Data-Independent Acquisition-Based Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals Potential Salivary Biomarkers of Primary Sjögren's Syndrome.

Objective As primary Sj?gren's syndrome (pSS) primarily affects the salivary glands, saliva can serve as an indicator of the glands' pathophysiology and the disease's status. This study aims to illustrate the salivary proteomic profiles of pSS patients and identify potential candidate biomarkers for diagnosis.Methods The discovery set contained 49 samples (24 from pSS and 25 from age- and gender-matched healthy controls [HCs]) and the validation set included 25 samples (12 from pSS and 13 from HCs). Totally 36 pSS patients and 38 HCs were centrally randomized into the discovery set or to the validation set at a 2:1 ratio. Unstimulated whole saliva samples from pSS patients and HCs were analyzed using a data-independent acquisition (DIA) strategy on a 2D LC?HRMS/MS platform to reveal differential proteins. The crucial proteins were verified using DIA analysis and annotated using gene ontology (GO) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA) analysis. A prediction model for SS was established using random forests.Results A total of 1,963 proteins were discovered, and 136 proteins exhibited differential representation in pSS patients. The bioinformatic research indicated that these proteins were primarily linked to immunological functions, metabolism, and inflammation. A panel of 19 protein biomarkers was identified by ranking order based on P-value and random forest algorichm, and was validated as the predictive biomarkers exhibiting good performance with area under the curve (AUC) of 0.817 for discovery set and 0.882 for validation set.Conclusions The candidate protein panel discovered may aid in pSS diagnosis. Salivary proteomic analysis is a promising non-invasive method for prognostic evaluation and early and precise treatments for pSS patients. DIA offers the best time efficiency and data dependability and may be a suitable option for future research on the salivary proteome.

The NG2-glia is a potential target to maintain the integrity of neurovascular unit after acute ischemic stroke.

The neurovascular unit (NVU) plays a critical role in health and disease. In the current review, we discuss the critical role of a class of neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2)-expressing glial cells (NG2-glia) in regulating NVU after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We first introduce the role of NG2-glia in the formation of NVU during development as well as aging-induced damage to NVU and accompanying NG2-glia change. We then discuss the reciprocal interactions between NG2-glia and the other component cells of NVU, emphasizing the factors that could influence NG2-glia. Damage to the NVU integrity is the pathological basis of edema and hemorrhagic transformation, the most dreaded complication after AIS. The role of NG2-glia in AIS-induced NVU damage and the effect of NG2-glia transplantation on AIS-induced NVU damage are summarized. We next discuss the role of NG2-glia and the effect of NG2-glia transplantation in oligodendrogenesis and white matter repair as well as angiogenesis which is associated with the outcome of the patients after AIS. Finally, we review the current strategies to promote NG2-glia proliferation and differentiation and propose to use the dental pulp stem cells (DPSC)-derived exosome as a promising strategy to reduce AIS-induced injury and promote repair through maintaining the integrity of NVU by regulating endogenous NG2-glia proliferation and differentiation.

Emerging Enteroviruses Causing Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease, China, 2010-2016.

Coxsackievirus A6 emerged as one of the predominant causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease epidemics in many provinces of China in 2013 and 2015. This virus strain accounted for 25.9% of mild and 15.2% of severe cases in 2013 and 25.8% of mild and 16.9% of severe cases in 2015.

Sequence-Defined Scaffolding of Peptides on Nucleic Acid Polymers.

We have developed a method for the T4 DNA ligase-catalyzed DNA-templated polymerization of 5'-phosphorylated pentanucleotides containing peptide fragments. The polymerization proceeds sequence-specifically to generate DNA-scaffolded peptides in excellent yields. The method has been shown to tolerate peptides ranging from two to eight amino acids in length with a wide variety of functionality. We validated the capabilities of this system in a mock selection for the enrichment of a His-tagged DNA-scaffolded peptide phenotype from a library, which exhibited a 190-fold enrichment after one round of selection. This strategy demonstrates a promising new approach to allowing the generation and in vitro selection of high-affinity reagents based upon single-stranded DNA scaffolding of peptide fragments.

Adhesion of osteoblast-like cell on silicon-doped TiO2 film prepared by cathodic arc deposition.

