Effect of whole body vibration therapy in the rat model of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Background: Steroid-induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (SIONFH) is a skeletal disease with a high incidence and a poor prognosis. Whole body vibration therapy (WBVT), a new type of physical training, is known to promote bone formation. However, it remains unclear whether WBVT has a therapeutic effect on SIONFH. Materials and methods: Thirty adult male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected and randomly assigned to three experimental groups: the control group, the model group, and the mechanical vibration group, respectively. SIONFH induction was achieved through the combined administration of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and methylprednisolone sodium succinate for injection (MPS). The femoral head samples underwent hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to visualize tissue structures. Structural parameters of the region of interest (ROI) were compared using Micro-CT analysis. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression levels of Piezo1, BMP2, RUNX2, HIF-1, VEGF, CD31, while immunofluorescence was used to examine CD31 and Emcn expression levels. Results: The H&E staining results revealed a notable improvement in the ratio of empty lacuna in various groups following WBVT intervention. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression levels of Piezo1, BMP2, RUNX2, HIF-1, VEGF, and CD31 in the WBVT group exhibited significant differences when compared to the Model group (p < 0.05). Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in CD31 and Emcn expression levels between the WBVT group and the Model group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: WBVT upregulates Piezo1 to promote osteogenic differentiation, potentially by enhancing the HIF-1α/VEGF axis and regulating H-vessel angiogenesis through the activation of the Piezo1 ion channel. This mechanism may lead to improved blood flow supply and enhanced osteogenic differentiation within the femoral head.

Mechanical properties of trabeculae and osteocyte morphology change significantly in different areas of the necrotic femoral head.

Background: Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is a complex hip ailment. The precise changes in bone tissue during the disease's onset remain unclear. It is vital to assess both the quantity and quality of the trabecular state in a necrotic femoral head. Aim: This study aims to identify and compare the ultrastructural changes in osteocyte morphology and nanomechanical characteristics within various regions of necrotic femoral heads. Methods: Between December 2016 and May 2023, we gathered ten necrotic femoral heads from patients and five femoral heads from cadavers. The samples from the necrotic femoral heads were categorized into three areas: necrotic, sclerotic, and normal. Our assessment methods encompassed hematoxylin and eosin staining, sclerostin (SOST) immunohistochemistry, micro-computed tomography, nanoindentation, and acid-etched scanning electron microscopy. These techniques enabled us to examine the SOST expression, trabecular microstructure, micromechanical properties of trabeculae, and modifications in osteocyte morphology at the ultrastructural level. Results: The protein level of SOST was found to be lower in the sclerotic area. In the necrotic area, decreased values of bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, and trabecular number and an increased value of trabecular separation were found. Conversely, in the sclerotic area, higher mean values of bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness and lower trabecular separation indicated significant changes in the structural characteristics of trabeculae. Compared with the healthy area, the elastic modulus and hardness in the sclerotic area were significantly higher than those in the necrotic, normal, and control areas, while those in necrotic areas were significantly lower than those in the healthy area. The number of osteocytes tended to increase in the sclerotic area with more canalicular cells compared to the healthy area and control group. Conclusion: These results imply that the stress distribution within the sclerotic area could potentially lead to enhanced trabecular quality and quantity. This effect is also reflected in the increased count of osteocytes and their canaliculars. It is plausible that the sclerotic trabecular bone plays a pivotal role in the repair of necrotic femoral heads.

Bibliometric and visualized analysis of research relating to minimally invasive spine surgery reported over the period 2000-2022.

