) calcium levels were performed via a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), with subjects and products as factors in the ANOVA model. Post-ANOVA pair-wise comparisons of the study treatments were performed using the Tukey's test for multiple comparisons. All statistical tests of hypothesis were two-sided, and employed a level of significance of α = 0.05.

RESULTS

At the 12-hour post-brushing examination, the mean level of calcium buildup was 0.46 μg for subjects assigned to the experimental Test dentifrice, 0.41 μg for subjects assigned to the Positive Control dentifrice, and 2.47 μg for subjects assigned to the Negative Control dentifrice. After 12 hours post-brushing, subjects assigned to the experimental Test dentifrice and Positive Control dentifrice both exhibited statistically significantly (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively) lower levels of calcium buildup as compared to the subjects assigned to the Negative Control dentifrice. No statistically significant (p = 0.996) difference was observed between the experimental Test dentifrice and Positive Control dentifrice with respect to tartar control efficacy after 12 hours post-brushing. No adverse effects of the hard or soft oral tissue were observed by the clinical investigators or reported by the subjects.

CONCLUSION

Both the experimental Test dentifrice (1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-based dentifrice) and the Positive Control dentifrice (1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-based dentifrice) provided significantly greater 12-hour tartar control as measured by calcium buildup, as compared to the Negative Control dentifrice containing 1000 ppm fluoride as SMFP and 450 ppm fluoride as NaF.

Control of Established Gingivitis and Dental Plaque Using a 1450 ppm Fluoride/Zinc-based Dentifrice: A Randomized Clinical Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical efficacy in controlling established gingivitis and dental plaque of a 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP)/zinc-based dentifrice, as compared to a zinc-free dentifrice with 1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP after six months product use.

METHODS

A six-month clinical study, with eighty-six (86) subjects, was conducted in Chengdu, China, using a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group treatment design. After a baseline evaluation, study subjects were randomly assigned to one of the two study treatments: 1) 1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-based dentifrice (Test) or 2) 1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-free dentifrice (Negative Control). Subjects were provided with a soft bristle toothbrush and brushed their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned dentifrice. After three months, and again after six months of product use, subjects returned to the testing facility for their followup gingivitis and plaque examinations. Statistical analyses were performed separately for the gingivitis assessments and dental plaque assessments using the appropriate statistical methods. All statistical tests of hypotheses were two-sided, and employed a level of significance of α = 0.05.

RESULTS

After three and six months of product use, subjects assigned to the Test treatment exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.001) reductions in gingival index and plaque index scores as compared to subjects assigned to the Negative Control treatment.

CONCLUSION

The results of this single-center, double-blind, parallel-group and randomized clinical study support the conclusion that a 1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-based dentifrice provides clinically meaningful and statistically significant reductions in gingivitis (23.8%) and dental plaque (22.5%) as compared to a 1450 ppm fluoride as SMFP/zinc-free dentifrice over a six-month period of twice-daily product use.

Synthesis and structure of free-standing germanium quantum dots and their application in live cell imaging

Colloidally synthesized free-standing Ge qdots with a unique core–shell structure were demonstrated to be a viable bio-imaging probe.

Structure and effects of annealing in colloidal matrix-free Ge quantum dots

The structure of small (2-5 nm) Ge quantum dots prepared by the colloidal synthesis route is examined. Samples were synthesized using either GeO2 or GeCl4 as precursor. As-prepared samples were further annealed under Ar or H2/Ar atmosphere at different temperatures in order to understand the effect of annealing on their structure. It was found that as-prepared samples possess distinctly different structures depending on their synthesis route as indicated by their long-range ordering. An appreciable amount of oxygen was found to be bound to Ge in samples prepared with GeO2 as a precursor; however, not for GeCl4. Based on combined transmission electron microscope, Raman, X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption measurements, it is suggested that as-prepared samples are best described by the core-shell model with a small nano-crystalline core and an amorphous outer layer terminated either with oxygen or hydrogen depending on the synthesis route. Annealing in an H2Ar atmosphere leads to sample crystallization and further nanoparticle growth, while at the same time reducing the Ge-O bonding. X-ray diffraction measurements for as-prepared and annealed samples indicate that diamond-type and metastable phases are present.

Diagnostics for energetic particle studies on the HL-2A tokamak

About 13 kinds of diagnostics for energetic particle physics studied on the HuanLiuqi-2A (commonly referred to as HL-2A) tokamak are described in this paper. Their measurement ranges, resolutions, and arrangement are presented. Three under-construction diagnostics including imaging fast ion D-alpha, scintillator matrix (for hard X-ray detection), and bundle fission chamber are described in detail.

Looking into the structure of Ge nano-crystals through combined Diffraction/XAFS

Nano-particles of different materials including II-VI (ZnS, ZnO, etc.), III-V (AlN, GaN, etc.) and IV (Si, Ge, etc.) have been applied widely because of their superb optical-electrical properties. More importantly, the size & structure-dependent character of their physical properties due to the quantum confinement effect attracted much research interest during the past decades [1]. Ge is characterized by relatively large Exciton Bohr Radius (≍24nm) [3], which potentially favors the quantum confinement effects for tuning the photoluminescence (PL) properties. Besides, the low toxicity of Ge suggests potential biological applications such as cell imaging and labeling [4]. For the structure characterization of our prepared Ge quantum dots (QDs), we used the in-house X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) machine (X-ray from Ag source with wavelength down to 0.056nm) and Diamond light source synchrotron radiation source (XAFS, XRD, PL, etc.) to characterize the atomic structure. Several other methods such as TEM and SAED were used to provide a comprehensive picture of QDs on nanoscale. The results showed that our as-prepared Ge QDs are amorphous with small size, and annealing process could attenuate the Ge-O bonding. In both aged as prepared and fresh annealed samples we observed a diffraction peak corresponding to d-spacing around 2.8Å, which can be associated with either ST12 or BC8 metastable phase of Ge. Moreover, samples showing extra diffraction peaks also shows different XANES features from that of diamond Ge. The fdmnes calculation and FitIt fitting was carried out to further look into structural information.

