A bacterial effector manipulates plant metabolism, cell death, and immune responses via independent mechanisms.

Bacterial pathogens inject effector proteins inside plant cells to manipulate cellular functions and achieve a successful infection. The soil-borne pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith), the causal agent of bacterial wilt disease, secretes > 70 different effectors inside plant cells, although only a handful of them have been thoroughly characterized. One of these effectors, named RipI, is required for full R. solanacearum pathogenicity. RipI associates with plant glutamate decarboxylases (GADs) to promote the accumulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which serves as bacterial nutrient. In this work, we found that RipI can also suppress plant immune responses to bacterial elicitors, which seems to be unrelated to the ability of RipI to induce GABA accumulation and plant cell death. A detailed characterization of the RipI features that contribute to its virulence activities identified two residues at the C-terminal domain that mediate RipI interaction with plant GADs and the subsequent promotion of GABA accumulation. These residues are also required for the appropriate homeostasis of RipI in plant cells and the induction of cell death, although they are partially dispensable for the suppression of plant immune responses. Altogether, we decipher and uncouple the virulence activities of an important bacterial effector at the biochemical level.

A bacterial effector protein prevents MAPK-mediated phosphorylation of SGT1 to suppress plant immunity.

Nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) proteins function as sensors that perceive pathogen molecules and activate immunity. In plants, the accumulation and activation of NLRs is regulated by SUPPRESSOR OF G2 ALLELE OF skp1 (SGT1). In this work, we found that an effector protein named RipAC, secreted by the plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, associates with SGT1 to suppress NLR-mediated SGT1-dependent immune responses, including those triggered by another R. solanacearum effector, RipE1. RipAC does not affect the accumulation of SGT1 or NLRs, or their interaction. However, RipAC inhibits the interaction between SGT1 and MAP kinases, and the phosphorylation of a MAPK target motif in the C-terminal domain of SGT1. Such phosphorylation is enhanced upon activation of immune signaling and contributes to the activation of immune responses mediated by the NLR RPS2. Additionally, SGT1 phosphorylation contributes to resistance against R. solanacearum. Our results shed light onto the mechanism of activation of NLR-mediated immunity, and suggest a positive feedback loop between MAPK activation and SGT1-dependent NLR activation.

miR-144 negatively regulates the effect of CCNB1 protein on the biological behavior of hepatoma cells.

Liver cancer poses a great threat to the life safety of patients, which is a common malignant tumor worldwide. This study aims to explore the effect of miR-144 negatively regulating CCNB1 on the biological behavior of liver cancer cells, including the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of liver cancer cells, so as to provide a sufficient biological basis for the treatment of liver cancer. A 3 armour hospital at the records of 100 patients with liver cancer in 2015-2019 as the research object, and resection of the liver cancer cells and tissue adjacent to carcinoma as the research samples, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the organization of miR-144 gene and detect CCNB1 protein expression level, and by using a technique called RNA interference to silence the CCNB1 gene, and try to transfer by transfection CCNB1 protein, thus all kinds of biological behaviour of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The liver tissue of miR-144 is low, the level of gene expression CCNB1 protein expression level is higher, the expression level in liver cancer cells directly influences the curative effect of hepatocellular carcinoma patients, the miR-144 gene can negative regulation CCNB1 protein, through this kind of negative adjustment to the biological behavior of liver cancer cells have a profound impact.

Enhancing nitrate and phosphorus removal from stormwater in a fold-flow bioretention system with saturated zones.

The traditional bioretention systems possess a remarkably low nitrogen and phosphorus removal effect. The removal rate fluctuates greatly, and even appears as negative removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Four simulated bioretention experimental columns with different bilayer media, packing composition and structure were constructed. Based on the traditional fillers, the modified composite fillers with hydroxy-aluminum and modified vermiculite sludge particle (HAVSP) were added. The traditional filler (C1) and the modified composite filler (C2) were added respectively, moreover saturated zones were set up to enhance the effect of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. Removal of nutrients from experimental columns by simulated runoff efficiency was evaluated and compared. In addition, the effect of media depth on phosphorus retention and denitrifying enzyme activity in bioretention columns was also evaluated. The experimental column #2 filled with C2 had the optimum removal effect on TP (93.70%), however, the removal effect of TP by filling C1 experimental columns was insufficient (57.36%). Designed to remove nitrate (NO3--N) and total nitrogen, the experimental column #4 showed the best performance (83.54% and 92.15%, respectively). In this study, we propose a fold-flow bioretention system by filling HAVSP in combination with saturated zones. The runoff water quality can be effectively improved, and a new bioretention cell configuration can be provided for efficient stormwater treatment.