Background: Since entering the 21st century, there has been an increasing interest in minimally invasive surgery for spinal diseases, which has led to the continued development of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), with major breakthroughs in technology and technical skills. However, in recent years, there is little relevant research using bibliometrics to analyze the field of MISS research. The purpose of this study is to sort out the publication situation and topic trends of articles in the field of MISS research from the perspective of bibliometrics. Methods: The articles and reviews related to MISS from 2000 to 2022 were retrieved and downloaded from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC). Visualization and knowledge mapping were performed using three bibliometric tools, including online bibliometric platform, CiteSpace and VOSviewer software. Curve fitting and correlation analysis were performed using Microsoft Excel software. The global research publication output, contributions of countries, institutions, authors, and journals, average citations per item (ACI), Hirsch index (H-index), research hot keywords, etc., in this field were analyzed. Results: A total of 2384 papers were retrieved, including 2135 original papers and 249 review papers. In the past 22 years, the number of annual publications of MISS research has shown a steady growth trend. China contributed the most papers, and the United States ranked second, but the United States had the highest total citations, and H-index value. The most prolific institutions were Soochow University, Capital Medical University and Wooridul Spine Hospital. In this field, Professors Lee SH, Ahn Y and Yang HL have made significant achievements. However, there is relatively little international collaboration between institutions or researchers. World Neurosurgery is the most published journal on MISS research. According to the keyword co-occurrence analysis, recent keywords mainly focus on researches on minimally invasive modalities, techniques and prognosis, while on the keyword analysis of the ongoing bursts, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, lumbar diskectomy, spinal stenosis, recompression, diskectomy, endoscopic spine surgery, laminectomy, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, etc., will likely continue to be a research hotspot in the near future. Conclusion: Looking at the temporal trend in the number of publications per year, the number of publications for the MISS study will increase in the near future. China has the highest number of publications, but the US has the highest quality publications. International cooperation needs to be further strengthened. Our findings can provide useful information for the academic community and identify possible research fronts and hotspots in the coming years.

Prevalence and risk factors for subjective cognitive decline and the correlation with objective cognition among community-dwelling older adults in China: Results from the Hubei memory and aging cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and risk factors for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and its correlation with objective cognition decline (OCD) among community-dwelling older adults is inconsistent. METHODS: Older adults underwent neuropsychological and clinical evaluations to reach a consensus on diagnoses. RESULTS: This study included 7486 adults without mild cognitive impairment and dementia (mean age: 71.35 years [standard deviation = 5.40]). The sex-, age-, and residence-adjusted SCD prevalence was 58.33% overall (95% confidence interval: 58.29% to 58.37%), with higher rates of 61.25% and 59.87% in rural and female subgroups, respectively. SCD global and OCD language, SCD memory and OCD global, SCD and OCD memory, and SCD and OCD language were negatively correlated in fully adjusted models. Seven health and lifestyle factors were associated with an increased risk for SCD. DISCUSSION: SCD affected 58.33% of older adults and may indicate concurrent OCD, which should prompt the initiation of preventative intervention for dementia. HIGHLIGHTS: SCD affects 58.33% of older adults in China. SCD may indicate concurrent objective cognitive decline. Difficulty finding words and memory impairments may indicate a risk for AD. The presence of SCD may prompt preventative treatment initiation of MCI or dementia. Social network factors may be initial targets for the early prevention of SCD.

Combining frog-leg lateral view may serve as a more sensitive X-ray position in monitoring collapse in osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Load-bearing capacity of the bone structures of anterolateral weight-bearing area plays an important role in the progressive collapse in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of combined evaluation of anteroposterior (AP) and frog-leg lateral (FLL) view in diagnosing collapse. Between December 2016 and August 2018, a total of 478 hips from 372 patients with ONFH (268 male, 104 female; mean age 37.9 ± 11.4 years) were retrospectively evaluated. All patients received standard AP and FLL views of hip joints. Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification system was used to classify necrotic lesion in AP view. Anterior necrotic lesion was evaluated by FLL view. All patients with pre-collapse ONFH underwent non-operative hip-preserving therapy. The collapse rates were calculated and compared with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with radiological collapse as endpoints. Forty-four (44/478, 9.2%) hips were classified as type A, 65 (65/478, 13.6%) as type B, 232 (232/478, 48.5%) as type C1 and 137 (137/478, 28.7%) as type C2. Three hundred cases (300/478, 62.5%) were collapsed at the initial time point. Two hundred and twenty six (226/300, 75.3%) hips and 298 (298/300, 99.3%) hips collapse were identified with AP view and FLL view, respectively. An average follow-up of 37.0 ± 32.0 months was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of collapse in 178 pre-collapse hips. Collapses occurred in 89 hips (50.0%). Seventy-seven (77/89, 86.5%) hips were determined with AP view alone and 85 (85/89, 95.5%) hips were determined with the combination of AP and FLL views. The collapse rates at five years were reported as 0% and 0%, 16.2% and 24.3%, 58.3% and 68.1% and 100% and 100% according to AP view alone or combination of AP and FLL views for types A, B, C1 and C2, respectively. The collapse can be diagnosed more accurately by combination of AP and FLL views. Besides, JIC type A and type B ONFH can be treated with conservative hip preservation, but pre-collapse type C2 ONFH should be treated with joint-preserving surgery. Type C1 needs further study to determine which subtype has potential risk of collapse.