Development of the scintillator-based probe for fast-ion losses in the HL-2A tokamak

A new scintillator-based lost fast-ion probe (SLIP) has been developed and operated in the HL-2A tokamak [L. W. Yan, X. R. Duan, X. T. Ding, J. Q. Dong, Q. W. Yang, Yi Liu, X. L. Zou, D. Q. Liu, W. M. Xuan, L. Y. Chen, J. Rao, X. M. Song, Y. Huang, W. C. Mao, Q. M. Wang, Q. Li, Z. Cao, B. Li, J. Y. Cao, G. J. Lei, J. H. Zhang, X. D. Li, W. Chen, J. Chen, C. H. Cui, Z. Y. Cui, Z. C. Deng, Y. B. Dong, B. B. Feng, Q. D. Gao, X. Y. Han, W. Y. Hong, M. Huang, X. Q. Ji, Z. H. Kang, D. F. Kong, T. Lan, G. S. Li, H. J. Li, Qing Li, W. Li, Y. G. Li, A. D. Liu, Z. T. Liu, C. W. Luo, X. H. Mao, Y. D. Pan, J. F. Peng, Z. B. Shi, S. D. Song, X. Y. Song, H. J. Sun, A. K. Wang, M. X. Wang, Y. Q. Wang, W. W. Xiao, Y. F. Xie, L. H. Yao, D. L. Yu, B. S. Yuan, K. J. Zhao, G. W. Zhong, J. Zhou, J. C. Yan, C. X. Yu, C. H. Pan, Y. Liu, and the HL-2A Team, Nucl. Fusion 51, 094016 (2011)] to measure the losses of neutral beam ions. The design of the probe is based on the concept of the α-particle detectors on Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) using scintillator plates. The probe is capable of traveling across an equatorial plane port and sweeping the aperture angle rotationally with respect to the axis of the probe shaft by two step motors, in order to optimize the radial position and the collimator angle. The energy and the pitch angle of the lost fast ions can be simultaneously measured if the two-dimensional image of scintillation light intensity due to the impact of the lost fast ions is detected. Measurements of the fast-ion losses using the probe have been performed during HL-2A neutral beam injection discharges. The clear experimental evidence of enhanced losses of beam ions during disruptions has been obtained by means of the SLIP system. A detailed description of the probe system and the first experimental results are reported.

Mini review roles of the bZIP gene family in rice

The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) genes encode transcription factors involved in the regulation of various biological processes. Similar to WRKY, basic helix-loop-helix, and several other groups of proteins, the bZIP proteins form a superfamily of transcription factors that mediate plant stress responses. In this review, we present the roles of bZIP proteins in multiple biological processes that include pathogen defense; responses to abiotic stresses; seed development and germination; senescence; and responses to salicylic, jasmonic, and abscisic acids in rice. We also examined the characteristics of the bZIP proteins and their genetic composition. To ascertain the evolutionary changes in and functions of this supergene family, we performed an exhaustive comparison among the 89 rice bZIP genes that were previously described and those more recently listed in the MSU Rice Genome Annotation Project Database using a Hidden Markov Model. We excluded 3 genes from the list, resulting in a total of 86 bZIP genes in japonica rice.

Effect of dietary cadmium on the activity of glutathione S-transferase and carboxylesterase in different developmental stages of the Oxya chinensis (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and carboxylesterases (CarEs) play important roles in the detoxification of endogenous and exogenous compounds. In this study, the biochemical effects of dietary cadmium (Cd) on the activities of GST and CarE in different developmental stages of the rice grasshopper Oxya chinensis Thunberg were studied. The results showed that the effects of the Cd concentration and developmental stage on GST activity were statistically significant. GST activity in O. chinensis increased at the highest Cd concentration in most nymphs, suggesting that GST is typically inducible by Cd. However, GST activity was inhibited in adults under Cd stress owing to life-stage-specific physiological characteristics. The results showed that the substrates, developmental stage, and Cd concentration had statistically significant effects on CarE activity. In most studies of CarE activity, the interaction between any two studied factors was statistically significant, although the interaction effects of the substrates, developmental stages, and Cd concentrations were not significant, which implied that the insect physiological condition and the external environmental may affect CarE activity. The results suggest that the insect's life stage and enzyme substrates should be considered when enzyme activity under Cd stress is studied.

Overexpression of an alternative oxidase gene, OsAOX1a, improves cold tolerance in Oryza sativa L

Low temperature is a major environmental stress in rice cultivating and production. The alternative oxidase 1 (AOX1) gene is potentially important for genetic engineering to increase cold adaptation. However, previous studies related to this effect have mostly focused on the dicot plants Arabidopsis and tobacco, whereas functional research on rice is limited. In this study, we cloned a rice predominant cold-response AOX1 gene, OsAOX1a. Transgenic rice plants with overexpression of OsAOX1a were obtained. We found that OsAOX1a overexpression could strongly enhance the cold growth of seedlings, especially with respect to root extension. However, growth between transgenic and control plants did not differ under normal conditions. Furthermore, the lipid peroxidation and ion leakage rate were determined after cold treatment in transgenic plants. Both factors were reduced by OsAOX1a overexpression, which revealed that OsAOX1a could reduce oxidative damage under cold stress. Taken together, our results suggested that overexpressing OsAOX1a could improve growth performance of rice under cold stress, which might be closely related to the reduction of reactive oxygen species generation and oxidative damage.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of two sex-lethal homolog genes during development in the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

In this study, two Sxl gene homologs, designated as Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2, were cloned and characterized from the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium nipponense by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The deduced amino acid sequences of Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 showed high sequence homology to the insect Sxl and contained conserved domains in two RNA-binding motifs. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) showed that the Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 genes were expressed in all investigated tissues, with the highest level of expression in the intestine and liver. RT-QPCR also revealed that Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 mRNAs expressions were both significantly increased at 5 and 20 days post-larvae after metamorphosis. Thus, the results of the present study imply that Mnsxl1 and Mnsxl2 play complex and important roles in the sex differentiation of M. nipponense.

Safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab combination therapy in Chinese population with advanced non-squamous NSCLC: data of subgroup analyses from MO19390 (SAiL) study

BACKGROUND

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody with high antitumor activity against malignant diseases. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of first-line bevacizumab combination therapy in advanced, non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NS-NSCLC). SAiL (MO19390), an open-label, multicenter, single-arm study, evaluated the safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab-based treatment in clinical practice. This report presents the results of a subgroup analysis of Chinese patients enrolled in SAiL.

METHODS

Chemo-naive Chinese patients with locally advanced, metastatic or recurrent NSCLC were randomized to receive Bev 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks plus carboplatin + paclitaxel for maximum of six cycles, followed by single-agent bevacizumab until disease progression. The primary endpoint was safety. Secondary endpoints included time to progression and overall survival.

RESULTS

The Chinese intent-to-treat (ITT) population consists of 198 Chinese patients, among whom 107 (54 %) were non-smokers and 90 (45.5 %) were female. The median cycle of bevacizumab administration was 10 and median duration of bevacizumab treatment was 29.5 weeks. Only eight cases of severe adverse events were observed in the study, which were deemed to be related to bevacizumab. The incidence of AEs over grade 3 in Chinese ITT patients was generally low (<9 %). No new safety signals were reported. Objective response rate in 195 evaluable Chinese patients was 68.8 %, including four complete responses (2.1 %). Time to disease progression (TTP) and overall survival were 8.8 and 18.5 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The safety and efficacy of first-line bevacizumab-based treatment in Chinese population with advanced NS-NSCLC are consistent with those in previous studies as well as in Asian subgroup population from SAiL study. No new safety signals were reported.

