The Relationship between the Serum NLRP1 Level and Coronary Lesions in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: The pathogenesis of coronary artery disease is complex, and inflammation is one of the regulatory factors. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1) plays an important role in the cellular inflammatory response, cell apoptosis, cell death, and autoimmune diseases. Whether the level of NLRP1 is related to the severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) has not been reported. Objective: To test the serum level of NLRP1 in unstable angina (UA) patients and investigate the effect of NLRP1 on coronary stenosis severity of the coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: 307 patients hospitalized in the Department of Cardiology of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University for coronary angiography from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022 were included. We detect the level of NLRP1 in the serum of the included patients. Patients were divided into UA group and control group according to coronary angiography results and other clinical data. We use logistic regression to screen the influencing factors of UA. Then, subgroups were divided according to the Gensini score and the number of coronary artery lesions, and the difference of serum NLRP1 level between the groups was compared. Spearman correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between the serum NLRP1 level and Gensini score. We analyze the diagnostic value of NLRP1 for UA by drawing ROC curve. Results: The median level of serum NLRP1 in patients with UA (n = 257) was 49.71 pg/ml, IQR 30.15, 80.21, and that in patients without UA (n = 50) was 24.75 pg/ml, IQR 13.49, 41.95. Serum NLRP1 levels were significantly different among different subgroups. The patient's Gensini score was correlated with the patient's serum NLRP1 level. Conclusion: The serum NLRP1 level is increased in patients with UA, which is increased with the increasing severity of coronary lesions.

Andrographolide-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles enhance anti-cancer activity against head and neck cancer and precancerous cells.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that andrographolide (ADG) exhibits anti-cancer activity against various cancer cell lines. However, its high hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability restrict its clinical application as a chemopreventative agent. Previously, we have shown that ADG-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) significantly enhanced the bioavailability and anti-hyperlipidemic activity of ADG. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate whether ADG-SLN enhanced the bioavailability and anti-cancer efficacy of ADG in the human immortalized oral epithelial (HIOEC), precancerous leukoplakia (Leuk1), HN6, and HN30 cells that represented an in vitro model of stepwise head and neck squamous cell carcinoma development. RESULTS: The 50% inhibitive concentration (IC50) of ADG-SLN was significantly lower than that of free ADG against HIOEC, Leuk1, and HN6 and HN30 cells. Moreover, ADG-SLN was more effective than free ADG in promoting cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Importantly, intracellular absorption of ADG was significantly higher in HN6 cells treated with ADG-SLN compared with free ADG-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary study demonstrates that ADG-SLN exhibits superior inhibitory activity against head and neck cancer and precancerous cells compared with free ADG. This effect is due to the higher efficiency of cellular uptake and intracellular absorption by ADG-SLN.

Influence of different base materials and thicknesses on the fracture resistance of endocrown: A three-dimensional finite element analysis.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the stress distribution of the all-ceramic endocrown with different base materials and thicknesses using three-dimensional finite element analysis. METHODS: A endodontically treated maxillary premolar was scanned by micro-CT, a three-dimensional finite element model of the endocrown with fluid resin as the base material was divided into control (0 mm), 1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm groups according to base thickness. Three kinds of conventional base materials were used and divided into glass ion group (A), fluid resin group (B), and nanocomposite resin group (C), and a three-dimensional finite element model of the endocrown with 1.0 mm thickness of base was established. A static loading with axial and 45° direction was applied to each model, the stress distribution of each part of the endocrown was analyzed under different base materials and thicknesses. RESULTS: The different thickness of the base layer has an influence on the components of the restoration and the tooth. The stress in the control group was the largest. The stress was the lowest when the thickness of the base layer was 1 mm; The maximum of the equivalent stress, the first, second, and third principal stress in the endocrown, abutment, and alveolar bone, are basically the same with the different base materials. The stress on the base layer increases with the elastic modulus of base materials increases. CONCLUSIONS: The base layer played a force buffering effect on the dental body restored with endocrowns, and the effect was the best at 1 mm; The selection of base material has little influence on the whole, but in order to protect the weak tissues of the cavity bottom, the base material with lower elastic modulus can be used.

