Clinically Oriented CBCT Periapical Lesion Evaluation via 3D CNN Algorithm.

Apical periodontitis (AP) is one of the most prevalent disorders in dentistry. However, it can be underdiagnosed in asymptomatic patients. In addition, the perioperative evaluation of 3-dimensional (3D) lesion volume is of great clinical relevance, but the required slice-by-slice manual delineation method is time- and labor-intensive. Here, for quickly and accurately detecting and segmenting periapical lesions (PALs) associated with AP on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images, we proposed and geographically validated a novel 3D deep convolutional neural network algorithm, named PAL-Net. On the internal 5-fold cross-validation set, our PAL-Net achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.98. The algorithm also improved the diagnostic performance of dentists with varying levels of experience, as evidenced by their enhanced average AUC values (junior dentists: 0.89-0.94; senior dentists: 0.91-0.93), and significantly reduced the diagnostic time (junior dentists: 69.3 min faster; senior dentists: 32.4 min faster). Moreover, our PAL-Net achieved an average Dice similarity coefficient over 0.87 (0.85-0.88), which is superior or comparable to that of other existing state-of-the-art PAL segmentation algorithms. Furthermore, we validated the generalizability of the PAL-Net system using multiple external data sets from Central, East, and North China, showing that our PAL-Net has strong robustness. Our PAL-Net can help improve the diagnostic performance and speed of dentists working from CBCT images, provide clinically relevant volume information to dentists, and can potentially be applied in dental clinics, especially without expert-level dentists or radiologists.

Omega-3 fatty acids does not affect physical activity and body weight in primary school children - a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

It was hypothesized that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids could increase physical activity (PA) levels, where traditional interventions often fail. The aim of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trail was to evaluate the effects of 15-week administration of omega-3 fatty acids on objectively measured PA and relative body weight in 8-9 year-old children. The children were randomly assigned to supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids or placebo. Primary outcome was change in PA counts per minute (cpm), and secondly change in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS). Covariance models were applied adjusting for age, gender, weight status, PA and intervention season. Compliance was controlled for by analyzing fatty acid composition in plasma. The intention to treat population consisted of 362 children (omega-3 n = 177, placebo n = 185). No significant effects of omega-3 fatty acids on PA or relative body weight were observed. In covariance models no effects were observed by gender, weight status or change in PA (all p > 0.05), but inactive children increased their PA more than children classified as active at baseline (p < 0.05).

Lentiviral vector-mediated shRNAs targeting a functional isoform of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) inhibit cartilage degeneration in a rat model of osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To downregulate the expression of leptin receptor functional isoform (Ob-Rb) on chondrocytes using lentiviral vector-mediated short-hairpin RNA (LV-shRNA) and to determine its effects on cartilage degeneration. METHOD: In vitro, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were performed to select an optimal Ob-Rb LV-shRNA (LV-shRNA3) and to determine its effects on nine OA-related mediators in cultured rat chondrocytes. In vivo, an OA model was surgically induced in the right knees of rats, and LV-shRNA3, lentiviral vector-mediated non-targeting control sequence (LV-NTC) or phosphate buffered saline was injected into the joints. Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring was performed to assess cartilage degeneration, and immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate OA-related mediator expression in the above groups. RESULTS: Ob-Rb expression was significantly downregulated by LV-shRNA3 in cultured chondrocytes. In conjunction with Ob-Rb downregulation, the expression levels of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6) and catabolic mediators (ADAMTS-5, MMP-9, NOS-2 and COX-2) were also significantly decreased, and the expression levels of anabolic type II collagen were significantly increased. The in vivo study results showed that OARSI scores were significantly decreased by LV-shRNA3. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that Ob-Rb expression levels on chondrocytes were significantly downregulated by LV-shRNA3. In conjunction with Ob-Rb downregulation, ADAMTS-5 and MMP-9 expression levels were also significantly decreased, and type II collagen expression levels were increased. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that LV-shRNA3-mediated Ob-Rb downregulation on chondrocytes inhibits cartilage degeneration in a rat model of OA, suggesting that Ob-Rb may be a novel target in the treatment of OA.

