Association between healthy lifestyle combinations and periodontitis in NHANES.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is closely associated with chronic systemic diseases. Healthy lifestyle interventions have health-enhancing effects on chronic systemic disorders and periodontitis, but the extent to which healthy lifestyle combinations are associated with periodontitis is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between periodontitis and different healthy lifestyle combinations. METHODS: 5611 participants were included from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2009-2014). Six healthy lifestyles factors were defined as fulfilling either: non-smoking, moderate drinking, moderate body mass index (BMI), physical activity, healthy sleep and appropriate total energy intake. Then, the adjusted logistic regression models were performed to identify the association between the periodontitis and the scoring system composed of six lifestyles (0-6 scale). Finally, different scenarios were dynamically and randomly combined to identify the optimal and personalized combination mode. RESULTS: Higher healthy lifestyle scores were significantly associated with lower periodontitis prevalence (p < 0.05). Four lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, BMI, and sleep) significantly varied between the periodontitis and healthy groups (p < 0.05). Smoking was considered as a strong independent risk factor for periodontitis in both former and current smokers. Results further indicated that the combination of these four lifestyles played the most essential role in determining the magnitude of periodontitis occurrence (odds ratio [OR]: 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21 to 0.50). In the total population, the majority of three lifestyle combinations outperformed the two combination models, whereas the two-combination of nonsmoking-drinking (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.27 to 0.58) had relatively lower periodontitis prevalence than the three-combination of healthy drinking-BMI-sleep (OR: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.66). CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study suggests that smoking, drinking, BMI, and sleep are significantly related with periodontitis and smoking is the principal risk factor related among them. This study provides various customized lifestyle combinations for periodontitis prevention.

[A real-world study on the efficacy and safety analysis of paclitaxel liposome in advanced breast cancer].

Objective: To explore the application and efficacy of paclitaxel liposome in the treatment of advanced breast cancer among Chinese population in the real world. Methods: The clinical characteristics of patients with advanced breast cancer who received paclitaxel liposome as salvage treatment from January 1, 2016 to August 31, 2019 in 11 hospitals were collected and retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome was progression free survival (PFS), and the secondary outcome included objective response rate (ORR) and safety. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox regression model were used for the multivariate analysis. Results: Among 647 patients with advanced breast cancer who received paclitaxel liposome, the first-line treatment accounted for 43.3% (280/647), the second-line treatment accounted for 27.7% (179/647), and the third-line and above treatment accounted for 29.1% (188/647). The median dose of first-line and second-line treatment was 260 mg per cycle, and 240 mg in third line and above treatment. The median period of paclitaxel liposome alone and combined chemotherapy or targeted therapy is 4 cycles and 6 cycles, respectively. In the whole group, 167 patients (25.8%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome combined with capecitabine±trastuzumab (TX±H), 123 patients (19.0%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome alone (T), and 119 patients (18.4%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome combined with platinum ± trastuzumab (TP±H), 108 patients (16.7%) were treated with paclitaxel liposome combined with trastuzumab ± pertuzumab (TH±P). The median PFS of first-line and second-line patients (5.5 and 5.5 months, respectively) were longer than that of patients treated with third line and above (4.9 months, P<0.05); The ORR of the first line, second line, third line and above patients were 46.7%, 36.8% and 28.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that event-free survival (EFS) and the number of treatment lines were independent prognostic factors for PFS. The common adverse events were myelosuppression, gastrointestinal reactions, hand foot syndrome and abnormal liver function. Conclusion: Paclitaxel liposomes is widely used and has promising efficacy in multi-subtype advanced breast cancer.

[Forensic Individual Identification Based on the New Coding Method of Oral Pano-ramic Tomography].

ABSTRACT: Objective To discuss a new coding method for individual identification based on oral panoramic tomography, analyze the diversity of different coding modules in nonhomologous images and the consistency and the matching rate of the coding indexes of different coding modules in homologous images, and evaluate the application value of the different modules and the new coding method in individual identification. Methods The oral panoramic tomography images of 1 000 patients with permanent teeth were collected retrospectively. Each patient had two images taken at different times （called the Early database and the Late database according to the chronological order）. Each image was coded according to the designed coding method. A computer program was designed to compare the diversity of different modules, and calculate the diversity and consistency of different coding modules as well as the matching rate of the coding indexes. Results The diversity of the 4 modules that reflected teeth characteristics was much higher than that of other modules in the same database. The highest diversity was noticed in the module of right mandibular teeth in samples of both databases. The coding consistencies of the 4 modules were all above 50%. Besides, 90.2% of the matching rates of indexes of homologous images were over 80%. Conclusion The 4 modules have higher application value in individual identification, especially the right mandibular teeth. The coding method has a certain value in forensic individual identification.