Zinc Finger Protein ZBTB20 protects against cardiac remodelling post-myocardial infarction via ROS-TNFα/ASK1/JNK pathway regulation.

This study aims to determine the efficacy of Zinc finger protein ZBTB20 in treatment of post-infarction cardiac remodelling. For this purpose, left anterior descending (LAD) ligation was operated on mice to induce myocardial infarction (MI) with sham control group as contrast and adeno-associated virus (AAV9) system was used to deliver ZBTB20 to mouse heart by myocardial injection with vehicle-injected control group as contrast two weeks before MI surgery. Then four weeks after MI, vehicle-treated mice with left ventricular (LV) remodelling underwent deterioration of cardiac function, with symptoms of hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis, inflammation and apoptosis. The vehicle-injected mice also showed increase of infarct size and decrease of survival rate. Meanwhile, the ZBTB20-overexpressed mice displayed improvement after MI. Moreover, the anti-apoptosis effect of ZBTB20 was further confirmed in H9c2 cells subjected to hypoxia in vitro. Further study suggested that ZBTB20 exerts cardioprotection by inhibiting tumour necrosis factor α/apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)/c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) signalling, which was confirmed by shRNA-JNK adenoviruses transfection or a JNK activator in vitro as well as ASK1 overexpression in vivo. In summary, our data suggest that ZBTB20 could alleviate cardiac remodelling post-MI. Thus, administration of ZBTB20 can be considered as a promising treatment strategy for heart failure post-MI. Significance Statement: ZBTB20 could alleviate cardiac remodelling post-MI via inhibition of ASK1/JNK1/2 signalling.

ABA-Induced Sugar Transporter TaSTP6 Promotes Wheat Susceptibility to Stripe Rust.

Biotrophic pathogens, such as wheat rust fungi, survive on nutrients derived from host cells. Sugar appears to be the major carbon source transferred from host cells to various fungal pathogens; however, the molecular mechanism by which host sugar transporters are manipulated by fungal pathogens for nutrient uptake is poorly understood. TaSTP6, a sugar transporter protein in wheat (Triticum aestivum), was previously shown to exhibit enhanced expression in leaves upon infection by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), the causal agent of wheat stripe rust. In this study, we found that Pst infection caused increased accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) and that application of exogenous ABA significantly enhanced TaSTP6 expression. Moreover, knockdown of TaSTP6 expression by barley stripe mosaic virus-induced gene silencing reduced wheat susceptibility to the Pst pathotype CYR31, suggesting that TaSTP6 expression upregulation contributes to Pst host sugar acquisition. Consistent with this, TaSTP6 overexpression in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) promoted plant susceptibility to powdery mildew and led to increased Glc accumulation in the leaves. Functional complementation assays in Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed that TaSTP6 has broad substrate specificity, indicating that TaSTP6 is an active sugar transporter. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that TaSTP6 localizes to the plasma membrane. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation experiments revealed that TaSTP6 undergoes oligomerization. Taken together, our results suggest that Pst stimulates ABA biosynthesis in host cells and thereby upregulates TaSTP6 expression, which increases sugar supply and promotes fungal infection.

