Construction of CTC-ALK gene fusion detection system based on the multi-site magnetic separation in lung cancer and its clinical verification.

Detected in a variety of solid tumors, including lung cancer, the EML4-ALK fusion gene plays an important role in promoting the occurrence and development of cancer. The existing detection methods for EML4-ALK fusion gene are all targeted at surgical or post-sampling tumor tissues, which cannot achieve early detection and real-time monitoring; therefore, a minimally invasive ALK gene fusion detection system is explored and constructed. Vimentin, EpCAM, and EGFR antibodies were grafted, respectively, to prepare multi-site immunoliposome magnetic beads, so as to capture CTC in blood for RT-PCR detection, and then the feasibility of this method was verified by detecting the positive rate of the EML4-ALK fusion gene and clinical information in combination with WB and IHC. The prepared multi-site immunoliposome magnetic beads showed high specificity and stability, and the average proliferation rate and capture rate of cells were 95% and 85%, respectively. In clinical blood samples, the CTC level of the grade I (G1) patients before the operation was lower than grade 2 (G2), and that of grade II (G2) was significantly lower than grade III (G3), but the difference was not significant after the operation. The RT-PCR results of CTC and the RT-PCR, WB, and IHC results of tissues were highly consistent in the fusion gene detection, and the positive rate of ALK gene fusion in 60 lung cancer patients was 31.67% and 28.33% before and after the operation, mostly EML4-ALK (V3) gene fusion. The CTC-ALK gene fusion detection system constructed successfully could avoid the problem of difficult sampling and post-sampling complications, and truly achieve the minimally invasive biopsy, so it was of important clinical significance for the diagnosis and efficacy evaluation of lung.

Association between the interleukin-1ß C-511T polymorphism and periodontitis: a meta-analysis in the Chinese population.

The association between the interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) C-511T (or rs16944) polymorphism and periodontitis remains inconclusive, even though there have been previous studies on this association. To assess the effects of IL-1ß C-511T variants on the risk of development of periodontitis, a meta-analysis was performed in a single ethnic population. Studies, published up to December 2015, were selected for the meta-analysis from PubMed and Chinese databases. The associations were assessed with pooled OR and 95%CI. This meta-analysis identified 8 studies, including 1276 periodontitis cases and 1558 controls. Overall, a significant association between the IL-1ß C-511T polymorphism and periodontitis was found in the Chinese population (TT vs CC: OR = 1.48, 95%CI = 1.19-1.85; TT + CT vs CC: OR = 1.50, 95%CI = 1.25-1.81; T vs C: OR = 1.33, 95%CI = 1.06-1.68). In the subgroup analyses based on geographical area(s), source of controls, and type of periodontitis, significant results were obtained for the association between IL-1ß C-511T variants and periodontitis. Our meta-analysis indicated that the IL-1ß C-511T polymorphism may be a genetic susceptibility factor for periodontitis in the Chinese population. This marker could be used to identify Chinese individuals at a high risk for periodontitis.

[Drug coated balloon with paclitaxel for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral artery disease: early and midterm results].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug coated balloon (DCB) with paclitaxel in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The clinical data of 18 patients, who were diagnosed as PAD and treated with DCB from October 2013 to June 2014 in Department of Vascular Surgery, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed.Thirteen male and 5 female patients were in the series, the mean age of the patients was (65±7) years, and the Rutherford's categories were level 3 to 5. Patients were followed up at 3- and 6-month postoperative. The main efficacy end point were late lumen loss(LLL), rate of restenosis and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). Meanwhile, the clinical events were recorded. RESULTS: Mean lesion length, the percentage of total occlusions and the percentage of in-stent restenosis were (138±91) mm, 9/18 and 2/18, respectively. Rate of technical success was 18/18. At 6-month postoperative, LLL, rate of restenosis and TLR were (0.1±0.9) mm, 2/14 and 0, respectively. There was no deaths or no amputations. CONCLUSION: DCB with paclitaxel is safe in patients with PAD, and associated with reductions in LLL, restenosis and clinically driven TLR 6-month postoperative.

Morphology variation and optical properties of ZnO nanostructures grown using bio-template.