Molecular cloning and functional analysis of lotus salt-induced NnDREB2C, NnPIP1-2 and NnPIP2-1 in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Dehydration-responsive element bindings transcription factor (DREBs) and plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) have been characterized multi-functions in plant growth and metabolism, as well as in the adaptation to various stresses. In this study, we cloned the full-length cDNA of NnDREB2C from a salt-tolerated lotus species with RT-PCR methods. Analysis of qRT-PCR demonstrated that NnDREB2C mRNA in the leaf dramatically increased after the treatments of NaCl, abscisic acid, low temperature and mannitol. Next, NnDREB2C was cloned into constitutive expression vector pSN1301, which in turn transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana to investigate its function in plants. NnDREB2C overexpression significantly elevated Arabidopsis tolerance against salt and drought stresses, showing higher survival rates, lower conductivity and more chlorophyll content than those of wild-type plants. Moreover, higher germination rates were observed in the NnDREB2C overproducing plants when subjected into the stresses of NaCl and mannitol. Furthermore, we investigate the potential down-stream genes regulated by NnDREB2C and observed a significant increase in expressions of several genes belonging to PIPs family, including PIP1-1, PIP1-2, PIP1-3, PIP1-4 and PIP1-5. Consistently, overexpressed NnPIP1-2 and NnPIP2-1 conferred Arabidopsis the tolerance to stresses. Taken together, we concluded that overexpression of NnDREB2C enhanced the tolerance of salt and drought stresses in plants, which might probably be derived from the increased expression of the genes belonging to PIPs family.

Castleman Disease of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report.

Castleman disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by the formation of painless hyperplastic lymph nodes. It can affect any lymph nodes of the body but rarely affects the salivary gland. We describe a patient with unicentric Castleman disease presenting as a parotid tumor and discuss the diagnosis and treatment of Castleman disease. A 39-year-old man had a painless lump on the right side of his face for 1 year. A computed tomography scan showed a well-defined, homogeneous mass in the right parotid gland. The patient underwent a right-sided superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. Histopathologic analysis of the excisional biopsy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of Castleman disease. No further treatment was administered, and the patient recovered well; no recurrence was present at the 1-year follow-up. Castleman disease is a lymphoproliferative disease that rarely affects the parotid gland. Histopathologic examination is regarded as the gold standard for diagnosis of Castleman disease. The current treatment for patients with unicentric Castleman disease is surgical resection. For patients with multicentric Castleman disease, more complex therapies are required.

A bacterial type III effector targets plant vesicle-associated membrane proteins.

The soilborne bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive plant pathogens worldwide, and its infection process involves the manipulation of numerous plant cellular functions. In this work, we found that the R. solanacearum effector protein RipD partially suppressed different levels of plant immunity triggered by R. solanacearum elicitors, including specific responses triggered by pathogen-associated molecular patterns and secreted effectors. RipD localized in different subcellular compartments in plant cells, including vesicles, and its vesicular localization was enriched in cells undergoing R. solanacearum infection, suggesting that this specific localization may be particularly relevant during infection. Among RipD-interacting proteins, we identified plant vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMPs). We also found that overexpression of Arabidopsis thaliana VAMP721 and VAMP722 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves promoted resistance to R. solanacearum, and this was abolished by the simultaneous expression of RipD, suggesting that RipD targets VAMPs to contribute to R. solanacearum virulence. Among proteins secreted in VAMP721/722-containing vesicles, CCOAOMT1 is an enzyme required for lignin biosynthesis, and mutation of CCOAOMT1 enhanced plant susceptibility to R. solanacearum. Altogether our results reveal the contribution of VAMPs to plant resistance against R. solanacearum and their targeting by a bacterial effector as a pathogen virulence strategy.