Corrigendum: The Therapeutic Effect of Huo Xue Tong Luo Capsules in Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) Stage II Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Clinical Study With an Average Follow-up Period of 7.95 Years.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.773758.].

Intramolecular copigmentation in malvidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaryl)-glucoside: Insights from experimental and theoretical study.

Intramolecular copigmentation, a natural phenomenon occurring widely in acylated anthocyanins, can stabilize anthocyanins to a great extent and produce color changes. In this study, the mechanism underlying the intramolecular copigmentation of malvidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaryl)-glucoside (MvCG) was systematically elucidated using experimental and theoretical approaches. Color analysis by UV-vis spectroscopy revealed an obvious bathochromic shift for MvCG compared to its non-acylated form, as well as higher thermostability of the former. Two dimensional NOESY spectra indicated close proximity between the coumaryl group and anthocyanin B ring in space. Deeper insights into the relationship between the conformational features and optical properties were acquired through TDDFT calculations. Based on the results, the most reasonable conformation of MvCG was proposed: the coumaryl group folded over the anthocyanin B ring in an aslant-parallel arrangement, generating intramolecular copigmentation interactions.

Global research trends and hotspots in calcaneal fracture: A bibliometric analysis (2000-2021).

Background: Calcaneal fracture is common and carries high morbidity and disability. Its treatment is therefore of vital concern. Many topics concerning calcaneal fracture remain controversial, and the subject has not yet been well-researched. We aim to analyze and illustrate the trends in development, overall knowledge structure, "hotspots," and research frontiers on the topic of calcaneal fracture. Methods: Literature relating to calcaneal fracture published between 2000 and 2021 was retrieved from Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) database of the Web of Science. Three bibliometric tools (Bibliometrix, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer software) were used for analysis and the generation of knowledge maps. Annual trends in publication counts and the relative contributions of different countries, regions, institutions, authors, and journals, as well as keyword clusters, "hot topics," and research frontiers, were analyzed. Results: A total of 1,687 publications were included in the analysis. The number of calcaneal fracture articles published worldwide each year was highest in 2019, with a total of 128 articles. The United States has made the greatest contribution to the field, with the largest number of publications and the highest H-index. Foot & Ankle International was the most productive journal, publishing a total of 167 articles on calcaneal fracture during the study period. Hebei Medical University of China and the University of California, San Francisco were the most prolific institutions. Professors T. Schepers, S. Rammelt, H. Zwipp, and Y. Z. Zhang have made remarkable contributions to the field. However, the degree of collaboration between researchers and among institutions was relatively low, and took place mainly in Europe and the Americas. All relevant keywords could be categorized into three clusters: studies of internal fixation, studies of fractures, and studies of osteoporosis. A trend of balanced and diversified development could be seen within these clusters. Keywords with ongoing "citation bursts," such as sinus tarsi approach, wound complications, minimally invasive technique, extensile lateral approach, surgical treatment, and plate, may continue to be research "hotspots" in the near future. Conclusion: Based on current global trends, the number of publications on calcaneal fracture will continue to increase. Topics such as minimally invasive techniques and complications have become important hotspots of research. We recommend enhancing international communication and collaboration for future research in this field.

The Therapeutic Effect of Huo Xue Tong Luo Capsules in Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) Stage II Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head: A Clinical Study With an Average Follow-up Period of 7.95 Years.

Background: Huo Xue Tong Luo (HXTL) capsules are an oral preparation that could relieve pain and ameliorate osteonecrosis in patients with asymptomatic osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH). We wanted to verify whether it could be a treatment option for ARCO stage II ONFH. Methods: A total of 44 patients (66 hips) with ARCO stage II ONFH were recruited from June 1996 to October 2013 (clinical trial registry number: ChiCTR-RPC-15006,290). HXTL capsules were given under a specific protocol, and the endpoint was set as femoral head collapse. The clinical indicators [including visual analog scale (VAS) and Harris Hip Score (HHS)] and radiological indicators [including Tonnis classification, ARCO stage, Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification, lateral preserved angle (LPA), anterior preserved angle (APA), and combined preserved angle (CPA)] before and after treatment were compared. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors associated with femoral head collapse. Result: Twenty-six males and 18 females with an average age of 38.3 ± 2.8 were followed for an average of 7.95 years. Forty-six of the 66 (69.7%) hips had no progression in pain or collapse, and patients exhibited a higher HHS (p < 0.05) after therapy. Twenty of the 66 (30.3%) hips progressed in Tonnis classification and ARCO stage, but only one of the 66 (1.5%) hips required total hip arthroplasty (THA). The Kaplan-Meier survivorship curve suggested that the survival rates were 96.97% at 5 years, 69.15% at 10 years, and 40.33% at 15 years. Patients with type A necrotic lesions on anteroposterior (AP) and frog-leg lateral (FLL) radiographs revealed 100% survival rates. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that patients with an LPA ≤ 60.9 exhibited a 3.87 times higher risk of collapse of the femoral head [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.241-5.673] than did those patients with an LPA>60.9. Conclusion: HXTL capsules could be a treatment option for ARCO stage II ONFH, resulting in improved hip function and delayed progression to femoral head collapse, especially when the anterior and lateral portions of the femoral head were not affected. However, an LPA of less than 60.9° may be a risk factor for collapse of the femoral head. Clinical Trial Registration: [http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?projZ10829].

