Amylopectin chain length distributions and amylose content are determinants of viscoelasticity and digestibility differences in mung bean starch and proso millet starch.

This study aimed to reveal the underlying mechanisms of the differences in viscoelasticity and digestibility between mung bean starch (MBS) and proso millet starch (PMS) from the viewpoint of starch fine molecular structure. The contents of amylopectin B2 chains (14.94-15.09 %), amylopectin B3 chains (14.48-15.07 %) and amylose long chains (183.55-198.84) in MBS were significantly higher than PMS (10.45-10.76 %, 12.48-14.07 % and 70.59-88.03, respectively). MBS with higher amylose content (AC, 28.45-31.80 %) not only exhibited a lower weight-average molar mass (91,750.65-128,120.44 kDa) and R1047/1022 (1.1520-1.1904), but also was significantly lower than PMS in relative crystallinity (15.22-23.18 %, p < 0.05). MBS displayed a higher storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G'') than PMS. Although only MBS-1 showed two distinct and discontinuous phases, MBS exhibited a higher resistant starch (RS) content than PMS (31.63-39.23 %), with MBS-3 having the highest RS content (56.15 %). Correlation analysis suggested that the amylopectin chain length distributions and AC played an important role in affecting the crystal structure, viscoelastic properties and in vitro starch digestibility of MBS and PMS. These results will provide a theoretical and scientific basis for the development of starch science and industrial production of low glycemic index starchy food.

Effect of high moisture extrusion on the structure and physicochemical properties of Tartary buckwheat protein and its in vitro digestion.

Tartary buckwheat is rich in nutrients and its protein supports numerous biological functions. However, the digestibility of Tartary buckwheat protein (TBP) poses a significant limitation owing to its inherent structure. This study aimed to assess the impact of high moisture extrusion (HME, 60 % moisture content) on the structural and physicochemical attributes, as well as the in vitro digestibility of TBP. Our results indicated that TBP exhibited unfolded and amorphous microstructures after HME. The protein molecular weight of TBP decreased after HME, and a greater degradation was observed at 70 °C than 100 °C. In particular, HME at 70 °C caused an almost complete disappearance of bands near 35 kDa compared with HME at 100 °C. In addition, compared with native TBP (NTBP, 44.53 µmol/g protein), TBP subjected to HME at 70 °C showed a lower disulfide bond (SS) content (42.67 µmol/g protein), whereas TBP subjected to HME at 100 °C demonstrated a higher SS content (45.70 µmol/g protein). These changes endowed TBP with good solubility (from 55.96 % to 83.31 % at pH 7), foaming ability (20.00 %-28.57 %), and surface hydrophobicity (8.34-23.07). Furthermore, the emulsifying activity (EA) and in vitro digestibility are closely related to SS content. Notably, extruded TBP (ETBP) obtained at 70 °C exhibited higher EA and digestibility than NTBP, whereas ETBP obtained at 100 °C showed the opposite trend. Consequently, HME (especially at 70 °C) demonstrated significant potential as a processing technique for improving the functional and digestive properties of TBP.

Do atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia reverse after Helicobacter pylori eradication?

BACKGROUND: It's still controversial whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication can reverse atrophic gastritis (AG) and intestinal metaplasia (IM). Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication on AG and IM. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE datasets through April 2023 for epidemiological studies, which provided mean glandular atrophy (GA) or IM score before and after H. pylori eradication, or provided ORs, RRs or HRs and 95% CIs for the association of AG or IM with H. pylori eradication. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and pooled ORs and 95%CIs were used to estimate the effect of H. pylori eradication on AG and IM. RESULTS: Twenty articles with a total of 5242 participants were included in this meta-analysis. H. pylori eradication significantly decreased GA score in the antrum (WMD -0.36; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.19, p < 0.01), GA score in the corpus (WMD -0.35; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.19, p < 0.01), IM score in the antrum (WMD -0.16; 95% CI: -0.26, -0.07, p < 0.01) and IM score in the corpus (WMD -0.20; 95% CI: -0.37, -0.04, p = 0.01). H. pylori eradication significantly improved AG (pooled OR 2.96; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.14, p < 0.01) and IM (pooled OR 2.41; 95% CI: 1.24, 4.70, p < 0.01). The association remained significant in the subgroup analyses by study design, sites of lesions, regions and follow-up time. Although Publication bias was observed for AG, the association remained significant after trim-and-fill adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication could significantly improve AG and IM at early stage.

Spectral Analysis on Cuba-Lumacaftor: Cubane as Benzene Bioisosteres of Lumacaftor.