ZnO nanostructures of different morphologies were grown by immersing eggshell membranes into Zn(NO3)2 ethanol solution with different pH values and subsequently sintered at 500 degrees C. Effects of the solution pH value, immersing time and Mg incorporation on the nanostructure morphology and photoluminescence were studied. ZnO nanostructure morphology was very sensitive to pH value of the solution, immersing time and layer of the templates. Different morphologies of nanofibers, nanotubes, hexagonal nanosheets and hexagonal nanosheets with tips were grown. All nanostructures had strong green emission at 520 nm and weak ultraviolet emission at 377 nm. The green emission weakened in the interwoven nanofibers while the ultraviolet emission enhanced in the hexagonal nanosheets. Incorporation of Mg ions in the solution with a pH of 7 would result in combination of the interwoven nanofibers and enhance the green emission greatly. UV emission at 355 nm from ZnMgO alloys was observed in Mg incorporated nanofibers.

Interleukin-1ß +3954 polymorphisms and risk of external apical root resorption in orthodontic treatment: a meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine whether genetic variants of the interleukin-1ß[+3954 C>T (rs1143634)] (IL-1ß +3954 C>T) gene polymorphisms were associated with orthodontic external apical root resorption (EARR). A meta-analysis was carried out using data entered into the PubMed and Embase electronic databases before October 5, 2012. A total of 7 studies were identified for meta-analysis. The strength of the relationship between IL-1ß +3954 C>T polymorphism and the risk of EARR was assessed using odds ratio (OR). The studies provided overall OR estimates for EARR. Overall, the variant genotypes (CC and CT) of the IL-1ß +3954 C>T polymorphism were unassociated with EARR risk compared with the TT homozygote [CC vs TT, OR = 1.28, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.27-6.08; CT vs TT, OR = 0.74, 95%CI = 0.11-5.02]. Similarly, no associations were found in the dominant and recessive models (dominant model, OR = 1.08, 95%CI = 0.24-4.86; recessive model, OR = 1.85, 95%CI = 0.87-3.93). No publication bias was found, and no association was apparent between the IL-1ß +3954 C>T polymorphism and risk of EARR in orthodontic treatment patients. Further multicenter and better-controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.

Effect of sponge volume fraction on the performance of a novel fluidized bed bioreactor.

A novel fluidized bed bioreactor (FBBR) was designed by integration of anaerobic granular activated carbon and aerobic sponge reactors. This FBBR was evaluated at different sponge volume fractions for treating a synthetic wastewater. Polyester urethane sponge with cube size of 1 × 1 × 1 cm and density of 28-30 kg/m(3) with 90 cells per 25 mm was used as biomass carrier. The results indicate that the FBBR could remove more than 93% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The highest nutrient removal efficiencies (58.2% PO4-P and 75.4% NH4-N) were achieved at 40% sponge volume fraction. The system could provide a good condition for biomass growth (e.g. 186.2 mg biomass/g sponge). No significant different performance in specific oxygen uptake rate was observed between 30, 40, and 50% sponge volume fractions.

[The role of cell division cycle 42 in root development of tooth and the involved mechanisms].