Prophylactic Effects of Bifidobacterium adolescentis on Anxiety and Depression-Like Phenotypes After Chronic Stress: A Role of the Gut Microbiota-Inflammation Axis.

Stress disturbs the balance of the gut microbiota and stimulates inflammation-to-brain mechanisms. Moreover, stress leads to anxiety and depressive disorders. Bifidobacterium adolescentis displays distinct anti-inflammatory effects. However, no report has focused on the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of B. adolescentis related to the gut microbiome and the inflammation on chronic restraint stress (CRS) in mice. We found that pretreatment with B. adolescentis increased the time spent in the center of the open field apparatus, increased the percentage of entries into the open arms of the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and the percentage of time spent in the open arms of the EPM, and decreased the immobility duration in the tail suspension test as well as the forced swimming test (FST). Moreover, B. adolescentis increased the sequence proportion of Lactobacillus and reduced the sequence proportion of Bacteroides in feces. Furthermore, B. adolescentis markedly reduced the protein expression of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), p-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and Iba1 and elevated brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus. We conclude that the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of B. adolescentis are related to reducing inflammatory cytokines and rebalancing the gut microbiota.

HSC70 from Haemaphysalis flava (Acari: Ixodidae) exerts anticoagulation activity in vitro.

Ticks and tick-borne diseases are major global health threats. During blood feeding, ticks insert their hypostomes into hosts and inject an array of anticoagulant molecules to maintain fluidity of the blood-meal. These anticoagulant molecules may provide insights into understanding the feeding biology of ticks and to develop vaccines against infestations. In Haemaphysalis flava, the heat shock cognate 70 (HSC70), a member of the heat shock protein (HSP) family, is differentially expressed in salivary glands at different levels of engorgement during blood feeding. However, its function in ticks is largely not known. The present study was designed to explore the possible effects of HSC70 on the plasma. The open reading frame (ORF) of HSC70 was expressed in a prokaryotic system, and recombinant HSC70 (rHSC70) was purified and characterized. The anticoagulation activity of rHSC70 was estimated by measuring prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen (FIB) with/without its inhibitor, VER155008. The results demonstrated that rHSC70 from H. flava extended TT (P < 0.001) and FIB clotting times (>300 s), but showed little effect on PT and APTT. Adding an inhibitor reversed anticlotting effects of rHSC70 on TT and FIB. These data indicate that rHSC70 is an anticoagulant agent, and the anticlotting activity likely attributes to the inhibition of thrombin and the transformation of fibrinogen into fibrin.

Proteomic profiling of the midgut contents of Haemaphysalis flava.

Scant information is available regarding the proteins involved in blood meal processing in ticks. Here, we aimed to highlight the midgut proteins involved in preventing blood meal coagulation, and in facilitating intracellular digestion in the tick Haemaphysalis flava. Proteins were extracted from the midgut contents of fully engorged and partially engorged ticks. We used liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis to identify 131 unique peptides, and 102 proteins. Of these, 15 proteins, each with at least two unique peptides, were recognized with high confidence. We also retrieved 18 unigenes from our previous published transcriptomic libraries of the midguts and salivary glands of H. flava, and inferred the primary structures of nine proteins and fragments of five proteins. There were 23 and 21 unique proteins in the midgut contents of fully engorged and partially engorged ticks, respectively. We detected 58 shared proteins in the midgut contents of both fully engorged and partially engorged ticks. Of these, seven were significantly differentially expressed between fully engorged and partially engorged ticks: actin, calmodulin, elongation factor-1α, hsp90, multifunctional chaperone, tubulin α, and tubulin ß. Our results demonstrated that the proteome of the midgut contents, combined with the transcriptome of the midgut, was a viable method for the reinforcement of protein identification. This method will facilitate further study of blood meal processing by ticks, as well as the identification of clues for tick infestation control. The existence of numerous proteins detected in the midgut contents also highlight the complexity of blood digestion in ticks; this area is in need of further investigation.