Cytogenetic and molecular analysis of infertile Chinese men: karyotypic abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms in the androgen receptor gene

Chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and androgen receptor gene CAG and GGN repeat polymorphisms in infertile Chinese men featuring severe oligospermia and azoospermia were analyzed. Ninety-six fertile men and 189 non-obstructive infertile men, including 125 patients with azoospermia and 64 with severe oligozoospermia, were studied. Seventeen infertile men (9.0%) carried a chromosome abnormality. Twenty (10.6%) carried a Y-chromosome microdeletion. In the remainder of the patients and controls, GGN and CAG repeats were sequenced. Short GGN repeats (n < 23) appeared to be associated with defective spermatogenesis, with the number of GGN repeats strongly correlated with sperm counts. No significant difference in CAG repeats was found between patients and controls, nor were CAG repeats correlated with sperm counts. However, for CAG repeats ranging between 24 and 25, there was a >2.5-fold risk (OR = 2.539, 95%CI = 1.206-5.344, P < 0.05) of severe oligospermia and azoospermia. Our results confirmed the significant role of chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, and GGN repeats in Chinese male infertility.

Serum lactic dehydrogenase strongly predicts survival in metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with palliative chemotherapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The survival outcomes of patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) differ significantly between individuals. This study aimed to evaluate whether serum lactic dehydrogenase (S-LDH) level had a clinical value in predicting clinical response and survival outcome for patients with metastatic NPC.

METHODS

S-LDH level was measured at baseline and then before every cycle of treatment in 689 NPC patients with distant metastases. Correlations of pre-treatment and post-treatment S-LDH levels to response of treatment and survival were analysed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Patients with elevated values of pre-treatment S-LDH (>245 IU/L) had significantly worse survival than those with normal values of pre-treatment S-LDH (≤245 IU/L) (P<0.001). Patients with elevated values of post-treatment S-LDH had worse survival compared with those with normal values of post-treatment S-LDH (P<0.001). Patients with normal values of pre-treatment and post-treatment S-LDH showed the highest response rate and the most favourable prognosis.

CONCLUSION

S-LDH appears to be a significant independent prognostic index in patients with disseminated NPC that should be considered in the comparison of the results achieved with different therapies and in planning new randomised clinical therapeutic trials.

A clinical investigation using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) of the anticaries efficacy of a dentifrice containing 1.5% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of a new dentifrice containing arginine, an insoluble calcium compound, and fluoride to arrest or reverse naturally occurring buccal caries lesions measured using Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF).

METHODS

Three study groups used dentifrices which contained 1) 1.5% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (experimental), 2) 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (positive control), and 3) no fluoride (negative control). All three dentifrices were formulated in the same calcium base. The study participants were from three schools in the city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. A total of 446 of 450 recruited subjects completed the study. Of these, 147 were in the experimental, 148 in the positive control, and 151 in the negative control groups. The initial age of the children was 10-12 years (mean 11.4 +/- 0.54); 47.5% were female.

RESULTS

Using QLF, assessments of buccal caries lesions were made at baseline and after three and six months of product use. For AQ, representing lesion volume, the baseline mean value for the three groups was 27.30, and at the three-month examination the mean values were 16.76, 19.25, and 25.89 for the experimental, positive, and negative control dentifrices, respectively. This represents improvements from baseline of 38.6%, 29.5%, and 5.2%. At six months, the deltaQ values for the three groups were 13.46, 18.47, and 24.18, representing improvements from baseline of 50.7%, 32.3%, and 11.4%. For all QLF metrics, deltaF (loss of fluorescence), area, and deltaQ, the differences between the negative control and both the experimental and positive control groups were statistically significant (p < or = 0.01). The differences between the experimental and positive control groups attained statistical significance for deltaQ (p < or = 0.003) at the six-month examination.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that both of the fluoride-containing toothpastes are significantly better at arresting and reversing buccal caries lesions than the non-fluoride toothpaste. Furthermore, it is concluded that the new dentifrice containing arginine, an insoluble calcium compound, and fluoride provides significantly greater anticaries benefit than a dentifrice containing fluoride alone.

A clinical investigation of the efficacy of a dentifrice containing 1.5% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride, as sodium monofluorophosphate in a calcium base, on primary root caries

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this six-month study was to assess the ability of a new dentifrice containing 1.5% arginine, an insoluble calcium compound, and 1450 ppm fluoride, as sodium monofluorophosphate, to arrest and reverse primary root caries lesions in adults.

METHODS

Three test groups used dentifrices which contained either: 1) 1.5% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate in a calcium base (experimental); 2) 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium fluoride in a silica base (positive control); or 3) no fluoride in a calcium base (negative control). The study participants were residents of the city of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. In order to take part, subjects had to have at least one non-cavitated primary root caries lesion. A total of 412 subjects completed the study. They were aged from 50 to 70 years (mean age 64 +/- 4.1 years) and 53.6% were female. Efficacy for arresting and reversal of primary root caries was assessed by clinical hardness measures and through the use of the Electrical Caries Monitor.

RESULTS

After three months of product use, clinical hardness measures showed that 27.7%, 24.6%, and 13.1% of lesions had improved in the experimental, positive, and negative control groups, respectively, and 0.7%, 4.5%, and 16.8% had become worse, respectively. The differences in the distribution of lesion change between the negative control group and both the experimental (p < 0.001) and positive control (p = 0.001) were statistically significant. The Electrical Caries Monitor was also used as an objective measure of lesion severity. The end values increased from baseline to the three-month examinations, but none of the differences between the groups attained statistical significance. After six months, clinical hardness measures showed that only one lesion (0.7%) was worse than at the baseline examination-in the experimental group compared to 9.0% and 18.2% in the positive and negative control groups, respectively. In addition, 61.7%, 56.0%, and 27.0%, respectively, showed improvement for the three groups. The differences in the distribution of lesion change scores between the negative control group and both the experimental (p < 0.001) and positive control (p < 0.001) were statistically significant, as was the difference between the experimental group and the positive control (p = 0.006). The Electrical Caries Monitor end values for the experimental, positive, and negative control groups at the six-month examination were 7.9, 1.9 mega omega(s), and 387 kilo omegas(s), respectively. The differences between the negative control group and both the experimental (p < 0.001) and positive control (p < 0.001) were statistically significant. The difference between the experimental and positive control groups was also statistically significant (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that the new toothpaste containing 1.5% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride, as sodium monofluorophosphate in a calcium base, provided greater anticaries benefits than a conventional toothpaste containing 1450 ppm fluoride. Both fluoride toothpastes demonstrated greater benefits than non-fluoride toothpaste.