Screening for oesophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal cancer is a global heath problem. The prognosis for advanced oesophageal cancer is generally unfavourable, but early-stage asymptomatic oesophageal cancer is basically curable and could achieve better survival rates. The two most commonly used tests are cytologic examination and endoscopy with mucosal iodine staining. The efficacy of the screening tests is controversial, and the true benefit and efficacy of screening remains uncertain because of the potential lead-time and length-time biases. This review was conducted to examine the evidence for the efficacy of screening for oesophageal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma). OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of early screening, using endoscopy with iodine staining or cytologic examination, in reducing mortality from oesophageal cancer in asymptomatic individuals from high-risk and general populations. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2012, Issue 8), The Cochrane Library (2012, Issue 8), MEDLINE (1950 to August 2012), EMBASE (1980 to August 2012), Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED) (1985 to August 2012), Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM) (January 1975 to August 2012), VIP Database (January 1989 to August 2012), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (January 1979 to August 2012), and the Internet. We also searched reference lists, conference proceedings, and databases of ongoing trials. There was no restriction on language or publication status in the search for trials. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included only randomised controlled trials (RCT) of screening versus no screening for oesophageal cancer. Randomisation of groups or clusters of individuals was acceptable. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently scanned the titles and abstracts from the initial search for potential trials for inclusion. We did not find any trials that met the inclusion criteria. MAIN RESULTS: The electronic search identified 3482 studies. Two authors independently reviewed the references. The reports of 18 studies were retrieved for further investigation. None met the eligibility criteria for a RCT investigation of the effects of screening versus no screening for oesophageal cancer. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There were no RCTs that determined the efficacy of screening for oesophageal cancer. Non-RCTs showed a high incidence and the reported better survival after screening could be caused by selection bias, lead-time and length-time biases. RCTs are needed to determine the efficacy of screening for oesophageal cancer.

The GABA transaminase GabT is required for full virulence of Ralstonia solanacearum in tomato.

The utilization of plant gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is essential for the pathogenicity of the bacterial plant pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum. A knockout mutant in the GABA transaminase-encoding gene gabT is unable to utilize GABA as a nutrient and its ability to cause disease in plants is strongly compromised. However, the proximity of the gabD gene (encoding a succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase) in the same operon raises the question of whether an impact on the gabD gene underlies or contributes to the virulence attenuation of the ΔgabT mutant. In this work, we use genetic complementation to show that the expression of the gabT gene is able to rescue the impaired virulence of the ΔgabT knockout mutant in tomato plants, confirming that the gabT-encoded GABA transaminase is indeed required for full virulence of R. solanacearum in a natural host plant.

Tomato Stem Injection for the Precise Assessment of Ralstonia solanacearum Fitness in Planta.

Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne pathogen with worldwide distribution that causes bacterial wilt disease in more than 250 plant species. R. solanacearum invades plants through the roots, reaches the vascular system, and colonizes the whole plant by moving through the xylem, where it eventually replicates rapidly, causing plant death. Usual assays to measure the virulence of R. solanacearum under laboratory conditions rely on soil-drenching inoculation followed by observation and scoring of disease symptoms. Here, we describe a protocol to assess the replication of R. solanacearum following injection into tomato stems. This protocol includes four major steps: 1) growth of tomato plants; 2) R. solanacearum injection into tomato stems; 3) collection of tomato xylem samples and bacterial quantitation; and 4) data analysis and representation. This method bypasses the natural penetration process of the pathogen, thus minimizing variation associated with stochastic events during bacterial invasion, and provides a sensitive and accurate measurement of bacterial fitness inside xylem vessels.

SGT1 is not required for plant LRR-RLK-mediated immunity.

Plant immune signalling activated by the perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or effector proteins is mediated by pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) and nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat domain-containing receptors (NLRs), which often share cellular components and downstream responses. Many PRRs are leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), which mostly perceive proteinaceous PAMPs. The suppressor of the G2 allele of skp1 (SGT1) is a core immune regulator required for the activation of NLR-mediated immunity. In this work, we examined the requirement of SGT1 for immune responses mediated by several LRR-RLKs in both Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis. Using complementary genetic approaches, we found that SGT1 is not limiting for early PRR-dependent responses or antibacterial immunity. We therefore conclude that SGT1 does not play a significant role in bacterial PAMP-triggered immunity.

Epidemiological pattern of maxillofacial fractures in northern China: A retrospective study of 829 cases.