Microbiota in the apical root canal system of tooth with apical periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Apical periodontitis (AP) is essentially an inflammatory disease of microbial etiology primarily caused by infection of the pulp and root canal system. Variation of the bacterial communities caused by AP, as well as their changes responding to dental therapy, are of utmost importance to understand the pathogensis of the apical periodontitis and establishing effective antimicrobial therapeutic strategies. This study aims to uncover the composition and diversity of microbiota associated to the root apex to identify the relevant bacteria highly involved in AP, with the consideration of root apex samples from the infected teeth (with/without root canal treatment), healthy teeth as well as the healthy oral. METHODS: Four groups of specimens are considered, the apical part of root from diseased teeth with and without root canal treatment, and wisdom teeth extracted to avoid being impacted (tooth healthy control), as well as an additional healthy oral control from biofilm of the buccal mucosa. DNA was extracted from these specimens and the microbiome was examined through focusing on the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene using sequencing on Illumina MiSeq platform. Composition and diversity of the bacterial community were tested for individual samples, and between-group comparisons were done through differential analysis to identify the significant changes. RESULTS: We observed reduced community richness and diversity in microbiota samples from diseased teeth compared to healthy controls. Through differential analysis between AP teeth and healthy teeth, we identified 49 OTUs significantly down-regulated as well as 40 up-regulated OTUs for AP. CONCLUSION: This study provides a global view of the microbial community of the AP associated cohorts, and revealed that AP involved not only bacteria accumulated with a high abundance, but also those significantly reduced ones due to microbial infection.

Nuclear Localization Leucine-Rich-Repeat Protein 1 Deficiency Protects Against Cardiac Hypertrophy by Pressure Overload.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Nuclear localization leucine-rich-repeat protein 1 (NLRP1) is a cytoplasmic protein, involved in autoimmune diseases, mammalian reproduction, neuronal cell death, and stroke. However, the role of NLRP1 in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear. We used in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the effects of NLRP1 on cardiac hypertrophy. METHODS: We used NLRP1-deficient mice and cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes with gain and loss of NLRP1 function. Cardiac hypertrophy was estimated by echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements, and by pathological and molecular analysis. RESULTS: Eight weeks after aortic banding (AB), NLRP1 deficiency significantly inhibited aortic banding-induced cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis. Activation of MAPK, NF-κB, and TGF-ß/Smad pathways was reduced in NLRP1-knockout (KO) mice compared with that in wild-type (WT) mice. Consistent with these results, in vitro studies, performed using cultured neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, confirmed that NLRP1 deficiency protects against cardiomyocyte hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol (PE); this protective activity was associated with the arrest of MAPK and NF-κB signaling. CONCLUSIONS: Our data illustrates that NLRP1 plays a crucial role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy via positive regulation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and TGF-ß/Smad signaling pathways.

Toward Achieving Highly Ordered Fluorinated Surfaces of Spin-Coated Polymer Thin Films by Optimizing the Air/Liquid Interfacial Structure of the Casting Solutions.

Thin polymer films with well-assembled fluorinated groups on their surfaces are not easily achieved via spin-coating film-fabrication methods because the solution solidifies very rapidly during spin-coating, which hinders the fluorinated moieties from segregating and organizing on the film surface. In this contribution, we have proposed a comprehensive strategy toward achieving well-ordered fluorinated thin films surfaces by optimizing the molecular organization at air/liquid interface of the film-formation solutions. To validate such a route, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) end-capped with several 2-perfluorooctylethyl methacrylate (FMA) units was employed as the model polymer for investigations. The air/solution interfacial structures were optimized by systematically changing the polymer chain structures and properties of the casting solvents. It was found that the polymers that form loosely associated aggregates (e.g., FMA1- ec-PMMA65- ec-FMA1) and a solvent with better solubility to FMA while having not too low surface tension (i.e., toluene) can combine to produce solutions with well-assembled FMA at the interfaces. By spin-coating the solutions with well-organized interfaces, an ultrathin film with perfluorinated groups that were highly oriented toward the film surface was readily achieved, exhibiting surface energies as low as 7.2 mJ/m2, which is among the lowest reported so far for the spin-coated thin films, and a very high F/C ratio (i.e., 0.98).