Aspirin increases metabolism through germline signalling to extend the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aspirin is a prototypic cyclooxygenase inhibitor with a variety of beneficial effects on human health. It prevents age-related diseases and delays the aging process. Previous research has shown that aspirin might act through a dietary restriction-like mechanism to extend lifespan. To explore the mechanism of action of aspirin on aging, we determined the whole-genome expression profile of Caenorhabditis elegans treated with aspirin. Transcriptome analysis revealed the RNA levels of genes involved in metabolism were primarily increased. Reproduction has been reported to be associated with metabolism. We found that aspirin did not extend the lifespan or improve the heat stress resistance of germline mutants of glp-1. Furthermore, Oil Red O staining showed that aspirin treatment decreased lipid deposition and increased expression of lipid hydrolysis and fatty acid ß-oxidation-related genes. The effect of germline ablation on lifespan was mainly mediated by DAF-12 and DAF-16. Next, we performed genetic analysis with a series of worm mutants and found that aspirin did not further extend the lifespans of daf-12 and daf-16 single mutants, glp-1;daf-12 and glp-1;daf-16 double mutants, or glp-1;daf-12;daf-16 triple mutants. The results suggest that aspirin increase metabolism and regulate germline signalling to activate downstream DAF-12 and DAF-16 to extend lifespan.

An intronic CYP46A1 polymorphism is associated with Alzheimer disease in a Chinese Han population.

Excess cholesterol is removed from the brain via hydroxylation mediated by cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase (CYP46), which is a mechanism of maintaining cholesterol homeostasis in the brain. The CYP46A1 gene has been suggested as a genetic risk factor for sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this report, we analyzed an intronic CYP46A1 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in 508 sporadic AD patients and 549 controls in a Chinese Han population. Our results indicated that the distribution of CYP46A1 SNP rs754203 genotypes was significantly different in AD patients compared to controls (χ(2) = 6.59, P = 0.037). The frequency of at least one of CYP46A1 T allele (C/T or T/T) was higher in AD patients compared to controls (χ(2) = 6.58, P = 0.01). The age- and sex-adjusted odds ratio for the risk of AD in carriers of CYP46A1 T allele (C/T + T/T) was 1.69 (95 % confidence interval, 1.12-2.56). We conclude that this intronic polymorphism in CYP46A1 gene is associated with AD in a Chinese Han population, and the CYP46A1 T allele might be a risk factor for AD.

Genetic association between low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein gene polymorphisms and Alzheimer's disease in Chinese Han population.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), as a receptor of apolipoprotein E (APOE), APP, and alpha2 macroglobulin (alpha2-M), keeps the balance between degeneration and production of beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) clearance. Its gene had been defined as a candidate gene for AD, but the results were not universal. Total 496 AD patients and 478 controls were recruited in Chinese Han population and real-time PCR was used to detect the polymorphism of LRP C766T. Multiple logistic regression, Chi-square test and survival analysis were performed to explore the association. The distribution of LRP genotypes and alleles was significantly different between cases and controls, and T allele could reduce the risk for developing AD (OR of CT genotype: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.38-0.85, rho=0.003; OR of T allele: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.39-0.83, rho=0.003). TT genotype carriers had 5 years later for developing AD compared with CC genotype carriers, but survival analysis did not conform this (LRP TT vs. CT and CC log rank chi(2)=2.71, rho=0.26). The distribution of LRP C766T genotypes and alleles was different among different severity stratified by MMSE yet (rho=0.26). Our data suggested that the polymorphism of LRP C766T was strongly associated with AD and T allele might be a protective factor for AD in Chinese Han population.