In this paper, we theoretically investigate the electronic structure and physical properties of cuba-lumacaftor, cubane as benzene bioisosteres of lumacaftor, stimulated by recent experimental reports [Wiesenfeldt M. P.; Nature2023, 618, 513-518]. The permanent electric dipole moments of cuba-lumacaftor in neutral, acidic, and alkaline environments are significantly enlarged than that of lumacaftor, significantly promoting the interaction between cuba-lumacaftor and surrounding polar solvent environments and resulting in pH-independent high solubility and pharmacological activity. Furthermore, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra reveal that the chirality of cuba-lumacaftor is much decreased compared to that of lumacaftor. Raman spectra and resonance Raman spectra combined with polarizability also reveal the vibrational information on cuba-lumacaftor. Our results promote a deeper understanding of better pharmacological activity.

Starch chain-length distributions determine cooked foxtail millet texture and starch physicochemical properties.

Starch chain-length distributions play an important role in controlling cereal product texture and starch physicochemical properties. Cooked foxtail millet texture and starch physicochemical properties were investigated and correlated with starch chain-length distributions in eight foxtail millet varieties. The average chain lengths of amylopectin and amylose were in the range of DP 24-25 and DP 878-1128, respectively. The percentage of short amylopectin chains (Ap1) was negatively correlated with hardness but positively correlated with adhesiveness and cohesion. Conversely, the amount of amylose intermediate chains was positively correlated with hardness but negatively correlated with adhesiveness and cohesion. Additionally, the amount of amylose long chains was negatively correlated with adhesiveness and chewiness. The relative crystallinity (RC) of starch decreased with reductions in the length of amylopectin short chains in foxtail millet. Pasting properties were mainly influenced by the relative length of amylopectin side chains and the percentage of long amylopectin branches (Ap2). Longer amylopectin long chains resulted in lower gelatinization temperature and enthalpy (ΔH). The amount of starch branched chains had important effects on the gelatinization temperature range (ΔT). These results can provide guidance for breeders and food scientists in the selection of foxtail millet with improved quality properties.

Zoledronate Promotes Peri-Implant Osteogenesis in Diabetic Osteoporosis by the AMPK Pathway.

Together with diabetic osteoporosis (DOP), diabetes patients experience poor peri-implant osteogenesis following implantation for dentition defects. Zoledronate (ZOL) is widely used to treat osteoporosis clinically. To evaluate the mechanism of ZOL for the treatment of DOP, experiments with DOP rats and high glucose-grown MC3T3-E1 cells were used. The DOP rats treated with ZOL and/or ZOL implants underwent a 4-week implant-healing interval, and then microcomputed tomography, biomechanical testing, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to elucidate the mechanism. In addition, MC3T3-E1 cells were maintained in an osteogenic medium with or without ZOL to confirm the mechanism. The cell migration, cellular actin content, and osteogenic differentiation were evaluated by a cell activity assay, a cell migration assay, as well as alkaline phosphatase, alizarin red S, and immunofluorescence staining. The mRNA and protein expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), and collagen type I (Col-I) were detected using real-time quantitative PCRs and western blot assays, respectively. In the DOP rats, ZOL markedly improved osteogenesis, enhanced bone strength and increased the expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, and Col-I in peri-implant bones. The in vitro findings showed that ZOL reversed the high glucose-induced inhibition of osteogenesis via the AMPK signaling pathway. In conclusion, the ability of ZOL to promote osteogenesis in DOP by targeting AMPK signaling suggests that therapy with ZOL, particularly simultaneous local and systemic administration, may be a unique approach for future implant repair in diabetes patients.

Individual or mixing extrusion of Tartary buckwheat and adzuki bean: Effect on quality properties and starch digestibility of instant powder.

Introduction: Tartary buckwheat and adzuki bean, which are classified as coarse grain, has attracted increasing attention as potential functional ingredient or food source because of their high levels of bioactive components and various health benefits. Methods: This work investigated the effect of two different extrusion modes including individual extrusion and mixing extrusion on the phytochemical compositions, physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestibility of instant powder which consists mainly of Tartary buckwheat and adzuki bean flour. Results: Compared to mixing extrusion, instant powder obtained with individual extrusion retained higher levels of protein, resistant starch, polyphenols, flavonoids and lower gelatinization degree and estimated glycemic index. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (35.45%) of the instant powder obtained with individual extrusion was stronger than that obtained with mixing extrusion (26.58%). Lower levels of digestibility (39.65%) and slower digestion rate coefficient (0.25 min-1) were observed in the instant powder obtained with individual extrusion than in mixing extrusion (50.40%, 0.40 min-1) by logarithm-of-slope analysis. Moreover, two extrusion modes had no significant impact on the sensory quality of instant powder. Correlation analysis showed that the flavonoids were significantly correlated with physicochemical properties and starch digestibility of the instant powder. Discussion: These findings suggest that the instant powder obtained with individual extrusion could be used as an ideal functional food resource with anti-diabetic potential.

Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and Their Dynamic Changes with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cohort Study in China.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating the relationships between Platelet-Lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and their dynamic changes (∆PLR, ∆NLR) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Chinese cohort study. METHODS: This study recruited 41,439 individuals who were diagnosed without T2DM at first health examination and completed at least one follow-up. The relationships between NLR, PLR, ∆PLR, ∆NLR and T2DM risk were analyzed using the Cox regression model with corresponding Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). RESULTS: PLR exhibited significant correlation with T2DM risk in a linear reverse dose-response pattern, the corresponding HRs and 95% CIs were 0.81 (0.72, 0.90), 0.71 (0.63, 0.80) and 0.56 (0.49, 0.64) respectively (Ptrend < 0.001) for Q2, Q3 and Q4 vs Q1 after adjusting for age, gender, BMI, TG, TC, HDL-C, FPG, ALT, AST, heart rate, smoking, family history of diabetes, and alcohol consumption at baseline in Model 3. The significance remained in subgroups of women, <45 years, ≥45 years, BMI ≥ 24, with fatty liver disease, without fatty liver disease and normotension. Comparing with the largest decrease group of NLR (∆NLR < -0.32), the risk of T2DM increased for -0.003 ≤ ∆NLR < 0.31 (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01-1.36) and ∆NLR ≥ 0.31 (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.06-1.43). CONCLUSIONS: Higher PLR could reduce the risk of T2DM. Larger increase of NLR could increase T2DM risk.

In vitro study of chlorhexidine acetate compound mesoporous silica orthodontic modified binder resin / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#The antibacterial properties and bonding strength of 3M orthodontic adhesive resin modified by chlorhexidine acetate (CHA) composite mesoporous silica were investigated.@*Methods@# CHA with different mass fractions was encapsulated in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) (denoted CHA@MSNs). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the samples. The 3M Z350XT flow resin was divided into 4 groups: group A: 3M+CHA@MSNs (0%); group B: 3M+CHA@MSNs (3%); group C: 3M+CHA@MSNs (5%); and group D: 3M+CHA@MSNs (6.4%), with mass scores of 0%, 3%, 5%, and 6.4%, respectively. The shear strength of the modified adhesive was tested by a universal electronic material testing machine, the adhesive residue was observed by a 10 × magnifying glass, and the adhesive Remnant index (ARI) was calculated. The four groups of modified adhesives were cultured with Streptococcus mutans. The OD540 value of the bacterial solution was measured by a spectrophotometer, and the amount of plaque attachment was observed by scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the antibacterial performance of the adhesives.@*Results@#Infrared spectroscopic analysis of CHA@MSNs showed that CHA was successfully loaded onto MSNs. Under scanning electron microscopy, it could be seen that, after Cha was combined with MSNs, the structure of MSNs changed, as the boundary was fuzzy and aggregated into a layered structure. A comparison of shear strength revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups containing CHA@MSNs and the groups without CHA@MSNs (P<0.05). The value of the shear strength in group D decreased the most, while there was no statistically significant difference between group B and group C (P > 0.05). There was no statistical significance across all groups (P > 0.05), suggesting that the addition of CHA@MSNs had little effect on the bracket shedding. The OD540 value of bacterial fluid indicated that the difference among groups A, B and C was statistically significant (P < 0.05), and the antibacterial effect of group C was the best; there was no statistically significant difference between group C and group D (P > 0.05).@*Conclusions@#Therefore, adding 5% CHA@MSN antibacterial agent significantly improved the antibacterial effect and did not affect the bond strength.