The potential mechanism of Bursal-derived BPP-II on the antibody production and avian pre-B cell

The bursa of Fabricius is critical for the normal development of the B lymphocytes responsible for antibody production. However, the mechanism of the bursal-derived bioactive factor on B cell development is little reported. In this paper, chicks were immunized with BPP-II and AIV vaccine or AIV antigen, and antibody and IL-4 production were detected. The results showed that BPP-II played strongly inducing roles on the humoral immune responses. To investigate the gene expression at transcriptional level, avian pre-B lymphocyte DT40 cells were treated with BPP-II, and were analyzed with the gene microarray. The results proved that BPP-II treatment regulated 11 pathways, in which homologous recombination is a vital mechanism which is involved in antibody Ig gene conversion and diversification during B cell development. These results suggested Bursal-derived biological active factor BPP-II might be involved in the antibody production processes and B cell development, which is vital to the humoral central immune organ, the bursa of Fabricius.

A novel strategy for identification of 47 pomegranate (Punica granatum) cultivars using RAPD markers

DNA marker can be used for precise plant cultivar identification. However, DNA markers have often not been used effectively for the identification of plant cultivars due to a lack of an effective analysis strategy. We used a novel strategy for effective identification of plant individuals based on a new way of recording DNA fingerprints of the genotyped plants; a cultivar identification diagram can be manually generated and used as key reference information for quick identification of plant and/or seed samples. Forty-seven pomegranate varieties popularly cultivated in various provinces of China were subjected to RAPD marker analysis. Using the cultivar identification diagram strategy, they were clearly separated by the fingerprints of 11 RAPD primers. The utility and accuracy of the cultivar identification diagram analysis results were confirmed by the identification of three randomly chosen groups of cultivars among the 47 varieties.

In situ Raman scattering study on a controllable plasmon-driven surface catalysis reaction on Ag nanoparticle arrays

Control of the plasmon-driven chemical reaction for the transformation of 4-nitrobenzenethiol to p,p'-dimercaptoazobenzene by Ag nanoparticle arrays was studied. The Ag nanoparticle arrays were fabricated by means of nanosphere lithography. By changing the PS particle size, the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks of the Ag nanoparticle arrays can be tailored from 460 to 560 nm. The controlled reaction process was monitored by in situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The reaction can be dramatically influenced by varying the duration of laser exposure, Ag nanoparticle size, laser power and laser excitation wavelength. The maximum reaction speed was achieved when the LSPR wavelength of the Ag nanoparticle arrays matched the laser excitation wavelength. The experimental results reveal that the strong LSPR can effectively drive the transfer of the 'hot' electrons that decay from the plasmon to the reactants. The experimental results were confirmed by theoretical calculations.

Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations in small cell lung cancer patients who received surgical resection in China

To know the incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients who received surgical resection in mainland China. xTAG technology was used to detect the EGFR exon 19 and exon 21 mutations of 40 patients with SCLC who received surgical treatment in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from 1998 to 2010. 2 of 40 cases were found with mutations in exon 19 of the EGFR gene. The mutation in exon 19 of the EGFR gene is in a female and non smoking patient which pathology is SCLC combined adenocarcinoma, and the other is male and smoking patient which pathology is SCLC combined squamous cell carcinoma. The EGFR mutation is rare in SCLC patients, and EGFR mutation might occur more often in combined SCLCs than conventional patients.

Genetic diversity analysis of BMY cattle based on microsatellite DNA markers

BMY cattle (1/2 Brahman, 1/4 Murray Grey and 1/4 Yunnan Yellow cattle) has been inter se breeding since 1980s. Genetic diversity of BMY cattle was extensively investigated using 16 microsatellite markers. A total of 130 microsatellite alleles and high allele size variance were detected. All loci displayed high genetic diversity with overall mean of N(a) = 8.13, PIC = 0.7224 and H(e) = 0.7666, which were higher than those of many other beef breeds. The allele-sharing neighbour-joining tree clearly displayed the new genotypic combinations and the minglement from both BMY cattle and Brahman. The results provided the genetic information to match the standards of new beef breed in South China.

Role of lipid rafts in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection in MARC-145 cells

Lipid rafts play an important role in the life cycle of many viruses. Cholesterol is a critical structural component of lipid rafts. Although the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has restricted cell tropism for cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage, a non-macrophage cell MARC-145 was susceptible to PRRSV because of the expression of virus receptor CD163 on the cell surface, therefore MARC-145 cells is used as model cell for PRRSV studies. In order to determine if cholesterol is involved in PRRSV infection in MARC-145 cells, we used three pharmacological agents: methyl-β cyclodextrin (MβCD), mevinolin, and filipin complex to deplete cholesterol in MARC-145. Although these agents act by different mechanisms, they all significantly inhibited PRRSV infection. The inhibition could be prevented by addition of exogenous cholesterol. Cell membrane cholesterol depletion after virus infection had no effect on PRRSV production and cholesterol depletion pre-infection did not reduce the virus attachment, suggesting cholesterol is involved in virus entry. Further results showed that cholesterol depletion did not change expression levels of the PRRSV receptor CD163 in MARC-145, had no effect on clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but disturbed lipid-raft-dependent endocytosis. Collectively, these studies suggest that cholesterol is critical for PRRSV entry, which is likely to be mediated by a lipid-raft-dependent pathway.

Celecoxib and acetylbritannilactone interact synergistically to suppress breast cancer cell growth via COX-2-dependent and -independent mechanisms

The use of celecoxib is associated with a significant decrease in breast cancer risk. However, the long-term use of high-dose celecoxib might be limited owing to cardiovascular side effects. In this study, we found that acetylbritannilactone (ABL), extract from a Chinese medicinal herb, could reduce celecoxib dose and potentiate the growth-inhibitory effect in breast cancer cells. ABL enhanced the apoptotic effect of celecoxib in COX-2-expressing cells, but had little effect in COX-2-negative cells. The apoptosis induced by the combination treatment disappeared when COX-2 was knocked down, whereas the lack of apoptotic effects in COX-2-negative cells was reversed after COX-2 transfection. However, the combination treatment induced a G(0)/G(1) phase arrest independent of whether or not the cells expressed COX-2. The G(0)/G(1) arrest was attributed to a decreased expression of cyclinD1, cyclinE, CDK2 and CDK6, especially the upregulation of p21. In addition, inhibition of Akt and p38 signaling pathways was required by the synergism, as the constitutively active Akt and p38 protected cells against apoptosis and cell cycle arrest induced by the combination treatment. In vivo, administration of celecoxib and ABL were more effective than the individual agents against xenograft tumor growth. Thus, our data suggested that the combinatorial approach of celecoxib and ABL might be helpful for breast cancer treatment.

Clinical efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity of a dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride compared to a dentifrice containing 8% strontium acetate and 1040 ppm fluoride under consumer usage conditions before and after switch-over

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this 16-week, double-blind, randomized, switch-over design study was to compare the efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity of a dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief [also marketed as elmex Sensitive Professional]) to a desensitizing dentifrice containing 8% strontium acetate and 1040 ppm fluoride as sodium fluoride (Sensodyne Rapid Relief) under relevant consumer usage conditions.