Objective: To explore the effect of cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) on root development and its regulation on cell proliferation and migration in Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS). Methods: Trace the spatiotemporal expression of CDC42 in root development process [postnatal day 5 (P5), P7, P14] through immunofluorescence staining. Nine eight-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into 3 groups using a simple random sample method (n=3 in each group). P3 tooth germ was cultured in air-liquid system for 1 day and then transplanted to renal capsule each to observe tooth root development. The control group implanted tooth germ only. The phosphate buffered saline (PBS) group implanted tooth germ and gel beads soaked with PBS, while the ML141 group implanted tooth germ and gel beads soaked with CDC42 inhibitor (ML141). Cdc42 in HERS cells was inhibited via lentivirus transfection. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay and scratch assay were performed. The distribution of Golgi apparatus (GM130) and cytoskeleton (F-actin) in migrated cells were mapped via immunofluorescence staining. Results: CDC42 was expressed in epithelial cells of HERS, polarized ameloblasts and odontoblasts, as well as adjacent dental papilla and dental follicle cells during tooth root development. The root length of the ML141 group [(0.61±0.09) mm] was substantially shorter than that of control group [(1.03±0.19) mm, P=0.007] and PBS group [(0.98±0.10) mm, P=0.021] according to the data of renal capsule transplantation. After lentiviral transfection, the relative expression of Cdc42 in knockdown group (0.31±0.33) was significantly lower than that in control group (1.05±0.08) (t=15.38, P<0.001), demonstrating the knockdown efficiency closed to 70%. Cell viabilities were significantly inhibited in knockdown group (0.87±0.04, 0.96±0.10, 0.59±0.06, respectively) compared with those in control group (1.09±0.13, 1.55±0.32, 1.10±0.09, respectively) after 3, 4 and 5 days (t=3.16, P=0.016; t=4.23, P=0.002; t=5.08, P<0.01), and the cell proliferation ability in knockdown group [(1.65±0.64)%] also decreased than that in the control group [(4.02±1.12)%](t=5.21, P<0.001). In addition, the cell migration rates after 24 and 48 h [(45.1±4.2)%, (56.4±8.3)%] in knockdown group were obviously lower than those in the control group [(63.8±7.4)%, (80.2±7.8)%] (t=3.78, P=0.019; t=3.62, P=0.023). After Cdc42 was knocked down, Golgi apparatus distributed along the nucleus while behaved oriented in the control group. Conclusions: CDC42 plays an important role in the regulation of root length during root development, which may mediate root elongation by affecting the migration and proliferation of HERS cells.

Fibulin-1 Regulates Initiation of Successional Dental Lamina.

In humans, teeth are replaced only once, and the successional dental lamina (SDL) of the permanent tooth is maintained in a quiescent state until adolescence. Recently, we showed that biomechanical stress generated by the rapid growth of the deciduous tooth inhibits SDL development via integrin ß1-RUNX2 signaling at embryonic day 60 (E60) in miniature pigs. However, the mechanism by which RUNX2 regulates SDL initiation within the SDL stem cell niche remains unclear. In the current study, we transcriptionally profiled single cells from SDL and surrounding mesenchyme at E60 and identified the landscape of cellular heterogeneity. We then identified a specific fibroblast subtype in the dental follicle mesenchyme between the deciduous tooth and the SDL of the permanent tooth (DFDP), which constitutes the inner part of the niche (deciduous tooth side). Compared with traditional dental follicle cells, the specific expression profile of DFDP was identified and found to be related to biomechanical stress. Subsequently, we found that RUNX2 could bind to the enhancer regions of Fbln1 (gene of fibulin-1), one of the marker genes for DFDP. Through gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we proved that the biomechanical stress-mediated RUNX2-fibulin-1 axis inhibits the initiation of SDL by maintaining SDL niche homeostasis.

Effect of whole-plant corn silage treated with lignocellulose-degrading bacteria on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and rumen microflora in sheep.

Lignification of cellulose limits the effective utilisation of fibre in plant cell wall. Lignocellulose-degrading bacteria secrete enzymes that decompose lignin and have the potential to improve fibre digestibility. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of whole-plant corn silage inoculated with lignocellulose-degrading bacteria on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbiome in sheep. Twelve 2-month-old male hybrid sheep (Dorper ♂ × small-tailed Han ♀) were randomly assigned into two dietary groups (n = 6): (1) untreated whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) and (2) WPCS inoculated with bacterial inoculant (WPCSB). Whole-plant corn silage inoculated with bacterial inoculant had higher in situ NDF digestibility than WPCS. Sheep in the WPCSB group had significantly higher average daily gain, DM intake, and feed conversion rate than those in the WPCS group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, higher volatile fatty acid concentrations were detected in WPCSB rumen samples, leading to lower ruminal pH (P < 0.05). The WPCSB group showed higher abundance of Bacteroidetes and lower abundance of Firmicutes in the rumen microbiome than the WPCS group (P < 0.05). Multiple differential genera were identified, with Prevotella being the most dominant genus and more abundant in WPCSB samples. Moreover, the enriched functional attributes, including those associated with glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and citrate cycle, were more actively expressed in the WPCSB samples than in the WPCS samples. Additionally, certain glucoside hydrolases that hydrolyse the side chains of hemicelluloses and pectins were also actively expressed in the WPCSB microbiome. These findings suggested that WPCSB increased NDF digestibility in three ways: (1) by increasing the relative abundance of the most abundant genera, (2) by recruiting more functional features involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and citrate cycle pathways, and (3) by increasing the relative abundance and/or expression activity of the glucoside hydrolases involved in hemicellulose and pectin metabolism. Our findings provide novel insights into the microbial mechanisms underlying improvement in the growth performance of sheep/ruminants. However, the biological mechanisms cannot be fully elucidated using only metagenomics tools; therefore, a combined multi-omics approach will be used in subsequent studies.