[Zoledronate regulates osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in high glucose through p38 MAPK pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zoledronate (ZOL) on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption under high glucose, and the regulation mechanism of p38 mitogen activated kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway in this process. METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were divided into four groups: low group, high group, low+ZOL group and high+ZOL group after induced into osteoclasts. Cell proliferation activity was determined by MTT assay. The migration of RAW264.7 cells were examined Optical microscopy. Immunofluorescence microscopy was used to observe the cytoskeleton and sealing zones of osteoclasts. After adding group 5: high + ZOL + SB203580 group, trap staining was used to identify the number of positive osteoclasts in each group. The number and area of resorption lacunae were observed by SEM. The mRNA and protein expression of osteoclast related factors were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: The cells in the 5 groups showed similar proliferative activity. High glucose promoted the migration of RAW264.7 cells (P < 0.05), inhibited the clarity of cytoskeleton and the formation of sealing zones in the osteoclasts. Exposure to high glucose significantly lowered the expressions of p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NFATc1, CTSK and TRAP, and inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption (P < 0.05). Treatment with ZOL obviously suppressed the migration ability of RAW264.7 cells, further reduced the clarity of the cytoskeleton, inhibited the formation of sealing zones of the osteoclasts, lowered the expressions of p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NFATc1, CTSK, and TRAP (P < 0.05), and inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone absorption. Treatment with SB203580 obviously inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption and the expressions of P38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NFATc1, CTSK and TRAP (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High glucose inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. ZOL inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in high-glucose conditions by regulating p38 MAPK pathway, which can be a new pathway for ZOL to regulate diabetic osteoporosis.

Remineralization effect of nanohydroxyapatite on adjacent glazed surfaces / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To investigate the effect of a nanohydroxyapatite suspension with a 10% mass fraction on enamel demineralization after adjacent enamel removal and to provide a reference for the clinical use of nanohydroxyapatite to prevent enamel demineralization after adjacent enamel removal. @*Methods @#Forty fresh extracted premolars were incised from the coronal surface of the crown after glazing and polishing with sand strips. Each tooth was made into two specimens. Eighty teeth were randomly divided into four groups: a blank group, a dolofluoride group, a dental mousse group and a 10% nanohydroxyapatite group. After 30 days of pH cycling in vitro, a microhardness tester was used to detect the enamel surface elements before and after deglazing treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) were used to analyze the enamel surface elements. @*Results@#After the experiment, the microhardness values of the adjacent glazed specimens of the four groups were (128.18 ± 6.89) kg/mm2 in the blank group, (216.75 ±9.87) kg/mm2 in the dolefluoride group, (198.88 ± 4.76) kg/mm2 in the dental care group and (218.44 ± 7.88) kg/mm2 in the 10% nanohydroxyapatite group, which were significantly different (F=189.14, P＜ 0.001). The LSD-t test showed that there was no significant difference between the dolefluoride group and the 10% nanohydroxyapatite group (P＜ 0.05), but the differences between the other groups were statistically significant (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in the Ca/P ratio among the blank group (1.39 ± 0.08), the dolefluoride group (1.70 ± 0.11), the dental care group (1.54 ± 0.12) and the 10% nanohydroxyapatite group (1.71 ± 0.14) (F=10.539, P＜ 0.001). There was no significant difference between the dolefluoride group and the nanohydroxyapatite group after the experiment (P > 0.05), but there were significant differences among the other groups (P＜ 0.05).@*Conclusion @#Dolerofluoride, dental protector and 10% nanohydroxyapatite can promote remineralization of enamel after enamel removal. The remineralization induced by 10% nanohydroxyapatite is similar to that induced by dolerofluoride.

Meta-Analysis of Correlations Between Marginal Bone Resorption and High Insertion Torque of Dental Implants.

PURPOSE: To evaluate correlations between marginal bone resorption and high insertion torque value (> 50 Ncm) of dental implants and to assess the significance of immediate and early/conventional loading of implants under a certain range torque value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to retrieve eligible articles from Ovid, PubMed, and EBSCO up to December 2013. Screening of eligible studies, quality assessment, and data extraction were conducted in duplicate. The results were expressed as random/fixed-effects models using weighted mean differences for continuous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Initially, 154 articles were selected (11 from Ovid, 112 from PubMed, and 31 from EBSCO). After exclusion of duplicate articles and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria, six clinical studies were selected. Assessment of P values revealed that correlations between marginal bone resorption and high insertion torque were not statistically significant and that there was no difference between immediately versus early/conventionally loaded implants under a certain range of torque. CONCLUSION: None of the meta-analyses revealed any statistically significant differences between high insertion torque and conventional insertion torque in terms of effects on marginal bone resorption.

Zinc ion implantation­deposition technique improves the osteoblast biocompatibility of titanium surfaces.

The plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID) technique was used to implant zinc (Zn) ions into smooth surfaces of pure titanium (Ti) disks for investigation of tooth implant surface modification. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the surface structure and chemical composition of a modified Ti surface following Zn ion implantation and deposition and to examine the effect of such modification on osteoblast biocompatibility. Using the PIIID technique, Zn ions were deposited onto the smooth surface of pure Ti disks. The physical structure and chemical composition of the modified surface layers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X­ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. In vitro culture assays using the MG­63 bone cell line were performed to determine the effects of Zn­modified Ti surfaces following PIIID on cellular function. Acridine orange staining was used to detect cell attachment to the surfaces and cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry. SEM revealed a rough 'honeycomb' structure on the Zn­modified Ti surfaces following PIIID processing and XPS data indicated that Zn and oxygen concentrations in the modified Ti surfaces increased with PIIID processing time. SEM also revealed significantly greater MG­63 cell growth on Zn­modified Ti surfaces than on pure Ti surfaces (P<0.05). Flow cytometric analysis revealed increasing percentages of MG­63 cells in S phase with increasing Zn implantation and deposition, suggesting that MG­63 apoptosis was inhibited and MG­63 proliferation was promoted on Zn­PIIID­Ti surfaces. The present results suggest that modification with Zn­PIIID may be used to improve the osteoblast biocompatibility of Ti implant surfaces.

Strontium coating by electrochemical deposition improves implant osseointegration in osteopenic models.

Osteopenia, a preclinical state of osteoporosis, restricts the application of adult orthodontic implant anchorage and tooth implantation. Strontium (Sr) is able to promote bone formation and inhibit bone absorption. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new method for improving the success rate of dental implantation. In this study, an electrochemical deposition (ECD) method was used to prepare a Sr coating on a titanium implant. The coating composition was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the surface morphology of the coating was studied using scanning electron microscopy. A total of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats received bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and an additional 12 rats underwent a sham surgery. All rats were then implanted in the bilateral tibiae with titanium mini-implants with or without a Sr coating. The results of histological examination and a fluorescence double labeling assay showed strong new bone formation with a wider zone between the double labels, a higher rate of bone mineralization and better osseointegration in the OVX rats that received Sr-coated implants compared with the OVX rats that received uncoated implants. The study indicates that Sr coatings are easily applied by an ECD method, and that Sr coatings have a promoting effect on implant osseointegration in animals with osteopenia.

Low-magnitude high-frequency loading, by whole-body vibration, accelerates early implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats.

Osteoporosis deteriorates jaw bone quality and may compromise early implant osseointegration and early implant loading. The influence of low­magnitude, high­frequency (LMHF) vibration on peri­implant bone healing and implant integration in osteoporotic bones remains poorly understood. LMHF loading via whole­body vibration (WBV) for 8 weeks has previously been demonstrated to significantly enhance bone­to­implant contact, peri­implant bone fraction and implant mechanical properties in osteoporotic rats. In the present study, LMHF loading by WBV was performed in osteoporotic rats, with a loading duration of 4 weeks during the early stages of bone healing. The results indicated that 4­week LMHF loading by WBV partly reversed the negative effects of osteoporosis and accelerated early peri­implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats.

Morphology, composition, and bioactivity of strontium-doped brushite coatings deposited on titanium implants via electrochemical deposition.

Surface modification techniques have been applied to generate titanium implant surfaces that promote osseointegration for use in dental applications. In this study, strontium-doped brushite coatings were deposited on titanium by electrochemical deposition. The phase composition of the coating was investigated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The surface morphologies of the coatings were studied through scanning electron microscopy, and the cytocompatibility and bioactivity of the strontium-doped brushite coatings were evaluated using cultured osteoblasts. Osteoblast proliferation was enhanced by the addition of strontium, suggesting a possible mechanism by which strontium incorporation in brushite coatings increased bone formation surrounding the implants. Cell growth was also strongly influenced by the composition of the deposited coatings, with a 10% Sr-doped brushite coating inducing the greatest amount of bone formation among the tested materials.

Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland: Intraoperative Facial Nerve Monitoring during Parotidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefit to postoperative facial function of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring (IFNM) during recurrent pleomorphic adenoma (RPA) parotid surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study with planned data collection. SETTING: Chinese PLA General Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight RPA parotidectomies were performed between 2004 and 2012. Recurrence was confirmed by histopathologic examination. None of the patients had preoperative facial palsy. Electromyography-based IFNM was used in 28 patients; 30 patients were unmonitored. The durations of surgery and the severity of postoperative facial nerve palsy were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the incidence of immediate or permanent facial paralysis after RPA parotidectomy (P = .95 and P = .36, respectively). However, the differences in the average duration of surgery and the severity of postoperative facial nerve palsy after total parotidectomy or wide resection were significant (P < .01 and P = .01, respectively). In contrast, these differences were not significant after superficial parotidectomies (P = .43 and P = .49, respectively). The average recovery time of temporary facial nerve paralysis was significantly shorter in the monitored group compared with the unmonitored group, independent of surgical technique (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The use of IFNM during total or wide resection RPA parotidectomy reduced the duration of surgery and the incidence of postoperative facial paralysis and enhanced recovery. However, there was little impact on facial nerve outcomes when IFNM was used during superficial RPA parotidectomy.

[Analysis of human mandible and temporomandibular joint using three-dimensional finite element method under different mechanical models].

OBJECTIVE: Analysis the result of human mandible and temporomandibular joint using two different three-dimensional finite element method under different mechanical models. METHODS: The 3-dimensional model including cortical and cancellous bone for human mandible was obtained through computed tomography (CT) scan. Then the model was meshed in the software ICEM CFD. The passive and active muscle-force loadings were separately applied on the FE model to simulate the anterior clenching. Stress distributions in two models were compared. RESULTS: The stress distributions of two models were apparently different. In the passive muscle-force model, high stress was mainly distributed in mandibular angle, retromolar trigone, notch and bite point on crown. In the active muscle-force model, high stress was mainly distributed in condylar vertex and neck, mandibular angle, retromolar trigone and bite point on crown. There were some similarities between passive and active muscle loadings. However, large difference existed in condylar region due to the vertices reaction force disparity. CONCLUSION: Closer to actual stressing state of human mandible and temporomandibular joint, the active muscle-force model is a proper biomechanical model for human mandible under anterior clenching.

Spherical headed silicone intubation in the treatment of 26 cases (31 eyes) of chronic dacryocystitis under nasal endoscopy.

PURPOSE: To observe the clinical efficacy of spherical headed silicone implantation in the treatment of chronic dacryocystitis under nasal endoscopy. METHODS: Twenty six patients (31 eyes) with chronic dacryocystitis were subjected to spherical headed silicone implantation under topical anesthesia (lacrimal passage and nasal mucosal surface). Lacrimal passage irrigation was performed daily throughout the first postoperative week , and once each month thereafter. RESULTS: All spherical headed silicone tube placements were successfully performed. The operative time ranged from 6 to 11 minutes. Symptoms of epiphora were immediately ameliorated post-operatively, and irrigation demonstrated patency of the lacrimal system in all patients. All patients were followed from 7 to 24 months, during which symptoms of tearing were improved. The lacrimal ducts of 27 eyes (87.7%) were normal. The lacrimal ducts of 4 others (12.3%) were still blocked. Lacrimal passage irrigation was open and secretion disappeared in 28 eyes (90.3%). Tearing was observed in 3 eyes (9.68%). CONCLUSION: Spherical headed silicone tube implantation under nasal endoscopy is successful in relieving symptoms of tearing.

[Effect of human silicotic alveolar macrophages on expression of matrix metalloproteinase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase and collagen in human lung fibroblasts].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of culture supernatant of alveolar macrophage alveolar macrophages (AM) stimulated by SiO2 on the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) and collagen of fibroblast human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELF) in the development of silicosis fibrosis. METHODS: AMs were collected from a silicotic patient by bronchoalveolar lavage and exposed to SiO2, cultured human embryo lung fibroblast were allocated into a treated group, a control group, a positive group, and a blank group. HELF was incubated with the cultured supernatant of AMs for 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 h. Immunocytochemical and Western blot technology were used to detect MMP-1 and TIMP-1 expressions in HELF and collagen expression in supernatant of HELF respectively. RESULTS: The supernatant of AM exposed to SiO2 significantly decreased the expressions of MMP-1 (0.0605 +/- 0.0201, 0.0519 +/- 0.0117, 0.0412 +/- 0.0105 and 0.0213 +/- 0.0106 in the treated group at 18, 24, 36 and 48 h) compared with the control group and the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) but stimulated expressions of TIMP-1 and collagen (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The ratio of TIMP-1 to MMP-1 increased. The ratio of TIMP-1 to MMP-1 was positively correlated with the expression of collagen III (r = 0.88, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Through AM mediation SiO2 can accelerate the expression of TIMP-1 and collagen, and inhibit the expression of MMP-1. The imbalance between the expression of TIMP-1 and that of MMP-1 is related with the abnormal increase in collagen III.