METHODS

Qualifying subjects from the San Francisco, CA, USA area, who presented two hypersensitive teeth with a tactile hypersensitivity score (Yeaple Probe) between 10 and 50 grams of force and an air blast hypersensitivity score of 2 or 3 (Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale), participated in this two-phase double-blind study. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two test groups. The first phase of the study consisted of twice-daily at-home brushing with the first assigned dentifrice for eight weeks. The second phase of the study consisted of switching product use to the second assigned dentifrice for a second eight-week period. Dentin hypersensitivity examinations, which comprised tactile and air blast hypersensitivity measures, as well as examinations of oral hard and soft tissues, were conducted at baseline, at the completion of the first study phase, and at two weeks and eight weeks of the second phase.

RESULTS

One-hundred and twenty-one subjects complied with the study protocol and completed the study. Study Phase I: Subjects who brushed twice daily for eight weeks with the arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrice experienced statistically significant improvements in mean tactile and air blast hypersensitivity scores (51.3% and 39.4%, respectively) relative to that experienced by subjects who brushed with the strontium acetate dentifrice. Study Phase II: Subjects who brushed with the arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrice for the first eight weeks of the study and then switched to brush with the strontium acetate dentifrice for the second eight weeks of the study, did not exhibit further improvements in mean tactile or mean air blast hypersensitivity scores after two and eight weeks of switch-over product use. However, subjects who brushed with the strontium acetate dentifrice for the first eight weeks of the study and then switched to brush with the arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrice exhibited statistically significant improvements in mean tactile and air blast hypersensitivity scores two weeks (35.2% and 29.9%, respectively) and eight weeks (40.3% and 35.3%, respectively) after product switch-over. Relative to the subjects who switched from twice-daily brushing with the arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrice to brush with the strontium acetate dentifrice, those who switched from brushing with the strontium acetate dentifrice to brush with the arginine/calcium carbonate dentifrice exhibited statistically significant improvements in mean tactile hypersensitivity scores (10.3%) and in mean air blast hypersensitivity scores (16.3%) eight weeks after product switch-over.

CONCLUSION

Eight weeks of brushing with Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief(elmex Sensitive Professional) provides significant reductions in mean dentin hypersensitivity relative to the identical use of Sensodyne Rapid Relief. Additionally, the dentin hypersensitivity reductions achieved by twice-daily brushing with Sensodyne Rapid Relief are significantly improved by switching to twice-daily brushing with Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (elmex Sensitive Professional) for two and eight weeks. Further, the dentin hypersensitivity reductions achieved by twice-daily brushing with Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (elmex Sensitive Professional) are not improved by switching to twice-daily brushing with Sensodyne Rapid Relief for two or eight weeks. Eight weeks' use of Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief (elmex Sensitive Professional), after having used Sensodyne Rapid Relief for an initial eight-week time period, provides statistically significant improvements in dentin hypersensitivity relative to eight weeks' use of the Sensodyne Rapid Relief.

β-induced Alfvén eigenmodes destabilized by energetic electrons in a Tokamak plasma

The β-induced Alfvén eigenmode (BAE) excited by energetic electrons has been identified for the first time both in the Ohmic and electron cyclotron resonance heating plasma in HL-2A. The features of the instability, including its frequency, mode number, and propagation direction, can be observed by magnetic pickup probes. The mode frequency is comparable to that of the continuum accumulation point of the lowest frequency gap induced by the shear Alfvén continuous spectrum due to finite β effect, and it is proportional to Alfvén velocity at thermal ion β held constant. The experimental results show that the BAE is related not only with the population of the energetic electrons, but also their energy and pitch angles. The results indicate that the barely circulating and deeply trapped electrons play an important role in the mode excitation.

[Development of a digital cardiac pacemaker for animals and its application in medical research]

In this research and development project, we used the general microprocessor as a core to constitute the animal cardiac pacemaker in vitro. Control of the pacemaker's settings was carried out by transmitting parameters through a serial communication interface. Finally, our pacemaker reaches a satisfying test result in activating the cardiac outer membrane of the rabbits. Full digital pacemaker has high precision, good stability, and has an intuitive way to set parameters. Owing to its smaller size, lower cost, and easier mass production, the digital pacemaker is a good candidate to replace costly medical pacemakers for activating the animal's heart.

Measurements of the fast electron bremsstrahlung emission during electron cyclotron resonance heating in the HL-2A tokamak

A fast electron bremsstrahlung (FEB) diagnostic technique based on cadmium telluride (CdTe) detector has been developed recently in the HL-2A tokamak for measurements of the temporal evolution of FEB emission in the energy range of 10-200 keV. With a perpendicular viewing into the plasma on the equatorial plane, the hard x-ray spectra with eight different energy channels are measured. The discrimination of the spectra is implemented by an accurate spectrometry. The system also makes use of fast digitization and software signal processing technology. An ambient environment of neutrons, gammas, and magnetic disturbance requires careful shielding. During electron cyclotron resonance heating, the generation of fast electrons and the oscillations of electron fishbone (e-fishbone) have been found. Using the FEB measurement system, it has been experimentally identified that the mode strongly correlates with the electron cyclotron resonance heating produced fast electrons with 30-70 keV.

First Report of Pyricularia grisea Causing Gray Leaf Spot on Lily in Korea

Lily is an economically important ornamental crop in Korea. In August 2008, severe leaf spot symptoms were observed on an oriental Lily 'Action' in a plant nursery in Daegu, Korea. Disease incidence was 20 to 30%. Initial symptoms were olive green-to-brown lesions on the leaf that developed into tan, elliptical, necrotic lesions. On severely infected leaves, lesions coalesced and killed the entire leaf blade. Infected leaves were surface disinfested with 70% ethanol for 30 s and 2% chlorox for 15 min before plating 1 cm² sections onto potato dextrose agar. Hyphae appeared 5 days after inoculation and pure culture. Conidia were hyaline, transversely septate with one to three septa; most had two. Conidia were obpyriform and measured 29 to 46 μm long and 7 to 17 μm wide. Mycelia morphology and conidia production were consistent with that described previously for Pyricularia grisea (1). Koch's postulates were fulfilled by spraying five, healthy, vegetative-stage plants with 2 × 10⁵ conidia per ml of sterile distilled water plus 0.05% Tween 20. As a control, five similar plants were sprayed with sterile water plus 0.05% Tween 20 only. Plants were placed inside plastic bags to maintain high relative humidity and incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C under fluorescent light for 14 h and at 20°C in darkness for 10 h. After 3 days, the plastic bags were removed and plants were maintained under the same conditions. Initial symptoms were observed 7 days after inoculation. Ten days after inoculation, disease symptoms on inoculated plants were similar to those previously described in the nursery. Control plants did not show any symptoms. Fungi isolated from these lesions had the same morphological characteristics as the ones isolated previously from plants in the nursery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of gray leaf spot on lily caused by P. grisea in Korea. References: (1) M. B. Ellis. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. CMI, Kew, Surrey, UK, 1971.

