Inhibitory effects of homoharringtonine on foot and mouth disease virus in vitro.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious disease that affects cloven-hoof animals including cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and lots of wild species. Effectively control measures are urged needed. Here, we showed that homoharringtonine treatment exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against two different strains of FMDVs (O/MYA98/BY/2010 and A/GD/MM/2013) in swine kidney (IBRS-2) cells. Further experiments demonstrated that homoharringtonine did not affect virus attachment or entry. Using time-of-addition assays, we found that the antiviral activity of homoharringtonine occurred primarily during the early stage of infection. These results demonstrated that homoharringtonine might be an effective anti-FMDV drug. Further studies are required to explore the antiviral activity of homoharringtonine against FMDV replication in vivo.

Risk factors of early childhood caries (ECC) among children in Beijing - a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Early childhood caries (ECC) was a serious oral health concern with high prevalence and a low treatment rate in China, and few researches have focused on preschool children. This study aimed to explore the risk factors of ECC in Beijing, China. METHODS: Totle of 712 children (mean age: 46.37 ± 5.44 months) participated in this prospective cohort study. Questionnaires and the levels of mutans streptococci in dental plaques and non-stimulated saliva, assessed using Dentocult SM strips, were collected at baseline, respectively. Two calibrated examiners checked for dental caries according to the WHO 1997 criteria at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Negative binomial regression was used for multivariate analysis of factors related to caries development. RESULTS: For caries-free children at baseline, only plaque mutans streptococci (PMS) levels were associated with caries development (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-2.61, P = 0.02). Children with high PMS levels (scored 2 and 3) had higher caries incidence (46.2% vs. 33.8%) and more caries increment (1.87 ± 3.17 vs. 0.90 ± 1.89) than those with low levels (scored 0 and 1). Among all participants, PMS (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.32-2.23, P < 0.001) and previous caries experience (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 2.20-3.56, P < 0.001) were related to caries increment. CONCLUSIONS: For caries-free children, the only significant risk factor for ECC was high PMS levels. For all participants, besides high PMS levels, previous caries experience was another significant risk factor for caries development. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study design, protocol, and informed consent forms were undertaken with the understanding of Declaration of Helsinki and were approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the School of Stomatology, Peking University, China (PKUSSIRB-2012042).

The Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of 20-HETE Blockade in Cyp4a14(-/-) Mice Is Associated with Natriuresis.

20-Hydroxy-5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) has been linked to pro-hypertensive and anti-hypertensive actions through its ability to promote vasoconstriction and inhibit Na transport in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, respectively. In this study, we assessed the effects of 20-HETE blockade on blood pressure, renal hemodynamics, and urinary sodium excretion in Cyp4a14(-/-) male mice, which display androgen-driven 20-HETE-dependent hypertension. Administration of 2,5,8,11,14,17-hexaoxanonadecan-19-yl 20-hydroxyicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoate (20-SOLA), a water-soluble 20-HETE antagonist, in the drinking water normalized the blood pressure of male Cyp4a14(-/-) hypertensive mice (±124 vs. ±153 mmHg) while having no effect on age-matched normotensive wild-type (WT) male mice. Hypertension in Cyp4a14(-/-) male mice was accompanied by decreased renal perfusion and reduced glomerular filtration rates, which were corrected by treatment with 20-SOLA. Interestingly, Cyp4a14(-/-) male mice treated with 20-SOLA displayed increased urinary sodium excretion that was paralleled by the reduction of blood pressure suggestive of an antinatriuretic activity of endogenous 20-HETE in the hypertensive mice. This interpretation is in line with the observation that the natriuretic response to acute isotonic saline loading in hypertensive Cyp4a14(-/-) male mice was significantly impaired relative to that in WT mice; this impairment was corrected by 20-SOLA treatment. Hence, endogenous 20-HETE appears to promote sodium conservation in hypertensive Cyp4a14(-/-) male mice, presumably, as a result of associated changes in renal hemodynamics and/or direct stimulatory action on tubular sodium reabsorption.

A meta-analysis of the incidence and risk of skin toxicity with nab-paclitaxel and paclitaxel in cancer treatment.

BACKGROUND: Skin toxicity of varying severity occurs mostly during various courses of chemotherapy. In clinical trials and practice, we have found that both nab-paclitaxel and paclitaxel cause side effects such as rash and pruritus. To further clarify the incidence of rash and pruritus in both, we conducted the present study by a systematic evaluation, the results of which can be used to guide clinical dosing choices. METHODS: An electrical search was performed on randomized controlled research trials of nab-paclitaxel and paclitaxel for the treatment of malignancies. The necessary data were extracted, integrated, and analyzed from the included studies by systematic evaluation and meta-analysis, depending on the study design. Further subgroup analyses were performed to explore the incidence of rash and pruritus in nab-paclitaxel and paclitaxel. RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total of 971 patients with malignancy were included. Four studies were application of single-agent nab-paclitaxel compared with paclitaxel, and seven studies were comparative chemotherapy drug combinations. The incidence of rash was higher in all grades of nab-paclitaxel than that in paclitaxel (OR=1.39, CI 95% [1.18-1.62]); the incidence of rash was higher in lower grades of paclitaxel than that in solvent-based paclitaxel (OR=1.31, CI 95% [1.11-1.53]); the incidence of rash was higher in all grades in the single-agent application comparison. The incidence of rash was higher in nab-paclitaxel than that in paclitaxel (OR=1.81, CI 95% [1.26-2.59]); there was no significant difference in the incidence of pruritus between nab-paclitaxel and paclitaxel (OR=1.19, CI 95% [0.88-1.61]). CONCLUSION: In comparison with paclitaxel, nab-paclitaxel significantly increased the risk of a teething rash. There was a significant risk correlation between nab-paclitaxel and teething rash. Early prevention, identification, and treatment of rash could significantly improve patient's quality of life and optimize their clinical survival.