[Computed tomographic features of desmoplastic ameloblastoma of the jaw].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the clinical and CT imaging features of desmoplastic ameloblastomas (DA) in comparison with other types of ameloblastomas. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with ameloblastoma histopathologically in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from July 2000 to August 2017 were reviewed to analyze the constituent ratios and characteristics of DA. CT imaging features of DA (28 cases) were investigated in comparison with consecutive cases of solid/multicystic and unicystic ameloblastomas. The following imaging perspectives were analyzed: the border, internal structure, three-dimensional shape, tooth, the periodontium, the cortex and the expansion of the tumors. CT values were measured in the region of interest for quantitative analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1 269 cases of ameloblastomas, 50 (3.9%) were DA, which showed predilections for males (74.0%). The average age of DA was about 43.9 years old, which was higher than the other two types. The anterior incisorcanine region (62.0%) and premolar region (30.0%) were most frequently affected. The incidence rate of DA in mandibule was 56.0% (28/50), which was slightly higher than that of maxilla (44.0%). The DA characteristically showed scallop border and honeycomblike or soapbubble internal structure with bone formation on CT. The mean ratios of height to mesiodistal and buccal-lingual to mesio-distal distances were 0.76 and 0.63, which were higher than the other two types. According to the degree of internal bone formation, three subtypes of DA could be observed: densely ossifying type (I), honeycomb/soap bubble type (II) and sparsely ossifying type (III). The means and standard deviations of CT values of DA were significantly higher than those of the other two types, which were (488.8±164.0) HU (type I), (171.7±102.8) HU (type II), (42.1±8.8) HU (type III). CONCLUSION: CT is helpful for diagnosis of DA, which shows as solid tumor with varying degrees of internal ossification.

Pain after root canal treatment with different instruments: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aims of this systematic review were to compare the incidence and intensity of postoperative pain after single-visit root canal treatment using manual, rotary, and reciprocating instruments. An extensive literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed to identify investigations that evaluated the effects of different instruments on postendodontic pain. Meta-analyses and additional analyses, including subgroup and sensitivity analyses, were conducted. We included seventeen trials in this study. Pooled results showed that patients treated with rotary instruments experienced a significantly lower incidence of postoperative pain (RR, 0.32, p = .0005) and reduced pain intensity than did patients treated with manual instruments. In addition, patients treated with multiple rotary-file systems experienced a significantly lower incidence of postoperative pain than did those treated with reciprocating systems (RR, 0.73; p < .0001). The use of rotary instruments contributed to a lower incidence and intensity of postoperative pain than did the use of hand files in patients who received single-visit root canal treatment. In addition, the use of multiple rotary-file systems contributed to a lower incidence of postoperative pain than did the use of reciprocating systems.

[Effect of concentrated growth factors on the treatment of degree II furcation involvements of mandibular molars].