This study was performed to examine the epidemiological features of maxillofacial fracture, including the incidence, causes, age and sex distribution, methods of treatment, and prognosis, in a local area.A retrospective study was performed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of 829 patients with maxillofacial fractures treated in a hospital in northern China from August 2011 to July 2019. Sex, age, etiology, fracture site, and treatment method were obtained from the medical records.The average age of all 829 patients was 36.1 years, and most patients were in the 20- to 29-year age group. The male to female ratio was 3.04:1.00. Traffic accidents were the main cause of the maxillofacial fractures. The mandible was the most commonly fractured bone, and the parasymphysis was the most frequently affected site. Head injury was the most common associated injury. Open surgery with internal fixation was the first-choice treatment for most cases.Traffic accidents were the main cause of maxillofacial fractures, followed by falling. Open surgery with internal fixation was the leading treatment choice. Both functional and esthetic outcomes should be considered in the treatment of maxillofacial fractures.

A Bacterial Effector Protein Hijacks Plant Metabolism to Support Pathogen Nutrition.

Many bacterial plant pathogens employ a type III secretion system to inject effector proteins within plant cells to suppress plant immunity. Whether and how effector proteins also co-opt plant metabolism to support extensive bacterial replication remains an open question. Here, we show that Ralstonia solanacearum, the causal agent of bacterial wilt disease, secretes the effector protein RipI, which interacts with plant glutamate decarboxylases (GADs) to alter plant metabolism and support bacterial growth. GADs are activated by calmodulin and catalyze the biosynthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an important signaling molecule in plants and animals. RipI promotes the interaction of GADs with calmodulin, enhancing the production of GABA. R. solanacearum is able to replicate efficiently using GABA as a nutrient, and both RipI and plant GABA contribute to a successful infection. This work reveals a pathogenic strategy to hijack plant metabolism for the biosynthesis of nutrients that support microbial growth during plant colonization.

Application of gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent in patients with pulmonary puncture bleeding / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To discuss the application of gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent in patients with pulmonary puncture bleeding.Methods The clinical data of 43 patients with hemorrhage caused by DSA-guided lung puncture biopsy,who received gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent treatment at the Jining Municipal First People's Hospital of China between September 2021 and May 2023,were collected,and the hemostatic effect of gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent was analyzed.Results Successful lung puncture needle biopsy was achieved in all the 43 patients.The puncture needle channel occlusion was accomplished by using gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent.Five minutes after occlusion treatment,in one patient,whose moderate hemoptysis with moderate bleeding shadow before puncture needle biopsy changed to bloody sputum,the intrapulmonary bleeding shadow displayed on image became slightly enlarged when compared the size five minutes ago,while in all the remaining patients successful hemostasis was achieved,the hemoptysis disappeared and the pulmonary hemorrhage shadow was similar to that five minutes ago.No occlusion-related complications occurred in all patients.Conclusion For the treatment of pulmonary hemorrhage caused by DSA-guided lung puncture biopsy,gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent is clinically safe and effective.