Identification of a Conserved, Linear Epitope on VP3 of Enterovirus A Species Recognized by a Broad-Spectrum Monoclonal Antibody.

Outbreaks of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) have occurred frequently in the Asian-Pacific region over the last two decades, caused mainly by the serotypes in Enterovirus A species. High-quality monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are needed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the diagnosis of enteroviruses associated HFMD. In this study, a mAb 1A11 was generated using full particles of CV-A5 as an immunogen. In indirect immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays, 1A11 bound to the viral proteins of CV-A2, CV-A4, CV-A5, CV-A6, CV-A10, CV-A16, and EV-A71 of the Enterovirus A and targeted VP3. It has no cross-reactivity to strains of Enterovirus B and C. By mapping with over-lapped and truncated peptides, a minimal and linear epitope 23PILPGF28 was identified, located at the N-terminus of the VP3. A BLAST sequence search of the epitope in the NCBI genus Enterovirus (taxid: 12059) protein database indicates that the epitope sequence is highly conserved among the Enterovirus A species, but not among the other enterovirus species, first reported by us. By mutagenesis analysis, critical residues for 1A11 binding were identified for most serotypes of Enterovirus A. It may be useful for the development of a cost-effective and pan-Enterovirus A antigen detection for surveillance, early diagnosis and differentiation of infections caused by the Enterovirus A species.

Relationship between Chewing Sugar-free Gum and Dental Caries Status in China.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between chewing sugar-free gum (SFG) and dental caries status in China. METHODS: A total of 860 teenagers (aged 12 to 15 years) and 490 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) were recruited using a multistage stratified cluster method from economically developed areas (Beijing, Guangdong) and less economically developed areas (Hubei, Xinjiang). Each participant completed a questionnaire including oral health-related knowledge of SFG and chewing habits of SFG and agreed to undertake a clinical assessment. Potential factors associated with chewing conditions were analysed through a chi-square statistical test. A negative binominal regression analysis was performed to quantify the relationship between dental caries and consumption of SFG. RESULTS: The overall percentage of the survey population who consumed SFG was 43.4%, and SFG-related knowledge and awareness was only 19.4%. For decayed, missing and filled permanent teeth (DMFT), the mean value was 1.63 ± 2.41 and 2.29 ± 3.65 in the chewing group and non-chewing group, respectively. According to the negative binominal regression analysis, the caries status in the SFG chewing group was better than in the non-chewing group (adjusted prevalence rate ratio [PRR] 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62-0.87). CONCLUSION: The chewing condition and oral health-related knowledge and awareness of SFG is low. Chewing SFG is related to a better dental caries status, so regular consumption of SFG should be recommended when promoting oral health.

[Analysis of the volatile oils chemical constituents of roots of Actinidia deliciosa].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the volatile oils chemical constituents of roots of Actinidia deliciosa. METHODS: The volatile oils fraction of roots of Actinidia deliciosa. were extracted by water vapor distilling, and then the constituents were separated and identified, by GC-MS. RESULTS: 16 compounds were identified, accounting for 89.37% of all quantity. CONCLUSION: The principal volatile oils chemical constituents are Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethl)-; 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(4-methox yphenyl)-, ethyl ester; 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester; Cyclotetrasiloxane, octamethyl-.

[Caries-related factors for preschool children].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of variables such as saliva mutans streptococci, oral hygiene, dietary habits, oral hygiene habits and socio-economic status in assessing the level of caries risk for preschool children. METHODS: The case-control study was used. Among 1018 children at the age of 4 and 5, 204 children with dmft > or = 6 were included in caries group and 237 children in caries free group. Saliva mutans streptococci, saliva flow rate and buffer capacity, and debris index were tested for all children. Their mothers finished the standardized questionnaire for information about dietary and oral hygiene habits of the children, breast and bottle feeding history and socio-economic status. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that the saliva mutans streptococci (OR = 3.019), debris index (OR = 2.263), frequency of consumption of snacks and sweets (OR = 1.729), frequency of intake of soft drinks (OR = 1.496) and use of sweetened food in nursing bottle (OR = 2.255) were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: High level of saliva mutans streptococci, bad oral hygiene, frequent intake of sweet food, and sugar contents in nursing bottle were the important risk factors for dental caries on primary teeth.

[Effect of IgY solution on dental plaque].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of the IgY solution on dental plaque and mutans Streptococci in plaque and in saliva. METHODS: A double-blind study was used. 44 school children at the third grade in test group used the IgY solution for 21 days; 41 children in control group used the placebo. The plaque index, the plaque weight, the level of mutans streptococci in saliva and in plaque were tested for all children. RESULTS: The plaque weight in test group was (46.4 +/- 31.2) mg at baseline, and (36.6 +/- 25.6) mg at the end of the study (P = 0.007). The IgY solution reduced 21.1% plaque weight. Statistically significant differences for other indices were not shown in this study. CONCLUSION: The 0.1% IgY solution reduces the mass of plaque on the tooth surfaces.