Lack of association between the BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and Alzheimer disease in a Chinese Han population.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by excessive neuronal loss in specific regions of the brain. Among the areas most severely affected are the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and their projection regions, the hippocampus and the cortex. Several lines of evidence have made brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) an important candidate gene conferring risk for AD. Recently, several reports investigated the association between a single nucleotide polymorphism (Val66Met, rs6265) of the BDNF gene and AD but yielded ambiguous results. To figure out the association of this single nucleotide polymorphism in the BDNF gene with sporadic AD in a Chinese Han population, we analyzed 513 patients with AD and 575 controls for the genetic association studies. Our results indicated that the distribution of the BDNF genotypes and alleles did not differ significantly. Similar results were observed when the AD and control groups were stratified by age/age at onset and sex. Our data also showed that in the Chinese Han population, the frequencies of the BDNF Met allele (46.5%) and Val allele (53.5%) were significantly different from ethnic groups from Italy, Japan and the USA. The present data revealed no significant effect of the genotypes on the age at onset for developing AD, and no significant association between the genotypes and the severity of the disease.

[Clinical application of IPS-empress 2 pressable all-ceramic crowns].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical prosthetic effect of IPS-Empress 2 pressahie ceramic crowns. METHODS: 198 teeth of 70 patients were restored with IPS-Empress 2 pressahie ceramic crowns. The patients were asked to return in one week and every half year. The clinical prosthetic effect was evaluated. RESULTS: Through follow-up of 3-38 months, the veneer porcelain crowns of 3 teeth were broken. 2 crowns fall off due to teeth fracture, gingivitis occurred in 2 teeth, pulpitis or periapical periodontitis occurred in 3 teeth. The shades of 3 crowns were darkening. The prosthetic effect of 185 teeth was satisfied. The rate of satisfaction was 93.4%. CONCLUSION: IPS-Empress 2 pressable all-ceramic crown has the advantages of aesthetic effect, good hiocompatihility and simple fabrication. But its strength is not enough for posterior teeth and it can not cover the deep color of non-vital teeth and metal materials.

Gln192Arg polymorphism in paraoxonase 1 gene is associated with Alzheimer disease in a Chinese Han ethnic population.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is thought to be an important mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), an enzyme located on high-density lipoprotein, can prevent LDL from oxidation to some extent. It is also a potent cholinesterase inhibitor and an arylesterase, combating organophosphate poisoning and metabolization of environmental neurotoxins which might be responsible for neurodegeneration with aging. We evaluated the association of Gln192Arg polymorphism in the PON1 gene with AD in a Chinese Han ethnic population. METHODS: Patients and age-matched controls were recruited from outpatient clinics and a population-based epidemiological survey, respectively. Gln192Arg polymorphism in the PON1 gene was detected by allele-specific PCR technique in 521 patients with AD and 578 healthy controls. RESULTS: The presence of at least one of PON1 R alleles (Q/R or R/R) was lower in AD patients than in the controls (82.7% vs 87.4%; chi(2) = 4.68, P = 0.03). PON1 gene R allele frequency was lower in AD patients than in the controls (60.7% vs 64.7%; chi(2) = 3.85, P = 0.05). One-way ANOVA showed that PON1 genotype had no effect on the age of onset for developing AD. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated the age and sex-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the risk of AD in PON1 of PON1 R allele carriers was 0.71 (P = 0.044, 95% CI, 0.51 - 0.99). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that Gln192Arg polymorphism in the PON1 gene is associated with AD, and PON1 R allele might be a protective factor for AD in a Chinese Han ethnic population.

[Association between interleukin-1 alpha-889 C/T polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease in Chinese Han population].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible association between interleukin-1 alpha-889C/T (IL-1 alpha-889 C/T) polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Chinese Han population. METHODS: A total of 520 AD patients and 505 normal controls were enrolled. The polymorphism of IL-1 alpha-889C/T was detected with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Multiple logistic regression and chi square test were performed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The frequencies of C/C, C/T, and T/T genotypes were 70.96%, 25.77%, and 3.27%, respectively, among AD patients, and 80.59%, 18.22%, and 1.19%, respectively, among non-dementia controls. In multivariate analysis, T/T and C/T genotypes of IL-1 alpha-889, age > or =65 years, and female were risk factors for AD. Adjusted for the age and sex, T/T and C/T genotypes were still associated with AD. The odds ratio for AD were 3.57 and 1.74 for individuals with T/T and C/T genotypes compared with individuals with C/C genotype. P value was 0. 019 and 0. 001, respectively. CONCLUSION: The IL-1 alpha-889 T/T and C/T genotypes are likely to be susceptible factors for the development of AD in Chinese Han population. The susceptibility genotype, female, and age > or =65 years are risk factors for AD.