Adaptive evolution of the mitochondrial ND6 gene in the domestic horse

Mitochondria play a crucial role in energy metabolism through oxidative phosphorylation. Organisms living at high altitudes are potentially influenced by oxygen deficits and cold temperatures. The severe environmental conditions can impact on metabolism and direct selection of mitochondrial DNA. As a wide-ranging animal, the domestic horse (Equus caballus) has developed various morphological and physiological characteristics for adapting to different altitudes. Thus, this is a good species for studying adaption to high altitudes at a molecular level. We sequenced the complete NADH dehydrogenase 6 gene (ND6) of 509 horses from 24 sampling locations. By comparative analysis of three horse populations living at different altitudes (>2200 m, 1200-1700 m, and <900 m), we found that the high-altitude population had the lowest genetic diversity and significant negative Tajima's D; both values declined with increasing elevation. Moreover, non-directional selection was identified for the ND6 gene by a tree-based relative ratio test (P = 0.007); the highest proportion of high-altitude horses was found distributed on the selected branches. We conclude that the high-altitude environment has directed adaptive evolution of the mitochondrial ND6 gene in the plateau horse.

The effects of a zinc citrate dentifrice on bacteria found on oral surfaces

PURPOSE

Clinical studies with dentifrices formulated with antimicrobial ingredients typically examine the effects of their use on clinical parameters of dental plaque and gingivitis. The effects of routine use of these formulations on the microorganisms found in the distinct regions of the human mouth remain unexplored. The present cross-over design clinical study compared the effects of brushing with a recently formulated dentifrice with 1% zinc citrate to a control dentifrice on oral bacteria found in oral niches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 35 adults completed a 1-week wash-out phase prior to providing baseline samples of dental plaque on the teeth, gums, saliva and scrapings from cheeks and tongue to quantify anaerobic bacteria. Subjects brushed twice daily with a randomly assigned test dentifrice for the next 13 days. On the 14th day, they arrived at the dental clinic prior to oral hygiene and provided samples similar to baseline samples for microbiological examinations. Subjects brushed with the test formulation they used in the previous 13 days, prior to providing additional samples at 5-h post-brushing for microbial assessments. An additional wash-out phase was assigned to subjects prior to completing the study with the alternate test dentifrice.

RESULTS

Analyses of log10-transformed microbial counts indicated no statistical differences in the baseline samples from each oral site (P > 0.05), while brushing with the zinc citrate dentifrice resulted in a significant reduction in bacteria in each post-brushing oral site versus the control paste (P < 0.05). Brushing with the zinc citrate dentifrice resulted in 38.56%, 23.57%, 26.24% and 29.1% decreases in anaerobic bacteria from dental plaque, tongue, cheek and saliva, respectively, in the overnight samples collected on the 14th day versus the control. Similarly, the 5-h post-brushing samples indicated 24.8%, 34.25%, 37.98% and 38.31% reductions in anaerobic organisms when compared with control.

CONCLUSIONS

Toothbrushing with the zinc citrate formulation resulted in significant reductions in oral bacteria from all of the intraoral locations.

A new soft x-ray pulse height analysis array in the HL-2A tokamak

A new soft x-ray pulse height analysis (PHA) array including nine independent subsystems, on basis of a nonconventional software multichannel analysis system and a silicon drift detector (SDD) linear array consisting of nine high performance SDD detectors, has been developed in the HL-2A tokamak. The use of SDD has greatly improved the measurement accuracy and the spatiotemporal resolutions of the soft x-ray PHA system. Since the ratio of peak to background counts obtained from the SDD PHA system is very high, p/b > or = 3000, the soft x-ray spectra measured by the SDD PHA system can approximatively be regarded as electron velocity distribution. The electron velocity distribution can be well derived in the pure ohmic and auxiliary heating discharges. The performance of the new soft x-ray PHA array and the first experimental results with some discussions are presented.

Human papillomavirus infection in Beijing, People's Republic of China: a population-based study

Background:

No recent data exist on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Materials and method

We interviewed and examined a representative, randomly selected sample of 5552 sexually active women aged 25–54 years. Cervical cell samples were analysed for HPV DNA by a MY09/11-based PCR assay.

Results:

Human papillomavirus prevalence was 6.7% overall and 4.8% among women without cervical abnormalities. Of the 21 subtypes identified, HPV16 was the commonest type (2.6% overall; 39.1% of HPV-positive women), followed by HPV 58 (1.0%), 33 (0.8%), 43 (0.7%) and 56 (0.7%). High-risk HPV types predominated in all age groups. Human papillomavirus prevalence was highest in young to middle-aged women. Marital status, number of husband's sexual partners, age at sexual debut and nulligravidity were all associated with being HPV positive.

Conclusions:

In our survey, HPV 16, HPV 58 and HPV 33 were the most prevalent HPV types in Beijing, indicating the potential for the prophylactic HPV 16/18 vaccine in China.

Unbalanced translocation in an adult patient with premature ovarian failure and mental retardation detected by spectral karyotyping and array-comparative genomic hybridization

BACKGROUND

There are only three cases of unbalanced translocation (X;1) reported in childhood in the literature, while no such phenotypic information is available in adults.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To delineate the phenotype-genotype relationship of unbalanced translocation (X;1) in adulthood, we reported here a 20-year-old female with an unbalanced translocation (X;1) which was determined by spectral karyotyping, array-comparative genomic hybridization and subtelomeric fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

RESULTS

The phenotype of partial trisomy 1 and partial monosomy X of the present case was much attenuated, including premature ovarian failure, mental retardation, class I obesity, mild dysmorphism and delayed secondary sexual characteristics. The breakpoints of the unbalanced translocation were accurately located at Xq28 and 1q32.1. The large amplification on Chromosome 1 q arm was found to involve 312 genes and the deletion on Chromosome X q arm also involved 141 genes. Overall, genes associated with physiological process (47 genes), cellular process (33), development (23), response to stimulus (1) and reproduction (1) were observed in the amplification on Chromosome 1 q arm. In addition, genes related to physiological process (23 genes), cellular process (13), development (6) and response to stimulus (2) were observed in the large deletion on chromosome X q arm. Late-replication studies revealed the existence of skewed X inactivation in the derivative X chromosome.

CONCLUSIONS

The phenotype of partial monosomy X and partial trisomy 1q is much attenuated in case of unbalanced translocation (X;1) in adulthood probably owing to skewed X inactivation in derivative X chromosome.