A study of the rehabilitation effects of a multi-factor intervention based on the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly on patients with cognitive impairment after first-episode stroke / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the rehabilitation effect of multi-factor intervention based on the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly on patients with cognitive impairment after first-episode stroke, and to provide reference for rehabilitation nursing of cognitive impairment after stroke.Methods:The quasi-experiment research scheme was adopted and convenience sampling method was used to select participants with first-episode stroke cognitive impairment hospitalized in the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University Airport Site. The 50 patients admitted from January to June 2022 were selected as the control group, and 50 patients admitted from July to December 2022 were selected as the intervention group. The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing and health education, and the intervention group received the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly on patients before discharge on the basis of the control group. The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Health Education Compliance Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients were used to evaluate the changes of overall cognitive function and rehabilitation compliance before intervention, 3 and 6 months after intervention.Results:The final control group included 49 cases, including 35 males and 14 females, aged (64.67 ± 7.47) years old; the intervention group included 50 cases, 32 males and 18 females, aged (66.68 ± 8.75) years old. Before intervention, there were no significant differences in overall cognitive function and compliance of rehabilitation score ( P>0.05). At 3 and 6 months after intervention, the overall cognitive function score, the total score on compliance of rehabilitation, dimension scores of diet compliance, exercise rehabilitation compliance and health behavior compliance of the intervention group were (26.36±2.36) , (125.96 ± 13.80) , (23.30 ± 5.26) , (27.72 ± 4.46) , (43.66 ± 6.80) and (27.26 ± 3.71) , (152.44 ± 9.06) , (30.12 ± 6.42) , (33.32 ± 3.02) , (52.36 ± 4.70) , respectively. They were higher than the control group (24.04 ± 4.50) , (116.67 ± 10.26) , (19.31 ± 3.95) , (25.29 ± 3.45) , (40.59 ± 4.33) and (24.27 ± 4.33) , (138.92 ± 16.71) , (24.20 ± 4.48) , (30.00 ± 5.53) , (47.65 ± 8.03) , and the differences had statistical significance ( t values were -5.31- -2.67, all P<0.05). According to the variance analysis of repeated measurement, intergroup and time factor, the interaction between groups and time had significant impact on general cognitive function score, the total score of rehabilitation compliance, the dimension scores of diet, exercise rehabilitation and health behavior compliance ( Fgroup values were 8.33-18.08, Ftime values were 135.71-944.69, Finteraction values were 5.46-27.30, all P<0.05) . Time factor had significant impact on patient medication adherence score ( Ftime=206.23, P<0.05) . Conclusions:Multi-factor intervention based on the Finnish model of prevention of cognitive impairment in the elderly can improve the overall cognitive function and rehabilitation compliance of patients with cognitive impairment after first-episode stroke.

Host Targets Interacting with Influenza Virus NP and Mechanism of Gardenia Jasminoides Iridoid Glycoside Against Influenza Virus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore host factors interacting with influenza virus nucleoprotein （NP） and study their effects on influenza virus replication， as well as the mechanism of gardenia jasminoides iridoid glycoside （IGE） in inhibiting influenza virus. MethodA yeast two-hybrid system was utilized to screen host factors that interacted with influenza virus NP. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D0 （HNRNPD）， glucosamine-6-phosphate deaminase 1 （GNPDA1）， poly（rC）-binding protein 1 （PCBP1）， and protein inhibitor of activated signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） protein 1 （PIAS1） were validated by immunoprecipitation assay. The effects of PIAS1 and HNRNPD on influenza virus replication were compared by a dual luciferase assay， and the effects of IGE on influenza virus replication were examined in the presence of transfected ribonucleoprotein （RNP） and knockdown of PIAS1. ICR mice were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， oseltamivir phosphate group， and high， medium， and low dose IGE groups， with 10 mice in each group. In addition to the normal group， each group was infected with the influenza A virus FM1 strain by nasal drip to establish a viral pneumonia model. The high， medium， and low dose IGE groups were given drugs of 50， 25， and 12.5 mg∙kg-1 by gavage， and the oseltamivir phosphate group was given the drug of 27.5 mg∙kg-1 by gavage. Equal amounts of distilled water were instilled in the normal and model groups for four consecutive days. Later， protein expression of PIAS1， NP， phosphorylated （p）-STAT3， STAT3， p-STAT1， and STAT1 were detected in the lung tissue by Western blot. ResultIn yeast two-hybrid assays， 16 potential host targets interacting with influenza virus NP were identified. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that HNRNPD and PIAS1 could interact with influenza virus NP. The dual luciferase reporter assays found that both PIAS1 knockdown and overexpression significantly affected IAV RNP activity （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the effect of HNRNPD on IAV RNP was not significant. Both high and low dose IGE groups reduced influenza virus replication （P<0.05） and reversed the increase in influenza virus replication caused by the knockdown of PIAS1（P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expressions of PIAS1， NP， p-STAT3， p-STAT1， and STAT1 in the lung tissue of infected mice were reduced to different degrees in each IGE group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionPIAS1 interacts with influenza virus NP and is able to inhibit influenza virus replication. IGE may exert antiviral effects by inhibiting the activity of IAV RNP through the PIAS1/STAT1 pathway.