OBJECTIVE: Concentrated growth factors (CGF), a new generation of platelet concentrate products, appears to have more abundant growth factors because of its special centrifugation process. However, there are few studies supporting this. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of CGFs in the treatment of II° furcations of mandibular molars. METHODS: In the present study, thirty-one II° furcation involvements in twenty mandiblular molars were included and randomly divided into two groups. The furcation involvements in the experimental group were treated with bone graft therapy combined with CGFs, and the furcation involvements in the control group were treated with bone graft therapy alone. The clinical examination and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed at baseline and 1 year post-surgery for the two groups. The changes of clinical and CBCT data at baseline and 1 year post-surgery were compared between the experimental group and the control group. RESULTS: At baseline, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the probing depth (PD), vertical clinical attachment loss (CAL-V) and horizontal clinical attachment loss (CAL-H): PD (7.36±2.32) mm (the experimental group) vs. (7.53±2.06) mm (the control group); CAL-V (8.69±1.65) mm (the experimental group) vs. (8.81±1.53) mm (the control group); CAL-H (5.24±2.01) mm (the experimental group) vs. (5.35±2.14) mm (the control group). At the end of 1 year post-surgery, the clinical parameters of both groups were significantly improved (P<0.001). For the experimental group, the average vertical attachment gain was (2.78±1.66) mm, and the vertical attachment loss was improved significantly compared with the baseline (P<0.001); the average horizontal attachment gain was (2.10±1.89) mm, and the horizontal attachment loss were improved significantly compared with the baseline (P<0.001). Furthermore, the improvement degree of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.001). At baseline, there were no statistical differences in the vertical bone loss (BL-V) or horizontal bone loss (BL-H) between the two groups (P>0.05): BL-V (5.08±2.17) mm (the experimental group) vs. (5.84±2.65) mm (the control group); BL-H (5.85±2.13) mm (the experimental group) vs. (6.01±2.27) mm (the control group). At 1 year post-surgery, both groups showed significant radiographic bone gain at vertical and horizontal directions compared with baseline (P<0.001). For the experimental group, the average vertical radiographic bone gain was (2.20±1.98) mm, the horizontal radiographic bone gain was (2.51±2.18) mm, the vertical and horizontal radiographic bone loss were both significantly reduced compared with the baseline (P<0.001). For the control group, the average vertical radiographic bone gain was (1.89±2.15) mm, the horizontal radiographic bone gain was (1.30±2.47) mm, the vertical and horizontal radiographic bone losses were both significantly reduced compared with the baseline (P<0.001). And the experimental group showed significantly higher bone gain at vertical and horizontal directions compared with the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of the present study, CGFs showed positive role in the treatment of II° furcation involvements of mandibular molars.

A single CT-guided percutaneous intraosseous injection of thermosensitive simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel enhances vertebral bone formation in ovariectomized minipigs.

UNLABELLED: The ultimate goal of osteoporosis treatment is prevention of fragile fracture. Local treatment targeting specific bone may decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. We developed an injectable, thermosensitive simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel; a single CT-guided percutaneous intraosseous injection augmented vertebrae in ovariectomized minipigs. INTRODUCTION: The greatest hazard associated with osteoporosis is local fragility fractures. An adjunct, local treatment might be helpful to decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fracture. Studies have found that simvastatin stimulates bone formation, but the skeletal bioavailability of orally administered is low. Directly delivering simvastatin to the specific bone that is prone to fractures may reinforce the target bone and reduce the incidence of fragility fractures. METHODS: We developed an injectable, thermosensitive simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel, conducted scanning electron microscopy, rheological, and drug release analyses to evaluate the delivery system; injected it into the lumbar vertebrae of ovariectomized minipigs via minimally invasive CT-guided percutaneous vertebral injection. Three months later, BMD, microstructures, mineral apposition rates, and strength were determined by DXA, micro-CT, histology, and biomechanical test; expression of VEGF, BMP2, and osteocalcin were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blots. RESULTS: Poloxamer 407 is an effective controlled delivery system for intraosseous-injected simvastatin. A single injection of the simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel significantly increased BMD, bone microstructure, and strength; the bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness increased nearly 150 %, bone strength almost doubled compared with controls (all P < 0.01); and induced higher expression of VEGF, BMP2, and osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided percutaneous vertebral injection of a single simvastatin/poloxamer 407 thermosensitive hydrogel promotes bone formation in ovariectomized minipigs. The underlying mechanism appears to involve the higher expression of VEGF and BMP-2.

Periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss induced by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is attenuated in sphingosine kinase 1-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid, which is generated by activation of sphingosine kinase (SK) 1 and/or 2 in most mammalian cells with various stimuli, including the oral pathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. S1P signaling has been shown to regulate the migration of monocytes and macrophages (osteoclast precursors) from the circulation to bone tissues and affect bone homeostasis. We aimed to determine the effects of SK1 deficiency on S1P generation, proinflammatory cytokine production, chemotaxis of monocytes and macrophages, and periodontitis induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Murine bone marrow-derived monocytes and macrophages (BMMs) from SK1 knockout (KO) mice or wild-type (WT) mice were either untreated or exposed to A. actinomycetemcomitans. The mRNA levels of SK1, SK2 and intracellular sphingolipid levels were quantified. In addition, murine WT BMMs were treated with vehicle, S1P, with or without A. actinomycetemcomitans and the mRNA levels of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were quantified. The protein levels of prostaglandin E2, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α were quantified in the cell media of SK1 KO BMMs or WT BMMs with or without bacterial stimulation. Furthermore, a transwell migration assay was performed and the number of migrated WT BMMs in the presence of vehicle, bacteria-stimulated media, with or without S1P was quantified. Finally, in vivo studies were performed on SK1 KO and WT mice by injecting either phosphate-buffered saline or A. actinomycetemcomitans in the periodontal tissues. The mice maxillae were scanned by micro-computed tomography, and alveolar bone volume was analyzed. The number of periodontal leukocytes and osteoclasts were quantified in maxillary tissue sections. RESULTS: SK1 mRNA levels significantly increased after A. actinomycetemcomitans stimulation in murine WT BMMs, but were undetectable in SK1 KO BMMs. Deficiency of SK1 in murine BMMs resulted in decreased S1P generation induced by A. actinomycetemcomitans as compared with WT BMMs. Additionally, low levels of S1P (≤ 1 µM) did not have a significant impact on the mRNA production of COX-2, IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF in murine BMMs with or without the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans. There were no significant differences in prostaglandin E2 , IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α protein levels in the media between SK1 KO BMMs and WT BMMs with or without bacterial stimulation. Importantly, low levels of S1P (≤ 1 µM) dose-dependently promoted the chemotaxis of BMMs. The bacteria-stimulated media derived from SK1 BMMs significantly reduced the chemotaxis response compared with WT control. Finally, SK1 KO mice showed significantly attenuated alveolar bone loss stimulated by A. actinomycetemcomitans compared with WT mice treated with A. actinomycetemcomitans. Histological analysis of periodontal tissue sections revealed that SK1 KO mice treated with A. actinomycetemcomitans significantly reduced the number of infiltrated periodontal leukocytes and mature osteoclasts attached on the alveolar bone compared with WT mice. CONCLUSION: Our studies support that SK1 and S1P play an important role in the inflammatory bone loss response induced by the oral pathogen A. actinomycetemcomitans. Reducing S1P generation by inhibiting SK1 has the potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for periodontitis and other inflammatory bone loss diseases.

Trophic size-structure of sailfish Istiophorus platypterus in eastern Taiwan estimated by stable isotope analysis.

To examine trophic dynamics over different size classes, an isotopic study of sailfish Istiophorus platypterus life-history stages was carried out. Samples were collected from eastern Taiwan and the South China Sea during April 2009 and February 2012. A total of 263 samples (111-245 cm, lower jaw fork length, LLJFL ) were examined for changes in trophic structure in relation to LLJFL by using stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ(13) C) and nitrogen (δ(15) N). The δ(15) N values for I. platypterus ranged from 7·51 to 14·19‰ (mean ± s.d. = 12·06 ± 1·16‰) and the δ(13) C values ranged from -22·04 to -15·48‰ (mean ± s.d. = -17·62 ± 1·10‰). The δ(15) N values were positively dependent on LLJFL (r(2) = 0·377), whereas δ(13) C were negatively dependent on LLJFL (r(2) = 0·063). There were significantly different seasonal changes in nitrogen and carbon isotopic concentration, but no significant differences in concentrations between eastern Taiwan and the South China Sea were reported. The trophic level (TL ) of each LLJFL class was correlated, starting from 2·84 TL for size class I (LLJFL < 140 cm) and reaching 5·03 TL for size class VI (LLJFL > 221 cm). The mean ± s.d. TL was 4·43 ± 0·19 for all samples. The results reveal that I. platypterus occupies a wide range of trophic levels and different size classes occupy different trophic positions in the pelagic ecosystem.