Exploring factors shaping population genetic structure of the freshwater fish Sinocyclocheilus grahami (Teleostei, Cyprinidae)

Phylogeographical analyses on Sinocyclocheilus grahami samples from seven localities within the Lake Dianchi Basin in China were conducted to explore the main factors shaping population structure within this species. Phylogenetic and network analyses revealed two major clades in 24 mtDNA haplotypes. One clade included three haplotypes exclusively from samples of the lower basin and another clade encompassed other haplotypes from samples of the upper basin. The estimated divergence time between the two clades predated the river capture event connecting the lower and upper lake basin and thus supported geographical isolation as the main factor shaping genetic divergence between these two clades. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance and pair-wise Phi(ST) distances revealed significant genetic differentiation within the upper basin. Mantel tests clearly supported patterns of differentiation arose purely as a result of isolation by distance. These results further highlight the importance of geographical isolation in shaping differentiation within this species.

Degradation of azo dye active brilliant red X-3B by composite ferrate solution

Composite ferrate(VI) solution (CFS) with improved stability was successfully prepared in this study. The stability of Fe(VI) increased from hours for potassium ferrate at pH 9-10 to 16d for 1 mmol L(-1) Fe(VI) in CFS at 25 degrees C, decomposing 24%. The Fe(VI) was more stable at low concentration (1 mmol L(-1)) than that at high concentration (10 mmol L(-1)). The degradation of the azo dye reactive brilliant red X-3B (X-3B) by CFS was investigated. The results showed that pH, initial dye concentration and CFS dosage affected the degradation efficiency. For 0.08 mmol L(-1) X-3B simulate wastewater, the optimal pH and CFS dosage were 8.4 and 25 mg L(-1) (as K(2)FeO(4)), and about 99% X-3B was decolorized after 20 min under this conditions. The color decay was considerably faster than the decrease in COD and TOC, which was attributed to the ease of chromophore destruction. Compared with the decolorization, the removal percentage of COD and TOC were 42% and 9% after 60 min, respectively. The Fe(VI) and ClO(-) were contained in CFS, which have synergetic effect for the degradation of X-3B. Additionally, phthalic acid and muconic acid were identified as intermediates by GC/MS, which was in accordance with the lowered pH with the reaction time. The complete mineralization of X-3B cannot be achieved under the oxidation by CFS. And a tentative pathway for the oxidative degradation of X-3B was postulated.

Comparing the efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity of a new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride to a benchmark commercial desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion: an eight-week clinical study in Rome, Italy

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this double-blind dentin hypersensitivity clinical study was to investigate the effectiveness of a new desensitizing toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP), compared to that of a benchmark commercially available desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion, dosed as 5.0% potassium nitrate, and 1450 ppm fluoride as sodium fluoride (NaF).

METHODS

A total of 80 subjects were entered into the study, and stratified into two balanced groups according to their baseline mean tactile and mean air blast sensitivity scores. The two groups were randomly assigned to use either the new arginine toothpaste or the benchmark commercially available desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion. Subjects were instructed to brush their teeth twice daily (morning and evening) for one minute with their assigned toothpaste and a commercially available soft-bristled toothbrush. Dentin hypersensitivity examinations, which included tactile and air blast sensitivity measures, were conducted at baseline, one week, two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks. Subject examinations were conducted by the same dental examiner at each examination period.

RESULTS

This clinical study demonstrated that the new toothpaste, containing 8.0% arginine and 1450 ppm fluoride as MFP in a calcium carbonate base, provided a significant reduction in dentin hypersensitivity when used over a period of eight weeks. The study also showed that the new arginine toothpaste provided significantly greater reductions (p < 0.05) in dentin hypersensitivity in response to tactile (38.9%, 28.8%, and 11.6%) and air blast (16.8%, 26.4%, and 33.8%) stimuli than the benchmark commercial desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion and 1450 ppm fluoride as NaF in a silica base, after two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks of product use, respectively.

CONCLUSION

A new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride as MFP provides significantly increased hypersensitivity relief (p < 0.05) as compared to a benchmark commercial desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion, dosed as potassium nitrate, after two weeks, four weeks, and eight weeks of product use.

The clinical effect of a single direct topical application of a dentifrice containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride on dentin hypersensitivity: the use of a cotton swab applicator versus the use of a fingertip

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this examiner-blind, randomized clinical study was to compare the effect of a toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride, as sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP), in providing instant relief of dentin hypersensitivity when delivered as a single direct topical application using a cotton swab applicator versus using a fingertip. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect on dentin hypersensitivity of the dentifrice after seven days of twice-daily at-home brushing, subsequent to the single direct topical application performed at the beginning of the study.

METHODS

Qualifying subjects possessed two baseline-designated hypersensitive teeth with a tactile hypersensitivity score of 10 to 50 grams of force (Yeaple Probe), and an air blast hypersensitivity score of 2 or 3 (Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale). In the first phase of the study, subjects topically self-applied the test product using a fingertip, a previously validated method, for one of the hypersensitive teeth (fingertip test teeth), and a cotton swab applicator for the second hypersensitive tooth (swab test teeth). In the second phase of the study, subjects brushed with the test dentifrice twice daily for seven days. Dentin hypersensitivity assessments, as well as examinations of oral hard and soft tissues, were conducted immediately after direct topical product application, and after the subsequent seven-day brushing period.

RESULTS

Eighty-four subjects complied with the study protocol and completed the study. Immediately after direct topical application, the fingertip test teeth and the swab test teeth exhibited statistically significant (p <0.05) improvements from baseline in mean tactile hypersensitivity scores (191.7% and 182.1%, respectively), and mean air blast hypersensitivity scores (58.1% and 56.3%, respectively). After the seven-day brushing period, the fingertip test teeth and the swab test teeth continued to exhibit statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements from baseline in mean tactile hypersensitivity scores (191.7% and 190.5%, respectively) and mean air blast hypersensitivity scores (57.4% and 58.2%, respectively). No statistically significant (p > 0.05) differences were indicated between the fingertip test teeth and the swab test teeth with respect to mean tactile hypersensitivity scores or mean air blast hypersensitivity scores immediately after topical application (3.4% and 4.4%, respectively), or after seven days of twice-daily brushing with the product (0.41% and -1.90%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The results of this examiner-blind clinical study support the conclusions that 1) both fingertip and cotton swab methods of application provide significant reductions in dentin hypersensitivity immediately after a single direct topical application of the 8.0% arginine-calcium carbonate dentifrice, 2) when topical application is followed by seven days of twice-daily brushing with the dentifrice, the sensitivity relief obtained instantly after topical application is maintained, and 3) after topical application and after seven days of brushing, neither method of topical application provided a level of control of dentin hypersensitivity that differed significantly from the other.