Value of dual-layer detector spectral CT quantitative parameters in evaluating treatment response of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the value of dual-layer detector spectral CT quantitative parameters in evaluating the treatment response of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. From May 2021 to March 2023, a total of 52 patients with LARC who received complete nCRT and were pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma at the Guangdong Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine were retrospectively enrolled. Each patient underwent spectral CT examination before and after nCRT, including plain scan, arterial phase (AP), and venous phase (VP) scans. According to the tumor regression grade, the patients were divided into the good response ( n=20) and the poor response group ( n=32). Measurements of the primary tumor′s spectral CT parameters, including effective atomic number (Z eff) at plain scan, iodine concentration (IC), CT values of 40 keV and 100 keV virtual monochromatic image (VMI) at dual-enhanced phases, were taken before and after nCRT. Additionally, the normalized iodine concentration (NIC), spectral curve slope (λHU), and the change rate of the above parameters before and after nCRT were calculated. The independent sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the efficacy of various metrics in evaluating the tumor treatment response of nCRT. A binary logistic regression analysis of combined parameter results was performed for the parameters with the areas under curve (AUC)>0.75, and the AUC of the combined parameter was evaluated. Results:There were significant differences in NIC AP and λHU VP before nCRT, NIC VP and λHU VP after nCRT, and the change rates of Z eff, NIC AP, NIC VP and λHU AP between the good response group and the poor response group ( P<0.05). The remaining parameters showed no statistically significant difference ( P>0.05). The ROC curve results showed that the AUCs of the above 8 parameters for evaluating tumor treatment response of nCRT were 0.702, 0.655, 0.695, 0.769, 0.738, 0.807, 0.791, and 0.677, respectively. The AUC of the combined model of the three parameters with AUC>0.75 (λHU VP after nCRT, the change rate of NIC AP and NIC VP) was 0.869, with 80.0% sensitivity and 84.4% specificity. Conclusion:The quantitative parameters derived from spectral CT may provide new markers for evaluating the response to nCRT treatment in patients with LARC. The multi-parameter combined model can improve diagnostic efficacy.

Effect of dental follicles in minimally invasive open-eruption technique of labially impacted maxillary central incisors / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To summarize the open-eruption technique of impacted anterior maxillary teeth, this study reports a technically improved operation on surgical exposure based on dental follicles and evaluates post-treatment periodontal health considering the effect of dental follicles.@*METHODS@#Patients who underwent open-eruption technique with unilateral labially impacted maxillary central incisors were selected. The impacted teeth were assigned to the experimental group, and the contralateral unimpacted maxillary central incisors were assigned to the control group. In the surgical exposure, the new technique makes use of dental follicles to manage the soft tissue, so as to preserve soft tissue for better aesthetic results and healthier periodontal tissue. Tooth length, root length, alveolar bone loss, and alveolar bone thickness were recorded after the therapy.@*RESULTS@#A total of 17 patients with unilateral maxillary central incisor impaction were successfully treated. The tooth length and root length of the two groups showed a statistically significant difference between the impacted and homonym teeth, with a shorter length in the impacted tooth (P<0.05). More labial alveolar bone loss was found in the experimental group compared with that in the control group (P<0.05). The outcomes of the cementoenamel junction width, pa- latal alveolar bone loss, and alveolar bone thickness did not indicate statistical significance between the experimental and control groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In the surgical exposure, the new technique uses dental follicles to manage the soft tissue and preserve it for better aesthetic results and healthier periodontal tissues.

Combined micro-apical surgery and vital pulp therapy in mandibular second molars with external root resorption caused by impacted teeth / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to establish a new treatment of the mandibular second molars with external root resorption caused by impacted teeth to preserve the affected teeth and their vital pulps.@*METHODS@#For mandibular second molars clinically diagnosed as external root resorption caused by impacted teeth, debridement and removal of the root at the resorption site via micro-apical surgery and direct capping of the pulp with bioactive material on the surface of the root amputation via vital pulp therapy were performed immediately after the impacted teeth were extracted.@*RESULTS@#The external root resorption of the affected tooth was ceased. It was asymptomatic with intact crown, normal pulp, periapical alveolar bone reconstruction, normal periodontal ligament, continuous bone sclerosis, and no periapical translucency in radiographic examination at the 1-year postoperative follow-up, thus showing good prognosis.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Simultaneous combination of micro-apical surgery and vital pulp therapy after extraction of impacted teeth could successfully preserve mandibular second molars with ERR caused by impacted teeth and their vital pulps.