Identification of Type H Vessels in Mice Mandibular Condyle.

Type H vessel is a specific vessel subtype that is strongly positive for CD31 and endomucin (CD31hiEmcnhi). It has already been identified that it can tightly regulate the coupling of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in the long bone of mice and human beings. The long bone is formed through endochondral ossification, which is the same type of process happening in mandibular condyle. Although the ossification of long bone and mandibular condyle has the same developmental process, the existence of type H vessels in the mouse condyle remains unclear. To address this, we identified that abundant type H vessels existed in the subchondral bone of the mouse condylar head and endosteum of the mouse condylar neck. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence imaging of the condyles in different ages of male C57BL/6J mice demonstrated that type H vessels decreased while aging. Furthermore, we validated a positive correlation between type H vessels and Osterix+ osteoprogenitors in the condyle induced by mandibular advancement. Mechanistically, we confirmed that deferoxamine mesylate, which promoted the proliferation of type H endothelial cells by activating hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathways, largely prevented the osteopenia in the condyle induced by botulinum toxin type A. Collectively, these results demonstrate that in the mouse condyle, type H vessels in areas of high function positively correlate with bone formation. In addition, we show a novel influence of HIF-1α signaling on osteogenesis via an increase in type H vessels. In conclusion, promoting angiogenesis of type H vessels is a promising strategy for the therapeutic improvement of osteogenesis in mandibular condyle.

Membranes coupled with physico chemical treatment in water reuse.

In this study, short-term experiments were conducted with different configurations of membrane hybrid systems to treat biological treated sewage effluent containing refractory organic pollutants: (i) submerged hollow fiber microfiltration (SMF) alone; (ii) spiral flocculator (SF)-SMF without settling; (iii) SF-PAC-SMF without settling and (iv) SMF with magnetic ion exchange resin MIEX pretreatment. The results indicated that the pre-flocculation of SF could improve the mitigation of membrane fouling significantly even when the system was operated at a high membrane filtration rate. The transmembrane pressure (TMP) of SF-PAC-SMF only increased marginally (0.8 kPa over 8 hours). SF-SMF without the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) also took a relatively long duration for the TMP to increase. The TMP only increased by 2.5 kPa over 8 hours. The SF-PAC-MF system resulted in a high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal of more than 96%. When used as pre-treatment to submerged membranes, the fluidized bed MIEX contactor could remove a significant amount of organic matter in wastewater. This pre-treatment helped to reduce the membrane fouling and kept the TMP low during the membrane operation.

ALK5 is essential for tooth germ differentiation during tooth development.

The TGFß superfamily of proteins participates in tooth development. TGFß1 and TGFß3 regulate odontoblast differentiation and dentin extracellular matrix synthesis. Although the expression of TGFß family member ligands is well-characterized during mammalian tooth development, less is known about the TGFß receptor, which is a heteromeric complex consisting of a type I and type II receptors. The molecular mechanism of ALK5 (TGFßR1) in the dental mesenchyme is not clear. We investigated the role of ALK5 in tooth germ mesenchymal cells (TGMCs) from the lower first molar tooth germs of day 15.5 embryonic mice. Human recombinant TGFß3 protein or an ALK5 inhibitor (SD208) was added to the cells. Cell proliferation was inhibited by SD208 and promoted by TGFß3. We found that SD208 inhibited TGMCs osteogenesis and dentinogenesis. Both canonical and noncanonical TGFß signaling pathways participated in the process. TAK1, P-TAK1, p38 and P-p38 showed greater expression and SMAD4 showed less expression when ALK5 was inhibited. Our findings contribute to understanding the role of TGFß signaling for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from dental germ and suggest possible targets for optimizing the use of stem cells of dental origin for tissue regeneration.