[Accuracy analysis of cone beam computed tomography in assessing furcation involvements of mandibular molars].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in assessing furcation involvements of mandibular molars. METHODS: In the study, 38 furcation involvements of 22 mandibular molars which would accept furcation surgery were included. Pre-surgical examination, CBCT and periapical radiograph were performed. Then, intra-surgical furcation assessments were compared with those data. RESULTS: Intra-surgical findings confirmed 86.8% of the CBCT data, with a weighed kappa of 0.976. Of the four parameters tested of detailed root anatomy and furcation morphology, the vertical bone loss, the mesial-distal bone loss and the length of the root trunk revealed by CBCT were consistent with their respective intra-surgical values (P>0.05): about vertical bone loss, CBCT was (4.03±2.27) mm, but in surgery was (4.32±2.31) mm; about mesial-distal bone loss, CBCT was (2.05±0.89) mm, but in surgery was (2.07±0.97) mm; about length of the root trunk, CBCT was (2.35±0.88) mm, but in surgery was (2.24± 0.75) mm. The horizontal bone loss revealed by CBCT [(3.40±1.27) mm] was significantly smaller than that by surgery [(3.72±1.19) mm]. However, the mean difference was only 0.32 mm. Periapical radiograph could only obtain vertical bone loss [(2.17±1.32) mm] and mesial-distal bone loss [(1.46± 0.88) mm], which was significantly different from that obtained in surgery. CONCLUSION: CBCT proved high accuracy in assessing the furcation involvement of mandibular molars.

Biomechanical and aesthetic outcomes following radial forearm free flap transfer: comparison of ipsilateral full-thickness skin graft and traditional split-thickness skin graft.

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is associated with donor site morbidity. This study aimed to quantify the functional and aesthetic outcomes after closure of the RFFF donor site using triangular full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) harvested adjacent to the flap or traditional split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs). The study included patients who underwent oral cavity reconstruction with an RFFF between March 2017 and August 2021. The patients were divided into two groups based on the donor site closure method: FTSG or STSG. The primary outcomes were biomechanical grip strength, pinch strength, and range of wrist movements. Subjective donor site morbidity, aesthetic and functional results were also analysed. The study included 75 patients (FTSG n = 35; STSG n = 40). Postoperatively, there was a statistically significant difference in grip strength (P = 0.049) and wrist extension (P = 0.047) between the FTSG and STSG groups, in favour of the STSG. Differences between the groups in pinch strength and other wrist motions were not statistically significant. The harvesting time was significantly shorter for the FTSG (P = 0.041) and the appearance of the donor site was better (P = 0.026) when compared to the STSG. Cold intolerance was more frequent in the STSG group (32.5% STSG vs 6.7% FTSG; P = 0.017). Subjective function, numbness, pain, hypertrophic scar, itching, and social stigma did not differ significantly between the groups. Compared with the STSG, the FTSG showed better cosmesis and avoided additional donor sites, with clinically negligible differences in hand biomechanics.

Natural course of severe temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis evaluated by a novel condylar remodelling scoring system and quantitative volumetric analysis.

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis (TMJ-OA) frequently causes mild, moderate, or severe condylar morphological changes. A novel condylar remodelling scoring system (CRSS) based on three-dimensional cone beam computed tomography images is proposed, which is used to grade condylar morphological changes. In the CRSS, the condyle is divided into 10 regions by 11 reference points. For each increase in the number of regions involved in TMJ-OA, one point is subtracted from the full score of 10. The intra-class correlation coefficients for intra- and inter-observer agreement (range 0.656-0.898 and 0.841-0.906, respectively) indicated that the CRSS had good reliability. Cephalometric analysis showed that the condyles with severe morphological changes were prone to present with a retrognathic and clockwise rotating mandible, shorter ramus height, reduced mandibular length, larger mandibular angle, and maxillary retrusion. Qualitative CRSS evaluation and quantitative volumetric analysis were performed to evaluate the stability of severe TMJ-OA in its natural course (343 condyles). The continuous cortex group showed no remarkable changes with an average follow-up of 2 years. In the discontinuous cortex group, most (74.4%) converted into a continuous cortex during follow-up (mean 2 years).

Porcine bocaviruses: genetic analysis and prevalence in Chinese swine population.