RAPID COMMUNICATION: Generation of FGF5 knockout sheep via the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Sheep are an important source of fiber production. Fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) is a dominant inhibitor of length of the anagen phase of the hair cycle. Knockout or silencing of the gene results in a wooly coat in mice, donkeys, dogs, and rabbits. In sheep breeding, wool length is one of the most important wool quality traits. However, traditional breeding cannot accurately and efficiently mediate an advanced genotype into the sheep genome. In this study, we generated 3 knockout sheep via the 1-step clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system. Sequencing analysis confirmed that mutations in the gene existed in all germ lines of 3 founders: besides the intact sequence, 3 kinds of deletions in the gene (including 5, 13, and 33 bp) were detected. The changes in the primary and senior structure of the FGF5 protein due to the 3 deletions in founders suggested that the FGF5 protein was dysfunctional. In addition, the expression level of intact mRNA in heterozygous individuals decreased compared with the wild types ( < 0.01). Functionally, we discovered that wool length in founders was significantly longer than in wild types ( < 0.05). Collectively, the knockout sheep with the longer wool length phenotype will provide an efficient way for fast genetic improvement of sheep breeding and promote the development of wool industry.

Sodium-hydrogen exchanger NHA1 and NHA2 control sperm motility and male fertility.

Our previous work identified NHA1, a testis-specific sodium-hydrogen exchanger, is specifically localized on the principal piece of mouse sperm flagellum. Our subsequent study suggested that the number of newborns and fertility rate of NHA1-vaccinated female mice are significantly stepped down. In order to define the physiological function of NHA1 in spermatozoa, we generated Nha1(Fx/Fx), Zp3-Cre (hereafter called Nha1 cKO) mice and found that Nha1 cKO males were viable and subfertile with reduced sperm motility. Notably, cyclic AMP (cAMP) synthesis by soluble adenylyl cyclase (sAC) was attenuated in Nha1 cKO spermatozoa and cAMP analogs restored sperm motility. Similar to Nha1 cKO males, Nha2(Fx/Fx), Zp3-Cre (hereafter called Nha2 cKO) male mice were subfertile, indicating these two Nha genes may be functionally redundant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that male mice lacking Nha1 and Nha2 genes (hereafter called Nha1/2 dKO mice) were completely infertile, with severely diminished sperm motility owing to attenuated sAC-cAMP signaling. Importantly, principal piece distribution of NHA1 in spermatozoa are phylogenetically conserved in spermatogenesis. Collectively, our data revealed that NHA1 and NHA2 function as a key sodium-hydrogen exchanger responsible for sperm motility after leaving the cauda epididymidis.

Prognostic effect of high-flux hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease.

We investigated the prognostic effects of high-flux hemodialysis (HFHD) and low-flux hemodialysis (LFHD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both an electronic and a manual search were performed based on our rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria to retrieve high-quality, relevant clinical studies from various scientific literature databases. Comprehensive meta-analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0) was used for the quantitative analysis. We initially retrieved 227 studies from the database search. Following a multi-step screening process, eight high-quality studies were selected for our meta-analysis. These eight studies included 4967 patients with CKD (2416 patients in the HFHD group, 2551 patients in the LFHD group). The results of our meta-analysis showed that the all-cause death rate in the HFHD group was significantly lower than that in the LFHD group (OR=0.704, 95%CI=0.533-0.929, P=0.013). Additionally, the cardiovascular death rate in the HFHD group was significantly lower than that in the LFHD group (OR=0.731, 95%CI=0.616-0.866, P<0.001). The results of this meta-analysis clearly showed that HFHD decreases all-cause death and cardiovascular death rates in patients with CKD and that HFHD can therefore be implemented as one of the first therapy choices for CKD.

Prognostic effect of high-flux hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease

We investigated the prognostic effects of high-flux hemodialysis (HFHD) and low-flux hemodialysis (LFHD) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both an electronic and a manual search were performed based on our rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria to retrieve high-quality, relevant clinical studies from various scientific literature databases. Comprehensive meta-analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0) was used for the quantitative analysis. We initially retrieved 227 studies from the database search. Following a multi-step screening process, eight high-quality studies were selected for our meta-analysis. These eight studies included 4967 patients with CKD (2416 patients in the HFHD group, 2551 patients in the LFHD group). The results of our meta-analysis showed that the all-cause death rate in the HFHD group was significantly lower than that in the LFHD group (OR=0.704, 95%CI=0.533-0.929, P=0.013). Additionally, the cardiovascular death rate in the HFHD group was significantly lower than that in the LFHD group (OR=0.731, 95%CI=0.616-0.866, P<0.001). The results of this meta-analysis clearly showed that HFHD decreases all-cause death and cardiovascular death rates in patients with CKD and that HFHD can therefore be implemented as one of the first therapy choices for CKD.