Silicon-doped TiO2 (Si-TiO2) and pure TiO2 films were deposited on titanium substrates by cathodic arc deposition technique. The surface characteristics of the films, such as surface topography, elemental composition and wettability, were studied. About 4.6 % Si was incorporated into the Si-TiO2 films with a water contact angle of about 83°. The adhesive behaviors of osteoblast-like MG63 cells on both films were investigated through cell counting assay, immunocytochemistry, real-time PCR and western blotting analysis. Cells cultured on the Si-TiO2 films had a greater cellular viability, stronger cytoskeleton and focal adhesion, and more cellular spreading than those on the pure TiO2 films. Moreover, the expression levels of integrin ß1 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) genes, FAK and the phosphorylation of FAK proteins were up-regulated in cells cultured on the Si-TiO2 films. These results indicated that the Si-TiO2 films possess significantly enhanced cytocompatibility and provide potential solutions for the surface modification of implants in the future.

[Influence of intra-pulpal temperature when using femtosecond laser in specific parameters to prepare cavities in tooth enamel: an in vitro study].

OBJECTIVE: To take the Real-time measurement of the intra-pulpal temperature (IPT) when using femtosecond laser in specific parameters to prepare cavities in tooth enamel in vitro, and to preliminarily evaluate the effect of air cooling. METHODS: All pulp champers of extracted human teeth (premolars and molars) were exposed by roots amputated and pulp scraped out. All chambers were tightly filled with copper powder, and thermocouple was inserted into the center of the powder stack. The bottom of the chamber was sealed with insulating tape. Thermocouple wire was fixed at the same time. The 2.25 mm×2.25 mm square cavities were prepared using femtosecond laser in the enamel with the average scan speed of 0.4 mm/s. The real-time IPT change was measured with thermocouple digital thermometer. Air cooling was added to the procedure once the temperature increased to reach a balance. RESULTS: The IPT rising was defined as ΔT . Before the usage of air cooling, the maximum of the ΔT value of the sample premolar was 12.3 °C. After using air cooling, the IPT decreased and ΔT value became 3.0 °C . The maximum of ΔT of the sample molar before using air cooling was 1.8 °C , and decreased to -0.1 °C after it. CONCLUSION: When preparing a cavity whose average depth is about 250 µm by femtosecond laser system in specific parameters, the IPT rises while the depth increass, but it could be controlled effectively by air cooling.

Molecularly imprinted photonic polymer as an optical sensor to detect chloramphenicol.

An inverse opal photonic crystal sensor that could specifically detect chloramphenicol (CAP) in a label-free way was introduced in the current research. A colloidal crystal template was first prepared from monodisperse SiO(2) nanospheres. Precursors with different compositions were infused into the void spaces of the respective templates and aggregated. The template and the imprinted CAP were removed, and a molecularly imprinted photonic polymer (MIPP) with numerous nanocavities derived from the SiO(2) template was prepared. The MIPP could specifically recognize the target CAP. The results showed that the embedding and transporting of CAP could change the reflection peak intensity of the MIPP. The MIPP exhibited good responsiveness, with a detection range from 1 ng mL(-1) to 1 µg mL(-1) of CAP. The MIPP response time was 8 min upon its addition to CAP at a concentration of 10 ng mL(-1), which is shorter than that of other methods. After repeated use, the MIPP maintained a good performance and detection capacity. Thus, the results prove that the novel sensor could specifically detect CAP in a simple, time-saving, and low-cost manner.

Development of molecularly imprinted polymer films used for detection of profenofos based on a quartz crystal microbalance sensor.

A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor based on molecularly imprinted ultra-thin films was developed for detecting profenofos in real samples. Films prepared by physical entrapment (MIP-A) and in situ self-assembly (MIP-B) were compared. The results indicated that the best sensing signal was obtained through the in situ self-assembly method. The QCM sensor chip was pretreated with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) to form a self-assembled monolayer (SAM), and then polymer films were immobilized directly on the SAM using surface-initiated radical polymerization. In this paper, all detection experiments were taken in air. The reaction was processed in solution, and the electrode was washed with deionized water and dried with N(2) before QCM measurement. The film was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), AC impedance and cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of the QCM response in the presence of different concentrations of profenofos showed a good linear correlation during 1.0 × 10(-8) to 1.0 × 10(-5) mg mL(-1) (y = 5log x + 42.5, R = 0.9960) and 1.0 × 10(-5) to 1.0 × 10(-3) mg mL(-1) (y = 25.86log x + 146, R = 0.9959), respectively. The MIP-QCM sensor was used to detect profenofos in tap water, and showed good recovery and repeatability.

Discovery of Novel Andrographolide Derivatives as Antiviral Inhibitors against Human Enterovirus A71.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) caused by human enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) infection has been associated with severe neurological complications. With the lack of an internationally approved antiviral, coupled with a surge in outbreaks globally, EV-A71 has emerged as a neurotropic virus of high clinical importance. Andrographolide has many pharmacological effects including antiviral activity and its derivative, andrographolide sulfonate, has been used in China clinically to treat EV-A71 infections. This study sought to identify novel andrographolide derivatives as EV-A71 inhibitors and elucidate their antiviral mode of action. Using an immunofluorescence-based phenotypic screen, we identified novel EV-A71 inhibitors from a 344-compound library of andrographolide derivatives and validated them with viral plaque assays. Among these hits, ZAF-47, a quinolinoxy-andrographolide, was selected for downstream mechanistic studies. It was found that ZAF-47 acts on EV-A71 post-entry stages and inhibits EV-A71 protein expression. Subsequent luciferase studies confirm that ZAF-47 targets EV-A71 genome RNA replication specifically. Unsuccessful attempts in generating resistant mutants led us to believe a host factor is likely to be involved which coincide with the finding that ZAF-47 exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity against other enteroviruses (CV-A16, CV-A6, Echo7, CV-B5, CV-A24 and EV-D68). Furthermore, ZAF-46 and ZAF-47, hits from the screen, were derivatives of the same series containing quinolinoxy and olefin modifications, suggesting that an andrographolide scaffold mounted with these unique moieties could be a potential anti-EV-A71/HFMD strategy.

Deintensified Chemoradiotherapy for Pretreatment Epstein-Barr Virus DNA-Selected Low-Risk Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Phase II Randomized Noninferiority Trial.

PURPOSE: Cumulative doses of 200 mg/m2 for concurrent cisplatin (DDP) were indicated by retrospective studies as sufficient in conferring survival benefit for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC). We performed an open-label, phase II, randomized, controlled trial to test the noninferiority of a two-cycle 100 mg/m2 concurrent DDP regimen over three-cycle in patients with low-risk LA-NPC with pretreatment Epstein-Barr virus DNA levels < 4,000 copies/mL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive two cycles or three cycles concurrent DDP-based chemoradiotherapy. The primary end point was 3-year progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary end points included overall survival, distant metastasis-free survival, locoregional relapse-free survival, etc. RESULTS: Between September 2016 and October 2018, 332 patients were enrolled, with 166 in each arm. After a median follow-up of 37.7 months, the estimated 3-year PFS rates were 88.0% in the two-cycle group and 90.4% in the three-cycle group, with a difference of 2.4% (95% CI, -4.3 to 9.1, Pnoninferiority = .014). No differences were observed between groups in terms of PFS, overall survival, and the cumulative incidences of locoregional relapse and distant metastasis. Patients in the three-cycle group developed significantly more grade 3-4 mucositis (41 [24.8%] v 25 [15.1%]), hyponatremia (26 [15.8%] v 14 [8.4%]), and dermatitis (9 [5.5%] v 2 [1.2%]). The overall all-grade and grade 3-4 toxicity burdens were heavier in three-cycle group (T-scores, 12.33 v 10.57, P < .001 for all grades; 1.76 v 1.44, P = .05 for grade 3-4). Patients in the three-cycle group also showed more all-grade hearing impairment, dry mouth and skin fibrosis, and impaired long-term quality of life. CONCLUSION: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy plus two cycles of concurrent 100 mg/m2 DDP could be an alternative treatment option for patients with low-risk LA-NPC.

Effect of tween series on growth and Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid production of Lactobacillus acidophilus F0221 in the presence of bile salts.

Cis-9, trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid (c9, t11 CLA) producing bacteria have attracted much attention as novel probiotics which have shown beneficial effects on host health. However, bile salts are able to inhibit bacterial growth and c9, t11 CLA production. For recovering growth and c9, t11 CLA production of Lactobacillus acidophilus F0221 in the presence of bile salts, Tween series (Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60 and Tween 80) were added in growth culture containing 0.3% oxgall. Results showed that the viable counts were significantly (P < 0.05) recovered to 8.58-8.75 log CFU/mL in the presence of all Tween treatments. However, recovery of c9, t11 CLA production was only demonstrated in the presence of Tween 80 (72.89 µg/mL). Stepwise increasing oxgall in a concentrations range from 0.1% to 0.9% according to human intestinal physiological environments, Tween 80 still showed significant (P < 0.05) recovery ability on growth (8.91-8.04 log CFU/mL) and c9, t11 CLA (69.22-34.27 µg/mL) production. The effect of Tween 80 on growth and production was also investigated in the presence of different types of bile salts (sodium salts of cholic acid (CA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), chendeoxycholic acid (CDCA), glycocholic acid (GCA) and taurocholic acid (TCA)). Results showed that Tween 80 could significantly (P < 0.05) recover c9, t11 CLA production in the presence of all types of bile salts, but the Tween 80 could only significantly (P < 0.05) recover viable counts of the strain in the presence of CA, DCA and CDCA. This recovery ability could be attributed to the protection of leakage of intracellular material. Additionally, although bile salts inhibited growth and c9, t11 CLA production by the growing cell, it promoted the c9, t11 CLA production by the resting cell.

Association of Clinical Severity With Family Affluence-Based Socioeconomic Status Among Hospitalized Pediatric Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Patients in Henan, China: A Single Hospital-Based Case Series Study.

BACKGROUND: The association between the clinical severity of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) inpatients and socioeconomic status (SES) is important for quantifying SES inequality in HFMD disease burden and informing decision-makers regarding medical subsidy and reimbursement policies. Here, this association was investigated using a quantitative SES measurement. METHODS: Laboratory-confirmed HFMD cases hospitalized at Henan Children's Hospital from February 15, 2017, to February 15, 2018, were invited. We utilized the revised Family Affluence Scale for family affluence-based SES measurement. Clinical severity was diagnosed based on central nervous system (CNS) complications, treatments, and length of stay. We applied logistic regression for association analyses and multiple imputation for missing data. RESULTS: A total of 1229 laboratory-confirmed HFMD inpatients responded. Adjusted by age, sex, rural residence, EV-A71 infection, and health-seeking behavior, CNS complications (odds ratio [OR], 2.72; 95% CI, 1.41-5.31), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR, 7.30; 95% CI, 2.21-25.97), and prolonged hospitalization (OR, 4.28; 95% CI, 2.44-7.58) were significantly associated with lower family affluence-based SES. These associations increased as the SES category descended. For EV-A71-infected inpatients, severe HFMD was significantly associated with low and intermediate SES. For non-EV-A71-infected inpatients, only the association of prolonged hospitalization with low SES increased significantly. Also, severe HFMD inpatients, especially those admitted to the ICU, incurred high hospitalization costs. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical severity of HMFD inpatients was significantly associated with family affluence-based SES. Severe HFMD inpatients were more likely to have lower SES than nonsevere inpatients and suffered a heavy economic burden. Therefore, medical subsidy and reimbursement policies should offer sufficient monetary support to severe HFMD inpatients to alleviate economic burden in low-SES populations and reduce potential SES inequality.

Discovery of 14S-(2'-chloro-4'-nitrophenoxy)-8R/S,17-epoxy andrographolide as EV-A71 infection inhibitor.

Human enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is a major etiological agent of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) and there is presently no internationally approved antiviral against EV-A71. In this study, it is disclosed that 14S-(2'-chloro-4'-nitrophenoxy)-8R/S,17-epoxy andrographolide (2) was discovered to be an effective inhibitor against EV-A71 infection showing significant reduction of viral titre. In addition to EV-A71, compound 2 exerts broad-spectrum antiviral effects against other enteroviruses. It is revealed that compound 2 inhibits the post-entry stages of EV-A71 viral replication cycle and significantly reduces viral protein expression of structural proteins such as VP0 and VP2 via inhibiting EV-A71 RNA replication. Moreover, the inhibitory property of compound 2 is specific to viral RNA replication. Furthermore, compound 2 is more likely to target a host factor in EV-A71 RNA replication. As a result, introduction of epoxide at positions 8 and 17 of andrographolide is effective for anti-EV-A71 infection and is a potential anti-EV-A71 strategy. Further work to discover more potent andrographolide derivatives and elucidate comprehensive SAR is under way.

Direct electron transfer of glucose oxidase and biosensing of glucose on hollow sphere-nanostructured conducting polymer/metal oxide composite.

A hollow sphere-nanostructured conductive polymer/metal oxide composite was synthesized and used to investigate the electrochemical behavior of glucose oxidase, demonstrating a significantly enhanced direct electron transfer ability of glucose oxidase. In particular, the long-standing puzzle of whether enzymatic glucose sensing involves an enzyme direct electron transfer process was studied. The results indicate the mechanism is indeed a glucose oxidase direct electron transfer process with competitive glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction to detect glucose. A glucose biosensor with the glucose oxidase-immobilized nanomaterial was further constructed, demonstrating superior sensitivity and reliability, and providing great potential in clinical applications.

[The effects of different PAP domains on hepatitis B virus replication].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different PAP domains on hepatitis B virus replication. METHODS: The full length and two truncated PAP mutants were cloned into a eukaryotic expression plasmid, and were transfected into HepG2.2.15 cells using lipofectamine 2000. 3 days after transfection, the medium and cells were collected. HBsAg and HBeAg were measured using ELISA. The titers of HBV DNA were quantified using fluorogenic quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). HepG2 cells were used to determine the cytotoxicity of the plasmids transfection by MTT assays. RESULTS: The inhibitory effect on HBV replication of the C-terminal 25 amino acids deleted PAP mutant (pXF3H-PAP14) was not significantly different from that of the full length PAP (pXF3H-PAP12) (Chi-square test = 0.5, 2.0, 0.02, probability value more than 0.05), however, the cytotoxicity of pXF3H-PAP14 was lower than that of pXF3H-PAP12 (Chi-square test = 7.7, probability value less than 0.01). Both N-terminal 69 amino acids deleted mutant and C-terminal 25 amino acids deleted mutant had no cytotoxicity and no antiviral activity. CONCLUSION: C-terminal 25 amino acid of PAP is related to cytotoxicity but not related to antiviral activity of PAP. N-terminal 69 amino acid of PAP is related to the anti-HBV effect of PAP.

Comparison of the performance of prepared pristine and TiO2 coated UF/NF membranes for two types of oil-in-water emulsion separation.

Polysulfone ultrafiltration (UF) and polypiperazine-amide nanofiltration (NF) membranes were first fabricated by phase inversion and interfacial polymerization, and then modified by the commonly used TiO2 on the membrane surface, respectively. Compared with the pristine UF and NF membranes, pure water flux decreased by 40.66% for modified UF membrane and 12.92% for modified NF membrane, while the contact angle of the modified membranes decreased from 66.5° to 35.3° for UF membrane and from 48.2° to37.7° for NF membrane. However, the membrane modified by TiO2 nanoparticles for both UF and NF membranes exhibited much better anti-fouling and separation performance for two types of oil-in-water emulsions with different droplet size (i.e., prepared oil-in-water emulsion with low salinity and oil produced water in Shengli oilfield, China). It was obvious that water flux of modified UF only slightly decreased and the stable water flux was 2.2 times and 15.6% higher than that of pristine membranes for the prepared oil-in-water emulsion and produced water, respectively. According to the five fouling models for UF, the TiO2 modified UF membrane could alleviate the fouling on membrane surface and greatly increase water flux by reducing the adsorption, deposition, blockage of membrane pores and formation of cake layer for two types of oil-in-water emulsion. For NF, water flux of the modified membrane increased by 66.1% and 22.8% for prepared oil-in-water emulsion and produced water, respectively. TiO2 coating effectively alleviated the oil adhesion and cake layer formation on the membrane surface.

Enterovirus genomic load and disease severity among children hospitalised with hand, foot and mouth disease.

BACKGROUND: Examining associations between viral genomic loads of enteroviruses and clinical severity is important for promoting and improving development of antiviral drugs related to hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). METHODS: Throat swabs were collected from HFMD cases at acute phase of illness using a standardized technique in a prospective study. The viral genomic load was categorized into low, medium, and high groups using parameters of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The clinical severities were assessed with four indicators, respectively. FINDINGS: We analysed 1109 HFMD cases, including 538 children with CV-A6, 231 with CV-A16, 156 with EV-A71, 78 with CV-A10, 59 with CV-A4, and 47 with CV-A2. EV-A71 genomic load categories were associated with risks of diagnoses of CNS complications (p = 0.016), requiring systemic corticosteroids or IVIG (p = 0.011), intensive care unit admission (p = 0.002) and length of hospital stay over 5 days (p = 0.048). In the multivariate analyses, point estimates of adjusted odds ratio (OR) tended to increase with viral genomic loads for all four severe outcomes and ORs of highest viral genomic load were all significantly larger than one for EV-A71. INTERPRETATION: HFMD clinical severities positively associate with viral genomic loads of EV-A71 in throat swabs. Specific antiviral drugs should be developed to reduce enterovirus load and to alleviate the clinical severities for HFMD cases. FUNDING: National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars.

Evaluation of the diagnostic performance and its associated factors of a commercial anti-EV-A71 IgM-capture ELISA kit in hospitalized children with clinical diagnostic HFMD.

OBJECTIVES: Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is the main pathogen of severe hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are widely used in Chinese hospitals for the rapid diagnosis of acute EV-A71 infections. We present an evaluation of the diagnostic performance of a commercial anti-EV-A71 IgM-capture ELISA kit. METHODS: A prospective, hospital-based HFMD cohort was established in Henan Children's Hospital (February 2017 - February 2018). Stool and blood specimens were collected from 1413 participants for diagnosing EVA71 by quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and anti-EV-A71 ELISA. RESULTS: Detection yields of EV-A71 IgM increased from 6.5 % (95 % CI:3.3 %-11.4 %) at 0∼24 h, to 42 % (95 % CI:28.3 %-57.8) at 120∼144 h from onset to sampling, and stabilized at ∼40 % after 144 h. With increased time from onset to sampling, the sensitivity of the commercial ELISA increased from 0.54 (95 % CI:0.25-0.81) to 0.74 (95 % CI:0.43-0.66), while specificity decreased from 0.97 (95 % CI:0.93-0.99) to 0.80 (95 % CI:0.69-0.89), and PPV decreased from 0.96 (95 % CI:0.92-0.99) to 0.84 (95 % CI:0.73-0.92). Multivariate analysis found age, EV-A71 vaccination, previous HFMD/Herpangina infection, disease severity, infection during peak EV-A71 season, and sampling time after symptom onset were significantly associated with the diagnostic performance of this anti-EV-A71 IgM-capture ELISA. CONCLUSION: Achieving satisfactory specificity and sensitivity scores, this commercial anti-EV-A71 IgM-capture ELISA kit is suitable for clinical EV-A71 diagnosis, particularly in resource-poor areas. However, clinicians should interpret results in the context of patient history and epidemiological setting.

[A clinical study of femoral head osteonecrosis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: The consecutive 461 SLE patients who underwent inpatient care in China-Japan Friendship Hospital were reviewed, the clinical data of 32 cases complicated with ONFH and 64 without ONFH as control was studied. RESULTS: The incidence of ONFH in 461 SLE patients was 6.94%. 65.63% of the ONFH was diagnosed within the first 3 years of SLE. It was found that the incidence of vasculitis, osteoporosis, high level of blood platelet, serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and fibrinogen was higher in SLE patients with ONFH than that in SLE patients without ONFH (P < 0.05). When compared with controls, the ONFH initial glucocorticoid dosage and accumulative dosage of glucocorticoid within the first month or six months were significantly higher in SLE patients with ONFH (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between two groups in sex, age, duration of SLE, dental ulcer, Raynaud's phenomenon, hypocalcemia, renal diseases, hypertension, anemia, positive anticardiolipin antibodies and immunosuppresive treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of ONFH in patients with SLE is relatively high within the first 3 years of SLE. The SLE patients with ONFH are more likely to have such clinical features as vasculitis, osteoporosis, high level of blood platelet, serum LDL-C and fibrinogen and exposed to high-dose glucocorticoid therapy.

[Varying width ratio patterns of posterior hard palate cleft to posterior maxillary tuberosity plane in cleft palate].

OBJECTIVE: The varying width ratio patterns of posterior hard palate cleft to posterior maxillary tuberosity plane and their relationship with growth and development were studied in specific-age patients with simple cleft palate before surgery to provide a reference for evaluating operation difficulty and predetermining operative period. METHODS: A total of 581 patients with simple cleft palate who received surgical treatment and are aged 8 months to 38 years participated in this study. All patients were categorized into seven groups based on age at preoperative measurement. The widths of posterior maxillary tuberosity plane and hard palate cleft were selected from the preoperative direct measurements. The relative width ratio of the hard palate to posterior maxillary tuberosity plane in each patient was used to objectively reflect the relative width of cleft palate. RESULTS: For patients with simple cleft palate, the widths of posterior maxillary tuberosity plane and hard palate showed remarkably increasing trends. CONCLUSIONS: The transverse proportion of cleft palate fissure in the upper mandible increases statistically with age, suggesting the need for complex operation.