Comparing the efficacy in providing instant relief of dentin hypersensitivity of a new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride relative to a benchmark desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion and 1450 ppm fluoride, and to a control toothpaste with 1450 ppm fluoride: a three-day clinical study in New Jersey, USA

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this double-blind, randomized, parallel-design clinical study was to compare the efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity of a novel toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride to a benchmark desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion and 1450 ppm fluoride, and to a control toothpaste containing 1450 ppm fluoride, instantly after a single direct topical self-application using a fingertip, and after subsequent brushing twice daily for three days.

METHODS

Qualifying subjects from the Piscataway, New Jersey, USA area who presented two hypersensitive teeth with a tactile hypersensitivity score (Yeaple Probe) between 10 and 50 grams of force, and an air blast hypersensitivity score of 2 or 3 (Schiff Sensitivity Scale), participated in this study. The first phase of the study consisted of a single topical application of the assigned product directly onto the hypersensitive surface of each of the two baseline-designated hypersensitive teeth. Study subjects applied a pea-size amount of their assigned toothpaste onto the hypersensitive surface of each tooth and massaged each surface for one minute. The second phase of the study consisted of twice-daily at-home brushing with the assigned toothpaste for three days. Dentin hypersensitivity assessments, as well as examinations of oral hard and soft tissues, were conducted at baseline, immediately after direct topical application, and after three days of product use.

RESULTS

One-hundred and twenty-five subjects complied with the study protocol and completed the study. Relative to the benchmark desensitizing toothpaste and the control toothpaste groups, the 8.0% arginine toothpaste group exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions in dentin hypersensitivity on both tactile and air blast hypersensitivity scores immediately after direct application. Reductions in sensitivity for the 8.0% arginine toothpaste compared to the benchmark desensitizing toothpaste and control toothpaste were 161.2% and 180.2% (tactile), and 59.8% and 58.0% (air blast), respectively. Relative to the benchmark desensitizing toothpaste and control toothpaste groups, the 8.0% arginine group exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions in sensitivity after the subsequent three days of twice-daily regular tooth brushing of 147.1% and 181.2% (tactile), and 70.1% and 70.9% (air blast), respectively.

CONCLUSION

A single fingertip topical self-application of a new 8.0% arginine-calcium carbonate toothpaste directly onto the hypersensitive surface of teeth provides significant immediate improvement in dentin hypersensitivity relative to an identical application of a control toothpaste and to a benchmark potassium-based desensitizing toothpaste. Significant improvements in dentin hypersensitivity were also demonstrated after three days of brushing with the 8.0% arginine-calcium carbonate toothpaste, subsequent to the single topical self-application of the product, relative to an identical application of the control toothpaste and to the potassium-based desensitizing toothpaste. The improvement demonstrated by the 8.0% arginine toothpaste after direct application was maintained after three days of twice-daily brushing.

Comparing the efficacy in providing instant relief of dentin hypersensitivity of a new toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride to a benchmark desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion and 1450 ppm fluoride, and to a control toothpaste with 1450 ppm fluoride: a three-day clinical study in Mississauga, Canada

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this double-blind, randomized, parallel-design clinical study was to compare the efficacy in reducing dentin hypersensitivity of a novel toothpaste containing 8.0% arginine, calcium carbonate, and 1450 ppm fluoride to a benchmark desensitizing toothpaste containing 2% potassium ion and 1450 ppm fluoride, and to a control toothpaste containing 1450 ppm fluoride, instantly after a single direct topical self-application using a fingertip, and after subsequent brushing twice daily for three days.

METHODS

Qualifying subjects from the Mississauga, Canada area who presented two hypersensitive teeth with a tactile hypersensitivity score (Yeaple Probe) between 10 and 50 grams of force, and an air blast hypersensitivity score of 2 or 3 (Schiff Sensitivity Scale) participated in this study. The first phase of the study consisted of a single topical application of the assigned product directly onto the hypersensitive surface of each of the two baseline-designated hypersensitive teeth. Study subjects applied a pea-size amount of their assigned toothpaste onto the hypersensitive surface of each tooth, and massaged each surface for one minute. The second phase of the study consisted of twice-daily at-home brushing with the assigned toothpaste for three days. Dentin hypersensitivity assessments, as well as examinations of oral hard and soft tissues, were conducted at baseline, immediately after direct topical application, and after three days of product use.

RESULTS

One-hundred and twenty subjects complied with the protocol and completed the study. Relative to the desensitizing toothpaste and the control toothpaste groups, the 8.0% arginine toothpaste group exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions in dentin hypersensitivity on both tactile and air blast measures immediately after completion of the first phase of the study. Reductions in sensitivity for the 8.0% arginine toothpaste, compared to the benchmark desensitizing toothpaste and the control toothpaste, were 130.7% and 139.5% (tactile), and 43.8.0% and 49.6% (air blast), respectively. Relative to the benchmark desensitizing toothpaste and control toothpaste groups, the 8.0% arginine group also exhibited statistically significantly (p < 0.05) reductions in sensitivity after completion of the second phase of the study, of 104.9% and 136.1% (tactile), and 44.5% and 53.2% (air blast), respectively. There was no loss of the instant relief effects in the 8.0% arginine group after the brushing period.

CONCLUSION

A single fingertip topical self-application of the 8.0% arginine-calcium carbonate toothpaste directly onto the hypersensitive surface of teeth provides significant immediate improvements in dentin hypersensitivity relative to an identical application of the control toothpaste and to the benchmark potassium-based desensitizing toothpaste. Significant improvements in dentin hypersensitivity were also demonstrated after three days of brushing with the 8.0% arginine-calcium carbonate toothpaste, subsequent to the single topical self-application of the product, relative to an identical application of the control toothpaste and to the benchmark potassium-based desensitizing toothpaste. The improvement demonstrated by the 8.0% arginine toothpaste after direct application was maintained after three days of twice-daily brushing.

Quantification of brain creatine concentration using PRESS sequence and LCModel: comparison with HPLC method

To investigate the accuracy for quantification of brain total creatine (Cr) concentration using in vivo long echo time (TE) PRESS sequence with an external standard and LCModel. Ten swine and an external standard containing a detectable compounds of known concentration were studied by using 1.5 T GE Signa scanner and the standard head coil; the single-voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) data was acquired from the 20-mm cubic VOI which was placed in the swine brain and external standard respectively by using the PRESS sequence with TE=135 msec, TR=1500 msec, and 128 scan averages. The quantification of Cr was accomplished by the linear combination of model spectra (LCModel). After MRS examination, each animal was sacrificed, and in vitro Cr concentration was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In the MRS group, the mean concentration of Cr was 9.37+/-0.137mmol/kg; in the HPLC group, the mean concentration of Cr was 8.905+/-0.126 mmol/kg. There were no statistically significant differences between two methods (P=0.491), which indicated that long TE PRESS sequence with an external standard can accurately detect the brain Cr concentration. The application of LCModel introduces more convenience for the MRS quantification.