In members of the Bocavirus genus, that contain three open reading frames (ORFs) of the Parvovirinae subfamily, porcine bocaviruses (PoBoVs) exhibit the most genetic diversity. Based on the ORF2-encoded viral protein (VP1) classification, the six reported porcine bocaviruses were grouped into four species: PoBoV1 (porcine boca-like virus or PBoLV), PoBoV2 (porcine parvovirus 4 or PPV4), PoBoV3 (PBoV1/PBoV2) and PoBoV4 (6V/7V), with PoBoV3 and PoBoV4 each having two genotype viruses. All four PoBoV species were detected in the 166 samples collected in 2010 from swine herds located in ten provinces of China. The detection rates for PoBoV1-4 were 28·9%, 6·6%, 19·3% and 39·7%, respectively. The co-infection combinations involving these six porcine bocaviruses in the collected samples were very complex. Furthermore, mixed infections with viruses from other families (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, classic swine fever virus and porcine circovirus type 2) were also detected.

Periodontal Inflammation Primes the Systemic Innate Immune Response.

The presence of periodontal diseases (PDs) often strongly correlates with other severe chronic inflammatory conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and arthritis. However, the mechanisms through which these diseases interact are unclear. In PD, tissue and bone destruction in the mouth is driven by elevated recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs), which are primed and recruited from the circulation to sites of inflammation. We predicted that systemic effects on PMN mobilization or priming could account for the interaction between PD and other inflammatory conditions. We tested this using a mouse model of ligature-induced PD and found elevated PMN counts specifically in bone marrow, supporting a systemic effect of periodontal tissue inflammation on PMN production. In contrast, mice with induced peritonitis had elevated PMN counts in the blood, peritoneum, and colon. These elevated counts were further significantly increased when acute peritonitis was induced after ligature-induced PD in mice, revealing a synergistic effect of multiple inflammatory events on PMN levels. Flow cytometric analysis of CD marker expression revealed enhanced priming of PMNs from mice with both PD and peritonitis compared to mice with peritonitis alone. Thus, systemic factors associated with PD produce hyperinflammatory PMN responses during a secondary infection. To analyze this systemic effect in humans, we induced gingival inflammation in volunteers and also found significantly increased activation of blood PMNs in response to ex vivo stimulation, which reverted to normal following resolution of gingivitis. Together, these results demonstrate that periodontal tissue inflammation has systemic effects that predispose toward an exacerbated innate immune response. This indicates that peripheral PMNs can respond synergistically to simultaneous and remote inflammatory triggers and therefore contribute to the interaction between PD and other inflammatory conditions. This suggests larger implications of PD beyond oral health and reveals potential new approaches for treating systemic inflammatory diseases that interact with PD.

Chinese expert group consensus on diagnosis and clinical management of osteoradionecrosis of the mandible.

Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible (MORN) is one of the most devastating complications caused by radiation therapy in the head and neck region. It is characterized by infection and chronic necrosis of the mandible as the main manifestation. Clinically, MORN-related symptoms include swelling, pain, dysphagia, trismus, masticatory or speech disorders, refractory orocutaneous fistula, bone exposure, and even pathological fracture. MORN has become a challenging clinical problem for oral and maxillofacial surgeons to deal with, but thus far, this problem has not been solved due to the lack of widely accepted treatment algorithms or guidelines. Because of the nonexistence of standardized treatment criteria, most clinical treatment against MORN nowadays is largely based on controversial empirical understandings, while recommendations on post-therapeutic evaluations are scarce. Therefore, to further unify and standardize the diagnosis and treatment of MORN, to decrease the huge waste of medical resources, and ultimately, to improve the wellbeing of the patients, the Chinese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (CSOMS) convened an expert panel specialized in MORN from 16 domestic medical colleges and affiliated hospitals to discuss the spectrum of diagnosis and and formulate treatment. In addition, consensus recommendations were also revised with a comprehensive literature review of the previous treatment experiences and research pearls. This 'expert consensus statement on diagnosis and clinical management of MORN' is for clinical reference.

Nanoscale design of Ni-Al shape memory alloys.

Nanoscale design of Ni-Al alloys was performed to optimize the phase transformation behavior. The distribution of nickel and aluminum atoms was identified as a key parameter in the phase transformation process. A design criterion based on thermal expansion asymmetry was proposed. The effectiveness of the design criterion was validated using molecular dynamics simulations.

[Influence of environmental factors on the two-species biofilm formed by Streptococcus oligofermentans and Streptococcus mutans].