Deciduous dental caries status and associated risk factors among preschool children in Xuhui District of Shanghai, China.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to understand the deciduous dental caries status of preschool children in Xuhui District of Shanghai, China and to analyze the associated risk factors. METHODS: In January of 2016, a cross-sectional investigation was conducted to examine the oral health of all the kindergarten children in Xuihui District of Shanghai, China. Meanwhile, a field questionnaire survey was conducted with the children's guardians to ascertain the potential risk factors associated with deciduous dental caries. RESULTS: Among 11,153 children, the prevalence of deciduous dental caries was 47.02%, and the mean dmft score was 2.21. The first three predilection sites were maxillary central primary incisors, mandible second primary molars, and mandible first primary molars. There were statistically significant differences in caries prevalence and dmft among different age groups and different household registration (Hukou) types (P < 0.001). Multivariate Logistic regression suggested that the possible risk factors for deciduous caries included: older age, drinking sweetened beverages frequently, often or usually eating sweets before sleep compared to rarely/never eat them at this time, exclusive or predominant breastfeeding compared to exclusive or predominant artificial feeding and latter introduction of toothbrushing. On the other hand, Shanghai Hukou families, high educational level of guardians (high school or college education), regular parental support for children's toothbrushing, guardians' oral health knowledge, and a good perception about children's oral health conditions were shown as potential protective factors for deciduous dental caries. CONCLUSIONS: The deciduous dental caries status of preschool children in Xuhui District of Shanghai was still serious. The caries prevalence in Xuhui, China, is associated with children's age, household registration type, oral health habits, feeding habits, guardians' education level, parental perception about children's oral health and knowledge about oral health.

Analyzing the anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury effects of ginsenoside Rb1 mediated through the inhibition of p38α MAPK.

Recent studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rb1 protects the myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the precise mechanisms for this protection have not been determined. This study aimed to determine whether the attenuation of I/R-induced myocardial injury by ginsenoside Rb1 (GS Rb1) is due to inhibition of p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed among 6 treatment groups: sham group; I/R group; p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 group (SB + I/R); GS Rb1 group (GS + I/R); p38 MAPK agonist anisomycin group (Ani + I/R); and the GS Rb1 + Ani group (GS + Ani + I/R). All of the anaesthetized rats, except those in the sham group, underwent an open-chest procedure that involved 30 min of myocardial ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Myocardial infarction size (MIS), caspase-3 activity, and levels of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the myocardium were monitored. The expressions of p38α MAPK, caspase-3, and TNF-α in the myocardium were assayed. GS Rb1 reduced MIS and attenuated caspase-3 activity and the levels of TNF-α in the myocardium. Protein expression of total p38α MAPK was not significantly altered. In the Ani + I/R and I/R groups, the levels of phospho-p38α MAPK were significantly increased compared with the sham group, and these increased levels were reduced with GS Rb1. Hemodynamic parameters were not significantly different between the GS + I/R and SB + I/R groups. GS Rb1 exerts an anti-apoptotic effect that protects against I/R injury by inhibiting p38α MAPK phosphorylation, suggesting that GS Rb1-mediated protection requires the inhibition of p38α MAPK.

Identification the Low Oxidative Stress Subtype of Periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this research was to identify the low oxidative stress-related genes expression (L-OS) subtype in patients with periodontitis. METHODS: Microarray data (MA) were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The different oxidative stress (OS) subtypes of periodontitis were identified by K-means clustering analysis and gene set variation analysis (GSVA). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|Log fold change (FC)| >1, q < 0.05) amongst the OS subtypes and healthy controls (HCs) were identified by Limma R package. The genomic feature of L-OS subtype and corresponding medicines were evaluated and visualised with Drug-Gene Interaction Database and cytoscape-v3.7.2 software (Pearson correlation coefficient > 0.4). Finally, the LASSO-Logistic regression model was adopted to evaluate and predict patients' OS phenotype in routine clinical practice. RESULTS: The 241 periodontitis samples and 69 HCs were included. Thirty-three DEGs between the L-OS and high oxidative stress-related genes expression (H-OS) subtypes and 96 DEGs, including 8 transcription factors, between L-OS subtype and HCs were identified, respectively. Then, the network of TFs-Genes-Drugs was constructed to determine genomic feature of L-OS subtype. Finally, a 4-gene signature formula and the cutoff value were identified by ML with LASSO model to predict patients' classification. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we identified L-OS subtype of periodontitis and evaluated its genomic feature with MA.

A rechargeable coating with temporal-sequence antibacterial activity and soft tissue sealing.

Transcutaneous implants that penetrate through skin or mucosa are susceptible to bacteria invasion and lack proper soft tissue sealing. Traditional antibacterial strategies primarily focus on bacterial eradication, but excessive exposure to bactericidal agents can induce noticeable tissue damage. Herein, a rechargeable model (HPI-Ti) was constructed using perylene polyimide, an aqueous battery material, achieving temporal-sequence regulation of bacterial killing and soft tissue sealing. Charge storage within HPI-Ti is achieved after galvanostatic charge, and chemical discharge is initiated when immersed in physiological environments. During the early discharge stage, post-charging HPI-Ti demonstrates an antibacterial rate of 99.96 ± 0.01 % for 24 h, preventing biofilm formation. Contact-dependent violent electron transfer between bacteria and the material causes bacteria death. In the later discharge stage, the attenuated discharging status creates a gentler electron-transfer micro-environment for fibroblast proliferation. After discharge, the antibacterial activity can be reinstated by recharge against potential reinfection. The antibacterial efficacy and soft tissue compatibility were verified in vivo. These results demonstrate the potential of the charge-transfer-based model in reconciling antibacterial efficacy with tissue compatibility.

Construction of ZnO/PCL Antibacterial Coating Potentially for Dental Unit Waterlines.

The formation of bacterial biofilms and the contamination of treatment water within dental unit waterlines can lead to a risk of secondary bacterial infections in immunocompromised patients. Although chemical disinfectants can reduce the contamination of treatment water, they can also cause corrosion damage to dental unit waterlines. Considering the antibacterial effect of ZnO, a ZnO-containing coating was prepared on the surface of polyurethane waterlines using polycaprolactone (PCL) with a good film-forming capacity. The ZnO-containing PCL coating improved the hydrophobicity of polyurethane waterlines, thus inhibiting the adhesion of bacteria. Moreover, the continuous slow release of Zn ions endowed polyurethane waterlines with antibacterial activity, thus effectively preventing the formation of bacterial biofilms. Meanwhile, the ZnO-containing PCL coating had good biocompatibility. The present study suggests that ZnO-containing PCL coating can realize a long-term antibacterial effect on the polyurethane waterlines by itself, providing a novel strategy for the manufacture of autonomous antibacterial dental unit waterlines.

An injectable hydrogel combining medicine and matrix with anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic properties for potential treatment of myocardial infarction.

One of the main illnesses that put people's health in jeopardy is myocardial infarction (MI). After MI, damaged or dead cells set off an initial inflammatory response that thins the ventricle wall and degrades the extracellular matrix. At the same time, the ischemia and hypoxic conditions resulting from MI lead to significant capillary obstruction and rupture, impairing cardiac function and reducing blood flow to the heart. Therefore, attenuating the initial inflammatory response and promoting angiogenesis are very important for the treatment of MI. Here, to reduce inflammation and promote angiogenesis in infarcted area, we report a new kind of injectable hydrogel composed of puerarin and chitosan via in situ self-assembly with simultaneous delivery of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CHP@Si) for myocardial repair. On the one hand, puerarin degraded from CHP@Si hydrogel modulated the inflammatory response via inhibiting M1-type polarization of macrophages and expression of pro-inflammatory factors. On the other hand, silica ions and puerarin released from CHP@Si hydrogel showed synergistic activity to improve the cell viability, migration and angiogenic gene expression of HUVECs in both conventional and oxygen/glucose-deprived environments. It suggests that this multifunctional injectable CHP@Si hydrogel with good biocompatibility may be an appropriate candidate as a bioactive material for myocardial repair post-MI.

Buccal rotation for wholly impacted maxillary third molar extraction.

BACKGROUND: Extracting wholly impacted maxillary 3rd molars faces difficulty due to the narrow surgical field, adjacent teeth resistances and risk of oroantral communication. This study is designed to introduce and evaluate the applicability of a novel method-buccal rotation to extract maxillary 3rd molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, from October 1st 2020 to September 30th 2021, 72 wholly impacted maxillary 3rd molars were included. Based on the crowns with coronal 1/3, middle 1/3, apical 1/3 of the adjacent teeth roots, teeth were classified into position I, II, III. Based on the angles < 30°, ≥ 30°but < 60°, ≥ 60° to the adjacent teeth, teeth were classified into angulation A, B, C. Traditional method and novel method-buccal rotation were applied based on the surgical simulations. Surgical results were recorded. To analyze the data, Chi-square test was applied. RESULTS: 82.00% of teeth in position I and 50.00% in position II were designed to use traditional method, 83.33% in position III were using the novel method (p < 0.05). 81.25% of teeth in angulation A and 52.63% in angulation B were designed to use traditional method, 80.00% in angulation C were using the novel method (p < 0.05). Four cases got temporary complications. CONCLUSION: Buccal rotation was applicable to extract the deep impacted maxillary third molars with large angles towards the adjacent teeth.

[Study on digital models of normal deciduous dentition in 189 children from Shanghai].

PURPOSE: To study the gender difference and the regulation of growth and development in normal deciduous dentition． METHODS: A total of 189 children with normal deciduous dentition aged 3 to 6 years in several kindergartens in Xuhui District in Shanghai were selected. The three-dimensional(3D) digital dental models were reconstructed by intraoral scanning. Geomagic Studio, a 3D reverse engineering software, was employed to extract the data, such as the dental arc perimeter of C(APC), the dental arc perimeter of E(APE), the dental arc length of C(LC), the dental arc length of E(LE), the dental arc width of C(C-C), the dental arc width of E(E-E), the mesiodistal width of the deciduous crown, the maxillary and mandibular space. SPSS 22.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Parameters of deciduous dentition in boys were significantly elevated than in girls(P＜0.05). All the boys and girls were divided into 4 groups by age. In 3-year-old group, significant differences were observed in maxillary APC, C-C, E-E(P＜0.05) between boys and girls. In 4-year-old group, all boys' parameters were significantly greater than girls'(P＜0.05) except maxillary LC. In 5-year-old group, there were significant differences in all the parameters between boys and girl(P＜0.05) except maxillary APE and mandibular APC, LC, LE, C-C. No significant difference was observed in all the parameters except mandibular APE in 6-year old group. The significant difference between boys and girls were observed in the mesiodistal width of each deciduous crown except that of the maxillary lateral incisor and mandibular central incisor (P＜0.05). There were significant differences in maxillary LE and E-E among children of different ages(P＜0.05).The maxillary space was significantly greater than the mandibular space(P＜0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There was gender difference in children's normal deciduous dentition, especially when they were 4 years old.

[Oral health behavior and parental cognition of first-grade children in urban and suburban areas of Shanghai].

PURPOSE: To investigate oral health behaviors of first-grade school children and parents' cognition of oral health in urban and suburban areas of Shanghai, and to analyze and compare the differences between the two areas, so as to provide reference for formulating oral health intervention measures and oral health education. METHODS: A total of 3 312 first-grade school-aged children in Shanghai were included by cluster random sampling method. Relevant data were collected through questionnaire survey of parents' oral health and clinical oral examination of children. Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in oral health behaviors of children and parents' oral health cognition between urban and suburban area with SAS 9.4 software package. RESULTS: The proportion of children who brush their teeth more than twice a day in urban and suburban areas was 72.55% and 44.26%, and the proportion of children who brushed their teeth with fluoride toothpaste was 53.25% and 44.79%, respectively. Compared with the suburban area, the brushing habits of school-aged children in urban area were better, the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05). In terms of medical habits, the proportion of children with no dental experience in urban and suburban areas was 26.99% and 44.08%, and the proportion of children with toothache in the past year was lower than that in the last dental visit, the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). In terms of parents' cognition and attitude towards oral health knowledge, parents in urban areas were more correct than those in suburban areas, with the average correct rate being 82.56% and 70.42%, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There are regional differences in oral health behaviors of first-grade school children and parents' oral health knowledge between urban and suburban area in Shanghai. It is suggested that relevant government departments should strengthen oral health education and oral health behavior guidance for parents, and strengthen oral health investment in non-central urban areas.

[Effect of Twin-block in adolescents with mandibular retrusion and normal anterior overjet].

PURPOSE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of modified fixed Twin-block on patients whose mandible was retruded and anterior overjet was normal. METHODS: Thirty-six adolescents with mandibular retrusion and normal anterior overjet were selected. The goal of occlusal reconstruction was to move the soft tissue pogonion forward to the zero meridian(0°). Fixed Twin-block combined with the mini-implants on the mandibular buccal shelf was used to promote mandibular growth. After 12 months, the appliances were removed step by step to observe the stability of the jaw relationship. Fixed orthodontic treatment was performed to achieve ideal occlusion and coordinated profile. SPSS 13.0 software package was used for Student's t test. RESULTS: The length of mandibular body increased significantly which facilitated the forward movement of the soft tissue pogonion, and the profile changed from convex to straight. Comparison of the results before and after Twin-block treatment showed that Co-Gn, SNB, U1-SN, U6-0°, U1-0°, U1-L1, anterior overbite, anterior overjet, Pog's-0°, L1-0° and lower anterior facial height changed significantly (P＜0.05). Comparison of the results before and after fixed orthodontic treatment showed that PP-MP, SN-MP, U6-0°, IMPA, L1-0°,U1-SN, U1-L1, anterior overbite and overjet changed significantly(P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modified fixed Twin-block combined with mini-implants on the mandibular buccal shelf can effectively stimulate the mandibular growth and improve the lateral profile of patients with mandibular retrusion and normal overjet.

Air Pollution and Workplace Choice: Evidence from China.

Understanding the impacts of air pollution on public health and individual behavior is crucial for optimal environmental policy design. Using 2015 census microdata in China, this paper examined the causal effect of air pollution on working place choice. The research design relies on a regression discontinuity design based on China's Huai River Policy. The discontinuity in air pollution caused by the Huai River Policy provides a natural experiment to estimate the impact of air pollution. The results show that air pollution significantly increases the possibility of individuals working near home. The positive effect of air pollution on working near home is more significant for women, the elderly, urban individuals and those individuals working in secondary and tertiary industries. This study improves our understanding of the health effects and avoidance behavior associated with environmental hazards, discusses the negative impact of air pollution on labor mobility and mismatch by making individuals work nearby, and emphasizes that strengthening air pollution control should be a long-term policy.

[Enhanced mechanical properties and cytocompatibility of GelMA hydrogels by incorporating graphene oxide].

PURPOSE: To construct graphene oxide/methacrylated gelatin(GO/GelMA) hydrogel and to investigate its mechanical property and biocompatibility. METHODS: 50, 100, 200 µg/mL GO was added to GelMA and mixed thoroughly. The micromorphology of hydrogels was observed under scanning electron microscope(SEM). Compression text was used to assess lastic modulus, CCK-8 and live/dead cell staining was conducted to assess the viability of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). The data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 software package. RESULTS: SEM showed a highly porous structure of the hydrogel. After adding GO, the elastic modulous increased (100, 200 µg/mL), swelling ratio increased(100 µg/mL) and expansion ratio decreased(200 µg/mL). The viability increased in 50 µg/mL GO and decreased in 100 and 200 µg/mL GO. CONCLUSIONS: Proper concentration of GO can increase the mechanical property and biocompatibility. 50 µg/mL GO/GelMA was suggested in bone tissue engineering given priority to biocompatibility.