Effects of forkhead box C2 on carcinogenesis and lymphatic metastasis in endometrial carcinoma.

We investigated the distribution of endometrial lymphatic vessels and expression of forkhead box C2 (FOXC2) in normal endometrium during menstrual cycle and in endometrial adenocarcinoma. Full-thickness uterine samples and endometrial adenocarcinoma samples were collected for immunohistochemical analysis using D2-40 and FOXC2 mouse monoclonal antibodies. The lymphatic vessel density (LVD) of the endometrium was significantly reduced compared with the myometrium during the cycle. Intra-tumoral LVD was significantly decreased in both stages of endometrioid adenocarcinoma compared with normal endometrium and myometrium. Intra-tumoral LVD significantly decreased from stage IA to stage IIIC. Peri-tumoral LVD for stage IA and stage IIIC tumors was significantly increased compared with normal endometrial LVD, but decreased compared with normal myometrial LVD. Stage IIIC showed increased peri-tumoral LVD when compared with stage IA. The positive rate of FOXC2 was 73.3% in proliferative endometrium and 80% in secretory endometrium. Secretory endometrium showed significantly increased FOXC2 expression compared with proliferative endometrium. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma showed significantly increased FOXC2 expression compared with normal endometrium, both in the epithelium and stroma. FOXC2 expression in the stroma significantly increased when pelvic and/or para-aotic lymph nodes were involved. FOXC2 was immunolocalized in low-risk endometrial carcinoma in endometrioid adenocarcinoma, but not in normal endometrium. Endometrial lymphatic vessels were located in normal endometrium and myometrium across the menstrual cycle and in intra-and peri-endometrioid adenocarcinoma, and increased in endometrial adenocarcinoma. Peri-tumoral lymphatics were associated with increased lymphatic metastasis. FOXC2 may be associated with the genesis of endometrial carcinoma and lymphangiogensis in endometrial adenocarcinoma in intra- and peri-tumoral lymphatics.

Study of Hgp44 from Porphyromonas gingivalis on inducing HUVECs to secrete IL-6 and IL-8.

The aim of this study was to clone, express the gene of Hgp44 in adhesin domains of gingipains from Porphyromonas gingivalis and purify the protein. Furthermore, the effect of Hgp44 from P. gingivalis on inducing HUVECs to secrete IL-6 and IL-8 was evaluated. The Hgp44 gene fragment was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and then inserted into the cloning vector pMD18-T and linked with a prokaryotic expression vector pET22b to construct the recombinant expression plasmid pET22b-Hgp44. Fusion protein expression was induced by IPTG, and it was purified by immobilized metal-chelating affinity chromatography (IMAC) using an Ni(2+) matrix column. HUVECs were cultured in vitro and different concentrations of Hgp44 were added to confluent HUVEC monolayers and incubated for 2, 8 and 24 h. We extracted the supernatants and then used ELISA kits to test the changes in IL-6 and IL-8 levels. Finally, a 1100-bp fragment was successfully amplified, and the expression of the fusion protein was examined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis, and the data showed that the protein was 44 kDa in size and expressed mostly in the form of inclusion bodies. The purification of the fusion protein was achieved using Ni(2+) affinity chromatography. About 3.5 mg/L fusion protein was obtained. Hgp44 could induce HUVECs to secrete IL-6 and IL-8 levels, which were remarkably increased. In a word, Hgp44 was successfully expressed in a prokaryotic expression system and purified by IMAC using the Ni(2+) matrix column. The effect of Hgp44 in inducing HUVECs to secrete IL-6 and IL-8 was demonstrated.

Electro-optic guided-to-radiation mode conversion in annealed proton-exchanged PPLN waveguides.

We report the design and experimental demonstration of electro-optically active TM-guided to TE-radiation mode converters in annealed proton-exchanged (APE) periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) channel waveguides in telecom S-C-L bands (1495-1640 nm). A maximum mode conversion efficiency of >95%/cm was obtained at 1520 nm from a 24-µm-period APE PPLN waveguide under an electro-optic (EO) field of ~6.3 V/µm at 35°C. This efficiency has been enhanced by a factor of >4.6 over a waveguide built in the single-domain (unpoled) LiNbO3; it is also to the best of our knowledge the most efficient guided-to-radiation (GTR) mode converter ever reported based on LiNbO3 on-axis waveguides. A conversion bandwidth of ~250 nm was also observed from this EO GTR mode converter.