X-ray diffraction study of low-temperature phase transformations in nickel-titanium orthodontic wires.

OBJECTIVES: Employ conventional X-ray diffraction (XRD) to analyze three clinically important nickel-titanium orthodontic wire alloys over a range of temperatures between 25 and -110 degrees C, for comparison with previous results from temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) studies. METHODS: The archwires selected were 35 degrees C Copper Ni-Ti (Ormco), Neo Sentalloy (GAC International), and Nitinol SE (3M Unitek). Neo Sentalloy, which exhibits superelastic behavior, is marketed as having shape memory in the oral environment, and Nitinol SE and 35 degrees C Copper Ni-Ti also exhibit superelastic behavior. All archwires had dimensions of 0.016in.x0.022in. (0.41 mm x 0.56 mm). Straight segments cut with a water-cooled diamond saw were placed side-by-side to yield a 1 cm x 1cm test sample of each wire product for XRD analysis (Rint-Ultima(+), Rigaku) over a 2theta range from 30 degrees to 130 degrees and at successive temperatures of 25, -110, -60, -20, 0 and 25 degrees C. RESULTS: The phases revealed by XRD at the different analysis temperatures were in good agreement with those found in previous TMDSC studies of transformations in these alloys, in particular verifying the presence of R-phase at 25 degrees C. Precise comparisons are not possible because of the approximate nature of the transformation temperatures determined by TMDSC and the preferred crystallographic orientation present in the wires. New XRD peaks appear to result from low-temperature transformation in martensite, which a recent transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study has shown to arise from twinning. SIGNIFICANCE: While XRD is a useful technique to study phases in nickel-titanium orthodontic wires and their transformations as a function of temperature, optimum insight is obtained when XRD analyses are combined with complementary TMDSC and TEM study of the wires.

Infant ectopic cervical thymus in submandibular region.

Sporadic cases have been reported of ectopic thymic tissue formed along the path of embryologic descent from the mandibular region to the mediastinum, usually manifesting as an asymptomatic mass. Here is reported the case of an 8-month-old boy with a tender palpable mass in the right upper lateral neck. Preoperative posteroanterior chest radiograph revealed normal structures in the mediastinum superior including the thymus. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a 4-cm x 4-cm soft-tissue mass in the left submandibular region. Surgical resection was performed and histopathologic examination showed that the mass was composed of thymic lymphoid tissue and epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical features included positive expression of LCA, CKpan, EMA, CD20 and CD43 antibodies. The clinical 14-month follow up was negative and the child was growing normally after operation. Ectopic thymus in the submandibular region is uncommon; surgical treatment is the definitive means of pathological diagnosis. Prior to surgery, the presence of a mediastinal thymus should be confirmed to prevent the risk of a total thymectomy.

Effects of C/N ratio on the performance of a hybrid sponge-assisted aerobic moving bed-anaerobic granular membrane bioreactor for municipal wastewater treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of C/N ratio on the performance of a hybrid sponge-assisted aerobic moving bed-anaerobic granular membrane bioreactor (SAAMB-AnGMBR) in municipal wastewater treatment. The results showed that organic removal efficiencies were above 94% at all C/N conditions. Nutrient removal was over 91% at C/N ratio of 100/5 but was negatively affected when decreasing C/N ratio to 100/10. At lower C/N ratio (100/10), more noticeable membrane fouling was caused by aggravated cake formation and pore clogging, and accumulation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the mixed liquor and sludge cake as a result of deteriorated granular quality. Foulant analysis suggested significant difference existed in the foulant organic compositions under different C/N ratios, and humic substances were dominant when the fastest fouling rate was observed. The performance of the hybrid system was found to recover when gradually increasing C/N ratio from 100/10 to 100/5.

Association of Condylar Bone Quality with TMJ Osteoarthritis.