Objective: To study the influence of environmental factors on the two-species biofilm formed by the combinations of Streptococcus oligofermentans (So) with Streptococcus mutans (Sm) and Streptococcus sanguinis (Ss) with Sm so as to evaluate the role of So in maintaining the microecological balance of the oral cavity. Methods: Single-and two-species biofilms were grown on saliva-coated surfaces (glass tube and 96-well plate). Colony-counting method and safranin staining method were used to measure the biofilms formed under various oxygen conditions (aerobic and anaerobic), sucrose conditions (0%, 1% and 5% sucrose concentrations) and pH conditions (5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0). Results: Comparing the numbers of Sm in two co-cultures under various conditions, Sm counts in So+Sm group [(7.70±2.46)×10(8) CFU/ml] were significantly lower than those in Ss+Sm group [(9.00±1.13)×10(8) CFU/ml] in aerobic environment (P<0.05). Sm counts in So+Sm group [(2.80±0.52)×10(8) CFU/ml] were also significantly lower than those in the Ss+Sm group [(4.00±1.25)×10(8) CFU/ml] in anaerobic environment (P<0.05). The Sm counts in So+Sm group [(8.90±0.82)×10(8) CFU/ml] were significantly higher than those in Ss+Sm group [(7.50±1.73)×10(8) CFU/ml] in 0% sucrose environment (P<0.05). The Sm counts in So+Sm group [(5.70±2.94)×10(8) CFU/ml] were significantly lower than those in Ss+Sm group [(10.30±3.21) ×10(8) CFU/ml] in 1% sucrose environment (P<0.05). The Sm counts in So+Sm group [(6.10±1.71)×10(8) CFU/ml] were also significantly lower than those in Ss+Sm group [(7.40±1.20)×10(8) CFU/ml] in 5% sucrose environment (P<0.05). The Sm counts in So+Sm group [(3.50±1.50)×10(8) CFU/ml] were significantly lower than those in Ss+Sm group [(10.70±2.80)×10(8) CFU/ml] in pH7.0 environment (P<0.05). Comparing the formation of biofilm after 24 h cultivation, the Sm counts in So+Sm group were significantly lower than those in Ss+Sm group both in aerobic and anaerobic environments (P<0.05). The Sm counts in So+Sm group were significantly higher than those in Ss+Sm group in 0% sucrose environment (P<0.05). The Sm counts in So+Sm group were significantly lower than those in Ss+Sm group in 1% and 5% sucrose and pH 7.0 environments (P<0.05). Both So and Ss had no inhibitory effect on Sm in pH5.5 and pH8.0 environments. Conclusions: In the in vitro two-species co-culture systems, So showed stronger inhibitory effects than Ss on Sm and its inhibitory ability might influenced by various environmental factors.

[Crouzon syndrome with secretory otitis media: a case report and literature review].

Summary Clinical data from a case of Crouzon syndrome with secretory otitis media in our department was collected and the related literatures were reviewed. Whole exome sequecing and Sanger sequencing were performed to analyze genetic cause. The 6-year old patient with Crouzon syndrome had snoring and mouth breathing during sleep for 2 years, and was found hearing loss for 2 weeks. The results of endoscopy showed adenoid hypertrophy and secretory otitis media of both ears. And CT scan proved chronic rhinosinusitis. Myringotomy and adenoidectomy were done under general anesthesia. The follow-up at 6 months showed normal sleep and hearing level. A heterozygous fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 missense mutation（c.1061C>G, p.S354C） in exon 8 was identified in this patient.

Coupled waveguide-surface plasmon resonance biosensor with subwavelength grating.

This study develops a coupled waveguide-surface plasmon resonance (CWSPR) biosensor with a subwavelength grating structure for the real-time analysis of biomolecular interactions. In the proposed optical metrology system, normally incident white light is coupled into the waveguide layer through the subwavelength grating structure thereby enhancing the wave vector which excites the surface plasmons on the metal sensing surface. The proposed CWSPR biosensor not only retains the same sensing sensitivity as that of a conventional surface plasmon resonance device, but also yields a sharper dip in the reflectivity spectrum and therefore provides an improved measurement precision. Moreover, the metrology setup overcomes the limitations of the conventional Kretschmann attenuated total reflection approach and is less sensitive to slight variations in the angle of the incident light. The experimental results confirm that the current CWSPR biosensor provides a straightforward yet powerful technique for real-time biomolecular interaction analysis.