Separation and identification of perchlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fullerenes (C60, C70) by coupling high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

Simultaneous separation and identification of perchlorinated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PCPAHs) and fullerenes is of practical interest due to the growth mechanism of fullerenes involved with PCPAHs. Non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with an ODS column and a gradient mobile phase of methanol-ethanol-cyclohexane mixtures, was combined with both rapid-scan ultraviolet spectrometry (UV) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) for the separation and identification of over 80 PCPAHs as well as fullerenes C60 and C70, that were synthesized in the discharge reaction of chloroform. PCPAH retention was found to depend on the number of aromatic rings and the degree of non-planarity of PCPAH structure. Based on the isotopic pattern of molecular ion or/and quasi-molecular ion peaks in corresponding mass spectra, molecular compositions of the PCPAH products were unambiguously determined. The results obtained from the HPLC-UV-MS analysis not only are helpful for the understanding of the fullerenes formation mechanism, but also contribute to the analytical technique capable of separating and identifying the complicated mixture of PCPAHs and fullerenes.

[Effect of fetal spinal cord graft with nerve growth factor and nimodipine in secondary injury of spinal cord of adult rat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) and nimodipine (NP) on fetal spinal cord graft in repair of injury of spinal cord. METHODS: A total of 144 adult Wistar rats were included in this study. All were made as the hemi-section cavity injury model at the lumbar enlargement and divided into three groups: fetal spinal cord graft (group Tr), fetal spinal cord graft with NGF (group TN), and fetal spinal cord graft with NGF and NP (group TNN). The intracellular concentration of free ionic calcium was measured at the 4th, 8th, and 24th hour, and superoxidase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) at 3rd, 6th, 12th, 24th and 72nd hour after operation. RESULTS: After spinal cord was injured, the concentration of MDA and intracellular concentration of free ionic calcium increased and reached to the peak at the 6th and 8th hour respectively, but SOD decreased and at 24th hour to its vale. The MDA was significantly lower in group TN than in group Tr, while the SOD was higher (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference on intracellular free ionic calcium concentration between group Tr and TN. The concentration of SOD of group TNN was the highest and the intracellular concentration of free ionic calcium was the lowest in the three groups (P < 0.05). The weekly mortality was 33%, 31%, 17% respectively in group Tr, TN and TNN. The mortality of group TNN was significantly lower than the other two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Although the fetal spinal cord graft is an effective method to repair laboratory spinal cord injury, NGF and ND can interrupt secondary injury and increase survival rate of the host.

[The study on serological epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in medical staffs].

Serum anti- Helicobacter pylori (Hp) IgG was determined using ELISA in 633 medical staffs and 85 non-medical staffs(as controls) in order to know the prevalence of Hp infection. The results showed that Hp infection rate in medical staffs was significantly higher than that in non-medical staffs(P < 0.05). Among the medical staffs, the highest prevalence of Hp infection was found in gastroenterologists and dental doctors(P < 0.05). Also, Hp infection was significantly higher in subjects with dyspeptic symptoms than those without(P < 0.01). It is concluded that medical staffs, especially gastroenterologists and dental doctors, have occupational risk for Hp infection.

[Problems in parenteral nutrition and metabolic support for burned patients].

Four problems in parenteral nutrition and metabolic support for burns were discussed in this paper. They were: 1. Estimation of the nutrition requirement, especially energy and protein requirements for burned patients. 2. Selection of the macronutrients for parenteral nutrition with burns. 3. Principles of the prescription of parenteral nutrition. 4. Experiences of parenteral nutrition for burned patients. Because of the safety, effectiveness and convenience, the importance and advantage of peripheral parenteral nutrition were emphasized. Some advances in this field were discussed.

[Study on carcinogenic activity of several nickel compounds in mice].

This paper reports the result of the tumor in site induced by several nickel compounds in mice. Three nickel compounds (Ni3S2, NiCl, pure nickel powder) were injected separately to the right arm pit subcutaneously (5 mg/mouse). At the end of the 62nd week, the tested mice were sacrificed. Only nickel sulfide induced tumors in the site of injection, the incidence of tumor was 36%. The majority of the tumors were fibrosarcomas, only 2 rhabdomyosarcomas. The tumors might infiltrate into the surrounding tissues, a few metastasized to the liver and/or the lungs.