The etiology and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (TMJOA) remain complex and unclear. Based on clinical observations, we hypothesized that low condylar bone quality is significantly correlated with TMJOA and explored this association in a cross-sectional study with human patients. A total of 254 postmenopausal female participants were included in this study. Radiographic findings from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and clinical symptoms were used to classify each TMJ data sample as healthy control ( n = 124) or TMJOA ( n = 130). Condylar bone mineral density (BMD) (computed tomography Hounsfield unit [CT HU]) and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were measured and modeled as predictors of healthy control versus TMJOA status in multilevel logistic regression analyses. Both CT HU (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.9989, interquartile odds ratio [IOR] = 0.4206) and BV/TV (AOR= 0.8096, IOR = 0.1769) were negatively associated with TMJOA ( P = 0.049, 0.011, respectively). To assess the diagnostic performance of CT HU and BV/TV for identification of TMJOA, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. The estimated areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.6622 for BV/TV alone, 0.6074 for CT HU alone, and 0.7136 for CT HU and BV/TV together. The model incorporating CT HU and BV/TV together had a significantly higher AUC than the models using BV/TV alone ( P = 0.038) or HU alone ( P = 0.021). In conclusion, we found that low condylar bone quality was significantly correlated with TMJOA development and that condylar CT HU and BV/TV can be used together as a potential diagnostic tool for TMJOA. Careful clinical evaluation of the condyle coupled with appropriate radiographic interpretation would thus be critical for the early detection of TMJOA.

Biomass viability: An experimental study and the development of an empirical mathematical model for submerged membrane bioreactor.

This study investigates the influence of key biomass parameters on specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) in a sponge submerged membrane bioreactor (SSMBR) to develop mathematical models of biomass viability. Extra-cellular polymeric substances (EPS) were considered as a lumped parameter of bound EPS (bEPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP). Statistical analyses of experimental results indicate that the bEPS, SMP, mixed liquor suspended solids and volatile suspended solids (MLSS and MLVSS) have functional relationships with SOUR and their relative influence on SOUR was in the order of EPS>bEPS>SMP>MLVSS/MLSS. Based on correlations among biomass parameters and SOUR, two independent empirical models of biomass viability were developed. The models were validated using results of the SSMBR. However, further validation of the models for different operating conditions is suggested.

Transmission electron microscopic investigation of a Pd-Ag-In-Sn dental alloy.

With the price volatility of palladium, there has been renewed interest in palladium-silver alloys for metal-ceramic restorations in dentistry. The microstructures of a popular Pd-Ag dental alloy were investigated in the as-cast and simulated porcelain-firing heat-treated conditions, using transmission electron microscopy. In the as-cast condition, the microstructure was strongly influenced by microsegregation, and contained the face-centered cubic Pd solid solution matrix, a eutectic structure with lattice parameters that varied for the two phases, and a face-centered tetragonal (fct) precipitate. After heat treatment, the lattice parameters for the two phases in the eutectic structure were uniform, and discontinuous precipitates with [011](matrix) habit planes and dislocations appeared in the matrix. An unusual nanostructured constituent was found in the fct set of eutectic lamellae in the heat-treated alloys.

Micro-X-ray diffraction observation of nickel-titanium orthodontic wires in simulated oral environment.

A micro-X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) technique has been employed to determine the phases in two superelastic nickel-titanium orthodontic wires that exhibit shape memory in the oral environment and one superelastic nickel-titanium wire that does not exhibit shape memory in vivo. The micro-XRD analyses were performed over the clinically relevant temperature range of 0-55 degrees C, which corresponds to the ingestion of cold and hot liquids, and both straight and bent (135 degrees ) test samples were analyzed. The results showed that for straight (as-received) test samples, the rhombohedral phase (R-phase) was definitely present in one shape memory wire product and perhaps in the other shape memory wire product, but was apparently absent in the superelastic wire product that did not display shape memory. Martensite was observed in all three wire products after bending. Phase transformations occurred with temperature changes simulating the oral environment for straight test samples of the two shape memory wires, but the micro-XRD pattern changed minimally with temperature for straight test samples of the superelastic wire and for bent test samples of all three wire products. The phase transformations revealed by micro-XRD were consistent with results recently found by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry.