Toxicological impacts of microplastics on virulence, reproduction and physiological process of entomopathogenic nematodes.

Microplastics have emerged as significant and concerning pollutants within soil ecosystems. Among the soil biota, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are lethal parasites of arthropods, and are considered among the most effective biological agents against pests. Infective juveniles (IJs) of EPNs, as they navigate the soil matrix scavenging for arthropod hosts to infect, they could potentially encounter microplastics. Howver, the impact of microplastics on EPNs has not been fully elucidated yet. We addressed this gap by subjecting Steinernema feltiae EPNs to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) with various sizes, concentrations, and exposure durations. After confirming PS-MP ingestion by S. feltiae using fluorescent dyes, we found that the PS-MPs reduced the survival, reproduction, and pathogenicity of the tested EPNs, with effects intensifying for smaller PS-MPs (0.1-1 µm) at higher concentrations (105 µg/L). Furthermore, exposure to PS-MPs triggered oxidative stress in S. feltiae, leading to increased reactive oxygen species levels, compromised mitochondrial membrane potential, and increased antioxidative enzyme activity. Furthermore, transcriptome analyses revealed PS-MP-induced suppression of mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. In conclusion, we show that ingestion of PS-MPs by EPNs can compromise their fitness, due to multple toxicity effects. Our results bear far-reaching consequences, as the presence of microplastics in soil ecosystems could undermine the ecological role of EPNs in regulating pest populations.

Effect of Plasticization on Stretching Stability of Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) Films: A Case Study Using Glycerol and Water.

Adding small molecular plasticizers is the most common route to tailor the stretchability of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). However, how the plasticization along with the nature of the plasticizer governs the structural homogeneity during stretching remains an open question to answer. Herein, two representative plasticizers, glycerol (GLY) and water, are chosen to endow the PVA films with ductility. It is found that large strain cavitations cause obvious stress whitening in the PVA/H2 O films; on the contrary, most of the PVA/GLY films maintain transparent undergoing tensile deformation. Through a combination of experimental inspections and molecular dynamic simulation, it is revealed that partial water molecules that behave as free water will aggregate into microdomains, which serve as mechanical defects responsible for yielding voids. Whereas, the GLY plasticizer homogeneously disperses at a molecular level and interacts with PVA chains through strong hydrogen bonds. More interestingly, it is illustrated that the dispersion and bound states of plasticizers are closely related to the mechanical character of the plasticized PVA films. These findings offer new insight into the working mechanism of plasticization on the structural stability during stretching, and guide the design of PVA/plasticizer system to obtain excellent comprehensive mechanics.

Virtual Surgical Planning and Three-Dimensional Printing to Aid the Anatomical Reduction of an Old Malunited Fracture of the Mandible.

ABSTRACT: Mandible fracture is a common injury in maxillofacial surgery. It causes not only maxillofacial dysfunction but also facial deformities. Malunited fractures of the mandible have been a vast challenge in clinical treatment due to the misalignment of the broken ends and the occurrence of occlusal disorders. This case report describes using virtual surgical planning and three-dimensional printing to treat a patient with malunited fracture of the mandible. Failing to perform mandibular surgery due to severe brain trauma after the car accident, the patient got malunited healing of mandible. The authors applied virtual surgical planning to perform preoperative analysis and surgical design on this patient, three-dimensional printing to fabricate occlusal plate, and models of the preoperative and postoperative mandible to guide the operation. Finally, the authors achieved the reduction and reconstruction of the mandible with satisfactory clinical results.

Maxillary Protraction Therapy in Class III Patients With and Without Cleft Lip and Palate: An Interim Report of a Prospective Comparative Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the effects of maxillary protraction therapy on Class III patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and Class III patients with noncleft. DESIGN: Prospective controlled clinical trial. PATIENTS: Twenty-six Class III patients with UCLP (mean age: 10.32 ± 1.29 years) and 26 Class III patients with noncleft (mean age: 9.82 ± 1.03 years) were included and treated with maxillary protraction therapy. INTERVENTIONS: Maxillary protraction therapy was performed with an intraoral Hyrax appliance and extraoral facemask. Cone beam computed tomography scans were taken before and after treatment. Pretreatment skeletal and dental characteristics and treatment changes were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: The average treatment duration was 18.44 ± 4.16 months in the UCLP group, which was substantially longer than the 12.46 ± 4.03-month average treatment duration in the noncleft group (P < .001). No significant difference was found in the maxillary changes (length, advancement of point A, and SNA angle) and improvement of intermaxillary relationship (ANB angle) between the 2 groups. The UCLP group had 1.40° more mandibular clockwise rotation (P = .034). Regarding dental changes, the UCLP group had more upper incisor proclination (P = .006) and less lower incisor retroclination (P = .023). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately extended maxillary protraction therapy in patients with UCLP could be as effective as in patients with noncleft. Further study is required to follow patients until completion of growth to elucidate the long-term stability of the treatment.

Stability of maxillary protraction therapy in children with Class III malocclusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the stability of treatment effects of maxillary protraction therapy in Class III children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple electronic databases were searched from 01/1996 to 10/2016. Randomized clinical trials, controlled clinical trials, and cohort studies with untreated Class III controls and a follow-up over 2 years were considered for inclusion. The methodological quality of the studies and publication bias were evaluated. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of six variables (SNA, SNB, ANB, mandibular plane angle, overjet, and lower incisor angle) were calculated. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in the qualitative analysis, and four studies were included in the quantitative analysis. Compared with the control group, after treatment, the treated group showed significant changes: SNA +1.79° (95% CI: 1.23, 2.34), SNB -1.16° (95% CI -2.08, -0.24), ANB +2.92° (95% CI 2.40, 3.44), mandibular plane angle +1.41° (95% CI 0.63, 2.20), overjet +3.94 mm (95% CI 2.17, 5.71) and lower incisor angle -3.07° (95% CI -4.92, -1.22). During follow-up, the changes in five variables reflected significant relapse. Overall, the treated group showed significant changes only in ANB +1.66° (95% CI 0.97, 2.35) and overjet +2.41 mm (95% CI 1.60, 3.23). CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary protraction can be a short-term effective therapy and might improve sagittal skeletal and dental relationships in the medium term. But some skeletal and dental variables showed significant relapse during the follow-up period. Long-term studies are still required to further evaluate its skeletal benefits. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study evaluated the medium-term stability of skeletal and dental effects of maxillary protraction in Class III children and discussed whether the therapy can reduce the need for orthognathic surgery.

Dentoskeletal effects of facemask therapy in skeletal Class III cleft patients with or without bone graft.

INTRODUCTION: The association between maxillary protraction and bone graft in patients with cleft lip and palate remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a secondary alveolar bone graft influences dentoskeletal effects of facemask therapy in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients with a skeletal Class III relationship. METHODS: In this prospective nonrandomized clinical trial, 61 consecutive boys with unilateral cleft lip and palate and skeletal Class III malocclusion were divided into 3 groups: grafted facemask group (n = 21), ungrafted facemask group (n = 20), and untreated control group (n = 20). Sixteen dentoskeletal measurements on lateral cephalometric radiographs were compared before and after therapy or observation with 1-way analysis of variance or the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: After facemask therapy, the grafted group showed a statistically significantly greater advancement of Point A (S-Vert-A, 4.18 ± 1.94 mm; SNA, 3.51° ± 2.21°) than did the ungrafted group (S-Vert-A, 2.64 ± 1.58 mm; SNA, 1.92° ± 1.05°). Furthermore, significant SNB changes were found in the grafted group when compared with those in the ungrafted group (-0.38° ± 1.77° vs -1.69° ± 1.34°; P <0.05). The changes in the mandibular plane angle (MP-SN, MP-FH) in the grafted group were less pronounced than in the ungrafted group by approximately 2° (P <0.05). Flaring of the maxillary incisors was more pronounced in treated subjects than in untreated subjects. The mandibular incisors proclined in both grafted (1.54° ± 4.21°) and control (0.97° ± 3.71°) patients, and were retroclined in the ungrafted group (-2.13° ± 3.68°). CONCLUSIONS: Facemask therapy performed after an alveolar bone graft produced more anterior maxillary migration (90%) and less pronounced mandibular clockwise rotation (10%) than those in the ungrafted group (50%, 50%, respectively).

Effects of maxillary protraction therapy on the pharyngeal airway in patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate: A 3-dimensional computed tomographic study.

INTRODUCTION: The purposes of this study were to assess the effects of maxillary protraction therapy on the pharyngeal airways in patients with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) 3 dimensionally. METHODS: Eighteen patients with repaired UCLP and anterior crossbite (ages, 10.4 ± 1.3 years) were enrolled in the study group. Hyrax appliances and reverse headgears were used. Cone-beam computed tomography volume scans were taken before and immediately after treatment. Fourteen patients (ages, 9.6 ± 1.7 years) with UCLP who did not receive orthopedic treatment served as the control group. The volumes of the pharyngeal airways, cross-sectional areas, sagittal diameters, and transversal diameters of 3 levels of airway cross-section were measured. RESULTS: After protraction, the volumes of the pharyngeal airway increased significantly. Cross-sectional area, sagittal diameter, and transversal diameter of the upper and lower pharyngeal airways also had significant increases. These changes were significant when compared with the untreated subjects except for the transversal diameter of the lower pharyngeal airway. Dimensions of the middle pharyngeal airway remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Maxillary protraction therapy significantly affects airway dimensions in patients with repaired UCLP 3 dimensionally.

Cone-beam computed tomography-synthesized cephalometric study of operated unilateral cleft lip and palate and noncleft children with Class III skeletal relationship.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to compare the craniofacial hard and soft tissue characteristics between children with operated unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and children with noncleft lip and palate (non-CLP) with a Class III skeletal relationship. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 30 subjects (18 boys, 12 girls; mean age, 10.21 years) affected by UCLP and 30 non-CLP subjects (17 boys, 13 girls; mean age, 10.19 years) as the control group. All subjects were in the mixed dentition with a Class III skeletal relationship. Cone-beam computed tomography-synthesized cephalograms were traced and evaluated, and craniofacial hard and soft tissue morphologies were compared between the UCLP and non-CLP groups. RESULTS: Maxillary length and gonial angle were 2.66 mm shorter and 3.67° greater, respectively, in the UCLP group than those in the non-CLP group. The SNA and SNB angles describing the sagittal positions of the maxilla and mandible, respectively, relative to the cranial base were significantly smaller in the UCLP group (P <0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). However, the 2 groups had similar sagittal intermaxillary relationships with similar ANB angles (P = 0.669). In the vertical dimension, the mandibular plane angle and the growth direction vector were significantly greater in the UCLP group (P = 0.007 and P <0.001, respectively). Lastly, the UCLP group had a more concave soft tissue profile, manifested by a reduced facial convexity angle, as well as an acute nasolabial angle and a more protruded lower lip. CONCLUSIONS: Although the 2 groups had similar sagittal intermaxillary relationships, patients in the UCLP group had more retrusive maxillary and mandibular positions relative to the cranial base and more severe vertical discrepancies. Additionally, the soft tissue profiles of patients affected by UCLP were more concave, and the compensatory adaptation was less satisfactory.

A broadly applicable protein-polymer adjuvant system for antiviral vaccines.

Although protein subunit vaccines generally have acceptable safety profiles with precise antigenic content, limited immunogenicity can lead to unsatisfactory humoral and cellular immunity and the need for vaccine adjuvants and delivery system. Herein, we assess a vaccine adjuvant system comprising Quillaja Saponaria-21(QS-21) and cobalt porphyrin polymeric micelles that enabling the display of His-tagged antigen on its surface. The nanoscale micelles promote antigen uptake and dendritic cell activation to induce robust cytotoxic T lymphocyte response and germinal center formation. Using the recombinant protein antigens from influenza A and rabies virus, the micelle adjuvant system elicited robust antiviral responses and protected mice from lethal challenge. In addition, this system could be combined with other antigens to induce high titers of neutralizing antibodies in models of three highly pathogenic viral pathogens: Ebola virus, Marburg virus, and Nipah virus. Collectively, our results demonstrate this polymeric micelle adjuvant system can be used as a potent nanoplatform for developing antiviral vaccine countermeasures that promote humoral and cellular immunity.

Over 18% Efficiency of All-Polymer Solar Cells with Long-Term Stability Enabled by Y6 as a Solid Additive.

Morphology control greatly influences the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability of all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs); however, it remains challenging owing to their complex crystallization behavior. Herein, a small amount of Y6 (2 wt%) is introduced as a solid additive into a PM6:PY-DT blend. Y6 remained inside the active layer and interacted with PY-DT to form a well-mixed phase. Increased molecular packing, enlarged phase separation size, and decreased trap density are observed for the Y6-processed PM6:PY-DT blend. The corresponding devices showed simultaneously improved short-circuit current and fill factor, achieving a high PCE of over 18% and excellent long-term stability, with a T80 lifetime of 1180 h and an extrapolated T70 lifetime of 9185 h at maximum power point tracking (MPP) conditions under continuous one-sun illumination. This Y6-assisted strategy is successfully applied to other all-polymer blends, demonstrating its universality for all-PSCs. This work paves a new way for the fabrication of all-PSCs with high efficiency and superior long-term stability.

One-Step Generation of O/W/O Double Pickering Emulsions Utilizing Biocompatible Gliadin/Ethyl Cellulose Complex Particles as the Exclusive Stabilizer.

Double emulsions hold great potential for various applications due to their compartmentalized internal structures. However, achieving their long-term physical stability remains a challenging task. Here, we present a simple one-step method for producing stable oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) double emulsions using biocompatible gliadin/ethyl cellulose complex particles as the sole stabilizer. The resulting O/W/O systems serve as effective platforms for encapsulating enzymes and as templates for synthesizing porous microspheres. We investigated the impact of particle concentration and water fraction on the properties of Pickering O/W/O emulsions. Our results demonstrate that the number and volume of inner oil droplets increased proportionally with both the water fraction and particle concentration after a 60-day storage period. Moreover, the catalytic reaction rate of the encapsulated lipase within the double emulsion exhibited a significant acceleration, achieving a substrate conversion of 80.9% within 15 min. Remarkably, the encapsulated enzyme showed excellent recyclability, enabling up to 10 cycles of reuse. Additionally, by utilizing the O/W/O systems as templates, we successfully obtained porous microspheres whose size can be controlled by the outer water droplet. These findings have significant implications for the future design of Pickering complex emulsion-based systems, opening avenues for extensive applications in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, material synthesis, and (bio)catalysis.

A randomized controlled trial to verify the irrigation of salivary glands in relieving xerostomia in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective: To verify the effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) and major salivary glands saline irrigation on relieving xerostomia in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients. Methods: The enrolled 49 SS patients were randomly assigned to the control group (no irrigation, n=16), saline group (irrigation with saline, n=17) and TA group (irrigation with TA, n=16). Fourteen cases of each group were treated differently but received the same examinations. The examinations include unstimulated whole saliva flow (UWS), chewing-stimulated whole saliva flow (SWS), citric acid-stimulated parotid flow (SPF), Clinical Oral Dryness Score (CODS), Xerostomia Inventory (XI) and EULAR SS Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) of 1 week before irrigation (T0) and 1 week(T1), 8 weeks (T8), 16 weeks (T16) and 24 weeks (T24) after major salivary irrigation. Results: Each group had 14 cases with completed follow-ups. Both TA and saline irrigation of major salivary glands resulted in higher SWS and SPF of T8, T16 and than those at T0. ESSPRI (oral dryness domain) of T8, T16 and T24 were significantly lower than that at T0, respectively (P < 0.05). SWS and SPF of T8, T16 and T24 in the saline group were significantly higher than in the control group (P< 0.05). XI and ESSPRI (oral dress domain) of T8, T16 and T24 in the saline group were significantly lower than those in the control group, respectively (P< 0.05). SWS and SPF of T16 and T24 in the TA group were significantly higher than in the control group (P< 0.05). All cases with completed follow-up in TA and saline groups were divided into responders and non-responders. Compared with responders, the UWS, SWS, SPF and CODS of T0 in non-responders were significantly increased (P<0.05). Compared with responders, the XI and ESSPRI of T0 in non-responders were significantly decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: The irrigation of major salivary glands by TA and saline relieve xerostomia in SS patients. Patients with non-severe xerostomia (responders) have better relief after irrigation than patients with severe xerostomia (non-responders). Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier (ChiCTR210052314).

Pursuing Phase Transitions of a Concentrated Polymer Solution by In Situ Fluorescence Measurements Based On Aggregation-Induced Emission.

Concentration-dependent phase transitions in concentrated solutions have remained speculation due to the serious impediment of macromolecule dynamics by intensive topological entanglement or intermolecular interaction as well as the absence of powerful tool for detecting changes in chain or segment movement. Herein, taking a general polymer, namely, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), as an example, a water-soluble fluorescent molecule with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is introduced into the PVA solutions as a chain dynamics indicator to investigate phase transitions at high concentrations through in situ monitoring of the solvent evaporation process. Two turning points of fluorescent intensity are observed for the first time at mean concentrations of ∼25% and ∼45%, corresponding to the gelation and amorphous-to-crystalline transitions, respectively. Our work offers a fundamental insight into the physical nature of concentrate-dependent nonequilibrium transitions and develops a reliable and sensitive approach based on the AIE phenomenon for following high-concentration-triggered property changes of a polymer solution.

Kartogenin-Conjugated Double-Network Hydrogel Combined with Stem Cell Transplantation and Tracing for Cartilage Repair.

The effectiveness of existing tissue-engineering cartilage (TEC) is known to be hampered by weak integration of biocompatibility, biodegradation, mechanical strength, and microenvironment supplies. The strategy of hydrogel-based TEC holds considerable promise in circumventing these problems. Herein, a non-toxic, biodegradable, and mechanically optimized double-network (DN) hydrogel consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and kartogenin (KGN)-conjugated chitosan (CHI) is constructed using a simple soaking strategy. This PEG-CHI-KGN DN hydrogel possesses favorable architectures, suitable mechanics, remarkable cellular affinity, and sustained KGN release, which can facilitate the cartilage-specific genes expression and extracellular matrix secretion of peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs). Notably, after tracing the transplanted cells by detecting the rabbit sex-determining region Y-linked gene sequence, the allogeneic PB-MSCs are found to survive for even 3 months in the regenerated cartilage. Here, the long-term release of KGN is able to efficiently and persistently activate multiple genes and signaling pathways to promote the chondrogenesis, chondrocyte differentiation, and survival of PB-MSCs. Thus, the regenerated tissues exhibit well-matched histomorphology and biomechanical performance such as native cartilage. Consequently, it is believed this innovative work can expand the choice for developing the next generation of orthopedic implants in the loadbearing region of a living body.

Treatment of oral lichen planus by surgical excision and acellular dermal matrix grafting: Eleven case reports and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder, and it can affect normal oral function. The conventional treatments for OLP are not always effective, and relapse easily occurs. Therefore, treatment of OLP is difficult and challenging. In this study, we evaluated over a long period the clinical efficacy of surgical excision and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) grafting in patients with refractory OLP. CASE SUMMARY: Eleven patients with refractory OLP underwent a standardized protocol of surgical excision and ADM grafting. The condition of the area of the grafted wound, the intraoperative maximum mouth opening, pain, and clinical healing were assessed at postoperative follow-up visits. All patients had a flat surgical area with similar mucosal tissue coverage and local scar formation. Patients had no irritation and pain in their mucous membranes when eating acidic and spicy food. All patients' mouth openings returned to normal within 2-6 mo after surgery. During follow-up, none of the patients had recurrence of OLP after surgery. The longest follow-up was 11 yr and the shortest was 6 mo, and none of the patients relapsed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision and ADM grafting could be an effective method to treat refractory OLP.

Hofmeister Effect-Assistant Fabrication of All-Natural Protein-based Porous Materials Templated from Pickering Emulsions.

Porous materials derived from natural and biodegradable polymers have received growing interest. We demonstrate here an attractive method for the preparation of protein-based porous materials using emulsions stabilized by gliadin-chitosan hybrid particles (GCHPs) as the template, with the addition of gelatin and kosmotropic ions to improve the mechanical strength. The microstructure, mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and fluid absorption behavior of porous materials were systematically investigated. This strategy facilitated the formation of porous materials with highly open and interconnected pore structure, which can be manipulated by altering the mass ratio of hexane or gelatin in the matrix. The Hofmeister effect resulted from kosmotropic ions greatly enhanced the Young's modulus and the compressive stress at 40% strain of porous materials from 0.56 to 6.84 MPa and 0.26 to 1.11 MPa, respectively. The developed all-natural porous materials were nontoxic to HaCaT cells; they also had excellent liquid (i.e., simulated body fluid and rabbit blood) absorption performance and advantages in resisting stress and maintaining geometry shape. The effects of different concentration amounts and type of salts in the Hofmeister series on the formation and performance of porous materials were also explored. Mechanical strength of porous materials was gradually enhanced when the (NH4)2SO4 concentration increased from 0 to 35 wt %, and the other four kosmotropic salts, including Na2S2O3, Na2CO3, NaH2PO4, and Na2SO4, also showed positive effects. This work opens a simple and feasible way to produce nontoxic and biodegradable porous materials with favorable mechanical strength and controllable pore structure. These materials have broad potential application in many fields involving biomedical and material science, such as cell culture, (bio)catalysis, and wound or bone defect healing.

The Higher Inherent Therapeutic Potential of Biomaterial-Based hDPSCs and hEnSCs for Pancreas Diseases.

Human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs), dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are considered to be the promising candidates for the treatment of pancreas diseases. The prognosis is better with in situ injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the damaged pancreas compared with intravenous injection. However, the clinical application of these cells are limited, due to poor engraftment of transplanted cells after delivery. On the other hand, understanding the role of the biomaterials in cell therapy is essential to promote the therapeutic effects of MSCs. Matrigel, a basement membrane matrix biomaterial, is rich in laminin and collagen IV. The aim of this study is to investigate the difference of biological characteristics of hEnSCs, hDPSCs and hADSCs in vitro and their survival situation with Matrigel post intrapancreatic transplantation in vivo. Our findings showed, firstly, there was no significant difference in morphology and immunophenotype of these MSCs. Secondly, the biological properties, including cell proliferation, the ability of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation and the mRNA expression levels of pancreas development-related genes, have been showed distinct difference among these MSCs. Thirdly, Matrigel can improve the survival of MSCs in vivo, especially for Matrigel-based hDPSCs and Matrigel-based hEnSCs in pancreas parenchyma of SD rats. These results suggest that hDPSCs and hEnSCs are with the greater inherent therapeutic potential for pancreas diseases compared with hADSCs.

Genetic diversity of Chinese rabies viruses: evidence for the presence of two distinct clades in China.

There have been three major rabies epidemics in China since the 1950s. To gain more insights into the molecular epidemiology of rabies viruses (RVs) for the third (the current) epidemic, we isolated RV from dogs and humans in major endemic areas, and characterized these isolates genetically by sequencing the entire glycoprotein (G) gene and the G-L non-coding region. These sequences were also compared phylogenetically with RVs isolated in China during previous epidemics and those around the world. Comparison of the entire G genes among the Chinese isolates revealed up to 21.8% divergence at the nucleotide level and 17.8% at the amino acid level. The available Chinese isolates could be divided into two distinct clades, each of which could be further divided into six lineages. Viruses in clade I include most of the Chinese viruses as well as viruses from southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The viruses in the other clade were found infrequently in China, but are closely related to viruses distributed worldwide among terrestrial animals. Interestingly, most of the viruses isolated during the past 10 years belong to lineage A viruses within clade I whereas most of the viruses isolated before 1996 belong to other lineages within clades I and II. Our results indicated that lineages A viruses have been predominant during the past 10 years and thus are largely responsible for the third and the current epidemic in China. Our results also suggested that the Chinese RV isolates in clade I share a common recent ancestor with those circulating in southeast Asia.

Congruent audiovisual speech enhances auditory attention decoding with EEG.

OBJECTIVE: The auditory attention decoding (AAD) approach can be used to determine the identity of the attended speaker during an auditory selective attention task, by analyzing measurements of electroencephalography (EEG) data. The AAD approach has the potential to guide the design of speech enhancement algorithms in hearing aids, i.e. to identify the speech stream of listener's interest so that hearing aids algorithms can amplify the target speech and attenuate other distracting sounds. This would consequently result in improved speech understanding and communication and reduced cognitive load, etc. The present work aimed to investigate whether additional visual input (i.e. lipreading) would enhance the AAD performance for normal-hearing listeners. APPROACH: In a two-talker scenario, where auditory stimuli of audiobooks narrated by two speakers were presented, multi-channel EEG signals were recorded while participants were selectively attending to one speaker and ignoring the other one. Speakers' mouth movements were recorded during narrating for providing visual stimuli. Stimulus conditions included audio-only, visual input congruent with either (i.e. attended or unattended) speaker, and visual input incongruent with either speaker. The AAD approach was performed separately for each condition to evaluate the effect of additional visual input on AAD. MAIN RESULTS: Relative to the audio-only condition, the AAD performance was found improved by visual input only when it was congruent with the attended speech stream, and the improvement was about 14 percentage points on decoding accuracy. Cortical envelope tracking activities in both auditory and visual cortex were demonstrated stronger for the congruent audiovisual speech condition than other conditions. In addition, a higher AAD robustness was revealed for the congruent audiovisual condition, with reduced channel number and trial duration achieving higher accuracy than the audio-only condition. SIGNIFICANCE: The present work complements previous studies and further manifests the feasibility of the AAD-guided design of hearing aids in daily face-to-face conversations. The present work also has a directive significance for designing a low-density EEG setup for the AAD approach.

Long-term stability of maxillary protraction therapy in Class III patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term stability of maxillary protraction (MP) in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and identified factors influencing relapse and long-term outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three adolescents with UCLP who underwent MP therapy were recalled when craniofacial growth was close to completion. Subjects exhibiting reverse/positive overjets were assigned to unstable/stable groups. Lateral cephalometric measurements were made before treatment (T0), after active treatment (T1), and at the end of the growth spurt (T2). RESULTS: About 63% of the subjects exhibited positive overjets during follow-up. The unstable group demonstrated higher B-x and Co-Gn distances than the stable group (both P < .05) at T0. More short-term (T0-T1) sagittal advancement of point A (A-y) was evident in the unstable group than in the stable group ( P < .05), but no long-term difference was apparent between the two groups ( P = .481). During the posttreatment period (T1-T2), the SNA angle and maxillary incisor protrusion (U1-SN angle) were considerably lower in the unstable group than in the stable group (both P < .05). Overall, the unstable group exhibited a lower increase in the vertical extent of point A (A-x) than the stable group from T0 to T2 ( P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: In the long term, MP affords favorable maxillary advancement in patients with UCLP. A mandibular excess at T0 and vertical maxillary hypoplasia may contribute to the long-term relapse of a reverse overjet.